#and then she gets even more mad at me she’s like we’re going to Costco that day at that time how could you not know that

[theinconveniencing]

my sister seriously needs to die that’s the only way

[kaepop-trash]

Hey can you do a drabble with johnny where y/n and him share there kinks in a pillowtalk and even though they are timid (?) at first they encourage each other to speak.

And can you make it fluffy? Or like i dont mind how you make it i trust your writing style anyway😂😊😊😘😘

This started a whole discourse between me and two other people on what we think Johnny’s kinks are so genuine gratitude to you for that. After careful consideration, I came on these. This was very fun to write. I really wish people were this comfortable communicating in real life. I wish I was this comfortable communicating in real life.

I want you to picture this happening after the costco scene in Unintended Consequences, that is important to keep in mind. Thank you for saying you have trust in my writing because it makes one of us. I hope you like this!

-

Johnny looked up when the door of his bedroom opened, smiling when she walked in. She returned his welcoming smile with a tired one.

“I can’t believe you’re still awake.” She dropped her purse beside the door, “I’m sorry, the meeting lasted longer than I anticipated. We were supposed to go for dinner.” She sighed.

Johnny shook his head, “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He took his laptop off his lap and placed it on the bed. “You’re here now, that’s all that matters.” He slipped out of bed, smiling at the way she fluttered her eyes away to the floor at his words.

Johnny definitely enjoyed how she looked when she was flustered a little too much.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

She groaned, "No I was chewing on these crackers from a basket somebody gave me at the office. They were actually really good." She recalled.

"I'm famished." Johnny smiled as he came up to her.

She gave a look that was somewhere between surprise and apology. "You haven't eaten yet? It's midnight!" She sighed. Johnny shook his head. A small smile tugging at his lips from her reprimand, "I’m going to take a shower and then we’ll eat okay?”

-

“Why are people sending you baskets?” Johnny questions as they ate the food Johnny ordered hours ago. She turned to look at him, holding back a smile. With a suspicious gaze, Johnny picked up his phone.

“It’s your birthday next week.” Johnny snorted once he checked the date.

She laughed, “Remember last year?” The look on his face made her laugh some more.

“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Johnny sounded offended, “I was still on thin ice with Sooyoung then. Imagine how it felt when she told me it was your birthday and I had no clue.” He sulked making her bite back her laugh.

“She only told you because she knew I wouldn’t.” (Y/N) shrugged, shoving more food into her mouth.

“Why?”

“Just.” She shrugged again. “All my friends live in different cities, you and I were barely on our second month; so I didn’t really do much about it. It’s just another day to me anyway.”

Johnny hummed with sarcasm, “That’s why you were sitting on your couch eating ice cream and watching HBO?” He clicked his tongue, disappointment clear on his face.

Her brows creased, “Hey! Nothing wrong with eating your favourite flavour of ice cream and watching your favourite show for the ninth time.”

“Yes.” Johnny sat back in his chair, patience written all over his face. “But we could have done that together.”

She chewed on her lips at that, before clicking her tongue. “You came over anyway!” She laughed, “With cake and that lemon chicken I really like. You’re the best boyfriend.” She puckered her lips at him and made kissy noises from across the table making him scoff. “It was the middle of the week! I didn’t want to be a bother, so I didn’t tell you. It’s whatever.” She dismissed the idea. “Don’t be mad.” She gave him a cheeky grin. "I'm yours for the day this time." She promised.

Johnny huffed, “Just watch.” He pointed his fork at her, “This time I’m going to go all out.” She groaned at the promise, making a smirk lift his lips. “So many gifts, (Y/N). Just watch.” He threatened. “So many.”

“Johnny.” She whined.

“No, see.” He sat up in his chair, his eyes glinting. “I know you better now. I know exactly what to give you.” He sounded very sure. "So you don't have to be self-righteous."

“And what’s that?”

“Things you want but put off buying. Like that kitchen knife you were eyeing at the mall. Or those scented candles.” He recalled with such impeccable memory that she would refuse if she wasn’t so touched.

Johnny drew his lower lip in with his teeth, thinking over something and then letting it go, “I’m also getting you some things I want.”

“Like what?” She raised a brow.

He gave her a secretive smile, “You’ll see.”

She grimaced, “Why so many?”

“Because I want to.” Johnny got out of his chair, picking up their empty plates. She got up and followed him towards the kitchen, “You never let me buy you anything! Your birthday is an opportunity.” He put the plates in the sink, giving her a chaste kiss on her temples. "And don't say you can get it yourself or I'll add another gift to my list." He said like he read her mind.

She bit her lips, “I let you buy me food.” She protested softly.

The incredulous look Johnny gave her made her giggle. “Basic nourishment, (Y/N). What a standard you set.” He huffed.

“You’re into that aren’t you?” She said softly.

Johnny stopped just as he scrubbed the first plate, turning to her. “Nourishment?” He scoffed, amusement painting on his face. “As a general rule of life, yes.”

She rolled her eyes, “It pleases you, giving people things?” She clarified.

“I guess.” He said slowly, looking back at the plate.

“You even got Mark an xbox for something you refuse to tell me about.” She scoffed.

Johnny smiled to himself, “That’s between him and me.” He wiped his hands after finishing his chore.

She hummed, “So I was right.” She said to herself mostly. When Johnny looked up at her in question, she bit down on her lip. “Last week. At costco?” Her heartbeat sped up a little as she recalled the afternoon.

“Oh.” Johnny blushed and looked away, a sight that was delightful to experience. “Yeah. I mean,” He paused, letting out a short laugh. “I thought I made that obvious.” She could tell he was trying to be nonchalant, but his cheeks were already turning pink.

“What else?” She questioned.

“What else what?” He turned around to face her, pulling her into his chest with a quick tug at her waist.

“What else are you into?”

Johnny gave her a devious grin, “So we’re doing this now?”

She looked down to his chest, “I mean. A year is long enough for us to discuss what we’re into. Sexually speaking.” Her warming cheeks made her look lower, to her own fingers.

Johnny hummed, tightening his grip. “Since we’re discussing this. Let’s start with you.”

That made her look up at him, “I asked you first!” She protested. “You should start.” She narrowed her eyes.

He nodded, “Come to bed at least, we’re both very tired.”

-

They both lay on their sides, watching each other. The soft light of the lamp above their head illuminated his face, his eyes covered by the shadow his hair left.

Johnny’s eyes shifted to the mirror on the wall opposite his bed, “I like watching you in the mirror sometimes. Watching us, I mean.” When his eyes came back to her, she could tell he was being careful. It made her heart flutter.

“I’ve noticed.” She smiled.

Johnny laughed, flipping over to look at the ceiling, “You’re making me nervous.” He groaned, running his hand through his hair. “I’m very vocal in bed. So I enjoy that in a partner too.” He nodded to himself.

“Like telling you how good it feels?” He questioned.

Johnny flopped his head to the side to face her again, his hair landing on his eyes, “Exactly.” The look he gave her seared her skin, “Also what you want me to do. I’m into verbal affirmation.”

She hummed, “Got anything I wasn’t already aware of?” She raised a brow.

Johnny grinned sheepishly, “Your turn. I’m trying to ease into it.” He winked, “What does my baby like, hmm?” He reached out to lace his fingers through hers, rubbing his fingers on his palm.

She chewed on her bottom lip, “There’s something about the way you run your fingers through my hair.” She fluttered her eyes away from his, focusing instead on his fingers. “Actually, fingers in general. Very nice, very attractive.” She lifted his hand, inspecting it.

“I’m flattered.” Johnny chuckled, “What else?” His voice came out rougher.

Her heart hammered in her throat, “Sometimes, when you’re cross at me.” She turned to look at him, an embarrassed laugh emitting from her lips. “You sound too good scolding me, Johnny. I didn’t know I could be into that.” She huffed, sounding a little annoyed at the notion.

“Now this. This I knew.” A smile tugged at his lips.

"I like taking control sometimes." Her cheeks felt too hot, "Especially if I can be on top." She kept her eyes on his palm.

"Oh." Johnny's voice dropped a little more. "Wow." He huffed, "Okay."

She looked up at him with an amused look in her eyes, the eager nod he gave her giving her the confidence to continue.

"I also," She paused and took a breath. Her exhale came out as a flustered laugh, making her smile.

“Don’t be embarrassed.” Johnny grinned.

“I’m not!” She interjected, "Just give me a moment." She groaned, closing her eyes and ignoring her now burning cheeks. "I want to sit on your face." She scrunched her face, lifting a hand to hide it.

Johnny laughed loudly, the sound making her let his hand go to shove his chest.

"Don't laugh at me, Johnny!" She whined, "I'm going to go home. This is the worst idea I've ever had." She risked taking the hand off her eyes to find him grinning at her affectionately.

"You're so cute, (Y/N). That's not bad at all. It's so hot, I'd do anything you want me to know, baby." He brushed his knuckles on her pink cheeks. "You can tell me anything." He mumbled.

"I know!" She defended, "I know." She groaned. "This is just–" She paused, sighing. “This is just new to me.”

“Kinks?” Johnny gave her a skeptical look. She kicked his shin, making Johnny laugh.

“Communicating about them. I just thought,” She took a nervous breath. “I want you to be comfortable with your desires, you know?” She came a little closer to him. "I wanted to know what you like.

Johnny looked over her face, “I am very comfortable with how much I desire you. Too comfortable, in fact.” He raised a meaningful brow, biting back his smile.

“No.” She took another breath, thinking her words over once more. “I have a suspicion.” She breached slowly.

“No (Y/N),” The serious look on his face made her pause. “Mark and I are just friends.”

She snorted, making Johnny grin. “That’s very reassuring. But,” She reached out to put a hand on his chest. He hummed when she did, the sound reverberating in his chest against her palm. She kept her eyes focused on the way her hand rose and fell against his chest, “Sometimes I feel that you’re too careful with me. I don’t know whether it’s because of the fact that I haven’t had too many partners or because you’re afraid I’ll freak out or something.” She looked up with wide eyes when his breathing seemed to rise, her hand moving more rapidly. “I could be wrong. It’s just something I was wondering.” She looked away again, losing her nerves.

This time Johnny put his fingers under her chin, lifting it to meet his eyes, “Hey. You can tell me about anything you wonder in passing, hmm?” His eyes glowed in the dim light, she nodded. “I am gentle with you. I guess, some of it is because I am nervous of how you’ll react. But mostly because I love you. I want to treat you so well, like I believe you deserve.”

“What are you nervous about?” Curiosity took over her hesitation as she finally felt her questions being answered, “I can assure you, that you can’t break me in half.” She added with a snort, a smile playing on her lips.

Johnny mirrored it, “I know.”

“Then?”

“I mean,” Johnny paused, “I guess.” He sighed. He rubbed his face with his hand.

It was strange to see Johnny flustered about something. It was rare, and it never failed to catch her off-guard. Between the both of them, Johnny was comfortable being the one always sure about things; he was the one who not only knew what he wanted, but was enviably vocal about it. She did her part and waited patiently for him to find his words.

Johnny laughed, “You always do this to me.” He groaned, turning back to face her with renewed certainty in his eyes, “There is a laundry list of things I am so tempted to do to you. But I would never want to make you uncomfortable. I guess,” He paused again.

When she laughed at the repeated phrase, he joined with a pained one. “You’re laughing at me.” He groaned, the irony not lost on him.

“Only because I think you’re so cute.” She tugged at his t-shirt, leaving a kiss on his nose. He scrunched it, as if to protest, but it only cemented her statement.

He trapped her in his arms, pecking her lips a few times with a smile. “Exactly. I think I like being cute around you. I want to be your cute, domestic boyfriend Johnny. I didn't think I'd like that role as much I do and I was worried–”

“That I would stop thinking you’re cute if you spank me?” She scoffed.

Johnny squeezed his eyes shut, taking a strained inhale.

She reached up to leave a soft kiss on his eye, “We can always try it.” She said softly. His exhale was equally strained. “And other things." She hummed, "Doesn't mean we lose the comfort we have. If anything, I want you to be more comfortable. Which is why I wanted to know. You’re always holding back. I see it in the way you look at me sometimes.” She kissed the other lid, “I just want to know what it is. Be honest with me.” She kissed his forehead, “Trust me, so I can show that I trust you.” Johnny sighed at those words. “I don’t want your restraint.” She murmured against his cheek.

“You really cannot say that when you take it as a personal challenge to pull away all of my restraint. You’ve been doing it since we met.” He opened his eyes, chiding her.

The smile she gave him at that, shy but unapologetic, made him think that today would really be the day he would tell her of the things he only thought of mid-week when he missed her touch a little too much.

“See.” She smiled against his cheek, “That’s my kink.” She reached a hand out to rest on his neck, nails dragging up into his hair. Johnny shivered at the action. "I just love it. Pulling your restraint away from you slowly, watching you try so hard to keep your self-control together. It's so hot watching it fall apart." Both their breathing matched, heavy and eager. "You're so hot."

"Wretched little thing." He mumbled into her neck, making her skin erupt into goosebumps.

She smiled against his chin, "There's also that isn’t there? The difference in our general stature." A short breathless laugh left her when Johnny groaned, the sound shooting down into the depths of her belly. “What is it about it? I was always curious.” She pulled back from. Somehow looking into his dark eyes and finger-dragged hair was worse than being close to him.

“I just lose my mind over it.” He breathed out the confession, “You're so small, so precious." He laughed at his own words. "That sounds ridiculous out loud but," He chewed his bottom lip sore, her eyes settling on the now swollen flesh, "How your hands fit into mine. How you fit into me.” He paused, dragging his teeth over his lower lip again. “When I’m inside you.” He closed his eyes again, his breathing rapid.

She felt herself rub her thighs together. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. She wanted to know these things about him, because was started to fall in love with him. She wanted to see every part of him and reassure him about it. Soothing the small doubts she knew her wildly confident Johnny still held. Instead, the room felt charged with the growing tension.

“Yeah?” She encouraged him.

“You take me so well. You swallow me with your pretty little cunt.” He groaned.

It was her turn to close her eyes, her breathing joining his in pace. This wasn’t at all how this was supposed to go, but she couldn’t bring herself to mind.

“There’s also something,” He continued. “That I think you’d like.” He granted her the mercy of closing the space between them again. She opened her eyes, waiting for him to finish. “Sometimes I think of how it would feel to have my fingers wrapped around your pretty neck.” He hummed, raising his hand to brush his thumb against her throat.

“Fuck.” She grumbled, “Johnny how could you possibly think I’d mind any of these things?” She sounded the cocktail of exasperation and arousal she felt. “Do all of those to me. God you’re absolutely insane for thinking I’d be adverse to any of these.” She whined, squirming as her body searched for friction. “I thought you’d say you want to hang me from the ceiling or something.”

Johnny's laugh sounded more like a pant. "No, nothing that intense." He brushed his thumb over her clavicles. "I think the furthest I'll go is a foot fetish." He sighed.

Her eyes blinked open, "You have a foot fetish?" She asked, surprised. Johnny gave her a nod. "Now see that one I'm going to judge you for." She put a finger on his chest, finding her volume again.

Johnny bit back a smile, "Why does that get such an extreme reaction?" A short laugh bubbled up his throat.

"Are you going to make me send you pictures of my feet?" She furrowed her brows, but her eyes betrayed the humour.

"Not if you don't want to, no."

"But you'll look at them? Like in a sexual way?" She questioned.

Johnny smirked, "How do you know I don't already? You have nice feet. Especially when you paint your nails or wear heels." He took the finger she put on her chest and bought it to his lips.

"That's a little weird I'm not going to lie to you baby." She scrunched her nose.

Johnny scoffed, "So you can like my hands but I can't like your feet?" He raised his brows at her.

She chewed on her lips, caught in the trap of his words. "That's a fair point. I guess you can keep that, then." She gasped when he took her index finger between his teeth, biting down just hard enough for the blood pool into her stomach.

"Don't knock it till you try it, (Y/N)." He warned, his tongue grazing against the flesh now imprinted with the mark of his teeth.

"What exactly am I trying?" She raised a brow.

"One of these days, I just might show you. For now, we both need to sleep." He dropped her hand.

She looked at him, dumbfounded. "We aren't having sex?"

Delight gleamed in his eyes at the indignation in her voice. "Tomorrow." The single word was a bond.

She groaned, too tired herself to put up a fight. "Absolute tease." She rolled her eyes, "That should have made it onto your list. Probably worse than the feet thing, as well." She huffed.

Johnny laughed again, pulling her closer to him till his chin rested on her crown. "I love you so very much." He sighed, the words making her chest bubble like a freshly popped can of soda.

She nuzzled into him, the action significant enough to make him smile. "I hope me thinking your feet are sexy isn't the deal breaker because I don't want to lose you." He mixed the heartfelt words with a lighthearted jab, something very quintessentially 'Johnny' to do.

"You wish you could get rid of me that easy, big boy." She shoved him lightly, "You're my daddy now." She tried to joke but Johnny groaned.

"Stop saying that." He warned, "I was hoping we'd go for brunch tomorrow. So we need to sleep."

"Such a father thing to say Mr. John Suh." She teased further.

Johnny chuckled into her hair. "Okay, enough. I didn't tell you all of those things just to be teased." He whined.

She shuffled to look up at him, "That's exactly what you signed up for with me." She pecked his lips once, "Good night." She smiled against them.

-

Send me an ask about a character from one of my fics in a scenario and I'll write a drabble.

Character from: Unintended Consequences

[elareine]

I had a thought for a prompt: What if Tim had a Costco membership, for getting groceries for Titans Tower right? But what if he got himself a Costco sized tin of those Danish Butter cookies (you know the ones that everyone’s grandma uses the tin for sewing supplies?) for his and Jay’s apartment. Que every single one of their siblings, friends, and Bruce sneaking into their apartment to steal some. Because Alfred DOES NOT let them into the manor for reasons.

That is a hilarious prompt, thank you, love!

(Also thanks to @atasteforsuicidal for explaining what exactly Costco does XD)

It started with Dick. 

Which, okay, not too weird. Tim and Dick were close, and if you asked Jason under torture, he would admit that the two of them managed just fine these days, as well. So Dick was a regular visitor these days, and with his metabolism, him sneaking some cookies from the big tins wasn’t too surprising. 

“Eat something real,” was Jason’s only reply, and then he made Dick some pasta because no one in this family could feed themselves.  

Stephanie was a lot less subtle about it. She marched in with a fervent: “God bless your kitchen” and ate everything in sight. Nothing unusual about that. 

Duke was next, though Jason only retroactively added him to the list. That kid was just charming as fuck, dropping by to ask for some opinions and making such a show of stealing Jason’s quesadillas that Jason never noticed him going for the cookies. 

The problem really started when Damian broke into their kitchen. 

Jason didn’t even figure it out until after it happened, which bugged the hell out of him. Apparently, the hellspawn was willing to do the song-and-dance of slipping through their alarm system but didn’t care about being recorded. Possibly because nothing Damian was all that bad, as far as Jason could see. He went through a few of their assorted tins and boxes, ate a few things, crammed some cookies into his bag, and… left. Maybe the kid had just been hungry on patrol? 

