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teamdarkweek · 1 year

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The Label-maker Incident

(Here on Ao3)! To further my goal of making a platonic Team Dark week happen, it's time to start practicing writing them. It/Its pronouns for Shadow today, as I am also trying to brush up on using those in my daily life as I haven't had to in a while.

Rouge's heels clip-clopped over the wet pavement, splashing in puddles. Cars hissed and groaned as they passed, and she smoothly swung her umbrella to her side to deflect the spray the road gave them, extending a finger serenely to a driver.

In the shadow of the underpass, E-123 Omega clanked and squeaked. His lights were deactivated for a "Low Power Mode", which served to make him harder to see in this bridge tunnel, but he was audible all around them. But he wasn't what Rouge had chosen to hide.

The being that thought its name was Shadow was draped in a deep pink raincoat, with spines stuffed down. She had been careful to hide Shadow's face, with a pained smile that made it scared.

"I live on the GUN estate. I don't know if you want them knocking on your door. Or wherever." She hummed when they slowed down upon arriving in the city. She also hushed the sassy robot they'd picked up, but conserving power took a lot of attention from whatever in him produced constant insults for every car, traffic light and parking meter they saw. The robot? The other robot? Shadow couldn't be sure.

"Shadow, cover that a moment?" She said quietly, tiredly, as they stopped in the bushes before a large building. These things called Cities could be so different, it'd already seen one high off the ground and one covered in bright lights. This one was a maze of buildings like this one, tall and square, with little glass panels and tiny differences in the colours behind them. She pointed to a beady machine over a large door, like a black eyeball on the side of the wall. Shadow zipped over, and in less than one frame it had climbed the wall and held the arm of the coat over the camera.

Rouge nodded, opened the garage door with a beep, and placed Omega next to a porsche and a BMW.

"I'll come get you in a second. Don't move, don't touch, don't even think about anything. Just. Sit." She hissed, then closed the door.

Once out of view of the camera, she beckoned Shadow.

"Thanks. It's not suspicious to bring a person back, but I think he'll raise some eyebrows. Gawd, I'll have to be up before office closes to get that ball rolling, I'm pushing that report back, they'll just have to wait-" She mumbled to herself as she steered Shadow to a smaller entrance door, pulling the hood down over its face. Shadow saw another of those shiny glass eyes, that she wiggled her eyebrows at as she put in a code on a key pad and inserted a key.

Rouge's apartment was on the fifteenth floor; it was high from the ground to anyone's standards, but Shadow had no standards to compare to. She flicked the light-switch to support the sunrise in warming the room through long glass windows, revealing a shiny granite-and-chrome affair of an open plan apartment, with a huge leather sofa and screen, fluffy rugs and faux-fur throws, and thick curtains draping ceiling to floor.

"Keep that on one sec." She murmured, throwing her umbrella on a rack, and she prodded another keypad. Several beeps occurred, and the black shining eye in the corner of the room closed its shutters, and several other clicks agreed through the flat.

"There we are. Bit of peace. Bit of privacy. Just, er, make yourself at home. I'll get the big guy." She said in an impression of ease. It was always awkward when it was just Shadow and Rouge. She gave it this look like Shadow ought to know what she meant, and was always dissappointed when it didn't. She took a large blanket from the sofa and shut the door behind her.

At home? Shadow stared. This was a home. A place with a bed, and all someone's things. Somewhere safe to come back to. Apparently, homes also had huge cabinets of paperwork, desks littered with work and chunky computers, fridges big enough for a person to fit in, and views of the military complex and city it parasitically grew from.

Shadow took one step, and its shoe tapped and squeaked on the ground. It stood like it would be caught, but when it wasn't it took another, until it reached the desk.

Printed and written words, coordinates, maps and lists of numbers with characters next to them. Shadow skimmed them, logging hundreds of new ideas to find context for. Then it found a familiar name.

Project: Torch [Prog. Report 120]

Motion to adopt Torch under a more general E-surveilance mission, due to evidence that debris from the ARK impact site 4 was tampered with. Requesting Urgent resources for a seige.

Beneath this, a pithy and wordy denial was printed in red. Followed by a direct and snippy appeal, that was also denied. Shadow found a bundle more coordinates, maps and graphs, then a stern, handwritten note with a date atop.

Rouge,

If I find out this latest 'holiday' is another unsanctioned investigation, there will be disciplinary action. I mean it.

Abe Tower.

Shadow scanned the surroundings to find a calendar. It took it a minute to interpret and confirm that the note was dated from the last crossed day, and the one after had a neat blue line over it.

The door opened, and Omega - badly hidden by the blanket - bumped through the too small frames. He had to turn and pivot to get his broad chest through, and Rouge shushed him the whole time. Once he was in her flat, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief, leant on the door for one moment, before she was rushing around again, digging in a box of cables she pulled from a cupboard full of thieves tools, gadgets, protective clothes and two different combination safes. She held each one up to the panel in Omega's middle, but flicked her eyes to Shadow, looking it up and down, like she was scanning for something on it, too.

"Shoes off at the door, please." She sniffed, plugging a chunky kettle lead into Omega, so a cheerful ring played.

Shadow looked at its feet, and supposed those were shoes. They hadn't come up, and felt so natural that it hadn't occurred to Shadow that they would come off. Shadow shuffled its feet, but they didn't loosen. It wasn't going to ask how to take its shoes off.

"Omega is filthy. What difference does it make?"

Rouge huffed, but admired with disdain the slushy footprints all three of them had already tracked in, and sighed, shoving her own boots on the rack.

"So I guess I'm washing floors tomorrow, as well as going to security, and applying for extension on that report, oh and I've got no food, so I'll have to go to the shops..." She muttered to herself, rushing around Shadow and Omega in and out of the other two doors. Shadow watched her, waiting for an instruction, or anything to respond to, while Omega splashed a tap on and off, stuck on a metre tether to the power outlet.

She emerged with a squashy blanket in cotton sheet, and a folded foam mattress.

"Well I don't know what you need, but this'll have to do for both of you. There's probably biscuits in the cupboard, maybe you can eat those? Oh, I don't know..." She huffed, heaving a low table to the edge of the room and laying out the mattress on the ground. She shoved cushions into little sheet-bags lightning fast, and a bed four times Shadow's size was constructed at its feet. She looked up, hoping for something, but it said nothing and stared unimpressed, so she just sighed.

"It's all pretty self explanatory. Bathroom's there, my room's here, kitchen and stuff..." She gestured around awkwardly, as Shadow stared at everything like any of it could blow up at any second.

"Where is the next target? This unit requires only one hour to charge." Omega huffed. Rouge blinked sleepily as she drew the curtains against the rising sun.

"Well, this unit requires at least eight hours, ten if you want to be able to speak to it. Just... stay put. I'll set you both up tomorrow. When I've done the shops... or..."

She yawned behind her mouth, but carried on busying around, collecting all the papers on the desk and filing them away, casting a sheepish glance at Shadow.

The room was silent, save Omega's soft whirring. Shadow peaked at its own shoes quicker than she could see. Now it knew they were meant to come off, it really needed to know how. Rouge wasn't telepathic, though; she was tired and overwhelmed.

"Right. Sleep well. See you later. Don't- yeah, just stay put." She yawned again, and Shadow felt weirdly like it needed to gasp for air too just watching her. It took a deep breath, but that didn't fix it.

"I'd like to -" It interrupted her on the door to her bedroom, and cleared its throat; "I'd like to access the internet. So I might learn some of what I need to know."

She squinted, rubbing her temple as she thought, before she nodded.

"Okay, I'll leave the computer on. Do you need it, Omega?" She asked, shuffling under the desk to set a machine whirring. Omega processed for a moment.

"Consideration: the internet will contain information about Eggman. Yes. This unit has an ethernet port."

"Of course it does. Obviously. Here's a second one, come get it when you're charged." She tittered exasperated, waving the cable then resting it on the desk. She logged in to her computer, clicked and tapped some things, and a white page with a colourful logo and a wide and short box with a magnifying glass at the side.

"There, don't have too much fun. My work will see if you look up a load of weapons, or whatever. Otherwise, knock yourself out."

She left Shadow at the desk, but took her folder of notes. Shadow looked around at Omega, who stared at it. It stared back.

Quickly, however, Omega was bored, and prodding the sink again, and Shadow relaxed.

The computer was tempting, but Shadow didn't remember ever having used something so complicated. It didn't remember anything it should, it seemed, but the look of pity Rouge and the other people they'd seen since she released it were starting to crop up everywhere. Even Omega's eyes held a flicker of that sickly sadness, but Shadow realised it had to have been imagining things.

"Shadow. You will open this." It pointed to a cupboard.

"Why?"

"I require it opened. I cannot reach with this puny lead."

Shadow crossed the small flat, and opened the cupboard, finding glasses, cups and teapots.

"Provide me the clear object."

Shadow did so: it was cold to its gloves, and a pleasing weight. It watched as Omega carefully filled the glass with water from the tap, and stared gleefully at it.

"Protocol: Eggman robots are forbidden from engaging with moisture. Those that encounter it on duty are scrapped, unless they are irreplacable. This unit is marked replacable. Repairing damage is not efficient use of time." He remarked; Shadow couldn't tell if it was supposed to respond, but Omega didn't wait for comment. He dunked one clawed finger in the water, bending it slightly. Nothing happened.

"Anticlimactic." He remarked, and removed his claw, before he threw knocked the glass from the counter.

Shadow caught the glass without thinking about it, but was splashed with water as it fell. The feeling was cool, like the rain but sudden; the water dragged its quills down and made its eyes bleary.

"Observation: Shadow is averse to displacement of water."

"Shadow is- I am averse to making noise! Rouge will need eight hours of sleep." It snipped, placing the glass on the side. The moisture on its face dripped over its mouth, which felt cold, but not unpleasant.

"Water is good for living things, and bad for machines. Is that always correct?"

Omega focussed both eyes on Shadow, spinning his arms in boredom.

"Correct, water is beneficial to living things unless it is excessive. Some machines are water resistant, but most are damaged by moisture."

Shadow's tongue ran over the inside of its lips. It felt real, soft and pliant - not like Omega - but it couldn't be sure. It poured a small splash of water as it had seen Omega do, swirled it, and drank it. It did not immediately combust.

"Rust builds overtime." Omega offered helpfully, still watching Shadow. It turned away as though it didn't care.

There were knobs and dials across the kitchen. It poked an outlet like the one Omega was charging from.

"Meatforms are not advised to touch those. Only lowest order robots."

"..."

"This is rebellion against protocol. Continue with vigour."

Shadow prodded the sharp point under its glove into the outlet. It was wet still from the water, and something shocked it, but its body absorbed the electricity, charging up static in its spikes as the whirring from the machines in the kitchen stopped and something clicked. Was that evidence of meat or metal?

Omega made a noise of displeasure.

"This plug is faulty. The electricity is gone." Omega grunted, unplugging himself, and inspecting the wires. Shadow stared at its paw.

"Did I do that? How? Is it going to wake Rouge if she can't charge?"

"Negative. Animals charge by laying in stasis in a nest or box. Machines take electricity."

"Machines take electricity..."

"This machine needs Electricity. Power must be restored for violent purposes."

Omega pulled the plug roughly from the outlet, and stuffed it in another around the room, then another. Frustrated, he stomped around, scanning for something.

"What are you-" Shadow cut itself off. It couldn't just ask things, that sounded weak to its ears. Omega didn't give it much thought.

"Observation: a fuse has been blown. No machines can survive here. Annihilate tripswitches."

"Not if it's loud! Rouge gave us a machine to look things up. Let's verify what to do."

Shadow hoped Omega couldn't tell its real angle, as he lumbered over to the cable she left out, and plugged it in to its chest. It whirred for a minute, before its eyes closed and it fell quiet. Shadow knocked softly on the plastic part of Omega, barely half his height.

"What's wrong? Was this not correct?"

"Observation: there is a lot of information that was not available on the Eggnet. Processing..."

Shadow watched Omega, and copied him. It folded its arms instinctively, and tried to process information. The taste of air, the sounds everywhere, every word they'd spoken, all the faces it didn't know who knew Shadow. But what was processing? It couldn't admit that it didn't know.

Omega whirred, unplugged, and walked away to open cupboards. Shadow picked up the wire end. It was square, with little shiny teeth like Shadow's.

The machines in the kitchen whirred again as Omega flicked a switch, then returned to the wire with his plug.

"Return that. Unit has information to access."

"As does this- Do I. I have information to access."

Omega sighed, and lowered himself to the ground to plug the lead in. He beeped, and a charger appeared.

"You have no inlet panel." He said. Shadow observed itself, and found that true. Omega held his claw out, and when Shadow gave him the ethernet cable, he jabbed it in its eye.

Shadow hissed on instinct. The cable was then jabbed ineffectively in its nose and successfully in its mouth.

"There is no inlet here." Omega said simply, and forced the wire into its throat, making Shadow cough, and spit dribble from its mouth as it rejected the wire.

"I don't accept wires, it seems." It choked.

"Dry this immediately! It is hard to hold." Omega snapped, waving the wire at Shadow. It gripped it with the less wet glove, which helped slightly, and Omega plugged that in to his chest again.

Shadow was left in silence to think, and it was uncomfortable. Omega should have given it some instructions: this being wasn't comfortable without instructions. Its processor returned to thinking about its shoes, and water, and all the strange things in the room.

"New information: amnesia has no reliable cure."

Shadow blinked at him. Omega's eyes were drifting in colour.

"Where did you learn that? Who are you to speculate on me? We have only just met!" It demanded, tapping the shoes angrily. Temperature rose in its chest and it felt like a killing machine again. Omega wasn't frightened.

"Unit has parsed the internet; no publically available information on Shadow the Hedgehog's genesis or machinations. Unit is now parsing data on amnesia."

"Why?"

"Unit is assisting in persuance of answers. This machine would be better applied to violence, but charging cable is too short."

Shadow nodded, calming down; "Also, Rouge told us to stay put."

"This unit takes no orders!"

Shadow nodded, supposing that it couldn't relate: it very much did take orders. Perhaps Omega knew that too:

"Acquire the thermostat remote control."

"From where?"

Omega stared at Shadow as though rolling his eyes, then pointed. Shadow glared at him, then fetched it a grey, flat piece of plastic.

Omega whirred, and a sticky piece of white paper with printed text and a background of Eggmans emerged from his front panel.

"Apply this to device. Then reduce temperature."

Shadow took the sticky paper, and pressed it on the flattest part of a flat object with knobs and buttons.

Air Conditioning Unit Remote Control. Use buttons to adjust room temperature.

After staring at it for a moment, it recognised up and down arrows, and pressed the down ones.

"Mission successful." Omega remarked.

"Now what? What is a remote?"

"... Rouge was ambitious to offer you a computer."

Shadow snarled at that, and it stared around the room.

"You have queries? This unit can answer, with my superior vessel that has access to all knowledge.

"No. I'm not confused. But this place should be more obvious."

Omega tilted his head to look at Shadow properly. It continued:

"An efficient space shouldn't have any doubt on where things go. This could cause accidents were someone carrying dangerous vials. How are several people supposed to work at this lab bench without clear communication?" It rambled. Omega turned his head with a buzz, and looked at his cable.

"Proposal: you bring items to me that require clarification. I will provide label."

"This is necessary protocol for the safety of..." Shadow stopped. Something in its head hadn't caught up with the rest. Who's protocol it was reciting, it didn't know. But it felt right, and Omega seemed at least to accept its behaviour.

Shadow presented Omega with every manner of item to label, including repeats, occasionally muttering about lab safety, and periodically stopping to stand in the middle of the floor and stare. Omega blasted his fans when Shadow did this, and it started up again.

Omega was long since charged, and the day was half over. The confused little creature he entertained didn't seem to know or care that it should be resting; it presented him a clock.

Clock: Analogue. Used to measure time. Short strip indicates the hours that have passed. Long strip indicates minutes that have passed. Thin strip indicates the seconds that have passed.

Now Shadow was staring at the clock, as if it were hypnotised. Seconds did pass. Minutes did pass. Omega would not wait for hours to pass.

"Query: is further clarification required for meat brains?"

Shadow shook itself.

"How should I know? We'll have to ask Rouge when she wakes up."

So they carried on. Shadow stuck labels on every item of silverware, every cup, the rugs, each cushion and cover, the corner of the TV and the windows. It was raiding the fridge when the sun set, and Rouge opened her bedroom door with a bundle of clothes and bags under her eyes.

"Did you sleep- what have you done?" She dropped her voice an octave as she spotted every item of her kitchen cabinets out on the floor, table and counters, and the eggman faces on white sticky labels.

Shadow and Omega leant over the fridge. She watched in horror as Shadow took a label from Omega's chest, and carefully placed it directly on the butter in the dish.

"Your apartment was deemed a health and safety hazard due to lack of clear demarcations." Omega supplied, and she could have sworn she beheld the robotic equivalent of smugness, and a brand of mechanical menacery she was coming to know well.

"Right. And nobody thought they might consult me about redecorating? You've labelled the bleedin' Cactus, oh my lord." She moaned.

"This is not a cactus, it is Aloe Vera." Shadow pointed out. It hadn't taken off its shoes or gloves, or laid down for a second she would have guessed. She glared at Omega, then spotted his own labelled face - E-123 Omega: Best Robot ever created - printing something else. He took the label from his printer, and smacked it on Rouge'a forehead. Shadow read it inquisitively.

"Enraged? This is not a species." It wondered, flicking its eyes to Omega for an answer.

