#froggapi writes

[froggapi-writes]

🩷┆Santa, Baby No Outbreak AU!Joel x Fem!Reader

Fluff You and Ellie convince Joel to dress up as Santa for a charity event.

Warnings Joel being HOT in everything!!! Also minor suggestive jokes, y'all are married and have a kid (Ellie), no outbreak AU! Words 1461

☞ Masterlist

— “It'd make a perfect gift...for Christmas.😏” One-Shot

It was a rare Saturday evening in the Miller household. The air smelled faintly of freshly baked cookies and the musk of pine from the tree. Outside, the snow fell in fluffy, gentle flurries, creating a picture-perfect winter scene that, honestly, could have come straight out of a Hallmark movie. But you weren't in a Hallmark movie. No, you were in the real world, which meant things were about to get... interesting.

Joel Miller, the grumpy, stubborn man you had been living with for the past few years, was sprawled on the couch, nursing a cold beer while watching some old western film. His worn flannel shirt clung to his chest, and he grumbled every now and then at the screen, as if he could somehow change the outcome with his disapproval. But the night wasn’t going to end in typical Joel fashion. You and Ellie had plans.

Ellie, your bright, mischievous teenage daughter, sat on the other couch, scrolling through her phone, a grin tugging at her lips. You’d been plotting for days, trying to figure out the perfect way to convince Joel to do something utterly ridiculous. And Ellie was always up for a little chaos.

“Hey, Mom,” Ellie said, looking up from her phone with an innocent smile. "You know what would be really funny?”

“Don’t even start,” Joel muttered, barely glancing up from his movie.

“No, seriously,” she continued, undeterred. “I’m talking about something that would really bring some holiday cheer to this house. And, you know, maybe to the whole town...”

You raised an eyebrow. You could already feel the drama in the air. “What were you thinking, Ellie?”

She sat up a little straighter, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “We should totally get Dad to dress up as Santa Claus for the charity event tomorrow. It’s for a good cause, and it would be so hilarious.” She turned to Joel, who was now giving her a side-eye. “Dad, I mean, you’ve got the whole ‘beard and gruff demeanor’ thing down already. You’d be perfect!”

Joel let out a low, annoyed grunt. “Hell no.”

“Oh come on, Dad,” you said, leaning over the arm of the couch with a smile that you hoped would be irresistibly sweet. “It’s just for one night. Think of all the little kids who will get to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him their wishes. Think of the joy you’ll bring, Joel. The happiness.”

Joel’s lips twisted into that familiar half-smile that made him look like he was both entertained and mildly irritated at the same time. “You think I’m gonna put on some stupid red suit and pretend to be jolly for a bunch of kids? Not in a million years.”

“Oh, come on, please,” you pleaded, eyelashes batting sweetly. “You’d look so adorable. And you’d be doing something good for the community. You know, spreading some Christmas spirit. Just think about how much fun it would be!”

Ellie, who was an expert in persuasion (mostly because she had spent years convincing you to let her stay out later than you intended), joined in, her voice now a perfect blend of child-like and mischievous. “Yeah, Dad. We could even take a picture of you in the outfit. You’d be a legend around town. Imagine all the ‘Santa Joel’ memes that would pop up. People would never forget.”

Joel’s scowl deepened. He set his beer down with a heavy sigh. “Y’all are ridiculous. There’s no way I’m doing this.”

But Ellie wasn’t done yet. “Dad, remember last year when we barely had enough money for Christmas presents?” She raised an eyebrow. “This is for charity, remember? The money goes to families who actually need it. You could help them. You could be a hero, Dad.”

For a moment, Joel’s tough exterior wavered. His eyes softened just a fraction, and you knew Ellie was playing her trump card. There was no way he could resist doing something for the community after everything that had happened. You had both played the long game.

Joel finally let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. But I’m not wearing no stupid hat.”

Ellie and you exchanged a look, both of you struggling to contain your victorious grins. You’d won.

“Deal,” Ellie said quickly, a smirk forming on her lips.