(Jason still replaced all of Tim’s coffee, just in case.) 

Only that wasn’t the last break-in. No, they had nightly visits by two speedsters. Two. Jason was amazed they had any food left at this rate. This was why Tim had become a Costco member; they would be broke otherwise, inheritance or not. Damian broke in again. The second time, he even brought Jon. 

Jason just wished he knew why their kitchen had turned into midnight-snack central. When he complained, Tim just laughed at him.

It didn’t click until Roy fell upon the tin with a cry of delight. “Oh, Jaybird, you bought the good stuff!” 

“They’re just cookies.” 

“Yeah, but the good ones.” For some reason, Roy looked… disappointed with him? “You really don’t appreciate the finer things in life, do you?” 

Normally, Jason would’ve taken that as the starting point for a rant about quality in food and art in these modern times. Right now, he was too busy experiencing an epiphany. “Is that why fucking everyone is trying to burgle our kitchen?” 

Roy patted him on the shoulder sympathetically and inhaled another cookie. 

Sadly, Jason didn’t feel any better about the madness just because he now had an explanation. They still had the nightly visitors, and more daytime ones than ever, too. Even Damian stopped pretending and just invited himself over for lunch. 

One night, Jason switched on the kitchen light, saw Bruce standing there, and switched it right back off. 

“Barbara is now my favorite sibling,” he declared upon returning to the bedroom. 

Tim didn’t look up from whatever he was typing. “Does she really count as a sibling? She does have a dad.” 

“Half sibling, half future sister-in-law, then.” Jason would feel more awkward about that sentence if he wasn’t literally sliding under a blanket with Tim. In their bed. In their apartment. Sooo. No stones to throw here. “Anyway. She’s my favorite.” 

“Any specific reason?” 

“She didn’t yet try to steal those fucking cookies.” 

The typing stopped. 

Jason groaned. “…seriously?” 

He must’ve sounded truly pathetic because Tim actually put the laptop on the nightstand and scooted his way over into Jason’s arms. “She stopped by when you were out with the outlaws yesterday.” 

“And there goes my last hope,” Jason sighed. 

Tim showed his sympathy by cuddling in closer, which Jason appreciated, but he wasn’t done with this whole thing yet. 

“It tells me I need to start baking again,” he grumbled into Tim’s hair. “If ya’ll are going that crazy for some fucking butter cookies, you should try my mom’s recipe.” 

“Yeah, but if you make them, Alfred will love them.” 

“What does Alfred have to do with this?” 

“He forbade those cookie tins from the manor years ago. No one wants to cross him, but… the lure of the forbidden…” 

“So we’re in some sort of reverse psychology experiment?” Jason chuckled. That. That actually explained a lot. Except—“Wait. If you knew—why did you buy it in the first place?” 

Tim mumbled something unintelligible. When Jason poked him, he raised his voice, but not by much. “It’s kinda nice, isn’t it?” 

“Oh.” Jason cupped Tim’s jaw, gently tipped his head so they were looking at each other. “Sweetheart, you know they would visit with or without the cookies, right?” 

Tim just looked at him. “Kinda?”

They had done this for long enough that Jason just asked: “You want logical or emotional reassurance?” 

And Tim knew he could reply: “…both.” 

“Literally every single one of them has a trust fund. They can afford all the Danish butter cookies in the world. Dames could just break into Cosco—and you know he would, cause it’s a corporation, so ‘stealing is ethical.’” Jason allowed that to sink in. Then he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Tim’s temple. “And they love you very much.” Just like I do. 

When he thought that Tim got it, he nodded and let go, allowing his boyfriend to hide his face in Jason’s neck again. That turned out to be a mistake, for Tim chose that moment to strike: “You know the same goes for you, too?” 

Jason took a moment to blink. “…Nah. It’s definitely the cookies.” 

“Sure, Jay.” Tim pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. “Keep telling yourself that.” 

Jason hummed. A peaceful quiet settled over their bedroom. 

He waited until Tim was just settled in, his breathing starting to slow down, to say: “By the way, Bruce is in our kitchen.” 

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.” 

[mourntheantagonist]

Chapter 5

Read on AO3

1988: P.I.R. Day 1

“Bill, it’s raining.”

Billy looks over to his boyfriend who sits in the passenger seat with a pout on his face. The rain is coming down as barely even a sprinkle. More like a mist. Windshield wipers only useful every five minute.

“Someone’s observant.”

Steve scoffs and crosses his arms. He’s been in a mood since they got up this morning. Steve was all packed and ready for a long weekend trip only to find out that the track was only a whopping ten minute drive from their house.

“Where else did you think the Portland International Raceway was located?”

Steve just dropped his duffle to the ground and walked out the front door and jumped into the Camaro. Leaving the cup of coffee Billy had poured him sitting on the counter to grow cold.

Billy knew not to look too much into things like this with Steve. He was by no means a morning person and even though the droplets were small, rain always put him in a bad mood.

It reminded him too much of Hawkins. Not memories of good days out with friends or at parties getting shitfaced. It reminded him of the days spent inside by himself as he watched raindrops drip on the window pane. Alone in his huge house. Nothing to do but stare at the puddles forming in potholes and being heavily reminded of his loneliness.

Rain put him in a bad mood. It really didn’t help that they lived in the Pacific Northwest, where rain was almost an everyday thing. But today it was a little more than just the rain. It was that Billy would be racing in the rain. Steve didn’t like that at all.

Billy oh so regrets telling Steve about the guy who spun out and crashed into a wall just two races ago. Because of the rain he hydroplaned and couldn’t stop himself. But Steve won’t listen to the rest of the story. Won’t listen to the fact that the guy has a history of pulling shit like this. Doesn’t take the road conditions into account ever. And he was fine! The car barely even sustained enough damage to warrant repair. Just a dent that was easily pulled out and a couple chips off the paint.

Steve wants nothing more than for Billy to turn the car right around. Drive out to Peet’s and fuel him with some caffeine, considering he’d abandoned the one at home in an attempt to make a point to Billy.

But he’s not going to ask him to do that. But he’s definitely not going to let Billy think he’s okay with what he’s doing.

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll go slow.”

Steve huffs out a laugh. “For you, slow is five over.”

“I’ll turn around if you’re really that upset about it.”

Steve wants to scream ‘Yes! Please turn around’, but he doesn’t want to be the reason for that. Doesn’t want to be the wall standing in between Billy doing what he wants to do. He wants Billy to put up those walls himself, for himself. Value his own safety and livelihood just a little bit.

Was Steve being overdramatic? Probably. But cut him some slack. It’s eight in the morning, rain is coming down, Billy refuses to run the heat in the car, and he’s tired. Should have just drank the damn coffee.

They pull into the venue and it is absolutely nothing like the last race. Trees are replaced by buildings. The hum of traffic on the interstate is deafening. They are unmistakably still smack dab in the middle of the city, and not in Nowheresville, Washington. There’s people standing around engaged in conversation. Easily able to differentiate between locals and tourists by whether or not they’re standing under the canopy. True Oregonians don’t even own umbrellas.

Sure, they’re technically locals, but Steve still rushed from the safety of the car to one of the covered areas, pulling his flannel up and over his head. Have to protect the hair.

Billy followed shortly after, Steve’s raincoat in hand because Billy remembered to grab it. Steve always forgets. Steve begrudgingly takes it from Billy’s hands and puts it on. It’s hard to stay mad at someone when they keep being so considerate. But Steve does have a special talent for that.

“Come on you big fucking baby, let’s go get you some coffee. They’re selling some at concessions.”

Steve’s head jerks around quick enough to cause minor whiplash.

“Wait, there's concessions?”

“Yes. Not every race is just a bunch of dudes in a parking lot.”

“Is there food?”

Billy just huffs out a laugh and pulls Steve by the collar of his jacket out into the rain and towards the little concession stand by the bleachers. If there’s one way to get Steve out of a bad mood, it’s directly through his stomach.

Billy bought him a cup of coffee with extra creamer – he was still working on that – and a croissant. Steve didn’t need to know that they weren’t freshly made and came directly out of a Costco container. As his stomach filled and his body warmed up from the hot drink in his hand, his bad mood started to fade. And just like Steve, the earth had a mood change as well. Clouds parting, letting in a glimpse of sun as the rain halted.

“Look Steve, no more rain.”

“The ground is still wet.”

Billy just dramatically threw his hands in the air. “Barely!” He exclaimed. “Just relax and finish your croissant. I’m gonna go register.”

Steve nods and watches Billy walk away, leaving him there by himself. Coffee in one hand, half of a croissant in the other. Left to his own thoughts. His weird intrusive thoughts. Like if someone were to push him over, which would he save? The coffee or the croissant? He should just finish the croissant so he doesn’t have to ponder that question. He never liked the trolley problem.

He looks to the sky, watching the clouds continue to part revealing bright blue skies and the bright sun overhead. It was nice, but they lived here long enough to know not to hold their breath. Portland rain was indecisive. It would be pouring buckets one minute, and sunny clear skies the next.

It’s why you would never catch a local with an umbrella. It’s pointless unless you plan to lug it around with you all year long. It’s better to learn to accept and even appreciate damp clothes and damp hair. That last part was definitely taking Steve some time to come to grips with.

The line Billy’s in was long. And he didn’t appear to be anywhere close to the front. That’s the reason the sudden hand on his shoulder startled him. Was he actually going to have to decide which to save?

But he turns around to see Gerry. Five foot three and a hundred and ten pounds of pure bullishness. Steve would be lying through his teeth if he were to say he wasn’t absolutely terrified of the old woman.

“Good to see ya here kid. Thought you’d been scared off after the first race.”

Steve’s mouth hangs open just slightly. It’s too early for him to talk to people. Luckily he realizes he’s been just standing there like an idiot after just a few seconds.

“Oh. Uh. Yeah. I just have a crazy work schedule. This was the first time I could have the weekend off.”

“That’s good. Was startin’ to worry the two of you had broke it off. Glad to see ya didn’t.” She pats his shoulder a little hard. Not really expecting it he stumbles slightly.

He momentarily freaks at the comment. Forgetting for a second that Billy had told her. He allows himself to smile when it comes back to him. Enjoying the acceptance from the old woman. Ahead of her time. Reminding himself why he said he liked her.

“Okay. Since I have you alone, I have to ask. I have a theory and I need you to confirm it.” Steve throws her a quizzical look and takes a sip of his coffee. “What’s Hargrove like in the sack?”

Steve nearly does a spit take.

He manages to swallow the coffee in one aggressive gulp before actually bursting out into a fit of laughter.

“I’m sorry. Uh. Could you maybe elaborate? Are you asking about our... positions?”

“Oh god. No. Please don’t tell me that.”

Steve never thought he’d see that lady blush. But she was. Blushing. Cherry red all over her cheeks.

“My theory is that his little tough guy act don’t make it past the bedroom door.”

“Oh! Okay. Umm.” Steve was slightly uncomfortable. Discussing not his sex life with a woman be barely knew, but Billy’s sex life. But Steve was still hanging on to that grudge and thought, what harm is there? “He’s definitely not as aggressive, but I wouldn’t go as far to say he’s entirely submissive.”

“So he’s not a pillow princess?”

Steve raises his eyebrows and chuckles.

“Sometimes.”

Now Gerry has burst into laughter. Almost tearing up. Steve never would have thought this is the kind of conversation he’d be having at eight thirty in the morning in the middle of a parking lot surrounded by conservative men in their forties and fifties.

And then there’s someone else standing next to them. Long dirty blond hair. Unmistakably Billy.

“What are you guys laughing at?” Billy asks. Not at all amused.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, princess.” Gerry says before slapping a hand two times against his cheek and walking off without another word.

Billy looks completely dumbfounded. Steve is desperately trying to hold in another laugh.

“Did she just call me princess?”

“Hey shouldn’t we be walking the course right about now?”

Billy takes the half eaten croissant from Steve’s hand and takes a bite before handing it back.

And with a mouthful of bread he points a finger. “This conversation is not over.”

- : -

They only had the time to walk the course just once. Billy was nervous. Steve could tell. Not just because of that. But because it had started to rain again.

Steve doesn’t like seeing Billy nervous about the rain. He was already nervous enough himself when Billy was all confident with his “it’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing”’s, but if Billy’s nervous, that can’t be good.

By the time they get back to the Camaro, Billy falls into the driver seat with his legs hanging out the open door. His head in his hands breathing slightly chaotic. Something was wrong. More than just the rain.

Steve lays a tentative hand onto Billy’s thigh, but Billy quickly and swiftly slaps the hand away.

“Don’t touch me. We’re in public!”

Okay. Something was really wrong.

Because not ten minutes ago they were just fine being touchy. Sure they were very PG and platonic. But Billy seemed to be okay with it so long as it was nothing too suspicious. A hand on a thigh might seem a little too suggestive if you don’t counter in the fact that there was literally nobody near and the car door shielded the act entirely from view.

But Steve chose not to take it personally. Because something happened in that little head of his as soon as the rain started. Something Steve was not yet privy to.

“Billy. Relax. I’m gonna get in and we’re gonna talk it out, okay?”

Billy nodded his head. Breaths still shaky with a hint of anger as he tossed his legs into the vehicle and slammed his door shut. Okay maybe a little more than a hint.

Once Steve was inside he took a tight hold of Billy’s hand. Trying to calm his erratic breathing. It seems to help slightly. Enough for Billy to actually hear the words coming out of Steve’s mouth.

“Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

Billy looks at him. His eyes stone cold. “It’s fucking raining.”

“Someone’s observant.”

“Shut up.”

Steve pulls their clasped hands to where they are now resting on Steve’s thigh. Wrapping a second hand around the two so Billy’s is fully encompassed.

“That didn’t seem to bother you an hour ago. Why now?”

Billy tosses his head back against the headrest. Shutting his eyes tightly and inhaling sharply through his nose.

“You! You made me fucking nervous, Steve. I have never given the rain a second thought until you. And now I can barely remember the course, and I have to run on street tires, and it’s fucking raining! And you’re here to watch and now I’m nervous.”

Steve’s look at Billy softens. Because it makes sense. And god Steve feels awful because it was his grumpy attitude that caused all of this.

“Bills, if I thought your life was actually in danger I would have had you turn the car around when you asked. I was just in a pissy mood, okay?” Steve squeezes tighter. “I believe in you, princess.”

That pulls Billy out of his haze for just a moment. “Okay what the fuck inside joke is this?”

“If you do well today, maybe, I’ll tell you.”

“Bribery huh? Didn’t think that was your style.”

Aw. There’s the Billy he knows and unfortunately loves.

“Come on, let’s get those brand new numbers on your car.”

“Kiss me first, shithead.”

So Steve does. Leaning over the stick shift, planting a quick and wet kiss straight to Billy’s lips. Not the kiss Billy wants. But that’s all Steve’s going to give.

- : -

To both of their surprise, Billy doesn’t spin. Actually, he’s one of the only drivers who didn’t spin.

And fortunately, nobody crashed today. Not even Dwight.

Steve didn’t ride with Billy today. Not wanting to add to the stress. Even if it wasn’t a timed run.

And Billy came in first. Even if he drove slower than his liking. All of the DNF’s, missed gates, and hit cones playing in his own favor. And shit, Steve owes him some information, and maybe a better kiss.

The second run group was on course straight away, giving Billy and him absolutely zero time to even speak before Billy was being summoned to his work assignment. So Steve just parked himself at one of the picnic tables in the covered area. Ignoring the fact that his boyfriend was putting himself in front of reckless drivers on wet pavement. Shoving down the thought of “what could go wrong” as far as it would fucking go.

No. No. No. The only car Billy would be going home in would be the Camaro. Not an ambulance.

The sounds of screeching tires against wet asphalt did not cure the thought. Painstakingly resisting every urge to turn his head every time he heard so much as an “ooh” from an onlooker.

He sat there. Sipping on his now lukewarm coffee and searching the wooden planks of the picnic table for hidden shapes. Just like he would with the clouds if they weren’t just one gray blob.

And time manages to pass by quickly with just that to occupy his time. He hears the engines shut off and the announcer call something over the loudspeaker. He doesn’t know what, but the tone of his voice made it sound like a finale.

He’s tossing his nearly empty coffee cup in the garbage can when Billy comes up from behind him.

“Hey, before we go, wanna feel like you’re in high school again?” Billy asks, discreetly pulling at his sleeve.

“Why on earth would I want to do that?”

“Just trust me.”

Steve gives him a weird look but follows Billy under the bleachers that face the real racetrack. The one people actually come here for. Not a parking lot.

You can barely see anything but rusted metal from where they’re standing. Steve pieces it together fairly quickly.

“You bring me under here to kill me?”

“Just shut up and fucking kiss me.”

Billy was right. It totally does feel like high school. The good parts. Sneaking girls under the bleachers on the football field. But this felt ten times better. Because it was Billy. Not just some girl he only got with to prove something to Tommy H.

It’s like they were in their own little corner of the world. Perfectly concealed and able to love one another publicly but privately at the same time.

Steve’s tugging at Billy’s hair and Billy’s tugging at his. He’d be upset if it hadn’t already been messed up by the rain earlier.

Their hands are moving haphazardly but their lips and tongues have found a rhythm. Slowly interlocking and fulfilling their every need.

“God I love you.” Steve breathes against Billy’s mouth.

“Tell me what princess means.”

Steve had nearly forgotten.

“Something relating to your pillow.”

Billy stalls for a second before completely stepping away from Steve.

“You did not tell her that.”

Steve doesn’t respond. Just raises his eyebrows and stands his ground. The look says I sure did.

“I fucking hate you.”

“You love me.”

And Billy just moves back in, pulling him by the collar, and kisses him. Inhaling sharply. Breathing in all that is Steve.

“You know you love it when I just lay there.”

“Yeah. I do.”

[turnupbrock]

Perfectionist- Chapter Six (Colby Brock)

This was a requested series by @black-colby-pink “ dude you should write a series, I would read it. “ So that’s what I’m doing. I really hope you guys like it because I like writing it so far and I have interesting plans for it in the future.

Tags list: @absolute-randomness-forever @scottybrock @black-colby-pink @softboybrock @now-imagine @azurebrock @sweetxplr @rewindfridaynight

(Let me know if you want to be tagged :) )

 Corey and Ariya thought they were in the clear. They thought they were getting away with everything, that they were doing everything perfectly. What they didn’t know was that you guys were onto them. The visit with your brother just sealed their fate. You had proof, and you didn’t even hesitate to show your group of friends. Colby was ecstatic when he got your text, you were finally going home. You finally were going to be with him and your friends after nearly a week of you going to your old house, motel to motel, until you finally went to Los Angeles State Prison. You got your evidence and that’s all you could ask for. You were happy that you could finally prove to everyone that you weren’t the serial killer.

  Colby sat on the couch in Sam’s apartment, along with everyone else. Everyone was anxious and fidgeting in their seat, worried if you were even going to show up. “ Think she was being serious?” Sam questioned Colby. His leg bounces as he stares at the door waiting for you to walk in. The week that you were gone had sent Colby into a spiral of worry. He didn’t know if you were okay or what you were doing. He cried for nights on end thinking that you were leaving him. Leaving everything you guys had behind. That wasn’t the case and deep down he knew that but it was just the shock of the sudden run away. 

