#this is very basil centric

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

This is a long post!!

Okay, so I’m spitballing here because I just had this idea hit me like a truck so things might be a little incoherent. Anyways, what if Dorian and Basil switch roles? Not personality mind you, just the portrait was never enchanted/cursed/etc, and somehow Basil becomes more susceptible to an amoral attitude?

Here’s the thing, I don’t think Basil would abandon all morals in the same way Dorian did. He’s older and wiser than Dorian, it seems unlikely that he’d change because of the fear of getting older/uglier. For the most part we don’t have a whole lot to work with since all of Basil after the first chapter is only seen with reference to Dorian, so there isn’t (as far as I know) a lot to work with there. So I propose desperation being what leads to Basil’s accidental soul selling.

So the rough idea that came with goes as follows: Somehow, Basil becomes destitute/generally disliked in the public (perhaps believable rumors regarding “unseemly behavior” or something along the lines). Regardless, Basil is struggling.

I like to think that Dorian and Henry would try to help him, but Basil being Basil would probably decline, not wanting to damage their reputations.

In this AU, Dorian becomes a composer and full-time pianist, at the beginning, he probably leaves for a tour in France or something. Before he leaves he makes a song for Basil and has it put into a music box as a gift. This would be the portrait equivalent for Basil.

After being gifted the box, he probably makes some wish along similar lines to Dorian’s in the original, albeit without the being young and beautiful forever part.

I don’t think Henry would be the one to lead Basil astray. Despite my personal hatred of the man, I can recognize that he either a) cares enough (which isn’t very much) not to actively terrorize Basil or b) finds Basil to be too boring.

Additionally with the switch from Dorian to Basil being corrupted, I think the story would move away from more carnal sins and emphasize more capitalist ones. (Maybe Basil’s paintings suck the life out of their sitters and when he finds out he choose monetary security over them, maybe he begins painting the aristocracy more embarrassing/hedonistic and because of his wish the paintings look so lifelike people mistake them for photos and he just never clears that up) The main sin of Basil’s is his profit over the suffering of others. So there would be a villainous capitalist leading Basil down the same road.

Anyways I think this all culminates to Dorian returning from France and finding a very different Basil. He’d probably confront him and then Basil would accidentally kill him. His capitalist bud would get rid of the body maybe frame Henry for it, or something equally nefarious, effectively killing off the last remnants of the Basil Hallward from the beginning/book. If I ever write a fic for this, I think I’ll leave the ending ambiguous, mainly because I don’t know what would be a fitting end, lol. Maybe Basil just dies like Dorian does.

If you took your time to read this, thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed. Please let me know what you think and if you have any ideas for this, please share I’d love to hear them!

EDIT: i have now written a fic

[polaroid-petals]

🌿 Tangled in Dreams of Light and Shadow — Masterpost

This is a masterpost for my fics, artwork, and ideas in this verse. It will regularly be updated with artwork and new information. Last updated on the 19th of May 2024.

Stranger merely exists as a concept. A functional metaphor for the human conscience. A figment of the imagination, an allegory, a dream—call it what you will, he is not real. Since the day Blackspace spat him out as a clever visualisation of the Dreamer’s guilt, he has known more than anything that he is but a theoretical concept devised with a single goal. An existence he scarcely questions, for it is not within his nature to stray from his purpose. With Omori defeated, Basil is assigned to tending Headspace as its gardener groundskeeper. The Dreamer is rebuilding his dream to be more reflective of reality without being the escape it was meant to be. His purpose was met and the boy he serves may start his journey towards recovery, but when Stranger finds himself not only alive, but banished to the dark realm he was born from, he can’t help but wonder. Why did he persist? Why has the Dreamer allowed him to stay even after his work is done? And if he is nothing more than a theoretical concept, then why can he think? Why can he feel? Hurt? Love? What is he?

---

Tangled in Dreams of Light and Shadow is a Stranger-centric exploration of Omori's good ending, and what happens to headspace and its denizens after the final fight with Omori is over. 

Sunny’s creativity is far too pivotal to his identity to simply abandon the fantasy world he has been building for the past four years. Confession or not, his trauma cannot simply vanish overnight, and so neither will the two guides who have brought him to this point in his life. Not only does Omori persist after that final duet, but as a representation of Sunny's conscience and his still-to-be-resolved guilt, so does Stranger. And inexplicably, whenever the two are asleep at the same time, Basil's real-world consciousness seems to join Sunny's in his headspace dreams.

Central stands the philosophical question of what it means to exist, especially when one’s existence is intrinsically subjected to another’s fickle fantasy and nothing about one’s life is real—or should be real in the first place.

---

🌿 Characters

This story focuses on Stranger, Sunny, Omori, and Basil.

✷ Stranger

The dark star. The forgotten polaris. The admission of guilt, grievance, and conscience.

No creature on earth has had its path in life carved out more clearly than Stranger. Nameless and faceless, sculpted in approximation of someone who matters—yet never graced to be the one who does. When he finally achieves what he was made to do, the promised end to his miserable theoretical existence is ripped from his weary hands. Even when his final task as a jailer presents itself to him, he finds misery over success. An eternal anomaly, it’s a mystery why anything would ever be so cruel to allow him his existence, yet he persists. Even through exile. Even through death.

No man could ever hope to kill his conscience, but what difference does it make if it lies forgotten in nightmares with a reminder of what it once failed to do? Tormented by questions of purpose and fate, the bitter sting of being neglected and abandoned by his dearest Dreamer bites almost as venomously as the knowledge that he has regressed to his old ways that created the very being he now represses.

One day—if he dares uphold foolish optimism—the Dreamer might remember that there still lives an entity within the darkest recesses of his mind and offer an answer to the existential mystery of Stranger’s sapient nature. 

And if not, Stranger may have to reclaim his role as an unwanted guest in this sickeningly perfect dream.

☼ Sunny

The Dreamer. The wayward lamb. The eternal sun that has blown life into this flourishing world.

Sunny may have forgiven himself and faced the truth, but that doesn't mean that he stops dreaming. All the work that was put into headspace, all these colourful characters and whimsical worlds—he simply can't abandon such a formative creative project, even if it is rooted in a foul darkness. The emotional damage would far outweigh any benefit.

As he navigates his new life in the city, his dreams remain a sanctuary for him to take refuge in. Headspace is disjointed, but his renewed interactions with his friends and his endeavours in therapy help make way for a more mature dream that means to explore his psyche rather than suppress it.

Like he has in the past, blackspace and its denizens were pushed out of headspace, this time not to suppress but to organise for cleanup "when he is ready". He has not been ready for some time, and people are starting to notice. If he wants to get better and avoid falling back into old habits, he will have to unchain his nightmares eventually and find a way to live with them in harmony.

It's a question of whether he's prepared to continue facing himself and learning during this arduous journey.

☾ Omori

The misguiding shepherd. The domineering puppet. The guardian who broke his vow to attain his god-given goal.

Omori was once meant to be a protector—and when he carried out his role with so much precision that it nearly ended his ward, he was instead vanquished and removed from his precious Dreamer’s vicinity. But as Sunny’s trauma cannot vanish overnight, neither could Omori, no matter how deep the coils of the nightmare they tangle him up into may be.

Just as the Dreamer will always dream, Omori will always find his way back to him, regardless of how well he is imprisoned. He does not meet the scorn he expects and is instead extended a hand. In this new world, separate from the Dreamer yet able to follow in his footsteps, Omori is more than a little lost. After having spent so long constantly wary, tasked with maintaining and repairing a volatile dream under constant attack by monsters, this second chance in the form of retirement has him more on edge than it soothes him.

Though he was once the embodiment of a child’s trauma, his physique seems to have begun to change as the Dreamer works through his issues. Stunted as he may be compared to his original, he appears older and wiser with each passing day. He maintains that the Dreamer made a mistake and that he is in grave danger, but everything he learns about his new life seems to contradict his worldview. He is no longer the carapace of that scared little kid who needed someone to keep him safe, now his own person. Worse, he seems weaker, burdened with the harrowing effects of his own post-trauma and his newfound human emotions that torment him every chance they get.

A warden cannot operate without an endangered ward, so Omori may seek out new threats elsewhere when none present themselves.

☘︎ Basil

The flower boy. The tender gardener. The one whose eyes once glowed an eerie red.

From the moment he guided Sunny home and gave him his blessing to tell their friends the truth, it was evident that his bond with his best friend ran deeper than was apparent on the surface. Their joined coma may have been the first time they dreamed together, but it would be far from the last. More and more frequently, Basil finds himself inhabiting a colourful scape when he goes to sleep, and no one can quite explain why or how.

That hasn’t gotten him out of the bad spot he’s been left at since he gouged out Sunny’s eye and drove his shears into his abdomen. Having faced not only the fallout of Mari’s death, but also the aftermath of Sunny’s confession head-on, it will take time for him to come to terms with his actions. Unlike Sunny, he hasn’t managed to forgive himself, and the journey towards accepting his past may be tough. He’s older and wiser now as he navigates his trauma and recovery with Sunny, but that doesn’t change how much he has suffered during those four years.

Still, as the one who chose reality over fantasy, Basil has been given a curative role in headspace. He tends to Sunny’s dream, ensuring that he can’t use it for the wrong purposes again and that he uses it to support his life in the waking world, not avoid it. He has met some odd versions of people he knows, including his own, and this dreamscape is quite puzzling, if not downright terrifying—but he must have been given this opportunity for a reason.

If he supports his friend on his journey towards recovery, maybe that can serve as the atonement he needs to finally redeem himself.

---

🌿 Relationships

All of the main four have ties to the others, be they platonic, romantic, or the blazing embers of hostility from whose cinders may yet flourish new bonds. 

The relationship between Sunny and Stranger as creator and creation stands central. The main romantic relationships are Nightshade (Stranger/Omori) and to a lesser degree Sunflower (Sunny/Basil).

This section will be gradually updated as each dynamic gets its art and story

---

🌿 Links

So far there are no significant links up to any stories yet, but everything will be posted in a series on my AO3 account.

[marvanne111]

moments I love in "Tempting Fête"

"I can only read what I've got written down, Mr. Funt." "Councilor Funt! -Funn, Councilor Funn."

the fact that it's been 11 years of this Funn/ Funt debate (alternatively, that both the reverend and the mayor have addressed him properly the last three episodes and seemed to have no problem with it)

"Yes, well, I'll see what I'm doing that day" -leading the funeral, one would hope?

underrated bit of the series in general: cell service only being available in the reverend's bathroom

"I think he's quite dishy" (this scratches such an itch in my brain; I quote it once a week)

the mayor and reverend (who will be dating by the end of the episode) agreeing emphatically with the above statement

the reverend wearing eye shadow! (incredible, show stopping, spectacular, never been seen before)

"It was one mouse! and, and I don't know anything about it"

"All opposed?" "... I mean, I'd say opposed is a strong word-" "Done! Carried unanimously!"; "All opposed? "I, uh-" "Overruled! Motion carried!"

"We already have an identity: it's miserable and it works." (i want this on a t-shirt)

"There hasn't been a fête for eleven years." "Astonishing. Who's in charge of local events?" "Rudyard." "Ah."

"Look, it's easy to throw money around and get excited about rustic dancing, but we've got-" "I'LL SAY IT IS!"

"His world had once again become an increasingly scary place. There was only one thing left to do..." "Georgie?" "Yeah?" "We're emigrating."; "It was time for swift and decisive action, and there was only one place to head for: Reverend Wavering's bathroom"; at the funeral I was able to witness Rudyard, bereft of Reverend and with few attendees, deliver a stirring and entirely improvised speech about the circuities of fate, the struggles of discord, and an intractable acceptance of the way the cookie crumbles, a sermon that moved the late Basil Corbett’s niece to say, quite simply:" "We want our money back" (some really fantastic narration moments in this one that make me giggle every time)

Rudyard including Madeleine in the emigration plans is said so sweetly and it honestly makes me a little soft

"One word: Chapman." "I should return his calls-" "Chapman?" "- probably won't, though"

"Rudyard, other people do those things for you!" "Conscription?" "Volunteering!"

"I, I, I do like spreadsheets!"

(No Madeleine, I hate raffles!") (these posts are always so Rudyard-centric lol and it's helped me come to the conclusion that he really is the funniest)

"Do you know how many gallons of fluid I'll have to drain from a man that size? Possibly thousands!" "What a ridiculous lie!" (this is another one that I quote often lol)

"I wish I were Mrs. Carnegie!" "You will be, Mrs, Turner. You will be." (WHAT IS THIS RESPONSE?!)

"Fancy a funeral?" "That a threat?"; "Don't forget your funeral." "Was that a threat?"

"Socializing? That'd take up ten minutes and then what would they do? No. Perpetual scheduled activity, that's the way."

"Put some clothes on!" "IT'S MY HOUSE!"

"Antigone?" "What?!" "Helicopters!" "Go back to your side of the table."

"Now get over there and sabotage something!" "*sigh* Fine." "Do you really think that's going to help?" "Oh maybe not, but it'll cheer me up."

"Called up the family, made up a story about... well, re-organizing a fête, that sort of thing." "How did they react?" "Well, they weren't very happy..." "But?" "No, that's it, they weren't very happy."

"You know, I can actually see your future." "Oh yes?" "Mmm hmm. And it involves this crystal ball getting shoved STRAIGHT up your-"

"Alright sir! Mission accomplissshhhhed." "Hello, Georgie." "Hello..." "Get out, Georgie." "Goodbye..."

The Mayor trying to rustic dance for a couple of hours before giving up

Lady Templar's glass eye. (That's it. That's the post.)

"He'd be spinning in the grave you haven't put him in yet!" (best line of the episode honestly)

"What a dreadful little man!" "Yes... mind you, he looks good in a suit"

"Even in a crowd, they all look lonely" (🤌🤌🤌)

"Can't win 'em all" 'Winning anything at all would be a nice change." (also want this on a t-shirt)

"You like to be the hero, don't ya?" (Georgie's the GOAT)

"Rudyard. Do you know what this chap did?" "Yes, he told me" (my man is already so tired of Eric lol)

[tosteur-gluteal]

So, about that Omori MLB au…

1: is this gonna be a fanfic or a comic?

2: how’d they get the Miraculous?

3: are we gonna see more than the main 2 (Ladybug and Cat)?

Hi anon 💥

1) There's definitely going to be a fanfiction, rest assured 😎 but I plan on drawing some scenes as bonus.

2) Without much details, the new guardian is tasked to find heroes, he's quite confused and nonchalant about it but then, urgency hits! and the kwamis take care of the matter. Quite irresponsibly.

3) Since more people will get miraculouses (aka the main gang) you'll get to see Kel, Aubrey and Hero as superheroes...as well as some other characters (don't let the Maverick cook 😰). You'll also get to see how it is for the other side of Sunny's family, with Mari and all.

