#welcome home baby aiden

[simkhira]

welcome home, aiden 🤎

[norrisleclercf1]

Hi love ❤ could you maybe write something for the Mini lando Series,maybe where reader does Grocerie Shopping with Aiden and Lando stays at home with Caleb. And while they are shopping some man flirts with reader and Aiden is like THATS my mom and she only loves my daddy. And then he tells lando what happend when they are home. And lando is jelous but thinks its funny how People still trie to hit on reader even with Baby and ring on her finger.

A/N: pffffft love this, Aiden totally has his dads sass. Aiden is about 5 and Caleb is 2. This happens before you become pregnant with your 3rd child Daniel William Norris.

Warnings: Fluff and Angst, yep that's right it's not always going to be sunshine and roses, slight crude language and joke

Mini Lando Series Masterlist

"Just, call if you need anything okay?" You ask Lando, about to run to the grocery store he waves you off. "What? Think I can't take care of my own son?" It's a teasing comment but with a tiny bite.

Taking a deep breath you have to remind your self to remain calm to his comment. "Lando, you're a capable father, I'm just saying-" You stop pursing your lips. "Whatever, forget it. Aiden! Baby, come on we're leaving!" Aiden runs down the hall smiling.

He loved going to the store with you, Caleb was about 2 and now able to talk and run around so Aiden didn't get much peace. And at 5, he was already an old man with Lando's mouth to boot.

"I'm ready! Bye daddy." Lando crouches, kissing Aiden on the cheek. "Be good for you Mom or I won't be taking you karting. Understand?" Aiden has gotten into karting, nothing serious yet. But he was a natural talent and it started to worry you.

That's why there was so much tension between you and Lando recently. "Yes, sir. I'll be good for Mom." Running to the garage, leaving you and Lando alone. "We'll talk later." Is all Lando says, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek and off to check on Caleb.

""Sure." You mumble, wanting to shake off the fog in your brain. You wanted a good day with your son and fighting with your husband wasn't going to damper that. "Mama! Come on!" Aiden yells, hurrying you to the car.

Opening the door, you help him in, strapping him into the booster seat. "Is Daddy mad?" Fingers fumble slightly with the last buckle at his question you look up. "No, baby. We're just having an adult conversation. He's not mad at you, I promise." Aiden nods, his question quickly forgotten by him but not by you.

The drive is relatively nice as you park, going over the rules again with Aiden who just nods saying "yes mom". Running into the store he grabs one of the mini buggies, making sure to copy you. The two of you giggle and talk about his karting.

Not even noticing as a man approaches you until he grabs something off the top shelf for you. "Here you go gorgeous." The guy smiles, you give a tight lip one taking the box of pasta from him. "Thanks." Aiden staring at the guy, wondering what he was doing.

"You're welcome. Can't turn down a stunning woman like you now can I? What kind of person would I be?" He chuckles moving closer, but not enough to make you uncomfortable. "One who isn't my daddy." Aiden's voice has the guy looking down, you hiding a smile as you turn.

"Excuse me little guy?" The man shocked at the little kids quip. "It's not little guy, my name is Aiden. You're not my daddy, and the only one to call Mommy pretty is Daddy." Aiden standing firm, staring the guy down. "Oh, well I don't see your daddy." Winking at you, now you're stepping in but Aiden doesn't stop.

"Daddy is busy at home with my little brother. He also drives super fast cars, the orange one. Unless you drive one like Daddy and Uncle Carlos or Uncle Pear you can't call Mommy pretty." The guy steps back, rolling his eyes. "Whatever." And walks off leaving you in shock.

"Aiden Carlos." Your voice calm, Aiden looks down. He knew he shouldn't have done that. His mommy could handle herself but...daddy always told him to protect mommy when he wasn't there. "Are you going to tell Daddy?" He knew he did wrong, talking back to a stranger unaware of what he could do.

"No, you will." Sighing you head to check out. "Mommy?" Aiden's voice soft as you two drive back. "Yes?" Aiden sniffles kicking his little feet. "I was just doing what Daddy does for you." He whispers, eyes looking in the rearview mirror you catch Aiden's head down.

"What do you mean baby?" Confused by that. "Daddy always protects Mommy, and Uncle Carlos said since I'm the oldest I have to protect you and Caleb when Daddy isn't here. I'm sorry." Sniffling again, reaching back you squeeze his little leg.

"My little boy. You don't need to do that. When you're bigger and older, sure. But you're still my little baby, it's my job to protect you." Aiden smiles, nodding as you pull into the garage.

The garage door opens, showing Caleb being held by Lando who laughs as Lando blows raspberries on his stomach. "Mama!" Caleb giggles, Aiden jumping out and running inside.

"Something happen?" Lando asks, you nod. Lando just nods sucking in his cheeks placing Caleb down. "I'll go talk to him." Caleb carrying light bags of groceries inside happy to help.

Lando walks to his eldest son's room, poking his head in not seeing Aiden he goes to second best spot. "Bubs?" Lando calls pushing open his office door, Aiden staring at all the trophies, helmets, and pictures.

"I thought I told you to be good?" Lando sighs, crouching to be eye level with the boy sitting in the desk chair. "I was, but a stranger was calling Mommy names and I protected her just like you and Uncle Carlos always say to do." Aiden whines, for such a little boy he sure did have mature emotions.

Anger fuels Lando hearing this, he has to take a couple deep breaths before asking his next question. "What kind of names, bubs? It's okay you can tell me." Lando comforts him, Aiden's curls bouncing back to place from Lando's fingers.

"They kept calling Mommy pretty, and doing what you do." Lando blinks, the anger shaping into jealousy. A guy was hitting on you? With his ring on your finger and in front of his child? Okay, this could be worse.

Lando having to talk himself down. "Aiden, you have to let Mommy handle that until your bigger, understand?" Aiden nods, staring at a picture of you, Aiden, and him holding a trophy. "Can we still kart?" Lando smirks, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, go get dressed." Aiden running off.

Lando stands, taking in the pictures. First date, Wedding, His first WDC, your entire life together was here. Yet he was still feeling jealous? He hated it. Walking back, he sees Caleb watching bluey holding his stuffed koala given to him by Oscar.

"Y/n?" You poke your head around the corner, Lando walks into the kitchen kicking the standout the door swinging closed. "A guy hit on you?" Voice calm, but even you could hear the lace of anger.

"Yes, but it was handled, by our 5-year-old. Apparently, you and Carlos have put in his head he's allowed to do that." You hiss, angry at the fact that your son could've been put in harm's way. "Y/n, that's not the point here, a guy hit on you." His temper fizzles out quickly as he laughs.

"What is so damn funny? This isn't funny!" You snap, pushing his shoulder as Lando just laughs. "This fucker hit on you, while you wear my ring. My child was next to you, and I'm here acting like a jealous teenager." He laughs harder shaking his head at his own actions.

"I felt threatened when I'm the one who married you, the one who is the father of two gorgeous boys. And," He steps closer, wrapping an arm around your waist pulling you into his chest. "The one who gets to fill you every night." You slap a hand over his mouth, feeling the smirk on your palm.

"Are you crazy! The kids could hear." Anger slipping too as you roll your eyes. "M swommy." Words muffled you drop your hand. "What?" "I'm sorry. About our fight recently and now, this. Just, ever since we had Aiden; I've been worried about your safety and the kids. Now I understand what Fernando and the others felt over their kids and partners." Lando wraps you in a hug.

"Lando, I love you. But, if you ever tell our child to do that again. I'm slicing your balls." Lando snorts shaking his head. "You love my balls to much." You shove him away as he laughs loudly.

[chenfordspiral]

ch. 35 - january celebrations

A baby shower, more getting ready for baby, a birthday, and Lucy starting maternity leave.

January 3, 2027

They start the new year spending another Sunday hanging out with Genny and her boys. It’s January, so the weather is unpredictable at times, and since Lucy is still eight months pregnant, their day doesn’t include any activity that is too strenuous. Lucy tries her best to convince Tim that she’ll be fine even if they do the hike she’s been eying, but he’s rather insistent and, well, very persuasive when it comes to making sure she’s not overdoing it. Some may call it overprotective, and sometimes he really does get on Lucy’s last nerve, but he only means well. Protecting people is deeply ingrained into who he is, especially when it comes to the people he loves.

After lunch and a stop at the dog park, they decide to head back home to Tim and Lucy’s place to avoid getting caught in the rain that is threatening to start falling soon. Tyler and Aiden seem to be down for a game afternoon, and Genny isn’t about to shoot down an opportunity of spending more quality time with her sons.

But, much to Lucy’s surprise, playing board games is not what they’ll be doing at home.

They’re met with a chorus of “Surprise!” the moment they open the front door and set foot into their house.

“Wha- what’s happening?” Lucy stutters out, looking back and forth between all the smiling faces in front of her.

There’s Tamara, Harper and Lopez and their kids, Celina, Lucy’s aunt Amy and her nana, even Luna Grey and Bailey, and Maddie, her and TIm’s wedding photographer who Lucy had been planning to meet for lunch again soon.

“Welcome to your baby shower!”

“Baby shower? Wait, did I forget about this or something? My brain’s been a little scattered lately.”

“Nope,” Tamara smiles. “Although that did make it easier to hide from you.”

“How long have you been planing this?”

“Oh, a few weeks,” Angela easily responds. “When did you go on vacation again?”

“A month?”

“No, it was about a month before that, so.. let’s just say a while.”

“Wow, that’s- that’s so sweet.”

And even though she’s trying to hold it in, she can’t help but sniffle as the emotions get the better of her.

“I told you she’d start crying,” Tim stage whispers in Tamara’s direction.

keep reading on AO3.

[michelleleewise]

i loved your pregnancy fics 💚 their absolutely precious, i was wondering if you could do a blurb of loki handling fatherhood and getting used to being a father to his newborn?

Eeek!! I do love the fluff!! Sorry this took me a minute to get too!! Thanks so much for sending it!! I really really really hope you like it!!! 💚💚💚💚

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

Daddy's Here

Pairing: Loki x reader

Warnings: uncontrollable amounts of fluff, taaaad bit of angst, only a sprinkle.

Summary: you and Loki welcome home your little one as you both adjust.

You laid Aiden in his crib, looking down at the sleeping boy smiling as Loki wrapped his arm around you. "He's so perfect love." He said kissing your head. "Thank you Loki." You said laying your head on his shoulder. "For what darling, you did all the work." He said squeezing you tighter. "For loving me, giving me the greatest gift in the world." You said looking up at him. "It is I that should thank you. You've given me the family I never thought I could have." He said, seeing a tear stream down his cheek you caught it with your thumb. "Come on, let's let him sleep." You said grabbing his hand.

"Darling what if....what if I mess up?" He asked as you climbed in bed. "What do you mean?" You asked "what if I'm a bad father, what if I don't know what I'm doing and..." he started "Loki, with kids you'll never know what your doing, you just have to do your best." You reassured him. "But...what if I become like odin? What if.." you stopped him "Loki, I never want to hear you say that again. You are not and never will be like him. He was a monster, you are wonderful. You'll never be him." You said sternly as he nodded. You scooted closer hugging him.

"You will be the best father there is, because you my love are kind, gentle, and the most loving man I've ever met. He will adore you." You kissed him gently. "I love you so much y/n." He said pressing his forehead to yours "and I love you, now sleep, you'll need it." You smiled, snuggling into him as you drifted off.

The next few weeks were a blur. You had taught Loki the best way to change a diaper after he wasn't fast enough the first time, getting covered in baby powder in the process, making you giggle. "You'll get the hang of it." You smiled wiping the powder off his face. You were unable to breast feed, so you made sure to have formula at all times.

Telling Loki how much to add, making sure the water wasn't too hot or too cold. "Darling, he won't stop crying." Loki called out as he rocked him back and forth. You came in seeing Aiden losing his mind. You took him from Loki, holding him close to you as he stopped crying and settled down.

"My son hates me." He said looking at you "he does not. Your just anxious and he can feel it. Are you ok?" You asked "I just, I don't know if I'm doing any of this right y/n." He said looking at you. "Loki. You are doing great! I want you to take a deep breath, relax and sit down." You said as he sat in the chair. "Turn your thoughts off love, only focus on him, and how much you love him. He'll feel it I promise."

You smiled as Loki nodded, taking a deep breath as you handed Aiden to him, cradling his head as Loki hummed to him. "See, I told you.." you said as Loki rubbed Aiden's cheek with his thumb smiling. "I will do better little one." He said. "Your doing perfectly now, it's a leaning process." You said as he smiled. "Thank you darling." He smiled, turning back to Aiden.

You were sound asleep when you heard Aiden through the monitor. Slowly sitting up Loki pushed you back down "I'll get him, you sleep." He said kissing your head as you settled back in. You heard him on the monitor "Shh Shh it's ok, daddy's here." He cooed making you smile. It got quite for a few minutes when you head him again. "Are you hungry little one, I made you a snack." You heard. "There, that's better, I get angry when I'm hungry as well." You smiled as he continued.