_____

The next day, you stood in the living room, trying not to burst out laughing. Joel had, begrudgingly, put on the tacky Santa suit you had bought, and the sight of him was... well, it was something. The suit barely fit him—the pants were too short, and the jacket strained around his broad shoulders, but that wasn’t what made it so hilarious. No, what really got you was the fact that, despite everything, Joel Miller looked damn good in that outfit.

You'd always known Joel was handsome, but something about the combination of his dark hair, his weathered features, and the jolly red suit made your heart skip a beat. The suit wasn’t a perfect fit—in fact, it was a little ridiculous—but he wore it with an undeniable swagger that had you feeling... distracted. You tried not to stare, but it was hard.

“Do I look like an idiot?” Joel grumbled, his arms crossed over his stomach as he stood in the middle of the living room, glaring at you both.

Ellie, whose phone was already snapping pictures, nodded enthusiastically. “Yep. But it’s perfect. You look like a Christmas miracle.”

You stepped closer, trying to be discreet about how much you were appreciating the view. “You actually look... kind of... uh, good,” you said, your voice catching slightly as you forced yourself to focus on his face instead of his muscles pressed against the fabric.

Joel blinked at you, clearly taken aback. “What? Are you serious?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, pinking a bit as you spoke. “I mean, in a ‘Santa Claus’ kind of way. It’s just... the suit really does something for you, Joel.”

Ellie snorted. “Mom, don’t be obvious. We all know you’re secretly into the idea of Santa Joel.”

Joel rolled his eyes. “Y’all are insane.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “We’re gonna be late for this thing if you two don’t stop laughing.”

You couldn’t help but giggle. “Sorry, Joel. You’re just... unexpectedly handsome in that suit.”

Joel grumbled something under his breath but then straightened up, trying to look more like the Santa Claus you knew he wasn’t.

_____

When you arrived at the event, you had to admit, Joel was, if not entirely comfortable, at least pulling off the Santa role better than anyone could have expected. He grumbled as kids approached him to ask for their Christmas wishes, but when he handed out candy canes with a scowl that could’ve scared the Grinch into submission, it only made the kids love him more.

You watched from the sidelines as Joel awkwardly posed for pictures, his arms crossed protectively over his bulging red belly, the belt of the Santa suit straining around his waist. Ellie was having the time of her life, sneaking in behind him for selfies and laughing when Joel tried (and failed) to look “serious” for a photo.

At one point, one of the little girls approached Joel with wide, hopeful eyes. “Santa, can I ask for a puppy for Christmas?”

Joel looked down at the girl, his glare deepening as he itched his beard. “Look, sweetheart, I’m just the guy who shows up. You gotta talk to your folks about the dog situation.”

You bit your lip to hold back a laugh, watching as the little girl looked disappointed, but then she brightened up when Joel handed her a candy cane with a gruff, “Here, kid. Don’t tell your parents I gave you extra sugar.”

It was moments like these, watching Joel Miller try to be Santa, that made everything feel right.

_____

As the event wrapped up and you and Ellie headed home, Joel still hadn’t shed the Santa suit, though he was clearly done with the whole “Christmas spirit” thing. Ellie’s excitement hadn't dimmed at all, teasing filling the silence the whole car ride home.

You glanced over at Joel as he drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. Despite everything, there was something undeniably cute about the way he looked in that suit. You tried to act casual, but when your eyes met his, you couldn't help but smirk as your fingers traced down his arm.

"Joel," you said coyly, "You really do look good in red."

He shot you a sideways glance. "I swear, woman, if you don’t stop looking at me like that, I might have to put both of us on the naughty list."

With that, you knew that Christmas had come early. 😉

[froggapi-writes]

🩵┆Weight of the World Platonic!Tony Stark x Reader

Sad/Comfort Tony looks to you for reassurance after he hits a breaking point.

