#when matt sees him in it he gets the balloons ready SO FAST

[imperfectcourt]

I want comfortable summer college jock Neil wearing a tank top, scars on full display, enjoying the sun and being stupid with his best friend Matt with no cares of the (surprisingly few) stares. He's a junior, he's old news on campus, nobody gives a shit about his drama anymore, he's captain of the exy team and he's having a waterballoon fight with Matt on the quad nearest Fox Tower and having the type of fun that passersby badly want to join in on but don't have the confidence to

[comfortwriting]

A Triwizard Baby Part 4 - F.W

Masterlist, Requesting Rules, Writing Prompt Masterlist

Fred Weasley x Fem Reader

Part 4 of my ‘Triwizard Baby’ mini-series, please read Parts 1, 2, and 3 if you haven’t already. Want to be tagged? Let me know!

Warnings: Swearing, Mention vomiting, and food/eating.

"Girls" you sighed, watching them finally stop jumping on their beds and dropping their pillows "There's something I need to tell you."

You and Angelina shared a glance, she knew and so did you - you were finally ready, to tell the truth. Hiding this - hiding the truth about you and Fred had caused you enough pain, and the longer you decided to hide this, the worse the pain would get.

"What is it?" Katie asked, already concerned, no longer giggly or excitable.

Staring and picking at your fingernails, you finally looked each of your friends in the eyes, your heart thumping in your chest with each breath.

"I'm ready to tell you" you sighed again "who the father is."

They all stayed silent except Matt's little sister, "who is it?" she asked quietly.

"Fred," you blurted out, unable to hide his name for much longer "Fred Weasley is the father."

"I've told you" Fred hissed "don't bloody speak to me!" he stormed in front of George, stamping his feet, furious his backstabbing brother would dare to even speak to him.

Fred was exhausted from sleeping in the room of requirement alone and no one to talk to, he was pissed off with his brother, frustrated that you weren't his and that everyone around him avoided him as if he had a curse. For the first time in his life, he left as if he had run out of luck.

George grabbed him by the arm "Freddie, please-"

"No!" Fred shoved George's grip off him "You're jealous, you always have been."

George opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't get a word in.

"You always have been, every girl I've been with, you've chased after when I'm done with them. You can't stand the fact I fucked her, and you've rubbed it in my face that you've knocked her up!" Fred's voice cracked "And I told you, I loved her!"

"Fred, I-"

"Do me a favour, Georgie, don't speak a word to me at the baby shower, unless you want a crib smashed against your stupid head!"

"Keep those eyes closed!" Angelina grinned, her hands covering your eyes as she walked you through the rented restaurant covered in banners, balloons, a buffet table and presents.

"I am!" you smirked, feeling slightly nervous, smelling the mouth-watering fruit juices and pies.

"Okay," Angelina smiled, removing her hands "open in three, two, one!"

Opening your eyes you looked across the huge room, your friends were all huddled together with party poppers, yelling "Surprise!" and pulling the string, confetti shooting across the room, Fred sat alone across the room, trying his hardest to show support and be happy for you, but his heartbreak was breaking through his persona better than he thought.

You were bombarded with presents for you and the baby: the new crib, clothes, socks, bottles, nappies, monitors, teddy bears, and blankets - you unwrapped everything which brought the biggest smile to your face and tears of happiness to your eyes.

Everyone made bets on whether you would have a girl or a boy, what time and day they would be born on, and how long the labour would be. Even you had to admit, you were having a good time and for the first time in a while, the smile on your face was genuine, not forced.

After hours of present opening, games, bets, and food, you and the girls cleaned up the confetti, empty plates and scrunched up wrapping paper. Fred slowly approached you and tapped you on the shoulder, turning around to look at him, your heart pained.

Tell him, everyone knows but him, just tell him!

"Freddie-"

"Y/N, can I have a moment?" he murmured.

The girls looked at the two of you standing in the middle of the room, they exchanged looks and nodded, leaving to give you both some privacy.

"I wanted to give this to you in private," Fred said softly, handing you a large faux dragon scale photo album "I ran out of time to wrap it, was up all night finishing it."