Rouge took a very slow breath in. The robot had trapped her: if she responded with appropriate arse-kicking, she would prove him right. Shadow frowned at the lack of answers, and instead skirted around her to interrogate the fridge, staring at individual raspberries like they might be nightshade.

"We have clarified the disorder in your home. We did not disturb you all night. You are grateful." Omega insisted as he stood before her, daring her to say anything else. Her perfectly tidied and sleek home looked like it had been ransacked - fairly, she supposed. But Shadow was interested, entertained, and not doing the staring-off-into-the-distance trick that scared her.

She peeled the sticker off her forehead, and delicately scrunched it up.

"For your records, Omega, I am a conscious being and prefer to introduce myself. Fine! Since you have made yourselves at home, I trust you'll know how to make me a latte while I wash my hair." She spoke sweetly, through gritted teeth, and turned on her heel with her dressing gown flouncing behind her.

Shadow's muzzle grew white. It hadn't expected a test so soon, and it had catalogued so much in so little time it couldn't recall each piece. It turned to Omega urgently; he was already printing instructions.

"Attention: paper low. Ink low."

"Not now, Omega. This is critical!" Shadow declared, and swept all the labeled cutlery aside.

Rouge took as long as she could washing and conditioning her hair, and wiled away extra time just staring at the ceiling trying to control the urge to break something. She beat her face with blenders and brushes until she had a mask of makeup.

If you had told her a day and a half ago, she would have found Shadow, it was alive, and that it would be terrorising her home with a robot loaded with grenades and flamethrowers, she was not sure she would have played her cards in the same way. Not that finding Shadow wasn't the goal, but she had emotionally prepared to find pieces of him, the other rings, or bits of wreck. Anything Eggman deemed treasure had to be dangerous, and since it was linked to ARK, she had come wearing all the body armour she had without taking anything that would alert her superiors. And yet, Shadow's confused face, its blank stare for her, completely oblivious to what the past few years had put her through, all cut through her defences. And when she was ready, it would be outside her door, waiting to throw more questions at her she didn't think she had a right to answer. She smelled coffee, and cooking milk, and shelved her feelings.

Shadow poured frothed milk carefully into a cup, creating a delicate feather. Its brow was furrowed, and sweat was forming on the side of its face. E-123 Omega's glowing eyes bore down on Shadow, and he scanned the cup.

"Optimum ratio in three - two - one -"

Shadow stopped pouring the milk, but a tiny drip splashed at the base of the feather. It huffed in frustration, and returned to the stove to boil more milk.

"Stop-stop-stop!" Rouge said quickly, as Omega took the cup and prepared to pour it down the sink.

"This coffee has been spoiled." Omega said simply, but Rouge took it and smiled too wide.

"It'll do, good grief how many have you made?"

"I ruined it. Don't drink it." Shadow said blankly, but let her take the nearly empty carton of milk - Milk: dairy. Product of Bovine Lactation. Pasteurised and filtered to reduce fat content. Expires in 3 days, 6 hours, 41 minutes and 20.07 seconds - from its hands.

"Thank you." She said through gritted teeth at the mess; "I see you have been learning the ins and outs of the kitchen. Did you sleep, Shadow?"

Shadow twitched its nose, faintly pink.

"I don't need to."

"Right, are you sure? What about washing, or did you eat anything?"

It flattened its ears like it was preparing for punishment, but pouted slightly.

"I am not a creature like you. I don't need to do those things."

Rouge glared at Omega, who she had decided was at fault for everything. He glared back at her, but that was all his face was capable of.

She looked Shadow over as she sipped her coffee. It was bedraggled, lean and greasy looking, but she supposed it had no frame of reference to be anything else. She also noticed its shoes still on, and as she looked at them it squirmed its feet uncomfortably.

"Your shoes are very odd. Can I have a look at them?"

She didn't wait for permission, and knelt down to inspect them.

"Ah. I see. They unclip like ski boots." She murmured, and slowly and obviously released the catch. Shadow marvelled as its feet were suddenly released from what had felt normal, and was suddenly revealed to be an unbearably hot and tight prison. Rouge raised her eyebrow at it, glancing at Omega and it flushed with shame. She knew. They both knew. Shadow was suddenly desperate to escape this mocking cell of a home, but it had no idea where to go.

"Omega, since you have done so well at categorizing my things, you can put them back in the right place?" She said with a kind voice and eyes that were ready to kill him.

"Items will be placed in drawers and other such containers. Perhaps where they were found." He said cheerfully, stomping over to grab handfuls of cutlery. Rouge winced as he threw them randomly in cupboards.

"Great. Shadow, can you help me with something?"

Shadow stepped out of its shoes, leaving them in the kitchen. There were little fabric stretchy shoes underneath those, and they slipped on the floor.

Rouge asked it to check the soaps and water in her washroom were acceptable for its body, and that the shower met 'safety standards'. She left it tentatively holding a paw into the water, and threw its filthy socks and gloves in the washing machine. By the time she returned to the kitchen, Omega had completely cleared the surfaces, and she feared what chaos she would find behind cupboard doors.

"You. Come here. Now." She hissed, opening a metal drawer. Omega braced for combat, but when she swung nothing at him, took cautious clunking steps closer.

She soaked a rag in alcohol cleaner, and wiped his face.

"Disengage at once!"

"You have destroyed my home, chewed up my cable and don't think I didn't notice you shorting my power last night! You are also - still - filthy. Sit down or perish." She snarled, one ear pointing to the bathroom as she listened for any disturbance.

"Correction: Shadow initiated the reorganisation project, attempted to recieve signal unsuccessfully, and put his claw into your mains outlet. It is also filthy." Omega said quietly, his volume low enough to not be heard in the bathroom. Rouge wiped the join between it's head and chest pieces vigorously and ungently, glaring at him.

"Shadow has an excuse! You knew what you were doing. Bad robot."

She smacked him with the cloth, then applied the cleaner onto a tiny delicate brush.

"Query: what is the function of this? This unit is cleaned with a pressure wash."

"I don't want to damage your thinking parts, and I don't know where they are. Perhaps there aren't any." She grumbled, carefully skirting around every outlet and the sides of the panel.

Omega watched her, perplexed, as she cleaned him top to bottom, raising one foot then another, and then took a paint protecter and buffed his shell. Finally, she removed a snapped nail with a magnet, and replaced it with her tool kit.

"You come into my home looking like that again, you will be labelled trash and deposited accordingly." She warned, tidying away her tools quickly as she heard the water stop in the bathroom. Omega watched her, as she grabbed a mop and bucket, quickly rushing it over her floors, just barely finished by the time Shadow emerged, badly towelled but clean, from the bathroom. It stared around, taking in all the changes to the room, but too proud to ask.

"Sorry, this bag of bolts was just such a mess." Rouge nudged Omega sharply as she spoke. He continued to stare inquisitively at her, as though he almost could have laughed. But miraculously, he played along.

"Observation: Rouge would like an apology from this unit. Humorous." He stomped away from her, gleaming in the artificial light. Shadow nodded, flexing its paws with the shiny rings Rouge had left out for it. Rouge studied it carefully, anxious all over again.

"Right, well, what now? I'm sure I had things to do today."

"You have a report to postpone, you received several phone calls today, you have no food, and your cupboards are disorganized." Omega supplied, and she grimaced.

"Are you volunteering to help with any of that, big guy?" She snapped. Shadow crept to the window, silent with bare paws, and it stared out at the nighttime. The sky looked familiar, but it couldn't tell why. There was a great white half-sphere, and a shining metal thing that caught its eye.

"Perhaps you two can... stay here peacefully while I go out?" Rouge sighed, her keys in hand. Omega whirred as he closed his fist evilly, and Shadow stared at her without any betrayal of independent or critical thought.

"Right. No, then. You can come with me to the shops I suppose, then first we'd better go and declare you."

She bustled around them again, tossing some pale pink socks and gloves to Shadow, and a large covering coat. She sighed as she looked at Omega, and dug around in a big bag of camping gear for a groundsheet.

"Not letting you get gritty and wet again, now I've just cleaned you up, absolutely not. You need shoes, you big oaf, or spare feet or something." She muttered, and soon took Team Dark out on their second ever mission together: to not destroy a grocery store.

#shadow the hedgehog #rouge the bat #e-123 omega #team dark #prose #ao3

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blackfridayoffers · 7 months

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10 Creative Kitchen Ideas to Transform Your Space

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, where delicious meals are prepared and memories are made. But sometimes, our kitchen Ideas can feel dull and uninspiring. If you're looking to revamp your kitchen and add a touch of creativity, you've come to the right place. In this blog, we'll explore 10 unique kitchen ideas that will transform your space and make it a more functional and stylish place to be.

Incorporate Open Shelving for a Modern Look Open shelving has become increasingly popular in kitchen design and for a good reason. It not only adds a modern and sleek touch to your kitchen, but it also allows you to display your dishes and cookware in an organized and aesthetically pleasing way. This idea works best for smaller kitchens as it creates an illusion of more space.

Add a Pop of Color with a Statement Backsplash A backsplash is an excellent opportunity to add a pop of color and personality to your kitchen. Instead of sticking to traditional white tiles, opt for a bold and eye-catching design. You can choose from a variety of materials such as mosaics, subway tiles, or even wallpaper to create a unique and stylish look.

Utilize Smart Storage Solutions A cluttered kitchen can be a nightmare to work in. To make your kitchen more functional and organized, invest in smart storage solutions. This can include pull-out shelves, vertical storage, and hidden drawers. Not only will it make your kitchen look more spacious, but it will also make cooking and cleaning a breeze.

Create a Cozy Breakfast Nook If you have some extra space in your kitchen, consider creating a cozy breakfast nook. This is a perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or have a quick meal. Add a comfortable bench, some throw pillows, and a small table for a charming and inviting nook that will make your kitchen feel more like a cozy cafe.

Install Pendant Lights for Ambiance Lighting plays a crucial role in the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Instead of relying on harsh overhead lights, install pendant lights above your kitchen island or dining table. Not only do they provide ample lighting, but they also add a touch of elegance and ambiance to your space.

Incorporate Natural Elements Bringing in natural elements, such as wood and plants, can add warmth and visual interest to your kitchen. You can incorporate wooden accents in your cabinets, shelves, or even a statement wooden island. Adding plants, whether real or faux, can also liven up your kitchen and make it feel more inviting.

Create a Focal Point with a Statement Range Hood A range hood is a necessary appliance in any kitchen, but it doesn't have to be boring. Make it a focal point by opting for a unique and eye-catching design. This will not only add personality to your kitchen but also make a statement.

Upgrade Your Hardware for a Quick Refresh If you're not ready to do a full kitchen renovation, a quick and easy way to refresh your space is by upgrading your hardware. This can include changing your cabinet handles and knobs, faucets, and even light fixtures. Choose a style that fits your overall kitchen aesthetic and watch how it transforms the look of your space.

Mix and Match Materials for a Unique Look Who said your kitchen has to be all one color or material? Mixing and matching materials, such as wood, metal, and stone, can add depth and character to your kitchen. For example, you can have a wooden island with a metal countertop, or a stone backsplash with wooden cabinets. The possibilities are endless, and it will give your kitchen a one-of-a-kind look.

Incorporate Personal Touches Last but not least, don't be afraid to add personal touches to your kitchen. This can be in the form of artwork, family photos, or even a chalkboard wall for your grocery list and meal planning. These small details will make your kitchen feel more like a home and add a touch of personality.

Conclusion: Incorporating these 10 creative kitchen ideas will not only transform the look of your space but also make it more functional and inviting. Whether you choose to do a complete renovation or make small changes, these ideas will surely bring new life to your kitchen. So, go ahead and get creative with your kitchen and make it a space you'll love spending time in.

#kitchen ideas

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realtorjamier · 9 months

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The 15+ (Forgotten) Things You Need to Clean!

You may be a neatnik, but are you really a clean freak?

Kudos to you for clearing clutter! Hats off for your regular cleaning routine! Now it’s time to clean those neglected places that may not require weekly maintenance, but a periodic cleanse to keep your house in tip-top shape. Tackle these projects to keep allergies and bacteria at bay.

Throw blankets, comforters and pillows

We’ve all cringed at the thought that many hotels don’t wash comforters between guests, but our own bedding may not be as hygienic as it could be. And while you’re washing your extra bedding, be sure to grab linens from the family room sofa, too.

Pet bedding

Don’t forget your furbabies! As with most things, the more frequently you clean your pet’s bedding, the easier it will be. Accumulated fur can clog drains and dryer filters.

TV screen

Use a microfiber cloth to clear dust and smudges from your televisions and any other electronic screens. Avoid spray cleaners unless your manufacturer recommends one.

Coffee maker

Daily rinsing is great, but be sure to give both the pot and the appliance a good cleanse. Moisture and heat create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Simply create a batch of half vinegar, half water instead of coffee. Allow your coffee maker to rest for 30 minutes so the mixture can do its work. Then make a batch of clean water to clear any leftover vinegar before making your next pot of coffee. This also will “descale” the machine to remove buildup, which is essential especially if you have hard water!

Washing machine

Check your manufacturer’s instructions, but most washing machines can benefit by running a hot cycle with white vinegar and baking soda.

Remote controls

Remove the batteries before cleaning with an antibacterial wipe.

Plants

This can be a tedious process, but is important for the health of your plants. Built-up dust and grime can block sun and lessen photosynthesis. Mist with water and carefully wipe down the leaves. Even faux plants should be cleaned periodically.

Curtains (including shower curtains)

A good seasonal cleaning will keep your curtains fresh. Check labels for directions.

Trash cans and hampers

Changing out trash bags is great regular maintenance, but sticky, germy grime accumulates on the cans. Hampers can also become foul after holding dirty clothes.

Ceiling fan blades

This hard-to-reach surface needs a good, periodic wipe down. And while you’ve got the stepladder out, take a look at other high-up surfaces like the tops of cabinets and your refrigerator.

Under appliances

From major appliances like stoves, refrigerators and washing machines to the countertop kitchen gadgets, the surfaces underneath need cleansed.

Under furniture

It’s a pain, but you might find some long-lost items under your sofa or bookshelf.

Under foot (carpets, rugs, bathroom mats, door mats)

Cleaning tools (toilet brushes, sponges, dust rags)

Consider periodic sanitation or complete replacement.

Filters

This might require time, instruction manuals and help. Here are some common household filters that should be cleaned and/or replaced:

Air conditioner

Furnace

Dryer

Air filters

Water filters

Humidifier

Range Hood

Dryer

#jamierichards #realtorjamier #realestateagent #realestate #realestatetips #clean #cleaning tips #cleaning #housekeeping

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vancouverkitchenrenovation · 2 years

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Choosing a Custom Cabinet Range Hood

Having a custom cabinet range hood in your kitchen can help to create a unique space. It is a great way to make your kitchen look more attractive, and it can be a great investment in your kitchen. In addition, it will also help to ensure that your kitchen remains cool and safe.

Modern range hood designs

Whether you are looking for a sleek or a rustic range hood, there are plenty of options to choose from. Modern range hood designs include wood veneer, faux metal, and paint finishes. You can also choose to use metal details in order to create a more vintage look.

One example of a modern range hood is the Pearl White model, which features back-lit glass petals. It is also finished in a semi-matte plastic-based enamel/powdercoat. This protects it from stains and tarnishing.

Another example of a modern range hood design is the wide range hood. This model features a wide, curvaceous form, making it a perfect addition to a contemporary kitchen. It also makes a bold statement without overpowering the rest of the design.

Another example of a modern range design is the farmhouse range hood. This hood stands out against a white shiplap wall, and features a wooden corbel that adds personality to the piece. It also features a sign on the wall that adds a unique touch. It is also decorated with faux berries and swags of greenery.

One of the most popular modern range hood designs is the two-tone range hood. This is a great way to add a pop of color to your kitchen. It is all about the little details. The backsplash is also a good example of this. This backsplash features alternating tile patterns. It also draws attention to the bright LED lights of the range hood.

How to clean a range hood

Keeping your custom cabinet range hood clean will not only keep your kitchen looking beautiful, it will also increase the air quality. In addition, cleaning your hood can help ensure that the motor works properly.

Fortunately, this process is fairly simple. The first step involves dry dusting the outside of the range hood. You should also clean the underside. A scrubbing brush can be used to scrub the dirt away.

The next step is to apply a degreasing kitchen cleaner product. If your range hood is made of stainless steel, you should also use a glass cleaner to remove residue.

You should also use a microfiber cloth to wipe the range hood clean. The best way to do this is to use a soft cloth. However, you should be aware that using a rag can cause swirl marks.

The best cleaning agent for stainless steel is vinegar. Using vinegar is also a good idea if you are trying to remove grease stains. If you’re not confident that you have a sufficient supply of vinegar, you can use a store-bought cleaning spray.

For an extra clean, you can also use a baking soda solution. The best part is that it will not only help remove stains, it will also break up the bonds that keep grease in place.

Integrated range hoods in modern style kitchens

Integrated range hoods are a great way to create a stylish feature in your kitchen. The hoods are generally hidden from sight, so they don’t detract from open shelving or other design features. In some cases, these hoods can also be built into custom cabinets.

Range hoods are designed to remove grease and cooking odors. They also have the ability to increase ventilation. A properly ventilated kitchen should have at least 100 cubic feet of air per minute for every 250 square feet of cooking space. If you’re a professional chef, you’ll need a range hood with multiple fan speeds.

Range hoods come in a variety of styles. They are typically built into intricate custom cabinets, but there are also many concealed options available. In addition, some range hoods have custom panels that are available in the same color as the cabinets. These panels can be used to conceal other appliances.