But even before they get a miraculous, you'll see the gang evolve and deal with conflicts at school

The story is, indeed, very Sunny and Basil centric. But I got some stuff prepared for the others! Don't you worry 😈💥

[crimson-catalyst]

basil's a basilisk demon (his name is the herb its unrelated i SWEAR.) and he's actually only a young nymph stage of his species. give him fifty years and he'll metamorph into a huge beastman.

his species can turn to stone and hibernate indefinitely so long as their rock is preserved! they have a warrior-centric culture and everyone has a "soul" weapon - at least during their nymph years anyway. his is his big ole axe and he takes care of that thing like a baby

loyalty and honour is very important to Basil and he's broken from the death of what was left of his tribe. after he comes to trust him he would (and does) follow Rye to the ends of the earth

[fenrirmitsuki]

Random Professor Ratigan Headcanon

So, this one is really off-topic for what I usually post, but I only have the one blog and refuse to make a second one, so sorry to the usual folks and the newbies that wonder in. But I’ve had this headcanon for Professor Ratigan, from The Great Mouse Detective, rattling around in my head for years and after chatting with a Ratigan AI on CAI, I finally feel like sharing it. So, for the like 12 people who might care, here are my thoughts: (And I never read the books, so this only applies to the Disney version)

So let’s take a quick look at the stuff we know - Professor Ratigan is the Moriarty-expy nemesis of the Holmes-expy Basil; he is a rat though he absolutely hates having it pointed out; he dresses, conducts himself, and decorates his hideout in a manner fitting of high society; and he is a criminal mastermind. Let’s start with that second point. As stated, he hates being called a rat, even though it’s fairly obvious he isn’t a mouse - even setting aside his larger size and fleshy tail, he has five digits on his hands, as opposed to the four on mice hands. And sure, being a parallel of human society, mouse society may have similar connotations for rats as humans do, but there may be more to it than that. So, lat’s take a quick look at his name, Professor Padraic Ratigan. Both are of Irish origin, similar Moriarty being an Irish surname. Thus, we might infer something - that in a similar way as how British society of the time looked down on the Irish, mouse society may have similar attitudes towards rats. Either way, it’s not hard to see that rats are “othered” in mouse-dominate/centric society.

So with all that in mind, what can we speculate about the largely nebulous backstory of the Professor? Well, he was likely looked down upon and mistreated throughout his youth by society at large, despite his budding intellect likely being obvious. If he followed a similar path as his inspiration character, then he likely put in a lot of hard work to achieve professorship, possibly in mathematics. But in spite of his accomplishments, he still turned to crime. Why? Maybe it could be that he was dissatsified with a mundane professor’s life and wanted more action? Maybe his ego desired more power and recognition? Or maybe, inspite of how far a rat made it in a mouse-dominate academia, he was still looked down on and disregarded? Maybe if his brilliance wouldn’t be recognized in a mouse’s world, he’d make them recognize his cunning via crime? By usurping the very throne?

But even if he did stage ingenious crimes that shook the vert foundations of society, he was still a “filthy, detestable sewer rat”. So, he did everything he could to divorce himself from the stereotype - this habit likely starting in his youth, and was maintained through his academic career, all in an effort to fit in. But as he turned to crime, he kept the affectations in order to further cement just how different he was from how society cast him - he wasn’t some “criminal sewer rat”, he was an aristocratic mastermind that rocked the mouse world with his devious mind. But ask anyone with even a passing understanding of psychology, and they’ll tell you that repression of unwanted thoughts and feelings, especially anger, will fester and find someway of seeping out. And his anger was further compounded by his crimes constantly being thwarted by an insufferable detective - a mouse detective. Not only was his criminal brilliance being challenged by dogged detective, but he was once again being undermined by a mouse. At all added up to what we saw in the film - a mastermind of the criminal underworld unfolding his greatest scheme yet to finally get the recognition he deserved, only to once again have his goals squashed by that same detective that emboddied the rest of society, and it finally pushed him over the edge.

TL;DR - Professor Ratigan was a victim of systemic racism.

[acacia-may]

There Is Happiness (OMORI Kelbrey Fanfiction)

Description: Aubrey hadn’t always been this way. She could still remember a younger, less jaded version of herself who was actually excited about the idea of prom. A happier Aubrey who had used to giggle with Mari over the gowns in store catalogs and dream about all of her friends getting dressed up and going dancing together one day. A more innocent Aubrey who used to spend hours making plans for a future that would never get to happen. Her friends never got to go to a prom, and neither did she…Until now that is...

OR

Nearly a decade after the bad ending of OMORI, Kel and Hero plan a fake "prom" to surprise Sally, drudging up bittersweet memories for Aubrey about her friends--both the ones she had lost and, especially, the ones, who like her, had been left behind to pick up the pieces. Will confronting the past lead her to a brighter future?

Kelbrey Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, & How Their (Functional) Relationship Developed Over Time After the Bad Ending of OMORI. (Note: This is a standalone one shot that is a completely different bad end AU than my other really angsty bad end AU fic).

Relationships: KELBREY (Romantic Kel x Aubrey) CENTRIC (Functional, Healthy, Slow Burn Kelbrey). There are also important platonic friendships discussed & depicted in flashbacks: Aubrey & Hero & Kel friendship, Aubrey & Kel & Sally friendship, Aubrey & Mari friendship, Aubrey & Kel & Sunny & Basil & Hero & Mari friendship [Aubrey & Kel's friendships with Basil, Sunny, & Mari are a recurring & important theme]. Past Romantic Hero x Mari is referenced/heavily implied.

Characters: Aubrey (POV Character), Kel, Hero, Sally, and Mari (Sunny & Basil also appear briefly and are mentioned).

Genre: Slow Burn Romance, Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Developing Romance Through the Years, Angst With A Hopeful Ending, Post-Bad Ending, Many Flashback Sequences, Prom

Word Count: 12,748

Rating: T for some heavy themes and thematic elements (i.e. grief & healing from grief and trauma. Implied/Referenced Canonical Character Death & Implied/Referenced Mental Health Issues including depression & suicide).

Warnings: Major Spoilers for OMORI! Heavy themes and thematic elements (i.e. grief & healing from grief and trauma. Implied/Referenced Canonical Character Death & Implied/Referenced Mental Health Issues including depression & suicide). Kissing.

Link to original post on AO3. Please do not repost to another website.

A/N: Unfortunately, I missed Kelbrey Week because I did not know the ship even existed at the time (and had never played OMORI back in the dark ages of a couple of months ago), but I saw the prompts on Tumblr and was really inspired by the Prom prompt. Not only did the idea of "Kelbrey Prom" get a bunch of wheels turning in my brain, it also just so happened to be the prompt on my birthday, so I felt like it was it was just meant to be and I needed to write this story as soon as I had the idea. So I just wanted to offer a word of many, many thanks to @kelbreyweek for the prompt & inspiration for this story. 💕

Story below the cut. Thank you for reading!

Aubrey slammed her foot on the brake. She had lived in Faraway Town her whole life and still forgot about that stop sign. She probably always would.

The intersection was bustling today, and there was far more traffic than usual for a Saturday night. Aubrey supposed that was to be expected seeing as it was their local high school’s prom tonight, and the streets and sidewalks were filled with gussied-up teenagers in suits and poofy, colorful dresses. Aubrey rolled her eyes, conveniently ignoring the fact that she was in a pink prom dress herself—but at the very least it wasn’t that poofy.

Aubrey didn’t understand all the prom hype, especially now that she was trying to drive with teens darting in and out of the road and the straps of her dress uncomfortably digging into her arms whenever she tried to turn her steering wheel. She sighed. She sounded like such a grouchy old woman.

She hadn’t always been like that. The memories were hazy now, but she could still remember a younger less weathered, less jaded version of herself who was actually excited about the idea of prom.

*-*-*

“They’re so lucky,” sighed Aubrey glancing up from her pizza to watch the group of teenagers who had just walked into Gino’s dressed up in their finest suits and prettiest dresses for the prom.

Mari chuckled but patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. That’ll be you too soon enough.”

“It’ll be you sooner,” Aubrey insisted with a widening smile. “You’ll get to go in just a couple of years, right?” She paused, then giggled teasingly. “With Hero.”

Hero’s face flushed, and he grew suddenly interested in his piece of pizza. Mari’s expression softened—something affectionate passing over her eyes as she chuckled at him behind her hand. She shrugged her shoulders then teased, “I don’t know. I might have to think about it,” but she winked at him and the blush in his cheeks deepened.

“Why do you even need a date to the prom anyway? Can’t you just go with your friends?” asked Kel as he practically shoveled pizza into his mouth.

Aubrey rolled her eyes and huffed. “Don’t talk with food in your mouth. It’s so gross.”

“You’re gross,” bantered Kel, sticking his tongue out at her before shoving the rest of his piece of pizza into his mouth.   

Aubrey huffed again, but Hero gently interrupted changing the subject. “I think people do go to prom in groups with their friends. You don’t have to take a date like in the movies.” He paused before turning to his brother with a dry, bantering smile. “But if you want someone to take you, I’m sure Kel can.”

“No way! I’m not going to the prom with her. Basil can take her.”

“Wha—what? Why me?” stumbled Basil, bright red in the face.

“Because they always have those flower bracelets at the prom in the movies and you know all about flowers and stuff.”

“That’s called a corsage, moron,” bantered Aubrey. “And don’t worry, I’d rather go to prom with Hector than you.”

With a confused tilt of his head, Kel blinked at her. “Can we take dogs to prom? Awesome!” Kel beamed, and Aubrey rolled her eyes. “I’ll take Hector then, and Basil can take Aubrey.”

Basil’s blush deepened as he twisted his hands. “Well…um…I mean…” He paused, swallowing hard. “Well…maybe Sunny can take you…? He’s probably better at dancing.”

“Sunny will take you,” agreed Mari with a warm smile. “Won’t you, Sunny?”

Sunny pursued his lips together and pensively stared at his hands. Aubrey wasn’t sure but his face seemed a little more flushed than usual. He finally nodded briskly and quietly said, “Okay” though he wouldn’t look up from his plate.

Mari’s smile widened, and she chuckled. “See, problem solved.”

“I don’t understand why we can’t just all go to prom together,” sighed Kel. “You, me, Sunny, Basil, and Hector, and Hero and Mari too even though they’ll be older. We can all just go as friends.”

“That sounds nice,” said Sunny so quietly he was difficult to hear over the low roar and ruckus of the restaurant patrons.

“See!” exclaimed Kel triumphantly. “Sunny agrees with me. We should all just plan to go together as friends.”

“You might change your mind when you get older, Kel,” teased Hero with a dry but affectionate smile. Kel grimaced, sticking his tongue out at his older brother.

“No way!” He huffed then turned to Basil. “You think this sounds like a good idea, right Basil?”

“Wha—what? Oh…uh…yeah okay…” he stammered unsurely.

“Aubrey?”

Kel crossed his arms and glared at her, but Aubrey sighed and conceded, “Alright, but only because Sunny likes the idea. It might be nice for all of us to go as friends, but if I get a date, he’s coming with us too, okay?”

Mari started laughing behind her hand as Kel exaggeratedly rolled his eyes and huffed, “Whatever.”

*-*-*

A bittersweet smile tugged at Aubrey’s mouth. How silly they were then—how innocent. There was a pang in her chest, even now, so many years later as she remembered how they had spent hours together talking and laughing—making plans for a future that would never get to happen. She remembered how she used to giggle with Mari over the evening gowns in department store catalogs, sighing wistfully at the billboards advertising that year’s prom theme at the local high school, and dreaming of the day they’d get to go to one themselves. Aubrey’s chest ached as she sighed. Mari never got to go to a prom, and neither did she…

*-*-*

Tears prickled in Aubrey’s eyes as she glanced over the unworn prom dress still hanging up on the back of the closet door. She would probably feel better if she just shoved it into the back of her closet, but she couldn’t bring herself to. She had worked so hard for that dress—picking up extra shifts at Gino’s to afford such a luxury. She had justified it by reminding herself it was probably the only time in her life that she would get to wear such a dress, and this one was exactly what she had always dreamed: deep pink, floor-length chiffon. As soon as she saw it in the department store, a real, genuine smile had tugged at her mouth for the first time in so long that the sensation had felt almost foreign to her. And when she had finally bought the dress and tried it on for her friends to see, Charlene had quietly said she looked happy in it. She didn’t need to add that Aubrey hadn’t looked happy for a very long time.

A tear streamed down Aubrey’s cheek. She had wanted to wear that dress and go to the prom, but she just couldn’t—not today. Not now. Not without them.

Aubrey sniffled—rubbing her hand across her throbbing forehead. Her headache was so severe that she was actually starting to hear the pounding of her head. Or at least she thought she was until her mother called in a slurred, irritated voice,   

“Aubrey! Get the door.”

Aubrey quickly wiped her eyes and scurried downstairs.

“Tell them whatever they’re selling we don’t want it,” her mother added with a dismissive wave of her hand as Aubrey walked by the couch carefully tiptoeing around the empty liquor bottles which littered the ground.

Aubrey wasn’t sure who was at their front door, but she doubted a salesman would be bothering them at this time of night. Still she mumbled, “Okay” as she turned the bolts of the lock and opened the door.

“Hey, Aubrey,” said Kel with a slight wave of his hand and a friendly smile. “How’s it going?”

Aubrey could only blink at him. He was dressed in a nice, dark suit with an unexpected bright pink tie. If she had been feeling better, she probably would’ve thought of a dry quip to tease him about it but instead she just sighed, ushering him out onto the porch before her mother got irritated by the noise.

“Kel, what are you doing here?” she asked through her teeth. “Aren’t you supposed to be at prom?”

Kel shrugged. “I was there for a while, but you weren’t there so I thought I’d come check on you.”

“Sorry…”—Aubrey’s face flushed—“I tried to call you…”

“I know,” he interrupted. “I got your message. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…I…uh…wasn’t feeling up to it.” Aubrey sighed, hoping that Kel wouldn’t read too much into it.

“Oh…are you feeling sick? The pharmacy should still be open. I can run down to—”

“No, Kel,” she cut him off, placing her hand on his arm. “That is…uh…I’m fine. You should go back to the prom. I don’t want to ruin your night.”

Kel’s expression softened, and he smiled at her. “Don’t worry about it. The prom was kind of boring without you anyway.” He paused. “You sure you don’t want to—?”

“Yeah,” she cut him off just a little too forcefully, trying her best to frown despite her flushed face.

“Okay…” he said quietly. “Then…do you mind if I hang out here for a little while?”

Aubrey’s face grew warm with guilt and embarrassment. Just because she had ruined her own night didn’t mean she had to ruin Kel’s as well. “You really don’t have to do that.”

“Nah. I want to. I’d rather spend tonight with you than at the dumb prom anyway.”

“Kel, I can’t let you do that,” she insisted, but he smiled at her.

“It’s just a bunch of people dancing and stuff—and sure that’s fun and all but it’s not as cool as everyone acts like it is.” He shrugged his shoulders. “They did hang all these Christmas lights from the ceiling though and that was kinda cool—since the theme is ‘A Night Under the Stars.’” Sighing, Kel took a seat on the porch—leaning back on his hands and looking up at the sky. “But there are real stars out here which are better anyway.”

“Kel…” Aubrey began to argue, but she wasn’t sure what to say. “You can’t just miss your prom.”

“Sure I can,” he shrugged with matter-of-fact nonchalance. “You are, aren’t you? And the prom always mattered way more to you. You were really looking forward to it…” Kel’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. “Did someone break your heart or something so you didn’t want to come anymore?”

Aubrey stifled a breathy chuckle but shook her head. “No. Nothing like that. I wasn’t even planning on going with a date.” She paused, glancing over at Kel’s pink tie. “Won’t your date be upset that you left?”

“Oh uh…” chuckled Kel awkwardly, fidgeting with his tie. “I didn’t go with one.”

“Really?” The question slipped out before Aubrey could think to stop it, but Kel just shrugged his shoulders.

“Yep.” He paused and sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. “To tell you the truth, I—I kind of wanted to ask this one girl, but it didn’t work out. Oh well…”

Aubrey paused. While he was one of her best friends, they never really discussed their love lives or lack thereof. She didn’t even know Kel was romantically interested in anyone and couldn’t even begin to guess who it was. She supposed it was none of her business, but if Kel had left prom early because of this girl rather than just to check on her, it would certainly help her feel better about things.

“Is she the reason you left?” asked Aubrey taking a seat next to him on the porch.

Kel froze, and his cheeks flushed. “Wha—what?” he stumbled, more awkward than she ever would’ve expected from the happy-go-lucky Kel. He chuckled lightly but didn’t say no.