You stared down at the photo album and opened it, your heartbreaking with each turn of the page. Pictures of you and Fred throughout the years, followed by his little notes of when and where the picture was taken until you flicked to the empty pages, you stared up at him.

Tell him, now is a perfect time-

"Fred, please-"

"The blank pages are to fill with pictures of us and the baby," he said softly "that's if the father won't mind."

George entered the room again, not knowing his brother was still there.

"Y/N, I was thinking-" he stopped in his tracks, looking at his brother's face dropping.

"Congratulations, again." Fred walked away, pushing past his brother and out the door.

"They are Braxton Hicks, my dear." Madame Pomfrey waved her hand, helping you to your feet in the hospital wing.

Your hand rested on your bump "I'm sorry, what?"

After your little moment with Fred, your womb contracted and relaxed, disturbing your baby, causing it to lash out and kick against your tummy in discomfort from the contractions. You were frightened and sure you were going into labour and George rushed you to the hospital wing.

"Is she going to be okay?" George asked nervously.

"False labour pains" she replied "and if you go to the tournament tonight you'll be experiencing more of them!" she stressed.

"I can assure you I won't be doing backflips," you grumbled, "surely it will be safer for me if I sit down."

Madame Pomfrey held her nose up in the air, feeling slightly defeated "I can't stop you from going, but as long as you're sitting down and surrounded by a responsible group of friends, I don't see why you can't go."

"I'll take good care of her, I swear."

"Your brother couldn't!" Madame Pomfrey hissed "she's in this mess because of him, and I better not see you two back in here until that baby is ready!"

The loud band played along as everyone got seated high up in the stands, the girls on your left, and George on your right, you held onto his hand, still on edge from the sudden Braxton Hicks. You rested your head against his shoulder, Fred stared at the back of your head, his hands bunched into fists, regretting his decision to sit towards the back.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats, Fleur had failed, Krum evidently had too - now - it was between Cedric and Harry, the champion being a Hogwarts student was certain, but still, undecided whether that champion would belong to Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, like many others in the stands, your fingers and toes were crossed for Harry taking the win.

Out of nowhere, Cedric came stumbling out of the maze, covered in dirt, sweat, and blood, his shirt sticking to him and his hair ruffled, scratches across his delicate face. He crouched down, clearly out of breath, but so startled and shaken up that he was shaking and green in the face.

The crowd jumped to their feet, cheering for Harry and Gryffindor, holding their red banners and waving their flags in the air whilst Syltherin scowled and hid their faces in their hands.

"We need to go and see if he's alright!" Angelina panicked hearing Cho shriek, the girls got on their feet and hurried down the stairs, running out to Cedric who was now on his hands and knees on the grass, throwing up.

"Well, are you coming!?" Angelina asked George, holding out her hand.

George looked at you, he didn't want to leave you on your own and you knew it.

"Go," you reassured him "I'll be okay."

You watched Cedric gain the courage to speak, you tried to lip read but he was too far away for you to even make out a single word, but whatever he had said panicked the cheering girls and proud lads because now they were muttering, whispering and all appeared to be frightened and anxious, no longer in the mood to celebrate Harry's win.

Katie who didn't leave you behind shot a scowl at Fred who continued to stare at you, she moved closer to you whilst Angelina and George hurried back, horror across their faces.

"What's happened?" you panicked.

"It's Harry" George frowned "The cup, it was a portkey and he's gone, Cedric said-"

Angelina nudged George with her elbow, glaring at him and shaking her head "not now, George."

"No, what is it?" you demanded.

Just as George announced the news that the dark lord had returned, you felt major discomfort and a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with the pressure that increased in your pelvic, you gripped onto your bump and winced.

"George!" you panicked "It's happening!"

The father of your baby watched as you went into labour, Katie and Angelina helped you to your feet as George hurried over to Madame Pomfrey, everyone around you started to panic and gave you all the room you needed to evacuate safely back into the hospital wing - the one place you didn't want to end up twice in one day.

Leaving you behind, George stared up at Fred who was sat as still as a statute, if you weren't going to tell him, George had to, he wouldn't allow his brother to miss the birth of his child.

George stumbled over to his brother and shook him angrily "I don't want to bloody argue but listen to me!"

"George, I told you-"

"You're the dad, alright!" George yelled, "She's having your baby, you need to get to the hospital wing now!"