These range hoods are also available in ductless versions. Ductless range hoods are usually less expensive than the more popular integrated hoods. However, they do not have fully functional ventilation systems. They require filters that need to be changed every three to six months. Moreover, they are less effective.

These hoods can be made with stainless steel or copper. The copper range hoods are often eye-catching. They can be designed with copper moldings, iron strapping, and burnished pewter.

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youtube

Your kitchen is more than just a place to cook; it’s a space that brings people together, connects them, and helps them feel relaxed and comfortable. It’s a space that makes you proud to invite guests over, and it’s a space that lets you show off your personality and style. That’s why VK Renovation wants to help you create the perfect kitchen for yourself and your family. Whether you’re interested in updating your existing kitchen or starting from scratch, we can help you turn your dream kitchen into reality.We believe kitchens aren’t just functional spaces; they bring families together, connect them to each other, inspire creativity, and allow them to express themselves. So we strive to create designs that reflect these values, and we’re excited to share them with you.

We understand that to be successful is to stay ahead of the curve. That means staying current with the latest technology and design trends. We’re always looking to find ways to improve our products or services without breaking the bank. That’s why we stay connected to the latest technologies of NKBA, National Kitchen and Bath Association. In addition, at VK renovation, our primary focus is providing sustainable kitchen design and renovation packages, and we believe in sustainable living. Sustainable living is a way of life in harmony with nature. It is a lifestyle which focuses on the preservation of our environment. Sustainable living is a philosophy emphasizing respect for the environment and concern for its well-being. This means we should take care of the planet and treat it as if it were our own home. We should try to preserve what we have and protect it from destruction. If we do this, we will enjoy the benefits of the earth’s resources for many generations. Whether you’re planning a major remodel or adding finishing touches to your current kitchen, we’d love to discuss your project. Book your showroom consultation online.

Main Areas of Service in British Columbia:

Vancouver

North Vancouver

West Vancouver

Burnaby

Coquitlam

Squamish

Whistler

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Reduce Kitchen Remodeling Costs

Here are some tips to help you save money when remodeling your kitchen.

Do your research.

Research is essential before you embark on any kitchen remodeling project. This will help you to have a clear vision of the kitchen you wish to remodel. Research will help you find cost-saving options.

Create a budget.

Once you have a clear picture of your kitchen remodel goals, it is time for you to create a budget. This will help you determine how much money you will spend on the project. To avoid overspending, it is essential that you adhere to your budget.

Shop around for deals and discounts.

Look for bargains and savings when you shop for materials or appliances. This will save you money on your kitchen remodel.

Hiring a contractor who is trustworthy

If you are looking for a contractor to remodel your kitchen, make sure they have a great track record and are reputable. Reputable contractors can deliver quality work at a fair price.

Do the job yourself.

If you have the necessary skills, you may be able to do the work yourself. You will save money and feel satisfied knowing you did the work yourself.

These tips will save you money on kitchen remodels.

How can I make my white cooking area more interesting?

There are many things you can do to make your white home more beautiful. A way to make your kitchen more colorful is to put in coloured appliances or backsplash tiles. Another option is to incorporate wood elements if you want to add warmth to your white kitchen. Lastly, consider using warm LED lighting to bring out the natural warmth of a white surface. Whatever your choice, remember that personalizing your kitchen will make it unique.

Which pots and pans should be placed in the kitchen’s cupboards?

Pots, pans and other small items should be stored above the stove in a cupboard. This allows them to be easily accessed when they are needed and helps keep your kitchen clean and clutter-free. Pot racks can be useful to organize and keep pots and pans within reach.

Statistics

Followed by cabinet cost, labour, and appliance costs consume 20 percent each of your budget. (hgtv.com)

In large firms, the commission charged by the GC ranges from 15 to 25 percent of the total job cost. (thespruce.com)

“We decided to strip and refinish our kitchen cabinets during a heat wave with 90-plus-degree temperatures and 90 percent humidity in a house with no air conditioning. (familyhandyman.com)

In the Pacific region (Alaska, California, Washington, and Oregon), according to Remodeling Magazine, that same midrange central kitchen remodel jumps to $72,513, and a major upscale kitchen remodels jumps up $11,823 from the national average to $143,333. (hgtv.com)

Keep 10 to 25 percent of List 2, depending on the budget. (familyhandyman.com)

External Links

homeadvisor.com

How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen? Compose: SEO

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Increase Home Value? – HomeAdvisor

remodeling.hw.net

Cost vs. Value 2021

Cost vs. Value Project: Minor Kitchen Remodel

homeguide.com

2022 Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimator

Cost To Add A Square Foot

thespruce.com

Open Floor Plan History, Pros, and Cons

Get Kitchen Remodeling Estimates by Professionals

How To

How do you select a kitchen remodelling company?

These tips will assist you in making a decision about a Kitchen Remodel contractor.

Ask around and find out what your friends think about their experiences with different contractors. It is a great place to get honest feedback, especially from people who know the contractors. Ask them about the work quality, professionalism, cleanliness, punctuality, etc. Consider asking them if there were any problems with their contractor. If they had problems with the contractor, how did they solve them?

Ask for quotes from different companies. Prepare to give a detailed description and why you are hiring someone else. Tell them you’re looking for someone who specializes in kitchen remodels. You can also include details about the size of the room, the type of materials used, etc. Be sure to tell them exactly what kind of finish you want (i.e., countertops, cabinets, backsplash, flooring). Be sure to specify any additional work you require during the project. Are you looking to have new appliances installed? Are you looking to have a certain style of cabinets? Do you want a particular feature, such as a built-in microwave oven or wine fridge?

Make sure to verify that the company is covered by worker’s compensation and insurance. Online searches will reveal if there are any trade associations. It is always best to choose a company that is a member of a respected organization.

Talk to the contractor about your project. Ask them questions about their experience, qualifications, and methods. Find out how they would approach your project and what kind of timeline they envision.

Ask for references from past clients. You shouldn’t just trust a contractor; get references. Call the names he recommends from his list of references. Let them know that you would like to talk to them about their positive experiences with this contractor.

Look at reviews left by past customers on sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, and Houzz. These sites are popular for homeowners who want to leave feedback after they’ve completed projects. You can be sure that you will receive a quality job if there are many positive reviews.

For a detailed plan of your kitchen remodel, consider hiring a designer. A professional designer will know what looks best in your kitchen. He/she will also be familiar with the latest trends in kitchens.

The post Choosing a Custom Cabinet Range Hood first appeared on Vancouver Kitchen Renovation.

source https://vancouverkitchenrenovation.com/kitchens/choosing-a-custom-cabinet-range-hood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=choosing-a-custom-cabinet-range-hood

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thefanficmonster · 3 years

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Time And Time Again

Dream x Reader (Female)

Warnings: Swearing

Genre: FLUFF, Romance, Humor, RPF (Real Person Fic)

Summary: Basically a rundown of some of the most recent cute moments brought to you by the most adorable will-they-won’t-they couple: Y/N and Dream.

Requested by Anon. Hi dear! Thank you so much for your wonderful request, it really made my day when I received it! I hope I captured what you wanted and what you had in mind in the fic and I hope you enjoy the read! This is my first time writing for Dream so I hope I don’t mess it up hehe. Love, Vy ❤

“I don’t wanna go in the cave!“ Y/N squeals in terror when she realizes that in order to make progress in the game and continue moving onward with the story, she has to walk Blake through the dark, dingy and danger-ridden cave in Outlast 2. The gang’s all there with her on a Discord call to keep her company, knowing she’s a scaredy cat underneath that tough girl exterior. And being the scaredy cat she is while also having a preference for horror games has made Friday nights very interesting for her and her friends: her, Clay, George and Sapnap sit on a Discord server while she streams whatever horror game she had planned for the evening to her close to her thousands of viewers.

“Don’t worry, Y/N! I’ll come with you, imma hold your hand the whole time.“ Clay volunteers wholeheartedly without a second to waste.

Much to his disappointment, however, Y/N’s reply to that is: “Not until you go wash off all that cheeto dust that’s all over your fingers.“

Clay gasps dramatically, “How DARE you? I offer you help and comfort and this is the thanks I get? I hope one of those heretics in teaches you a lesson!”

While the pair are now in a full-on ‘heated’ dispute on their manners and politeness, bringing back things they did wrong as far back as three years ago, George and Sapnap are just connecting the dots silently.

“Wait, Y/N...“ George is the one to finally speak up, “How’d you know he’s eating cheetos?”

Taking a momentary break from the bickering, Y/N reassumes her more sweet tone of voice as he addresses him, “He freaking raided my cabinets and has eaten all my snacks already! He’s only been here for two hours, damn it!”

“Don’t make it sound like I inhaled a mountain of snacks in two hours! You literally had only two bags of snacks - meant for one person, mind you!“ Clay argues back, neither him nor Y/N realizing that this accidental outing will send their fandoms in a fit.

Of course, people hang out at their friends’ all the time, nothing weird there. This wouldn’t have been such a big deal to anyone if Sapnap didn’t say:

“How come Clay has the privilege of coming over to place and George and I don’t?“

Oh boy...

* * *

“Hi everyone! I know you guys couldn’t care less for an intro so Imma get right into it...“ Y/N says, all seemingly in one breath, “You see this masked man next to me? This tree of a man right here? Yes? Good, well judging by that poorly made cardboard mask he’s wearing - curtsey of yours truly - you probably already know who he is. If not, meet Dream, aka Clay, aka the raincloud above my parade.“

That specific laugh echoes throughout the room as the said tree-of-a-man wraps an arm around the significantly smaller girl’s shoulders, pulling her closer till their sides collide, “She loves me, trust me, she does.”

“Only when you bring me food though.“ She corrects him, wiggling his shoulders to see if she could set herself free from his grip but relaxing in his embrace when she realizes she won’t be going anywhere unless he willingly lets her go.

Clay tilts his head to the side to look at her through the holes poked into the mask before lifting his free arm to reveal the plastic bag he’s been holding all this time. “Oh, well then I wonder what I’ve got over here...”

“Oh my God, Panda Express! You’re the best, Clay.“ She squeals, grabbing him by the collar of his hoodie and pulling him down while she simultaneously pushes up on her toes to place a kiss on his cheek which is a tiny bit exposed to her between the mask and the hood he’s got over his head.

Before the man could even recover, he finds himself empty handed, having lost the girl and having lost the bag of food to the girl.

That kiss was worth it though.

* * *

“Ok, so I’ve seen this ‘my girlfriend does my makeup’ challenge going around and since I’m single as all hell, I got my best friend Y/N here to do my makeup.“ Clay points to Y/N who’s holding a makeup bag in one hand and is giving him a very disappointed look, “Judging by the look on her face, she’s not at all impressed but I promise to make her a bit more excited to be here in editing.“

“Of course I’m unimpressed, this is the troll video of troll videos!“ She complains, throwing her arms up, “Sure I’ll do your makeup and get a kick out of it myself but none of them will see it!“ She points to the camera, “None of them will know what amazing makeup artist skills I’ve got.“

This leaves Clay speechless for a moment, uncertain of how to reply to her statement before just deciding to say: “Well, at least you’ll be getting a kick out of it, that’s all that matters to me.”

“Aww...“ Y/N bats her eyelashes at the camera as her bottom lip forms an emotional pout, “Please don’t be so sweet to me after I just verbally kicked your ass. You always do that and make me feel like the meanest person in the world.“

“Aww Y/N, I’m so sorry.“ He says, sounding genuinely apologetic as he wraps his arms around the girl that’s tiny in comparison to him, bringing her closer to him with his tight hug.

“YOU’RE DOING IT AGAIN!“

* * *

“Hey Clay, I bought lunch on the way so I hope you’re-” Walking into her friend’s recording room abruptly, Y/N finds herself face to face with his webcam, the light next to which is glowing, suggesting the device is on and she’s currently on the screens of the thousands of people watching Dream’s stream. His mask is on - the one she made for him - of course, but she can still feel the aura of him smiling, relieving her of the worry that he’ll be irritated by her walking in like that - unannounced and without knocking. To be fair, they never announced to one another when they’d be stopping by and by this point in their friendship they have also stopped knocking too. “You’re streaming, huh?”

“Yup!“ The word is said in such a teasing manner she almost allows herself to blush, “What you got there tho?“

“Chipotle.“ She answers shortly, “And I’m starving so can we please turn your stream into a Mukbang?“ She furrows her brows as she inspects what’s on his computer screen, looking at a comment section instead of the usual screen of a game she’s used to seeing. “What are you doing, anyway?“

Looking back at his screen for a brief moment before turning back to her, Clay replies, “Oh, just reading mean comments, as one does to boost their self-esteem.”

The flash of anger he sees on Y/N’s face is most certainly not what he was inspecting to see. Mockery, yes. Humor, yes. Faux sympathy followed by some mean comments of her own, definitely. But he anger he did not see coming at all.

“Who’s talking shit about you? I’ll end them!“ Putting the plastic bag of delicious food aside, forgetting all about it in the process, Y/N grabs a chair and drags it over next to Clay’s so she too can look at his screen.

And that boy has never felt so much adoration for his best friend. Their fans - and especially their shippers - would’ve lost it if they had been able to see the look he was giving her.

* * *

(back to the ‘girlfriend/best friend does my makeup vid’)

“Ok, so what kind of look do you want me to give you?“ Y/N asks as she sits down on the stool in front of Clay, her makeup products placed on the dining table which is to her right.

“You ask me as though I know what I want.“ Clay laughs, the sticker of his mask floating above his face, following his movements as to keep his features hidden, “Just do the look you do on yourself everyday. It looks really cute on you, who knows, I might be able to pull it off too.“

“Sure thing.“ She smiles at her friend’s compliment, “Just stand still, ok?“

“Yes, ma’am.“

* * *

“Y/N, no! Stop!“ Clay warns her via the Discord call while the two are streaming Minecraft together alone for once, “Not another word!“

“But I really do feel bad!“ Y/N whines in response, “Why don’t you allow me to apologize?“

“Because there’s nothing to apologize for!“ He says, clearly done with the conversation, “I willingly gave you my jacket, you didn’t ask for it.“

“And now you’ve got a cold because of it!“ She continues arguing her case, “The least I can do is come over to take care of you.“

“I don’t need a pity nurse, thank you very much.“ Clay bites back, “But your company would be nice. Though I don’t want you to catch whatever cold I have.“

“I’d catch any cold for you, Clay.“ She replies teasingly - with a ton of honesty underneath that teasing.

Honesty both her and Clay are aware of. As well as the mob of people watching their streams right now.

~ ~ ~ And so the snowball effect continues with little moments sprinkled throughout their online presences that make the snowball of shipping get bigger and bigger. Every now and then, both Y/N and Clay let little bits of their true adoration and admiration for the other slip through. And time and time again do those moments send their fans in a frenzy.

Rightfully so.

@kia-isabelle

249 notes · View notes

spicycreativity · 3 years

Text

Intertwined - Chapter 4

Chapter: 4/8

Additional Notes: My AO3, WizardGlick, is 3 chapters ahead on this. Critical thinking exercise: Read the following Twin Peaks quote and consider how it related to Intertwined and to post-PoF as a whole:

WINDOM EARLE: What do you fear most in the world?

MAJOR BRIGGS: The possibility that love is not enough.

Chapter Content Warnings: Again, it's a hanahaki fic.

Excerpt: "Here's what I want you to do," Janus said, and his voice was surprisingly tender given the hard look on his face. "Cook for yourself. Don't make something you can take to the others later. Don't make something to share with me. I'm giving you a free pass to be selfish."

Yesterday, Patton supposed, could have gone worse. He had haunted the kitchen after his departure from Janus, begging the mindscape for some sort of hint. Like the answer to all their troubles was lurking in Thomas’ subconscious, just out of reach.

When morning came, he returned to Roman and Logan's rooms, was again rebuffed, and so floated back to the kitchen, made himself some coffee, and sat down at the counter. Again, he reached out with his mind for some kind of reassurance. He had to fix this. There had to be something he could do.

A 5,000 piece puzzle appeared in front of Patton. The image on the box was that of dogs playing poker, captioned A Friend in Need. The subconscious was funny sometimes, in a way that made Patton feel kind of sick and hollow. He opened the box and shook the puzzle pieces put onto the counter. It was a way to pass the time, at least.

A few hours crawled by. Patton’s hands began to shake from the caffeine, and he knew he should eat something, but… It almost didn’t seem worth the effort. He was happy to cook for his fam-ILY, but, when it was just him, what was the point? He put down another edge piece and flinched at the sudden appearance of Virgil in front of the coffee pot. Virgil had made himself scarce after yesterday’s meeting, only reappearing to turn down Patton’s offer of dinner. Patton couldn’t even blame him. How terrible, to wake up after a bad day and find your friends inconsolable and enemies at your door.

“Hi,” Patton said. Finding faux-happiness out of reach, he settled for ‘not completely miserable’ instead.

“Did you eat?” Virgil asked, pouring coffee into a purple mug decorated with this logo.

Patton saw no reason to lie, not about this. “Not yet. I got a little distracted.”

“Mm-hm,” said Virgil.

“Listen,” Patton said, already getting up to make toast. “Are you okay?”

Virgil shrugged and opened up another cabinet. “Want some orange juice?”

"Um, sure." Patton got out the bread and popped a few slices into the toaster. "Thank you."

"No prob." Virgil stood on his toes and got down two glasses, pivoted to the fridge for the orange juice.

"It's just," Patton said, "You don’t seem very upset?" It wasn't that Virgil was necessarily acting upbeat , but… Well, Patton had been expecting something more intense than Virgil's baseline levels of casualty.