  The grey apartment door swung open and you stepped into the room. All the eyes snapped over to you the second that you walked through the door. “Baby!” Colby’s voice echoed through the space. Before you could reply, his arms were locked tight around your neck. You sighed and circled your own arms around his waist, pulling him as tight as you could against your body. “I missed you so much,” Colby whispered into your hair. You sniffled and buried your face further into his chest, “I missed you too.” You squeaked. You pulled back from the hug to see that your beautiful boyfriend’s cheeks had tears running down them. Wiping them away with your thumbs, you smiled wide at him. “Hey, we all missed you too!” You heard Katrina exclaim, causing you to let out a watery laugh. Enveloping Kat into a hug, all the girls followed suit, including Tara. “We missed you,” Devyn whispered. “I missed all of you too. So, so much.” 

 As soon as all the girls let go of you, you were pulled into your blonde best friend's arms, “ That was fucked up, Y/n. You had me and everyone worried.” Sam scolded you. You shook your head, “I know and I’m so sorry but I have something that you’ll want to see,” Sam let go of you, his eyes widened and questioning. “Wait, before all of that, I want my hug too!” Mike said, holding his arms out. You fell into his arms, “Me too!” Reggie called. You were passed around, hugging everyone, letting them and you cry. All of the stress and anxiety leaving their bodies. Them knowing that you’re safe and with them, made everyone relax immensely. You felt so much better to be home. To be with all the people that you love. 

 Colby pulled you into his lap. His arms wrapping tightly around your waist. His chin resting on your shoulder. You looked behind you, Colby raised his head to look at you. You gave him a small smile and pressed your lips to his, soft and slow. Savoring the feeling of his soft, plump lips against yours. You missed him, everything about him. “So what do you have to show us?” Sam asked, breaking the moment. “Cockblock,” Colby grumbled. You elbowed him in the stomach which made him laugh and squeeze you tighter. “So I left because I needed to figure some things out. And while I did that, I ended up going to see my brother..” You trailed off waiting to see everyone’s reaction. “You did what?” Colby asked. You turned in his lap and held your hand up, “ Before you get mad, let me explain.” He gave you a small nod, letting you continue. “I needed to talk to him. So I went back to my hometown, talked to my parents who visit him twice a year at the most. They told me that I can visit but to be careful since they know how much everything affected me.” 

 “So what? You went to prison, talked to your brother and?” Kat asked you. Grabbing your laptop, you took a deep breath. Your heart was racing, you were scared to tell your friends what you found out. They knew both Corey and Ariya before they knew you so you knew that this was going to be hard for them. Connecting your phone to your computer, you continued to explain, “Drew is in Los Angeles State Prison. And when I got there, I checked in and the lady told me that he already had visitors..so I waited and when the door opened..” you paused and turned your computer screen around. The pictures of Corey and Ariya coming out of the visitors lounge were pulled up on the screen. Everyone gasped, some moved closer to the screen to see if what was on the screen was real. “ What the fuck,” Mike whispered. “But there’s more,” you said quietly. Everyone looked back up at you with wide eyes, you glanced back to Colby and he sent you a slight nod. You could see the shock and disbelief in his eyes. Turning the screen back towards you, you went to find the file of the audio recording that you took during the visit. 

 “I got in and started to have a conversation with my brother when he started to tell me everything that was going on and I got everything on a recording because I needed some evidence to show you guys. When I first brought up that I thought it was people in our group..a couple of you didn’t even want to consider it-” you saw both Tara and Sam open their mouths but you held up a hand to stop them, “and I understand why. You all have known Corey and Ariya longer than you have known me and I know that it seemed like I was just throwing it out and out of the blue.” You looked around the group, “Are you guys ready?” “Yea,” Colby replied and everyone agreed so you started the recording and put the computer on the table so all of you could listen. 

  Once the recording was over everyone was up in riles. “How the fuck were they doing this shit without us knowing?” “It doesn’t make any sense though,” “Why did they even start in the first place?” “This isn’t like them or even sound like something that they could be capable of,” “I’m pissed off, they were supposed to be our best friends,” the constant comments that were flying around the room made your head spin, “GUYS STOP!” you yelled. Catching the attention of everyone, you started trying to figure out what was going to happen next, “ Okay like Drew said, behind Costco. We have 24 hours starting now. So we need a plan and we need one fast.” Colby shot up, “ Okay how about we try to bait them? Like someone can say that they know that they are the ones behind the killings. Then they would want to take them out because they don’t want anyone to know. We bait them using someone then when they get to the location, we will be there with cops just to make sure that nothing happens.” You nodded your head, “ I like that. But we would have to make sure that everything went according to plan and nothing goes wrong because this is a life we’re talking about.” Everyone agrees, “But who is gonna be the bait?” Tara asked. You chewed your lip, “I will be.” Colby’s eyes widened, “Oh hell no. Baby you are not doing that.” He demanded. “Colby, babe, I think that I would be the best at this. I promise nothing will go wrong.” He shook his head again, refusing to meet your eyes. You walked up to him and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at you, “Do you trust me?” You asked him once his blue eyes met yours. He didn’t reply so you pressed again, “Colby, do you trust me?” “Yes but I don’t trust them.” You pressed your lips against his quickly, “Then trust that I will be okay,” 

 He sighed again and dropped his head, “Fine but we need to start planning now because if anything goes wrong and you get hurt in any way, I will kill them myself.” Colby growled. You really did miss his attitude and how protective he gets over you. You smirked at him, “Yessir, let’s start now.” Turning back to the group, you all started planning and talking about what was going to happen and how we are doing to do this. You spent hours planning and replanning, “So I’ll get them alone at CostCo, tell them that I know everything, they’ll take me to the back alley like they’re planning, where you all will be waiting in the shadows with the police. Sam and Reggie are going to go down to the police tonight to tell them everything, the recording, the pictures, and the plan. Colby will be following me around everywhere because he said so, Kat, Tara, Cassie, Devyn, and Xepher are going to be waiting in the car for me and Colby to get into once the police show up. Everyone else will be in another car. We will stay in contact with everyone the whole time so everyone will be in the loop. Nothing can go wrong guys, I’m being dead serious. So I don’t end up dead.” You explained to everyone. 

 “We can do that. Everything will be perfect. We’re not going to take the chance of you getting hurt or worse,” Griffin reassured you. “Don’t even say that,” Colby said, dragging his hands through his hair. You caught one of his hands in yours and squeezed it, trying to show him some comfort. “Okay so everything is planned and we will continue to plan and make sure that everything goes right. But for now everyone needs to go home and get some rest. We have a long, hard day ahead of us. In the morning me and Mike will head to the police and get everything settled,” Sam told all of us while standing up. “Okay, thank you all for helping and this will all be over soon.” You said to everyone. Colby followed you to the door, along with everyone else. 

 “Are you ready for all this?” You asked your boyfriend once you were finally in your room. He sighed and peeled his shirt and pants off, “No, yes, I don’t know. I’m just worried.” You sighed and crawled on top of him after getting changed into just one of his shirts, “Baby, I’m going to be fine. All of our friends are going with us and working to make sure nothing goes wrong. I’ll be super careful. Okay? I promise.” You said running your fingers through his now blue hair. Colby nodded before raising his head and pressing a kiss to your lips. The kiss soon turned passionate when he flipped you over so he was hovering over you. Colby broke the kiss and locked eyes with you, “I still can’t believe that you left without telling me. I was worried and I missed you like crazy.” You smirked at him, 

 “Show me how much you missed me.”

[queen-of-my-goofball-army]

Butterfly Fly Away

This short one shot might be a bit of a personal story for a lot of people. Trigger warning it does take place during a period for my OC. I tend to get massively overheated during them if I do anything strenuous or sometimes for no legitimate reason whatsoever they just happen because they feel like it with no rhyme or reason for it. The OC that I am using is in a Promare AU, my OC Keiko Katsuragi. In this AU she is a member of the Mad Burnish and Lio Fotia’s younger twin sister!! I thought that this universe just meshed super well with her personality. She still has the same personality and dresses in the same way but I just REALLY wanted a non scared Keiko au and this is what I came up with.

I had woken up to spotting in my underwear. I sighed knowing that was why I was slightly warmer than normal today. I had struggled with heat tolerance ever since I started getting my period when I was fourteen. To me it just meant that it was a day of being useless and leaning on my brother for absolutely everything. He kept a log of all my periods to make sure that I wouldn’t overwork myself and get sick. I knew that if he found out I would be stuck in bed all day. I promised Meis and Gueira that I would do the shopping for the time being with them. We did all need to eat despite the stress that it brought me. I pushed the sweat off of my forehead taking some deep breaths. It is just the store. It’s not so bad really. You just need to get the necessities and then get out of there. Maybe they’ll even be a bit more than we’re used to and I can get a treat for myself. Some mint chocolate chip, rainbow sherbet or birthday cake ice cream. I tied my hair back into the usual twin space buns grabbing my leather jacket and putting it over my mint tee shirt. I grabbed my favorite shoes and put them on carefully already feeling way too warm.

“I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. I just have to get to the store. I just have to get to the store. I’ll feel better once I’m back home. How much money do I have for something for myself?” I wondered aloud looking into my wallet seeing that Lio had put a hundred dollars in twenties with a note to the back of my wallet. 

Kei, 

Get yourself something, if you get a stuffed animal try to restrain yourself to just one. Whatever you don’t spend, keep it yourself. 

Lio. I shook my head with a small laugh at my brother’s antics. Most of the stuffed animals that I bought were for the younger Burnish that we took care of. I hadn’t bought one specifically for myself in too many years. I put my wallet into my backpack and put that over my shoulders. I clutched my stomach in sheer agony taking a deep breath.

“You’re not pregnant time to run your stomach over with a 50 pound bus.” I snarked and sighed a little bit groaning. I had to do this for the sake of my best friend’s. They were counting on me. This was one of the few parts of the job that I looked forward to doing. I didn’t like causing fires but I did it because I enjoyed feeding off of the enthusiasm of my two best friends. 

“What’s that about 50 pound buses?” Meis asked me leaning in my bedroom entryway and I sighed collapsing against my bed. 

“If you tell Li I don’t know what I’ll do to you but it’ll be something. If I could think more clearly I could come up with a good threat but the only one that I have is that I won’t talk to you for a week.” He blinked a little bit in confusion before the resolution dawned on him and he closed my door.

“You got… it didn’t you?” I nodded my head and an embarrassed blush on my cheeks and I clutched my stomach in agony.

“Yeah I did but if Lio finds out I’m stuck here. I promised that I would do the shopping and it’s the one thing that I’m good for around here.” My best friend put his arm around my shoulders drawing me into his side a little bit. 

“You don’t need to do the shopping, when you’re sick then Gueira and I go and do it. Those are the bosses rules for a reason. He just wants to look out for you and make sure that you’re safe. When you have your hot flashes and you get sick it scares the absolute fuck out of him. It’s not just a guideline it’s a general rule for your own health and safety. I mean I won’t tell him if you promise me something. Just get the things that are on the list and get out. You get a few things for yourself as well. It’s been way too long since you’ve treated yourself Keiko.” Meis lectured and I knew that my best friend was right, as he usually was. 

“H-He gave me a hundred dollars and told me to buy some stuff for myself. I really want some ice cream. Maybe a new stuffed animal for myself this time around.” My best friend cackled with laughter a sound that never failed to bring warmth to me.

“We’re sending you to the all mighty Costco so I’m coming with you anyways. Don’t need you getting lost on me.” I stuck my tongue out at him muttering that was a one time thing and he just lightly shoved me.

“And why did you get lost again? Oh that’s right you were helping a cute kid get a stuffed animal out of the bin so you decided to crawl up the side of the bin to get it for you because you’re too short.” I sputtered in embarrassment at the fact that he was still teasing me about that even three years later.

“I-wah- you are cruel to me Meis, what the hell did I ever do to you?!” My best friend just laughed at me crossing his legs on my bright pink bed sheets.

“Hmm give me a minute here let me think because there’s a lot of trouble that you’ve gotten me into over the years…” I kicked his foot gently but my stomach cramped up in the middle of it and I froze, doubling over.

“Alright I’ll play nice, I’m really sorry about this Keiko. Just breathe hun you’ll be alright.” I huffed cursing my womanly fate.

“Gah why me…” My best friend hugged me and I sighed a little bit hugging the long haired goofball back.

“Because you can’t be a badass all the time, even the boss needs breaks too. I feel like if you weren’t around then he’d never take any.” I chuckled a little bit looking over at the picture of the four of us on my nightstand. “

You might be right even when I am around he’s still the biggest workaholic I know.” Meis looked at me with a small smile on his normally more stoic face. “Hey you’re good at a lot of things Keiko. You’re awesome at listening to people, that's your best quality, you're always able to help people through that. A lot of us stopped giving a shit about most of humanity a long time ago but you’ve still remained optimistic that the world will one day become a little bit kinder towards us.” Meis reasoned and I felt myself tearing up at my best friend’s kindness.

“Do you think Gueira might come too? I have a feeling that I’m going to need more help… I might just sit in the cart and boss you two around. Sorry I feel like if I even try walking for an extended period of time today I’m going to pass the hell out.” I asked him and he instantly took control of the situation texting his boyfriend. 

“And don’t worry getting your smoothie is on the list too even if you do get sick I’ll just freeze it in here and you can have it when you’re feeling better. Oo check this out Keiko.” He tapped my shoulder on the Costco website and I looked at him with my eyes huge. What he was looking at was a big Care Bear that was Share Bear my favorite.

“Um I think I might need that.” My best friend laughed at me already five steps ahead of the situation putting in his own credit card information and it said that it would be waiting for us when we got to the store. 

“Thank you Meis.” I thanked my best friend and he just shook his head at me staring up at my ceiling.

“Another cool thing that you did was make those glow in the dark flames for the kids. It really helps keep the darkness away and I know that they appreciate that. You have the kindest heart of anybody that I’ve ever met aside from the boss.” I laughed a little bit agreeing with my best friend. The kindness gene had definitely been passed down through the Fiota family since we both had it and so did our mother. 

“Sometimes I wonder if that kindness is enough. Like if people think I’m stupid for always going on about how one day things will be different. It’s hard enough for me to keep smiling. I do it for Lio mostly because I know that my smile makes him smile. If that’s what I need to do then so be it.” My best friend tangled his fingers with mine and a sad smile on his face. It was at times like this when I thought to myself just how needy I really was. I constantly relied on touch to make me feel better. A hug on a bad day, a cuddle on my period from one of the three most important people in my life. It must be so exhausting for them to have to take care of me. 

“You stop that thought right now. You are not exhausting to take care of. I love taking care of you, so does Gueira and most of all the boss. All of us love you so much Keiko. You’re the heart and soul of the Mad Burnish. Without you well we wouldn’t all be together. You introduced the three of us and together the four of us all equally are trying to make the world a better place. You aren’t needy I mean look at Gueira, it's hard for me to get him away from me for five damn minutes.” I looked up at my bedroom entryway seeing the other general there with his arms crossed and pouting.

“I leave for two minutes to go and check inventory and this is where I find you?” He asked his boyfriend jokingly and I clutched my stomach rolling over to my side.

“Keiko!! Are you alright?” Meis mouthed to his boyfriend period and the other boy sat at the foot of my bed.

“Do you want me to get the boss?” I shook my head animatedly not wanting to put my brother out of his way.

“Not if you can help it. I don’t want him to put me on the bench for stupid grocery shopping. It’s the one thing that I can do around here that makes me feel truly useful. Plus it’s Costco and I am getting my very berry smoothie if it kills me.” Meis laughed at me squeezing my hand encouragingly.

“I already offered to get the boss and she denied me too babe. Looks like we’re both on shopping duty with her because she’s staying in the cart. We’re going to do everything that we can to keep her safe today and not overwhelm her too much.” I reached into my wallet and took out forty dollars.

“Take it Meis, just consider it payback for the Share Bear. I don’t know how I’m going to lug that thing around when we have to leave again… you really shouldn’t have bought that for me.” I protested and my best friend just laughed at me nudging my shoulder.

“We figure out that problem when we get to it. I mean I have that apartment and we could just keep it there if that’s the case. It’s a piece of shit apartment but it works.” He shrugged his shoulders and I saw Gueira snuggle into his boyfriend’s side.

“Besides this is the home base it’s the closest thing that we’ve got to a perfect hiding spot. We’ll be fine here Keiko.” He reminded me as an afterthought and I smiled softly at my best friend kicking my feet back and forth.

“Do you still have enough to get yourself some ice cream tubs?” Gueira asked me and I nodded my head with a small smile.

“Yeah I still have plenty and the items at Costco are cheap. Let’s go thing one and thing two and then I can come home and pass the ever loving hell out.” I tried to stand up but a wash of heat came over me.

“Keiko!!” Gueira rushed to my side and put his arm around my waist taking his boyfriend’s other hand.

“I’ve got you, let’s just pray that the boss doesn’t see us on our way out.” He joked and I laughed a little bit at him. 

“He said something about an early morning meeting today so we should be fine. We are taking the car?” Meis nodded, swinging the car keys around with his finger smiling softly at me. Taking the car was for the big shopping trips so they were only made once or twice a year.

“We’re doing delivery today as well so the list is really long today. Costco trips are a big deal for us. Time to go and get some food to make the people happy!!” Meis cheered and I smiled softly at my best friend as we walked down the hallway and out to the car. I climbed into the familiar backseat of the car wishing that my brother could come with us.

“Remember your fucking seatbelts kids.” He lectured and I stuck my tongue out at him while Gueira muttered yes mom next to him. I watched the desert go by and I looked out the passenger side window. The atmosphere of the desert though big and vast brought me comfort. I had once wandered those deserts with my brother. But now we didn’t have to roam aimlessly anymore. We had a family even though it was small and a little bit dysfunctional. 

“You’re really quiet back there Kei, are you feeling alright?” I nodded my head with a sad smile on my face.

“I’m fine Meis just memorizes that’s all. I was remembering when Lio and I were on the run before I met you guys.” Gueira smiled softly at me looking at the wasteland in front of us and the shopping center that catered to our kind just ahead.

“This was the desert right? That must have been really hard on both of you. I know that he did everything for you. He loves you Keiko.” Gueira mentioned and I laughed a little bit. It was hard but at the same time I loved those early days just my brother and me against the world. “I love him too, he's everything to me. Aside from you two lugheads anyways.” I joked and Meis halfheartedly glared at me through the mirror at the front of the car.

“Lughead she calls me a lughead after I buy her this massive stuffed animal I can’t believe this shit.” I laughed heartily at my best friend until my stomach let out a massive cramp and I whimpered in pain. Gueira went through his bag and found an apple, a bottle of water, some saltine crackers and three Motrin.

“I thought that your… you know what thing might be coming so I came prepared.” He told me and I smiled softly at my best friend taking the items from him. I untied the rubber band around the taking one of the slices.