"What are you on about?" Fred argued, not believing the word "are you seriously-"

"Think back to the party when you played truth or dare! Think for Merlin's sake!"

Fred shut his mouth and suddenly, his world began to spin so fast his heart could've stopped.

“I want you.” you breathed, pulling away from the kiss “I want you to fuck me like you do everyone else.”

“I want you too” Fred replied, taking your hand and fleeing from the party.

“Are you ready, Y/N?” Fred asked, pulling away from your breasts.

“Yes,” you breathed out, slurring slightly “I’m ready Freddie.”

The memories suddenly flashed before his eyes, the sight of your naked body beneath his, the two of you climaxing, Fred pulling out and falling into your arms, only to wake up the next morning in an empty bed that smelled of your hair and perfume. It reminded Fred that he had forgotten to put a condom on, George wasn't lying, he is the father of your child.

Fred's eye widened and he bolted from his brother, shoving everyone aside and sprinting for his life to the hospital wing, no one and nothing could stop him now.

The doors of the hospital wing swung open, laying in your bed, tears rolled down your face as the contractions worsened, Madame Pomfrey urging you to keep pushing. Fred pulls out a chair and sits beside you, holding your hand, comforting you, kissing your forehead and encouraging you.

You opened your mouth to speak: you wanted to say sorry, to tell him you loved him, you wanted to explain everything all at once, but you were unable to - the pain increasing, causing you to scream out, tears rolling down your face.

"Almost there Y/N, you're crowning!" Madame Pomfrey announced.

Fred planted another kiss on your sweaty forehead "keep pushing sweetheart," he said softly "you're doing so bloody well!"

Within a few moments, the sound of your babies cries rang out through the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey placed the baby in your arms, encouraging you to sit back and relax - but you couldn't you still had the urge to push.

"I need to push again, "you cried, gritting your teeth "I'm not done!"

Madame Pomfrey's mouth dropped, causing her to take the baby from your arms and handing the newborn to Fred.

"What's going on?" Fred panicked, gripping onto his child, already feeling the protectiveness kick in.

"There's another baby..."

"She's having twins?!"

Fred held the elder newborn in his arms whilst the younger and smaller newborn rested in yours, both of them just like their father; a full head of ginger hair.

"They're yours." you croaked, your. throat sore from all the screaming and crying.

Fred smiled, tears forming in his eyes as he rocked the baby in his arms "I know, they look just like me... their hairs..."

"I'm so sorry, Freddie, I didn't tell you because... because I didn't know what to do, you're my best friend and I've had feelings for you since the beginning and I felt as if you didn't feel the same, I thought that me forcing a child upon you would... would ruin what we had."

"Of course I feel the same," Fred replied "I just didn't know if you did."

The two of you went silent for a moment, the twins sleeping -  they were exhausted from being brought into the world earlier than expected.

"Do you still feel the same?" you asked Fred, staring into his pride-filled brown eyes.

He nodded "Yeah, do you?"

Everything you had ever wanted finally arrived, the children you were carrying - so eager and excited to meet, and the man of your dreams, finally on the same page as you - who had been in love with you for all this time.

You looked down at the baby in your arms and then back up at Fred, "I do too."

"Shall we have a fresh start?" Fred smiled "As parents and that."

You broke out into a light laugh and smiled "I'd like that, Freddie. I'd like that a lot."

There was another silence, it felt as if the world was sleeping.

"So, when can we make another one?" Fred winked.

"When we graduate from Hogwarts!-"

"Next year?" he raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't let me finish! We need to graduate, get stable jobs and have a house with enough room!"

"So next year then?" Fred smirked, still cradling the baby.

Your furrowed your brows, unsure whether or not he was bluffing.

"Okay then, since you're all confident, let's make a bet." You smirked back.

"If I win, we make another baby, if you win... we get married," Fred said softly as the baby opened his eyes and let out a cry.

"Alright," you agreed, taking your baby from Fred, trying to breastfeed "but what is your obsession with making another one?" you asked, "we've just had twins!"

Mr and Mrs Weasley were slowly approaching the hospital wing, George following not far behind.

"Yeah, which I've only just found out are mine!"

