#carpet steam cleaning machine

[carpetrepair01]

Best Carpet Steam Cleaning Services in Melbourne.

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 Features: - 

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[kigtuae]

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[housekeepinginfo]

The Best Couch Cleaners - According To Our Testing

Spills and stains happen, but you can clean them up with an upholstery cleaner. These cleaners work on many things, like furniture and car interiors. We tested 23 cleaners to find the best ones for you.

We looked at how well they work, how easy they are to carry, and how quiet they are. We also checked their value and how easy they are to use.

[myeagleexpert]

𝕮𝖆𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖋𝖊𝖊𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙?

Yuu has reached her limits, tired and without the strength to fight anymore, it is up to Leona to care for and restore her body and mind with devotion. Notes: Leona in this fic may be a little ooc, but I firmly believe that when he enters into a serious relationship with someone he will become more vulnerable and soft, taking care of the smallest details so that the person feels protected. He's very soft and sweet here, which we all need, right? (Fem!Yuu) You are not a machine, you do not run on steam and electricity. You are a human and you deserve to have your rest days. May this fic be a break for you and so that like Yuu you can have your rest.

This was one of those weeks.

Terrible. Exhausting. Desperate. With sleepless nights and days without eating properly.

And after finishing everything in the early hours of Friday to Saturday and handing over his work to Dire Crowley, because taking care of Grim and doing tasks in a magical world where you parachuted in is tiring enough, imagine the injustice when you still have to do the work of a therapist and do all the paperwork that Crowley forgot to do and threw everything into the shaking hands of the young woman without magic is even more tiring and an overload.

Yuu said goodbye to Grim who went yawning to Ramcharkle and called a sleeping lion to come get you, which was quick, considering he was just waiting for the sign of his love to pick her up on the flying broom and take her in bridal style .

Her friends started to worry because the symptoms were getting worse and worse, frequent headaches, irritation with the squad, confusing people's names and potion ingredients, refusing to stop to rest, because she always responded that she wasn't tired. But everyone saw and turned a blind eye when she fell asleep in the middle of classes, when she shook so much that she couldn't drink water properly, when her nails were always bleeding and her hair became brittle. Everyone was worried and didn't know what to do.

She was becoming increasingly sick and weak, a workaholic, and was unable to share the heavy burdens with anyone. She held the world on her shoulders, dividing herself into 100 so that the work could be done with excellence. Terrible idea, but necessary. She had water up her neck and was running out of air and options.

Jack, as a loyal friend, had the courage to tell Leona everything that was happening to Yuu, and that he, as her boyfriend, should do something. It was then that Leona swore that she would take care of her now, because if the discrepancies didn't lead anywhere, he would have to take drastic actions, like wrapping up an act in a burrito.

"Are you okay?"-Leona looked worried at her strangely cold and quiet form.

"Hunhun.." a yawn interrupted the little princess-"just tired…but fine" with a voice as loud as the whisper of a little mouse.

It didn't take long for them to get to Leona's room, and it took even less time for Yuu to trip on the carpet and hit the arm of the dresser next to the bed. Since when was that damn thing there? And then she threw herself on his spacious bed, still wearing her uniform and sneakers, and with makeup slightly smeared from the day's course on her face.

"Tsk… this herbivore."

The powerful and feared lion gently took off the girl's sneakers and placed her in a comfortable position, being careful not to wake her. And with the greatest care that hands made to destroy, he takes a cloth of warm water and delicately cleans Yuu's face of makeup, removing the excess mascara from her eyes, and the concealer that tried to hide the deep dark circles that were demonstrating the Yuu's exhaustion. Leona almost feels responsible for her tiredness, for her sadness, for not being able to help her enough, for not having been by her side when she deals with giants bigger than herself, for not having talked more about her carrying the world on her shoulders. That she is not alone.

And do you want to know the worst? That it wasn't the first time this was happening and it was getting more intense than before.

Leona was never one to believe in gods or be religious, but that night he prayed at the foot of the bed to whatever powerful being was in the heights, that he would always be by her side, that he would be strong enough to hold her. without trembling, so that one day she can be free and happy.

And when he went to lie down next to Yuu, he held her tight in her sleep, because at least in his arms she wouldn't have to deal with the threats of the world.

It was noon on Saturday morning when Yuu woke up from her more than deserved sleep, but she didn't have the strength to move enough and chose to sleep like a log for another 10 min…20…30… .. until her body decided it could become conscious.

By rubbing her eyes she tried to get used to the light in the place, or rather, the lack of light. Disoriented, she noticed that she wasn't in her precious Ramcharcle room, if she had been Grim would have woken her up for breakfast, meowing loudly until she had her tuna toast. She was then in….

"Good morning, princess." - said the gentle voice of the lion, he crossed the room and opened the curtains letting the sun shine. "How did sleeping beauty sleep?" he took the chance to get into bed with her

"Morning…" Yuu gave a heavy sigh and replied in a slightly worn voice, almost moaning from how refreshing the sleep was "Well…I slept well, my love. Did I give you trouble?"

"It's going to be trouble now" with a smile, Leona stood up and took her hand like a gentleman guiding her to the bathroom.

"Hey…I shower alone."

"This time you're going alone, but next time we'll be together" - he said with a damn smirk - "I have a gift for you"

At the entrance to the bathroom there was a beautiful gift basket. A basket with luxury skincare, recommended by the queen of Sunset Savanah herself and by a brand designed only for celebrities.

"Actually, I was going to give you this gift on our date next week. But my plans were advanced and today seems like a great opportunity." he smiled fondly and gave Yuu a kiss on the forehead before leaving to prepare something for her to eat.

The shower water was like a cold current that took away the thick layer of frustrations, fears, desires, and slowly brought the lightness of Yuu's heart, she smiled involuntarily when she saw that the basket's theme was for sleeping and relaxing, having exquisite notes of lavender and chamomile. He must be really worried. The body scrub renewed her skin, giving her a feeling of deep cleansing and freshness, and when she applied the shampoo and conditioner to her hair, she realized that it had been a long time since she had time to take care of herself with such patience. No spa day for days. No money for a new perfume. No time to take care of your body and mind. Even her nails, which were previously so vain and painted in different colors and interesting details, were bitten, she took out all her anxiety and stress on her nails, because what else could she do?

After a while in the bathroom, she came out and found a pair of clean, folded oversized pajamas on the bed. And she knew it was there for her, because Ruggie had perfected the lavender scent of the fabric softener, because Leona hates strong smells in his clothes.

"How do you feel? Do you want to sleep more?" Leona appeared at the bedroom door suddenly and approached Yuu.

