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qcomicsy · 1 year

Text

Bruce wayne platonically sleep with both Clark and Diana pass it on.

It started as the three of them were responsible to supervise a very particular thing on a random mission, it went for literally days. They played cards. Gossiped about their coworkers. Had a heart-to-heart (to-heart-to-heart-to-heart-to?). Clark cried a little. Played cards again. Diana cheated except she didn't because she would never, but Bruce was bored and butthurt so he said it anyway and "Clark stop laughing this is a serious matter". They ate whatever the jl freezer had. It tasted horrible. They talked about their family's. Clark is a good father. "Bruce it's going to work it out if you're just open it up-". They fought.

and then made it up because otherwise Clark would get sad. "How long it has been?" "42 hours". They waited in silence. "Bruce you should sleep". "No you won't stay awake a second night in a roll while we sleep. No I don't care how much your ninja training prepared you for that, I also don't care if he's going to do It anyway. Diana which side are you on?" Bruce stayed awake a second night in a roll. Clark woke up in a bad mood. It's nice how they're one of the few people who ever saw Superman in a bad mood. No they will never talk about it out loud. Diana made coffee. "It's not strong Clark. You have the taste buds of a child, don't look at me like that". They waited a couple of more hours. "How long it has been? I'm calling Jon-". Batman and Wonder woman play chess. Clark still is on his phone, he waits patiently as Jon tell him about his day, only giving his input every now and then. When they run out of things to say, Clark tells him to be good to his mother, that he loves them both and he's going to be back soon. He waits Jon to hang up. "Who's winning? Oh he's fine but Lois already went to work,". Batman won 5 times and Wonder Woman won 7. He's sulky about it.

"Let's do a re-mach again Alfred will make cookies".

"Ok".

They made it up for real this time.

"Bruce you should take a nap". "He wont". "I wont". "I know but he should". It's getting cold and didn't they had a warmer? Oh yeah of course it broke, they should really fix that thing. Diana wonders if she's ever going to get used to this type of weather. She misses home, not the one made of concrete, the one she danced with her sisters, she wonders what they're up to- "Oh thanks Clark". The fabric of this cape is really soft. "Thanks-

"my mom made it"

"his mom made it"

Clark glares at Bruce. They laugh. It's night again. "Have I ever told y'all...". "Yes Clark". "Oh". Now it's time to Diana glare at Bruce. "But tell us again". He does.

Diana laughs and in the same breath "When I was a child...". When she finishes Bruce hums "My father he...". "There was this girl...". When they blink it's day and when they blink twice is night again.

This time Bruce is going to sleep. Clark it's not playing. "You look like a mess". "He's right-" Diana adjust Clark's cape in her shoulders. "Even the bravest soldier needs a rest. You'll be no help if you keep going like this". Bruce want's to tell her they're not soldiers, they're a bunch of delusional misfits with too much power on their hands. But there's a curve in Diana's brow and a frown in Clark's lower lip that wisely tells him not to. He's exhausted. "I'm fine". "I won't argue about that". They do.

Bruce sleeps in the fourth night. He refuses to lay down so he just slauches in his chair, grumpy. Clark is not happy about it. Diana is not going to babysit a grown man. He'll sleep however he likes. They whisper. They don't need to have their faces close to eachother, they both have super hearing. But they do it anyway. It's comfy and Clark's shoulder is warm. Bruce might be having a nightmare. Clark reaches to the nape of his neck without thinking, thumb slowly caressing his cheek. "It's what ma uses to do". Present tense. Diana smiles. She does a small nod without taking her head of his shoulder.

They talk. Clark's heart is so big Diana swears she can feel it. They wait. Diana's knowledge transcends time and space and make Clark feels small in a good way. He almost feels like a child again. The world's too big fill with unthinkable wonder. It's when he realizes, he's a boy from a farm listening to a goddess. It doesn't feel as intimidating as it sounds. He misses not being expected to know it all. To do it all.

Bruce is awake but he's pretends he isn't. And Clark is aware but is pretending to not notice. He doesn't ask Clark's to take his hand off him. Nor does it take it himself. So Clark stays there. Diana is talking about art, culture and war and the good and bad of it all. Bruce it's breathing deep and his heart it's calm. The moment seems frozen on time.

It almost felt human.

It happens on the sixth day. Clark and Diana had an arm wrestling context. Clark won five times and Diana won two of it. He's trying not to get up to his head or overthink the possibility of her letting him think he won. Or the fact that with their sleep schedule no outcome would even come close to a honest result. She's not usually the type to lie and let him take the victory like that. "A fair match is a fair match" but she's has done it before. He's pretty sure of it. Batman is stuck in front of his computer, he misses his family. He misses his family but he won't say it. His jaw is clenched, he checks his phone every ten to ten minutes. But he won't say it. So he's keeping himself occupied.

Diana looks at the window and sit on the couch as Clark stretch himself before he sits next to her. Its noon. It's almost over. Bruce let's out a frustrated sight and turns off the computer crossing his arms to himself. He looks at them as Clark finishes stretching and lays his entire weight on Wonder Woman's side. There's few people there are able to handle him like that. And even fewer times where they actually have the time and the freedom to do it, so he's saving every opportunity that he gets. Bruce is staring at them. Clark lays his head on her shoulder. Bruce is staring. She mindlessly circles her arm on his neck resting her hand in his hair and messing his curls with the tip of her fingers. Bruce is staring. Clark looks at her to check if she's seeing it too, but her eyes never leave the unbreakable glass of the window. He looks at Bruce as he rest his head on her shoulder. There's a grown ass man dessed as a bat in the middle of a conference room crossing his arms glaring at an alien made of steal who's resting his head on a demigoddess who's humming a comercial dingle to herself, all of that, because he's to petty to come in and enjoy the moment. Clark wants to laugh about that.

And he does a little.

"You know, you can join too." He humours.

"Hn."

He's still glaring. Clark wonders if he's blinking.

He listen to Diana's heart. It's beating slowly, he's listening because we kinda wants to listen Bruce's, too. But the fact that Diana's heartbeat is matching the strokes in his hair caught him in a surprise. He's about ot say it when Diana goes unprompted.

"For a man who's willing to die for those he love you're sure afraid of showing intimacy."

It sounded like a teasing but her voice is cristal clear. It was obviously directed at Bruce but she's not even looking at him. And Clark want's to laugh because the man in his front it's unshakeable but his mouth twitched.

Clark still wonders if it was or wasn't a tease when she doubles down.

"Scary cat."

Clark chuckles.

Now she's looking at him.

Bruce lays on his back unmovable.

"Didn't know it was a requirement."

"There's a lot you don't know."

"Enlighten me."

"You're smart enough to get it."

Bruce takes a deep breath. The type no one would noticed, well no one but him. He's frustrated and Clark notices. But Bruce always look frustrated, so Clark knows it's not at them. The man eyes exchanged between his and Diana's.

"It's almost over".

"That's good."

"But we will have to stay a little more."

He can hear Wonder woman's other hand scratch the surfice of the couch with short nails something so small that he just silently registers it.

"How long." She's using her Wonder Woman voice. They all have one. All super-heros he means.

Some villains too.

Funny enough not many anti-heros do.

She's not even asking.

"I like this as much as you do."

"I never said I hate it."

"Neither do I."

"But I'm not happy with it." There is, Diana's voice. The tired one, the one he only heard five years into their friendship.

Batman drops the act.

"Me too." He takes of the cowl and passes his both cloves hands over his face and stays there as if he's analysing if he should say it. "I'm going to lose Damian's PTA and Cass's Ballet."

Silence.

"It's the third..." When his hand reaches his mouth he stops himself.

Silence

"So it's 16th." Diana helps.

"19th."

"Three days."

"Yes."

"Here."

"Yes."

"Until it's done."

"Yes."

"Have you warned the others?"

Batman just looks at her.

She doesn't bother to answer.

Silence again.

It's crushing. Clark misses Lois. He doesn't know if Jon has eaten, he called yesterday but no one picked up. They must've been sleeping. Kara promised check in. He misses his wife. He misses his wife and his house and his dog. He hopes Jon is feeding Crypto well because he forgot once, but he hopes Jon's be more aware now even if he's not there to remind him. He's kid is grown. He should send a message. And he should call Kon. But Kara promised check in. But that doesn't really matter because that's not the reason why he should call. And he should call. He won't, but he should. And Clark Kent was supposed to go back to his work after being "sick" four days ago. And-

"I mean it is cozy"

He hears his voice saying, it's the first time he intervene in a while.

Both Di and Bruce smile.

"He wouldn't know." She follows.

And that's enough to Bruce to join in. He sits besides them with the silent over-confidence he always has. But he clearly has no ideia about what to do with his hands. At first he puts on his own thighs, then he tries to rest in the back of the couch behind them, his hand nudges wonder woman's arm so the retreats it. Clark want's to giggle, instead he just take it on his own.

Clark was fourteen when he noticed men aren't supposed to be as affectionate as he was.

There's a akward wait between them. It's not the first time they do it, it probably won't be the last. But he always like to check. So he waits. There's a small squeeze, lighter than a feather and Bruce's weight slowly rests on him.

Clark's hand is too soft for someone made of steal.

They're exhausted. They all are, but they're not supposed to say it. Clark is resting on Diana's shoulder and holdings his hand and Bruce refuses confront what that does to hi heart. It's something too warm, too fuzzy and tender for him to grasp. Men like him aren't supposed to get that.

They sat in silence. Two of the most important beings of the universe and a spoiled brat. It's a joke. But he doesn't feel like laughing. He's not worth it. God knows he's not. But Clark's hand is soft and Diana's voice is crystal clear. So he stays anyway.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Hoping it never does.

Diana's reciting the constellations name's. More to herself than to any of them. She knows the star's first names. He knows the scientific one's. He kinda wants to correct her, just to be a brat. But his eyes are closing and clark is warm.

Bruce wakes up the next day with Clark's cape on his shoulder and no one at his side.

He smells coffee from the kitchen and hears Clark's voice faintly complaining from the hallway.

And he's horrofied.

He's horrofied because that's the comfiest and safest that Bruce has ever slept in his entire life.

And he can't stop thinking about it.

#Batman #Wonder Woman #Superman #superwonderbat #clark kent #diana prince #bruce wayne #I honestly have no idea what the hell possessed me on this one but there it is #i just love them #i love them i love them i love them your honor #dc trinity #dc trinity hc #dc hc #dc headcannons #no it's not revised we die like men do #just like bruce wayne

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channieandhisgoonsquad · 1 year

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Unplanned Events (Part One)

Warnings: Mention of self-hatred in the form of reader being fluffy.

Word Count: ~1100

Writer's Note: Yo. So, I didn't change too much, but I added some more to this first chunk. Let me know what y'all think so far if you have any opinions. Writing is hard work. Much respect for those that have written so many stories.

Summary: In an unfortunate turn of events, you are alone in the big city for the weekend of your SKZ concert. Unsure of what is safest for you and what you should do, your weekend takes a second unexpected turn when you run into your bias Han Jisung at the park.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 7.5 / Part 8

The crisp air hit your exposed cheeks as you held onto your shoulder pack, bracing for the incoming gust of wind. It was still a chilly spring day, but your heart was warmed by the possibilities of a weekend away from regular life. You were so excited to have made it to the big city. It was finally the day before the concert.

As expected of any young adult up to anything fun, you were dressed in your favorite clothes and ready for adventure! You had made plans to meet up with your best friend at one of the biggest monuments of the city in the center of the grand park. After finally finding parking in that hectic place, you gathered up a few belongings and made your way to your final destination.

With “Silent Cry” blasting in one of your airpods, you paced casually in front of the statue, its reflective appearance showing a distorted view of yourself back at you.

Many older couples and families with young children gathered for photoshoots while you found a secluded spot on the steps nearby, so as to not interfere with any happy photos. Everyone was bundled up in winter gear because of the cold spring weather, while you wore your “Sunday best”. Basically, your new Maniac beanie from the merch presale, your black skinnies, a band tee, and a loose black and red flannel. The extra fluff you had gained after high school kept you warmer these chilly days, anyways.

Your only remaining friend from highschool was coming from her college she was attending on the other side of the state. You, yourself, had come from your hometown in the opposite direction. The distance had always driven you both crazy, all of the Facetiming and calls weren’t enough to make you guys fully happy in your friendship, and it was time to remedy that. As you sat there in the windy area, your phone vibrated in the familiar heartbeat buzz you had always known to be text messages.

A text from your friend! ◡̈

“I’m so sorry to throw this on you right now, but I’m not going to make it, y/n. I thought I might be late, but things came up and I can’t make it there at all :(”

You were shook. This was supposed to be your guys’ weekend together. Eat good food, drink yummy things, see your favorite boys finally, and vibe so hardcore you both lost your voices and can’t hear anything. How could she send such a flat and quick message this short notice? Was she okay? What happened? It had to be really bad if she was ditching you and SKZ. She hadn’t even paid you back for the tickets yet!

Instead of processing this news logistically and coming up with something kind or pissed to say back, you burst into tears. There was no fighting the flooding disappointment and confusion in this matter. You set your light stick down on the step and threw your face into your hands.

Tears streamed down as you tried to decide what to do with yourself these next few days. Sure, you had a reserved Air B&B, but it would be so fucking lonely and scary being there alone. You’d been to the city multiple times in your life, but never as an adult or by yourself. It’s not a place for a female to be on her own. Your sobs and hyperventilating became audibly louder the more you thought about it all. Thankfully, you didn’t notice how the surrounding crowds all slowly edged toward the other side of the monument. Kids pointed fingers at the fat girl crying alone. You were beyond devastated and didn’t care what any oblivious soul heard. And you also didn’t realize there really was someone who cared nearby.

“Hello, dear. I can’t stand seeing you cry. Is there any way I could help you?” Your blurry eyes made contact with the figure you heard in front of you. You locked eyes with the sweetest tanned face covered by a black mask and the softest blonde hair. You rubbed your swollen eyes in an attempt to clear out all of the salty tears, confused by the three men that stood in front of you. You could’ve sworn those kind eyes belong to Han Jisung.

“Oh god, I am really losing it! I’m sorry if I was disturbing your day, I’ll be on my way.” You replied through unsteady breaths to the men in front of me, but before you could gather all of your items, the soft man that had spoken crouched down in the perfect squat to get eye-level with your upset form.

You were terrified to look up at him again, especially after mistaking his deep brown eyes for your favorite person on this Earth, Hannie, in this crazy state of mind. “Hey, hey, hey, baby. You have nothing to apologize for. I’m sorry that something has upset you to this state. You are allowed to be upset at whatever has happened to you. I just want to help in whatever way I can.” His voice was sweet, and his accent was extremely familiar, not helping play into your delusions. “Also, I really like the beanie. Great choice. It suits your outfit well.”

Who just calls a crying woman they just met ‘baby’ then proceeds to compliment their attire? You were getting less upset and more annoyed by the minute at your current situation.

