#so why shouldn't it be the same in mexico?

[icannotgetoverbirds]

vent

yet again out here wishing i'd grown up with some semblance of hispanic culture in my family instead of a monolith of mormonism

[cochart]

One thing that struck me as interesting recently is the almost unreasonable trust people have for ChatGPT.

Recently, I ran across a Youtube video where the creator was talking about how she asked ChatGPT this and that and how convenient it was. This was strange to me as a simple Google search is able to do the same thing.

For example, this is what I get when I search a question "Is Rigel hotter than Betelgeuse?" Google tells me that indeed Rigel is hotter than Betelgeuse. It also tells me that the info comes from the New Mexico State University website which I'd say is pretty trustworthy. So I don't see how using ChatGPT to ask such questions is easier or faster.

But there is a difference--that difference being that with ChatGPT, you're being "told" the information. Basically, you feel more catered to. When you use Google search, you feel like you're foraging for information. When you use ChatGPT, you feel like you have an assistant. There is a feeling of having something mysteriously intelligent answering your question for you.

I've also seen people who post delighted screenshots of ChatGPT telling them something they wanted to hear whether it's a snarky remark about their ex-boyfriend or a smart-ish commentary on sexism. People are free to find enjoyment in anything as long as it doesn't hurt other people, but what I found so interesting was how happy these people were that it was ChatGPT that told them this or that. It's one thing to feel happy and encouraged by a specific engineer you admire saying that she wishes for a future where more women enter STEM, but why does it matter if a machine-learning algorithm spews out a sentence--probably synthesized from millions of words it scraped from people who said something similar--that you like? How is it more meaningful than, say, a fortune you randomly drew?

Here's fortune that I drew. It's from Kanda Shrine if I remember correctly. It says I'm very lucky moneywise. My friend made fun of me saying that the fortune was correct because I didn't find any merch I wanted on that day which meant I spent much less than I planned to. Anyway, ChatGPT saying whatever means no more to me than a random fortune I can buy from a shrine. I'd even say it means less than a fortune from a shrine since a shrine at least has some cultural significance. Also, it might mean something for spiritual people (Perhaps ChatGPT fans are techno-spiritual?)

My conclusion is that we shouldn't let techbros fool us into thinking that these algorithmic tools are intelligent in any capacity. The language surrounding these tools treat them as though they're independent, intelligent entities which they're not. I know a lot of my followers--you Tolkien fans--are passionate about language, so you'd know what I'm talking about. Language is a powerful tool. Right now, it's being used to mask the theft and lies of these tech capitalists. But we shouldn't let ourselves be fooled.

[everydayyoulovemeless]

New Vegas companions (+ulysses)with a teen Courier? Like how they treat the teen and such

FNV Companions (+Ulysses) With A Teen!Courier

➼ Word Count » 1.3k ➼ Warnings » None ➼ Genre » Platonic

Boone's not entirely keen on the idea of traveling with someone so young. He feels that you shouldn't be out here at all and would tell you to go home. Of course, you don't remember your home, and once you tell him as much he feels obligated to (reluctantly) take you in. For a while, it'll be you, him, and Manny hanging around in Novac, with the two of them taking turns teaching you how to snipe effectively. After a few weeks, you need to continue your path to find Benny, and Boone agrees to go with you, if nothing else, then to protect you from the horrors of the outside world. He's still set on the idea that you're way too young to be out doing things like this, but if it's something you have to do then he'd rather it be him that goes along with you than anyone who might be a bad influence on you, especially considering you've lost all you're memories. He's a reluctant father figure, who'll stop at nothing to ensure you don't fall into the hands of the Legion, or worse, die.

Arcade isn't sure why anyone who forgot how to gamble would want to travel all the way out to Vegas, let alone Freeside. You didn't even have enough money to bypass the guards to get into the Strip when you entered the Old Mormon Fort for the first time, so whatever plan you had before traveling here is lost on him. He only begins talking to you out of pity and confusion, wanting to learn more about your motivations for making such a long hike for a payout that would surely never come. His pity for you only grows, and he'll quickly agree to come along with you wherever you plan on going next. You don't seem to remember anything at all so he'll do his best to reeducate you on the basics. Medicine, survival, reading, he'll cover them all in due time. He truly does feel guilty that you, some kid from who knows where, got caught up in such a large mess of things, and hopes that by staying with you he can make up for the acts this world has committed against you. He sees a bit of himself in you: a lost kid with no more home or family to turn to, no one to confide in, and he hopes to one day take on that familial role for you.

Raul can't help but feel a little bit embarrassed that he had to be saved by a kid with brain damage, but either way, he's happy to be able to leave Black Mountain. He'll follow you out of a mixture of gratitude and curiosity as you remind him a lot of himself back when he still lived in Mexico City. That being said, he is just the tiniest bit overprotective over you. He'd hate it if you ended up with the same fate as his family and would stop at nothing to ensure he never has to go through something like that again. The longer you travel together, the more he feels like he's found a younger sibling to watch over again. He'll tease you and generally be his sarcastic self, but he's definitely a lot softer on you than he would if you'd been an adult. He almost feels as if it's his responsibility to help raise you and keep you alive and healthy, and that's exactly what he ends up doing.

Lily would consider it to be a downright sin for her to just let you wander around on your own! So, whether you agree to it or not, she'll become your full-time grandma throughout the rest of your travels. She's just as doting to you as she would be to any of her other grandchildren and always makes a point to check in on your health and overall well-being. Grandma couldn't have her little pumpkin sad or starving now, could she? That being said, she does her best to fit in the occasional home cooking she's so famous for back in Jacobstown. Not much really changes with Lily. She's still the sweet, old grandma who adopts you regardless of everything, the only real difference being that she's more stubborn with coming along with you. Kids shouldn't be out and about without any chaperon, after all!

Cass doesn't really have much of an opinion on it. You're a kid, so what? Everyone around you was a kid at some point. She does, however, have a small soft spot for teens who aren't afraid of what the waste has to offer, and you've had to make it all the way out to the Mojave Outpost from somewhere, haven't you? She'll pat the barstool beside her, gesturing for you to come and sit down before (secretly) sliding you a glass of whiskey that the two of you share. She wants you to start from the beginning: what are you doing here? And where are your parents? She grows to respect you quite quickly and finds herself feeling some kind of connection with you. Maybe it's because you're a lot rowdier than most others your age, maybe it's 'cause of how unbothered you appear, or maybe it's the determined way you carry yourself? Either way, she's taking her place beside you to get revenge on whoever was fucked up enough to try and kill a kid.

Veronica gets a bit excited when she sees a teen approaching her at the 188 Trading Post. She thinks you're the cutest thing and would love to come along! She's constantly thinking up outfits she thinks you'd look great in, just little accessories here and there to really spice up the 'vengeful vibe' you seem to be going for. She's like the sister you never had, or at least never remembered having, and she takes that role very seriously. You need dating advice? She's your girl to go to. Want to be a better fighter? Allow her, you're amazing new best friend, to offer you some pointers. You want a group to back you up? She'll bother the Brotherhood for as long as she needs before you're accepted into their bunker. Honestly, she couldn't have asked for a better person to come along and break her out of her boredom. The two of you will cause problems like no other, but that only means you both know how to have fun and make the most of your situations.

Ulysses holds a lot less resentment toward you as he believes you're naivety was abused by the NCR. That being said, when you come wandering into the Divide, he definitely puts it in your head that the NCR isn't any good and that you're a victim to this world as much as he, and the rest of the Divide, were. He'll try to brainwash you into viewing the world the same way he does: a cold and heartless mess. He takes you under his wing in a sense, raising you to be a strong and determined warrior against both the NCR and the Legion. He's invested so much energy and thought into you that he feels it'd almost be a waste if he doesn't. If you decide you're not going to follow his path and carve your own, he wouldn't have any qualms about fighting you the same way he would had you been an adult, he'd just feel it'd be a misuse in potential. He'd be a mentor figure to you, a dangerous and smart one, but a teacher nonetheless. There's no room for compromise, and he'll turn you both into a two-man army to ruin the two flags that run rampant throughout the Mojave.

[saltofmercury]

Hey friend! Can I request TF 141 + Alejandro overhearing their s/o talking to a friend and saying they feel like the boys are out of their league? Just some angst with fluff ending :)

There’s a stuffy atmosphere around the bar. Loud music plays, boisterous laughter echoes from across the room, a group of women are dancing in one corner, sticky countertops underneath your elbows, there’s some shuffling going around you, but you’re held tight by someone. 

