#kaje talks

[jeremyknox]

Call out to folks in the Star Wars fandom who are possibly more familiar with Mado’a than myself!

I’ve run into an issue with the fact that buir = both mother and father.

I’m writing a fic and in the epilogue there’s a kid. With two parents.

In Mando’a, what types of diminutives might there be for a kid to distinguish? Whether they have two dads, three dads, and dad and a mom… or in this case a mom and two dads?

Obi-Wan is going to be dad. But Cody is learning to embrace his culture, so I want their kid to call him buir… but Satine is also part of this family unit. And would be the child’s buir as WELL.

I don’t want to call Cody stepfather. This is very much a triad situation in the parenting. I thought about ashi’buir for “other father” but. I dunno.

There has to a diminutive, right? Do Mandalorian families really call both/all parents buir?

[trickarrows-bishop]

the way this is how i talk about kit tanthalos and ava silva (i'm nice to kj though. mostly)

LITERALLY

[yawnzloverz]

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆..⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆..⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆

After the storm

And when the clock strikes twelve, will we be back to being strangers who never speak to each other?

⋆Pairing: Choi Yeonjun x fem!reader

⋆Genre: strangers to enemies to lovers, slow-burn,fluff, angst, slice of life,

*Warnings: Cursing and cussing here and there. Mention of hookups and slight sexual innuendo.

⟶ Summary- With the failure of your past relationship, you try to move on with closure and no regrets; which you fail miserably. You don't need help, but a shoulder to lean and cry on. But what if that shoulder belongs to a total stranger? or so you thought...

a/n: SORRY NA SA SOBRANG TAGAL NA UPDATEEEE HUHU PERO THANK U FOR READING LOVELIESSSSS -val! 🧸

⋆ Chapter IV - Call me Maybe

7 am palang,nagising na ako. Sino ba kasing hinayupak ang kumuha ng electric fan ko?!

Ayun, pawis na pawis ako. Happy Sunday.

Ichecheck ko sana ang phone ko, kasi wala ito sa bedside table. Tatayo sana ako para hanapin ito nang biglang may pumintig sa batok ko.

Aray! Sobrang sakit ng ulo ko!

Napunta pala ang phone ko sa ilalim ng kama ko. Pa'no-

TOK TOK TOK!

Napalingon ako nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Bumukas ito at pumasok si Kuya Jake.

"Hoy, 'nyare sa'yo? Ba't ka sumisigaw?" Minsan nakakalimutan kong manipis nga lang pala ang mga dingding namin.

"Hindi, wala. Bigla lang sumakit ulo ko." Sabi ko habang hinihimas batok ko.

"Ahh kala ko-" 'Yan nanaman siya. "Mag-ingat ka ha. Baba ka na, may pandesal na sa baba."

"Si-sige..." Mahina kong sambit. Nanghihina na rin ako sa sakit ng ulo ko.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko, pero ayaw nito bumukas. Hayst. Kailangan ko rin pala bumaba, nando'n yung charger.

Pagbaba ko ay agad bumungad sa'kin ang...SUNGHOON?! SI SUNGHOON BA TALAGA 'YAN? BAKA NAMAN NAMAMALIKMATA LANG AKO?

"Uy, Good morning, Y/n" Sabi niya habang nakangiti. NAKAKATUNAW!

"I'm sure by now you've already heard of the recent tragedy?"

Oh...that...It happened again...? Another student ended her life. I was reminded of the events that transpired 3 years ago. The foul remembrance of that day made me shiver. I can still hear his voice caling me....

Y/n....

...

Y/n...

no, no please stop

Y/n.....

please stop, please

I will find you.

STOP!

Nagulat ako nang may kumalabog sa mesa, at ako rin ang may gawa. Nahampas ko ang lamesa sa sobrang takot ko na marinig ulit ang boses niya. Si kuya Jake lang pala ang tumatawag sa'kin. Sunghoon's puzzled expression made me feel a little embarassed. Para akong bata na biglang nag-maktol. Tinulak niya ng daliri ang hot chocolate na nasa harap ko. "Inom ka muna. Hinga, hinga." That really wasn't necessary. Sa preseniya mo palang, kumakalma na'ko. "I think...lets no talk about it anymore." Sinabi ni Sunghoon. Tumango si Kuya Jake.

Of course it happened again. I did not forget, though I desire to. Sinubukan kong hindi alalahanin lahat ng nangyari noon, at ngayon. Para akong lalagnatin sa takot. "Mag s-stay lang ako saglit. Do you wanna watch?" Tumango ako at minostrahan niya ako na tumabi sa kanya. HUEY??? GUSTO NIYA AKONG KATABI? WAG PLEASE, BAKA 'DI KO KAYANIN!

Tumabi ako sa kanya at nagsalang sila ng pelikula. Medyo inantok ako sa pelikula kaya nag-scroll nalang ako sa phone ko.

Ka-chat ko si Chaewon at Giselle sa group chat namin, naghuhukay sila at nagsesend ng mga maaasim na litrato at TikToks namin noon. Sinend ni Giselle yung TikTok ko nung sumabak ako sa Dalagang Pilipina Challenge.

Buti nalang nasave ko yung rume-renegade siya. Binuksan ko ang photo gallery ko para hukayin ang mga kaje-jemonan nila nang makakita ako ng misteryosong picture. 'Nu 'to? Ba't 'to nandito? Binuksan ko ang picture. Eh ako 'to eh! Nung Friday! Saan 'to galing?!

Tingnan ko ang picture info.

Saturday, Oct 7, 2023. 11:59 pm

Ha? Kagabi? Pero saan 'to galing? Ang lakas na ng dagungdong ng dibdib ko. Mahihimatay na ako sa sobrang kaba. Una, weird na phone number, ngayon naman, picture ko na bangag. Jusko! Teka....YUNG NUMBER! Tinignan ko yung contacts ko, tapos yung 'Recent'....

10/7/23 11:59 pm

Nakakaputangina na talaga. Para akong mababaliw na mahihimatay na ewan. Tinapos namin yung pelikula bago umalis si Sunghoon. Nakahinga na rin ako nang maayos, mahigit apat na oras kong tiniis na naka stomach-in. Pagka-alis niya umakyat agad ako sa kwarto kaso pinigilan ako ni kuya Jake. "Hoy, sa'n ka pupunta? 'Di ka itetext niyan kung nakauwi ka na ba, nasa bahay ka lang hoy." '

To nanaman si kuya sa pagiging assuming eh. 

"Hindi 'no! Pagod lang talaga ako, na-drain social battery ko". Inirapan lang ako ni kuya.

Pag-akyat ko, para akong nahilo. I traced all the way to October 7, and I tried my best to recall the events that happened during that day.

No'ng gabing 'yon, uminom ako, tapos sinundo ako nila kuya. Tapos may seminar, tapos....

Parang may naalala ako na may tinawagan ako. The memory was cloudy yet vivid, hindi ko masabi kung panaginip lang ba 'yon o ano.

Only one way to find out....

Binuksan ko ang phone ko para tignan ang recent calls.

Ang pinaka-recent ko na tawag, number lang. 11:59 pm.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sumanib sa'kin, pero hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na pindutin ang call button.

Ring.

Ring.

"Hello..?"

AYUN!

"Um, hi po, kuya"

"Hi um, I think you got the wrong number?"

"Hala hindi po! 'Wag niyo po muna ib-"

"You probably got the wrong number, I'm hanging up, ok?"

"Kuya 'wag! "Wag niyo muna po akong iwan!"

"Ha?" Bahagyang natawa si kuya. "Para saan po ba 'to?"

" Hi po ahm, ayon nga po, nung Friday po, October seven, I went drinking out. I saw your number in my phone, and kanina, I saw your number sent me a picture of myself. So, I'm here to ask you, sino po kayo?"

"Yeah, I'm-"

Halos mapa-itcha na ako ng phone ko sa gulat. May biglaang static na ringing mula sa kabilang linya. 

"Hello? Okay ka lang?" 

"O-Oo...Biglang nag-static, sorry. Ano ulit 'yun?"

"Sabi ko ako si Ch-" KRIIIIIIIIII Halos mapasigaw ako sa lakas.

"Kuya hindi ko po talaga maintindihan, nags-static talaga." 

"Huh, that's weird. Can I get your name perhaps? Or, what was this about again?"

Huminga ako nang malalim.