"You arrived just in time, love. I'm just out of the shower" - Yuu wrapped her arms around the prince's waist, pulling him into a hug that was soon returned.

"We'll be eating in a bit. Ruggie is making your favorites and will bring them when ready."

"Great, now I'm going to comb my hair-"

"Nah nah nah bun, let me do it. Sit here." He said sitting on the bed, waiting for Yuu to sit in front of him. And she goes, used to his grooming.

You might think he wouldn't know how to take care of a person, and something as simple and intimate as combing someone else's hair could turn into a disastrous situation. But when it comes to Yuu, his partner, his mate, his equal, he makes a point of applying a cream first and massaging his princess's scalp, combing it with a comb designed for her hair, untangling the strands with tenderness and love. , mentally cursing the knots that dared to remain in Yuu's delicate mane.

How many times had Yuu done this for him in the dark and distressing days he had already gone through? And all he wants is to repay the love he received on a silver platter a thousand times over. Leos are very possessive of their mates, you know? An intense and protective love.

"Did you like the present?" he said, sniffing deeply Yuu's neck, inhaling the calming notes -" Farena's wife who recommendend this to me"

"Wow, what an honor that the queen personally chose my gift." she said laughing "But I did like it, just what I need at the moment."

"hey, I helped too. Don't give her all the credit."

"Oh yeah? And how did you help?"

"Saying whether it was approved or not, of course."

Yuu would comment further on this when he saw the strange pattern Leona was making in her hair.

"Hey baby, what are you doing?"

"I'm finishing your hair, it's like this, right? I researched your hair type online and saw that it's supposed to be styled like this."- If Vil saw this he would be horrified by Leona's messy hairstyle, but Yuu didn't care. This was because she was immensely grateful that her partner was taking care of her so well.

"Ow kitten, thank you." her heart was static, like a wound being healed little by little and it didn't hurt that much. "come here."

Yuu turned around and hugged the big cat, placing kisses on his cheek and mouth. "You're the best, love."

"Everything for you, darling." caressing her cheek and looking deep into the girl's eyes, he continued- "Just for you."

The moment was as delicate as a flower, vulnerable, two people healing each other through gestures and words, enjoying the calm and peaceful moment they hadn't had in days. And if the moment could last longer, it would, but a certain hyena had to enter just in time.

"Leona-sammm~ Yuu's lunch is here. Yuu, are you awake?"

Ruggie found Yuu sitting on the bed, smiling at him.

And Leona staring at him with a hateful face that said: "Don't you know how to hit, hyena?" with its tail wagging in annoyance, like a cat.

"How are you Yuu? This time you scared us so much shi shi shi~" he laughed in relief seeing that his friend, despite being tired, was recovering and left the snack on a small table next to the bed

"I'm getting better little by little… but I'm very hungry!" she said, getting up towards the table and enjoying the smell of the delicious food.

There were two sandwiches with shredded chicken, cheese and ham, lightly toasted, with a protein cream to accompany and two glasses of citrus juice.

Leona knew everything about Yuu and when he saw the eyes lit up by a simple food he knew that the plan had worked: Right at the beginning of their relationship, in a conversation about their childhood Yuu had confessed that her mother always made this sandwich when she was sick and tired to regain her energy, and always, always with a citrus juice to go with it.

He never forgot.

And he wants Yuu to know that even in her smallest details, he hasn't forgotten.

"Eat to your heart's content, we're going to need you tomorrow!" Leona immediately glared at Ruggie the moment he profaned those words.

"Uat weonna do?" with a voice full of food she asked

"Well, tomorrow will be-"

"There won't be anything Ruggie, let her rest. It's Sunday, she'll spend the day here." Leona roared quickly and to the point, wrapping an arm protectively around Yuu's waist.

"Ok ok relax, I'm joking bro shi shi shi~" covering his hand over his mouth he laughed softly, impressed as in any situation involving Yuu, Leona will show her claws to protect Yuu, that's a material for profocation later.

They spent the afternoon relaxing, he was sprawled out on Yuu's lap, while she responded to friends, comments, posts on her cell phone, laughing at her boyfriend's sarcastic comments, watching movies while eating popcorn, and when it was time to go to sleep, they were both cuddled up together, underneath with soft covers, in each other's arms whispering words of love.

"Thank you for today kitty, I felt like a spoiled little princess" she thanked the equally spoiled prince, who was currently having his ears stroked while listening to Yuu's heart, buried in her chest.

"Well, you better get used to it, from now on the treatment is real. And another thing, it doesn't scare me like that. If I see you working yourself to the bone, I'll ruin that crow's race myself."

The two laughed and when a comfortable silence reigned, he could only hear Yuu's breathing slowing down, calming down, and watching how her eyelids slowly became heavier, the good side of night vision.

"Hey Leona….." "Hmm?"

"…I love you" she approached and whispered incoherently with the sleep already taking over her body, on the lips of the lion prince who smiled and returned the kiss

"I love you too, my love." and with that his tail wrapped around Yuu's leg, pulling her closer. The stars are witnesses to this delicate romance, and between the purring of a lion and the slow massages of the princess's hair, the two got the rest they deserved.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Every like, repost and comment is very welcome and appreciated. ♥

@nickson-lol I think you'll enjoy this <3

[letsquestjess]

Rinse and Repeat (Hunter x GN!Reader)

Summary: When Hunter gets injured and needs a little assistance, you help him dry his hair and make him his favourite soup to cheer him up.

Word count: 1.2K

Warnings: Going to put an 18+ and MDNI for the slightly suggestive themes.

-- -- -- -- --

The patter of cascading water came to a stop and the natural hum of the apartment took over again. Movement bustled behind the refresher door in the moments before Hunter emerged, bringing with him a rolling cloud of steam and the citrus scent of your body wash. With a towel snugly tied around his waist, he traipsed onto warm carpet, droplets catching in the hair on his chest and trickling down his abdomen. 

He grunted to himself as he swept his curls over his shoulder and forcefully attempted to dry the straggled mess. The more he moved and adjusted his only working arm, the wider the gap between the dripping strands grew, making it impossible for him to grasp the main bulk with just one hand. 

“Come here,” you coaxed, guiding him to the edge of the bed and settling his frustration with a kiss to his damp brow. Gently, you took the towel from him and squeezed the excess water from his hair, draping it over the radiator once it was beyond use and retrieving the hairdryer from the bottom drawer of the dresser. 

“Shuffle back a little,” you said as you perched yourself behind him. Adjusting the controls, the machine whirred out a warm stream of air and you encouraged it through Hunter’s curls. With each delicate touch, your fingers glided through the dark waves, creating a calming, rhythmic motion that offered him a serene moment of ease. 

