#got it done tho

[leossmoonn]

Can you do Mike with a single mom with a son like she moves into the neighborhood and her son and Abby get along super well?

includes - abby and her son already are friends. after freddy’s. feelings are caught fast. not edited.

————

“hey, baby. how was school?” you place a hand on his back, guiding him to your car.

“good,” he says, opening the door and climbing in.

“wait, henry!” a little voice shouts from behind you. you turn around, seeing a little girl with curly hair and bangs running towards your car.

“abby! stop running!” a man shouts as he follows after her.

henry pushes past you, exiting the car and stepping onto the sidewalk.

“you forgot this,” abby says, handing him one of his star wars action figures. he smiles at her and takes it. “thanks.”

the man chasing after her huffs as he stops behind her. he puts his hands on his hips, glaring down at her. “you can’t just go off running like that, abby.”

she turns to him and shrugs, not seeming to care. “sorry.”

“i think you should start putting that in your backpack, bud. carrying it around isn’t safe for it,” you suggest.

henry nods in agreement. you look back at abby, smiling at her. “thank you for returning the toy. that’s very kind of you.”

“you’re welcome!” she grins, showing her pearly white teeth off. “someone stole my toy at school and i was really sad, so i thought henry might be mad if that happened.”

you laugh softly and nod. “he definitely would’ve been.”

you glance at the man now standing next to her. his face has softened now. his cheeks are dusted pink from having to sprint, but he’s caught his breath now.

“hi, i’m y/n,” you say, holding your hand out for him to shake. “hi, i’m mike.” he gives you a small smile.

“your daughter is very kind,” you say.

abby grimaces and shakes her head. mike chuckles. “she’s my sister.”

“oh,” you say, heat creeping up your neck. “I’m sorry.”

he shakes his head. “no need to apologize. you couldn’t have known.”

you nod in reply. something passes between you two as you stare at each other, hands still clasped together. something that makes your skin tingle and brain melt.

“mom, i’m hungry,” henry says, tugging on your shirt. you’re pulled out of your daze and you both pull your hands away quickly. you smile bashfully, not realizing how long your hand had been in his. “it was nice meeting you. maybe i’ll see you again if abby comes out and talks to henry.”

mike nods, “definitely. it was nice meeting you, too.”

you give him an awkward wave goodbye, ushering henry back into the car. mike grabs abby’s hand and walks her to his car.

“it was nice of you to do that for that boy, but don’t just run off next time, okay?” mike says as he opens the door for her.

“mmkay,” she sighs, hopping into the car. “that woman is really pretty,” she remarks as he sits in the driver’s seat.

mike’s ears turn a little pink at the thought of you. “she’s… yeah, she’s good looking.”

abby giggles in the backseat. “you like her.” he groans, “you have to stop saying that.”

“why? it’s true.”

“because it makes me… it makes me look like a weirdo. especially if you were to say that in front of her.”

“because you know it’s true,” abby remarks. “whatever,” he rolls his eyes. yes, he’ll admit, he found you attractive. you are a very beautiful woman, but he just met you. it would be crazy if he started to like you this sudden… right?

“i’m going to get the mail real quick, okay?” you say to henry who is watching tv.

“okay,” he says, keeping his eyes glued to the screen. you slip on some sandals, walking down your lawn to grab some mail. a familiar voice catches your attention.

“my hair looks fine.”

“no, you look like a wet dog!”

you turn your head, your jaw quite literally dropping. “no way,” you gasp.

“hi, henry’s mom!” abby exclaims, loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear. mike gets out of the car, eyes widening upon spotting you. now he’s actually concerned whether or not he looks like a wet dog.

“hey!” you wave. “hey!” mike says, smiling brightly.

“what a coincidence, right?” you laugh. mike nods, “yeah. actually, abby told me she knew where henry’s lives. i thought she was being creepy, but now i know that it’s true.”

now you’re really laughing. “henry said something similar. he told me the other day that he’s seen your house.”

“he’s not wrong,” mike shrugs. “can i go inside?” abby asks.

“um,” mike says, a little weary of living her inside alone. he wants to keep talking to you, but he doesn’t want to be absent in case something bad happens. he’s about to answer when henry walks outside.

“mom, can i make some chicken nuggets?”

“sure, honey. let me help you with the oven,” you say.”

“hi, abby!” henry shouts. “hi!” she grins. she starts making her way down the driveway. this time, mike is close enough to catch her. “what are you doing?”

“going to talk to my friends.”

“abby, no. they didn’t invite us over.”

“how would you know? you don’t have any friends.”

mike scoffs, not even sure what she means by that. he hears you giggle and instantly softens.

“you guys can come over here. we aren’t busy,” you say.

