#at least he drove her to the appointment today

[hafwen]

2023 had one high point and it was finding Toni and catching her the day before my birthday

The rest of the year was been pretty shit. Ollie died of old age and Pumpkin died of probably cancer

And to top off December my mom got diagnosed with endometrial cancer

Really need 2024 to be less tragic and have less cancer

[dwntwn-strnlo]

HELIX matt sturniolo

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓁𝓎, dwntwn-strnlo.

↳ 𝐀/𝐍. this request is from july HELP

↳ 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆. matthew sturniolo x reader

↳ 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘. piercing date 🤭

↳ 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃? yes! . . . reader is best friends with the triplets (and has a soft spot for Matt), they are recording a video and then they talk about things they wanna do, like visiting a certain country, just some rambles. Reader then talks about how she always wanted to get a piercing but is afraid about it and never had the courage to do it. So the next day Matt takes her on a surprise date to a piercing studio where she gets it done. Just some fluffy stuff where he holds her hand and tries to encourage her to do what she always wanted to do. ( @hedgehogperalta )

"okay, okay, here's one." you say, finding a good question. "'what's on the top of your bucket list?'"

"scuba diving for sure," nick answers almost immediately. then trailing on while chris counters with his bucket list.

after the two of them finish, matt turns around in his seat, meeting your eyes. "what about you, y/n?" he smiles lightly, visibly interested in what you would like to do.

"oh," you huff, scanning your brain. you were so invested in nick and chris' rebuttal that you didnt think of your answer. "ive always wanted to get a tattoo or a piercing, but ive always been too scared to do it."

"ooh ive always wanted a helix," nick adds.

matt smiles, "y/n you would look really cool with a helix."

you return the smile, a light blush creeping on your cheeks. "would I really?"

"or just a straight up nose ring," chris encourages.

"right," nick laughs, "you need to go get a piercing for sure."

you smile. ego definitely boosted from all of this encouragement.

. . .

"can i-"

"no." matt huffs, cutting you off. you've asked him the same question over and over, 'where are we going?' 'can I know what we're doing?' and so on.

"well are we at least close?" you ask, looking out the window beside you. watching as the buildings and cars flash past.

matt hesitates, taking a left turn, "just like four more minutes."

you turn to the radio, turning the music down. trying to figure out why in the world matt randomly texted you that he has a surprise for you. but nothing crosses your mind.

"and. . . here we are!" matt says, lightly biting his lip in excitement.

you look out the windshield to find yourself parked in front of a piercing studio.

"matt, holy shit-"

"you were talking about how you wanted a piercing last night and so I figured might as well." he smiles at you, pulling the keys out of the ignition.

suddenly you felt small. nervous butterflies erupting in your stomach. "I dont know if I can do this, matt." you awkwardly chuckle.

"sure you can," he assures, leaning over to meet your eyes. "this is wear nick gets his piercings, it's safe, and they're all kind. I promise."

you look at him with an untrusting look in your eye. still not sure about going through with this.

matt reaches out and grabs your hand, "I can hold your hand while they do it." he says, knitting his brows with an assuring smile.

looking down to you hand intertwined with his, your breath hitches. "well- I can't aff-"

"my treat." he rubs his thumb against the back of your hand, "i wouldn't have drove you all the way out here just to make you pay."

"matt-"

"y/n." he giggles. "quit stalling, kid."

releasing a shaky breath, you nod. "okay." you mumble, nodding your head again before getting out of the van.

matt gets out and meets you at the door. then asking if your ready and opening the door. he lets you walk in first, and then following you in. "appointment for sturniolo." he says, walking up to the front desk.

the lady at the front nods, leading the two of you to a room. "which one of you is it today?" she asks, pulling two gloves on over her hands.

matt gestures to you before sitting down in the chair next to you, "she is."

"awesome," the lady smiles. "you can sit here. and what are you getting?"

"oh- uhm a helix?" you say.

she nods before spinning slightly in her chair to set everything up.

you meet matt's eyes, your face clearly washed with panic.

"you're alright," he whispers soothingly. he picks up your hand you holds it in both of his. gently rubbing your knuckles. "you'll be fine and you'll come out of it looking badass." he laughs lightly.

amusedly rolling your eyes, you smile, "sure."

"okay, you ready?" the lady asks, turning around with her things.

you look at matt and he smiles, silently assuring you again. "yeah, I am." you nervously laugh, squeezing matt's hand tightly.

shutting your eyes, you try focusing on the unintentional rhythm of the way matts thumb slides across your skin. doing your best to completely ignore the quick sting in your ear.

"all done." the lady says.

you open your eyes, looking around confused. "I didn't even notice."

matt smiles, "see, I told you it would be okay."

"thank you, matt."

"of course," he says, his cheeks going a light pink at your praise.

TAGLIST

@thetriplets3 @stxrniqlo @ifilwtmfc @iha8you @oneirophobic @20nugs @gracietaylorsversions @fenoy7 @mlimmm @prettysturniolo @ssturniolo @gabbylovesreading @oh-toseewithoutmy-eyes @matthewmurdockswife

[1d1195]

Neighbors Extra III

Not much. But something. I have a few more things in mind for these cuties. This one is definitely all over the place but also a semi-requested kind of blurb.

You can read the rest here: Neighbors

~2.2 k words

“How come everyone stares at you?” He asked.

Harry smirked. “Some people think I sound funny,” he winked at his little best friend in the mirror. “Can y’believe that?” He chuckled. Rory, the seven-going-on-seventeen-year-old, rolled his eyes expertly having heard the story of one of the first sentences he spoke to Harry.

“Is it because you’re not really my dad?”

You’re sure you don’t mind? My sister is close enough but will still be later than you would be...

Course not, love :)

Okay...I’ll call the school and let them know...you’re totally sure and not too busy?

Just call the school, baby. Please :)

Harry smirked at the messages and rolled his eyes letting his client know that he would have to move their appointment to another day. Slipping on his trainers, he headed out the door to his car and drove to the school. He had been several times with the lovely girl that had stolen every bit of his heart. This would be the first time he would be getting Rory on his own. There was a big traffic jam—an accident that Harry was very grateful for was not her because the panic set in almost the moment she called—and she would be stuck for a lot longer. Getting Rory on time would be a challenge for her if it weren’t for Harry happily agreeing to get him.

Harry parked and exited the car heading to the playground where the kids were all milling about and where pickup was designated. He could see all the mums in Rory’s class started to whisper about his presence. Even a few of the teachers began questioning who Harry belonged to from a distance. Typically, he stayed in the car to prevent the chatter. But of course, today was different.

“Hi, m’here to pick up Rory. M’girlfriend called t’let everyone know; M’Harry. Harry Styles,” he explained with a sweet smile. The teacher in front of him had to be as old as his mum at least but she looked rattled to see Harry before her. There was something about the startling green eyes, the British accent, and those deadly dimples that could make any woman weak in the knees. You are too handsome, it’s unfair and leaves people speechless. I only pretend I’m not an absolute mess about you. She had explained to Harry before. He thought it was adorable she felt that way. Of course, he thought it was silly and unnecessary but he couldn’t help the change of his own heartbeat when he caught a glimpse of her doing the most mundane of any tasks.

“Hi Harry!” Rory cheered running up to him and throwing himself at his legs. Harry chuckled ruffling his hair.

“Hey, lad. Y’have a nice day?”

“Can I play a few more minutes?” He asked.

“Actually, I haven’t gotten confirmation just yet. I would...prefer it that way...if it’s all the same to you,” she admitted sheepishly. “We’re waiting on your license,” she explained holding her phone out to Harry so he could read the email chain between the staff and his pretty angel.

Harry’s phone was silent and so he missed the several calls from the poor girl who was probably losing her mind in traffic. Fortunately, Rory was pretty easy going. He even giggled at Harry’s misfortune. “Mumma’s gonna be all worried,” he said.

Harry rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Ror,” he sighed pressing his phone to his ear. “Hi, kitten,” Harry murmured. “M’at the school. I know I gotta send m’license t’you. I had m’phone on silent.”

“They’re making it very difficult. I’m so sorry,” she sounded so remorseful. The sigh in her voice was heavy.

“Don’t apologize,” he murmured. “Rory’s right here, he’s gonna play some more while we get this squared away...how’s the traffic?”

“Terrible,” she sighed. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. “They just have my sister on file...” she explained. “I should have updated it.”

“S’nothing, m’love,” he promised. “One second,” he pulled his wallet out and retrieved his ID. He snapped a picture of it and sent it to her so she could email it to the school. Such bureaucratic stuff. But Harry was grateful the school took safety so seriously.

While Harry chatted with his mom, Rory was pointing at the tall man that had a funny voice and his friend looked at him curiously. “That’s Harry,” Rory explained.

“You call your dad Harry?” Aiden asked.

Rory shrugged. “Yeah,” he nodded. “He’s really cool. He plays dinosaurs with me and builds really good forts,” he told him knowingly.

Harry waved at the pair of boys while he chatted quietly with the teacher explaining the whole mess of traffic and the predicament of picking him up in the first place. She said she would send a digital copy of the paperwork for them to fill out so Harry could officially be on file.

It’s all set, I think.

“M’told we’re all good t’go,” Harry smirked at the message. Eyes on the road, kitten. See you soon! Xx “Rory!” He called. “S’time t’go. Gotta grab dinner!”

Rory came hustling toward him again, his friends watching in awe as he followed Harry toward the car. Rory buckled himself into his booster seat and settled in as he looked in the rear-view catching Harry’s eyes. “Is Mumma okay?” He frowned. “She always gets me a popsicle after school on Tuesday.”

“She’s just in traffic, lad. She’ll be late. I think I can manage a popsicle,” he smirked.

Rory nodded and looked back toward the playground. “How come everyone stares at you?” He asked.

Harry smirked. “Some people think I sound funny,” he winked at his little best friend in the mirror. “Can y’believe that?” He chuckled. Rory, the seven-going-on-seventeen-year-old, rolled his eyes expertly having heard the story of one of the first sentences he spoke to Harry.

“Is it because you’re not really my dad?”

Harry frowned. Rory asked it so casually and it stabbed Harry right through the heart. He was sad Rory thought about that in any capacity. Harry wished with everything in him that he could just...be his dad. But then Rory wouldn’t be Rory. Harry would hate that. “Maybe... but...s’none of anyone’s business. But I do love you, Rory. More than anyone could love you,” he promised seriously. “You know that right?”

He nodded. “I don’t think you love me more than Mumma loves me, though,” he snickered.

Harry liked the fact that he wasn’t upset about it. The way Harry talked so highly of his mother made Harry’s heart burst with adoration for the pair. They were inseparable and perfect. “Mm...I’ll maybe let that slide. But s’close. I promise.”

*

“Hey, cutie patootie,” she sighed with a tired smile as she walked in the house. Harry gave her a wave from the kitchen and Rory came bolting from the kitchen where he was helping Harry with setting the table and threw himself into her embrace. “How was school?”

“Harry picked me up!” He said excitedly.

“Yeah?” She kissed the top of his head, and she swore was crawling taller up the length of her with every passing minute. Her little baby. She tried not to think about it too much in fear she would simply begin crying and never stop. “Was that a nice surprise?”

Harry smiled as he finished putting dinner on the table. Rory left her to get the take-home folder that he handed off to her every day. While he did, Harry wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her head. “Hi beautiful,” he hummed pressing his lips to her earlobe making an involuntary shiver run through her body. It seemed ridiculous that someone as perfect as Harry would call her beautiful after she worked all day and then sat in traffic for way too long.

“Hmm,” she hummed into his shirt. This felt like heaven. Being in his arms. Dinner behind him. Rory loved Harry as much as she did. (Maybe even more due to the proportionality of his little big heart.)

“Mumma, can Daddy come to career day?” He asked holding all the papers that were in his folder in his arms haphazardly leaving a trail behind them. Harry thought his heart stopped. She blinked in surprise at his simple, easy use of the name for Harry. She pulled away from his embrace where he remained stock still, completely speechless, and in disbelief.