Warnings Just sad tony, depression Words 1125

☞ Masterlist

— “When you can't even explain what's going on inside your own head anymore.” Long-ish Drabble

You had never quite understood how heavy silence could feel until you found yourself sitting in the remote, quiet confines of Tony Stark's lab. It was late. The soft hum of machines and the occasional beep of monitors were the only sounds that filled the otherwise empty space. You had been here for hours, your fingers absently tracing the rim of your coffee cup, the warmth of the mug doing little to ward off the chill that had settled in your bones.

The world was a heavy place. The kind of heavy that sometimes felt like it might crush you if you didn’t keep moving, keep working, keep pushing. But even the most relentless of forces needed rest. And right now, it felt like he needed it more than anyone.

Tony had always been a whirlwind—faster than the world around him, making jokes to mask his pain, pushing boundaries to avoid facing his own demons. You’d known him long enough to see through the bravado, to see the brokenness behind his quick smile and even quicker wit. You’d seen it in the way his hands would shake ever so slightly when he thought no one was looking, or the way his eyes would linger on the ruins of his past, as if the memories could be reassembled if he just stared for long enough.

Tonight, the world had worn him down more than usual. You hadn’t meant to intrude, but when you found him stumbling through the lab, his usually sharp mind fuzzy and distracted, you couldn’t leave him alone.

You hadn’t said much when you sat down beside him—just placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. And that was all it took. Without a word, he’d slumped against you, the weight of the world suddenly on your shoulders.

Now, hours had passed, and still, Tony hadn’t moved. His body was curled in a chair, his head resting on the backrest, eyes shut tight. He was thinking, you knew. Thinking about everything and nothing all at once. It was the quietest you’d ever seen him.

“Hey,” you whispered, your voice a soft intrusion into the silence.

Tony’s eyes flickered open, meeting yours with that familiar glint of humor, though it was muted, as if the weight of exhaustion had dimmed it. His lips lifted up into a tired, half-hearted smile.

“Hey,” he murmured, voice rough, like he hadn’t spoken in days. “You’re still here?”

“Yeah,” you said quietly, not wanting to make him feel bad about your presence, though a small part of you wished you could be elsewhere. “Just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Tony didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned his head, gaze drifting back to the array of screens in front of him, each one filled with data and blueprints for the next iteration of whatever crazy project he was working on.

“I’m fine,” he said, voice distant. “It’s just...this never-ending cycle. The more I try to fix, the more I break.”

You nodded, not expecting him to elaborate further. You never did. Tony had a tendency to retreat into his work when things got too heavy, to bury himself in technology as if their electric glow was the only thing that could keep the darkness at bay. But you knew better. You knew that all the suits in the world couldn’t protect him from the ghosts of his past.

“The Avengers aren’t a cure-all,” you said softly, attempting to breach the topic gently without triggering his walls to raise. “We can’t save everyone.”

Tony’s shoulders tensed at the words. His gaze hardened, but he didn’t turn to face you. You could see the shift in him, the familiar disconnection he forced when he didn’t want to admit how much he cared.

“I’m not trying to save everyone,” he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction. “Just...the ones I can. The ones who matter.”

You watched him, your heart aching for him. He was always like this—always trying to be the hero, the one who could do it all. But you had seen the cracks in his armor, the times when the weight of responsibility threatened to bury him alive. Tonight was no different.

“I know,” you said gently. “But even you can’t do it all, Tony. You’re only human.”

His eyes flickered to you then, the sharp edges of his expression softening ever so slightly.

“I know,” he repeated, the words so light it was almost a whisper. “It’s just... sometimes it feels like it’s never enough. Like nothing I do will ever be able to fix it.”

You shifted closer, your hand still resting on his shoulder, offering what little comfort you could. You didn’t have all the answers, but you didn’t need them. All he needed was someone to sit with him, someone who wouldn’t judge, wouldn’t try to fix him. Someone who understood that sometimes, the best thing you could do was just be there.

“You don’t have to fix everything,” you said quietly. “You just have to be you.”

Tony let out a long, slow breath, his eyes closing again as he leaned back further into the chair, letting himself sink into the rare moment of vulnerability.

“That’s the thing, though,” he muttered, voice barely audible. “I don’t know who that is anymore. I used to...but I’m not sure anymore.”