“It’s okay if she is. I wasn’t going to tease you or anything. I just—” She stopped. “I just don’t want to you miss out,” she said in a shaky voice. “Especially not because of me.”

“I already said don’t worry about it. I’d rather spend prom night with you, even if we don’t actually go to the prom.” Aubrey’s mouth twitched, she could almost hear the smile in his voice, but she frowned with a heavy sigh.

“But you already missed the last one…”

“Because Basil—” Kel’s voice cracked. He didn’t finish that statement, but he didn’t have to. Basil had died just a few weeks before their Junior Prom and the last thing either of them had wanted to do was go to some big party, especially one that Basil should have been attending himself, and instead they had spent prom night at the spot in the park where they had always had picnics with their friends, then sitting around Kel’s kitchen table looking through Basil’s old photo albums.

Aubrey had never told Kel that she had been considering skipping prom months before Basil’s death anyway, too saddened by the idea of having to go without Sunny and of Mari having never been able to go to hers. Basil’s death and the note he left behind for them was the final straw. She wouldn’t have blamed Kel if he had still wanted to go himself, but he had told her he was just too sad. She could understand that. Back then, it really felt like neither of them would ever be happy again.

But this year… she had been so determined, so set on going and trying to have to good time because she knew her friends wouldn’t want her to miss out on it on their account. Aubrey’s insides twisted, and her eyes burned, tears prickling behind them again.

“Aubrey?” When she turned to look at him, the faint flush of red had faded from his cheeks and his expression had softened but a look of concern quickly passed over his eyes. “Have you been crying?”

Aubrey’s face grew hot, and she swallowed hard as she frantically swiped at her eyes again. How red and puffy were they that Kel had noticed? “You can’t just ask someone that, Kel,” she replied with a shaky, bantering huff, but Kel only blinked at her.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, and Aubrey bit her lip. She couldn’t believe him—skipping over the ‘are you sure you’re okay?’ questions and straight to the ‘do you want to talk?’ Aubrey sighed though she felt a blush fill her cheeks and she fidgeted. She should probably expect it by now, given how many deep conversations she and Kel had been having over the past two years ever since Sunny and Basil had passed away. Her chest ached at the thought. Kel was giving her that look now—like he could see right through her, knew something was wrong and knew she was hurting even if she didn’t have the words to say it. She could see his pain too—that hollowness that crept into his smiles, that bittersweet sadness in his eyes. Kel’s eyes reflected the same pain that ached in her chest whenever she thought of Mari or Sunny or Basil. She was sure he could see his own grief in her as well, and perhaps that’s what had led them to find each other in the first place, in the wake of the loss of their friends—clinging to each other like two lost souls, sharing things with each other they could never even begin to tell anyone else.

“You can talk to me,” he gently encouraged her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Aubrey took a deep breath. She didn’t know if she wanted to unpack this, and she certainly didn’t want to dump it all onto Kel. She already felt guilty enough that he had left the prom to check up on her. But the look on Kel’s face was so warm and so kind, and the words, the painful truth was eating away at her waiting to be told to someone.

“You remember how we’d all promised we’d go to prom together someday?”

Kel’s brow furrowed. “Not really, but my memories of everyone are getting fuzzy…” There was a painful sadness cutting through his words as he said them.

“It’s okay. It wasn’t a big moment or anything. We were just at Gino’s joking around about it once, after a group of teenagers dressed for prom came in.” She paused. “You said you wanted to bring your dog.”

“Oh yeah…” said Kel with the slight twitch of a smile. “I remember that now. Mari was teasing Hero about taking her someday, and Sunny agreed with me that it would be nice if all of us could go together as friends.” Sighing, Kel paused—something bittersweet passing over his eyes. “You’re sad you couldn’t go with them, aren’t you?”

It wasn’t really a question.

Aubrey sniffled and nodded, and Kel cut her off reaching out to her. “Oh Aubrey, I…”

“It’s not just that. I was actually planning on going. I wanted to go. I bought a dress and everything. I knew it was going to be a hard day, but I was determined to do this. I knew they wouldn’t want me to miss out—would’ve wanted to me to go, even if I was sad they couldn’t be there with me.” Her voice cracked, and Kel nodded solemnly, understandingly.

“But…but…” she stumbled over her words as her eyes burned. “I was out of hairspray and knew I needed some for tonight, so I was riding my bike down to The Other Mart, and I saw there was a group of kids in the park and…” The tears started to pool in Aubrey’s eyes, and she took a deep, shaky breath, barely managing to choke out, “They were making flower crowns…”

She swiped at the tears that began to splash down her cheeks as she stumbled in the bits and pieces of sentences she could manage despite the panging ache in her chest, “I just—I just froze. I…I couldn’t stop thinking about…I turned around and came straight home and I just haven’t been able to stop crying…” She sniffled, wiping her eyes. “I know it’s so silly…to let something like that ruin my whole day, especially when it’s the prom, but I just started thinking about them and how they never got to go to prom and all the things they never got to do and will never get to do and…” Her voice trailed, as her words got choked by a sob in the back of her throat.

“I know,” sighed Kel quietly, giving her a reassuring pat on the back and pulling her into a hug. Aubrey took a few deep shaky breaths as she pressed her chin to Kel’s shoulder.

“It’s so stupid…” she mumbled, angry with herself as she pulled away from him.

“It’s not stupid at all.” He sighed heavily. “You know the other day I was supposed to be picking up a couple of groceries for my mom, and I was in that aisle in The Other Mart where they keep all the soups and sauces and stuff, and there was this lady there with her kids and the one kid dropped this big jar of spaghetti sauce—made a huge mess”—he paused as his breath hitched—”And I remembered that time we all tried to make spaghetti to surprise Hero, and I dropped the jar on the counter and the sauce splattered everywhere—it got in Basil’s hair and… Sunny was blinking at me with sauce all over his face and you were so mad but Mari just laughed…” He paused, swallowing hard. “It was like I couldn’t breathe. I ran out of there—totally forgot about the groceries.”

“Kel…” Aubrey began as she hugged him more tightly.

“I guess the moral of the story is neither one of us should be going shopping at the Other Mart, huh?” Kel chuckled lightly, but he sniffled and Aubrey could feel his shoulders trembling like he was trying not to cry.

They just sat there holding each other for a long time. No words were spoken, but they didn’t have to be. They understood—shared this pain of being the ones left behind. Kel sniffled, and Aubrey wondered if he was crying. It wouldn’t be the first time he had cried in front of her, and she knew—they both probably knew—that it wouldn’t be the last.

“You know, sometimes I think, I’m okay,” Kel managed in a wavering voice. “I still miss them, of course, but I’m not going to just start crying in the grocery store…but then…something like that happens and I just…I don’t know if I’m ever going to be okay. Like there was this whole life that I had before, but it’s all over and now I have this new life and even if things get better and it doesn’t hurt as much all the time, that sadness is always going to be there. There’s always going to be something missing, and I’m never going to not miss them.”

Aubrey sniffled and pulled away from him to look in his face, but that deep, indescribable pain in his misty eyes made her forget her words. She supposed it didn’t really matter. There was nothing she could possibly say that would make him feel better—she knew that better than anyone.

“Sorry,” he said hurriedly as he wiped his tears away. “I didn’t mean to make this about me. I feel really bad for dumping all that on you, especially when you were already upset.”

“No. I’m…I’m glad you told me, Kel,” she said hugging him again. “It’s…nice to know I’m not the only one…”

“You’re definitely not the only one—but it really does feel like you and me against the world sometimes, right?”

A kind, bittersweet smile pulled at the corners of Aubrey’s mouth as Kel wrapped an arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder. “Sometimes.”

“Hero too, but…” Kel paused, fidgeting. Aubrey nodded in understanding. He didn’t have to explain. She knew Hero worried especially about his younger brother which made it more difficult to open up to him about all of this sometimes, plus he was away at school and neither one of them wanted to bother him, especially when he was suffering a lot on his own.

“He missed his prom, too, didn’t he?” asked Aubrey quietly, changing the subject. Kel hummed, and she could feel him nod in response.

“But it’s overrated anyway…”

*-*-*

Kel was probably right, and the prom was overrated. That didn’t mean that she didn’t have the occasional regret about not going to hers, however. It wasn’t something she ever really talked about, but if she didn’t know better she would have thought that the fact she had skipped out on hers was part of the reason that Kel had invited her over tonight for the “prom” he and Hero had been putting together to surprise their younger sister, Sally.

Even though Sally was far too young to go to a prom, she was fairly vocal about the fact that she desperately wanted to. Though Aubrey thought it was a little odd to throw a prom for a little kid, she supposed there was no harm to it, and it was sweet that Hero and Kel were always trying to do such nice things for their little sister. She had also offered to help put it all together though she reminded Kel that she had never actually been to a prom so what would she possibly know about it? He said it wasn’t anything too fancy, but still insisted they should all dress up nicely. Just luckily Aubrey had had her unused prom dress from her own senior prom still hanging up in the back of her closet collecting dust. She supposed it was nice to finally get the chance to wear it, even if that meant getting stuck in stop-and-go traffic for half an hour.

Aubrey sighed. There was never any traffic on the way to prom in the movies. The people just got into their car—or their limo—and whipped right to the school without another car on the road. It was more than little unfair. Though she supposed she should know better than thinking of movies, especially teen rom coms, as real life.

*-*-*

“Okay, okay. I know we watch this movie every year, but I still don’t understand: can everybody at this school afford a limo? And where do the limos go when they’re all at prom?” asked Kel between bites of what had to be his third or fourth piece of birthday cake. Hero had been apologizing profusely for the fact it was store bought this year, but they understood he was extremely busy in medical school. They tried to reassure him that Mari would understand too, but Aubrey wasn’t sure if he had believed them. “How do all the limos even fit in the parking lot?”

“I don’t know, Kel,” Aubrey sighed, setting her piece of cake on the coffee table. “Just don’t think about it too much.”

“Listen, I went to prom—well part of it, and nobody came in a limo. Nobody,” Kel insisted forcefully, gesturing emphatically at her with his fork and flinging cake and frosting onto her face.

Aubrey huffed. “Kel!”

“Oh, you’ve got something on your nose,” he teased before playing poking at it with his finger.

“Here’s some napkins,” said Hero, handing her a stack of napkins with that said ‘Happy Birthday’ surrounded by balloons.

“Thank you.” Aubrey nodded at Hero then rolled her eyes at Kel shaking her head, but his attention was transfixed on the movie again, probably still wondering about the limos.

Aubrey sighed. Every year they watched Mari’s favorite movie for her birthday, and every year Kel found something else about it that didn’t make sense to him. Last year, it was how nobody in the school had worn anything even close to the same outfit. The year before that it was how the main character who was supposed to be smart hadn’t ever questioned her love interest’s obviously complicated motivations in asking her to the prom in the first place. This year it was the limos.

Aubrey sometimes wondered if Kel had only started this tradition of chattering away during the movie in the hopes that it would keep her and Hero’s spirits up and prevent them from being too sad that Mari wasn’t there to celebrate her birthday with them. But other times—like now, when she watched him pick up his piece of cake with his hands and shove it into his mouth as the icing squished into his face, she thought it was probably more likely that it was just Kel being Kel.

A smile tugged her lips in spite of herself, but she pushed the thought away. She’d never admit that she was glad Kel was around to ask dumb questions about the movie, and as she watched the small smile in the corners of Hero’s mouth, she was sure he felt the same way.

When the credits began to roll, Hero started cleaning up the cake, plates, and napkins, and Kel started prattling away again. “Why do movies make prom into such a big deal, anyway? They act like it’s the most important thing that will ever happen to you.”

“Well…” Hero sighed, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. “I think they need a climatic moment for the story, and when the characters are teenagers, they can’t have a wedding or something like that so they use the prom.”

“It’s really not as cool as all that though. I was honestly kind of let down.” Kel’s mouth curved into a teasing, lopsided grin before he chuckled, seemingly getting distracted once again by his cake. “This cake was great, by the way!”

“You can thank Aubrey for that. She picked it up from Nona’s.”

Aubrey shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I was in there anyway.” She stopped, not quite ready to admit that she was in that bakery a lot. It was one of her favorite places in their college town, and she liked to treat herself with a pastry every now and again after exams, if she did well on them of course.

“Sorry I couldn’t make one this year…” Hero apologized again with red, apologetic cheeks. “Neuroanatomy is just kicking my tushie.”

Aubrey and Kel broke into raucous laughter. “Your tushie? Really, Hero?” teased Kel.  

“What are you—five?” Aubrey bantered.

“You know what I mean,” sighed Hero. Though his cheeks were flushed, he was smiling in spite of himself. “Medical school is hard.” He sighed again. “I’m sure Aubrey understands being in nursing and all.”

“I’m glad I’m going to be a nurse and not a doctor—there’s too much memorizing. I’m not smart enough for that.”

“Don’t say that, Aubrey,” chimed Kel. “You and Hero are both super smart—you know all kinds of medical stuff. I could never do what you do.”

“Well I’m sure neither of us could ever do what you do either, Kel,��� Aubrey insisted, and Hero nodded in agreement. “You can fix anything, and I wouldn’t even know what to do with a welding torch if my life depended on it.”

Kel chuckled his face brightening. “I can show you sometime if you want. It’s really not that hard.”

“Says the ‘Welder of the Year,’” bantered Aubrey.  

“It was only ‘of the month,’ and…”  

“I still have the newsletter hanging up on our refrigerator,” interjected Hero with a proud smile. Kel scratched the back of his neck as his face flushed.

“You can take that down, you know? It’s really not that big of a deal…” He sighed. “I only fix engines and stuff. I don’t save lives or anything like you guys.”

Aubrey sighed, shaking her head. “I’ve never saved a life.”

“I’ve barely even left my classroom,” said Hero. “So you’ve at least got one up on me. You’re in clinicals now, aren’t you?”

Aubrey nodded. “Yeah. I’m trying to get a job as a student nurse too. I just interviewed in behavioral health and psychiatry.”

She stopped abruptly as Kel and Hero’s eyes widened, a certain sadness in them that Aubrey had used to see all the time but which hadn’t been in their expressions in a while. A silence spread through the room, and Aubrey sighed, wishing she hadn’t mentioned it. She was about to apologize for bringing it up and ruining the mood of everyone’s evening, but then she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and a gentle hand patting her back.

“That’s great, Aubrey,” said Kel with a kind smile and soft expression. “I hope you get it and help a lot of people.”

“Me too,” said Hero. “I think you’ll be great at that.”

“Thanks,” Aubrey mumbled, her face feeling suddenly warm.

“Well, I think this deserves a toast.” Kel stood up from his seat and poured some cups of coffee from the coffee maker for them.

Aubrey quirked an eyebrow at him. “We’re toasting coffee?”

“Yes,” he answered, completely unphased as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He held up his coffee cup. “To Aubrey, soon to be ‘World’s Greatest Nurse.’”

He winked at her, and Aubrey shook her head but bantered, holding up her own cup, “And to Kel—Welder of the Year,”

“Would you stop it with that?” he teased under his breath as a flush of red filled his cheeks. He shook his head and turned to Hero. “And to Hero—who can do anything!”

“And everything,” added Aubrey as Hero turned away from them blushing a bright red.

“You guys…” he mumbled.

“And let’s toast Mari too,” said Kel. “Happy Birthday, Mari!”

“Happy Birthday, Mari,” Hero and Aubrey replied with kind, bittersweet smiles.

As they took sips of their coffee, Aubrey’s lips puckered, and her face contorted as she resisted the urge to spit hers out. Even Hero grimaced.

“What in the world is this, Kel?” She reached for her water to try to rinse out the taste.

“Oh you’re never gonna believe it, but Orange Joe makes ground coffee now.”

“Why?” groaned Aubrey.