“S-sure, love bug,” she murmured awkwardly picking up the slew of papers he left behind to show her. Sure enough, the flyer for career day was right in front of the two of them. Harry was trying (and pretty much failing) to keep his composure. Neither of them wanted to make a big deal of him using the parental term. “What happened to your folder?” She asked, trying to give Harry a moment to process the name.

“I get to introduce you and tell them what your job is...what is it again?” Rory asked, excitement laced in his voice as he looked up at Harry as if he hadn’t just completely flipped Harry’s world upside down with a little name.

After a pause, Harry was still staring in awe of the little seven-year-old that had totally boggled his mind and captured his heart in his little hands. She was crouched beside the papers, so she gently bumped her arm into his shin to garner his attention. “Harry, baby,” she murmured gently, knowing he was completely blindsided and utterly confused.

“Y-yeah, lad. M’called a psychologist. I help people when they’re nervous or scared,” he explained without any emotion in his voice.

Rory looked at Harry curiously. “Like when Mumma was scared at the hospital...or at the car wash?”

He nodded mutely. Unable to fully process how monumental this was and still maintain the conversation as if it didn’t happen at all. “Yes, baby,” she answered instead. “Can you get your folder?”

The second Rory returned to find the folder in his backpack folded over and misshapen due to shoving all his papers in without purpose, she was on her feet throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his skin as if her life depended on it.

“I love you, so much. So, so much,” she whispered.

He wrapped his arms around her just as tightly her toes brushing against the floor, and he smiled into her hair. “God, I love you so much,” he mumbled.

*

She was lying beside Rory in his little bed, and they stared up at the fake stars that made his ceiling glow. “Do you know you called Harry ‘Daddy,’ today?” She asked. The man in question was downstairs cleaning up from dinner and tending to the emergency call he got from a client.

“Am I allowed to?” He asked.

“Of course...just...that was kind of a big deal for Harry and I,” she explained. “Like taking your training wheels off,” she used as a reference of importance.

“Whoa,” he whispered.

“Whoa,” she nodded in agreement.

“Harry’s...not leaving...right?”

“No... no, he’s here to stay love bug,” she said firmly.

“So... he’s my dad now, right?”

She felt her throat tighten with so many emotions she could hardly contain it. “Yeah, baby. He is,” she whispered quietly. For so many years she tried to be every person Rory needed. A mom, a dad, a friend, a teacher, a coach, and so many other people rolled into one. Now, she could be one less person. One less role she needed to worry about.

“I like having a mom and dad,” he yawned sleepily.

“Me too, cutie pie,” she sighed, stroking his soft little face and brushing his hair behind his ear.

* Rory was bouncing with excitement of how cool it was that Harry brought Starbursts to Career Day. He introduced Harry—his dad—to his class and he told them all about emotions and how it’s cool to help people who struggle with it. He brought in a set of figurines of the emotions from Inside Out and made it accessible to the little ones.

“Think I made a few people want t’be a psychologist,” he winked at her from across the table while she went through Rory’s bag. Rory was taking a shower playing with his water toys.

“You make me want to be a psychologist,” she smirked going through the take-home folder again. Harry was working on the crossword, and he bit the inside of his lip.

“S’that because m’so hypnotizing in bed?” He winked.

She blushed and it felt like Harry had won the lottery. She ignored his comment, but Harry thought it was adorable when she was flustered. He returned to seven down, when she gasped. “Oh,” she covered her mouth and handed the paper to Harry.

Inside the box on the page showed a little figure person, dressed in black pants, a blue shirt, and a tie. The person held a messenger bag, papers and a computer spilling out of it. There were little figurines from Inside Out beside the person.

When I grow up, I want to be... was written at the top.

In Rory’s messy, seven-year-old script it read: like my dad.

Harry was certain at that moment he loved Rory more than she ever could.

But it was damn close.

--

general taglist: @justlemmeadoreyou @daydreamingofmatilda @sunshinemoonsposts @youdontcaredoyou @tiredinwinter @loving-hazz @likeapplejuicenpeach @straightontilmornin @freedomfireflies @littlenatilda @kathb59 @babegoals @angel-upon @lilfreakjez @mleestiles @ameliaalvarez06 @canyonmoondreams @summertime-pills @daphnesutton @l4rrysh0use @perfectywrong @foreverxholland @lolyouallsuck @buckybarnessimpp @st-ev-ie @lovrave @harrysxcarolina

neighbors taglist: @claimingharrystigertattoo @mopeymousey @vmpellie

I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

If you like this, check out my masterlist for more of my writing.

[theworldoffostering]

The director of special education did not show up to our IEP this week. It made the meeting a whole lot less contentious. It didn’t hurt that they assigned a much more experienced teacher to DS and our advocate showed up and kept everyone in line. Should it take that much work/effort/stress? Absolutely not! I will never understand how anyone is getting services if we cannot with all of the privileges we have personally been afforded.

DH and I talked to Ms. 6 this week. It could be worse, but it’s not great. She bought herself a car or someone else did, but it seems no one cares if she has insurance (legally required). I told her to call and get some quotes. She has not.

She has a boyfriend she met online that no one has vetted. He’s older (no idea how much older) as he has his own place. He lives three hours away in a neighboring state, but Ms. 6 couldn’t remember which city he lives in. She goes to see him on the weekends despite the fact that no one has met him or vetted him. It’s killing me! She was very vague on the details regarding what he does for a living.

Her car seems some basic repairs. Her grandpa has been a semi truck driver for decades. Hasn’t helped her with the repairs. Boyfriend is maybe some kind of mechanic but is unable to help with repairs. Mom is driving Ms. 6’s uninsured car and teaching Ms. 6 how to do donuts in it.

Ms. 6 said she applied to a PA program. When I pointed out that the PA program she applied for is a masters program (aren’t they all?) that cost $109k for the 28 month program, she seemed shocked and unimpressed. I did do a conference call with her and the high school this week to try to sort out her graduation.

Ms. 6 had knee surgery last week. I offered to be available and make the three hour drive to take her. She said her mom was taking her. The night before surgery her mom said she had to work and couldn’t take her. Grandma said she couldn’t take her because she had already take a sick day that week. Mom’s BF drove her, but apparently doesn’t like hospitals so he didn’t sit in the room and wait for Ms. 6 to be taken back to surgery. Surgery was pushed back several hours. Now mom doesn’t want to take her to the post-op appointment because the dogs have a vet appointment.

Post surgery, Ms. 6 was prescribed narcotics. Mom is an addict. Is she currently using? I have no idea but she used for at least a decade and has a conviction for cooking meth with the intent to sell. Kids were removed for many reasons including heroin use. Ms. 6 said the “oxy” isn’t managing her pain so she asked the nurse for something else AND an oxy refill. The pharmacist wouldn’t give both to mom. Mom told Ms. 6 it’s because they don’t have the same last name. I pointed out that I also don’t share the same last name as anyone in our family, and we were also recently denied a narcotic at the pharmacy. It is clear that no one that she has contact with lives in their thinking brains—they are all convinced that they are victims of one system or another.

Ms. 6 also quit her job. She said it was because they were making her do too much work.

Ms. 6 really wants contact with the other kids, particularly NB at this point. We have withheld that so far but can’t really articulate why. I think because it doesn’t feel healthy or good, and things don’t necessarily feel stable with her between DH and myself and her. I’ve talked to her a handful of times in the past month which are the first times I’ve spoken to her since she left in August. Anyone have experience in this area? Is it wrong for us to feel it out as parents before we open that relationship back up to siblings? It’s not my intention to use them as pawns, but it probably feels that way to Ms. 6. The kids here have not asked to see her, and DS and DD are actively continuing to say that they don’t want to have contact.

I’m trying to be something for her but that all feels very temporary and complicated right now. I sent her a small care package today via mail and am going to offer up some services for her like connecting her with colleges, but am trying to hold tight to a lot of boundaries at this point.

[klbwriting]

Our Strange Duet

Chapter 5: One Step

Fandom: Red Hood

Pairing: Jason Todd x f!reader

Warnings: none, unless shitty dad Bruce is a warning

Summary: YN confronts Bruce while Jason runs away

Taglist: @deans-spinster-witch

One step at a time - Anastasia

               YN avoided looking at the cast list Sunday, instead choosing to ignore the email she received.  Speaking with Bruce Wayne was more important at the moment.  She had so many questions.  Why her mother?  Why give them money and send them away?  Why not just talk to Jason?  He had to know that he was alive now, between the video and now Red Hood stalking the streets more openly, with Nightwing by his side most nights, he had to know that his older sons were working together, so why not approach them?  She was getting answers today, right from the source.  Well, she hoped so at least as she arrived at the gate, pressing the buzzer.  A voice cracked over the speaker asking for her name and if she had an appointment.  She gave her name only and waited. 

Just when she thought the gate wasn’t going to budge it creaked open and she climbed the hill, entering the grounds of Wayne Manor.  She looked around, trying to imagine what it must have been like for Jason, a ten-year-old, to be brought here to live.  He could play anywhere he wanted, run his energy off for hours on a beautiful lawn, there was probably a pool and tennis courts, maybe a full-fledged playground somewhere.  The woods surrounding the property contained hours of exploring potential and she almost laughed, thinking about Dick and Jason in the trees, doing flips and trying to show off for each other.  How strange it must have been for Jason to wake up and realize that this was all gone, that Bruce had pretty much abandoned him to his fate.  She wondered if Jason ever drove by the manor and remembered his childhood.  Were the memories nice?  Or sour in his stomach now?

The front door was already open when YN got there, the butler, Alfred, standing there to greet her.  He took her bag, setting it on a side table before leading her into a sitting room off the main hall.  Once again, she was struck by the home, imaging Jason there, getting into trouble.  She almost smiled a little, then became sad. The look in his eyes the few times he had talked about this place, he was ruined by this place, by what he had lost.  She was heartbroken until Bruce Wayne walked in, then she just felt anger.

“I see you have figured out who the donor was,” Bruce began, moving to sit in a chair, motioning for her to sit in another one.  She sat down, eyes narrowed at him.  “I wasn’t expecting you to be so angry.”

“I’m not angry about the money,” she said.  “But I will no longer accept it.  And the apartment, I have already packed and told them I will be breaking the lease.  You can cover the cost of that, I don’t want it.”  He looked surprised, then annoyed.

“You need a place to live while you study.  That grant will only cover tuition,” he said.  She shrugged. 

“I’ll move in with Jason and Dick then,” she said.  The name Jason seemed to slap Bruce in the face.  He went from looking displeased to haunted before masking again.  “I already lied to him about where the apartment came from, I’ll come clean now that I know that you were supplying it.  I don’t want your money, Bruce Wayne.  I have enough deadbeat dads in my life, I don’t want to be indebted to one.”

“I am not…” Bruce started but she held up a hand.

“Why haven’t you tried to talk to him?” she asked, one hand clenching on the arm of the chair, the other a fist in her lap.  She wanted to scream at Bruce, tell him how much damage he did, how much Jason hurt because of him, but she wouldn’t, let him explain himself. 

“If he wanted to see me, he would come to me,” Bruce answered as if that were the end of it.  YN scoffed.  How idiotic were rich men that they just expected everyone to bend to them.

“You’re the parent Bruce, not Jason.  You should seek him out, you should have sought him out when he died, like Dick did, brought him back, like Dick did,” she said.  “The more you avoid him, the more you ignore him, the less likely it is he will come to you.”

“He was supposed to be here today, not you,” Bruce said cooly.  YN glared at him.  “He would find out about me being the donor and then come confront me.  Not you.”  She stared; glad she had gotten out of that apartment now.  He must have bugged it, hoping to spy.  How boring his summer must have been as she had just sat in her room, spending the days either trying to distract herself or just letting herself sob.  YN stood and shook her head.

“I’ll let him know when I see him next,” she said, heading towards the door, grabbing her bag and storming out.  She waited until she was a few streets away before calling Jason.  He didn’t answer, so she messaged him instead, telling him she would visit Dick’s later.  She needed to clear her head and work on finding a new place to live before it got dark out.