Quickly grabbing your snacks and your open bottle of Monster off the step, you tried to build up the courage to speak your mind to this creep. Before standing your ground, you made direct eye contact with the man a few feet in front of you, again. His sad eyes were already looking at you and you realized you weren’t imagining it. “Jisung?!” You whisper-yelled at the man.

He laughed and pulled his mask down below his chin despite the men behind hims’ sudden protest. Those deep chestnut eyes were full of happiness again and you were reminded of why you loved this man so much. His gorgeous smile was on show as he winked at your surprise, “Annyeong, beautiful.”

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 7.5 / Part 8

#hannie #han jisung #stray kids #straykids #stray kids han #han jisung scenarios #han jisung imagines #han quokka #stray kids han jisung #skz #skz han #i love him

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sangoqueenkoko · 1 year

Text

snowfall

fluff of course + bonus headcanons

(song linked^^ feel free to listen to it. linked because of the same title)

Wendigoon/reader - im carrying this tag rn fr😘 and i am happy to do it for y'all <3

MAIN MASTERLIST | OTHERS MASTERLIST

Summary: More snow has fallen in Tennessee. More than usual that is. Well... looks like either of you won't be able to leave the house for a few days. Is that a problem? Shouldn't be.

Warnings? S N O W Y F L U F F. I mention his first name more than once. Reader accidentally falls and hurts themselves once.

Reader is not from the USA, a colder country, let's just say the UK for example. (like me)

Self indulging again💃

guess who’s back at it again‼️

FELLOW WENDIGOON SIMPS, DINNERS SERVED!

🗣️

also thanks, @koaluna for the help on the title. because I don't know how it was that hard for me. Anyway-

1.6k words-

Cold. It was cold. And it was too much for your liking.

Colder than it should ever be in Tennessee, on record, the most it has ever snowed was as much as 26 inches. At the moment, it wasn't as bad as that. But it was a lot, let us just say that. It was not recommended to go outside as you could easily slip, fall and hurt yourself. Well, you were Okay with that as you stayed indoors in the warmth with your beloved, Isaiah. He was in his recording room finishing a video whilst neither of you didn't have much to do for a little while, so that's a way to pass the time.

You had to leave the house for a few seconds and it felt like your whole body was encased in ice you were that cold. So as soon as you closed the door behind you, you immediately went to put more layers on, or perhaps change into warmer clothes. You always thought how Isaiah wasn't bothered by the cold at times seeing as how he always wore colourful, and sort of Hawaiian dad-like shirts. But the room he recorded in was always the best in the house temperature-wise, it was always the best no matter the weather. Whereas you were the opposite, as you weren't from the USA, so you were not built to withstand these temperatures and weather behaviours, and your home country was cold from time to time. But it was never usually this bad though.

But sometimes, wearing things your size wasn't always the best. To you, it felt like that clothing bigger than your actual size was better (same). Because you could just curl up in it. So let's just say that you found a hoodie that wasn't yours and put it on and proceeded to curl up in it in the living room on the sofa that had most, if not all, blankets on it. Soon becoming acclimatised to your surroundings, you had dozed off.

About an hour or so passed and you were at the stage between asleep and awake, you heard faint footsteps nearby in another room before they quietly walked over to where you were, still curled up, feet under a blanket as they were still cold. Then you heard someone, that someone being Isaiah, say something.

"You look really cute in that sweater."

He would say other sweet things like that to you from time to time, even if you are awake or not.

Needless to say, you tried not to react, such as smile, too much to the point that he knew you were awake. You did well as you then felt him gently kiss the top of your head. You loved his simple acts of affection. Small yet they meant a lot to you, and you could not be happier.

Hours, well... a few days later, not much changed on the outside. It was currently snowing, nothing too blizzard-like, but something like a fairytale, it was light and fair. Still cold though, if you were to go outside, it was recommended to be careful and take caution.

You understood that memo but mother nature didn't let you act on the said memo. Well, you see, you went outside to take the trash outside, and well you slipped on the path as a patch of snow had turned into ice. Resulting in you slipping, trying to save yourself but that didn't work as one of your feet accidentally went one way, whereas you went the other. And ouch. You made your way inside somehow and soon found yourself in the living room on the sofa with your foot on a footrest. Not how you expected your day to go. But anyway.

And so Isaiah convinced you to just let him help you get on with your life so that you can quickly get on the road to recovery. Which was interesting. Mainly because you both had your own work to do, and you both had to juggle both of your careers. Luckily, they were easy to do at home, so it was not a problem.

Ahem.

First off, he is really sweet when it comes to helping you.

He would occasionally take a break from recording to come to ask if you need anything or need help getting somewhere, your room or the bathroom for example.

You said no every time, even if you did need it because you did not want to disturb him every time you needed something. You didn't find it fair.

He didn’t mind. Even if you did.

But what didn’t help is his weird recording times. It really messes with your body clock.

He would go on for hours and end up working into the early hours of the next day.

He would get up at stupidly early hours of the day and proceed to record until the late morning. Which really isn't good for any person's health.

You tried to break that cycle and, surprisingly, it worked for a while. Even if you did have to physically pull yourself out of bed, or from where you were, to pull him away for a while.

That way he could gather his thoughts and not have his mind so strained for thinking about a timeline or whatever for so long. You do notice a change. A good change. Even if he does sleep for a few hours. As long as you know he is rested.

The sweetest person on Earth. REAL😳

some mf put a ring on it pls, or i will

With work schedules and accidentally hurting yourself aside, there was another thing your beloved suggested. Seeing that he is, in reality, a kid at heart, and to brace for the potential future of this weather, he decided to make a fort.

Yes, you read that right!

A pillow fort.

Because you never know that the power could go out and you need to have a place to keep warm. It made him happy let's say, mainly because he gets to do something he likes with you around. And you both get to be close. With both of you busy with your respective jobs, you don't often get the chance to do something like that, especially in circumstances like this. And now was the only time, for the slight foreseeable future, that this could happen.

And the fact that he made hot chocolate for you two just made you realise more of how sweet he is. He didn't forget your favourite toppings too. How could he not? ;)

Then there were movies on his laptop you both watched. By this time, you two both acted as if the power had gone off, which it hadn't, you just both liked doing this as it wasn't anything you had done in a long time. Perhaps since you were both kids? Both of you enjoyed this time together anyway, if anything, this weather brought you two more together. Say it's cliché if you must, but it's true.

Then as the day began to slowly come to a close, with you both watching movies of course, you had, unknowingly, fallen asleep on the pillow in your beloved's lap, hugging the one you had too. Which he didn't mind, he found it quite sweet actually. He gently played with your hair too, which always made you tired. But it was a subconscious act of his that it does not look like he would give up easily. And even if you both weren't snowed in, he would happily carry you to bed, just like now.

If you were already asleep for example, he would give you a light kiss on the forehead. No, if or buts nor coconuts, what I say goes. Ahem. But he still would do that anyway, because he would just be like that.

Okay, things in general about you both-

One word about him: simp.

Lowkey adores you.

Occasionally mentions your name in passing in a video or two. And as well as a few podcasts he’s been in too. And when he does, he's all sweet about it like jsbdjsnbdghesjwkamsndbhusi-

And on live streams, especially on creepy content like weird games and things such as the Mandela Catalogue, would laugh a little when you get scared. Then if it happens too much, he wouldn’t find that funny. He’ll probably take a break.

To make sure you’re Okay ofc😌

You know how some of his subscribers call him dad? Yeah well…

They call you (mum/other dad) or some other nice name

I don't know about you, but that’s fucking cute!

And outside in the snow that’s actually easier to walk through…

Snowball fights, duh

You would throw one at him while he’s making one himself, his back turned to you

Hits him on the back of his head and part goes down his neck

I don’t know about screaming, but he yelps instead...

And you soon got the same as revenge. And he laughed.

And so that triggered a definite snowball fight

Also, one of you would eventually slip, and continue to slip as you try and catch yourself. Like this. But without the sound effects of course-

Snow angels too✨

Side by side of course

Best snow day ever!

And

When making said snow angels, it starts to snow again! Not too heavily this time.

And you know what that calls for? More hot chocolate with the added toppings.

All in all, Isaiah is, like, the best person ever.

And the best boyfriend ever🤭

He would do anything for you.

Where can I get one?

100/10 would most definitely recommend it.

when is he doing more merch again pls i need one

gonna do more someday. but seeing as this one was a little harder to get to this many words, it’ll take longer for me to think. so for now,

farewell

JUST LOOK AT HIM_

#ELS RECOMMENDATIONS #gender neutral reader #wendigoon x reader #wendigoon my beloved #carrying this tag rn😘#dinner is served #self indulgence at its finest #again #this is just me simping i am so sorry not sorry #broke my back writing this ya'll better like it #i am having a crisis #Tumblr needs to stop hiding my posts for a few minutes making me panic thinking I posted it on accident

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yusukesmomjeans · 1 year

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List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you. learn to know your mutuals and followers.(ू•‧̫•ू⑅)♡

Aww I love this!

Ok ten things that make me happy.

1. My cats are so precious and sweet I love them. They are the best orange babies ever.

2. The sun. I have pretty gnarly SAD and every day since daylight savings ended has been easier and better and brighter.

3. My lil fetus is a pretty strong high in my life right now. The idea of pushing this kid out makes me physically ill, but every time she moves I just kind of marvel at how cool she is by nature of existing IN MY GUTS Y'ALL. Wild. She's an icon.

4. I have read Becky Albertalli's "Imogen, Obviously" cover to cover 5 times in a row from the day it came out until last weekend. Her characters resonate so deeply with me, especially Leah and Molly, but Imogen is everything and this story struck such a chord with me I can't seem to walk away from it. Please reach out to discuss.

5. I eat like 4 bowls of cereal a day rn and it makes me ecstatic EVERY time. It also helps with my iron deficiency.

6. Recently finished rereading Young Wizards...again. Never enough rereads, I discover something new about myself and these characters on every read. I especially adore Dairine and Carmella.

7. My husband is the light of my life. I love him, he's so fun and smart and cute and I can't wait until he gets home from work so I can kiss his dorky face.

8. Let's be completely clear here: the highlight of last summer for me was Eddie Munson. I am a Steddie girlie and the summery weather is bringing back that part of me with a vengance.

9. I have an inflatable pool! I could just sit submerged in water for the rest of my life and be happy. I'm waiting for the day to get a lil warmer so I can go sit in my puddle and be joyful.

10. My support system is awesome. I feel like I've been held up by a lot of love and kindness that has built me up SO much on hard days.

#gin speaks #imogen obviously #becky albertalli #young wizards #cw pregnancy #tw pregnancy

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secretsappyabode · 2 years

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Howdy Tiff I adore you so much thank you for your sweet words on my Ozymandias art ;----;✨🧡!!! It's still so stupid hot here so I'm really living in my fantasies with that art piece 😂

I wanted to ask, what season would you assign yourself, Ford, and Stan based on y'all's personalities alone? Please walk me through your reasonings 👀!!!!

Also! I can help you about the readmore situation! I didn't know how either till someone else told me; you just type :readmore: and then immediately, without making a space, hit enter/that arrow key (whatever you have to make a new line) so

:readmore:(immediately make a new line)

I hope that helps and I'm looking forward to reading your answer to my other ask! Happy travels✨🧡

Clover @tex-treasures

CLOVERRRRR UR A LIFE SAVER THANK UUUUUU 😭😭😭😭 IT WORKED

now I can get to work on that ask 😈

now for THIS one, heeheehoohoo this shall be a fun challenge

honestly?? it’s hard to pin point cuz we all go thru a lot of growth and change. but the closest I’m gonna get to accuracy is this:

ford is winter, stan is autumn and im spring

now, my reasons are mainly just “ ✨✨the vibes ✨✨” but I’ve got a couple of solid thoughts (i think)

ford and stan are more colder seasons mostly due to their pasts and attitudes in life. ford held a lot of bitterness and was pretty adverse to letting people into his life, (apart from stan, fiddleford and bill were his only friends.) one cld argue that ford shld be autumn cuz he’s focussed on changing the world for the greater good, but while his intentions were good, what he wrought was quite the opposite (because of bills manipulation)

THUS he blamed himself and drew into himself SO MUCH that he shut most ppl out to fix what he had done, and he suffered 30 years of crazy inter dimensional adventures. u cld say his life was pretty “cold” and “isolating”…..much like winter can be. BUT!!! there’s always time to sit near smth warm and get all cozy, and that alludes to him finally reuniting w his family and defeating bill, going on to live a happy life.

now STAN is autumn cuz that season reflects the “change” from warmer weather to cooler weather. this can symbolise Stan’s change in life when he got kicked out. from being a kid looking towards a happy childhood dream, to being a kid out in the harsh world with a broken heart and an impossible mission.

this also alludes back to the twins being both colder seasons, but autumn is next to warmer weather in the season roster. this can relate to how Stan is secretly a softie and his want/need to be loved by people, and that he’s one heartfelt convo away from opening up even just a little bit. meanwhile ford is a bit harder to crack. a bit colder.

now I’m spring, mostly because of the attitude i aim to deliver. spring is sometimes associated with “happier” things and often gets that praise for ending winter. the days get longer, flowers bloom, it snows and rains less, and warmer weather arrives. it cheers ppl up, and that’s smth my s/i likes to do. it’s a value of hers.

bad things may happen but i try to keep the optimism up, cuz someone’s gotta, right? and spring is all abt change too, but from cooler weather to warmer weather. This alludes to stan and I having a lot more similarities, two sides of the same coin sort of thing, while ford and I can be opposites in certain aspects of our personalities.

but our connection is still very strong and true, because the transition between winter and spring is ESSENTIAL in the rebirth of nature. and our opposites don’t clash, they blend!! like the seasons! speaking of rebirth, it basically means the cycle of life begins anew, giving things another chance. and that’s what my s/i believes in!!! and that’s what she encourages stan and ford to do with themselves and each other!! because there’s never a deadline to reconcile and forgive!! there’s always another chance, a new cycle, a new life!!! and that new chapter in their lives where they sail on their boat together, that’s their endgame!!! fresh and new!!

ALSO ford is blue, stan is red and I’m purple and THOSE COLOURS CAN RELATE TO OUR SEASONS!!!!

whew that was fun. ty sm again for the ask and for the help clover!! i appreciate u so much!!! 🥺🥺

#ford loving hours #stan loving hours #s/i tag #lovely people #my brain was like: media analysis ACTIVATE 📈📉📊

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skinni-girls-eat-books · 3 months

Text

Friday, February 23rd, 2024!

7:55am: I slept for so long and woke up with no alarms this morning :) feels amazing. Still had a huge orange chunk come out of my nose but it's less than before, I just don't know when it will stop lol (I literally had to get up while writing this and do another one). Last night I had to go to sleep unexpectedly early bc I had a milkshake and it made me so bloated omg. I think I'm officially at that age where I really can't just be eating anything 😂 of course I can bc I'm an independent woman 💅 but not without The Consequences. Also I just popped my BC in and I'm ready for my period to stop and also for the stomach issues to stop omg it's been rough out here. It really feels like spring break should be today, but the pros to it being next week are that it's one week closer to the end, I won't be on my period at all, and hopefully it will be warmer!! I'm tired of this cold ass weather!!