You could hear the weight of those words. Tony Stark, the man who had reinvented himself so many times, who had built an empire from his own genius and ambition, had lost sight of who he was underneath all the armor. The truth of it flushed over you like a cold wave.

“Hey,” you asserted again, firmer this time. “You’re still you. You’re just... tired. And that’s okay. We all need to rest and reboot.”

For a long moment, there was nothing but the eternal, soft buzz of machinery, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. Then, finally, Tony spoke again, his voice a whisper, almost vulnerable.

“You’ve always been there for me, haven’t you?”

You nodded, unsure if he even needed an answer. The bond between the two of you had always been natural, a quiet understanding that neither of you felt the need to put into words. But now, in the stillness of the lab, you realized just how much that meant.

“Yeah,” you murmured. “Always.”

There was a long pause, that for once, you didn’t feel the need to fill. Tony didn’t either. He just sat there, leaning into the comfort you offered, a rare moment of peace in a life that was anything but.

The weight of the world might still be heavy on his shoulders, but for tonight, at least, Tony didn’t have to bear it alone.

And that was enough.

[froggapi-writes]

masterlist | 📜

☞ bio

supernatural

dean winchester

lazy sundays [fluff, drabble, 302 words]

sam winchester

december 1st: decorating the tree! [fluff, drabble, 446 words]

marvel

tony stark

weight of the world [sad/comfort, one-shot, 1125 words]

wanda maximoff

in the drafts! [angst/comfort, one-shot, 1334 words]

peter parker

in the drafts! [angst, drabble, 783 words]

bucky barnes

in the drafts! [suggestive fluff, drabble, 603 words]

criminal minds

spencer reid

in the drafts! [hurt/comfort, one-shot, 2031 words]

in the drafts! [fluff, one-shot, ? words]

in the drafts! [fluff, one-shot, ? words]

in the drafts! [angst, one-shot, ? words]

aaron hotchner

[coming soon!]

the last of us

joel miller

in the drafts! [fluff, drabble, 895 words]

santa, baby [fluff, one-shot, 1461 words]

[froggapi-writes]

🩷┆Lazy Sundays Dean Winchester x Reader

Mindless Fluff You and Dean spend a day in bed together.

Warnings None Words 302

☞ Masterlist

— “I'm more myself with you than any other day.” Short Drabble

I felt a familiar arm drape over my waist, a smile creeping onto my face. "G'morning, Dean," I whispered, rolling over so that we were chest to chest. His green eyes stared at me in adoration, a small smirk accompanying them. He presses his lips to mine, holding the kiss for just a moment.

"Good morning, sunshine." Dean murmered, not breaking his eyes away from me. "What's the plan for today?" I questioned, snuggling into his chest. He moved his arms to my back, wrapping arond me protectively.

My body fit perfectly with his, like a puzzle clicking into place. "I think," he started, kissing the top of my head, "we should stay just like this. All day. How does that sound, sweetheart?" I felt him smile against my hair, a soft laugh escaping my lips.

I adjusted my body so that I could look up at him. Blush dusted my cheeks as I caught him already staring at me lovingly. My heart raced at the same pace it did when we first met, a dopey grin on my lips. "That sounds absolutely perfect."

And so we did. We spent the day snuggled up under our flannel blanket, telling stories and laughing at our decisions from when we were teenagers. When it was time to eat dinner, we ordered chinese food and Dean ran to get it since he missed our combined warmth.

And, when it was time to sleep, we cuddled close. Whispers of sweet nothings and warm kisses were exchanged until he dozed off, me following soon after. But, before I fell into a deep slumber, I watched his breathing and how peaceful his face looked while he slept. It was comforting, and that was when I knew that I needed to spend the rest of my life with him.

[froggapi-writes]

🩷┆Decorating the Tree Sam Winchester x Reader

Fluff Reflecting on memories and continuing traditions with Sam marks the start of December.