Jason had waited for Dick to get home from the gym and lunch with Barbara before demanding they do something together.  Something that they could talk while doing, unplugged, just them.  Dick grabbed his stuff, loaded the car and they headed into the woods to the North of the city.  It was a good day for a hike, late August, so hot but having cooled off some in the last few days.  It would probably be scorching again tomorrow, but today they could spend the early afternoon climbing the small peaks and valleys of the forest.  Jason could talk and Dick could listen, and vice versa. 

“So, what is with the hike Jay?” Dick asked after a half an hour of walking in silence, leaving Jason to his thoughts.  They weren’t great thoughts.  He kept wondering why Bruce would just abandon him, not once, but twice it felt like.  Did Dick know?  Did Bruce call him often to get updates on him?  Or did they talk, and pretend Jason wasn’t there still? 

“Did you know Bruce was the donor for YN’s mom’s treatment?” he asked.  He had to know how much Dick was hiding from him.  He was behind his brother and nearly ran into him as Dick froze on the trail.

“He…WHAT?” Dick asked, turning around to stare at him.  The surprise in his eyes wasn’t fake, that much was easy to see.  Jason let out a relieved breath.  It would have been really annoying to have to leave Dick behind too, but he could only handle so many lies and half-truths at this point.  “I honestly thought it was Maroni trying to convince her to join him.”

“She thought that too at first, but Maroni apparently was livid she left the country, no, I went to see her last night and she showed me the bank statements, the company funneling the money for her.  Plostast Holdings.”  Dick sighed and looked down.

“Ah yes, Bruce and his anagrams,” he mumbled.  “Apparently letting me pick the company name was too boring so he’s forcing names on you lesser Robins.”  Jason cocked an eyebrow and let out a bark of unamused laughter.

“Lesser Robins?  Watch it I’ll cut you right now,” Jason said, pulling out a knife and dancing it between his fingers.  Dick rolled his eyes but pulled out a knife just in case his brother felt stabby.  “So, he didn’t tell you about his scheme?”

“No, he didn’t,” Dick admitted.  Jason couldn’t tell what bothered him more, not knowing or the scheme itself.  “He must have been trying to draw you out, probably thought if you found out about it that you’d confront him.” 

“Well, he’s wrong, I’m not going to him,” Jason said, moving now to keep walking.  He started running, wanting to feel the burn in his lungs.  He didn’t stop until they reached the overlook, and he could see the city below them.  He leaned on the railing, looking over everything and hating it.  But loving it.  The conflict warred in him.  Dick caught up to him and leaned on the railing, facing away from the city.

“What are you going to do if you’re not going to him?” Dick asked.  Jason shook his head.  “He won’t come to you, remember, that’s not how Bruce operates.”

“Well then I guess we’re at an impasse,” he answered.  “YN knows it was Bruce too.  She might confront him, but that’s her own thing.”  This time Dick let out a humorless laugh.

“You think that she is going to confront him for herself?  She is going for you, so that you don’t have to,” Dick said.  “Make sure when you see her next you do something special, if she’s going after Bruce, she’s going to deserve at least some flowers.”

“We should head back to the city, I’m sure the cast list is out by now,” Jason said, ignoring Dick’s implications.  Dick let the matter slide and they headed down the trail, driving back to the city. 

Once back home Jason checked his phone.  He had a missed call from YN and a message saying she would see him later, neither thing was concerning to him.  He checked him email and shook his head.  Phantom – Jason Todd.  She was right, he was a madman again, at least this time he got a mask.  Then he noticed her name.  Music Supervisor – YN YLN.  Wow, that was a big job for a freshman.  He was about to tell Dick the news when someone knocked on the door.  He knew it was YN, only the two brothers and their girlfriends knew the door entry code, but Barbara had a key to the place.  Jason opened the door to find YN carrying a couple bags.

“Congrats on Phantom, I moved out, can I stay here tonight until I find a new place?”

[iguana-eyanna]

Please write more Lewis capaldi fanfictions please

If I could marry the scottish beyonce myself, I would. Here's something I thought on the spot!

Summary: Lewis is trying to figure out why you are giving him the silent treatment

Lewis groggily woke up, as a sliver of light was stinging his eyes. He looks over to his left, seeing his wife sound asleep, wearing a baggy marvel t-shirt and booty shorts. Under the covers, she was covering her 22-week bump.

You and Lew were ecstatic, as you two were in a great place to financially start a family. It has been pretty breezy even during your pregnancy as you had minimal nausea but had some particular cravings.

Lewis thought the worst was behind you two

"Morning love." Lew says, wanting to snuggle closer to you, and kisses your shoulder.

You flutter your eyes and kinda shake him off as you got up to use the bathroom.

Lewis is left on the bed, forming a thin smile as he lands back in his pillow.

"Another day, woo hoo!" He says sarcastically to himself.

For the past few days, you sorta stopped talking to Lewis. He thought that it was joke, but when the third day past, he knew something was wrong. He tried asking you what happened, but you didn't budge.

Hopefully, today would be different as you had your appointment today, and it could help you into a brighter mood.

You two went along your day without speaking to another. Lewis tried making you chuckle or at least smile, even making a stupid tiktok that always made you laugh till you peed.

You couldn't even crack.

Finally, Lewis drove with you to your appointment, helping you down the car and walk inside the clinic.

You two sat in uncomfortable silence as you lay down on the examination table wearing a gown when the nurse came and gave you instructions. Lewis bounces his leg up and down.

"Please love, it's killing me that we haven't spoken in days. Tell me what's wrong." He says desperately.

You take a deep breath as you shook your head.

"You still don't know what you did." You mutter under your breath.

Lew can't feel but helpless.

"I am the most clueless man in the world! Like have I snored too much recently? Or does my breath smell and you can't stand it? I just-"

The door swung opened and you see your doctor come in.

"Hey, you two! Ready to see your baby?" she says in a cheery tone.

You and Lew could only nod your heads as she started prepping.

"Your vitals are good, blood pressure not too high, blood work looks really good... now we can skip to the best part!" she said, putting on her gloves as she grabs the gel.

She squirts it on the bottom of your belly and starts moving the wand looking at the screen.

"I think they're not shy today... would you like to know the gender?" She asks, looking up.

Lew looks down at you, eyes pleading. He's been dying to know the gender since you've started showing, but he knew it was your decision to know first.

"Yeah, we'd like to know." You said softly.

She looks back at the screen.

"Looks like you're expecting a little girl!"

You began to smile as your heart pounded faster. Lewis holds your hand as you share the same excitement. You squeeze his hand, as the anger you've been holding has almost washed away.

The doctor lets you change in the bathroom, so Lewis takes this opportunity to talk to your doctor.

"I know when you said she'll be changing with her emotions, but I feel like she hates my guts." Lewis said.

The doctor chuckles as she writes something on her clipboard.

"When I was pregnant, I was like that with my husband when he didn't kiss me goodbye when I was off to work. Be patient, she'll be able to turn around."

"Thanks doc,"

"Of course. I know how supportive you are of your wife. I mean, what's the worst thing you could have done: eat all her ice cream?" Your doctor asks jokingly.

Lewis laughs along until he thought back to a week ago, and his face fell.

"Fuck"

The car ride was the same when you left home. You stared into the window, looking at the buildings and scarce trees. Suddenly, Lewis takes a different route and heads to your local market. He unclips his seatbelt and mask, heading out of his side.

"I'll be back. Shouldn't take me long." He said, almost jogging to the sliding doors.

Soon, you saw Lewis coming out with two bags filled to the top. He opens the back and places them on the floor. He returns back to the driver's side, looking at the receipt.

"I got chocolate, rocky road, vanilla in case you don't want something too rich, mango sorbet-"

"Wait, what's all this?" You ask Lewis.

"I bought every flavor in there, I'm so stupid that I didn't realize what I've done. I'm sorry for eating your ice cream last week."

One thing that has been dominant in your pregnancy is that you were always craving ice cream.

Lewis remembers when you two came from a date. He was staring at the freezer to look for a dessert and ate your last ice cream carton. And it wasn't just any ice cream, but strawberry ice cream. (Which was what you've been snacking on most of the time.)

When you went to the freezer and realized that he finished it, you started to get very emotional and focused your frustration on Lew.

He scrambles back and brought out a little bowl of self-served strawberry ic cream, and gave it to you as a peace offering.

"Forgive me?" he asks.

You started to tear up and nod your head.

"I-I'm sorry, I've been acting so silly over something that could have been avoided." You said, sniffling.

"Hey no... I'm the idiot here. I should have asked if you needed more. You're growing our little girl in there, so you deserve all the ice cream in the world." Lewis says, placing a hand on your belly.

Suddenly, you felt a flutter underneath his palm, and his eyes grew 3x wider.

"Was that-" He asks as he started stuttering.

"Her first kick!" you acclaimed.

Lewis bends down as he saw movement under your thin top and begins to smile.

"Hey, there little one. Barely out and you're giving your parents trouble already? Not that I mind, but go easy on your mum. She's already doing so much for you and getting mad at me. But I'll do anything for you two... you're my whole universe. Know that we're waiting impatiently to meet you, our little sweet." He said.

You couldn't help but cry more. Lewis leans over and kisses your forehead and slowly kisses your lips.

"I know you don't mean it, so no matter how mad you'll get, I'll always love you."

You chuckle and return the kiss.

"I love you too. Thank you for all this."

"Let's go home, we don't want the ice cream to melt." He said, giving you one final peck as he started the car.

You took a bite of your ice cream, humming in delight as you two talked along the way home, discussing baby names.

[666herescared]

Imaginary Shadow Dad)Ch.10: Acceptance

—☆—

  Notes: Just rounding out the PBS era. Mk is finally happy and mentally stable.. But not for long! Mwahahaha!

—☆—

  “Con-Graduations, Mk!” Mei joked with a wink as she pulled her little brother into a hug. 

  He grinned like an idiot and chuckled happily as he hugged her back and spun her around, startling the dragon. Of course, she was used to this, so she calmed down and pulled back to return to her feet and spun him round and round in turn. He yelped but got right into giggling happily moments later. He pulled her closer, off her feet, and sprung himself forward to flip over her head playfully. “Thanks Mei!” he exclaimed teasingly, bending down a little to look down at her while she was on the ground.

  She didn’t move. What? Had he hurt her? The Little Monkey crept closer- and got yanked off his feet and pulled to the ground with a scream and laugh. “You Little Monkey! We aren’t supposed to wrestle on the road!” the dragon girl cackled, pulling him closer to her in a sort of pseudo hug to give him noogies. He cackled happily in her arms as she mussed up his hair, kicking his feet with glee. 

  His dads approached the duo shortly after, Mr.Tang giggling to himself and Pigsy sighing with no real disappointment and tons of amusement. “Yeah. You aren’t supposed to wrestle on the road, so get over here! It’s time for your appointment.” the pig demon claimed, trying to be serious but honestly so happy that the Monkey Kid was finally happy pretty consistently.

  “Aww, really? Already?” Mei pouted.

  “Yea, Jie Jie. We’re still up for sparring later though, right?” Mk asked, slipping away from the dragon with a goofy smirk.

  “You know it, dude! See ya later!” she exclaimed, giving him a good strong hug before calling her bike and zipping off. He waved at her as she drove off, then hopped around playfully as he ran back over to his dads’ truck. His parents snickered as they followed behind, relief and almost aww in their expressions. Their sweet little boy was finally bouncing around like he used to. 

  With a stupid grin, his Ba Ba called towards him, “Xiao Houzi! Slow down! Pigsy’s falling behind.” 

  “Wait, what?!” Dadsy asked incredulously, causing his husband to sprint ahead. “Come back here, ya freeloader!” he called as he chased Mr.Tang.

  “On second thought, RACE YOU THERE! AGH!” the scholar yelped as he was caught by his husband.

  Mk snickered at their interaction, though quickly Pigsy’s competitive side caused him to join the race, though that competitive side was shared by his young boy. The shadow trails at his feet flicked playfully, yet went unnoticed in the boy’s excitement, as he began to parkour down the street, back to the truck. He was far faster than his parents even could be - at least now in their “old” age. He landed in the open doorway of the truck and gave a teasing wink before slipping inside and hunkering down into the gap behind Mr.Tang’s seat.