I feel good today besides the random brain thoughts that I don't particularly want. I need to figure out how to replace those thoughts with ones I do what. This journaling, as much ranting as it is, definitely helps me I guess regulate my runaway thoughts. I really want to take a post poop nap though those are the best so ttyl lmao.

10:47am: omg I continued to sleep until 9:50am I don't know how to explain to people how much sleep I really feel like I need. Idk it's probably depression but that's literally ok I'm just doing what I can. I still miss him and that's ok too. I don't really miss him I literally miss just having someone to talk to. But he fucked up and it's his loss, not mine. He lost a genuine person, and I lost a liar who cheats and steals money and nothing he does is genuine, it's all fake to get people to like him so he can use their shit for all it's worth. What's crazy is he's so fake he doesn't even care about these cats after he kept saying he misses them oh boohoo me it's like losing two kids, then blocks me so he'll effectively never fucking see them again. He's literally so fake AF. I take pride knowing I'm not a fake ass bitch and I don't lie to people. Doesn't matter if people believe me or not because I know I'm not lying about anything. If you think I'm lying, you just have something else going on in your life that you have to deal with clearly. This image of them getting on the bike together I think will stay with me for a while, I guess visuals are really my downfall. I know I'm the bigger person bc I literally said yeah y'all are cute together before he stopped speaking to me and everything was chill. It was chill because I made it chill. I made this entire friendship what it was and I'm really convinced of it now tbh. I don't like him, I like me and how I act towards him 😂 I like nice people, aka myself lmao.

If everyone likes me except for you.... Sorry I don't think I'm the problem boo 😘 just a matter of time before he does some more stupid shit I'm sure I'll hear about 🙄

Happy Friday!!

1:02pm ate my ramen leftovers and my boss is buying me CFA Cobb salad for work later :') people are awesome ❤️

10:09pm: JFC my feet hurt like hell. I wish I had a guy to rub my feet fr but one day lol. I just realized he didn't block me on sc so I could technically add him back whenever, I wonder if he's waiting for me to do that?? Hmmmm he's such a narcissist it's wild, plus the whole posting at me when I'm technically blocked on ig is actually crazy af. I bet $200 if he adds me back on ig that post will magically be gone or the caption would change. He's so petty and acts like a little bitch. Literally can't relate 💀

11:40pm: finished my law assignment and I'm so tired I think I'll eat my salad leftovers and literally pass out. My eyes are literally burning.

I really just be out here gaslighting tf outta myself. I'm sitting here like wowza I wish I had "guy" to vibe w me after getting done with my hw.... But it's been so long it's funny that I forget, that man in particular would NOT want to chill with me after I'm finished with my hw!! Name literally one time when he ever fucking did that?? Literally he never fucking did. I'm so gaslighting myself into thinking we'd be doing anything rn, he would've pissed me off all night and then would probably be asleep rn. There would not be random drive thru trips bc he's on a lame ass diet and won't stfu about it and there wouldn't be cuddling bc he would've pissed me off the entire afternoon sitting on his ass making fucking messes instead of contributing anything ever to the home we share and it would infuriate me!! That's not attractive 🙄 so yeah gaslighting tf out of myself to think that would be happening 🤣 it's been so long I forget how exhausting that bullshit was!! Don't go back sis you literally hated it!! Wack AF and manipulative tbh.

One day, there will be a man, he will rub my feet when I get off work, even better he'll see the insides of my shoes, know that I'm too busy/ADHD to remember to get insoles, and would surprise me with new insoles for my shoes ❤️ that's what care and love looks like. We will have a cute snack and then probably fuck before bed bc we are both grown and not scared of a little period fr, and he would get me a towel and draw up a shower for me afterwards and I'd come back into the clean bedroom with no dirty shit on the floor and get into my made bed and snuggle with the real love of my life who loves and respects me 🥰 manifesting lol 💕

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tartagliad · 3 years

Text

Stay In Bed

Summary: Taking care of the boys when they're sick

Fandom: Tears of Themis

Genre: fluff!

F!reader

Warnings: mentions of pain and vomiting ig..?

(A/N: IM IN URGE TO WRITE THIS PLS- I want to make something for this fandom and why not start with some fluff... ehe, hope you enjoy this. My request box is open for this too :))

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Artem:

((Both of you aren't living together yet))

Y'all know that he's an absolute workaholic

He's probably fallen sick due to the fact that he didn't rest enough

Artem probably just going to ignore it or call you

He would just hope that tomorrow will be okay

And today... yeah he couldn't walk :"

The heat spreading through his body, couldn't breath well, and the dizziness

He also remembers that he had a plan to meet with you, now he feels bad..

Artem wants to cancel the plan but both of you barely seen each other because he was so busy

He was almost drifted back to sleep when he heard a doorbell

How would he suppose to do it... he lost all of his strength

Artem collected all of his strength and stand up, holding to the nightstand

And because he's cold, he put the blanket on his body and proceeds to walk, leaning against the wall

When he opened the door, the light from outside came and his dizziness grew worse and he almost fall

But then he could feel something holding him, it was you

"Artem!" you panicked, you put his arm around your shoulder and rest him on the couch

You put your palm on his forehead.. oh dear he's really warm

"I'll head to the kitchen for awhile, stay here." you said to him and ran to the kitchen

Artem could only nod and closed his eyes and wait for you to come back

You boil some water to make a warm honey water to sooth his throat and grab a small cloth and damp it with some cold water

After a few minutes, you came back to him and give him the drink

Artem sat up and take drink from your hand, the drink makes his body feel warmer and his throat feel much better

"Sorry... I can't go..'' he says weakly, resting his head on your shoulder

"It's okay Artem, besides, I can still be here with you for as long as you like..'' you responded, putting your hand on his head.. he felt really relaxed and his eyes started to grew heavier

You noticed it and told him to go back to his bedroom, you have to help him walk tho :'

Finally, after arrived in his room, you gently rest him and put the damped cloth on his forehead

You were about to leave the room to get some supplies until he suddenly grabs your wrist, "Stay....'' he mumbled

''Artem I'll be quick, I'm just getting you some things.'' ''No... later..'' he answered

Your face turned slightly red at his attitude and gave in

You walk to the other side of the bed and sit besides him, he puts his head on your stomach, arms wrapping around your waist

You're not going to leave his side until he wakes up again

Let's just say he become a bit cuddly when he's sick

Artem is happy to have someone like you to look after him <3

He'll be healthy again in 3 days :)

Vyn:

Rarely falls sick actually

Vyn knows how to take care of himself properly even if both of you already lived together

The factor is probably because the unexpected changes of the weather

One moment is raining and the next is sunny

And yes the weather this week is like that..

It was 4 a.m... you woke up because there was a sound came from the bathroom

You checked to the other side of the bed and Vyn wasn't there

You rubbed your eyes and gently walks to the bathroom, "Vyn... are you okay?'' you speak softly

Vyn didn't answer and you started to worry, so you opened the door softly and saw Vyn throwing up

You walked towards him and gently rub his back, "it's okay... just let it out.'' you softly speak

He then put his head on your shoulder, his breath was uneven, his hair sticking to his forehead and his face was really red

You gently rub his arm to sooth him and he leans closer

You then help him up, he brushed his teeth and wash his face

Then you gently rub his face with a warm towel and put him back to your shared bed

Vyn drifted back to sleep not long after and as for you, you went back to the bathroom to get a damped cloth and get a thermometer

You then take his temperature and it beeps after a few minutes, "38,7 degrees...'' you quietly spoke to yourself as you looked over at him, poor Vyn..

After that you put the cloth on his forehead and went to get a book from the shelves since... well, it's a bit late to go back to sleep especially when your boyfriend is in a bad condition

You get 2 glasses of water, one for him and one for you

Sitting down next to him and gently opened the book and start to read it

It is 7 a.m. now... ig reading the book speeds the time lmao

Since it's almost breakfast, you decided to cook something for the two of you

You then made some soup for him and a simple omelet for you

And you also brew some tea to accompany it :3

When you're about to finish plating, someone came behind you and hugged you, it's Vyn

"Vyn, dont scare me like that." you said that as you chuckled, "Sorry... i was a bit... lonely..'' he said

You gently looked at him, he was wrapping himself with a blanket and his eyes were glossy

"Go back to bed alright, I'll be right back..'' you gently cupped his face and he nodded, he walks back to the room.. you smiled to yourself

Not long after Vyn went back to the bed, you came back with a tray on your hand

You gently put it on the bed as he slowly tries to pick it up, "Don't burn yourself, it's hot..'' you warned him

He nodded and both of you started to eat, you two have a small chat too

After you two are done, you went back to the kitchen to put the dishes away and get his medicine

Vyn takes the medicine then you sat next to him and tuck him in

He suddenly grabs your wrist and put in on his head, it looks like he's in so much pain :(

"It hurts..'' he complained, "I know... close your eyes, you'll feel better.'' you softly coo at him

He then drifted to sleep not long after.. aww..

You'll be in this condition for 3 to 4 days :^

Luke:

This little sunshine is a bit clingy when he's not well

But sometimes he would force himself to go to work like Artem

Luke tries to hide it from you cuz he didn't want to bother you and yet he knows how busy you are lately

Well today is that day.. he's really busy but yet he has a cold

But he think it'll brush off when he works, after all.. his work rarely acquires him to go outside

Hours go by his head gets more and more painful and his eyes grew heavier

So he decided to close his eyes a for awhile so dizziness could go away..

While he's asleep, you arrived at his place

You figured out since he's busy, you want to have lunch together with him

Since you have the access to his place, you immediately come inside

You think that he'll be at his desk and you're right

But you're confused why he's sleeping on his desk

You gently tap his shoulder, "Luke... wake up.." you said, he slowly moved and you saw how tired he is

"Oh... I didn't know you'll be here...what's up?" he asks as he rest him self on the chair

"Eh, I just wanted to eat lunch with you.. but.." you fall silent for a moment, "Are you okay..? you don't look so good." you said

Luke just nodded at you as his eyes began to close again

As observant you are, you gently put your palm on his forehead.. he's sick

"hah... Luke, why didn't you tell me you have a fever?" you frowned at him

"I thought that it'll be gone in a few hours and thus.. i didn't want to bother you..." he said

You silently sighed and walk closer to him, "You're never going to bother me.. now let's get you do bed, alright?" you said

Luke slowly rises from his seat and hold your wrist for support

When you finally reached his apartment, you bring him to his room and he changed his clothes to something more comfortable

While he's changing, you prepare some tea and heat up the lunch that you bought earlier

Luckily, the lunch you bought wasn't too heavy

Once you're done, you went back to his room and saw him already lying on the bed

You smiled gently at him and put the tray on the nightstand

"Here, you need to eat so you could feel better.." you said, but he refuses, "noo.. I'm not hungry.. can I eat later..?" he complained

You frowned at his words, "hah.. Luke, you haven't eaten since morning, haven't you?.. it's not good for you especially with a fever like this.." you tell him, "here how abt this, I'll feed you?" you offer

He kinda lights up a little inside, so he just gave in and you started to feed him

Ngl after you feed him, he felt his appetite coming back

"Can I have a cuddle?" he ask, you blushed a little

"Luke.. I don't want to get sick." you complain, he frowned at you, "aww please...?" he asked again with those eyes

Ugh... you can't say no to those eyes, so you nodded and he pulls you down to lay with him

"Don't leave.." he said, "alright alright, I'll stay.." you say

Then he drift to sleep, but you cant escape cuz everytime you move his hand subconsciously thights around you

Luke will be fine in 1 or 2 days since he has a good immune system

Marius:

10x more clingier than Luke omg

Marius sometimes will tell you if he feels unwell, but it's rare for him to hide it

Or either you're the one who found out before he says it

He's that type of person who will get sick at.. some time of the year

Idk, there's a particular day or moment when he'll fall sick :/

You didn't memorised it since it always changes ofc

Morning has just come by and you opened your eyes and the sun was shining to your room

You check the clock, it was 7.30.. it's normal for you to wake up at times like this since you had a few days of

Then you check the other side of the bed, there your boyfriend still asleep

You didn't wanna wake him since he looked so peaceful

You got up and went to the kitchen to make some coffee and some breakfast

Eating breakfast and reading a book kinda speeds up the time, now its like 9.12

Now you realised Marius haven't woke up yet

He never woke up this late, usually he'll wake up a few minutes after you or before you

You went back to your shared bedroom, the blanket covers him until his ears

Then you slowly opened the cover and reveal his complexion

He looked horrible :(

"Onee sann.. it's too bright.." Marius complained

"Marius, you have a fever." you said as you putting your palm on his forehead

You then put your hand through his hair and gently rubs it

His eyes felt heavy again, it feels really nice

"Be right back-" "Nooo, onee-sann.. stayy" he grabs your wrist

"Marius, I'm just getting you some supplies, it's not that long." you respond, he just sighed in defeat

You pre-heat some water to make tea and get some medicine, cloth, and a thermometer

Once you're done, you went back to the room, Marius was looking over at the window

"Onee-sann what took you so long?~" "Marius I was gone for like 7 minutes, not 7 years." you joked and he just pouted

You put the tray down and slowly hand him the tea

Marius took it and gently sips it, the tea soothes his throat

When he's done, he suddenly pull you into a hug, "Marius!" you yelped, "No leaving me." he simply says

"I-" you didn't know what to say, Marius then kissed your nose and your cheeks, "Marius, stop, I don't wanna get sick." you said

"Onee san, don't be like that~ you're such a meanie~" he pouts

You rolled your eyes playfully at him and silently chuckle, "Go to sleep von Hagen, you need it." you jokingly said it

"If you stay, then I'll sleep." Marius commanded

This baby... welp you kept his words, you don't leave him if you wanted him to sleep

You hope that he'll be better soon, although it's cute seeing him like this lmao

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#tears of themis #mihoyo #tears of themis headcanons #artem wing #vyn richter #luke pearce #marius von hagen #tears of themis vyn #tears of themis artem #tears of themis luke #tears of themis marius #tears of themis imagines

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mdnghtfae · 3 years

Text

in the rain

characters: bokuto and gn! reader; post! timeskip

wc: 1.8k

warnings: none that i can think of?? it’s pure fluff

tagging: @ichigomis

a/n: i had fun writing for this collab! please head on over to @ichigomis blog for more! i'm not too happy with how it turned out but i hope y'all like it...also this is loosely inspired by the umbrella scene in the first season of miraculous ladybug, the song just makes me emotional okay? okay! also, one umbrella leads to the song on youtube while the other leads to the song on spotify! happy reading!

give this a listen while reading ☂ ☂

The rain didn’t seem like it was going to let up anytime soon, and unfortunately, you can’t afford to be late to work. You let the curtains close with a sigh before walking to the couch. You reach for the TV remote and turn off the TV, the room falling silent save for the pitter patter of the rain. After grabbing your bag, which you had dropped at the foot of the couch the night before after work, you pulled on your rain coat and shoes. Your fingers reached for the keys in the bowl by the entrance, the metal cold against your skin, while your other hand slings your bag over your shoulder before grabbing an umbrella from the coat closet.