It was evident from his restless movements that he longed to be free from the medical cage enclosing his left wrist. Weeks of silent management had taken its toll on him, and it was starting to show. Occasionally, you heard a mild grunt as he strove to balance items in one arm or took a few extra minutes to organise them. The surgeon had promised that the cast would come off soon, but with every day his limb remained encased, Hunter’s frustration mounted. 

With a final few waves of air, you shut off the hairdryer and set it aside to cool. You combed through his hair with a deft precision, and once free of tangles and knots, tied it up and wriggled his bandana back in place. “There. All clean, dry, and out of the way of that handsome face of yours.” 

As you made to stand, Hunter’s hand met your waist in a delicate brush of coarse fingertips to draw you closer. Hazel-speckled eyes found yours in a glistening show of gratitude and reverence. “Thank you, love,” he said. 

“I was hardly going to let you struggle and leave you with damp hair,” you replied. “Especially when it’s so cold out.”

“Snuggle weather,” Hunter cooed, roping his arms around your middle and pulling you in to bury his face against your stomach. With his skillful touch, he lulled you into a sense of tranquillity before his fingers began to explore under your shirt, sweeping at the spots he knew were ticklish until he had you laughing and tottering backwards.

“No fair!” you huffed through enduring chuckles. “You tricked me into that.”

Hunter offered you a guilty shrug and rose from the bed. “I did.” 

“Menace.” 

“That I am, but I’m your menace.” 

He passed you to grab a few items of clothing from the dresser, and as you helped him into them, you kept a watchful eye on his hands. Your vigilance amused him, and his lips quirked. 

Ignoring his mischief, you straightened his oversized top and made sure the sleeve draped comfortably over his cast. “Do you need your meds?” you asked. 

He shook his head. “I’m not in any pain,” he assured you. “Although, now I can smell whatever you’re cooking, I am getting quite hungry.” 

Eager to show him what you had been making, you led him into the kitchen and spread your arms to the preparations. You dimmed the lights and the candles on the table extended their light onto the darkened wood, the closed glass globe full of crystalline petals reflecting their colours in the flickering glow. On the cooker, dinner simmered, and the steam distributed a delightful mixture of herbs and vegetables. 

“I asked Wrecker about some of your favourite foods,” you said, ladling two bowls of piping hot soup and setting them onto the placemats. “He gave me recipes for the ones he used to make you whenever you were injured. If it tastes terrible, I have takeout menus ready and waiting.”

Settling into his seat, Hunter lifted a soup-laden spoon to his mouth and blew away the steaming tendrils, sipping to taste it and slurping the rest. The moment the unique combination tantalised his tastebuds, he released a satisfied murmur and quickly scooped up another spoonful. “It’s perfect,” he hummed, relaxing into the nostalgic flavour. “I think Wrecker has competition.”

You weren’t sure whether it was his compliment or the heat from the stovetop, but your cheeks flushed. Sampling the finished product for yourself, you had to admit it was good. You had followed Wrecker’s recipe to the letter, picked out every fresh piece yourself, dawdled in the kitchen to stir it and add each ingredient at the perfect moment, wondering if you were cooking it right. It was all worth it to see the endearing smile on Hunter’s face.  

“Thank you,” he said, eyes meeting yours. “You’ve done a lot to help me over these past few weeks while I heal, and I will find a way to repay you.”

Your spoon stopped short of your lips. You knew he had struggled to adjust to a life where he didn’t need to prove himself every day, where his worth wasn’t based on how many enemies he had taken down or how successful his squad was in battle. “Hunter, you don’t have to do that,” you said softly, reaching across the table. He met you half-way, scarred fingers entwining with yours beside the sphere of petals. “I made you this because I love you and I wanted to cheer you up.” 

Exhaling an understanding breath, he tenderly squeezed your hand. He wished he could express how lucky he felt. How your presence relieved even the most painful of scars, how your smile bore the promise of a better future. In the darkest shadows of his doubt, he couldn’t shake the sense of unworthiness, as if he didn’t deserve you or the love and care you offered. But each fresh day when he woke up next to you, nestled in blankets and kissed by pure daylight, he made a silent vow. No more battles. No more risky situations and never knowing if he would see you again. Those days were behind him and new ones, hopeful ones, lay ahead. 

“I love you too,” he said in an earnest whisper, kissing your knuckles and holding your palm to his chest. “I would do anything to ensure your happiness. You know that, right?” 

“Course I do,” you replied. “It was one of the first promises you made me.” 

With warm cheeks and beams you could both neither squash nor contain, you returned to the soup, chatting and making jokes until you were full of good food and laughter. 

“I thought tonight we could snuggle up in front of the fire and watch that holo-movie that’s been on our list for ages,” you suggested. “I got some snacks from the store this morning.” 

Hunter’s face lit up with a mischievous smile as he reclined in his chair, and a contented hum purred in his throat. “Oh, my love, now you’re just spoiling me.” 

You shrugged. “You deserve it. If you’re lucky, we can do this again tomorrow.”

TAGLIST (Message if you’d like to be added, 18+ only)

@skellymom @freesia-writes @the-hexfiles @theeyesofasoldier @multi-fan-dom-madness @savebytheodoresnonjosestuff @tech-aficionado @techsriduur @dangraccoon @starrylothcat @jediknightjana @mssbridgerton @trixie2023

[us-the-voices-and-more-voices-2]

actually good cleaning hacks from someone who’s been through some shit

Get a steam mop I don’t care how much it is or cheap, just get one

if you have a pet invest in a wet dry vacuum, you will thank me.

get cleaning cloths you actually like the feel of, if you hate microfiber get a cheap set of tea towels and use them instead. Or chop up a dead tee shirt and use that.

plug in vacuums are 2x more powerful than non-plug in vacuums. You trade sucking power for mobility with cordless, so think that over when you get one.

buying a cheap mop every time one gets moldy is cheaper than having to deal with any mold you get from using a moldy mop.

invest in disinfectant/antifungal/antiviral/antibacterial liquid for your laundry, because that stuff makes getting rid of moldy musty musky shit easy. And it cleans your cleaning cloths without getting them greasy or soapy.

to fix “I accidentally left my clothes in the washing machine too long now they smell like mold” thing, you will need antifungal laundry liquid and the literal sun. Wash your clothes on the hottest setting you can with your clothing materials in mind, add the antifungal before you start, let it go for like 2 hours. And put it in the sun to dry. Repeat if it still smells moldy, until it doesn’t anymore, works like a charm!

to clean crystalline dog piss, you will need water, a steam mop, a wet dry vacuum (depending on if it’s in a carpet) dog cleaning spray or vinegar. Basically , rehydrate the piss, clean it up with dog spray or HOT vinegarish water, grab a steam mop and steam it (if not on carpet) and viola it should be okay now.