—

  Today's session with his Shu Shu was one of the unique ones. Sandy was taking him fishing on his house boat. Mk used two teabags of plum tea, as he'd been doing for years now, and Sandy just used a single green tea teabag.

  They calmly sipped their tea and talked about Mk’s plans for the future, starting with the spirit asking, “So, are you still planning on being a cartoonist?”

  The Little Monkey paused for a moment, then shook his head. “No. I think I’ll just help Pigsy out around the shop and draw whatever I feel like. It’s easier that way.” he claimed with a shrug, looking at the water flowing past the ship.

  “Hm. Just wondering, what happened to wanting your name to be known?” Sandy questioned patiently, though he already knew the answer. 

  The young man thought for a moment, wondering when he brought that up, then remembered. “Honestly? I only wanted my name to be known so that Shadow Dad could know what I’ve been up to, but something tells me he doesn’t need my help for that.” He placed a single hand behind his ears- ear to show what he meant. 

  Sandy figured it out quickly and chuckled merrily at the statement. “Oh! Hehe! You’re probably right.” He sipped his tea, satisfied with the answer.

  “Not to mention, Pigsy’s always wanted me to take over once he's gone.” Mk mentioned. He was glad he didn't have to do that too soon though. He might not be a kid anymore, but he wants a while before he has to take on that sort of responsibility.

—

  After his session, Mk decided to walk to the park instead of riding in his dads’ truck. After all, it was a nice, bright, sunny day. The shadows were cast in such a way that it looked almost unfairly beautiful. He spotted a few different people on his walk as he scanned the crowd for one specific person. He saw a couple walking with their arms around each other as they ate ice cream with their others, a woman in a business suit walking down the road on the phone and ranting, a few young fox demons playing together and then finally - a small pink light flickered towards him, making sure he noticed it before moving to glide along the ground.

  He giggled gleefully at the small request. His Ge Ge had started playing little games like this with him recently. This one was a personal favorite for Mk. He chased after the light, following it’s path even when it went up onto the walls, mostly so he could show off his acrobatics.

  The light soon arrived at it’s final location, right in front of Big Brother. He didn’t flee right away for once, which was a startling change for Mk, so he just… froze. Like a deer in headlights.

  His Ge Ge seemed to reconsider for a moment, then shook it off and walked forward, giving the Little Monkey a few pats on the head. “Congratulations, Di Di.” It had been so long since he heard his Big Brother’s voice - it only made him freeze up more. The older boy seemed to get a little nervous after that, like he thought Mk didn’t know what he meant. He actually did think that, as exemplified by him then saying, “O-On graduating. Uh- Congratulations on graduating.”

  The younger simply nodded, still in shock over his Big Brother stopping the chase and actually touching him and talking to him again.

  Ge Ge gave a short nod in response, patting him on the shoulder before walking around him. Right when Mk snapped out of it and turned around, he saw a twisting stream of wind and pink light floating up towards the sky, lotus petals falling down from the quickly fading light. A box falling on his head snapped him out of his thoughts.

  He breathed out an airy chuckle. “You really are impossible to understand, Big Brother..” Inside the box was a bunch of items, most being art supplies and sketchbooks, though there was also a small tin inside with yet another lotus design on it and a lotus pastry inside. Honestly? Mk might as well be a collector of the things at this point.

—

  Mk arrived at the park a short bit later, unsheathing his purple bo staff the moment he noticed Mei wasn’t rushing to greet him. Looks like today’s a sneak attack day. He focused on the sounds in his surroundings, shadows flickering to life as he heard the odd warbling tone that surrounded his friend when she was in her half dragon form. He shifted his stance and waited… 

  Clang! The weapons hit against each other as Mk turned to block his sister's attack, then quickly shifted to block her second attack. The duo did tricks to impress each other and both held back just a bit to make sure the fight lasted more than a minute. Their weapons clashed again and again in a flurry of tricks, games, and childlike joy, until eventually they both put down their weapons to do “hand to hand”(Which in this case, means play wrestling like lion cubs!)

  After a while more of that, the duo of now very messy young adults sat down at a picnic table to take a break and eat. “So~, now that we’re old enough, what’s your type?” Mei asked jokingly.

  Mk snickered softly. “Why do you care? You’re Aroace.”

  “Well, I care, because I wanna hook you up! I think it’d be hilarious, and not to mention, it would make you happier!” the girl answered in a cheerful tone.

  “Oh- C’mon, Mei! I don’t need a lover to be happy! It would just be a nice little addition to my life, y’know?” The Little Monkey kept avoiding the question.

  So Mei decided to pull out the big guns. “We can do this if that helps!” the dragon offered, switching to the shadow language. 

  Mk had to consider for a moment, but eventually, he caved, fiddling with his necklace as he started thinking, blushing softly as he thought about it. “Well.. I would want a guy who’s like, really confident, and pretty… I’d like him to be real smart too! Maybe good in a spar, and, y’know… able to stand up for himself. Like, super strong and stuff too, you know?” the Monkey Kid listed, cautiously excited as the shadows behind him flicked in the vague form of his tail and he cupped both his cheeks, thinking of some imaginary “perfect guy” just for him.

  Mei snickered. “Dude, like, four of those are just, “I want to get stepped on by a hot demon guy-” she teased, but was cut off by her embarrassed brother lightly pushing her back.

  “Well, clearly I have a type!” Mk claimed.

  “Heck yeah! Don’t let anything change that, Apricot-Boy!” the dragon giggled with a soft smirk. 

  Things are getting better! And for now, the future's looking bright!

—Purple Bo Staff Era, End!—

Time skip! - Hero is Born - 6:00 A.M.

  When the Little Sky awoke, he saw something he didn’t expect - “Good morning, Xiaotian-’”

  Mk immediately sat straight up in his bed, disrupting the shadowy hallucination. Oh.. Must’ve just been some sort of lingering bit of his dream or… I dunno - something.   “MK! GET DOWN HERE!” Dadsy yelled up to his son, who flinched and covered his ears in response to the volume. 

  “YUP! COMING!” the younger man yelled down in reply, getting changed as quickly as he could and still adjusting his headband by the time he reached the bottom. “Hey, dads!” he said, walking over to the older couple. 

  Pigsy was getting things ready for the day, but Mk’s attention was quickly drawn to his Ba Ba instead. Mr. Tang was rereading the legends of the Monkey King again, and was on the final chapter. The story of When the Monkey King Retired! (Aside from the “live” appearances he still does on TV shows, and every single time he shows up at a convention. After all, he might not be a hero anymore, but he’s still a celebrity!) 

  “OH! I love that one! Can you read it out loud for me?” the Monkey Kid exclaimed, leaning over his Ba Ba’s shoulder excitedly.

  Before Tang could respond, his husband responded for him. “No, kid. You got work to do. No slacking!’ Pigsy stated firmly.

  “Oh, don’t worry, Pigsy! I’ll be done by the time you’ve finished the orders!” the scholar claimed. “After all, our Little Monkey has been stressed as of late. It’s only fair to let him enjoy his morning!” He jabbed his elbow into Mk’s side lightly, as though to say, “Play along.”

  The youngest in the room quickly got his excuses in order. “Oh!- Uh, Yea- Yeah, Dadsy! It’s just one story! Please?~” Xiao Houzi pouted at his demonic parental figure.

  Pigsy didn’t even look. “Doin’ puppy dog eyes again?” 

  Mk’s face immediately fell to a more genuine frown. “Well… yeah..”

  “.. I’m gonna regret this, but ONE story. After that, ya’ gotta help me get ready,” the demon relented to the brief whooping of his husband and son.

  “I’ll be done before you know it!” Tang claimed. (He was not done before they knew it)

—

  After listening to his Ba Ba’s story, (and a brief lecture from Pigsy) Mk was off! Sure, he heard the shadows muttering more than usual, but he managed to shut those up with a quick meditation break. 

  “Isn’t it fantastic, uncle? My father will finally be freed!” Red claimed, though Macaque was a little busy trying to decide how to approach his kid after this many years.

  The Little Monkey had to double check his GPS. That did not look like a house. In fact it looked like a construction sight. After confirming that it was in fact, the right address, he got in the elevator and started going down. 

  “Uncle?” The shadow sighed and went over to his nephew. His son could wait a couple more hours. This was once in a lifetime. Strange, though. It’s really close. 

  He soon realized what was going on when his son strolled through the door. A familiar bird perched in the rafters looked oddly pleased. That son of a bit-

  Mk quickly realized - upon seeing a gorgeous flaming-haired guy trying to pull a fancy staff out of the ground - what he’d walked in on, and scrambled up into the rafters. There was a strange bird that almost gave him away when an ominous aura filled the space.

  Of course. Of course Wukong still recognized what Macaque's homicidal aura felt like. The shadow was furious! He couldn't believe Wukong had actually decided that the kid was the perfect choice of successor. 

  Mk was unaware of the hidden figure plotting the Monkey King's murder. He was to preoccupied with what was going on below him. MK had never expected to actually see the Ruyi Jingu Bang with his own two eyes.

—Ruyi Jingu Bang Era, Start!—

—☆—

..So…

I’m guessing you guys hate me now.. Don’t worry! You’ll be seeing more of Macaque now! 

Have fun and happy scrolling!

(PS: Please don’t murder me!)

Prev- Chapter 9 and Next- Chapter 11

[sparklingmusicofstars]

Hamefura Bonus story : Catarina 18th birthday.

This one was very difficult to translate so I hope there aren't any mistakes, and that you will love it !

"Wow, it's raining like crazy."

As I was walking out the front door I finally realised that it was pouring outside. I had overslept and was so busy getting ready that I didn't have time to check what was going on outside. I was going to cycle to the place where I had an appointment with Acchan, but now I would be soaking wet by the time I got there.

"What shall I do ?" When I was at a loss, I heard a voice from behind me,

"Hey, what's going on ? Get the fuck out of here."

I turned around to see my second brother standing there, dressed in his casual clothes. He was probably on his way out.

"No, I want to go out, but it's raining really hard outside. I'll be soaking wet by the time I get there." When I replied, my brother smiled and said:

"I'm going to borrow the car, no problem." he said, holding up the car keys. Apparently my brother, who already has a licence, is going to borrow the car from our parents.

'Oh, that's nice ! Give me a lift too !" When I immediately asked him for a lift, he made a disgusted sound, but at least he asked me where I was going.

And when I told him where I was going,

'I don't have a choice. I'll give you a lift.' He said.

"Thank you." I thanked him,

'I'll pay you back when I will get my licence.' I said to my brother like that,

He cheerfully replied, "Okay~" He drove me to my destination and I had a great time without getting soaked. By the time I got home, the rain had stopped, so I skipped home.

Later, I happened to learn from my mother that my brother's destination was in the opposite direction to where I was going. It seems that the "passage" was to avoid distracting me.

Basically, I've always known that my brother is actually very kind, even though he treats me roughly and is not very talkative. Okay, I made up my mind that when I get my licence, I'll give my brother a lift this time.

"…… Lady Rina, Lady Catarina, wake up. It's morning." When I opened my eyes at that call, Anne was standing there, as usual. It was my room in the familiar Claes family.

I seem to have had a very nostalgic dream. A dream not of this life, but of a previous life.

I used to dream a lot when I was eight years old, when I was trying to remember, but in the last few years I hardly ever dreamed anymore, so it's unusual. When I think about it,

"Today is Lady Catarina's birthday, isn't it ? Happy birthday." Anne told me with a smile.

I see, today is my 18th birthday.

Eighteen, I have finally surpassed the age of my previous life. Maybe that's why I had that dream.

In my previous life, I had an accident when I was 17 and died. I couldn't turn 18, so I couldn't get a car licence …… so I couldn't pick up my brother.

I wanted to return what he had done for me, but I couldn't. I couldn't express my gratitude for everything that had been done. My heart ached.

"Lady Catarina, what's wrong ?" Anne, who was wise to my change, asked me with a worried look on her face.

"No, it's nothing. I'm fine. I just woke up from sleep and felt light-headed. I didn't want to worry Anne, so I told her that,

" If you don't feel well, please tell me immediately, because everyone at the party will be worried." She replied,

"Yes. I understand." I replied.