Stepping outside, you shove the keys into your bag after locking your front door. A shiver skitters down your spine as a gush of wind rushes past you, lifting your hair slightly. Pulling your coat tighter, you open your umbrella and begin your walk to the bus station. Maybe you should’ve worn rain boots, or a warmer coat, or maybe if you had a boyfriend so doting that they’d drop anything for you, maybe then you wouldn’t have to deal with this rainy weather.

While you enjoy the grey skies and the smell that clings to the dew in the air after it rains, you only like it when you’re staring outside from the comfort of your apartment. You debate turning around and using one of your sick days because the temptation of being indoors, enveloped by the warmth of your blankets and the heat that seeps into your body from the mug of hot cocoa in your hands, is too great. But you continue trudging along, because who else is going to be responsible for you if not yourself.

Unbeknownst to you, a man with black and grey hair was also trudging toward the same bus station as you. Normally, he wouldn’t mind this sort of weather, but today he just couldn’t deal with it. He had forgotten his umbrella amidst his rush in getting out of the door. He had forgotten to set his alarm after getting home late after practice, making him late this morning. He even skipped breakfast so as to not miss the bus; he knew today would be worse than the day before because not only was he tired, but he was hungry. He’s just glad he packed his lunch last night before going to bed, so at the very least he has food for later.

Grumbling to himself about how he was soaked through and how his hair was getting into his eyes, he sighs in relief upon seeing the bus station that would provide some cover from the pouring rain. He picks up his pace, ignoring how ridiculous it may seem that he’s running for cover despite him being completely drenched, droplets of water dripping from the ends of his hair, some landing on his face and others landing on the ground. His eyes widen in surprise as he sees your dry figure, wrapped up in a coat appropriate for the weather and an umbrella clutched tightly in your hands. He wasn’t expecting anyone to be taking the bus this early, usually he was the only one waiting.

You tilt your head up, gaze following suit when you hear footsteps quicken their pace. Your eyes land on a pair of golden ones that are widened in…confusion perhaps? It didn’t really matter, because you swear the rain is gone the minute you look into his eyes. And after one look, you know he’d put the sun to shame.

You both step up to the bus stop at the same time, with small smiles exchanged instead of hellos, and stand with a respectable amount of space meant for two strangers. You close your umbrella and wrap the chord around your wrist so as to not leave it behind.

Despite the cold seeping into his skin, he can’t help but smile at the warmth blossoming in his chest. Because even though you threw one smile his way, that was all he needed to know that he’d like to see you smile again…but he wants you to smile with him, not at him.

You notice that he keeps adjusting his hair, the frustrated pout on his lips endearing as you side eye him while he fights to get his hair out of his eyes. You bite back a smile and look down, hoping he won’t catch you biting your lower lip in a poor attempt at holding in your laugh.

He shuffles in his spot a bit as he readjusts the strap of his gym bag over his shoulder. His movements catch your attention, which was what he was going for. His gaze catches yours and he gives you his best smile, despite it being too early for anything of the sort. You return the smile as best as you could, but who are you kidding? It’s not even seven in the morning. He extends his hand out to yours then pulls it back, and instead settles on waving his hand ever so slightly, which he then plays off by scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.

He lets out a breathy laugh, a puff of air slipping past his lips. “Sorry, I just…I never see you at this stop.”

You turn your body so you’re facing him, an open invitation to a possible friendship. Your fingers fiddle with the chord of the umbrella as you breathe out, your warm breath mixing with the frosty air. You shrug and let out a huff of air, “I never go to work this early, but there were things that needed to be taken care of before the beginning of my shift so…” your sentence drifts, somewhat unfinished. He looks at you with an expectant look, gaze unwavering, interested.

He tilts his head in pure intrigue. “So?”

The smile you had been fighting earlier returns and settles itself permanently on your lips. “So…no one wanted to go in early to finish it and since I live the closest…well, you can imagine.” He hums in understanding, then looks over his shoulder to check if the bus had already turned onto the street.

“What about you?”

He whips his head toward you, eyes wide once again. “Huh?”

You laugh and unconsciously take a step toward him. “Why do you take the bus so early?”

“Oh!” He returns your laugh with his own, and you swear you’ve never heard anything more wonderful than that. “I head to the gym before practice starts.”

At that, you cringe. “You purposely wake up early?”

He nods his head, seemingly not as excited as before. “I don’t like it, but I do love my job. So, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” He bites his tongue, wishing he hadn’t said that to you. Once seeing your unchanged expression, however, his shoulders relax.

“What do you do?”

His smile grows fonder. “I play professional volleyball.”

You don’t mean to look so surprised, but you can’t help it. His cheeks flush a soft pink, and you think he can’t get cuter than he looks in this moment. You can tell he enjoys what he does with almost a childlike innocence, but by his discipline you can also tell he takes it seriously. And that’s when you take note of how his wet clothes clings to his figure, and you can tell he’s well built. Suddenly, you wish his bus would arrive sooner so he doesn’t see your obvious ogling, and yet you’re disappointed to see it turn the corner moments after.

His smile softens at the corners, the pout he sported earlier breaking through his smile. “That’s my bus.” His voice is hushed as he tells you, afraid he’ll shatter the comfortable silence that had settled for a brief moment.

Your own smile falters a bit, and you look down at your umbrella. You chew on your bottom lip as you debate whether or not you should give it to him. You recall that you had sewn a patch onto it with your name and number in case you ever lost it. While you are aware that it’s just an umbrella, you somewhat pride yourself in not having lost it ever since you were in high school. And as you see the bus inch closer, and see the slight anguish in the man’s eyes as he looks at you as though he’s never going to see you again, you realize you don’t want to let the moment slip through your fingers.

“To hell with it,” you mutter under your breath as you step into his personal space. You open the umbrella and extend your arm, hoping he’ll take the umbrella.

He looks from you, to the umbrella, to the bus rolling to a stop. His eyebrows furrow. “I can’t take it. What about you?”

“I’ll be fine, just take it!” You look at him expectantly.

His hand reaches forward, his fingers brushing against your own, his larger hand encasing yours for a split second as you slip the umbrella into his grasp. Upon feeling the warmth of his hand your cheeks heat up.

“What can I give you in return?”

“Your name.” You say it with a slight lilt in your voice, clearly amused.

“Bokuto.”

You repeat his name barely above a whisper, and it’s already the sweetest thing he’s ever heard. And he wants nothing more than to hear you say his name again.

The bus driver honks, giving Bokuto a warning. He gives you a sheepish smile as he climbs onto the bus. Only when he’s in his seat does he realize he never got your name. As he’s putting your umbrella into his gym bag, he notices the patch you had sewn onto the umbrella with your name and number embroidered into the patch of fabric.

And yeah, maybe Bokuto hated the rain this morning, but having rushed to catch his usual bus on time, effectively forgetting his umbrella, led him to you. Your conversation, mundane as it may have been, would be the most eventful part of his day, even more so than his stressful morning.

Bokuto pulls out his phone, fingers adding your number to his contact list without a second thought, your name rolling off his tongue in a whisper, lips pulling into a soft smile.

He wastes no time in tapping on the call button, bouncing his leg while he waits for the phone to dial. The call is answered after the first ring, and he waits with baited breath to hear you speak his name again.

“Bokuto?”

He releases the breath he was holding, a boyish grin spreading across his face. He swears he can hear the smile in your voice, in the way you say his name like a prayer, and his smile only grows as he looks outside the bus window, a few grey clouds parting to show the hazy blue sky that had been hiding behind them.

“Hey, y/n.”

#nice to meet you collab #collab event #i really enjoyed writing this so #the theme is so cute #hopefully this is good kdhfk #also it's still the 19th in cali so it's not late :)#bokuto #bokuto fluff #bokuto x y/n #bokuto x reader #bokuto x you #bokuto scenarios #haikyuu #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu x you #haikyuu scenarios #hq #hq fluff

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mysticpetals · 4 years

Text

Roses and thorns

Pairing: Jake × player (Nora)

Genre: fluff, angst

Word count: 2.7k

Summary: Nora loves making Jake flustered but he isn't exactly complaining when he gets to see that smile on her face.

A/N: y'all....I finally finished it. Fair warning this diverges a little from canon but the Hannah disappearance and investigation arc is still there. The player doesn't know Jake is the hacker's name. I took some writer's liberty with Jake's character since we don't know much about him (except I'll die for him), so I hope that's okay! And lastly, I'm sorry for that ending butttt I'm not that cruel usually. It's just this once. Maybe. All the characters belong to everybyte, I have no claim over them.

Nora breathed deeply as she saw the 'Welcome to Duskwood' sign. She couldn't believe that she was really going through with it.

On the way to her aunt's house, she stopped at a flower shop. It had been a long time since she had seen her aunt and from what she could remember, she was a sweet lady who loved receiving flowers. Her dad told her to get lilies because according to him, it reminded her of her past girlfriend who had died due a chronic disease. After her, her aunt had never been interested in dating and instead, chose to live in Duskwood by herself, running her sweet shop.

Nora stepped out of the car and couldn't avoid the shiver due to the much colder weather. She should have brought some warmer clothes, she mused. The city was much warmer than here, maybe due to industries or the ever increasing cars but she had to admit that Duskwood had its own charm.

The gentle breeze that caressed her face made her feel more alive than she had felt in a long time. Maybe staying cooped up in her small apartment might not have been the best way to work but it's not like she had to go to an office or something. All she needed was her tablet and computer and she was good to go.

The bell chimed loudly as she opened the door to the shop. The interior was very colorful, as expected from a flower shop, and her eyes trailed over all the beautiful arrangements that were displayed. Along the wall, there were shelves filled with flowers of all types and Nora instantly felt her mood brighten.

"Hello and welcome to Plumes. How can I help you?"

Nora turned towards the voice and found a guy with tousled black hair and glasses, smiling politely at her. Though, once he got a good look at her, the smile faltered.

"Oh, hi! I was hoping I could get a simple bouquet of lilies, would that be possible?" She smiled at the guy and he quickly snapped out of his stupor.

"Yes, of course. Do you need it now or…?" He moved behind the shelves, ducking his head and looking for lilies.

"Now, actually. But please take your time, I'm in no rush," she said and proceeded to check out the rows of cards placed in the corner.

Jake couldn't believe that he was seeing Nora, in Duskwood of all places. Why was she here in the first place? The timing was really bad for someone to come here out of the blue, especially when they didn't have many visitors in the first place. At least she didn't know who he was. It was only a small relief but nonetheless, Jake decided to get to know her reasons for coming.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, what brought you here?" He asked, cutting up the larger stems to fit into the bouquet.

"Oh, I'm here to visit someone." Her reply came and Jake frowned. She wasn't here to visit Jessy or the others, was she? If so, it was incredibly naive on her part when any one of them could be Hannah's kidnapper. He didn't know what to say but thankfully, Nora saved him from accidentally saying something that could give out his identity.

"This is a cool place. A lot different than the city," she said, done with choosing a card and took a green pen from the stand on the counter.

"That's definitely a first. Usually, people are trying to get out of here," Jake said, finished with wrapping the flowers in the paper and proceeded to cut a ribbon to tie it up.

He heard her hum in answer and peaked his head from behind the shelves to watch Nora writing on the card. He quickly turned around when she raised her head, cheeks heating up at being caught looking. After decorating the paper with the ribbon and putting a few final touches to make sure everything was in its proper place, Jake brought the bouquet with him to the counter and placed it down gently. Nora looked at it with awe and satisfaction and he felt happy that his skills had lived up to her expectations. Well, one set of skills at least.

"That's really pretty, thank you…" she trailed off, waiting for him to supply a name. Since everyone knew everyone in the town, his employer hadn't seen any use for a nametag. He hesitated for a quick second before telling his name.

"Thank you, Jake." Her smile widened and Jake's cheeks blossomed with a rosy blush. It was hard enough trying to maintain his distance while chatting and now that she was here in person, looking at him with eyes full of merriness, Jake felt as if things had gotten a lot more complicated.

———

Nora's aunt loved the flowers she had gotten and couldn't contain her excitement at having someone in the house other than her pet cat, Nox. She made Nora tell all about her big city life and how her parents were doing. All throughout the chat, she was feeding her all sorts of chocolates and pastries, asking about their texture and flavour and Nora was only too happy to comply. Her aunt had been responsible for her sweet tooth after all.

At night, as she settled in bed after having a shower and drying her hair, her phone lit up with a text notification and she was surprised to see that it was the hacker who had messaged her.

Hacker [9:30pm]

Hey, Nora.

How was your day?

She read the message and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. He had never messaged her first and now that he did, he's talking as if he's greeting an old friend. She typed out her reply after thinking about it for a while.

Nora [9:32pm]

It was...fine. nothing too exciting

Oh! I met a cute guy today

Hacker [9:32pm]

Oh, you did? That's nice.

Nora [9:33pm]

Don't worry though! I only have eyes for you ;)

Her screen showed that he was typing and erasing his text and she chuckled, imagining him blushing and not knowing what to say. He was so much fun to rile up, especially since he got flustered so easily.

Hacker [9:35pm]

I'm looking up on another lead I found.

If you find anything on Hannah's cloud related to a therapist, send it to me.

Nora pouted. He was basically ignoring her very obvious attempt at flirting and she did not appreciate it.

Nora [9:35pm]

You're no fun :(

I'm pretty tired today but I'll search through her cloud tomorrow

Good night!

She received a simple 'okay' and 'goodnight' in return and the hacker went offline again. That had to be the weirdest conversation they had and their whole relationship was built on strangeness.

She shrugged off the messages and fluffed up the covers. Right now, sleep was calling and who was she to deny it?

———

The next few days were spent indoors, with her aunt busy with a birthday order, she opted to work on Hannah's cloud as well as her commissions at the same time.

Sketching out the last details of a virtual character, she sighed with exhaustion when she was finally satisfied with it. Her phone pinged with a flurry of new messages and she leaned back on the couch, picking it up.

It was from the group chat with everyone and Lilly was creating trouble. 'Voting' to keep her involved or not. Couldn't she and everyone else for that matter see that she and the hacker guy had been trying to help as much as they could, and in her case, not even knowing any of them in the first place.

It was rather hurtful to know that nobody trusted her enough to vote 'yes' the first time around. But Dan voting for her made a smug smile spread across her face. Lilly and Thomas were definitely not okay with that and logged off immediately. She began to wonder if the hacker hadn't sent that video message in their group, would they have the same reaction as now?

She wrote a reply, not really paying attention to her words and locked her phone, flinging it towards the other end of the couch. Running her hands through her hair in frustration, she debated on what to do. She had tried to be forthcoming about everything but it really irked her that this was what she got for trying to help.