"Sir, I found your number on my phone, and you found my picture on yours. You sent it kagabi, diba?"

"Kagabi? I don't remember making any calls last night."

"Ako rin, pero check mo phone mo, and yung gallery mo din."

Nanahimik yung linya saglit, naririning ko lang na palakas nang palakas na yung hinga ni kuya.

"What the fuck?! Who the fuck are you?"

"Ikaw nga dapat tinatanong ko 'ya eh, may picture pa ako diyan" Aminin mo na 'ya, crush mo lang talaga ako KEMEEEEE.

"I don't even know you! I this some kind of joke?" Napangiwi ako. Gingigil mo 'ko kuya eh! Pati naman ako gusto rin maging joke lang 'to.

"Teka...did we perhaps have a one nigh-"

"HINDI, HINDI, NO." Pagputol ko sa kanya. Loko 'to ah!

"Sorry I mean, the picture was in a bar so I assumed..."

"Teka, alam mo 'yung lugar?" Buti ka pa 'ya.

"Parang familliar yung lugar, I think it's a bar I went to...but I don't quite remember where."

Wait! Saan nga ba 'yon?  Nag-backread ako sa mga chat namin sa gc, kung saan daw ako pinick-up nila kuya.

Ayun! PASAY!

"Sa Pasay daw kuya. Sinundo ako ng kuya ko do'n nung nalasing ako."

"You sure? Okay then."

"Pupuntahan ko yung lugar. Ikaw?"

"I'll try, what was your name again?"

"Y-"KREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

"Hindi ko talaga marinig, miss."

"Just call me-"

Napatingin ako sa nakabukas na bintana. The sky looked exceptionally blue and beautiful today, it reminds me of him, blue is his color after all. Teka...SKY!

"You can call me 'Sky'."

"Alright then."

"Eh, ikaw?"

"What?"

"Anong puwede kong itawag sa'yo?" For some reason I couldn't hear his name, and 'di niya rin marinig akin. 

"Call me Leo." Naks, nag-search pa ata si kuya. 

"Naks naman, sa'n mo nanaman napag-kukuha 'yan ya."

"Ah, Virgo sana since yun ang zodiac sign ko, but I figured Leo would be more fitting."

"Sosyal mo naman 'ya," Bahagya akong napatawa. 

"So, see you there?"

"See you later, Sky."

"Byeeee"

Binaba niya na ang tawag. Agad akong pumunta sa google para mag-search ng mga bar. Nagbihis na rin ako at bumaba para mag-paalam kay kuya.

"Pasay nanaman? May kinikita ka ba do'n? Puwede naman, 'wag ka ang uuwing buntis."

'To nanaman si oa eh.

"May titignan lang ako, may naiwan kasi ako dun sa bar na pinuntahan ko."

"BAR? HALIKA NGA DITONG BATA KA." Naguat ako nang sugurin ako ni Kuya Jake nang may hawak na sandok. 

"Sige na kuya ba-bye love you!" Sinarado ko ang pinto. KUYA GUARD! MAY NAG-AAMOK NA ASO!

Eto na guys, true na, real na, totoo na 'to. I'm coming, Leo.

.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚˚｡⋆.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚˚｡⋆.⋆｡⋆☂.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚˚｡⋆.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆.⋆｡⋆

Putek nag-double meaning ata yung dulo HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA Newayssss na-miss ko magsulattt huhubels 😭😭💞💞 Hindi pa rin ako marunogn mag-post ng slideshow sa tiktok, sorrey na 😓😓😓 Pero ayorn thank you for reading and comments are always appreciated^^!!! Love you as always, lovelies! ❣️

-val 🧸

[nerd-at-sea5]

kj brandman + adhd = staring intensely at mac when their talking bc if they don’t then their worried it’ll seem like their not interested, so when mac stops talking and questions ‘why the fuck are you lookin’ at me like the sun shines outta my ass??’ kj tries to explain how they love hearing mac talk but is worried that if their not watching mac’ll think they hate them. mac proceeds to put a blindfold on and say ‘now i won’t be able to tell. look wherever you’d like kaje.’ *cue happy stimming and kj tackling mac to the ground to kiss them bc their so happy that mac’s not upset and is actually ok with it bc no one else is*

[flowerparrish]

Podfic asks! :D 18, 19, 29, 30?

18. Describe my perfect podficcing conditions:

No one is home. Ginny is asleep. The neighborhood dogs are not barking. The AC is not on. The fridge is not being noisy. My laptop fan is chill. I am as hydrated as it is possible for me to be. Time stretches out in front of me, somewhat infinite, no interruptions in sight.

(This will never happen but it's such a nice dream)

19. What does my editing process typically look like?

I've recently started punch & roll recording sometimes, so my editing is a lot less of deleting re-takes for those which is nice. Normally, though, I'd do a listen through to delete re-takes / repeat phrases / background noise, and do some minor edits at the same time. Then I'd listen thru again and get anything I didn't catch the first time. And, of course, noise reduction / some kind of basic leveling first usually. Sometimes I use auphonic, but usually only if I record with my good mic.

29. Current WIPs:

omg do u want me to cry?? (/loving)

ugh just the ones that are multi-chapter, not even like, the series i'm podding

Do Every Stupid Thing - 17/26 posted - I'm so proud of this one I don't even have words. on a technical level the quality goes up and down but my voice acting goes off so hard

A Change in the Weather - 11/33 - my favorite Glee fic, forever (or at least for the last decade) left incomplete and still it lives rent free in my head. I speedran 4 chapters of this pod from May to July because I wanted to get the July 4th chapter up by then but haven't updated it since oop

Missed You By a Few Minutes, a Few Centuries - 2/12 posted - my favorite Old Guard fic, I will update this I swear it

So Wise We Grow - 1/2 posted - I'm almost done I swear it's just a long boi. FAvorite Star Trek fic ever tho. Was making this pod for someone before we broke up and still posted it because I worked hard on the first 4 hours and I love it a lot.

A Heart's Revolution - 6/14 posted - AU Codywan my beloved!! trying to update this every two weeks, but might miss this week ngl I'm super behind

brave face, (hide) the truth - 3/14 posted - my best friend Kaje's (@kbirbpods) soulmate AU; kinda Codywan but a lot more than that relationship gets featured

there are some other shorter ones or ones I haven't updated in forever or ones I've barely started; for now we're going to consider this my "main" WIP list

30. Talk about a piece of feedback that made my day:

Okay I answered generally before, but one that's still making me grin is you saying that when you were writing the next part of showerclones you could hear it in my voice already :D I don't even have words for how AWESOME that is

[black-cat-aoife]

4 & 12 für das book-ask ? 📖

4. If you DNF any books, what was the pettiest reason you put a book down this year?

I dnf-ed a couple of books and most were just 'I do not vibe' but The Manor House Governess was Bad. It's a contemporary novel, but the characters either talk like they are giving an introduction to film studies lecture, assure each other how being queer is OK, and every gender expression is OK (which it of course is. But it's said in the most soap-boxy author insert way. Like you cannot believe, how soap-boxy. Kaje Harper would say it's a bit much) or say shit like: "I do not find myself in the way of dancing enough to warrant a disliking to it. But what I can admit to is the unlikelihood of dancing again anytime soon, or ever again for that matter."

And then the MC declares that somebody else can't possibly be gay because he's wearing a suit, and that's when I gave up.

12. Did any book inspire you to create?

Short answer: no

Longer answer: When reading Guardian I remembered that I wrote show!verse fic once and that it was fun, but I also never finished the show (for reasons of back in Those Days it was harder to find C-Dramas with decent subtitles and when my source disappeared I was too busy to find a different one, and then I had forgotten too much) and now have only read the first (of three or four) books and I want to be a bit more familiar with the canon before I try my hand at fic.

Also, I've read three of the Allmen novels and am still daydreaming about that Blind Ermittelt/Allmen crossover but to be honest the chronology went like:

watching a rerun of one of the Allmen-movies

start daydreaming about the crossover

discover that the audiobooks are on Spotify and start listening

Thank you for asking

Ask me about books

[ao3feed-tedlasso]

Episode 4 - Creating a Ted Lasso Soulmate Fic

by Flowerparrish Pods (Flowerparrish), kbirb pods (kbirb)

Welcome to Supernormal Soulmate Behavior, a podcast where two best friends talk all things fandom together! In episode 4, Kaje and Peej sit down to develop a Ted Lasso soulmate AU... and devolve into just talking about Ted Lasso for large portions of time.