If it’s in the carpet you will need to rehydrate the piss, then just dowse the piss with water, use the wet dry vacuum to suck up the water, repeat until water comes up clean. Use whatever pet cleaner that’s good on your carpet to get the smell out, Patch test it in the corner of the carpet before you do it on the piss spot, soak up and remaining water from the carpet until it’s dry or blow dry it if you have to. And tada you have a cleaner carpet! The same works for dog shit too.

drain snakes are your best friend if you don’t remember to get the hair out the drain.

have one sponge for wiping down the sink and one for washing your dishes, because sometimes it’s easier to use a sponge to wipe down the sink than a cleaning cloth.

You can put sponges in the dishwasher and it cleans them REALLY WELL, do it everyday if you can.

Invest in a good glass cleaner for glass because when it gets greasy it’s hell.

Koh cleaner will literally cut through grease and oil, and fat. Like it wasn’t even there, if you don’t have the money white vinegar and bi-carbs does the same thing. Though be careful because it’s reactive and might destroy your countertop or pots, just invest in koh your life won’t be the same. (I can clean all the grease off things, that’s how good it works. Plus it doesn’t smell!!!)

Replace your toilet cleaner every 3 months, or make sure you don’t let it fester. That’s more of a hassle than replacing it every now and then.

Get a good dish soap, because you can use it for everything because of how mild it is.

After mopping always steam mop otherwise it will always be streaky or tacky, idk why but steam mops fix this 9/10 times.

there’s more, but I;m too tired.

[goth-oatmilk-latte]

idk if I've ever talked about this here but I love cleaning supplies and I love cleaning.

one of my greatest finds on prime day was a little green machine, which is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner. we have six animals in our home, so this is a must.

theyre normally $125 new. right now they're on sale for $80, but I found a used one for resale in great condition with a 20% coupon and I got it for a whole $31.

finna steam the ENTIRE house now 🥰

[soursherbat]

Sensation; Chapter 3

Hold It In

To start from the beginning Click Here ; Previous chapter Click Here

A Springtrap x OC fanfic

Word Count; 2,903

I couldn't let him stay like this a moment longer, especially not while he was staying in my home. The awful people running that attraction may have been content to let him smell like mildew and rot in filth, but I refused to allow that to happen.

I’d been rummaging through my closet for a little bit now, going through old boxes trying to find my carpet cleaner to clean up this poor raggedy rabbit sitting sadly in my kitchen.

He looks so lost right now, every time I would look at him he’d just be staring off into space, probably trying to ground himself.

I could understand the struggle he was having. Nobody walks out of a situation like his unscathed. He seemed to be handling it better than I thought he would, I start to wonder if there’s anything I can do to soothe his nerves.

Well, cleaning his fur would definitely be a start. He seemed fidgety around water though, I’d need to be careful. I finally find something I can use to wash him off, pulling my old handheld steam cleaner from one of the dusty boxes.

It should work, I’d used it to clean my large stuffed animals that couldn’t be thrown in the washing machine. After pushing a stupid joke about whether or not Springtrap would be machine washable or not out of my mind, I put the box back and exit the small closet, closing the door as I turn back to Springtrap.

He’s staring at me, or... through me, it seems. His eyes slowly making their way up to mine, widening a bit when he realizes what he was doing. He simply looks away, and I couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or not.

I don’t push it, simply filling the steamer with water and plugging it into the wall, sitting it on my kitchen table as we waited for it to heat up. I hoped it wouldn’t hurt him, though... would he even be able to feel me cleaning him?

It seemed like he responded to my touch on that first night when I’d attempted to push him away, and any time he saw my hands reach toward him he’d act like a sad kitten that was desperate to be pet.

I had to scrub the grime off of my hands after touching him the first time, so I wasn’t exactly ecstatic about the idea of petting him at the moment. Once his fur didn’t stick to my hands, then I’d be happy to give him any care he needed.

I especially understood his need for attention. I’d been living alone for so long, or with others but still incredibly isolated- I was desperate for someone to fill the void. The loneliness, the empty feeling... it had been getting to me lately.

I don’t realize that I’m now staring at him until he looks back at me, tilting his head curiously.

“Is there something on your mind?”

I chuckle sheepishly, casting my eyes down to the floor.

“Well... nothing, really. Just... happy to have someone else here with me.”

He seems shocked, his eyes wide as he processes my words. I barely even register that I’d said it, not even realizing how it might make him feel. I mean... he was definitely having a rough time, and to have someone show this much care and attention to him after decades of isolation must be jarring.

“Ah... sorry. Just not used to having a roommate.”

His face softens a bit, and he offers me a sympathetic smile.

“I’m not either.”

I can’t help but laugh a little, nodding at his statement. We were both out of our element here, it was going to be awkward at first. I’m sure neither of us were much for small talk.

He seems to be more alert when I talk to him, maybe it was just having something to listen to keeping him from dissociating as badly. I look at the steam cleaner, noticing that it’s started to steam a little bit.

I take it into my hand, standing in front of him with it in clear view. He’s sitting at eye level with me, my chair looking so small compared to him.

“I’m going to try to clean your fur with it now, okay? Just let me know if it’s uncomfortable.”

I give him a warning before I start to move my arm toward him, feeling a twinge of guilt when he flinches away from me, shaking his head slowly.

“No- no, no- Hawk, I can’t do this-”

I don’t stop until it’s pressed against his arm, and as he reaches for my wrist to stop me, he freezes. Nothing happens when I touch it to his grimy fur, aside from the water inside the steamer beginning to turn a deep shade of reddish-brown.

“Oh...”

He’s watching me curiously as I slowly move it down, the fur underneath it turning a golden shade of yellow. I knew this was a Spring Bonnie suit- but I’d honestly forgotten he wasn’t supposed to be green.

“That feels... lovely...”

He’s purring now, visibly relaxing against the back of the chair. He closes his eyes and lets out a sigh of contentment, forcing a smile from me.

He’s just so cute when he’s like this, he looks so calm right now. I look back down at what I’m doing, not wanting to accidentally shove the steamer into a hole and damage his internal workings further.

I’m feeling conflicted again. I knew I had attachment issues- specifically that I get overly attached very quickly... latching onto a person to feel less alone- but this felt different. It didn’t feel like mere infatuation, and it's scaring me so badly.

Could he feel the same way? Would he feel the same way, if I did ask him? And- if he said he did- would he just be telling me what I want to hear in fear of me throwing him out?

That last option makes my stomach twist into knots. I decided I’d keep it to myself- feeling stupid for even considering the notion. I mean, why would he want me anyway? I’m anxious and awkward, overly clingy and desperate for attention- not to mention the fact that I was openly terrified of him when we first met.