Today is my birthday party. It's not a big party like when I came of age at 15, but a small one with my closest friends and family.

It seems that, at first, my father and Keith wanted to have a family celebration, but when they heard about it, they decided to have a party with everyone.

I don't know too many details, but …… or rather last year and the year before, this is how everyone ended up celebrating, and I wonder how long this will go on ? Will it continue until I get married ?

I'm a little embarrassed, but I'm also happy.

Shaking off the pain in my chest, I looked up.

If I look down on my past life, I feel sorry for everyone who is celebrating me. Today, I will smile and say many thanks to everyone who is celebrating with me.

"Congratulations." The party started and I received words of congratulations from everyone.

Then I also received presents. Farming tools, expensive seedlings, romance novels. Everyone knows my taste.

"Catarina, look, here's a pastry that's well known. Go ahead and try it." Geordo says this with a smile and offers me a plate of sweets.

Right after, Mary, who is also smiling, comes over,

"Lady Catarina , this is a new product from your favourite pastry shop. Please take this one." She then offers me a plate.

Everyone really understands my taste. That alone makes me very happy and puts a smile on my face.

"Lady Mary, I was just recommending these sweets to Catarina."

"No, it's not about that , it's about not interfering with the fiancée's interaction."

Just like that, when the two began to exchange smiles,

"Big sister, this is what my sister said she wanted to eat the other day――" Keith came over, and Geordo and Mary turned a smile at Keith this time,

"I was just recommending sweets to Catarina. "

"Lady Catarina, let's talk about a romance novel ! It's a new novel that just came out the other day-"

"Sophia, don't run. Calm down." Sophia, with a twinkle in her eye, and Nicol come over.

“Umm, Lady Catarina, I made a new sweet for today.” With a shy smile, Maria gave me one of my favorite handmade sweets.

"Hey, I'll borrow that stage for a little while," said Alan, who played the violin on a small stage in the venue. There is a beautiful song that makes your heart beat.

I really feel lucky to be able to celebrate like this.

The party was about to come to an end.

"You seem to be feeling better." Geordo said to me in a voice that only I could hear.

"...?" I couldn't understand what he meant, and I couldn't understand what he was saying, but Geordo said to me,

"I was worried because you seemed to be a little down when the party started."

"Did you notice ?!"

I tried to smile so that he wouldn't notice.

In the end, I couldn't shake off the memory of the dream I had in the morning, and the pain in my chest didn't go away. Still, I put on a smile because it was a party where everyone was celebrating.

I was so happy and joyful while doing so that I found myself really smiling.

"Yes, of course I'm your fiancée - I'd like to say that, but it seems everyone else noticed it too." Geordo said with a sly smile.

I also looked in that direction. Everyone smiled when they saw me looking at them.

They all noticed and were worried about me.

I said, "Excuse me, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for worrying you." I said this and Geordo's eyes widened a little.

"Don't worry about it, it's okay. We did it on our own."

"But ……"

"And you would be worried if I or anyone else wasn't feeling well, wouldn't you ?"

"Of course!"

"That's why we worry about you as well. We're just returning the favour you do for us. And if you feel better after this party, we'll be very relieved and happy." He smiled as he said this. It was a very gentle smile.

"So don't worry about it, just smile and feel better."

"Thank you." I thanked him from the bottom of my heart.

I am very grateful to my mother, father, brothers , Acchan and everyone else from my previous life. I met so many wonderful people in this reincarnated world. I will give back what I received to everyone who was kind and important to me, even if I couldn't do so in my previous life.

I'm sure that my precious people in my previous life would say "That's good" too -.

[brostateexam]

A.B.A. is the only autism intervention that is approved by insurers and Medicaid in all fifty states. The practice is widely recommended for autistic kids who exhibit dangerous behaviors, such as self-injury or aggression toward others, or who need to acquire basic skills, such as dressing themselves or going to the bathroom. The mother of a boy with severe autism in New York City told me that her son’s current goals in A.B.A. include tolerating the shower for incrementally longer intervals, redirecting the urge to pull on other people’s hair, and using a speech tablet to say no. Another kid might be working on more complex language skills by drilling with flash cards or honing his ability to focus on academic work. Often, A.B.A. targets autistic traits that may be socially stigmatizing but are harmless unto themselves, such as fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, or stereotypic behaviors commonly known as stimming—rocking, hand-flapping, and so forth.

Hammond is now the mother of two autistic sons. Her older son, Aidan, who is sixteen, is nonverbal and needs round-the-clock care. When he was young, he attended a traditional school, but teachers, Hammond said, “were literally calling me every single day: ‘Can you please come here and sit with him? Can you please pick him up?’ ” Hammond tried physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy for Aidan, but he was “kicked out of every single one,” she said. Therapists “felt that his behaviors were interfering with his learning, and that he needed to be in A.B.A.” A.B.A. clinicians, she added, “were at least willing to look at my son.”

She drove him to A.B.A. appointments at a clinic about an hour from their home in southwest Texas, but stopped treatment after just a few sessions. This was partly due to the commute and the co-pay, but also to a discomfort with the approach, which required Aidan to spend long periods, over multiple sessions, solving a puzzle in which he matched shapes to the right-sized holes. “He’s having to do this over and over and over again,” Hammond recalled, “and, when he picked the right thing, it’s, like, Ooh, here’s a Skittle! Like he’s a puppy.”

In recent years, A.B.A. has come under increasingly vehement criticism from members of the neurodiversity movement, who believe that it cruelly pathologizes autistic behavior. They say that its rewards for compliance are dehumanizing; some compare A.B.A. to conversion therapy. Social-media posts condemning the practice often carry the hashtag #ABAIsAbuse. The message that A.B.A. sends is that “your instinctual way of being is incorrect,” Zoe Gross, the director of advocacy at the nonprofit Autistic Self Advocacy Network, told me. “The goals of A.B.A. therapy—from its inception, but still through today—tend to focus on teaching autistic people to behave like non-autistic people.” But others say this criticism obscures the good work that A.B.A. can do. Alicia Allgood, a board-certified behavior analyst who co-runs an A.B.A. agency in New York City, and who is herself autistic, told me, “The autistic community is up in arms. There is a very vocal part of the autistic population that is saying that A.B.A. is harmful or aversive or has potentially caused trauma.”

Until recently, the American Medical Association officially endorsed “evidence-based treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder including, but not limited to, Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy.” Last summer, the medical students’ body of the association proposed that the organization withdraw its support for A.B.A., citing objections by autistic self-advocates. The association did not adopt the resolution as submitted, but its house of delegates eventually approved an amendment removing any explicit reference to A.B.A., and autistic activists spread the word that A.B.A. no longer appeared to have the outright endorsement of the nation’s largest medical society.

[maggie4thewin]

Heyyyyy, guess what!!!!

I finally decided to contribute to the Roy × Spewart ship and write my own fanfiction! The ship was originally my idea, after all! It's a sick-fic(?) with Dieter related elements.

And keep in mind, I am @thekoopalingsandstuffs 's sister, so I have inside knowledge on settings n' stuff like that :D

It was a cold November moring, roughly a month or so after the "Dieler incident" occurred, which still lingered in the back of Spewart's mind. Spewart had at least semi gotten over the events. He was still completely traumatized by that night and would certainly never forget about it, sure, but he was well on his way to leaving it in the past. His siblings had stopped bringing Dee up every chance they got, and Ludwig, too, seemed to go back to normal behavior.

Spewart himself was doing quite a good job at keeping his mind away from Dieter by doing fun activities like kniting, reading, writing, and more. That was why he was getting over it so well. He kept himself distracted . But today was different. Today was not a good day. From the moment Spewart woke up, he knew today would not be a good day. He was sick. It took only a few moments once he woke up to realize it. The way his head pounded, his throat felt tight, his nose was stuffed, and his stomach felt. Well, the same way it always did--But everything he felt was awful.

Spewart, with the permission of Madame Broode, drove his siblings to school, then immediately drove back home and was now laying on the couch with a blanket lazily tossed over his body, alone. Very much alone. Alone with his thoughts. He couldn't knit a scarf, read a novel, or write a poem if he wanted to, so with nothing else to do, his mind started spewing unwanted thoughts at him which he was forced to listen to. Those thoughts started off fine. Old, embarrassing, cringey memories from the past. Simple. then those turned into more recent memories of things he'd done, like losing his cool and snapping at people who never did anything wrong, because he was so stressed about goddamm Dieter.

Now Spewart's mind was fully on Dieter. The way Dieter looked, the things that Dieter had said, the way that Dieter behaved. Dieter... Raping him. Dieter dying. Dieter getting tossed off a boat and into a river. Dieter going missing on the news. It was just. Dieter. For nearly ten straight minutes, Dieter was all Spewart could think about. Spewart was nearly paralyzed, unable to direct his thoughts elsewhere. By now, he'd realized that he was thinking about Dieter, but he couldn't think about anything else. And he sure tried. But after five more minutes, he gave up and let his thoughts spiral down about Dieter.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It completely caught Spewart off-guard and fully snapped him out of his trance. He sat still for a moment, processing what just happened, then there was another knock, finally getting Spewart up from his seat and over to the door. He assumed it was Madame Broode, likely forgetting her key or something. Who else would it be? Well, Roy was probably one of the last people Spewart had been expecting. Once the door was open, the two stared at each other in silence for a bit. "Um. Hi," Roy finally said. Spewart blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I got out of school early 'cuz I had an appointment, but that appointment got canceled, and I didn't really feel like going back to school, then I remembered one of your siblings saying that you were sick, so I decided to just pop by and check in on you!" Roy's rambling ended and the two went back to being silent. "... Come in?" Spewart eventually mumbled, backing up to allow Roy through. Roy's appearance was definitely unexpected. Even though he just gave an explanation, Spewart still felt confused. To be honest, he and Roy weren't close friends or anything like that. So why did Roy feel the need to check in on him? Or not just simply text him? Spewart didn't actually ask any of these inquiries out loud, but he still wondered them.

Once in the living room, Spewart quickly sat back down on the couch. He felt weak and really couldn't keep standing. The couch was black with a silky texture which contrasted with the ivory, almost white blanket Spewart had that he had actually knitted himself! Next to the couch was a small table where a little tissue box sat. And beside the table was a mini trash bin and a silver bucket. Roy decided to give Spewart some space and sat down in a grey chair on the opposite side of the room. "So... How are you feeling?" Roy chipperly asked. "Um... Not horrible, but still definitely not good," Spewart explained. He truly didn't feel like talking to anyone, but didn't want to be rude.

Roy himself didn't really know what to do here, but he wanted to help Spewart. "Can l get you anything?" Spewart was about to say no when he remembered, "Well, there's a blue pill bottle on the counter next to the fridge. Can you please bring that to me?" Roy quickly got up and brought over the pill bottle as well as a glass of orange juice to help swallow it. Spewart hadn't even asked for that! Of all the drinks available in the fridge, orange juice actually happened to be Spewart's favorite. Was it just a coincidence, or did Roy somehow know that it was his favorite? Or did he just get orange juice because it's known for being full of vitamins? Spewart didn't know, nor did he ask--He quickly took the pill and swallowed it before profusely thanking Roy.

Roy sat back down and smiled. "I'm used to helping all of my younger siblings when they're sick. I'm sort of the '"group mom,'" he explained, which got a small chuckle out of Spewart. Truth be told, Spewart reminded Roy a lot of Ludwig. They were both very sweet, smart, and easily-frightened individuals. What Roy didn't know yet was just how much easier to frighten Spewart was than Ludwig. That being said, Roy knew a surprising amount about Spewart after only a few months of knowing him. And not just the basic stuff that everyone seemed to know. Roy knew that Spewart used to vape to help with stress. And he knew that Spewart had at least considered suicide, which it appeared that not even his own siblings knew about.