“you sure?” he asks. “of course. i can make you guys some chicken nuggets,” you smile.

mike takes a step into your house, surprised by how well decorated it is. it looks like you live in a completely different neighborhood compared to the interior of his house. there are pictures of your family and friends everywhere, fancy-looking abstract paintings, and cool-toned furnishings and decorations that makes mike feel ten times more calm after entering.

“if you’re actually hungry i can make you something else,” you say, walking into the kitchen. mike slowly trails behind you, still taking in your house. it doesn’t feel muggy and depressing like his. you get great light and the plants by the windows and on shelves and counters help, too. your house feels warm and happy.

“i’m okay, thank you,” mike says. “would you like something to drink then?” you ask.

“sure. water is fine.”

you fill a cup up, handing it to him. “i hope we aren’t interrupting any of your saturday plans.”

he scoffs with a little smile. “i should be saying that to you.”

“i’m usually pretty flexible. we just moved here, too, so i don’t know anybody or know where anything is.”

“oh, right. i remember seeing the moving trucks,” mike says. “yep, those were mine,” you chuckle.

“can i ask why you moved?”

“job offer,” you answer. “wow, congrats,” he smiles.

“thank you. it’s kind of part of the reason why i haven’t tried going out. work is moving faster than i anticipated, but it’s fine. it keeps me busy.”

mike nods, “yeah, between work and abby, i barely have anytime to myself.”

“where do you work?” you ask. “uh, i’m a store manager,” he answers, looking away bashfully.

you cock your head to the side, not understanding why he suddenly got all shy. “must be nice to be the boss,” you remark.

“it is,” he nods. “now i know why all my bosses in the past hated me when i was just a regular employee.”

you giggle, putting your hands on one of the kitchen chairs, leaning against it. mike’s eyes drop to your hands, not noticing a ring on your finger. he tries not to get too excited, although his heart is skipping beats and his cheeks hurt from repressing a smile.

“i remember working in stores and whatnot. it’s hard being an employee. we always get blamed,” you say.

mike snorts a little bit. “most of you guys never do anything right.”

“mmm, and who’s fault is that?” you quirk a brow. mike would be afraid that he hit a nerve and accidentally started an argument, but the coy smile on your face lets him know you’re bantering with him.

“well, i am the boss, so i get the last say.”

“that’s kind of how my boss is at work. he’s nice and all, but he can he kind of… condescending.”

“i can promise i am not like that.”

“i didn’t think you were.”

mike blushes a little bit, letting out a breathy laugh. something passes between you two again. something that makes mike feel like his throat is dry and that he needs an inhaler.

“mom, can you help me with the nuggets?” henry asks.

“oh, yes!” you turn around, seeing that henry had already put all the food on the baking tray. as you teach henry how to use the oven, mike takes the liberty in looking at the pictures that are on your fridge.

there are some of you and henry when he was a baby. you’re in what looks like a college dorm. your hair is very late-90s as well as your clothes. there’s another one of you with people who look like your parents. a couple more with your friends. there are lots of pictures of henry throughout the years. one particularly catches his eye. it’s of you carrying henry when he was about 2-3 years old with a guy who’s kissing your cheek. his heart sinks. he feels so ridiculous for feeling this strongly about you.

he wonders if his feelings for you are because he barely gets any play ever. he wonders if he’s just excited about talking to a woman, like a stupid high school kid. but there’s just something about you. your warm and welcoming presence and your smile that’s like the sun. or maybe it’s that you’re funny and caring and obviously a very good home decorator. not to mention, you’re gorgeous. of course you’d have a husband, or at least a boyfriend.

“we aren’t married. or dating.”

mike blinks rapidly as your voice breaks him out of his sad daze. “w-what?” he stammers.

“i see that you’re staring at milo and i,” you say. “i-i didn’t mean to invade or anything,” he rushes out.

you shake your head and shrug. “i have the picture there. if i didn’t want people asking questions, i wouldn’t have put it up.”

mike nods in reply, still afraid he’s blown his shot with you. if he even had one in the first place, that is.

“we were married,” you say. “but we divorced two years ago.”

“i’m sorry to hear that,” mike swallows hard. he is sorry to hear that, but it plants a little hope in his head.

“it’s alright. we were high school sweethearts. he got me pregnant when we were 19. we got married at 22, but in the end it didn’t work. honestly, we stayed together because of henry.” you look at your son who is now playing with action figures with abby. “but those types of relationships never work.”

“does henry miss him?” mike asks. “he does,” you nod. “he says he doesn’t, but i know he does. he was dad’s little guy. he’s just playing it tough, though. he learned that from milo.”

mike laughs a little. “well, henry is a very nice kid. you guys raised him well.”

“we aren’t done yet,” you smile. “has milo come to visit?” mike asks.