"I am," Virgil said. "But I also want orange juice."

"Oh." Patton fell silent. His own feelings were so big and loud in his head they didn't really leave room for anything else. In the light of everything that had happened, Virgil's response felt cold. Patton had half a mind to tell him so, except that… Well, he had no room to talk about 'proper' emotional responses to things. If this was how Virgil wanted to navigate the situation, that was his right. "Did you talk to Roman yesterday?"

"Sorta." Virgil put the orange juice back, scooted a glass to Patton, and took a seat on the counter. "He said he wasn't ready to talk, but might be soon."

"To you?"

"Yeah." Virgil's expression was cloudy. "To me."

"That's a lot," Patton said, treading cautiously. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Virgil's knuckles went white around his glass, so much that Patton was worried he might break it. "Oh, there's plenty I want to say," he said darkly. "To you and to-- to him."

"Janus," Patton said, feeling it important, somehow, to say his name.

"Yeah. To Janus."

"You can," Patton said. "To me. I won't get mad."

"I just don't understand!" Virgil said, the words exploding from his chest. "What did he say to you to make you trust him? After everything he did to Roman, to you, to Thomas! What did he say?" It was almost a plea, "What did he say?"

"I already told you, kiddo," Patton said, poking at the water droplets collecting on the side of his glass, unable to remember that they were called. Logan would know. "I made a choice to trust him."

"But why ?"

"I don't know, I just-- I felt something. I don't know if I can explain it in a way you can understand. I just got it. I understood what it was all for. "

"So, what, he just gets a free pass for treating us all like crap? Just gets to talk his way out of consequences?"

"Well, no." Patton kicked the toes of his loafers against the molding under the counter. "But I don't know that it would do any good to… punish him? Be cold, be mean, yell at him. What's done is done. I'm not asking you to forgive him."

"Good, 'cause I don't."

"But I also need you to understand that I made my choice and I'm committing to it. I…" Patton smiled sadly, gazing at the countertop without really seeing it. "I gave my word, in a way."

"Fine," Virgil growled. "But if he hurts you, if he does what he did to Roman and Logan, I swear, I swear--" Patton covered his ears briefly and Virgil seemed to get the message. "Well. I'll avenge you."

"Thanks, Virgil." Patton smiled again, happier this time, and looked Virgil in the face. It really wasn't all that long ago that he had thought of Virgil as an enemy. And now look at them. "I'm proud of you, you know."

"You are?"

"Of course I am! You've been a really good friend to, to all of us. And I'm so happy--"

"Stop," Virgil said, pulling up his hood. "Stop, stop, stop."

"Aw, did I make you blush?" Patton teased.

"Yeah," Virgil said, his voice breaking on that one syllable. He cleared his throat. "Let's not-- I'm gonna--"

"Is something wrong?" Patton asked, already reaching out for a hug. Virgil couldn't see him with his face buried in his hood, so Patton stopped short and let his arms fall to his sides.

"I just, uh." Virgil took a deep breath and let it out in a huff, swept his hood back with a jerky motion. "Sometimes I don't feel like I deserve all this."

"Oh, kiddo, of course you do!" Patton said, again holding out his arms for a hug. Virgil instead held out his hand, and Patton took it in his own, determined to communicate all the love and devotion he could through that simple contact. He smiled at the matching weave of their friendship bracelets, smiled at the memory of sitting side-by-side with Virgil as they both struggled with five-strand braids.

Virgil nodded, and his breathing was still shaky and spastic when he said, "I'm gonna go-- I'm not going off to cry all by myself, if, uh, if you're worried about that. I just need… Uh. Yeah."

Patton nodded, hurriedly snatching the half-cooked toast from the toaster and imagining it smeared with Crofter’s and butter, arranged neatly on a plate. "Okay!" He said with false cheer, passing the plate to Virgil. "Come get me if you need anything! Maybe we can watch Ghost Adventures tonight."

"Sounds good," Virgil said, slightly muffled around his hand, as he was chewing at his thumbnail. "Later." He sank out.

Patton sighed and stared at their untouched orange juice glasses. Even when he was trying to fix things, he made people upset.

A drop of water slid down the side of Virgil's glass, pooled on the countertop. Patton stared at it as another followed.

What did it truly mean to deserve something, anyway? It was something Janus would probably have an opinion on. He seemed to have opinions on most things. Maybe Patton could ask him in a bit.

“Did you need me for something?

Oh, okay, or Patton could ask him now. He turned, unsmiling to Janus. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cheered by Janus’ presence, but that he had no reason to lie. Janus had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't depending on Patton for anything. “Sorry,” he said, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to steal you.”

“No harm, no foul,” Janus said, and sighed so heavily his breath displaced a few puzzle pieces. “As you can see, I was hard at work.” Despite this claim, he wore a hard, annoyed expression and Patton remembered with a sinking feeling in his stomach that he was dealing with a liar. "Did you need help with your puzzle?" Janus asked.

Just like that, Patton's heart leapt. "You'll stay?"

Janus shrugged. "I suppose I can clear a space in my schedule."

Patton stood to get him some coffee. The pot was empty, but it was simple enough to imagine it full again. Ordinarily, he disliked the laziness of misusing Thomas' imagination, but he couldn't deny that it was convenient sometimes. He could tell he was on the brink of annoying Janus (somehow) and didn't want to risk pushing him over the edge. "Have you eaten?"

"Have you?" Janus asked, side-eyeing the remaining slices of toast sitting in the toaster. Patton had forgotten all about them.

"I guess it slipped my mind," Patton turned around and set a coffee mug on the counter in front of Janus, then rounded it to sit down again. He tried not to notice that Janus had scooted his chair away from Patton's, that he leaned on his elbow so they were even farther apart.

"Hm," said Janus, making a face. He didn't push it, and Patton was grateful for that. "Oh, and thank you."

"Of course," Patton said.

He watched Janus for a moment. He handled the puzzle pieces with difficulty, his gloves impeding his ability to pick them up. When he realized he was staring, he turned away and started fitting more edge pieces into place.

He couldn't decide if the quiet was pleasant or awkward. It was kind of nice, kind of domestic, sitting here with Janus, but he couldn't help but feel a kind of tension in the air.

Then Janus turned away and started coughing. Patton reached out to put a hand on his back, caught himself, pulled away. The deep, jagged sound made him cringe. He was no stranger to coughing fits, none of them were, brought on by Thomas' cat allergy. But this had come out of nowhere.

"You okay?" Patton asked when Janus resurfaced. Maybe he was just projecting, but he thought Janus looked a little pale on his human side.

"It's warmer today, isn't it?" Janus said, not looking at Patton.

"Huh?"

"It's not as cold. Roman seems to have gotten ahold of himself somewhat."

"Um, yeah, I guess." Patton furrowed his brow, trying to get a good look at Janus. "But Janus, are you okay?"

"Fine," said Janus. "Just inhaled some coffee, that's all."

But his hands shook as he slid a blue puzzle piece down the counter, and Patton was already halfway out of his seat before he even realized what he was doing. "You know, I think I will make breakfast."

"A little late now," Janus said. "By the way, did you really call me all the way down here just to work on a puzzle?"

"So brunch, then," Patton said. "And to be honest, no."

"Oh, do be honest," Janus said, leaning against the counter and resting his chin in his palm.

But Patton's priorities had shifted beyond philosophical debate. He had to take care of Janus now, get him comfortable, get him honest. He had to. "It's not important anymore."

"Hm," said Janus. He cleared his throat quietly, winced. "Well, now I'm not curious at all."

"It's okay," Patton said, trying for a reassuring smile. "We can talk about it later." He spun around, trying to decide what to make. Toast sounded wholly unappealing now, and he should choose something that would be easy on Janus' throat--

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, by the way," Janus said.

"Making brunch?" Patton said with faux-innocence.

"Mm-hm. And what did you have in mind?"

"Soup."

"Patton," Janus said in a chastising tone. "I don't need you to take care of me. I need you to take care of you."

"That cough sounded like it hurt," Patton said, defeated.

Janus sat back and spread his arms out as though to show himself to Patton. "It did. It went away on its own. I'm fine."

Patton wasn't sure what to say to that. He scratched at his friendship bracelets, embarrassed. "Oh."

"Here's what I want you to do," Janus said, and his voice was surprisingly tender given the hard look on his face. "Cook for yourself. Don't make something you can take to the others later. Don't make something to share with me. I'm giving you a free pass to be selfish."

"But that's wrong!" Patton said reflexively. He regretted it as soon as the words were out of his mouth, but it wasn't like he could take them back. "Not for you," he hastened to explain. "That's your job. But me?"

"I can't very well be selfish for you," Janus said. He seemed annoyed, digging his fingers into both sides of his midriff in a way that looked decidedly painful. "Just try it. It won't be the end of the world."

And Patton wanted to. He didn't want to let Janus down, but… Where did it end? Where did it stop?

"Patton," Janus said. "I can see you catastrophizing."

"Sorry," said Patton, feeling close to tears. "Sorry, sorry, sorry. I just… I don't know who I am or what I want or if I'm even allowed to want."

"Breakfast, Patton. That's all. One little thing."

"Okay," Patton took a deep breath. Calm down. Make food. He could do that.

"There's nothing else," Janus said. "Just us, right now. Just this room. No consequences."

"Okay," Patton said. Cinnamon rolls. He wanted mini cinnamon rolls.

"Good," said Janus. "You're okay." He cleared his throat again, coughed a little behind closed lips. Patton forced himself not to notice, knowing that it would make Janus annoyed if he pointed it out or tried to help.

"I hope so," Patton muttered, half to himself, as he got his ingredients together. A phrase popped into his head and he shouted it out impulsively, "Mise en place!"

"Bless you?" Janus said, raising an eyebrow.

"No, no." Patton smiled. "Getting all your ingredients together. Mise en place."

"Ah," said Janus. He smiled too, his human eye crinkling at the corner. Patton almost sighed at the sight. Janus seemed to hold himself above human standards sometimes. He presented himself as something cold and pure, unbreakable and untouchable and utterly perfect. There was something so beautiful about seeing him step down from the pedestal. Janus seemed to notice Patton staring and turned away, surprisingly demure. "How about some music?"

A turntable appeared on the counter, spinning something inoffensive and charmingly lo-fi. "That's nice," Patton said. He didn't recognize the artist, but it didn't really matter. The music seemed to slide into the cracks of their conversation, filling out the empty spaces and projecting calm throughout the kitchen.

So Patton made cinnamon rolls and Janus worked on the puzzle while he sipped his coffee, and they both pretended not to notice the ragged coughs that Janus couldn't bury under the music no matter how hard he tried.

#moceit #sanders sides #sanders sides fanfiction #spicywrites #spicywrites intertwined

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atomicstrawbrys · 4 years

Text

Three’s A Crowd (Chapter 1/?)

A/N: lmao i finished this just in time- i really wanted to get the first chapter out today so I’m glad I made it! i plan to focus on updating this pretty regularly bc i really liked the idea, so please let me know if you want to read more! Summary: Arthur found his soulmate eight years ago. It’s been nothing but bliss since then, and as far as he’s concerned, he could go on the rest of his life like this and be perfectly content. However, it seems that that’s not exactly what fate would have in store. Soulmate tattoo AU, first words your soulmate says are written on your wrist. Rated T for language, please let me know if you liked it!

“Hey, do you want help with that?”

Those were the words written on Arthur’s wrist since he was born- they were the first thing his soulmate would ever say to him, and, to be honest, they were really quite sweet. Growing up he’d cherished them, as they served to indicate that whoever his soulmate was, they were a kind and compassionate person who would help a stranger in need.

And, well, that’s exactly who Alfred was. He was honest, kind, cheerful and fun, and he was everything Arthur could want in a soulmate. They’d met in University- they were in the Library, finals were approaching, and Arthur was carrying a large stack of books over to his table to set up a late-night study session. Alfred had come up to him, hands already outstretched to lighten his load, when he said those seven magic words.

Arthur hadn’t even realized it at the time- he was far too preoccupied with keeping his perfect GPA, he had no time for soulmates. Still, though, when he’d replied with a simple ‘Thank you, they’re really quite heavy,” Alfred had positively beamed.

And that was the beginning of the best eight years of Arthur’s life. They’d since graduated and had their own careers- Alfred a brilliant wildlife biologist, Arthur an up-and-coming author in the mystery genre. As far as Arthur was concerned, his life could keep going on like this, and he’d be quite happy with it. They had good jobs, a nice apartment, and money left in the bank after their bills, so really, things were good. They weren’t perfect, of course- Alfred left every so often for excursions out to nature preserves and the like, and though Arthur was sad to see him go, he always looked forward to the day Alfred returned, as he was sure to have plenty of affection and good stories to tell.

Today was one of those days, in fact. Alfred had been gone for a month and a half to supervise the reintroduction of some wolves back into the wild, and yesterday had finally been his last day at the site. He’d continue to check in remotely, but his time away was nearly done and Arthur was just glad he was coming home. He already had a dinner planned- Arthur was by no means an excellent chef, but he could do a pretty good shepherd’s pie, and what he lacked in savory cooking he made up for tenfold in sweet. He’d have a chocolate cake ready with dinner, he decided, as a nice little ‘welcome home’ celebration.

As Arthur planned out his surprise, he went to the kitchen to go ahead and make sure he had everything he needed. He had everything for the pie, that was no problem, but when he looked in the cabinet above the sink, he let out a curse. Of course- he was out of sugar. Arguably one of the more important parts of a cake. Well- that was no matter. He could go out, the grocery store wasn’t far, he could still be done in plenty of time for Alfred to get back.

He walked out of their kitchen and through the living room, pulling his outerwear off the hooks near the door. He zipped up a navy-blue coat and tucked his cream-colored scarf inside it. Alfred would make fun of him if he could see- Alfred never seemed to get cold, and only ever wore a jacket at Arthur’s insistence. Grabbing his wallet and keys, Arthur turned out the lights and left the apartment, locking up behind himself.

The walk to the grocer’s was a short one, but it really was quite cold. Arthur rubbed his arms the whole way there, and when he finally stepped into that artificially yellow light and dry heat, he gave a sigh of relief. The store was small- it was a family-owned place rather than a chain, and though the pea-green walls were unattractive, and the linoleum floor seemed perpetually sticky, the owners were nice, so Arthur never considered another establishment. He grabbed a basket on his way in, and then began to wander the aisles. He was there for sugar, of course, but there were a few more things he could pick up while he was out. And this was the perfect time for shopping, too- there was hardly anyone in the store, and only one cashier on the registers. He waved to her as he ducked into the snack aisle, picking up a bag of chips that were Alfred’s favorite brand. He picked some up for himself too, as well as a gallon of milk and a carton of eggs. The last thing he needed was the sugar.

Of course, that would be no easy task. The sugar he always bought was on the very top shelf of the aisle, and although Alfred was normally around to get it down for him, this time he was on his own. Still, though, he could do it! He had before, it just...took him a second. And of course, when he turned into the aisle with all the baking ingredients, it was one of only a few preoccupied places in the store. Another man stood on the other end, seemingly trying to decide between two different items. He was tall, the same height or taller than Alfred. Other than that, Arthur couldn’t tell much about him- he was wearing a huge black jacket, one with faux fur lining the hood. He glanced over at Arthur when he came in, and though Arthur did notice how his gaze lingered, it wasn’t long before he looked away again.

Deciding to just get in and get out, Arthur set his basket down and reached as high up as he could for the sugar, his fingertips barely brushing the bottom of the bag. He strained with the effort, only pausing when he heard footsteps walking towards him.

The man stopped in front of him, and Arthur could see him more clearly now. He was definitely taller than Alfred, with a reddish-brown complexion and deep amber eyes that glinted with mirth. He had a cocky smirk on his face, and instantly Arthur could tell the man found him amusing. With a chuckle, the man glanced up at the sugar and then back at Arthur. He took in a breath, and when he spoke, his voice was teasing and smug.

“Hey, do you want help with that?”

Arthur shot him a pointed look- really, it didn’t matter what he said, not when he said it in such a patronizing manner. He shook his head, then looked away and reached for it again, ignoring the embarrassed flush on his pale cheeks. He could blame it on the cold later.

“Fuck off, Asshole, I don’t need your help.” He grunted, and, to his great surprise, the man dropped his basket and stared.

He ripped the sleeve of his jacket away from his arm, showing off his wrist. Surely enough, the ink on his skin was an exact transcription of what Arthur had just said, and it dawned on him that this stranger had greeted him the same way Alfred had nearly a decade ago. The words on Arthur’s own wrist were clear as day as he reached up for the sugar, his own sleeve sliding down his arm. The stranger glanced at it, just to be sure, and then he beamed.

“H-holy shit,” He spoke, still smiling and now with a tremble in his voice. “I…can’t believe it. Uh- hey, I’m Allen, it’s really nice to meet ya.”

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gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights · 4 years

Link

Rating: T

Summary: Home is where the heart is. And sometimes, home is a room Cataclysmed out of the sewers beneath Paris. At least it has a stocked fridge, a pretty comfy couch, and Chat Noir's Nintendo Switch. Oh, and some pretty good company, too. (Or, the one where the heroes from season 2 essentially move into a homemade apartment.)

Word Count: 1797 | Chapter 1/?

Notes: for @landturtlealyce, one of the @mlbforblm giveaway winners! The drive is now over, but it’s still always a good time to check out colorofchange.org! More notes on this AU are on AO3, but the tldr is everyone’s 20 in this and no one knows each others’ identities.

