#tobias you and your dad jokes

[hibernaldream]

(x)

The first horseman, a conqueror with a bow and crown, rides a white horse, which scholars sometimes interpret to symbolize Christ or the Antichrist; the second horseman is given a great sword and rides a red horse, symbolizing war and bloodshed; the third carries a balance scale, rides a black horse, and symbolizes famine; and the fourth horseman rides a pale horse and is identified as Death. (Britannica)

Winter is coming.

[disregardcanon]

finally got to see sweeney todd live (seen the movie and a few boots) and i have some Thoughts about utilizing sexism in your setting without the writing itself being sexist. because sweeney todd is SO good at it.

if you haven't seen sweeney todd, uh, both spoilers and trigger warnings for sexual assault, murder, cannibalism etc?

in sweeney todd we have three critical female characters

the entirety of sweeney todd happens because a man with wealth and power decides that he wants to rape benjamin barker's wife. he makes up a sham crime to get benjamin out of the picture and ships the man off to australia. this leaves young lucy as a single mother in victorian london.

he horrificly and publicly rapes her in a setting where other people jeer and laugh during the act. eventually she tries to poison herself, and the combination of poverty and cruelty is left to fend for herself on the streets, slowly losing her grip on reality due to the past trauma, ongoing trauma, and presumably brain damage from the poisoning.

when her husband, now calling himself sweeney todd, returns to their street, she is quite literally still there. he's cruel to her even before he "learns" from mrs. lovett that lucy died. the absolute revulsion he experienced towards her due to her being a homeless woman blinded him to even the possibility that this person who is in the right location could be his wife, even before she's "confirmed" as dead. she's just his beautiful, lost ideal. (but she isn't. she's there she's suffering she's insightful and caring and she's THERE-)

sweeney and lucy's daughter, joanna, has been stolen and locked away by the very judge that sent him to australia and raped her mother. she's spent all sixteen of her years confined to a single room, and the moment she catches the attentions of our young hero, the man she calls FATHER decides that he must marry her.

forcefully.

when she presents resistance and tries to run off with her young man, her captor forces her into an asylum where she will wait until she decides to become his wife the way that he is "owed".

sweeney never once acts to save her, despite both mrs. lovett and our hero's prompting. she, again, is the lost ideal. she would remind him too much of his lost love! oh no, however could he stand it! she is just something to mourn, even though she is here. breathing. singing frantically longing for freedom making connections with others and clever choices-

and then we have mrs. lovett, his wonderful, conniving soulmate. she's hilarious! she's far more clever than anyone gives her credit for, because she's just a silly woman after all! she snorts! she tells bad jokes! she's kind to children!

the dynamic between her and tobias only works so well because she's a woman. even if mr. todd was kind to him in a very similar manner, little boys don't show their affection for grown men with I Must Protect This Person. that is a way that little boys are taught to show their affection for the older women in their lives. because their grans and mums and aunts and older sisters, why, they're just so delicate! so kind! grandpas and dads and uncles and older brothers might need help and deference, but their favorite women need protection.

they can't be aware of the terrible things that are happening, or god forbid, a PARTICIPANT! that's just my auntie nelly! she's not capable of such a thing. she says things like "poor thing" and tells silly, bad jokes, and flutters around after the man she has an unrequited crush on.

surely she can't be in on this dastardly plot! she can't be its true author! the one that takes an angry, short-sighted man and gives him a purpose. that would be absurd!

sweeney never suspects her until seconds before he kills her. toby never suspects her at all. she's just a silly little cook with a crush that needs protection after all.

[37sommz]

❁ : meeting myla . . .

✼. masterlist — taglist — request. ✼. genre: fluff. ✼. wc: 5.3k.

historic silverstone brings more than just a 4th place finish. silverstone is a crossroads with myla button on one side and michaela's parents on the other.

✼. warnings: single dad!jenson, meeting the parents, meeting his daughter, small child?

✼. notes: this is the result of that poll i put out a few weeks ago. myla is the absolute cutest, i love her your honor. jenson and michaela have been together for about 7 months at this point. i don't think i made that clear lol.

000.⠀⠀JULY 17, 2021    ›    Silverstone, UK.

Michaela leaned against the garage wall, her heart still racing from the final qualifying lap. Her helmet was held tightly in her grasp, the visor reflecting the bustling Silverstone paddock. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to compose herself before facing the barrage of microphones and cameras that awaited her.

As she made her way over to the press pen, Beata quickly briefed her on McLaren's main press priorities for the race tomorrow. A reminder to keep quiet on the strategy, a recognition of the odds stacked against them despite her third-row start, and a quick wish of 'Buona fortuna' leaving her signature red lips.

Michaela nodded, a hint of exhaustion flashing in her eyes. She knew the drill. But for just a few more moments, she had more to think about than just the race. The journalists threw questions at her nonstop during their individual five minutes. She danced through each one with an ease she undoubtedly owed to her press officer. The usual questions about Lando were tucked in the flurry of questions about new upgrades and efficient wings. But she remained tight-lipped, knowing the drama that could unfold if she gave them anything to chew on.

As she answered the final journalist, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a text from Jenson, "Great job today sweetheart, can't wait to see you tomorrow." A smile ghosted her lips, and she quickly pocketed the phone before it could betray her. The press didn't need to know about them just yet.

Dinner with her parents that night was a whirlwind of questions about the race, the team's strategies, and, inevitably, her love life. She had been dodging the latter for a while now, but her mother was never one to resist the tempting question. "So, Courtney told me she knows the identity of this mystery man you're dating," Miriam said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Is it time we met him?"

Michaela took a sip of her wine, the rich flavor doing little to ease her nerves. "Actually, it is about time, I guess," she began, setting her glass down. "He's someone you've both heard of."

Her parents exchanged a look that was a mix of excitement and concern. "Jenson Button," she announced, watching their expressions closely.

Her father, Tobias, took a moment to digest the information before speaking. "So I've raised both of my daughters to exclusively date Formula 1 drivers?" He said, his voice a mix of surprise and good-natured disbelief. Michaela rolled her eyes as he laughed at his own joke.

"But he was World Champion in what year?" Miriam finally managed to say, the shock on her face was a stark contrast to the shy smile on her daughter's.

Michaela rolled her eyes with a playful smile. "Mum, don't start with the age thing."

Tobias took a sip of his drink, his expression contemplative. "2009, Michaela was 10," he said, setting his cup down. Miriam turned to look at her husband with an air of disbelief. Her brown eyes were wide again as Tobias simply stared at his coffee mug.

"But that means..." Miriam began.

Michaela cut her off gently. "He's only 19 years older than me. It's not that big of a deal, really," she said, hoping to ease their concerns.

Tobias' gaze lifted from his wife, his expression serious. "It is a big deal, Mouse. The man's in his 40s, and he's seen a lot in his time. Are you sure you know what you're getting into?"

Michaela's chest tightened. She knew her parents meant well, but she couldn't help feeling a spark of irritation. "Yes, Dad, I'm sure. We're both adults, and we care about each other."

Miriam reached across the table, her hand covering Michaela's. "We just don't want to see you hurt, or your career suffer because of a man," she said, her voice earnest.

Michaela nodded, her eyes flicking to her father's concerned face. "I know, Mum," she said, her voice soft. "But Jenson's different. He understands the sport, he understands the pressure I'm under." Michaela felt the tension in her neck and took a moment to compose herself before continuing. "We're just enjoying each other's company. It's good for me, good for him, good for my career."

Miriam leaned forward, her eyes sharp with disapproval. "But what happens when it's not just about fun anymore?" she asked, her voice gruff with concern. She huffed as she sat back in her seat, taking in Michaela's stubborn gaze.

Michaela sighed. "Look, I know he has a daughter, her name's Myla, and he has full custody," she said, her eyes darting between her parents. "And I'm not ready to be a mother right now, but Jenson's assured me that we're taking things slow."

Tobias' expression remained unchanged. "That's sweet, Mouse," he said, his voice softer. "But she's not just a part of the package. She's a whole new world to consider, Michaela. You're not just dating Jenson; you're dating his past, his future, his everything."

Michaela felt the weight of her father's words, but she wasn't ready to give in to their doubt. "I know, Dad," she replied, her voice firm. "But we're not rushing into anything. And if it's okay with you guys, I'd like you to meet him tomorrow."

Her parents exchanged a look, and she could see the unspoken conversation playing out between them. After a moment, Miriam spoke up. "We'd love to meet him, darling. We're here to support you, whatever happens," she said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Michaela's shoulders relaxed slightly at her mother's words. "Thank you, Mum, I appreciate you guys trying," she said, smiling genuinely. "He's actually covering the race for Sky Sports tomorrow, so he'll be around."

Tobias nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on his daughter. "Just remember, Mouse, we're not just worried about you. We're worried about his daughter too. She's a little girl with divorced parents, she's got enough drama going on in her life as it is," he said, his voice a gentle reminder of the gravity of the situation.

Michaela's eyes searched her father's, understanding his concern. "I know, Dad. And that's why we're taking it slow," she assured him. "I promise, I'll think about everything you've said."

The conversation shifted to safer topics, and the evening ended with the warmth of a family that had always supported each other through thick and thin. As the night grew later, and her parents retreated to their hotel room, Michaela found herself pacing the floor of her own room, the gravity of the day's events settling in. Her heart was a mix of excitement and anxiety as she dialed Jenson's number.

His voice was calm and steady, a balm to her nerves. "Hello, my love, how'd dinner go?" He asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Michaela took a deep breath and relayed the conversation, her voice a tapestry of emotions. She told him about her parents' excitement and their reservations about Myla. "They're worried, Jense," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "They don't want me to get hurt, or for you to get hurt again."

There was a brief pause on the line before Jenson spoke, his voice gentle. "They're just looking out for you like any good parents would," he said. "But, darling, you know I'd never push you into anything you're not ready for."

Michaela nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I know," she murmured, feeling a lump form in her throat. "They just want to meet you, that's all."

"Well, I'd love to meet them," Jenson said. "But let's not overwhelm everyone at once, especially Myla. She'll be with me tomorrow. Maybe we could all grab dinner tomorrow night, after the race?"

Michaela thought for a moment before agreeing. "That sounds like a good plan," she said, a hint of relief in her voice. "They're staying just down the hall from me, so it'll be easy to find a place nearby."

Jenson chuckled. "Perfect. And if you want, I'll ask Myla if she's okay with it," he offered. "But let's not tell her you're my girlfriend yet. Maybe just say you're a friend."

Michaela's heart skipped a beat. "But what if she doesn't like me?" she whispered, the fear of rejection creeping in.

Jenson's voice was warm and comforting. "Michaela, she's already your biggest fan. Her eyes are glued to your car whenever we watch the races at home," he said with a laugh. "Trust me, she'll love you even more once she finally meets you."

Michaela felt a wave of reassurance wash over her. She had never felt so supported in a relationship before, and she knew she was lucky to have Jenson by her side. "Okay, I'll trust your judgment," she said, her voice a little lighter. "Just try to stay on my parents' good side, yeah?"

"I'll charm them like I charmed you," Jenson said with a playful wink she could almost feel through the phone.

Michaela chuckled, the tension in her shoulders loosening. "Please don't," she said, rolling her eyes. "You know I don't need the competition."

000.⠀⠀JULY 18, 2021    ›    Silverstone, UK.

The next day dawned with the promise of an exciting race, and as Michaela climbed into her McLaren, the dinner to come was the furthest thing on her mind. She pushed aside her pre-race nerves and focused on the wheel in her hands, the roar of the engines and the scent of fuel filling her senses.

Tire strategies played out like a chess match, with each pit stop a strategic move to gain the upper hand. Through it all, Michaela remained calm and calculated, her mind a melding of speed and precision. As the laps ticked down, she found herself in a fierce duel with Lando to hold on to her fourth place. She pushed her car to the limit, her heart pounding in her chest.

On the final lap, the team orders finally came through. Lando was to hold position behind Michaela and bring the cars home in 4th and 5th. As she took the checkered flag, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers. The adrenaline rush washed over her, and she couldn't help but thank the team for their focus throughout the race.

After the post-race interviews, the paddock grew alive with excitement and fatigue. Drivers and teams mingled, sharing their experiences and strategies for the next race. Jenson, with Myla Button in tow, approached the McLaren hospitality suite. The little girl's eyes grew wide as she spotted the logos of the cars she had watched roar around the track just moments ago.

Myla Jane Button clutched her father's hand tightly, her eyes searching the sea of people for the one person she had talked about all weekend. "Daddy, where's your friend?" she whispered, her voice filled with anticipation.

Jenson glanced down at her with a smile, feeling a twinge of nerves. "Patience, darling," he said, leading her through the throngs of people. "She'll be out shortly."

Michaela emerged from the suite, her racing suit swapped for casual attire, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She spotted Jenson and Myla and her heart skipped a beat. The little girl looked so much like him, with the same piercing blue eyes, curly blonde hair, and mischievous smile. As she approached the two of them, she could see her parents approaching Jenson and Myla as well with adoring smiles on their faces.

Myla, yet to see her father's girlfriend from a distance, was busy introducing herself to Michaela's parents, her jaw dropping animatedly as they introduced themselves as the parents of her favorite driver. 

"We’re Michaela Sommers’ mummy and daddy," Miriam said, her voice filled with pride.

Michaela watched from afar, her heart fluttering as she saw the delight in her mother's eyes. She had always dreamed of this moment, her two worlds colliding in a perfect harmony of love and support.

As she drew closer, she could hear Myla's chatter about the race. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it warmed her heart to see how much his daughter took after his kindness and joy. Jenson looked up and caught her gaze, his eyes lighting up. He whispered something into Myla's ear, and the little girl's eyes grew even wider. She turned to look at the approaching figure, her excitement unbridled.

Michaela's steps grew lighter as she reached them, a warm smile playing on her lips. Jenson introduced her as a friend and a fellow racer. "Jenson, these are my parents," she heard herself say, the words feeling oddly natural. "Mum, Dad, this is Jenson and his daughter, Myla."

Myla's eyes lit up like stars at the mention of her favorite driver's name. She shyly looked up at the taller woman of the two in front of her. "Hi," she whispered, her gaze flicking between the Sommers.

Michaela crouched down to Myla's level, her heart racing. "Hi Myla, I'm Michaela," she said, her voice gentle. "Your dad tells me you had a fantastic time watching the race."

Myla nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "It was the best!" she exclaimed. "And I got to see you drive in real life!"

Michaela couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, I'm so excited to meet you," she said, holding out the signed cap she had brought for the little girl. "I heard you're my biggest fan."

Myla took the cap, her eyes wide with wonder. "Oh wow," she murmured, looking at it as if it were made of pure gold. "Thank you, Miss Michaela."

Michaela felt a surge of affection for the little girl. "You're welcome, Myla," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "But you can call me Michaela, like everyone else."

Myla looked up at her dad, seeking approval. Jenson's eyes met hers, and he gave a small nod of consent. "Okay, Michaela," Myla said, a smile playing on her lips.

Michaela's heart swelled. Every time she met a little girl who shared her excitement about racing, it reminded her of just how much her presence meant in the sport. She watched as Myla proudly put the cap on her head, the McLaren papaya orange standing out against her blonde hair. "So, what did you think of the race?" she asked, eager to keep the conversation flowing.

Myla's eyes sparkled as she began recounting the race's highlights. Her parents looked on, smiling at her passion. "It was so cool when you passed that one car," Myla said, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're so fast!"

Michaela felt her heart warm at the little girl's words. "Thank you, Myla. I try to be," she said, her voice sincere. She knew that she had to win over not just Jenson's heart, but Myla's as well. The seven-year-old was a direct line to Jenson's soul, and she didn't want to cause any pain or discomfort.

Her parents watched the interaction with a mix of curiosity and hope. They had heard so much about Jenson from the media, but seeing him with his daughter made their concerns seem less pressing. He was a good father, that much was clear, and if he treated Michaela with the same care and affection, they knew she would be in good hands.

Michaela felt the weight of their gazes and stood up, taking a deep breath. "So, dinner?" she suggested, her voice a tad louder than necessary to break the quiet moment. "Myla, would you like to come with us?"

Myla looked up at Jenson, her eyes wide. "Can I, Daddy?" she asked, those same blue eyes Michaela had come to know so well wide with excitement.

Jenson's smile grew, and he looked at her with a proud nod. "Of course, darling. If it's okay with everyone," he said, glancing at Miriam and Tobias who eagerly approved with warm smiles.

The restaurant they chose was a cozy Italian place, a favorite of Jenson's, which offered them a private booth to escape the prying eyes of the public. The air was thick with the aroma of garlic and tomato sauce, and the candles flickered gently, casting a soft glow across the table.

Myla sat between Jenson and Michaela, her eyes wide as she took in the new faces and the excitement of the evening. She had insisted on wearing the signed cap to dinner, which was met with smiles all around. The conversation flowed easily, with Jenson keeping a watchful eye on his daughter, making sure she felt included.

Michaela's parents, while still wary, were won over by Jenson's charm and his clear love for Myla. They pulled Jenson into a conversation of their own as Michaela kept Myla engaged to allow her boyfriend a chance to charm her parents. The little girl listened intently as they talked about the race, asking insightful questions that showed she had been paying attention to her father's commentary.

As the meal progressed, the conversation turned more serious, with Miriam expressing her concerns about the age gap and the potential impact on Myla. Jenson was honest and open, acknowledging his past mistakes and his commitment to prioritizing his daughter's happiness above all else.

"I've been through a lot, Miriam," he said, his gaze earnest. "But I've learned from my past. And if it means taking things slow with Michaela, then that's what I'll do. I won't let anyone, not even myself, disrupt Myla's life again."

Miriam's expression softened, and she reached out to pat Jenson's hand. "We just want what's best for her," she said, her voice gentle. "I'm sure you understand where we're coming from."

Jenson nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I do," he said. "And I promise, I'll do everything in my power to make sure she's happy and that she knows she's always a priority in my life."

Michaela's parents shared a look, their concerns slowly melting away. They had seen the love and dedication Jenson had for his daughter, and it was clear that he was a changed man from the one they had read about in the tabloids. "Thank you, Jenson," Tobias said, her voice warm. "That means a lot to us."

As the evening wound down, the conversation turned to more light-hearted topics. Myla giggled at a story Jenson told about a prank he had played on a fellow driver back in his Formula 1 days, and even Michaela's parents couldn't help but chuckle. It was moments like these that made the age gap seem almost non-existent, as they all connected over their shared love for the sport and the people in their lives.

The dessert menu was brought out, and Myla's eyes lit up at the sight of the gelato. "Daddy, can I have the mint chocolate chip?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

Jenson looked at her with a playful smile. "Only if you promise to eat all your veggies," he teased, and Myla huffed playfully before nodding vigorously as Jenson tickled her side.

Michaela felt a warmth spread through her as she watched the interaction. She had never seen this side of Jenson, the gentle, caring father. It was a stark contrast to the fiercely competitive driver she had seen on the track. As they ordered dessert, she couldn't help but feel a rush of something she hadn't felt in a long time: the possibility of a real future with someone who truly cared for her.

The gelato arrived, and as Myla eagerly dug in, Jenson leaned closer to Michaela. "So, what do you think?" he whispered, his eyes searching hers for reassurance.

Michaela met his gaze, her heart full. "They love you," she whispered back with a small smile. "And they see how much you love Myla."

Jenson's eyes searched hers, looking for the truth she held. "And you?" he asked, his voice barely audible above the hum of the restaurant. "Do you think you're ready for all this?"

Michaela took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his question. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "But I know I want to try."

The conversation was cut short as Myla squealed with laughter, her spoon flying through the air and landing on the floor with a clink. Jenson's eyes danced with mirth as he pretended to be shocked by her behavior, and the table erupted into laughter. Myla carefully squeezed past Michaela to retrieve the spoon before requesting polite permission from her father to wash the sticky gelato from her hands.

"Alright, go ahead," he said, his eyes following her as she skipped off to the bathroom.

The moment she was out of earshot, he turned back to the Sommers. "Look, I know the situation isn't ideal," he began, his voice serious. "But I want you to know that I'm not looking for anything to replace what I have with Myla. I just want to share my life with someone who makes me happy, and that's your daughter."

Tobias nodded, his gaze thoughtful.

Jenson took a deep breath, turning to look Michaela in the eyes. "Eventually we’ll get to the point where I'll sit down with Myla and explain everything. But until then, I think it's best if we just let her enjoy getting to know you as a person, not as her father's girlfriend."

Michaela nodded, understanding the delicacy of the situation. 

"We just want you to know that we support you, both of you, no matter what happens," Miriam said, her voice gentle. "Myla is precious, you’ve done a great job Jenson."

Michaela and Tobias both hummed in agreement as Jenson flushed in appreciation. In the lull of the quiet in Myla's absence, Michaela squeezed her boyfriend's hand before leaning over to press a chaste kiss to his lips. 

"Thank you, sweetheart. I'm glad my girls are getting along so well."

Myla returned, her cheeks still flushed from her rushed trip to the bathroom. She climbed back into the booth, her eyes flicking to the absence of space between her father and her new friend. She slid closer to Jenson, her curiosity piqued by the sudden affection between him and Michaela.

Michaela scooted away shyly, her cheeks reddening slightly. She cleared her throat, trying to ease the sudden tension that had bloomed between them. "So, Jenson," she said, her voice a little too bright. "You mentioned Myla's been watching my races. Does she have any tips for me?"

Jenson chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, she definitely has some advice," he said, ruffling Myla's hair. "But I'll let her tell you herself."

Myla looked up at her father, her eyes wide. "Well, Michaela," she began, the name becoming more comfortable on her tongue. "You should go even faster and win every race. That way, you can be the best!"

Michaela couldn't help but laugh at the simplicity of Myla's advice. "That's a big ask," she said, winking at the little girl. "But I'll do my best to make sure you're always proud of me."

Myla beamed, her cheeks pinking up. "You will," she said confidently, her voice filled with the innocence of a child who believes in the boundless capabilities of her heroes.

Michaela felt a pang of something unfamiliar stir within her. The weight of Myla's belief in her was surprisingly heavy, a reminder of the stakes of not only her relationship but also her career. She looked at Jenson, who was watching her with an encouraging smile, and she knew she had to try, for them both.

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur of laughter and shared stories. Myla had endless questions about the industry and the cars, and both Jenson and Michaela were more than happy to answer, their voices filled with the same excitement they had felt during the race itself. Myla's eyes grew heavy with sleep, her head slowly dropping onto her father's shoulder.

"Looks like someone had a big day," Jenson said with a gentle smile, stroking her hair.

Michaela felt a tug at her heart as she watched the tender scene unfold. "How about we get going?" she suggested, standing up. "It's late, and she's had a lot of excitement."

Jenson nodded in agreement, gently lifting Myla into his arms. "Thank you for a lovely evening," he said to her parents, his eyes warm. "I hope we can do this again sometime soon. With or without this little one."

Miriam and Tobias stood, eyes kind. "We'd like that," she said, reaching out to stroke Myla's cheek. "Goodnight, sweetie."

"Night, Michaela's mummy and daddy," Myla mumbled, already half asleep.

Michaela felt her heart jump at the casual endearment. She walked alongside Jenson as they left the restaurant, carrying a sleeping Myla. The cool evening air was a welcome relief after the warmth of the dinner, and the sounds of the bustling city outside were muted by their conversation.

"Thank you for being so sweet," Jenson said, his voice low. "I know it wasn't easy for you."

Michaela nodded her eyes on the sleeping girl. "No, it wasn't," she admitted. "But she's amazing, Jense. I can see why you're so protective."

Jenson kissed the top of Myla's head. "She's my world," he said simply. "After the divorce, I fought so hard to keep her happy and stable. I don't want to do anything to mess that up."

Michaela nodded, understanding all too well the gravity of the situation. "We won't," she assured him, her voice firm. "I'll do everything I can to support both of you."

They walked in companionable silence to Jenson's car, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth of the restaurant. As they approached, Myla stirred in Jenson's arms, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Can Michaela ride back to the hotel with us?" she mumbled, her voice small and tired.

Michaela and Jenson exchanged glances, both feeling the weight of the question. It was a step they hadn't anticipated, and one both of them weren't sure was wise to take considering the information they had withheld from her at this point.

"Actually, I have to ride back with my mum and dad," Michaela said softly, not wanting to overstep. "But I'll see you both soon, okay?"

Myla nodded, still groggy, and gave her a sleepy wave. "Bye, Michaela," she murmured before her eyes drooped shut again.

Michaela felt a pang of regret as she watched Jenson tuck Myla into the back seat. She knew that she had made the right decision to not reveal their relationship just yet, but it was difficult to hide something so significant from such an astute little girl. With Myla drifting off into sleep, Jenson stood to his full height, studying the longing in Michaela's expression.

"We're going to be okay," he whispered, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "This was a great first step."

Michaela nodded, her eyes still watching Myla's peaceful face. "I know," she said, her voice filled with hope. "It's just hard to keep secrets from her. She's so perceptive."

"We'll tell her when the time is right," Jenson assured her, his hand giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "For now, let's just enjoy what we have without the added pressure. The last thing I'd want is to ruin this for any of us, and tonight confirmed that I picked the right woman for this journey."

Michaela's heart swelled with love and hope. She nodded in agreement before leaning in to give him a kiss goodbye. "Thank you for being so patient with me," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "I know I'm... younger. But, I do love you."

Jenson returned the kiss, his eyes filled with affection. "And I love you too," he said. "Now go get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow?"

Michaela nodded, watching as Jenson drove away. She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The evening had gone better than she could have imagined, and she was grateful for her parents' openness to meeting Jenson and Myla.

The drive back to her parent's hotel was quiet, both her mother and father were lost in their own thoughts. Tobias spoke first a few minutes into the drive, breaking the silence. 

"He seems like a good man, Miri," he said, his eyes observing the twinkle of the stars.

Miriam nodded, her eyes on her daughter. "He does," she said. "And Myla is a lovely girl. I can see why you're smitten."

Michaela couldn't help but smile at her mother's words. "I know it's a lot to take in," she said. "But I promise, I'm going to handle it as best I can."

Miriam reached over the seat to squeeze her shoulder. "We know you will, honey," she said. "We just want to make sure you're happy and that you know we're here to support you."

Tobias spoke up once more, his tone cautious as he broached the worry again. "But you do know you don't have to rush into anything, right?" he asked. "You've got your whole life ahead of you, and we don't want you to sacrifice your career or happiness for someone else or their kid for that matter."

Michaela nodded, feeling the weight of her father's words. "I know, Dad," she said softly. "But I can't help but feel like... this could be it. Like, this is what I've been waiting for."

Tobias met her eyes in the rearview mirror. "Just remember to be true to yourself, Mick," he said. "You're still young, and you've got so much ahead of you. Don't let anyone, not even someone you love, dictate your path."

Michaela nodded solemnly, taking in her father's advice. She knew her career was her priority, but she couldn't deny the joy Jenson and now, potentially, Myla brought to her life. As they pulled up to the hotel, she turned to her parents in the backseat. "Thank you for meeting them," she said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "It means a lot to me."

Miriam leaned over to kiss her cheek. "We just want what's best for you," she said. "But we can see that he makes you happy, and that's all that matters."

Michaela felt a warmth spread through her as she pulled the car around to the front of the hotel, allowing her parents the chance to exit before she pulled off to the garage to find parking. As she stepped out into the cool night air, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing at a crossroads. Her heart was full, but her mind raced with the potential complications of her intensifying relationship with Jenson and her blossoming bond with Myla.

Inside the hotel, she made her way to her room, her thoughts swirling. She knew her parents had her best interests at heart, but she also understood that the path she was choosing was not a conventional one. Her career was on the rise, and she had worked tirelessly to get where she was. Introducing a serious relationship and a child's feelings into the mix was something she had never anticipated.

Michaela's phone buzzed with a message from Jenson, asking if she had made it back safely. She replied with a simple heart emoji, unable to fully express the whirlwind of emotions she was experiencing. As she stepped into her hotel room, the quiet solitude allowed her thoughts to race impossibly faster. The potential future she had glimpsed during dinner was both tempting and daunting.

Her mind kept returning to Myla, her bright blue eyes and infectious enthusiasm. The idea of being a stepmother was one she had never seriously considered, but the ease with which she had interacted with the young girl tonight had planted a seed of curiosity in her heart. Was she ready for the responsibility and the joy that came with it? Michaela tossed and turned in bed that night, unable to find a comfortable position as the weight of the evening's events pressed down on her dreams. She thought of Jenson's reassurances, his love for Myla, and his commitment to making sure she felt included in their lives. It was clear that she had made an impact on the little girl, and that was something she could not ignore.

✼. taglist:⠀

@cha-hot @certifiedlesbianbaddie @nichmeddar

@d3kstar @thewannabewriter @hwalllllllelujah

@thearchieves @doodlehunz @evie-119

@bxdbxtxh @seaweed-orchid @glitterquadricorn

@99snse @ginghampearlsnsweettea @alliwantisadonut

@hiireadstuff @emilyval1 @anotherblackreader

@sv5beehives @mynameisangeloflife @tellybearyyyy

@melancholyy-hill @valluvsu @futuristiccroissantlampsludge

@treehouse-mouse @sunfairyy

[littlespencereid]

Little Owls Still Get Hurt ( Sometimes )

Content Warnings: Age regression ( 100% SFW), implied past drug use (Dilaudid), PTSD-related trauma, regression due to triggers, offscreen kidnapping reference (Hankel case), soft caregiver/little dynamic, slow emotional processing, parental comfort, vulnerable Reid, comfort-heavy

Universe Explanation: This AU is set a few months after Spencer Reid’s kidnapping by Tobias Hankel. In this universe, Spencer is an age regressor who uses his regression to cope with trauma and past addiction. No one on the team knows about this except for Aaron Hotchner, who is not only Spencer’s caregiver during his Little time, but also his adoptive father. In this timeline, Haley and Jack do not exist, and David Rossi has been part of the BAU from the beginning. Hotch and Rossi are not yet in a relationship, but Reid relentlessly teases his dad about his obvious crush.

Author’s Note: This is a slow, emotional one-shot focused on post-case comfort. It leans into SFW agere themes between Hotch and Spencer in a deeply nurturing, familial way. I took extra care to make this as gently immersive and detailed as possible. Enjoy the soft angst and gentle comfort, and please keep your rude comments to yourself. (Opinions are valid and welcomed!). I do plan on using the AU again, so, maybe you guys can help me come up with a name for this AU? Anyways, enjoy!

Little Owls Still Get Hurt Sometimes

The lights in the kitchen cast a warm, golden hue across the hardwood floor, spilling in soft, amber patches up the cabinets and over the wide dining table. The air smelled like garlic and herbs, thanks to Hotch’s insistence on making something homemade tonight—penne with a thick, savory tomato sauce and fresh basil on top. The kind of meal you made with two hands, not from a packet.

Reid sat curled in one of the wooden chairs, legs tucked beneath him, socked feet peeking out from the too-long cuffs of the gray sweatpants Hotch had bought him a week ago. He was in a halfway headspace tonight—not all the way little, but not exactly Big either. He’d stirred the sauce with Hotch earlier but got bored halfway through and wandered into the living room to quietly watch cartoons with the sound off.

He wasn’t very talkative tonight.

Not sad. Not exactly. Just…soft.

“You want cheese on top, baby owl?” Hotch asked, scooping pasta onto plates with quiet ease. His voice was gentle, but not in the overly sweet tone he used when Spencer was deep in Little space. Right now, Spencer was maybe ten, maybe twelve, somewhere in that liminal space where he could still huff at dad jokes and hide his face under his hoodie when Hotch teased him.

Spencer shrugged and mumbled, “Yeah… but only the good kind. The shreddy one.”

Hotch smiled as he moved to the fridge. “As opposed to… the ‘bad’ kind of cheese?”

“The square kind is for sandwiches,” Spencer declared with great disdain, his voice muffled as he buried his chin in the collar of his shirt. “It’s not fancy.”

Hotch chuckled, handing him the plate. “Well, good thing I live with a cheese connoisseur.”

They ate slowly at the table, the kind of quiet that didn’t need filling. Spencer kicked his foot rhythmically against the chair leg while picking at the edges of his garlic bread, and Hotch made sure to give him his space while still watching, still quietly anchoring him.

“Rossi said the new edition of that book you wanted is out,” Hotch said after a minute. “He said he’ll bring it tomorrow.”

Spencer blinked, then perked up slightly. “The revised history of the Zodiac Killer timelines?”

“That’s the one.”

“...Cool.” He took a bite of garlic bread. “You should invite him to dinner sometime.”

“Oh yeah?” Hotch raised a brow.

Spencer gave him a mischievous glance over his fork. “Yeah. But I’m not gonna be nice. I’m gonna ask him if he likes you back. And if he wants to marry you.”

Hotch exhaled through his nose and gave him a Look. “Spencer…”

“Daaaaad,” Spencer whined with a smirk. “You already adopted me, and you’ve already got a crush on him. That means you’re, like, halfway to being a rom-com. I’m just making sure we get the happy ending.”

Hotch was about to respond when his phone buzzed sharply against the kitchen counter. He stood, picked it up, and his expression immediately changed. All business.

He mouthed “Case,” and Spencer nodded, already wiping his mouth with a napkin. That was one of the rules. Even if he was Little-ish, if the team needed him, he had to shift into his Big headspace. It was hard sometimes—he didn’t always want to—but Hotch never pushed him if he couldn’t handle it.

But tonight, he could. He was tired, but he could.

“Gear up,” Hotch said gently after hanging up. “Local PD found three victims posed in a park in Albany, New York. Jet’s already being prepped. We leave in twenty.”

Spencer stood and tucked his hoodie tighter around himself. “Okay,” he said quietly.

And just like that, dinner was over. The softness set aside. For now.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The jet ride was mostly quiet.

They’d taken off just after nightfall, the cabin lit with dim, overhead lights that reflected soft shadows against the leather seats. Spencer sat near the window, long legs folded close, a soft blanket he’d taken from the house still tucked across his lap. Even in Big space, he needed something soft sometimes. Hotch didn’t say anything. He just made sure the blanket was washed and packed whenever they traveled.

The rest of the team was quiet but alert—Rossi already flipping through the preliminary files, Morgan reviewing crime scene photos, and Elle reading the local PD’s notes. JJ caught Spencer’s eye and gave him a warm, tired smile.

They were a team. They were his team. And even when he felt like he was drifting on the edge of himself, this—this closeness, this mutual understanding—helped him hold on.

Spencer did well during the briefing, rattling off stats and timelines with calm precision. He’d compartmentalized it, shoved the soft part of himself way down. There was no room for his Baby Owl self here. Not with a killer loose. Not when people were counting on him.

The case stretched three days. Three victims posed in different parks, all within a thirty-mile radius. Strangled, then left with their eyes closed and hands folded. Ritualistic, but not religious. Clean scenes. No DNA. But a timeline was forming, and it was Reid who pointed it out.

“Every victim had a past history with a specific drug clinic. Same one. Different years, different doctors, but that’s the link.”

That broke the case open. They found the clinic’s patient records. One name stood out. A man who’d lost his sister to an overdose. A man who’d been treated twice at the clinic, then disappeared from the system. They ran his name. A record popped up. Last known address pinged. They moved that night.

The takedown was meant to be clean.

It wasn’t.

The house was a crumbling two-story buried in an overgrown yard on the edge of a wooded patch. Local PD hung back while the team moved in.

Hotch led the front with Morgan and Rossi. Spencer slipped around to the back, circling the structure for any signs of movement. A faint light glowed from a basement window.

He crept down the steps.

The door creaked open.

What he saw made him freeze.

There was a woman—barely conscious—slumped against a metal cot, her arm tied off with a belt. A man hunched over her, holding a syringe filled with a clear, yellowish liquid. He was muttering to himself.

Spencer’s breath hitched.

He knew that smell.

Dilaudid.

For a moment, everything else dropped away. The fluorescent hum of the basement lights became a roar in his ears. The walls warped. His chest tightened. His lungs forgot how to expand.

“F..FBI!” He heard himself shout—but it was reflexive, robotic.

The man looked up, startled—and bolted. He shoved the cot hard, sending it crashing into Spencer. Spencer stumbled, hit the wall, saw a flash of movement—and then heard Rossi’s voice from behind.

“Spence! Move!”

Then the tackle. Hotch, out of nowhere, pinning the unsub with a thud. Cuffs. Screams. Silence.

The woman was safe.

The team moved quickly, wrapping the scene and calling EMTs. Spencer didn’t say a word the entire time. He just stood near the basement stairs, hands tucked into the sleeves of his jacket, swaying slightly like a blade of grass in too much wind.

Hotch didn’t say anything.

He just stood close.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The jet ride home was quiet.

JJ offered Spencer a granola bar. He took it, turned it over in his hands, and then forgot it on the table.

When they landed, the others dispersed with murmured goodnights.

Spencer rode home with Hotch in silence, curled in the front seat with his hoodie up, socked feet tucked beneath him, and fists bunched into the fabric near his knees.

He didn’t speak the whole ride.

Hotch unlocked the door and held it open. Spencer padded in.

And the moment it closed behind them—

It hit.

All at once.

He dropped fast.

It was like watching a switch flip. One moment, Spencer was standing in the hallway, shoulders stiff, eyes glassy.

The next, he whimpered.

It was small. Barely a sound. But Hotch heard it.

“Sweetheart?” he said softly, stepping forward. “Reid? Baby, is everythin—”

Spencer’s face crumpled. His hands flew to his chest, fingers twisting the fabric of his hoodie as he made a distressed, broken little noise.

“Dad—,” he hiccupped, voice pitching high, already on the edge of tears. “Dada, I—I don’t—c’n’t—” His knees buckled.

Hotch caught him.

Held him tight, one hand splayed across his back, the other cradling the back of his head as Spencer pressed his face to his father’s chest and sobbed—silent, stuttered sobs that barely made sound but shook his whole body.

“I’ve got you,” Hotch whispered. “I’ve got you, my little owl. Dada’s here. You’re safe now. Shh…”

Spencer clung to him like a drowning boy.

They stood like that for several minutes. Just holding. Just breathing. Just being.

Then Hotch kissed his hair and said gently, “Let’s get you into the tub, sweetheart. You’ll feel better.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spencer didn’t let go of Hotch the entire walk to the bathroom.

His hands stayed curled in his father’s shirt, his face pressed into the space between Hotch’s collarbone and shoulder. No words. Just soft sniffles and little shudders, like his body was catching up to everything his mind had forced away during the case.

Hotch didn’t speak, didn’t push. He just carried him—slow, steady, patient.

Once they reached the bathroom, Hotch gently sat Spencer down on the closed toilet lid and crouched to start the bath.

The room filled with the soft sound of running water.

Spencer sat hunched over, sleeves pulled down over his hands, his knees drawn up like he wanted to disappear.

“You doing okay, sweetheart?” Hotch asked softly, glancing over his shoulder.

Spencer blinked slowly. Then gave a tiny, exhausted nod.

Hotch adjusted the temperature—lukewarm, with a little warmth at the end—then added a splash of the vanilla and honey-scented bubble bath Spencer liked. The scent drifted up almost immediately, sweet and calming.

He turned off the water and turned to his boy. “Arms up, baby.”

Spencer obeyed without a word. Hotch lifted his hoodie gently, careful not to startle him, then peeled off the t-shirt underneath. He took his time, like always—slow, deliberate touches, no sudden movements.

When the clothes were off, Spencer stood on his own, letting Hotch help him into the tub.

The warmth seemed to melt some of the tension from his body.

But he didn’t talk.

He didn’t even play with the bubbles—just sat quietly, arms wrapped loosely around his knees, eyes watching the foam float around his legs.

Hotch sat on the side of the tub, rolling up his sleeves. “No duckies tonight?” he asked, a hopeful smile in his voice.

Spencer gave the smallest shake of his head. “Don’t feel like it.”

“That’s okay,” Hotch said. “Just sit back and let me take care of you, baby. You don’t have to do anything else.”

He washed him gently, running the soft cloth down his arms, behind his ears, along his neck. When he rinsed Spencer’s hair, the younger man closed his eyes and leaned into the touch like it was the only thing tethering him to the ground.

Afterward, Hotch wrapped him up in a thick, warm towel and held him for a few minutes right there on the bathroom bench, rocking slowly.

No rush.

No pressure.

Just love.

Back in the bedroom, the lights were low and the sound machine was already on—a quiet, steady hum that filled the silence with something soft and familiar.

Spencer wore his favorite pajamas: a well-worn cotton set with little moons and stars. He clutched his plush owl tightly to his chest, his thumb brushing over its worn wing.

Hotch turned down the covers and helped him into bed. Spencer crawled under the blanket without complaint but curled on his side facing the wall, thumb hovering near his mouth.

Hotch sat on the edge of the mattress, resting one hand on his boy’s back.

“I’m right here,” he said softly. “I'm not going anywhere. Not even my own room.”

There was a pause.

Then Spencer turned just slightly and whispered, “Dada?”

“Still here, my love.”

His voice trembled. “He had it. The same kind. The yellow top.”

Hotch nodded slowly, listening to his baby's words, everything coming together as he connected the points. Now he finally understood why Spencer —his Spencer— was acting that way. “I know.”

“I smelled it and I—I wanted it,” he said, tears filling his eyes. “Just for a second. My brain said it would help and I knew it wouldn’t, but I still—” His breath hitched. “I still wanted it.”

Hotch didn’t say anything at first. He just moved closer and gently wrapped an arm around his son, guiding Spencer to tuck into his side.

“You didn’t take it,” he said quietly. “You got away. That’s what matters.”

“But I still wanted it,” Spencer whispered. “Doesn’t that make me bad?”

“No,” Hotch said without hesitation. “It makes you human, baby. It means your brain remembers pain and thinks about what used to numb it. But you didn’t listen to that part. You were scared. And you were strong. You did exactly what you were supposed to do.”

Spencer hesitated.

Then curled tighter into Hotch’s chest.

“Love me anyway?” he mumbled.

“More than anything in the whole world,” Hotch replied.

There was a long pause. Then, sleepily, Spencer mumbled, “Even more than you love Uncle Rossi?”

Hotch snorted, caught off guard. “That’s not a fair question.”

Spencer cracked a tiny smile. “Thought so.”

Hotch kissed the top of his curls. “Yes, baby. Even more than Rossi.”

“Even though you wanna kiss his face?”

“I can love you both,” Hotch said with a smile. “One of you’s my son. The other’s... complicated.”

Spencer giggled softly, thumb slipping into his mouth. “You’re blushing.”

Hotch covered his face for a moment, then reached down and tugged the blanket over both of them.

“You little gremlin.”

“I’m your gremlin,” Spencer mumbled, words slurring with sleep.

Hotch brushed his hair back. “Yes, sweetheart. Always.”

Spencer sighed, curling close, finally—finally—safe enough to rest.

Hotch held him close, listening to his breathing even out, and let his eyes close, too.

There was still pain. There were still bad memories.

But there was also this.

Safety.

Warmth.

Home.

And love.

So much love.

[venomwrites]

Despite the fluff this is a ficlet written purely because I 100% believe Vi would leave lipstick prints on Caitlyn before Caitlyn would leave them on Vi. Also on Ao3

“Violet.”

Vi is caught off guard enough at the sight of Tobias standing in the doorframe. The two of them have a fragile sort of truce going. One she’s happy to keep going. It’s centered around Caitlyn, who needs them both. Usually when he comes to get her, it’s for something Caitlyn needs. Tobias looks at her with that tight, sad expression he always makes. Vi is stunned he doesn’t ask her about her intentions with Caitlyn. But she guesses it’s pretty clear what those are since she’s here. She’s given up the expectation he’s going to tell her to get out again. It’s become clear that he actually didn’t have the right to do anything more than question her presence. The house isn’t his. It’s Caitlyn’s. But he doesn’t ask anymore, he just nods when she helps Caitlyn in a way he can’t and she does the same when the tables are turned. But now it’s just the two of them staring at each other. 

“There’s talk of rationing electricity,” he says, “we need to preserve the candles.”

Heat creeps up her neck but she refuses to give into it. She opens her mouth to point out the rations definitely wouldn’t apply to the Kirammans. And besides she’s been rationing candles for seven years. She knows how to get soot from her eyes and not ruin them. When they start rationing matches they can talk. Tobias’s throat works and then he shoves a bag at her. 

“Cassandra always kept a supply. Caitlyn needs something more specialized now,” when she doesn’t move he puts it in her fingers, “goodnight.”

Then he vanishes as quickly as he came leaving Vi standing there with a bag, a blush and not much of an idea of what to do with either. Behind her there’s a shift of weight as Caitlyn tries to see what’s happening. She’s condemned to the right side of the bed where the IV hook was already set up from Vi’s own time there. But that puts most of the room out of her field of vision unless she turns her head. It’s uncomfortable on the best days right now so Vi tries to do everything in her field of vision. She walks over to where Caitlyn is laying and watches something flicker in her visible eye at the sight of the bag. 

“Your dad—“ Vi says holding it up, “said it was your moms.”

Caitlyn offers an almost mischievous curve of her lips and Vi looks down to see the bag is full of that fancy tissue paper stores up here use. Caitlyn taps the side of the bed and Vi walks over. Of all the injuries, the jaw might be the worst for Caitlyn. Vi looks over at the pad as she scribbles what the wires won’t allow her to say. 

Sorry. Didn’t think you’d take it otherwise. 

Vi shakes her head at the apology. Only Caitlyn would feel the need to apologize for something like this. She nods and Vi moves away the paper. Inside are a ton of small boxes. She’s quickly learning nothing in Piltover just comes in its natural state. Especially not stuff you buy. Caitlyn is looking hopeful so Vi tries to smile and tips one of the boxes into her hand. She has a feeling she knows what it is. The candle scolding was kind of a give-away. She braces the black box against her casted arm and slips her thumb under the top flap. There’s a sticker on the bottom of a pinkish red that makes Vi’s heart skip even though it shouldn’t. The world ended. This seems so irrelevant. But her fingers in the cast itch as she tips the container over and the silvery tube spills out. It’s heavy with a band of gold denoting the seam. When she pushes with her thumb, it slides up to reveal a bullet of color. 

One of us needs two eyes.

Vi laughs. The sound strange after all the grief in this room. But it’s the first joke she’s seen on the pages and when she looks back, Caitlyn actually looks pleased. She nudges the bag closer and even though Vi wants to say one is enough. That she doesn’t even need one, she doesn’t want to do anything to take away the pleased look on Caitlyn’s face. Caitlyn motions for the bag and extracts a black case that expands like magic. There are hooks for a mirror, but someone has thought to tuck it away. She opens box after box until the bag is full of them and the case is full of tubes and compacts. Vi wonders if there are any cosmetics left in Piltover, but she’s learned there is always more up here. These are hers. It’s a dizzying array of colors, ones that exist in paintings. Not ones you cobble together out of whatever pigments you can find. The feeling in her chest is strange as she looks at them. Not bad, but not one she’s used to. 

“Thanks, Cupcake,” she says touching the tubes. She goes to close the case but Caitlyn stops her. Strokes her thumb across Vi’s knuckle and looks at the case, “later,” Vi promises. 

Caitlyn gives her a look that needs no words and with more strength than Vi thought she had, she tugs the case towards her hip. Vi watches as she flips it open. Her fingers move towards the mirror and Vi darts forward. They’e not there yet. Caitlyn’s not there yet. But she’ll put herself through it to help Vi. And Vi can’t stand the thought. She tries for something confident as she looks back at the endless array of tubes. 

“Come on, Cupcake, you think we had mirrors in Stillwater?” She says, “I could do this blindfolded.”

Caitlyn gives her a half exasperated look as Vi looks between a forgiving nude and a deep berry. Opting for the latter she thumbs the tube open and glides the color along her lips. She’s known she could do it blindfolded, but there’s still something satisfying about running her thumb under her lip and it coming away clean.

“What do you think?” She asks. 

Beautiful.

The word stings but Vi lets it. The lipstick feels nice against her lips. Better than anything she’s come up with. Definitely better than the greasepaint she was using in the pits. Her lips feel softer than they have in a long time. It’s strange to think that in the life ahead of her, they can be soft and colored whenever she wants. Without her having to barter or decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for a bit of comfort and autonomy. It’s just there. She doesn’t know how to voice that in a way that doesn’t make her sound insane. Or, worse, would make Caitlyn try to push herself to help Vi feel better. It’s a good feeling. Jus not one she’s used to. But Caitlyn is Caitlyn, so Vi is only mildly surprised when a tissue is handed to her and the notepad comes into view. 

Another?

“Oh I see,” Vi says, “you just want a preview for when we’re both better.”

Caitlyn flashes the thumbs down that means no but Vi ignores the insidious voice that says she’s being honest. Vi waves her away and Caitlyn frowns. Vi gets it, she has no idea how any of this will work when they’re more whole. It should be the last thing either of them are thinking about. But she wants to figure that out with Caitlyn. She wants to figure out a lot of things with her. Maybe it’s not fair to put that on her, on their bond, but in her worst moments when she can’t hug Caitlyn it’s the only bright spot that keeps her going. Caitlyn still looks a bit perturbed but it’s in that fond way she seems to reserve for Vi. So Vi finds the darkest color she can and draws it across her lips. Caitlyn swallows but her eye focuses only on the dark bruise of Vi’s lips. 

“Too oil slick?” Vi offers. 

It takes Caitlyn a moment to respond.

Thumbs down. 

No.

Caitlyn taps on the paper. 

Beautiful.

“You can’t say that with every one,” Vi says, “then you’re just being—“

Hot

Vi swallows the word nice as Caitlyn holds the pad up. She’s not as pale as she was, but the flush of color on her cheekbones still makes something warm start in Vi’s belly. Fortunately the smart little case has several pockets in the lid. Vi takes the tube and tucks it into one of them. By the end of the night it’s joined by a nude rose color and a berry tone. Caitlyn falls asleep with a faint smile on her lips as Vi looks down at the case in her hands. It’s hard to wrap her head around it. There’s a dark part of her that points out the frivolousness of the products. How the money could be better spent elsewhere. How no lipstick was going to remove the cast from her arm or bring back anything she had lost. But the rest of her feels something much closer to happiness. Something like when she woke up wrapped in Caitlyn’s embrace before they both fell apart. When she kissed her and Caitlyn kissed back. This was orchestrated by her, but there’s something profoundly selfish in the tubes laid out in front of her. 

They are just for her. 

Even though it’s late, Vi finds herself rifling through for one of the longer sticks. She eases the cap off and drags it across her eyes. She uses the edge of a finger to find the places she wants the pigment to go and then drags it along her waterline. That part is always the easiest. She figured it out first, taught by another prisoner who showed her how to make sure things were clean enough. The pigments now glide smoothly along her flesh, so smoothly she nearly jams the point into the side of her nose. She drags the line across the other with more care. The usual stinging is lessened by the quality of what she’s been given. But it makes her feel better when she presses her eyes shut and feels the slight tack as the lines come together. 

Before she can overthink, her fingers flip open one of the compacts. 

It’s an odd thing to be excited by your own face. To be excited you recognize your own face. She feels impossibly different, but she knows the features that look back at her. More importantly she sees the choice on her face. She’s chosen what to put on her eyes. What color to make her lips. That was the advice of the other prisoner who showed her the matches. The world would take most of your choices, but if you could choose what you put on your face it was a good day. This feels like the start of one. Somehow it feels easier to crawl up to the pillows and lay down next to Caitlyn. There’s a pillow between them to help Caitlyn sleep straight, but her hand usually drapes on it. An invitation Vi hasn’t known how to respond to. This time she picks up Caitlyn’s hand and brings it to her lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. 

When she wakes, Caitlyn is smiling at the back of her hand in a way that sends a warm feeling though Vi’s core. She keeps her breathing even and closes her eyes as Caitlyn very carefully puts her hand back on top of hers. When she truly wakes up, it’s time for bandages changes, liquified breakfasts and all the things that keep them going. Well, mostly keep Caitlyn going. After the latest bandage change Caitlyn goes distant, like usual. But unlike usual, Vi has an idea of how to reach her. She fiddles with the darker tube before swiping it across her lips, picking up Caitlyn’s hand and pressing them to it. It shocks Caitlyn out of her stupor as Vi considers the lip print. Caitlyn stares at her, eyes wide. Vi rifles though the case and picks a different tube. She paints her lips and then presses them to the base of Caitlyn’s thumb. Caitlyn swallows tightly as their gazes lock. Vi nods towards the notepad and Caitlyn gives the barest shake of her head. So Vi picks up another tube and this time kisses her fingertips, brushing something pink and sweet to them. 

By the time she’s done she has no idea what color her lips might be, but Caitlyn’s hand is covered in color. Everything except red. She can guess there’s enough red in Caitlyn’s head when she looks at her hand. So Vi kisses every other color there instead. When she lets Caitlyn’s hand go, Caitlyn brings it against her chest and cradles it close. There’s no scribbled note, but there doesn’t need to be. The soft look on Caitlyn’s face tells Vi everything she needs. And for the first time in a while, Vi feels like she can hear it. 

So she keeps it up. 

Sometimes just the one. 

Sometimes the whole rainbow. 

But there is always a print somewhere on Caitlyn’s hand. It seems to make things better in a way Vi can’t quite explain. But it’s working, so she doesn’t care about anything else. Even though it’s the longest few weeks, it’s still hard to wrap her head around helping Caitlyn into a paper bonnet so her jaw can be freed. They can’t jostle anything else so they want her to be out. She looks at Vi who smiles encouragingly and presses a kiss to her knuckles. Caitlyn pulls her hand to her chest and nods, relaxing as they take her away. Vi sits with her after. Her face is still puffy, but when she shifts her head and her lips part, Vi can see her tongue move. 

“Hey,” she whispers, coaxing Caitlyn back into the waking world. Caitlyn looks at her hazily and smiles.

“Beautiful,” she whispers, sleepily raising her hand to inspect her clean skin. A soft thing she would hate to call a pout comes across her lips, “Vi?”

She has to be gentle as fuck, but Vi leans over and finally gets to brush their lips together. Caitlyn inhales softly into the kiss, her hand steadying Vi’s cheek. When she pulls back, she touches her fingertips to her lip and smiles at the pigment that clings to them. 

“I was hoping you’d do that,” she murmurs but still holds up her knuckles. 

Vi is only too happy to press a kiss there as well.

[pyromaniacbibliophile]

Albus put down the book very slowly. Scorpius looked at him with mild concern. “Albus?” 

He didn’t listen, instead he got up, walked out of the library, and screamed. Then he came back in. Madam Pince looked down her nose at him, so he grinned cheerfully and sat down next to Scorpius. 

“Al, what was that for?” 

Wordlessly, Albus pushed the book over to Scorpius, gesturing at two consecutive chapters. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, read the first. The second, Severus Tobias Snape. Scorpius read the entries quickly, the advantages of being a fast reader. He laughed. 

“Shut up!” Albus whispers, poking him in the side. 

“I mean you have to admit, it’s funny.”

“No it really isn’t! Dad’s the bloody Man-Who-Conquered, you’d think he’d know how to name a child!” He whisper-shouted.

“Would you like a quill and parchment?” Scorpius asked innocently. 

Albus glared. “Yes.” 

In the end, the letter read

Dear Mum and Dad, I’m in the library,  having just read a book about previous heads of Hogwarts Written by Uncle Nev and Auntie Luna And I would just like to ask one thing Are you fucking serious? I demand a name-change now please Anything, literally anything else Dobby Kreature Potter, for all I care Sorry for swearing, but just Bloody hell, what were you thinking Love, Norbert Fang Potter, or something

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ron laughed. “You have to admit, mate, naming your son after the bloke who raised you to die and the twit who bullied us for our entire school and told Moldy-wart the Prophecy was a little bit stupid, wasn’t it.” 

“It was symbolic!” Harry protested. 

“Your first son you called James Sirius. Alright, bit of a heavy legacy, but I can see the reasoning. Your daughter, Lily Luna. The same. But why, oh why, did you call Al, Albus Severus? Mate, honestly. It’s not like we have a shortage of slightly nicer dead friends and family to name children as, is it? Or alive, you called Lils Luna, after all! I despair. It’s a miracle that you didn’t name Teddy, or else he might have ended up as Remus Peter Lupin-Potter! Or why not skip the subtleties and call him Peter Bellatrix Scabbers!” 

Harry winced. In retrospect, true. “... Regulus Minerva Potter?”

“Alright, a little bit better, but just a small thought. This is your chance to give one of your children a name that doesn’t have a previous owner. Just a thought, mind.” Ron added.

“Tom?” 

There was silence. Ron seemed dumbstruck at his friend's utter idiocy. “Harry. Mate. Please, please, tell me you see the issue with ‘Tom’. Please.” 

“It wasn’t all his fault, really, Dumbledore was a bit of an idiot…” Harry trailed off at the look on Ron’s face. 

“Harry. Your wife was possessed by him for a whole year. He also, under a very stupid alias, did, oh I don’t know, TRY TO KILL YOU FOR YOUR WHOLE LIFE?” 

“And succeeded once.” Harry added helpfully. 

“No. Just no.” 

Harry laughed. That one had been a little bit of a joke, to tell the truth. “Ok. Er- hmm. Your lot and my parents seem to have the monopoly on names, to be fair… Aha! Fleamont Minerva Potter!” 

Ron sighed. “That’s the best we’re going to get, isn’t it? Check with Gin.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Norbert Fang Potter

We do apologise, it was all your Dad’s idea. I would have been entirely happy never thinking about either Dumbledore or Snape again, to be fair. Thanks to your Uncle Ron preventing Regulus and Tom, we have come up with a different idea. 

How do you feel about Monty Minerva Potter? 

Is school going well, how are your friends?

Mum

and Dad (Who says sorry and admits Albus Severus might have been a mite foolish)

inspired by this pin

[skeltnwrites]

it's we live in time anon.... I'M SORRY 😭😭😭😭😭 i watched it on a random sunday and to tell you i sat on my couch with the credits paused just bawling for HOURS. idk i'm like in love with both of them and their love together is so ughhh and andrew garfield is SO tsof steve like girl dad + that scene where he nervously jokes about being out of practice its just like, yeah. plus their wordless communication like the shared looks is so tsof i don't even know how to explain it. anyways boo i'm sorry for making you endure the pain 😔🙏 i always assume everyone is as obsessed with andrew garfield as i am and therefore has seen the movie 😔

it’s okay i forgive you it really was such a good movie i’m glad i finally watched it. and i’ve adopted your evil ways and am now convincing everyone i know to watch it too lol

all i kept thinking while watching was i want that!! they lived such beautiful lives and yet every aspect of them was still so so real

oh my god yes the out of practice scene was very steve. tobias and him are the same person you were so right. him valuing family so much and being so soft and emotional and his obvious love for ella ughhh it just felt like watching steve and pen in a different universe

i never really fleshed out who the reader is in tsof apart from being genuinely kind (and hopelessly in love) to a point she’ll do anything to help steve out. it would be an interesting spin to make her very work driven and strong willed like almut. also their cute little cottage life reminded me very much of where i intend to go with tsof after the main story is finished!!

SORRY i am rambling 😭 once you get me talking about my characters or a movie i like i don’t know how to shut up

[lyrakanefanatic]

Congrats on 100 followers! You deserve all of them. I love your blog so much! Could you do some Jameson headcanons, please? ♣️

SUREE

- dog person, says he hates cats but he actually adores them

- unironically finds dad jokes funny

- had a snake phase when he was like 7, he just always found them cool, so when he saw one in the giant garden at hawthorne house, he immediately went to try and pick it up

- got bit and never liked them since 💀

- was always the one who would go ALL OUT for april fools, and was always just doing the absolute most to prank his brothers

- his pranks on xander were hardcore but not as bad as the pranks jamie pulled on nash. and nash’s WEREN’T EVEN CLOSE to how bad the pranks he would pull on grayson were 💀

- another holiday one, but for valentines day he would leave clues for avery to find him, and when she finally did he would take her to a secluded spot overlooking a lake or smth like that and make it look as beautiful as possible for her 😭💗

- avery says, “it’s beautiful.” and jameson replies with, “not as beautiful as you.”

- does everything that peeves grayson off just to be annoying

- type of parent to get mad at his kid(s) for getting into a fight at school in front of avery, and then the second she’d leave he would ask, “so who won?”

- thought “your mom” jokes were funny till the age of 14

- did a vogue photoshoot once and got a whole page dedicated to his eyes, with photos of it and facts about green eyes

- he never lived that down 💀

- it took him a while to realize that his grandfather wasn’t a good person, and when he did it broke him because tobias was the only parental figure he really had growing up 💔💔

- jameson plays fortnite (i just had to add this one IM SORRY 😭😭)

- HES UNIRONICALLY SASSY.

OKAY I CANT THINK OF ANYMORE BUT HERE!!! 🫶🫶

[ozimagines]

could we get some headcanons for Toby and Chris? Specifically ones that ignore how toxic their relationship is lol but still takes place during canon. Basically everything’s the same for the most part except Keller is a decent human being and loves his silly boyfriend

Lol okay I’ll write out their trademark toxicity😂 This one will be a more fluffy version of their relationship. Like the actual relationship part.

(Occurred to me when I finished this that you may have meant canon as in “boyfriends in Oz” whereas I wrote boyfriends out of Oz. If I misinterpreted, because I think that would be cool to write and even if you don’t want it I may write it anyway, just reask “Beecher X Keller in Oz”. I just get a lot of out of Oz asks so it’s my default.)

Tobias Beecher X Chris Keller (Fluff)…

Okay so they’re finally boyfriends. Fuck Schillinger. Fuck Oz. They belong to each other.

They’re a very kissy couple. Some couples are very cuddly some are very huggy, I think they’re very kissy.

They like to say hello with a kiss. Chris leaning down to kiss Beecher’s head. Beecher kissing Keller’s neck to get his attention. Kissing each other’s hands and every single finger just to feel one another.

Holly is VERY protective of her dad. She immediately distrusts Keller. He initially tries to win her trust like he would any woman’s. He buys her a bracelet with lots of charms (they’re like lipstick and nail polish charms and she doesn’t like it at all). Realizing his error, he gets her a new bracelet with the Arsenal cannon on it and a soccer ball. Better, but she’s still uneasy.

Beecher doesn’t want to tell her about his relationship with Keller. He thinks it might confuse her after her mom and Gary’s death. What confuses her is the ambiguity.

One day, Beecher is dressing upstairs. Keller comes in and sees only Holly. He tries to make small talk, asking about school, but she stops him.

“Look, I know you like my dad the way my mom liked my dad. I know what gay is. If you’re gonna be his boyfriend, we have some ground rules.”

Keller can’t stifle a laugh. She’s very serious and perceptive for her age.

“Okay, Holly. That’s fair. What’re your terms?”😂

“Keep the sex quiet.”

Keller barks a loud laugh and nods his head. Seemed fair. She started talking about her dad and how he was a nice guy. Keller agreed. He sat down with her, handed her a pen and paper, and told her to draft all her terms for him. He’s grinning ear to ear. At least the kid was talking to him.

Beecher comes down to a full constitutional write up of all their rights and responsibilities.

“I need something to call you.”

“Chris.”

“But you’re an adult.” She shook her head. “‘Dad’ and ‘dad’ will get too confusing. How about ‘Dad’ and ‘Pop’. You’ll be Pop.”

He’s genuinely honored by this. He shakes her hand and signs the form. He reads the byline at the bottom. Take care of my dad, please.

After that, they become a family of three.

Keller really buckles down and gets to know Beecher.

He knows how Beecher likes his steak (medium) and when Holly isn’t around, makes jokes like “who doesn’t like a hot pink center”, which Beecher always rolls his eyes to.

Keller is picky about vegetables. He hates them “Al dente”. Loves his broccoli and Brussels sprouts to be cooked through completely.

Keller’s a steak and potatoes guy, but Beecher likes to try new things so suddenly all his food has balsamic reductions and lemon Parmesan this and soy sauce and honey that. Keller would be just as happy with salt and pepper.

Keller’s nicknames for Beecher: Beech Ball, Toby, Tobes, Tobert (don’t ask), sweet lips, Goldie locks, baby, love.

Beecher’s nicknames for Keller: Chris, Chrissy (playful), Topher (Chris hates this one), bright eyes, and the classic babe.

Chris likes to do this thing where in public, he’ll narrate other people’s conversations to Beecher, usually making them outlandish or completely sexual. Beecher is usually telling him to stop through tears of laughter. 😆

Beecher is a window shopper. Loves seeing things at the mall and going “ooh! Let’s go see that! What? I just wanna look.”

Holly and Chris usually side eye each other and take bets on how long he’ll really be.

“Ten minutes.”

“I’ll take thirty, pop.”

“You’re on.”

Keller has an unresolved sweet tooth. He’ll tell Beecher to go get the essentials at the store, guiding Holly to go with him.

“We’re just gonna go look at the toys.” -Chris, sly smile not fooling anyone.

“No candy, Chris. I’ve got dinner in the crock pot.” -Tobias, lover of Pinterest crock pot recipes.

“I just wanna go see the Minecraft legos, dad.” -Holly, already thinking of the candy spree Chris is gonna take her on.

When they come back, Chris and Holly have a cart filled with gummy coke bottles, M&Ms (peanut, regular, peanut butter, and caramel), caramel apple lollipops, and all the fun bubble gums.

Toby rolls his eyes as Chris and Holly high five.

They get a small karaoke machine for the house for when Holly has her friends over. The boys get more use out of it than she does.

“I’ll tell you what I want what ai really really want!” -Toby

“So tell me what you want what you really really want!” -Chris

“Dad. Pop. Stop.” -Holly

Both are dads that do not get embarrassed easily.

Before Holly and Adebayo officially start dating, Chris notices the two of them saying goodbye when he and Toby pick her up from school.

“It’ll be funny.” Chris insists.

“Not to Holly.” Beecher reasoned, smiling the whole time.

“Im doing it.” Chris lays on the horn to get Holly’s attention. She and Ade turn to the car where Chris yells out; “Holly! Who’s your cute friend?”

Holly and Ade turn bright red and Beecher and Keller crack up in the car. Holly is not amused.

“You two need help.”

Couples costumes are fun. Surprisingly, Beecher’s the one who needs to be convinced.

“I’ll be Han. You can be Leia.”

“Pass.”

“Indiana Jones and Marian?”

“Why is it always Harrison Ford with you?”

“…The Fugitive? I’ll be Kimble, you be… his kid.”

They alternate picking movies. They have strong opinions.

“Chris, I will break up with you if you call Die Hard a Christmas movie again.”

“Takes place during Christmas, don’t it? Check and mate, bitch.”

Forces Keller to watch one of their favorite movies together; A Fish Called Wanda (1988).

“I’m like Cleese and you’re like Curtis, right?” -Chris

“Cleese, the bumbling innocent lawyer and Curtis the manipulative flirty criminal? Yeah, you’re the chick this time, buddy.” -Toby

“Who’s Kline?” -Chris

“…Robson.” -Toby

They both crack up.

They show Holly their favorite 80s movies and then struggle to explain the problematic stuff.

“So she didn’t know it was him, and he had sex with her? Idk guys, it’s not a good look at least.”

Both have their heads in their hands by the end, unable to speak.

Chris works lots of nights and Beecher works during the day, but they always make time for each other. Beecher goes to Keller’s bar and sits at the end. Chris comes to deliver lunch to Toby at work.

Their show together is Cheers. Keller likes Sam Malone and Beecher likes Frazier. Holly watch’s with them and likes Lilith.

“If I were Sam, I’d stop wasting my time on Diane and Rebecca and jump the bones of the cute intellectual that comes in every day.” Keller says, leaning into Beecher and licking his ear. Toby blushes.

“Cute bad boys look like his type.”

“Cute?”

“Shut up, baby.” Toby laughs.

“Guys.” Holly interjects with a monotone. “Get several rooms, please.”

They do “the switch” every time they go out for food.

Keller gets the croutons on Beecher’s salad and Beecher gets the tomato on Keller’s burger.

One time, Beecher orders a ribeye, medium and it comes out rare. Beecher can’t eat it but refuses to call over their server, as he doesn’t want to “bother her”. Keller can’t contain his laughter.

“Just tell her to cook it more, it’s not that big a deal.”

“Yeah, but she’ll just feel like she messed up and it’s really not her fault.”

“Babe, your steak is still mooing.”

“Chris, it’s fine. I’ll eat it like this.” Cuts off a piece and goes to take a bite when he hears Keller moo softly from his seat. “Chris, I swear to God.”

Keller is still mooing softly and Beecher is kicking him under the table when the server comes over to ask how things are.

“Burger is cooked to perfection. We need a couple more minutes on the steak though, hon”. Keller lets her know, informing Beecher’s blushing face.

Every time a restaurant gets Toby’s order wrong, Keller is the one to ask for the right thing.

Keller and Holly play video games together. They start off with Call of Duty and move onto Halo. She even gets him into Minecraft.

“Punch that tree.”

“Punch? The tree?”

“That’s how you get wood until you build an axe.”

One day, Chris walks into Holly crying at her desk. Apparently some older kids completely ransacked her base.

Keller is livid.

Joins the world and makes it his personal mission to track them down and make them pay.

He finds their camp and waits for night to completely take it down. He brought buckets of lava, kept his inventory empty to take Holly’s stuff back, and even lures a hoard of monsters to their home and lets them through the gates.

He waits for them to rebuild and then he just tears it down again. He does this every day for a month. By the end, there’s a chest at the front labeled: “For KillerKeller1998, please stop destroying our stuff.”

Keller gives Holly the coordinates and they build her base back together. She’s got more than before.

“That’s what you’ve got to do, Hols. Every time they take from you, you take double from them. Until they can’t afford to keep picking on you.”☠️

Keller dresses up like Santa on Christmas. It’s not fooling Holly in the slightest but she plays along because she knows it makes them happy.

After they put Holly to bed, Tobias makes them hot chocolate downstairs.

“If you add ginger it’s supposed to bring out the flavor.”

“Another Pinterest hack?”

“…shut up.”

Keller forces Beecher to sit on his lap and tell him what he wants for Christmas.

Beecher’s laughing quietly the whole time just so Holly can sleep.

“C’mon, I’m serious.” He slaps his thighs. “Park it here, baby, I wanna make that holiday wish come true.”

Beecher sits on his lap, still giggling and supporting both of their hot chocolates by now.

“And what would you like, little boy?” Keller boomed for effect.

“Toy fire truck.” 🚒

“Fuck you, what do you really want?”

“Pretty sure Santa doesn’t say fuck you.”

“He does when someone’s spitting bullshit. What do you want?”

Tobias thought for a second, touching his hair and rubbing around his eyes. Chris knows he’s trying not to cry.

“I just… I don’t want this to be a dream. I don’t want to wake up back in Oz.”

Keller drops the act and holds his boyfriend.

“We got each other, we got Holly, that’s the most important thing.”

Beecher and Keller are two doofus dads just trying to give Holly the best life.

For every holiday, they do something special. For Christmas, it’s watching old movies in their pjs. For Halloween it’s watching scary movies and teasing Beecher. For Mardi Gras, Keller hops to the roof and throws beads off for her.

Beecher always finds couples activities for them. Like he asks Keller to take him swing dancing. Keller thinks its stupid as fuck but Beecher flashes those puppy eyes and Keller just can’t say no.

Keller complains like a bitch the whole first lesson, and Toby stops off in a huff. Holly lets him know he fucked up.

“He bought those oxfords specifically for that class.”

Keller talks to Beecher about it, and Beecher is a little heated at first. Keller tries goofing him out of it.

“Your honor, I would like to present the case that one Christopher Keller is not that big an ass.”

Toby’s giggling again, and Chris pulls him onto his lap and kisses his forehead.

Toby admits he had a crush on James Dean and thought the idea of Keller in a leather jacket swing dancing with him was sexy.

Beecher comes home the next day to find Keller there, in jeans and a leather jacket, cigarette hanging off his lips, smirk on his face.

Good god he almost spontaneously ejaculated.

Keller treats him right the whole night, takes him swing dancing, and even finds a fifties Pop a Top open, and grabs hot dogs and Cokes after.

They’re in the booth, and Beecher is cuddling Keller.

“Thanks, Dean.” He whispers.

“Yeah, yeah.” Keller takes a bite of his hot dog. “So when’re you gonna dress up like Michelle Pfeiffer for me?”

Beecher actually does on Keller’s birthday. Long satin number like in Scarface. Keller is speechless.

Neither proposes to the other. They’re happy in their domestic partnership, a ring is just a ring, right?

Well, one night, after dinner, Holly makes a PowerPoint presentation to show them.

“This is why we make a good family.”

Holly takes them through their relationship and everything they’ve done as a family.

Keller and Beecher are holding hands, looking at pictures of themselves on birthdays and anniversaries.

They laugh at Keller holding a snake at Beecher’s face on a wildlife preservation. They cry at Keller seeing Gary’s grave for the first time because Beecher wanted them to meet.

Holly concludes the presentation with a picture of all three of them together at a restaurant. Beecher’s stealing Keller’s fries and Keller is giving Holly a noogie.

“Holly, that’s lovely.”

“Yeah, thanks, kid.”

“So… do it.”

They’re both still a little confused. Holly rolls her eyes and pulls out two rings. They’re cracker jack box rings. They’re engraved. “I love you, dad”. She admits she spent her allowance on the engravings.

“Like in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Daddy, sing moon river.”

The guys are a little stunned. They just keep exchanging looks. Keller breaks first, laughing his goddamn ass off.

“The balls on this kid.” -*has never been prouder* turns to Beecher with a grin on his face. “How bout it, hon. Wanna get married?”

Beecher is speechless. Keller and Holly just keep looking at him expectantly.

“Of course. I… thank you, Holly.”

Later that night, they’re about to go to bed, and Keller stops Beecher and hands him some legal papers.

“Divorcing me already? I’ll be the first Ex Mr Keller.”

“Shut up and read, dummy.”

“I… these are adoption papers.”

“Didn’t want to tell the kid before I ran it by you first. In case you weren’t on board. I’d understand. I still want to marry you, Tobes. But I want everything that comes with that.”

“You…”

“I want to marry you and legally adopt Holly. What’s so damn difficult to understand?”

Beecher thinks about this for a second. He’d never considered that Keller wanted to adopt Holly.

“You realize… if we split… if I wanted to… I could get child support from you?”

“Yes.”

“That doesn’t… that’s not a thought in your mind? I’m giving you free legal advice.”

Keller smiles his shark like grin.

“We’re not gonna split so it’s not a concern.”

“But if we do-“

“Then it would be an honor to get to help raise her, even through child support. She’s an amazing kid, Tobes.”

“Chris, I’m just… this is legal adoption. You can’t just be done with it whenever-“

Chris is on his feet, nose to nose with Beecher, but it’s not threatening.

“I’m not ever gonna be done with you, Toby. Or Holly. You guys gave me a life. I want both of you to be mine. Legally. Visit you guys in the hospital or go on trips as a family. Share my healthcare with you guys and provide for you. She wants two dads right? Not just one dad and dad’s boyfriend? Then I want all of it. All the rights and responsibilities of my child.”

Beecher and Keller spoon all night, talking it over. But Beecher’s already said yes. Because Keller called her “my child”.

He they take Holly to the movies and then to the fair. Keller wins her a bigass squishmallow shaped like a frog. They buy her popcorn and cokes all day!

“Am I dying guys?”

They take Holly aside and give her the space to respond however she’s going to.

“Holly?”

“Yeah, pop?”

Keller’s never been so nervous in his life.

Beecher starts.

“First of all, I want to make it clear. If this isn’t something you want, it’s not something that’s going to happen. And if you say no, you’re not changing anything. Chris and I are still getting married.”

“Jesus, what? You’re scaring me.”

Chris gets her attention and holds her hand.

“Holly, I’ve never had any kids. You’re the first. But I want you to really be the first. There are certain legal and medical benefits to this.”

“Just say what you want to say.”

“I… I want to legally adopt you so that Toby and I have equal rights over you. Medical decisions. Emergency contact. Custody if we ever… well,” he smiled to himself. “No point worrying about what’s not gonna happen. Point is, ball’s in your court. Or… goalie box? I don’t know a thing about soccer. Whatever you want.”

“So like, if I skipped school they’d call you?”

“Yeah.”

“And if I had a stomach ache and dad was busy you could come and get frosties with me?”

“Not sure how a frosty would help a stomach ache, but yeah sure.”

“And when kids at school say you’re not my real dad or I can’t have two dads I can just be like uh no, stupid, it’s legal.”

“You can do that anyway, but again, sure.”

She lunges into his arms and hugs her new *official* dad.

He adopts her a week before the wedding. (So her adoption day could be its own special day)

She’s their ring bearer. Holly insisted on wearing a suit to match her dads’.

It’s a nice, simple church wedding.

Toby finds Chris in back of the Church after service. He looks upset.

“Remember when I said I wish God would choose me.”

“I do recall.”

“I think he did.”

Toby smiles and pulls his husband over into his arms. He kisses the new Mr. Keller-Beecher on the head.

“Me too.”❤️

[jerzwriter]

It's three months after the attack at Edenbrook Hospital, and Christmas is almost here! After being challenged by someone, Tobias is off to spend the day with his friend, Casey. He has a proposition for her, but will she be on board?

Book: Open Heart Characters: Tobias Carrick & Casey (F!MC), Jackie Varma Rating: Teen Warnings: Very small mention of PTSD and anxiety Words: 1,300 A/N: This is an altered version of an old fic written in 2022... but as I'm finally filling in the gaps of my Tobias/Casey headcanon, I needed to make some changes. If you're following the HC, this story would take place after The Fine Print and before the next part of With Warning, which will be posted later tonight. I'm also in the process of updating my Tobias/Casey masterlist to make this a little less confusing... for me, more than you! lol. Thanks to anyone who checks this out!

Series Masterlist | Tobias x Casey Masterlist Masterlist

He rubbed his hands together vigorously as he approached her apartment door.  His gloves were no match for this kind of cold.  The plan was to walk to Faneuil Hall to see the Christmas decorations, but given the forecast, Tobias hoped Casey had changed her mind.  He knew of a lovely café in Concord where they could sit by the fireplace and talk for hours, and, best of all, they’d be warm.  But, these weekly outings were about Casey, and if it was Faneuil Hal she wanted, he’d be happy to concede, even if it meant hypothermia. 

The knock on the door was powerful enough to reverberate down the hall, and he smiled when he heard the lock click open. Expecting to see Casey on the other side, his grin was wide, and it faltered the moment he saw Jackie.  

“Pleased to see you too,” she said sarcastically, stepping aside to let him in.  “Are you here for your weekly custodial visit?”

His eyes narrowed.  “Really, Jackie?”

“Relax,” she relented, “I’m joking.  In fact, you’ve almost impressed me.”

“Me? Impressed... you?”

Jackie shrugged her shoulders. “Casey really looks forward to seeing you... even during her most difficult weeks. I had my doubts about you, but... you’re all right, Carrick.”

“Wow, Varma! You going soft on me?”

He burst out laughing when Jackie flipped him the finger, but deep down, he took it as a sign of affection. 

“You know, I was doing it for her when this started. I would have done anything to help her after the attack, but I have to admit, now they’re just as much for me. It’s the highlight of my week.”

“Tobias J. Carrick. You are so in love.”

“What?” he blurted. “First, my middle initial is not J!”

“I improvised.”

“And I am not in love! I care about Casey. I mean… so do you… right? Does that mean you’re in love with her? No! And neither am I.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, sticking a spoon of yogurt in her mouth. “The man doth protest too much.”

Their conversation abruptly stopped when Casey’s bedroom door opened, and she stepped into the living room woefully underdressed for one of Boston’s coldest days. Tobias eyed her, wearing no more than a long-sleeved pink t-shirt and faded blue jeans, and he quickly raised a brow.  

“Uh, princess, you’re not going out dressed like that today. You’ll freeze to death.”

“Yes, Dad,” she said with a roll of her eyes.  “But I’m not going out; it’s too cold. I thought maybe we could stay in and watch a movie?”

“We could, or we could go to this little café in Concord.  They have the best hot chocolate, there’s a fireplace and….”

He stopped speaking when he saw Casey slipping into her down jacket. “You had me at hot chocolate,” she said, grabbing his arm. “Let’s go!”

They turned onto the highway just as the snow began to fall; Mariah Carey blared from the radio, and one thing was certain, Christmas was almost here. He caught a glimpse of Casey peering out the window, just a hint of a smile on her lips. He didn’t know her this time last year. Still, he was sure she would have been belting out the lyrics if he had, but given the darkness she had recently survived, he gave thanks for small steps. 

“Hey, listen…” he asked apprehensively. “I have a proposition for you.”

“Ah!” she said, throwing her hands in the air. “People warned me this was coming.”

“Oh, I have a comedian in my car, huh?” He laughed. “That role is limited to me, dear.”

“Oh, no, it’s not!” she chuckled. “But tell me, what’s this proposition?”

“I know our deal is I take you out once a week, and we do whatever you want. But I was wondering if you’d be OK with me picking the itinerary for our next outing?”

Casey slapped her hand against her thigh. “Ah… I knew this day was coming!”

“You mad?”

“No, I’m teasing.  I think it’s a good thing.  It’s like you don’t think I’m as fragile anymore. We can’t shake things up a bit... and I like it.”

“Hey! I never thought you were fragile,” He insisted. “Casey, you are one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I’d never think that of you.”

“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” she grinned. “But you still haven’t shared your idea.”

“I’ve been a bit homesick lately, don’t know why... but I was thinking of taking a drive there. I wondered if you’d like to come along. I can show you what the holidays were like growing up, and I wouldn’t mind the company.” 

“Tobias,” she said flatly. “You grew up in DC.”

“I know where I grew up,” he chuckled. “It’s a bit of a trip, but we could fly down.”

The music had turned maudlin as a string quartet strummed an old Christmas song neither knew. This somberness caused the long pause to be more painful than it was.

“T... I can’t go. I’m still out of work, and flying to DC’s just not in my budget.”

“So, I’ll pay. I have to get you a Christmas gift anyway, that could be it. What do you say?”

“Really?” She smiled, anticipation in her eyes.

“Yeah.”

“I guess we could... even if it’s just so I can tell you that the holidays in DC could never compare to those in Philly.”

“Sure,” he snickered. “No hometown bias there.”

“As if you’re any different? The only difference here is that I am right, and you’re wrong.”

“Oh really! That’s big talk! You willing to back that up?”

“I sure am.”

“Good.  Now we’re officially going to DC and Philly.”

“That would be difficult to do in a day, Tobias.”

“So, we make it two.  I need to use some of my vacation time by the end of the year, anyway. We can make it an overnighter.”

Casey flinched, and her mood changed in an instant. Tobias could almost feel the tension.    

“Oh. No. You don’t... no... you didn’t think,” he stuttered. “I’d get two rooms... I hope you didn’t think I was trying to....”

“Take it easy,” she smiled, quickly putting him at ease. “I didn’t think that... well, maybe just for a second...but that’s not it.”

“Then, what is it?”

“I just haven’t been away from home since the attack. I’m just recently able to be outside without panicking again.”  

“Hey, if you’re not ready, we don’t go.”

“No. I’ve been feeling better, and I have to try to spread my wings again. Honestly, it would probably do me good. But I still get anxious when I’m alone... so could you get one room... with two beds? I think it would make me more comfortable.”

A warmth that could combat the frigid temperatures outside overcame him. She trusted him. She felt safe with him, and she had no idea how much that meant. 

“I could do one better. I’ll get a suite. This way, we can each have our own room, but I’ll just be a few steps away if you need me.”

“Are you sure? If it’s not too much of a bother...”

“To prove that my town kicks your town’s ass,” he snorted, “nope, no bother at all!”

“Then it’s all set!” She replied joyfully. “But you’re gonna cry like a baby when Philly destroys DC. I can’t wait!”

He took his eyes off the road for just a minute. She was beaming. Not only was her smile sincere, but the light that had once been in her eyes was slowly returning. The sound of the blinker seemed to be in time with the upbeat song as they reached their exit, and he turned back to the road with a placid grin. For Tobias, Christmas had arrived early.

~~~~~

Tagging @choicesficwriterscreations and @openheartfanfics because it is a big revision of the original.

Other than that, I'm just tagging newer readers & Tobias stans, because I'm not sure if anyone really wants to read it. lol

@alj4890 @kyra75 @coffeeheartaddict2 @brycesgirl @icecoffee90 @storyofmychoices

[hierophantmeme]

The Only Place in the Universe

Jonny Ariga x AFAB!Reader

Some Quick Notes:

It's been a few months since I've played Catherine: Full Body so some stuff might be wrong. I also kept trying to look for the picture of Area 15 but couldn't find it again. I know there's probably no hill there but I made it up for the a e s t h e t i c.

This fanfic takes place during the Katherine route of Catherine: Classic so no Rin :( I wanted to put her in the story but I haven't finished her route yet.

Content contains: No y/n, reader has never been in a relationship before, slow burn, SFW, she/her pronouns are used

Jonathan Ariga hadn’t changed much from when you first met him all those years ago. Recently, however, you noticed he was becoming much more irritable and closed off. This was even before all the nightmare nonsense began. As much as you wanted to say something to him, you couldn’t bring yourself to do so because of your stupid attraction towards him. That and he was just always difficult to talk to. 

The ones you were closest to in the group were Vincent Brooks and Erica Anderson. When you first transferred to the high school in Neo-Brooklyn and a group of mean-spirited girls kept picking on you, they were the first ones to stand up for you. They then introduced you to the rest of their friends and the rest is history. 

You quickly got along with Orlando Haddick and Katherine McBride, but Jonny was a different story. He took a lot longer to warm up to you. At first, you thought he was like that to only you, but you soon learned that he was like that to everyone. Over the years, you had learned a lot about him, but despite that, he was still a mystery to you. Maybe it was because he kept to himself most of the time or because he was always helping his dad with the used car business. You expressed your concerns about him to your friends but they told you that it was no use because he was always very defensive when it came to confronting his own feelings. You felt like there had to be some way to get through to him but without knowing the right words to say without sounding too intrusive, you decided to leave it as is. 

The thought of seeing Jonny in a romantic light never crossed your mind until just recently. Occasionally, he’d tell you about his girl troubles, so you were aware that he never harbored feelings for you. And at the time, you were okay with that since you, too, only liked him platonically. 

But now, things were different…

Do I only like him like that out of pity? After seeing all his failed relationships and knowing him for so long I feel like I could treat him better. But should I be thinking that? If I say anything, would it ruin our friendship?

That last thought was all you needed to stay silent. If he never harbored romantic feelings for you in the past, why would he now? It would pain you to no longer be able to hang out with him, but at the same time, it still hurt. After all, how can you get over someone you practically have to see every day? You could of course stop going to the Stray Sheep with everyone but that would raise too much suspicion and would make you look like a complete bitch. Or you could just lie and tell them you were depressed, although that was actually becoming more true each day. 

You tried to tell them one day but felt you had no right to call yourself depressed over some silly little crush when one of your best friends was clearly suffering a lot more than you were. 

“YOU’RE CHEATING ON KATHERINE?” Tobias Nebbins practically exclaims to the whole planet.

“Shhhhh! Not so loud! Maybe. I don’t know. It just kind of happened,” Vincent tries explaining to you all.

“I dunno, man. It looks like you knew exactly what you were doing… now tell us the details. Was she hot?” Orlando asks.

“Gross,” You say to him while kicking his leg lightly.

“Hey! What? I’m kidding!”

“This isn’t the time for jokes, and don’t assume shit. We don’t know the full story yet.”

“Do we need to though? It’s no surprise since Vince hasn’t exactly been the happiest with his woman. If this new chick is hot then that’s all we need to-” Toby is interrupted by your hand covering his mouth.

“Ugh. You guys are horrible friends. Look, it doesn’t matter whether this woman was ‘hot’ or not. What matters is what actually happened and how Vincent feels about it,” you try to reason.

“Hey, sweetie, I know you usually give people the benefit of the doubt but no matter how you look at it, it’s pretty obvious what’s going on,” Erica tries to convince you. You give her an irritated look as you now feel defeated. “Besides, haven’t you guys heard the rumors about what happens to cheaters? If they don’t come clean to their partners and die in their dreams, they die in real life. It’s just a rumor, I know, but you can never be too careful.”

“So, are you going to tell Katherine?” Jonny asks Vincent.

“No, because nothing happened between me and this other woman. I don’t need to worry her over this. When I see that mysterious girl again I’m gonna tell it to her straight,” Vincent reassures everyone.

“Promise?” Erica demands.

“I promise!”

You don’t know if it was your imagination but Jonny began to look irritated towards Vincent for the first time ever. It was weird to think that because he, Vincent, and Orlando were practically inseparable. While the others may be quick to blame Vincent, you knew better. He wasn’t that kind of person. Even if something did happen, he was just confused and scared about his future with Katherine. There really had to be something more than meets the eye, and you were annoyed that not even his friends would believe him. 

_____________________

It turned out that the rumors Erica was talking about held some weight. As the week dragged on, more and more reports about men passing away in their sleep were announced. Some were even people who frequented the very bar you went to with your friends every night. The atmosphere in town was eerie and you couldn’t help but think that one of your friends could be next. The only people in your group who didn’t have nightmares were you and Toby, but you still couldn’t sleep well from the anxiety. 

Seven days had passed since Vincent first had nightmares and saw the mysterious woman he still couldn’t get rid of. Orlando and Jonny also started experiencing nightmares a few days later. It didn’t make sense why they had them, though. Neither of them were cheaters as far as anyone was concerned. Even Erica started to have them and she wasn’t even a dude, unless of course maybe it affected anyone assigned male at birth, but that still didn’t explain why Toby didn’t have them. It was all so confusing. 

That night, you showed up at the Stray Sheep as Toby and Orlando were about to leave. Toby tells you that Jonny isn’t feeling well. After trying to comfort Vincent who had apparently just told the mysterious woman the truth, you text Jonny to check in on him. 

Hey, dude. Toby said you weren’t feeling well. Is everything okay?

The day before, you hung out with him at the bar while everyone else went home. He was in deep distress, nearly drowning himself in alcohol which he very rarely ever did. 

It was about his girlfriend and how he felt bad that he didn’t want to marry her because he had someone else on his mind. You were secretly hoping it was you but once he told you that it was someone who was already in a relationship, your heart sank in its chest. But because you knew what it felt like to have your love unrequited, you validated his feelings.

You were also upfront with him and told him that he should tell the truth to his girlfriend; that he no longer wanted to continue the relationship with her. In addition, you suggested that he should still tell the woman he was pining for how he felt, even if he knew she wouldn’t like him back. A piece of advice you probably should take, too. Of course, that would be easier said than done. 

You sat at a table away from Vincent to give him space and awaited a reply from Jonny. Five minutes had passed but there was no response. Erica sits down next to you.

“You okay? Something bothering you?” She asks. 

Your face begins to turn red. No one knows about the idiotic feelings you have for your friend. You tried hard not to say anything but if you don’t tell someone about it now, you feared you might lose it. 

“Can I tell you something?” you turn to face her.

“Sure what’s up!”

“Promise you won’t laugh or judge me. I’ve been doing enough of that to myself,” you say with a nervous laugh.

“I work at a bar. I’m sure I’ve heard worse,” she smiles. “You can trust me.”

You sigh, trying to put all your thoughts together. This was it. It was the first time you would admit, out loud, your romantic feelings for him. 

“I have a crush on Jonny.” You rest your forehead on the table and cross your arms. If only you were a turtle so you could hide inside your shell, but this would do for now. 

“Hey it’s okay,” Erica says while patting your head. “I kind of already knew. Let me guess, you realized it about… hmmm… five or six months ago?”

You sit back up in bewilderment of the words she spoke just now. “How did you-?”

“Oh it was easy. The way you interacted with him was a bit different around that time. You started being a lot nicer to him and your eyes started having a little twinkle whenever you looked at him.”

“Why didn’t you say anything about it?”

“Because you always seem pretty sure about things. Figured you’d say something first soon. Although, I’m surprised you two haven’t gotten together after this long. But it’s still Jonny. You deserve waaaaay better.”

“I myself keep wondering why I even like him, but how are you surprised that we haven’t gotten together? Just look at him and all the girls he’s dated. He goes after girls that look like models. I’m nowhere near as gorgeous as them.”

“First of all, shut up. He needs his eyes checked because I think you’re beautiful. Secondly, I guess I thought he’d grow out of being so shallow. I know he’s a man so maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part but I think personality-wise, you two would be perfect for each other. You still deserve better but I can see why your heart would yearn for him. If he ever breaks up with his girlfriend, you should tell him!”

“I can’t”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s in love with someone else. He didn’t tell me who it was but he said it was someone who was already in a relationship. So yeah, that automatically removes me from being a possibility.”

You sit in silence with her for a few seconds. “It may take some time but I have full faith that one day he’ll see just how awesome you are.” Her words comfort you.

Before you spoke, a notification on your phone appeared. 

I deserve it.

“Is that him?” Erika asks trying to peer over at your phone and you nod. “I gotta clean up now. But remember, you can come to me for anything.” You thank her and begin texting again. 

Deserve what?

To be alone forever.

Did you break up with her?

Yeah, but maybe I shouldn’t have.

I’m confused. I thought you didn’t want to be with her anymore.

I don’t know. I don’t anymore. Why do you even care? 

Because you’re my friend. Okay? Where are you right now?

I’m not telling you.

You don’t have to. I think I know where you are.  

You headed out to your car and drove to a small hill in Neo-Brooklyn Park that overlooks the city. It was his favorite place to go after a breakup. You parked your car and made your way up the hill. Jonny rested up against the large tree that towered above. He turns his head to see you walking towards him.

“How’d you know I was here?” he asks.

“Vince and Orlando told me they found you here once after you broke up with a girl in your freshman year of high school. Then that time after you broke up with that one girl from English class after graduation, we came in to check on you. We checked in on you after your breakups a few times after that but we haven’t done it in years. I figured it might still be an old habit of yours.” You sat down next to him. 

“Stalkers,” he says with a slight chuckle then takes a puff of smoke from his cigarette. God, he looks so pretty under the moonlit sky. As you were admiring him, you noticed that he had tear stains adorning his cheeks.

“That’s what you get for worrying us all the time. Instead of talking to us, you just run away. What kind of friends would we be if we didn’t care and something were to happen to you? Huh?”  A silence enveloped the atmosphere. There was so much you were trying to hold back. 

Tell him you love him.

Wipe his tears away.

Hug him. 

Ask if you could kiss him. 

You quickly snapped out of it, because you knew he didn’t need that from you right now. “About what you said earlier, you don’t deserve to be alone forever.”

“But I didn’t tell her the truth sooner. She could’ve found someone better by now if I had. I just held her back from finding someone they truly deserve. I held all of my past girlfriends back. I was so mean to them and never listened. I’m such a horrible person.”

“You’re not the only person who’s ever felt like this, you know. You learn from your mistakes and now you move on. Just because you’ve failed at your past relationships, doesn’t mean you should give up on love altogether now.”

“I guess that makes sense. To tell you the truth, I kind of blamed you for what happened at first because I thought, ‘What would she know about relationships?’, but I guess you’re right. You’re so smart when it comes to all of this. How come you’ve never had a partner before? I bet you’d have no problems navigating relationships, unlike the rest of us.”

“That’s probably what everyone thinks at first, no? That they wouldn’t fuck anything up but then something happens. I’ve seen it way too much in my family and, not to be rude, but in our little friend group as well. I guess I’m just scared and analyze everything too much… But this isn’t about me right now. What’s on your mind, boy? And don’t give me that ‘Nothing. I’m okay’ crap.”

The slight breeze in the air ruffles his hair as he takes a couple more drags from his cigarette before speaking: “Katherine…”

“What?”

“You heard me”

“Like, as in Vincent’s pregnant fiance?”

“Yeah. I know it’s stupid, right?”

You try to collect your thoughts before you speak. “It is stupid, I agree. But it also isn’t. Sometimes we want people we can’t have and that’s normal. It’s not their fault and it’s not ours. I think the hardest part is trying to accept that fact and move on. But if things don’t work out with them, you should still tell her to find some closure. Vincent should know about it, too.”

“Do you think he’ll hate me after that?”

“Probably, but if you guys really are true friends, then you’ll withstand any challenge that comes your way. Besides, bottling it up is not good for you. The first step is admitting it to someone you trust, so you’re already on the right track.” You tap on his shoulder. “C’mon lover boy, it’s getting late. You should get some rest. Well, that’s if the nightmares will spare you for tonight.”

________________

A few days later, the nightmare-related deaths stopped and things between Vincent and Katherine ended up working out. You asked Jonny if he still wanted to tell them but he decided against it. He was just glad to see that his friends were happy together. Whatever happened during that week didn’t just change things for the soon-to-be-wed couple (with no child as it turned out Kat wasn’t actually pregnant), but it changed everyone else’s mindset, too. There were fewer cases of cheating in all of Area 15, Orlando got back with his ex and opened his dream business, and Jonny made it his mission to slow down and find his soulmate. You teased him a bit for that but it was nice to see him be more open about things with you all. 

You decided that it was best not to tell him about your love for him, at least not now. Maybe you would later, but you wanted to give him time to recover from all that had happened. Seeing your friends happy in their relationships now and Jonny’s optimism helped rid your fears of being in a committed relationship yourself. 

Vince and Katherine decided to get married as soon as possible. On the day of the wedding, Erica helped do your hair and makeup. The two of you were going to be Kat’s bridesmaids along with some ladies from her work. You didn’t wear dresses or makeup too often so it kind of felt weird to you, but didn’t mind it too much. You were just glad to be a part of your friends’ special day. 

You saw Jonny at the reception. He was one of Vince’s best men alongside Toby, Orlando, and a few other familiar faces. It was weird seeing him dressed up as he was usually wearing jeans, a plain white button-up, and his signature dark-brown belted coat. Nonetheless, he looked as handsome as ever. He was what your eyes kept searching for that entire day. You knew you couldn’t bear to see him anymore after this if you wanted to move on. After the wedding, you still hung around with everyone else but made it your objective to not see him as much anymore. 

However, with the space colony of Area 15 being as small as it is, it was hard not to bump into him. Over the next year, neither of you had found a sweetheart. You hadn’t spent time with him one-on-one since his last breakup when you sat with him on the hill until he sent you the message that would lead to what you only thought was possible in your dreams. 

Hey, you busy tomorrow night?

No, why?

There’s something I need to talk to you about.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, I guess. There’s just been a lot on my mind and you’re the only one I can talk to about it.

Okay. What time tomorrow and where?

Is 8 pm at the hill in the park fine? 

Wait, did you break up with someone again? I didn’t think you were dating anyone right now.

I’m not, so no I didn’t break up with anyone. This is about something else entirely actually. But can we save that for tomorrow? 

Yeah, sure. I’ll be there.

After work the next day, you came home and ate dinner before changing and heading off to meet Jonny. You decided to wear something casual since he was probably just going to talk about his romantic struggles with you and ask for your advice again. Or if it was concerning something more serious, you didn’t want to wear anything flashy or colorful. With that, you made your way to the hill not expecting the events that were about to unfold.

“Hey, Jonnyboy. What’s up?” You greet him. He’s lying down on a blanket but gets up when he hears your voice.

“Oh, hey! I’m glad you could make it. Here,” he scoots over to make space for you. “Lay down here and look up at the sky,” you do as he requests. “Don’t the stars look beautiful tonight?”

“They do, but they look beautiful every night,” you reply.

“I know, but it’s different tonight.”

You were confused as to why he had you looking at the night sky right now. “So did you want to talk about something?”

“Yeah, but right now I just want to look at the sky.”

He started pointing out constellations and babbling on about mythological deities and weird superstitions about love. 

“What's gotten into you, idiot? I thought you wanted to talk about something serious not about Greek gods and their drama,” you tease him. In reality, you could listen to hours upon hours of his voice that was as sweet as the ambrosia the gods he was talking about ate. 

“I do. I’m just… stalling I suppose,” he says while turning his head to you. “Can I ask you something rather personal?”

“It depends… but sure. Okay.”

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want, but I’m just curious. What would you look for in a partner?”

I blush and turn my head away so he doesn’t see it. “I- I dunno… does it m-matter? I’ve accepted the fact that at this point in my life, I’m probably not going to find anyone.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well I’ve never been the subject of anyone’s dreams or desires. Plus, every time I’ve like someone, they either reject me or they’re already with someone else. I kind of feel hopeless, you know?”

“And what if I told you, you were wrong?”

You turn to face him now. “What do you mean?”

“Because as of late,” he turns his whole body to the side to face me, “you’ve been the only subject of my dreams.”

Your eyes feel like they could pop out of your skull. Your heart almost leaped out of your chest. Is it finally happening?

“Jonny…” You say as your hand covers your mouth. The clear little dots that were the stars now blurred together in your vision. You closed your eyes as tears made their way down your cheek.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry!” he props himself up and puts his hand on your shoulder.

“Not it’s not your fault. I’m just shocked that’s all,” you break down, sobbing. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” He gently helps you up and wraps his arms around you, ”I’ve got you.”

“Do you know how much pain you’ve caused me? How long I’ve wanted you? What made you realize now?”

“I’m surprised. You wanted me? I thought you were too cool to want to be with someone like me seeing as how you’re originally from Earth. As for how long I’ve wanted to be with you, I started thinking about you a lot since the wedding. You looked so stunning, but I didn’t realize yet how special you were to me. Then it seemed like you were trying to avoid me. I was used to seeing you nearly every day, so when it went from weeks to months that I didn’t see you or talk to you like before, I started thinking. My life was much more dull when you weren’t around and you were the only one that understood how I felt all these years. I don’t know why I didn’t realize it sooner. I’m sorry for being a dumbass.”

“You’re not a dumbass. I don’t blame you one bit. If anyone here’s the dumbass it’s me for trying to distance myself from you. All the girls you’ve been with in the past were so much prettier than me so I just assumed that you’d never be interested in me. And I know I’m not originally from here, but this is my home now. Never will I ever think that I’m better than anyone here. In fact it’s the opposite,” you look up into his eyes while clinging onto his shirt, ”the people here are much more interesting and understanding than where I come from. I’m glad that out of all the places they could’ve sent me, they sent me here. It’s the only place in the universe with you in it, after all.”

You knew his eyes were brown, but you never knew they were the color of warm coffee that could wake someone up and make the day more bearable. His embrace melted away any tension you had built up in your body. The moonlight showered you with the confidence you wished you had since the first time you met him. At this moment, nothing mattered except for the feeling of his soft, tender lips against yours. He tasted mostly sweet with a slight hint of bitter nicotine that you were surprised wasn’t overwhelming with just how much he smokes. 

It was more intoxicating than any alcoholic beverage you’ve ever had. More addicting than any drug that existed in the universe. The kiss grew stronger and more passionate. It felt like an eternity had passed before you both pulled away to catch your breaths. He cups your cheeks with his hands and examines your features closely.

“You’re so beautiful and I’m still angry at myself for not seeing it until now. How could the universe leave such a goddess like yourself alone for this long?”

“I’m no goddess,” you blush harder and bury your face in his chest. “I think it’s because I kept my heart locked away and you were the only one who had the key.”

“Well, I’m glad I finally realized I had it and that we’re here together now. I won’t let you slip away from me ever again.”

“And I promise I won’t run away from you again.”

[osidius-el-enfatico]

I started rewatching arrested development since I finished rewatching Seinfeld and it's insane how many classic bits and memes are jam-packed into the first two episodes.

- we are about asses to ankles back here, maeby why don't you jump on your cousin's lap? woah. bumpy road ahead

-i love all my children equally. i don't care for gob

-look what the homosexuals did to me. Michael

-tobias crying in the shower

-dead dove. don't open

-gob throwing the letter into the sea

-illusion, dad. a trick is something a whore does for money

-did you burn the storage unit? oh most definitely

-theres always money in the banana stand

it really was the most joke dense sitcom ever and then they came back and pissed on everything

[anyalovesu]

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆.✧˚ four ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆.✧˚

(this sucks, but i'm so sorry i'm so out of ideas,, but time skip)

The lunch was quiet. It was clear as day that whatever they talked about when he was in Cebu bothered them both. But of course, something has to break before either one of them admits it. Jas fears she might be that something that’s at the verge of breaking because it really did feel that way 

“Mom and Dad are inviting us to go have dinner with them tonight sa bahay,” Tobi smiled at her. Despite failing to address the elephant in the room, it seemed Tobi was excited for the idea of it. It seemed like he really wanted her to meet his parents. With a face like that, it was hard to say no.

But still, it made her ask why. 

“They want to meet you?” His brows furrowed at her reaction. Does she not want to go? “Ayaw mo ba? I can tell them we can’t go–”

“I mean, I would love to meet your parents, pero bakit?” Truth was, she was just as confused about Tobi’s sudden advances. Hindi naman sila, it was completely unnecessary for them to meet her. She knows for a fact parents don’t just invite friends for dinner. Especially a family with so much prestige as the Parks.

Also because none of her former boyfriends ever invited her for family dinner. It was somehow as if she was their dirty little secret. Like it was shameful to bring someone like her to something as important as that. Of all of the men he was involved with, Tobi was the least likely to ever bring her to meet his parents, because again, they’re not even together. 

But here he is anyway, the first guy who ever wanted to take her to meet his parents.

It must’ve been some sick joke? Is he going to embarrass her? Is something going to happen? She’s not certain about anything at all.

“Pretty?” Tobi’s voice had somehow snapped her back to reality. “Stop crying. Bakit ka umiiyak?”

Tobias had already stood up, lifting up her chin to wipe the tears that had already run down her face.

“P’wede namang hindi na tayo pumunta kung ayaw mo,” he smiled at her. “It’s fine. Mom will understand.”

The idea of it was all too overwhelming but it felt too good for her to want to escape. The more it scared her, the more it made her want to change herself hopefully to be something his parents would want for Tobi—perhaps someone Tobi would want. But it was easier said than done.

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” she whimpered. She wants to reason out that it was her period coming, but Tobi was fully aware of her cycle—he even tracks it for her. Her period was last week—the week he was gone. “I’m sorry.”

Tobi leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “It’s okay, pretty.”

The gesture had her frozen on her seat, heart thumping against her chest madly. Why? Why would he do that?

He is running her mad and foolishly she is letting him. 

“Such a pretty face that’s always wet with tears,” he sighed. Pressing even more kisses around her face while she contemplated if friends, even with the benefits label, do this. 

“Ah,” he hummed. “Kahit na lalo akong tinitigasan kapag nakikita kong umiiyak ka sa sarap kapag kinakantot kita, hindi ako natutuwa kapag umiiyak ka sa ibang dahilan.”

How long was she going to feed into his sweet talk? When is she going to have the stomach to walk away from this? Not now, it seems. 

Not when his lips are on her once again, exploring the inside of her mouth, hand already under her shirt squeezing the soft skin of her mound. “Gonna make you forget why you’re sad, hmm?”

“I’m not sad, Tobi,” she moans as soon as he pulls away to breathe. He moves to her neck, but Jas was quick enough to pull him by his hair to stop him from leaving marks. “You can’t leave marks if you're bringing me to meet your parents, you asshole.”

“You want to go?” 

“If it will make you happy that I will go with you, Tobi,” she smiled at him. 

Truth be told, Jas was good for him. For the first time in his life, it felt like he had structure other than wanting to pursue music. Whenever he was with Jas, everything just seemed to fall into place. But was he good for Jas? Highly questionable.

He knows Jas wants to leave, and for some reason he couldn’t somehow figure out why she hasn’t yet. She has every reason to go. He would leave himself too if he was in her position. After all, who’s gonna want him when he always stood second best to his little brother? Who’s gonna want him when even his own parents had it already set that Leon is going to inherit the company and not him. He’s not bitter about it, honestly. He’s proud that his brother has and have always been considered to inherit the source of their wealth, maybe it did just hurt a little to not be considered? To not be looked at all as someone who will stand a chance?

He understands it though. His heart has always been with music and while he was thankful that they allowed him to do so, he wishes his parents supported him through it like he did when Leon made headlines as a fresh grad leading all these intricate projects with Park Group. He was in the team too, would it be so hard that he’d be recognized too?

The band was the only place he knew where he was slightly more favored than Leon. Kaya hindi maipinta ang mukha niya noon noong naisip ni Leon na i-give up ang banda para lang hindi n’ya pakasalan si Eli. It angered him because after many years of effort to keep the band afloat, it was a no-brainer for Leon to just give it up for someone he selfishly wanted. What about him? Was he finally going to succumb into the bore of his family’s business because he’s got nothing to be passionate about anymore? He found it all unfair.

Watching Jas grace their studio though was a breath of fresh air. It always was. Kyle frequently brought her in for songwriting sessions. She was a walking poem after all, a poem he wished he wrote but that would be impossible. Jacynthe was a poem straight out of a Shakespearean piece. The way words just spew out of her mouth as soon as a guitar is within reach was a vision to see every time. And for the first time in his life, he wanted something. Something worth figuring out his life for.

God, the things he did for Jas to like him was beyond imagination for him to even think about. From deleting  dating apps to find a quick fuck, quitting smoking, actually trying to write songs, to always bringing Bianca around for dinner every now and then. Bianca has been alone in their family home since they moved out and Jas suggested that he took her out every now and then after she expressed how lonely it was to be an only child. Heck. He’ll even go as far as saying he’s been a lot more sensitive now than he was before.

“God, I would be happy,” he laughed, pressing yet another kiss on her lips. “Very.”

Because maybe if they see him actually happy with someone, they would look at him the way they look at Leon. Maybe even value him as such.

But even more so, there’s no one in this world that he wanted to introduce to his parents but Jas. Jas is the most charming, charismatic, and kindest woman he’s ever met. She really takes after her own mother, which he knew first.

“Then don’t leave marks, okay?”

“My princess should be rewarded,” he smiled at her, mischievously and before she knew it, she was already hoisted up, legs wrapped around his torso being guided to the already clean countertop. “For being so good to me.”

continue here : never call it love. ( pw authenticated ; hint: jas' and daphne's nickname )

Tobi can never say no to that face. Her cute still-fucked-out little puppy face is always a guarantee of a yes from him. So he moves closer wrapping his arms around Jacynthe. “You took me so well, pretty.”

She just hummed in response. When did she not take him well? There’s nothing she prides on more than knowing what pleases him and what doesn’t—the same way he is for her. 

“Let’s go get cleaned up at magpahinga na, hmm?” he cooed, softly combing through her dark red dyed hair, quickly wondering how she keeps her hair that long and healthy even after dying it continuously. “You still have to meet my parents.”

Jacynthe mumbles out a small, “okay,” before she is hoisted up again to Tobi’s upstairs bathroom.

You still have to meet my parents. It bothered her, though not as much as it did a while ago now that she’s given it a thought. But still, it made her wonder, is Tobi finally getting a step closer to committing to her?

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ main post °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[runaway-royals]

The prince shivered softly at Nana's sweet words while feeling her lips against his neck.

"D-Don't worry, Princess, I'm sure you'll get me back next time."

Alexander huffed, pressing his own lips to the top of her head while gently playing with her dark hair.

Njord chuckled at Kenji excitement. "Well, sounds like your maid is quite popular, Raiden, better be careful, or someone may steal her one day."

The king joked as his two youngest son snorted.

"Really, Dad?" Tobias groaned as Charlie snickered.

"I highly doubt the emperor or his children are giving Kori up anytime soon." He joked as his team finalized their strategy.

"I overheard you and your brother talking about royal crushes." Hunter explained, stepping closer as Kori's eyes widened.

"You heard us?" She asked half tempted to back up, but her body won't move.

"I did." The royal nodded, noticing the pendant around the woman's neck. She hadn't taken it off since he gave it to her.

"My Darlin." He cooed, lifting her chin to have her look at him.

"I understand your reasons to be nervous, but my status has more than enough power to keep you all safe."

Kori glanced up as the sunlight hit the young man's eyes. She never noticed how green they were before.

"I-I don't care about your status Sprigs, if I wanted power, I would've stayed on the island."

The blonde looked a bit surprised, stroking her cheek.

"Then want do you want? Tell me, and it's yours."

In that moment, Kori's mind went completely blank, so she pressed her lips to the prince lightly kissing him.

"Thank you, Kori! I heard that, Kori!" Prince Kenji shouted from inside the map room, laughing as he kept playing with his fellow royals.

Outside, Nana grinned and nodded, looking up at her soon-to-be husband. "Yes, you did." She replied, also taking a step closer to him, smiling against his lips as he claimed his much deserved kiss, which the princess returned with just as much passion. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Nana gently nuzzled his face. "I love you too, Blue." She whispered in his ear, before applying soft kisses to his neck. "If it's always going to be like this, I don't mind losing every race to you..." She added, with a playful smile upon her lips.

[29pageshomestuckeveryday]

Homestuck, page 4,127

Jane: Check out other posters.

Another Sleuth poster of course, with two of your favorite dames ever. The TOBIAS and the MANHATTAN were gifts for your 14th birthday, sent to you by your good buddy Jake. Just a couple of PERIWINKLE HEARTHROBS unquestionably sent in playful retaliation for the ribbing you've given him over the years for his inexplicable infatuation with his phthalo femmes. So he made a couple of coy recommendations for objects of your attraction, and you have hung his COBALT BEEFCAKES here since. He was pretty spot on with the blue Funke, to be honest, since that's like the best show ever. Mr. Cross can blue himself any time, as far as you are concerned. But the Manhattan... not so much. Comics aren't really your thing. But you hung it up anyway because that's the sort of thing you do in a mildly escalating feud of passive-aggressive one-upsmanship. You own it. But you felt kind of weird about having his BLUE MUTANT PENIS dangle over your head while you sleep, so you covered it up with something even more obscene, some sort of revolting TROLL HOWIE MANDEL, also gifted to you by Jake. Good lord does that kid have some spotty tastes. There is also your magnificent SWANSON. Ron Swanson is the PERFECT MAN. You have tried to order all of the bacon and eggs in a restaurant on several occasions. But your dad never lets the order go beyond the joke level. What a fuddyduddy.

[autisticsupervillain]

I think Agent 47 should be more popular on Tumblr.com. He's right up our alley.

He's a canonically asexual aromantic who kills billionaires for a living.

He's an amoral old man.

The barcode on the back of his head leads to a dildo shop.

He is inexplicably skilled in every job he could possibly need for a disguise to work. Drumming? Check. Doctoring? Sure. Clowning? You bet your ass.

He cannot resist the urge to make thinly veiled death jokes when talking to his targets. His go-to alias is "Tobias Rieper".

His wife locked him in the basement until he upped his billionaire killing quota.

He's canonically responsible for killing Harry and Marv from Home Alone.

He once bludgeoned Santa Claus unconscious with a brick and stole his clothes. He then stole his sleigh to escape the crime scene.

Some of his most notable escapes include riding away on the backs of dolphins, putting on a flamingo suit and flying away like a bird, and letting himself get abducted by aliens. Among others.

He's a canonical lesbian ally. In one case, he gave a girl a pep talk for her upcoming date and in another he saved a lesbian couple about to get married from a serial killer.

He's a tri-racial icon with five dads.

Nearly every NPC he passes remarks about how attractive he is. Including men.

Autism icon. In my heart.