“Thanks Gueira, that means a lot to me. I guess everybody has to be carrying this shit around this time of the month though.” I sighed cursing my fate and chewing on the slice of my favorite fruit treat.

“Not really, I just wanted to. The boss keeps that shit to himself he only logs it so that he can make sure that you are off your feet for the majority of the first two days. It’s not like he goes around the compound telling everybody to look after you. He likes to take that job for himself.” I sighed a little bit leaning against the back of the car seat.

“He’s right Keiko. He doesn’t even give that log to us. It’s between him and you we’re just not as much dumbasses as you give us credit for. We try to be a bit more on the lookout and be more protective around this time every month. To us you’re like a sister so I guess we kinda took after the boss in that regard.” My best friend reminded me and I sighed a little bit at the exhaustion that I must be causing everybody. 

“I love you both, so much…” I sighed out and Gueira just grinned at me with a bright smile on his face.

“Love you too Keiko!!” He cheered and I smiled softly at him. I got out my phone and my headphones since the only thing that would get my cramps to calm the ever loving hell down would be to tune them out with music. I knew that if my brother were here he’d be wanting to watch Hello Dolly with me. I closed my eyes taking the Motrin that I hoped would help me to feel better. Surprisingly even though my brother acted tough as nails he just adored this soundtrack. He would probably never admit it to anybody other than Meis, Gueira or myself but it still made me smile. He could be tough as nails but deep down he was a really big softie.

“Listening to Hello Dolly?” Meis asked me and I nodded my head with a small smile drinking from the water bottle.

“It helps I don’t really know why partially because it reminds me so much of Lio.” I heard Gueira’s cackle of laughter that came out of his entire being and it made my heart warm. The laughter of my friends would never fail to light me up inside. As a burnish the people that I had in my life as best friend’s meant more to me than just about anything else. Having Meis and Gueira in my life changed just about everything. Before them Lio and I were often alone but with my two best friend’s at my side suddenly the world was filled with laughter. I never wanted to lose the ability to make my friends laugh.

“I think it’s really nice for the boss actually. Without her I think he’d probably take a break and now once a month he has to in order to make sure that she doesn’t overheat.” I sighed a little bit, already feeling like the baby. I was already a lover of all things cute and feminine so most of my interests were geared towards younger children. I didn’t need to be treated like a child. I shouldn’t need to be treated like a little girl.

“Nobody thinks that you are a baby Keiko least of all the boss. You might love girly things but that’s a big part of who you are. Maybe it’s over compensation for the lack of a childhood that you had on the run for a good majority of it. Your mom was notified as a Burnish when you were how old again?” Meis asked me and I took another wedge of apple sighing a little bit. I never liked talking about my mom. It was that I missed her more than anything in the world.

“We were nine when the freeze force broke down our door. We used to light bonfires in the backyard and I guess one of the neighbors called on them for her. We were just kids and of course we protested but Lio always made sure that I had somebody to lean on. I think he had to grow up way faster than me due to that. I was always really clingy with him though so that’s nothing all that new.” I told them sadly and Gueira looked at me with a sad expression on his face. His other hand that wasn’t holding his boyfriend’s took mine.

“I know that the boss would do it all over again if it just meant another day with you Keiko. You two have always been closer than siblings but I’ve admired that. Have you two ever fought?” I shook my head with a small laugh. “At least that I can remember the only time we ever fight is when we bicker. I mean I know sometimes he dislikes what I do, mostly the flirting I know he hates that. But only because he doesn’t want me to get hurt. I can take care of myself… usually.” I waved my hand a little bit and Meis just laughed at me. “I swear he has a ‘somebody is flirting with my sister’ alarm in his brain and he’s just there before we even know what’s going on. At least if we aren’t right next to you which is rare.” I muttered I have three brothers great under my breath.

“And you love all of us sunshine so fucking deal with it.” I pffted my long haired best friend jokingly crossing my arms. 

“Count your lucky stars that I do Meis.” I shot back at him gently kicking his foot with mine and I swallowed my Motrin praying to the gods that it would work. 

“I’m surprised that even when you two were traveling alone together that you two never had one major blowout.” I shrugged my shoulders. I think it was because Lio and I were just different enough.

“I think it’s because we are a lot alike but we like different things and react differently in certain situations. He pretty much had to be mother, father and older brother all rolled into one person. I don’t know who told him that even though he’s older than me by five minutes that means that he can be extremely protective over me.” I huffed and Meis pulled up in front of the supermarket that was basically five stores in one.

“Alright, do you need help getting out of the car your majesty?” He asked me with an over exaggerated bow. I rolled my eyes and tried to get out of the car by myself but got a sudden wash of heat and flailed a little bit.

“Keiko!!” Meis caught me and carefully put me down on the ground next to the car as Gueira rushed around.

“I’m halfway tempted to just leave you here and go get your stuffed animal and make you stay in the car. I don’t need the boss bitching me out for you getting extremely sick later.” Meis lectured half heartedly and Gueira came around offering me a hesitant hand up. “

She’s just going to be sitting in the cart and I’m driving it so she’ll be fine babe chill.” I took my best friend’s hand on wobbly legs but sighed a little bit.

“I can walk on my own…” I whined but Gueira was already pulling me forward and Meis had his arm around my shoulders for extra support.

“Yeah yeah we’ve heard that one before we’re allowed to treat you like the princess you deserve today Keiko. Just let your stubbornness go for a bit.” Meis warned me and I laughed a little bit as my cramping slightly eased up. Gueira went and got a huge cart and I carefully sat down in it as he started pushing the cart through the front doors. He showed them the free membership card that I had. I hummed quietly as we went down the aisles and Gueira stopped at the large tropical skittles box and he handed it to me.

“Alright that’s one of your sweet treats you get four more.” Meis reminded me how many I had to get. They always forced me into picking out five sugary things for myself. Usually they were candies that I kept in my room for movie nights. We walked down the snacks aisle and I looked around the store seeing that they had the bag of animal cookies.

“For Kathryn.” I told them and Gueria nodded his head ruffling my hair softly and I was in a bad mood so I let him. Usually I would at least try and bat their hands away but I didn’t really feel in the zone today.

“That one doesn’t count as one of yours because you are getting it for somebody else.” The list keeper reminded me and we went through the non perishables where most of our food was that we had asked for. Meis went through the rest of the list before looking at me.

“What other treats do you want hun? You’ve got four left.” He told me and I glanced out of the cart pointing down the ice cream isle. “What flavor do you want to get Kei?” Gueira asked me and I looked at all the different Costco sizes before picking the birthday cake one.

“Three more.” Meis held up the three fingers and I hummed in thought before pointing down the pastry isle.

“If you want to get something from here it has to be only for you not the rest of the team.” He told me and I sighed at Lio’s rule. He was the one who told them that I wasn’t getting anything for myself and had insisted that I get at least five sweets every time we went to Costco and three when I went to the regular store. 

“Are those cookies on their cupcakes?!” I looked at them in awe and Gueira picked them up winking at me. I could freeze them and make them last longer there. Plus their cupcakes were easily one of my favorite cheat treats.

“Two more are mandatory and then you can get your smoothie and stuffed animal.” I grinned excitedly. I couldn’t wait to get my new stuffed animal and I saw that they had the variety pack of fruit candy that Meis already knew I wanted and he put them in the cart putting up two fingers.

“The gummy collisions and then we can go. I'm not feeling so great…” Meis sighed a little bit feeling my forehead.

“You are getting super hot, baby let’s hurry this up.” He warned his boyfriend and Gueira nodded grabbing the last of my favorite candy and then hurrying to check out.

“We bought a stuffed animal online, the Share Bear.” Meis explained showing the receipt and the worker came back and I instantly hugged my new best friend sighing softly.

“Hun you’re really burning up let’s get that off of you…” Gueira took my leather jacket and I melted into my new giant plushie.

“Babe I think she’s having a hot flash. We’ll come back later and get the smoothie.” Meis shook his head looking at me with pain on his face.

“I’m sorry that you felt like you had to do this Keiko. It must have been so hard for you. You were in a lot of pain this morning. I should have demanded that you stayed at home. I’m going to get your smoothie. Baby, do you think that you can get her into the car? I’m calling the boss.” Before I could protest Gueira was already pushing the cart outside to our car. He carefully lifted me onto the seat and took off my shoes.

“Might want to lose the leggings and skirt too, just giving you a fair warning. I know that you’re having a hot flash now and you’ve got to shed the clothes. I’m sorry about this Keiko. I know that you hate this because it’s awkward but I don’t want you throwing up in the car.” He reminded me and I sighed just doing what I was told. Meis came back with a wet washcloth and my smoothie that he put in the front.

“I’m not taking any chances with you back there. I don’t want you getting sick. Boss was really worried about you. He'll probably wind up beating us back.” He put the washcloth on my head and kissed my forehead gently.

“I’m sorry…” I apologized and Meis just smiled softly at me scooting me over a little bit so that I could lean against him.

“It’ll be alright, there’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s not like you can control these damn things. I only wish that we could make them better. Drive like the wind baby. Let’s get her home.” He told his boyfriend and Gueira grinned peeling out of the parking lot and down the desert road. I grabbed my Share Bear and hugged her tightly while Meis took my hair out of its space buns brushing it away from my sweaty forehead taking my water and pouring a little bit onto the cloth and putting it back. I sighed at the cool texture and he ran his fingers gently through my hair. I settled my back against him and Meis just smiled down at me.

“Feeling any better?” I nodded my head tentatively before I felt the tell tale signs of vomiting coming. I saw the base in front of me and willed it to come later. I saw my brother standing looking worried out of his mind. Gueira stopped the car and instantly Lio was rushing toward the back seat on my side of the car.

“Keiko!!” He opened his arms and I felt tears come to them. He really had come for me even though I knew how busy he was today.

“Don’t worry about that I pushed it all back until four days from now. Until then you are not leaving my sight. Thank you for calling me Meis.” My brother carefully unbuckled my seat belt and Meis took my new stuffed animal from me.

“When I told you to get a stuffed animal… that was not what I was expecting. I don’t know why I’m even surprised at you anymore. It’s adorable. It suits you.” He joked picking me up with surprising effortlessness. For somebody so lithe and petite (the gene was cursed because I was tiny too) he had a hidden strength to him due to years of the two of us being on the run.

“I’m sorry Li…” I apologized and my brother just kissed my damp forehead with a small smile on his face. 

“Don’t apologize for things that are not your fault. We have got to work on that. It’ll be like the eye contact problem that you used to have. With a little bit of training and hard work I know that you can do whatever you put your mind to. There is nothing that you need to apologize for. It’s not like you can control when these things happen and when they don’t. Did you get your five sweets?” He asked me and I nodded my head with a small laugh. He moved the hair out of my face and his brows furrowed together a little bit.

“Are you going to be sick?” I nodded my head with a nervous grimace and he instantly took off like a shot for my bathroom. He flung open the door and carefully put me down as I went over to the toilet. I hated this so much. Vomiting was the worst of this but my brother just rubbed my back carefully shushing my sobs of pain. 

“Shush it’s alright Kei. I’m right here just get it out and you’ll feel a lot better most likely. I’m so sorry that you have to go through all of this torture every month.” He apologized and I wretched up the rest of what I had in my stomach. Lio just pulled me back from the vomit and flushed it down the drain.

“Oh Keiko…” He sighed a little bit and wrapped his arms around me. I gripped my brother tightly and he just ran soothing fingers through my sweat soaked hair.

“It’s going to be alright little sis I’m right here. I’ll protect you and look after you. Just like I always have. You’re always going to have me in your life. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. I know what thoughts plague you during this time but trust me when I say that you are not a burden. I love you so much.” He reminded me and I wondered if Meis had told him just how bad my self esteem was today.

“Let’s get you horizontal, I’ve got you.” He told me picking me up like I weighed nothing and carrying me over to my bed laying me on top of my sheets. “I’m going to go and get you a cup of cold water. I’ll be right back I promise.” He told me squeezing my hand softly. Meis came into my room and sighed a little bit sitting on the edge of my bed. 

“Hey hun, I’m sorry about all that in the car. I know that you tried to hold the vomit back and I’m proud of you for that. But you didn’t have to. I wish you would’ve told me that you were getting sick.” I sighed a little bit turning over onto my side with a sad expression on my face. My best friend tilted his head with a small smile on his face. He wasn’t angry with me. He was still the same Meis that he always would be to me. Still goofy, overprotective, spicy mom friend that he always would be.

“I didn’t want to be a burden on you…” I trailed off and my best friend sighed a little bit but kept his smile.

“Not a burden if you’re not feeling well. How many times have you taken care of me when I get my stupid ass hurt? How many times have you given up one of your prized stuffed animals to the younger children? Far too many times if you’re asking me. We love you Keiko. More than anything. You are not a burden and are in fact one of the best people that I’ve ever met. From the first moment I met you I knew that you were something special. Something to be kept safe and for the last ten years that’s what I’ve tried to do.” He pushed a sweaty lock of hair behind my ear and grabbed the book off of the shelf that was sitting there. My best friend sat on the other side of the bed and opened the book that had been with me since I was a baby. It was the one thing that Lio got for me before we had to run away from home. 

“Once when I was six I saw a magnificent picture in a book about the jungle, called True Stories. It showed a boa constrictor swallowing a wild boar. Here is a copy of that picture. In the book it said boa constrictors swallow their prey whole, without chewing. Afterward they are no longer able to move and they sleep for six months. In those days I thought a lot about jungle adventures, and eventually made my first drawing using a colored pencil. My drawing number one looked like this…” Listening to Meis’s soft voice read to me my favorite childhood story is what lulled me to sleep eventually. I did feel the bed dip a little bit and felt myself be covered with blankets. Arms wrapped protectively around me and I sighed a little bit melting against the person that was protecting me, I assumed that it was Lio. He was always protecting me no matter what. When I felt better I would have to do something for him in order to thank him. He wouldn’t let me do much but at the very least he would let me cook something for him. I owed Meis a huge favor now too one of the million that I probably owed my goofball. I woke up to a fresh mind a few hours later seeing a cold glass of water that had sweated it out for a few hours.

“Kei, how are you feeling? Any better after your nap?” I could hear the worriment in my brother’s voice and I smiled weakly. “A bit better, I’m sorry that you had to come away from your hard work today. Did Meis and Gueira deliver the rest of the food?” My brother sighed running a hand through his shoulder length mint green hair. 

“What on earth am I going to do with you Kei? Even when you’re sick out of your damn mind you still can’t help but worry about the sake of other people. Yes I had Meis and Gueira deliver the rest of the food. They wanted to stay with you but I knew that when you woke up you would be really upset that they stuck around. And don’t you dare apologize for making me come home. I wanted to come home to you and I knew that you needed me. Whenever you need me I’ll always come for you. It’s part of being a sibling. I should have kept a better eye on that log. I thought that you had another few days. I’m marking it right now.” I saw the log in his lap and I couldn’t help but smile at the colorful stickers that I had put on it.

“Li, do you think that I’m a baby?” I asked him and he blinked a little bit in confusion before the idea dawned on him. 

“Because of this?” I nodded my head gesturing to all around me and including my new stuffed animal.

“Well mostly because of everything. I act like a little kid so much of the time. Sometimes I wonder if it’s annoying. If I’m holding you back from being your own person. If you’ll ever get in a relationship or if you’ll just be stuck looking after the baby sister.” Lio looked at me, his magenta eyes shining with the emotion of the moment.

“Look at me Keiko.” He told me and I looked up at the brother that had to look after me for so much of his childhood.

“You are not a baby. You like cute things but that does not make you a baby. It makes you unique and you wouldn’t be my little sister by five minutes if you didn’t have these qualities. You kept your imagination and your heart. It has helped you to become a much kinder individual and taught me that no matter what you can be anything that you want to be. You’re still a badass general of the Mad Burnish but you’re also still so much your own person. Without these things in your life you would have no outlet. No way of being actually happy with the way that things were. Maybe it was part of your lost childhood having to give up everything in order to live a free life away from the prisons. Without your happiness I probably wouldn’t have made it out alive the same person. You reminded me of what it is like to have a childlike sense of wonder about things. So no in my opinion you are not a baby. You are a child at heart and there is a big difference between that and being a baby. You’ve always loved the same things. Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Spongebob they were always part of your life Kei. It’s just that you kept them there where most people eventually forget what their childhood was like. What is the main message of your favorite book again?” He lectured and I settled against my big pink pillow that my brother put behind my head.

“Growing up isn’t the problem, forgetting is…” My brother settled back against my shoulder and he played with the ends of my hair. 

“That’s right sweetheart, you are always so open about loving your childhood favorite characters. I know how much Share Bear means to you. I was mostly joking when I told you that I said it was too big. You deserve a treat yourself every once in a while. Whatever makes you happy Kei.” He told me and I melted into the hug that he was giving to me. Lio made sure that I was sitting up straight before handing me my water. 

“Is it still cold?” I nodded my head with a small smile. He gave me a tums as well that would help me to feel better in the stomach area.

“Besides it’s not your fault that I haven’t had a boyfriend yet. What about you? Why haven’t you had one yet? You clearly flirt with enough men.” I stuck my tongue out at my brother laughing a little bit.

“Mostly because men are cute and handsome like I don’t know. All of my thoughts when I see them are like I want to be cuddled in those arms. I don’t really think that’s normal. I should probably ask Meis he knows more about this stuff then I do.” My brother softly hummed a little bit, still trying to keep me calm.

“I have served your sweet treats and they shall suffice until the next shopping trip. Thank you for following those orders. I know that they might seem silly and ridiculous to you but I wanted shopping to be things for you as well when it could be.” I laughed a little bit at my brother wishing that I could have one of my cupcakes but not wanting to push my stomach more than it was worth. 

“You do look a ton better Kei but let’s still take it easy. Are you hungry?” I nodded my head tentatively and kissed my forehead softly going over to my ordering station.

“How about buttered pasta with parmesan will that work with your stomach?” I nodded my head with a small smile looking down at my tank top and underwear that I was still wearing.

“Ah no wonder I’m freezing.” I joked and went underneath my bed to find my pajamas.

“Want me to leave for a little bit?” Lio asked me and I nodded my head but my brother just smiled at me. 

“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. You should probably want to shower as well.” He teased gently and I rolled my eyes at him. He left me alone and I went to go and do what I needed to. Putting my warm comfort pajamas that had Never Stop Dreaming on the front of them just brought back so many childhood memories back. I brushed my cotton candy hair out with a small smile on my face.

“Feeling better?” I nodded my head flopping onto my bed next to my brother who just laughed a little bit at me.

“I’m glad, you really scared me earlier. I know that you don’t mean for these things to happen to you but whenever they do and you wind up vomiting I always go into super overprotective mode. I wish that I had a reasoning for it other than must protect but I really don't.” I smiled brightly at my brother leaning against him a little bit.

“I didn’t mean to scare you that bad Li. I’m really sorry about all of this. Hard to prove to the world that it’s wrong when your sister gets sick once a month and you feel obligated to take care of her.” He ran some hands through my hair that I had just towel dried and brushed out the knots. I sighed at the affectionate touching from my older sibling.