I felt my heart sink as I thought of that. Did he still think I was scared of him? I hope not- surely he knew that if I was going through such lengths for him that I had to care for him in some type of way.

I stop to consider how he might be feeling, wondering in the back of my mind if he’s having the same conflict that I am. He frets over me like a doting parent, but he was obviously apprehensive to let me close to him.

I knew he felt like a monster, likely struggling with feelings of self loathing and depreciation. I didn’t see him like that, though- and I was pretty sure he knew that. It was so hard to tell what he was thinking...

He’s enjoying having his fur deep cleaned, feeling the years of caked on blood and dirt wash away like nothing had happened in the first place. He stared at the darkening water inside the machine, an intense sensation of relief hitting him hard as the decades of filth was rinsed off.

This was real. I was real. He couldn’t believe that someone had seen him for what he was right now- and still had the kindness to take him out of that situation to give him a home. The fact that I was going this far to help him made his head spin.

Perhaps he wasn’t as incapable of moving forward as he thought. He might be able to do this, to live again... with me. The idea made him smile, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction when he considered it.

There was no way he could tell me about his complicated feelings. There’s no possibility in his head that I’d ever feel anything more than platonic for him- and honestly, as long as he got to be near me he was more than happy to just exist in my vicinity.

He wasn’t even sure if he really felt that way for me, or if it was just his emotions getting him in over his head and attaching himself to the first person who showed him positive attention.

Whatever he felt- whatever I felt for him- he just wanted the best for me. He wasn’t concerned for himself at this point, he trusted that my care for him would be more than he could ever ask for. But in my case? He worried that caring for an eight foot tall half-animatronic man might cause issues.

“Are... are you sure about this, Hawk?”

Springtrap’s words catch my attention, not realizing that I’d been spacing out as I was washing his fur. I look up at him, seeing the concern for me evident on his face.

“I don’t think I would have done any of this if I was unsure. Don’t worry about me.”

My answer seems to quell some of his anxieties, as he sits back in the chair once more, watching my hand move the steamer on the final patch of fur visible to me on his body.

“I’ll need you to stand up.”

He does as requested without protest, even turning around for me. Luckily I was able to get his shoulders with the first pass, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to reach them now.

We’re both silent as I do this, too caught up in our thoughts to speak any of them out loud. I still can’t tell what he’s thinking, his face was so surprisingly expressive- but he was hard to figure out.

It was likely the same struggle for him. My face had a stoicism to it that betrayed my internal feelings, a struggle I’d faced for as long as I could remember. Of course I could emote, and did so frequently- but my spacey nature made it difficult to discern my emotions from an outsider’s perspective most of the time.

“Hawk... thank you for this. I... I cannot fully express how much I appreciate it.”

He sounds so earnest, his polite formalities growing on me quickly. He was just so adorable, his sad little face and warbling voice drawing sympathy from me easily.

“You’re welcome... I’m glad it’s not uncomfortable.”

“This is the best I’ve felt in years.”

That tugs on my heartstrings even further. It fills me with joy to hear that, almost feeling bad when I have to turn off the steam cleaner.

“There we go... almost done. Please, sit- I need to get your face...”

He complies, while I empty out the disgustingly dirty water from the cleaner. It’s turned black- I can’t even imagine how he must feel now that all that caked on muck was gone. I get a soft rag and some conditioner, the only scent in my house being citrus.

Ah, well. It kinda fit him with his fur being yellow I suppose. I’d gotten the rag wet with warm water, and filled a small bowl for me to rinse it with. I applied a generous amount of conditioner, looking into his eyes as I held the soap covered rag in my hands.

“I’m... gonna have to hold your face. Tell me if you want me to stop...”

He simply nods- very eagerly, might I add- as I reach up and cup his face, holding him still as I gently scrub the grunge from his dirty fur. He’s looking away from me when I look him in the eye... but when I look away, I can swear I see him staring at me from the corner of my eye.

If he is, he’s very careful to look away when I focus back on him. Maybe he’s just embarrassed about it, but... there’s a lonely, desperate look in his eyes.

He’s trying to hide it with his smile, but I can see through it. I can recognize it- having seen it in my own face many times in the mirror.

It makes me curious. Is he looking at me? And- if so, why with that look? God- I wish I knew what he was thinking.

As I’m working on his face, I notice his eyes widen and his body visibly stiffen. I hear a small jingling noise, followed by a very soft ‘mew’ from the floor.

I look down, seeing that my cat Sunny has finally woken up and come to say hello. He’s purring and rubbing his body back and forth across Springtrap’s legs, probably enjoying the soft fur of the suit against his own.

“Aww... I think he likes you too.”

I realize what I’d said the moment it leaves my mouth. Springtrap obviously noticed too- his eyes snapping directly to mine, curiosity plainly displayed on his face.

He says nothing about it though, simply purring louder as my... our? Our cat shows him some affection. I try not to say anything stupid and make it worse, choosing silence instead as I rinse the rag and finish up cleaning his suit.

The cat probably thinks he’s just a large stuffed animal, as he’s not showing any aggression toward this towering machine now sitting in our kitchen. In fact, he jumps up onto Springtrap’s lap, meowing loudly as he begged to be pet.

“I think he’s jealous that you’re getting all of my attention.”

I chuckle softly, tossing the blackened rag into the bowl of soiled water. I run my hands through the fur of his face, making sure there was no more matting or tangled tufts of fur.

He’s closed his eyes again, his purring so intense I can hear loose metallic bits inside of him rattling against his chassis. Sunny begins to purr as well- and when I look down, I see that Springtrap is petting him very slowly. Likely afraid to hurt the small creature...

If I wasn’t endeared to this rabbit already, I certainly was now. The gentle care he showed this animal was so controlled and calm- I could tell he had been a cat person before his ordeal, from the way he handled him.

I pull my hands away from his face, though... it’s very reluctantly. I’m not sure if he picks up on that when he opens his eyes, looking disappointed that I’d stopped.

“I just need to wash my hands.”

He softens when he hears that. continuing to gently pet and scratch the eager feline happily laying in his lap. He looks down at Sunny, smiling when the cat rubs his cheeks hard enough against his ragged hand that its silly little face stretches a bit.

It... it feels humanizing, to have an animal approach him like he was just another person. He studies the creature, before perking up at the sound of my footsteps approaching.

“You don’t need to keep sitting there if you don’t want to, I can’t imagine that chair being comfortable for you.”

“... But, then I would have to move him.”