You’re definitely on your third drink by now, there’s some swaying in your step, and a lot of liquid courage —as you can tell from the way your lips are attached to Alejandro’s neck. 

He never complains though, time spent with you is precious. It’s so sacred that he refuses to fight. He refuses to let the small things get to him. The destination from you to Mexico is enough. 

You crane your neck around him, standing on your tippy toes to search for your friend. It’s been a long night, you want to make sure they’re okay or even still here. They seem in distress, trying to get away from some clearly intoxicated girl who latches on like they’ve known each other forever. 

“Excuse me” you say, and make your way down toward them.

“Come on, let’s go, we need to sober up” you say, reaching your palm out and yanking them up.

“Honestly, I don’t know why I even started talking to that girl.” your friend says. 

You guys head back where Alejandro is with his friends, but there’s someone else there. A woman who has clearly snaked her way trying to get his attention. He’s not interested, but she’s a little too close to him for your liking. As soon as you approach them, he’s walking towards you, selectively shoving the girl aside to come to you.

But this isn’t the first time it’s happened. There’s a lot of feelings rushing inside you– mixed feelings. Perhaps it’s the alcohol you’ve been drinking, but your jealousy is mistaken with envy. 

The rest of the night you’re quiet, your lips aren’t attached to his neck, and he can feel something is wrong with you.

“Are you alright?” he asks over the music.

“I’m fine.” you say. Then let him know you’re going to talk to your friend outside. 

The cool breeze hits you guys, just like the word vomit you’re about to spill to your friend.

“It’s unreal.” you start. Every single time it happens.

Your friend has been wondering what shifted your mood, but she’s not ready to hear the unraveling of what’s been weighing on your chest.

“It’s just so typical that women always gravitate towards him. It’s like they know he’s in the army or something because it’s always some girl with her dog tags showing and trying to compare hers with his.”

Your friend nods her head, unsure as to why it bothered you. It didn’t seem like a big deal.

You don’t notice him coming outside before you spill your true feelings.

“God, you know it just makes me feel like I don't deserve him. Like he’s out of my league or something because we’re clearly not in the same field.”

“So that’s what you think?” he startles both you and your friend. Your friend makes it known this is a more personal matter, saying she’s going to go find Rudy.

The alcohol you’ve been drinking makes another appearance in your personality.

“YES you clearly can talk with people from the military, have things in common with them, but when it comes to someone regular like me it’s like you–”

He stops you for a second, approaches you, and then sighs loudly.

“I really hate when you talk like that because once you think that way, it becomes a thing of comparing yourself to a person I barely talk to. Do you seriously think I was even interested in her?”

You bite your tongue, rolling your eyes, and try to fight back but he cuts you off again.

“I’m not starting with this. Let’s go home.” He seems pretty pissed off. But the reality is, the special time you guys have together shouldn't be wasted on fights.

You approach the bed of his truck and you can feel like you’ve ruined the night.

The car ride home is quiet, and he can’t take it anymore. He pulls over to the side of the road.

“Do you think I drive thousands of miles to come talk to other women?” He's staring off into the road, cars whooshing by.

Silence.

“I don’t care how clingy or pretty another girl is, i’m here for you”

He sighs, grabs your face in his hands.

“When you say things like I'm out of your league, or I would go better with someone in my field, I don't want anyone from my field. I want you. I hope you know that amor.”

You nod your head. “I’m sorry.” you whisper.

He kisses you softly, then bursts into laughter.

“How could you think I wanted that old lady?" He laughs again.

"She showed me her dog tags and she was at least 20 years older than me!"

[soft-and-bitter]

maybe you could be the one (3)

Chris Evans x Personal Assistant!Reader

Part 1 Part 2

You try figuring out what to do next after Chris goes and publicly admits that he needs you more than anything. Worse, he isn't done just yet.

Word Count: 1.9k

If you enjoyed this, please consider reblogging or leaving some feedback, thanks! ❤

Despite your close proximity to Chris, few actually take notice of you. That's no accident on your part, though. In your opinion, it's one of the reasons why you've done well in the role thus far and partly why you might've landed the job somewhat precipitously in the first place: you really know how to sink into the background. Your clothing is professional but terribly non-descript, with only the barest hint of a family heirloom peaking out beyond your collar; your makeup, while deftly applied, is minimal. The message is clear: Chris is the star of the show. Period. Any member of staff, especially a personal assistant, is relegated to obscurity.

So it's rather unpleasant of a surprise to feel so many pairs of eyes on you, slithering along the spine of your back, the bare surface of your forearms. People are meant to see you then forget you as soon as Chris so much as drifts into their periphery, but their lingering gazes today suggests otherwise. You've only introduced yourself to a handful of the crew members here, and never once did you actually mention that you're Chris' PA. With the way you hover about him, though, it shouldn't be too hard to put two and two together.

Even as the interview draws to a close and the last animal is ushered off the set, you're still not able to find any sign on his face whatsoever to indicate whether he's affected by his own admission; not a pause of surprise, nor a guilty frown. Nada. Chris just sails on smoothly like the seasoned celebrity he is, never once wavering, his hearty laughter infectious, his body language open and brimming with affection.

You, on the hand, are another story. Hand gripping your work phone like some talisman, you try to hide the mortification you fear might've made it onto your face, Chris' words racing through your head on an endless loop. That, and the various ways you might be able to murder him without getting caught. Throw him overboard a cruise moving through the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, maybe? Maritime laws are more lax when it comes to murder, if you're recalling correctly from that Netflix documentary you watched not so long ago...

I sure don't think I could live without her.

Did he really have to say that? More importantly, why are you so concerned he was being genuine when he did? That's the thing that bothers you: the spontaneity of it all. Well, you think it was, anyway. But was it? Who can say when dealing with an actor like him?

The set breaks into joyful applause once the cut is yelled. Like a spell broken, there's a sudden flurry of motion as crew members continue about the rest of their day; you move aside as one of the cameramen wheels his equipment across the studio. When you look back to find Chris, he's already meandered off the set with one of the animal keepers, nodding emphatically at whatever's being said.

You take a deep breath before exhaling slowly, trying to chase away the same words that keep running through your mind, the one you want to throttle Chris for. The interview's finished, you remind yourself, and most of the crew have already gone back to their day. Now it's time for you to go back to yours, especially when there's still such a long way go to before it's done.

Chris is in the middle of a hug as you approach slowly, still trying to expel any trepidation that clings to you. You pause just a few steps back while he agrees to some selfies that the remaining crew members ask for, but as soon as he catches sight of you, Chris grins widely. You feel multiple sets of eyes on you again, their gazes focused a bit too long. Damn it.

"Onward, soldier?" Chris says by way of greeting, moving towards you. In response you smile back, determined to keep it cool. Nothing to see here folks, you want to assure everyone still hovering about, only you suspect that that may pique their curiosity even further.

"Yes, onward. But hey, don't expect another menagerie at the Shangri-La. Or anywhere else, for that matter." That gets a few light chuckles out of those still remaining.

He winks at you, blue eyes sparkling with calm mischief. "Too bad. I just love it when things get freed from their cages once in a while."

Even once you're both in the SUV, heading off to the next location for the day's final stretch of press work, you hesitate to bring up what just transpired. Now that you've left Venturepop Media behind you, its main studio no larger than a spot in the rear windscreen, most of your mortification must've stayed back too. You're still mildly vexed, not to mention confused, but at least murder is no longer on your mind.

The car is charged with silence as Melvin, today's chauffeur, navigates down a street already congested. The bodyguard assigned for this leg of the tour sits beside him, wordless. You realize, a bit suddenly, that too long an unspoken moment might be dangerous; it means more time for the both of you to think about what happened. Now that you've got some of your bearings together, you realize you don't want to upset the equilibrium.

"Those animals made a mess on your shirt," you comment, sitting beside him. Your intentions aside, it's quite true.

You watch as Chris shifts his gaze downward. He pulls at an unruly cluster of red fur on his right shoulder. "What are you going to do about it?"

The SUV slows for a red light as you unzip your knapsack. The lint roller you're searching for is hidden beneath a pack of Chris' Marlboros and a tightly bundled chord for phone charging; you dig it out as the car accelerates again. "It's either this or another shirt," you respond, holding up the roller in a way not totally unlike the rubber slipper your mom used for doling out punishment when you were younger.

"Which shirt are we talking about?" he asks.

"It's the one Leland thought you'd look dynamite in until you somehow managed to talk him out of it."

"Well, looks like the universe has spoken," he says, pulling the ends of his shirt from the waistband of his pants. Before you can even protest, Chris is already pulling the yellow Gucci top over his head in the cramped space of the SUV, chest bared to you and everyone else present. Those in the front of the car say nothing. It seems they've been exposed to stranger sights just as much as you have.