“It’s not out of obligation Kei. I love you, you’re the other part of me, my twin sister and my best friend who I would do anything for. Besides, even people hellbent on changing the world need breaks every once in a while and once a month I get to take three days off to take care of you. I don’t know about you but that’s all the relationship fulfillment that I need.” He smiled softly at me kissing my forehead and there was a gentle knock at the door.

“I’m back boss, all the food has been delivered to its rightful place. Oh Keiko you are awake!!” Meis looked so relieved and I couldn’t help but imagine him panicking somewhere deep down pulling his own hair out and Gueira trying to console him. 

“He was SO worried about you Keiko.” Gueira teased and I saw my best friend throw a halfhearted glare at his boyfriend.

“So what if I was? I felt like it was my fault for not forcing her to stay in the car or better yet here at home.” I laughed at the two of them interacting off of each other shaking my head at them.

“Good job, both of you. I know that it couldn’t have been an easy day for either of you.” I smiled sadly at Meis for having to spend most of the day worrying about me.

“I’m sorry about everything today Meis. I really just wanted to be useful.” I apologized and my best friend sat down at the foot of my bed.

“Don’t you  fucking dare apologize to me hun you did the best that you could. Kathryn was really happy to get her frosted animal cookies. I told her that you got them for her and she promised that she would save one of them for you for when you’re feeling better.” I smiled softly at the kindhearted girl knowing that I would go back to the big store once I did feel better and get her a stuffed animal.

“I love that idea but this is your money you are spending it on something for yourself.” Lio reminded me and I sighed a little bit mentally face palming at the memory.

“Right, right maybe next time when I have more of my own money I’ll buy her one.” Gueira laughed a little bit at me kissing my cheek as he flopped next to me.

“Are you feeling better?” He asked me and I nodded my head with a small smile as he looked at one of my gummy lifesavers.

“Yes you can have a bag of them.” I told him and he cheered taking one of them and opening the bag to me. 

“I think you’re mostly better, have some candy.” Lio waved his hand and I cheered with a bright smile taking one of them and sighing at the flavor.

“Did the reading help at all?” Meis asked me a little bit nervously and I nodded my head with a small smile hugging my friend. 

“Thank you Meis for everything today. I love you.” I told my friend and he just huffed a little laugh smiling at me. “Love you too Kei. I’m just so relieved that you’re feeling better. You scared the fuck out of me earlier.” I rubbed the back of my neck a little bit and heard a small knock on the wall. I looked up seeing a massive tray of food.

“I ordered enough for everybody and proteins for the rest of us because I figured that you two would be coming back sooner rather than later. What do you want to watch Kei?” I hummed in thought getting my bowl of pasta grateful that my brother had ordered so much food because I was low key starving.

“Ponyo?” I asked and my brother just chuckled a little bit grabbing the dvd that I had since I was a kid. Even when I couldn’t watch it I still kept it with me. I settled next to Meis and he put his arm comfortingly around my shoulders while Gueira was on the other side. My brother hopped up onto my left side and pressed against it comfortingly. Watching movies with my found family and my biological family were some of my favorite moments. It was rare when all four of s were able to actually take downtime. I knew that there would be more days like this when I felt useless but also at the same time also knew that I could lean on my family no matter what and that they would always be there for me. 

[nikkisnonsense-blog1]

To Myself... Three Months Ago

Dear Nikki,

Hey girl, I come to you not bearing the greatest of news. These next few months are going to be some of the hardest of your life so far. I really hate to be the one to tell you this but I feel like we’re close enough that we can be honest with each other. Well I’m not gonna waste anymore time because there’s a lot I need to get you up to speed on. Let’s make this a list of 8 things for organization sake.

      1. The musical you’ve been directing for the past few months will not be happening

You and your friend/ music director, Joe have been wearing out the phrase “I can’t believe the show is happening!” for the past few months. Sadly, that’s not the case. Sure, sometimes you wanted to rip your hair out due to frustration or cried in your car because you didn’t think you were doing a good enough job. But underneath it all, I know you had put more work into this show than you have for anything else in your life. You knew the possibility of the show being canceled was there but it was only something that you joked about in rehearsal with your cast. It could never become a reality. The day you find out, you won’t cry much. Which is weird. If anything you don’t feel much at all. The next day your cast will do an amazing concert style performance of the show instead which people will rave to you about and it genuinely makes you feel good for a moment. But it isn’t until after that’s over that it actually begins to set in. When everyone else starts to move on You’ll stare at the box of props that sits in your kitchen for months and feel a weird form of uneasiness. You were told by everyone that any frustration you feel would be worth it when the curtain opens. But what do you do when the curtain never opens? You’re forced to sit with the disappointment and sadness of an unfinished project. You think about all of the fun things you would have gotten to do with your cast and crew and how proud of yourself you would have been after the shows. That’s when you cry.

      2. The second half of your last college semester will be taken away

Besides the Musical, you will also be missing out on plenty of other events at school.  Your spring concert, trip to NYC, your roommate’s senior art show, your girlfriend’s comedy show, any theatre in the area, drunken nights with your friends, and most importantly, Graduation. Ah yes, the very thing that your entire life has been waiting on. At least that’s how it feels. You remember when you were little and traveled to upstate New York and Boston for your cousins’ graduations and how big of a deal they were. Or watching your parents tear up at your sister’s graduation. Not having been the best student in school, you were shocked you even made it this far. A day that was going to be a monumental experience for you and so many others has just been pushed to a further date. Like a dentist appointment. That day hurts the most. When I tell my parents how upset I am, they assure me “You’ll still have a graduation!” but you know it won’t be the same. You get mad at the world because of it and feel like stomping your feet on the ground and yelling “It’s not fair!” like a child. But you know that wouldn’t do any good.

       3. You’re going to gain weight

As someone who has had body images their whole life, I know this sounds like an absolute nightmare. And it kind of is. It’s kind of inevitable wen you can’t leave your house anymore, you rely on Door Dash a little too much, The gym is closed, and you really have no motivation to do anything. Stretch marks will appear in new places, shirts that once fit perfectly will be snug, and certain clothes you used to feels sexy in, just make you feel like a fool. It’s so important to remind yourself that your body is changing because your lifestyle is changing. It’s going to drive you wild for a while but I promise you it is not the end of the world. Also your girlfriend assures you she still finds you beautiful in any state. 

       4.  You move back in with your parents

You’re fortunate enough to have the last 2 months in your apartment to quarantine with your roommates and your girlfriend which is like a weird stretch of time where there are no rules and you feel like a Sim without a task. Then before you know it, your lease is up and your parents come up and help move you out of your apartment. Now I know you’re thinking that sounds like a nightmare but living with Mom and Dad is not as awful as you imagined. They treat you like an adult, give you your space, and dad only makes you watch one video he finds online a day as opposed to his usual 5. Theres also a bulk size container of cheese sticks from Costco so you decide this place isn’t too bad. Moving home is surprisingly the best you’ve felt all year. Your mental health is getting better which is a god sent considering how miserable you’ve been. So there is a silver lining

     5. Finding work is IMPOSSIBLE

You’ll find yourself comparing yourself to when your sister finished college and found work and an apartment almost immediately. Even though she’s in a different field and graduated 3 years ago when the world was a much different place, you still compare yourself. Indeed and Ziprecruiter become your best friends but they clearly don’t like you back very much because your responses are limited. The closest you get to a job is an insurance agency that would offer you $65,000- $85,000 a year. Maybe it’s just the Jew in you, but those numbers got you very excited, so you apply. They decide they’re interested in you and schedule you for a virtual interview. You’ve also read the job description 100 times and still have no god damn idea what you would be doing. During the Interview, the man asks you if you have any doubts and you say “maybe a few due to my lack of experience” but in your head you’re thinking “What the fuck am I doing. I have a degree in Theatre and I’m trying to get a job selling insurance. Would this job even make me the tiniest bit happy besides the paycheck?” The man tells you that he would like to offer you the job to which you graciously say thank you.  As soon as you hang up the zoom call, you immediately burst into tears. Frustrated and sad that the only job you have gotten close to is one you don’t even want. The jobs you do want, in the arts and media, are not hiring right now and if they are it’s for people with 5+ years of experience. You’ve applied to over 50 jobs at this point and the only ones that have gotten back to you sound dreadful. You learn that no paycheck is worth a lifetime of sadness. You email the man back saying thank you, but you cannot accept the job.

    6. The world is full of awful people

This may seem like an exaggeration at first especially because I- uh I mean you, are generally a pretty optimistic person. You may have severe depression, but you still usually see the glass half full. But even the blindest of optimists can’t deny the world looks pretty shit right now. Besides the pandemic, Black people are being murdered left and right by police for no reason. Something that certainly isn’t a new phenomenon but has now been amplified to new heights and has brought out the rage in people. You do what you can to help in these times. Protesting, donating, sharing online, signing petitions but it never feels like enough. You will continue to raise your voice about Black Lives Mattering and hope for change. Acknowledging your white privilege and trying to listen to the voices of others. As much as you personally try to help out, you end up seeing the ugly that comes out as well. Especially in your 92.9% white small town. 

    7. Pride will be different this year

The yearly celebration of going to Pride in Philadelphia with rainbow shadow on your eyes, glitter in your hair, and a water bottle full of vodka and gatorade have now been replace with anger and a yearning for justice. The LGBT community would be nothing without Black activists backing it. The Stonewall Riots were led by a Black Trans Woman. So you do your part to amplify black voices as a part of pride. Because right now is not the time to take shots and dance to Whitney Houston.

    8. You’re not the only one feeling this way

Even though life is a bit of a shit show right now, it’s so important to remind yourself that you are not the only one experiencing these things. None of your friends know what the hell they’re doing either.  Everyone is just scared shitless of the state of the world and is trying their best. Please take some of the pressure off yourself. You are only a person and it’s unrealistic to put these standards on yourself. The world today is a completely different world than it was 3 months ago. As for the months to come, I have absolutely no idea what to expect. You’d have to ask 6 months from now Nikki but I haven’t met her yet. The world will not be the same as it was before but I promise you, there is a new normal somewhere beyond the horizon. 

Take care of yourself,

Present Day Nikki

Ps. You are going to adopt a baby tortoise named Harley and he will be the light of your life. He will make life just a bit more bearable.

Pss. 

Here are links to help the Black Lives Matter movement

[solastnightidreamt]

I felt like I was in some kind of cheesy soap opera where different storylines are happening all at once and it clips through all of them. Just so I’m not jumping all over the place I’ll keep the stories grouped together, but just know that they were all intertwined and happening at the same time. 

So.... I’m in a kind of old school hotel and there are chandeliers hanging and gold accents on the walls as I walk over to the bottom of a big ass staircase. The stairs are covered in dark green carpet and the walls are wooden as they lead all the way up into the narrow and tall building. I’m walking on them when I run into a naked guy who’s staying at the hotel. He isn’t like a perv or anything- it was kinda like he just got poofed into the staircase and then was nearly unconscious, so I grab his arms and am trying to help him. He isn’t responding so I drag him up and down the stairs looking for his room to take him back. As I’m getting close to his room a little girl comes to investigate and I tell her to stay away because that kind of scene is just all kinds of bad. Her mom comes around the corner and is very sweet and casual and tells me ‘she’s just curious and won’t be any trouble’. So the kid just kinda hangs back while I find the guy’s room and push him into it and onto the bed. When I come out of the room she’s just standing there and gives me a thumbs up. 

I end up at this press conference/party/movie promo thing and across the venue I see Jason Momoa and Henry Cavill. Quentin Tarantino is also with them but for some reason he isn’t in Quentin’s body, he is physically manifested as Gerard Butler but I know that it isn’t actually Gerard, it’s Tarantino. 

I’m kinda watching them all moving around each other doing interviews and chatting and I kinda of make out that Tarantino (in Gerard Butler’s body) and Jason Momoa are together. Like, romantically. Which makes no sense because they’re both married but still. They’re very subtle but also blatant, making out and grabbing each other when people aren’t paying attention. 

I’m sitting at a table with a computer in front of me and they’re goin about their business. Tarantino/Gerard comes and sits across from me. He tells me to put my hand flat on the table and I do. is sitting across from me. He tells me to make it flatter and I kinda laugh because that’s as flat as it goes. He kinda grins and then, as a show for me, he pretends to get angry. He tells and makes a big scene and I get all giddy because I love seeing them mad but I never get the chance because they’re legit super chill. 

People rush over to make sure everything is fine and he gets up and winks at me as he walks away with people on his ass. I’m just sitting there all swoony and turned on and my sis comes over to ask if I’m ok. I tell her I’m great and then Henry Cavill comes over and starts flirting with me. He’s holding my hand, pressing up against me and whispering to me and shit and then he tells me that I should join them. 

I ask, ‘Join who?’ and he nods over at Jason and Gerard. They’re now almost fully naked and making out and grabbing each other dick’s and shit. Henry kisses me and hands me a camera and I end up doing a shoot of the two of them while Henry encourages me. I wink and tell Henry that he should go join them so he strips off his shirt and goes over there. He’s behind them, leaning over the two of them and the three of them are kissing as I take pictures. They’re all egging me on, telling me that I need to come join them after I have my fun with the camera. 

At this point the paparazzi has caught on and people are watching and just as they go to take off their underwear and go at it the fucking memory card runs out. I yell and giggle that the card is full and they all kinda grin with each other like ‘oh, well. show’s over’ and people disperse. 

I’m sad that I didn’t get to actually see them together or join in. Henry comes over and kisses me and they promise I’lll get my chance. He escorts me to a small bus/RV thing and I get chartered away.

The RV is driving through the foothills around my hometown and the sights are awesome. Gerard/Tarantino and Henry are no longer there but my twin is with me and Jason is in the front driving. I fall asleep in the bed in the back and after a while my sister wakes me up and asks what’s going on. I tell her that Jason is just driving us around but that he’s uncomfortable in his clothes so he’s gonna change. We look up to the front and he takes off his shirt and changes it into a tank top. He winks back at me and I tell her that he’s gonna change again and then without us actually being able to see past his shoulders he takes off his pants and undies to put new ones on and when he does the horn honks because his dick is so big that it hits it. We all laugh and I kinda swoon and he keeps on driving before stopping on the side of the road at a church. 

I’m on my phone scrolling through the news and come across a headline - Dax Sheppard sells black nipples to local church - and I’m totally flabbergasted by it. When the bus comes to a stop I look out the window and we’re in front of said church in the article. I’m shocked and go in to investigate. It’s a TINY little thing and there’s only a keyboard and like 4 chairs and a small desk. It looks more like an office than it does the inside of a church, but on the one wall made of a glass window there’s this cast iron design thing that is fabricated against the glass. It’s meant to be decorative/like a screen and it’s small black swirls with little beads at the end and that’s what they claim look like nipples. It kinda does if you squint, but it’s actually really pretty and well designed and I get super pissed off. The whole article is just a bunch of assholes looking for a reason to talk shit and spread rumors about celebs. 

I’m pissed off and I leave the church but when I get outside the bus is gone. Instead there’s a big truck, like a Ram 2500 with a big ass pool connected to it on a trailer. There are some white ladies in their mid 40s that had gone to see the church. They’re all sitting around the edge of the pool with their feet in the water, commenting on it and judging, talking shit about Dax and how he should be ashamed of himself and that the church should sue him. 

I’m still stuck here and they’re about to leave so I hop on the trailer with them and just stay quiet as they keep talking all kinds of shit. The conversation shifts and they’re talking about lactose intolerance and I pipe up and mention a brand of soy milk I like. They don’t know what it is so we pull up to a Costco and I try to find it in there. They don’t sell that brand so then I tell them that they can probably just get it at their local store and I write it down for them. 

They thank me and drop me off at my aunt’s home. My mom and grandma are there and they let my childhood dog out into the backyard to pee. My sister, Joanna, and her husband show up and we’re all just hanging out on the back patio. From there we can see into the desert around the yard and there’s a coyote pup that’s lost and wandering around. My sis goes out and lets it into the yard, brings food and water for it. We warn her against it but she does it anyway and over the next few days she keeps feeding it.  

My twin, Cassy, comes over a couple days later and talks about the dangers and liability of coyotes from a legal standpoint. She tells Joanna that if it attacks someone that she’ll be liable because she took it in and even though it’s domesticated now, it’s still a ‘dangerous breed. Cassy goes on explaining the ‘percentage of guilt’ you have in the attack based on the number of bite wounds multiplied by the about of blood vessels on the human in the area where the coyote bit them. She uses our grandma as an example, saying that if the coyote attacks Ama then Joanna will be fully guilty and responsible for her death, legally and insurance wise. We’re all a little uncomfortable talking about Ama dying (because in waking life she is dead) and then Cassy and I are in the front of an apartment complex.

We’re talking about people we went to school with and some guys pop up, but he’s of little importance. As the conversation continues we end up at a party and a different guy we went to school with, JP, shows up. He’s talking to me and Cassy and one of our friends and he’s being very sexual and flirting heavily with all of us. They’re a little weirded out but I’m kind of into it because I had a big crush on him way back when. He keeps talking to me and suggests we hang out, implying that we fuck. Cassy tells me I should be wary of him because he's a swinger or some shit and is always looking for some kind of polyamorous situation to be in. 

I tell her that that doesn’t bother me and I’m actually into that. I tell her about the thing I had with Jason, Gerard/Tarantino, and Henry. She says that if I’m into it then go for it, but be careful. 

I text JP saying hi and he instantly starts apologizing for how he acted, saying he was stupid and boozed up. I tell him it’s ok and that I actually want to talk to him about it in person. He suggests a date at a restaurant but I’m busy the date he suggests, so I ask about meeting at his house later that night, keeping it low key and casual. He agrees but I can tell that he’s scared. He thinks I’m gonna report him for sexual harassment or something when really I’m planning on getting romantically/sexually involved with him. 

He agrees to the date at his place and then I’m at home in my closet looking for clothes. I am nervous and actively thinking ‘you might lose your vcard, what do you wanna wear in case you’re no longer a virgin after tonight’ and then I wake up. 

[smollandtoll]

HC: Public displays of affection Poly AU (OT3)

Venture with us into a universe where polyamorous relationships are the norm, or maybe not the norm but akin to being homosexual. Like Homosexuality is a non issue in this universe and it’s more about if you’re a Mono relationship kind of person or a Poly relationship kind of person. The type of relationship is mostly about how many people are in it and whether you’re open or looking for more. All the terms that follow cascade from that: "closed poly" "open poly" "chain poly" "currently mono looking for poly" etc.

Also we feel like in a poly world there would necessarily be more of a culture of just talking out what you want and are looking for and expecting and what your boundaries are - like having talks about how much romance and what kind you’re good with is very normal and healthy.

PSA: We also wish this was more the norm in our universe as well Do you ever get choked about how extra and romantic Geno is? And how much abhorring-the-media Sidney Crosby would hate it? He couldn’t handle being showered with love in THE BEAMING SPOTLIGHT OF GENO'S ATTENTION AND AFFECTION. So many big declarations.Geno is a big guy, he has big feelings, he has to have his love writ large.