I feel like I’ve been shot through the heart. I just smile, reaching up and gently scratching behind Springtrap’s ears. The gesture earns me a pleasant little noise from him, obviously making him happy.

“He’s used to it, trust me. You can move him.”

He stays there, though- obviously not wanting to disturb the feline that’s now rolling around on his lap. He ends up jumping down by himself in the end, and I swear I see Springtrap’s ears droop sadly when he does.

I keep calling him Springtrap, but I know that’s not his name. I wondered if he might be more willing to tell it to me now that he was sure I wouldn’t judge him- but at the same time I wasn’t willing to push the issue.

He stands up, politely pushing in the chair he’d been sitting in. He then turns to me, a look on his face I can’t discern.

Before I can ask if he’s okay, I’m suddenly pulled up into a tight hug. It’s shockingly gentle- but it surprised me and made me panic. I push away instinctively, letting out a frightened gasp involuntarily as my face twists with horror.

He puts me down immediately, shrinking away from me like he’d just been shot. I immediately feel a knife twisting the feeling of guilt and regret into my heart, my lips pursing as I watch him immediately try to backpedal.

“I... I’m so sorry. I- I don’t-”

I cut him off with a hug in return, just barely able to fully wrap my arms around his body as I hold him against me, his fur now pleasant and soft to the touch. He’s obviously caught off guard, getting mixed signals from my reactions here.

“No... don’t- don’t apologize... I just...”

I can’t explain it to him. It’s still painful to dredge up those old memories, even with my desperation for human contact I was still terrified of being touched so suddenly.

“I just need a warning next time... not your fault.”

He exhales shakily, slowly wrapping his arms back around me. He has to lean over to hug me, reminding me of how tiny I am in his eyes.

“Of course... I apologize, Hawk-”

“You didn’t know.”

I don’t want to talk about it any further than that. We stand there quietly embracing each other for a long time, my face pressed firmly against his fur. He seems to understand my apprehension, dropping the issue entirely.

“Thank you, Hawk... I... I cannot repay your kindness.”

“You being here is more than enough.”

Next Chapter ->

[tlbodine]

A PSA Written While Taking a Break from Cleaning My Home (because I am old and my knees need a rest)

If there is one thing that being in my thirties has finally taught me, it's this: If there's something in your day-to-day life that you are really struggling with, some seemingly simple and obvious task that you feel stupid or incompetent for not being able to do like everybody else, that paralyzes you with shame, or that you feel the need to beat yourself up over to tough-love your way into accomplishing it...

...there's probably an obstacle between you and completing it, and a practical solution for that specific obstacle.

In other words, the solution to "I can't fix this problem" is absolutely never going to be "I need to verbally abuse myself into somehow being a better person with more energy/willpower/work ethic."

The solution is almost always going to be, "I need an accommodation that might look a little different from what I perceive as 'normal' but suits my needs just fine."

Because, first of all, and I say this with my whole chest as someone who works in the advertising industry: fuck normal. "Normal" is a lie sold to you by advertisers and Hollywood taste-makers (who are often also advertisers) and lifestyle influencers (who are definitely also advertisers). "Normal" standards for how you should look and how your house should be kept and everything else? Those are set by folks who want to sell you things, so throw those expectations right out the window.

Instead, ask yourself with 100% honesty: What is actually the thing holding me back here? Physically, practically, specifically, what is the actual thing that is stopping me from getting the result that I want?

Because once you dig down deep into it, sometimes the answer is way simpler than you think it is.

Sometimes it's "The cord to the steam mop isn't long enough" (you can buy a cordless one!)

Or "Trash keeps piling up on end tables" (your garbage cans probably aren't in the right place!)

Or "My counter tops are covered in clutter so I can't even clean the surface" (you could buy some cute containers to give all your clutter a home!)

You would be frankly astonished at just how many personal failings and character flaws can actually be overcome with 1.) devices made for making specific tasks easier 2.) decorative containers to stash stuff in 3.) better-quality products (that require less effort on your part)

And yeah, I 100% will acknowledge that sometimes your house (or whatever) gets super grimy because you're too depressed to deal with it, or because you can't afford the things that would make it easier to deal with.

But you know what? That's not your fault, either.

Why the hell are you judging yourself against a standard set by people who aren't (in that moment) paralyzed by mental illness or poverty? That's not very fair. You should be nicer to yourself.

And then, when you can tackle it again, you can start building things into your routine that will make your life easier. Like buying machine-washable slip-covers and rugs instead of stressing about how to shampoo furniture/carpets. Or watching a five minute YouTube video on how to clean out your dishwasher drain so your dishes get cleaned properly the first time instead of needing multiple runs through.

If something isn't working, you probably just need to learn how to fix it.

You've got this. I promise.

Now back to work for me.

[carpetrepair01]

Restore Your Carpets with Effective and Eco-Friendly Carpet Steam Cleaning.

Carpet steam cleaning is a process of deep cleaning carpets using hot water and a cleaning solution to remove dirt, stains, and allergens. This method involves injecting hot water and cleaning solution into the carpet, which is then immediately extracted using a powerful vacuum, leaving the carpets clean and fresh. Carpet steam cleaning is an effective and environmentally friendly method of cleaning carpets, as it doesn't require the use of harsh chemicals. It is ideal for anyone looking to restore their carpets to a like-new condition and improve the overall cleanliness and air quality of their indoor environment. https://carpetrepairexpert.com.au/carpet-steam-cleaning

[kigtuae]

[doberbutts]

Washed everything machine washable in the house today 😤 Monday it's time for the carpets to be steamed 😤😤 clean house for 2023 😤😤😤

[rxng]

"What you all lack is whimsy."

He thinks carpet cleaning machines are absolutely adorable. Plus, steam and soap based weaponry! Bubbles that explode into a burst of fire would be very scary.

No, he never puts thought into what someone might do after they were born with a particular alt. And he's not starting now.