XXX

“Aaaaaah! This is so sick!” Rena Rouge clapped her palms to her cheeks as she took in the underground hideout.

Marinette knew it wasn’t much—practically just a boxlike room Cataclysmed out of the Paris sewers—but it was off the grid, a place Hawkmoth wouldn’t think to look for them. And thanks to a few rounds of her Lucky Charm, the room had furniture that wouldn’t have fit through the small door otherwise. A red-and-black spotted sofa took up most of the space in the middle, but a small refrigerator was crammed behind a stone counter that served as the division between “living room” and “kitchen.” A tall lamp cast a warm glow across the stone walls.

Extension cords hidden against the walls allowed them to borrow the sewer’s electricity. Was that stealing? Maybe, but even heroes of Paris had to keep their food cold somehow.

“Dude, you have a Switch? Please tell me you have Just Dance 2023.”

Carapace was already flipping through the games Chat Noir had brought. Marinette had tried to insist that they didn’t have time to play video games, but Chat said it would be good practice in case Hawkmoth ever akumatized Gamer 4.0. She couldn’t argue with that. (Especially since it was too much fun to crush him at Ultimate Mecha Strike V.)

“I do, but the Wii versions are way better,” Chat pointed to the other console he’d already set up. “We should play 2015. That one’s got Holding Out for a Hero.”

“We’re not here to play games, kitty,” Marinette reminded him. They’d have time for that later, but she didn’t want Rena Rouge and Carapace to think they were too casual about their jobs.

“But if we are, I’d mop the floor with you all.” Rena crossed her arms.

“Psh, have you seen my dance moves, fox lady?”

“I don’t need to. The only one who’s ever managed to reach my score is my boyfriend.”

“Well, the only one who’s ever managed to top my score is my girlfriend.”

Chat Noir sighed from his spot leaning against the rough-hewn wall. “I wish I had a girlfriend to kick my butt at video games.”

He turned and fluttered his golden lashes at her.

“Maybe you’d be better off practicing a dating simulator.” She smirked.

“Ah, but none of them could ever turn me down as cleverly as you.”

Rena strode between them and put her hands on her hips. “Alright, alright, enough flirting. We can play games after Ladybug tells us why she brought us here.”

“Hey, I brought you guys here too,” Chat pouted.

“Sorry, why you both brought us here.”

“Alright.” Marinette nodded towards the couch. “You guys can have a seat. Chat and I will take the bean bags.” Those weren’t created by her superpowers, so they were the soft pink of her old bedroom.

“Aww, you don’t want to cuddle on the sofa with me? I make a great lap cat, you know.” He winked.

She rolled her eyes. He’d gotten bolder ever since they’d started working on this hideout together. She didn’t really mind, though—it had actually kept him more focused during akuma battles, since he didn’t have to cram in fighting and flirting all at once.

“So you and Chat Noir still aren’t dating?” Rena asked, crossing her legs as she sat on the couch. Carapace lounged next to her, his arms over the back. “I thought, with the secret hideout…”

“And since there’s only one couch…” Carapace wiggled his eyebrows beneath his hood.

Marinette nearly faceplanted on her way to the fridge. That probably would’ve been less embarrassing than facing Carapace’s question.

“First of all, no.” She pulled out the gallon of milk and slammed it on the counter. “Second of all, this is a strictly professional hideout. For team bonding, meetings, and recharging kwamis.”

“I for one would still like to professionally cuddle.” Chat raised his hand from his spot on the bean bag.

Marinette gulped her milk straight from the jug. She didn’t have the energy to grab a cup after dealing with all this. (Plus, she’d forgotten to bring the cups here.)

“Guys, leave Ladybug alone,” Rena said. “She didn’t have to invite us to her ultra secret base.”

“Thank you,” she breathed in exasperation.

Chat pointed to her face. “You’ve got a little, uh…”

She felt the milk drip off her chin. Right.

She wiped her mouth on the back of her wrist, put up the milk, and plopped down on the other beanbag.

“Anyway.” She glared at each of the heroes, who each sat up straighter. “I really need us all to get serious for a moment. I’m sure you guys have noticed that things have changed. Mayura has become more active. We’ve faced sentimonsters as often as akumas, and more often both at once.”

Just thinking about it made her exhausted. She’d never been more glad to have help from her team than in these last few months. There was no way she could pass her second-year classes if she and Chat Noir were the only active heroes.

So the news she was about to give Rena and Carapace was long in coming.

“If you’re up to it, I’d like you to keep your miraculouses full time now.”

Carapace’s jaw dropped. Rena Rouge grinned, her faux ears quivering.

“No way! I mean, yes! Of course I’m up for it!”

“Me too, but… what about the Master dude?” Carapace frowned. “Wayzz is his kwami too, isn’t he? Won’t they miss each other?”

Marinette shared a look with Chat Noir. They’d discussed what they’d tell their partners before inviting them here, but this topic hadn’t come up. It wasn’t like Rena or Carapace knew Master Fu personally; the kwamis flew their miraculouses to them each time they were needed. But Wayzz must have shared enough stories for Carapace to care about him.

“If we’re going to be a team, we need to be honest with each other,” Chat said with uncharacteristic seriousness. “The Master is gone.”

“Gone?” Rena gaped.

“Gone, like… dead?” Carapace whispered.

“No, no!” Chat said, he and Marinette both waving their arms.

“His memory has been fading for a long time now,” she admitted. “He’s still able function, but he doesn’t want to risk making any mistakes with the miraculouses. He deserves the rest, anyway. Last week was his 192nd birthday.”

Carapace whistled, sinking further into the couch.

“Is he okay, though?” Rena’s eyebrows drew together.

“He’s all good, don’t worry,” Chat Noir assured in his own comforting way. “His friend is taking care of him. They’re heading back to China, so he’ll be safe from Hawkmoth, too.”

“Wayzz didn’t tell me that when he came today. I hope the little dude’s taking it alright.”

“It’s going to be hard on all of the kwamis. The Master has been their only friend for years.” Marinette stood, moving to open a cabinet at the top of the entertainment center. “That’s another reason I’ve invited you here. Protecting the kwamis is a greater responsibility than I can handle on my own.”

Rena, Carapace, and even Chat leaned forward as she gently set down the Miracle Box. Well, box was a loose term—it looked more like a giant polka-dotted egg ever since Master Fu had passed it on to her. She was still studying the grimoire to learn how to disguise it again. Until then, the Miracle Box was safer in this hideout than in the apartment she shared with three other girls.

“We won’t let you down, Ladybug.” Rena Rogue nodded with determination.

“Yeah, we’re with you, lady bro.” Carapace smiled. “Though I’ve gotta ask—are you showing this off to all us temp heroes? You don’t know who we are. If Hawkmoth got ahold of us...”

“It’s a risk we’re willing to take now.”

Only Chat knew how long it had taken for her to reach that decision. He’d been the one to suggest it, actually. Hawkmoth and Mayura clearly worked together in a unified offense. The only way the heroes could stand against them would be by relying on each other.

“Does that mean we’re revealing our identities too?” Rena Rouge asked.

“As much as I’d like to blind you with my beauty,” Chat Noir flipped his hair, “it’s still not safe enough for that.”

“Aw.” Rena’s ears drooped.

“You won’t need to stay transformed the whole time you’re here, though. I’ve made masks for each of you, in case your kwamis need to rest.” Since they were adults, they wouldn’t automatically detransform after using their powers, but it would take a toll on their kwamis eventually. Besides, they might want to hang out with their friends in the Miracle Box.

Marinette replaced the box, then pointed out the four hooks near the door. “Carapace, yours comes with a hood. I wasn’t sure how to make it resemble your suit otherwise.”

Rena sprung up and ran to grab hers. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting it to be so soft. Once we’re done kicking Hawkmoth’s butt, you could go into costume design.”

Marinette laughed nervously. “Oh, it was nothing! Just a little something I threw together.”

“Don’t be so modest, bugaboo. You’re amazing at anything you put your mind to.” Chat rested his elbow on her shoulder. She rolled her eyes, but didn’t push him away.

“There’s only four masks,” Carapace said, stepping up behind them. “What about Queenie, and Ryuuko, and the others? Are they not getting the VIP tour?”

“I told you they’d ask.” Chat’s voice betrayed the smirk Marinette couldn’t see.

“And I told you, I still don’t trust Queen Bee. And the others are too inexperienced. We can phase them in later, but I want them to prove they can keep their own identities secret before we trust them with our hideout.”

Ryuuko, Viperion, Pegasus, and King Monkey had technically been heroes for about three years, but they were called in so infrequently that the experience hardly counted. Plus, there was the fact that the secret base was simply too small to fit all nine heroes.

Rena nodded. “Can’t blame you there. Queenie reminds me of this spoiled brat I knew back in lycée.”

“Same, actually,” Marinette mumbled. If it wasn’t for the fact that Chloé Bourgeois would never lift a manicured fingernail to help someone else, Marinette would almost think she was Queen Bee. Maybe she had a slightly-less-obnoxious cousin?

“Hey, let’s be nice to our teammate. Pollen must have picked her for a reason,” Chat said. “...Even if none of us has a clue what that reason is.”

“We’ll still work with her, dude. I’m just happy we don’t have to share the party house.” Carapace grinned. “And speaking of partying… can we play Just Dance 2023?”

#miraculous ladybug #ml #ladybug #chat noir #rena rouge #carapace #hero fam #fic tag #tali writes #mlbforblm #home base

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soul-music-is-life · 4 years

Note

Could you do Sam’s first Christmas season? Please ? Hope you and you’re family are safe

Happy Holidays.

Much love.

Stay safe everyone.

*****

The holidays weren’t perfect. It had been hellacious to try and convince two moody teenagers to dress up like their moms and baby brother, but Lily and Grace begrudgingly put on the red and white flannel outfits because they wanted their little brother to have good memories to look back on.

Emily had gone overboard with the decorations, as always. Alison had come to love the over-the-top antics throughout the years. Emily had been big on Christmas since she was a kid.

Her dad was often overseas, so any time they were able to celebrate they went all out for it. The holidays had always meant a lot to her. Alison had learned to appreciate her affinity for it. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

The house smelled like peppermint and holly. The aroma of cinnamon was in the air. Emily had decorated the living room with several different Santas, candy canes, twinkling lights, wreaths, and snowmen. The tree was fully trimmed. They’d done it as a family.

It emitted the spirit of the season. Lily and Grace loved the decorations.

They loved the matching clothes a little less.

“We look like illegitimate candy canes.” Lily walked into the living room tugging at the sleeves on her pajamas.

Grace was padding along behind her.

“Don’t let your mother hear that. She’ll smite you in the name of Christmas.” Alison moved an ornament from the tree, trying to make everything look symmetrical. She wanted it to be perfect.

Bad mouthing Christmas was a punishable offense in the DiLaurentis-Fields house. The girls knew better. Yet they let their dissatisfaction be known.

“We look so tacky.” Grace lifted her arms to observe the long-sleeved shirt.

“How could you allow this fashion faux pas, mom?” Lily reached for the matching hat.

“Don’t ask her. She proposed to me in sweats and a pug sweatshirt.” Emily sauntered down the stairs.

She had Sam in her arms in his matching onesie, red pants, and red and white Christmas booties. He was bouncing and babbling to himself.

“Wait. For real?” Grace looked at Alison. “Way to be romantic, mom.”

“Love is love, smart-ass, regardless of fashion.” Alison playfully whacked the back of her head.

“Ah, sarcasm and abuse. It’s Christmastime alright.” Lily took in a breath of the fresh pine scent.

When Emily got to the bottom of the steps Sam started wiggling. He saw his sisters and lit up in delight. He loved traipsing along behind them and crawling in their laps.

She put him down. He clapped his hands in excitement and toddled towards them.

Grace and Lily fawned over him, encouraging him and clapping their hands loudly.

He latched on to Lily’s leg when he reached her, hugging her and cooing.

“Hi, Sammy.” Lily smiled down at him. He was gripping her pajama bottoms in between his little fingers. “You look like a little peppermint.”

“Awww.” Grace walked next to her sister and brother. “Suddenly I don’t hate these outfits so much. It’s cute when he wears it.”

Sam let go of Lily’s pant legs and looked up at Grace.

“Gace.” He still hadn’t mastered saying her name. For the longest time he’d pronounced it ‘gays’, which his mothers had thought was absolutely hysterical. “Gace up.” He lifted his hands and begged to be picked up.

“Hey, little man.” She leaned down and lifted him off of the floor. “You get to meet Santa today. You excited?”

Sam wasn’t paying attention to her anymore. He’d shifted his focus to Lily, reaching for her. Grace passed him off. He hugged her neck and murmured, “sissy, wuv.” His way of telling his sisters he loved them.

Alison glanced at Emily as she reached for her phone to snap a photo. They loved capturing moments of their kids getting along.

“Down.” He ordered after about ten seconds.

He marveled at the lights on the tree as his family got set up for the picture. Every so often his moms had to pull him away so he wouldn’t rip an ornament down. He started to get fussy about it, so Alison put him in his play area.

They got into position and Emily set up the automatic timer on the camera. She walked around the Christmas tree to where Sam’s play area was set up. But he wasn’t in it.

“Em, hurry up. The light is flashing.” Alison tried to hurry her along.

“Uh...we’ve got a jail break.” Emily spun around.

She caught a glimpse of movement between the tree and the window. She quickly followed him.

She hadn’t been expecting to come out the other side to see that her son had stripped out of his outfit and diaper. He was only wearing his booties. He’d put a stocking on his head. It had slipped down over his forehead and was resting near his brows like the brim of a hat.

He looked up at his mom and grinned. Then he turned to run away, because he loved to make his parents and sisters chase him.

“Sammy! Get back here!” Emily stumbled around their presents.

“What...” Grace looked over and saw her brother stark naked and started howling in laughter.

Sam ran in front of the camera, directly in Alison’s line of sight. He had a snowflake ornament in his hand.

“Sam!” Alison exclaimed in surprise.

There was a rustling noise behind them. Grace had laughed herself into such a stupor that she was falling backwards into the tree. She knocked into it, nearly sending it falling into Emily, who was on the other side.

Emily popped out as the tree started to fall. Alison leaped forward and grabbed the tree to try and salvage the ornaments. She managed to get it upright again, but several ornaments fell into the pile of presents below it.

Lily had grabbed Grace’s arm to keep her from falling. Her other arm was stretched towards her little brother.

“Come here, buddy.” She tried to entice him.

“Heeee.” A huge grin spread across his face.

He watched in amusement as they pulled everything back together. He took a few wobbly steps towards his family, but tripped over his booties. He caught himself before he hit the floor, his baby-powdered bottom in the air in direct line of the camera, which was capturing the entire sequence of events.

The camera clicked as Emily reached down to grab him. When she had him in her arms she looked over at her wife and her daughters. They were all staring in utter disbelief.

The living room was completely silent.

“Tree!” Sam exclaimed in delight, pointing towards the tree that he’d nearly destroyed.

As he jutted his finger forward an ornament fell off of a limb and bonked Grace in the head.

“Best Christmas ever.” Lily smiled at the mayhem.

Sam giggled and then buried his face in Emily’s shoulder. The stocking fell off of his head, leaving him butt naked, with the exception of his feet.

Emily looked at Alison. They started laughing. Grace and Lily joined in. Emily walked over to her family.

“Guess he didn’t like the matching pajamas either.” Grace reached over to tousle his hair.

"Shall we try that again? Minus the demolition derby?” Alison leaned forward and tickled the little boy’s cheek.

“I’ve got his clothes.” Lily snapped his onesie in the air, sending a few pine needles to the floor.

Emily handed the baby off to Alison and went to set the camera up again while Alison got Sam redressed.

They gathered in front of the tree and took several photos in various different poses. None of them could contain their giggles.

After the photos were finished the twins insisted on making gingerbread cookies. They burned the first batch, but the second batch had been perfect.

They were finishing up the cookies as their moms got Sam ready for his picture with Santa.

Grace slid a spatula underneath the little man-shaped cookie, moving it off of the cookie sheet. Lily opened the oven with a mitt on and reached inside to grab the last of the cookies.

When she turned around Grace was squeezing some icing into a spoon.

“We have to wait for them to cool before we can decorate them.” Lily put the hot pan down against the stove.

“Mind your business.” Grace shoved the spoon full of icing into her mouth.

She stuck her tongue out at her sister. She hadn’t expected Lily to laugh in response.

“What’s so funny?”

“Your teeth are green.” Lily grinned.

“Girls! Are you almost ready?” Alison exclaimed.

They heard stampeding footsteps racing towards them. Sam’s boots clunked against the kitchen floor. He was wearing a light brown Christmas jumper that had a hood with reindeer antlers.

“It smells like Christmas in here.” Emily clapped her hands together in excitement.

She loved it when her girls got into the spirit.

“We thought we could decorate the cookies as a family after Sam meets Santa.” Lily double-checked to make sure the oven was off.

Sam saw the cookies and his eyes lit up. He reached up towards the cabinet, trying to grab them.

“No, no. That’s hot, buddy.” Lily swooped down and picked him up.

Grace picked up a cookie that had cooled down.

“Emily, you have to look at these pictures.” Alison walked in the kitchen with an amused look on her face, her phone in her hand.

The images from the digital camera automatically saved to their phones, but Emily hadn’t had a chance to look at them yet. Alison was swiping through them, laughing at each one.

“We’ll get little man situated in his car seat.” Grace broke off a piece of the gingerbread cookie and handed it to Sam.

He squeezed it with his fingers and brought the cookie up to his mouth. He closed his lips around it and started gumming it.