Her pettiness won out in the end and before Nora knew it, she had already snatched up her car keys and phone, on her way to the only flower shop in Duskwood.

———

Jake had been slacking on the job and he wasn't afraid to admit it.

The past few day's events plagued his mind. Nora hadn't texted him, ever since a short 'thank you' when he sent that intimidating video to her friend's group chat. She was online but barely responded to any messages and it made him a little worried. She was not the quiet sort of person and he was anxious as to whether she was feeling okay or not.

He glanced up from his phone, debating whether to message her or not, when the door opened and in walked Nora herself. It was afternoon so she had forgone her coat and was instead dressed in a casual attire of hoodie and jeans.

She smiled as she saw he was looking at her and Jake quickly locked his phone, putting it on the counter and greeted her.

"Didn't know I'll see you again so soon here," he said, with a hint of teasing and Nora shook her head.

"Neither did I. But here we are." She shrugged.

"Do you want a bouquet again?" He asked curiously. He hadn't expected her so soon at all. Whoever she was visiting must be really fond of flowers. That or she just came to see him. He tried not to linger on that last thought.

Nora's lips curled into a smirk, a devilish glint in her eyes and Jake swallowed nervously. She looked positively sinful with that expression, leaning across from him and he felt himself flushing slightly.

"Oh, yes. But not something typical. I'd like to have a bouquet made of flowers that say 'I hope you go to hell' or 'fuck you'."

Jake couldn't help the surprised laughter that bubbled past his lips at her words.

"That's oddly specific."

Nora shrugged again but a playful smile still rested upon her face.

"Well, someone did piss me off so…"

"Someone from here?" He tilted his head and watched as she stiffened. At least she was careful with what she revealed.

"Not really. I'm going back the day after tomorrow and figured the flowers would be okay for a day. Will they be okay?" She frowned.

Jake tried not to show his disappointment at that. Was she really going back or was it just a lie because he asked who they were for? He was pretty sure they were for Lilly and now he regretted asking her and making her uncomfortable.

"Oh, yeah they'll be fine. Again, would you like it now or…" he trailed off.

"I can wait!" She smiled and plopped down on a chair in front of the large window.

Jake quietly headed for the backroom, chuckling to himself while choosing the flowers that would successfully deliver her rage from earlier.

Meanwhile, Nora quickly got bored of sitting around and decided to message the hacker guy. She hadn't really talked to him these past few days and was itching for any conversation with him. Snapping a photo of the floral display, she sent it to him, knowing he'll probably figure out that she was in Duskwood now. The buzz of a phone on the counter grabbed her attention. Jake must have left it here before going to get the flowers.

She hesitated and quickly sent another text saying 'hello', raising her eyebrows when the phone buzzed again. Curiosity won and she made her way to the counter and saw her name flashing on the screen.

She grinned.

It was fifteen minutes later that Jake came back with a beautiful bouquet in hand. How he had managed to make 'fuck you' look so good, Nora might never know. He was surprised to see that she hadn't moved from her position on the chair at all but let it go without much thought.

"Ah, thank you so much, Jake!" She chirped brightly, coming to stand in front of the counter and looking at his work.

"It's no trouble." He ducked his head shyly, not being used to the praise. The townspeople were much more distant and mostly parted with a simple thank you. It was refreshing to hear that someone appreciated his more known set of skills.

"Seriously, this is so beautiful. I almost don't want to give it up." Nora didn't have any trouble communicating her genuine thoughts and now that she knew who he was, she wanted to have a little fun.

She dashed to the shelves and picked out a fully bloomed rose and put in on the counter. Despite his confusion, he rang up the rose along with everything and relayed the total amount to Nora.

She paid him and picked up the bouquet, giving him a smile and headed for the door.

"Wait! You forgot the rose." He held up the single flower but Nora just grinned.

"Ah, did I forget to mention? That's for you."

She laughed in delight at the blush that spread rapidly across his cheeks and giving him a final wink, stepped out of Plumes.

Jake covered his face with his hands and groaned loudly. Nora was going to be the death of him but he found himself thinking that maybe he wouldn't mind it, after all.

———

Jake looked at the text Nora sent him earlier, sitting in front of his computer. The rose she had given him was in a glass full of water beside his bed. Why would she send him the photo of the flowershop? Did she want him to know that she was in Duskwood?

He didn't know what to reply so he simply sent a 'pretty' and waited for her to say something. He felt himself smile when he watched the three dots on his creen, signaling she was typing. They talked about Hannah for a while before the conversation took a more personal turn.

Nora [8:45pm]

I don't want you to go.

Jake's breath hitched at the message, heart beating rapidly. How Nora managed to have this much effect on him through a screen was almost unbelievable to him. He bit his lip and the events of the past week came rushing through his mind, making him confused.

Did she like the 'Hacker' or the flower shop employee 'Jake'? He felt frustrated with the situation and himself, not knowing what to feel. He wished they could talk simply, without any investigation involved.

Nora [8:46pm]

You know, I like you

He scanned the message with furrowed eyebrows. If Nora liked him, why was she flirting with 'Jake'? He poured out all his frustration and insecurities in his reply, watching as she still tried to convince him that this–whatever he and Nora had–was okay.

He didn't want to be hurt, nor did he want to hurt her, so he did what he thought was right. The messages were almost painful to write and he shut his phone as soon as he sent them.

Rubbing his palms over his eyes, he focused on the computer in front of him. His goal was to find Hannah, he didn't need any distractions.

It was morning when he picked up his phone again, eyes scanning the last text Nora sent.

Nora [9:00pm]

I'm sorry Jake

I won't bother you about this again.

His heart almost stopped at the use of his name. How did she know? More importantly, what had he done?

#duskwood #duskwood game #everbyte #everbyte duskwood #jake #jake × player #jake × mc #duskwood fanfic #duswook fanfiction

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takasgf · 3 years

Note

🦉🐌 🍯? (^-^) -aya (@softskiesahead)

Hello Aya!! Thank you for the ask T_T💞💞!!

🦉 - Do you listen to each other's advice? Tell us a story about your favorite instance of trying to give advice!

Of course!! They give eachother advice all the time;; Ishi mostly helps Frogeru with studying and better expressing her feelings, while she gives him cooking tips, she shows him how to better relate to people and basically how to have fun in life! I have a drawing idea, basically I want to draw Taka teaching Frog how to fish and Froggy teaching Ishi how to use roller skates!! They really enjoy spending their time learning together <33

🐌 - Do y'all like to go outside during rainy days? Why or Why not?

Yes!! They really like the rain;; They prefer staying inside, it's a way lot nicer! After finishing their work they can take a break, drink some tea and cuddle under the blankets (>_<)♡ They also like staying outside, under an umbrella or a roof thingy IDK the name of. It's like a small room but it has no walls, only, like, wood pillars (?) holding the roof. There are chairs and a table there, so they can sit and talk comfortably :3c

🍯 - What are your and your F/O(s) comfort fall items?

HM I'm not sure what would count as a fall comfort item, but they are really happy the weather is getting cold and they can finally use warmer blankets!! They also love pumpkin soup, if that counts.. Also Froggy really likes wearing Taka's sweaters while working on her projects at home (^_^) He wears the uniform most of the time anyway, so it doesn't bother him at all!!

Thank you again for the ask!! I hope that you'll be oki soon🫂💞💞

#ishigeru #octo shall talk now

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daddyimmaru · 5 years

Text

If You're Cold, So Are They. Don't Do Crimes in the Cold.

Kraken n Maestro fluff since even i didn't escape the arctic revenge and am expecting 12 to like, 36 inches of snow god help me-

Maestro knew from the moment he woke up his day was going to suck. His room was frozen- He was certain he had left the window open when he had staggered home last night, and the wet towel over the puddle on the carpet proved that- and he made a reminder to thank Kraken for closing his only defense from the cold. He stumbled into the bathroom, and cringed at the mess in the mirror. His hair was a mess; last night he had lost his hairtie and it seemed leaving his wet hair to the forces of nature left behind a mess that he didn't want to deal with. The hero spent a good hour bent over the tub with the showerhead and a hairbrush before he managed to fix the mess his dreads had become, then another to dry his hair before he could braid it back into it's usual style and find another tie. The entire time, he was hissing quiet curses and cringing, both at the biting chill in the air and the resistance against his brush.

The next sign was the fact he had slept in far later than he had intended and would most definitely not be making it to the cafe 'date' he had been set up on by some friends to meet his 'number one fan.' (He doubted that, but had agreed if just to be left alone to his business.) Now, however, he had no doubt he would be receiving some negative feedback from the press, which would result in negative feedback in the public and in his small group of personal friends. Another glance in the mirror told him that the black lipstick he usually wore on his top lip had smeared in a dark streak over his cheek, and had gained a near drip effect from the water that had run over his face. That meant there would also be marks on his pillow, which led to another half hour of gathering clothes in his room and tearing the bedding off his bed for laundry. An hour and some toast later and the dryer was steadily humming while Maestro gathered his suit. He looked outside; it had stopped snowing once nature decided his floor was wet enough, but there was still a thick layer of powder over the ground marked with the shoes of people running from the cold.

Maestro's luck turned, even if only slightly, when he noticed that Kraken had left a sweater in the closet. Ah, pleasant surprise that made up for the wreck this had been so far. Once he had tugged his pastel yellow suit on and stumbled his way into dark blue stretchy jeans, he tugged the grey shirt over his head and let out a loud, contented sigh at the added warmth settling over his frame. His matching blue coat came next and then he tugged his mask over his face, (struggling a moment to tug his hair through the gap in the fabric he had put in specifically for when he did up in a ponytail. Final touches- bowtie and headphones, before he bounded out the door into the snow.

●○●○●○

Maestro was right when he decided today wasn't his day. It seemed with the colder weather, more bad guys decided it was time to get into action while most spiders were hiding from the frigid temperatures. He was out far later than he had intended, karma for sleeping in, he supposed, and toward midnight it had begun snowing again. Deciding that was enough, Maestro cut his final patrol off early and returned to his apartment with little doubt that Kraken would have left upon seeing he wasn't there.

Entering- (falling)- through the window, however, Maestro blinked in confusion when a metal claw sprang from the darkness to shut the window behind him. The lamp on his nightstand flickered to life and Maestro couldn't hide the small curve to his eyes when Kraken gave him a rather questioning look. The spider sprang up, taking only a moment to notice that his bed was somewhat made, before he collapsed half on top of the villain currently in his house. Kraken released a sound of disapproval, but the metal arms responsible (at least, Maestro believed) for his name seemed somewhat pleased to see him. "You're cold," Kraken hissed, pushing at the smaller without much effort. Maestro, in return, shoved his frozen hands under Kraken's shirt to press them against his sides and laughed when he squirmed away and cursed at him. "Go get dry before you soak everything!" He ordered once Maestro removed his hands, shoving a handful of clothes at the spider and pointing to the door. Maestro pouted even as he obeyed, more than eager, if he were being honest, to be warm and dry again. He never was much a fan of cold, and he worried about his headphones. Stepping into the bathroom and making quick work of settling into the given pajamas, he took the time to run a towel over his hair and clean up his face a bit. His house(apartment) was warmer than he remembered, and he took a moment to enjoy that Kraken had given him his favorite crocodile pajamas. (The villian knew him far too well, according to a few other spiders. Maestro was just happy that Kraken knew he hated coconuts and never brought him candy with it.)

Flipping the light off and grabbing a drink, Maestro hummed a quiet tune to himself as he nudged his way into the bedroom again. The light was still on, though Kraken looked on the verge of falling asleep again. The hero set his cup on the stand beside the lamp, before falling into the bed again with a low purr of approval. Kraken gave him a glare, though not in any way heated, and the arm that shut the window tugged the blanket until Maestro moved to let it throw the comforter over his frame. "You took a while tonight." Maestro hummed at the words, shifting until he could neatly tuck his frame into Kraken's side and take a deep breath. "Also took my shirt. Not cool." That didn't receive any answer, and it took the villian a few moments to realize Maestro had dozed off in the short time between sentences. He snorted quietly, his metal arms retracting before he reached out to click the lamp off and fell back into the pillows. It didn't take long before Kraken had given in to sleep as well, sighing softly as he left a mental reminder to keep all his shirts in check before he left in the mornings, knowing if he didn't they would be gone when he returned.

[Bad ending i know but this took longer than I expected and I'm tired. It's been snowing a lot lately (we've almost been in like, 3 accidents,) and there's a lot of drama happening in my fam so i busted this out to make myself feel better. Kraken is @angerydj 's, whom you should all go follow, bc he's a Cool Cat 🐊 Stay warm y'all!]

#maestro #spidersona #kraken #imma call them #deep sea beats #why?#because i feel like it #and also im thirsty

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casskaykingston · 5 years

Text

meet the parents:

TAGGING → @amytaylcr LOCATION → The Big House, Kingston Ranch B & B grounds TIMEFRAME → Tuesday, January 8th

The last time Cass had brought a girl home to Momma he'd been seventeen. Floofy haired and cocky, with bright blue eyes every junior girl and younger swooned at when they were flashed his way, but he had only had eyes for one - Kiera, the light in his life then, his only high school girlfriend that had meant something to him. Meant the world. But that was then and this was now, and there was no Kiera on his arm. No girl. No, there was a woman, a woman with dimples that Cass would do anything to see appear and eyes that now held his whole world.

As bumpy as the earlier road had been, they were together now, dating, actually doing the thing they'd been dancing around for so long. He'd helped her into the drivers seat of her car before getting into the passenger, leaning one big muscled grey clad arm on the window as he looked at her. Amelia Taylor, the woman he'd fought so hard for. He may have been throwing his all into their battles, but it was Amy who'd lain down the weapons and come to him, and he was grateful for it every day. Grateful that he'd been able to prove to her that yes - they'd be good together. And they really were. "It's a little odd that this isn't your first time meeting my parents." The bearded man's deep voice rumbles in the interior of her car as they enter the ranches grounds. "You've met them both before. And you know Greer."

Sticking the key into the engine, Amy turned the ignition on, the car rumbling to life outside of Cass’s place where she picked him up. A dinner with his parents shouldn’t have made her nervous as much as it did— after all, she knew his entire family for a long while now— but the knots that twisted her insides remained. This was the first time she was doing this, needing to impress someone who didn’t know her that well. Back in high school, with Brooks, it was different: the Sullivans, their first-door neighbors, knew her almost as well as her own parents did. When she and Brooks started dating it came as no surprise or awkwardness to either families. With Cass, though, the road had been bumpier, and the prize all the more rewarding for it, but she still wondered how much his family knew. About her, about the role she’d played in his accident back in September. Turning onto the main road, she glanced at Cass and nodded.

“It’s a bit weird, yeah. But at the same time, they know me as Amy Taylor, Aubrey’s sister. Now they’re getting to know Amy Taylor, Cass’s girlfriend. Not the same person, you know,” she pointed out with a smile. “Think they’ll approve?”

