#i just wanna make them nice warm hats cuz they work outside

[yardsards]

pros of super bulky yarn: i finished a hat in just 2 days

cons: you can't mess too much with the stitch count of stuff when adding 3 stitches adds a whole inch to the item

[husbandohunter]

Stardew Impact [Genshin+Stardew Valley/xReader]

Part 1/3 Kaeya, Diluc

Synopsis: “A mysterious phenomenon brought you and your s/o to an unfamiliar world: Pelican Town! Without the power of Visions, the two of you begin to learn the life of what it takes to be...a farmer?”

(DOMESTIC FARM LIFE YIP YIP)

Coming soon...

Albedo and Childe

Zhongli and Xiao

(A/N): So the brainrot was real in this one. I planned to add Albedo for a Mondstadt edition but kinda went overboard so I gotta split this one into parts too. Wordcount_almost 2k spspspsp

______________________________________________________

Diluc

• Already has the whole year planned in his head. Literally if Diluc were to play this game, he'd have a booming farm within year ONE. Calm and collected through and through, though the new environment raises alot of questions, as long as you were still with him, Diluc ain't complaining

• The town welcomes you two with open arms. It was all thanks to the attire. Diluc wore his usual dark coat adorned with regal gold while you had a dress made of Liyue's finest silk, one that he bought for you. Needless to stay both of you reeked the aura of rich aristocrats (Mayor Lewis is pleased that greedy bastard)

• Once the farm was permitted to your owndership, Diluc began to think of ways to turn it into a vineyard. He was a businessman afterall. Although the staff back at the Dawn Winery were the ones who tended the field, Diluc still knew a few things about planting due to his childhood days Master Crepus would bring him out to their yard and demonstrated the process of gardening. He still remembers those days clearly, doing the very same this moment with you.

• Occasionally works at the Saloon bar. It was the perfect opportunity. As you took care of the farm side, Diluc continues to look for more ways to increase the income while gathering information from the folks around town. Gus LOVES to have him over, like he's just so efficient and reliable! They soon become good friends saying if Diluc were ever to own a wine stock, he would gladly buy from him.

• This is why Diluc would stay a little later due to just chatting with the people from the bar. One time you walked into the Saloon only to the front desk with Emily alone. Turns out the others were in the other room, too busy playing a game of pool. You decided to leave him be since it was rare to have Diluc so relaxed in leisure activities. Thus in the end, you spent your time chatting with Emily until a whole hour has passed before your lover notices and apologizes for losing track of time.

• Everything felt like a dream because it was his dream. To live a life undisturbed from chaos, his duties and the dangers that lurk in Teyvat, Diluc grew fond of the domesticity. There was nothing he loved more than to spend his hours by your side, day after day, returning home to your freshly handmade meals.

• Spring: Already up and early planting the parnersnips (I'm very soft for gardener Diluc you see). What do you expect from a workaholic? Even during his leisure time you would often find him near some plant as he does consider this hobby quite therapeutic. But when it rains, Diluc would be standing beside you with an arm around your shoulder, smiling contently as you lean into his touch. He gazes through the dripping window and silently admires the current progress you both made on the farm.

• Between the two annual spring festivities, I would say the flower dance. Diluc is a private man and would prefer to take things where no eyes were on sight. But with a little bit of nudging from Gus (your wingman), he gives in and leads you to the center stage. Elegant. Graceful. The way you two moved together became the talk of the event. Though, Diluc was already used to people staring by now, all he needed to do was to ignore them and keep his focus on you.

• Summer: No blankets in bed. Nope, its bloody hot in Pelican Town. He tends to stay indoors or anywhere with shade, in other words, his work hours in the Saloon increased.

• Diluc always has a nice cold drink prepared for you if by any chance you were to pay a visit after a whole day of labour. It's a habit he's made subconciously as if it would be a natural occurance for you to enter the door. His colleagues would ask him who did he make that drink for? Honestly so cute i cri

• Moments like these remind him of Mondstadt, where he quietly wipes the glasses while listening to you talk. Your voice is soothing. Sun rays peek from the side casting onto the umber tables, reflecting a rich golden light as the radio plays a soft song in the background. It's so peaceful, the town was small hence not many people visited the bar, Diluc came to appreciate this warm privacy (plus no Venti and Kaeya which is a huge pog realization).

• Autumn: Harvest time baby. The kegs are full and the sheds are full of kegs. This season was huge stonks and the house ended up getting an upgrade. Diluc is the type of man who wants to make sure that his spouse wouldn't have to work another day of her life. I reckon this is why he's so ambitious because he wants you to have the best and you deserve the best. (Husband material. Slap a ring on him ladies).

When there was no more work left to do, time would be spend peacefully exploring the woods. While you skipped a few steps ahead as the leaves crunched beneath your feets, Diluc follows slowly from behind. He sees your back but his eyes stares somewhere far beyond whats in front of him: His future. 

It was such a stark contrast to the one he envisioned before. One filled with uncertaintly, blocked by darkness with no silver lining in sight, endlessly wandering as he drags the claymore against the ground. There was never a day in which the Darknight hero wouldn't think of Mondstadt. Leaving the city in the incompetent hands of Ordo Favonious while Abyss Mages continue to lurk fuels him to find a way to return as soon as possible and yet...

"Higher big sis!" Jas tightens her hold on the ropes as you pushed the swing with all your might. She laughs, like a child, it was full of innocence and joy. Later Vincent came in and nugdes you, asking when his turn will come.

"You wanna go too? Alright alright don't worry," waiting for Jas to come down, you lift the boy up so that he was seated safely on the chair, "3..2..1 go!"

He wonders if he could just be a little selfish for once.

• Winter: Best man to have in this season. Every morning Diluc would find himself restricted in movements due to a pair of arms around his waist and legs entangled with yours. Turns out you've been doing it subconciously because he's just so warm (Diluc keeps it lowkey and pretends to sleep longer cuz of it)

~~xx~~

Kaeya

• Haha looks like the portal is gone, guess we'll be stuck forever :)). No kidding Kaeya would be so down to stay here for the rest of his life and the best part is to spend it with you. He doesn't show a shred of concern regarding Teyvat, not like he's easily shaken by events that are abnormal, but you can see that Kaeya is truly and genuinely happy. (You're stunned).

• Oho we also have this marvelous landscape just for the two of us? And a cozy little cabin to go along with it as well? This should be fun~ 

• Of course Kaeya would also know a few things about planting, just the basics since he did grow up with Diluc. When they were kids, Crepus would give each of them their own pots so they can grow their own plants. It eventually became a competitive thing where whoever's plant grows the fastest gets to eat the other person's dessert for a year (no one wins. They end up sabotaging each other which Diluc started first, thinking it'll be funny as a joke).

• You are, and will be going on dates with him. In fact, the amount of dates you two went on increased since then. The townspeople would call you two "lovebirds" since he's practically by your side 24/7. 

• I mean he doesn't have the responsibilities as a Cavalry Captain anymore so what else is there to do?

• Would attend all annual events no matter what season. 

• Evelyn constantly gushes how much of a wonderful pair you and Kaeya make and often is the one who provides Kaeya a fresh bouqet of flowers for him to use as a gift. George on the otherhand just rolled his eyes mumbling something along the lines of "youngsters these days" and "crazy hormones."

• Befriends Pam. Love for beer plus somewhat cynical attitude? They get along real swell! She starts sending some recipes into the mailbox of course saying if yall ever need a hand, let her know.

• Spring: I can see Kaeya be switching back and forth between caring for the farm or taking quests posted on Pierre's bulletin board. He likes to keep things interesting, learning the ways of the new world while also getting to know the people around town.

• Would NOT return Mayor Lewis' shorts in which he found in Marnie's room. It's such high quality blackmail material. Kaeya is currently plotting what is the best way to use it to his advantage.

• He didn't tell you of course.

• Summer: There are no blankets because he is your blanket. Since your cabin was small so was the bed. That's why he has to hold you so that no one falls off when rolling over. Either he hugs you with your nose close to his neck, or your back against his chest while spooning you or holding hands if sleeping on your sides became too much. Yall need a serious house upgrade.

• For some reason Kaeya becomes more energetic in the summer. He lets you rest in the shade while handling the farm work for the time being. If you guys got a pet it would be a cat. Hes the first one to refill their bowl every morning outside.

Another day passes as summer comes to an end, the town’s Mayor invited you and your lover to see the annual Dance Of the Moonlight Jellies. Kaeya being the opportunist was delighted to come along. Locking the door of your house, you follow him down the path and made your way to the beach.

Everyone from town was already gathered by the docks when the sun had disappeared down the horizon. You stood by his side in a space far from the others, watching  the candle boats set off to ride the waves, lighting up a small ray of light for creatures to find. 

“Wow,” your tone almost above a whisper, “If only our friends back home could see this too.”