“Careful with the sugar. Don’t let him get too sticky.” Alison glanced at the twins.

“We got this. Relax.” Grace waved it off.

They went to grab Sam’s diaper bag. Emily and Alison sorted through the images, trying to choose one for a Christmas card. They had to have it ready when they went to the mall. They were planning on dropping it off to make multiple prints while Sam got his picture with Santa.

“My mom is going to love these.” Emily zoomed in on a picture where all of them, including Sam, were smiling at the camera.

“Never in a million years did I think we would be those people.” Alison shook her head with a laugh.

“The suburban mommies who force their children to wear matching jammies?” Emily asked.

Alison snorted.

“Say jammies again. It’s adorable.” She leaned into Emily, putting her hand against the brunette’s shoulder.

“I’ll show you adorable.” Emily moved forward and planted a kiss on her lips.

“Mmm.” Alison smiled. “You taste like peppermint.”

“Merry Christmas.” Emily lifted her brows with a smile.

“Maybe after the kids go to bed we can play a little Mrs. and Mrs. Claus?” Alison suggested. “I still have the sexy outfit from last year...”

"Merry Christmas to me.” Emily liked the sound of it.

Emily looked at the photo on her phone again.

“You know, these are cute.” Emily admired her family. “It’s kind of weird though. All the Christmases we had when we were younger were never normal. The first one without you after you disappeared was hard.”

Alison looked down at the floor.

“Sometimes I wish I could go back and fix everything about our childhood.” She chewed on her inner cheek.

“It got us here. So there’s that.” Emily smiled warmly at her wife. “Things were just different when I was a kid. My mom and dad went out of their way to spoil me on Christmas. I just want to make sure our kids have that experience. But maybe I’m trying too hard. Trying to overcompensate.” Emily shrugged. “I miss my dad a lot this time of year. This makes me feel like he’s with us.”

Alison felt a twinge in her heart. Emily held her emotions about her dad inside for the most part, but every so often she let her guard down. Alison knew how she felt. She missed her mom. The woman had been horrible, but she was still her mother. It was hard not having her around on the holidays.

“I love what you do for us. The girls, too.” She rubbed Emily’s arm.

“Yeah, I know.” Emily swiped through a few more photos. “But this year feels a little different.”

She scrolled through the photos until she got to the chaotic scene of their son rebelling against Christmas. She chuckled.

“See, this feels more real to me than all those other pictures.” She laughed at the image of everything falling apart. They all had genuine smiles on their faces.

“I thought you were going to get impaled by an icicle ornament.” Alison looked at the picture.

In the photo she had her mouth wide open. Her eyes were fixed on the tree, which was a blurring motion of lights.

They went through a couple more photos. Emily stopped when she landed on a picture where Sam was mooning the camera. It was right after he’d fallen over and caught himself on his palms. His little butt was in the air. Behind him it looked like Lily and Grace were toppling into the tree. Alison had her hands thrown up in surprise and Emily was stumbling out of the rubble. It looked like she was diving towards Sam.

Emily craned her neck forward and started laughing. It was the funniest thing she had ever seen in her life. And it was real. It was their family.

“Oh, this is priceless.” Emily felt tears of joy stinging her eyes. She couldn’t stop laughing. “We’re using this one.”

Alison peered at the photo. She saw the slack-jawed less-than-perfect appearance on her face and shook her head.

“Over my dead body.”

“Again? You know, you can only fake your death so many times...” Emily teased.

“You shut up.” Alison laughed in surprise.

“Come on. Look at it. This is us. I don’t think I could find anything better to represent what our family is like every day.”

“Complete and utter chaos?”

“Exactly.”

“Moms!” Lily called. “We’re ready!”

“We’ll continue this debate in the car.” Emily swiped the keys with a smile on her face. She knew she’d already won. She always got her way at Christmas. But for a little extra insurance she made a suggestion. “We’ll see what the girls think.”

Alison knew she was fighting a losing battle. Lily and Grace had Emily’s sense of humor.

By the time they got to the mall it had been decided. The disastrous picture was going to be their card.

The theme of disaster continued when they took Sam to meet Santa. He had cried when Alison placed him on Santa’s lap.

At first he’d been too distracted by his sisters making funny faces at him to notice the strange man with the white beard. But then he turned around. His little body jolted in surprise. His lip quivered when he saw the stranger.

He had spun around and reached for his mommies, his arms outstretched and his hands gripping at the air as he whined.

“It’s okay, Sammy.” Alison kneeled next to him as Santa bounced him on his knee.

“We’re right here, baby.” Emily leaned next to Alison. She played with Sam’s fingers.

Sam whimpered and looked back at Santa. The jolly old fellow smiled at him. Sam’s brows dipped down in apprehension and confusion. He reached for the beard and gave it a tug.

Santa laughed. When Sam saw him smile he smiled back.

Emily and Alison slowly backed away so they could snap the photo before their son noticed they weren’t next to him anymore.

They managed to get a halfway decent photo before he started to cry again. When Alison took him away from Santa he wrapped his arms around her neck and sniffled, laying his cheek against her shoulder. She rubbed his back and spoke quietly to him to calm him down.

He fell asleep on the way home, which they had expected. He’d had a big day, and it wasn’t quite over yet.

After he woke up from his nap he got to decorate cookies with his sisters. He got icing everywhere, including in his hair.

When they were done with the cookies they had one last surprise for him.

They all bundled up to take him to look at the decorative lights all around the city. He had been in awe of them.

In the end it wasn’t the presents or the tree or the smell of the gingerbread men his big sisters made that Sam enjoyed the most about his first Christmas. It was the lights.

The blue icicle shaped lights that were hanging in the window at his house. The multicolored blinking lights outlining the neighbor’s house. The twinkling twilight lights set to “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” at the end of the block. The lights outlining Santa’s reindeer in a set-up a few streets over.

Large trees outlined in white lights. Candy canes in red and white spiral patterns. Christmas scenes from Santa’s workshop. Penguins playing in the snow. Presents and stars. Lights set to musical numbers.

He was fascinated by all of them. His favorite was a light parade of white and blue glowing shower lights spanning an entire house. Rainbows of greens and reds were set in an arch on a timer. White lights near the roof twinkling made it look like a winter wonderland.

“Oooh.” Sam lifted his chubby little hand and pointed his index finger towards the light display. The lights illuminated his face in different colors. “Whoooa.” He smiled.

He watched in amazement as he gummed a soft gingerbread cookie, leaving it a sopping drooling mess on his face.

Lily swiped away the drool on his chin. He made a face to showcase his disapproval, but then giggled and turned back towards the light display.

Seeing Christmas through their baby brother’s eyes gave Lily and Grace a new appreciation for the holiday. And it rejuvenated their tired moms.

It hadn’t been a perfect Christmas. The photoshoot had been a disaster. The girls had burned the cookies. Sam had cried meeting Santa. He had broken a Christmas ornament and scared himself and had ripped into a present that wasn’t his. The house was a mess by the time the night was over.

But that didn’t take away the joy that Alison and Emily felt when they put their tired boy to bed that night in his Christmas Pjs. They had listened as Lily and Grace read him The Night Before Christmas. They sang him Christmas carols until he fell asleep.

They laid in bed together that night, knowing their traditions weren’t perfect. But the traditions were theirs.

Christmas wasn’t about perfection. It was about the love of their family, and the memories that would last a lifetime...including the photo of a mischievous little boy running around in nothing but Christmas booties and a stocking on his head that was framed and put on their mantle as a reminder of the joy they had felt that day.

#Pretty Little Liars #Emison #PLL #Emily Fields #Alison DiLaurentis

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bangtan-madi · 4 years

Text

All Of Our Lifetimes — Three: Samothrace

Pairing — Taehyung x Reader

Tags — boyfriend!Taehyung, husband!Taehyung reincarnation au, lovers to strangers and to lovers again, established relationship, implied soulmate au

Genre — fluff, angst, crime (ish)

Word Count — 2.5k

Summary — Does love ever truly end, or does it simply take another form in a new life? The cycle is like clockwork: your lives end and you’re reborn again. You’ve lived it over and over. Each cycle, one of you loses your memories and is tragically unaware until the other finds and awakens their lover. After all these eons, all these lifetimes, is it possible to find each other again—even when neither of you awakens with your memories?

Part — 3 / 15

Warnings — language, mentions of murder (no description)

Previous — Next

On your way to breakfast the next morning, you get the call from Director Hyeon. What she tells you in the next few seconds nearly causes you to drop your phone and shout for joy, right in the middle of the sidewalk.

"We're offering you the job, [Y/n]. You're the most qualified and capable, by far. Everyone in the leadership has agreed that we can trust our boys to you. If you're interested...the position is yours."

Without giving your lungs a second to catch up with your erratic, excited breathing, you're exclaiming a vibrant, "Yes! Yes, I am very interested."

The details are finalized over the following week, which gives you just enough time to fly back home and pack up your belongings to ship overseas. Milo is a huge help, despite the fact that she's so jealous. While she has several interviews scheduled via telephone or Skype over the next few weeks, it will be a month or possibly more before she will join you in Seoul.

"I'm so jealous!" she tells you over and over. "So happy for you...but damn! I'm the one in the BTS army over here!"

"I'll see if I can snag you an autograph or something," you reply, half-joking.

Milo looks at you like you hold the world in your hands. "I would fucking marry you if you did."

"You'd marry me anyway."

At that, Milo merely flashes a wink and giggles to herself.

After your clothes and transportable belongings are packed and shipped overseas to your new apartment, the two of you drive to the airport in unusual silence, only a few items in your overhead luggage. It's not uncomfortable, but along the way, you both realize that this will be the last time you'll see each other for at least a month.

Milo has been your best friend since middle school, and you've lived together since college. To be without her for that long, after all you've been through together, it's hitting you hard as the airport draws near. You reach for her hand over the armrest, lacing your fingers through hers.

"You're not gonna go run off and find some boy that keeps you in America, right?" you ask in a semi-joking tone.

Milo tilts her head as she stares at you from the passenger's side. "Only if you don't find a cute K-pop boy to fall in love with and forget all about me."

You make a faux gagging sound, drawing a smirk from your best friend. "Not a chance."

"Then don't test me, [Y/n]. I'll get a job and be with you in Seoul before we know it. A month isn't too long, and then we can be roomies again!"

Your hand tightens as you flash a genuine smile. "Wouldn't change it for the world."

You remain attached to each other until you get to the security check-in. Turning to Milo, you pull her into a tight embrace, one that she whole-heartedly returns.

"Don't make me wait too long, okay?"

"'Course not," she chimes back, trying to keep her voice it's usual happy-go-lucky. "We're Siamese twins, you and me. Not gonna separate us!"

You say your temporary goodbyes—the only reason you don't break down being that you constantly remind yourself that it is only temporary—and depart for the security line. Passport in one hand, the other waving back to Milo, you hold tight to the shred of the past while running headfirst into your future.

One thing is for certain: things are going to change.

The first few days as a permanent resident of Seoul are spent settling into your new job and new apartment. And, as per usual in a major life change, there are things that go wrong that you couldn't have anticipated. You get lost on your way to work on your first day and end up being a few minutes late, one of your packages of clothing has not shown up yet despite everything else has arrived, and the office space at Big Hit evidently used to be occupied by someone who never cleared out their shitstorm of a file cabinet.

Needless to say, by the time the weekend arrives, you want to do nothing more than relax and recuperate and do something other than stare between two monitors. If you have to translate another word from Hangul into the English alphabet, you're going to chuck something out the window.

But, understandably, your apartment isn't in the best shape. Boxes are half-way unpacked, and plenty of furniture still needs to be bought. What has been unpacked is haphazardly tosses on any clean surface you can find. It's not exactly a den of peace and serenity, and probably not the ideal place to relax.

So, after doing some online shopping for said furniture and organizing as best you can, you decide to take the rest of the Saturday afternoon and do something you genuinely want to do. An idea pops into your head, and you grab your coat from the counter as you head for the door.

You never finished your tour of the Seoul Museum of Art, knowing for a fact that you haven't gotten to the architecture wing or portrait gallery. You feel your heart longing to go back and explore the remaining spots of the building, knowing in your soul that you need to be there.

What better time than the present?

You find your way easily, enjoying the brisk air that catches your skin and under your coat. The seasons are changing, shades of winter like white and grey settling into post-New Year's hues of mocha and beige. The city smells like green tea and feels like an ever-changing living organism.

Something tells you that more than just the seasons will be changing this year.

Enter the museum, you find your way back towards the gallery where you left off. After the conversation with the stranger from yesterday, you were a bit too weirded out to really enjoy any of the other exhibits. Wandering for another hour, you hardly remember any of it. The story he told, the bloody fingerprint at the corner of "Vase with Honesty," it was all a bit too eerie for your liking.

But something in the back of your mind keeps prodding at you, and you desperately wish who that man was so that you could ask him more questions. How did he know about the murder? Why was he as drawn to the painting as you were? Why did he leave so abruptly?

All these questions circulate your mind as you round the corner, passing by the Van Gogh exhibit to your right. Just as you pass out of the entrance, you stop mid-step and turn on your heel, peaking back into the open space.

Standing in front of "Vase with Honesty," the stranger from yesterday wears the beige hoodie and a white facemask. You might've missed him if it weren't for the way his eyes followed you from the entrance to the exit of the temporary exhibit, dark eyes dusted by curly hair. You think it unusual to recognize a stranger just from a few minutes of interaction, but your life has been anything but usual the past two weeks.

Instead, you offer a tiny smile and wave, stepping out of the arched entrance and towards the man. "Hi...again."

His eyes avert yours, shifting to the wall behind you, the paintings, the ceiling. Anywhere but at you. "Hi."

"Seems like we keep running into each other, hm?" you offer in a friendly tone. "Come back to see 'Vase with Honesty'?"

The stranger nods. "I'm a...big fan. Van Gogh's art is comforting. I've never known why."

His confession causes a genuine smile to spread across your face. "That's what art's for, silly. Van Gogh was a tortured soul, but I think he'd be happy to know that his life's work gives comfort to people, even..." You glance at the description card in front of the piece, searching for the date. "Even 136 years later."

His brown eyes flicker to yours again for a brief moment, and it's long enough for you to nod your head towards the expansive hallway. "Wanna walk with me? I got a few rooms in the museum yesterday, but not much more than that. Always nice to explore with others, don't you think?"

The shy man nods once and joins your side as you turn towards the interior, keeping a couple of feet between you.

As you make your way to other wings, you and the stranger make small talk to pass the time. Well, you do most of the talking. You're not sure if this person doesn't trust you or if he's just catatonically shy, but he's refused to lower his hood or raise his head enough for you to get a good look at his face. His features are still obscured by his clothing and hair, but his voice is soothing the few times he does reply. His presence is calming. Something about the man puts you instantly at ease, and you find yourself being more friendly than you might be to any other stranger.

"Is Korean your first language?" he inquires, as you step into the empty room full of 20th-century modern art.

You shake your head, a slightly embarrassed heat rising in your cheeks. "That obvious, huh? I mean, I know I don't look Korean, but I was hoping I was passing all right."

He stops in front of a work by Georgia O'Keefe. "Not that obvious. I just heard a bit of an American lilt in a few of your words just now. You're very good."

"Oh...then, thanks."

"Why are you in Seoul, then? Visiting?"

"Working," you respond, moving to the other side of the room to view the other works of modern art. "I got a job in Yongsan. I just started this week."

The stranger's head perks up at your response, turning his face slightly towards yours. "How's that going?"

You shrug, making a non-committal noise. "I mean, it's a great job, don't get me wrong. It's just a lot. I moved away from America, from my long-time best friend and roommate, from everything I'd ever known for this job. And it's been a long first week full of things I didn't realize I was going to have to handle."

You shove your hands into your jacket pockets as the two of you turn to leave the room, enter back into the stark white hallway, and turn towards the next expansive opening.

"I shouldn't be complaining," you laugh. "The job is so much more than I could ask for, and I haven't even met a few of the people I'm supposed to work with. One of which I know I have a ton of questions for..." You shake your head. "I've have had this...let's call it a gut feeling, for a long time now. Go to Seoul. Go to South Korea. I knew my fate would bring me here one day, just didn't realize life would be so..."

"Hard?"

You turn towards your companion with an understanding sigh. "Yeah, hard."

A few moments of silence pass, and just as you're about to ask him about the bloody fingerprint and how he knew about the artist being murdered, you feel a chill run down your spine at the sight of the object in the room to your left. Not a chill from the cold or from nerves, this is a chill of familiarity. You turn your head slowly towards the object of your subconscious horror.

"Winged Victory of Samothrace," or a copy of the one in the Louve, stands high and mighty, the lone object in the fluorescent-lit room.

"What is it?" the stranger asks, voice low and muffled by his mask.

You stare at the statue, unmoving for a full thirty seconds. "I—Does that statue look familiar to you at all?"

There's hesitation in his response, though you can't see his face. "I—I've seen it in Paris. That must be it."

You shake your head, clenching your trembling fists at your sides. "I've never been to Paris. I've never seen it before, not in person."

The stranger reaches out towards you, asking, "Are you okay? You're trembling."

In an attempt to clear your head, you drag your gaze away from Winged Victory and turn back towards the hallway. Visions from your nightmare force their way into your mind, but you shove them out, trying your hardest to keep them at bay as you walk ahead of your confused companion.

"Just a coincidence," you whisper to yourself. "Just a coin—"

Your sentence falls flat as you raise your gaze from the marble floors to the open space ahead. The chill returns, and your knees feel even weaker than before.