Amy Taylor, Cass's girlfriend. He couldn't help the fluid warmth of the smile that slid between golden scruff as she said that, his non leaning hand busy spinning his keys round his fingers. Yes, it had been a tough journey, but none of it mattered now. None of mattered when Cass got to call her his and hold her in his arms, and dream about a future with her that she hesitantly saw too. Plus, he was sort of really into the possession situation of her being "Cass'ss girlfriend" now, so he was pretty happy. "Momma already loves you." He chuckles, brushing a hand over his mustache before gazing out the window again. "She's a bit frowny that she hasn't been able to corner you completely one on one yet, but that gets to change tonight. You know Greer already, Bailey couldn't make it and to be honest? I don't give a flying fuck what my dad thinks. His opinion doesn't matter." Despite the vehemence in the blonde man's tone, the very fact that he still called the man 'dad' indicated the depth of his feelings towards him, even with everything that had gone down.

“Corner me? Am I going to get the third degree?” She wondered with a nervous chuckle. It didn’t quite fit what she knew about Olivia Kingston, but logic was the furthest thing from her mind right now. Cass went on to list the other family members who will or won’t be present at dinner and Amy chanced a look at him, chewing on her lip. “Okay, so other than your—“ she started to say father but thought better of the asshole that stood in for that role in Cass’s life, even if Cass himself couldn’t stop calling him ‘dad.’ “Other than CK, I’ve mostly been accepted into the family, and I shouldn’t worry? Even if Greer and I have been on unsteady grounds for a while now?” She questioned, following the road ahead.

"Oh no, not the third degree. It's just...been a long time since I brought a girl home and she's really really excited about that. If I actually knew the specifics of why she wants to corner you, I'd tell you, but I'm often not privileged enough to get her thought process. But I can tell you it's nothing to worry about." The lights of The Big House swell as they near it, and Cass fights down a sudden unsure feeling in his gut, nothing to do with the woman he was bringing home but more about the father they were nearing. He'd successfully been avoiding him for months now, dodging his phone calls and going to the big house to see anyone but his mom and his mom only. That in addition to them spending time in Florida for the holidays, this was the first time he'd be seeing CK in a long while, and he wasn't just bringing himself, he was bringing Amy, who he cared so much about. If he so much as breathed a disparaging thought in Amy's direction, Cass was out of there and taking Amy with him, dinner be damned. His father was only allowed one victim. "She's a stubborn one, my sister. Gets it into her head that one version of the story is the way it is, and upholds that version against all others." He sighs with a slight massage to his forehead, though a grin does crack its way onto her face. "It'll even out with her, I promise. But yes. Look, bottom line is, you have Momma on your side. She's just excited that I might not end up alone forever."

"See, telling me not to worry in the same sentence when you inform me your mother wants to corner me?" The question, rhetorical in nature, slipped past her lips along with a chuckle. "Not the vote of confidence I'm looking for, you know." Signaling to no one in particular, she turned away from the main road and started toward the grand mansion bathed in lights ahead. Despite the colder weather, the green shrubs persisted, and gave the place a warmer feeling than you'd expect at this time of the year. Slowing down as they came closer up along the driveway, Amy realized it's been a while since she's been at the house. The ranch? Sure. Cass's place? Her second home by now. But the big house? It's been a while since those walls had surrounded her, she mused, parking in one of the spaces on the side of the house and killing the engine. "You're telling me," she smiled and turned to look at him. The belt unfastened and freedom of movement reinstated, she shifted a little more and cupped his cheek. "You were never going to end up alone forever. I'm just glad I wasn't too late to get you myself." Leaning in, she dropped a tender kiss on his lips. "Now let's go get me cornered, shall we?"

He unbuckles his seatbelt at the same time as hers, turning to memorize her visage for a second in his head. Fall of brunette hair, check. Bright hazel eyes, check. That smile Cass so loved to see, framed with hinted dimples the man would probably kill to make appear. His heart melted, just the slightest bit, when she cups his face in her name, presses a kiss to his lips, saying all the things that'd make a mans chest puff with pride, and the oldest Kingston was no exception. "I'm happy it was you." He murmurs simply through full lips, tucking a piece of Amy's hair behind her ear. "And yes, lets go get this over with."

Offering her his arm when they'd both gotten out of the car and locked it, and they ascend the steps of the big porch as a unit. A knock from Cass's work roughened hand on the door and it swings open immediately, indicating that maybe the answeree had been spying from the window. Olivia Kingston, large smile wreathing her face and blue eyes so like Cass's own glowing with excitement, is the person who answers the door, wearing a white button down tucked into a flared jean skirt, beautiful despite her wrinkles and effortlessly exuding motherliness and a wildflower scented perfume. "Amelia Taylor! And my baby boy, come in, come in." She coos immediately in her Southern drawl, shooing them into the house with her hands and closing the door behind them. The second that's down, Olivia throws welcoming arms around Amy and hugs her tight, a sigh of utter happiness leaving Olivia's mouth. "I just wanna thank you so, so much for datin' my son. Now let me take a look at you." She stands back, draws worn blue eyes down Amy's body in an assessing, but still soft manner, and beams once again. "You've grown into such a beautiful woman, dear! I remember when you'd come by the house with your lil sister. But oh, we won't talk about that," Olivia flaps her hands in dismissal. "Tonight's about you two. Dinner is ready whenever y'all want it, C.K. is already at the table."

With one arm linked with Cass's and the other holding a bouquet of vibrant, coral peonies, Amy walked up the front steps with her boyfriend who wasted no time in knocking on the door. Barely affording her a moment to straighten her rust colored skirt, the front door swung open to reveal Olivia Kingston, youthful and warm just as Amy had always remembered her, regardless of the years that have passed. "Mrs. Kingston," Amy greeted, having decided that to call her Olivia was something she'd earn and not just assume, a warm smile curving her lips. No sooner than they found themselves inside did Amy have a pair of strong and soft arms wrap around her frame and envelop her in an embrace. A chuckle parted her lips as she stole a glance at Cass and her own arms wrapped around the woman. "Nothing to thank me for, it's a pleasure, really," she assured, a blush creeping up her neck and her cheeks as Olivia scanned her approvingly. Head bowed to hide the slight rush of embarrassment, Amy regained her senses soon enough. "Oh, I've brought these for you," she recalled the bouquet in her arms and passed it over to Olivia, looking for Cass's hand to hold. "I don't want to make anyone wait so we can start dinner right away, if you'd like."

He couldn't have helped the smile that spread across his face when he saw his mom hug Amy any more than Cass could've helped his feelings for Amy. Seeing her with someone who he loved so much, made what they were doing, in some ways, even more real. And he liked the way it felt. Olivia distracted by the prettiness of the bouquet, he laced his fingers with his girlfriends, tugged her to him to press a kiss to his forehead. His heart was full, having her here, even with C.K's ominous presence and the fragile civility between Greer and Amy. No matter the amount of bad memories he had here, it was still home, and he'd had some pretty great ones here too. There was the couch his mom had taught him how to read before going to school. There was the staircase he, Bailey, and Greer had raced up so many times. There was the kitchen he'd started every morning in for countless years.

"-these are just the most lovely things." Olivia finishes with a happy breath, and takes the lead, walking briskly into the kitchen and cutting through the living room. "Follow me, dears.!" Twenty or so steps, ones that take that happiness Cass had just held and replaced it with uncomfortable lead, and they reach the dining room. Homey, with curtains on the windows and a sideboard, gorgeous mahogany and chairs that were both tasteful and very comfortable with classic wood accents. At the head, C.K. - a sight that makes Cass remember this is probably the first time Amy's seen him in years and with the behind the scenes knowledge of him she now had. Disappointed stare and hard blue eyes boring down into the two of them, Cass turns his own to his girlfriend.

The bouquet received approval from Olivia, thank god. Russell and Janey raised her right and made sure she'd never go to a friend's house empty-handed. Especially not when that friend was a boy in every sense of that word. Uncertainty bowed before a radiant smile as Cass pulled her into his side to lay a kiss on her forehead, drawing the corners of her lips further apart. Whatever happened tonight, however things unraveled─ and there were quite a few bumps in the road between Greer and CK and everything Amy knew about his treatment of his son─ she'd have Cass there to be her rock, her support. They could tackle anything, right? They've fought off ghosts of Amy's past, how hard could this be? They followed Olivia into the dining room, Amy stealing glances along the way. The house was a little different than what she remembered it, but then time would bring about some changes, always. She tried not to dwell on them too much, especially when they reached the dining table at the head of which sat CK in a wheelchair, looking at his son and his girlfriend as if they were rats a stray cat dragged in. Discomfort tingled in the soles of her feet, and Amy gave Cass's hand a squeeze to make sure he remembered he wasn't there alone and that they could leave at any point, repercussions be damned. "Good evening, sir," she started, as politely as she could when she frothed with anger at the man for all the ways in which he cut her man down. "Thank you for having me over," she said, glancing between the three Kingstons present as Olivia busied herself with adjusting the bouquet in a vase.

C.K. and Cass's girlfriends over the years had had an odd relationship. In his teens, with the few girls he dated for months at a time before finding Kiera, they'd visited his house. Had dinner there. Met his family. C.K. had usually not given them much but icy politeness, retreating to his office once dinner was over. He reserved his snide and hurtful comment for after Cass handed whichever girl it was into the car. With Kiera, he'd been more outspoken. She'd come from a good family, one CK respected, and often wondered aloud why she was with "a drivenless slacker of a son". She grew to hate him for Cass's sake, but was never anything but sugar sweet to his sour face. None of his girlfriend's in New York met his family of course, and he hadn't dated anyone seriously in Wilmington since his return. That is, not since Amy.

This time, it was different. She wasn't the older sister of one of Greer's best friends, coming to pick her up. This was Cass's girlfriend, the person he was seriously interested in, meeting his family. Meeting C.K., dirty blonde hair with streaked of grey pushed back from his face, blue eyes that told you he had looked and found you lacking. "So this is the woman my son's tricked into being with him. Tell us if you're being held against your will, Liv and I will save you." Finally come C.K.'s words, joking with a razor sharp undercurrent. Cass's hand tightens for a moment around Amy's, his smile frozen a bit in place.

"Dad. She's here of her own volition, I swear."

"Whatever you say, son." The last word crackles with distaste as it leaves his father's mouth, and C.K. moves on, holds up a hand to shake hers, gaze unrelenting. "Forgive me. I was raised to be a gentleman, but extenuating circumstances have stopped me from standing."

Standing there, looking at CK, it’s hard not to notice the similarities between father and son. The dirty blonde hair they both have for one thing, although Cass’s looks softer and fuller, whereas CK’s seems dry and peppered with grays. The hard set of jaws, the high cheekbones, they’re all something the two men have in common, clearly placing them in the same lineage. While the color of their eyes seems to be a running theme in the entire family, Amy easily realized Cass earned his vibrant, soft blues from his mother, the warmth and the emotion that shine in them had nothing to do with the hardness of his father’s eyes. And that was where the similarities ended, for though the framework seemed to fit, what was inside differed greatly. A heart of gold, forgiving and endless as the sky, was what beat inside her man’s chest, but when she looked at CK all she could see was a cold stone where the muscle was supposed to be. His joke, a deprecating jab at his eldest, didn’t humor Amy whatsoever despite the twinge of lips she gave him, a twinge that would have turned into a scowl had she not stopped it.“

No tricking was necessary, I assure you,” she added after Cass, returning the squeeze of his hand, knowing just how much each lash of the verbal whip hurt him. “If anything, your son is the one who had been tricked.” She added as she stepped forward to shake CK’s hand. The strokes that leave most people with impaired strength in their hands seemed to avoid CK, his hold as solid and cold as his exterior promised, but she caught the wind of a surprise in his hard eyes when she returned it with just as much force. “Of course,” she said with a slight smile that bordered on polite. “I’ve heard about your ill fortune. It’s good that you have so many great people in your life to lean on.”

Along with their coldness, C.K.'s gaze was as always calculating and unimpressed, pinpointing your weaknesses if he was not a fan of you. Cass's had long since been catalogued, his worry about being a good enough man, about self worth, about the ranch all targets C.K. could hit successfully every time. Amy, however, he did not know, and didn't know whether or not she was friend or foe. He makes a noise in agreement to her terms, eyes narrowing as she squeezes his hand back with some strength. "Good men often have good people around them. I couldn't be more grateful for my daughters and my lovely wife." Cruel as he may be, there is a deep love in his eyes when C.K. looks at Olivia, evidence all over his face. For her part, unawares of it all, bustles from the kitchen to the table getting food, looking up and motioning to Amy. "Dear, could you help me get the rest of the dinner? And Cassidy, honey, could you go get your sister? She's on a phone call outside." She might not stop C.K. from saying his hurtful words, but Olivia was becoming adept at giving Cass escape routes, and he nods to her in agreement.

"Okay Momma. Baby, I'll be right back." He tells Amy, sure that she could handle herself with his mom.

A lump formed in Amy's throat as CK wasted no time in disparaging his son and rendering Cass and all his efforts worthless in his father's eyes. Anger began to simmer, the quiet fire Cass started when he told her the truth about his relationship with his father, and Amy had to wonder if she'd make it through dinner without causing a scene if this was how it was going to start. "Oh, of course, it takes a village," she said with a polite, too sweet a smile perched on her lips. Of course it took a village when you were a hard, heartless man who refused to acknowledge just how great a man his son was. "And honestly, Mrs. Kingston, the house still looks amazing, you take such great care of it. And the ranch..." she let out an impressed breath, unable to stop herself from pushing for Cass and giving him the recognition he deserved. "It's flourishing. and so, so beautiful. You can tell it's in the family and cared for with love," she smiled brightly at Cass, just as Olivia gave them both errands to do in order to avoid further unpleasantness.

"Of course, put me to work, I'm here to help," Amy nodded her head and gave a reassuring smile to Cass before he ducked out of the dining room to get Greer, and Amy headed to the kitchen with Olivia.

A humph is all that C.K. uses to respond to Amy's glowing words on the ranch, something that sounds suspiciously like "I built this place, little girl" being coughed into his hand before he takes a sip of his water glass on the table. They leave him behind, however, when they set off to do what Olivia asks.

Cass finds Greer laughing, on the phone with a man the oldest Kingston doesn't know and doesn't really care to, tapping her on the shoulder. She turns, sees that it's him, and gives him a big hug, though her honey brown eyes give him a worried once over that's been a staple of their greetings since his accident. "Dinners ready." He whispers to her, touching her arm. "And be nice to Amy. I can't have Dad and you making this worse than it has to be." After making affronted noises, one hand over the speaker on her phone, Greer rolls her eyes and agrees, and Cass nods, casting a gaze at the sky to collect himself before heading back in, the twinkling stars a good balm to his spirit.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Olivia takes the opening she so adeptly maneuvered and proceeds to do the thing Cass said she would do - which was, corner Amy in the kitchen with hungry eyes. "First of all honey please stop with the Mrs. Kingston nonsense," she flaps her hands in dismissal "Olivia will be just fine. And you can call Cass's daddy C.K., he doesn't care too much. Now. I need you to tell me everything about how you got together with my son and convinced him to give me at least a chance of having a daughter-in-law and grandbabies because Cassidy won't tell me a lick of anything and I'm dyin' here!" Olivia clasps her hands together and pouts, her position of sadness bringing to mind easily her sons own dramatics. "Take pity on a momma who hasn't seen her son seriously with anyone in over ten years. Please?"