[hindisoup]

Cleaning and Laundry Vocabulary

सफ़ाई - cleaning, washing, cleanliness (feminine) * सालाना सफ़ाई - annual cleaning * सूखी सफ़ाई - dry cleaning (feminine) * भाप सफ़ाई - steam cleaning (feminine), भाप - steam (masculine) साफ़, स्वच्छ, साफ़-सुथरा - clean, neat, tidy (adjective) सफ़ाई / साफ़ करना - to clean (transitive) * घर की सफ़ाई करना - to clean, tidy up the house खिड़की - window (feminine) फ़र्श - floor (masculine) * floor can be for example लकड़ी का (wooden) or पत्थर का (stone) गलीचा, कालीन - rug, carpet (masculine) गंदगी, मैल - filth, dirt (feminine), also गंद (masculine) * ढीली गंदगी - loose dirt गंदा, मैला - dirty (adjective) बदबू, दुर्गध - foul odor, bad smell (feminine), also गंद (masculine) धब्बा, दाग - stain (masculine) * दाग छोड़ना - to leava a stain (transitive) धूल - dust (feminine) हटाना - to remove [dust, dirt, stain] (transitive) कूड़ेदान - trashcan, dustbin (masculine) झाड़ू - broom (masculine) पोचा - mop (masculine) * पोचा लगाना - to mop (transitive) पोंछना - to wipe (transitive) * पोंछकर साफ़ करना - to clean by wiping बाल्टी - bucket (feminine) * बाल्टी को भरी/खाली करना - to fill/empty the water bucket (transitive) बर्तन माँजना - to do the dishes (transitive) बेदाग - spotless (adjective) चमकदार - shiny (adjective) सुव्यवस्थित - tidy, well-organised (adjective) स्वच्छता - cleanliness, tidiness (feminine) गृह व्यवस्था - housekeeping (feminine) विलायक - solvent (adjective) * रासायनिक विलायक chemical solvent सफ़ाई उत्पाद- cleaning product (masculine) * a cleaning product can be पर्यावरण का अनुकूल (ecofriendly) साफ़ करने का साधन - cleaning agent (masculine) सामान्य प्रयोजन डिटर्जेंट - general purpose detergent (masculine) सफ़ाई कोठरी - cleaning closet (feminine) उपयोगिता कक्ष - utility room (masculine) रखना - to keep, place, store (transitive) * अलमारी/दराज़ में रखना - to place and keep items in a cupboard/drawer * व्यवस्थित करना - to organise, sort (transitive) अवांछित वस्तुओं को फेंकना - to throw away, discard unwanted items, also अवांछित चीजों को त्यागना (transitive) कपड़े दान में देना - to give clothes to charity (transitive)

Washing Laundry कपड़ा, वस्त्र - cloth, clothing, fabric, garment (masculine) * clothes can be for example गीले (wet, moist), सूखे (dry), झुर्रीदार (wrinkled) or चिकने (smooth), हल्के रंग के (light-colored), गहरे रंग के (dark-colored) or नाजुक (delicate) कपास - cotton (masculine) ऊन - wool (masculine) * ऊनी - woolly, woollen (adjective) रेशम - silk (masculine) * रेशमी - silken (adjective) बिस्तर की चादर - bed linen (feminine) तौलिया - towel (feminine) धुलाई - washing (feminine) * कोमल धुलाई - gentle wash * दबाव धुलाई - pressure washing (not for clothes!) धुलाई करना, धोना - to wash (transitive) * कपड़ों की धुलाई करना, कपड़े / वस्त्र धोना - to do laundry, to wash clothes * हाथ से धोना - to hand wash * साबुन से धोना - to wash with soap (transitive) * उच्च/ठंडे तापमान पर धोना - to wash at a high/low temperature तापक्रम, तापमान - temperature (masculine) से अलग करना - to separate from (transitive) अलग-अलग धोना - to wash separately (transitive) कपड़ों को उल्टा पलट लेना - to turn clothes inside out (transitive) कपड़े धोने की मशीन - washing machine (feminine) * मशीन में कपड़े डालना - to put clothes in the washer (transitive) धोने की तरल - washing liquid, detergent (feminine) धोने का सोडा - washing soda (masculine) सिरका - vinegar (masculine) साबुन - soap (masculine) बुलबुला - bubble (masculine) झाग - foam (masculine) निचोड़ना - to squeeze, wring (transitive) सुखाना - to dry (transitive) * हवा में सुखाना - to air-dry कपड़े की रेखा - clothing line, clothes line (feminine) * कपड़े की रेखा पर लटका देना - to hang on clothesline * सूखने के लिए लटका देना - to hang to dry कपड़े सुखाने की मशीन - clothes dryer, tumble dryer (feminine) सिकुड़ना - to shrink (intransitive) इस्त्री - iron, press (feminine) इस्त्री करना - to iron (transitive) इस्त्री बोर्ड - ironing board (masculine) कपड़े मोड़ना - to fold clothes (transitive)

[funfacts09]

Are Home Carpet Cleaners as Good as Professional?

When it comes to maintaining clean and fresh carpets in your Eugene home, the question of whether home carpet cleaners are as good as professional ones often arises. While both options have their merits, there are key differences to consider.

Home carpet cleaners, such as portable machines or DIY solutions, can be convenient and cost-effective for routine maintenance. They are suitable for handling minor spills and light soiling. However, they may lack the power and advanced technology of professional equipment, limiting their ability to deep clean and remove tough stains effectively.

On the other hand, professional residential carpet cleaning services in Eugene offer a higher level of expertise and specialized equipment. Trained technicians understand various carpet types and know the most suitable cleaning methods. They use powerful steam cleaning or hot water extraction techniques to reach deep into the carpet fibers, removing embedded dirt, allergens, and stains.

In conclusion, while home carpet cleaners can serve a purpose for regular upkeep, they may not match the thoroughness and results achieved by professional residential carpet cleaning services. For a truly revitalized and immaculate carpet, entrusting the task to professionals in Eugene is a wise choice.

[sylphidine]

[NDU] Memory Retrieval

@rotgsecretsanta

A very merry happy everything to all those in the Nightmare Dork University fandom, and especially for the person who requested prompt#96 in the ROTG Stocking Stuffer event for 2022!

May the good ship Nightmare Galleon forever sail.

____________________

The Fall Ball was over.

Six solid weeks of weekend lacrosse scrimmages had come and gone, and Pitchiner was ready to spend the remaining Saturdays and Sundays of the semester sleeping in. 

Preferably curled up in full-bodied spoon fashion around a certain bony, snarky drama king who had a ridiculously poor circulatory system.

On the second Saturday of November, Pitchiner woke from yet another one of those dreams where he was stalked and mocked by a gigantic and ruthless galactic pirate who wore his face. Disoriented, he reached a hand out to pull Pitch closer to his body for reassurance, and encountered cold sheets and empty space where Pitch should be.

He clamped his lips shut before he could do anything as embarrassing as calling out for his roommate. As it was so often said, that way lay madness. Murphy’s law would almost definitely take over and triumph, in the form of Proto and his damned bat-sharp ears answering Pitchiner’s call instead.

So, as much as he did not want to be vertical this early, Pitchiner swung his legs over the side of the bed and scrounged through the rumpled piles of clothing on the floor for some boxers and a T-shirt. Dressed enough to satisfy decency standards if anyone rang the buzzer for their flat, he padded on bare feet down the hallway towards the living room.

And that’s where he found Pitch. 