Sid would BEG after a few badly timed jumbotron messages of undying love, "Just get those things for Anna, she likes them. I’m okay without."

Geno would not compute, taking it as some kind of affront to his love like "BUT YOU DON'T LIKE THEM? YOU DON'T LOVE ME AS BIG AS THAT?"

Sid: NO! I mean yes! I do. I do love you huge but like...quiet???????? QUIETLY???? Please…

G would struggle under the weight of not showing off, not screaming his love from the rooftops. He feels like he’s walking on eggshells always, he doesn’t know if he’s embarrassing Sid, or worse distracting him. He constantly has to check his first inclination. Geno being Geno wouldn’t be able to struggle with it unnoticed, he’s the most dramatic emotions in primary colours kind of guy, Sid would plainly know that he’s making G unhappy.

Sid in turn being stressed about it because like, it's such a dumb thing to be upset about, like your partner loves you and wants to yell it to the world, and it's clearly making Geno unhappy but .....HIS PRIVACY IS SACRED.

Anna of course is unbothered by any of this, she knew what she was getting into with G, but eventually probably has had enough of watching them try to sort it out on their own and being unable to deal with emotions like two functioning adults. She has a sit down with Sid, massaging his shoulders and pulling his head into her lap to stroke his hair and tells him gently but in no uncertain terms that she's going to negotiate a truce between them.

It boils down to something that goes like: Geno gets one (1) HUGE PUBLIC DECLARATION a year for Sid. It could be his birthday, or Valentines day, or a random sunday, or Father's day, or Christmas. SID MUST ALWAYS BE ON HIS TOES but at least he knows it's ONCE and then the steel trap comes down and Geno will say nothing more for the rest of the year. IN RETURN because this is a compromise not an ultimatum, Sid must EITHER 1. consent to being in more every day social media posts or 2. Have his own instagram and interact with it a predetermined minimum number of posts and comments a month. Sid picks door number one.

Anna will continue to be showered with gifts and roses and live tigers at every anniversary and birthday and major date and historical event possible and Sid has to consent to having like his knee or half his face in posts now and then. Even that gets negotiated because Sid needs rules, he needs terms and conditions. So he can either choose the occasional selfie once a month OR hands/back of head/legs shown in photos 2-3 times a month. Sid originally goes with the more anonymous hands and his shoulders and stuff first; but then he starts seeing Geno's posts are all like: his tousled bed hair in bed and his hands cupped around that wonky mug Taylor made for him in art class when she was 13, and he realizes they're far more intimate than his face which everyone already sees. So he bounces around, if he's done a lot of media lately, or just finished with a commercial shoot he just says that Geno can take a picture of his hands while he’s shucking corn on the back deck or something. Or if he's tired of seeing bits of his life everywhere he's like “I'll smile, wait let me hide my wine.” This beautiful wonderful poly world where it wouldn't be weird for Geno to post the two of them together, Sid and Anna just like having wine, looking over a balcony together and Geno captioning it Whole Heart with eight heart emojis or something.

With all this photography going around we’re sure Anna needs to get in on this action, Sid is so photogenic esp of late. She definitely occasionally commandeers him to be Hot™ with her for small photoshoots with her iPhone. They usually start spontaneously with her finding Great Light as all selfie sessions do and then asking him to take photos of her and then getting him to be in the photos. So Sid can never really blame her or be bothered by it, it’s always so natural, and easy, and it’s fun to be with her and turn whatever direction she tells him, and smoulder ridiculously for her and laugh as she coos appreciatively.

She hoards the photos she collects of them and him, she doesn't post many or any of them usually. She does occasionally send them to Geno to destroy his life (usually when there’s no way he can get to them in time to start anything), Geno always has really great photos of them on his lock screen. Anyway she always double checks with Sid before she posts anything with him in it, but usually he looks great in her photos so it's fine. We love Sid and Anna together, like they just seem like they’d compliment each other so well and have such deep respect and care for each other. WE ARE HERE for Anna and Sid on a small mission together to like fuckin Costco (w/e the backwards land of Pittsburgh has, Giant Tiger or Sam’s club or some shit) or something so dumb like that and Geno just trailing after them while they strategize being like "Is it possible to be so turned on my balls ache?"

Whenever Anna feels upset about her career, Sid's always there to snuggle her and be like "You say the word I can get you in contact with around 80 media personnel who could find you a job in North American sports journalism in front of the camera or behind."

They probably talk seriously about it sometimes but in the end BABIES. They all want so many babies and she wants to be there for them, and to be their home and stuff. We’re sure Sid still tinkers away at trying to find her like the occasional blogging guest spot or something y'know when her English is up to it. He’s just supportive in every possible way, Geno gets mad or upset on your behalf, Sid just starts strategizing and he’s a really good listener, and he cares a lot.

Geno is empathy and Sid is logic. Anna...Anna is probably reality, the little dose of humility they both need every once in a while, smart enough to tell Geno off when he’s being egomaniacal and emotionally unstable because of it, indulgent enough to shake Sid out of whatever hyper-focused funk he works himself into. Levelheaded enough to balance both of her boys out when they’re going off the rails now and then, game for fun and high-intensity with G and quieter times with Sid. In this sense they work so well together, maybe sometimes Geno has feelings and Anna translates them into wild fantasies but then they can get stalled out because they don’t know where to go from there and then of course Sid swoops in with his reinforced practicality and does some research and then figures out how to have the best and safest kinky time.

BONUS:

Sid’s love language is not big displays like Geno’s is (a combo of words of affirmation and giving gifts). His is more acts of service. Sid is just the devoted loyal type, like he will make food and bring you thoughtful things and quietly arrange things so people leave you alone if you’re upset and that’s what you need. He’s a dependable love: do you have a problem? Sid will move heaven and earth to help you solve it, he'll train you at 4am, he'll walk your dog, he'll water your plants, he'll find you a replica baby grand piano and get it moved into your 3rd floor walk-up apartment. HE'LL FIGURE IT OUT. There’s no end to what he will do for the people he loves, he’s just so like patient and determined, like legit just chugs along until he reaches his goals. Also he’s hyper competitive and won’t be out done:

Rando PTA mom: well I love my wife so I built her this coffee table. I’m a builder by nature you know.

Sid: For sure! I just learned woodworking as well! I built this whole house :) with my bare hands :) for my family :)

[scoobydoominuscoobydoo]

So really early on we had made comparisons between Shaggy and Daphne with Stiles and Lydia from Teen Wolf. Obviously they’re not carbon copies of one another, Daph is an amazingly well rounded babe but she’s no Field’s Medal winner. (She is a straight A student though)  And while Shaggy is a very blessed individual he’s not exactly a born and bred detective like Stiles. But we’re not looking at the individual similarities between characters. We’re looking at the dynamics that are shared. Shaphne and Stydia’s similarities fall under their relationships. Lydia is an incredibly beautiful and popular girl but that’s not her whole character, like Daphne, behind that pretty face is a powerful and dangerous girl. And Stiles was the one taken for granted because he was just human, same could be said about Shaggy. Shaphne and Stydia are built on a mutual respect and reverence for one another. While Shaphne’s respect is not built on enough because of the Fraphne obsessed society we live in the respect is definitely there. Shaphne and Stydia were stuck in a world where people kept seeing them as how they wanted to see them.

In lieu of that Mod Silas has been redrawing some famous Stydia moments with Shaphne in place. And as a special present Mod Ninja will add on short fics to go with each picture. We hope you like this!

Part One

“It’s not just someone to hold you under, it has to be someone who can pull you back.”

Her hair had been perfect, it had taken hours for her to make it look windblown but in a sexy kind of way. She had redone her make-up four times to achieve the perfect mix of “I look like a million bucks!” and, “That hot chick you’d see at a Costco.” Resulting in a perfectly neutral yet captivating look. $200 had fallen out of her wallet so she could buy the regal, backless, deep purple dress.This dress was perfect, the closest thing to her dream coming true. Another $100 for the silver four inchers that matched her earrings.

She had stared at herself in the mirror for maybe five minutes.  

“This time Daph.” She said softly, “This time I’m gonna get this prom thing right.”

It was safe to say her first prom was a disaster. She had to tackle Fred to the ground and beg him to go with her, and after pouring her feelings out somehow they settled on going as “Buds ™.” But at least she got her dance with him.

Well, half a dance. It was interrupted by someone that Fred could grasp being attracted to. And she was also dressed like a great aunt from Hell.

Just like that, Fred’s eyes were off Daphne for the rest of the night. Whether she was kidnapping guys and throwing them in her rape dungeon or not, she had Fred’s complete and uninterrupted attention.  

But that was not going to happen this year.

Daphne was going to have her moment, she would get her dance with Fred and make her move. It was finally going to be the start of their perfect love story.

The mayor had sent two police squad cars to watch out for anything suspicious and protect the dance from it. Not wanting a repeat of the junior prom/Alice May debacle of last year.

While this was met with joy from Shaggy and Daphne, Velma had snorted and said, “Thank goodness our greatest allies are gonna be there to do nothing and get mad at us when we do all the work.” Daphne glared at her and Shaggy said, “Don’t you dare joke like that Velms! This is going to be a night of dancing, dates, and delicious snack tables. And absolutely no ghouls, zombies, werewolves, robotic werewolves, and vampires that look more like demons from hell than anything from Daph’s weird books!!”

Daphne had prayed to every god she could think of to help prevent any experts in special effects, puppetry, illusions, and advanced robotics didn’t get pissed off within the 72 hours before the dance. And she was almost considering being religious because here they were, walking into the gym that was decorated in and a 1940′s theme. No monsters in sight.

She was finally getting her moment with Fred, his arms were wrapped around her waist and his hands felt just perfect there.

And then a giant fucking bunny rabbit that spit acid just had to fall from the disco ball and send everyone into a panic. Daphne didn’t even need to look up at him to know that his eyes were sparkling and he was formulating a plan in his big, dumb, gorgeous, trap obsessed head. Once Shaggy let out a nervous chuckle she knew that her night of ineffable romance was over.

Precisely two hours and 15 minutes later they had caught The Buck Toothed Terror, which was a damn freshman who was mad that a senior hadn’t asked her out. Somehow Daph could relate.

Blah blah blah, robotics club member, blah blah blah, giant exoskeleton. “And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for you meddling upperclassmen!!”

Daphne had heard it all before.

Regardless of that total waste of time it was still only 9:15 and the dance ended at midnight. She still had her chance to revive the dying dream.

She scanned the gym looking for her target, the dance floor was now filling up with re-relaxed students. She spotted him on the other side of the floor adjusting his ascot, which didn’t match his tux at all but she didn’t care because he had to be the one.

She lit up as she spotted him and prepped herself to make her way over to him. She smoothed her dress which had become wrinkled from the several times they had been chased a giant, robotic bunny. It wasn’t back to it’s perfect crisp appearance, but she doubted Fred would even notice, as usual. Then she remembered that she had sent a roundhouse kick, with perfect form if she did say so herself, at the bunny and had broken the heel off her shoe as a result.

$100 down the drain.

Whatever, you could barely see the shoes at the bottom of the dress, if she walked on her toes it would look the same.

Ignoring the fact that her hair was popping up in every direction, and being jealous of Velma’s bounce back bob, she began to make her way over to him.

But was then stopped in her tracks when she saw the whole picture. Fred was surrounded by peers, most notably hot seniors. Now technically Daphne was in the category of hot senior, but she was also an outcast amongst the popular crowd.

She always had the chance to join the popular crowd. Everyone in the school knew she would be a hit. But at the start of every year Daph found herself only giving the popular kids friendly nods and then she’d dash over to the table where Fred, Shaggy, Scooby, and Velma were sitting. And just like that she would be pushed into the rag-tag group of weirdos, same as every year. But she didn’t mind, these were her best friends and unlike everything else in her life they made her happy.

The popular kids seemed to understand this and left her be, left the whole group alone really. The most they ever did was try and convince Fred to ask her out once, which failed of course. But it showed Daph how genuinely nice these girls were. 

And currently two of them were putting their hands on his huge shoulders and drooling at every word he said.

He must have been telling the brave tale of how he saved their senior prom, of course adding in that it was a team effort. Because he wasn’t full of himself like other guys she’d met. He cared about equal credit and everyone’s happiness, unlike other guys she’d met. 

She felt herself tearing up.

“No Daph this is a dumb reason. It’s not like he had to spend prom with me.”

She had stared at him for another two minutes or so, hoping he’d look over at her and remember they were dancing earlier.

But he didn’t look over at her, instead the football players had dragged him off to their man huddle, and that was that.

She had no idea why she didn’t just walk over to him and ask him to pick up where they left off. Maybe she was too shy or nervous or scared, who cares it was too late.

She waddled over to the nearest empty tables and sat down, since Fred had been her ride she wasn’t able to just leave. So she chose to wallow and pout.

She felt her jaw drop when Fred escorted one of the hot seniors onto the dance floor. It took her like five minutes to get him to ask while it took Daph two months of planning to ensure she’d be the first girl he’d ask.

Her eyes began to tear up again, seeing how happy and natural he looked while he danced with someone they barely knew, and she didn’t care enough to hide her tears.

Until out of nowhere Shaggy had pulled out the chair next to her and sat down with a plop.

She quickly wiped her eyes and leaned forward so he couldn’t see her face. And while attempting to sound okay said, “How’s it going Shags?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, “Like, not great. Since Freddie had to commandeer all the precious food for the trap I’ve got nothing to do.” He leaned back in the chair and sighed. Daph looked around and smiled while saying, “Well where’s Scooby, I’m sure you and him could get into some sort of trouble.” She smirked and clasped her hands in her lap.

“Daph, do you really think Velma would let him stay at prom after what happened last year. Like man, she didn’t waste any time turning on the demon eyes.” He motioned towards the other side of the room where Velma was surrounded by guys from all walks of life. Somehow, this year Velms had become one of the hottest chicks in our class, getting date requests every other day.

Daphne wasn’t really jealous of her since she had her eye on only one guy, and it was way too funny watching Velma’s reactions to all the attention. 

“But you and Velma aren’t even together anymore are you?” She gave him a suspicious look but he quickly shook his head, “God no. I-uh, I guess she just doesn’t want Scoob ruining her last prom.” She smiled and sighed, “Honestly I would prefer if Scooby were here, then maybe it’d be a little fun.”

He stared at her for a second, maybe trying to unpack the meaning of what she said, and then he nodded.

He looked from Velma back to Daph, and they kinda just sat in silence for a little bit, just looking at each other.

That was one of the nice things about Shaggy, they didn’t need to say much of anything. Sometimes they could go on and on about how nice V-necks were, and other times they could just be quiet and accept each other’s company. At certain times Daph could use that comforting quiet that only Shaggy could handle.

It had taken a few minutes but Daphne looked down and realized that his hands were shaking, subtly but still noticeable.

She remembered that once again they had appointed Shaggy and Scooby as the bait in the formula. Daphne believed that it was because they were the fastest, but she couldn’t speak for Fred and Velma.

After everything was all wrapped up Shags was pretty good at looking like he was over his life being put in jeopardy. But Daphne eventually noticed that his hands didn’t stop shaking until the next day. That was when she considered that maybe he deserved a break. Her beliefs were confirmed when a doctor basically diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress. 

Of course that didn’t last long and he was back to being shoved into danger at every turn.

The main thing that had changed was that Daph now worried about him every time he became bait.

So of course he was still shaken up only half an hour after being chased to the death by an acid spitting rabbit that was 5x it’s original size. 

She could tell he was trying to calm down since he took deep breaths every few minutes, it didn’t stop his hands from shaking and she hated it. She took a deep breath as she grabbed his hands. He jumped at the sudden contact and Daph giggled, “Hey,” she said softly, he looked back at her, “Are you sure you’re okay.”

He stared at her with his eyebrows raised and said, “No Daph I am not okay, I almost got my tux melted off by a fucking bunny. And now I don’t even have any food or alcohol to drown my sorrows in!!”

She giggled again, “I have cappuccino flavored gum, it’s from my mom’s therapist.” 

“Which one?” Daph stared at him for a second, “Her-um-speech-no- it’s her anger management dude. Jackery??”

Shag chuckled, “Like, is Jackery even a real name?” She smirked, “Is Shaggy?Or Norville for that matter?” He winced, “Daph don’t even start that.”

She found them both chuckling, he seemed a lot calmer now that she had asked. Then she remembered that she was still holding onto his hands and he was gently holding back.

She quickly let go and put them back in her lap, looking around and hoping nobody saw them. More specifically, that Fred hadn’t seen. She peeked over Shag’s shoulder and felt her heart drop, several songs had passed and he was still out on the dance floor with the hot senior. He was still laughing and holding onto her tightly, something she had to beg to do with him.

Shag wondered what she had been staring at and looked over his shoulder. He then let out a sigh as he realized why party animal Daphne was bored at a school dance.

He looked back and saw her discouraged eyes filling with tears.

The hair on the back of his neck raised, he could handle his dog being over dramatic and Velma’s demonic tantrums and Fred throwing him into danger every other week. But he had no idea what to do when Daphne cried.

Whenever she cried she did it like a Disney princess, usually sprawled out on a bed with her hair all spread out and her face buried in the covers. When Daph cried everyone was going to know about it, and everyone just let a combo of Fred complimenting her and Scooby offering her his favorite toys. Eventually that would calm her down and she would explain while Velma rolled her eyes and Shaggy gave her apologetic looks.

 But this crying wasn’t the typical, charming Daphne crying.

This was purposely silenced crying, the kind where you wanted nobody to notice. 

He sighed and she realized that he was looking at her, she turned away and wiped her eyes. “What a day to not wear my waterproof mascara.” She forced a chuckle. Shag only needed to look at her helplessly trying to fix her eyes for a couple seconds before he gulped and took a deep breath.

“Like, Daph?” He sounded a lot more croaked than intended, which didn’t help his confidence. 

She looked away from the napkin she had used to clean the lines of her eyeliner and back to him. The second her purple eyes met his brown ones he became like 10 million times more nervous and his heartbeat probably spiked. Daph could say the same thing since she had no clue what he was gonna ask her.

“Yes Norville?” She sent him a smirk.

“Don’t even Daph I mean it.” She giggled as she let out a few sniffles.

He took a deep breath and looked out at the dance floor, “Do you-uh like, do you wanna dance?” It took him a lot longer to get that out, so he sounded like a sloth. Daphne stared at him for a second, her eyes wide while she processed what he said. She only ever danced with Fred.

At every dance she’d been to, homecoming, winter ball, spring formal, hoedowns, and of course the junior prom.

It’s was just a natural position she assumed.

She knew that just friends could dance, that’s more likely than dancing with a date. But somehow dancing with Shaggy felt like something in between. She had never danced with anyone else.

She must’ve been silent a long time because Shag added, “We’re stuck here for, like, another four hours so we might as well do what society expects us to.” She smiled and sent a glance over toward Fred, another song had passed and he was still on the floor smiling with the hot senior. 