“not yet. he’s a great dad and i think he’s already made plans to visit next month. the only reason why i have full custody is because milo is traveling the world. he just turned 30 and is having an identity crisis, or whatever. and we both agreed it’d be good for henry to go to school and have some type of stability in his life. which, i know, is funny since we moved. but i think he likes it here. he obviously had no trouble making friends.”

mike glances to the two kids in the living room. “i’m glad abby met henry. she’s always had trouble making friends, but recently she’s doing really well.”

“well, i’m glad henry met her, too. and i’m glad we met,” you add the last part. “all the parents at the kid’s school seem like such suck-ups. even just driving to pick him up i feel judged.”

“i know exactly how you feel,” mike sighs.

you stare at him for a moment, a question entering your mind. your heart races as you open your mouth to speak, hoping he won’t reject the idea.

“would you and abby like to, uh, stay for dinner?”

mike’s eyes widen and he starts stammering. “yeah, uh, sure. if you’d have us. you really don’t have to, though. i already feel like we have imposed.”

“nonsense,” you shake your head. “i’d be happy to prepare something for you. that way henry and abby can hang out more.”

mike slowly nods, a slow smile lighting his features. “yeah, that sounds great!” he sounds a little more enthusiastic than he’d like, but you don’t mind. in fact, you look delighted.

mike ends up helping you make dinner. the kids each their chicken nuggets as their meal, stealing a tiny bit of your food as you two eat.

“this is amazing,” mike says. “i haven’t had a home cooked meal in forever.”

“well, thank you. this is my grandma’s recipe.”

“is there any way i can personally thank you grandma?”

“definitely. she’s be happy to hear someone else likes her cooking.”

“mom, can we watch a movie?” henry asks. “yeah, of course, bud. you don’t need my permission,” you say.

“i mean, can we all watch?”

you glance at mike who has the same shocked and hesitant expression as you.

“sure,” you nod slowly.

abby and henry end up picking “ice age” — which is one of the best dreamworks movies ever. the two kids sit on the floor wrapped up in blankets while you and mike sit on the couch, careful to keep a safe distance.

“have you ever seen this?” mike whispers. “no. i think it’s a new one,” you say.

“it’s… weird,” mike comments. you giggle quietly. “it kind of is.”

mike glances at you and can’t help but admire you. you’ve changed out of your day wear and into some pjs. your makeup is all off and you’re snuggled up under a blanket. he can’t help but think this is the real you in your natural habitat. he can’t help but think how pretty you are.

you notice mike’s gaze in your peripheral. you turn your head to look at him, your eyes scanning his face. one of the first things you noticed about mike the other day was how handsome he is. his hair seems to be just slightly messy all the time. he has a purple hue under his eyes from the bags, but it makes his brown eyes stand out more somehow. his facial hair is light but frames his face well. your eyes trace the shape of his nose, noticing the tiniest bump by the bridge. his jawline is sharp — surprisingly sharp. all of his features are just so perfect.

“thank you for inviting us. it’s very kind of you,” mike says. “for all you know, we could’ve been weird people.”

“I’m pretty weird myself,” you say with a teasing smile. “in all seriousness, i really don’t mind. i just see the way abby interacts with henry and the way you interact with her. i know you both are good people.”

“thank you. i think you’re a good person, too. and henry.”

your eyes travel down to his lips and just for a moment, you imagine what it’s like kissing him. you have to tear your eyes away immediately, knowing he saw that and feeling a little embarrassed. it’s cliché to say, but you haven’t felt this type of way for someone since your divorce. although you and milo weren’t right for each other, you still loved him. you have also been focusing on your career and henry; you couldn’t imagine bringing someone into your life romantically. you’ve always been afraid to bring someone into henry’s life as well. but you can’t shake the feeling like mike is special and whatever you feel for mike is special.

“can i take you out on a date?” mike asks, practically blurting out the words. it’s so fast you barely catch on, but you hear the word date.

“me and you?” you clarify. “yeah,” he nods, shrinking back into the couch. “if you wanted to. i-i’m sorry if it’s weird. i know we just met and —”

“yes,” you say. “really?” he gasps as if he’s never gotten a yes. you can’t imagine that ever being the case, and you smile a little at how cute and humble he seems.

“yep. i’m free next friday,” you say.

“me, too. i can pick you up at 7.”

“sounds good,” you smile. you turn your attention back to the tv, scooting closer to him. “you better not be late,” you whisper.

mike laughs, “i can’t imagine why i would be.”