Spewart began to get up from the couch, but as he attempted to do so, he felt a sharp pain in his back, causing him to loudly squeak and sit back down, getting Roy to look over. Spewart, ever since he got pushed by Dieter into the alley, had minor back problems. He somewhat struggled to stand up without pain. Instead, Roy got up and ran over to Spewart. "What's wrong?" "Nothing! I was just, trying to get up." "Get up for what? Here, you stay down, I will get whatever it is you need!" "... I was trying to go to the bathroom..." "Oh..." That, of course, sounded like something Ludwig would say... After thinking for a moment, Roy scooped Spewart up off the couch into his arms and held him like a baby. Despite being close to the same size, lifting Spewart was in no way difficult to Roy.

"Woah, what are you doing?!?!" Spewart yelped. "Helping!" Roy answered cheerully as he began to run off with the bunny to the bathroom. Roy didn't realize it until he'd set Spewart down, but the poor bunny was completely shaking and breathing very heavily. "Oh... Hey, are you okay?!" Spewart didn't answer. What just happened had completely terrified him. It was something that Dieter would do... Well... Okay, Dieter would never princess-carry Spewart to assist him in accessing the restroom. But the picking him up without warning seemed like something he would do if he was able to. And in the moment, Spewart didn't know where Roy was taking him! All of that happening in one moment just, made him freak out.

There Spewart stood, trembling in one spot and hyperventilating, starting to have a panic attack, as Roy, who just wanted to help, stood in front of him, unsure what to do. "Spewart!" Roy called his name. No response. He did it again. After the ninth time, Spewart finally looked up at him. "I'm sorry!" Roy told him frantically. Spewart didn't respond still, but after a minute or two, he stopped shaking and stood still. "Are you okay...?" Roy asked, sounding very, VERY worried. "........." Spewart slowly nodded. Before Roy could say anything else, the bunny swiftly made his way into the unoccupied bathroom, which Roy patiently and nervously waited outside the door of.

Spewart soon exited, and before Roy could say anything, HE started frantically apologizing to Roy for frightening HIM with his own panic. "Woah, woah, woah! Hey, it's okay! l was just trying to make sure you were alright! And... Well, are you okay? What happened?" Spewart remained sient for a few seconds before speaking. "I-I just... Wasn't expecting to be picked up so suddenly." "Oh... I understand. Well, l'm sorry!! I didn't mean to scare you! I do that to Ludwig all the time when he has to go... I guess I should have asked first." Roy looked down the fairly long hall that led back to the living room. "Hm... Do I have your permission to pick you up and carry you back over there?"

Spewart seemed a bit caught off-guard by the question but ultimately nodded. Roy, more slowly and gently now, picked Spewart up and began walking down the hall. Now, for whatever reason, Spewart didn't feel scared. He actually sort of felt. Good? Being in Roy's arms made him feel warm and safe. Something that Dieter never made him feel... Before he knew it, Roy had set him down on the couch and was making his way back to the chair. "Wait!" Spewart suddenly called. Roy looked back at him. "Um... Can you stay next to me? Please?" Roy quickly turned around and sat next to Spewart without question. In that moment, Spewart felt a little guilty, realizing he could possibly get Roy sick. But Roy didn't seem to care.

The two sat happily together. At some point, Roy was asked to get the remote, so now they were watching My Little Pony. Spewart felt a bit embarrassed that he had requested this, but Roy still didn't seem to mind at all! If MLP was what Spewart wanted to watch, then Roy would watch it! Soon, an hour and a half had gone by. In that time, Roy had made the two of them sandwiches, Spewert had taken three more pills, the duo watched SEVERAL episodes of MLP, and took the chain-chomp (Chompikins) out together. By the end of the second hour, Spewart did not want to leave Roy's side. He felt oddly connected to him.

After all that time had passed, Spewart was beginning to feel sleepy. Roy casually wrapping his arms around the bunny made him feel even more cozy and sleepy. Spewart was beginning to drift away when he was suddenly awoken by his phone notification sound. He had changed the sound not too long ago because the old one gave him fash-backs from when Dieter would try to call him non-stop... The notification was coming from the fact that someone, Hariet, had texted him. The text itself was innocent. Something about how Hariet had won a bunch of candy as a prize for something in class and wanted to know if Spewart wanted her to save some for him. As he was texting, "Yes," it suddenly occurred to Spewart that the man he was snuggling and felt so connected to happened to be Hariet's boyfriend. Or, well that's what he was supposed to be.

After the text was sent, Spewart looked up at Roy. Roy looked back at him and smiled. "You okay? Need something?" "No, I um... I just have a question for you." "Oh?" "What are your thoughts on Hariet?" Roy looked a bit puzzled. "I mean... I like her, but... You know how things between her and I have been going. Not well. And I'm sure that by now, she's given up on our relationship. It's been quite a while since our last date, and we haven't spoken much since then... Why do you ask?" "No reason!" "Ah, okay!"

The room went back to silent after that interaction, minus the sound of the TV, until Spewart happened to notice a small buzzing noise near him. He soon realized that it was Roy... Purring! The sound of a koopa purring was certainly odd to Spewart. He'd never heard any koopa do it before. And he used to live with koopas! While he was in the foster care system... So purring must not be a common occurrence, he thought. And Roy soon thought nearly the same thing as he heard faint, happy squeaks coming from Spewart. Squeaks that Spewart didn't even realize he had been making! The squeaks sounded very congested due to the bunny being sick, but Roy really didn't care! He thought they were cute.

One more hour had gone by, and the duo were still happily sitting together, watching the TV. All was well until Spewart suddenly jerked up straight with one hand over his mouth and his whole body pulsating. "Are you okay??" Roy instanty asked, looking over. He soon realized what was happening, so he grabbed the bucket that was next to his leg and immediately handed it to Spewart. Within seconds, Spewart was vomiting into the bucket, just as Roy suspected would happen. Roy was unsure what to do now but quickly thought of something. Being as gentle as possible, he started pulling Spewart's hair back so it wouldn't get in the way or get vomit in it. After holding the hair back for a bit, Roy realized he had one of his bracelets on and started using that as a hair tie, tying up Spewart's hair into a ponytail.

Soon, the vomiting stopped. Spewart pulled the full bucket away from his face and groaned. "... Sorry you had to see that, Roy... Here, I'll go-" "No no, I got it!" Roy took the bucket out of Spewart's hands and rushed into the bathroom, pouring it down into the toilet, (Which conveniently had the seat already up-) flushing it, washed out the bucket in the sink, and retured. Upon returning to the living room, Roy finally got a good look at Spewart with his hair tied up. And oh jeez, Roy certainly liked the sight of that. He froze up and stiffened for a second before being met with Spewart's nervous regret-filled eyes, which put him back into movement.

"There, all better!" Roy quickly assured as he sat back down and placed the clean bucket on the floor. Spewart had gotten his face cleaned up while Roy was gone and was now trying to apologize to him again. "I'm so sorry, Roy, I didn't mean to-" "Hey, it's okay! Don't apologize! It's not your fault! And nothing bad happened! All of it got in the bucket, right?" Spewart shamefully nodded. Yet all the shame seemed to fade into nothing as Roy wrapped his ams back around Spewart. The quiet, happy squeaks soon started back up, as did Roy's purring.

Two more hours had gone by with no issue. Both the bunny and the koopa were so calm and relaxed in each other's arms. Not thinking much of it, Roy began to reach across Spewart's lap to grab the remote that was under his thigh. Roy felt a bit hungry and assumed Spewart felt the same way, so he was planning to prepare them some more food. He, of course, had to pause the show to do that. His hand was just a few inches above Spewart's hips as it slowly crept by. Suddenly, seeing the hand out of the corner of his eye in THAT AREA, Spewart screamed and jumped up, causing Roy to jump back and also freak out.

Ever since the Dieter incident, whenever someone touched or had their hand near the lower half of his body without warning, Spewart immediately began to freak out. He couldn't help it. One day, Rango happened to notice a loose thread on Spewart's sweat pants. He casually started to pull on it without saying anything, not thinking much of it, but when Spewart felt it, it immediately sent him into hysterics with seemingly no explanation as to why.

"Dude, what's the matter??" Roy shouted, clearly frightened by Spewart's sudden outburst. "I-I um..." Spewart mumbled, now realizing how unwarranted his scream and jump was. But Roy kept looking at him with concern. He wanted an answer. "I just thought you were trying to... Do something..." "Do what?" Spewart gave a few vague hand gestures, unsure how to describe it. Finally, he uttered, "Dieter did something to me one time, and I've been kinda jumpy whenever people... Um... Uh..." His sentence trailed off in the end. "What did Dieter do to you??" Roy demanded, now way more concerned with that than Spewart's initial freak-out. Spewart stood silent for... A long time. But eventually, he spoke.

.........

"So, now you know... Just... Don't tell anyone I told you about this... Especially not Ludwig... Please, Roy, I'm begging you..." Roy, too, was silent for quite a while. But he nodded in the end. "I won't... " He silently promised. And that was that. "Can I get you anything?" Roy suddenly asked, as if nothing had happened. Spewart's eyes widened with a bit of surprise. "I was going to make more sandwiches. But do you want that?" "I... Um... Sure..." And with Spewart's permission, Roy carefully carried him into the kitchen and made the two some sandwiches to share.

[u10como]

First time posting my writing on Tumblr along the usual DeviantArt. I'm no writer and english isn't my first language, so please, be mindful of that. Anyway, i hope you might enjoy it anyway.

This story is a sort of prequel/explanation to this picture: https://www.tumblr.com/u10como/739614288736632832?source=share

Jane and Roxy

Sam and Jane stoped in front of a rehab clinic. Mere month after the septic shock which took both of her arms and her left leg, Jane's residual limbs were still sore and swollen,unable to be fitted with prostheses yet, but she was recomended to commence with her rehabilitation as soon as possible to gain dexterity in her remaining limb. She was dressed in a shorts and plain, light blue T-shirt, it's left sleeve limp against her body and just a tip of her sole arm stump peeking out of the right one. Her single foot was bare, holding between her toes a joystick which operated her electric wheelchair. Sam was standing next to her, dressed in jeans and white polo shirt. Turning from the clinic's door to Jane, he asked:

"Are you sure you want to go alone?"

"No. But i feel like it's for the better, you know?" replied Jane, looking up at him from her wheelchair. "Don't worry, the people there are professionals."

"As you wish. But if you changed your mind be sure to ask them to call me and i'll be here as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, i'll be fine. After all, i'm here to learn to handle myself, so i feel like calling you in the first time i encountered struggle would be cheating."

"Okay then. I'll be here to pick you up in four hours?"

"You're the best. I love you!"

As they kiss goodbye, Jane pushed the joystick of her wheelchair to the side, turned around and entered the building. inside, a young receptionist looked up from her screen to greet Jane. "Welcome. Miss Walsh i believe? 8:30 appointment for post-traumatic amputation rehab?"

"Hello, yes, that's me."

"Okay, down this hall, third door to the right. The door's automatic, so just roll close enough and it should open, if not, feel free to call me."

As the door opened before Jane, she saw a room which looked like a cross between gym and medical facility, with a large mat in the middle, parallel bars in far right corner and racks full of excercising equipment along the wall to the left. To the right she saw a woman roughly her age, missing both legs above her knees and right arm just below elbow sitting in old hospital issue wheelchair. Jane turned towards her and as her wheelchair slowly drove closer, it's motor gently whirring, the other woman looked up and smiled.

"Oh, Hi! I was starting to worry i'm going to be alone here today. I'm Roxy!" she said, cheerfully offering her left hand for a handshake "Yeah, i know it's awkward to shake a left hand, but what can i do about it?"

"I'm Jane, but...ahem..." said Jane, shrugging her shoulders to emphasise her missing arms, "I'm not sure what to do now..."

"Give me a foot, silly! At least yours is a right one, you know? Come on!" said Roxy cheerfully.

"Well, *sigh* okay then..." replied Jane shyly as she slowly extended her foot for Roxy to shake. Roxy immediately grabed the offered foot with her left hand and shook it.

"Now, that's more like it! Wow, are you moisturizing? You foot feels so soft!"

"Thank you... My boyfriend does that for me actually, i can't do much myself, you know..."

"Wow, he's a keeper. And don't worry, few weeks here and you'll forget you ever needed more than one limb to do things. I almost did already. But in my case, i kinda had to, living alone and all..."

"Oh, that must have been rough."