“The dance floor is super crowded. Like, I doubt Fred would see you, i-if you’re worried about that.” 

She stared at him for another second and came to a conclusion. Tonight, she did not care what Fred saw or didn’t see. She had made this whole night about him and that was the same thing that ruined last year. For once this night was just about Daph, and Daph could do what she wanted.

So she ripped her gaze away from Fred, who could do whatever (and whoever) he wanted tonight, and gave Shaggy a smile.

She nodded quickly and they both stood up.

That was when she remembered that one of her shoes was broken. 

She lifted her skirt, her foot was being forced into a contorted position, “Damn it.” Shag whistled and said, “Like, now that is a terrible shoe design. Don’t no heel high heels conflict each other?” Daph rolled her eyes, “I didn’t spend $100 on a pair of gravity defying heels, I-I…I broke one of them when I kicked that stupid bunny.”

“Sounds like something you’d do.” She was about to point out that it had saved Velma’s hide but when she looked up she saw Shaggy kicking off his shoes.

“W-What are you doing Shag?” She crossed her arms and hoped no one noticed. He rubbed the back of his neck and said sheepishly, “You need to take your shoes off now that I don’t have any on.” Daph raised an eyebrow at him, she absolutely hated getting her feet dirty and he knew that, it just wasn’t right at all.

One time they were chasing after a swamp creature while surrounded with mud pits and Daph had been in a catatonic state for about an hour, even after her feet had been cleaned.

She would rather fight through the pain of these useless shoes then get some sort of bacteria through her feet.

But then she saw his hands, still shaking, and the random deep breaths every few seconds. It only took her a second before she groaned and kicked her shoes off, effectively shrinking her and reminding her that Shaggy was roughly 6′0. She ignored how gross her feet felt and grabbed one of his shaking hands. 

She started to drag him toward the middle of the dance floor, where it was the most crowded. Still hoping nobody would notice.

Although that might be asking too much since they were both shoeless and she was Daphne Blake.

Once they reached the center they both stood in front of one another, being quiet while a wall of other people swayed to the music around them. “Like, I uh…..”

Daph nodded and said, “I don’t know how to do this either.” His eyes darted around the room before they landed on her again.

She really liked the way he looked at her, no strings attached, no expectations, and no stupid clueless gaze. It just felt like he was looking at just her, Daphne.

She took a step forward so there were only a few inches between them and she placed her hands on his shoulders, “We’ll figure it out.” She smiled and he returned it as he rested his hands on either side of her. His fingers brushed the skin of her back for a couple seconds sending chills up her whole body. They slowly swayed to the music, not saying anything. Their comfortable silence returning. She just smiled and stared at him and he returned the favor.

Even dancing with him felt relaxed, and right.

She felt perfect, finally she believed this is what she deserved to have at prom.

And then her eyes drifted over to Fred, who was only a few feet away from them, and his eyes were on her. And instantly she was filled with regret and guilt, she was ruining everything! The more Fred stared at her the more the gentle swaying felt like the rocking of a ship in a storm. 

She had felt perfect and happy with herself a few seconds ago but she just had to think about her weakness, and then meet eyes with said weakness.

With that she looked away, and to keep herself from looking at him again she slid her hand down Shag’s arm and pulled herself into a hug. Hiding her face, and blocking her gaze, in his chest.

She could hear his breathing stifle, but he didn’t move.

Instead he leaned down and rested his head on her shoulder, the random deeps breaths seemed to diminish.

And it was replaced by a warm feeling in Daph’s chest, which she prayed meant anything but the first thing that came to her mind.

[anisanews]

Topanga is married to Cinnamon Toast Crunch shrimp tail guy

Boy meets … shrimp?

The husband of “Boy Meets World” actress Danielle Fishel Karp, who played Topanga in the 1990s sitcom, went majorly viral Monday with allegations of a very unsavory discovery in his breakfast cereal. 

Now, the internet is also blowing up with additional reactions thanks to his famous wife and Jensen Karp is sounding off to The Post. (BTW: Page Six covered their nuptials way back in 2018.)

Let’s retrace the extra crunch Topanga’s real-life hubby claims to have found in his Cinnamon Toast Crunch:

“Ummmm @CTCSquares – why are there shrimp tails in my cereal? (This is not a bit),” tweeted Jensen, tagging Cinnamon Toast Crunch’s official Twitter account and posting an image of what appear to be sugar-coated shrimp tails in a now-viral tweet. In a follow-up tweet, Jensen looped in General Mills, the producer of the popular breakfast cereal. 

“We’re sorry to see what you found! We would like to report this to our quality team and replace the box. Can you please send us a DM to collect more details? Thanks!” Cinnamon Toast Crunch wrote back, to which Jensen responded that he’s “not sure I’m ready for another box!” 

Turns out Topanga wasn’t feeling the brand’s initial tweet.

“She’s honestly mad,” Karp told The Post of Danielle’s current feeling regarding the situation. “She is really disappointed in General Mills’ statement and hoped to see more concern, rather than just tell me it was actually sugar, not shrimp tails (which is insane). People are allergic (I am luckily not) and their main focus should be finding out how it happened to help anyone who could also run into this.”

Following “further investigation,” Cinnamon Toast Crunch informed Jensen that the image he posted showed not shrimp tails but “an accumulation of the cinnamon sugar that sometimes can occur when ingredients aren’t thoroughly blended. We assure you that there’s no possibility of cross contamination with shrimp.”

“’Accumulation of sugar particles,’” Danielle responded, “I am truly at a loss for words.” She also tweeted emojis of shrimp and heartbreak. 

After further investigation himself, however, Jensen alleged that there really were “cinnamon coated shrimp tails” in his cereal, of which he said he had already eaten a bowl. Since then he apparently has covered the cereal box with Post-It notes, which warn, “DO NOT EAT.”

“Before I had the shrimp tail plop in the bowl – I had eaten a bowl. This is a bummer,” Karp told The Post.

“I wasn’t all that mad until you now tried to gaslight me?” he accused the brand.

He went on to say that when he further explored the cereal bag, he supposedly found string, as well as cereal squares containing black marks. Another bag in the family pack — which the couple reportedly purchased at a Woodland Hills, LA, Costco — appeared to be “taped up” and looked to contain dental floss.  

UPDATE: my wife has a stronger stomach than me and checked the OTHER bag in the family pack. This one seems taped up (?) and also appears to include…(I don’t even want to say it)…dental floss. pic.twitter.com/yKPkpx7PWq

— Jensen Karp (@JensenKarp) March 23, 2021

“I am going to get the black stuff tested today,” Jensen wrote Tuesday morning for those following his inedible escapade. “Most importantly, nothing new from General Mills since they asked me to send them the shrimp tails that they had tried to convince me was sugar.”

In a statement to The Post, a representative for General Mills said the company is still looking into the incident.

“While we are still investigating this matter, we can say with confidence that this did not occur at our facility,” said spokesperson Mike Siemienas in a statement. “We are waiting for the consumer to send us the package to investigate further. Any consumers who notice their cereal box or bag has been tampered with, such as the clear tape that was found in this case, should contact us.” 

In the most recent update to the saga Tuesday afternoon, Jensen shared an apparent direct message conversation with Cinnamon Toast Crunch in which the brand reportedly said they “reached out” by phone and left a voicemail and also wanted to “setup” a FedEx pick-up of the items. In his reply, he said he “won’t be giving you the stuff,” adding that their initial response “calling it sugar was super weird and the fact that you haven’t said anything to the contrary doesn’t allow me to trust you with it at all.”

Jensen went on to say the company was “being super sketchy and odd” and said they should email him “for any further correspondence.”

He also previously responded on Twitter to those who have accused him of faking the foreign object cereal items. 

“Something regarding the stupid ‘Did he fake this’ take: there are black items COOKED ONTO the squares and tons of it at the bottom of the bag, in addition to shrimp tails and other SUGAR COATED junk. Also, it’s only ‘viral’ because of their insane response. I would’ve dropped it,” he wrote. 

Something regarding the stupid “Did he fake this?” take: there are black items COOKED ONTO the squares and tons of it at the bottom of the bag, in addition to shrimp tails and other SUGAR COATED junk. Also, it’s only “viral” because of their insane response. I would’ve dropped it pic.twitter.com/WOt9j2V0sg

— Jensen Karp (@JensenKarp) March 23, 2021

from Anisa News https://ift.tt/31fgP00

[rnisa]

How are junkie and roadie when they have a crush on someone?

I’m soooo sorry, these were mad long for no reason!!! Sorry if this isn’t what you wanted.

Junkrat and Roadhog When They’ve Got a Crush 

⭐  NO SPECIFIED PRONOUNS FOR READER ⭐

Junkrat

Junkrat is all smiles, shitty puns, and silly antics up until he realizes that he actually likes this person. Like, likes them likes them. After that he’s a messsssss. 

Legit does a complete 180, if you were cool and chill with this boy before, he’ll suddenly become awkward and clumsy. A little self-conscious.

I’d say that he doesn’t even know he’s whipped, until someone helps and legitimately spells it out for him. 

“Y O U A R E I N L O V E !!!”

Yikes. Soon as he hears that word, he goes into a sort of frenzy. His confident demeanor that he’d had before you is now gone. Suddenly he’s self conscious about his hair, frequently asks everyone else how he smells (the answer usually is, “Not as bad as yesterday.”)

Doesn’t go to Roadhog for help. He can’t go to Roadhog for help! He needs assistance from someone his own age, damnit!

So he goes to Lucio ---

A++ wingman he is, 🅱️less this boy, gives Jamie very wholesome advice like “Y’know just be yourself! ___ obviously likes you now, why you need to change anything?” , “Don’t be so nervous. The worst thing that could happen is ___ doesn’t feel the same, it’s not like they won’t talk to you ever again. Better to ask and say you tried, than go on not knowing what coulda been, right? So go get’em bro!”

...Though Lucio does offer some tips about good cologne and spares a pack of breath mints to keep on hand at all times. Brings up Junkrat’s good qualities and interests, and tries to use that to amp him up, as well as give some date ideas. “Why not take them to see fireworks? They’re basically just fancy explosions!” 

Alright, so he’s done talking to his wingman! Now to talk to his wing woman,

Hana takes him out shopping! “I’m not giving you a makeover!” she giggles. “The point is to find clothes that you’d actually wanna wear! We’re just gonna make you a, uh...cleaner version of you!”

Hana stresses that Junkrat doesn’t need to change, and he shouldn’t, over some crush. Junkrat picks out some new clothes - things he actually likes - and gets just a trim, to chip away at those burnt ends! When it’s all over, he’s still himself, and that’s what’s important. “Stop being so nervous, just like, pretend you don’t even have a crush on them. Just act like everything’s normal - it’s easy peasy!”

If he’s been ignoring you for a while, I’m assuming you’d confront him. When he’s back from his outing, you ask what exactly you did wrong. 

Taking his friends’ advice into account, he apologizes and asks if you’d like to get some boba, since he ran out (he really didn’t)

From here on out, it’s really noticeable that he likes you. He’ll do whatever he can to be close with you; the smallest physical interaction makes his heart flutter. 

Will try to walk on your right side so his real arm is next to you in hopes your hands will accidentally touch. He appreciates how soft your skin is in comparison to his.

Compliments you a lot, but on the weirdest, smallest things. Things you probably don’t even pay attention to.

“Haha! I like when ya laugh so hard that ya can’t breathe. Yer eyes get all funny when they’re scrunched up.”

But really, I’d imagine that having a serious crush for him is easy. He falls in love hard, which makes rejection hard to get over. He goes through different stages: Nervous and uncomfortable , infatuated and confident (fantasizes about life with you as a couple),  and then, perhaps spiraling into a bout of depression and doubt.

Not to get all angsty and sad but I can see him switching on and off, feeling like, “Yeah! O’course ___ likes me too! How could they not?!” to, “I’m out of ____’s league. I can’t. I’m a freak, I ain’t pretty-lookin’, I don’t deserve ____.” and this has to do with me feeling like his act is a facade and he’s got brief moments where he snaps back to reality and sees the world for how grim it can truly be, how truly sad of a state he’s in, and how terrible his hometown came to be. Yikes. 

Luckily, he ‘s got wonderful friends to show him love and support. Even if you reject him, so long as you’re still his friend, he’ll be fine.

Roadhog

It’ll take him a while to develop any sort of romantic feelings for anyone, let alone you. It’s a gradual process, but he can only smile once he’s admitted this to himself.

You wouldn’t know it until he told you though, as he’d make moves that are pretty subtle to you - but a very big deal to him. To you, he’s just his normal self. Junkrat of course can sense something different, but he’s not sure what (new haircut?)

He’s surprisingly comfortable and normal around you! The only difference is his change in mood. He’s happier, and finds himself thinking less on the negative aspects of life now that you’re occupying most of his thoughts.

Steals wins a lot of pachimari for you. Know those $200 gigantic Costco teddy bears? Like, that, but a fuckin’ pachimari. 

You’re special. You’ve confided in him on more than enough occasions. He’s an excellent listener, and could listen to you for hours on end, waiting until he hears it all before giving his input.

You’re understanding of him, you ask him questions and actually get more than a sentence out...and he knows why.

He’s crushing on you, and hooo, boy, does he have it bad. He loves it when you grab his hand and drag him off somewhere, usually to show him something. He knows it’s platonic, but it still feels nice.

He likes you because you’re genuine, you make him feel less alone in the world. Even when you two talk about some real shit, like a bad event going on in the world, things get really deep. You talk, he talks, you pick at eachother’s brains. He loves how you know so much and can hold a stimulating conversation.

Overall, he becomes somewhat...lighter when he’s got a crush. Somehow, you make the world seem less bleak, you’re a beacon of hope, you’ve given him so much joy!

For some reason, I could see him perhaps having a conversation with Ana. Not about you, specifically, but rather him wondering what her thoughts are on love, life, and whether or not someone like him is allowed to know such happiness.

For lack of better phrasing, she’s basically like, “Fuck it, yolo.”

Besides Ana, he doesn’t really talk to this about anyone else. Junkrat wouldn’t be much help, there’s a possibility he could make things worse, like spilling the beans! He wouldn’t do it intentionally, Roadhog knows this, but he’d rather be safe than sorry.

After knowing you for a while, he makes the decision to confess. He’s not sure if you feel the same, but he doesn’t care.

Roadhog approaches the situation like, hey, he’s going to die someday anyways. In the grand scheme of things, nothing matters, so why not tell you how he feels?

Eventually, once he gets to a certain level he will take his mask off for you when he confesses. Not upon request, he’d do so on his own will. He’s understanding that someone who wears a mask all the time could be hard to love (unbeknownst to him, you’ve loved him from the start, regardless) and it’s important to him that you see his eyes. It’s crucial for you to know how serious he is. 

I headcanon that his face is very badly burned, and/or scarred. And that doesn’t make him any less handsome. 

If you reject him, it’s alright. He half-expected it, even after knowing you all this time. He doesn’t mind, he didn’t expect much to come of it. He’s just happy he tried, although once it sets in that this will not be going anywhere, it will hurt and take him a while to move on.

If you accept him and his confession, prepare to be pulled into the biggest hug imaginable. From there, he’ll be a bit shy with things like PDA, but once you’ve been together for a while you two will confidently strut around either holding his hand, or him holding you, entirely. Congrats, you now have the most badass and cuddly boyfriend ever. Nobody’s going to fuck with you and everyone’s going to know you’re together ♥

[rileymcdaniels]

WHEN YOU GET THIS, PLEASE RESPOND WITH FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY ! THEN, SEND TO THE LAST TEN PEOPLE IN YOUR NOTIFICATIONS ANONYMOUSLY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM SPREADING POSITIVITY ! 🌼

Ooh, okay, we finna do this.

1. The Adventure Zone podcast - I love me my McElroy boys.2. Jacksfilms, who is pure and good and always makes me laugh. He’s one of the most creative and talented and wholesome people on youtube. And his wife!! Erin is hilarious and so great, and they’re so sweet together 10/10 one of the few cishet relationships that I stan.3. Stephen Colbert. I’ve been a fan of that man since 2009, and he’s only gotten better and better. He and the Late Show are the reason why I’m surviving law school and my morning commutes.

4. My friend Nana. We happened to work together at the same library a couple of times and I mentioned that I was playing Fallout 3 and we’ve been best friends ever since. She’s the most supportive, and she has legitimately kept me sane. And we live in the same town!! So sometimes we go grocery shopping together or go to Costco. We’re going to see Avengers tonight :) she’s literally just the greatest. AND we’re playing dnd together and we might ship our characters :D :D :D so the fact she likes Riley as a character is 10/10 as well.

5. My friend Victoria. She was a 2L this past year but because of illness in her 1L year, she needed to retake contracts in the spring, so we were in the same class. She’s the one who introduced me to the Adventure Zone, and we studied together, and she’s just so great?? I feel like I can really tell her things because she’s been Through Shit(TM) too, and she’s so understanding. I’ve had to cancel on her several times bc of mental illness, and she’s never been mad or frustrated. Also she’s so fucking pretty I DIE ON THE DAILY ABOUT IT

And a bonus #6:

6. Law school. Listen, it’s the most stressful thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never been under this kind of pressure. The past year has been a serious journey and getting through my 1L year is something I’m really proud of because I worked so hard so consistently and I didn’t give up even when I felt like falling apart. It’s given me so much more confidence because I rose to this challenge. I’ve met so many incredible people, and I’ve gained so many mentors, and I actually feel like I’m on my way to doing something really important. 

[eliz1369]

11 Questions (x3)

Thank you @eheartangel , @nollatooru , and @kazama-hime for the tags 😊 I’ve decided to combine them in one post for the sake of my sanity.

Rules(or guidances):

Post the rules

Answer the questions given to you by the tagger

Write 11 questions of your own

And tag 11 people

1. What is your favorite movie(s)

Ugh, I have so many. A Few Good Men, Stand and Deliver, and Fireproof, to name a few, but right now nothing tops the quality comedy in It’s a Mad Mad Mad World. If you haven’t seen it, it’s 2.5 hours of comedic insanity from some of the best actors of Hollywood’s golden era. What would you be willing to do to get your hands on $350,000?

2. What’s your favorite thing to do in fandoms (write, draw, make gifs, talk about headcanons, just keep a blog etc)?

While I’m a sucker for character analysis, writing is hands down my favorite thing to do in a fandom.

3. Do you wear nail polish?

Yes. It keeps me from bitting my nails and helps keeps them from bending. My nails aren’t strong at all.

4. What do you really like about yourself?

I’m creative and a bit of a jack of all trades.

5. Are you scared of public speaking?

Terrified. I mean, I can do it, but I will look like a tomato, talk a million miles and hour, and leave out half my talking points.

6. Can you drive a car?

Yup, but I try to default to passenger whenever I can.

7. Do you have pets?

I have a cat named Honey

8. What do you want to do right now?

Right now? Sleep sounds nice, but so does catching up on my reading, and what about my writing? Ugh, Time, Energy, and Things to do. Pick two.