"I love you so much little one, and your mommy, you two are my whole world. The reason I exist." You heard "I will always protect you and be there for you both, until my last breath." He said. "I know I'm new at this, but I really am trying, I promise. Just be patient with me yes? I'll get there I swear." You heard as you teared up. "You and mommy make me strive to be a better person, to try harder." He said. "Oh, would you like to hear a song? My mother used to sing it to me when I was a child." He said as he began to sing in what you assumed was Asgardian.

You closed your eyes listening, his voice almost lulling you to sleep when he stopped. "Ok, back to bed little one." He whispered as you rolled to your back. You felt the bed dip next to you as you curled into him. "He's asleep, all is well." You heard as he wrapped his arm around you. "Loki, I couldn't love you more if I tried." You said squeezing him. "I love you too darling, both of you. I always will." He said kissing your head.

You knew parenthood was going to be an adventure, but with Loki by your side, you knew you could accomplish anything..

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

@vbecker10 @high-functioning-lokipath @buttercupbestie @cabingrlandrandomcrap @lonadane @mcufan72 @daggers-and-mischief @lily-sinclair-2006 @lokisninerealms @lokiprompts @limiworld @mochie85 @sinsandguilt @chickencouncilrep @lulubelle814 @midnights-ramblings @commanding-officer @xorpsbane @waiting-for-cas-to-save-me @stupidthoughtsinwriting @lokixryss @froggiecky @intoxicatinginsanity

[master-sass-blast]

Let's (Not) Party, Baby.

Summary: You rub your swollen belly, both fond and exhausted. “I think it just feels weird to me. Like, the gender reveal party was to celebrate the healthy pregnancy lasting so long. But I just feel really weird about being, like, ‘I’m growing a human, come give me shit.’”

Kitty laughs as she unwraps another bar of chocolate. “Well, I think it’s the duty of the community to support pregnant mothers, y’know? It’s about equipping the parents with what they need to care for the baby.”

“Yeah, but everything I’ve read about and seen online is a whole spectacle,” you grumble. “And, honestly, I don’t have the energy for a party. I’m fucking tired. I feel bloated and sore. I don’t want to have a party where I have to put on real pants and eat melted candy bars out of diapers.”

Kitty stills, then slowly looks over at you with a wide-eyed expression of horror. “That’s a thing?”

“It’s a game,” you answer with a roll of your eyes. “You’re supposed to guess which kind of candy it is.”

Pairing(s): Piotr Rasputin x Reader, Kitty Pryde x Illyana Rasputin.

Rating: G.

Word count: 4.3k.

Set after "S'mores for Two."

Author's Note: Me? Posting more than once a year? Surely not.

In other news, my CFS/other body and brain shit is still overwhelming. It basically took dragging myself through editing to be able to post this latest round of fics (for those of you who don't check out my other works, no worries, but I like to post in little caches so that everything is updated mostly together). I'm not trying to vie for pity; I'm really fucking proud of myself for pushing through and being able to post. I had an unofficial goal of wanting to post more fics before April was over (because April is my birth month), and I did it! I am that bitch!

Thank you all for your patience -and all the comments! They really kept me going when the grind of editing was starting to wear me down.

Happy Reading!

“I guess I’m just not sure what to do.”

Kitty nods as she paints your fingernails a pretty shade of shimmering lilac. “Well, I think it just depends on, like, what you and Piotr want to do, y’know?”

The two of you are on the family room couch; you’ve both taken over the space a bit, actually. It’s a scheduled at home spa day, courtesy of Kitty. There’s dozens of bottles of nail polish lined up on the coffee table, next to two discarded face mask wrappers, a tub of coarse sugar scrub, a sleeve of cotton discs, and an entire store's worth of toners and moisturizers. There’s a half-empty pizza box on one end of the table, several bars of chocolate (and more wrappers), an open jar of pickles (the good, Kosher deli kind, according to Kitty), and a cereal bowl half-filled with peanut butter.

You swipe one end of a pickle spear through your bowl of peanut butter, then crunch down. I mean, I know that’s the point, but… “I think it’s more, like,” you begin once you’ve swallowed, “that I never thought I’d be in this position in life. And that if I ever did get to this stage in life–” you gesture vaguely around you with your munched-on pickle spear “–that I’d automatically know what to do.”

Kitty nods, curly hair bobbing with the motion of her head. “I get you.” She finishes your right hand, then screws the lid back onto the corresponding bottle of polish. “It’s, like, hard to wrap your head around.”

“Yeah. I mean–” You pause to load more peanut butter onto your pickle, which is harder than it sounds. “How are you even supposed to plan baby shower stuff?”

It’s a quandary that’s been gnawing on the back of your mind for months now. The gender reveal party, at least, had been easy. Tasty food, balloon with colored confetti inside, Aiden’s photography team because you and Piotr had wanted pictures, done. It’d been a celebration of having a pregnancy last long enough to see the baby’s gender –and a wonderful day where you and Piotr learned you’d be welcoming a daughter in a few months.

Trying to plan a baby shower, however…

You rub your swollen belly, both fond and exhausted. Your eviction date is coming for you, Masha, whether you like it or not. “I think it just feels weird to me. Like, the gender reveal party was to celebrate the healthy pregnancy lasting so long. We all ate food and enjoyed each other’s company. But I just feel really weird about being, like, ‘I’m growing a human, come give me shit.’”

Kitty laughs as she unwraps another bar of chocolate. “Well, I think it’s the duty of the community to support pregnant mothers, y’know? It’s about equipping the parents with what they need to care for the baby.”

“Yeah, but everything I’ve read about and seen online is a whole spectacle,” you grumble. You hold your hand out for a square of chocolate, then pop the piece Kitty gives you into your mouth. “And, honestly,” you continue as you tuck the chocolate into your cheek like a hamster, “I don’t have the energy for a party. I’m fucking tired. I feel bloated and sore. I don’t want to have a party where I have to put on real pants and eat melted candy bars out of diapers.”

Kitty stills, then slowly looks over at you with a wide-eyed expression of horror. “That’s a thing?”

“It’s a game,” you answer with a roll of your eyes. “You’re supposed to guess which kind of candy it is.”

She gags, then shakes her head. “Fuck that. That’s just gross.”

“Exactly!”

Kitty eats a few squares of chocolate, expression contemplative. Once she swallows, she says, “I guess I don’t see it as that big of a deal –not having a baby shower and all that. We don’t have baby showers in Jewish circles.”

“Oh.” Your brows lift upwards. “Why not?”

“It’s considered inauspicious,” she explains. “My best friend’s older sister’s parents kept all the baby stuff at their house until she gave birth. Then, they went over to her and husband’s place and set everything up for when she came home.”

“Oh.” You cock your head to one side, considering, then grimace and shrug. “We already have the nursery part way set up, though–”

“I didn’t mean that, like, that should do the same thing,” Kitty interjects. “I meant it, like, whatever you do should serve you and your happiness.” She offers you a reassuring smile. “There is no real rule about what’s normal or not. If a baby shower sounds exhausting, then don’t do it.”

“But people might be expecting for us to have one,” you sigh wearily, “so they can celebrate.”

“Fuck them and their expectations.” Kitty grins when you laugh. “I’m serious! All that matters is what makes you happy.”

“And Piotr,” you tack on once you catch your breath. “And he might want one.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find that out–” Kitty twists towards the front of the house when the front door swings open, then thumps shut. “Hey, speak of the man!”

Piotr pauses his conversation with Illyana as he looks towards you. He glances at you, eyebrows raised, then at Kitty, then back at you again. “Chto?”

“Your wife has a question for you!” Kitty hollers before flashing a dazzling, enraptured grin at Illyana. “Hi, baby!”

Piotr takes off his shoes, then strolls towards you. “You have question, myshka? Is everything okay?”

“Well, first things first.” You cock your head back so you can look up at him. “Will you give me a kiss, even though I’ve been eating peanut butter on pickles?”

He smirks, then bends down and presses his lips against yours.

“Aaw, what a man,” Kitty croons. She cocks her head back when Illyana approaches the couch. “Will you kiss me, even though I’ve been eating pickles without peanut butter?”

Illyana chuckles, then cups Kitty’s chin with her hand and kisses her girlfriend. She looks up when you and Piotr share a grin, then gently tugs on Kitty’s elbow. “Davay.”

“Help yourself to the pizza!” Kitty tosses over her shoulder as Illyana ushers her towards the front of the house (and away from prying eyes).

Piotr kisses the top of your head, then circles around the couch and sits down next to you. The couch creaks beneath him as he helps himself to a slice of cheese pizza, then again when he leans back and settles in. “Ty v poryadke?”

“Da,” you assure him. “I was just talking to Kitty about baby shower stuff.”

Piotr’s brows draw together as he chews a mouthful of pizza. He swallows, then says, “I thought baby showers were not held in Jewish communities.”

“They aren’t. It was more like…” You gesture vaguely with one hand and sigh. “I don’t know if I want to have a baby shower. I’m so tired, and I feel like a boat, and I don’t want to wear pants.”

Piotr lets out a bellowing laugh mid bite, then quickly claps one hand over his mouth. He finishes chewing between giggles, then swallows and sighs. “Oh, moya serdtse. One day, there will be pants that you like.”

“Doubtful.” You smirk, but it quickly gives way to weariness. “I mean… I just don’t know if I have the energy to deal with a baby shower, y’know? But if you want one, I don’t want to take that away from you.”

“What I want–” Piotr sets his partial pizza slice down on a piece of paper towel, then leans over and draws you into his arms. “I want you to be happy and well.” He kisses the crown of your head, then tucks your head beneath his chin. “Masha will be loved and cared for regardless of having baby shower. If you are tired, then you deserve to rest, myshka.”

“Yeah,” you agree as you bury your face in his burly chest, “but if everyone’s expecting us to have one–”

“‘Everyone’ does not get say,” Piotr interrupts gently. “If they wish to help or give gifts, they know where to find us.”

You sigh, then nuzzle against his shirt when he starts stroking your hair. “Maybe we can have, like, a nice dinner or something? With family and close friends? And some help to finish setting up the nursery?”

Piotr gently rubs your back. “That sounds nice.”

“Cool.” You sigh again, far more relaxed this time, then lean over and grab your jar of pickles. “Want a pickle?”

Piotr hums, then nods and plucks a pickle spear out of the jar. “Spasibo.”

“Konechno,” you say before kissing his cheek.

…

“Thanks again for driving me,” you say as you stretch your seatbelt around your swollen belly. “I’ve just been so tired lately that driving isn’t really a good idea.”

“Konechno, ptitsa,” Alex says as she starts the engine on her truck. “How did your appointment go?”

“Good,” you sigh as you stretch and settle into the passenger seat. “Everything’s looking good. Baby’s healthy. Blood sugar looks good. My iron’s still low, though, so I’m taking a higher dose of supplements and I need to be careful about overtiring myself.”

Alex hums and nods as she navigates out of the clinic parking lot. “What can we help with at home?”

“Uh…” Your face and mind go blank. You try, unsuccessfully, to kickstart your brain, then rub your face with your hands when your mind refuses to cooperate. “I think that’d be a difficult question without factoring in pregnancy brain.”

“Fair enough,” Alex chuckles.

“Man, I thought I was spacey before,” you lament. “And then it was bad enough weaning off my meds, but now–” You stop mid-sentence and gape when you see the sign for a McDonalds. “McFlurry.”

Alex laughs again, then changes lanes and drives into the McDonald’s parking lot.

One order for a large fry and an Oreo McFlurry later, the two of you are back on the road and headed for home.

You hum contentedly as you swirl a few fries in your McFlurry. Before you can indulge, though, your addled brain kicks back into gear. “Oh. Did you have a baby shower when you were pregnant with Mikhail?”

“No.” Alex pauses to turn, then explains, “It’s considered back luck in Russian culture. Most expecting parents won’t have one or purchase things for the baby until they are born.”

“Oh.” You blink a few times –the curse under your breath when McFlurry drips off your fries and onto your shirt. You shove your fries and remaining McFlurry “dip” into your mouth, then wipe down your shirt with a tissue (not that it does much good). Once you’re cleaner, and you’ve swallowed, you ask, “Then why was Piotr so ambivalent about whether we have one or not?”

“Because that boy will follow you to the ends of Earth if you asked,” Alex answers with a smirk. “And he’s Americanized a bit since moving here. Plus, we didn’t necessarily raise our kids to be so superstitious. Nikolai and I saw it as more to not ask about someone’s pregnancy unless they wanted to share, rather than luck related. We still prepared a nursery for Mikhail and stocked up on supplies.” She drums her fingers against the steering wheel while you wait behind another car. “To be honest, even if parties were part of our culture, I wasn’t in any shape for one.” She chuckles ruefully beneath her breath. “I was a wreck during that pregnancy.”

“Honestly, I feel the same way,” you admit with a heavy sigh. “I’m so tired, and sore, and I don’t want to wear pants.” You smile when Alex laughs, then continue with your griping. “Plus, all of the shit I’ve seen for baby showers just… doesn’t appeal? I don’t have the energy to decorate, and apparently there’s games you can play? But it’s weird stuff like melting candy bars in diapers, then having everyone try and guess what kind of candy it is–”

Alex grimaces. “That sounds disgusting.”

“Yeah. Plus, if I’m getting candy, I just want to eat the candy.”

“Understandable and wise.”

“We talked about having family and friends over for dinner,” you continue after grinning, “and to have some help around the house and finishing the nursery… but, like, how do you ask people ‘hey, come bring some food and hang out and help us with the nursery and house stuff because we’re expecting a baby?’”

Alex smirks and shoots you a sidelong glance. “That seemed pretty coherent to me.”

“That’s not what I–” You stick your tongue out at her when she laughs. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” she assures you. She brakes for a red light, then looks over and puts one hand on your shoulder. “Just ask, ptitsa. Ask, and we’ll be there.”

You smile, and place your hand over hers. “Thanks, Alex.”

…

“I was thinking of actually printing invitations? I don’t know why, I just think it’d be funny.” You spit toothpaste foam into the sink, then resume brushing your teeth. “We could print an extra one to keep. It’d be, like, a cute memory thing.”

Piotr smiles at you in the bathroom mirror, amused. “We could. What would these hypothetical invitations say?”

“I dunno.” You rinse your mouth and toothbrush, then stick your toothbrush in the little holder you keep on the sink. “‘We’re having a baby; come eat food about it.’ Whatever works, honestly.” When he chuckles, you turn to face him. “Do you have a better idea?”

Piotr laughs, shakes his head, then bends and kisses the top of your head. “I trust your creative vision, myshka.”

“Damn straight.” You smirk, self-satisfied, then turn back to the sink and resume your bedtime routine. Floss, fluoride, wash face… what kind of food are you supposed to serve at a baby shower? “What kind of food would we have?”

“Uh…” Piotr clears his throat. “I am not sure,” he calls from the bedroom. “Perhaps we should discuss in morning. Take night to sleep on ideas.”

Your reflection scrunches its face as you floss. “I don’t think it’s that serious. It’s just, like, a potluck dinner. Almost anything would work.”

There’s a pause, and then your husband’s heavy footsteps approach the bathroom. He leans around the doorway and meets your gaze in the mirror, lips pursed. “Da. However…” He tucks his tongue inside his cheek and looks away. “Your nighttime cravings are… ravenous. And unpredictable.”

“I am not that bad!” You blow a raspberry at him over your shoulder, then toss your used flosser in the trash. “Fine. We’ll talk about food in the morning.” You reach for the bottle of fluoride –then gasp and scamper to the bathroom door. “We should have pancakes for breakfast!”

Piotr laughs and nods as he turns down the bed. “Pancakes for breakfast, very good.”

“With blueberries!”

“With blueberries.”

Pleased, you smile, then head back to the sink. Once you’re done with your routine, you head to bed and heft yourself onto the mattress.

Piotr, the saint he is, helps arrange pillows behind you to support your back. He leans over to watch as you scroll through YouTube. “Ah, nighttime listenings.” He holds out one hand. “Would you like me to find Among Us gameplay for you?”

“I can do it,” you insist, frowning. “I’m pregnant, not missing my hands.”

“Nyet, nyet,” he agrees. “But–”

“‘History of Americana Diner Food.’” You gasp when you see a thumbnail displaying burgers, fries, and a milkshake. Your stomach growls, and you groan. “Oh, burgers sound so good.”

Piotr bites the inside of his lower lip when you gaze up at him pleadingly. He hesitates, then sighs and relents with a soft laugh. “Davay, myshka. Let’s get you burger.”

You coo happily, then leverage yourself out of bed. “Just for that, I’ll share my fries with you.”

…

“I meant to ask you something earlier.”

Piotr glances over as you rummage through your take-out bag, then turns his attention back to the road. “Chto?”

“Why –that smells so fucking good.” You stop to cram a few fries in your mouth, then continue once you’ve swallowed. “Why aren’t you bothered by baby shower stuff?”

There’s a long silence. Then, with quiet bewilderment, Piotr says, “I think I am not understanding your meaning.”

“I mean… Your mom said that baby showers are inauspicious in Russia. But, when I asked you if we had to do one, you seemed ambivalent about it all.”

“I do not believe much in luck,” Piotr says after a moment, shrugging. “Some things are beyond control, da, but choices are what impact outcomes. Not unseen forces.” He pauses to change lanes, then adds, “And I want to be sensitive to you. You had bad upbringing. If there was something you wanted in preparation for our baby, for healing, then I want to make sure that happens.”

“Not everything comes down to my shitty childhood,” you press. “I’m not the only person in this relationship, and this isn’t just my baby we’re expecting.” You wolf down a few more fries. “I don’t want you to set aside what you’re comfortable with just because I had fuckheads for parents. This is all supposed to be about compromise.”

“I am not making myself uncomfortable, dorogoy,” Piotr assures you, tone gentle. He takes one hand off the wheel and takes hold of yours. “I think baby showers as tradition –as mandatory–is foolish. But if you want one to celebrate our baby, that would make me very happy. And if you just want to rest, that makes me happy, also. Khorosho?”

“Alright.” You squeeze his hand lovingly, then reach into your bag and retrieve a few fries. “Open up.”

Piotr chuckles, then opens his mouth and lets you feed him fries. “Spasibo.”

…

The two of you settle on printing one commemorative flier, just for the two of you, then email your prospective guests. The promise is for a breakfast-style buffet of sorts; the two of you will provide the blinis, kasha, and some beef bacon (so Kitty can partake), and everyone else has been asked to bring their favorite breakfast dish.

You bust out laughing when Wade –with Nate and Russell in tow–shows up with a trunk full of Poptarts. “You would!”

“We are not keeping all of those,” Piotr mutters as he eyes the wall of blue boxes uneasily.

“Says you,” you tease. “I’m eating for two! These should last us… oh, about a week.”

Ellie and Yukio supply doughnuts and muffins, Neena comes with a box of freshly made breakfast burritos, and Alex, Nikolai, and Mikhail bring a veritable feast of traditional toppings for the blinis and set up to make fresh latkes.

Kitty and Illyana arrive last.

You blink rapidly when you see the numerous bags and containers carried between the two young women. “You didn’t have to–”

“You’re the one who said to bring breakfast foods!” Kitty interrupts with a cheery grin.

You eye the gallon plastic bowl in her hands with mild suspicion. “What kind of breakfast is that?”

“Okay, this–” she gestures with the bowl as she bustles into the kitchen “–isn’t breakfast, but my mom heard that you’re pregnant, and she wanted to send along some food to help you guys out. This–” she lifts the bowl again “–is cholent, and ‘Yana’s got some roast chicken and challah from mom, for you guys, too. Do you have room in your fridge? Anyway,” she continues as Piotr starts rearranging the fridge contents to make room for everything, “we brought good bagels and toppings for them, because you can’t have breakfast without bagels.” She turns, finally catches sight of all the food in the kitchen, and her jaw drops. “Oh shit.”

“If you leave hungry, is own fault,” Nikolai announces while grating potatoes.

“Hey, that’s my kind of party!” Kitty says with a laugh. “Let me get my skillet and shit set up, and then I’ll start helping you, Nick. Where should I drop everything?”

“We have counter space for you over there,” Piotr says, pointing towards the back of the kitchen. “And vegan pancake mix.”

“There’s dairy free breakfast burritos for you in the paper bag!” Neena calls out. “And the guy doesn’t use pork for any of his recipes.”

“And the pork gelatin free toaster pastries!” Russell adds.

“The doughnuts back there are parve, too,” Ellie pipes up.

Kitty beams. “Thank you so much. You guys are awesome!”

You smile, and pause for a moment to take it all in.

It’s been an inexorably long journey. As far as you’ve come from your past, there are times where you still can’t believe you’ve made it here –somewhere good, and healthy, and safe. It almost feels like a dream. Or a magical trance. Or like you’re watching a movie, and you’re waiting for the credits to start rolling and for the house lights to turn on.

But it’s real. You’re in a beautiful home, with a wonderful husband, surrounded by people who love, respect, and care about you and each other. And you have a baby on the way, on top of it all.

“Myshka?” Piotr places a gentle hand on your shoulder.

“I’m okay,” you assure him quietly as you wipe tears away from your eyes. “Just very happy.”

Piotr smiles softly, then bends down and kisses your forehead. “I love you very much, moya serdtse.”

“I love you, too.” You tug him down by the collar until you can kiss his cheek, then pat his chest when he straightens back up. “Alright, let’s get this show on the road.”

“Uh, only if you’re sitting down.” Kitty blocks you when you try to enter the kitchen. “Pretty sure you’re supposed to be resting? Doctor’s orders and all that?”

You purse your lips. “You guys are guests–”

“And we’re here to help.” Neena gently takes you by the shoulders and ushers you towards the couch. “So, let us help.”

“Resting is good, myshka,” Piotr starts when you protest.

“Aren’t we here to help both of you?” Ellie pipes up, voice flat but eyes glinting with unmistakable mischief.

“Yeah, but who’s gonna muscle Colossus out of the kitchen?” Russell stage whispers in reply.

All heads turn towards Alex.

Piotr’s confident expression quickly slips away as his mother looks him dead in the eye. “Mama…”

“Are you going to sit?” she asks in Russian.

“Bozhe ty moi –I am not pregnant,” Piotr insists. “I can help.”

Alex sighs, then rounds the kitchen island. “Alright.”

“Nyet, nyet, I am not, mama don’t –blyat!”

You laugh along with everyone else when Alex scoops Piotr up bridal-style.

She carries him over to the couch, then sets him down with surprising gentleness. “Be good,” she admonishes lovingly in Russian. She kisses Piotr’s forehead, then glances meaningfully at you. “Rub your wife’s shoulders.”

Piotr chuckles, somewhat exasperated, and rolls his eyes as his mother strides back to the kitchen. “I am grown man, you know.”

“Da,” Alex agrees without turning back. “You are heavy like one.”

You giggle when Piotr rolls his eyes again, then reach over and grab his hand. You fix him with your prettiest, most pleading eyes when he looks at you. “You don’t want to sit with me?”

“I always want to sit with you,” Piotr assures you, relenting immediately. He moves closer to you, then puts one arm around your shoulders. “Would you like me to rub your back?”

“Oh, always.” You lean against your husband, then relax as he starts rubbing your sore back with his thumbs. You groan, eyes sliding shut, and bask –in him, in the warmth of your home, in the happy chatter and delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen.

Your life certainly feels full of magic.

...

Epilogue:

“Insert Leg A into Slot G–”

“That doesn’t fucking tell me which shitbag it is!” Wade snaps. He snatches the instructions out of your hands, scans the page, then growls and hurls the paper against the floor. “You’re a goddamn rocking chair! No one fucking asked you to run the elementary school accelerated program!”

“Definitely comes with the same baggage,” Neena mutters.

Wade looks over his shoulder at her, then back at you. “Remind me why she’s being the peanut gallery again, instead of using her internal magic eight ball to help us?”

Neena rolls her eyes. “For the last time, that’s not how my powers work.”

“Not to mention they’re probably already maxed to keep you from throwing the materials through the window,” you mumble under your breath.

Things would’ve been simpler if you’d just purchased a pre-assembled rocking chair. Unfortunately, not many of them come rated from someone of Piotr’s size (or the wear and tear you’re both certain that your baby –and, eventually, kids–will put the seat through).

“I keep telling you guys, you’re going about this all wrong!” Kitty calls as she carries the vacuum cleaner down the hall.

“Yes, do enlighten us, Ms. ‘Quantumania Axed the Best Character,’” Wade grumbles.

Kitty stares at him for a long moment, face scrunched up in conclusion. “...Right.”

“KURT WAS A GEM, AND WE ALL KNOW IT!”

“Look, you guys just need to let Alex and Ellie do this,” Kitty presses on as she gestures to the mess of wooden slats and rocking chair pieces on the ground. “It’s butch magic. They’ll sort it out in, like, ten minutes.”

“I already told you, Katherine,” Ellie hollers from down the stairs, “I can’t assemble a fucking chair!”

“Fine, Ellen!” Kitty shouts back. “Then just let Alex do it! Honestly, you have a hyper-competent badass in the house, and you don’t stick her on IKEA assembly? The fuck is wrong with you all!”

“Let’s keep things moving, please.” Alex’s voice and footsteps echo up the stairwell. “And reasonably calm,” she adds with a knowing look at Kitty. There’s a pause until Kitty nods and heads off, and then Alex appears in the nursery doorway. “What am I doing now?”

“How good are you at assembling rocking chairs?” Neena asks.

Alex chuckles, then plucks the instructions off the floor. “I’ll give it a go.”

[thestylesfamilysblog]

Julie your kids have grown so much! I told Chase that Aiden was giving me baby fever and instead of agreeing on how cute he is he says “what do you mean baby fever? You’re literally pregnant and about to have your own in 2 months. I don’t know what more I can do for you about that” 🙄😂

Hahahah I love Chase! I mean you’re more than welcome to babysit to cure that fever 🤣. The boys love how goofy Chase is with them so I’m sure they’ll have a blast. Tbh seeing you and Ro with your bumps made me miss it all! Logan took one look at me and said “it’s baby fever isn’t it?” I can’t wait to spoil those babies! And of course thank you for having us. If you ladies are up for it we can have a girls night and have the guys babysit.

You guys enjoy your girls night, I’ll be so sad to miss it, H and I just got back home! It was so nice to see you two again, we miss you already!❤️❤️ - Ro

[thecandywrites]

Monster March 2023 Day 9- Centuar

If The Shoe Fits- Part 2

Lets get complicated.

Thanks to @borealwrites for their Monster March 2023 promptlist.

Part 2

Friendly Neighbors. 

The next day, Lucas could hear his boys coming down the road and only laugh as he could guess what they were about to announce. 

“Dad!” Both boys said when they burst into the house. 

“Yeah?” He asked. 

“The girls were in school!” They both said. 

“And their brother?” Lucas laughed. 

“Oh, yeah, he was there too.” Nick waived off dismissively because just about every girl in their class and their grade had a crush on Avery. 

“And?” Lucas asked. 

“And we were invited to their house to play and like, every guy tried to date them but they refused all the offers as they simply wanted to settle into their new house. And guess what house they have? The big one! The mansion! They must be super rich to afford to build it.” Nick announced. 

“Well first off, any money that they do or don’t have is none of our business. Second off. Good for them to have enough of it to build the house to begin with. Third off, if you’re really interested in them, don’t be among those who flood those girls with romantic interest. If anything, just try to be just friendly. You’ll get a lot farther with just being those girls’ friends.” Lucas encouraged. 

“But I want Adelide to be my girlfriend!” Aiden whined. 

“Try being her friend first. Ok?” Lucas urged them before his cell phone chimed. 

‘Hi Lucas, this is Maddison Allbright, I invited your boys over to play on the playground equipment. They’re more than welcome to come anytime- as long as you’re ok with them coming over too. And when you would have a free night, I would love to have your family over for dinner or something.’ Maddison texted as Lucas smiled giddily as he stirred dinner on the stove. 

‘They just told me about the invitation. That sounds great, just say when and where and we’ll be there Addie.’ Lucas texted back. 

‘How about this Sunday night? At 6. I think you know the address.’ She texted. 

‘I do. We’ll be there. Can’t wait.’ Lucas smiled excitedly as his tail whooshed behind him happily. 

‘Us either, do you have any dietary restrictions?’ Maddison texted thoughtfully. 

‘Nope, we’ll eat just about anything. Is there anything you can bring?’ He asked. 

‘How about dessert? We don’t have any dietary restrictions either so whatever you’d like.’ Maddison offered. 

‘Apple pie it is.’ Lucas offered. 

‘Perfect.’ Maddison responded. 

Everyday after that though, his boys seemed to come home with new “news” about Maddison’s kids. How all of them were in gymnastics and martial arts. How their dad died right as the house was getting demolished. But they decided to rebuild the house anyway. And how all of their friends and family came together to help, especially with Maddison learning she was pregnant at about the same time. And how she nearly lost the baby to grief, but she, by a miracle, managed to keep it, since it was another baby boy. Who Maddison was going to name after their late father- Adrian. And how she was only 4 months away from delivering him. But that it was their father’s life insurance policy that helped build such a big and nice house in the first place and that they would own it outright. Maddison’s parents were moving into one of the other nearby houses that was also getting fixed up. But that they actually didn’t “come from money”. Which Lucas could have told them that. He recalled Maddison’s father being in construction. But he wondered if perhaps Maddison married into a little bit of it anyway. But otherwise, they were middle class just like everyone else. Which made the boys and Lucas feel less intimidated by the place and that it had a gate and a fence to keep their many pets in the yard. 

Lucas must have made a dozen apple pies, trying to make the perfect apple pie just for the dinner. The crust had to be perfectly flaky, the apples needed to be perfectly sliced and seasoned. And it had to be pretty, because Maddison and her family deserved to eat not just a great pie, but a great tasting one too. 

He had to keep his boys from actually running over there. Because it wasn’t a long walk. Only a few minutes as he carefully had the pie in a carry case. The boys practically trotted in place, trying to get there faster, always sneaking peeks at the house in question through the other trees around the area. 

But then they got to the gate and as much as Lucas felt like he knew what this place was and should be, somehow with the new fence and gate- it was somehow brand new before he pressed the call button on the keypad. 

“Come on in guys.” Came Maddison’s answer, because there was a camera set up at the keypad before the gates opened themselves to let them in and then close once they were fully inside. 

Now that this driveway was properly paved, he noticed that there were shrubs on either side of the driveway, making it, if anything idealistic and even more beautiful and now that they were in the fence, it was as if this place was put here right out of a better homes and gardens magazine. He was impressed when the doors were big and wide enough to let him in when Maddison opened the door. He was blown away with how accommodating the house was. It simply showed she kept every kind of person’s in mind when she built it. 

“Well come on in. Make yourselves at home.” Maddison invited before the other kids came downstairs, the girls with their hair all pretty from going to their temple of choice and one look at his boys and he felt resigned because those boys were about already chest deep into this puppy love they had both fallen into all week. 

And to his delight, her dining table had a special remote that would raise itself along with all the chairs to adjust to the height of the table so that they could all be around the table comfortably especially since the chairs themselves had special attachments to allow for quadrupeds too, which he and his boys really liked and appreciated. 

And sure enough, they had chicken enchiladas and Addie seemed to eat her body weight in mango salsa. It was some of the best chicken enchiladas he and his boys had ever had though. 

And to his utter delight, she had special, homemade marshmallows to go on the pie! He didn’t know such a thing could be done. But she had made like a vanilla, apple, cinnamon and caramel flavored marshmallows that melted over the pie when it was toasted in the oven to reheat it and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - it had elevated his humble pie into something extraordinary and his boys hoovered the extra marshmallows as if they had never seen or heard of sweets before in their lives. But apparently the whole family had worked together to make them so Maddison and her family were happy they were so well liked. Especially when Alexandria had a gift for cooking. And not just regular cooking, like chef- cooking school kind of cooking. 

“So what kind of horses were you thinking of getting?” Lucas asked. 

“Oh, well, these guys still need lessons too. Have any suggestions?” Maddison asked. 

“Not Blathingtons.” Lucas and his boys all said in unison. 

“Oh? Why not?” Alex asked. 

“Overpriced for what is in all honesty- subpar lessons. They’re competitors. They like to use the fact that they’ve kept champions in their overpriced stables. But of course all the attention and all the money goes into the competitors and the horses they use for lessons just don’t really get the same care or attention. They’ve ruined more horses by pushing them too hard too fast than anything.” Lucas explained. 

“You could always learn to ride on us!” Aiden offered as Maddison’s jaw dropped as Lucas nearly choked on the pie. 

“Isn’t that…demeaning though?” Maddison asked carefully. 

“Nope! We give the other bipeds rides all the time.” Nick offered. 

“Are you sure?” Maddison asked Lucas. 

“Well, because horses have their own “language” so to speak, just beginning lessons on how to put on a saddle and how to sit in one and get used to using the various nonverbal cues is a good groundwork to start with.” Lucas offered. 

“Well then how much would you charge for such lessons?” Maddison asked. 

“They’d be free.” Nick offered. 

“Nick, I know you mean well, but if you’re good at something and providing a service, you should get paid for your time and effort and ability. Just like I could hire you to shovel the snow in my driveway or cut the grass. It’s still work and you should still get paid and compensated for it. I absolutely insist.” She gently countered. 

“Well the besides Blathingtons, the usual rate is a hundred a month for a weekly lessons.” Lucas offered. 

“Now that sounds more than fair.” Maddison nodded her agreement. 

But on Monday, Maddison got the text from her kids that they would riding Nick and Avery home so that they didn’t need to be picked up but were hoping to have snacks when they would get home which Maddison was happy to make and was happy to see Alex and Avery on Nick while Aiden had Adel on him, bareback of course. 

And then once they got to the porch, her kids used the porch’s handrail of the baluster as a step ladder to get down before they all came into the house to gather around the table and do their homework while eating from the trays of snacks while Maddison made dinner for her family and potentially three more guests as she slyly got a picture of the kids all around the table and sent i to Lucas and informed him that his kids were at least doing their homework and not to worry about them, just in case he was expecting for them to be home any time soon. 

‘Just let me know when they’ve outstayed their welcome and I’ll come and get them.’ Lucas offered. 

‘They’re always welcome. I’m just happy the kids are getting along. I think the kids are bonding pretty well over losing a parent and learning to live with the loss of them. I’ve spent a fortune in therapy since my husband’s death and your boys are doing more in just talking about it than their therapist has been. They’ve to a degree “normalized” it and I can tell my kids really appreciate the fact that they’re not alone in that respect. And while I am really sorry for Amber’s loss and the devastation that’s done to you and your family. This is exactly what my kids have needed since they’ve lost their dad. You’ve done a wonderful job raising such good and thoughtful and emotionally mature and sensitive boys. Especially at this age. I know it’s been hard on you and your family. But hopefully my kids will learn from yours how to deal and cope with it better than they have.’ Maddison texted as she wiped away her silent, but grateful tears. 

Lucas’ vision blurred as he looked at his phone and without any hesitation. He turned off his stove, ignored the now clean laundry in the dryer and began to take his favorite “short cut” from his house to hers before he was met with her privacy fence. 

‘Well, any help we can offer, we’ll happily give. Do you mind if I come over and we could talk?’ He texted. 

‘Of course, I’ll open the gate again.’ She texted. 

‘Actually, I just took the shortcut, I just need this back fence door opened.’ He offered before she told him how to open it, since he was tall enough to reach over and down to get the special release to open it and once he did he was met with the same dogs who recognized him and let him through to Maddison who was quickly walking out to greet him. 

“Hey neighbor.” She tried to greet as cheerfully as she could. 

“Come on, get up on that raised garden bed, we’ll take a walk.” Lucas offered. 

“Oh, ok.” Maddison offered before she shot a quick text to her kids to let her know that her and Lucas were going to take a walk and talk parent to parent. While Lucas did the same, but emphasized the importance of being good and proper gentlemen as well as good guests in Addie’s house before he squatted down to help Maddison get on his own back easier before she wriggled to get comfortable as she had to press her pregnant belly right into his back so her legs could get into the natural narrowing behind the horse lung part of his body behind his forelegs before Adrian really started to kick at Lucas’ back. 

“Good grief, is he always like that?” Lucas asked once he stood to his full height and began to walk back to the fence get out of the yard and into the orchard to look it over. 

“Not always.” Maddison answered. 

“You should have eaten or do I need to get you back to the house to get that salsa for you?” Lucas asked. 

“No, I’m already full. It’s not the salsa…” Maddison shook her head no as she used her hold around the belt he wore that kept his shirt around his upper humanoid half. 

“Just feel like doing his gymnastics?” Lucas asked before Adrian kicked even more at his back the more he spoke. 

“Something like that.” Maddison said with a measured breath. 

“Feels like he’s bruising your ribs with those kicks.” Lucas noted. 

“He’s trying.” Maddison admitted. 

“You’ve must have had one hell of a rough time this past year.” Lucas murmured. 

“You have no idea. One minute everything is wonderful. The next moment, the floor dropped and then back to back, catastrophe after castastrophe happened.” Maddison divulged as her tears returned before Adrian seemed to stop kicking so much. 

“What happened?” Lucas asked. 

“Adrian was in an accident at work. It was a malfunction of the silicon crystal grower he was updating. That thing was known to be wonky but it grew some of the best crystals, so they put up with the wonkyness to get the crystals to use the sicon wafers that the crystals would be machined into- into computer chips. It was a catastrophic failure that killed him and everyone else on the shop floor instantly. The damn thing practically went nuclear without the toxic fall out. So I literally kissed him goodbye that morning and by lunch I get a call from his boss telling me that there had been a horrible accident. There wasn’t much left of him except for charred remains. So of course, I had no choice but to cremate what was left of him. Which he didn’t want, we wanted to buried together. But because of the nature of the accident, I couldn’t do that. I just couldn’t bury him like that.” Maddison began to weep using the flannel of his shirt and his back to cry into. 

“And then just last month, my husband’s great uncle died. And because of everything that went down with Adrian. And with Adrian being his favorite great nephew and executer of his estate, that meant that I had to be the executer of Uncle George’s estate, because Uncle George was so sympathetic that I lost Adrian and I even had moved Uncle George in to live with us at our old house as his health declined rapidly. And being the executer of that estate is so much more work than I thought it would be. And between all of that and work, and moving in, I’m just plain overwhelmed. And my kids are overwhelmed with grief too. And I thought moving into this place would help us get a fresh new start and all it’s done is give us fresh new problems.” Maddison confided. 

“I don’t know what I was thinking, buying a farm. I don’t know anything about it. I remember picking the fruit as a kid, but I don’t know about how to care for any of it. I just try to hire the best “experts” I can and I just feel like I just keep getting fleeced with each new one. Because they all of their own things that they all swear by while also dogging everyone else and everything else in the market and I’m so confused, I don’t know what way is up.” Maddison admitted as she turned her head to reach out to touch the still growing and ripening apple. 

“Well, then it’s a good thing that you have a neighbor who does know this stuff and can help. Don’t you dare try to pay me for my help either. We were always friends Addie, let’s keep it that way. I’ll help you manage this farm and do what’s best for you and it. I manage my own pretty good and I have a fruit stand and a ‘u-pick’ when it’s the right seasons for it. There’s ways to use it and manage and have it work for you too and help add some cushioning to any tight budget.” He offered. 

“Thank you Lucas, please don’t think I was…’ Maddison tried to say. 

“Hey, stop, don’t apologize. I sincerely doubt you’re the kind of person who offers a sob story to get what they want for free. You’re the opposite of it actually.” He offered. 

“Thanks, I try to be. I feel like I owe your boys for giving mine a ride home from school, like gas money, or something.” Maddison admitted. 

“Nope, don’t you dare. My boys are happy to get new friends. And we all are happy to help however we can. When we lost Amber, our whole neighborhood and our friends and family came together to help us and I got crash courses on how to do laundry and dishes. And the boys have learned how to do those things too in addition to cooking and general chores and housework. Yours will too. If anything, by coming out here, they’ll get a healthy respect to what it means to be self sufficient, and how to take pride in what you do and how to grow your own food and while we do use a rancher to get our meat, like beef and pork and things, learning how to live off the land and how to care for it properly are lessons that just aren’t really getting taught in school anymore but are now, with the economy being what it is, are becoming more and more important to learn. I know I felt like I was a wreck and it took me a good long while to learn how to pick up the pieces and be everything to my boys that they needed me to be. And you’ll learn the same things for your kids too. And especially with that little one on the way. Your hands are already so full. So if you’ll just let me, let me help you with this stuff at least ok?” Lucas brokered before he felt that baby in her belly start kicking up again before he reached back and put his hand on it and gave the little one a gentle push. 

“Hey, knock it off, your mom’s been through enough, she doesn’t need you beating her from the inside out on top of it.” He directed towards her belly before the baby practically pushed it’s head and shoulder into his hand. 

“If anything I think he likes the sound of your voice.” Maddison offered. 

“Well then should I shut up so you get a break?” Lucas asked. 

“No, if anything, while it excites him, it soothes me. It’s nice to talk to another adult who’s in the same boat you know?” She offered. 

“I know exactly what you mean.” Grinned as he was happy to simply turn and keep one hand on her belly to keep Adrian calm while using the other to look over the trees while Maddison leaned back a bit to give him room. 

“So how do they look? The trees?” She asked as she found her composure. 

“They’re looking really good. The stink bugs have gotten to a few of them. But that’s not unusual considering. Next year, we’ll get proper repellants and treatments to keep the apples in good condition. And the peaches are gonna do really good this year. And obviously, your blueberries did great. The plums will be small but still good. The apricots I think might be a bit sour, but if you dry them, they’ll sweeten up no problem.” He honestly appraised. 

“And everything else?” She asked before he turned back around and for once was happy that Adrian wasn’t kicking the snot out of his mom as he did so. 

“Everything else is looking really good. Granted you used Miracle Grow for your soil so of course, everything you planted will do really well this year. Next year we’ll have to rotate some things cause while miracle grow is great for a season, it can get bled out pretty quick. I’ll get a compost pile set up for you and next year we can tackle making your own dirt for your container plants especially. And of course keeping chickens, their manure is hot, meaning it’s really high in nitrogen, you put that in with your compost heap with charcoal from wood burning, and the carbon in the charcoal and nitrogen combine really well and it’ll grow the best tomatoes ever. And then of course, the blueberries need acidic soil, so the secret there is….” He began as he walked around the orchard and then her vineyard and then into her fence to look at her garden better and simply smiled to feel Maddison lean on his back with her arms wrapped around his waist and simply smile contentedly to hear him talk on and on as it seemed little Adrian seemed to settle down and settle in too.

Then all this talking about food, got Lucas’ stomach to start to growl. 

“Sorry, I should get the kids and head on home.” Lucas said as he then walked her back to her house. 

“Nonsense. I made dinner for all of us. It should be done cooking by now, come on in and let’s have another family meal together. I have a feeling we’ll be having a lot more of those from here on out.” Maddison insisted. 

“But I’m gonna have you lay down so I can get off of you.” Maddison invited. 

“Yup.” He readily agreed before he did just that in her yard before she slipped off only to lay on her back in the grass and begin to laugh, because she couldn’t her legs to close again. 

“Are you ok?” He asked as he moved over, still on his knees to look at her. 

“I can’t close my legs! This is how I got into this.” Maddison cackled as she put her hands to her belly as she was crying she was laughing so hard. 

“Oh.” Lucas chuckled as his cheeks flushed and he had to fight to keep his cock up in his sheath and not immediately lower. 

“Here.” He offered before he gently grabbed her knees to help them close 

“Better?” He asked. 

“Yes, thanks, now to get up.” She said as she rolled over and managed to get up on all fours only to start to laugh again. 

“Shit, I can’t get up either. This was how I got Adel.” She couldn’t stop from laughing just as the kids seemed to notice and come out just as she reached out for Lucas’ hand to help her at least sit up on her lower legs as Lucas couldn’t help but chuckle with her as he rubbed at the back of his neck as he couldn’t help but stare rather hungrily at her ass and how much he’d like to mount her if it wouldn’t practically split her in half or hurt her baby if he tried. 

“Shit, it’s been a while since I rode anything as big as you. Forgot what it felt like for a hot minute.” She admitted once she was able to finally get up to her knees just as the kids came over. 

“Are you ok?” Avery asked his mom worriedly. 

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. I just haven’t ridden in a while. I’m fine. Help me up and we can finish making dinner.” Maddison urged them before her kids helped her to her feet before Lucas finally found his own and came into the house to at least help make something of a salad and some sauteed veggies for dinner. 

And at least at dinner, Lucas could still reach over under the table to keep his hand on Maddison’s belly to keep Adrian from kicking her so badly she couldn’t eat or keep her food down. 

[avionvadion]

I'm really curious to know Mal and Eleonora's reactions to Ellis bringing his crush home on the holidays 🥺 that would be so cute! I cam see him introducing the crush as only his "close friend" but his body language and eyes speak differently 🤧🤧🤧

Oh, El knows right away. It's like looking into a mirror back to her NRC days. Ellis has zero chill and is a flustered, word-vomiting mess, and his momma sees this. As soon as Ellis and his crush are out of sight, El is smacking an oblivious Mal on the chest and being like,

"Oh my gods, oh my gods, our baby has a crush! Our baby has a crush!"

Bonus points if the crush is as elegant yet out-of-touch as Malleus is, lol. Truly, mother like son. Or, more bonus points, if the crush is from the Shroud family- and just as tall. A Megara!Shroud, lol. There is one rule, and that's that Ellis is the short one in the relationship. Always. He is a short king. Difference is, being half-fae, he can float around like Uncle Lilia.

Malleus probably tries to play nice, while still wanting to make sure the crush is "worthy" of courting one of his children, but unintentionally intimidates the crush in the process. Eleanora is awkward, but is overall really friendly and welcoming. Ellis is super embarrassed by his parents' weirdness, but he can't call them out for it because he's just as weird and honestly doesn't know why the crush likes being friends with him in the first place.

He just hopes that after being introduced to his royal family that the crush isn't scared off- especially because of how scary his dad can unintentionally be. Thankfully, Aiden and Valerie are there are make sure Ellis doesn't spontaneously combust from embarrassment in the middle of dinner.

[storiesbyshy]

Gen 1 - 12

A little boy finally joined the Hart family, Aiden Hart. While Ella and Ashton were excited to welcome their first son into the family, three kids in the house led to a conversation about whether more would come after Aiden. Ella and Ashton decided that they would just let fate decide. If they had more kids? Well then they had more kids. They had more than enough money, space, time, and love for more kids. If they didn’t have anymore kids? Then the three kids they had was more than enough and they would continue to devote all their time, care, and love into them. 

Aiden was a sunny infant, always happy, always laughing and smiling. He hardly ever cried and was a very good baby. Though the little boy had a very big appetite, causing Ashton and Ella to feed him more often then they had ever fed Aiden’s older sisters when they were infants.

Aiden also was not a big fan of the playmat. While his sister had loved being in it, playing with the toys, and having tummy time. Aiden was rarely happy in his playmat and much preferred to be held. This had worried Ella. Olivia and Mia had moved quickly through their milestones. While Olivia moved through her movement milestones faster then Mia and Mia had moved through her speech milestones faster than Olivia, Aiden was going through his milestones significant slower. Ashton hadn’t been as worried about Aiden, as he knew babies all learned at their own pace, but he was still worried and agreed with Ella that they should get an opinion from a doctor. As Ashton had thought Aiden was just moving through his milestones a bit slower than his sisters and ultimately there was nothing to be worried about. 

Back home with Aiden, Mia over heard her parents talking about how they wanted Aiden to be more comfortable in his playmat so he could meet his milestones. So the next day after school while Mia was playing with Olivia, Mia asked Olivia to start playing with Aiden while he was in his playmat. Olivia was hesitant, but after learning it would help her brother she started playing with him. As a result Aiden grew more and more comfortable in his playmat. While his big sister were given plenty praise from Ella and Ashton, after they had learned why Aiden was doing better, for Olivia and Mia being such good big sisters.

So Aiden got more and more used to playing in his playmat and learned to enjoy his tummy time. He even started meeting his speech milestones quicker after his oldest sister started to play with him even more. Aiden seemed to especially love when Mia would blow raspberries on his tummy. 

While Olivia was learning to be a good big sister from Mia. Ella and Ashton were learning to be the parents of a little boy from Dominic and Brigitte. Aiden was proving to be very different from his sisters, but that didn’t matter to his parents or his sisters. They all adored the little boy and he adored them. Aiden was now quickly moving through his milestones, due to the attention from his parents and sisters, and was now sitting up and trying baby food. While Ella and Ashton were happy for the change in Aiden, they were a little exasperated by how often their little boy needed a bath now that he was trying baby food.

[aidenr0se]

name: aiden rose bancroft - original character / para / novella nickanames: aiden rose, bug age: 23 birthday: november 23rd facing: miley cyrus established: 2011 occupation: pop star, actress, model born: nashville, current california resident siblings: vera bancroft orientation: pansexual pro nouns: she/her relationship status: taken by layne thomas pets: none, yet children: angel baby staley exes: brayden hemsworth parents: deceased smoke: yes drink: no any other doc: recovering h addict ------ timeline: 1989 to in storyline present 1993 ------ at a young age aiden was forced into childhood modeling, and began signing at the age of 9 without any lessons. she began acting at the age of 11, and retired from that at the age of 19.

at 20 she met her current partner -- while dabbling and battling an extensive addiction to dope. at nearly 21, her now partner and her separated -- reconnecting while in her first bout at rehab. coincidentally they were at the same center in hidden hills, californa. aiden was forced into rehab after her home in maibu burnt to the ground during a series of severe fires that plagued the area, shortly after the fire where she escaped without any harm, the married her now ex husband brayden -- the relationship lated 3.5 months, due to her continued use of smack, and over disdain for her then partner. she had truly never let her feelings for layne die, and she mostly married brayden out of complacency as they too, had extensive history. after signing off on her divorce papers, she recorded two tracks, which have never been played live. "bad mood" and "he's not him". in the midst of her session she overdosed and was forced into a rehab facility where she completed 60 days in patient, where her and layne reconnected. ----- the pair, layne and aiden reconnected and completed their time together, being released only 30 days ago. they were surprised to realize they were on the same tour bill for lollapalooza 1993 and have been prepping for the tour for the last three weeks. they are set to start in vancouver within the coming days. layne and aiden have had time to spend alone together, with supervised visits of course. the one drawback of label control. finally, they are on the road to the first show in vancouver bc, where they will be preforming, but also sharing a sober bus. aiden has extreme anxiety to play a saturated rock festival as a pop artist, and has prepared a list of past and new songs to play, as an opener for her beloved boyfriend's four piece band alice in chains from seattle.

overall, aiden is thrilled to have a safe sober space to retire to with her partner as both her and layne are dreading this commitment. ----- ooc note: this is my original character, that i have written since 2011. i have NO open connections this is a fxm storyline i write privately with layne's writer. IF roles become open i will make an edit here i have been rping since 2006 - please, do not fuck with me. i am not claiming to be my muse, i simply face her. our timeline is 1993 this blog was created to see what tumblr had to offer as far as ocxoc content. if you are not part of a grunge rp, you are most likely not welcome. this is a specific nice and a lot of information has to be known and known well. i was previously, maddie/maddison dolce. so if you know who that is, yes i'm back. this is for FUN and layne's writer and i are following a specific timeline. i WILL follow other oc's back if i feel a connection please don't count on it. tags that are ooc will be tagged as such. tia.

[zkretchy]

Pretty much a continuation of this from a year ago (holy shit)

also idk how to write so obviously have 1248 words of writing about the start of this whole of griffins and witchers mess or whatever you wanna call it under the cut; enjoy~

It was supposed to be simple; all of it.

Lambert was simply supposed to go forage for some food and hunt down a couple of critters for their dinner and simply supposed to scout the area for any monsters that were hidden away.

Aiden was simply supposed to go stay back at camp and start on a couple of potions they had used during their last contract and rest what was left of his healing wounds.

This forest however seems intend on making Lambert's life difficult.

He luckily hasn't come across any monsters or their nests but the whole place seems to be picked dry. A few squirrels could be heard skittering through the trees and every couple of minutes a bird chirped from far away. Fucking eerie but with the lack of anything dangerous looking him directly in the eye Lambert marched onward, intend to at least bring something home that was at least edible.

A pouch of mushrooms and berries and a young hare hanging from his belt later he decided it was time to give up and turn back. Not like these catches had made it easy for him either as hidden in the underbrush as they were. He had to literally stumble across them. Well, trip and fall into the berries at least but here he was, successful in his mission to obtain food that wasn't dried meat rationed away for actual hard times.

Leaving the denser forest set on annoying him he returned to camp where Aiden set, seemingly also set on annoying him today. He may be much fonder of the Cat than of a forest trying to hide anything that wasn't just trees but there had to be a limit somewhere of what he'd let the other Witcher get away with. He'd just have to find it.

Today may be the day as he found Aiden sitting cross-legged at camp huddled in his cloak. However he was not as alone as what couldn't have been more than an hour ago.

Hidden behind him was a long tail covered in light brown feathers and leaning on his shoulder and back was the unmistakable face of a griffin.

A small, baby griffin.

Napping.

On Aiden.

Lambert took a deep breath, bracing himself for whatever he'd learn Aiden had gotten into by staying at camp.

„Aiden.“

„Welcome back Lambs!“

„What do you have there.“

Aiden cocked his head, smirking slightly. „Well a potion of course.“

The griffin on his shoulder moved slightly, nuzzling deeper into Aiden's coat.

„I can see that. What is with...the company?“

„Oh I am glad you asked! Aren't they adorable.“

Lambert moved closer and from his new vantage point he could see what were 3 baby griffins huddled around Aiden.

The first one he saw with the mostly light brown feathers was curled around him while a somewhat bigger, darker colored one was busy trying to burrow itself as close to Aiden as humanly....griffinly? possible.

However in the Cat's lap were 2 more. Well, one more that was covered in shaggy looking dark brown feathers, peeking curiously up out of Aiden's cloak covering it and the still intact egg.

„How did you even find them?“ Lambert asked as he looked around at the cuddle pile Aiden found himself in.

„I got bored waiting for you so I decided to explore wherever you haven't run off too. Got close to some rock formations and heard these 3 cooing softly. Difficult to pick out even with Witcher senses but as soon as they noticed I was there I was surrounded and they wouldn't stop following me.“

„Please tell me you checked for their parents.“

„I did!“ Aiden exclaimed almost offended.

„Only found a ruined nest, one egg still intact and general disarray and blood-splatter from at most a week ago. Guess we could have had a griffin-contract if we'd hurried up a little, huh?“

Well, a griffin family would certainly explain the lack of life in the surrounding area.

„So you picked up a couple of baby griffins-“ „I mean they did just follow me of their own volition...“

„Kidnapped a couple of baby griffins and brought them back here. What now?“

Lambert knew Aiden had a weakness for animals, especially babies and if they were living another life he was sure Aiden would end up adopting every stray they'd come across. But this was another league. This wasn't a dog or a cat that got thrown out; these were griffins. Orphaned griffins sure but still griffins. He only hoped Aiden didn't think about raising them.

„We'll keep them of course.“

Of course. He absentmindedly wondered if the cat mutagens aided in Aiden's ease of falling in love with any animal down on their luck or if he'd been the same without them.

„Aiden...they are griffins.“

„Yes I can see that.“

„They'll grow up into big territorial...well, monsters.“

„You don't have to turn into what your parents were.“

„Don't try to use human wisdom on me when we are talking about griffins. You know, the things we are paid to hunt down.“

„They haven't harmed anyone! Yet. We have done worse than them at this point.“

Lambert pinched the bridge of his nose „Aiden.“

„I know this is stupid.“ Aiden said softly „but I can't just leave them now. I promise I haven't tried to make them follow me. I'd have left them to hunt on their own-“

Lambert looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

„...I'd have left them to hunt on their own and maybe have thrown a couple meat-scraps in their direction. But they are here now and how can you say no to this?“

Aiden picked up the griffin that was still on his shoulder, holding them up like underneath their wings.

The griffin for their part seemed unbothered by this change in position, contentedly dangling from the Cat's hands and yawning, eyes still closed.

Aiden however seemed fully intend to use his puppy dog eyes to convince Lambert.

„We can't keep them. It's hard enough to get into towns as Witchers, nevermind when we arrive with 3 to be 4 griffins.“

„Please? They are just babies...“

Lambert sighed.

„We'll move further out and take them with us. Away from people. Far away from people. If they decide to come back and cause trouble we will take care of it then but we are going to let them go. Somewhere where they can hunt because apparently their parents emptied this whole forest!“ he gesticulated to the meager gains of his hunt.

„And please don't name them and get even more attached.“ Lambert didn't think that was possible considering the current display and everything that made Aiden...Aiden but it was worth a try.

„Deal!“

Ignoring the positively beaming Cat Witcher Lambert sat down and made to empty his pouched and prepare for skinning the meat.

He also was set on ignoring the curious set of eyes of the now awake griffins who were slowly edging closer and closer to greet their new companion.

If at the end of the day Lambert was setting aside extra meat to cut into portions for the babies and if he was going through his bags to find any extra blankets or clothing to keep them warm during the night; well he wasn't going to mention it and Aiden certainly wasn't either.

[mindofharry]

In which you and harry go on a talk show and talk about your kids, marriage and the industry.

fluff and talk of hollywood - bad and good. i hope you love this as much as i do!!! feedback is welcome as always <3

James Corden was more than another talk show host to you and harry. He was a friend, a really close friend at that. Harry had known him a long time, since he was a teenager, in the early days of one direction. And he’s always been so good to harry and how you. You met James and his wife, Julia, a couple years back - 5 to be exact. You and harry had been dating only a couple months, and you were very new to the industry. You had your own fan base, and had gotten recognised before - but nothing like harry. Harry and you met at an event, and then went to an after party together and the rest was history. So with you and harry being together, you met with his friends. James and Julia were honestly the nicest and funniest people ever - you were fangirling a bit (a lot) because you remember watching Gavin and Stacey on repeat for years, James was surprised when you mentioned it.

So with you and harry being close friends with james and know you can trust him with just about anything, you knew the best person for this interview would be him. People - reporters, are begging to just have a little insight to what you and harry go through, how you met, your babies and marriage. Anything they can get their hands on. And you both, especially harry, feel ready to talk about that. So why not make this causal? Have a friend over, ask some questions and then that’s it. You’ve got the interview done and you both don’t feel any pressure.

James’ assistant asked you guys to come up with a list of things you feel completely comfortable with talking about and a list that you absolutely will not talk about at all. So for example, harry would talk about his experience in the band, but he will not talk for his other bandmates - he doesn’t want to be asked unnecessary questions that the media would just feed in to. The same with you, you want to talk about your journey, but you want to keep somethings about your journey private, and you both know james will understand that.

“You nervous?” You asked your husband, harry. He was sitting down on the sofa in your shared room - you were both waiting to be called out, you were better under pressure harry not so much.

He shook his head and you sighed, sitting down beside him placing your hand in his hair. It always calms him down. You immediately knew he was nervous, he couldn’t hide it from you. You’ve been married three years and together five, neither of you could lie to each other even if you tried. Usually harrys buzzing to go on talk shows, loving talking to people and just having fun conversations. But he’s such a private person, and so many secrets will be shared. It’s normal to be nervous about it.

“Do you want to cancel?”

Harry immediately smiled at the question. You cared so much. You were too good for him, always caring for him even if you’re not in the best place. He remembers you both caught a bad cold, but instead of resting, you made sure harry was healthy and comfortable. Or when paps were around - you made sure you were the only one on those cameras. Harry was so grateful for you. You’re the best wife, the best friend and the most amazing mother. Harry got very lucky.

“No” harry paused pecking your lips. “i’m okay, baby. just nervous y’know?” he said and you nodded placing your hand on his cheek, caressing it softly.

“Whenever you want to cut it short, we will. James knows that” you say and harry nodded before pecking your lips again. Your phone pinged, you placed your hand in your pocket pulling it to see two text messages from your mom - she’s looking after the kids tonight. You have two boys, Mika and Aiden. When you found out you were having twins all you felt was excitement. Harry was even more protective over you seen as there was two babies inside of you. The pregnancy wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. The first trimester you were in bed for most of it, second trimester wasn’t too bad, you were just tired and moody. The third trimester was an emotional one, and it was super busy. But once the twins came - everything fell into place and you both just fell in love. Now they’re both two, Mika is the oldest, but Aidan is the biggest. You could already tell they’d be heartbreakers.

The text was a picture of the two boys in front of the tv watching their favourite show miraculous lady bug - you’re not going to lie, it’s a bit of guilty pleasure for you. Cat noir and miraculous lady bug have more drama than the kardashians.

“Look at our babies” you pout showing harry a picture of your boys. Harry took your phone and zoomed in. “They’re wearing their matching gucci pjs” Harry giggled and you rolled your eyes playfully. “And they look very cute” he added and you nodded taking your phone back. A knock on the made you both stand up, harry walked towards the door of the dressing room and opened it to see one of the show producers.

The producer - Paul - walked you both through what james is doing and if we have any queries or want a break just signal him and he’ll cut it short.

“Anything at all you want, we’ll get it” Paul said as you both walked hand in hand behind him. “We want to make you both as comfortable as possible, ok?” He said stopping outside the studio door. “Yeah, thank you” you say squeezing harrys hand and kissing his shoulder. Paul and other people around the studio were around you, Harrys best friend and Manager Jeff is there and your manager Alice is there too. They both sent a comforting smile your way, you responded with a thumbs up.

Paul turned your way and you grinned.

“5, 4, 3, 2,” paul counted down and then opened the door to the studio at one. You and harry walked out hand in hand, james corden waiting on the main stage.

“Guys! Thanks for coming” James said pulling you into a hug first, kissing your cheek. You smiled as he did the same to harry. You both sat down on the purple sofa, harry placing his hand on your knee. This feels good, you thought. You feel relaxed - there’s tea and biscuits. It just feels like talking to an old friend, which really it essentially is.

“Thanks for having us” harry said rubbing his thumb against your knee, you placed your hand on it.

“Now, we all know how private you both are - especially harry. So how do you feel about coming on and sharing a lot of stuff, that y’know has been private for so long?”

You looked over at harry, it seemed like he was still calculating his answer. You answered for the both of you. “Um - it’s been a weird feeling leading up to it. Y’know i feel excitement and nervousness. But i’m glad we’re doing it together, with you. It makes it a lot easier” you say and james nodded, pointing to harry. “And how do you feel?” he asked and harry sighed placing a hand on his own knee.

“I feel nervous. Yeah. But i know i’ll feel better after i share some stuff” Harry said, giving a brief answer. Harry styles could avoid any question ever - james knew he wouldn’t be getting much out of him.

“Ok, now how are the boys?” James asked grinning, and you almost squealed. Sure, the media have seen the boys and fans know that you guys have kids, but they don’t know names or anything like that - you’re not even sure the media know they’re twins. Your pregnancy was really well hidden too, so it was a shock when people saw you and harry out with two 6 month old babies.

“They’re at home, watching they’re favourite show” you say and harry nodded “in the gucci pjs i got them too!” harry added making you and james both laugh. “They’re really good. Super healthy, Mika knows all sort of words now - we have to be super careful around him. And aiden can escape any cot” you say and james laughs again.

“That’s amazing”

Harry nodded and rubbed your knee. “Mika learned the f word” Harry said gesturing over to you and james eyes widened. “No way!” he gasped and you covered your face.

“I said it infront of him once! once!” you say and harry shook his head.

“And now he says it 4 times a day”

You tutted at him and squeezed his hand before going back to james. He looked between the two of you and just smiled before asking more questions. He just couldn’t believe how much love you two can give. You’re perfect for each other. Both so caring, loving and kind. He knew your boys would grow up to be the best kind of people because you two.

“So how did you two meet?” James asked sitting back in his chair.

“Well first we met at a one direction concert” You say and harry bit his lip to stop him smiling. “i wasn’t into singing or acting yet, and my nephew was obsessed with one direction at the time. My dad knew some people back stage so they got us VIP tickets” you say and james shook his head.

“That’s insane!” he said and you nodded.

“Harry and i actually talked for a bit before the next people came in. I wasn’t the biggest fan of them, so i wasn’t too star struck” you giggled and harry pinched your arm.

“you were totally star struck” he pouted and you laughed again.

“I thought you were liam for a full 5 minutes, harry” you say and harry sighed his hands falling into his lap. “women” he mumbled and you laughed placing a hand on his. “i’m kidding. i did mention that i loved your man bun” you say and harry nodded remembering.

“We met again three years later at an after party, when Y/N was new to the industry. We recognised each other and got talking - the rest was history” harry vaguely, making you smile.

“Now....” james said pausing a bit, making harry tense up. you rubbed his arm comforting him.

“How has being famous changed you both?” james asked looking at you first.

“um, that’s a hard one. I mean i haven’t been in the industry very long, but i can tell you i’m very cautious” you say and james nodded “i have to triple check everything, i get my assistant Alice, who’s amazing to check things for me. I constantly have to watch what i’m doing and saying” you say and pause slightly. “in my first year of being quote on quote famous, i was anxious, rude, exhausted and that whole year really changed who i was and the people i surrounded myself with” you say and james smiled at your honesty looking over at harry.

“Of course, it’s changed me. But i always felt like i was made for this life. And although i have to being really cautious about things i absolutely love this life” harry said.

“it’s definitely had it’s bad and good moments” he added and james nodded in understanding.

“As harry said, it’s had its bad moments and good moments. But we’re both really grateful that we’re here. We’re able to support our children with anything they may want and need. We’re glad that bad happened, because if it didn’t we wouldn’t be in this position”

“I get it” James said “completely. Are you able to talk about some of the bad with us?” He asked with a hopeful voice.

you laughed to yourself and looked over at harry, give him ‘the look’. As in, do you want to talk about this or not. Harry nodded and squeezed your hand.

“I mean, you get your fair share of hate” Harry said leaning foward. “I was in a boyband, people just liked to make fun of us to make them seem different, and it doesn’t bother me anymore - i’m older and learned more. But it killed me when i got the first few hate comments” harry said and you were trying to keep the tears in as you listen to harry reminisce.

“And that was hard?” james asked and harry nodded.

“I remember just sitting there and reading all of the comments. I punished myself for it” he said and you placed both hands on his. “and i know they were just jealous trolls - but it hurt, sometimes still does” harry said and james nodded.

“Every celeb goes through it - it’s sadly part of the job, and it shouldn’t be” you say shrugging.

James looked to you as if to say - i know you didn’t answer the question.

You sighed and harry kissed your temple.

“The first year into our marriage harry and i decided we wanted kids” you say, tears filling up in your eyes. “And we got pregnant pretty quickly” you paused tears falling down.

“And we lost them, pretty quickly too”

James eyes widened and shook his head. “i’m so sorry” he said and you nodded. “We were both dealing with so much from the media that we lost the baby. I was taking on way too much, and harry was going through private stuff of his own. It wasn’t our fault, i know. But i just think about if i had just calmed down and listened - would we have three children instead of two?”

“We were blessed with two little angels, and we never took them for granted, we still don’t and never will” Harry said taking over and giving the signal to paul to cut the interview short.

Paul gave the signal to james so he began wrapping it up.

“Now, before we love you and leave you, is there anything you’d like to say?”

You smiled and leaned into to harry.

“Don’t take anything for granted and choose love” you say and harry looked down at you and nodded.

“That’s all we have time for today! See you tomorrow”

You guys go the signal that the cameras were off and a bunch of people started moving around. You stood up and brought James into a hug and kissed his cheek. He pulled back “I’m sorry if i went too far with my last question” he apologised and you shook your head. “No! No! definitely not. I feel so much lighter and better after sharing it” you say with a smile.

He brought harry into a hug and they said their thanks and whatnot. Paul then guided you and harry back to the dressing room so you guys can wind down a bit before heading home.

“God, i feel so much better at that” You say twirling around. Harry placed his hands on your hips pulling you into him, pecking your lips twice. “i’m proud of us” he said and you nodded putting your arms around his neck.

“We did good. And you feel good, right?” you asked and he nodded quickly.

“Now, let’s get home to our babies”

You both sit down for about 5 minutes, going through your phones just to check up on things. Then you packed up and your managers talked you through some press things - not to listen to any comments etc. Everyone will have their opinions, you learned that very early on in your career.

“I can’t wait get home” you yawned fastening up your seatbelt. Harry nodded placing a hand on your thigh. “Takeout?” he asked and you nodded.

“Definitely”

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Hi!! I love your page! I’m a sucker for cute Derek & Isaac fics, and I’m wondering if there’s any where Isaac thinks Derek’s going to hit him? Like Isaac thinks Derek will act like his dad! Thank you!!

Hi @mountwonder! Not so specific, but here's some cute Derek and Isaac fluff.

It's Not a Slumber Party by cuteashale

(1/1 I 1,552 I General I Sterek)

It starts with Isaac. Erica's next. A week later, Boyd joins them. Stiles bursts in on them all one Saturday morning, breathless with excitement as he exclaims, “I knew it!” The next day, Stiles brings Scott over. It's not a slumber party.

Pulled Over by Nigellica

(1/1 I 1,742 I Mature I Sterek)

Deputy Derek just wants to talk to the hot guy from McDonalds, Deputy Isaac is the one who thinks its a good idea to pull the guy over. Pulling over the Sheriff's son probably isn't the greatest introduction.

I Love You by courtinator

(1/1 I 4,732 I Teen I Sterek)

Stiles convinces Derek to take an interesting approach when it comes to bonding with his pack.

People Don't Regress into Babies, do they? by TylerM

(1/1 I 4,962 I General I No Pairing)

If there had ever been a time in Derek's life where he could have foreshadowed holding a crying baby on his hip as he tried to coo at him in a comforting manner while Peter uselessly laughed at him, he most definitely would have prevented it.

You see Derek has no idea how this happened. And by this, he means Isaac somehow magically turning into a toddler.

Repeat, a toddler.

- Or the one where Isaac magically gets turned into a baby and Derek has to look after him.

home coming by orphan_account

(2/2 I 5,431 I Not Rated I No Pairing)

Derek trusts his wolf to help him find his sixth and final child to adopt out of the godforsaken care homes in Beacon Hills. Question is, does he make the right decision?

Aunt Cora's Not So Terrible Mistake by muselesswriter

(3/? I 6,338 I Not Rated I No Pairing)

Welcome to an alternative universe where Jackson, Aiden, Ethan and Isaac are kids who are adopted by the one and only Derek Hale, they've been through a lot but Derek is determined to help each one of them deal with their past traumas and help them whichever way he could, however, he had to leave for an emergency and the sane decision was to leave them with his babysitter who just moved back to Beacon Hills and never officially been introduced to the children before, many challenges face the young she-wolf, will Cora break under the pressure or will something wonderful come out of it? there's one way to find out.

Of Puppy Piles and Sugar Dreams by StarShineForMe

(16/16 I 37,728 I Mature I Sterek)

In which Isaac and Scott get de-aged, the pack must learn to bond and protect their own, and Derek ("Dewek!") and Stiles ("Sti-ewes!") are mates...even if it takes them forever and two toddlers to realize it.

“Oh, God.” Stiles buries his face in his hands, water dripping down his wrists.

“What? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Derek whips out a towel, wrapping it around Stiles’ forearms, pulling them away from Stiles’ body so he can look them over.

“I’m fine,” Stiles says, a little blankly. Erica and Boyd have set Issac and Scott back onto the floor, tickling them both into fits of giggles. He huffs out a noise that’s not quite a whimper, not quite a laugh. “Just wondering when the hell I ended up in my very own episode of ‘Teen Mom’.”

[btsqualityy]

Brooklyn is 11, Kenny 14, junior is 17, Aiden 5

———

“Daddy…” Brooklyn whines so loud that Mason can hear it in his office. “DADDY!”

Mason is working and has a lot of deadline to meet for the new group they are about to debut in a week. Kinsley is out of town. The other kids are at school but Brooklyn didn’t feel well so she got to stay home.

“What Brook?” He yells back since she’s on the couch.

She pouts even though her dad can’t see her. “I have cramps…” Mason sighs and gets up and gets her meds and water. “Thanks daddy…”

“Welcome baby” he smiles and bends down to kiss her head.

- 2 hours later -

“Daddy!” She yells again.

Mason sighs and goes to help her up. “Yes love?”

“Hot water bottle?” Brook whines and gives a pout. “Please?”

Mason warms it up for her. “Here baby”

Brooklyn thanks her. “Anything else? Hungry?”

“Nope. Thanks daddy” she said settling back down and watching tv.

- 1 hour later-

“Daddy! I have only 1 more pad left! Oh no!” She said coming to his office. “I need more.”

Mason just gets up and gets his keys. “Which kind are they Brook?”

“I don’t know. I just know they are thin” Brook said like it was the most OBVIOUS thing ever. “Mama said get the ones with wings or something like that..”

Mason sighed for like the umpteenth time. “Okay love. I’ll be back soon so you just rest.”

Brooklyn does hop back in the couch. “Thanks daddy” she said grabbing the remote. “Oh! Bring me a snack back while you’re there. Cool ranch Doritos please! Oh! And a sprite! Oh! M&Ms! BROWNIE BITES!”

“Slow down baby. Just rest.” Mason said giving her the throw blanket.

- At store in feminine item aisle - 

“Why are there so many damn choices for winged pads?!” Mason mumbles and just clears the shelf. “Now for this girls snacks then I can finish my contracts”

He’s walking away when his phone rings showing that it’s the kids school.

“Hello Mr. Kim, it’s Hejin from the academy calling in regards to Kennedy.” The assistant director says.

Basically she tells Mason that Kenny has started her cycle in gym and that she is requesting to be picked up. 

“I’ll be there as soon as possible. Thanks” Mason said speeding to self checkout.

Mason gets to the school and picks up Kennedy after bringing her a new outfit to change into (because he was not letting his baby girl leave feeling disgusting). Junior, who was walking the the hall just because he didn’t want to be in the classroom, saw his dad and sister about to leave when he ran to his locker and grabbed his things before walking out beside them.

“You literally were picking up Kenny but leaving me?! No ma’am.” Junior huffed. “So you do play favorites dad!”

Mason shoved him playfully and helped Kennedy get into the backseat after giving her some Aleve and water.

“Daddy, what about Aiden?” Kenny said looking at her father through the rear view mirror. “We should pick him up too”

Mason sighed and went down the road to the primary school. He left to go get Aiden and brought him out to the car. Junior who was being known that was looking in all the bags in the backseat and noticed all of the feminine hygiene items and sighed.

“So The reason that Kenny is going home early is because she is on her cycle which means Brooklyn is on her cycle which mean when mom comes home in two days she will be on her cycle as well.” Junior groaned. “Dad, it’s Friday so can you please let me stay at Papa and Gigi‘s house because three ladies on their cycle at with different variations of moods is not a good time in my book.”

Mason just sighed and drove home. You’re arrived home Brooklyn was waiting at the front door looking for her snacks.

“Daddy! You forgot the snacks!” She pouted over dramatically and goes back to the living room as Kenny heads to her room. Mason hears Brooklyn muttering. “ I don’t ask for a lot daddy but all I wanted was my snacks…” 

Junior just sided eyes his dad and his eyes were saying ‘I told you so’

Mason sighs and leaves the house for snacks. “The things I do for this family…”

🤣🤣🤣

The trials of mason holding down the house while Kinsley is gone 😂😂but Junior would be ready to bolt when all of their periods sync up 😭

[coolangelsthesarus]

Homecoming - C1

Reggie didn’t tell his friends when he came back to San Francisco.

For one, he wanted to return in Wrench style. Lots of fireworks, some explosives, maybe a big banner in the sky, too. Only that plan never ended up happening, since other, far more pressing issues came to the forefront. A recurring theme in his life as of late.

He liked the chaotic rush and the welcome distraction of London's DedSec as much as the next guy, but after risking his neck a few too many times, he realized he needed a little bit of a break. Besides, he had some important business he’d been keeping on the back burner for far too long now.

As some kind of thanks for the fixer work (and a little dash of flirting, perhaps?), Jordi secured him a way out of the UK with a boat ride and a plane back home whenever he needed it. Before he left, he entrusted Aiden and Jackson with keeping his safehouse and his robo-children tucked in safe and sound. He’d be back eventually… or quite quickly, depending on how things went when his flight touched ground.

Speaking of which, he glanced down at the screen on the back of the seat in front of him. It showed a satellite image of the world below and marked the plane’s flight path. A tiny plane hologram projected off the map inched closer to its destination. They were descending closer to the city now. Landing any minute now. He considered the possibilities of slipping on his mask and retreating from the real world for a little while.

While Reggie Blechman is just some weird, semi-famous engineer, Wrench is public enemy number one, baby. He didn’t need to have that kind of attention right now. And besides, it was stowed away in the belly of the plane, anyway, and excusing himself to go find a way down there would make even more of a scene. He could put on Wrench without the mask, anyway; it just made the illusion more believable. Something set off the tightly wound coil in his stomach, constricting further.

Wrench was totally, definitely not scared of going back home. Not even a little. Nope. What would he have been afraid of, anyway? Letting down his friends? Them still being mad at him? Pfft. Please. ‘Course not… ‘course not.

[Continue reading on Ao3 ->]

[havenoffandoms]

Just Fine (Aiden/Lambert)

Based on Kashimalin’s 50 Types of Kisses Prompt List

Read on Ao3

Prompt:  “Pulling away from a kiss, whispering words of love against each other’s lips.”

Summary: 

Today is the day. Lambert knows he should feel more excited at the thought of his boyfriend returning home, to the safety of Lambert’s embrace, but he can’t help the anxiety building inside him and twisting his stomach in a way he doesn’t care for in the least.

Lambert knows that he should be excited, but the sentiment is tarnished by his crippling anxiety, and he feels like the worst boyfriend in the world.

Warnings: mention of amputation, modern AU

“So, today’s the day, huh?” Eskel smirks as he watches Lambert positively vibrating with excitement where he’s sat on a chair opposite Eskel. The coffee shop is mostly empty, save for another couple in the corner exchanging kisses and giggling carelessly as they rejoice in their puppy love. Lambert chose this place because it’s closest to the airport, but admittedly the place isn’t half-bad and the coffee doesn’t taste like piss.

“Stop that, it’s creepy,” Lambert grouses as he stuffs another forkful of chocolate cake into his mouth. When he notices Eskel’s confused frown, Lambert rolls his eyes and adds pointedly, “you, being all excited on my behalf. That’s unnatural. Stop it.”

“Whatever.” Eskel takes a sip of his tea - because Eskel is the kind of person who likes to drink tea for fun - before levelling Lambert with a look that the latter knows all too well. “You’re allowed to be excited about his return, you know? It’s been a year since he-”

“I know,” Lambert quickly interrupts before Eskel has a chance to finish his sentence, “I am excited.”

“Tell your face, then.”

“Shut up, prick.”

“It’s gonna be fine, Lambert.” Eskel reaches across the table to squeeze Lambert’s clammy hand. “I know you’re worried because of his injury, but you’ll both figure it out together. You don’t love him any less for it, right?”

“Of course not,” Lambert snaps in response as he snatches his hand away, angry at the mere suggestion that his feelings for Aiden would disappear for something as superficial as a physical injury, “of course I don’t love him any less for it. It’s just…”

Eskel doesn’t press him, and Lambert is grateful for that. Truth be told, he’s not entirely sure why he feels so anxious at the thought of seeing Aiden again. It’s been a long year without his boyfriend there to warm his bed and his life. Aiden is the life of Lambert’s entire life, and a year without him felt like the longest time. A whole year went by since Aiden was deployed and has been fighting overseas, taking part in a war that has lost all meaning. He missed birthdays, holidays spent with family around a hearty meal, milestone anniversaries... A year of Lambert staying up late at night, calling Aiden whenever his connection permitted it or writing letters to send his boyfriend when speaking to him proved too difficult. A year of Lambert switching the TV or radio on every morning before heading to work, listening for the announcements and hoping he wouldn’t hear Aiden’s name listed among the soldiers that perished as part of this senseless war.

Just over a week ago, Aiden called Lambert from a military hospital overseas a short two days after he was involved in an explosion that cost the lives of hundreds of civilians and soldiers alike. While Aiden survived the blast, he sustained a considerable injury to his leg. The doctors couldn’t save it, Aiden told Lambert over the phone, the leg had to come off. Lambert remembered crying on the phone that night, not because he mourned the loss of Aiden’s leg - they were tears of relief because Aiden came this close to dying in the blast that killed so many people. Lambert came this close to losing the most important person in his life. Come home, baby, Lambert remembered begging Aiden over the phone, I need you to come home. Today is the day. Lambert knows he should feel more excited at the thought of his boyfriend returning home, to the safety of Lambert’s embrace, but he can’t help the anxiety building inside him and twisting his stomach in a way he doesn’t care for in the least. As a result of the injury he suffered, Aiden had to retire from the military early. While Lambert was happy to have his boyfriend return to him, he knew that Aiden struggled with the thought of retiring at the prime of his career. Not only is he out of a job, but his job prospects are not looking too bright, either. Aiden will have to spend time in physiotherapy, physical rehabilitation courses, counselling… Lambert knows the next months will be tough on his boyfriend.

Lambert knows that he should be excited, but the sentiment is tarnished by his crippling anxiety, and he feels like the worst boyfriend in the world.

“It’s gonna be just fine, Lamb.” Eskel sounds so sure, so confident, that Lambert is almost inclined to believe him. “I promise, brother. You and Aiden will be just fine.”

“I hope you’re right, Kel.”

The drive to the airport is longer than Lambert remembers it being. The car is filled with the sound of heavy rock and heavy metal, the loud emphatic beats and distorted guitar solos washing over Lambert in calming waves. His brothers call him weird for finding this kind of music ‘soothing’, but it works for him, so his brothers can kiss his ass. The sun is beating down on the world below, forcing Lambert to crank up the A/C in the car. He drives along miles of barbed wire, “KEEP OUT” signs and parked aircraft. Lambert checks the time on his dashboard and realises that he’s a whole half an hour early. It isn’t exactly unheard of for soldiers’ families to arrive early and prepare for their loved one’s arrival - either by setting up signs, powdering their noses or getting the children to practice a welcome home song to celebrate their parents’ triumphant return. Lambert usually just waits in the shadows until Aiden comes into view, at which point he pulls his boyfriend close to him so they can get reacquainted away from prying eyes.

Lambert pulls into the airport multistorey parking complex, and thankfully he doesn’t have to spend ages looking for a parking space. As he pulls up into a tight space, Lambert’s heart sinks in his chest. Aiden will probably be travelling in a wheelchair - and he will be using one for a while, at least until he gets his prosthetic leg fitted. There’s no way in hell that Aiden will be able to comfortably step into the car if Lambert stays parked in this spot, but what other choice does he have? He doesn’t have a disabled parking permit yet, but Lambert guesses that’s something they’ll have to think about now. Until then, all he can do is park further away from the door and hope that no one will use the bay next to the passenger side so Aiden has enough space to move comfortably. So that’s precisely what he does. Shit, is Lambert overthinking this? Is he looking for problems where there are none? The last thing he wants is to tiptoe around Aiden’s disability. The last thing he wants is to make Aiden feel like things have changed because he lost his leg.

Shit. Why is he crying now? He should be excited, goddammit.

Lambert angrily wipes the tears and steps out of the car. They’ll be just fine, that’s what Eskel said. Eskel sounded so confident, so sure of himself, but hell, what if he’s wrong? What if Aiden leaves Lambert? What if Aiden pushes Lambert away? It was probably a mistake to read up all those army wives’ blogs and the nightmarish stories about husbands shutting down and falling into depression after sustaining a serious injury. Shit, what if Lambert isn’t good enough? What if Aiden thinks that Lambert is a lousy boyfriend who can’t take well enough care of him?

Deep breaths, Lambert. In, out. In, out. In-

Shit, why are there so many people in this fucking airport? Lambert stands in his usual corner, shying away from the crowds, averting everyone’s eyes as he stares at his phone. He shoots his brothers a text in their group chat - Have I ever told u guys how much I h8 crowds? - hoping that they will understand and distract him from the panic welling up in his chest. As he waits for an answer from either Geralt or Eskel, Lambert switches to his Facebook app and scrolls through his feed. He doesn’t have to wait long until the group chat pings with Geralt’s response.

G: You’ve mentioned it once or twice… or 100

Lambert snorts as he shoots a sassy comeback.

So mentioning it 1 more time won’t hurt. I fucking h8 goddamn crowds.

A quick glance at the arrivals screen tells Lambert that Aiden’s plane landed a few short minutes ago. Not long before they are reunited and able to hug it out in the middle of the airport. At this point, Lambert doesn’t give a shit anymore about what other people think of them. He almost lost Aiden, so he will go on his knees and hug him, wheelchair be damned. Lambert looks around him and sees many families and loved ones itching to welcome the soldiers back. Some of them brought flowers, or the puppy they bought last week as a welcome-home present, and even newborn babies. Lambert wonders if he should have bought Aiden a gift to commemorate the beginning of his retirement. He feels like that would be in bad taste considering Aiden’s feelings on the matter.

The first soldiers start to filter through the door, eyes scanning the room and lighting up when they land on familiar faces. Many people cry tears of joy and relief, others manage to keep a modicum of composure, and some even let out shrill cries of joy as they are finally reunited with the people they love and cherish the most. There is still no sight of Aiden and part of Lambert worries that something happened to him in the week it took the military to organise his repatriation. Feeling the panic well up in him again, Lambert pulls out his phone and opens the group chat window. L: What if he doesn’t come back?

It doesn’t take long for his phone to vibrate with Eskel’s response.

E: As if he’d pass up an opportunity to come back to his pain in the ass boyfriend.

L: Ass.

G: He’ll come back, Lamb. He’ll come back and he’s not leaving again.

Lambert takes a deep breath as he lets these words run through his mind. Aiden is coming back. He’s coming back. He’s-

“Why, hello there,” a familiar voice breaks through the storm raging in Lambert’s head, “come here often?”

Aiden looks so… so like himself. He’s sporting that familiar cocksure grin and his eyes shimmer with all the emotions he can’t bring himself to voice. His voice sounds so self-assured, even though Lambert knows he’s only a breath away from losing it and crying tears of relief. His hair is slightly longer and Lambert can make out the familiar dark curls he loves so much. Aiden looks so much like his old self that Lambert forgets, for a short minute, that he’s missing the lower half of his left leg entirely.

“Aiden. You’re here.”

“No place I’d rather be.”

Lambert doesn’t feel himself fall to his knees until they hit the solid surface of the airport floor, cracking in protest at the impact. He lunges forward and wraps his arms around Aiden’s middle, squeezing tightly and burying his face in his boyfriend’s stomach. He’s unable to bite back the tears this time, and if Aiden notices that the soft material of his t-shirt is soaked right through, he doesn’t draw attention to it. Instead, he cards his fingers through Lambert’s short hair, softly shushing him and whispering heartfelt reassurances in the air pocket between them.

“I’m here, baby,” Aiden tells him over and over, “I’m back. I’m here, sweetheart. I love you.”

“I missed you,” Lambert hears himself say, “I missed you. I was so scared, Aiden, you don’t understand-”

“I’m here, Lamb. I’m here. You don’t have to be scared, anymore.”

They’ve got so much shit to figure out, Lambert knows. They need to think about all the adjustments they need to make to their lives, all the paperwork they’ll have to fill out, therapy sessions they have to book and medical insurance they need to update. All these things that terrified Lambert a few hours earlier, all these plans that made panic well in him and want to run for the hills… all these worries weighing him down disappear the second Lambert feels Aiden’s arms around him, squeezing him, comforting him.

“I’m not scared,” Lambert assures Aiden, pulling back and straightening up so he can place a soft kiss on Aiden’s lips. They still feel the same against his own, they still taste the same, too. Nothing has changed. Aiden is still Aiden. “Not anymore.”

“Anymore?” There’s a teasing edge in Aiden’s voice, a mocking grin tugging at his lips. “Ah, kitten. You don’t have to worry about a thing. I gotcha. Now shut up and kiss me again.”

Lambert happily obliges Aiden’s request. Their lips slot against each other like they didn’t just spend a year apart. Their kiss is tender and soft at first, but Lambert is quick to deepen it by licking Aiden’s bottom lip. Neither of them cares about the potential eyes on him - nobody is likely to pay attention to them, not when they’re all lost in the joy of being reunited with their own family members. Lambert breaks the kiss briefly to whisper a soft ‘I love you’ to Aiden. His cheeks turn red as he speaks those three words which still feel too intimate to be loudly proclaimed in public, even after all these years. Aiden steals another kiss before reciprocating the sentiment, his breath ghosting over Lambert’s lips and sending a peasant shiver coursing through his body.

They have lots of shit to figure out, but Aiden is here and he’s not going anywhere. Aiden is here, and neither of them has to deal with the situation on their own. They’ll be just fine. Everything will be just fine.