Alternate episode title: Oops! We Talked About Ted Lasso for an Hour and a Half!

Words: 47, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: No Fandom, Ted Lasso (TV)

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen

Additional Tags: Podcast, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: Streaming, Embedded Audio, Download Available, Audio Content, Best Friends, Friendship, Soulmates, Podfic & Podficced Works, Podfic Length: 1-1.5 Hours, Podcast Length: 1-1.5 Hours, Notfic, Oral Notfic

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/48162262

[krajtaz]

REY wheres ur desc quote from ive been trying 2 find it for a while now but ive failed miserably at that -_-

my blog search ceased to function but it's from this one post 😓😓 heres the full quote but i literally can't find the post 😭

i'm a strange lipstick color, i'm the shimmer in cheap shampoo, i'm a shoplifted beauty product, i'm eyeliner on the back of a hand, i'm a blue finger from a cheap ring, i'm glitter you can't get off your skin, i'm beautiful in the most disgusting ways and i'm never going to die

[messmouse]

[KJ & Mac playing with an ouija board]

Mac: Why won't the ghosts talk to us?

KJ: Perhaps they're homophobic.

Mac: ...We're not gay, Kaje.

KJ: We're not?

[zelda-ffitzgerald]

What are you talking about Anon, too good to be true? This is the best case scenario, it means her team has been told to not associate with him publicly. Brilliant. Wonder if ole Kaje (who I think doesn’t listen) and Melton were told anything, 🤣🤣 Hoping that was a reliable source.

I agree. The public maneuvering is way more interesting then secret parties or Jenga games. Shows he's publicly toxic and not the big fish he used to be.

[ladyloveandjustice]

Perhaps to reflect the girls being scattered and Kaje in particular being flung back to the fifties, Petey Roy makes his return to the letter column saga! Though like all of us, he is a little Older and Tired and just trying to make it through the capitalistic hellscape...

I hope Rita manages to get back on her feet before the series ends as well! We’re rootin’ for ya!

I wonder If BKV was already in talks for it when this was being written, but a Paper Girls television series HAS been ordered by Amazon so we might get one someday!

[jeremyknox]

Tag 9 People You Want to Know Better

I was tagged by both @wanderingjedihistorian & @nonbinariwankenobi over on my @kbirbpods blog! Figured I'd go on here for it since I follow folks from over here <3

First ship: I guess I've been shipping since before I knew what shipping even was, because I was very adamant to my dad that Ron/Hermione were end game. But the first ship I sought out content for was Wolfstar ope

Three Ships: Commander Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi, Harrowhark/Gideon Nav, Jason Todd/Roy Harper

Last Song: Liar by The Arcadian Wild

Last Movie: uuuhhh I think The Menu ??? We watch a lot of Seinfeld reruns in this apartment

Currently Reading: uuuhhhh technically my ARC of The Eidolon but I've not been well-focused on reading because I've been sick so it's hard to not zone out

Currently Consuming: not sure if I'm supposed to answer w a food (which was eggs and bacon like an hour ago) or media (Seinfeld is on but I'm not paying attention to it)

Currently Craving: Not being sick, does that count??? lol

If you'd like to participate, I'm tagging @vexbatch, @aliteralgarbageheap, @thefebruaryfriday, @adorkfromnewyork, @averagemartian, @thenonbinarycutie, @mistbornhero, @ladybonehollows, @indira-korr

[trickarrows-bishop]

wanna talk abt old watch kaje

YEAHHHH i may be like. slowish replies bc TOH BUT YEAHHHH

i just think kj asking "who the hell is kaje?" and mac's heart just. shattering .

[tales-of-abysia]

Reflection - Crimson One

Aria sat in her office, her fingers softly feathering between a couple of pages of one of the many books she has placed upon her desk. It was then that there was a chime, a descending sound as the long window beside her shifted from many views of the others to a single, unmoving landscape. She moved the stack of books to the counter behind her, closing them into a box as the walls began to run red, like blood dripping into a clear pool of water. Her eyes drifted up as the roof formed into dark leaves, and the walls covered themselves in the subtle texture of bark before darkening into a brown texture, the space between the trunks remaining a dark red. Aria pulled out a folder and placed it gently onto her desk before sitting back down. After a moment the room finally set itself in place, and the red faded away to form the façade of the desk being placed within a dimly lit forest. The chair opposite her desk warped to the form of bone, held together by metal wires and covered in a thin red cloth. Finally, the carpet between them began to ripple.

With a subtle glow, the round carpet began to ripple. A dark puddle formed, and from the edges claws appeared. The reached out, two arms turning to four as the amorphous mass pulled itself into the room. Fangs and eyes spiraled up to the surface as the fluid grew upwards about four feet, stretching out wide, much larger than the forms of Jaxx or Kaje. As the final bits of it’s mass entered the room, the glow of the carpet faded and the crimson mass pulled itself together, swirling into a humanoid form. Two of the arms pulled in, the fangs spinning around the puddle pulled in and many mouths became two, the bottom one closing firmly shut. As the red solidified, it formed the body of a young woman. Dripping slowly, the extended droplets formed into long red hairs, the fangs of the second mouth into a form of necklace just above the woman's collarbone. Finally, the red spilled over her, forming a long sleeved shirt and long skirt, with a larger sheer shadow over the tops of them to distort the black details beneath. She ooened her eyes, a bright green, although a ring of blue rested within right eye. The Crimson One slowly admired the room, though this was not their first time within this chamber. Slowly a hand outstretched, clawed fingers gently scraping along the invisible partition that divided the room in two. Crimson then took a step backwards and plopped into the chair, their eyes quickly darting around as if looking for a threat hidden within the room.

“Welcome back, Crimson. How was the first time outside?”

They gently ran the tip of their thin tongue along their bottom row of teeth. “Loud, bright, many lifeforms. Too many.” Crimson's clawed fingers gently ran across the hairs on the left arm. “Everything was so… hot. Intense and visceral. The one with the scars was there with me. Did I do that?”

“No, that wasn’t your fault. You didn’t hurt anyone.”

Crimson nodded, but remained silent for a few long moments.

Aria continued, “The heat and sensations were likely due to the trip. You were quite timid when you were out, did you want to talk about why?”

“That man was there. Two furred creatures. Uncomfortable… I didn’t need to show dominance, I was the only predator when we were inside.”

Aria smiled. “And the girl?”

Crimson’s face changed color as their brow dipped, tongue licking teeth. “The girl… I took her. Artisan stopped me from claiming her though.”

“Smart of him. There are great consequences to your actions outside of this place, you know? You’d be forced to take responsibility.”

Crimson turned away, looking out at the woodland expanse. “I liked the warmth.. It filled me with this sensation… the feeling of the warm water rushing over me, the um…” Crimson's brow dipped further. “It hurt good..”

Aria chuckled, the pen in her hand subtly moving as she took notes. “The word is pleasure. You felt pleasure. It’s the result of the human brain rewarding you for a success, like how you used to feel when completing your hunts. Do you like her?”

Crimson’s expression returned to a neutral one, and fell silent.

“I mean, your emotions. Did she make you feel good?”

“I…” Crimson stared for a moment. “I want to mark her again. I want to do it without that man there, and without the others watching, so I can feel free to be myself. Just us, just in our den…”

Aria smiled, her fingers gently dancing across the notepad within the folder. “That’s wonderful, certainly much better than you had imagined, yes?”

“She didn’t hate me… most of the others hate me, fear me. They think I’ll hurt her, scar her flesh and mind…”

“Do you want to hurt her?”

“I want… no. Yes? I want her to feel who I am. I don’t want the pain to hurt her, not in a pain way..”

“So you want her to know your unique form of affection. That does come with the responsibility of after-care, too. Do you feel that you didn’t have a chance to show her properly?”

“Alistair got in the way. He kept pulling me back… He's possessive of her.”

“Protective is the word you’re looking for. He wants to keep her safe; he is a little paranoid himself when it comes to his partner.”

“Protective?” Crimson's eyes drifted to the side. “I don’t know how that works. I only know how to attack. How do you protect?” They licked along the top row of teeth again.

“He places himself between the danger and what he wants to keep safe. He does that often, you'll find. Artisan is a very caring individual, but I’m sure you noticed that during your time with him the other day.” She quickly glanced down at the paper for a moment. “So, you don’t like the other resident?”