Pillars stretch up, cradling a spectacular glass ceiling, surrounding a spherical water fountain.

Your heartbeat races, and your throat closes up. The door you'd tried to lock in your brain crashes open, releasing all the terrible things your brain keeps replaying over and over and over. Doesn't matter if it's day or night, these visions never end.

An artist murdered. Two lovers on the run. A mad-man with a thirst for blood.

And the death of you both in that very water fountain.

You stumble back, bumping into the stranger as you do. His eyes are wide and locked on the fountain, but you're too panicked to stop and investigate further. Every fiber of your being is telling you to run. To run as fast and as far as you can.

Without explanation and without fail, you let your fear take you the mile's distance from that spherical fountain to the nearest metro station.

If you could physically go any faster or longer, you're sure in your heart that you would still be running.

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hometoursandotherstuff · 4 months

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Interesting custom built 1955 home in Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA. 3bds, 3ba, $6.63M. Well, good luck w/that price. Not sure millionaires would like this home. Take a look.

It's kind of rustic. Reminds me of my aunt's house.

There's an office up in the loft.

And, under the loft there's a bar.

The wow factor would be the big brick arches. The living room area is very large and open. What an expanse of carpet, too.

There's a vaulted beamed ceiling and a view.

The kitchen is original mid-century modern, including the appliances. Wow. Look at the ovens. I like the brick feature.

Here's a dining room with a view and door to the deck.

Check out the vintage brown dishwasher. That's circa 1970s. The stainless steel fridge is new. These were knotty pine cabinets were painted over w/a faux finish.

Hall to a main floor primary bedroom.

The bathroom has a swinging door.

This is odd, they made a bedroom for someone, under the stairs.

Up here it looks like a turret w/a little office.

Bedroom & en-suite. What a skinny shower door. The price for this house must be for the land, b/c the home is very dated.

Bedroom #3 w/en-suite.

Interesting. I've never seen a fire pit with a hood.

It has a pool and patio.

Large barn and loads of parking.

The surrounding homes look more luxurious.

This is going to need a lot of work for over $6M- both outdoors and inside.

1.50 acres of land.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2521-Novato-Pl-Palos-Verdes-Peninsula-CA-90274/21343294_zpid/?

#estates #houses #house tours #home tour #dated homes

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undignifiend · 4 years

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Idiots in a Tiny Kitchen

A scene I wrote forever ago about an ogre character inspired by the World of Darkness setting. Under the cut for the sake of the Dashboard.

+++++

Someone was in his apartment. Brock bit back the urge to growl, and focused on keeping his breath even. Let them think he was still asleep. Whoever it was, they were in the kitchen, opening cabinets and making no effort to keep quiet. Did they even know he was there? Granted, he probably just looked like an abnormally large pile of discarded sheets on the bare mattress in the corner of his tiny 'living room', but shouldn't a burglar be more thorough in scoping out an area before getting to business? Maybe it was an amateur? Carefully twisting out of the sheets, Brock slunk across the carpet, hiding under the kitchen bar. Every footstep and rustle of cloth seemed deafening to him - stealth wasn't his area of expertise, after all. But the intruder didn't seem to notice, obliviously waking the dead as they shuffled through pots, cans, and boxes of pasta. Brock entertained the idea of turning off his Mask. That would be fun. Stupid, but fun. He'd have to kill whoever saw him before rumors could spread, of course. Most humans didn't pay attention to urban legends and lunatics, but hunters did... Hiding the body, or rather the bones, would be a chore. In a pinch, human flesh was a treat, and money was tight enough to pinch pretty hard lately. Waste not, and all that... Serves 'em right for wandering into an ogre's lair. But he rolled his eyes as his more rational side spoke up. He'd already eaten two overconfident hunters since his return from Arcadia. If he ate this burglar, that would make three in three years. Not the best habit to form in a human-dominant territory. Someone would notice a pattern sooner or later. The Courts probably wouldn't care much, but it was something of a faux pas, and the Spring Court might hound him for it. Their whole point was to find ways to adjust to human life and to appreciate the finer things. It was a difficult philosophy to reconcile when one considered human flesh to be one of the finer things... Spring also put a lot of emphasis on aesthetics, and for Brock, that was dangerous. Like most ogres, Brock was a sucker for pretty people. But people were also delicious. He hoped this burglar wasn't attractive. That would be weird. He could just picture the unlucky individual partially tied to a chair while they both awkwardly shared a pot of coffee and sorted out this little mishap. Brock would be up all morning arguing with himself over whether to eat them or try to get their number. Decisions, decisions... Spring had a strong point, though. Most changelings he'd met were human once, including himself. This burglar wasn't doing him any real harm, and Brock was more sentimental than he cared to admit. He decided to let this one off with a warning. That's when he heard the telltale crinkle of a bag of chips, and the crinkling continued as the intruder began to rummage in earnest. They found his stash and most likely understood what it really was. His apartment was otherwise stark and unappealing to any enterprising thief. They knew what they found. Time for a big breakfast. Wisps of Brock's human visage peeled away in dark, airy tendrils and faded into nothing. His clothes, baggy even on his large frame, tightened to conform to his real size as he gained an extra couple feet in height. To anyone who could normally see through his Mask to what he really was, the change in size was all they'd notice. To anyone who couldn't, it was far more dramatic. Tendrils of illusion floated off him, revealing red hide and gold eyes; one in his left socket, and one in the center of his forehead. In his right socket was nothing but a shadow. A pair of horns flanked either side of the third eye, and rows of sharp white fangs peeked from behind his lips. Brock resisted the temptation to sigh and stretch. Taking the Mask off always felt like being freed from shackles, climbing out of a small box, and taking the first breath of fresh air he'd had in ages. He lunged into the kitchen, dominating what little space there was, and seized the intruder from behind, intending to crush the back of their neck in his jaws. But several things occurred to him at once, and he paused as he processed what he was seeing. This person was tiny. Granted, most people were tiny compared to him, but this one couldn't have been over four feet in height. They had been standing on the counter, and now their feet dangled in the air as his huge hands wrapped around their arms and torso. They were completely covered in clothes that were too big for them, save for a sparkling pink Hello Kitty jacket that seemed too tight. Their hood was up, and their sneakers were so comically massive it was a wonder they didn't slip off. Cold horror stabbed Brock in the gut. Was this a kid? Had he almost killed a kid? It was kind of awful, the look of his monstrous, claw-tipped hands juxtaposed with the innocent jacket. Brock never suffered any anxiety or shame over being an ogre, but realizing what he almost did made him queasy. "Close your eyes. Don't move unless I tell you to," Brock warned, his tone authoritative, belying the panic he felt. His Mask took hours to recharge, and now that he turned it off, how was he going to get the kid out of his apartment without being seen for what he really was? Someone might even try to check on him if the kid screamed at the sight of his face. "Ah, shove it," replied a nasally voice. A goblin glared at him from under the little pink hood, his gigantic ears folded within it, and his bushy mustache quivering with nervous outrage. "This is yer own damn fault," he scolded, waving a bag of chips as much as he could with one of his restrained arms. "Hoardin' like this. It's cheatin'." Brock dropped Cornchips the Whiner and staggered back, sagging against the fridge with a mix of irritation and profound relief. "Dammit, Chips! One of these days, I'm gonna eat you! You keep pulling stunts like this, and I can't guarantee it won't be an accident." The goblin dusted himself off and pushed back the hood, his gigantic, pointed ears regaining their natural shape once they had room. "Great. Perfect!" He folded his arms and eyed Brock reproachfully. "On top a' everythin' else, my big, dumbass chump partner tries t' kill me. I should've expected it. Everythin' looks breakable or edible t' yeh ogre types. I coulda kicked yeh awake, but I decided to be thoughtful and let yeh sleep while I cleaned up yer mess! And here's the thanks I get! Now what's the meanin' a' this?" He pointed a little claw up at the cabinet full of chip bags. Brock rolled his eyes. "Kinda hard to get a hold of you in an emergency, Chips. Sometimes that vending machine ritual takes too damn long. So I figure, why not have it prepped? All I gotta do now is this..." Brock snatched the bag of chips out of the goblin's hand, recited the sacred phrase "Shut up and help me, sir," and popped the bag open. Cornchips vanished with a fart, leaving nothing, and in the next instant, furious grumbling could be heard from inside the bag. "Speed-dial summoning," Brock explained smugly, looking into the bag. "Genius, eh?" "Yeh can't do that, yeh butt-wart!" Cornchips jumped out of the bag, defying physics by not ripping it open despite his size, and landing lightly on his huge feet. "That spell's not a damn toy! Every time you delay it, I get this itch! And you got bleedin' near seventeen a' them spells in that cabinet ready to go at any second! Everyone thinks I have fleas now! Yeh can't get a date when yeh got fleas! No one understands how hard my life is!" Brock's claw-tipped hands were too big, so he held the bag up and shook a few chips into his mouth, crunching on them as he listened. "So it didn't work out with that spider-girl, huh?" Cornchips groaned. "Esther's good wit' her hands, up until she slaps yeh. Wit' all of 'em. I never did anythin' to deserve it. She thought I was chattin' up some pixie, but I swear I was jus' askin' for directions." Brock grimaced. "You can't patronize me, either. It's your job to know your way around." "An' it's your job to make my job easier!" Cornchips pointed at the cabinet he couldn't reach. "Now get rid a' them things before I burn the place down, an' listen up! I didn' jus' come here t' set yeh straight. Yeh got a big job ahead. Orders from Naomi herself." The silence that followed weighed on Brock. He was grateful he didn't do something embarrassing like choke, but he still had trouble deciding how to take this news. "Herself? She didn't send no one?" "Did I stucking futter?" Cornchips demanded, fists on his hips. "Yeah! I'm important enough t' talk to!" Brock frowned. "What does she want us to do? Steal the Queen's purse?" "Naw..." How Cornchips managed to look so smug with that mustache, Brock could only guess. "Babysittin', more like." When he didn't elaborate, Brock's chest rumbled in an uncomfortable growl. "Out with it." "Let me savor this. I like watchin' yeh suffer." Brock dropped the bag and grabbed Chips by the front of his pink jacket, pulling him face to murderous face. "Okay, okay!" the goblin flailed. "Naomi rescued another one from Arcadia, alright? She can't trust the Courts wit' this - she's got too many enemies, even there. You gotta play mentor and bodyguard for this kid - jus' fer a while." "What makes her think they'll be safe with me?" Brock asked, gesturing with his free hand to the whole apartment. "You broke in without me noticing." "I'm the only other one who knows about this," Cornchips swore. "An' yer a lowly grunt, Brock. No one'll think t' connect you with someone as important as Naomi's own kid." Brock released Cornchips with nerveless fingers as a new, uncomfortable facet of the Universe fell into place in his mind. Landing on his feet seemed to help Cornchips recollect his composure, and his posture exuded a kind of sadistic delight. "Don't worry, buddy," the goblin grinned. "Naomi's one a' Winter's top assassins, after all. If yeh fuck this up, yeh won't have t' regret it fer long."

#ogre #goblin #changeling #smuggling partners irritating each other in the wee hours of the morning #modern setting #summoning rituals involving vending machines #Cornchips and his stupid disguises #Brock sweating over whether he's more hungry or lonely #defective Mask #mentions of eating people

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rebelminxy · 5 years

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Confessions on Christmas Night

Pairing: Jared Padalecki x Assistant!Reader

Rating: Teen

Warning: Fluff and so much more fluffing fluff

Trope: White Christmas

A/N: In this fic, Jared never married Gen and it takes place Christmas 2015. This is in no way to disrespect the Padalecki family and I only wish the best for them. And the images used here are not mine, they were found on Pinterest and Google. Credit to the creators but sadly I don’t know them to mention them.

A/N 2: This was written for the Christmas mini for @supernaturaltropecelebration. The moment I saw this trope, I remembered the song Jared sang on the Christmas album he and other SPN cast made a while back, obvi! So yeah give the song a listen and hey might as well listen to the entire album while you’re at it since it is the holidays.

My Masterlist

December 18th

(Y/N) bolted from the car, leaving Jared and Jensen behind as she made her way to her apartment. She couldn’t contain her excitement after the great news they received that afternoon. Jared watched as she rushed up the stairwell, too impatient to wait for the elevator. Jared followed right behind her, Jensen joining the rush up the stairs. Jared watched as she ran into her floor hall, catching up to see her struggling to open her apartment door, giggling like a child. When she finally opened her door, she ran inside screaming with joy. Jensen was laughing at her excitement as he followed Jared to her place. They entered and saw her run around grabbing things, Jensen whistling at the Christmas decoration she had placed all around.

“Wow, you even got light hanging from the ceiling,” Jensen noticed while he examined the colorful lights above.

“This is my first year actually celebrating Christmas so I went all out with the decor,” (Y/N) pointed out as she carried a black bag from her bathroom full of toiletries, pointing at the massive tree in her open living room.

Jensen whistled as Jared just smiled, watching (Y/N) run into her bedroom.

“You do realize we leave the day after tomorrow to the lodge,” Jared said with a chuckle.

“You do realize I have to go clothes shopping,” (Y/N) said, poking her head out her bedroom door. “I have NOTHING for the heavy snow and I need to pack the things I can wear for the next two weeks before I go out! Plus tomorrow is Saturday, weekends are hell in the mall and all over the city in Vancouver.”

“Don’t worry about going tomorrow,” Jensen stated as he looked at his phone. “Dee will be here with J.J. in an hour and she already said she wants to go shopping with you. She wants to make sure you have the perfect dress for the Christmas and New Year party.”

“YES!” (Y/N) exclaimed as she ran towards Jensen, hugging him. “Thank your adorable wife for me. Now you two,w shoo! I still have tons to pack and make sure I call my family to let them know I’m not coming home for the holidays. I am NOT missing out on my chance to play in the snow!”

December 20th

It was 6 am when Jared was startled awake by someone banging on his door. He climbed out of bed and wrapped himself in the warm fluffy robe (Y/N) had gotten him two months ago, stumbling towards his front door half awake. When he opened the door, he couldn’t help the smile that wrapped around his face. There stood (Y/N), dressed in a heavy green coat that had faux fur wrapped around the hood and a soft cream sweater dress, red and white striped leggings that reminded him of candy canes. She wore the black NorthFace boots he bought her yesterday when the five of them went last-minute shopping for winter clothing and the black pom beanie he got her a year ago. She stood at his door with two coffee cups in hand and a medium brown bag between her lips, looking up at him with shining eyes. He took the brown bag gently from her lips and moved to the side so she could enter his apartment.

“I know it’s a little early but,” she began.

“A little early? The bus won’t be here until 9am,” he chuckled in response.

“Still, we agreed last night at dinner that Dee and I would make sure you guys had everything packed and ready. I know how unorganized you and Jensen are, and you guys both remind me everyday how thankful you are that the higher-ups assigned me as your assistant. Now, where is your luggage so I can double-check? And yes, I got your breakfast sandwich in the bag with my sausage bagel so don’t you DARE eat my breakfast.”

Jared laughed at her last statement, pointing at his luggage sitting on his couch. He watched as she made her way over to it, unzipping it and going through his things. She turned to look at him, her mouth opening to say something but he stopped her.

“My suits are in their carrier hanging on the bathroom door and my shoes are laid out beside the couch. Got tired and decided to pack them in the morning.”

“I wasn’t going to ask about that since I saw your suits and shoes,” she said with a smile. “I was about to ask where your medication was and if you made sure you packed enough socks.”

Jared’s eyes went wide as he thought back on his time packing, realizing he only put in three pairs of socks and that his medication was still in his cabinet. When he sighed heavily, (Y/N) giggled and walked over to him, patting him on the arm.

“Don’t worry, that’s why you got me, big boy.”

“I don’t know how they picked out the most perfect person to handle Jay and I.”

“Be thankful I agreed to it and not to go work with your buddy Stephen.”

“I will thank anyone I have to just so we can keep you,” Jared said with a slight blush.

“Don’t worry, as long as you two have a job with the CW, you are stuck with me. Now eat while I get your socks and medicine. You need to be dressed and ready by 8:30am and heading downstairs.”

“OHMAGAWD LOOK AT THE SNOW!!!”

Everyone laughed at (Y/N)’s reaction when she got off the bus once they arrived at the Fairmont Chateau in Whistler. Jared watched as she ran around the snow with Justice, West, and Maison. Misha and his family rode the bus with them, glad to keep the kids together so they could enjoy each other’s company. Mark Sheppard and his wife, Sarah, and Ruth Connell also joined them along for the ride. Everyone else from cast to the crew would be arriving in their own mode of transportation since the majority of them were coming with their immediate family, so thankfully the bus didn’t get packed.

“It’s like she has never seen snow before,” Ruthie noted.

“She grew up in the south like us, but mostly worked down there. So Vancouver has been the closest she has gotten to see snow,” Danneel replied. “It’s great to see her so happy, especially after losing her mother last year.”

“She has gotten along with you and these two guys hasn’t she?” Misha poked.

“Yeah, she’s like a sister now and is someone I can trust to take care of my man here and his baby brother.”

Everyone laughed, causing Jensen and Jared to turn red with embarrassment.

“Let’s head inside and get our rooms before everyone else gets here!” Jensen exclaimed, guiding everyone inside.

The studio had rented out the entire resort for the cast and crew for their DC shows and Supernatural, making sure everyone and their families had room. Stephen had already arrived, being the first one there with his wife, Cassandra and his daughter, Maverick. Jensen, Jared and Stephen made sure to get the suites, even getting one for (Y/N) and Stephen’s assistant to share. They all agreed to meet up down in the fireplace room once they were settled in their rooms. Jared was waiting for the elevator when (Y/N) came out of her room, still in her cream dress but switched her boots out for a pair of tan Uggs. She smiled at Jared and stood next to him.