"Well, coping wasn't the bad part, you know? Being ditched by my bitch of an ex for not being perfect enough anymore? That really hurt."

"Oh, i'm so sorry to hear that, i didn't mean to remind you..."

"Nah, that's okay, screw her, i'm badass and i don't need her sorry ass, you know?"

"Good morning ladies", greeted them the rehab nurse, "I see we have a new face here today - miss Walsh i presume?" Jane noded. "Allright then, since you're new here i'll be focusing on you today to introduce you to the routines. Mis Jensen, you can move up to the parallel lines

and put on your training legs, you know the drill already."

Jane's excercises focused mostly on gaining dexterity in her remaining leg and foot. From time to time she took a peek at Roxy, waddling in her short, kneeless prosthetics with large circular pads instead of feet. She hoped she'll be fitted with her own prostetic leg soon, but her leg stump was still way too sensitive. Roxy caught her look and winked at her with a big cheerful smile. Jane wondered how the girl can be so cheerful all the time - losing three limbs was hard enough for Jane, so she couldn't even imagine being this optimistic if she also suffered through a break-up like Roxy did.

After finishing their respective routines, the nurse asked them whether they need help showering or feel like they can handle themselves. "I'm fine, thank you!" said Roxy, taking off the training legs before she rapidly scooted off towards the showers, using her single arm and her butt to move forward. "I... think i'll handle myself, thank you." said Jane, determined to become independent as soon as possible. "As you wish, but should you need a help, feel free to use the bell to call me up."

Hopping on her single foot, Jane made her way to the showers where Roxy was already taking her clothes off. At that moment, Jane realized her mistake.

"Oh, damn it... I better call the nurse..."

"What's the matter? Oh..." asked Roxy and immediately figured the answer. "That's allright, come over here, i'll help you."

"You sure? i mean... i don't want to bother you..."

"Don't worry, you don't. I wouldn't offer you my help if i feelt bothered by it." said Roxy with a smile and patted the seat next to herself. Jane hopped closer and shakily crouched with her butt over the bench next to Roxy, dropping the last eight inches to a sit.

"There you go. So, will you try to do it yourself first and leave the tricky parts to me, or should i start?"

"I'm barely a week home from hospital, so i guess the 'tricky parts' cover pretty much everything i guess. *sigh* Allright, then, go ahead."

Grabbing Jane's shirt by the collar, Roxy slipped it over her head easily without any arms in the way. She then pulled down Jane's shorts low enough for Jane to kick them off. As Roxy unhooked her bra, Jenny felt vulnerable and helpless, unable to cover herself. Setting the bra carefully on the shirt, Roxy noticed Jane's nipple piercings and smiled.

"Wow, didn't take you for a kinky one! I like those!"

"Yeah... I had them done before... you know... Now they just look dumb on a pathetic cripple like me..."

"Hey, whoah, don't say that! You are beautiful and don't you ever think otherwise!"

"Thanks... You sound a little like Sam now..."

"Which just shows i'm right. And as i said before - he's a keeper. Now, let's get those panties off and get to the showers, shall we?"

After Roxy set off Jane's panties on the pile of her other clothes, they each entered one of the neighboring shower stalls and sat on the stools inside. Jane reached with her foot for the lever tap and set the water temperature before she grabbed the soap bar and soaped herself everywhere she could reach with her sole foot.

"Uhh... Roxy? Could i ask you one more favor?"

"Sure, Jane, What is it?"

Could you come over and soap up my back?"

"Only if you do the same for me. I might have an arm, but believe it or not, i used to be right handed just three months ago."

Jane heard the water in Roxy's stall stop and a soft thud as Roxy dropped down from her stool. "Gotta bring the seat along, i don't think we would both fit on one, would we?" Said Roxy and by small increments, pulled the stool and herself one after another into Jane's stall. Setting the stool right next to Jane's she climbed atop it and smiled.

"That's more like it. I guess i wouldn't reach you from down there and i wasn't sure you would be able to stand up if i asked you to sit on the floor. Now, pass me the soap and turn around."

As Roxy took the soap from Jane's foot, she started soaping up her back and massaging it using both her hand and stump. "Oooh, that's great," exclaimed Jane, stretching her shoulder blades and twirling her sole short arm stump in delight. "Where did you learn this?"

"It used to be my trade back when i still had both arms. It's still all up there in my head, but who would pay for one armed masseuse anyway..."

"Well, i certainly would! Okay, my turn now. I don't think i can remotely match that experience, but let me soap you up real nice." said Jane, grabbed the soap bar with her foot and started rubbing Roxy's back with it.

"We make a pretty good team, don't we?" asked Roxy

"I can't take much credit for it. I'm such a mess. I mean, if it wasn't for you i would still stand outside unable to undress myself..."

"That's gonna improve, trust me. You should have seen me the first few weeks after losing my dominant arm. Give it a little time and you'll get much better."

"Except i lost both arms, remember?"

"You still got your leg. You know what i would give for one of those? And with a little training you'll soon handle it just like an arm, i mean, my back can already testify you're pretty gentle with it even now, so i'm sure you'll get even better over time. Hell, you might even eventually have better handwriting that i can ever hope for if you were right handed before."

"...Handwriting?"

"Oops, sorry... Footwriting? Is that a word?"

"It better be, i'm gonna need to have it after all", said Jane with a hearty laugh, a rare occasion in the last month of her life.

"Hey," grinned Roxy, turning to face Jane, "You know you're way prettier when you smile like that?"

"Are you hitting on me?" asked Jane.

"Well, normally i totally would, you're pretty much my type, but seeing you're taken and into guys, i'll pass. I'm no home wrecker you know?"

"Who said i'm only into guys?, asked Jane.

"Fair enough. Still, the last thing i would want to do would be wrecking such a strong, genuine relationship as yours. I kinda envy you, you know?"

"Don't worry, you still can find somebody. I saw you being fitted for prosthetics, i bet a badass sexy cyborg like you can't have much trouble scoring a girlfriend."

"You never dated a girl now, did you?"

"Well, there was this one time in college... Yeah, i guess a week long rebound doesn't really count. Allright, i didn't actually. Not that i never had options, but guys were usually easier to deal with."

"See? That's exactly what i'm talking about."

"You seemed to me pretty extroverted earlier when we met, why can't you just play that confident, outgoing, cheerful card in a bar somewhere?"

"Eh, i'd wish. Truth is, i felt confident only because you're first person since that car wreck who was pretty much on par with me physically. I wouldn't be nowhere near as confident otherwise, trust me. Also, being trained for a pair of legs and being able to afford some really nice pair are two things, you know?"

"So you won't get any?"

"I already ordered a pair of basic ones, spent my last dough on them, actually. I have money for a week long stay in a motel downtown where i moved after my ex dumped me. After that? I'll probably board a coach bus to live with my parents. But that's not important right now." said Roxy, her worries surfacing through her confident faccade. "Come on, let's dry ourselves and i'll help you get dressed, i'm sure your boyfriend is already waiting for you."

As Roxy dressed both of them, Jane suddenly got an idea

"Hey, i was thinking... How do you even get home from here?"

"I have this old wheelchair borrowed from here. It's far from easy operating it with one hand, but better than scooting all the way on my behind you know?"

"Why don't you borrow mine, then? Just snap off the clamp holding the joystick to the footrest and put it wherever you're comfortable."

"Wow, for real? But how about you?"

"I have a leg, i can hop along, it's not that far. Sam is waiting just outside, he'll drive us home."

"Us?"

"Sure, aren't you coming along?"

"If you insist. Beats taking the bus any day, thanks a lot!"

"Don't mention it. Come on, let's not keep Sam waiting."

As they said goodbye to the nurse and receptionist, they approached the door where Sam was already waiting for Jane.

"Wow, your boyfriend is hot." said Roxy.

"I thought you're into girls?" asked Jane

"Well... Mostly, but not exclusively. Damn, sorry, now i must sound like i'm coming after your boyfriend."

"A little. But you were hitting on me first, so i guess it's okay. We'll have to share you, that's all..."

"Ha ha ha... Wait a minute a what now?"

"I'm joking, don't worry. But you told me you'll have nowhere to live in a week. If you want, i can negotiate with Sam and you'll be staying with us."

"Even after i kinda... you know, shown interest in both of you?"

"Well, that might actually be a plus, you know?" said Jane, still slowly hopping along next to Roxy. "You're the only person besides Sam who seemed to be genuinely interested in me after all this happened to me. That seems to me well worth having you around. And i have a hunch Sam won't be against it - More than just a hunch, actually."

"Okay then... I'm not getting myself caught in a sex cult now, am i?" Asked Roxy with an awkward smile.

"Nah. No cult here. And sex only when all involved parties consciously agree. And even then - let's give Sam a little time to get used to the idea before we overwhelm him, shall we?"

"You're serious then? We just met like four hours ago and you want me to move in with you?"

"I'm not pressuring you into anything, we can drop you off at your motel if you want, just know there's an option..."

"Where do i sign?"

[all-the-things-2020]

No Better Place - Chapter 22

Summary: Javi gets a sweet surprise.

Word count: 1100

Javi tossed his briefcase into the backseat and loosened his tie. He waved goodbye to one of the receptionists who was also getting in her car, and slid behind the wheel. He was getting used to the forty-five minute commute to and from work, but some days were better than others. The traffic had been a mess that morning due to some road construction on several streets downtown, and he hoped the workers had already knocked off for the day.

As he drove, he switched idly between radio stations. On the way to work, he often listened to NPR to catch up on the news, but going home he preferred music. He’d found three stations that played stuff he liked, which was way better than his choices in Laredo.

When he saw the sign for Blue Ridge Ranch, he clicked off the radio and slowed the car. The transition from the road to the drive needed some work and if he wasn’t careful, the car would bottom out in the big pothole that had started to form. He made a mental note to ask the landlord to have it repaired. He also had to slow down because there had been several times one of the kids or Coco (who Chucho had claimed was “sad” that Javi had moved away, even though apparently she hadn’t cared when he lived in the apartment) had darted across in front of him; once he’d even come bumper to nose with a loose horse, a huge part draft named Emerson with a penchant for unlocking stalls and gates.

He parked under the carport and took his briefcase inside. Linus stretched and meowed once, then plopped back down on the back of the couch. Javi gave the cat a quick scratch on the head on his way to the bathroom. As he stepped out the back door, Coco flew across the side yard and slobbered all over him.

“Where’s Cassidy?,” he asked her as he bent down to ruffle her fur and rub her ears. It was a rhetorical question, not just because the dog couldn’t talk, but because there was only one place Cassidy would be at this time of the day: the barn.

He found her leaning against the fence that stretched across the back of the turnouts, watching Cricket roll in the dirt. He stood next to her and rested his arms on the top rail. “She does like to roll, doesn’t she?”

Cassidy laughed. “There’s an old saying, a horse is worth a hundred dollars for every time it can roll completely over. She did it five times one day, and accounting for inflation, that means she’s worth at least five grand.”

“Not bad,” Javi said. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She always put it into a neat ponytail or braid in the morning, but by the end of the day, it was starting to fall out.

“How was your day?,” she asked.

He sighed. “Same old, same old,” he said. “Two meetings that should have been memos, and a stack of paperwork an inch thick. How about you?”

She turned around so her back was to the fence. “Pretty good, actually,” she said. “The vet came out. You’ll be happy to know that the mare we picked up at the auction last week isn’t pregnant.” She paused and looked shyly at him. “But I am.”

Javi just stared at her for a moment, wondering if he’d actually heard what he thought he’d heard. As a huge, goofy grin spread across Cassidy’s face, he realized that he had. “Are you serious?,” he said.

She nodded. “Yeah, I kind of suspected it but I went to the drugstore today and picked up a test.” She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a test stick with a bright pink + mark on it. “I have an appointment with the doctor on Friday to confirm and find out how far along I am, but yeah, we’re having a baby.”

Javi wrapped his arms around her, speechless.

“Hey, Mr. P,” called a voice. He looked over Cassidy’s shoulder to see Alex, a fifteen year old who’d gone from missing school half the time and getting D’s and F’s to a solid B average and almost perfect attendance. He was thriving in the new program and Javi couldn’t have been prouder. Alex came out to the ranch two days a week after school and almost every Saturday.