————

taglist

@celestbarnes

[diosmaden]

thistle momence

[dukeofdadykes]

Finally got around to watching I saw the tv glow and I’ve had an incomprehensible sense of dread ever since 🙂‍↕️

[wanologic]

fortunately, or unfortunately, they only see each other like 3 times a year…

[bacchuschucklefuck]

class swap design masterpost for convenience (from top to bottom: bard!riz, cleric!gorgug, sorcerer!kristen, barbarian!fig, artificer!adaine, and rogue!fabian)

[francy-sketches]

cringe ass family ❤

[amosprinz]

“ "Father" gave us a family, raised us, and told each of us what we should work towards. In turn, what I can do is very simple... Remain loyal, and protect our home. „

[jasdiary]

HI POOKIES SORRY FOR BEING SO D WORD TODAY I WAS PLANNING ON DOING HOMEWORK BUT THEN I FELL ASLEEP AHSKDBDJ 😭😭😭😭

[sualne]

half

[dudethatsmyundeaduncle]

Had this Headcannon that when Multi-Lingual Dick and Jason get drunk they start singing Ballads in Spanish. Yeah some classical shit like Vicente Fernandez but also the most wild Selena you've ever heard.

[bunnieswithknives]

Thinking about his brain

[quirkle2]

a little bit crazy

[meeyahmaya]

so evil of illumination to rob us from a luigi revolution subplot

ft bonus interaction:

[ratxiety]

He has a really good arm

[blorbologist]

Y'know, I think I figured out why the Hells still feel like a new low-level party to me, even though they're level 13 and almost 100 episodes in.

I don't quite think it's the lack of conversations, or the fact half the party's plot hooks are big ties to past campaigns - though that definitely plays a part.

... Bell's Hells still primarily rely on quest givers.

Most of their goals are given to them and do not feel organic to the party, and constantly remind us that the Hells are pretty much never the most powerful people in the room. Which is usually something you see with a low-level party.

NPCs offering jobs is not a bad thing; it's a very common plot hook. Matt has been extremely skilled with using NPC quest givers in those two campaigns. Not only do they provide an obvious plot thread, but they can put the party in the path of others (say, the Nein running into the Iron Shepherds while doing a job for the Gentleman and everything that came of that). And the Hells had a solid start with it too - Eshteross was an excellent quest giver!

The problem is that Bell's Hells have never really not had a quest giver.

Maybe it's a byproduct of the more plot-heavy structure of this campaign? But while prior parties have felt like they decided on their course of action and what they prioritized, Bell's Hells feels less like level 13 (13! Level 13!) experienced adventurers and more like an MMO group clicking on the exclamation point over an NPC's head. Where does the plot demand we go next? Who do we report back to?

They're level 13.

At level 13, Vox Machina had just defeated a necromantic city-state to clear their name and Percy's conscience. And, you know, the Conclave just destroyed Emon. No one was explicitly telling the group to gather Vestiges and save the world (though Matt guided them there), and they were usually among the most powerful people in the room. They chose which Vestiges to prioritize, which dragons to tackle when, even if the over-all plot was pretty clear.

At level 13, the Mighty Nein were celebrating Traveler Con (another PC goal, I'll note) after brokering peace between two nations, accidentally becoming pirates and heroes of the Dynasty. The Nein regularly chose what to do based on personal goals, not grand ones. Though definitely smaller fish than Vox Machina at this level, they were very independent and gaining solid political clout.

While we're at it: level 13 is one level lower than the Ring of Brass, who had a huge amount of sway over Avalir. They ended the world, and also saved it, while in the grand scheme of things being only a smidge more powerful than Bell's Hells are now.

Can you really see the Hells wielding that amount of influence, when they're constantly being told what to do next?

The god-eater might be unleashed, so Bell's Hells have no time to do anything but what is asked of them. No time for therapy unless stolen from Feywild time, no travel on foot and late-night watches. They haven't even had time to grieve FCG. Percy was grieved in the middle of the Conclave arc. Molly was grieved when half the party was still in irons.

Matt is in the very unfortunate spot of not being able to give the Hells the same agency as the other two parties. Not only because of the world-ending plot introduced so early on; they are surrounded by characters they know (and the cast knows) are stronger and wiser than them - the familiarity of the past PCs and NPCs is to their disadvantage.

Why would the party reasonably ignore Keyleth's task that will help save the world and go off on a romp? Why would the cast when they know well Keyleth has to be sensible and with the best intentions in mind? The stakes are just too high.

It means that the Hells still feel like they're running errands instead of pursuing their own destiny. Their accomplishments are diminished as just being parts of a to-do list, and any stakes feel padded by several level 20 PCs/NPCs standing 5 steps away ready to catch them.

This isn't Bell's Hell's fault, nor is it Matt's. It could be amended, I think, if the Hells are really left to their own devices for a long period of time without support and shortcuts (like during the party split)... which would be really tricky to pull off at this point in the campaign.

They're level 13. They're big fish, but they're stuck in a pond full of friendly sharks, so they don't feel big at all.

[swedenis-h]

When did it happen?