“No.” Crimson's attention returned to Aria. “I don’t feel safe around others. I don’t trust the people.”

“But you trust the girl?”

“Well, I…” Crimson's face changed to confusion. “She can’t hurt me. It’s safe.”

“So how does she make you feel?”

“She makes me feel… safe. Understood. Accepted. Her and Alistair kept using this word-“ They bit their tongue.

“Love.”

Crimson stared at Aria for a while, wondering if this concept was worth asking about, or if it was something oneself needed to learn on their own. What did Love even feel like? The concept felt foreign when compared to the time in the cell and in the Bin. Whatever it was, it was the opposite of lonely. “I know I don’t wanna be alone anymore.”

[nerd-at-sea5]

hc/mini fic

when the cancer gets to the point that mac needs to be permanently hospitalized, the other paper girls are there more than mac’s own family, tiff and erin are there from the end of school until dark, kj ends up sleeping at the hospital more than 3x a week.

one day mac gives kj a ring, it’s a large silver one, a chain pattern around it, and they say that they got it with kj at the arcade the first time the two had a sleepover, that they wanted kj to have one ‘not shit thing from me. only ‘cause your memory sucks ass.’ (but they both know it’s way more emotional)

kj’s hands are to small to keep the ring on, so they buy a chain and string it on, and never take it off. a few weeks later, kj’s in mac’s room, doing homework with tiff while mac and erin listen to music from dylan’s walkman, and mac watches kj’s hand shaking back and forth rapidly before realizing that they’re spinning the ring/chain around their hand. ‘kaje the fuck are you doing?’ ‘i...don’t know. it feels nice? like when i rub my knuckles together, or do the thing were i use my whole face to blink?’ mac laughs at them, but finds it endearing.

exactly a week before mac’s 16th birthday, kj’s mom shakes them awake in the middle of the night ‘get a jacket honey we have to go to the hospital.’ there’s a horrible sinking feeling in kj’s chest but they still ask why, ask what’s going on, ‘dylan coyle called. he didn’t seem to happy about talking to us but...they don’t think your...friend is going to make it through the night, they said they wanted you there.’

the brandman’s make it to the room and for the first time in kj’s life,  they truly sees mac as weak. not in a sense of degradation, in a sense of there’s sleeplessness behind their eyes, they look tiny compared to the bed, mac is much to young to be dying. 

mac’s dad wasn't even there, neither alice. and dylan was sitting next to the room, not daring to look inside.

‘damn dylan actually called you? he seemed royally pissed about it.’ ‘mac...’ ‘yeah?’ 

the two stand there for a moment, before kj starts laughing. soon enough mac is as well, while kj’s parents are staring in suprise, turn around and sit with dylan.

‘i can’t believe your fucking dying.’ ‘i know right?!’ ‘it doesn't make any sense.’

but soon mac’s laugher turns into wheezing, and they groan again, leaning back onto the pillows. ‘fuck. ok, c’mere asshat.’

kj obliges, laying down next to mac, hugging the smaller paper girl tightly, ‘i love you, i love you, i love you-’

‘’s ok, kaje. i love you too dummy. it’ll be ok.’

but it’s not ok, because when mac pulls her into a kiss, kj feels their hand fall limp from their back, and they finally start sobbing.

erin and tiffany come in after school to find an empty room, aside from kj in the corner, holding the necklace and shaking with tears, whispering the words to the mourners kadddish over and over again; ‘yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba b’alma di-v’rachirutei, v’yamlich malchutei b’chayeichonuvyomeichon uvchayei d’chol beit yisrael, ba’agalauvizman kariv, v’im’ru: “amen.”’ 

note; this is not the full mourners kaddish, you can find the full one here

[camimcndcs]

two tiny hands, a pair of eyes

TAGGING: KJ @itskjapa​, Cami.

LOCATION: Vancouver, BC.

TIMEFRAME: October 7th, 2020.

NOTES: Talia Lua Apa is born.

Cami: Today was going to the day, she could just feel it. Camila had reached her due date and woken up to KJ’s lips brushing against her cheek as he headed out for work. With her due date looming in the air, she’d stopped working mid-week last week and had been spending her time preparing for their daughter’s arrival. When Camila finally left the comfort of her bed an hour later to eat something she felt a tightness in her belly that seemed more painful than the Braxton Hicks she’d been experiencing for the last couple of days. Reaching for her phone, Camila called her mom, asking her to come upstairs to help her figure out what was going on. Another contraction hit about 10 minutes later when her mom and Tessa walked through the door of her apartment. Once she had finished her breakfast, Camila took a quick shower and then sat on an exercise ball after getting herself dressed. Just as she sat down on the exercise ball, she felt liquid trickling down her leg. “I think my water just broke,” she exclaimed, almost instantly feeling the pain stretching from her back to her stomach as a contraction took over her body. “Can one of you call Kaje?” she asked, closing her eyes and practicing her breathing as she carefully held her stomach. The look on Tessa’s face after she had tried his phone a few times told Camila everything she needed to know. It was likely he was filming a scene and didn’t have access to his cell which was unfortunate. Luckily, Timena and her girlfriend had joined him on set today, so there was someone else they could call with a direct line to KJ. Once they reached Timena, her contractions seemed to be getting closer and closer together and intensifying. The whole process seemed to be picking up speed. Once KJ’s mom explained everything to her daughter, she was off to find her brother and pull him off of the set. She promised they’d call so Camila could talk to him once they got to the car where they would be driven off of the set. It was going to take them at least an hour to get to the hospital, so Camila wasn’t really in much of a rush, but it seemed Talia had other plans. Another contraction ripped through her tiny body causing Camila to reach out for her mom, tears springing into her eyes due to the pain and her fiancé being an hour away from her. “Take a deep breath, meu amor, it’s all going to be okay,” her mother reassured her, rubbing her daughter’s lower back. “He’ll call once he’s on his way,” Tessa added, smiling softly at her future daughter-in-law. 

KJ: Despite everything he had read on the pregnancy, nothing had been able to prepare KJ regarding the tense days leading up to the arrival of their daughter. His efforts to make Camila feel better seemed to be in vain, no matter how much she tried to reassure him -- witnessing her being this uncomfortable had been taking its toll on him as well. He could only ponder on the way she actually felt herself, although it was quite clear the one thing she wanted was to reach that long awaited day. Like each morning, he had quietly gotten through his usual routine before softly kissing her goodbye; something she had insisted upon a long time ago. She was constantly tired these days, but always needed to be made aware when he left their home. Meeting up with his sister and her girlfriend in front of the studio, he took them on a quick tour of the new sets they had built for the season and directed them to his trailer when the time had come for him to get ready -- going through the usual makeup necessities before putting on the clothes he had done a fitting for the previous day. Never failing to be his joyful self and entertain the crew even under such grueling circumstances. A few takes later as a brand new Archie Andrews handling a fire station, he slowly made his way back to Timena only to see her rush toward him at full speed; phone in hand and an anxious expression crossing her features. "What's going on?" he questioned, halting his motions as fear gripped him -- a sensation deep inside of his being screaming that something had surely happened with Camila. The words his sister uttered were barely registered, though quite enough to realize he needed to leave right now. Which is what he did without looking back, the sound of steps following close and explaining the situation to the people they encountered. Timena had enough common sense to not allow him to drive, forcing his eager self to the passenger seat and throwing the phone in his lap. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." he muttered under his breath, fingers trembling as they brushed against the screen. They had talked about this moment so many times, but they had never expected it to happen this way. Even if the possibility had often been brought up. "It's me-- I, yes. Please, let me talk to her." KJ knew his fiancée was surely in a stressful state and he willed himself to calm down so he could comfort her -- even as they were so far away from one another. "Hey, baby. Looks like our little girl is ready to be with us, aye. Should have known she was going to be a pain like her mum." Making a joke was his default mode, though he also hoped this would perhaps be able to distract her.