The shorter man was seated on the couch, hunched over his laptop. A full steaming cup of black coffee and a plate of biscotti sat on the coffee table in front of him. When Pitchiner’s shadow fell over him, Pitch tilted his head upwards in acknowledgement, but kept staring at the screen, an expression somewhere between disbelief and desperation etched on his angular face.

“Whatcha up to, babe?” Pitchiner asked, trying to keep his tone light. The scene in front of him - the coffee, the biscotti, the taut focus on his bedmate’s face - had all the warning signs of Pitch launching himself into yet another bout of overworking, which could end up triggering another seizure incident. That was something Pitchiner would give an arm and a leg to avoid experiencing again.  Once was enough, thank you.

“Wracking my brains to figure out what approach to take with Professor Izzilee’s second-to-last assignment,” Pitch replied, finally turning his body to look Pitchiner fully in the eye. “I either need a time machine, or to create a non-existent childhood experience.”

“Come again?” Pitchiner flopped onto the couch next to Pitch, narrowly avoiding knocking the coffee table with his knees. Pitch looked daggers at him and snatched his mug out of harm’s way, taking a deep swig before answering. “This is for the ‘Nihil Noctem’ course I’m taking, and the assignment is to write about a Saturday morning cartoon that frightened me as a child.”

“That sounds cool!  What’s the problem?”

“The problem is that neither Piki nor I ever watched Saturday morning cartoons.”

Pitchiner blinked and shook his head. “Why does that not surprise me?” For that, he received a sharp poke in the ribs with Pitch’s bony elbow.

“I know what you’re thinking, that the offspring of rich people are too high and mighty and above it all to do something as plebeian as view cartoons. But it was more than that. Have I mentioned that my brother and I had a nanny until we were ten?”

“Uh huh.  Again, not a surprise.”

“Shut it. I’m trying to make a point. Nanny Phoebe was a lot more attuned to us as children than our parents were. She’s the one that noticed that Piki’s eyesight was weaker than mine, and she’s the one who picked up on the fact that certain smells would trigger my headaches, like carpet cleaning fluid and furniture polish. So she’s the one that kept us from watching television, not because she thought it was evil, but because she figured out, a lot earlier than most people did, what lights and sounds should be filtered for children with our particular circumstances.”

 “Huh.  That’s impressive on her end, but I’m still kind of sad that you missed out on so much good stuff.”

“Oh, you don’t have to be. Horseback riding, music, reading… those are nothing to sneeze at for childhood activities.”

“Yeah, but.” Pitchiner slung an arm around Pitch and pulled him roughly against his side as he said, “that means that I’m just going to have to fill in the gaps in your education, so that you don’t let Professor Izzilee down.”

Pitch made a grumbling noise as he practically fell into Pitchiner’s lap.  “And how do you propose to do that? Do you actually have a time machine hidden around here?”

“Nope.  But I am going to introduce you to something that scared the living shit out of ME as a kid, and I will BET that it will keep your attention even now.”

“Is all this… paraphernalia really necessary?” Pitch demanded crankily, two hours later.

“Absolutely necessary,” Pitchiner shot back. “I can’t recreate YOUR childhood, but I can recreate mine, and you can borrow it for your assignment.”

“Hmmmm. You may have a point. It’s not too hard for me to imagine myself young and powerless, especially in this ridiculous garb.”

“You look adorable, sweetcheeks. And Purradox and Tarminator are comfy, aren’t they?”

“Yes, yes.” Pitch grudgingly accepted the kiss Pitchiner planted on top of his head. 

They each wore a pair of footie pajamas that Pitchiner had found at the department store in town. They sat cross-legged on the floor with their backs leaning against the couch, a pug dog and a longhaired cat cuddled on their laps, a blanket fort canopied over their heads.  Pitchiner had a bowl of disgustingly sugar-laden cereal next to him that he ate with his fingers. Pitch couldn’t quite unbend that far to “get into the experience”, as Pitchiner put it, but he had to admit to himself that this was actually not too awful a way to spend time together. 

[Particularly since Proto had apparently left the flat while they were out shopping, and had left a note that he wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.  Small blessing, but Pitch would take one wherever he could.]

Pitchiner pointed the remote at their entertainment center, and the DVD started to play. An animated action sequence with an appropriately-synched soundtrack unfolded, fading into a title card that read “The Invisible Monster”, with the credited year given as 1965.

He observed Pitch’s reactions to what they were watching, rather than watching an episode he knew by heart. It pleased him to see how quickly Pitch immersed himself in the story, rather than the scoffing dismissal Pitchiner had expected. At one point Tarminator barked in response to a dog barking on screen, but other than a quick “ssshhh”, Pitch didn’t change his posture. 

Both animals left the room about halfway through the episode. Pitchiner grinned to himself. As a kid, he hadn’t known about infrasonics, but he wasn’t surprised that Purradox and Tarminator had noped out when the incidental music hit those low-frequency tones. 

To all appearances, Pitch was mesmerized by the manifestation of the invisible monster’s heavy footprints in the dirt, small smoking craters accompanied by crashing noises as the soundtrack cranked up the eerie mood. And then the scene came where the heroes poured paint over the creature so that it could be seen. 

Okay, this is make-or-break time, Pitchiner thought to himself. Either Pitch would dismiss the whole rest of the show as silly, or he would find it just as nerve-wracking as Pitchiner had when he first saw it all those years ago.

On the screen the heroes defeated the monster with the application of science, and returned to their ordinary lives.  The episode’s credits rolled, and the smaller man leaned against the larger man’s shoulder. Pitchiner didn’t know whether Pitch was even aware he’d done so, and decided to let it ride rather than mocking him.

After a few minutes Pitch finally spoke. “I think I must have actually seen this once upon a time, because I’ve had nightmares about an electrical phantom.”

“Really?” “Of course I can’t be sure. But I think so. I doubt I could have dreamed up that strange flowing, glitching movement without some inspiration.” 

“Told ya it would freak you out, if you could put yourself back in the mind of the kid you could have been.”

Pitch stretched his arms out and wriggled his backside against the couch, a movement that did happy things to Pitchiner’s insides, saying, “I think I’ve got a direction to go in now with this project. Thank you for showing me this.”  

“Need a hand getting off the floor?”

“I hate to admit it, but yes.”

“No sweat.” Pitchiner scrambled to his feet and scooped Pitch up into his arms in a bridal carry. Of course Pitch squawked a bit, but Pitchiner leaned his head down to shut him up with a sloppy kiss. When they both broke for air, Pitchiner said, “I think I’ve had enough kid stuff today. Wanna help me find MY one-eyed monster?”

“You. You’re insatiable." Pitch gave a long-suffering sigh. "Let’s go.”