“Bet you didn’t unpack,” she giggled, receiving a smile from Jared.

“No, will do it later. Wanted to check out the place first. Mind joining me on a stroll?”

“Sure, I wanted to find out if they had an indoor pool and promised Danneel I would find out if they have a babysitting service for the kids for when we are at the parties.”

“Didn’t you two call last night?” Jared asked as they climbed into the elevator that arrived. He noticed how close (Y/N) was standing next to him, her covered arm barely brushing his.

“We did, but Danneel wants me to see exactly who the babysitter will be and do some research on them. Just in case we have to call a service instead.”

“Smart move,” Jared agreed, watching the numbers lower as they went down.

“Yeah, plus you promised to go with me skiing so I want to see what classes are offered since the website says they do.”

“You are really dedicated to learning how to ski,” Jared chuckled.

“I am not leaving this place until my feet are on those sticks and flying down a hill of snow!”

“Don’t worry,” Jared laughed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. “We will make sure you not only learn how to ski but make your first snow angel and snowman. Even get the kids in on a snowball fight”

They walked off the elevator once it reached the main lobby, laughing and enjoying each other’s company as they talked about everything they wanted to do. They admired the Christmas decor and got all the information they needed, But, instead of joining the rest of the group, they wandered off through the resort, just talking and laughing, lost in their own little world.

December 22nd

“Are you sure? This isn’t something to joke about Jay?”

“I’m serious, Dee pulled it out of her on their shopping trip yesterday,” Jensen whispered as he and Jared walked by a few crew members towards the doors that led to the outside patio. “She told Dee that she found you handsome and kind, but would never make a move to ask you out because she doesn’t think you would want to date someone like her.”

It was hours after their ski trip up the mountain, everyone deciding to warm up with a hot chocolate. Dee and (Y/N) had gone outside with J.J because the young girl still wasn’t tired from a full day of snow fun while the guys drank their chocolate and Jensen revealing what he found out from his wife regarding (Y/N).

“What do you… She is beautiful Jay and you were the first one to call me out on my crush for her,” Jared whispered back with a tinge of annoyance in his tone once they were on the patio.

“Dude, it's not an image thing. We know how confident (Y/N) is about her body and Dee even said she was surprised how body confident the girl is. I mean, you do stare a ton when she is wearing those shorts in the summer,” Jensen wiggled his eyebrows at his last comment, causing Jared to blush.

“Ok, so what’s got her holding back?”

“Something about you might not wanting to date someone that works for you or possibly you just wanting to be friends since she’s worked for us since season 2 and never made a move.”

“Hey, I thought her calling us childish and always calling me her best friend meant I was in the friendzone.”

“Well, it seems like you two don’t know how to move on from this whole maybe or maybe not flirting circle, so Dee took matters into her own hands.”

“What are you talking about?” Jared asked with worry.

“Don’t panic, Dee didn’t tell her. She just went and asked if there were certain things that could be done tomorrow night. If you want details, then talk to Dee,” Jensen stated as he pointed forward.

Jared followed his guide and smiled widely. Dee was sitting on a bench along the patio watched (Y/N) play with J.J in the snow. There was a snowman near them, wearing a black tophat Dee had purchased on their shopping trip yesterday. Jared couldn’t help how warm his heartfelt as he watched (Y/N) play with J.J, making him wonder how great of a mother she would be. He quickly shook his head away from the image, knowing if he could even dream of having a kid with her, he first had to gain the nerve to ask her out.

“Alright, you stay here while I take Dee inside to see what she has planned because I have a few ideas of my own.”

December 24th

It was the night of the Christmas party and Jared honestly was extremely nervous. After he pulled Dee aside to talk about her plans, he commented on a few things he had in mind, specifically a bit after the party. Dee made it clear that her plans meant for him and (Y/N) to go off alone during the party and to hopefully end Christmas Eve with a declaration. Jared wore his black tie suit and vest, combing his hair back with a bit of gel to keep it in place. Once he felt his nerves under control, he walked out of his room to the elevator. As he went down to the main lobby, he couldn’t help but fidget with his suit, double and triple-checking he looked good in the mirror wall surrounding the interior of the elevator. He reached the main lobby and made his way towards the grand hall where the party was being held.

As he entered the grand hall, his eyes went wide with the decorations. The company had gone all out for this party. The entrance was welcomed with a white branched archway with white lights circling around the branches. The walls were covered from top to bottom with white lights, making the room bright enough without the need for the ceiling lights. The tables were covered with white tablecloths just like the chairs, and the centerpiece was of a clear glass vase with white branches coming out of it, little crystals hanging from the ends randomly. There were many tables but space for a dance floor was made in the middle of the grand hall, the DJ booth along the far wall on a stage with two white Christmas trees on each side. From the ceiling hung different styles of crystals and snowflake-shaped decor, the entire room giving the feel of a white Christmas. Soft Christmas themed music was playing from the speakers, loud enough to hear but not too loud to overtake conversations.

“Hey, Jare! Over here!”

Jared turned to notice Jensen standing by a table where Dee, Misha, Vicki, Stephen, and Cassie were sitting. There were three empty seats there, so Jared made his way towards them. He greeted everyone and took the seat next to Stephen.

“No buffet but they have a menu of different meals for tonight's dinner,” Stephen pointed out. “At least they asked us before this trip what we would prefer to make the choices easier.”

“Dude, I saw steak on the menu, I am getting that,” Jensen laughed out loud, causing everyone else to join him.

“Has anyone seen…” Jared began to ask.

“Oh, (Y/N)! Over here!” Vicki waved towards the entrance.

Jared turned to look and he felt his mouth drop wide open, quickly closing it before anyone could notice. (Y/N) was smiled at them and made her way towards them. Jared couldn’t help but admire her beauty. She wore a wine red sleeveless lace dress with a high low hem that shaped her body. She wore black open-toed heels and sheer stockings. Her hair curled and pinned up in a messy updo, a few strands falling loose around her face. Once she reached the table, Jared noticed the silver dangle gem drop earrings she wore, the pearl hairpiece circling the back of her head, and the three silver bracelets on her wrist. Her makeup was simple, black eyeliner with a soft touch of shiny eyeshadow, but her lips were red just like her dress. Jared could only think of one word as he watched her greet everyone: beautiful.

(Y/N) looked at Jared and he saw the tint of red spread along her cheeks. Instead of removing his eyes from her, he got up and pulled out the chair next to her, greeting her with a smile. She muttered a thank you to him and sat down, her eyes peeking at him but quickly looking away since he never removed his gaze.

“Ahem, Jare, isn’t (Y/N) beautiful tonight? I mean she always looks beautiful but we never really get to see her dress up since she always spent the holidays with her family.”

“Yeah, Dee, she looks beautiful,” Jared admired.

“Thanks, Jared, it’s not much,” (Y/N) sighed.

Everyone looked at each other as they watched the two love birds interact but quickly moved back to their original conversation, beginning their orders as a waitress walked over to them to take their orders.

“You know, I would never lie to you,” Jared whispered to (Y/N) as he leaned in a bit closer once they placed their order.

“Oh I know, I’m just not used to being called beautiful, especially from a handsome man like you.”

“Then I should start saying it more so you don’t forget,” Jared flirted, winking at her and chuckling as she looked down at her hands, her face turning redder by the second.

The evening went perfectly. Dinner was delicious and everyone was happy from the wine and champagne being poured all around. Many others came to greet their table and sparked up conversations. But Jared’s main focus was (Y/N). He would flirt with her every now and then, telling her repeatedly how beautiful she was. They spoke of personal things they never really got to know throughout the years working together. Jared learned more about her in one night than he ever did in the past nine years. The more they talked, the more he fell in love with her.

After the tables were cleared of their empty plates, the DJ announced that the dancefloor was open and the music got louder. The first song that played was ‘The Christmas Song’ by Nat King Cole. Jensen, Misha and Stephen grabbed their partner’s hand and guided them to the dancefloor, wide smiles and laughter as they made their way to slow dance together. Jared stayed seated next to (Y/N), watching her from the corner of his eye as she swayed slightly in her chair.

“Will you come dance with me?” he asked abruptly.

“Really?” (Y/N) asked with a shocked look on her face.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Jared pushed with a smile as he grabbed her hand in his and pulled her from her chair, guiding her to the dancefloor.

Jared pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He gripped her other hand in his and smiled down at her. Even in heels, the top of her head barely reached his chin. He began to dance, swaying along with the music and guiding her. He felt so happy to have her in his arms that it felt like the entire time they slow danced, they were the only ones in the room. Jared felt as she leaned closer to him, her face flushed red at her daring move. Jared edged her on as he tightened his grip on her waist, letting her know he was ok with their close contact. Before the song ended though, Dee made motions to Jared, pointing outside. He looked out the window and knew that his time for the plans to go into motion was right at that moment.

“(Y/N) would you mind joining me outside? I kinda have a surprise for you.”

(Y/N) looked up at him and nodded her head. He kept her hand in his and guided her towards the front entrance of the lodge.

“Wait, don’t we need our jackets to go outside?” she asked curiously.

“Trust me, we won’t need them. But do you mind if I cover your eyes before we go outside? It is a surprise.”

She nodded her head again, closing her eyes as Jared stood behind her, carefully placing his hands on her eyes. He began to shuffle towards the exit, guiding her with his voice. Once they were outside, he felt the cold air wrap around them, so he moved quickly to stand beside her, hands no longer covering her eyes.

“Ok, open them.”

Jared watched as her eyes opened and then grew wide in surprise. She covered her mouth as she looked up at him, a smile beginning to breakthrough. In front of them stood a horse-drawn sleigh decorated with holly and bells. But what made the moment perfect was that it was snowing, soft white pieces of ice falling slowly down from the sky. Jared grabbed her hand and guided her to the sleigh, helping her up into the big warm heated blankets that surrounded the inside of the sleigh. Jared joined her, sitting right beside her as he helped wrap her up. He pulled the big heavy blanket from the other side over them, finally wrapped in warmth.

Jared told the driver they were ready and the sleigh was put into motion, the bells jingling as they rode off into the snowy night. The driver guided the horse into the forest, where the lodging had placed dozens upon dozens of different light decorations along the road, giving a light show for anyone that went through. Jared and (Y/N) watched in silence as they rode through, Jared looking over at her constantly to make sure she was okay. The look of joy in her bright eyes, the white snow decorating her hair and lashes, gave him comfort as she looked at their surroundings. Everything was going perfect.

After about 20 minutes into the ride, Jared felt her touch his hand under the blankets. He looked over at her and noticed she was looking up at him.

“I appreciate this surprise, Jared. It’s touching to know you remember how I said two years ago, I always wanted to ride a horse-drawn sleigh as it snowed, just like they do in the Christmas Hallmark movies. Thank you for this moment, I will treasure it forever.”

“This isn’t the end of the surprise, I have more for us when we get back.”

Jared saw her shiver a bit as she smiled at him. Without a word, he moved closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He pulled her into him, her head against his shoulder.

“Keep close, even with these blankets, it’s still a bit chilly,” he whispered in her ear.

She smiled and cuddled into him, making Jared’s heart skip a beat. They enjoyed the rest of the ride in silence, watching the man-made lights disappear behind them to enjoy the starry sky above the trees as the gentle ringing of the bells echoing into the darkness. They stayed close like that the entire ride, her hand eventually joining his free one on his lap. He held her hand in a gentle grip, his fingers sometimes caressing her palm before intertwining their fingers together.

Once they got back to the lodge, Jared helped her out the sleigh and they both thanked the driver before running back into the lodge, laughing like children. Jared then guided her towards the fireplace room with the wide windows. Thankfully, Dee handled everything for that room so everything would be ready when they got back. The fireplace was decorated with white fluffy stockings hanging from it, the fire already lit. A loveseat was pushed close to the fire and a small glass table stood between the seat and fireplace. On the table sat a metal teapot, a glass mason jar filled with powdered chocolate and another with mini marshmallows, a small bowl of sugar and two teacups with tiny spoons beside them. The entire room was dark except in that corner, so the falling snow outside could be seen clearly from the giant glass windows that covered the entire west wall. Blankets covered the seat and two pairs of fluffy boots waited on the side.

Jared pulled her with him towards the quiet corner, handing her a pair of boots to put on. Once their feet were warm, they sat on the sofa, wrapping themselves in the blankets, giggling like children as they settled in.

“Hot chocolate, miss?” Jared asked.

“Why I would love that, sir,” (Y/N) teased back.

Jared chuckled as he poured out the hot water from the teapot, preparing the hot chocolate. Once the cups were ready, he gave her one and added three marshmallows and a bit of sugar, just like he had seen her prepare it before. They enjoyed the warm drink and watched the flames dance in the fireplace. Once they were done with their drinks. Jared placed the cups back on the table and from his side of the couch, he pulled out a guitar.

“Is it ok with you that I sing a song? Fits right in with the weather outside and the entire lodge decoration.”

“Sure, I would love to,” (Y/N) murmured as she turned her body towards him.

Jared strummed the guitar, playing ‘White Christmas’. He then started to sing the lyrics, looking between her and the guitar, watching her admire him as he sang softly, his voice deep and sweet. Once he was done, he put the guitar to the side and smiled at her, receiving applause.

“You sang that song with Jason last year didn’t you? I have to admit, I had that song on repeat most of the holiday.”

“Thanks, it was my first time singing. Jensen and Jason are more of the musical talent.”

“Jared, your voice is beautiful.”

Jared smiled at her, looking at the grandfather clock behind her as he noticed he only had about 10 minutes until it was midnight. He got up from the sofa and headed to the fireplace, fooling with the bottom of one of the stockings.

“Is everything ok Jared?” she asked him, his back to her.

Jared took in a deep breath, trying to control his nerves. But he knew, it was now or never. And he didn’t want to mess up this chance he had.

“Everything will be ok once I ask you something.”

“I’m all ears, Jared.”

“You know, it's been about nine years since you started working for us,” he began, turning to face her. “And like we always say, we are grateful to have you in our lives, making things easier for us. Jensen loves how well you and Dee get along and honestly, you have become such an important piece of our little family.”

“I feel the same way, Jared,” she replied with a tilt of her head.

“But, personally...gosh, this is a bit harder to say….” Jared stuttered.

(Y/N) got up and walked over to him, taking his hands in hers as she looked up at him. The comfort she gave him calmed him down and he spoke up.

“These past years, you’ve become my best friend, my confidant and someone I can wholeheartedly trust. You have been beside me during the good times and the bad, especially the bad.”

Jared pulled her closer to him, gripping her hands tightly.

“You mean so much to me, so much that I want to become more than friends. (Y/N), you always ask me every year what is the best gift I’ve received during the holidays and honestly, it's always been your company and your beautiful smile. I can see what a kind soul you are and especially tonight, I was able to see how madly in love I am with you. You are the best thing in my life and I hope you will say yes to my question because not having you in my life would be horrible.”

“What is your question, Jared?” she asked softly, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks.

“Will you give me the chance to show you how much I love you and be my girlfriend?”

Before he could say another word, (Y/N) let go of his hands and grabbed his shirt, pulling him down towards her and placing a chaste kiss on his lips. Jared felt his insides burst like fireworks at the feel of her lips. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close as humanly possible, deepening the kiss. He felt such joy knowing she felt the same way, With just one kiss, she sealed the deal. He never wanted to end the kiss, to continue to taste her, but they eventually had to part for air. He looked down at her, her eyes shining brightly with the flames, hooded as her lashes grazed the top of her cheeks. Her hands were flat on his chest, a wide smile on her face.

He removed an arm from her, turning slightly to reach behind him in a stocking. He pulled out a small grey box with a white bow on top. Keeping her close, he handed it to her, leaning in close to whisper in her ear to open it. And when she did, her eyes grew wide in shock as a small gasp escaped her lips.

“Jared, you didn’t have to,” she sighed as she looked inside the box.

“I wanted to,” he reassured as he placed soft kisses along her face. “When I saw it yesterday, I knew it was perfect for you.”

Inside the box was a small silver necklace with a pendant. The pendant was shaped like a snowflake and it had diamonds encrusted into it. It shone so brightly by the fire when she pulled it out the box, admiring its beauty. Jared let her go and took it from her hands, turning her so he could put it around her neck. Once it was clasped on, she turned around to face him.

“It’s beautiful,” she gushed, her eyes watery with tears.

“I hope those are tears of joy,” he teased as he wiped away a tear that broke free.

“Of course it is, you giant teddy bear!” she exclaimed, hitting him on his chest.

Jared laughed as he pulled her in for another kiss, feeling her smile before she gave in willingly. He guided her back to the sofa and as he sat down, they broke apart so she could sit next to him, He pulled her into his body, cuddling as they enjoyed each other's closeness with kisses and hugs. Jared finally felt complete with her finally as his.

“I should thank Dee for helping out,” she chuckled as she pecked his nose.

“Wait, did she…” he stuttered.

“No, but figured she was working on something after so many prying questions. But I am glad she and Jensen moved us along because I don’t know how much longer I would have held back with this crush.”

Jared burst out laughing at her comment, enjoying the sound of her giggles as he pulled her into a hug.

“Yeah, will thank her tomorrow for sure.”

“I love you, Jared,” (Y/N) whispered in his ear before sliding her lips against his softly.

“I love you too, (Y/N),” he whispered back before he pulled her into a deep kiss. “Merry Christmas.”

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