Warnings None Words 446

☞ Masterlist

— “It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” Short Drabble

I huffed as my arms were just out of reach of the top of the tree. My hands held the obnoxious LED star that Dean had bought last year. Me and Sam had wanted an angel, but Cass made us think twice. Hopping up as a last resort, I suddenly felt two large hands on my waist. A chuckle sounded from behind me, causing me to roll my eyes when I realized who it was.

My eyes squinted as I carefully placed the tree topper, looking up at the star with a dopey grin. As I felt the warmth of someone behind me, I remembered that he was there. I spun around, his arms wrapping around me on instinct. "Thanks, hot cakes," I teased, "Care to help with ornaments?" Sam smiled at me, his head tilted slightly down. "Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," He responded happily.

It had been an annual tradition since we were kids for the two of us us to decorate the Christmas tree together on the first day of December. The memories of past Christmases filled our conversation, the tree gradually growing more colorful and sparkly.

One ornament stood out, immediately catching my eye. It was homemade with colored styrofoam and a picture in the middle, obviously a school craft. The picture featured Bobby sitting on a worn down couch while Sam, Dean, and I are all sprawled out on the carpeted floor. Christmas gifts surround us, beaming faces all around. I tapped Sam on the shoulder, waving it in the air to get his attention.

"Remember this one, Sammy?" A smile played on his lips, resting his head on my shoulder. "How could I forget? That's when I met you," Sam said softly. A light blush dusted my cheeks as he turned my head for a sweet kiss. I immediately pulled him back in, taking in the feeling of his soft lips pressed against my slightly chapped ones.

As we pulled away, I turned my attention back to the tree. It was perfectly decorated except for one spot in the middle. I turned my head and exchanged a knowing look with Sam. "It's the perfect place for the perfect picture," He commented, replicating my exact thoughts. We both walked up to the tree, giggling as his fingers fumbled with the small ornament hook.

The tree was beautiful. Bulbs decorated it, big and small. Everything from the obnoxious blinking of the tinsel-laced star to the tape holding our first picture together was imperfectly perfect. Even if we don't live apple pie lives, I wouldn't change a thing about it. As long as we're together, that's enough for me.

[froggapi-writes]

bio | 🦈

alias: froggapi 🫶

pronouns: she/they is preferred :)

interests: marine biology, music, writing

fandoms: stranger things, marvel, narcos, supernatural, the last of us, harry potter, hamilton, great comet, gilmore girls, newsies, criminal minds, stardew valley

fandoms i write for: the last of us, marvel, supernatural, criminal minds

requests: open! i love requests and would adore receiving ideas!

some of my works may touch on sensitive or triggering topics. i do my best to label warnings, and i'm totally open to putting more if i miss anything!!

☞ masterlist

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Exploring Birdwatching Ranches Along the Texas-Mexico Border

The southern region of Texas shares a distinctive border with Mexico, characterized by semi-tropical conditions that facilitate bird migration from Central America across the Mississippi and Central flyways. This area is home to numerous native bird species not found elsewhere in the United States. The bird-abundant locales along the Rio Grande River provide an ideal setting for photographers looking to hone their skills. Numerous ranches cater specifically to birdwatching and photography, offering well-designed bird hides complete with waterholes and woodlands that create natural studio-like environments for practice. These ranches are also dedicated to fostering the ideal habitats for bird conservation. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Laguna Seca Ranch in Edinburgh, Texas, a property steeped in history since its establishment in the 1800s for agricultural and cattle-raising purposes. Covering approximately 700 acres, it is located 20 miles from Edinburgh, Texas, the nearest city along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Upon entering the ranch, one quickly notices the absence of a welcome station or personnel. Reservations must typically be made in advance through accredited agents or firms that organize bird photography workshops on-site. My reservation was arranged through Jim Zuckerman Photography, with a three-day session coordinated by the esteemed photographers Mr. Jim Zuckerman and Ms. Ruth Hoyt. Accommodation is usually provided at Home2Suites by Hilton in Edinburgh, Texas, after arriving at McAllen International Airport. On the arrival day, an evening session is held to outline the details of the following three days.