Naively, Amy let the brief conversation with CK derail her thoughts of being cornered by Cass's mom, so she was a little surprised when they got into the kitchen where everything awaited, ready to be served. The help she enlisted Amy for was nothing but a ruse, and panic flashed white and hot through her as Olivia turned around with eyes gleaming with joy and curiosity. "Olivia, okay," she accepted with a chuckle, finding it strange to call her Mrs. Kingston but not wanting to seem impolite even if it made her feel like she was a teenager. As for CK, however, she wasn't sure if she could roll his name over her lips but she promised herself she'd at least try. Time to ponder that, though, was short-lived as a flush painted Amy's cheeks pink. A daughter in law and grandbabies were so far away from where Cass and Amy were, even if it didn't surprise her that it was exactly where Olivia's mind went. After all, she had no doubt Janey, Russell and Candice were all celebrating the fact that Amy had found someone to be with, too. "Oh, I don't know if I should tell you everything, it doesn't make me look all that great," she admitted with a nervous chuckle, tucking her hands into the pockets of her skirt. "And in the end, I think it was him who convinced me I could be someone's daughter in law someday, not the other way around. You've raised an incredible man, Olivia, and any woman would be so lucky to have him. I have no idea how he was still single when we crossed paths again."

Amy's words demurring to speak of the intricacies of her and Cass's relationship has the opposite affect and just causes Olivia's intense curiosity to flare up more. She mentally resolves to go into town that very next day and visit her friends, to spin the gossip wheel and discover as much about their relationship as she can, but for now settles on clasping Amy’s hands in her own. They're soft, and warm, but a bit tough from so many years working in a kitchen. "Oh, I know that. Cass is the best of my children, but don't tell the other two that." Olivia adds with a wink, smile bright and welcoming. "He carries a deep sadness in him that many women don't care to look into. They just want his pretty face - the one I made, thank you very much." She briefly preens. " - and don't want the man underneath. Not when they discover his soul isn't as whole and peachy keen as they thought his muscles would be." Olivia snorts, unimpressed. "No matter the why of being single, just be happy you snatched him up when you did. I know I am. Now we can talk more about this later, can you grab that pan of Mac and cheese? I'll just get this pitcher and we'll be all good." Grasping the aforementioned kitchen item she bustles to the dining room, where Greer sails in through the other door, Cass following.

Curiosity shone brighter in Olivia's eyes, unsettling Amy with concerns of whether she would learn the full story of how the two of them got together, and if so what she'd think of Amy then. The rocky path to their relationship had been paved with Amy's less than stellar moments, and she worried that if Olivia learned just how Amy hurt Cass... Well, let's just say she'd lose the allegiance of the single Kingston where she still had it, other than Cass. Warm hands pull her back from the what-ifs rising in her mind, and she beamed a smile and nodded her head. There was no doubt in what she was saying now, Cass was the best of their children in Amy's, albeit biased, mind, too. "Your secret's safe with me," she promised, her expression growing even more affectionate as Olivia spoke about the darkness Cass harbored. "Does it make me sound terrible if I say that darkness is what I love most about him? He'd be perfect without it, and now... he's just perfectly imperfect. And I'm elated and counting my blessings every day that I snatched him up," she confessed with a chuckle, reaching for the pan Olivia had instructed her to grab, and following her out of the kitchen in time to meet Greer and Cass trailing behind. "Hi, Greer," Amy greeted awkwardly, thankful for the full hands that gave her an excuse to avoid the even more awkwardness of juggling the decision of whether to hug, wave or stand as far away as possible.

After a dinner that, while having some low parts, didn't go as badly as it could've been, Olivia pronounces Amy her new favorite person and praises Cass for getting such a catch. She recruits Greer and Cass to help with the dishes, though the tall blonde is very unwilling to do so. After hearing C.K. bring Brooks, a source of pain for Amy and contention for Cass himself, anger at his father for someone other than himself had taken root in his chest. He couldn't say no to his Momma however (Cass had been raised better than that) and shoots Amy a look before leaving the room. "Amy, would you like a tour of the house?" CK says suddenly, adept hands wheeling his chair around to face her, away from the table. The intentions he has do not swim in his gaze as he waits for her answer. "I may be on wheels, but I can still give a house tour."

There were highs and there were lows over the course of the delicious meal Olivia had prepared for them. Greer and Amy did their best to be civil with each other, although the moment CK brought up Brooks into the equation, the brunette’s eyes wandered to her once-friend, recalling the harsh words Greer had used against Amy that day, the knife still in her back twisting with it. She had grown more accustomed to talking about Brooks and having his name brought up, but there’s heartlessness in the way CK does it that clues Amy into where Greer had gotten that talent in the first place. Calming the worried looks Cass throws her way, Amy pushes through dinner like a trooper, putting her best smiles on and charming Olivia by the end of the meal. It couldn’t hurt, especially if the woman would learn about Cass and Amy’s beginnings, and Amy liked Olivia enough to want to keep her on her side. The three of them shuffled into the kitchen to clean up, leaving Amy in uncomfortable silence with CK, that is, until he wheeled away from the table and offered a tour of the house. Cautious, Amy watched closely for any signs of ulterior motives but either there were none or he hid them well, and Amy was no sucker. Still, not wanting to be unnecessarily rude, she accepted the offer.

“I would love one. I don’t think I’ve ever moved past the kitchen and the living room, to be honest,” she admitted as she got up from her seat and stood by CK to let him know he should lead the way.

C.K. may have been skilled enough to hide whatever end game he'd been going for, but that had more to do with Amy's lack of experience with him. If it had been Cass he'd asked, the tall blonde would've made some excuse immediately. He knew when dark times were ahead for him, and would never forget the many faces of his demon. Aside from the Brooks comment though, he hadn't said anything worse to his girlfriend, as he didn't know her well enough yet to stab at her weaknesses. Hopefully, not enough to be cruel, Cass thinks to himself, a slight raincloud over his head as he starts to wash the dishes that're in the sink, Greer and Olivia chatting while they pack up the food, scrape the plates, and clean out the dishwasher. There's a snide remark from Greer that Olivia shushes with another Amy endorsement, and Cass resolves himself to be happy with at least his mother being a fan.

All the while, C.K. wheeled out of the dining room with Amy at his side, lackadaisically motioning to the foyer, the living room, passing the large middle staircase as they head to the back of the house, on the other side from the kitchen and towards C.K.'s office. It is there that he stops his motions and turns his gaze towards Amelia. "I need you to tell me what you're doing with my son."

Although C.K. disguised the walk as a tour of the house, there was no real interest in showing off the rooms they passed, merely naming them as he wheeled ahead and made sure Amy tagged along. Once they've passed the staircase, the doubts Amy's had since saying yes came true, and she knew there was more to this "tour" than C.K. had pretended to be. Patient and quiet, though, Amy sticks to his side and lets things progress the way he wanted them to as the voices from the kitchen become more and more distant. "I'm sorry?" She wondered, genuinely puzzled when he swivels around in his chair to face her and pose his question. A question she could have expected from a worried father to his daughter's boyfriend, but coming from C.K., Amy doubted they were well-intentioned. "I'm not following. I'm dating your son, seeing what future we can have together."

Arms relatively toned for his age and clothed in thick light green button down fold over C.K.'s chest as he looks at her, hardness in the set of his mouth and the hues of his eyes. Though his hair has grown longer now than in his youth, beard full and evidence of handsomeness in his face and form, its evident that this man has no such beauty inside. The years and the hatred he's had festering within him has made its way to the surface in ways that his obvious love for his wife and daughter do not. "My son, as loathe as I am to call him that, is a disappointment. A disgrace. He lets down anyone who ever depends on him, can't do simple things right. And, he's a pushover, and a let down. The only thing he has going for him is the face his momma gave him and his last name. What the hell are you doing with him? You're pretty. Smart. He's going to drag you down. Get out now while you can. I'm sure you can find better than a weak man."

Bitterness. Years of holding grudges. A hard hatred that turned the man into a stone statue─ beautiful, yet cold. Impossible to feel. Amy sees all that as CK crosses his arms on his chest and takes a long, hard look at her, his eyes scrutinizing every line of her face and body, and weighing them on invisible scales against what he's already got on Cass. And somehow, in his opinion, the scales tipped to Amy's favor, the sheer lunacy of which drew a humorless, disbelieving laugh from her mouth. "Excuse me?" She questioned, and though Cass had prepared her and told her of all the harsh words he's had to endure from the man over the years, they still stupefy her momentarily. "You know, I'm aware it is your roof that we are under now, and so help me god I am about to break every single rule of behavior my parents have instilled in me, but how on earth can you think that about your son, that extraordinary man out there?" Her voice rose in volume, a crescendo of anger that started in the soles of her feet and gained momentum as it rose to wrap her heart in red. "If you've bothered to look at him and get to know him beyond your judgments, you would see all the ways in which he is better than me, than you, than all of us combined."

"Extraordinary? That's a word will should never be applied to my son, who I'm sure is known as Cassidy Kay Kingston the lesser." C.K. nearly spit off, fire so like Cass's own lighting in his eyes. After making his son so miserable all these years, many of his girlfriends had not confronted him to his face about his treatment of his son, despite the man believing he was firmly in the right. And having it be Amy, but a girl in C.K.'s wizened eyes, the poisoned guns came out. "Whatever talents he's got with his dick, don't let it sway you. You'll wake up one day stuck in a life you don't want and you could've avoided it if you listened to me now. The man can barely run a business, let alone attempt to lead a family." C.K. insists, belief in every word. "I know him better than you ever will, little girl. As much as he's let me down, that's still my son and I'll know him better than you ever will. He will never be ENOUGH for you, because not enough of anything. Look past your anger and see the truth. I'm trying to save you."

The poison and the conviction in his words break Amy's heart, but the red hot anger hardens the cracks and sends the shards splintering towards the man in the wheelchair. Maybe for the first time, she thought he was lucky to be stuck in them, because it was the only thing keeping Amy from poking a finger at his chest and resorting to violence. "Known to whom like that, because no one in the entire world has a bad opinion of him, other than you. But you'd think the world is wrong and you're not, wouldn't you?" She questioned with a shake of her head, folding her arms on her chest to hide the trembling, a grimace of fury on her features. "You are blind to everything that's in front of your eyes, and the poison you have running through your veins instead of blood nearly tore him apart, nearly tore your entire family apart. He runs this business better than you ever had, and that's without any support from his father or anyone else. He holds your entire world on his shoulders, and still he just wants to make you proud─ not because he's weak but because he has heart, something that couldn't be said of you," she went on a tangent, unsure where to start her thoughts and if she could finish them. "You don't know me, you don't know anything about me, you just assume I'm better than him because you refuse to see the man that he's become no thanks to you. I don't need your saving, the only one who needs saving is you─ and from yourself and your bitter, small soul that cannot possibly fathom how wrong you are."

"Bitter? Small?" C.K. borderline roared, the tensions and words between heightening in volume. If this continued, they would soon call the presence of the others in the home, gain the company and awareness of others. So convinced and set in his ways was Cass's father than her words meant nothing, told him of a delusion she'd wrapped herself in in order to protect herself from Cass's true colors. "The world is a fucked up place, little girl, and often wrong. And in my home you'd do well to respect my knowledge of that which you do not know.. I didn't do jack shit to my family, it's his incompetence that led to his accident. And you, I heard. How dare you point fingers at me when you are a major cause of the accident that caused so much strife in my home? If me pushing him to be better has torn up his soul, as you so say, that's on him. If he'd been made of stronger stuff, maybe he could've kept his shit together, but I can't change anyone that drastically - even if it is to finally make him a man. Heart?" C.K. scoffs, venom. "The man has too much. It's made him soft."

She struck a nerve, Amy thought, good. Of course, the boiling anger that put tremors in hands that were normally steady, and turned her knees to half-jello wasn't the best case scenario, but they were aware of the risks when they set up the dinner in the first place. "All due respect, even if you don't deserve a lot of it from me, I know more about how fucked up the world is than you do," she shook her head, the bitterness in her throat forcing its way out through a laugh. "And I have no problem leaving your home right now and never setting foot back here again, but not until I've said my peace,"she promised, ignoring the sting that being called up for the role she played in Cass's miseries gave her. She'd make it up to him and him only, there was no one else she should be proving herself or apologizing to, especially not the father who never appreciated the amazing son he had, and always wished for a replacement, an improvement.

"That wasn't the worst strife in your home, and believe me, I've had the blanks filled in for me. I don't know what happened to you that made you so cold and so hard on a boy that never deserved it, but you'd better use the time you have left to consider if you've ever been truly fair to him. Pull the wool from your eyes and see him for what he really is, and then maybe, just maybe, you won't die a bitter, lonely man. Yes, you have your daughters and your wife and they love you dearly, but you could have so much more. You could have a son, and grandchildren someday, but at the rate you're going... They won't even know your name if you live long enough to see them. And honestly? I feel sorry for you, I pity you because you've missed out on an entire lifetime worth with this man that is so much more than you ever will be, no matter how much you prize your legacy. You are poorer for not knowing him and not letting him into your heart. Maybe then it wouldn't be as cold and hard as it is now."

"How old are you? Around Cass's age I suppose, so early thirties, though your face looks older." He says snidely, eyes narrowed into slits. "You couldn't dream of the shit I've seen. The sacrifices I've had to make for my family - my, family, to be clear. You've been here for ten seconds and you presume to tell me about my son, about all the harm I've supposedly done to him. Yes, please, take your ass out of my house as soon as possible, and God forgive me for trying to do you a favor." C.K. spits, face darkening as his temper rises. "In the beginning, it wasn't about deserve, Amelia Taylor. It was about pushing him, to work harder, do better. I tried to stop him, but he showed his true character when he left and I can never trust that boy again. I have been fair to him, fairer than you'll ever know, because you're not a part of this fucking family and you know nothing, little girl. Nothing. I have a son, regretfully, though really, how could I feel bad about missing out on his kids? It's the one blessing he's given me that he hasn't had them yet, and you don't look the type to ever give him one. Or am I wrong?" Cass's father jeers, his confidence in himself looming above his actual wheelchaired form. "I am poorer for the injury he has done to my legacy. Don't get it twisted. And now I see that clearly, you're too far gone for me to help. You've found something to willingly love in my disappointment of a son, and for your stupidity in doing that you deserve him. I hope you two are very happy together."

Funny how people always assume life has to do with age. That you've only earned the right to boast about your miseries when you've had enough years. As if tragedy and misery ever cared about how young one is. Amy's had her fair share: the sudden divorce of her parents, death of a loved one, depression that stretched over into decades, addiction, rehab, med school that was a hell in and of itself─ cutthroat and filled with more tragedies that someone like Amy felt as if they were her own. And here was CK, high and mighty in his wheelchair as if it were a throne, assuming to know who she is and what she's been through. For someone so old and wise, he had no idea of the way the world worked beyond the ranch and Wilmington.

"And you couldn't imagine what I've been through , not just seen. So don't presume to know anything about me," she warned, her voice an icy calm in the storm raging around them. There was no seeing reason with this man, no way he could ever acknowledge his mistakes, a lifetime of them at that, so Amy shook her head. "You use your age as some bargaining chip, but what good is it when you're still as dead set in your ways as if you were a toddler?" The question was rhetorical, and she had no time to elaborate more as he spat more of his insults in her face, seemingly rising out of the chair with each one, until she felt small and looked down on. Her heart broke as she already knew that Cass would learn from his father's mistakes and be everything the man was not, everything he wanted his father to be, and the fact that CK couldn't see that... It was his loss, she'd decided.

"You are so wrong, in so many things, but why should I bother to try and make you see the light? You're nobody to me, even if your son is my everything. And you know, I may not be part of this family, but he is, and I am part of his life, and you will never ever make him feel insufficient and worthless as long as I'm around. I might be too far gone for him, but I'm a better person because of it, because of him. I wish the same could be said of you."

A fury cold and fierce raged in C.K.'s eyes at Amy's last words, lips curling immediately to hurl more barbed words solely meant to drag down. This, this man using his words to tear people down, was what Cass had been dealing with for about twenty some years give or take, and the reason for his six year absence had never been clearer. Of course, he couldn't have for seen his return, the business that had become his life and the woman who'd own his heart, and hadn't known it would only heighten the abuse. Whatever it was that would've been said was interrupted by an arrival - Cass, bearded face stormy and tight, mile long strides eating up the distance between him and Amy the moment he saw her, arm looping protective and strong around her waist. From the positions of each person it was clear an argument had been had, the air sizzling with tension and fury.

"Dad. What the fuck did you say to her?" Cass asks angrily, wishing desperately he'd come earlier, protected Amy from what he'd experienced.

"Boy. Don't curse. Your mother wouldn't be very proud of you." C.K. grits out, head tilted in an unimpressed fashion.

The sound of footsteps echoing as someone─ rushed, heavier than any woman in the house was─ approached them. Even before she saw his legs diminishing the distance that separated them, Amy knew it was Cass and breathed out a sigh of relief. Not because she was afraid of going further into the argument with his father, but because she feared she'd cross a line, too. Like Greer had when she defended her brother, Amy wondered if she had done the same, ruined something beyond repair? For a twisted second, she thought Cass would take his father's side─ as if that would ever happen. His arm wraps around her back and hand rests on her waist, and Amy feels the anger sizzling out of her, leaving through her pores as she covers his hand with hers and turns around to stroke his cheek gently. "It's okay, babe. Everything's fine," she assured with quiet confidence. "We were just having a small disagreement." The last thing she wanted was to deepen the conflict that ran between the two men, especially in front of Olivia. Amy itches to say something about how pride has nothing to do with cursing and how Olivia wouldn't be affected by that, but something holds her back. "Maybe we should go?"

The touch of her hand sends a tiny wave of calm flowing through his system, though years of conditioned fear and hurt could never be erased so easily. Amy gave Cass strength, strength that he desperately needed though anger on her behalf could keep him running for as long as required to pay back whatever pain she'd received tenfold. The backs of soft fingers brush along his whiskered cheek and the tallest and oldest Kingston son turns his head just enough so that they just glance onto his full lips. Hearing C.K. call him boy, however, still incited a powerful and immediate reaction, an imperceptible shrinking that dictated how much power the word had coming from his father. Though he was still glaring, he'd taken a step back with Amy in tow, mouth drawn into a tight, stressed line. "Yeah. Yeah we can leave. Momma says to drop by at any time," he says slowly, smoothing a hand down the curve of her waist partly to assure her and partly to ground himself.

"You should go. And don't bring her back." C.K. barks out without formality, arms folded again, blue eyes sharp enough to cut. "You've chosen an opinionated woman there, son. I'm not sure you're man enough to handle her."

Rage ballooned in his chest so fast his mind could barely keep up, red winking in his vision. His hand had to have tightened on Amy's waist so much there could be bruises - they'd see later. As Cass had for countless years, his broken heart reined in the anger and replaced it with feelings of inadequacy so strong another crack appeared in her heart. "My girlfriend doesn't need to be handled, sir. Give Greer my love. C'mon Amy, lets go." He pushes open the door and ushers Amy out in front of him, slamming the door behind him. He keeps it all inside until they get into her car, and he asks her to start driving. Once they're out of the visual range of the Big House, Cass spreads his legs a bit so he can prop his elbows up and them, and runs his hands through his hair and over his face, shoulder slumping something mightily. "I'm sorry, Amelia." Finally come the blonde man's words, face shrouded as he massages his temples. "I should've have - I shouldn't have left you alone with him....what did he say?"

It's the little things, she realized as she watched CK tear Cass down with a single word. It's not just calling him names or insulting him, it's the tone that he uses, the genuine disappointment that underlies every syllable and that is entirely misplaced. Amy's heart aches at the thought of Cass having to endure that, when he was younger and more promising to the man, and now that he's older, having met expectations beyond those anyone's put on him, save for the father that will never be satisfied. Though the open invitation from Olivia warms her heart, she only scoffs quietly when CK warns not to bring her around again, as if she needed him to voice that particular thought, but no matter. Cass reacts faster than she has a chance to even get offended, still aching for the man whose fingers bite into her flesh with more force than even their hard lovemaking called for, and she winces a little in pain but keeps it to herself. She misses the chance to thank Olivia for the dinner, and simply gives CK a look as they pass him by in silence, going straight for the car parked on the side of the house. She can feel him fuming, hurt and anger and desperate need for approval all swirling through all of his six and then some inches, and she keeps any comments to herself though she wants nothing more than to hold him and tell him she's sorry for all that he's had to endure, and to remind him that he wouldn't have to go it alone anymore.

Instead, she obliges his plea to just start driving and gets them as far away from there as possible. The Big House grew smaller in the rear mirrors as she drove away, and only when its brilliant lights faded entirely did Cass finally move, exhaustion and pain clear in every twitch of his muscles as he combed his fingers through his thick hair and sank into himself, apologizing. Amy decided then was a good a time as any, stopped the car by the side of the road, a leitmotif in their relationship, and turned the ignition off even if the headlights remained on to warn any coming cars.

"Hey," she started and unbuckled her seat belt, turning in her seat to face him better. "Hey, baby," she repeated, taking hold of his chin to force his eyes to lock with hers. "This isn't your fault. You've got nothing to apologize for, you hear me? What he said... It doesn't matter. You matter," she touched his chest where his heart beat with the limp of an injured animal. "We matter," the hand moved to her own heart this time. "You came just in time, though, because one more word about you and I was going to shove him out of that chair. Nobody talks about my man like that," she shook her head adamantly, framing his face with gentle hands. "Whatever he said, I only want you more, I only care about you more, even if it's us against the world."

He's not expecting to feel the car pull over, for her to turn off the ignition and face him. Dealing with his father always made him feel like David facing Goliath, insurmountable odds before him as instead of using his fists, C.K. used his words. A look, a sneer, a pointed ignoring of his presence. Everything geared towards making Cass feel small, disappointing, and insignificant. His spirit, so big and bright and wonderful in his youth, had suffered countless beatings, so many so that in the man he became held scars on that very soul. Though his father never laid a hand on him, the emotional trauma he cause would probably never full go away.

Cass unbuckles his seatbelt with shaky fingers, turning to face her with a vulnerable, unsure look in his blue eyes and he would probably be ashamed of if he could see. This had been Amy's first time facing down C.K., after all, and he hadn't stood tall. Worry clenched at his heart deep inside, sure she'd be disappointed in him , even as she said her pet name for him in a way that caressed the syllables and took a hold of his chin. You matter. We matter. Emotion surges, and his throat closes up, swallowing hard. "I would've liked to have seen that," Cass finally says softly in his deep voice, hand coming up to wrap loosely around her wrist as she frames his face with her hands. "I don't deserve you. I love you so much." Murmurs come out, the corner of one lip threatening to twitch up. Blue hues close as he presses his face into her hands, gives a slow slide. "Are you sure? You can always nope out if you want, I won't hold you back." Forced lightheartedness rings in every word, a front to the emotions he truly felt.

Fear saturated those gorgeous blue eyes, his pupils swimming in an ocean of insecurities his own father had placed upon him. Olivia spoke about the darkness in Cass, but Amy wasn't sure if that was the right term, not when he was looking at her like an animal caught in a trap, waiting to be released or the other, less appealing option. Her decision had been made, however, a while ago when she showed up on his doorstep that night, asking for forgiveness and a second chance. They bared their souls to each other that night, flaws and all, and it was those flaws that Amy has been falling in love with steadily since that day. Or maybe not so steadily, as her heart leapt with a fierceness unknown to her, to defend and protect the man in front of her. "I would've liked to have done it," she admitted matter-of-factly, a quick smile brushing over her lips as his hands wrapped around her wrists, held onto the promises she was making him. "That's my line," she said with a small, sad smile, leaning in to rest her forehead against his. "And believe me when I tell you, you deserve the world. Whatever he's been trying to make you think, you deserve the world and more, Cassidy. And if I can give you just a piece of it and make you happy, then I'm a lucky girl," she whispered softly, tenderly, her thumbs caressing the sharp lines of his cheekbones. "After all this time, all that we've been through, you think a bitter old man is gonna make me give up on you? On us? I'm in all the way, babe. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

Yes, Amy had had some issues when they'd first re-met again after so many years, but if Cass was being honest....so had he. His issues were shoved down so deep he it wasn't until he'd encountered her, made him feel that way, it brought out his other emotions as well. Combined with C.K.'s ever heightening cruelty, it was no wonder he'd reached a breaking part and had to work on himself. Having Amy with him, loving him as he loved her, only strengthened him, an emotional bond that he hadn't known how much he needed til he had it. A slight nose nuzzle accompanies the pressing of her forehead against his, and Cass takes another deep breath, the calm lilt of her words soothing the beat of his heart. Everything she said were things that he'd only recently begun to believe, but hearing her say them got him just that bit closer. Despite his own doubts about himself, he did have faith in the two of them, in this woman who'd changed the direction of his life. "You make me happier than you'll ever know, Amelia." A deep chuckle settles in the air between them after she sweeps her fingers against his scruffy cheeks. "Good. Thank you. I want to keep you around for as long as you're willing to stay." Cass hesitates for a second, but if he can't ask her who can he ask? He doesn't trust anyone as much as her. "You don't think anything he says is true?"

Their noses bumped in the small space left between them, and Amy smiled as she felt him breathe out the tensions that had kept his heartbeats unsteady. She could almost feel it leave his chest, and knew that it hadn’t completely undone the damage his father had been doing for most of his life, but she made a scratch on the surface at the very least. She had to begin somewhere. The smile only deepened when he admitted the happiness being with her brought him, and a golden warmth spread through her chest lazily, saturating her insides. The glow of it, however, dampened by the question that left his lips, and the urge to turn the car back on and drive back to give CK more of her thoughts is almost too strong to overcome. Almost. “I don’t. He’s an old, bitter and hurt man who can’t see past himself, past the flaws he thinks you have. You’re a flawed man, honey, like all of us, it’s the curse of the living, but nothing he puts on you carries any real weight. Your heart is your best quality, your hands could carry mountains if they had to, and your dedication is unmatched, even by your father who thinks he’s somehow better than you. He’s not. And the ranch isn’t his greatest accomplishment— you are. Or you would be if he had been any different to you. The beautiful, kind man you are today, the man that I love? He’s amazing, and he’s got nothing to do with this image CK has of you.”

Some part of Cass was clear headed enough to admit there were truths in what Amy was saying. C.K. wasn't a young man, made even older by the rotten core he'd held for so long. Bitter he was for sure, unhappy about events in his life he couldn't control. And he was hurt...hurt by his own son. Whether or not C.K. had a basis for his hurt ass feelings, Cass realized no boy deserved that, not from any adult or person and certainly not by his own father, a man who was supposed to uplift and love his child. Not systematically and ritualistically tear down his self confidence. "Carry mountains?" He teases, the tone of his voice lighter than it had been in a couple hours, since seeing his father again. A light flares up within the cage of his ribs, something bright and strong that the blonde man can hold onto. "His opinion still matters. I know it shouldn't, but it does. He shouldn't. I shouldn't care. But hearing you say you believe in me..." Cass says slowly, aforementioned large hands reaching up to grasp both of her hands and pull them from his face, curling them into little fists so he can brush slightly scratchy kisses on her knuckles. "Is enough."

"I know. We wouldn't be sitting in a car by the side of the road if it didn't matter," she pointed out with a half-smile, thinking about it. How deep his desire to prove himself to a father who never saw him for what he was ran. How strong the need for approval. And it wasn't a sign of Cass's weakness that he couldn't move past that─ it was a sign of his strength that he still cared, somewhere deep down, about the man that had inflicted such verbal abuse on him that any lesser man would have turned to the same outlet of hatred as CK did. And for that reason alone the golden glow returned. "And I know you shouldn't care, but the fact that you do makes you the man that you are, and I don't know if I've told you this, Cassidy Kingston, but I kinda like you. I'm head over heels in love with you, even." Soft smile spread across her features as bearded lips tickled her knuckles. "Do we need more time, or can I get us home now?"

She might not have spent over thirty years with C.K., experienced the lash of his words or the crippling of the self worth he'd inflicted, but Amy got it. She understood. And she believed in him. Relief, swift and fierce, soars through his chest, and his fingers briefly tighten on hers, thankful it hid the temporary tremor there. The smile that she gave him when Cass kissed her knuckles only added to that feeling, an easing up of the self doubt he carried so much more when he'd had a brush with his father. "We can go back." He rumbles out, kissing her hands once more. "But promise me you won't let him get you alone again. For my sake."

His face lit up with something gentler and brighter than the shadow of doubt that had darkened his features, and Amy let out a heavy breath. If she had dissuaded even the tiniest bit of the self-criticism CK caused, then she would count the night a victory. She stole one last stroke of cheek covered in short, thick hairs, and turned the ignition back on. "I'll do my best to avoid him. For your sake, and his own. There's no telling how much out of control I'll get if he ever tries to talk to me like that again," she warned, turning on the empty road that wound its way towards Cass's house on the remote end of the property.

#para #para: amy #para: meet the parents #tw: mentions of verbal/emotional abuse #ft. ck #ck sucks #we all wish we had girlfriends as great as amy #ft. olivia #ft. greer #self para #( wildfire lies and humiliation ; c.k. )

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