You meant to suggest he change over at the Shangri-La, but the words die in your throat and you sigh quietly instead, turning in your seat to reach behind it, where a garment bag hangs from an attached hook.

"Just so you know, I meant what I said back there."

You freeze. Fuck.

Another silence prevails, this one more potent than the last. You're still facing away from him, thank god; is it possible for you to pretend you just didn't hear?

"Ditto, I think you need to say something."

Guess not.

You turn back to face him again, Chris' new shirt in your hands. "Couldn't you have just stuck with Dodger?"

He takes the shirt from you. "I could've, but you know what? I decided I didn't want to. Besides, I never mentioned you by name and you're leaving me soon, so there's nothing to worry about if you think this is going to blow up in your face or something like that. It won't."

Maybe it's the nonchalance in his tone as he speaks, but something in you tears open. Curiosity? Confusion? A bit of both? Whatever it is, it's fueling your courage rapidly.

"Chris, you just publicly admitted you can't live without me."

"And yet you're leaving anyway."

A response bubbles in your mouth, but it's a shriek that erupts from your throat instead as you land hard against Chris while the SUV makes a violent swerve, the move so sudden and heart-stopping you blank out completely, all your thoughts dropping off a mental cliff like it didn't know was there.

A car horn blares, long and obnoxious and angry; it's Melvin doing that, you realize. "This dumb asshole," you hear him curse before he looks around his headrest. "Sorry, friends," he says.

"Wouldn't mind getting to the next spot in one piece," Chris jokes, one strong wrapped protectively around your shoulder, his other hand splayed against the tinted passenger window for purchase. "You okay?" he asks, looking down at you. The hard band of his Rolex digs into your shoulder, but it also works to remind you that you're still here and alive.

Your heart pace is just beginning to normalize as you raise yourself back into an upright position, brushing off his arm. "I'm fine, thanks. Are you okay? Is the shirt okay? I won't hear the end of it from Leland if it's not."

Chris straightens his collar with a dramatic flourish. "The shirt will remain intact."

"Speaking of things remaining intact," you begin, just as you catch the first sight of the Shangri-La in Chris' passenger window, "we're good for the rest of your interviews today, right? As in, no more going off-script like you just did?"

He leans back against the leather seat, arms folded before him. "I guess that depends. Are you going to free up one of my evenings while we're in Seoul like I've been asking you to?"

You hold back a sigh. There's more yet to unpack regarding Chris' behaviour, but the idea that he might pull this act again when you know his publicist is already going to call you up before the week closes does not bode well for you. It's Marianne who will sign off on the final cut of that Venturepop interview; you realize, with no small measure of relief, that she'll likely have the Kit Kat segment pulled out entirely. Who's to say what she'll make of the following interviews, though?

"Buddy, I'm trying. Right now the best I can do is smuggle you out of that Hyundai afterparty you promised Nick you'd attend. And come on now, you've already experienced South Korea enough times before, haven't you?"

There's a firm set in his jaw. "Are you going to work your magic for me or not?"

You hesitate, silently cursing Bong Joon-Ho or whoever it was he was trying to score brownie points with through this little foray in Seoul. Wasn't it Chris himself who mentioned to you that the director was set to make another movie in English? You can already imagine the stories he'll post on his Instagram, though you doubt Bong would be that impressed with such meagre level of devotion. Honestly, though? Whatever.

"If I do this, you'll keep to the script for the rest of today and the rest of the tour," you state. This would be it, your final push.

Without warning Chris reaches out, long fingers brushing strands of hair away from your face and over the curve of your ear. "Done."

You don't get much chance to react; through his passenger window, you can see a valet attendant pull his door open. Chris turns away from you to get out, but just as quickly whips his head back.

"And ditto? Make sure to be free that evening."



Chris being like, 'if I can't bargain with her to stay, I'll bargain with her for a date lol.'

I'm sure it's obvious, but in case it's not I am playing hard and loose with the location, Chris' career timeline, everything y'all. If I had to place this story anywhere, I'd say it's when he was promoting Avengers: Endgame in 2019, but a pre-pandemic setting is really all you need to remember for the sake of this. Huge thanks to everyone that reblogged or left feedback, which includes but is not limited to:

@emoalien69 @peteseyy @themorningsunshine @lovenewfandoms @pono-pura-vida @@she-wolf09231982 @blondekel77 @hopefulbonkvoidland @ghostlychaostimemachine @sully-stick-together @kookiemonster221 @rebloggingfanfictioninthechaos @sapphire-rogers @secondevilex @mansaaay @marvelstarker-mha98

[my-soupy-brain]

Bestie… can I get a David Clark please??? Like I will give you my first born child for it.

Also do you do emoji anons? If so can I be 🧶?

🧶 I am answering this rather quickly because it'll be a fun challenge to write for a character I haven't done before. And it's nice to shift gears sometimes. This might skew close to the movie but here we go!

---

Relationship: David Clark x reader (f)

Warnings: Drug references, smut

---

You were thrilled to walk up to your apartment's mailbox at the same time as David.

You could see his shaggy hair, his flannel, his backpack. You weren't sure he thought much of you, but you couldn't help but smile and greet him.

"Hi there, David. How's it goin'?" you asked brightly, opening your own mailbox locker.

He looked up from the pile of mail in his hand and smiled. His dimple in his cheek, his hair brushing over his forehead.

"Oh, hey. I'm OK. I mean, I got robbed yesterday, so that's cool. Things are great!"

You can tell he's sarcastic and feels ashamed of what happened.

"Oh, my God! Are you OK? Did you get hurt?" you ask concerned, your eyes trained on him. He shrugs his shoulder.

"Not really, just my back trying to run them off."

You know that David deals marijuana. You're not sure for whom, but you've been a customer a couple times when you needed an escape.

Before you can think any more of it, you ask him: "Do you need a place to stay? Somewhere safe? You can crash at my apartment."

He smiles, his eyes softening.

'That's really nice of you, but I don't want to be a burden. It's OK, I'll figure it out. I gotta go outta town in a couple days anyway."

Your heart broke a little. Yeah, probably shouldn't date a drug dealer but you sure love flirting with him. Or your version of flirting anyway.

As you two depart to your respective apartments, you can't stop thinking about him. Is he moving away? Is he in danger? As you nervously chew your fingernails, you have a knock on your door.

David stands behind it, his hands nervously in his pocket.

"David, hi. Are you...do you wanna come in?"

You move aside and he nods, entering your apartment.

"Listen, I don't need to stay with you but I have a favor to ask..."

Over the course of about an hour, he outlines the plan: He needs to get to Mexico and back with some marijuana for his dealer. He needs a family to go with him in the RV, so it feels less suspicious.

Why you say yes, you'll never know.

"Who are the kids?"

He chuckles. "I got Kenny from downstairs. And maybe this girl Casey who's been hanging around here. She seems to be a couch drifter so..."

You nod and smile. "I can't believe I'm saying yes to this, but sure. Why not. An adventure."

...

David gives you your airline ticket two days before you need to leave, and when you find him at the airport, he's...

Oh, God.

His hair is cut shorter, wearing a clean polo and khakis. He's...trimmer than he lets on with all those baggy clothes. His polo is slightly unbuttoned at the top and you can see his chest hair...

Is it hot in here?

The "kids" are cleaned up and the picture of American youth. And you've opted for a short sundress and a sunhat to make the whole "Arizona vacation" seem more believable.

"Hi, honey," you offer, leaning in to kiss David's cheek, his eyes taking you in.

"Hi, sweetheart. Glad you could make it," he says, his hands going down your waist before letting go.

"Hey kids," you offer gently. Casey gives you a half-hearted wave, and Kenny gives you a naive, earnest smile.

On the plane, everyone takes their seats, David next to you. You open your book to read, and David reads a magazine, but he's casually glancing at you every few seconds.

"You OK?" you ask, not looking up from your pages.

"Ye-yeah, I just... um...you're...," he answers back, stuttering. Nervous for once in his life. His breath is hot against your skin.

You blush wildly and try to keep cool. "You clean up pretty well too, there, Mr. Miller."

When the plane hits a bout of turbulence, David instinctively grabs your thigh to protect you, and it sends a jolt of electricity through you. It's like David can sense it because he looks over at you with dark eyes, smirking a little.

"I've got ya," he whispers, his hand still on your thigh, climbing a little higher, making you bite your bottom lip.

When you lean back in your seat and take a shuddering breath, you place your hand over his, moving it up even a little higher, flashing him a grin.

Good afternoon, folks. Please fasten your seatbelts as we begin our descent into Phoenix.

David shakes himself out of his trance, placing his magazine over the growing bulge in his lap. You're a shaking mess from the electricity.

...

The RV rolls up quick and easily, a massive machine on multiple wheels. The kids climb in and take a seat in the back, David instructs everyone what the plan is, once again.

When he turns in his seat to start driving, he smiles at you again.

Hours go by. How many, you're not sure. You get in and out of Mexico as fast as you can, dodging a slip-up at the border thank God. Because you're hauling a lot more marijuana than you were led to believe.

A campsite in southern Arizona is a perfect place to stop for the night. The kids run off when they see some teenagers at a bonfire. You stand to tidy up the RV a little, wiping down the small counters, when you feel two large, warm hands on your hips.

"I can't stop thinking about our plane ride here," David whispers to you, sending a shiver through your body.

"I know," you answer, not yet turning around but still blushing.

"You know, I've always had a bit of a crush on you," he admits.

Your cheeks heat further. "Really? I've had a crush on you too!"

He smiles and blushes now. "Seriously? Why? I'm just some low-level weed dealer."

You smile and turn in his arms. "There's more to ya than that, David."

He can't wait anymore, leaning forward and capturing your lips with his, roping his arms around you. You fall into a rhythmic kiss, slowly making your way to the queen bed in the back of the RV.

You sit on the bed, pulling him over with you, scooting back toward the pillows. Your hands run through his shorter hair, and you smile...

"I kinda miss your longer hair," you mumble, and he smiles against your neck.

"Maybe I'll grow it back," he whispers, kissing your neck, your chest, sliding your sundress down and helping you wiggle it off your hips.

Wasting no time, he takes off his own shirt, and your eyes nearly fall out of your head; his fairly trim physique and immaculate, masculine chest hair going down his pants.

"I need you to fuck me, David," you murmur, your eyes dark as you watch him approach you.

"Oh fuck, that's hot," he says, falling into bed, crawling between your legs, waiting no more to loop his fingers around your panties and pull them down your legs, which he kisses from ankle to hip before settling between them.

He kisses you again, slowly but sensually. Like you both have had practice with each other. When he wiggles his boxers off and sheaths on a condom, he meets you with a gentle push and you could die right there.

"Oh, fuck," he murmurs, closing his eyes. "You're so fucking tight."

You blush. "It's been a while, I'm sor--"

But before you can finish he captures your lips again. "Don't you dare apologize for that," he says with a smile, his hips starting to rock slowly with you.

Your legs wrap around his waist and your fingernails rake down his back gently and he's moaning your name in moments.

The pace increases, his lips soft with yours, his tongue brushing into your mouth. When he leans up to change his angle, you nearly shout.

"Oh, right there?" he asks, a sly smirk on his face. "That feel good, baby? Why don't you tell me..."

Your head tilts back, sweat on yoru temples, your hair wild on the pillow, as you whimper.

"God, David, your cock..." you sigh, and he's watching you closely while your eyes are closed. "Feels so goddamn good... oh my God..."

He loves watching what he's doing to you.

As he sits up a bit, he brings you over him, keeping you on his lap and deep inside you, the bed squeaking lewdly underneath you as he helps you bounce against him.

"Oh, God, oh fuck," you chant, your body tensing and tingling, the climax climbing up your thighs.

"Yeah, baby, fuck yeah. Make it feel good, show me," he murmurs, his voice low against your ear as you unravel. Your pussy clenches around him in rhythm.

"Oh God, fuck, you're milking me," he says, making your body arch again and with that, his thighs tremble and he gasps your name, holding you while his hips stutter.

He lays you down gently, coming down with you, your chests catching air, your faces smiling.

"Jesus." is all you can mutter.

He smiles. "I really should've asked you out sooner," David says, propping himself up on one elbow, his hand dragging down your body and over your hips.

You roll into his chest and he smiles, tucking you beneath his chin.

When the door to the RV swings open and Kenny and Casey step inside, they laugh.

"About fucking time, Jesus," she says, smiling through her attitude.

"I'm really...uh, happy for you both!" Kenney says, smiling and waving awkwardly.

"How was the fire," you shout from the bedroom, not leaving the sheets.

"Good! Fun. Probably not as fun as you two had, clearly," Casey answers, getting out her handheld video game.

David looks at you and smirks.

"Kids."

---

That was WAY longer and WAY more intense than I thought it would be but omg it's so fun! I feel like deep down David is a big softy. Maybe we'll see where the rest of this road trip goes? Thanks for the prompt, friend!

[toxoplasmewsis]

A few months ago there was this female politician in Mexico talking in their Congress (I think) about banning medical transition for children. Childrens only. The same day a transwoman started protesting outside, kicking doors and when the police (rightfully) took him out, he cried and said it was oppression.

So if they aren't transitioning kids, why was he mad?? Why was he kicking and angry at this woman for saying transitioning kids shouldn't be happening?? I thought trans people agreed no one is doing that🧐 Why cant we make it law then?? 🧐

They get mad when you bring it up but

All these things that “never happen” and then when it turns out, oh it does then they move onto it being not that bad. Hmm

[mightyflamethrower]

Question:

If ALL white people can be held responsible for slavery and the Jim Crow era, two institutions that prevailed many decades ago, why shouldn't ALL Muslims' be held accountable for the terroristic acts of ISIS and HAMAS. Especially when we are speaking of acts that are occurring right now??

Don't get me wrong. I don't believe that they should be, but I don't believe it for the very same reasons that I reject the idea that ALL whites are responsible for racism.

The problem with CRT is not WHAT it teaches, but rather, what it fails to teach. Black History is taught without any sense of real context or proportionality.

They do not teach that during the period America was using slaves so were the rest of the world. The Chinese had slaves. Russians had slaves, Africans had slaves, and native Americans had slaves. Believe it or not......in some instances even slaves had slaves. The use of human chattel has a history that goes back tens of thousands of years. Slavery, during the first half of the 19th century, was practiced in virtually every notable nation on the planet. Ironically, the only exception to that was Germany. But....hey made up for it later. The only remarkable fact about American slavery is that WE outlawed it many decades before most other nations.

Of all the African slaves brought to the new world only 6 percent were brought to what is today the United States of America. The other 94 percent were sent to Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Central and South America. Brazil didn't outlaw slavery until 1890. And, you could still buy an indigenous person in Mexico as late as 1915. All of those countries were governed mostly by people of color. The hands of POSs are not clean when it comes to slavery.

We don't mind that people are being taught the truth. We just want them to be taught all of it.

Your thoughts??

[akookminsupporter]

Hi Rosie, hope you are doing good

I understand your point about reactors some of them do feel like they are doing it because they know bts has a big fandom and that brings views but I have found a couple that I like because they talk and explain a lot about the music and instruments and the vocal work they do in the songs, Tian Garcia who i think is from Mexico, Fede Sicaro he is from Argentina, Rock Cover Luigi CR Metal who is from Colombia and lastly Colombian cousin and Wives the guys are from Colombia but their wives form the US and they speak English, the cousins and Fede haven't reacted yet to Jimin's song but Tian and Luigi have and I really liked their explanations specially Luigi's at least to me although Luigi has always said how much he loves Jimin's voice and he is his bias he is always impartial when talking about the boys the same can be said of the others reactors I guess that's why I like them.

Could you please tell your followers that if they are from US or PR to please contact JIMINFunds they have gift cards right now to giveaway and help rise Jimin's album sales of course if they can and want, every help is very much appreciated.

P.D: I think this song was perfect has a pre-release because he is making a statement to all those haters that he is going to do what he wants and be who he wants because this is his time, I'm so proud of the person and artist that he is.

Hi, anon! Ohhh I know those reactors or well several of them. I've seen videos of Fede, Tian and Luigi; I think they tend to be fair and you can tell they are sincere. Other channels I sometimes watch are Jordan Orme's who usually explains the MVs as such because he is an editor if I'm not mistaken and Blake McLain's who I think is a producer and whose commentary is always a bit more professional, which I find interesting. I don't watch them very often but they are reactors that I recognise on youtube. Anyway, thanks for the recommendation.

As for JiminFunds, they posted a couple of hours ago that they had already distributed the gift cards but I think they are still giving out funds so please those who want to help, contact them on Twitter.

Lastly, regarding your P.S., I agree with you but we shouldn't give too much power to the haters, SMFPT2 was perfect as a pre-release because it shows right off the bat Jimin's versatility as an artist and that he didn't come to play it safe, on the contrary, but most of all, it showed that Jimin has a lot to offer and that what we have seen so far, is just the beginning.

[bixy]

So, I'm an only child, but I have this one friend and I feel like he would be the closest to what I would call like a younger brother. He's always been like someone that would just love to bother you or say something ridiculous just to get a reaction out of someone.

And his one friend has a crush on me so he'd make a group chat for the three of us, but I noticed his one friend says the n word kind of often and when I asked my one friend what was up with that he got so extremely defensive but also he is one of the types of people, that will defend his guy friends no matter what, and he only hangs out with like the same 10 people so it's kind of like an echochamber, but also if I was doing something shitty I'd want my friends to tell me or I'd tell my friends too. And then he told me I wouldn't get it because I'm not from the hood (for reference both of these guys are Mexican), and then told me it isn't even a big deal and that he says it all the time, which is not true at all bc if it was I wouldn't have been his friend for so long lmao but ever since I asked him about why his friend said that he says it excessively, and the last time I saw it kept being like "can you say the n word" to me and just wanted to make me uncomfortable lmao like how pathetic, but I think what pisses me off more than anything is that this guy truly claims to be a leftist lmao

and I've met one of my closest friends from him and I told her I'm not going to hang out with him anymore and she was like "really, thats so sad why?" and we've already talked about this in the past, and she was like maybe its just a phase he'll grow out of, but also her lack of reaction is like also upsetting to me too?? I mean she grew up in Mexico so maybe she doesn't understand the complexity and weight of that word but I cannot wrap my head around why people want to say that word so bad? And like, at one point, I considered him a friend so I tried to explain why you shouldn't, and it just felt like he brushed me off, and if anything I am just so like ? do fucking better? you're a fucking adult? but also to claim to be a leftist and support minorities and talk about what it's like to be an immigrant all the time to just mock me for the dumbest reason, just because you surround yourself by shitty people lmao

and I was at a party the other day and I invited one of my best friends there, who is a black man and my other friends met him, and the other day my friend was like "do you think your friend would care if I said it" and it was just weird?? like do you hear yourself???

anyways, this means I'm gonna cut out like uhhhh 13 people or so out of my life but I don't care, I've cut out people for less, but it makes me sad bc I really expected better from my friends and people I'd spend my free time with, like why do you want to say racial slurs so bad? I do remember watching topgun or whatever with some of those guys and one of them said something about fucking japs which is hilarious because, you know, I am half japanese, he apologized right after be I started laughing bc it was kind of wild and then he realized but it still felt weird lmao but whatever but yeah a few days ago when I saw some friends and one of them kept interrogating me about that, I fully knew that it was gonna be the last time I ever see him lmao

[correctingcuntboys]

Sorry you're getting hate from kink critical folks. I don't get why some trans people are so mean to others just because they don't process trauma the "right" way. For most people into detrans and misgen play, this is a way to reclaim our bodies in the context of violence and abuse.

And god, they shouldn't try to play the oppresion card because we are all trans here and come from many different contexts. Assuming we have some sort of priviledge just because of the kinks we are into is terrible. (Also, so-called Western contries are awful to trans folks—I recently found out Finland has a policy of forced sterilization for people who want to transition! As someone who lives in Mexico and always gets this picture of how amazing Europe is, this surprised me a lot).

Anyway. Just wanted to tell you that I love seeing your posts on my dash and even though I don't know you, you have helped me to become more comfortable with my sexuality. I appreciate a lot what you do in here providing a safe space for trans folks like me. I am sure many others feel the same.

Thank you for this so much. <3

And yeah, 'Western' countries (I'm speaking about European countries mostly, as I don't know much about outside of Europe) sure have some privilege - but it still doesn't mean it's so good here. I'm not gonna say waiting 5 years in a queue to be able to see a doctor who can prescribe you HRT is equally as bad as not being able to get HRT at all because it might be illegal - that's pretty obvious. But there is literally no country that's actually good for trans people, and comparing abuse that happens in different ones is a shitty move. And assuming that everyone in Europe has it good is just so stupid - trans people in Hungary can't change their legal gender at all right now, trans people in Poland have to take their parents to court and actually argue with them about their identity so a judge can decide if they're 'allowed' to be trans! In Scandinavian countries, countries that are supposedly great for LGBTQ+ people, you have to wait several years to be seen by a specialist, similarly as in the UK, which is also supposed to be great (well, maybe less so now that TERFs are taking over).

I can openly admit that I'm privileged when it comes to certain things - because I am, in more than one way. But there's no such thing as 'being privileged as a trans person'. There just isn't. No matter how happy I am to be trans.

[khaleesiofalicante]

A fave chapter once again 😭. This man's every action is to protect his family and I respect that!!!

I kinda teared up a little bit in the first part because the pain Max is on, and the desperation malec must have felt it's reflected through all of it.

Love Janie. She's the best😍

Alec being a great parent will never not make me cry. The way he's always trying to help and protect his kids and he loves them so goddamn much and it's always there to catch them when they fall😭

The fact that David was even willing to give sole custody to Max and that he rather fight for the kids eventually because he didn't want to take the kids from Max! And also him thinking that Max wouldn't stand to loose them even if he could bear losing David, but Max saying that he loved the kids as a reminder of David because he could never get enough of him. And at the end losing both. Losing everything that reminded him of David.

Also, we're constantly forgetting how unhinged and dangerous David is!! I read somewhere that you aren't really pacific unless you are capable of great violence, or you are just harmless. And I think that describes David so on point. He is dangerously smart. Making everyone believe he went to France. You can understand why no one suspected anything of everything he did. The show, Jaden, the book, even if they found it weird, he wasn't crazy. He was smart.

And I love how in seeing Alec's pov and we can see Alec likes David. He respects him. At some point, he loves him. But he's at the same time, aware of who David is. He is someone you shouldn't fuck with. And that makes him understandably weary.

"He is my son too" THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SO HEARTWREAKING

“I don’t care if he hates me,” David echoed his words from before. “I just need Max to survive.”

///

“If you are ever in danger, this is what I want you to do.”

“What do want me to do?”

“I want you to survive.”

They just wanted each other to survive so badly and yes I spend 10 minutes looking for that quote 🙂

Ok I'm done analysing I love every interaction between Alec and Lance. Those two have more sass together in a day than anyone else in a lifetime. And Alec wanting to murder him but at the same time being impressed 😂. And yes Lance has criminal mastermind vibes I SAID WHAT I SAID!

He knew Lance was mature for his age. But he was still just a boy.

A boy who saw everything in black and white. Right or wrong.

Alec used to be the same way. But then you grow up.

....

The thing is though, the world isn’t divided into good guys and bad guys. We are all both. Sometimes we are neither.

Love me characters who are neither good or bad, but just people who went through a lot and they did what they could with the pieces left🥺 and yes I took that quote from DML lmao

Just one more thing. I love that the way Max reacted reflects how much he has grown over these years, knowing his reaction would have been completely different at the start of this story

I would sell my kidney to go with Alec and Max to piss the fuck out of Asmodeus 😔

Jshsjdjjsksos both Lance and Alec holding Magnus as their blackmail and revenge TOP TIER COMEDY!!

WHAT IS GOING YO HAPPEN IN MEXICO?? OR BEFORE THAT????? I'M SCARED!!!

I LOVED THIS ANALYSIS SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

I particularly loved the note on David's intelligence, because that's something that is often overlooked by the people around him and therefore the readers too.

He is extremely shrewd (oh christ i would love me a villain arc). At a first glance, we often assume Lance takes after Max and AJ after David. But it's actually the opposite.

All of AJ's softness is Max. Because Max although is tough on the outside is extremely soft and vulnerable with his family. AJ sees that, unlike other people. And he reflects it too. David, although is mostly quiet, will do fucking anything to protect his family, and this man is unhinged. Lance sees. Lance knows.

So, thank you for acknowledging that. It's very important to me that we have different types of intelligence portrayed in fiction, not just people who have high general intelligence. But also emotional intelligence and everything else (there are more than seven types oof).

Love you. See you soon 💙

[annaphoenix1994]

Ch.99 - Yes to the Dress

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

Simon takes Baler school supply shopping while Kiera and her mother shop for the perfect wedding dress.

July

"What else is on the stupid list mom gave me?" Baler huffed as he and Simon both were growing tired of shopping for his upcoming school semester, being enrolled after it was official that he was a Riley. 

Simon sighed as he used his free hand to dig into his pocket while his other arm held Jacob close to his chest, "Well, did you get your school supplies like you were supposed to do when I left to go and change him?" He questioned, nodding his head towards Jacob's sleeping form against his chest while Baler pushed the shopping cart. 

"It was just a few notebooks and binders-"

"Negative," Simon cut him off as he walked around him to look into the cart, using his free hand to move the miscellaneous items around. "You have five classes. You should have five notebooks and five binders. You only have two of each." 

Baler shrugged, "It's not like I'll use 'em..."

"You better. Your mum and I talked long and hard about whether we should send you to school or homeschool you."

"I would've rather been homeschooled."

"Well, you're not. You need to be around kids your age. Being homeschooled on the ranch will teach you what you need to know outside of school, but being in school will teach you social skills and what you want to be when you grow up." 

"Not really..." Baler shrugged, refusing to take Simon's words into account. "I'd rather work and make money than go to school. I mean, you're a cop and anybody can be a cop and mom worked in a courthouse. Surely it's not so hard to get a job." 

Simon chuckled at Baler's ignorance, "You've got us all wrong, kid." 

"Then fill me in. Anybody can be in the military-"

"-I was in the S.A.S. A Lieutenant for years. Kiera was a Case Officer."

"What's that?" 

"What's what? S.A.S or Case Officer?"

"Both?" 

"Special Air Service and to summarize what Kiera was: when the FBI wanted to find someone, she's who they'd send out." 

"Damn. Is that how you two met?" 

"No, we hooked up at a bar in London," He answered sarcastically, smirking at how gullible Baler was. "We met on a mission in Mexico."

"You must have a big dick or a lot of money to have kept her around for that long," Baler poked, genuinely loving pissing Simon off, especially now that he could call him dad. "You better hurry up and marry mom before she gets bored." 

"I have both, but she kept me around because I'm not a bastard." He answered hatefully, not caring that Baler was only fifteen and shouldn't be having a conversation of that topic, but Simon figured that if he was old enough to speak crudely, he was old enough to hear the consequences of it by hearing what he doesn't want to hear.

Especially from his own dad.

"I beg to differ, dad." 

Simon would be lying if he said he didn't feel a bit of pride after hearing the troubled teen address him as his parent, imagining that soon, he'd have two more young beings calling him the same thing for the rest of their lives. He couldn't fucking wait. 

"Just go and get five notebooks and five binders," He huffed. "You already have everything else and she did the hard part by taking you shopping for clothes. We need to hurry up and get home."

"Why?"

"We're feeding the horses tonight."

"Where's mom?" 

"She took Evie and her mum shopping."

"Where?"

"How many fucking questions are you going to ask me?" 

"Mom said no cussing around the babies."

"Well, your mom isn't here, is she?" He retorted. 

"In that case, I'm going to ask how many fucking questions I want." Baler poked, his tone playful. 

"She said for you not to cuss, lad."

"I don't recall that." 

"Best get to remembering," He huffed. "Let's go. I'm tired of being in this bloody store." 

"Wouldn't of had to bring me here if I was homeschooled..." 

"That wasn't my decision." 

"Then what was your decision?" 

"I don't think I should answer that." 

"Don't be a wuss. I can take it." 

"Eh, I better not," He shrugged, a sly smirk on his lips. "You're technically my son now. I have to take your feelings into consideration now. Let's go. We have things to do." 

"Okay, fine," Baler huffed. "What's mom making for dinner tonight?" 

"She's not, we are." 

"Why?" 

Simon huffed at Baler's consistent questions, "She's been handling a lot recently. The least she needs to worry about is making dinner when we're more than capable of doing it to help her out." 

"Wow, I'm quite surprised that you're sentimental." 

"She's my only exception. Don't expect me to do the same to you." 

Baler knew Simon was lying, being told by Soap that "if Simon doesn't intentionally piss you off or constantly make hurtful comments, he doesn't like you." 

"Least you have a heart." 

"A cold one. Let's go." 

Baler shook his head with a smirk, wondering what question he could ask Simon to purposely aggravate him, "Well, when will mom be home?"

"When she gets home." He grumbled. 

"Hateful today, huh?" 

"What made you guess that?" 

"Because you're a dick when she's not around. That's usually my first clue." 

Simon scoffed, "I'm a dick when she's around too, just not to her." 

"No, you're giving her your- never mind. I shouldn't say it." Baler snickered.

"You better not." 

"I won't, but you know what I mean. I unfortunately hear it."

"Hear what?" 

"I may be fifteen but I'm not stupid," Baler scoffed. "I hear you two "wrestling" at two in the morning sometimes." 

"I'm not home at two in the morning unless I'm off work, but nice try." 

"So I guess mom has a dude on the side."

Simon furrowed his brows, wondering if - by some chance - his comment was true. Surely not, he thought. I would've found out by now if she was cheating on me. I'm too observant for her own good!

"Yeah? What have you heard?" 

"Just like last night, I heard a bunch of thuds and she screamed 'oh fuck!'. Then I heard her leave the bedroom and ransack the fridge." He explained. 

Simon then knew that Baler was not aware of Kiera's sleepwalking habits. Unable to hide a grin, he was relieved to know that Kiera had more than likely stubbed her toe during a sleepwalking incident instead of having another lover. "First of all, we're never up at two in the morning when I'm home. Second of all, I guess she never mentioned to you that she has Sundowners." 

"W-What's that?" 

"You ever seen The Visit?" 

"...Yeah?" 

"Just take my advice and go to bed when I tell you to." 

Simon was pleased to see Baler's playful expression turn to nervousness, oblivious to the fact that Kiera did not have Sundowners, just a moderate case of sleepwalking every now and then.

"O-Oh...I didn't know that." 

"Just don't mention it. Talking about it triggers it." 

"R-Right." 

"Let's go find something to make for dinner."

"Can I meet you up front? I wanted to make a stop real quick-"

"No. The last time you "made a stop" led me to search the entire store for you because you didn't mention that you went to look for something you wanted then ran off with Johnny when I purposely avoided him when Kiera said he was here." 

"Fine, I guess I won't get mom flowers." 

Simon stopped in his tracks at Baler's admittance, "What did you do?" 

He shrugged, "Nothing? I just saw how happy she was when you got her flowers the other day and I wanted to make her happy after the headache I've been giving her." 

"Least you admit it. Just meet me up front." 

"I might." 

Baler chuckled at Simon's glare before he made his way towards the floral section. It's so fun pissing him off, he mused.

*

"Have Simon and Baler been getting along?" Eva asked as she bounced Evie on her lap as Kiera continued to browse at wedding dresses. 

"They have," She hummed. "Although they get under each other's skin and butt heads a lot. That's why I send them to run errands together." 

Eva snickered, "It's because they're just alike, sweetheart." 

"That's definitely it. I just hope they haven't killed each other by now. I sent them to Wal-Mart to go school shopping."

"You definitely like to test Simon's patience," Eva giggled. "Sent him to the busiest place at the busiest time of year." 

"Hey, I did the hard part and took Baler to go shopping for clothes. All Simon had to do was take him shopping for his school supplies and pick up something for me to make for dinner tonight. He's probably home by now," Kiera explained. "There's one more dress I want to try on. The first one I liked but-"

"No need to explain, sweetheart. This is going to be a big day for you. I have all the time in the world. One of the many joys of being a retired old goat. Gives me more time to spoil my grandkids!" 

Kiera smiled, sighing as she walked into the dressing room to try on her last dress. With she and her mom going to four stores already, she was growing rather tired of shopping and ready to get home. To my boys, she thought, smiling at herself at the realization that she had finally had a family of her own to fill her once-empty home. "I think this dress really suits you." The assistant smiled as she buttoned the back of the dress. It does seem to fit without needing to be altered...

"I hope so," Kiera breathed. "This is the fourth store we've been to. All of them are so pretty, but I want to try on every single one I like." 

"Girl, I was the same way when I got married," The assistant smiled. "When's your big day?" 

"October 25th." 

"I love Fall weddings!" She gasped. "Indoor or outdoor?" 

"The ceremony is outdoor, but the reception is indoor. We're having it on our family ranch. It's a spot that me and my fiancé found and we - well, I - wanted to be married where nobody has ever been before. You see most people get married in a church or in a vineyard and we just wanted something that was ours." 

"I love that. Your father is Charles Dutton, right?" 

"Sure is." 

"I remember when your family used to rent out a cabin on the west side of their ranch. We used to love coming up there for the summer." 

"He was talking about doing that type of thing again. Although he quit due to people trashing the place when they came to stay," Kiera sighed. "Unfortunately, it takes one to ruin it for everyone else." 

"Yeah, I get that. It's a shame people would come all that way and leave the place a mess. Your father always invited us for breakfast and dinner. I remember he took my husband fly fishing once." 

"He loves to fish," Kiera breathed a laugh, looking at how the dress seemed to fit her perfectly the more the assistant continued to button the back. 

"Take a deep breath out for me. I have two more buttons left." 

"O-Okay. Sorry," She smiled nervously. "I'm just so stressed out." 

"I understand. This is a lot to take in." 

"Not only that, but I've been worried about getting this wedding planned and I'm constantly anxious that something is going to go wrong at the last minute. I still need to find a photographer, my bridesmaid's dresses, decorations - all that stuff." 

"I'm a photographer on the side!" The assistant chimed. "If you're needing help, I'll gladly help you!" 

"Really? How much do you charge?" 

"I can work with you on that," She smiled. "I'll give you my number and later, when you're free, just text or call me with what you're looking for and I'll give you a quote." 

"Thank you so much." 

"You're welcome!" She smiled, fixing the dress and clasping the veil to the crown of Kiera's head. "Alright, let's see what you and your mom think!" She directed, gathering the train of the dress in her hand as she helped guide Keira through the door and into the show room, smiling as she heard Kiera's mom gasp in excitement before Kiera was able to see herself. 

"Oh, honey, that one is gorgeous!" Eva smiled. "It flatters you so well." 

"I think so too, momma," Kiera blushed. "Do you think Simon will like it?" 

"Sweetheart, he will love anything on you. What do you think of that dress?" 

She hummed as she continued to look at herself in the mirror, overwhelmed that she had once seen herself as never getting married due to the fear of not being good enough. She fought tears as she continued to look at herself. Never will I understand why you chose me, Simon. "I-I think this is the one..." 

Eva smiled from ear to ear, clutching Evie close to her chest as she stood to her feet, closing the distance between her and her daughter as she looked at the dress closer. "I love the lace sleeves! It's so beautiful, sweetheart." 

"I think so too," She smiled. "I think this is the one." 

Eva refrained from jumping for joy due to having Evie clasped against her chest. "You are so beautiful. My little girl is all grown up and running off to get married!" 

"I can't believe it." She forced a smile, unable to hold the tears back. 

"Sweetheart, it's okay to cry," Eva smiled, reaching up to wipe the tear from her cheek. "You're going to be such a beautiful bride."

"Thank you, momma," She whimpered, leaning over to press her cheek against her mother's before turning to the assistant. "This is the one." 

"You're absolutely perfect for this dress!" She smiled, clapping her hands together. "Let's get you changed and I'll wrap it up for you!" 

*

After Kiera and Eva made it back to the ranch, Eva quickly took the dress to hide it in the lodge, knowing Simon wouldn't accidentally see if Kiera would have taken the dress to their house. With a quick and warm hug, Eva wished her daughter a warm and restful night as Keira began to make her short drive towards her house. With Evie nestled against her chest, she slung her purse over her shoulder before using her free hand to punch the keycode into the front door, opening it to the smell of a homecooked meal, smiling when she saw Simon and Baler in the kitchen - Simon hovering over him as if he were teaching him something. 

"Just a splash of bloody milk, lad. You're making mashed potatoes, not porridge." 

"That's what I'm doing!" 

"Well, why did we have to add another potato just to make it thicker, huh?"

"Because you said mom likes chunky mashed potatoes!" 

"He's not wrong," Kiera chimed in with a smile, watching them nearly jolt under their skin at her sudden appearance, the pair greeting her with a warm smile and Simon greeting her with loving eyes. "You two didn't have to make dinner tonight-"

"We wanted to," Simon answered, walking up to her and placing an eager kiss to her lips. "I'm glad you made it home, love. How'd your shopping go?" 

She giggled, "I called you when I was on my way home! It's not my fault you didn't answer your phone!" 

"I'm sorry, love," He huffed. "I didn't hear it ring-"

"He also had it on the couch while we were watching Squid Game!" Baler chimed in.

"What is that?" 

"Some bloody fucked up show on Netflix-"

"Don't let dad lie to you, he saw it when we first turned on the TV and he thought it looked cool." 

Kiera shook her head, "You two do nothing to surprise me anymore. What should I trust that you're making for dinner?" 

Simon chuckled as he placed a kiss to her temple, "One of your favorites, don't worry. You never did tell me how your shopping trip went with your mum." 

"I can't say, babe. It's about our day." 

He couldn't hide the smile that spread across his lips, "Then I won't ask, love." 

She giggled, "You'll see in October. I'm going to go change and get her ready for bed-"

"I can get her, love," Simon offered, opening his arms to retrieve his daughter from her arms, smiling at her matching brown eyes as she greeted her father with a toothless smile. "Look at you, lass, wide awake at ten o'clock," He chuckled, keeping her close against his chest as he followed Kiera towards the bedroom. "You're too pretty for your own good right now, lass. I might just have to keep you in this house forever because I don't want to see you start bringing boys home when you're older." 

"Simon," Kiera giggled, entering their bedroom and grasping her pajamas that were folded on the nearby chair. "She doesn't know what you're saying yet." 

"But it makes me feel better by telling her early." He chuckled, unable to help himself by watching her change. He knew she hated when he looked at her when she changed clothes in front of him, hating how she looked, but Simon never saw a flaw in her.

And never would. 

As if he had to repeat himself, he loved every new stretch mark she earned during her pregnancy, her hazel eyes, her smile, the way she slept walk, when she giggled at nothing, the way she spoke, the way she put everyone else before her - every inch of her was nothing but perfect in his eyes. 

Kiera giggled as she shook her head, removing her shoes and jeans and tossing them to the side before sliding on her pajama pants, "Whatever you say, babe." 

He smirked as he bounced Evie on his hip, "Has she already eaten for the night?" 

"No, I gave her a bottle about an hour ago, but I was going to feed her before we eat dinner. Where's Jacob?" 

"He's had a rough day, love," He sighed. "He threw his first temper tantrum at the store today. I can't blame him, though. I hated being in there too. He gave me a good excuse to leave faster." 

Kiera frowned as she gestured for Simon to lay Evie against her chest when she propped herself up on the bed, making a mound of pillows around her to support Evie when she started feeding. He slowly set the baby into her arms, bracing his weight against his palms that lay flat against the mattress as he moved his lips closer to hers, grinning against her lips when he felt her free hand clasp through his hair. "I'm going to feed her and put her to bed before I meet you for dinner."

"I'll be waiting," He smiled before pressing another kiss to her lips. "Baler is trying to make cookies anyway." 

"You best get in there and make sure he doesn't burn the house down." She giggled. 

"That's why I sound like I'm in a rush," He chuckled. "I'll see you soon, yeah?" 

"I'll see you there, babe." 

She smiled as she watched him walk towards the door, turning back to look at her once he reached the doorway, his hand clasped around the doorknob to shut it behind him. "What's that look for, love?" 

"Just looking at you, Simon." 

"You look like you're hiding a secret." 

"Maybe I am." 

"I thought we weren't about secrets, yeah?" 

She arched her brow, "Then since that's the case, I should tell you that I said yes." 

"Yes to what?" 

"The dress." 

His lips curled into an excited smile at her admission, "October can't get here soon enough." 

[love-geeky-fangirl]

Ranking Teen Dramas based on how realistic the amount of freedom the characters get is

One Tree Hill- I am sorry but what kind of parents allow their 16-year-old daughter get married to a guy she's been dating for just a few months? And how are Brooke's and Peyton's parents never home? These 16-year-old girls are living in their big houses by themselves and basically raised themselves and no one bats an eye? Also why did Nathan's parents allow him to be emancipated and move out at 16? Don't you have to prove that your parents are neglectful in order to get emancipated? Basically the more I think about it now the more I don't understand why this show wasn't set in college

Gossip Girl- again, parents are never there and their 16-year-old kids are out buying strip clubs (that they can't even legally go into!!) and flying to Europe on private jets. However I could suspend my disbelief over this one since they are supposed to be super rich. What I cannot suspend my disbelief over is that Rufus, who was supposed to be a hands on father just leaves his 16-year-old son alone with his younger sister while he goes on a tour for the entire summer. And then he disappears again between Thanksgiving and Christmas if I remember correctly. No wonder Jenny is so rebellious and wanted to be emancipated.

The OC- similar to Gossip Girl, I can suspend my disbelief and pretend that maybe super rich people are just like that, but seriously who lets their 16-year-old daughters go alone to Tihuana to party? The partying part aside, it's dangerous. And it was also said they do this every year since idk when. So what they just let two 14-year-old girls travel alone to Mexico to party?

The Secret Life of The American Teenager- I mean the parents actually try to parent in this one apart from Adrian's mom. She is never even at home and Adrian is just free to invite a different guy every night.

Pretty Little Liars/Stranger Things- "Where are you going?" "Out." "When there are children disappearing and serial killers running loose? Okay, sweetie, don't forget to stay hydrated!"

Skins- again, everyone always staying out all night, smoking and having sex even when the parents are home. Everyone's parents being too busy cheating on each other to actually parent. Cassie randomly leaving her parents to move back to England and having no place to live, like seriously did her parents just not care where she was? Same goes for when Effy went into "exile" with Cook. Did her mother just not give a shit where she went?

Dawson's Creek- still pretty chill with everyone staying out all night at 15 already but I guess it's a small town so they know nothing will happen to them. What I find harder to believe is everyone's parents being okay with everyone constantly sleeping over at each other's places and Pacey and Joey spending three months on a boat together. What is completely unrealistic is Pacey and Joey/ Jack and Jen sleeping in the same room at the ski trip. Like come on. Teachers would check.

Euphoria- how does literally no one have a curfew? Or a dress code? I mean seriously, if those kids had a curfew they wouldn't be in such mess

Glee- we don't know much about the parents here since they are not important to the plot. But what stood out to me was how Rachel and Finn were allowed to go out unsupervised on a school competition in New York. New York is a big city anything could have happened to them. Mr Schue shouldn't have allowed it. Also everyone being so chill with Finn and Rachel wanting to get married in high school.

Freaks and Geeks- finally some realism here. While some people have parents that just do not care, Lindsay and Sam's certainly do. And I loved the addition to other characters' parents, particularly Kim's. It was just very well written and acted.

Gilmore Girls- finally some representation of us folks with strict parents. We all feel you, Lane and Lorelai!

[beyondtheciouds]

"Please don't, Dru." Jaime said, his eyes shifting to the small cluster of students gradually coming up the set of wedged stone stairs that led to the domed dorms. He smiled uneasily at Dru, his eggshell white teeth tight against his inner lip. They were in the hallway of her dorm at the Academy, arguing like stubborn children. The dwindling light and scent of spring filtered into the dark and dreary hall through the few open windows. He could smell the scent of the wildflowers in the fields like perfume, lilacs and jasmine tempting him to stay.

"Please don't what," Dru snarked back, her voice like the bite of a shark --- her oceanic eyes searching out her next prey as her teeth dragged along the skin of her anger. "Don't tell you what a piece of crap you are for not answering my texts?" She continued as her hands trembled and waved the newspaper he had unceremoniously thrown at her feet when she opened her door. "You can't seek me out for any reason other than this?"

Jaime frowned. "Dru---I---I..." He stammered like a child. He had thought about her every day. He had wanted to text her; call her. But if he done so, he would have destroyed himself in the process. " I couldn't."

"Why do you care about foolish mundanes, Jaime?" She asked, ignoring her own pride ruined. Dru's voice was lowered, and her eyes narrowed beneath the curtain of dark hair and long lashes. In the light she looked different; more mature but somehow still the same. He couldn't put his finger on it. This Drusilla was very different from the girl she had been in Los Angeles. "This has nothing to do with demons. Not in the literal sense anyway." she continued, her voice a vice gripping his heart.

He sighed; he wished she hadn't gotten so pretty. If she remained the cross thirteen year old she had been, it would have been so easy to walk away from eyes that resembled the tropical waters he'd swam in freely. Now she was close to seventeen; almost an adult. Close enough to be his. "I just do."

Dru was honestly starting to irritate him the way teenage girls do and his heart rallied at the encroaching argument. The light flickered above them; the thunder sounded closer than it was moments ago. The sound echoed in the stone hallway, the dorm doors light on their hinges, shuttering in response to the brewing storm outside. The cool air was settling in, giving way to cooler rain. "That is not an answer."

Jaime shook his head. "Just trust me, Dru. We need to go after these people." He couldn't give out any more details just yet, not until they were all together. Then he would form alliances and a plan.

He had travelled in a portal from Mexico where he had stowed himself in a quaint and quiet town for the last year carving out a mere existence, doing odd jobs. His peaceful life had come to a crashing halt when he received the newspaper in the mail. The moment he opened the paper, he knew he would have to come back for them all.

"What about the cops? Can't you go to them without getting me involved?" Dru asked; skeptical of his reason for seeking her out.

"Cops?" He nearly choked on the laugh that spurted from his throat, his hands slick with sweat in the pockets of his jeans. "They are doing nothing! We need to take care of these...killers."

Dru brushed off the side-eyed stares of her peers mulling around the hall watching them with open curiosity. Whispers and hushes rose through the small clusters of students. She ran the fingers of her free hand through her dark hair feeling like she was missing something. "You can't be serious. I didn't know you developed such a hero complex."

He frowned, clearly disappointed in her response. But he knew he shouldn't be. He was withholding information from her. Even so, it was evident she hadn't read the red, elegant handing writing on the margins of the article at all. "The Sight, Dru. They are targeting people with the Sight. Mundanes that can see us and want to Ascend. " He paused, giving the thought a moment to sink into her brain, make the connection he, Ash, Kit and Ty had already made.

Others moved closer, surrounding them in the narrow hallway. For once, Jaime didn't care he had an audience. He inched closer to her and put his hand gently on her shoulder as she dropped her arm to her side. It was warm beneath the softness of her olive sweater. Her dark hair hung loose, and Jaime was tempted to run his fingers over the glossy strands.

Drusilla was the last piece of the puzzle and if he didn't convince her, the others surely would. He spoke, his voice was cold as ice--driving down the seriousness of the situation. "Future Shadowhunters, Dru. They are targeting future Shadowhunters."

[the-firebird69]

www-local12-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.local12.com/news/nation-world/gm-chevrolet-chevy-malibu-mass-production-ends-tesla-cadillac-sedans-american-consumers-general-motors-low-profits-rental-car-companies-consumer-shifts-trends-luxury-vehicles-camaro-gasoline-powered-electric-trend-business?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %251%24s&aoh=17155241906158&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

We have to trust through all this crap and start it up again and people want to go through it no they understand it's a pain and he's doing it to bother people and it's this Trump a****** and he dumped a lot of stuff on her son he's got a lot of his money no he's got all of it and we want him dead for it I'm putting hits out there when his family in a meeting all of us and afterwards we'll have all the friends and so on but this is ridiculous this kid can't take it it's too much he's telling us this is ridiculous and it's ridiculous on purpose and this puke a****** is falling for it and we're going to rip him a new one and he's never going to leave our side but really you know this is horrendous he is a horrendous a****** and I'm going to beat him to death and his people over and over until he's gone I don't want to see him shooting people successfully harming anyone kidnapping anyone and we keep doing it because we have to do it to get rid of him it's horrible he's a huge loser and doesn't care if he gets by with 5% of what should be as a means.

This company is important to us in this a****** Trump is sinking it and we want to sink his companies and we're going to start going after his weapons facilities where he's making them I don't care for this not touching that stuff it's ridiculous it shouldn't even be here on Earth anywhere near anyone you can use an example I'm going to stop and s*** I'm going to break his stuff we're going to break it and take it and he's going to be the living example why you don't do it here and he's the reason why we're going to stop it

Thor Freya

I want this company up and running I want this car built and f*** him he can put whatever he wants in the news we're going to go against it and I want the media taken away from him every time he post something I want them wipe down and each and every one of them by the way until fruition and just keep working on the same person until they're gone that's what they have for tenacity we should do

..

We have it no now we're going to have it and we get it

Olympus

These s here are ridiculous saying it to our face and they're never allowed to and they're saying it over and over and you can't let that precedent stand

Zues Hera

This guy Trump is worthless I can't believe what he's doing he's shutting down companies and saying that it's good he's killing his own people saying it's good because he has a program they're messing with and he's been doing it for years the guy next door caught on to it and he just can't seem to kill his people off for him fast enough to get to the guy next door I'll tell you what it's gross this is the weirdest thing I've ever seen this guy next door is so delusional he needs to die right now and he's right it says what are you looking at you see the guys completely toast he's an idiot and it's true he's he's gone and I'm going to write it up

Shaquille O'Neal

We needed this this guy Trump is an idiot he was gone before you left but wow is he stupid and yeah our friend is saying that the key is now going to head towards the island off Mexico and the Yucatan that's terrific and he does that kind of stuff and he's trying to threaten with it and she doesn't ask for stuff he's actually after the key and he's a moron we have to go after him and stop him and with big groups the stuff has to stop we have to stop asking our friend here to do it but not handling our business and he's handling it okay he's buying up all this assholes stock he's sitting next door threatening him and the stupid a****** can't figure it out

Preston