“You really should warn us first,” Hero quipped dryly with a slight smile, but Kel just shrugged.

“What? I thought it was pretty good.”

“I don’t know how you drink this garbage. It tastes like rotten oranges,” Aubrey bantered. “It would’ve been better if we toasted with broccoli juice or something.”

“I have some soda in the pantry. Let’s just use that.” Hero, always the peace-maker, got up from his seat and made his way to the kitchen with a gentle smile. Once he was gone, Kel finished off his cup of coffee and turned to her with a soft expression in his eyes.

“Hey Aubrey?”

“Yeah?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

“I think it’s really great that you want to be a psych nurse and everything.”

Aubrey sighed. “I don’t know if it’ll work out, Kel. I mean I just interviewed so…”

“It’ll work out,” he cut her off with a reassuring smile. “I know it will, and when it does, I know you’re gonna be great. I…”—he paused and glanced away from her—"I think you’re really great—at everything.”

Aubrey’s cheeks grew warm from the compliment. “Thank you, Kel. I think you’re—”

She didn’t get to finish that thought, however, as Kel wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into an unexpected but welcomed hug. Aubrey pressed her chin to his shoulder and gave him a pat on the back. She waited for him to let go of her, but he held her far longer than usual.

Finally, he whispered so quietly she almost couldn’t hear him. “Do a good job, okay? For all of us…”

Aubrey nodded. She contemplated pulling away from him, but he ran his hand through the ends of her long hair mumbling, “And Aubrey…Uh…I was wondering…”

“Yeah?” she shivered, in spite of herself.

“Uh…” he began again, and she could feel his hands begin to shake as they gently held onto her.

“Do you want diet or regular? I also have a few cherry—” Hero’s voice stopped abruptly. “Oh sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Kel and Aubrey quickly pulled away from each other. Aubrey could only hope she wasn’t blushing as much as she feared. Her cheeks burned, but she and Kel hurriedly talked over each other, reassuring Hero it was fine, and he wasn’t interrupting anything. Aubrey’s head reeled, but Kel seemed completely unphased, politely declining Hero’s soda and pouring himself another cup of Orange Joe.

As Kel stood up from his seat beside her on the sofa, Aubrey could have sworn that Hero shot her a knowing, somewhat teasing smile that made her stomach twist. She bit her lip and tried her best to push the thought away—nervously, reaching for her coffee cup in an attempt at nonchalance and unfortunately failing to remembered it was still full of Orange Joe until she had actually taken a sip. Aubrey grimaced at the bitter taste, but her cheeks burned as she watched Hero’s mouth twitched in the corners at her.

*-*-*

Aubrey wished she could say that was the last time she ever accidentally tried Orange Joe. It wasn’t, but both her and Hero did get much better at predicting whether or not Kel was trying to pawn the drink off onto them. It had a distinctively putrid citrusy odor that, eventually, made it much easier to identify. If she knew Kel, there would probably be a whole pitcher full of it at the “prom” he was putting together even though Hero had insisted multiple times that Sally was much too young for coffee.

It was nice to hear that Hero was going to get to come tonight, too. He had been so busy with his residency that they didn’t get to see too much of them these days. Even Kel who was his roommate said he was lucky if he occasionally managed to catch Hero as he was heading to the hospital when Kel himself was getting home from his third shift at the manufacturing plant where he worked. Hero promised them that he was happy, just very busy, and they respected his need for rest, even if it was starting to feel a little bit like her and Kel against the world again.

That reminded her, she ought to give him a call about the traffic—letting him know she was going to be late.

“Hey Kel,” she began, but his voice, muffled and staticky from what Aubrey presumed was a bad connection, cut her off.

“Hi Aubrey. What’s up?”

“Well, I’m on my way, but I’m stuck in traffic. You would not believe how many cars are out here right now.” Aubrey sighed wearily. “On their way to prom probably”

“Have you seen any limos?”

Aubrey laughed. “No, Kel. No limos. I really don’t think we even have those in Faraway Town.”

“That’s probably true.” He chuckled before changing the subject. “It’s no big deal if you’re late or anything. Just drive safely, and you can let yourself in through the fence to the backyard.”

“Oh, are you having it outside?”

Kel hummed. “Yeah, it was such a nice night that I thought it would be fun to dance out on the porch and stuff. I’ve been practicing my dancing, and I think I’m a lot better than the last time you danced with me so…”

Aubrey’s face grew suddenly hot, but she took a deep breath, trying and failing not to think of the last night Kel had danced with her…

*-*-*

“Okay, explain to me again how you came to win dancing lessons?” quipped Aubrey, quirking an eyebrow at Kel, but he merely shrugged at her.

“Well I bought a bunch of raffle tickets because I wanted this ceramic chicken.” He paused before adding hurriedly with a sheepish smile, “And, you know, to support the hospital and everything too.”

Aubrey sighed and shook her head, but Kel didn’t seem to notice. It was very nice of Kel to come with her to her hospital’s charity benefit. They were raising money to build a new wing which would mean more beds in the juvenile behavioral health ward where she worked as a nurse. She had told Kel that the gala was mostly for the really big donors, and she was just inviting him for his company so he shouldn’t feel obligated to donate anything. Even so, it was sweet of him to try to buy some raffle tickets for some of the less expensive items.

A smile twitched in the corners of her mouth. It was just like Kel to do something thoughtful like that—especially for a dumb reason like wanting a ceramic chicken he could probably buy for himself half-as-cheap at a local home goods store.

“I was going to put all the tickets in the drawing for the basket with the chicken,” Kel prattled on. “But then some of the other people were giving me these weird looks, so I started to put them in the drawing for some of the other raffle baskets too, and I guess I won the one with the dancing lessons.” With a slight shrug of his shoulders, Kel frowned disappointedly. “Didn’t win the chicken though. I was pretty bummed about that.”

“What would you even do with a ceramic chicken?” Aubrey teased dryly.

“I don’t know, but I’d probably get more use out of it than dance lessons.”

A chuckle escaped Aubrey’s mouth as she barely stifled a laugh—turning back to the stove where she was frying some potatoes as they waited for the lasagna they were making for dinner to be finished cooking in the oven. It wouldn’t be nearly as good as Hero’s, but he was far too busy with his residency to cook for even himself these days. They were making this meal to surprise him when he got home and to celebrate his first weekend off in months.

“Do you want to take them with me?” asked Kel as he absent-mindedly stirred the pudding they were making for dessert.

Aubrey tilted her head at him. “The dance lessons?”

“Yeah. It’s for two people, and I didn’t really know who else to bring.”

“What about Hero?” She didn’t realize how silly that suggestion sounded until Kel laughed.

“Hero is a great dancer already, and he’s super busy right now anyway.”

With a conceding shrug of her shoulders, Aubrey sighed. “Isn’t there someone else you’d rather bring, Kel?”

“Nope,” he replied immediately, clearly not understanding the meaning behind her words. “Why would there be?”

“Well…you know…some people think that dancing can have a more romantic connotation, so I was just thinking that if you were interested in someone you might want to bring…” Her voice trailed as she tilted her head confused and inquisitively at the unreadable expression on Kel’s face.

“Oh…uh…well…” Kel chuckled though he rubbed his hand sheepishly across the back of his neck. “Actually, I’d rather take you, but if you don’t want to come, you can just say...”

“It’s fine, Kel.” With a shrug, Aubrey stared down at the potatoes, put the lid over the pan, and turned the stove down to low heat so they could simmer. Her mouth twitched into a bantering smile. “I just meant, you should probably be careful going around asking other girls to go dancing with you. They might get the wrong idea.”

“Is it really that much of a romantic thing?” asked Kel blinking at her.

Aubrey shrugged again. “It is in the movies.”

“But that’s just the movies. They make everything romantic, especially when it doesn’t have to be. Like how they always make it seem like prom is the best night of your life or when the couple dances together there one time, they’re suddenly desperately in love forever.” Kel laughed, but Aubrey frowned.

“I didn’t mean it like—” She huffed, shaking her head. “And what would you know about prom anyway, you barely even went to ours?”

“I went to enough of it to know that it wasn’t super magical or anything, and yeah, I danced with a few girls, but it’s not like I’m just pining for them forever now.” Kel paused, chuckling to himself, and Aubrey’s face flushed but her brow furrowed. Was he making fun of her?

“That’s not the same thing. For some girls it’s different. They romanticize it in their heads”—she sighed—“not me but…”

“That’s because you’re a cynic,” teased Kel.

“And you’re a moron—especially if you think that another girl wouldn’t take your invitation to dancing lessons in a romantic way.”

Kel just shrugged and admitted, “I don’t get it.”

“Well…what if you had danced with that girl, the one you actually wanted to take as your prom date? Don’t you think that would’ve been special?”

“I didn’t get to dance with her—ever actually, but I don’t think it would’ve changed anything. A dance is just dance, isn’t it?” He tilted his head as a bantering smile tugged at his lips. “You’re acting like if I just started dancing with you right now, you’d—?”

“K—Kel?” Aubrey’s breath hitched as he slipped his arms around her waist. “What are you doing?”

“Proving a point,” he insisted with a shrug.

Aubrey huffed. “There isn’t even any music.”

“Oh.” Kel absentmindedly tilted his head before pulling out his phone, presumably choosing a song to play. As the song’s intro began to play, he set his phone on the counter and held out his hand to her.

“Can I have this dance?” he asked with a playfully melodramatic bow, and Aubrey sighed with a somewhat affectionate roll of her eyes.

“Fine,” she sighed. “Whatever will get you to focus on cooking again.”

Kel smiled brightly as he wrapped his arms around her waist again. As he met her eyes, she looked away abruptly—clearing her throat as she snaked her arms around his neck. He was so close to her. Her cheeks felt warm, and she swallowed hard, pushing the thought away. ‘It’s just Kel,’ she reminded herself.

He began swaying—Aubrey shook her head—off tempo with the music. “You really can use those dance lessons,” she teased though there was a certain, uncharacteristic shakiness that seeped into her words. She pursed her lips and mentally kicked herself. What was wrong with her all of a sudden?

She could almost feel Kel’s chuckle reverberating in his chest. “Yeah, well I guess it’s good I won them then.” He smiled at her, and as he met her eyes, Aubrey shuddered in spite of herself.

Kel pulled her closer to him—almost pressing his cheek against hers and began to quietly sing along to the music. Aubrey’s face flushed. Knowing Kel he probably wasn’t even aware that he was singing, but she could feel his warm breath, those affectionate words almost whispered in her ear. For the life of her she couldn’t even begin to guess why Kel had picked what was probably one of the most romantic songs in the universe. The slow crooning of the melody alone screamed romance, but there was so much devotion, so much longing in the lyrics—and to hear them in Kel’s voice... Aubrey inhaled sharply—hoping her face wasn’t nearly as red as she feared.

“How”—her voice hitched, and she pulled away from him—“How do you even know this song?”

Kel just shrugged. “Hero showed it to me. He likes all those old songs, you know? And I thought it would be good for this.” He paused. “Why? Do you like it?”

“It’s fine,” shrugged Aubrey though she found she couldn’t look at Kel for some reason.

When she finally met his gaze again, there was something so warm, so gentle in his expression, and his dark eyes seemed to glisten with an emotion that she couldn’t begin to describe but which made her heart pound all the same. He lifted his hand from her waist and gently pressed his palm to her cheek.

“If this was a movie, this is probably the point when I’d say something corny like…” Kel paused, blinking at her with heavy-lidded eyes before he continued with a gentle sincerity that made her breath catch in her throat, ”‘You are so beautiful.’” He stroked her cheek with his thumb, and as his eyes fluttered closed, he sighed, “‘I’ve wanted this for a long time.’”

Aubrey swallowed hard. She tried to frown even though she was sure her face was bright red from that…that pining underscoring his voice. ‘This is just a game,’ she reminded herself—one that Kel seemed to be getting extremely into, but a game all the same. Still... the way his voice faltered, the earnestness in his eyes made it easy to forget.

“You’ve been watching too many romance movies with Hero…” she quipped, but her voice wavered.

Kel chuckled lightly. “Maybe…”

His hand softly stroked the side of her cheek until the tips of his long fingers began to tangle in her hair. She shivered as she took a long, shaky breath. His lips parted slightly as his mouth relaxed. She bit her lip and watched as Kel did the same.

“Aubrey…” he whispered as she tangled her trembling hand in the hair at the nape of his neck and gently pulled him towards her in slow, deliberate movements that didn’t feel like her own. His long, dark eyelashes fluttered. He was close enough to her now that she could almost feel them against her skin.

Her heart pounded. Her hands shook. He hovered in front of her mere inches away from her face. When he whispered her name again, she realized they had stopped dancing.

As Kel’s eyes fluttered closed, he tilted his head and cupped her face with his hands. His breath was warm against her skin, so close Aubrey could almost taste the coffee and citrus lingering from that awful Orange Joe he loved so much. As she began to lean closer to him, her hand curled around the unruly strands of his hair, and she pressed her palm to the back of his head—pulling him in. Closer. Closer.

He began to lean forward. That space between them was almost non-existent now. Aubrey froze—unable to move, unable to breath. Her heartbeat raced, and she could almost feel Kel’s heart pounding as he stopped, a breath away from her. She gripped the soft fabric of his shirt and shut her eyes tightly. Waiting. Waiting until…

BEEP! BEEP! The sound of the oven timer rang through the living room. Aubrey exhaled deeply though her cheeks flushed. What had just happened?

Kel startled, pulling away from her abruptly. “Oh! The lasagna!” he exclaimed with a bright smile, seemingly, completely unphased by what had just happened, by the fact that they had almost…

Aubrey inhaled sharply, then took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She bit down hard on her lip. It was just a game to him. Of course it was.

“Alright fine, Kel…” she laughed it off with as much of a frown as she could muster as the music stopped. Her racing heartbeat and wavering tone of voice didn’t seemed to get the memo, however. “You’re right.”

His face beamed. “Seriously?” He chuckled, playfully poking her in the arm. “See, I told you that you didn’t miss out on anything at the prom.”

Aubrey sighed—willing that blush she could still feel in her face away. “Yeah… It’s just a dance—nothing necessarily romantic about that. But you know I agreed with you from the beginning, right? So don’t get too excited about it. I just meant a lot of other girls might get the wrong impression.” ‘Especially if you dance with them like that,’ she mentally added, barely managing to stop herself before the words tumbled out of her mouth.

“Yeah, alright. You know, honestly, I actually kinda see your point now too.” Kel tilted his head and chuckled breathily though his expression was unreadable. Aubrey’s heart raced in spite of herself as she tried to push these thoughts, these feelings, whatever they were away for good.

*-*-*

Aubrey let out a long and heavy sigh. She could feel the blush in her cheeks even now just thinking about it. She hadn’t done a very good job of pushing the memory away. Even though they had never talked about that dance, about that almost-kiss ever again, Aubrey had mulled it over in her mind more times than she could count, until she could almost believe that she had been imagining things, that she had just gotten caught up in the music and dancing and that nothing had actually almost happened. But…—Aubrey sighed—the way he had looked at her…

She swallowed hard and pushed the thought away. This was Kel. Kel—dopey, happy-go-lucky Kel who used to eat spray cheese directly out of the can until she and Hero staged an intervention to ask him to stop and who once got a popsicle stick stuck up his nose because he wanted to see if he could touch his brain with it. Granted he was seven at the time, but still… this was Kel, and Kel was…was…

Aubrey sighed. Kel was sweet and thoughtful. He’d do anything to make his friends and family happy, and he loved making people laugh. He could make friends anywhere he went, and he always found things to smile about. And yeah, he could be awkward sometimes, airheaded, oblivious, and occasionally stubborn, but he had a big heart and even if his words didn’t always come out the way he wanted them to, she never doubted how much he cared. He was a great friend—her best friend, probably if she was being honest, but she wasn’t about to waste another minute of her life sitting around analyzing whether she may or may not have almost kissed him once. And she especially wasn’t going to sit around analyzing whether or not she should have or, worst of all, whether she had wanted to.

“You will dance with me again, won’t you?” asked Kel’s voice through the phone. “I gave those dancing lessons to my parents as a gift, but Hero was helping me practice a little bit, so I think I’ve gotten a lot better.”

“Uh…yeah…sure Kel…” stumbled Aubrey trying her best not to think anything of it.

“Okay, great! I’ve got to go now, but I’ll see you soon, okay? Bye.”

“…Bye…” mumbled Aubrey. She let out a long and heavy sigh, shaking her head and mentally kicking herself for getting so flustered about Kel of all people. It was nothing, clearly…given the way he could mention it so nonchalantly like that. She should just stop thinking about it and worrying that it was something that it wasn’t.

She pushed the thought away—trying her best to think about something else, anything else. What was everyone going to wear tonight? Sally would probably look adorable all dressed up in party dress or a costume if she wanted to be an actual princess—though Aubrey supposed Kel had specifically used the word “prom” rather than “ball” so Sally might not want a princess dress. Would Kel and Hero go all out and rent tuxes or just wear nice suits? Maybe Kel would bring back that bright pink tie from their prom…

Aubrey stopped. That tie. She hadn’t thought about it in years until it got brought up a couple of weeks ago when she and Kel were going shopping at the outlet mall with Sally.

*-*-*

“They’re so pretty,” Sally sighed wistfully with a little twirl as they passed some of the clothing racks filled with sparkly prom dresses. “I can’t wait ‘til I’m old enough to go to the prom.” She giggled and squeezed Aubrey’s hand. “What was it like? Did you get to wear a pretty dress like that, Aubbie?”

Aubrey smiled. Sally had given her that nickname years ago when she was a little toddler who struggled with her “r”s, and it made it happy to think that it had somehow stuck all these years. Her smile quickly faded however, as she awkwardly replied, “Well…Sally…I didn’t actually go to my prom.”

“Oh…” Sally’s eyes widened sadly, and she tilted her head. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay,” she reassured her, giving her a gentle smile and a reassuring pat on the head. “Your brother went though—to part of it. He wore this bright pink tie.”

Kel laughed and playfully poked her in the arm. “You remember my tie?”

Aubrey’s face flushed, but she bantered. “It was kind of hard to forget. Why’d you pick a color like that anyway?”

“Oh uh…” Chuckling, he scratched the back of his neck. “I never told you?”

“No…” Aubrey quirked an eyebrow at him, but Sally giggled.

“I wanna hear about it.”

“Well, okay, just for you Sally,” Kel’s expression softened, but he shrugged his shoulders. “But I’m warning you, it’s…kind of silly now that I’m thinking about it…” He sighed. “There was this girl…She was really amazing. I wanted to ask her to prom, but I was really afraid she would say ‘no’ so I kind of chickened out. But she really liked pink so…I thought maybe she’d like that pink tie. Kind of silly, right?” He laughed it off, but his cheeks flushed.

“Did she like it?” asked Sally, curiously blinking up at her older brother.

Kel’s mouth curved into a smile, and—Aubrey blushed—she could have almost sworn he glanced over at her when he said, “Yeah. I think she did…”

“You know, you never told me—that girl, did she go with someone else?” The question slipped out before Aubrey could stop it. She had spent years wondering, worrying if she had ruined Kel’s prom with her own problems or if he was nursing a broken heart of his own that had nothing to do with her grief. It was probably selfish to be bringing it up now after all these years, but she couldn’t give up the opportunity to find out for sure if Kel would have left the prom early anyway, even if she had been there.

“Nope,” Kel shook his head with a sigh, and Aubrey swallowed hard.

“Did you get to dance with her, then?”

A smile twitched in the corners of Kel’s mouth—something unreadable but undeniably affectionate flashing across his eyes. “Eventually…”

“Was she a good dancer?” giggled Sally.

“Better than me.” Kel shrugged, but he reached out to take Sally’s hand and gave his sister a little twirl. “But I am getting better.”

He flashed Aubrey a teasing smile, and she shook her head at him as she stifled a laugh. She knew it was a sign that this conversation was over, but it nagged at the back of her brain for the rest of the day as they absentmindedly wandered from store to store, eventually stopping for soft pretzels at the food court and surprising Sally with a bright yellow bow for her hair. There was no more talk of prom.

When it started storming, they decided to call it a day and headed back to Faraway Town. It wasn’t long before Sally fell asleep in the back seat of her car, exhausted from the long and exciting day of shopping. Aubrey dreaded the silence left by the absence of Sally and Kel’s cheerful prattling, but she was grateful for the opportunity to focus on driving rather than on mulling Kel’s words over in her head. That guilt she had been feeling ever since he had had to skip out on their prom on her account was suddenly fresh again, gnawing at her, getting harder and harder to push away.

“Hey…uh…Aubrey? Are you okay?” asked Kel quietly enough so as not to wake up the napping Sally. “You’ve been kind of quiet…”

“Well Sally’s asleep Kel,” she replied with a tilt of her head as she glanced in her rearview mirror.

“Yeah, but I meant before that…Ever since we were in that department store…”

Aubrey took a deep breath and tried to muster a, “Yeah…I’m just…”

She stopped abruptly. Even if she didn’t take her eyes off the road, she could almost picture Kel’s reassuring smile, encouraging her that she could tell him anything. Maybe it would be best to ask him now when she didn’t have to look in his face...

Before she could decide, however, she pulled into the driveway of Kel’s parents’ house. Grabbing a nearby umbrella, Kel got out of the car and gently lifted a sleeping Sally, draping his jacket over her head so her face wouldn’t get wet from his attempts to carry her and the umbrella.

Kel fidgeted until he was shielding Sally completely with the umbrella, getting himself soaked in the process. Aubrey sighed and shook her head with a somewhat affectionate smile. He was going to be sopping wet by the time he got back to the car, but if Aubrey was being honest, she didn’t mind. It was sweet how much Kel cared about his sister. Aubrey supposed that was really just Kel—he always thought about everybody else and how to make them happy. He’d give a stranger his umbrella if they needed it, even if that meant he’d get himself soaked. It was something Aubrey admired most about him.

Her face felt suddenly warm, and she pushed the thought away, watching as Kel handed Sally off to his mom on the porch. She gave Aubrey a bright smile and a cheerful wave as Kel rushed back across yard. Aubrey waved back.

Sure enough, when Kel got back inside the car, he was dripping water. He ran his hand through his sopping hair.

“Sorry, Aubrey. I’ll clean it up when you drop me off,” he insisted with a sheepish smile, but Aubrey waved her hand.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just water.”

Chuckling, Kel’s mouth twitched into a lopsided grin, and he shrugged his shoulders, “Okay, now that Sally’s inside…what’s up? Something’s bugging you.”

“I’m fine,” Aubrey said, but she knew Kel knew her too well to believe that.

He sighed, a look of concern passing over his eyes. “Are you sure? Is it something I said…?”

“No…” She bit her lip. “It’s not you. It’s just…”

“You’ll feel better if you just tell me. I know you will,” he teased with a kind smile.

Aubrey huffed. He was right, of course, but she didn’t really want to admit that.

“Why did you leave our prom?”

Kel’s brow furrowed, and his eyes widened in confusion. “What?”

“You know…was it for that girl you wanted to take but didn’t end up asking or was it for…?” She stopped and cleared her throat.

“Well…actually…” Kel stumbled, his face flushing. Aubrey sighed guiltily. She didn’t mean to fluster him like this—it wasn’t fair.

“I just…I know it’s none of my business, and I feel bad asking but I just don’t want to be reason that you had to skip out on our prom, you know? So if you left because you were heartbroken or…”

“Oh,” Kel interrupted. Clearing his throat, he rubbed his hand across the nape of his neck. “Uh…I wasn’t heartbroken or anything, but…yeah, I did leave because of that girl—the one I wanted to ask…”

Aubrey sighed. She didn’t feel as relieved to hear this as she had always imagined she would. She felt almost…sad…

“Do you regret it?” she asked quietly, staring at her hands. “Leaving her there at the prom?”

“What?”

“You know, you could’ve stayed. You didn’t have to miss out on it, especially not to just waste the whole night sitting on my porch…” She cleared her throat though she twisted her hands around the steering wheel, staring intently at the swaying windshield wipers. “Do you ever wish that…things had been different?”

“I mean…I guess sometimes, maybe, but only to wish that you had been there and that everyone had been there to come with us.” Sighing bittersweetly, Kel paused. “Why? Do you?”

Aubrey sighed, adjusting her grip on the steering wheel even though the car was still parked. “Sometimes…” she admitted. “But for the same reason as you, I guess, and…” Her voice trailed, and she could feel Kel shift next to her.

“And what?”

“I’ve just…” Her face flushed as she took a deep breath. “I always felt guilty for making you miss it. I really am sorry about that.”

Kel chuckled lightly and placed his hand on her shoulder until she turned to look at him. “Aubrey, don’t worry about it. I already told you. I wanted to spend it with you.”

His smile was warm, and the look in his eyes was so tender that Aubrey’s hands began to shake as her cheeks blushed rose. She turned away from him, and he shrugged his shoulders and admitted, “I think about that night a lot, actually…in a good way. I don’t have regrets.”

He gently pushed a piece of hair out of her face, and Aubrey shivered but not from the cold and wet of the rain on his fingers. “Aubrey, I…There’s actually…” He stopped and pulled his hand away from her abruptly as water began to drip into her face. “Oh shoot. I’m sorry,” he stumbled, panicking over the damp streaks in her hair.

“It’s okay, Kel…” Aubrey sighed—politely failing to mention that his panicking over dripping water everywhere was just spraying water and making everything wetter. “Let’s just…get you home.”

“Okay…” Kel nodded, but his face was flushed. Aubrey was sure hers was bright red. She could only hope he wouldn’t notice.

*-*-*

Taking a deep breath, Aubrey parked her car on the street in front of Kel’s house. This was probably the worst possible thing she could have been thinking of right now. Why did she do this to herself?

She sighed heavily, burying her face in her hands before she composed herself, pushing all those thoughts away. She didn’t even know where they were coming from, and even if she did, now was definitely not the time to be thinking about any of that. She could almost guarantee that Kel certainly wasn’t. There was no way he was sitting around wondering what would have happened if the timer hadn’t gone off when they were dancing or if water hadn’t started to drip into her face when he was running his hand through her hair. These were just things Kel did without thinking—it didn’t mean anything more to him than that they were just friends, so why should it mean anything more to her? And…perhaps more importantly, why would she even want it to? Why would she want affection for him that would never be returned?  

Her shoes clicked across the pavement as she made her way down the sidewalk and up the driveway to the house where Kel lived with his brother, at least until Hero finished his final year of residency and paid off enough student loans to afford his own place. There was the faint sound of music echoing from the backyard and lights shimmering from what she assumed was probably their decorated porch. As soon as she walked through the gate to the yard, however, she realized she was wrong. There was a beautiful trellis canopy covered in Christmas lights with twinkling icicle lights hanging from the ceiling—underneath it was Hero’s record player, playing classic love songs.

Aubrey froze just staring at it—how it beautiful it was. She didn’t even notice Kel until he chuckled beside her.  

“Aubrey, you made it!” He paused, his expression softening. “You look beautiful. I’m glad I finally got to see your prom dress.”

Aubrey’s face flushed, and she curled her toes in her shoes both at the compliment,  and at the fact that Kel didn’t look too shabby himself dressed in his dark suit with combed hair and shiny dress shoes. “You look nice too, Kel. I see you’re wearing that tie—” she tried to tease him, but her voice cracked. Kel, however, just chuckled lightly.

“Oh yeah…well, you know…” With a slight shrug of his shoulders, he paused fidgeting with the bright pink tie around his neck. “Do you like it?”

Aubrey somehow managed a playful roll of her eyes. “It’s great, Kel.”

“I got you this,” he exclaimed excitedly, holding out a plastic container with a corsage inside.

“Wow, thank you,” she stumbled as he helped her slip it onto her wrist. “You really did go all out, huh?”

Kel hummed and nodded enthusiastically, but Aubrey’s brow furrowed as she glanced around. “So, uh…where are Hero and Sally?”

A faint flush of rose filled Kel’s cheeks. “Oh. Uh…well…about that. They’re not here.”

“Why not?”

“It wasn’t really a lie,” he tripped over his words. “I was just trying to surprise you, but I…I didn’t do this for Sally…”

As he met her eyes, Aubrey shivered and swallowed hard. Kel chuckled sheepishly. “I knew you were kind of upset that you missed your prom, and so I thought I’d make you your own prom. Surprise!”

Aubrey looked around the yard—at the twinkling lights, the trellis, Hero’s record player, then at Kel, all dressed up in his best suit with his pink tie, the kindest look in his eyes and the brightest, beaming smile on his face.

“You...”—she inhaled sharply—“You did all this…for me?”

“Yeah…Is it overboard? I was worried it might be a little overboard.”

Aubrey could scarcely put coherent sentences together—her head was spinning. Kel…Kel had done all of this…for her…? “Why?”

“Why?” Kel repeated with wide eyes. “Well…because it’s a lot…with the music and the fancy clothes and the decorations…”

“No, uh—” she stumbled. “Why did you do this for me, Kel?”

“Oh…well I thought you were upset about our prom ever since we went to the outlet mall, and I thought maybe a ‘do-over’ prom would make you happy.”

Aubrey’s blush deepened as she stared down at her feet. “You…you really didn’t have to do this Kel. Especially since I’m the one who basically ruined your prom in the first place.”

“Aubrey…” He pressed his palm to her cheek—smiling, waiting until she finally looked up at him. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you this whole time. You didn’t ruin my prom—not at all. I wanted to spend it with you. I know I probably should’ve just asked you, but I don’t know, I was just…I had never felt so close to anybody in my whole life, and I thought you were so amazing, I didn’t know what to do with myself…” He paused, chuckling awkwardly with a sheepish shrug of his shoulders.

“Wait…you…you…” she stammered trying to make sense of what she was hearing. He couldn’t have possibly just said…? “You wanted to take me to our prom? I’m the girl?”

Kel’s cheeks blushed red, but he nodded. “You’re the girl.” Aubrey could only blink at him as he chuckled lightly, awkwardly again and joked as he fidgeted with his hands, “You know…if this was a movie, this is probably the part where I’d say something really corny like ‘You’ve always been the girl.’”

As he met her eyes, Aubrey froze. His words may have been corny, but the look in his eyes was so sincere, so…affectionate. She swallowed hard—sure her face must be bright red by now, but she couldn’t move, couldn’t think. She tried her best to take a deep breath and shakily tease him but her voice was wavering, breathy—it almost didn’t sound like her. “Yeah…that’s—that’s really corny…”

“Yeah, I’m no Hero…” Kel chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I’m really not good at any of this stuff…” He bit his lip and looked back up at her with a gaze that made her shiver. “But I really do think you’re great—probably the most amazing person I’ve ever met. I’m sorry for not saying it before.”

“Kel, I…” Her voice hitched. “I had no idea you felt this way…”

“That’s okay,” shrugged Kel. “To be honest, I didn’t even know I felt this way for a long time. It took me a while to figure it out…I was just kind of dense, I guess.” He laughed with a sheepish grin. “When I finally mentioned it to Hero, he gave me this look like ‘it’s about time…’ Then he was the one who was really encouraging me to tell you, but I just never really could figure out how and…then I was worried I was going to mess up our friendship and I didn’t want to make things awkward…But I guess this is kinda awkward, huh? All the movies make it look so easy…”

Aubrey blushed. If one of them should be feeling dense right now, it really should be her. Kel was…Was he really…?

“Listen, uh…you’re really quiet right now. You don’t have to say anything. We can just pretend that I never said anything,” he began to ramble quickly, nervously. “I didn’t want to put you on the spot, I just—I thought that was something you should probably know about me, er, about you, er how I feel about you because I—I really like you and I think you are really great and if you ever talk to me again after this, I would really like to take you to dinner and…”

Aubrey could only blink at him, unable to get a word in edgewise as he let out a long heavy sigh. “And I am totally messing this up…” Sighing heavily again, he ran his hand through his hair, before he met her eyes. “Aubrey…I’m sorry—”

“Don’t be…” Aubrey interrupted, reaching up to stroke Kel’s cheek with her hand. “I know it’s not an easy thing to say…”

“No, but you don’t understand. I tried to practice and everything. I was going to say all kinds of really nice stuff like that you’re probably the most important person in the world to me, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. After Mari and Sunny and Basil…”—his voice hitched—”Things were so dark and so sad…it was probably one of the worst times in my life, and I felt so alone, but then, you found me…and you showed me that even if this world without them is always going to be a little sadder than it was, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still good things in it too. And a lot of those good things were because of you—when we tease each other and we’re throwing popcorn at each other or I’m wiping frosting on your nose or splashing water at you at the beach—when we laugh about corny movies or dance in the kitchen or when we just talk for hours and completely forget about the time…or when your face turns all red when you’re trying not to smile or the way your nose wrinkles when you laugh. And you”—he cupped her face in his hands—“You’re the best thing.”

“Kel—I…I…” Aubrey began to trip over her words, unsure what she even wanted to say.

Kel sighed, his face blushing red as he pulled his hands away from her, and mumbled, “I don’t even know if that makes sense…”

“No, it…it does,” Aubrey said with a reassuring smile. “I…I completely…” She stopped. “Back then, I…I never thought I could ever be happy again, but you showed me I could be, that there’s still…happiness…” Her voice trailed, but Kel wrapped his arms around her and pulled into a tight hug.  

“Aubrey…I’m…I’m so glad…I…”—Kel’s voice hitched—“I just want you to be happy. I want you to be so, so happy. I just never thought I’d ever be lucky enough that you could be happy with me.”

“I am happy, Kel,” Aubrey whispered, unable to think, unable to breath. Something she couldn’t even begin to describe seemed to propel her forward—her whole body almost moving on its own as she pulled back from him just enough to close her eyes and brush her lips against his.

“A—Aubrey?” stumbled Kel with a look more akin to having been whacked on the back of the head rather than kissed.

“Kel, uh…sorry…” she began staring off over his shoulder. “I just um…”

“No, I’m sorry, I just…I wasn’t ready.” Aubrey’s eyes widened, but Kel hurriedly added, “Ready as in prepared not as in ready like I—I didn’t want…because I—I do…”

A playful smile tugged at Aubrey’s lips, but she was blushing too much to actually tease him.

“I—I…” Kel began to stumble again, and Aubrey could have sworn she heard him mumble, “Oh forget it…” under his breath before he finally just threw his arms around her neck and kissed her. His hands tangled in her hair as hers gripped the collar of his suit pulling him even closer to her. She could taste that sickeningly sweet Orange Joe on his breath, but she didn’t even care.

When they finally broke apart from each other, red-faced and breathless. Kel chuckled teasingly, “I guess I should probably ask you to dance now, huh?”

As that familiar song began to play, Kel wrapped his arms around her, and Aubrey slipped her hands around his neck. They swayed in time to the music, and neither one of them could hold back their smiles.

As Aubrey nestled into Kel’s chest, she could feel him chuckling lightly to himself.

“What?” she asked quietly.  

“Nothing it’s just…” Kel pulled away just enough to look at her and meet her eyes as his mouth twitched into a soft, playful smile. “Maybe it really is true what everyone says about prom after all…”

[omgpurplefattie]

for the character-centric stories prompts, Ye Baiyi and "What would happen to a houseplant in their care?" ♥

“She’s not going to kill you if they don’t all survive,” Rong Changqing had told Ye Baiyi after Rong-furen had finally stopped with her instructions, repeated instructions, and even more admonitions.

“Not so sure,” Ye Baiyi said, trying to commit to memory what the little yellow orchids needed. They wanted little water, right, but regularly, and they could never be allowed to remain standing in a puddle?

Compared to the orchids, the large pot of silvergrass was simple. The kitchen herbs were even simpler -- give them two ladles of water whenever they started looking a bit wan.

“Don’t think about the damn plants,” Rong Changqing assured him, “the main thing is you keep training Xuan-er and make sure he goes to bed before midnight. And don’t let him tinker in my workshop by himself. At least not after midnight. Please? Baiyi?”

If Changqing looked at him like that, with his beautiful smile and beautiful eyes, what else could Ye Baiyi do but grumble “I’ll try to” ungraciously, rather than smile back and reflect the things that Changqing made him feel. Every. Single. Time.

You’d think he would be used to it by now. For the Heavens’ sake, Xuan-er was already nine; the pain in those feelings should have worn down, become dulled and familiar. Perhaps it was the immortality that Rong Changqing had so unwisely cultivated and then dumped on Ye Baiyi; not only Ye Baiyi’s body, even his feelings were preserved forever unchanging in a block of clear ice.

“Don’t look so crestfallen, Baiyi,” Rong Changqing said. “It’s not even a month; we just have to be at the wedding of my lady’s youngest brother. We’ll hurry back as fast as we can. And Xuan-er can help you. If you’re really scared of what she’ll do to you if her chives have turned into hay, or the forge cats have peed on the basil.”

“I’m not scared,” Ye Baiyi grumbled. “I’m just offended that you wouldn’t even trust me with a fucking potted houseplant. I can feed the forge cats all right, and make sure that Xuan-er eats every day and sets nothing on fire. So why should I kill the damn orchids?”

“The forge cats,” Rong Changqing laughed, “will complain very loudly if you don’t feed them every day. Plants, however, just wilt quietly, and before you realize it, they’re dead.”

“Speak for yourself,” Ye Baiyi said, glaring up at Changqing, “I know what qi feels like, and I won’t let it falter.”

“Course you do,” Rong Changqing said, easily, but Ye Baiyi felt he still didn’t believe him. He made a face.

***

Two lunar months later, the Rongs returned, with a lot of gifts and good food for Xuan-er, and a few books they had thought Ye Baiyi might like, as well as a few bottles of syrup for him to flavor his snow with.

Xuan-er had built a box that would shoot crossbow bolts without the crossbow, steadily feeding them into the mechanism; he proudly presented it to his father, and they took quite a while to take it apart and then improve it so it would shoot even faster.

Baiyi went and had some snow with pomegranate syrup; it wasn’t bad, really. He perched on a rock and looked into the valley where he hadn’t been for so long, except in especially fierce winters, and then only for a little bit.

He didn’t know how he felt about Changqing and Rong-furen being back. Life with Xuan-er had been fun; they had trained every day, there had been no set bedtimes or mealtimes for either of them, and they had just ambled through their days in the snow. Xuan-er’s martial arts had taken leaps and bounds with nobody to interrupt him. He did look a little unkempt now, but really, all those hot baths were overrated, especially for a nine year old.

It was already getting dark when Rong-furen came out to get her husband and son from the workshop; the fire was going, and she had been cooking dinner.

“What have you done to my plants?” she asked, casually, as she passed Ye Baiyi.

“Nothing,” he said, “except what you’d told me. The forge cats were much harder to take care of; the calico brought out her kittens, and we kept running after them. Xuan-er shot at an eagle who tried to grab one. They’re all doing fine.”

“Don’t deflect,” Rong-furen said. “My plants have never been this lush and healthy. You have made cuttings from the orchids, and the roots are coming on fine; the basil is almost a tree now, and the other herbs fairly burst from their window boxes. I have noticed the kittens because they were playing hide-and-seek in the silvergrass and jumping up to catch the fronds. The lotuses in their basin and the peonies in their container are already flowering even though it’s early for them, this far up. You turned out to be an excellent gardener.”

“I just did what you told me,” Ye Baiyi said. “I checked every day, and made sure the forge cats didn’t pee on them. That’s all.”

He may have been feeding the plants a little of his qi, but hey, he was an immortal, he had the stuff to spare.

“Do you want to carry on doing it?” she asked. “I have seen the way you repotted the little blue orchids; there was so much care and attention in the work. You enjoyed it, didn’t you?”

“Nah,” Baiyi said, “they’re your plants. I just didn’t want to be the one who killed them. Changqing -- well, he thought I’d screw up, so I wanted to show him I don’t. I’m no good at this, and the plants don’t really like me. I’m the last person you want as a gardener, really.”

“If you change your mind -- any time,” she shrugged, and went about her errand.

Changqing and Xuan-er emerged from the forge even before she had reached the door; they were holding out the kittens and talking enthusiastically while they walked back towards the house and their dinner.

“Good job, Baiyi,” Changqing said vaguely as he passed Ye Baiyi on his perch; he reached up to clap him on the upper arm, then went inside with his family, plants and Baiyi already forgotten.-

[dailycass-cain]

So I wanted to do something to show just how well we Cassandra Cain fans be eating these days with the character.  Just a comparison from 2017 (the go to point of the Rebirth era) and 2022.

I single out this particular area of Rebirth because Cass was reintroduced just a year prior (at the end of 2015 and got the cushy Tec ongoing to camp in until Tec #987 in 2018). 

Basically the "height" of her Rebirth appearances.

Cass during Rebirth appeared in the following Batman comics (at the time): 

Detective Comics* 

Batman*

Nightwing* 

Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #14-17 

Red Hood & the Outlaws #15

*the three comics all took part in the "Night of the Monster Men crossover which featured Cass in a subplot within it". BoP featured Cass (and the Tec team) in a cameo with #14 but full-on appearances #15-17. RH&O was the issue where Cass jobbed to Artemis and 95% of their fight took place off panel.

Another specific reason I chose 2017 because it was the year we got Tec #950-956 which gave us a Cass "centric" arc.  So this year was the biggest Cass got in the “Rebirth” era. 

The following in 2018 however...

Cass would only show up in five ongoing comics: 

Detective Comics (obviously but it was nearing the end sadly for her) 

Batman (to focus on the um.. breaking of Batman portion with the family thinking him “irrational”) 

Justice League (Scott Snyder/James Tynion's run which gave us a sprinkle of Cass on the team here and there).

The final being  the very delayed Batman & the Outsiders which debuted at the end of the year.

You can notice a slight theme that Cass well was satellited to just Batman comics and not any singular story for herself (which really hampered her "centric" arc).

I just find it ironic for a codename that was “supposed” to make Cass grow beyond the Bat comics she was fully confined to them. Literally Justice League was the only comic and that was due to Snyder/Tynion’s fondness for the character. Nothing more beyond that. 

Further, she would "drop off the map" of Tec save in #1000 from the series as a whole until VERY late 2020 (I WONDER WHY that could be 🤔).

Now let's compare to 2022. 

First off, Cass co-leads her own ongoing with Batgirls.  A HUGE step up from save the supporting roles in teams we got for the character in 2017. I know many criticize the comic (and justly so), but there would be gaps of Cass not possibly showing up in the Rebirth era of Tec as she was part of a team. Of that team herself, Kate, Tim, and Basil were probably the focal points for that run. 

Though she hasn't been mentioned canonically as an adopted child in the main book in Chip Zdarsky's Batman run. She still APPEARED in the comic frequently (until the start of the second arc). Likewise Tec from Mariko Tamaki (which this year would result in the bulk of her appearances in that run too). 

So she was a CONSTANT presence in both main Batbooks again (even with the slight in Batman).Kind of a big step up than say what we had in 2017 (but again she was a cast off in Batman to prove a plot point but somewhat faired better in 2022 than 2017). 

Outside the main Bat books and her own, Cass has appeared in the supporting Bat comics: 

Nightwing (one issue)  

Robin (two issues)

I am Batman (cameo) 

Joker (FulI-on appearances. I know, shocking right?) 

Batman: Urban Legends (a few appearances)

Task Force Z (one issue appearance and a mention)

This isn't counting the Batman: One Bad Day: Two-Face #1, Robin (Tim) one-shot, Dark Knights of Steel, DCeased: War of the Undead Gods, DC vs. Vampires, and Young Justice: Targets. All of which we got HEALTHY doses of Cass (though DC vs. Vampires faltered hard). 

 But the more important thing just to mention is she's appeared in OUTSIDE the Bat books during the “Dark Crisis” event (she was sprinkled throughout the battle in the main book and had a name drop or cameo in the lead-ins).

It's more the fact she is appearing in a comic she NEVER appeared in before, The Flash #786 (in its tie-in).  Oh and SCOBBY "FREAKING" DOO!

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12 in case you were wondering where this occurred.

Suffice to say, we Cass fans are eating and eating well compared to 2017 her "popular" year in Rebirth. Though kind of justly I feel we are still at this stage in our lives:

After the stuff we’ve been thru? Yeah, I think it’s highly justified to be of that mindset.  I'm not gonna dwell on the what changed between 2017 and 2022 to allow such an increase in appearances. 

We all know "the why" (i.e. early 2020 a certain "someone" was fired from the company). Well, we've been seeing the character gain massively since. I just felt the need to fully compare the two. 

Look and see the Cass content we got in 2017 (which I felt like was a tiny scrap from a table but one I cherished). To well, in 2022 we have so much to choose from. 

I just found the whole looking back and thinking about the two eras would be fascinating. 

[starkcanvas]

Oh you want Sunny Coma Au Fluff? Well you're gonna get it!

I had a few ideas for how the incident might play out, but I'm gonna go for the less angsty one so Mari gets love and support during this tough time even though she blames herself.

Basically the incident happens how it does in Canon, but with one major difference, Sunny jumps down and grabs onto Mari when she falls, and ends up taking the brunt of the damage and (Without realizing it, saves Mari's life), falls into a coma.

Basil sees this happen, but Mari doesn't see him, He runs and calls an ambulance for him and hides in a panic.

A couple of weeks after this happens Aubrey and Kel stop fighting and team up to make their friends feel better.

Their first target? Basil.

Ever since the incident he hasn't stepped foot outside, so they go visit to check up on him, His grandma is worried about him too so she lets them in and goes to make some snacks for the kids.

It takes a bit, but eventually Basil opens up the door, He looks terrible, like he's been crying and hasn't slept.

So they both end up hugging him and trying to reassure him that "We're sure Sunny will be fine! He may be small! But he's tough!"

After calming down and having something to eat, Basil takes them both to his room and tells them he has to tell them something.

He ends up telling them what he saw on the night, but not what he heard as it was less than flattering to Mari, and he didn't want to upset them anymore than they were already. Plus it was pretty personal and not exactly his place to say

So the kids end up with the view that "The situation is terrible, but Sunny tried his best to protect his sister, So lets try to cheer her up!"

All three of them then go to Hero and try to bring him into the "Sunny and Mari Protection Squad".

So unlike in Canon, Hero isn't in a giant depressive slump because of Mari's 'Suicide'.

He's still depressed because his Unofficial little brother is in a coma and his crush is very much not ok.

They gang up on him when he gets home from trying (And failing) to talk to Mari.

They tell him what Basil Saw and try to convince him to join them.

It works and there's a new member to the "Sunny and Mari Protection Squad".

They work together to try and talk to Mari and let her know that they're on her side and don't blame her for the accident, but this doesn't happen for years due to Mari locking herself inside and being tutored instead of continuing in school.

The attempts still happen, but it calms down over the years as they get demotivated.

One thing they always do though is visit Sunny in hospital.

Basically they'd take turns visiting him after school and they'd spend an hour of two on the weekends either drawing, reading, telling stories, or playing games in there with him because they don't want him to be lonely.

On his birthday they all Help Hero bake a cake and get him some presents so they can celebrate it with him, but also so he'd have gifts when he wakes up.

So one thing I've mentioned before on Miko's blog is that Sunny would be in Mari's Headspace, even when she's awake. But he's also at least semi aware of what's going on around him. So when he's in there he hears the stories, them talking with each other and celebrating. Not only that but any drawing they make for him shows up in there too.

While they never see him really react to them. They do feel a sense of peace after spending time with Sunny and he's always happiest in Headspace during these visits.

I have a lot more ideas, but this ask is already getting long enough so I'll send in more later if you want them! I have a bunch of wholesome Basil Centric ones, and a ton more post good ending ones!

💕💕YESSSSS ALL OF THE WHOLESOME 💕💕

Thank you for this and I’d love to hear more ;w; I wanna join the Sunny and Mari Protection Squad too! 💕

[aftout]

hi, can you say what "honey wolf" "restored art" "burning chapel" etc. etc. mean, like who are the people involved in all of them? sorry but i looked them up on your blog and couldn't figure it out.

Ah no worries! You don’t need to apologize at all, I’m the one who’s being a total werido with my obscure cross-novel (very JD-centric) ship names 😭

Honey Wolf is Marian Halcombe and Fernand Wagner (a friend of mine once went “would Halcombe’s partner ever call her honeycomb as a nickname?” and I became OBSESSED so there’s the honey part, Wagner has Faust-caused werewolf syndrome (long story))

Restored Art is Basil Hallward and Walter Hartright (they are both painters and Walter ends up helping Basil heal a whole lot from his ✨previous relationship✨ (“restoring him” to his former self, in a way))

Burning Chapel is Lucy Westenra and Anne Catherick (tldr they may or may not have been responsible for a church catching fire in JD’s narrative)

Vampire Hunter is Henry Clerval and Codrin Dracula (Clerval calls himself a monster hunter and Codrin has his unintentional vampire aesthetic, you know how it is)

EDIT OH MY GOD. REANIMATED PAINTING. CURSE ME AND MY MEMORY. That’s Liam Frankenstein and Lily Vane. They’re surprisingly normal don’t worry about them.

[redgoldblue]

not to just copy the exact same emojis you sent me, but i DO want to get your answers to these questions now so if you don't mind i AM going to copy the exact same emojis you sent me: ✏️👽📃🎨

✏️: The first fanfiction you ever wrote? (doesn’t have to be a posted fic)

oh god. i know i did this to you so i have no right to complain about being forced to confront my own cringe but. hnng. it was a BBC Johnlock wedding fic written in i think 2012 that thankfully is not available anywhere except that I think one of my best friends might still have a copy of it saved because they hate me and want me to die

(yes, I'm firmly of the objective opinion that there's, y'know, value in your writing history and seeing your journey and nothing is truly cringe etc etc but also no. god. please.)

👽: Strangest fic you ever written?

sksdjhf i was about to be like 'i don't think i've ever written anything that strange' and then I remembered Basil's (@leatherwoodbas) effect on my life so. take your pick between our 2014 co-written while on holiday absurdist MCU crack 'Dance Revolution - Avengers Edition' and their 2020 requested 'Supernatural but make it an Old Spice commercial' birthday chapter of the advent calendar, 'Drinking In Your Skin'

📃: Ever written something inspired by someone else's fic?

two of my current wips have been! Both of which I'd vaguely started before I read the fics in question, but I've then very directly been reading the fic and had bits of my own wip materialise/gel and had to go write them - my angsty h/c porn-with-feelings Starsky/Hutch WIP Finding A Cure In You was inspired very early on by @actingcamplibrarian's The Ballad Of Handsome Hutch, and my Leverage Parker-centric thiefsome WIP, all that i want is a kind heart to haunt, was supposed to be in the 'temporarily paused' pile but reading @faorism's with a love so deep and warm and true rn keeps making me open up the doc and add bits anyway.

I'm sure there's published ones I'm forgetting, but- oh! wait! one of my favourite chapters from last year's advent calendar was, as i say in the a/n, inspired very directly by your Marriage Proposals And How Not To Give Them series

🎨: Show us a sneak peek from a WIP!

god i have so many too many wips. okay this is the last (fanfic) one I was working on this morning, you're in a state of disrepair, you're an answer to my prayers, which is set post-canon when Steve gets himself hospitalised while he's on his Mental Health Trip and Danny has to fly out to him.

Steve’s sitting up in bed when Danny comes in the next morning, and the first thing he says is, “You’re wearing my clothes.”

“Yeah, well,” Danny replies, only a little defensively, and draws Steve’s blue-and-white flannel tighter around himself. “You leave them with me long enough, I get custody.”

Raising his eyebrows, Steve pushes himself further upright, apparently uncaring of the exertion and angle on his cannulated arm. “I just meant you’ve got jeans on. But that is my shirt, isn’t it?”

“Oh. Like I said. Custody.”

Steve reaches out, and as soon as Danny gets close enough, grabs his wrist and draws him in. “It’s fine,” he says, soft and low, and his fingers slip under the cuff of his/Danny’s shirt, finding the pulse point on Danny’s inner wrist. “Suits you.”

Before Danny can start thinking too hard about the bucket of gasoline that’s thrown on the gently warming fire in the pit of his stomach lit in the first place by wrapping himself in Steve’s things, Steve has pulled him closer and- for one crazy moment Danny thinks Steve is about to kiss him, but instead he’s wrapped in one of Steve’s arms with Steve’s face buried in his neck.

The hug’s no less physically awkward than yesterday – more, possibly, with their right hands still joined between them – but Steve sighs, and sucks in a breath like he’s trying to fill his lungs with Danny, and murmurs, “Missed you.”

send me fanfic emojis!

[slowpoke272]

“the picture of dorian gray” by oscar wilde

finished: february 16, 2023

this was definitely a high school english literature bucket list item, and i do want to go back and go through all the classics that i either never got to read or hated and only pretended to read. i vaguely knew what this story was about and what happened, but it was still worth the ride of experiencing it altogether.

this is quite an ego-centric story that is still very much relevant in 2023. themes of the artist vs. artistry, fame and how to cope with it, public image, etc. are all very relevant in our tiktok social media world. i feel like in a sense, everyone has become a bit of dorian gray, obsessed with their image. at least dorian didn’t ask for the portrait to be made, or for basil to have poured so much of himself into it that it became a next level painting to the both of them.

the story felt quite immersive to 1890s victorian england, where everyone seems to be worried about who they’re grabbing tea with next and not about anything else. it helped drive home that the story was focused on the ego.

i have to admit, once the story really got going, i was pretty into it. it felt like a lot of poppycock gossip but i enjoyed the banter of the three main characters especially. the story in a way went exactly where i thought it would, but the ending was not what i quite expected. i don’t think i enjoyed the last third of the story, not just because our fuckboy dorian was losing his way, but the enthusiasm just died off for me. it didn’t feel like dorian was necessarily better or worse than any of the other characters, so it wasn’t necessarily gratifying for dorian to be lonely and secluded. it felt like a shame, really. but i think expectations vs. reality is also at play here, dorian is talked up so much in the story that once we get cozy finding out who he is, he’s inevitably a letdown, and this is all so super relatable.

also.... just have to say it. these men were gay af. that’s part of what made me enjoy their conversations so much, they weren’t trying to prove or assert manliness, which is quite a break from the male characters in books i’ve recently read. worth noting oscar wilde’s own sexuality, and the fact that he inserted himself in the story as basil...

[the picture of dorian gray] contains much of me in it — basil hallward is what i think i am; lord henry, what the world thinks me; dorian is what i would like to be — in other ages, perhaps (from an 1894 letter)

it’s like oscar wilde was making his own astrological chart, love that for him. and makes the story even more relevant to our society. we get it, we are all obsessed with our own image to a fault.

rating: 6/10 liked some parts but struggled to stay fully immersed in the story, probably would only recommend in a small number of circumstances

[wethinkwedream]

Let us help you find a Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 Greetings, plant aficionados! Are you familiar with the concept of hydroponic gardening? It is a revolutionary approach to cultivating plants without the use of soil. This method leverages a nutrient-dense water solution as the medium for plant growth, facilitating their development in a regulated setting. A standout advantage of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 is its remarkable efficiency. The direct absorption of nutrients from the water enables plants to grow at an accelerated pace and yield more compared to the conventional soil-based gardening methods. Moreover, it eliminates the hassles of dealing with weeds and pests, promising a smoother gardening experience. Want a Lush Garden on a Budget? Shop Hydroponic Systems Under 60 Now!Tired of slow-growing potted plants? Weather ruining your gardening mood? Dive into the future with our Smart Indoor Garden. Experience rapid growth with our 12W full-spectrum LED light, outpacing traditional methods. Two growth modes, modern aesthetics, and user-centric design make home gardening a breeze. One-Touch Magic: The Let Pot Hydroponics system is a game-changer with its one-touch operation. Switch modes, control lights, and manage water pump schedules effortlessly. Revolutionary Water Circulation: Say goodbye to root rot. Our system circulates water every 30 minutes, ensuring optimal oxygen for your plants. Adjust the 15-inch light board to cater to different plant growth stages. Grow up to 5 diverse plants, from herbs to fruits, all under one roof. Eco-Friendly & Comprehensive: Our all-in-one kit is not just user-friendly but planet-friendly too. Made from recyclable, BPA-free materials, it includes everything from sponges to growth support rods. Why Let Pot? Whether you're a newbie gardener or a seasoned green thumb, Let Pot is your ticket to efficient indoor gardening. Plus, enjoy peace of mind with our TWO-YEAR WARRANTY. Issues within the first year? We've got you covered with a free replacement. Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! On Amazon Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60: A Beginner's Paradise Are you eager to delve into the world of gardening but restrained by a budget? Fret not, because Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 is here to guide you to cultivate your green haven without burning a hole in your pocket. This approach ensures that you can initiate your gardening journey with a modest budget, yet reap bountiful results. Imagine setting up your very own hydroponic garden with just a small investment of under $60. This budget-friendly venture requires a handful of essential items: a sturdy container to hold your plants, a reliable growing medium to support your plant's roots, a nutrient-dense solution to nourish them, and of course, the seeds or seedlings of your preferred plants to kickstart the process. The affordability of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 does not compromise its versatility. It opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to cultivate a rich variety of plants ranging from nutritious leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce to aromatic herbs like basil and mint. The beauty of this gardening method is its adaptability to indoor settings, granting you the luxury to harvest fresh produce all year round, unaffected by external weather conditions. Embarking on the Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 journey is not just an economical choice but a step towards a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. It nurtures not just plants, but a green thumb, fostering a deep connection with the food you consume. It is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the world of gardening, offering the joy of watching your plants flourish and the satisfaction of enjoying homegrown produce. So, why hesitate? Step into the enriching world of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 and discover the joy and fulfillment that comes with nurturing a garden from scratch. Happy gardening! Source: m.media-amazon.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 Await!

Choosing the Right Hydroponic System Different types of hydroponic systems and their pros and cons Hey there! If you're looking to start your own hydroponic garden without breaking the bank, you've come to the right place. I've got some great options for you that are all under $60! Deep Water Culture (DWC) System: This system involves suspending plant roots in a nutrient-rich solution. It's easy to set up and perfect for beginners. The main drawback is that it requires an air pump to oxygenate the water. Drip System: In this system, a timer-controlled pump delivers nutrient solution to the plants through drip emitters. It's versatile and can be used for small or large-scale gardens. However, it can be more complex to set up compared to other systems. Aeroponic System: This system uses mist or fog to deliver nutrients directly to the plant roots. It's highly efficient and allows for faster growth. However, it can be more expensive and requires more maintenance. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System: In this system, a thin film of nutrient solution continuously flows over the plant roots. It's great for growing leafy greens and herbs. The main challenge is maintaining a proper flow rate. Dreaming of a Green Oasis? Discover Hydroponic Gardens Under 60!Sunlight, Indoors: With our 36-Watt LED lights, we bring the full spectrum of sunlight right into your home. Offering 16 hours of consistent lighting, our system ensures your plants thrive, whether in the kitchen, bedroom, or office. Educate & Cultivate: This isn't just a garden; it's a learning experience. Perfect as an educational gift, children can watch and learn as plants grow, understanding nature's magic up close. Smart & Efficient Growth: Our hydroponics system boasts two intelligent modes tailored for vegetables and flowers. It works diligently for 16 hours and then rests for 8, ensuring optimal growth. Need to activate the water pump? A single button press initiates a 30-minute on-off cycle. Adaptable & Spacious: Plants come in all shapes and sizes, and our Indoor Herb Garden Kit adapts accordingly. Adjust the light's height to cater to different growth stages. With 12 included pods, grow a diverse range of plants up to 14.57 inches tall. All-in-One Garden: Plant a variety of veggies simultaneously, from herbs to salads and peppers. Our kit ensures a hassle-free setup in just three steps. Included in the package are 12 sponges, a plug adapter, Plant Food A & B, 12 Grow Domes, and 12 Planting Baskets. Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! On Amazon Remember, each system has its own pros and cons, so choose one that suits your needs and budget. With a little bit of research and experimentation, you'll be on your way to enjoying fresh, homegrown produce in no time! Happy gardening! Source: m.media-amazon.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 Await! Setting Up Your Hydroponic Garden Hey there, fellow gardening enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive into the world of hydroponics and grow your own garden without soil? Well, you're in luck because setting up a hydroponic garden is easier than you might think, and it won't break the bank either! Step-by-step guide to setting up a hydroponic garden Choose your system: There are several types of hydroponic systems to choose from, such as the nutrient film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC), or drip system. Consider your space, budget, and the type of plants you want to grow before making a decision. Gather your supplies: You'll need containers or trays to hold the plants, a nutrient solution, growing medium (like perlite or coco coir), pH testing kit, and a light source (LED or fluorescent). Set up the system: Follow the instructions provided with your chosen hydroponic system to assemble it properly. Ensure that it is sturdy and stable before moving on to the next step. Prepare the nutrient solution: Mix the appropriate amount of nutrients with water according to the instructions on the package.

Test the pH level and adjust if necessary to ensure optimal plant growth. Plant your seeds or seedlings: Place them in the growing medium and gently cover the roots. Make sure they are securely positioned in their containers or trays. Monitor and maintain: Regularly check the nutrient levels, pH balance, and water temperature in your hydroponic system. Adjust as needed to provide the best conditions for your plants. Harvest and enjoy: Once your plants have reached maturity, it's time to harvest and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Remember to clean and maintain your hydroponic system between crops for optimal results. Budget-Friendly Gardening? Unbelievable Hydroponic Finds Under 60!🌻 Efficient & Smart Growth: Say goodbye to traditional soil gardening. Our system ensures plants grow 30% faster, thanks to the LED light, automatic pump, and specialized plant food. Plus, with an automatic timer, gardening has never been smarter. Bring greenery into your life effortlessly. 🌱 Space-Savvy Design: With 8 pods and a 3L water tank, grow up to 8 plants reaching heights of 18 inches. The compact design means you can place it anywhere - be it your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or office. Less frequent water refills mean more convenience for you. 🌺 Tailored Growth Modes & Flexibility: Cater to your plants' specific needs with two distinct modes: Vegetable or Flowers & Fruits. Adjust the height of the grow light to ensure optimal illumination throughout different growth stages. 🥦 Nature's Rhythm, Indoors: Our system mimics nature's day-night cycle with 16 hours on and 8 hours off settings. The water pump operates in 30-minute intervals, ensuring your plants get the hydration they need without oversaturation. 🎉 Gift the Joy of Gardening: Perfect for loved ones or even for yourself! Grow a variety of plants, from herbs like basil and oregano to fruits like strawberries. It's a gift that keeps on giving. 🎁 Comprehensive Kit: Our package includes everything you need: an 8-pod hydroponic system, plug adapter, sponges, baskets, tags, plastic rods, plant food A & B, and a user manual. And if you face any issues, we're just a message away. Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! On Amazon So, there you have it! With a little bit of planning, some affordable supplies, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, you can set up your very own hydroponic garden for under 60. Happy growing! Source: media.angi.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! Essential Equipment for a Hydroponic Garden Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60: A Beginner's Paradise Are you eager to delve into the world of gardening but restrained by a budget? Fret not, because Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 is here to guide you to cultivate your green haven without burning a hole in your pocket. This approach ensures that you can initiate your gardening journey with a modest budget, yet reap bountiful results. Imagine setting up your very own hydroponic garden with just a small investment of under 60. This budget-friendly venture requires a handful of essential items: a sturdy container to hold your plants, a reliable growing medium to support your plant's roots, a nutrient-dense solution to nourish them, and of course, the seeds or seedlings of your preferred plants to kickstart the process. The affordability of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 does not compromise its versatility. It opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to cultivate a rich variety of plants ranging from nutritious leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce to aromatic herbs like basil and mint. The beauty of this gardening method is its adaptability to indoor settings, granting you the luxury to harvest fresh produce all year round, unaffected by external weather conditions. Embarking on the Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 journey is not just an economical choice but a step towards a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. It nurtures not just plants, but a green thumb, fostering a deep connection with the food you consume.

It is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the world of gardening, offering the joy of watching your plants flourish and the satisfaction of enjoying homegrown produce. So, why hesitate? Step into the enriching world of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 and discover the joy and fulfillment that comes with nurturing a garden from scratch. Happy gardening! Grow More for Less: Hydroponic Gardens Under 60 You Can't Miss!🌱 All-Inclusive Hydroponics Kit: Dive into the world of hydroponics with our all-encompassing kit. From a 3L water tank with a clear level window, custom spectrum LED grow lights, silent water pump, to 8 each of planting pods, sponges, plant supports, germinating covers, and tags, we've got you covered. Grow over 100 different plants, up to 8 simultaneously, in a soil-free, mess-free environment. Perfect for all, including kids, to cultivate a stunning DIY indoor garden. Note: Seeds not included. 💧 Efficient Self-Watering System: Experience the power of our ultra-quiet water-pump circulation system. It ensures optimal water circulation, oxygenation, and nutrient delivery to the roots, promoting growth rates up to three times faster than soil. With a 30-minute on/off cycle, it's not just efficient but also eco-friendly. 🌺 Tailored Growth Modes: Our LED lights offer two distinct modes to cater to your plants' needs. "Veg" mode, rich in blue light, is perfect for leafy growth, while "Flower&fruit" mode, with enhanced red light, ensures robust growth for flowering and fruiting plants. No mess, no seasonal constraints. ⏰ Smart Automatic Timer: Our 16-hour-on, 8-hour-off light timer automates your gardening. Set it once, and let your plants thrive. Customize the timer to ensure the lights don't disturb your routine, making gardening truly effortless. 🔆 Adjustable Light Arm: Cater to your plants as they grow. Our extendable light arm can be adjusted up to 16 inches, ensuring optimal light delivery at every growth stage. With dimensions of 11x7x20 inches, this compact system fits perfectly on kitchen counters, allowing year-round indoor gardening. Gift the Joy of Greenery: Whether it's for a loved one passionate about planting or for yourself, our hydroponics system is the perfect gift. Experience the future of gardening and enjoy fresh produce all year round. 🍀🏡 Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! On Amazon With these essential pieces of equipment, you'll be well on your way to creating a thriving hydroponic garden without breaking the bank. Happy gardening Source: i5.walmartimages.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 Await! Best Hydroponic Nutrients Under 60 Affordable nutrient options for healthy plant growth Hey there fellow gardeners! If you're looking to set up a hydroponic garden without breaking the bank, I've got you covered. Here are some fantastic hydroponic nutrient options that won't cost you more than 60. Let's dive in! General Hydroponics Flora Series - This nutrient trio is a popular choice among hydroponic enthusiasts. It provides a balanced mix of essential nutrients for all stages of plant growth, ensuring healthy and vigorous plants. Fox Farm Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula - Designed specifically for soil-based hydroponic systems, this trio includes Grow Big, Big Bloom, and Tiger Bloom. These nutrients promote robust root development, lush foliage, and abundant flowering. Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Grow, Micro, Bloom - This three-part formula is known for its pH buffering capabilities, making it easier to maintain optimal nutrient uptake by your plants. It's suitable for all hydroponic systems and delivers impressive results. Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Grow & Bloom - Made from organic ingredients, this nutrient duo supports healthy plant growth and enhances the flavor and aroma of your harvest. It's an excellent choice for those seeking an organic approach to hydroponics. Remember, choosing the right nutrients is crucial for the success of your hydroponic garden.

These affordable options provide the essential elements your plants need to thrive without breaking the bank. Happy gardening! Source: m.media-amazon.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 Await! Top Hydroponic Grow Lights on a Budget Budget-friendly grow light options for optimal plant growth Hey there, fellow gardening enthusiasts! If you're looking to set up a hydroponic garden without breaking the bank, you've come to the right place. I've got some fantastic budget-friendly grow light options that will help your plants thrive without costing you a fortune. When it comes to hydroponic gardening, proper lighting is crucial for optimal plant growth. Here are some affordable options that won't burn a hole in your pocket: LED Grow Lights: LED lights are energy-efficient and provide the right spectrum of light for plant photosynthesis. They are long-lasting and produce less heat, making them ideal for indoor gardens. Fluorescent Grow Lights: Fluorescent lights are another cost-effective option for hydroponic gardens. They come in various sizes and can be easily mounted above your plants. While they may not be as powerful as LED lights, they still provide sufficient light for most plants. Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL): CFL bulbs are affordable and readily available at most hardware stores. They are easy to install and work well for smaller hydroponic setups or seedlings. Elevate Your Garden Game: Hydroponic Systems Under 60!🌱 Grow Anywhere, Anytime: Whether it's vibrant flowers or nutritious vegetables, our hydroponic garden ensures you can cultivate them indoors, irrespective of the season. No expertise needed! The LED grow lights create a sunny, nurturing environment for your plants throughout the year. 💡 Eco-Friendly & Cost-Effective: Our 24W high-performance LED grow lights not only mimic the sunlight spectrum, fostering plant photosynthesis, but also ensure rapid growth with minimal power usage. Achieve lush growth without the hefty electricity bills! 🔆 Customizable Growth Environment: Tailor the garden to your plants' needs! Adjust the LED grow lights' brightness and height effortlessly. Plus, with a 180-degree rotation feature, you can ensure every plant gets its share of light. ⏰ Optimized Growth Cycles: Cater to your plants at every growth stage with our 3 timer modes. Whether you want compact plants with 8h on, matured plants with 16h on, or to give them a rest with the unique 8h off cycle, we've got you covered. 🌺 Mess-Free & Low Maintenance: Say goodbye to messy soil and constant upkeep. Our system uses net pots, water, and LED lighting, ensuring you can enjoy fresh produce all year round with minimal effort. Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! On Amazon Remember, when choosing a grow light, consider the size of your garden and the specific light requirements of your plants. With these budget-friendly options, you can create an ideal growing environment for your hydroponic garden without breaking the bank. Happy gardening! Source: seedsnsuch.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! Selecting the Right Plants for Your Hydroponic Garden When it comes to hydroponic gardening, the possibilities are endless! You can grow a wide variety of plants without the need for soil. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best plants for your hydroponic garden? Let's explore some popular choices and their specific requirements. Best plants for hydroponic gardening and their specific requirements Lettuce: Lettuce is a great choice for beginners. It grows quickly and thrives in hydroponic systems. Keep the temperature between 60-70°F and provide 14-16 hours of light per day. Herbs: Basil, parsley, and mint are excellent herbs to grow in a hydroponic garden. They require plenty of light, around 12-16 hours per day, and temperatures between 70-80°F. Strawberries: These juicy fruits can be grown successfully in hydroponic systems. They prefer cooler temperatures, around 60-70°F, and need at least 12 hours of light per day.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a popular choice for hydroponic gardens. They require a lot of light, around 14-18 hours per day, and temperatures between 70-80°F. Remember to monitor pH levels and provide the necessary nutrients for each plant. With proper care and attention, your hydroponic garden will flourish with these selected plants! Happy gardening! Source: empire-s3-production.bobvila.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! Maintenance and Care Tips for Your Hydroponic Garden Proper maintenance and care practices to ensure a thriving hydroponic garden Hey there fellow hydroponic garden enthusiast! I'm excited to share some maintenance and care tips to help you keep your garden thriving without breaking the bank. Let's get started! Regularly monitor nutrient levels: Nutrient solution is the lifeblood of your hydroponic garden. Make sure to check and adjust the nutrient levels regularly to ensure your plants are getting the right amount of nutrients they need to grow. Keep an eye on pH levels: pH plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption by plants. Invest in a pH meter and regularly test the pH levels of your nutrient solution. Aim for a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 for most hydroponic plants. Clean and sterilize equipment: Regularly clean and sterilize your hydroponic system, including pumps, tubing, and containers, to prevent the buildup of algae, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. Prune and trim: Regularly prune and trim your plants to promote healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. This will also help improve airflow and reduce the risk of pests and diseases. Monitor water temperature: Keep an eye on the water temperature in your hydroponic system. Most plants thrive in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Use a water heater or chiller if necessary to maintain optimal temperature. Affordable Greenery: Dive into Hydroponic Gardening for Under $60!🌱 Rapid & Efficient Growth: Dive into the future of gardening with our indoor germination kit. It ensures plants grow 3 TIMES FASTER than traditional soil methods. Control every aspect of the environment year-round, ensuring no soil and no mess. Note: Seeds are not included due to import restrictions. 💡 Optimal Grow Lights: Our 15W LED lights are engineered to mimic the sunlight spectrum, ensuring your plants get the best light for photosynthesis, irrespective of the weather outside. The system follows a 24-hour light cycle, staying on for 14 hours and off for 10 hours, automating the growth process. 💧 Silent & Effective Water Circulation: Experience the benefits of our built-in water pump, ensuring optimal water flow and oxygen levels for growth. Operating silently under 30 db, the pump works for 5 minutes and rests for 25 minutes, ensuring you sleep soundly even with the garden in your bedroom. 🔆 Adaptable & Versatile Design: Adjust the height of our indoor garden to cater to plants at different growth stages, from seeding to harvesting. Capable of growing up to 3 plants simultaneously and reaching a height of 13.4 inches, it's perfect for any room - kitchen, bedroom, living room, or office. 🎁 The Ideal Gift: Crafted from durable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly ABS material, our herb garden ensures plants grow in a safe environment. Beautifully packaged, it's the perfect gift for children, parents, spouses, friends, and colleagues. Step into the world of modern gardening. Grow lush, thrive indoors, and enjoy the magic of hydroponics with our state-of-the-art system. 🍀🏡 Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 Await! On Amazon Remember, a little love and care can go a long way in maintaining a thriving hydroponic garden. Happy gardening! Source: m.media-amazon.com Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60 Await! Absolutely, here is your paragraph rewritten with the keyword "Hydroponic Gardening for Under $60" emphasized: Conclusion Hydroponic Gardens for Under $60: Recap and Final Thoughts Greetings, fellow green thumbs!

As we reach the conclusion of our discussion on Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60, it is palpable that the excitement to embark on this budget-friendly gardening journey is in the air. Let's revisit the pivotal points that make this venture both feasible and rewarding. At the heart of it, hydroponic gardening stands as a remarkable alternative to soil-based cultivation, leveraging nutrient-dense water solutions to foster plant growth. This method not only saves space but also promises substantial yields, making it a fruitful endeavor for both novices and seasoned gardeners. As we delve into the nuances of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60, it becomes evident that affordability does not compromise quality. Initiating your garden with DIY setups or reasonably priced starter kits can indeed be a cost-effective start, with options abundantly available under the $60 mark. Equipping yourself with indispensable Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 tools such as grow lights, nutrient concoctions, and pH testing kits should be your priority. These elements are the pillars supporting the thriving ecosystem of your hydroponic garden. Selecting plants that are well-suited for hydroponic environments is another vital step. Opt for herbs like basil and mint or vegetables like lettuce and cherry tomatoes, which are known to flourish in hydroponic settings. As you step into the world of Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60, remember that patience is your best companion. The journey is as enriching as the destination, offering a deeper connection with nature and a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the year. So, without further ado, initiate your Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 adventure and immerse yourself in the gratifying world of hydroponics. Happy gardening! Hydroponic Gardening for Under 60 Awaits You! 🌿 Hey there, garden aficionados! Your dream garden is just a click away at HydroponicHarmony.com, where we have assembled a range of premium hydroponic kits that are as budget-friendly as they are high-quality. Step into the revolutionary world of soilless cultivation with Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 and witness the wonders it unfolds. Our kits are designed to cater to both veteran gardeners and budding horticulturists, offering an easy and affordable entry into the vibrant world of hydroponics. This is your chance to cultivate a lush indoor garden and foster a deeper connection with nature, all without stretching your budget beyond $60. Don't let this golden opportunity pass you by. Visit HydroponicHarmony.com today to embark on your Hydroponic Gardens for Under 60 journey and watch your indoor garden flourish into a haven of greenery and life. 🍀🏡 Is General Hydroponics a good brand? General Hydroponics is a well-known brand in the hydroponics industry. They offer a range of products for indoor and outdoor growing. While the brand is reputable, the perception of its quality can vary among users. It's always a good idea to check reviews and gather feedback from experienced growers. Source What happened to General Hydroponics? General Hydroponics continues to operate and offer products for hydroponic growing. They have a dedicated website where they share their story, products, and information about hydroponics. Source Is General Hydroponics owned by Miracle Gro? Yes, General Hydroponics was acquired by Scotts Miracle-Gro. The acquisition took place in 2015, and since then, General Hydroponics has been a part of the Scotts Miracle-Gro company. Source Why don't more farmers use hydroponics?Hydroponics offers many benefits, such as faster plant growth and efficient water usage. However, there are challenges and considerations that might deter some farmers:Initial setup costs can be high.It requires a learning curve, especially for those accustomed to traditional farming.System maintenance and monitoring are crucial to prevent issues like nutrient imbalances or system failures.Energy costs can be higher due to the need for pumps, lights, and other equipment.

Some believe that plants grown hydroponically might not have the same nutritional value or taste as those grown in soil.It's essential to weigh the pros and cons and consider the specific needs and resources available before transitioning to hydroponics. Source

[dommarhooober]

Why are the RW versions of Mari and Basil so mean? (Conscience Explorers AU)

There's a different reason for each, but they're kinda linked.

RW Basil: I saw a very interesting video (linked below) and wanted to write a story featuring that absolute monster. I really should make some RW Basil centric Neighborhood Navigators entries.

RW Mari: When I saw the Basil video, I recently used some Mari bots on beta.character.ai. They stayed on my mind when I was brain blasting, and then I thought, "Hmm, what if Mari???" I needed some alternate personality for her to match Basil becoming Megamind EX; I don't quite remember why I decided on mid 2000s XBOX Live player, but boy does it work.

[melancholiaenthroned]

clayface one bad day review: way better than i was expecting but im still miffed there wasnt even a mention of victoria october. i assume this takes place... somewhere outside or a little to left of canon but its similarities to post-rebirth detective comics arc are very much there and it feels like. ok to be honest id be pissed if basil had killed her but like why was he looking he looking for a support system like where was ur wife. but overall i love my insane girl basil and this was great for him <3 i miss clayface centric stuff