Cami: When Tessa’s phone rang ten minutes later, Camila was breathing through another contraction from the front seat of the car. She’d had another one as they made their way down to the car and it had stopped her in the lobby. Both of their dads were going to meet them once she got checked in just so it wasn’t too overwhelming. She loved her parent and future in laws, but having all four of them worrying about her in close quarters with KJ forty minutes away would’ve stressed her out. Pressing the phone up to her ear, she willed herself not to cry as the sweet voice of her fiancé filled her ear. “Hi, babe,” she whispered, her free hand resting on her stomach in a protective way. “Yeah, a real pain,” she breathed out, giggling at his teasing remark. Normally she would make a stink about him teasing her, but right now she was thankful for the nice distraction. “We just got into the car and we’re on our way to the hospital, so you’ll just meet us there, right?” she asked, looking out the window to calm herself down. “I love you, I’m okay, it hurts, but I’ll be okay,” she whispered, watching the people and buildings that passed them by before another contraction hit. She could hear a hint of stress in KJ’s voice, but she needed him to remain calm for her and for his sister who was currently navigating the roads to bring him safely to her. “Don’t give Timena a hard time, you’ll be at the hospital before you know it and I need you in one piece,” she said sternly. She was about to say a quick goodbye when another contraction ripped through her body making it almost impossible for her to speak. Camila closed her eyes and practiced her breathing, feeling bad that KJ had to hear her in pain over the phone when he couldn’t get to her. “I love you, baby, I’ll see you soon,” she breathed out as the contraction ended. Camila made kissy noises into the phone before handing it back to his mom in the backseat who reassured her son that his future wife was in good hands and would be okay.

KJ: The sound of her voice appeased him and increased his anxiousness all at once. Simply being able to hear it was quite enough for relief to wash over his body, eyes fluttering closed as he imagined for a brief second that she was within distance -- giving him the strength to sit still and not urge his sister to press her foot harder on the pedal. She seemed to be going too slow for his liking, but KJ knew deep down Timena was doing her best. At the same time, he was unable to not take notice of the light tremor in her voice that she disguised as soon. Surely for his sake. Perharps for her own too. He was willing to play along, especially since they wouldn't be able to see one another for at least a good forty minutes. "Of course, baby. Right now I just gotta deal with being in this car." he uttered with a harsh chuckle following suit, the frustration present despite the playful tone of their conversation. But he was quick to brush it off. "Mine would totally be out there like the flash, aye." The redhead barked out a laugh when his fiancée still found it in herself to reprimand him regarding the comment he had made on his sister's driving skills; the first genuine smile ever since he had stepped into the vehicle painting itself on his lips. A short lived moment when he heard through the speaker the current pain filling her. How he wished time could be toyed with so he could be by her side right now. "I love you. Be there before you know it, I promise." After what had felt like a lifetime, and thus an empty promise, the hospital came into view -- the car hadn't even fully come to a stop that he had rushed in the direction of the sliding doors. The harsh beating of his heart thumping in his ears. He was caught off guard by his mother as he reached the front desk, dragging him in a tight embrace before she quickly led him toward Camila's room. At least she wasn't awkwardly waiting on some chair for someone to take care of her. "How is she? Good? What did I miss?"

Cami: Once they arrived at the hospital a nurse quickly checked Camila over and got her checked into a private birthing suite. She was making her way to the bathroom in the suite to change into the hospital gown they had given her when she heard KJ entering the room with his mom. “Baby! You’re here!” she exclaimed, reaching her arms out to him as he made his way over to hug her as tightly as he could with her belly getting in the way. “I’m so much better now that you’re here,” she whispered, pulling back from his embrace to grip his hands. “Would you help me get this hospital gown on?” she asked, dragging him towards the bathroom with her. Once they were inside she shut the door and lifted her arms so he could get his own t-shirt off of her body. She hadn’t even worn a bra because she hadn’t seen the point. Camila caught sight of herself in the mirror and smiled, “I can’t believe we’re going to get to meet her today,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at KJ. He helped her out of her leggings and underwear, moving onto getting the gown on her when another contraction ripped through her body. “Fuck,” she cried out, gripping her fiancé’s shoulders as she bent over. His hands moved from her waist to her back as she did her best to breathe through it. This was the first real contraction he was experiencing in person and part of her wanted to assure him that she was okay, it just really hurt. After the minute-long contraction came to an end, she looked up at him with a smile. “They’re going to see how dilated I am and then someone should be by for the epidural,” she said, turning around so he could tie the gown in the back. They then exited the bathroom and the redhead helped her into the hospital bed. A few more minutes passed and a nurse arrived to see how dilated she was. "You're at 4 centimeters, only 6 more to go," she explained with a smile adding that she'd go get the anesthesiologist if Camila wanted an epidural which she nodded in response to.

KJ: A string of questions were thrown at his mother on their way to the room Camila had been checked into -- the worry making him act like an addict who was eager to get his fix. The little voice in the back of his mind finally gave him peace when his brown eyes settled on his fiancée, a content sigh tumbling from his mouth when they both found solace with one another. "I'm here." he repeated, his voice quiet but firm, to reassure her of that fact. He had been so scared to not make it in time, to not be present for her just like she had been needing him to; and not having the joy to witness his daughter making her big debut into this world. With a nod, he followed Camila to the bathroom and carefully helped her out of the t-shirt she had been wearing -- the one that was supposedly his but she wore more than he ever did -- trying not to stare too hard at the bump that would soon disappear. "Our little angel." The emotion filling her eyes was matched in his own, a small grin etched on his features as he stared at the woman who had changed his life. Still so in awe of her person and the strength she exuded on the daily. The brunette slowly resumed his motions, getting rid of the rest of the clothes and wrapping her into the gown -- the powerful contraction that followed urging him closer. There was not much he could do, despite the need to, but he stood by her side and forced himself to be the kind of support system she was seeking. Swallowing his own fears and concerns. Time had slowed down, or at least it felt as such for KJ as they waited in the room afterward, the nurse coming along explaining how things would unfold. "How long does that usually take?" he questioned when she announced how many centimeters were left in order for them to proceed. "I know not everyone's the same, aye. But you could probably like give us an idea." His hold on Camila's hand tightened slightly as he looked her way with a small smile, reassuring her once more of his presence.

Cami: Watching the nurse’s face as KJ questioned how long it would take for Camila to get to 10 centimeters, she knew there was no real answer. Not even an idea of an answer to appease the redhead. “I’m afraid it’s hard to tell, some women progress rather quickly and for some, it can take hours,” she explained. “The anesthesiologist will be by soon and then I’ll be back in to check on how you’re progressing, in the meantime, you could try walking around the room to maybe speed up the process” she added with a soft smile, leaving the couple and her mother alone again. KJ’s hand was wrapped tight around her own and she brought it up to her mouth to press a kiss to it. “She’ll get here when she gets here, baby, there’s not much we can do about it,” she whispered, feeling surprisingly calm for the first time since her water had broken. Another contraction came and her hands tightened around her stomach, once it passed through her she lay back in the bed, taking a few deep breaths. “Is Papi on his way?” she asked her mother, hoping to distract herself from the pain. Her mother nodded, explaining he was on his way with KJ’s father and once she got the epidural they could each visit her one by one if she wanted them to. “Let’s try walking around the room while we wait,” she suggested, pushing herself up and taking KJ’s hands to guide herself off the bed. She knew that there wouldn’t be much walking happening after the epidural and at that point, she might want to take a nap, so this was the time to get up and active. Holding on tight to KJ’s hand and arm they slowly began to walk around the room as Camila practiced her breathing in between contractions as well as during them. They walked around for a good 20 minutes or so, pausing only when she would experience a contraction. The anesthesiologist still hadn’t come for the epidural so her mom went to go get her some water to drink which left the couple alone for the first time since he’d kissed her goodbye this morning.

KJ: There was an obvious disappointed expression painting itself on his face as the doctor gave him the kind of answer he had clearly not been waiting for -- yet had expected in some way. KJ had been a dutiful pupil during the pregnancy, reading carefully through the one book Camila had gotten for him as a present and she had swore would be easy enough for him to retain the most important information. Right as always, of course. But he had hoped their doctor could give them an inkling of the time they might have to spend in this room; she knew them better than a book that was bound to generalize most situations. He simply nodded to acknowledge the words she had uttered before directing his attention toward his fiancée once more when she addressed him. "I know, babe. It was worth a try though, aye." he chuckled with a sheepish smile before helping her out when it became clear she needed to do more than just lay around -- at least until the anesthesiologist would come along for the epidural. Thankfully the room was spacious enough for them to make long strides and not feel as if they were lions trapped in a cage. As her mother left minutes later in order to get Camila a bottle of water, the redhead leaned his body against the nearest wall; allowing his fiancée to rest her heavy frame upon his strong one. They had been pacing this space for over twenty minutes now and with how stressful the morning had been, they both deserved a little break. "Remember sex is pretty damn efficient, babe. I'd take you right now-- like this. Ain't ever seen you this sexy." he teased with a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, his fingers tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear while his thumb grazed along the pink tint adorning her cheek. "Ask me to get you preggo again. I betcha you're gonna want me to avoid cumming inside of you for a while." A soft laugh flew past his lips as he tilted her head to look into her eyes. Needing to see her smile in this moment.

Cami: As KJ leaned his body against the nearest wall, allowing Camila the chance to lean into him. The laugh that flew from her lips at his words was a welcomed sound in the space that they occupied. It felt good to laugh after the stress of the morning. “Sorry to disappoint, babe, but I think that window of opportunity has been closed. I appreciate you calling me sexy though,” she whispered, closing her eyes as he tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear and let his thumb graze against her cheek. “We’re not having any more babies anytime soon,” she giggled again this time the smile on her face grew as he tilted her head to look into his eyes. “You’re crazy, Keneti,” she breathed out, gasping slightly as another contraction had her almost doubling over in front of him. “Fuck,” she called out, moaning in pain in response to the tightening in her stomach. “I need that epidural,” she whined, burying her face in her fiancé’s neck as her mother reentered the room. “I just spoke with the anesthesiologist in the hall, he’ll be right in,” the older woman spoke in a calming tone which was just what Camila needed right now. “You should keep walking around until he’s here because you won’t really be allowed out of bed after they give you the epidural,” her mother added, flashing a sympathetic smile KJ’s way. Camila gripped his hand and continued to pace the floor of the birthing suite. 10 minutes and one contraction later, a middle-aged man entered the room ready to administer the epidural. Making her way to the bed with KJ’s help, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips before they wheeled her off to the labor and delivery room down the hall. KJ followed beside her and her mom was behind them carrying Camila’s hospital bag. Once they were settled in the new room, the raven-haired girl sat straight up so they could put the epidural into her spine. She winced at the feeling of the needle, but other than that it was mostly painless in her opinion. The doctor explained that it would take about 20 minutes for the full effect to set in, but she should be good to go. Camila thanked him before laying back in the bed to help herself relax. 

KJ: It was without a doubt the best view he had gotten to witness all day, aside from very early that same morning when he had kissed Camila goodbye and her tired self had mumbled the three words that never failed to make his heart skip a beat. Seeing her smile at him right now, along with the laugh she had graced him with, almost made him forget exactly why they were here in the first place. "Damn. Can't believe I passed right by that window and didn't jump in." he muttered with an exaggerated frown, unable to hide the amusement still etched on his features. But like a blink of an eye, the sweet moment was cut short when another contraction hit her like a bowling strike -- fast and sharp. He was quick to hold her closer than previously, the hand lingering on the small of her back gently massaging the naked flesh he was able to get in contact with through the gown she was wearing. "It's gonna be fine, babe. You've heard your mum, aye. He'll be there soon and then things will be so much better." It all seemed rather futile as the words tumbled from his mouth in a comforting manner, but his fiancée seemed to appreciate them nonetheless. As another person stepped into the room after a dozen more back and forth strides, KJ carefully watched the way he attended to Camila -- staying alert in case she needed him to intervene. It somehow made him feel useful, to know there was a possibility she might need him for something. Anything. "Do you want a magazine? I could like check if they've got Cosmo or whatever other girly shit you like to read." he suggested, having caught sight of a kiosk ealier in the hallway they had gone through. "I was thinking of getting something for myself and your mum will be right here-- plus I ain't going far. You'll see me come back running to see firsthand your drugged self." He chuckled softly, the sound too contagious for her to resist. Just as he had planned. "Or I can stay with you. Tell me what you need, baby and it's yours."

Cami: The epidural was already starting to slowly settle into her system as soon as the doctor left the room. Camila couldn’t help the lazy smile she sent KJ’s way at his suggestion to find a magazine to help occupy her time. She stifled a yawn as he chuckled. “I might end up taking a nap, since I sure as hell won’t be sleeping during delivery,” she giggled, reaching out her hand to give his a squeeze. “Go find yourself something to eat and check in with our family,” she added with a smile, even though they weren’t all officially family just yet it felt like they’d all been one big happy family since the moment he’d asked her to be his wife and they’d found out she was pregnant. Camila was hopeful that after a nap, she’d be farther along in dilation and they could get Rachel, Lili, and Cole over to the hospital before Talia’s arrival. Now that her contractions were less intense thanks to the epidural, she’d be able to sleep for at least a couple of hours. Camila pulled his hand to her mouth, pressing a kiss to his knuckles before sending him on his way to get some food in his system and to check in with their family. Her mom appeared in the seat he had occupied, running her fingers through her daughter's hair and singing to her in a whisper just like she had when the raven-haired girl was a child and she’d woken up from a bad dream. Camila drifted off, scooting closer to one side of the bed so KJ could slide in behind her when he got back. Before they knew it, Talia would be gracing them with her presence and their whole worlds would be turned completely upside down. In these final quiet moments of their world being mainly the two of them, she wanted him as close to her as possible. 

KJ: Two sandwiches and a couple of snacks later, KJ had made his way back to Camila as quietly as possible — sliding in the bed she was laying upon with his hand instinctively settling on her belly. The months had passed them by and everything had seemed more real during that time, but not as much as in this moment. They were going to have a baby. A little human being who would seek their attention in a way nothing else ever had before; someone who was going to count on them no matter what. “Did you see your dad? He was looking for you.“ Lifting his head as the words reached his ears, he smiled at Camila’s mom and nodded, having seen the older male previously while he had been devouring a sandwich. “They went home to get me a change of clothes— I’m just not sure I’ll have time for that.“ The redhead was after all still dressed as Archie Andrews, but it was the least of his worries. His primary focus was Camila and their daughter — not the fact that this could literally be a scene taken straight out of an episode of Riverdale. A knock on the door made him jump slightly and carefully extracting himself from the embrace he was in, KJ got on his feet only to be greeted by the nurse that had been assigned to them and was nice enough to allow him to properly wake his fiancée up from her nap. “Hey, baby. The nurse is back.“ he whispered softly as he hovered above the bed, gently massaging her scalp and smiling when her eyes fluttered open — meeting his own tiredly. As they waited while she checked how dilated Camila was by now, hands clasped together tightly, he raised his eyebrows when she looked back at them with a wide grin; keeping quiet for a handful of seconds that seemed ever lasting. “Ready to have this baby?“ He scoffed lightly at the words, more surprised than anything before a grin of his own found place on his features. Brown eyes skimming back to Camila in acknowledgement of what was currently happening. This was it. The moment they had been waiting for. “Ready.”

Cami: She’d slept for at least two hours and it was now mid-afternoon. Waking up to the gentle sound of KJ’s voice brought a tired smile to her face. Camila felt his fingers gently massaging her scalp which relaxed her even more, but she perked up a bit when his words reached her brain. Sitting up in the bed, Camila moved her legs so the nurse could see how dilated she was now that she had slept for a couple of hours, clutching KJ’s hand tightly in anticipation. What the nurse revealed to them wasn’t what she had been expecting. The raven-haired girl had assumed the laboring process would’ve last longer, but to her surprise the nurse was grinning at the both of them and asking if they were ready to have this baby. A look of panic washed over Camila’s face as she sought out her mom. “It’s now or never meu amor,” she whispered, joining them at her side. Her face found KJ’s in that moment — dressed head to toe like Archie Andrews which made her laugh, her eyes sought out his and she nodded her head. “Ready,” she breathed out at the same time as the word fell from his lips. The nurse paged the doctor and other team members that would be helping in the delivery process. Tears formed in Camila’s eyes as she looked from her mom to her fiancé, “We’re going to meet our baby girl,” she whispered as they transitioned the bed into a birthing bed by removing the end. The doctor explained that they would try some practice pushes before the real thing, stating that when it was time they’d count to 10 during each push so she knew when to stop and taken a break. Camila’s mom propped up one of her legs as a nurse took the other. KJ stood right up by her head, holding her hand next to the nurse who had a hold of her leg. After a few practice pushes the doctor informed them it was time to begin. “When you feel a contraction you need to push, Cami,” she explained with a smile. Camila nodded her head and focused in on her breathing, gripping the sheet of the bed as she felt a contraction, bearing down with all of her strength as they encouraged her to push.

KJ: The emotions surrounding them took the best of him, tears pooling in his eyes as he leaned forward to press his forehead against the side of her head -- breathing in the comforting scent of the perfume she hadn't failed to put on despite the events of the day. KJ couldn't help but chuckle softly as it invaded his nostrils, appeasing him better than any medicine or pep talk ever could. There were many things that he wanted to say, but most of the words were caught up in his throat and unable to come out. Which is why he settled for simply being quiet and listening intently to the new people that had stepped into the room. He watched anxiously as everything started to unfold before his gaze; regrettably letting go of Camila's hand when the nurse moved his way but quickly reaching out for her once more as soon as she was in place. The hold on her hand strong and firm -- giving her all the support and strength she needed to give birth to their daughter. First came what they had deemed as practice pushes, although he didn't truly understand the need for them in the first place. Still, he kept quiet regarding the matter and focused on his fiancée; gauging her reaction to every new command or motion. Acting like the bodyguard she clearly didn't need but would nonetheless do anything for her. The next contraction came along and it took everything in him to stay put by her side. She seemed to be in so much pain from one push that he couldn't imagine having to go through this a dozen more times in order for Talia's little frame to come out. "You're doing great, babe." he tentatively uttered in a shaky breath, being as lost as he looked on how to proceed. "She'll be there in no time, aye. Just a few more like this and that'll be it-- right?" The last word was directed at her mom as he seeked some kind of reassurance that would not only help Camila but himself. But all she offered him was a tilt of her head before she spoke to her daughter once more. Shit.

Cami: When preparing for this day, Camila had read that the pressure she’d feel building up down there would still be painful even with the epidural and that was for sure the case right now. Even after just one push, she felt completely exhausted. When the doctor had counted to ten she laid back on the bed, sweat already building up on her chest and forehead. Her mom wiped at her head with a damp washcloth, brushing her hair behind her ear to comfort her. KJ’s nervous tone almost made her cry, knowing how worried he was. But then she felt the overwhelming need to push again and she didn’t feel so bad for him anymore. Gripping the sheet again and squeezing her fiancé’s hand tight, Camila pushed as hard as she could, closing her eyes as if that would make it feel better. After ten minutes of pushing and laying back in the bed, exhausted, the doctor told her they were starting to see their daughters head. It felt like she’d been pushing forever, but it also seemed to be flying by. One of the nurses asked if she wanted a mirror to see her daughter coming out, they added that this might encourage her to push harder when it started to wear her out, as if it wasn’t wearing her out already. Camila nodded her head and they brought a full length mirror not a second later. When she felt the urge to push again, they were all cheering her on to start getting Talia’s head out, she could see exactly what was going on as she kept her eyes open through the pushing. “This sucks, this sucks, this sucks,” she cried out. “I just want to be done, I can’t do this...” she whined, looking from KJ to her mom. She laid back on the bed before they’d even gotten to ten, gripping KJ’s hand. When he tried to encourage her she just grumbled at him. “Fuck you, you did this to meeee...” she groaned.

KJ: The time spent in the room felt endless as they went through the same motions relentlessly in hopes of witnessing Talia's head making her way out. Soothing words and an iron grip were all KJ could offer currently -- his eyes venturing from the doctor to his fiancée each time there was another push. Hoping deep down this would be the one that would finally allow them to move forward. Unfortunately for Camila, the minutes passed them by without any break through. The exhaustion etched on her beautiful features breaking his heart. "It's okay, baby. It's okay, you can do this. I've got you." he whispered in a defeated tone despite his best efforts to appear hopeful regarding their situation. Though he mostly felt like a liar with each sentence that flew past his lips. After what had felt like an eternity, their daughter felt inclined to acknowledge the fact that people were awaiting her arrival and decided to grace them with the top of her head; something he was able to witness along with the rest when a mirror was placed before Camila's lower body; the sight leaving him speechless. The redhead was torn between being so amazed at being able to see this little bundle of joy on her way to them and the fact that he was actually looking at a baby coming out of a vagina. His baby though, and that alone made all the difference. "No, no-- you're too close, babe. You can't give up now, she's right here." he frantically told her when she felt like giving up, squeezing her hand tighter to share more of his strength. The answer he got regarding his encouraging words was not expected, but it left a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. With a sharp laugh, KJ leaned forward close to her ear in order to give them more privacy, even if he was quite aware anyone in the room could hear them anyway. "Fucking you won't help much right now, babe. But in six weeks..." he trailed off, pressing his lips against her cheek before seeking her gaze. "Let's welcome our daughter, aye."

Cami: The laugh that fell from her fiancé’s mouth after she had cursed at him almost had her shooting daggers his way before he was leaning down in an attempt to whisper something to her. “Keneti!” she exclaimed, glancing over to her mother who had definitely heard what he had to say. Camila couldn’t be mad at him though when he was pressing his lips against her cheek and laughing like an idiot. A quiet chuckle escaped her own lips before she got serious again, looking into his eyes with a look of determination on her face. “Yes, let’s welcome our daughter,” she repeated, taking a deep breath before bearing down once more with all of her might. “Almost there, Cami, one more big push and her head will be out,” the doctor explained. One look at the mirror was all the inspiration Camila needed to bear down once more when she felt the urge to push. Everyone was cheering her on and even though it hurt, she knew that there would only need to be about five more minutes of pain for a lifetime of happiness with their baby. As she fell back against the bed to catch her breath, she looked at KJ with the biggest smile on her face. “We’re going to meet our baby,” she whispered, squeezing his hand as he helped her take a sip from her cup of water. Just a few minutes later the doctor was explaining that she’d probably be able to get their baby out with one final push. Soon enough there would be a little tiny version of herself and KJ laying on her chest. The thought brought tears to her eyes as she leaned forward to push one last time. Letting out a groan as she felt and watched their baby emerge completely from her safe and warm home for the last nine months, into this bright new world. “Oh my god, oh my god,” she cried as the doctor pulled Talia up to show her off. “It’s a girl!” she exclaimed, handing the screaming baby to a nurse to place on Camila’s bare chest. “Kaje, it’s our baby…” she whispered, wrapping her arms around the tiny little human squirming around on her chest.

KJ: He couldn't explain where such bold words had come from when her mom was literally right next to them, but it had felt right in that moment -- as if it was exactly what he needed to say in order to bring Camila back onto the right track. The atmosphere surrounding them had been so heavy for too long, and they needed that little spark once more. It warmed his soul to see her chuckle once she had gotten over the fact that her mother was present and the determined look on her face was everything he had hoped for. A promise she wouldn't give up when their future was within reach. As he looked up and met his mother in law's gaze, a deep blush crept his neck and spread across his cheeks; the embarrassment finally getting to him. Though he rapidly directed his attention back to his fiancée and willed his mind to focus on the one thing that mattered the most. It was as if a new breath of life had surged through her as she pushed yet again; giving it her all until a powerful cry made the world stop altogether. The redhead could only look on as a tiny human being was held up, his heart hammering against his chest the way it usually did for the one person it was beating for. Never in his life had he seen such perfection -- seemingly so fragile and small as she was comfortably settled on Camila's chest. He was almost afraid of getting too close, of doing something that could hurt her in any way. "It's our baby." he finally breathed out as a tear came running down his cheek, others following suit before he wiped them away with a quiet laugh. "You've got one job, dad. Here-- take this." KJ was caught off guard by the nurse addressing him until he was holding the scissors in his hand, remembering what had to be done. Despite the nerves, the process was easy and quick -- soon enough all that was left was to properly greet their little girl. And he did just as such as he leaned forward and brushed his fingers over the dark hair on her head. "Welcome to the world, Talia Lua Apa."

Cami: Looking from KJ to the tiny human on her chest, Camila’s eyes flooded with tears as she watched one silent tear fall from the redhead's eyes, many more following suit. “Our baby…” she whispered, running her finger across their daughter's features, admiring everything about her. The look of pride on her fiancé’s face as he cut the cord made her heart swell and soon enough he was properly greeting their little angel. Hearing her full name out loud for the first time and watching as KJ brushed his fingers over the dark hair on her head, Camila felt completely on top of the world. Everything leading up to this moment had been worth it, it was truly the hardest thing Camila had ever done, but it had given her this precious life to take care of for the rest of her life. The raven-haired girl's mother had taken a step back to let the happy couple enjoy this special moment with their daughter, but she made her way back over once things seemed to have settled down. “Hey mama, meet your neta,” Camila whispered, using the Portuguese word for granddaughter to introduce the two. Watching her own mom reach out her hand to hold Talia’s little one made Camila’s heart soar even more. She could already tell that introducing Talia to their friends and family was going to be so exciting. A nurse reluctantly reappeared to interrupt the sweet moment, “The doctor needs to get your daughter cleaned up and you stitched up,” she explained to which Camila nodded her head and looked over at KJ as they took Talia from her chest. “I love you,” she whispered, puckering her lips so he would lean over for a kiss before following the nurses with Talia. Camila’s mother stayed by her side as the doctor checked for tearing and began to work on stitching her up explaining that the stitches would dissolve in one to two weeks.

KJ: There was nothing else in this world that mattered more as he kept on gently trailing his fingers along her scalp, marveling at just how soft and tiny she appeared to be. His hand almost as big as her little head. Love at first sight wasn't foreign to him -- it was only fitting that such event had happened with the two girls he was currently looking at. While Camila introduced Talia to her mother, he used his free hand to softly tuck the damp strands of hair behind her ear; the exhaustion still present on her features although there was an undeniable glow that widened the smile etched on his lips. Happiness had never looked so good on a person before. He was almost tempted to ask for more time together when the nurse came along to take Talia away, but held himself back from sounding too needy. They would get their moment soon enough, but that didn't mean he had to stay away altogether. Pulling back to follow them, he quickly looked back at his fiancée and gave her a firm nod -- a silent promise that he would make sure she was in good hands. "I love you." he whispered in kind, a lingering peck following suit before he left her side. It was with arms crossed, making his frame even more impressive, that the redhead kept watch over the numerous tasks the nurses were assigned to regarding his daughter; ignoring the teasing words thrown his way for taking this so seriously. Once he was certain she would find her way back to Camila, he swiftly walked out of the room and to the waiting area to find their loved ones either pacing or talking amongst themselves. "Waiting for someone?" he asked playfully, a deep chuckle rumbling in his throat as he was tackled from every side with so many questions. "Cami's good and the baby too. She's just-- beautiful, aye. So perfect." There was no shame in how smitten he already was and from the looks of it, despite not meeting her yet, they all felt the same way. "We're gonna take some time together first and then we'll come get you."

Cami: Watching as KJ followed the nurses, arms crossed, already being the most protective dad ever, Camila couldn’t help but smile. This was a role he was truly born to play and she was so thankful to have a part in it with him. The stitching up didn’t take too long and before she knew it, KJ had left to go announce Talia’s arrival to their friend and family in the waiting room while her mom also slipped out. The nurses placed Talia in a little baby bed and whisked both off them off to the birthing suite where Camila had been only a few hours before when her daughter was still inside of her and the world hadn’t looked as bright. Now there was this tiny little beaming light in her life that she swore to protect every day. Once they were settled in the room, a nurse placed Talia in Camila’s waiting arms letting her know that in an hour or so a lactation consultant would be in to help her nurse. The raven haired girl thanked her and then sat quietly with her daughter while they waited for KJ to return. She would’ve been lying if she’d said she wasn’t exhausted, but there was also this random burst of energy within her after that final push when their daughter had entered the world. Looking down at her daughter with tired eyes, she pressed a kiss to her smooth forehead, so thankful that she was finally here. When KJ entered the room, there was this look of pure love on his face that made her heart melt. “Look Tal, your daddy’s back,” she whispered, propping the baby up in her arms so her fiancé could get a good look at her. “I think it’s time he holds you in those big strong arms of his, what do you think baby girl?” she added with a smile, leaning forward to offer the little girl up into his arms and reaching for her phone at her bedside to take a video and some pictures.

KJ: After departing from the waiting area, KJ had stopped by the gift shop and gotten a small teddy bear that Talia could probably hold onto -- something that would watch over her just as much as her parents would. A souvenir of this memorable day that was her birth. Knuckles raking along the surface of the door when he reached the suite they had occupied earlier, he popped his head in with a bright grin; brown eyes settling on the heartfelt sight of Camila holding their daughter. "Missed me?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow playfully before slowly separating the distance between them. The bear hidden behind his back. Daddy. The word had been used in many different circumstances that were far from innocent, but right now it had another meaning altogether. This little human being that had been brought into the world would one day call him as such and he already couldn't wait to hear it from her. When his fiancée urged him to take Talia into his arms, the redhead finally revealed the present he had grabbed earlier -- chuckling softly as he let it plop down onto Camila's lap before reaching carefully for their daughter. Every motion was done in slow motion and for a brief moment, he held his breath; gauging her reaction while he held her close to his chest. Eyes full of wonder and joy. "She's really a mini you, aye. Look at her-- so beautiful. Am I doing okay? I ain't hurting her like that, right?" KJ couldn't help but be fearful of doing the wrong thing, though there was nonetheless an ease that washed over him as he kept her in his arms. Soon enough, it felt as if he had done this his entire life. As if his arms had been made for this precise moment. "If you scoot over a little bit, we could join you on the bed." he suggested, taking his eyes away from Talia for the first time ever since she had been placed in his arms. The expression crossing his features blatantly showing just how much love and gratitude he held for his fiancée. The mother of his child.

Cami: As KJ finally revealed whatever he was clutching behind his back, Camila couldn’t help the smile on her face as the teddy bear landed in her lap. “Daddy brought you your first present, baby girl,” she cooed, stroking Talia’s cheek as she placed the baby in the redhead's arms. As he gently took her in his arms with so much love and care, Camila could feel her heart bursting at the sight of her two favorite humans together for the first time. As he held their daughter close to his chest, Camila noticed he still had not changed out of his Archie Andrews clothes from being on set earlier in the day. “I hope you haven’t wreck Archie’s clothes,” she giggled, watching as he didn’t take his eyes off of Talia. It was so sweet to watch him look at their little girl who was already such a perfect mixture of the two of them. “A mini-me? You think so?” she whispered with as her cheeks turned rosy from blushing at his compliment. No matter how many times he told her she was beautiful it always reminded her of the first time and she always blushed. “You’re doing great, baby,” she replied when his voice turned just a little bit panicky. “She’s so safe in your arms,” she added, taking a few more pictures, reminding herself to share them with their family later on. At his next suggestion, Camila slowly moved over, taking her time because she was still sore from the events of the morning and afternoon. “You mean I get to cuddle my two babies?” she gasped, smiling as he finally looked up from Talia to glance at her. As KJ carefully sat down beside her, Camila leaned her head on his shoulder as Talia looked up at both of them, her eyes were moving all over because newborns weren’t really able to focus until they were at least 2 or 3 months old. She almost looked a little cross-eyed which made Camila giggle. “My cuties,” she breathed out, leaning forward to press a kiss to Talia’s cheek and then one to KJ’s. The raven-haired girl pulled out her phone again to take a few selfies of the three of them before putting it away to enjoy a moment of silence with her little family. “This is truly the best day of my life,” she whispered, looking at KJ with tears in her eyes.

KJ: As Camila shuffled on the bed where she was currently resting, allowing enough room for him to slip in, he did just as such — slowly sitting down on the mattress with Talia still fitting perfectly in his arms. She had been crying like a champion earlier but had been pretty quiet ever since; only soft sounds tumbling from her mouth as she got accustomed to the world surrounding her. “Already a legend, aye.” he whispered, eyes fluttering closed for a brief second as his fiancée’s lips found their way to his cheek. Never had he felt this content in life. With both of his loves as they shared the kind of moment they had talked about so many times during the pregnancy. When everything would finally fall into place and their little family would be complete — at least for the time being. KJ couldn’t help but chuckle to himself at the thought of bringing up the idea of more kids when the experience was still so fresh. Especially for Camila. Not that it would prevent him to joke about it at some point during the day. Though right now all he wanted to do was to bask in the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him. The words she spoke prompted his brown eyes to meet her own; filled with so much adoration amidst the dampness. “Mine too. But it’s only the beginning, babe.” Finding her lips, the redhead softly kissed her, brushing their lips in lazy motions before drawing her closer against his side as he wrapped his arm around her form. There was nowhere else he wished to be as the three of them embraced each other without a care in the world — turning a page in order to reach the next chapter of their lives together.