“Hey, Alex, what’s up?” Javi called back.

“Not much,” Alex said. “I finished doing up the stalls, Miss Yates. Anything else you need?”

“No, you can just hang out till your ride comes,” Cassidy said. “There’s carrots in the feed room if you want to hand out treats.”

“Cool,” he said. He stole a glance at Javi’s hands around Cassidy’s waist and smirked. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

“Yeah, yeah, get out of here,” Javi said. When Alex had disappeared around the corner, he leaned down and kissed Cassidy’s forehead. “So, should we move the wedding up?”

Cassidy made a face. “And deprive my momma of the indignity of watching her daughter walk down the aisle in a maternity wedding dress?” she laughed. “Oh, no, baby, I am going to waddle up to the altar even if I need a wheelbarrow to carry my big old belly.”

Javi chuckled. “Well, you can do a combination wedding/baby shower, I guess,” he said. “Make things easier on everyone.”

“No way,” Cassidy retorted. “I’m getting two gifts out of everyone. Mom can host the baby shower, and Monica can host the bridal shower. I’m milking this for all it’s worth.”

Cricket ambled over to them and shoved her head in between them, her warm, sweet breath washing over them. “Are you jealous?” Javi asked. “You’re going to be a big sister, what do you think of that?” The mare snorted, blowing bits of half-chewed hay all over them.

“You had to ask,” Cassidy said, laughing as Javi wiped at the blobs of green that covered his nice white dress shirt.

He didn’t care, though. No shirt was worth more than the feeling he got, standing here with the woman he loved, the woman who’d just told him he was going to be a father. The sun was shining and they were surrounded by happy horses and happy kids. It was a long way from the streets of Colombia, but there was nowhere he’d rather be than right here. It had taken him a while, but Javier Pena finally felt like he was making a difference in the world.

[zeldaelmo]

I'm collaborating with the wonderful @bahbahhh who creates a piece of art for this story!

Excerpt from 'Dismissed'

"Ah, Sir Link. I appreciate your swift arrival." The King gestured toward his desk and Link approached his usual spot, the thick carpet swallowing the sound of his steps. 

"The matter I have to discuss today with you is a bit surprising to me, but it is what it is." 

A frown crept on Link's forehead, but he smoothed it out immediately. The King usually only talked in crisp orders to him, at least here in his study. On the training field, he allowed himself a much looser tongue, but here, he was King, and head of the army.

Link narrowed his eyes, watching the King folding his hands on his desk and tapping them on the wood a few times, pressing fingers on the respective knuckles on the other hand. He shifted, just an inch so that the King wouldn't notice. The King’s agitated gestures made him twitchy, it was unlikely for the man who liked to brag about the fact that he was the sovereign under whose reign Calamity Ganon was beaten to fidget.

"Sir Link. You fulfilled the service as my daughter's appointed knight with great vigor and even greater diligence. I can not thank you enough in the name of the Kingdom but as her father, too, for saving her life on so many occasions."

Link pressed his toes to his boots, the rest of his body standing still like an oak resisting a winter storm. What on Hylia's green earth was this about? He had gotten a shiny medal for his deeds, hadn't that been accompanied by enough commendation already? 

"So, it is with tremendous sorrow that I have to follow her wish and release you from your appointment. I have an equally important responsibility for you, of course, one that is befitting for a man of your abilities. I thought about you building up a special forces team with the other races, but we can discuss the details after the holidays."

"What?" The word didn't slip out, no, it crashed from his tongue into the King's study like a Boulder Breaker. 

"You asked for a few days off to visit your family for Hylia's Day?"

"No, I mean, yes, I did." Irritated, Link shook his head, protocol to be damned. "What did Princess Zelda ask you?"

The King lined up a stack of folders, drove his thumb over the edge, and met his eyes. "She asked me to dismiss you as her guard."

[tammyfeabakker]

Dear diary,

Went to Walmart got my tires done. Still heard nothing from my supposedly soulmate. Not even bout my daughters engine. Talked him up to my Sara now he jus looks bad. I have no idea what I did. To deserve this. Nothing but nice and respectful to him... thats ok he can burn bridges with me. The ass doesn't know my Katy owns his drive way. I'm not spiteful or anything but he gets on his high horse theres gonna be trouble. His ex sat outside yesterday morning havnt seen her until Monday when he opened his shop. She was staren at her phone. Then later on. She drove down there slowly. Got out. I heard him scream get the fuck out of here! She ran to her car sped out of there. She came back im on the waving list again I guess because I used someone else for my tires. She called out of work again. My Katy starts her new job today! I hope it's less stress but she is given her old boss a day until he closes his store. For 2 months. I start my new job weds. Thank goodness I got this job. American greetings really got slow. Thats ok I knew it going to happen I was told. But I do have tasks they stretch out for 2 weeks. Not many hours. But at least I can fit the new one in. And merlin needs another appointment. I hope my car passes inspection with the tail light. Can't replace until I make some money here. No ones been at the shop. Visiting. Do I want bad things to happen no. But he kinda dug his own grave. The way he been towards me. I have nothing to do with down fall other then his ex having pangs of jealousy. His fault again. You can't be friends with your ex girlfriend thats a grandiose narcissist unless your prepared to be besties. And still controls your life. So be it. Ill be the one laughing. My favorite line. IS I TOLD YOU FUCKING SO STUPID ASS!!! I'll be back Saturday. I'm working today till Friday.. love yas from the moon and back a million times!

[nancypullen]

Typical Tuesday

Life moves at a snail’s pace here but so do I.  I used to be such a bouncy, bright gal until my ankles and feet decided to turn on me.  Now everything hurts and cracks, and scoffs at me when I say, “Hey we should dance!” Boy, I miss dancing.  I still shimmy around the kitchen when I cook, but sustained dancing for an hour or so seems like a big ask. Poor, poor me.

I’m only thinking about that because I just tried making an appointment with an orthopedic doctor for a weird thing that’s causing pain in my left ankle, formerly known as my “good ankle”.  I was on hold for about ten minutes, went through the new patient song and dance with a very friendly young woman, gave all of my pertinent info, and then she said, “Okay, just as soon as your former doctor sends your medical records someone will call you to schedule an appointment.”  Well, crap.  I replied, “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you will not request those records.”  She confirmed that, said I’d have to get them to fax the records, and hopefully everyone would do their part and I can see a doctor before my foot falls off.  Immediately after ending that call I placed a call to my doctor in Tennessee and said I needed my records to be faxed up here.  That not-so-nice lady said that would require an official form from the doctor’s office in Maryland, and blah blah blah.  I explained that they told me I had to make the request and maybe I get the form from them, or perhaps it could be emailed to me, or could I possibly find it on their (TN) website. I was battering her with all of the ways I might be able to get my hands on the form and get this done today, when she finally sighed and said, “Look just email me giving your permission to release the records and put your name and date of birth in the email.”   Now, was that so hard? I thanked her profusely and sent the email fifteen seconds after we hung up.  Who thinks that this will all go smoothly and I’ll get a call this week?  I’d say those odds are slim. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ll bet I have to request the records at least once more and won’t see a doctor before September. Ugh. But that’s not why I’m here.  I’m here because I don’t post enough and I’m trying to make myself show up.  It would help if I had something to actually write about but you’ll just have to bear with me. If I show up every day maybe my muse will show up too. Cross your fingers, light a candle, rub some beads.

Today started the way our days it always start. The mister gets up early and goes out for a long walk.  He likes to show off his healthy feet. He listens to audiobooks and watches the town wake up.  While he’s doing that I play word games on my phone (Wordle, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Connections, etc). Then I have long conversations with the cats, eventually get up and make the bed, and ease into my day.  We’re very different people. For example, he’s been watching Wimbledon and he caught me tuned into the Hallmark channel’s Christmas in July.

Don’t judge me. The world is on fire, I needed a dose of predictable sweetness with a happy ending. Speaking of sweetness, on Sunday we drove over to spend an afternoon with the Edgewater gang.  Everyone is getting ready to scatter on different trips, so we wanted to hug them before that happened.  Little Miss was as entertaining and fun as always.  We were treated to a mermaid water show in her pool, I played Barbies with her for a little while, and then she belly laughed while driving her cats bonkers with a laser pointer.  It was a full afternoon.  A big storm blew in and dumped tons of rain that same afternoon.  We made our exit when there was a break in the radar and raced the rain home.  As we started across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge I saw these big freighters lined up to head into port, and those ominous clouds hovering above them.  Yikes.

That was snapped from a moving car so the quality isn’t great, but...anyone else notice there’s a chunk of the bridge missing?  I didn’t notice it when I took the picture, I was too busy looking at those ships.  Doesn’t look big enough to alter the integrity of the structure, but what the heck happened there?  Someone had a bad day.

On a happier note, I’ve got one sunflower fully opened and several nearly there. Aren’t they cheerful? I just love ‘em.

Other things that give me pleasure are clean windows (how’s that for a segue?). My sister turned me on to this fabulous spray cleaner. 

It’s amazing. Even better, it smells wonderful and it’s just $2.50!  I picked up my can at Walmart, I’m sure it’s sold elsewhere.  Anyway, it’s cheap, it leaves windows sparkling and streak-free, and the fragrance smells just like the lobby of the fancy-schmancy Grosvenor House Hotel in London.  No lie.  When we stayed there like the Clampetts a few years back it was one of the best parts of the stay - walking into that lobby and being enveloped in the fragrance.  I didn’t know if it was all of the fresh flowers, some special spray they used, or if that’s what loads of money smells like.  Whatever it was, you can have it in your home for $2.50.  I’m a fan. I’m not a fan of my hair. I mean, that’s not exactly news. It’s been an on-going battle since kindergarten.  I’ve let it grow again, it’s long again, and I look stuck in the 70′s. My hair behaves a little better when it’s long, the weight is like a Thunder Shirt. But I don’t think the length is a friend to my face, I know the style isn’t. To be fair, I go through this every year during July and August.  The height of summer heat and humidity always makes me want to shave my head. I was zipping along just fine in June, it wasn’t even hot.  Right around the 4th of July the sticky heat arrived and my hair lost its dang mind.  I’m walking around looking like this.

So I’m spending lots of time on Pinterest looking at short haircuts.  I’m going to do it it’s just a matter of choosing a style (which won’t work), a place (good luck with that), and screwing up my courage.  We all know this will be a disaster.  It always is.  I don’t think I’ve even once walked into a salon and walked out feeling better.  It’s a generational curse.  But it’s been quite a while since I tempted fate, and I’m feeing so ugly lately anyway, might as well. Best case scenario, I end up with a cute, fresh style that I like. 

 Worst case scenario, I look like Mrs. Claus. 

It’s a safe bet that I have more Mrs. Claus tendencies than I do Helen Mirren tendencies. Darn.  If nothing else maybe it’s just time for a change.  Will I miss the ease of a ponytail or a big hair clip? Yep.  Will I miss this same, old, tired hairstyle? Nope.  Well, maybe.  There’s always comfort in what we know vs the unknown.    Finding a place is daunting.  I called the Ulta salon in Easton thinking that if the haircut sucked then at least I’d be inside Ulta and I could treat myself to a new lipstick or something.  They only have two stylists and a haircut and blowdry is $70.  I will start up the weedeater and let it cut my hair before I pay $70.  I don’t want to go to the salon that I visited in Denton, the owner cut my hair and she was delightful, but the haircut was not.  There are plenty of others in the area, mostly pricey, so I may just have to throw a dart and pick a place.  Or I could spend the rest of my life in a ponytail. Back to Pinterest...

Raise your hand if you’re tired of hearing me talk about my hair.

Told you I didn’t have anything to write about, pretty sure the glass cleaner was the high point of this post.  I think I’ll head upstairs and soak in a bubble bath and lose myself in a book - a book where the main character has perfect hair. I hope that your week has been a delight so far.  I hope that you have had at least one good laugh and at least two moments of pure pleasure.  If not, hey, it’s only Tuesday!  There’s plenty of time. Sending out loads of love tonight. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy