#to do with them. and ive got something now

[xxasphodelxx]

I just went to an outdoor concert where folks were dropping like flies. I cannot stress to you enough, if you're going to an outside event in this weather, DRINK WATER. And intermix that with something like Gatorade or Liquid IV so that you can replenish the salt you are losing along with the water as you sweat everything out. Applesauce pouches are also a good, portable way to get more fluids but also FOOD into your stomach if you're feeling too queasy to eat.

Furthermore, apply the best sunscreen you can find. (Note that I said the best, not the one with the highest SPF number on the shelf, because a lot of them don't actually filter as much as they say they do or don't stay on well. Check the results of non-biased third parties who have tested the brands, not what the people trying to sell you their product say!) Reapply every few hours for as long as the sun is out because you WILL sweat it off!

Lastly, I can confirm that cooling towels on your neck is a lifesaver. And on top of that, they make umbrellas with UV filters now, and holy shit, the relief is instant. Like, it's not gonna magically make you cool, but it lowers the amount of UV rays hitting your upper body and provides instant shade in spots where there is none.

These things combined (hydration, electrolytes, regular sunscreen application, a cooling towel, and an umbrella with a UV filter, along with a handheld fan) are how I got out sweaty and just a tad nauseous from chugging water and not eating much when other people at the same event were collapsing, fainting, vomiting, and even being hospitalized from heat stroke. Please be smart and take precautions if you want to do something outside during a bad heat wave!

For all of the northerners that stood up for Texas during our freeze and said, "Don't make fun of them, they've never dealt with this before. Their infrastructure isn't made for snow and freezing."

This one is for you.

Where I live 108°F with 80% humidity with no wind is normal.

Pacific North West is dealing historic best waves 35-40°C or 95-105°F.

First of all. Don't make fun of them for bitching about the heat. Just like Texas isn't built for a freeze and our pipes burst, Pacific North West isn't built for heat and a lot of their homes don't have AC.

If you live somewhere with a high humidity like 80+ HUMIDITY IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. The "humidity makes it feel cooler" is a lie once it gets beyond a point.

If you live somewhere with a lower humidity, misters are nice to cool off outside.

Once you get over 90°F (32°C) a fan will not help you. It's just pushing around hot air. (I mean if you can't afford a small AC unit because they're expensive as hell, by all means a fan is better than nothing).

If you have pets, those portable AC units aren't safe. If your pets destroy the outtake thing, it'll leak CO2. Window units are safer.

Window AC units will let mosquitoes or other small bugs in. Sucks, but that's life.

Now is not the time to me modest. If you have to cover for religious reasons, by all means. If you don't, I've seen people wear short shorts and a swim top. It's not trashy if it keeps you from getting heat stroke.

If you do have to cover up for religious reasons, look for elephant pants or something similar. They're made with a breathable material.

Shade is better than no shade, but that shit it just diet sun after some point. Don't think shade will save you from heat stroke.

I know the "drink your water" is a fun meme now, but if you're sweating excessively you need electrolytes. Drink Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialite PLEASE. I don't care if you're fucking sitting in one spot all day. That shit WILL save you from heat stroke.

Most importantly. RESEARCH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT STROKE AND HEAT EXHAUSTION PLEASE!

If you're diabetic and can't drink Gatorade, mix water, fruit juice, and either lite salt or pink salt

If you can afford it, cover windows with thick curtains to insulate the house

If you have tile floors, lay on them with skin to tile contact. If you don't, laying your head on cool counters works too.

If the temperature where you're at is hotter than your body temperature, don't wear heat wicking clothing. Moisture wicking is safe though.

Check your medication labels. Many make you more susceptible to sun and heat

-Room temperature water will get into your body faster. This is something I learned doing marching band in high summer in Georgia, and it saved all of our asses. Sip it, don't gulp it, especially if you're getting into the red; same goes for whatever fluid you're drinking. And just in general drink during the day.

-If you are moving from an air conditioned space to an un-air conditioned space, if at all possible try to make the shift gradual. When my dad and I were working outside and in un-ac houses a few years ago, he'd turn the air down to low in the truck about ten-fifteen minutes before we got where we were going. This way your body doesn't go from low low temps to high temps. S'bad for you.

-If you can, keep your lights off during the day. Light bulbs may not generate a lot of heat, but the difference is noticeable when it gets hot enough. I literally only turn my bedroom light on in the evening when it gets too dark.

Don't be afraid to just like... pour water on yourself if you need to. The evaporation will cool you off.

Put your hand to the cement for 15 seconds. If you can't handle the heat, it'll burn your dog's paws. Don't let them walk on it.

Dogs with flat faces are more prone to heat stroke. Don't leave them out unsupervised.

Frozen fruit is delicious in water.

Wet/Cold hat/handkerchief on your head/neck will help you stay cool.

Pickle juice is great for electrolytes! You can even make pickle juice Popsicles!

Heat exhaustion is more, "drink water and get you cooled off." Heat stroke is more "Oh my god call 911."

Image Description provided by @loveize

[Image description: an infographic showing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The graphic is labeled "Heat Dangers: First Warning." Signs of heat exhaustion: faint or dizzy, excessive sweating, cool, pale, clammy skin, rapid, weak pulse, muscle cramps. If you think you or someone else may be experiencing heat exhaustion, get to a cool, air-conditioned place, drink water if conscious, and take a cool shower or use cold compress. Signs of heat stroke: throbbing headache, no sweating, red, hot, dry skin, rapid, strong pulse, may lose consciousness. If you think you or someone else may be experiencing heat stroke, call 911. End description]

Be safe.

-fae

[cloudcountry]

Yay wifey open her requests ^^ i just got the silliest idea but what would be the ghouls's reaction to mc asking ffor grapes at a lemonade stand

SUMMARY: you go to a lemonade stand and reference a popular song...

COMMENTS: when i tell you i have never seen this video in my life. like i know the reference but ive never watched it. know the song, never watched it. head in hands.

TAGLIST: @as1iiiwhaa @astralsocfactory

He knows the reference, he spends way too much time online not to. Put a camera in front of him and watch him act all cutesy for it, poking fun at you for wanting to film something like this.

— Leo (snatches your phone once the video ends & you're away from the vendors), Edward (giving you a sultry look the whole time bro what the fuck the vendors are RIGHT THERE)

He gives you a weird look and brushes you off, pointing out that there are no grapes at a lemonade stand. Might call you an idiot (affectionate.) He’s confused and doesn’t get it, but won’t say it.

— Jin (rude about it T0T), Alan (not at all rude about it...angel), Ren (he thinks you’re so much weirder now, i don't think he spends time on That side of the internet), and Jiro (also not rude.)

“Why would you ask for grapes at a clearly labelled lemonade stand? MC, are you feeling okay?” Probably look around for a grape stand to see if you’re just looking in different directions.

— Luca, Ritsu (both of them are doing their best), Lyca tbh (he’s just less eloquent with his words.)

Just like the last one but less formal and more frantic. Checking your temperature and everything.

— Haru (you should show him the song he would love it.)

He humors you, might call you cute in front of the lemonade stand vendors just to see you get flustered. Preens when you’re given cups with little hearts drawn on them since you’re a couple. Obviously. This backfired (or did it?)

— Tohma, Sho, Taiga (in a good mood), Towa, Haku, Rui (WHEW LOVERBOYS)

Yells at you. Probably calls you stupid. The vendors are concerned. No heart cups for you.

— Romeo, Yuri, Taiga (in a bad mood)

Is too nervous to go to a lemonade stand with you to register it. Is this a date!?!?!?

— KAITO.

He laughs politely because he has literally no idea what to say and is now worried that he missed something on the menu. Gets even more confused when the vendors laugh and he still doesn’t know what’s going on.

— Subaru

He humors you and calls you cute but he doesn’t mean it to embarrass you, he just loves you. Wishes he could have some lemonade too, but settles for watching you enjoy it!

— Zenji

[antiquarianfics]

Taken pt. 14

If Bucky Barnes could time travel, he would go back to that morning. He would hold you a little tighter in his arms, and he would kiss you a little deeper. He would pull your daughter in between the two of you, letting her giggle as loudly as she wants whilst her parents kiss her cheeks and tickle her belly. If Bucky Barnes could time travel, he would have told you not to go to the park—to go anywhere else. But Bucky Barnes can’t time travel, and his wife and daughter are gone.

a/n: You will never believe this: I finished this fic. It only took me 2 years. To everyone who has stuck with me since part 1 and still comes back to read these updates, thank you. To everyone who found it somewhere in the middle and still read it, thank you. To everyone who is just finding it now, lucky you. I hope you enjoy the ending! I'm excited to put this fic to bed.

warnings: swearing, blackmail, mention of murder, themes of conspiracy, mentions of abuse, canon typical violence.

note: I do not own the character Bucky Barnes or any other Marvel affiliated characters. Any and all characters are a work of fiction and any likeness to real persons is wholly unintentional.

You do not have permission to copy, translate, or repost my work; however, feel free to like, comment, and reblog.

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previous part | series masterlist

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“It’s over. I’ve got you,” Bucky whispers calmingly, his eyes fixed on the dead man in front of him whose head has been bashed in. Bucky lets his hand cradle your head, soothingly petting your hair while he coos at you, trying to calm you. He closes his eyes, still holding you, and tries to get the gruesome image of Frost’s brains painted across the floor out of his head.

—

A high pitched, constant, obnoxious beeping noise permeates through the room, grating against your nerves. Slowly, you attempt to peel your eyes open, but as you do, you realize your eyelids feel incredibly heavy. With great effort, you manage to open your eyes, only to be met with a room too bright for comfort. Letting your eyes adjust, you take in the room: A sterile, bright, white room. Around the room sits various monitors tracking vitals, a small tray table with a large hospital jug of water, and a counter full of medical supplies. As your foggy mind clears, you realize you’re lying in a hospital bed, and to your right is an empty chair. You frown. How did you get here?

Groaning, you try and sit up, but you feel a sharp pain shoot through your abdomen, and you’re slowly becoming aware of the dull, constant ache in your head. Frowning, you let your fingers trace up your arm until you find the IVs that have made a home there. You yank out the IVs with a pained grunt and let your hand move up to hold your aching head. Seriously, you think, what the fuck? After taking a moment, you find a few more cords that have been attached to you: sensors stuck at pulse points and whatnot. You rip them off and throw your legs over the side of the bed, hoping you can get out of here and find someone to give you some answers. However, once you rip the rest of the wires off of your body, the machines in the room start screaming in protest, alerting whatever nearby medical team that there is that something is wrong. You’ve just set your bare feet on the cold tile floor when a familiar doctor rushes in.

Dr. Cho is wide-eyed and winded when she runs into the room. She quickly takes in the sight before her: A formerly sleeping patient attempting to make a run for it. Dr. Cho sighs heavily before stepping into the room calmly and letting the door shut behind her. Her gentle and practiced hands find your shoulder and gently pushes, forcing you to lie back. Confused and in a startled daze, you don’t protest as she guides you to lie down.

Cho says your name gently. “You shouldn’t be rushing out of here,” she says. “You have extensive internal injuries: a lot of bruising. You experienced some serious trauma out there.” You nod distractedly, your mind racing to put the new information into its place in the puzzle that is your situation since waking up.

“What happened?” You ask, eyes lifting to meet her kind, concerned ones.

“A lot,” she informs. “You fainted after Barnes got you out of that HYDRA base, and you’ve been out like a light since. You have some pretty serious bruising on your wrists and ankles, and you experienced some serious trauma from the electric shocks–especially to the head.” She begins to assess your injuries, pressing her fingers into different places on your abdomen and observing your bruising. She finally nods to herself and picks up a tablet from the counter and types in some notes.

“Now that you’re awake, we will need to call in a psychiatrist to check out your mental health. The kind of trauma you went through certainly warrants it.” You only nod in response.

“What about Bucky? Is he okay?” You ask. Cho gives you a warm and understanding smile and nods.

“He’s fine. Had a few scrapes and bruises here and there, but it’s absolutely nothing the serum won’t fix right up.” You nod.

“And Becca?” 

“She’s fine. She’s been in with Bucky to visit you a few times, but she’s right as rain.”

You let out a relieved breath. “How long was I out?”

“About a week. Like I said, the electrocution was a severe trauma. Could have killed you, but you were lucky.”

—

You are required to sit through an extensive psych evaluation before you’re finally discharged. The psychiatrist diagnoses you with severe PTSD, explaining that the trauma from being kidnapped, the forced work for HYDRA, and the murder of Frost had deeply affected you in ways that would likely show itself for a long time. He explains that it’s likely you continue to have nightmares and lash out against people who get to close, and he assures you that depressive episodes are to be expected. He takes care suggest (demand, really) that you begin weekly therapy and prescribes a couple medications. You take all he has to say with a disengaged nod.

—

After a very long day of medical checkups (both physical and mental), you’re exhausted. All you want to do is go home, put on clothes more comfortable than what the medical ward gave you, and lie down in your bed. When you’re released, you walk out of the last room you’d been in, wearing some scrubs that someone found you, and let out a relieved sigh, thankful just to leave the medical ward. As soon as you walk through the door, you are met with the sight of your husband and daughter waiting for you. Becca is teetering back and forth on her heels, clearly full of excitement. Bucky is smiling softly at you.

“There she is! Free at last,” Bucky says. Becca squeals and runs towards you. You notice Bucky’s eyes widen a bit and he reaches out to stop her, but the little girl is too fast and slides right by him. You know he isn’t sure if you’re willing to see her yet–frankly, you weren’t sure until you saw her–but for the first time in months, you don’t feel the guilty twist of a knife when you see her. For the first time in months, you feel as if you’re worthy of seeing your daughter. For the first time in months, you feel like you might deserve the smiles, the laughter, and the crushing bear hugs that your daughter feels inclined to bestow upon you. For the first time in months, you let your daughter near you, and just seeing her run towards you fills you with a peace that you’ve been missing for a long, long time.

“MAMA!” Becca screams, barreling towards you. You drop to your knees and hold your arms out for her, catching her with a grunt as her weight comes into contact with your bruised and sore body.

“Hey, sweetheart,” you breathe, pressing a soft kiss to her head and burying your nose in her hair. You breathe in your daughter with a shaky breath. You’d missed her more than anyone could ever know, even if the reason you hadn’t seen her had everything to do with you avoiding her.

“Mama, I missed you,” she says.

“I missed you, too, baby.”

Bucky is watching the whole interaction with a relieved smile on his face. It’s been months since you’ve held your daughter, and it’s clear that you needed her more than you’d let on. Bucky takes a couple steps closer as you start to pull away, holding Becca at arms length while you get a good look at her.

“You’re so beautiful,” you tell her. “I think you’ve grown a bit!” You place your hand flat on her head as if you’re measuring her. She giggles.

“I did! Daddy says I’m 38 inches! We measured on the wall,” Becca informs you with a wide, toothy grin.

“That so?” You laugh with a smile that could rival hers. Finally, you stand, ruffling your daughter’s hair as you do. You turn to Bucky and smile a little bashfully. He returns the smile and swings his arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side. He nuzzles his face into your hair and plants a loving kiss there.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he whispers. “Gave me quite the scare.”

“Sorry,” you mumble, hiding your head into his chest.

“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re alright. We can just work on moving on now.” His promise finds a home somewhere deep in your chest, and for the first time in a very long time, you feel okay.

—

Steve calls an emergency meeting to fill you in on what had gone down since you’d been out. The team files into the same conference room that each piece of this disaster had taken place in. The last time you’d been in this room, you had stood in the corner, arms crossed, glaring at everyone. This time, you sit in a chair at the table next to your husband with your 4 year old in your lap. Steve keeps the meeting brief, and you know everyone is just glad to see you back to your relatively normal self.

—

It has been 2 years since the last time you stepped foot in this park. The last time you’d stepped foot into this park, you and your daughter had been kidnapped by a megalomaniac Nazi obsessed with bringing HYDRA back from the dead, so you’d made a point to avoid it. However, your therapist argues that it’s good to visit traumatic places to help you move on if you have a strong support system with you, so when Bucky informed you that he was taking Becca to the park today, you inhaled a large breath before letting it out slowly and volunteering to come, too. After all, you’d thought,, I can’t avoid parks forever.

So, now you’re strolling through the park with your hand tightly held onto by Bucky’s. You let your arms swing playfully between you two as you watch Becca run ahead of you and occasionally stop to look at a bug or pick up a stick. You ramble about anything and everything with your husband, occasionally interrupting to encourage or tease your 6 year old. It’s genuinely a nice, peaceful time, and you find yourself glad that you pushed yourself to come.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” you say softly as you walk, passing a bench that you remember from the day you were taken two years ago. Bucky squeezes your hand reassuringly. 

“I know, but I’m proud of you,” he says.

“Thank you. For everything.” He kisses your forehead as you keep walking.

“I’m never going to let anything happen to you or Bec ever again,” he says softly, and it’s your turn to squeeze his hand reassuringly.

“I know, baby.”

Your conversation is suddenly cut short, though, when an excited squeal cuts through the warm, afternoon air. The faint sound of footsteps follows the squeal as Becca comes sprinting towards you and Bucky. You squint your eyes to get a good look at her through the bright sunlight. She’s pumping her arms to run faster and holding an interestingly shaped stick as she does.

“Becca, honey, don’t run with sticks!” You exclaim anxiously, suddenly worried she’ll fall and stab herself with her newfound treasure. She slows to a fast walk as she finds herself right in front of you. She looks up at you with her big, beautiful eyes and grins, holding up her stick for you to see.

“Look what I found!” She exclaims, beaming.

“That’s a cool stick, sweetheart,” Bucky says with an amused smile.

“Daddy!” Becca whines. “It’s not a stick! It’s a sword!” She shares the information as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world, rolling her little eyes and frowning at her father’s clear lack of intelligence on the matter. Bucky laughs and lets out a soft, “My bad.” 

“That’s an awesome sword, Bec,” you say with a grin. She smiles wide again and nods her head enthusiastically. 

“Yeah, I know! Do you think brother will like it?”

You smile at her, a gentle hand falling to your swollen stomach to hold it. “Yeah, Bec,” you affirm, “I think brother will like it once he’s big enough to hold it!” She nods introspectively, placing a little finger to her chin while she thinks.

“Maybe I should find him a flower instead. Babies can hold flowers.” You laugh and nod, letting her know that might be a better idea. She nods and runs off to drop the stick and look for an acceptable flower. You lean into Bucky then, still holding your stomach protectively, and take in a deep breath, happy, content, and ready to face whatever life has next for you and your little family.

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@just-henny @jasminocano @browneyedgirl22-blog @barnesboo1967 @matchat3a @unkasworld @qwertyb2577 @raajali3 @yoruse @iilsenewman @alysianc @fairytalegirlofurdreams @marvelxlevram @casa-boiardi @buckybraneslover111 @hhiggs @smolracoon25 @questionableratatouille00 @heytheredemonsitsyourgirl @thearieunhinged @sebastianstansource @middaystarlight @talesofadragon @killerwendigo @ozwriterchick @kandis-mom @scatteredstardustt @babysbreathbabes @ordinarylokix @lilstarfish88 @ordelixx @shizukestar @filmsbyblair

[immortal-pnkcake]

taking the mic hey hii hello 💥💥 thanks for tagging me cus i love these things ahem so--

fav colors: deep red 💥💥 also deep blue and purple and PINK yeah. it seems like the odd one out but it stuck to me AND you wouldnt believe me pink sneaked in before i got into one piece.

currently reading: sunrise of the reaping by susanne collins. tbh i loved the original trilogy when i was younger and ive learned that there are spinoffs! i just finished ballad of snakes and songbirds AND IT WAS KINDA NICE U KNO.

last song: oh dear i dont remember the exact song but ive been working with omori ost in the background so its safe to say its been something from this album!

last film: howl's moving castle (rewatch💥💥💥) its kinda my comfort movie and its been for almost twenty years so yeah i always rewatch it when im feelin down 🕊️🕊️🕊️

sweet/savory/salty: SWEET. and then savory. i don't really like salty things and get tired of them too fast😭 also ough where is the spicy option i really love spice :(

tea or coffee: do i really have to choose😭 but i think i'll choose coffee bc lately ive been into cherry bumble and i just can't get enough.

working on: MY GRADUATION PROJECT DAMN IT and also a zine picture with doflamingo💅🏻💅🏻 where is my free time you might ask well-- haha

tagging: ough i don't know well i'm gonna tag everyone by tagging no one so if you (🫵😳 yes you) see this you are tagged. i don't really have a lotta mutuals. weow. ah no wait @pmpkn-juice-art there. mutual tagged.

oooh that was a nice break from work now back to it-- also i think i need more mutuals huh ! yeah. ok yeah now i really have to leave bc theres so much work i can't--

Get to know your mutuals!

*grabs mic and clears throat* Thank you so much @jintaka-hane and @igiulss for tagging me! I love these things and I love you girls! ❤️

Favorite Colors: Black, purple, and red. I was a bit of a goth teen, and my favorite colors never really got to change 😎

Currently Reading: SMUT! *snort* I used to care a lot about what I read, trying to stick to 'good literature' and the classics and all, but I'm now at a stage of my life where I stoped giving a f*ck and now I read what the hell I feel like. Judgment be damned. So I'm going through the ACOTAR series, devouring them like a madwoman. I have Edgar Allan Poe's short stories giving me the stink eye from my nightstand, and I might use him as a palate cleanser after!

Last Song: Oh, I've been cranking the Imperfect soundtrack I created on Spotify to get me in the mood for the next chapter, and the last one that played was, curiously enough, Imperfect by Stone Sour. I can't get enough of Corey Taylor, that man is a God!

Last Film: I barely watch any TV. I read and write in my spare time, so the last movie I saw was in the movie theatre and I took my son, so we got to see the live action of Lilo & Stitch! I enjoyed it a lot! 🥰

Sweet/Salty/Sour: All of them???? I mean... I can't choose! I have a very sweet tooth, but I love sour things... and salty snacks? UGH! Why are you doing this to me??? Gun to the head: sweet!

Tea or Coffee: Coffee. 100% coffee. Expressos, please. Or how we call it here in Portugal: bica. Actually was discussing this with Giuls just yesterday. I need at least 4 of them on a daily basis. 😍

Working On: Too many things at the same time, actually 😆 I'm working on Imperfect, Kid's Meet-Cute and I'm also throwing a few paragraphs for chapter 2 of All of Yourself, as well as trying to plan and write a very challenging longfic for my main account with ships like: SaNami, LawBin, Ace&Vivi and ZoTash.

I'm going to tag *checks to see who hasn't been tagged yet* @physics-of-one-piece @laidenbreecatchall @isabeauwolf and anyone else who wants to jump in on the fun wagon!

[formosusiniquis]

something green

inspired by @stevieweek day 2 prompt: cryptid | hospital, but this might not be enough stevie to qualify wc: 1.4k | T | cw: minor character death | tags: stobin hivemind

Their Robin part answers the phone when it rings.

They’re home, have been all week scouring the classifieds for a job that they think won’t be completely miserable. It’s been boring, but boring is a lot better than monsters and as the late-July humidity persists outside it’s at least a little bit better than anything else too.

“This is a call for Steve Harrington.”

They’ve not been that for a while.

“Speaking,” their Robin answers.

The voice on the other end of the line pauses, like it’s not sure it believes their Robin, but continues, “Your mother has asked we inform you that she’s currently receiving care at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. She’s been in an accident, I’m sorry to say I’m not sure how much time she has left.”

“Is my father there?”

“He has been informed.”

“But he wasn’t with my mother,” their Robin finishes.

“I have a note that says he told the staff member who called, ‘he would be down from Chicago when he was finished with work.’”

“Thank you,” they say, and their Stevie means it. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

If the employee on the phone finds that strange they don’t have time to say it. Their Robin hangs up the phone with a finality that smacks of disagreement.

“Do we really need to go up to see Mother? Mom is making lasagna tonight and she never got drunk and told us that she thought about going to a special doctor when she learned she was pregnant with Richard’s baby.”

Mom’s lasagna is their favorite, but they’re more prone to regret now. “Call her and tell her we’ll be late. I’m sure she’ll save it for us.”

Mom always said that special occasions meant a dress, father said you don’t go to a business deal unless you’ve shined your shoes.

A hospital visit to see their dying mother, it’s hard to decide if any of those rules apply. But both parts of them are still in the boxers and the white undershirts they’d gone to bed in, so they make due with what they know and the pieces they’ve scrounged from the thrift store since the government check cleared.

They’re used to getting dirty looks when they go places. The perk of their Stevie part still looking beaten half-to-death is most people don’t bother with trying to finish the job. Their Robin finds a nurse who points to the private room Mother is being kept in.

It would be funny that even when she’s dying, Mother still demanded luxury, but then they’d have to admit their sense of humor has gotten a little fucked.

Their Stevie enters the room first, goes to the bed while their Robin stays closer to the door. They don’t need privacy from each other, but they know to others they’re something strange and off putting.

The hospital is one of the worst places they can imagine spending their final moments. The smell of antiseptic and bleach unable to bury the scent of death and bile, even in this room that only privilege can buy. Mother looks smaller than they can ever remember seeing her. Her face and chest a mottle of bruising, a strip of her blonde hair shaved away to make way for a wound the doctors have bandaged. Blood and something tinged yellow are already seeping through it. The machine beside her bed beeps, each one weaker than the last like even it is giving up.

One of their Steve hands brushes hers, gentle. Mindful of the IV going into the back of it. One of her french tips is missing, another broken in a jagged line. The hand reaching for hers is missing a nail too. She’d hate that.

“Mother,” they start. Her eyes are shut, not swollen shut like one of theirs, just closed. The spiderweb of veins is visible through the thin skin, and that’s worse. “Mother, I-”

Mother not Mom or Ma or Momma or Mommy.

It’s always been Mother for as long as they can remember. Mother and Father. It’s hard for them to wrap their mouth around now that they’ve got Mom at home with her lasagna. They’re crying, just a little. The salty sting of tears prick at their Robin eyes.

She’s not going to get better and she’s always going to be Mother. She won’t get to become something different to them, like them.

“Mother,” they try again. Maybe this time the right words will come out. In English or one of the others.

Her spiderweb eyes flutter. They open just a crack. Bloodshot and hazy. “Is that my baby?” Her words are slowed, slurred together.

“Mo-”

Even open all the way her eyes are glassy and unfocused. Her hand tilts up to catch theirs. “My baby.” 

“Morphine,” they remind themself from the other side of the room.

Mother’s eyes track to where the sound came from, and back to the part of them that’s holding her hand. “I always thought there would be two of you,” she says. “The way you’d kick.”

The machine beeps tick higher. Intracranial bleeding, traumatic internal injuries, thrown from the car, intoxicated. Those were the things the nurse had told one half while the other was headed into the room.

She probably isn’t even lucid.

“When they said it was just one, I was sure you’d be a girl.”

“I’m sorry,” they say. They look over at their other half, not for answers but for the comforting reminder that they’re there.

Mother’s hand shakes as she lifts it off the bed, even with theirs beneath it, supporting the weight. The beeps get faster, louder, crying at the effort she’s putting forward. Her fingers are even colder than normal as they brush their face.

“Don’t be sorry, both of you, just as beautiful as I knew you’d be. My twins, my babies.” Her breathing is too fast, too shallow, too much of everything.

But the smile on her face is peaceful.

“I wish I’d been more for you,” she says.

“No,” they choke out from beside the door, tears running faster.

“I couldn’t see it at first, you looked so much like your father; and I missed it. I missed it.” Each word sounds more like an exhale. Each one is harder to hear.

They surround her now, a half on either side of the bed. Their mother is dying.

“Green was always my favorite, you look so nice in it.” Green dress, green button down, emerald and forest.

“I love you.” They manage to say it, gasp it out through the hurt lodged in their throat. She needs to hear it.

The beeps are fast, then slow, she says. “Love you two.”

The beeps stop, the machine whines. A long, loud sound that demands all of the attention in the room. The commotion starts, nurses and doctors flooding in.

But they know death by this point. They slip from the room, walking until there’s a seating area just to the side of a desk of busy nurses. They sit side by side, trying to find the state of whole they only ever feel when sleeping. Thigh to thigh, hand in hand, it’s close enough.

Their mother is dead.

They sit. Mom is at home, lasagna in the warmer; but Mother is cooling on a bed down the hall.

An elevator chimes, a clipped conversation at the nurses stand too quiet to hear, then. “Steven, what in god’s name are you wearing?”

Their shoes are shined, they twitch left and then right on their Robin feet. The white Chuck Taylors had looked better with the dress, they had decided while getting ready.

“What are you hoping to accomplish,” Father continues, his question after all had never really been a question. Much like this one.

“You were too late, I’m sorry,” they say, hoping they manage to sound consoling.

“The only thing to be sorry about is that whoever hit you didn’t do as well as the fucking car did. Christ, I just hope no one important has seen you looking like this.”

Dad said their attempts at makeup were avant garde.

Two separate instincts war within them. The one that’s snarky and snappish and fights demodogs and soldiers versus the one that knows the danger of the wrong idea being shared by the wrong person.

Love you two. Her last words.

They stand, hand in hand, united physically as they are in every other way. They walk past him, sputtering and spitting with a rage no father should have for their child. It will take all four of their hands but they can move their things out of their room to the other in the house where Mom and Dad love everything they have become.

And they’ll grab something green from Mother.

[satlun]

I am so excited to see Daeron in S3. I have a ton of headcanons about his life in Oldtown, and I want S3 to give us insight into his relationship with his mother. Why do you think Alicent sent him to ward in the first place? I have this theory that Otto saw in Daeron what he had seen in Alicent when he chose her over Gwayne to take to KL with him: an excellent political player. So sending Daeron to ward with the Hightowers could shape him into an important asset for their cause... any other thoughts as to why Alicent would send him far away from her while she kept the rest of her children closer?

Hello!! Thank you for asking!! I really love your question.

I hope we get to see the relationship between them in Season 3. We know so little about him from Season 2. It would be nice if we could see Alicent and Daeron together in a scene with a long conversation. I really want to see their dynamic.

I love your theory; it makes sense to me too. I hope we get more insight into it in the next season. I’ve also been wondering why Alicent sent Daeron to Oldtown. Here are the theories I’ve been thinking about so far. Honestly, they’re all kind of connected, some ideas overlap, but here they are:

Note: Some theories might not sound fully logical because the show hasn’t told us when or at what age Alicent sent Daeron to Oldtown + I haven't finished the book (Fire and Blood).

I. Things Got Out of Hand

The war or at least the tension between both sides had already started. It wasn’t violent yet, but maybe it was risky for Alicent to let her young son stay in King’s Landing. So, in this theory, she sends him away because she’s worried for his safety. He’s too young. It’s better for him to stay far from the capital and probably from her opponent. Let’s say, better to keep him far away from Dragonstone, on the other side of the continent.

II. Intense Atmosphere

Even if it’s not declared war yet, the tension in King’s Landing may have become too stressful. Maybe she sent him away because she didn’t want him growing up in that kind of environment. Again, he’s too young. Perhaps she didn’t trust anyone there anymore. She may have feared for his safety (again).

III. Her Own Capabilities

Maybe she wanted to raise him to be a “good person”. It seems like she values kindness more now, especially when you compare him to her other sons 😂. Maybe she trusted Gwayne to raise him. Or perhaps she felt like she wasn’t in the right state of mind to raise Daeron herself. She doubts herself a lot, we all can see it. She’s clearly been struggling with her own emotion and choices. Maybe she thought it would be better for Daeron to grow up away from her. I think the best way to explain this feeling to you is to offer this sentence since it reminds me of that scene from Game of Thrones:

“She was good. From her first breath, she was so sweet. I don’t know where she came from. She was nothing like me. No meanness, no jealousy, just good. I thought if I could make something so good, so pure… maybe I’m not a monster.” — Cersei Lannister

It’s kind of the same feeling, or at least a similar one.

IV. Political Player (personally love this theory)

This one’s similar to your theory, but I’ll add my own adjustments. Maybe Otto wanted to balance Hightower power between King’s Landing and Oldtown. You might ask: why not Gwayne? Well, Gwayne is Alicent’s brother, and probably the eldest son of Otto, yes, but Daeron is Alicent’s (queen) son and Viserys’s son (former king) and recent king's younger brother (Aegon II). So in my opinion, Daeron holds more political power for the Greens. Maybe not now, but definitely in the future.

V. Avoiding the Same Fate

This theory is inspired by yours. Maybe Alicent didn’t want Daeron to suffer the same fate she did, to be used as a political tool by Otto. To be a pawn, tossed around from one hand to another.

Do all of these make sense?

So, come to the last question: why would Alicent send him far away from her while she kept the rest of her children closer?

I. Aegon & Aemond

I think they are all grown up now, and their rage is too strong to let them out of her sight. Just like how Aegon went to war, or how Aemond burned Aegon down. They are too difficult to control at this point because of their age (perhaps), their rage, pride, and stubbornness. (According to historical analysis, men tend to wage war. So 🤷‍♀️😂)

II. Helaena

As we all know that her mind is broken, and she seems to be Alicent’s favorite child, or at least one she cares about deeply. She is so vulnerable and innocent to this world. I think Alicent is very worried about her. It’s better for Alicent to keep her close, to protect her from harm. After all, she was her only daughter. I think the dynamics between a mother and an only daughter is underlying in here.

What do you think of these so far? 🥺

Thanks again for asking! I love answering these kinds of questions!!

[i-willstealyourtoes]

can we get some engineer and trans male reader food im starving here... spicy perchance... holds out change jar

i love your work though—ive been meaning to request you for a while and you finally have your requests open!!!! whoopee!!!!!

Hell yeah you can get some Engie content !! I'm not trans myself so I hope I did this justice :'>

Engineer with Trans male!Reader (T4T)

Not like, he doesn't care about your body - he loves your body - rather it doesn't concern him that you're trans.

Some people HC Dell as trans, so I thought maybe we could work with that ??

Anyway, trans or not, Dell doesn't really care whatever you got in your pants.

Maybe if he was like, an insecure teen he'd bothered by his partner's identity like that, but now that he's a mature adult? He's just happy if you're happy !!

And it's even better you're happy with him :)

He might not understand everything, but he tries his absolute best to take mental notes of the trans experience to help you out with any struggles !

"I don't want you to ever feel uncomfortable or self-conscious with me, alright? I wanna make you happy."

Now, trans Engie? He doesn't need to learn as much, given he also knows the struggle of being constantly ostracized by the whole world.

But obviously he still wants to hear about your personal experience, since everyone has different journeys.

But it certainly is time saved not having to spend hours of explaining something he'll never fully understand (if he was cis)

He gets what it's like to be scrutinised for absolutely anything, put in a category or a box simply for being alive

For him, the whole being berated for his identity doesn't affect him anymore; he's solid in his identity.

But if anyone hurts you? As in, chip away at your confidence and leave you insecure?

It's all over for his patience.

He won't start a shouting match, or get physically violent, but he will definitely pull you away from the situation and give the person a firm warning to back off.

But after that he'll just lead you somewhere away and reassure you that you're just as valid as he is :')

"Some people stare, some people judge. Those types, they'll never understand. You ain't gotta worry about them, alright? You owe 'em nothing."

Once you two get back home/to base, he will shower you with all the affection you could ever ask for !!

Kisses on your temples, cheeks, hands,

Up your arm, down your neck, in between your legs

"Y'know, dreamin' about you ain't got nothing on the real thing."

He loves every part of you, even if you don't

In fact, he loves your body so much it's more than enough to make up for your own insecurities

But if you still don't believe him, he'll hopefully convince you by slowly coaxing you out of any of the remaining items of clothing you have, compliments flowing out his mouth like it was his first language.

"So handsome. I'm so lucky to have you. You make my world, honey."

Even if you don't want to do anything, he'll still comfort you, caressing your bare skin, guiding you to look at yourself in the mirror (if you can manage, of course)

"See? Look at you. I don't see how you could see this body as anything other than sexy."

Basically, he is in love with you and your body, and he's more than happy to prove it :)

[elementroar]

Pre-2014, both Swain and LeBlanc were actually allies and Swain was an ex-Black Rose member, who deliberately came back and contacted LeBlanc once she became Matron of the Black Rose. This meeting was shown in LeBlanc’s League Judgement, and it’s heavily implied that they had a history together, as LeBlanc reached out to touch him and was upset over what Swain did to get his current position in the Noxian army (this includes gaining the ability to transform into a giant raven powers) when he left the Black Rose. He contacted her to ask her to “join him in fellowship” and to take back what was theirs, as well as saying how everything he’s done so far was “for us”.

League Judgements are actually recreations of memories by the Summoners to gauge the champion’s intentions and personality, with the chosen memory usually the main reason they’re even joining the League of Legends. The Summoner evaluating LeBlanc was actually play-acting as Swain in this memory and he mocked LeBlanc a bit for showing her vulnerability regarding Swain as he caressed her face as Swain once the evaluation was done.

So LeBlanc’s League Judgements established she and Swain knew each other in their early days in the Black Rose, and LeBlanc was quite tender towards him and heavily implied to be in love with him, and her main motivation for even joining the League was to help him.

Should also mention that Marcus Du Couteau was said to arrive at the end of LeBlanc’s meeting with Swain, which she was not happy about as she felt Marcus wasn’t the same as ‘them’, but Swain felt he would be useful.

Fast forward to when Talon was introduced, with that specific comic showing that both Swain and LeBlanc were keeping tabs on him, that would really likely be more cos of how Talon was investigating Marcus’ disappearance by then in the old lore.

However, cos of how vague the ages of Swain and LeBlanc were - Swain always looked old or decrepit; while LeBlanc uses illusions and in the old lore the title of Matron is passed down from one woman to the next and they use illusions to look the same - there was the chance that they were more closely related to Talon.

And cos Talon’s name literally refers to the ‘talon’ of a bird and Swain turns into a giant raven so thematically, there was potentially something. Yes this is a weak sauce link but this is old lore, we make do.

Add in how Talon basically has no lore, literally lived in and was found by Marcus in a sewer, it opened up the possibility he was more relevant in some way by being related to the two champs who are featured in his intro comic. Not to mention later he turned up in another illustrated panel in the Journal of Justice observing when Swain became Grand General.

Buuuut, in 2018 when Swain got reworked, something offhandedly mentioned kinda jossed even the vague theories. Cos turns out that Swain is only in his late 30s in old lore.

Like I dunno wtf Riot was smoking, but apparently when they designed Swain, he was just meant to look weakened and mysterious but really only at most in his late 30s, but between his limp and voice, everything made players believe he was at least in his 60s. So him being Talon’s father, while not impossible, became highly unlikely. Cos LeBlanc was likely around the same age as Swain too, if not a little younger.

So in old lore, nada, impossible. But in new lore…

Swain’s reworked actually made him older, as he’s in his late 50s now. Leblanc is literally 1000 and according to her lines with Jarvan IV, it’s heavily implied she or her clones, may have been his mother or pretended to be his mother. So her/her clone having kids just for greater scheme, is actually like a method she would do.

In Swain’s backstory, he crossed paths with LeBlanc when he was younger and was manipulated by her into executing his parents. But even more, his lore writer implied that he and LeBlanc had a further relationship, as they were together at a high society ball which is where Swain ‘killed’ her.

Also his lore writer mentioned he knew what was implied about them in their old lore and was actually very shippy about them in Swain’s rework, hence his voicelines that all flirt with LeBlanc. Tho we find out since LeBlanc’s rework that it’s way more one-sided on his end (or not, turns out in her short story more than half of all her sister clones were ‘merciful’ towards Swain).

Anyway, Talon then got his face rework AGAIN, in Wild Rift, and he distinctly looks like Swain, especially in Swain skins that make him look younger. With hair tone kinda similar to LeBlanc’s. So now the theory has returned and it actually is more plausible than before (yes, even with LeBlanc clearly hating Swain’s guts, because it’s implied they did have a fling when Swain was younger and even more, her own clones are all individuals and more than half were soft on Swain at one point in time).

Add in how Talon still basically has no lore about his origin; but NOW is attached to the Black Rose and LeBlanc’s pet assassin. And you know, I can totally see her use Swain’s own son to kill him. She would be petty like that.

So there you go, the longer explanation about the theory lol. It’s cracked, but I’m very amused how it gradually got more plausible over time.

Look with how LeBlanc clones work and the hints that LeBlanc is freaking Jarvan's mother, there are no limits anymore. This could actually be true IMO.

AND the theory goes back to 2011 cos this was Talon's original release comic that hinted both LeBlanc and Swain were aware of. and possibly connected to him.

[felidthing]

i think im sticking with hollyfang really not fitting in with any set group and becoming a loner that hangs around puzzle's house. dead dove do not eat: exclusively outdoor cat. but he can also visit thrushleaf in riverclan often! and thrushleaf is mates with featherleg and cedarflame, and friends with sagespeckle and troutshimmer. this is how troutholly can still win

[umblrspectrum]

happy solvermas

[schellis]

Hermit a Day May 2025 - Day 3 - TangoTek!

Previous days completed: [1] Impulse - [3] Tango - [4] Fav. alt Hermit (Dungeon Master Tango) - [7] Bdubs - [10] GeminiTay

[lucabyte]

Taking pride in One's own appearance.

[cheaploafs]

can’t take them anywhere in any universe.

[deoidesign]

Doing master studies the only way I know how: Stealing them and making them my guys.

(Barberini Faun)

(The Fallen Angel - Alexandre Cabanel)

(Covent Garden - William Bruce Ellis Rankin)

[taxinealkaloids]

kill your darling, it's just that easy!

[kiddokori]