“Perhaps,” he says. Kaeya slips his fingers into yours and you shot him a curious glance, “But let us enjoy this moment shall we? Just the two of us.”

And there they were. A sea of luminescence radiating colours of brilliant blue with hints of green like a city of laterns floating in a world below. Their image reflects in the star of Kaeya's eyes as he wonders, where would they go? Where would the light lead them? They were so free with nothing to worry, so serene just like the sea and unknowningly, he squeezes your hand. It was a sense for confirmation. One to remind him that this moment was indeed a reality he wishes to keep.

Autumn: Finally a house upgrade and a kitchen!! Because it was harvest season, you guys end up making a set of delicious meals with all the recipes the townspeople gave you. Kaeya can cook since he lived by himself back in Mondstadt. Most of the stuff he learned to make were food that can be accompanied by alcohol though...

• Ahah remember Mayor Lewis' lucky shorts? He found a use for them. It was displayed on the stands during the Stardew Valley Fair (Oh my how did this get here? Must be the wind). Ends up buying a Rarecrow for the farm when Lewis bribes him not to tell this to anyone.

Winter: This was mostly an indoor season for the both of you. With the existence of television, nights would be spent until morning while watching movies at the couch. A blanket drapes around your shoulders as extends to his.  Oh and don't forget the hot chocolate! 

[angryhausfrau-writes]

You Can’t Cross the Same River Twice - Chapter 6

Hawkeye and Trapper fall into a household routine over the next few weeks, based around their respective work schedules. They figure out things like which nights they each cook dinner, when to go grocery shopping, when Trapper goes to the gym - usually while Hawkeye sleeps the sleep of the blameless - and all the other little domestic tasks that come with sharing a home. Because for all that the Swamp was an absolute pit, now that they have a home - a real one - they want it to be well, homey.

They even make time for dates. Sometimes going out to the bar they'd gone to Hawkeye's first night in Boston where they can dance together somewhere other than their own living room. Sometimes they go out to the neighborhood bar to dance and flirt with women - the girls lovely and fun and sweet - and a necessary cover for two bachelors living together. And it's almost like foreplay. Attraction stretching and spooling out between them as they dance on opposite sides of the room, heated glances exchanged over their partners' heads. And when they come together at the end of the night, it's all the sweeter for having to wait for it.

Frankly, their sex life has been pretty fantastic all around. Ever since that first night they'd fucked - the night Hawkeye had taken a desperate, begging Trapper apart and then been taken in turn - it was like a dam had burst. Like Trapper realized he could have this - have Hawkeye - whenever he wanted. And he'd wanted a lot. Which was good because so had Hawkeye. So they've moved back into the sexual relationship they'd had in Korea - fun and hot and ravenous. But something is different. There's an added element of stability. Or a removal of the stress and the fear and the unfun kind of desperation. They have the time to just kiss and hold one another. The time to bring the intimacy and love of their friendship into the sack. And it turns out that's a really nice combination.

Hawkeye's life is domestic in a way he never thought he'd have, didn't know he'd wanted after Carlye walked out. But now that he's had a taste of it, he can't imagine going without. And he and Trapper haven't explicitly said what this is - maybe there isn't a word for it - but they've each made it clear that they're in this for the long haul.

--

The only thing that breaks their newly established routine is Trapper's daughters coming over for the weekend. Trapper only gets to see them once a month due to his weekend-heavy ER schedule. Hawkeye figures he ought to gracefully bow out so Trapper can have as much time with them as possible. Plus, he's still not one hundred percent comfortable around small children, despite having made progress in interacting with them as patients.

So that Saturday morning, Hawkeye moves enough of his stuff into the guestroom to make it look like he normally sleeps there. And it will feel strange to sleep alone - something he hasn't really done since before Korea, not if he's counting having tent mates - but it's only for the one night anyway. And he's finally gotten his luggage back from the army so he can keep some of the less viscerally sickening items - he hadn't even been able to look at the olive drab fatigues, just told Trapper to toss them before he tossed his cookies - in the guestroom permanently. Less work for future visits.

And Hawkeye pulls an extra Saturday shift at the clinic. It keeps him out from underfoot and they can always use the extra hands. He gets to take the cast off a very exuberant seven year old boy's arm - and learns all about his little league team and the home-stealing slide that caused it - for his troubles. And then it's dinner time and he heads home. Trapper had practically demanded his presence at the meal - and besides, he made a chocolate cake for the occasion and Hawkeye's not missing out on that.

Dinner is fine. Even fun. The girls are happy to talk about anything and everything under the sun. Trapper's conversational efforts amount to reminding the girls to eat their veggies. And Hawkeye just listens. Lets the chatter wash over him. It's almost soothing. The biggest problems these girls have are homework and schoolyard squabbles. Of course, these problems seem like direst threats - and Trapper treats them with all the seriousness of an unexploded hand grenade. But to Hawkeye, they're a reminder that there's still innocence in the world. And that's a balm to his very soul.

After dinner is when things get tricky. Hawkeye's knitting in the living room, his usual after dinner ritual, and Cathy is watching him with the same degree of focus as he'd watch the demonstration of a new surgical technique. She's sitting cross legged on the living room floor next to her abandoned book, looking up at him, eyes following the knitting needles like a tennis match.

"What are you doing?" her little voice pipes up.

Hawkeye leans in to mock whisper, "Knitting a sweater for your dad. Shhh! It's a surprise."

Trapper's at the dining room table, listening to Becky regale him with the story of the very gross but very neat frog dissection she got to watch in science class. And he's paying very close attention to her - even drawing out little diagrams to help Becky show off her new knowledge of amphibious internal organs - so Hawkeye knows he won't overhear. But it's still fun to see Cathy's face split into a wide, conspiratorial grin.

"A secret!"

He nods seriously.

"But why are you knitting? That's for old ladies." Her expression is derisive.

"Well, when I was in Korea, it got sooo cold that even the animals put on parkas." Cathy giggles. "Wool clothing was worth its weight in gold. So I learned how to make socks and scarves and hats just to keep myself warm. And the first things I made were pretty bad. The socks were just lumpy wool bags - even the snakes wouldn't wear them! But I got better and started giving them away as gifts."

Cathy still looks skeptical. "But you're not in Korea anymore."

If only he were so certain of that all the time.

"That's true. But I still like to make presents for my friends. And I think it's fun."

She's still looking at him intently.

"Do you want to learn?"

She considers the question and then nods with all the gravitas of a judge in court. So Hawkeye digs out his old needles from Korea and some fluffy pink yarn that he'd originally bought with Margaret in mind that ought to be easier for her to work with. And the needles are awkward in her small hands but he gets her started on a scarf - the easiest project, just rows of stitches back and forth. And Cathy seems to enjoy it, tongue sticking out in concentration as she counts stitches. She finishes a handful of rows before Trapper deems it bedtime and Hawkeye gives her a congratulatory handshake, acting as if she'd won some prestigious award. She's tickled pink by the game and Hawkeye thinks maybe this kid thing isn't so hard. He hadn't once seen her as anyone other than Cathy.

"Thanks for teaching Cathy how to knit," Trapper says after tucking the girls into bed. "She can be kinda difficult to keep interested in stuff that don't involve running around outside."

"No problem, I'm always glad to convert outsiders to the gory of homemade woolens! Besides, I had fun. She's a funny kid."

"Well, I'm glad you had a good time cuz your presence has been requested at the zoo tomorrow. If you think you're up to it."

"Yeah, I think I am. As long as I'm not intruding on your family time. You get little enough of that as it is."

"You are family, Hawkeye." Trapper's expression turns serious. "I know we ain't exactly talked about it, but I figure we'll be in each other's lives for a while and I don't wanna hide one part of my family from the other. Not more than I have to."

Hawkeye gets a little misty eyed, he's not ashamed to admit. "I'd love to go to the zoo with you tomorrow." He gives Trapper a hug. Because if he gave him anything else, he'd never stop giving. "Goodnight, Trap."

Trapper holds him back just as tightly. "Goodnight, Hawk."

And then they go sleep in separate bedrooms.

--

Trapper comes home from the gym to find Hawkeye awake and making the famous Pierce family French toast. It fills Trapper with an unspeakable joy that Hawkeye is willing to bring Trapper's family into his own like that. That Hawkeye feels the same way about being family as he does. And Trapper knows he's gotta go take a shower and get the girls up and ready for the day, but he can't wait for tonight when they can be together again and he can show Hawkeye just how much he appreciates it.

Half an hour later, syrup sticky and bouncing off the walls with a combination of sugar and excitement, Cathy and Becky practically drag him and Hawkeye out the door. And the zoo's crowded but a lot of fun. He's dragged along by Cathy who's pointing out the animals she likes the best - usually the biggest and bloodthirstiest but she's also taken a shine to the lizards in the reptile house. Meanwhile, Becky tells a very patient Hawkeye all about the animals at the zoo, reading from the signs and information cards at each enclosure. And Hawkeye tells her about Radar's collection of animals - started after Trapper left, so he enjoys hearing about it too - and the various surgeries and medical procedures he's done on them - in child appropriate terms, thank God. This prompts a whole new series of questions from Becky and Cathy about the inner workings of animals that Hawkeye seems to enjoy answering. Including things about rabbit ovaries that Trapper doesn't envy Louise having to field follow ups about.

And then it's time to go home so that Louise can come pick up the kids.

--

"You mean I can keep them?" Cathy looks up at Hawkeye, overjoyed.

"Sure, sweetheart. After the army lost all my luggage, I went out and bought all new stuff. Those knitting needles are extras. Besides, you still have your scarf on them."

She hugs him, tight enough to push all the air out of his lungs.

"Thanks, Uncle Hawkeye!"

And that. That gets him.

And so does Becky's "Bye, Uncle Hawkeye!" delivered almost carelessly as she runs out the door.

Like it's natural. Like he's family.

--

Hawkeye seems to be thinking about something pretty big, judging by how tense he's getting. They're lying in bed together after a vigorous and enjoyable reunion - one that had involved Hawkeye clutching desperately at the sheets as he gasped Trapper's name - but it appears that the afterglow is fading. And as good as the sex had been, Trapper doesn't figure it warrented this level of contemplation.

So after what he considers a reasonable interval, where Hawkeye just gets tenser and tenser, Trapper asks, "Something on your mind, Hawk?"

"Just thinking about family."

A pause.

"I still haven't seen my dad. It's been over a month and all I've done is send a few letters. Like he's a friend across the country instead of my own father, only two hours away."

A longer pause.

"I guess I'm feeling guilty because I've met your family now and I still haven't been up to see mine. But I don't know if I'm ready yet."

Trapper thinks about that a minute. "Well, I think you've done a bunch of stuff since getting back that you didn't feel ready for. And that's turned out ok."

Hawkeye laughs. "True, I've only had the one mental crisis. And I'm probably making this out to be a bigger deal than it is. He's my dad. He loves me no matter what."

Trapper figures Hawkeye's luckier than he knows if that's the case.

"I'll go up to see him next weekend. And if it's too much, I can come right back home the same day."

With that decided, Hawkeye snuggles further into Trapper. Mind quiet enough for him to sleep.

[elexuscal]

Story: As Your Friend

Summary: Kik's always found making new friends tricky, which was why the mysterious Stevonnie swooping in out of nowhere and taking her under their wing was equal parts surprising and exciting. But it seems that Stevonnie has something to tell Kiki, something that'll make this friendship trickier than she could have ever imagined.(But then again, maybe not.)

Wordcount: 3,321 ao3 link

note: This fic has spoilers for the recent Kiki+Stevonnie comic. Nothing life shattering, but if you're planning on reading it, I do suggest you do that first, 'cause it's great. Meanwhile, hope you enjoy!

Kiki was not a people person.

“That’s ridiculous,” Jenny would say, whenever Kiki brought this up. “Just look at you in the restaurant! You’re amazing with customers!”

“That’s different,” Kiki would say, because it was. When she was working, she didn’t feel like herself, not exactly. The uniform gave her confidence. She had a job to do, a script to follow. ‘Welcome to Fish Stew Pizza, may I take your order?’ ‘Let me tell you today’s specials.’ ‘Here’s your bill! Thank you so much for coming!’

But just… talking to people? As herself? There were no scripts. And that was nerve wracking.

Jenny didn’t get nervous, least not about things like that. She loved talking to people, and people loved talking to her. Friends, classmates, teachers, store clerks, musicians, complete strangers… Sometimes it felt like the only people she didn’t want to talk to were customers, based on how much effort she could put into getting out of work. But point was: people flocked to Jenny like bees to a flower.

Kiki just didn’t get how Jenny did it; how she could makes friends as easily as breathing. Kiki had friends, of course, pretty good ones. Tracy, Mona, and Chantelle. Kiki wouldn’t trade them for the world. But they felt hard won, and their friendship entirely accidental, based mostly upon chance meetings and shared group projects. She wasn’t entirely sure how to repeat it with someone else. And they all lived outside of Beach City, which mean that unless they were at school, they didn’t get a lot of chances to hang out.

Which was why Kiki was so nervous about hanging out with Stevonnie.

Kiki knew it was stupid. Stevonnie wasn’t scary. They were the exact opposite. They were cheerful, silly, and almost aggressively friendly, at least one-on-one. Dress shopping with them had been fun. (Clothes shopping! Fun! Who’d have believed it?). The prom had been great too, and so had the movie, even if it had been sorta kiddy. Kiki liked them. She wanted to hang out again.

… she was just terrified she’d mess it up, somehow.

So when the restaurant’s doorbell chimed and Stevonnie’s voice called out, “Kiki? You here?”, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Here!” Kiki called from the kitchen, hurrying out into the restaurant proper. ‘How’re ya doing today?”

“Great. I’ll have a large pepperoni with bell peppers, please.”

Kiki blinked, and reached for her notepad. Stevonnie giggled.

“Sorry,” they said. “It’s just that you’re still wearing your uniform.”

“Oh.” Kiki laughed, a little nervously. “For a second there, I thought you were only hanging out with me for the pizza.”

Stevonnie winked. “Nah, I’m here for the fish stew, too.”

Now Kiki’s laugh was genuine. “Well, that’s okay then.”

As Kiki took her apron off, Stevonnie asked her how she was doing. “‘Bout as well as I can after a four hour shift.”

Stevonnie grimaced in sympathy. “You wanna just go and… sit and relax somewhere?”

“First I wanna stretch my legs. Then sure.” Kiki’s stomach gurgled. “Long as we get a bite to eat.”

“That can be arranged,” said Stevonnie, grinning. “Don’t know how you manage to work here. I’d just eat everything myself.”

“It’s called ‘self-restraint’.”

They tapped their chin, brow creasing. “Nope. Never heard of it.”

Kiki snorted, and finally turned to hang up her apron and hat, which was when Gunga appeared to say hello. Stevonnie chatted with her politely for a few minutes, until Gunga finally waved them off, telling them to “Go have fun! Be back by ten, so I don’t have to convince your father not to ground you!”

Just as the pair of them were slipping through the doors, Gunga gave Kiki a wink. Kiki swallowed a sigh and rolled her eyes. Her grandma was convinced they were dating, even though Kiki had told her that they’d agreed to be friends, instead. She supposed it was only natural, considering that they had been each other’s date to the prom, but still. Kinda annoying.

She and Stevonnie made their way down the boardwalk, just chatting about stuff. Nothing in particular. Favourite subjects (Kiki liked PE and English; Stevonnie said they weren’t picky, but that art and history were probably theirs). The TV shows they were watching (Stevonnie loved Under the Knife, while Kiki was trying to catch up on Weirder Stuff.) Stevonnie asked if Kiki had had any luck getting her own room, and Kiki dove into nearly a five minute description about how her Dad had finally agreed to convert her Mom’s old ‘study’ into an extra bedroom, and how she’d spent ages picking out paint colours and stuff.

“Technically it’s Dad’s study, too, but he basically never uses it,” Kiki explained. “I think he was mostly just keeping around cuz of… nostalgia, or something? But Gunga talked to him, and he figured Mom woulda preferred one of us having it, instead of it just sitting there empty.”

(It occured to Kiki that she’d never actually told Stevonnie about her and Jenny’s long standing fights about how they both wanted their own room. But that wasn’t too weird, was it? She was pretty sure that she’d mentioned it to Steven, and Stevonnie was pretty obviously related to him. Probably not a sibling, but maybe a cousin? Steven had probably mentioned it to them.)

Kiki was just about to ask about that, when she noticed the downcast expression on Stevonnie’s face. “You okay?”

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Fine.” They shook their head. “Sorry. Just thinking ‘bout how I kinda took over my mom’s old room, too.”

“You lost your mom?”

“... yeah. Childbirth.”

“Sorry,” Kiki said.

“It’s okay.” Stevonnie shrugged, and Kiki recognized their expression as that of someone who was sad, but held no real grief.

“I was three when mine died,” she said. “Stroke. Really unexpected, apparently. I remember how upset Dad and Gunga were when it happened. But... I don’t really remember her."

“Sorry,” Stevonnie said, and Kiki got the sense the apology was more for the memories than the death.

They walked in silence for a bit, neither sure how to continue the conversation. Thankfully by then they’d nearly reached the Big Donut, and the promise of food. Wordlessly, they both made a beeline for it. Something sweet would really be appreciated.

Inside, it was the usual two employees on duty: the smiley blond girl, and the rude guy who sometimes hung out with Jenny. Both their eyes bugged out when they entered. The dude even took out his earbuds, which seemed, from Kiki’s limited experience, a minor miracle.

“Uh. Hello!” said the girl. “Stevonnie! And, uh, Kiki, right?”

“Yep. Er, and you’re… Sam?”

“Sadie,” she corrected. Kiki felt her cheeks flush, and she was grateful for her dark skin. How long had this girl been working here, just down the street from her place, and Kiki’d never learned her name?

(The dude didn’t offer his name. He was just staring. Rude.)

Stevonnie seemed to have the place’s menu memorized, and ordered one chocolate donut and one strawberry glaze, right off the bat. Kiki was less certain. “Uh,” she said, “what’d you recommend?”

“Oh, well,” said Sadie, “the honey crullers’s probably my favourite.”

“Sounds good! I’ll have that, please.”

Their hands brushed when Kiki passed Sadie the change. It was just a moment, but their eyes met, and Kiki felt herself flushing all over again.

Kiki pulled back her hand a little quicker than perhaps necessary.

“See you later!” Stevonnie called, and Kiki barely managed to stammer out a goodbye of her own.

Back outside they went, to snag one of the outdoor tables and enjoy the sunset. Kiki bit into her donut— and wow, it really was sweet— swallowed, and asked, “What’s that guy’s name again?”

“Lars?”

“Yeah, that’s it.” Kiki shook her head. She didn’t like to say bad things about people behind their back, especially people she barely knew, but…

Stevonnie had clearly read her expression. “He’s not so bad. Er…” their mouth twisted. “Yeah, okay, he’s kind of a jerk, but I think it’s just a shell he puts on. He can be nice, if you get to know him. And Sadie’s great.”

“Mmm?” said Kiki.

“We should ask her to hang out sometimes.” Stevonnie was looking at her, a knowing gleam in their eye.

“That would be nice,” Kiki said, words coming out a bit fast. “Hey, you’re not cold, are you?”

Stevonnie blinked. “Cold?”

“Yeah. It’s a little chilly,” said Kiki, just as a stiff breeze off the ocean grabbed some of Stevonnie’s hair and tossed it in their face. “And you don’t have a jacket or anything.”

(Stevonnie had a look that Kiki wished she could pull off. Almost always wearing  with that too-small red star t-shirt, and everything else super tight and form fitting. Today they had on jeans that cut off at the knees, suspenders, and a frilly purple undershirt. They looked awesome, but not particularly warm for mid-spring.)

“I’m fine!” said Stevonnie, brushing the hair out of their face. “Guess I’m warm blooded.”

“‘Course you’re warm blooded, you’re human. That doesn’t mean you can’t get cold.”

“Haha, yeah,” Stevonnie laughed. Then, abruptly, they stopped, and looked down at their donuts.

They picked at the food despondently, and Kiki finished her own donut, wondering if she’d said something wrong.

“Kiki,” Stevonnie sighed. “I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

“Huh?”

Stevonnie didn’t immediately answer. They didn’t look cold anymore; they were sweating, visibly, their face was flushed. They were twisting their hands around the paper donut bag.

Every second they waited, Kiki felt her stomach sink lower and lower. “What do you mean?”

“Okay, there’s no not-weird way to say this so… I’M STEVEN UNIVERSE.”

“What?”

“I mean— I’m half Steven Universe, the other half of me is Connie Maheswaran, you’ve never met her, she’s Steven’s friend, and sometimes we turn into a single person through alien magic—”

“Woah, woah, slow down,” said Kiki, feeling overwhelmed, and not even sure where to begin.

Stevonnie ran their hands over their face. “Okay. I’m just gonna show you, alright?”

Before Kiki could say anything, there was a flash of pink, and two shapes tumbled out of the chair. Kiki jumped to her feet, craning over the table, to see two kids picking themselves off the ground.

One was very clearly Steven— and okay, that did explain why Stevonnie and Steven both apparently had the same shirt, which they each wore exclusively. He was wearing it now, and the jeans. The other was a girl Kiki recognised in a vague sort of way; she thought she’d seen her around town a couple times. Slim, purple dress, brown skin and black hair, blinking nervously around while Steven pulled over another chair.

“Well,” said Kiki. “That’s something.”

“You’re not… I mean… you’re not surprised?” asked the girl.

“Oh, I’m surprised,” said Kiki. “But not that surprised. I mean, I already knew Stevonnie was related to Steven, and that Steven’s family is kinda unusual.”

“How’d you know?” Steven said, looking genuinely surprised.

Kiki raised three fingers. “One: Stevonnie picked me up under the giant beach statue where you live. Two: your friend Pearl was our chaperone. Three: we drove to the prom in your dad’s van.”

“Oh yeah…” Steven said, while the girl face-palmed.

“So... Connie right?” Kiki asked, and the girl nodded. “So… how’s this work? Do you remember me?”

“I remember everything Stevonnie did, yeah,” said Connie. “And I know… some other things. Hazy impressions about who you are, from Steven’s memories.”

“Oh,” said Kiki.

She had about a dozen questions, but she had no idea where to begin or if it was exactly polite to ask them. Wasn’t like ‘your friend suddenly split into two smaller people’ was a social situation that came up a lot.

And… oh man, this explained some stuff, actually. Like, now Steven and Connie’s clothes fit them perfectly, so that was why Stevonnie always looked like their outfits had been artfully shrunk in the wash, and why they must’ve been so excited for clothes shopping, or knew stuff that Kiki had never told them. And why they’d been so pumped to see that kids’ film. Or why, they’d freaked out so much when they’d slow danced—

— Kiki stopped that train of thought, right there.

Stevonnie didn’t need a reason to not want to go out with her, of course, beyond ‘not wanting to’. But yeah. ‘Actually two kids’ was a pretty good reason not to want to.

“Oh, man,” said Kiki. “How old are you guys, anyway?”

“Fourteen. And a half,” said Steven.

“What? Really?” Kiki had thought he was way younger. “We’re only like a year apart!”

Steven shrugged.

“I’m thirteen,” said Connie. That surprised Kiki in the other direction. She guessed the girl didn’t really look that old, it was just that compared to the baby-faced Steven… And together they made a single person who looked sixteen or seventeen, easily.

“Oh, man,” Kiki repeated, rubbing her head.

“Uh, are you okay?” said Steven.

“Fine,” said Kiki.

“Are you… mad?”

“Mad?”

“Because we lied to you,” said Connie.

Well. She guessed they had. “You kinda more just… didn’t tell me something.”

“That’s a lie of omission,” said Connie.

“… True,” said Kiki. She didn't feel mad, exactly. Maybe a little annoyed, but mostly curious. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We didn’t mean to, at first!” cried Steven. “We just forgot!”

“It’s really easy to forget you’re fused!” said Connie. “We didn’t even realise!”

“Then by the time we did, we just— didn’t—” said Steven. “It was kind of cool. Like having a secret identity.”

“But then we felt bad,” said Connie.

“But we were scared to tell you cuz—��

“— what if you didn’t want to hang out with us?”

“What if you thought it was weird?”

“After all, humans don’t exactly fuse every day, and we weren’t sure how to explain it!”

“Stop!” Kiki cried, throwing up her hands. She was feeling a little dizzy. It was pretty easy to see how these two could somehow transform into a single person. “Guys. Please. I’m not mad. Maybe a little hurt…” Immediately their faces fell, so Kiki hurried onto the next part of the sentence. “But I get it.

“But Steven. Of course I wanna hang out with you. We’re already friends.”

“I…” said Steven. He smiled a little. “Right.”

“And I mean, after the whole ‘dream warrior’ thing, it’s not like I could be more surprised by your powers, y’know?”

“‘Dream warrior thing’?” echoed Connie.

“Don’t you know?” said Kiki. “From being in his head?”

“Stevonnie’s head,” Connie corrected. “I only got hazy impressions of you, I said. Stuff like… you’re really nice, and funny, and make great pizzas.”

Kiki wasn’t really sure how to respond to that.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to, because Steven immediately dove into a longer explanation.

“I would never let Stevonnie know something that I know about you if I thought that you wouldn't want Connie to know.”

Kiki ran a hand through her hair, trying to sort that sentence out in her head. It made sense, weirdly enough. “O-kaaaay,” she said. “Well, long story short, I was having these nightmares for a while, and Steven used his dream powers to help me get rid of them.”

“Aw, cool,” said Connie.

“Yeah, it was super cool,” said Steven. “At least at first.”

Kiki felt a wave of old guilt. Her hands clenched. She said, “Sorry, again.”

Steven waved her off. “Don’t apologize. I wanted to help. And seriously, it was fun. Just… kinda tiring.”

“Why don’t you ever visit my dreams?” asked Connie.

“You never asked?” said Steven.

“Well, I’m asking now,” said Connie. “This sounds awesome. I like, never remember my dreams.”

“Well, maybe I have been there, you’ve just forgotten.”

Connie narrowed her eyes at him. “You already admitted you haven’t been in them.”

“Darn,” Steven said, outwitted. “Okay, I’ll try to pop in tonight.”

Kiki listened to all this in interest. “So… you’ve never been in each other’s dreams but you’ve… shared a body? How’s that work?”

“Oh, those two things are really different,” said Steven, waving his hands in a vague movement. “When I’m inside someone’s brain… well, it’s like, I’m there, y’know? Separate, just watching. But when you’re fused…”

“… it’s like you’re not there anymore. Not really,” said Connie. “Stevonnie's the one there, instead.”

“So you… disappear? That sounds… um… scary.”

“It’s not, really,” said Connie. “Not usually.”

“It’s hard to explain,” said Steven.

Kiki wanted explanations, however hard. She wanted to understand how Stevonnie— the person she’d gone shopping with, and danced with, and shared popcorn with— could somehow be two completely different people. How did it work, how did they all fit together, what did it feel like?

But Connie was staring down at the table, and even the usually exuberant Steven seemed uncertain, and Kiki pulled herself back. She wouldn’t want to be… interrogated about something personal by a new friend, and this seemed… pretty personal.

So instead, Kiki asked, “So, Connie, do you live in Beach City, or…?”

She didn’t, it turned out. She lived about a half hour drive out of town. It was a bit of a hassle coming to visit, sometimes. Kiki more than understood, since her other friends had the same problem.

“I’ve got a car,” said Kiki. “Or, well, my family does. But I’m allowed to use it! Sometimes, at least. If you ever need a lift, I’d be more than happy to help.”

“That’d be great for when Lion’s being lazy,” said Steven. And that just set off another round of questions. About how Steven’s weird pet Lion could apparently teleport, and how it had a sword in its head, and Connie had been training with it. And then the two of them got to talking about their training routines, with Connie giving Kiki tips on how to build upper-arm muscles, while Kiki explained the best way to improve endurance. And from there, somehow, they got onto the topic of shoes, and teasing Steven for his stubborn refusal to wear anything other than a single pair of sandals.

“They’re comfy, okay!” he exclaimed.

Before Kiki even knew it, it was dark, and Sadie and Lars were closing up shop. The two groups waved at each other, before Kiki checked her phone and figured she should probably be getting home. She still had a good hour before curfew, but she did have homework to finish.

Connie had to head back soon, too, but there was still enough time that she and Steven said they could walk back to Fish Stew Pizza. Once they arrived, they stood at the door doing the awkward dance that was goodbyes.

“This was really fun,” said Steven.

“Yeah. Thanks for hanging out with us,” said Connie. “And for… well, understanding.”

“No prob. It was really nice hanging out with you…” Two? Three? “... all. Say bye to Stevonnie for me?”

Connie raised an eyebrow. Steven grinned. He asked, “How about you say bye to them yourself?”

It wasn’t as fast as when Stevonnie fell apart, but still quick enough that Kiki almost missed it. The pair’s hands reaching out for each other, Connie pulling up Steven’s arm, the boy spinning— then a bright flash of pink light and— There Stevonnie was.

“Hey,” they said.

“Hey,” Kiki repeated. “That was… wow, really cool. Is that all it takes?”

“Yep! Just a dance. Sometimes even less than that.” Stevonnie gave them a long look— curious and nervous and uncertain, and asked, “I could teach you, if you want?”

“I— really?”

“Yeah, sure! I think so, at least. It can be kind of hard… but it can’t hurt to try, right?”

Kiki considered. She still thought the whole thing sounded kind of confusing, and scary. But Stevonnie wasn’t scary. So she smiled and said, “Sure. How’s… this Tuesday sound?”

Stevonnie beamed. “Sounds great.”

[reedusdixonfictionaddiction]

The Summer in Georgia

Chapter 43. A Georgia Peach "Ya’ ever been to the flea market?” Daryl asked, as he was getting out of bed. They’d spent the night at Rick’s, Isabella had a ton of laundry to do. Hers, Rick’s and Daryl threw his in too. “No, but I’ve always wanted to go to one. Why, is there one here?” Isabella asked. Daryl was looking around for his underwear. “Yeah, there is. It’s pretty cool. Anyway, ya’ wanna’ go today? I need socks.” He laughed. He finally found his Calvin Klein’s and put them on. “Yes, yes, yes! I can get some earrings, since these stainless ones come out next week. Do you think they have real silver?” She asked, while getting out of bed, she put on Daryl’s sleeveless shirt and started to make the bed. “Course! They got everything and the best part is the food. There’s a big metal hanger, type thing and inside they got all different kinds of food. Meat, pizza, Chinese, Indian, shrimp, they got it all and they got desserts like ya’ wouldn’t believe. Like French and Italian stuff. Hell, I like walkin’ around, but the food is definitely the best part.” “That sounds like Quincy Market. It’s a big building down near the harbor in Boston and they have every type of food there too. I’ve always wanted to go, but you know, it’s in Boston. But this sounds exactly like it. I’ll bet they have a lot of southern dishes there too, huh?” Isabella said, as she finished making up the bed. “Yeah, they got everything. Lot’s a peach pies and peach cobbler and peach preserves and peach this and peach that. Lot’s a peach shit.” Daryl said, matter of factly. “I like ya’ in my shirt, ya’ look sexy.” He said, grabbing her and pulling her to him. He kissed her, then told her he was going to take a shower and asked her to join him. He figured it would be safe, since they just made love. Daryl’s reboot time was impressive, but there was no way he could rise to the occasion again in just 10 minutes. Isabella followed him into her bathroom, she had a stand-alone shower with glass doors and it was just big enough for two. She loved the shower head, when Rick had the house built, he put over head shower heads in all the showers. So, the water came from above. It was perfect, because both of them could be in the water at the same time and no one got cold. It was only the second time, but Daryl had already concluded that he loved taking showers with Isabella. He liked her soaping him up, she’d get him all sudsy, then draw little circles on his soapy body with her fingers. It gave him chills, but he loved it. His favorite part was soaping her up. Running the soapy wash cloth around her beautiful body and he got to touch every part of her, but it really got him going when he washed her hair. The way she arched her neck and threw her head back, he loved running his hands through her long hair and watching the shampoo run down the middle of her back and behind. Yes, showering with her was definitely one of his favorite things to do. When they were done, they dressed and headed out to the main part of the house. Rick was standing in the kitchen, drinking coffee. He heard them coming, so he looked up and said, ‘good morning.’ They greeted him back and Daryl went to pour them each a cup of coffee. “You look really pretty in that dress, Isabella. I like you in dresses, they accentuate your personality and the way you carry yourself. You should wear them all the time.” Rick told her, sweetly. “What do you mean ‘accentuate’?” Daryl looked at her with surprise on his face. “Ya’ don’t know what that word means, college girl?” Isabella rolled her eyes and laughed. “Of course, I know what it means. I meant, in what way do dresses accentuate my personality. Of course, I know what it means. Geez!” “I know what he’s talkin’ about. I get it and I already thought of it way before him. He means like the dresses you wear, which are feminine and um.. What’s the word I’m thinkin’ of?” He said, looking at Rick “Flowing, light hearted, graceful. Should I go on?” Rick said. Isabella was turning red, she was overwhelmed by what they were saying. She’d never had that kind of attention before, nobody ever noticed her and now they were saying such sweet and complimentary things about her. She was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do or say. “Nah, you covered it. Yer like a real girl, all pretty and soft and shit, but you’re sweet and gentle and kind and affectionate.” Daryl explained. “Don’t forget, genuine. What you see, is what you get. Beautiful on the inside and out. We’re lucky to have you in our lives.” Rick said sweetly. Daryl nodded in agreement. Isabella’s eyes teared up. How could they be talking about her with such beautiful and enduring words. She was nothing, a nobody that just kind of got pawned off on them. She wasn’t special in any way, at least she didn’t see it. Isabella was overcome with emotion, she was speechless. Daryl laughed at her because she was crying and that embarrassed her even more, but instead of being hurt, she wiped the tears out of her eyes and smiled shyly. “I’m sorry.” She said, reaching for a tissue. “You probably think I dumb for crying, but hat’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard. Not just about me, but about anyone. I don’t know if any of that is true or not, though. I’m just me.” She shrugged her shoulders and laughed. “Thank you for what you said, it means everything to me. I love you guys so much.” She said, as her eyes started to tear up again. They all laughed. Rick gave her a hug and told her that he loved her too and stated, once again, that she should wear dresses more often, then left the kitchen to get ready for work. Daryl pulled her to him once again and kissed her softly on the lips. On the way to the flea market, Daryl stopped and got them Starbuck’s. Iced lattes because it was a warm day. It was warm, but not hot, there was a nice breeze blowing and the air wasn’t thick with humidity. You could actually breathe. “I gotta’ find a new gas station.” Daryl said, as they drove by the QT. “Cuz, I ain’t goin’ in where that bitch is.” “Boy, you really don’t like her, do you? Is she really that bad?” Isabella asked. “Yes! She is that bad.” He stated. “Hey, look it’s Chris and Charlie.” Daryl said, pointing at the Dairy Queen. He honked and they waved back. “Wonder what they’re doin’? They wasn’t in uniform, but they had Chris’s cruiser.” “How come Charlie doesn’t wear a uniform and he drives his own truck?” Isabella asked. “Cuz, he ain’t a patrolman. He’s like… like a detective. He works cases and shit. I guess you could say, he’s undercover or a plain clothes officer. I dunno’ what his actual title is. Everyone knows who he is, so he really ain’t that undercover. But, anyway, he just wears his own clothes. Jeans and a t-shirt, sometimes a button up shirt and them stupid boots and cowboy hat.” Daryl laughed. “He’s a dick head!” He added, but not in a bad way, it was meant more like a term of endearment. Despite the ongoing battle for Isabella’s heart, he loved Charlie, he was a good friend and a great guy. Of course, he’d never tell him that. Daryl drove through town talking to Isabella about this and that and every occasionally, he’d see someone he knew and honk and wave or holler something out the window at them. Isabella was getting a big kick out of it. He was in a really good mood and she loved it. A happy, smiling, laughing Daryl was bliss. He passed through the whole town and about a mile outside of it was a drive-in movie theater with two big screens and there were a bunch of people walking around. Isabella was getting excited. They parked way out along the fence and walked from there. Daryl said, there were two parts of the flea market. One part was people selling their own things, like a yard sale and the other part were merchants that sold specialty items. That’s where they were headed. He told Isabella that Rick’s birthday was in two weeks, so he wanted to look around to see if he could find something Rick might like. This got Isabella’s wheels turning. What could she do for Rick’s birthday. It had to be special. “There’s the socks. These are good, thick socks and they go over you calf. I can’t stand them socks that fall down. C’mon.” He said, dragging her over to tent full of every kind of sock you could ever want. Daryl started rummaging through the merchandise, looking for his boot socks and Isabella saw something sparkly at the vendor next to them. She told Daryl, she was going to look. He told her ‘no’ and said, he didn’t want her running off on her own, because there was a lotta’ assholes out there. She huffed and put on a pouty face. Daryl paid for his stuff and they were on their way next door. Everything looked beautiful to Isabella, she wanted everything in every tent. She needed to get a grip on herself or else she’d spend all her money, but she’d never been to a place like this and she’d never had spending money. She was like a kid in a candy shop, only there were about 100 candy shops and each one had different candy. “Ooo, let’s go over here.” Isabella shreaked. She pulled him over to tent with jewelry. “I want to look for earrings here. Ooo, there’s so many.” She said going from case to case. “Hey there’s a place over there.” Daryl said, pointing to tent with a sign that said, ‘Diamonds and Gold 50% off’. Daryl wanted to look over there without her, so he told her he had to go to the bathroom and made her promise not to leave that merchant until he got back. “Nowhere! I mean it, don’t leave here, ok?” He told her. “I promise. I’ll stay right here.” She assured him. He left the tent and then turned back to make sure she couldn’t see him. She couldn’t so, he entered the diamonds and gold shop and started to look around. The vendor came over and asked him if he was looking for something in particular. Daryl told him ‘no’, just something pretty and girlish. The vendor asked him if he meant dainty. He told him ‘yes’ and then thought to himself that was another word he could have used to describe Isabella that morning. Dainty. “Why’s everything so cheap? I mean, is it real gold and diamonds or just gold plated?” Daryl asked, looking into a case with necklaces in it. “Oh, it’s all real. I’m Burt Hopper.” He put out his hand to shake. Daryl shook his hand and told him his name. “I own Hopper’s Jewelry Box in town. Sometimes we have to cut our inventory down, so I come down here and sell at a discount, what we can’t sell at the shop. I’m right there…” Daryl interrupted. “… by the diner. Yeah, I know you.” “And I know you. You have dinner there every Sunday evening.” Burt said. Daryl smiled and nodded his head ‘yes.’ Then he saw it. It was a small, delicate floating heart with a small diamond where the two humps meet together in the middle. It was white gold. “That one, that’s the one I want right there.” He said tapping his index finger on the glass. He quickly looked out into the market to see if Isabella was there. She wasn’t. He knew he had to hurry, he didn’t want to be gone too long. Burt opened the glass case with his key and brought out the heart and chain, so Daryl could look at it. It was perfect, it was totally her. “I’ll take this one, I don’t care how much it costs.” Daryl told the man. “Well, it’s 50% off and I’ll give ya’ another 10% off, just cuz you seem like a nice young man. Do you want it in a box? I have small heart shaped boxes, putting things in little velvet bags is quite popular too. I have both.” Burt took the necklace over to the register while Daryl thought about his choices. The little velvet bag would be nice, he thought, but the box was pretty too. If he gave her the box though, she might think it was a ring or something and he didn’t want her to think that, he didn’t want her thinking he was getting too serious. “The little velvet bag. Do ya’ have blue or pink? That’s her favorite colors.” Daryl asked. He had a pink one and it was perfect, on the draw strings it had light pink tassels. He rung Daryl up and then gave him his business card. He told him that if he ever wanted something special or unique for any occasion, to stop by his shop and he’d fix Daryl up. He gave him another card that had 20% off written in black Sharpie on it, then Burt signed his name next to it. He told him to bring that in and he give him that much off the price, it didn’t matter if they were already on sale. They shook hands and Daryl left. He put the velvet bag in his front pocket and the card in his wallet. When he got back to where Isabella, she was still looking at earrings. It didn’t look like she’d moved at all. He smiled and shook his head. “Hey, I’m back.” He said. She hadn’t even realized that he’d been gone so long. “Did you find somethin’ ya’ like?” “No, I’m going to keep looking. Let’s go somewhere else.” Isabella said, slipping her hand into his. They went into three other tents and when they came out of the third one, Daryl had to go to the bathroom for real. He told her, he had to go again, she gave him a shocked look and then laughed. She was going to go with him, until she saw the sign that said, ‘Diamonds and Gold 50% off’. “I want to go in there. I’ll stay in there until you get back, ok? I promise.” She said with big hopeful eyes. “Ok, stay in there. I’ll be right back.” Daryl told her, he waited for her to go inside then headed to the bathroom. Isabella entered the tent and started looking around. There were several other people inside, so Burt didn’t see her right away. She took her time, looking in every case. She took a shine to white gold bracelet. It had tiny little hearts that linked it all together. That’s when Burt saw her. “Hello, hello, young lady. How are you today?” He asked. “I’m fine, how are you?” She asked back. “I’m just dandy. Say, don’t I know you? You walk past my shop every Sunday with the fella that doesn’t wear sleeves. I think you’re going to the diner.” “Wow! You recognized me from that? I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen you before.” Isabella explained. “Well, it hard to see through those dark windows, but I’m there.” Burt told her. I promise, I’ll wave to you tomorrow when we pass by.” She assured him. “I look forward to it. Now, is there anything special you’re looking for?” He asked. “Yes, I wanted to look at earrings, but I just saw this pretty little bracelet. Can I see it, please?” She asked. “Why, sure!” He told her as he opened the case. “This is a real beauty, it looks just like you.” He winked at her. She blushed and took the bracelet from him. She put it around her wrist and then held it up to the light, so she could admire it. “It’s so pretty, but I shouldn’t. I better stick to earrings.” Isabella said. Burt looked disappointed, not because he didn’t make a sale, but because he knew she loved it. He was reaching for the bracelet, when Daryl walked in. They nodded their heads at each other and then he came up behind Isabella and scared her. She laughed, but it really did surprise her. “Whatta’ ya’ lookin’ at over here? I thought you was lookin’ for earrings.” Daryl asked her. “Oh, nothing.” She smiled and winked at Burt. Then she proceeded to introduce him to Burt and explain that they pass by his jewelry store every Sunday. Daryl went along with it and re-shook Burt’s hand. Burt smiled and winked at Daryl. She finally made it to the earrings case. There were so many to choose from. She scanned the case very carefully. Looking at every pair and then she saw a pair of tiny diamond studs. They were tiny. “Can I see those, please?” She asked him. Burt took the earrings out of the case and put the box on the top. “These are so beautiful. Look, Daryl. Diamonds. How much are they?” She asked, she really didn’t care how much they were because she was going to get them anyway. “These are $100.00 dollars and if you take them, I’ll give you another 10% off for being so beautiful.” Burt said. She blushed and smiled shyly. “I’ll take them, please. They’re beautiful aren’t they Daryl?” She said, holding the box up to him. “Yeah, those are nice. They’re real pretty.” He answered. Burt took the box over to the register and wrote out a receipt. Daryl took his wallet and handed him his credit card. Isabella saw him do it and she put a stop to it right away. “No, no way! Thank you for offering, but I want to buy these myself. I’ve never bought anything like this before, I really want to pay for them. It’s pride thing. Are you mad” She winced. “No, I ain’t mad. I just don’t want ya’ ta’ spend all yer money, that’s all.” Daryl told her. She thanked him again for offering and then got up on her tiptoes and kissed him. He blushed. Isabella handed Burt the money. “Honey, do me a favor. Go on out there and grab one of those containers of jewelry cleaner. You’ll need that.” Burt said, pointing to the display in front of the tent. She walked outside and started looking at the various types of cleaners. “What was she lookin’ at when I walked in?” Daryl whispered to Burt. “A heart bracelet. The hearts link together.” Burt whispered back. Daryl slipped him his credit card and told him he’d be back in 5 minutes for it. He told Burt that he’d make up an excuse. Burt gave him the thumbs up and then put Isabella’s earrings into a little sack. She came back with the cleaner and he told her it was on the house. They said, ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’ and left. Isabella wanted to look at hand painted sundresses, so they went inside. Daryl slipped his wallet out of his back pocket and into his sock bag. He told her, he’d forgotten his wallet at Burt’s place and he was going to go back and get it. Isabella was concerned, so she started that way with him. He told her to stay and look around, he’d be right back. When he got back to Burt’s, he had his credit card receipt and a little blue velvet bag, with light blue tassels in his hand. Daryl thanked him and ran off, but not before Burt told him what a lovely young couple they were and how glad he was that Daryl had found someone. He told he’d been watching him go into that diner alone, for 8 years. Then he told Daryl to hang on to Isabella, that she wasn’t like other girls, he could tell she was special. Daryl knew exactly what he was talking about. They had almost covered the entire market. Isabella bought a dress, earrings and three silver toe rings. Daryl bought socks, a necklace and earrings, but he didn’t find anything for Rick. They had two shops left to look in, they entered the last shop and Isabella saw a little t-shirt she wanted. It was grey and the fabric was really soft. On the front, it had a skull taking a bite of a peach in the corner of its mouth, there was juice dripping from the skulls mouth and below it, it read “Georgia Peach” Then there were orangish colored flames around the skull. Isabella loved it. Daryl liked it too, so he paid for it. She told him she was going to wear it that night when they went to the bar. After he’d paid for the shirt, they headed to the building with the food. Isabella was in heaven, there was so much to choose from. She didn’t know where to begin. Daryl got a bunch of beef, chicken and pork on skewers and a container of chopped barbequed beef for sandwiches. Isabella went for the pastries. She chose two eclairs, two napoleons, two cannoli and two lemon filled donuts. The last wasn’t that fancy, but they were her favorite. They got some deep fried tempura covered vegetables and ate them with soy sauce. Another favorite. Then they both got a scoop of pistachio gelato. There arms were full as they headed out to the truck. Isabella told him she wished she’d gotten India food. He told her next time. The place was really clearing out. There were no cars parked near his truck anymore and seemed like an endless walk in the dirt. When they reached the truck, Daryl opened the doors, he turned on the ignition, so the ac would blow. He had to straighten up the back seat before they could put anything back there, so he put all their stuff in the front for a minute. Isabella was climbing out of the back of the truck, when the wind blew the front of her dress up a little. For some reason this started a fire in Daryl. He could already feel his dick getting hard. She jumped down out of the back and he caught her and pushed her into the doorway, his kisses were wet and wild. Isabella was so turned on, she wished they were home. “Get in the back.” Daryl said. “What?” Isabella asked. “Get in the back.” He answered, he shut the front door and then climbed in back with her. He grabbed her and tried to push her down on the seat, but it was cramped. He was frantically trying to come up with a plan B, while Isabella unzipped his pants and grabbed hold of his huge erection. He had to have her now, he couldn’t wait until they got home. He jumped up on his knees and flipped her over on hers, they hadn’t done it from behind yet, so this was unbelievably exciting to Isabella. Daryl pulled up her dress and yanked her underwear to the side and pushed into her. She grabbed hold of the arm rest on the door and screamed ‘Oh, my God!’, which spurred him on. He came fast, she didn’t, but she didn’t care, she had just experienced the second best feeling she’d ever felt. They were definitely going to do it this way A LOT! She thought to herself. They kissed awhile afterward, but it was getting hot in the truck, so they climbed out, put their stuff in the back and headed to Rick’s. At every red light, Daryl put the truck in park and leaned over and put his lips against hers. He held her hand tightly. He wanted to give her the necklace right then, but he decided to wait until after the bar. Man, this day had been amazing, a real peach. He thought to himself. Then he laughed. A Georgia peach.

[s3venpounds]

1-98

thank you my dewd for giving me something to do! ngl was going kinda insane and i’ll take anything over doing chores tbh also sorry if this is hella late

weird asks that say a lot

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?

coffee mugs usually because they hold more liquid and i use them for everything lol tea, coffee, alcohol, soda

2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

lollipops, i like having something in my mouth for long amounts of time(and yes pun intended)

3. bubblegum or cotton candy?

cotton candy oh my god. I have such a sweet tooth its ridiculous. I once bought 7 large bags of cotton candy from K days and ate them for the next 2 months even when they got hard and probably nasty lmao i just love that shit. even cotton candy flavoured stuff ( except vodka. thats a trap. )

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

shy, reserved, well behaved basically i was a wimpy little shit

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

I like them in glass cups so i can clean it afterwards and use it again later, waste makes me feel guilty

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?

if its applied to me? pastel. I love brighter colors after i stopped wearing blacks greys and whites. they feel so good and look so nice. on someone im interested in? sportswear, formal, grunge, goth, pastel, tomboy. in no particular order. if its sportswear stuff that really highlights muscles and how toned they are just MMMMMMMM. formal is fuckkkkkkking attractive. like if the white collar shirt is unbuttoned halfway and the blazer is rolled up? or no blazer but with suspenders and the sleeves rolled up? OMG i will literally lick their collarbones idgaf

7. earbuds or headphones?

headphones, mostly because its just healthier for your ears, as much as i like earphones and use them more often i just prefer headphones cuz people usually dont bother me, i do dislike the hat hair though and how bulky they are

8. movies or tv shows?

im kind of a weeb so i much prefer tv shows with regular releases so im not waiting 6 years or something for avengers lol i need my fixxxxxxxxxxx

9. favorite smell in the summer?

after rain smell or during rain smell idk. carnival food? the ocean? just water scents i guess

10. game you were best at in p.e.?

dance or volleyball both of which im still doing to this day very happily c:

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?

cereal, maybe some nutella, whatevers left over if someone cooked the night prior or just basic bacon eggs and rice. fried rice if im feeling lucky

12. name of your favorite playlist?

Emotions empty. YEET

13. lanyard or key ring?

lanyard. I’ve had the same spidergwen/ghost spider lanyard since like 2015 and i refuse to use another lol. it feels so cool to yank on the lanyard and swing it around

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

rock candy. hands down. that shit makes me nutty. like if i was an earth bender or some shit i’d make a giant club made of the stuff and smack people with it and lick it afterwards

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?

the outsiders probably i mean its not like crazy favourite but like its the one i enjoyed the most out of the ones i was forced to read (i really hate being forced to do shit)

16. most comfortable position to sit in? criss cross as im doing right now lmao or sitting on one of my legs

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes? ah shit I just threw them out cuz they were old af but i had these nike high tops with the little puffy thing that inflates the sides of the shoes to make it more comfortable and it was so good in the winter and summer. it like breathed enough to let my feet stay nice and cool but it also stayed warm and never let snow get in my shoes cuz they were so high they acted like boots. i wore those for like my entire highschool experience

18. ideal weather?

raining. or breezy day. wind makes me sleepy and rain makes me excited to jump around in puddles and run as if my lifes calling is pulling me towards it

19. sleeping position? 

I always sleep on my stomach. its my most comfortable position and i knock out so easily if i do. apparently its a family thing too lol my siblings all outgrew it but w.e

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)? 

on a laptop or in my journal. the tapping of laptop keys makes me feel productive while writing in my journal makes me feel like itll be saved for the rest of my life

21. obsession from childhood?

psychology and the inner workings of the mind. why something thinks lowly of themselves, why someone thinks highly of themselves, how they came to this decision, why they thought to refuse this and that its really interesting to me to see peoples reasoning

22. role model?

not even a physical person but ALL MIGHT from my hero academia or boku no hero academia. yknow that phrase ? “ what would jesus do?” yeah its “what would all might do?” for me luuuuuuuuuuuuul

23. strange habits?

i dont really know any strange habits myself but im sure my friend justin knows a few

24. favorite crystal?

crystal???? uhhh i dont know much about this but i guess i would go with emerald? since its my birth stone?

25. first song you remember hearing?

a barney song. i shit you not.

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

I dont really like the heat all that much. summer is just suffering to me tbh lol like what do you do when youve taken off all ur clothes, ur AC is dead and your room is the highest room in the house where all the heat gathers? nothing. you do nothing. you cry and almost get heat stroke.

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

I loooooooooooove snowboarding im not good at it though but god damn its fun. specially with friends and learning together it makes me so happy seeing people grow c:

28. five songs to describe you?

fix you cold play(currently listening to this), im still here (treasure planet soundtrack) by john reznik, Good things fall apart Jon bellion, lost stars Adam levine, After Dark Asian Kung Fu Generation. is what i can say so far? i’ve got tons of songs i relate to those are the ones that just popped into mind

29. best way to bond with you?

be physical. touch me, graze me, be comfortable with me and hold up a conversation. As much as i like talking I LOVE hearing about the people im interacting with. hobbies, dreams, goals, nightmares everything. other than that? just spend time with me. any time is fine. i do prefer really deep conversations at like 3 am lol

30. places that you find sacred?

sacred to me? St. Clements park and not much else. a looooooooooot of shit has happened there. my first kiss, my worst break up, my best make up/make out, my best date. 

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

I got these leather boots that do a clack sound on pavement and i feel powerful as fuck. I got this really high quality black formal shirt from le chateau that breathes really well and highlights my figure. I have these black jeans with zippers above and below the kneecap that make me feel dope. so yeah full black lol. theres also this grey sweater i have that flows in the wing like a cape and i feel like a superhero when wind blows it behind me

32. top five favorite vines?

ok ok theres this one i cannot find again for the life of me but its like this asian guy sittin in a stall taking a dump and it cuts to an ice cream dispenser then some dude knocks on the door and the asian guy gasps and it cuts to the ice cream dispenser but goes backwards so the poop is like going back in and the asian guy goes like “ unnnnnnnnhhhhhhhhhhhhh” and shudders and i like fucking collapse a lung everytime i think about it. some of king vaders anime parodies are fucking hilarious, the dude who made that vine where “ if johnny has 23 dish soaps” and he goes “ wait why does johnny have 23 dish soaps” and he goes “ mind your business david” while playing with dishsoap lmao. OH OH and that one where the kid puts random shit on his head to signify its his mom like where he goes “ I like ya accent where ya from?” “ im from liberia” “ *in a whisper* oh my bad I like ya accent where ya from” yeah this is longer than i thought i’ll stop it here i still got like 60 questions left

33. most used phrase in your phone?

“lmao” i’ve now used to as a similar term to lol. sometimes i say it in irl like “ le mao” and i internally cringe everytime

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

pizza 73, sleep country canada “why buy a mattress any where elseee” and some spotify ads cuz theyre fucking everywhere

35. average time you fall asleep?

midnight or 10 at the earliest

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

god... uhhh.. one of those rage comics those old ass black n white memes

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

duffel bag, i am NOT organized enough for a suitcase plus duffels i can carry across my chest like a backpack

38. lemonade or tea?

oof. lemonade from k days was really gooooooood. but tea is something im always comfortable with.. ill go with tea

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie? cake defnitely. cake tastes more mellow while meringue is like a burst of flavour right away

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

a dude OD’d during school hours or that time a dude had a seisure in class

41. last person you texted?

clarence

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

jacket pockets if i wanna look badass, pants pockets if im just being a panda

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?

oooof. uhh leather or bomber. leather because i love biker aesthetic too and bomber just looks comfy

44. favorite scent for soap?

i dont particularly have one but i do like old spice or irish spring

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

SUPERHERO. HANDS DOWN. fantasy second and sci fi 3rd.

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

.... naked. only on days i cannot sleep at all

47. favorite type of cheese?

uhh fuck dude uhm.. toss up between cream cheese or parmesan

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

durian. I hate durian. its spiky on the outside, smells like burnt asshole but taste is redeeming

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

inside jokes with justin. just hanging out with the dude I had the best gut wrenching laughs of my life. laughs where my jaw hurt from laughing, i lost feeling in my cheeks, my face was red and couldnt stop crying. those laughs.

51. current stresses?

job security, love life, and friends who are currently getting more and more busy and cant hang out as often

52. favorite font?

IDK? Helvetica?

53. what is the current state of your hands?

dry and typing.

54. what did you learn from your first job?

People are stupid as fuck. and coworkers are dangerous thanks alex for throwing a kitchen knife at me

55. favorite fairy tale?

idk if it counts since disney always makes fairytales but treasure planet?

56. favorite tradition? 

probably christmas because i think its super important who you choose to spend it with and who you DO spend it with is a sign of how much they mean to you

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

dads abuse, my biggest break up, my friends attempted suicide

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

yknow the devil sign you make by closing your hand in a fist except your pinky and pointer finger? i can make my pointer and pinky touch. I also have been told my volleyball spikes have been really good recently. uhh my dancing I guess? singing?

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

EVERYTHINGS FINE WHY? BECAUSE I AM HERE!

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

My hero academia. hands down.

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?

You got the makings of greatness in you, but you gotta take the helm and chart your own course! Stick to it, no matter the squalls! And when the time comes, you'll get the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you're made of! And... well, I hope I'm there, catching some of the light coming off you that day. TREASURE FUCKING PLANET BOIIIIIIIIIIS

62. seven characters you relate to?

jim hawkins, hikigaya hachiman, shoya ishida, natsuki subaru, Hinata Shoyo, Hiccup, roxas.

63. five songs that would play in your club?

oh god. uhhhh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. learn to fly foo fighters? castle on the hill ed sheeran? man idk im not huge on clubs, just shit from like 2000′s rock bands that white person knows the lyrics to and probably screamed in their room when they were mad

64. favorite website from your childhood?

YTV when they first released those side kick things thos games were so cool except that one day where the sidekick turned into a monster i legit got scared lol

65. any permanent scars?

tons actually and i love em! they remind me that things happened and that i wont ever forget them. currently tryna get a scar for volleyball HEHEHE

66. favorite flower(s)?

i dont know much about flowers but roses and lavender is nice. and that flower in philippines where if you touch it, it like curls into itself. 

67. good luck charms?

the keychains people i’ve fallen for have given to me. like this one bullet bill keychain AB gave me when we first met in highschool. i still have it. its faded and chipped in places but i feel like it makes me feel stronger yknow?

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

birthday cake vodka. hands down. and i’ve literally tasted my own puss from an infected wound on accident

69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?

in philippines flies are always swarming around peoples food so what i learned was to rip up the napkin to look like that thing people used to dust the house and it keeps them away if you swing it at them

70. left or right handed?

right handed c:

71. least favorite pattern?

pattern? uhh anything disorienting i guess

72. worst subject?

math. 100% math. 

73. favorite weird flavor combo?

meatball marinara sub with like every sauce from subway

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?

8. i think i have a high pain tolerance

75. when did you lose your first tooth?

i dont remember.. maybe like 6?

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?

MASHED POTATOES.FRJISD

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

not a big fan of plants....

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

sushi from a grocery store. just cuz im not willing to pay 30 bucks for somewhat fresh stuff from a retaurant

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo? school id funny enough

80. earth tones or jewel tones?

...what? i guess jewel tones?

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

FIREFLIES OWL CITYYYYYYYYY

82. pc or console?

console. i have a better understanding of how console plays vs computer. computer is too finicky for me and aiming is a lot harder. console i know how people on console move and how i move and how to aim. 

83. writing or drawing?

writing. if i knew how to draw though thatd be a different answer

84. podcasts or talk radio?

talk radio cuz i like to phone in and talk about my experiences lol i got to be on one actually it was dope

84. barbie or polly pocket?

uhhhhhh barbie?

85. fairy tales or mythology?

mythology!

86. cookies or cupcakes?

cupcakes

87. your greatest fear?

death. or atleast what happens afterwards

88. your greatest wish?

to be a hero. 

89. who would you put before everyone else?

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Z

90. luckiest mistake?

one time in gym class we were playing dodgeball and i slipped trying to run backwards and a dude threw a ball at me but i kicked it in a way it went straight up and i had enough time to catch it

91. boxes or bags?

boxes, much better leverage and storing is like a game of tetris!

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?

lamps or overheads. sunlight has glare on my stuff and its hard to play and fairylights arent enough 

93. nicknames?

tin man, AG, metal man, poetry man, silverado, silver city, quick silver anything with silver really.

94. favorite season?

fall and winter. winter being the best

95. favorite app on your phone?

Epic seven

96. desktop background? its a picture of hinata shoyo from HAIKYUU!! doing a spike with wings on his back!

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?

only 1. thats my own lmao

98. favorite historical era?

uhhhhhh shit idk. they all seemed pretty shitty tbh..........