The first photography session commenced early in the morning at around 6:30 AM, allowing ample time to set up in the photography hide and observe the morning activities of various birds on the ranch. This schedule also afforded a four-hour window for shooting before the sun rose high, making it challenging to photograph due to the heat. Although South Texas is known for its high temperatures, the wind and low humidity make it manageable, provided you stay hydrated. The morning's focus was on raptors, particularly the Crested Caracaras, black and turkey vultures, and the stunning Harris’s Hawk. The photography hide is strategically designed for optimal flight shots, with raptors being fed chicken meat. Perches, including cactus trees and dead branches, are positioned approximately 30 feet away, and the blinds vary in height to capture both low and high-flying shots as the raptors interact while competing for food. I found it essential to maintain a shutter speed of around 3200 and an f-stop of 8 or lower. Given the varying sunlight intensity, I set the ISO to auto, with a maximum of 10,000. These flight and perched shots yielded some of my best images of the raptors. An exciting moment occurred when a scissor-tailed flycatcher harassed a caracara in flight, fiercely protective of its nearby nest. This fleeting shot, lasting only seconds, was captured with minimal clarity, although some fellow participants managed to secure clearer photos. The interactions between black and turkey vultures and the caracaras for food scraps also produced impressive shots.

The afternoon session began at 3:30 PM in a different hide, where we encountered numerous songbirds. Golden-fronted woodpeckers posed beautifully, while playful green jays provided ample photographic opportunities. A curious greater roadrunner visited the feeders twice, and a male and female painted bunting graced us with their presence, making for stunning captures. A dove leisurely approached our hide, allowing us to photograph it at close range. In the evening, the group reconvened for dinner at a local restaurant, sharing lively discussions about the day's experiences.

The second day's morning session started early as well, using another hide for our photography pursuits. The desert cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, made a grand appearance, offering numerous opportunities for both perched and bathing shots. A large tortoise ambled by the pond, while a male and female northern bobwhite quail presented excellent opportunities for clean shots together and individually. A cautious white-tailed deer also made an appearance, and a brown-headed cowbird frequently enjoyed the suet, joined by a magnificent black-crested titmouse.

Following a productive lunch, we gathered at another hide with cacti, old logs, and flowers surrounding a pond. This setting proved advantageous for capturing birds in flight. Two northern cardinals engaged in intricate maneuvers around the cactus, feeding one another and demonstrating their delicate approach to navigating the thorns. We also observed a brief skirmish between a northern cardinal and a Pyrrhuloxia as they competed for suet and nuts placed on the cactus. Golden-fronted woodpeckers made several appearances, providing abundant opportunities for flight photography showcasing their full wing spread. The pond was a prime location for photographing the beautiful scissor-tailed flycatcher, which stopped to drink before soaring off, presenting a perfect opportunity for a flight shot. Along the water’s edge, a female summer tanager took a bath, offering numerous chances for photography, while the male only provided brief perched shots before quickly flying away. Dinner that evening was spent at a nearby restaurant, filled with engaging discussions about our daily experiences.

The final session consisted of a half-day photography lesson at another hide, proving to be highly productive. We spotted a variety of birds, including lark sparrows, great Kiskadees, curve-billed thrashers, long-billed thrashers, a pair of golden-fronted woodpeckers, bullock’s orioles, kingbirds, and a striking male painted bunting that frequently returned to the water. A highlight was the appearance of a pair of turkeys (male and female), providing us with exceptional natural shots.

Overall, the opportunity for both natural bird photography and birds-in-flight (BIF) photography at the ranch significantly contributed to enhancing our skills. The knowledgeable leaders imparted valuable techniques that we learned throughout the visit. The organizers were also considerate of the extreme heat, strategically spacing out activities to maximize our experience. I believe that such opportunities are essential for those new to bird photography, as well as semi-professionals venturing into serious bird photography. Capturing birds in flight is a challenging genre that necessitates many learning opportunities to refine one’s craft, especially for those of us planning to explore bird photography in other countries and locations.

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Source: Exploring Birdwatching Ranches Along the Texas-Mexico Border