9. Are you a student?

Just graduated with my masters in December so, NOPE! Though that’s kind of a scary thought... I’ve spent nearly my entire life in a classroom and now I’ve got to go be a real adult.

10. Tell something that you want to put here. (About yourself, about your favorite charactes, about something great you just saw/made, anything that comes to your mind and you want to share)

My mom, sister, and I totally rocked out to Legally Blonde The Musical on our way back from Victoria BC to keep ourselves awake. We had the volume way up and sang for over an hour.

1. Sunset or sunrise ?

As a night owl I have to say Sunset! Sunrise is just way to early in the morning. (Plus sunsets are prettier)

2. What would your theme song be if you were in a movie?

If I had a theme in a movie, It’d probably be along the lines of Sound of The Shire from Lord of the Rings. Something happy and maybe a touch nostalgic or romantic.

3. Your most remarkable nickname?

My grandpa would call me Dizzy Lizzy because I’ve always been a bit of a clutz when it comes to running into/tripping over things.

4. Movie you’ve watched more often than any other movie?

More often? Hm, I drove my grandma batty watching Lion King growing up, but honestly the title of “Most Watched” probably goes to the PBS Riverdance.

5. Favourite quote?

I’ve always loved Puddleglum’s monologue to the Green Witch in C.S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair.

“One word. All you’ve been saying is quite right, I shouldn’t wonder. I’m a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won’t deny any of what you said. But there’s one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things–trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play-world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that’s a small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.”

6. A dream come true?

Please no. My dreams are to weird to become reality... no one wants a 30ft giant spider sitting outside their house.

7. Guilty pleasure?

Writing when I should be working.

8. Something that never fails to cheer you up?

A good fluffy fic! (Especially if it’s okichi!)

9. Is there a song your currently obsessed with?

I love listening to contemporary piano music when I write and right now I’ve been listening to My World and The Way by Florian Bur on repeat.

10. Do you collect anything?

Anything and everything. I’ve got Disney pins, stuffed animals, sand from beaches, and now plushies. I’m the type of person who won’t just take one or two rocks/shells from the beach, I will fill both pockets to bursting and still be trying to fit five more. Yeah, it’s a bit of a problem...

11. 11 words to describe yourself?

Creative, funny, glass half full, caring, empathetic, night owl, smart, and inquisitive

1. What’s your favorite piece that you’ve written/drawn/etc?

An Unearned Gift is by far my favorite written work, while

2. Favorite game?

Loaded Questions is by far my favorite game. Great for old friends and getting to know people, and it’s always good for a laugh.

3. What animal would you be if you could shapeshift into one?

A house cat. Small, fast, and limber enough to get anywhere. Plus it’s inconspicuous enough to blend in anywhere. ...and I want to be able to purr :P no better sound for telling someone you like them.

4.Do you collect anything?

See above ^^^

5.Favorite food?

Pomegranates are one of my favorite fruits, so I always indulge in the gigantic ones from Costco all winter long.

6.Favorite dessert?

Dole whip float from Disneyland/World. It’s a treat I rarely get, but there’s no way I’m leaving the park without it!

7.Favorite Ice cream flavor or frozen treat?

Denali Mint Moose Tracks! Hands down best ice cream ever! (Okay so it’s tied with the Dole Whip)

8. Favorite scent?

Eucalyptus! And not the weird diluted stuff that’s in lotion which doesn’t smell like it at all. Like the concentrated oil or Vick’s vapor rub. (Close second would be the chlorine smell of a pool)

9. How did you discover Hakuouki?

Watched the anime because it came up as one “similar” to Ruroni Kenshin. Lol took me a bit to readjust to the Shinsengumi being the “good guys”.

10. How many books do you own?

Uh... try 30ft of shelves worth. That’s not even counting ebooks.

11. Free space! Give me a fun fact!

I have a quilt that was started by my great grandmother and was finished by my mom and I. She had already drawn out the embroidery patterns on the squares, but only finished 4 or 5. I completed the hand embroidery squares and my mom turned it into a quilt that she gave me for Christmas a few years back.

Um... I’m so late in getting to these that I’m pretty sure everyone I know has already been tagged.

[nashvilletonihon]

Trial By Fire

So I had to update this intro a little bit considering I started writing this post like, 2 weeks ago...It’s the end of desk-warming season here and I’m patting out the butt shaped imprint I have worn into my chair over the last month and am finally getting back in the classroom. (At Kumihama anyway.) For those of you unfamiliar with the Japanese educational system, the brand new school year just started and we welcomed those bright eyed and bushy tailed 一年生 ichinensei (first year students) as they make their high school debut. 

It seems only appropriate then that I just recently finished a whirlwind week long side gig playing tour guide to my mom and sister as they came to visit Japan for the first time ever. Being able to show them around my town, introduce them to my co-workers, friends and the people who have been so influential while working on creating a new life, sharing the history, my favorite foods and secret spots was so incredibly gratifying in the most selfish way. That being said, there is an added level of stress and anxiety to hosting friends and family while living and working in a foreign country. Especially one that doesn’t speak English as it’s first language. Unlike if I was living in the U.K., Ireland, Canada or some other English speaking country, I couldn’t leave my mom and sister alone anywhere. I couldn’t tell them to meet Jacob and I at a certain train station, restaurant or temple for fear of them getting lost and not being able to find them for hours. I couldn’t hand them a menu to let them choose what food to eat or suggest they casually peruse a shop or convenience store because they would have no idea what anything was. (Heck, I don’t know what everything is.) Having to be ‘’on’’ all the time is completely exhausting and honestly, by day number 3 I was about ready to choke my little sister out as I screamed ‘’JUST FIGURE IT OUT LIKE I DO’’ over and over again.

One thing I’ve noticed the most about being a foreigner in Japan is that, like most adult experiences I’ve had, it’s all trial by fire. Of course people will go out of their way to help you, don’t get me wrong. The myths about Japanese politeness are all true, but they’re also just as likely to sit back and watch you struggle. It’s all about balance I guess... Just when you think you’re getting the hang of things (and maybe a little too big for your britches) Japan laughs and knocks you back down again. A prime example would have to be what I now and will forever refer to as, The Parking Incident. As I mentioned, my mom and sister were in the country a few weeks ago, so here’s a very brief look at our schedule: (trust me, it’s pertinent to the story...)

Sunday - They arrive!! Monday - Drive on up to Tango (Where I live.) Tuesday - Tango Wednesday - Drive on down to Kyoto City/Uji (Where Jacob lives.) Thursday - Kyoto City Friday - Nara Saturday - Osaka

The reason our schedule is important to the next bit of my story is because while we booked my mom and sister a hotel room in Kyoto City, Jacob and I stayed at our apartment in Uji. (Don’t worry, I still live in Tango. It’s my future ‘’new’’ apartment.) In a moment of immense clarity and ‘’good thinking’’ on my part, I decided to leave my car at the pay-per-day parking lot next to Ogura Station in Uji, which is about an 8 minute walk from our apartment. Since Jacob and I would be taking the train to and from the city, my car could just chill there for the 4 days I wouldn’t need it. At ￥600 a day (or roughly $5.37 USD) it was a gosh darn STEAL. Now let’s fast forward to Sunday after my mom and sister left. Jacob and I are going to Costco because, PIZZA, (and other stuff too I guess). We’re laughing and having a great time despite the rain that’s starting to fall when I ask Jacob to tell me which number spot I had parked in. His first response if 6. I punch in the number and the machine says I owe ￥600. I tell him that can’t be right because I’ve been there for longer than a day. He then proceeds to tell me it was actually 5. So I press 5 and I swear to the gods above, if I had been drinking something when I saw the price I would have done a spit take. ￥13,400 ($119.97 USD). I shake my head and stutter ‘’That...that can’t be right. Are you sure it’s 5???’’ trying not to let the immense amount of panic I am now feeling rise up and take control. Jacob checked again and it was, indeed, number 5. I did the quick mental math and, while I’m no genius, I should only owe ￥2400. ￥600 a day X 4 days = ￥2400. I certainly shouldn’t owe as much as the tiny green machine was telling me I did. So Jacob and I decide to divide and conquer. We check every sign and piece of paper once, twice, three times in search of ANY kind of information that could be in red to highlight it’s more important than the rest. When none are to be found, we both agree it’s a good idea to call the help number and neither one of us are surprised when no one on the other end speaks English. In the worst and most rudimentary broken Japanese Jacob tries to explain the situation while also asking if there is anything that can be done. We have no idea why it’s so much and are begging to understand. After 20 minutes of this, the man on the other end of the line just keeps repeating one phrase which we later figure out loosely translates to ‘’Your loss.’’  Not satisfied with that answer, I decide to call my friend, and Prefectural Advisor, Leah. She’s parked in these types of lots before so I knew she would be familiar with them. After explaining the situation, I send her a photo of the largest sign at the front of the lot. 30 second later she informs me that in small writing underneath the daily fee it states ‘’If here for more than 48 hours, the charge will be ￥600 every 20 minutes.’’ I’m not exaggerating when I say that I literally dry heaved. For a little over 2 days my car had been charged almost $6 every 20 minutes until it reached a whopping $120. Tears spring to my eyes as I hang up the phone and tell Jacob the news. I’m going to have to pay all of it to get my car out... 

The best part about all of this is that the machine only takes ￥1,000 or roughly 10 dollar bills and coins. Neither Jacob nor I have that much money on us in the bills needed. Gritting my teeth I march toward the nearest convenience store to use their ATM while Jacob walks to his bank across the street. As I furiously punch buttons on the ATM, I silently curse Japan. I curse the language that I cannot speak, the words I cannot read, the culture I cannot understand. I curse  myself for thinking I had it all figured out without a moment’s hesitation at the thought that maybe ￥600 a day was a little too good to be true. I mean, where in America do you find that type of price without some kind of catch??? I snatch the money from the machine and stalk back outside, down the street and back to the parking meter. A few moments later Jacob is next to me helping feed bills into the slot. With about ￥8,000 left we run out of ￥1,000 bills. I’m so mad I almost punch the machine. At this point it’s raining and I’m honestly wondering if things can get any worse. Jacob tells me it’s going to be ok and runs off to get more ￥1,000 notes. I stand there fuming and jamming what little amount of coins I have in my wallet into the meter until Jacob come back, sweaty and out of breath, with more money clutched in one hand and a 鯛焼き taiyaki (a fish shaped pastry with any number of fillings inside (but mine was chocolate)) held in the other. He smiles and hands me the 鯛焼き before putting the final 1,000 yens into the machine. (There are many reasons why I love that man but the fact that even in the face of what seems like an impossible situation, he still thinks to bring me a sweet treat is definitely near the top.)

We get into the car and quietly share the 鯛焼き while I try not to pout on the way to COSTCO. Having to pay that much money was absolutely awful no question, but the worst part about the entire ordeal was not being able to explain the situation to the help desk worker over the phone. It was the immense feeling of utter helplessness that frustrated me the most. And it’s not just this one isolated situation either. That feeling of helplessness is ever present and all consuming. The things I took for granted while living in America, such as being able to schedule my own appointments, go to have my tires and oil changed, mail a gosh dern letter, are all MONUMENTAL accomplishments over here. Jacob and I talk about this all the time. It’s the one thing we wish people would understand more when it comes to asking about our lives over here. EVERYTHING. IS. SO. FREAKING. DIFFICULT. No, we can’t just ‘‘call the help number and speak to someone about our issue’‘. No we can’t just ‘‘walk into a health clinic and request to be seen.’‘ Hell, we can’t even check the labels on the dang food at the grocery store because it’s much more than just a simple task. It’s mentally preparing yourself to translate, reorder the words and be able to communicate your problem or question correctly. It’s hoping and praying the person you’re speaking to doesn’t use complicated words or phrases you are’t used to hearing that often. (Spoiler alert: They ALWAYS do.) It’s trying your best to meet them halfway and falling embarrassingly short every. single. time. It’s terrifying and frustrating and upsetting. You feel like a child who can’t do the most basic of tasks for themselves and it’s humiliating. You truly have to put your pride aside and swallow that bitterest of pills in order to just...survive. 

I’ll step down off my soapbox now and say that I guess the biggest thing I’d want someone reading this post to take away from it, is this: Be kind to those people who are not from your home country. Be kind to the immigrants and the visitors who are there either trying to make a living or just simply enjoying themselves but who may not be able to speak your country’s mother tongue. They’re doing the best they can. Be patient. Be helpful. Be courteous. As a woman living and working in a country not her own, the smallest of kindnesses can make a world of difference. Japan may be one trial by fire after the next, but I refuse to crack under the pressure. 

 がんばっります。(I will do my best.)

じゃあまた (See you!)

- レイチェル (Rachel)

Oh hey!! Just like at the end of a Marvel movie, here’s a post credits scene consisting of photos showcasing my mom and sister’s time in Japan!!

On their way into 東大寺 Todaiji Temple in 奈良 Nara the deer city.

Elizabeth greatly enjoyed the 鹿 shika (deer). This photo was taken not long after one bit her in the butt because she wasn’t feeding it cookies fast enough. 

My American and Japanese family met for the first time. It was magical. Please ignore Japanese Christoph Waltz in the left hand side of this photo.

One of my favorite places in 奈良 Nara, 春日大社 Kasuga-taisha (the stone lantern temple) is full of beautiful bronze and stone lanterns surrounded by lush, green foliage. 

If you can’t tell by my enormous grin, I was beyond excited to have these gorgeous people all together in the same place.  

[canaryatlaw]

So today was another good day, though I would've liked to have gotten to sleep already but that's my own fault. I slept late again, till around 12 (because nobody woke me up), and woke up to everyone running around getting ready for my cousin's graduation party tonight. So I ate some cereal and asked how I could be helpful, but didn't really get a straight answer so I just kind of helped where I could. When there was a bit of a lull in activity we played a round of bs (or bullshit, the card game) which I promptly won because I tend to be rather good at it, lol. Pretty soon there were hot dogs for lunch, so I ate one of those since I figured we probably wouldn't be getting dinner for a while, and pretty soon after that I went on a Costco run with some relatives from the other side of the family to get some party supplies. It was my uncle (married to my mom's sister)'s sister, uncle and aunt, all of whom I've met before and know. The uncle and aunt have lived in Alabama for some time now and are older and tend to make inappropriate racial and other comments, so that's always fun (we were talking about my aunt's 5th grade class the other day and out of nowhere he's like "yeah but how many of them are illegals?" Like ???? What does that even have to do with anything??? Ugh). But I was basically going along to be helpful and keep everybody on track because I'm good at these things, lol. We had to get a few side salads, a fruit bowl, a veggie platter, and pick up the cake they had made. So we ended up traversing around Costco for a while trying to find this specific potato saks they wanted, which we eventually did find next to the bacon (because ???) and also got a Greek pasta salad and quinoa salad for variety, then picked up a standard veggie platter and fruit cake, then got the cake. The cake was chocolate cake with chocolate icing, very intense lol. So we go to ring it up and the cashier accidentally types in $350 for the Greek pasta salad (not sure how you make that mistake) so we had to wait to get that fixed, which we mostly just found to be humorous (I'm a big proponent of not getting pissy with people over stupid little mistakes like that). So we left and headed back to the house, where most of the things were set up and ready to go. I helped set up the volleyball/badminton net in the front yard, then ended up playing badminton for a while with my two uncles and my cousin. My dad and his best friend are really into badminton, and we had a court set up in my backyard for YEARS when I was growing up every summer, so playing was a daily occurrence for me, and though it's been some time I'm still pretty dang good at it. The others did not have the same experience, and I was constantly hitting it too hard and too far for them, so I was trying to go easy but it didn't always work, lol. I'm so competitive though that it at least made me happy to be winning, lol. After a while we switched to volleyball, which I'm decidedly NOT good at, but neither was anyone else haha and after a while I started to get the hang of it a bit, so that was good. I tried kicking it at one point but not doing it too hard, but ended up almost kicking it into the neighbors yard lol (once a soccer player, always a soccer player). Eventually we went back inside and chilled out for a bit, before going to the backyard where we ended up starting a bigger round of bs, and we played several rounds. I didn't fair so well in the first few, tending to pick up a lot of cards, but I was very good at calling other people out and predicting what they would do, much to the chagrin of my uncle who was trying to talk smack to me the whole time (kidding of course) but I kept successfully calling him out and he was getting so mad lol. I ended up winning the last two rounds, going out with two of the correct number card both times, which annoyed all the adults I was playing with (much to my delight). My uncle later (jokingly) accused me of cheating at cards to my mother, but when I challenged him on it he couldn't name one way I was cheating, so I said he was just bitter that I beat him 😂😂. I've really enjoyed playing things like that with the adults and just joking around with them and then finding my sarcasm funny. I tend to come up with witty things to say in larger groups like this that go over fairly well, which always makes me happy. At this point more people were starting to arrive and the party was in full swing, so we all got some food and sat and ate and talked for a while. Eventually I went out front where my cousin was playing volleyball with some friends and just sat and talked with them. We did cake pretty soon after that, and I ended up talking to their neighbor that they're very close with and I've known since she was like 6, but haven't seen in a solid 10 years. She was saying she's studying psychology in college and is possibly interested in working in a juvenile detention center, so I ended up talking to her for a while about that and my experiences with the juvenile justice system and it was a very good talk. Pretty soon after that my cousin opened her gifts, which was nice to watch. We gave her a nice plaque with a bible verse on it to hang in her dorm room, and my brothers (or mostly my older brother, but he let my younger brother sign on too) wound up getting her a book about what your poo is saying to you, and also a very pretty bracelet from Tiffany's, and I think that combination somehow sums up my brother rather well (weird kid that he is). Not that he's ever gotten me anything from Tiffany's....lol, oh well, it's not like I really care that much. The kids were then starting to watch some horror movie on the screen they had set up outside, which is not my cup of tea, so I ended up playing some games with my other cousin and his friends (including the neighbor girl). He's a boy in college and we've never been particularly close, but he's nice enough and we had fun. We did a game called Fibbage first which I'd never played but it's similar to balderdash where it gives you a question and you have to make up and answer and try to get people to guess your answer while you're trying to guess the right one. I didn't do too great the first round but ended up winning the second, so that was good. We then played Quicklash, which was similar, but instead it posed a question and two people gave answers, and the rest voted on which was funniest. This was pretty fun, though the answers tended to get dirty. For a couple of them I was like, stuck, but I ended up getting a few good ones in there- like one question was "what's the name of your new plumbing company?" And I wrote "no shit's too thick" which had everybody rolling with laughter, and there were a couple other good ones so I ended up winning the second round of that too (can you tell I'm a bit competitive?). By the time we finished that the party was mostly wrapping up, so we said goodbyes to everyone then just kind of chilled out for a bit and talked to each other. Maid in Manhattan was on tv, so I sat and watched that for a while while going on my phone, because it's a cute movie, before eventually heading to bed (later than I would've liked, but oh well) and wound up using my boy cousin's axe body wash to shave my legs in the shower because I did not plan that out very well 😂 lol. We're getting up early to go to the beach tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that, but would like to not be too exhausted while there so I think I'll call it a night here. Goodnight dearies. Sleep well.