The hospital wing doors opened, Molly and Arthur standing in the doorway, staring at you, their son, and their grandchildren.

taglist: Taglist: @amourtentiaa @horrorxweasley @alwaysnforeverfangirl@reeophidian @inglourious-imagines @sebby-staan @onlyfreds@pandaxnienke @xmalfoyweasleyx @manuosorioh@cosmiccomicloverqueen @the-romanian-is-bae @fhhsposts@cavalinhox @purple-vodka-99 @simpforweasleys2@dracoismybabey @statellitespidey @xuminghaosworld @michael-loves-chickens @simpforweasleys2 @freddie-weaselbee @itsnottlilly

[erin-bo-berin]

Double The Surprise

MASTERLIST

Prequel to Thing 1 and Thing 2

Surprise! A new fic, two days in a row? I know, who am I? This was an anon request to do a gender reveal party of the twins from Thing 1 and Thing 2, so I made it sort of a prequel. I’ve linked the fic in case you haven’t read it. One thing to note, I included Diana, but in a more normal state so no Alzheimer's or schizophrenia. I’ve wanted to write something where she was free of any illnesses, so I added her in this like that. Besides, she’d DEFINITELY be there. Also, take a shot every time I say pink and blue, lord I was getting tired of saying that myself so sorry about that. Enjoy some Spencer and the team cuteness. Happy reading!

Spencer Reid/Reader

Rating: G (fluff)

Word Count: 3,285

You knew it was a mistake to let Penelope be in charge.

Not that she was bad at it at all, in fact she was wonderful. But when she had a secret that she actually wanted to keep a surprise, her lips were sealed tighter than your old jeans.

Penelope Garcia—the technical analyst at the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and your husband, Spencer Reid’s teammate, coworker and friend—was the best at planning parties. Which is how she had gotten you and Spencer excited about the idea of a potential gender reveal party for the baby you and Spencer were expecting this fall.

You were currently 21 weeks and a bit larger than normal, although your doctor wasn’t worried. She had explained it could be due to the baby being bigger—your husband was over 6 feet after all—or perhaps you were a bit further along in your pregnancy than she first thought. Either way, at the last appointment, she had assured you that everything was looking fine.

The last appointment was also when you were able to find out the sex of the baby. 

Since you and Spencer really wanted to have a gender reveal party with your friends and the other team members of the BAU, you had invited Garcia to come along to the appointment. She would be informed of the sex and also have the results handed to her in a manila envelope, for the baker who would create the cake.

You were regretting your decision though because you were currently dying to know what baby Reid would be. It was amazing though, Garcia hadn’t even breathed the hint of a clue.

She was the worst person to keep a secret, so it was ironic when she refused to give into your pleading.

The gender reveal party was going to be this upcoming weekend, still a few days away and you were struggling with the anticipation.

The party details and planning helped curb your desire to know, though.

When Garcia had first suggested the idea, not long after you and Spencer announced your pregnancy, you were slightly hesitant about it. You didn’t know much about them or if anyone would even come. With the help of Penelope and her promise to take care of everything, you started coming around to the idea.

She was an excellent party planner because even though she took care of everything, she left plenty of room for you and Spencer to decide on details and things you wanted. Many nights were spent laying in bed, the two of you looking at gender reveal party ideas on Pinterest.

You actually thought Spencer was more excited for this party then you were. It was nice to know he was just as excited for it, though.

“Do you think she’d cave and tell us what we’re having if we surprise her with a red velvet cupcake?” you’d asked Spencer, one night that week.

“It’d probably be tempting for her, but I doubt it,” he answered you, “In fact, I’m surprised she’s kept quiet this long. She’s the worst at keeping secrets.”

“I know. I had her pegged to tell us within a day,” you huffed.

Spencer chuckled, kissing your head.

“Just think, it will be worth the wait when we find out what we’re having on Saturday.”

•

Surprisingly, Saturday did come rather fast. Although at the same time, it felt like eons to you. 

You were bursting with excitement for the party, which was to be held at David Rossi’s house.

Garcia had given you and Spencer strict instructions to not arrive until after 2 pm. She, with the help of her boyfriend Luke Alvez we’re going to be setting up everything for the party to keep the final display a surprise as well.

You were just as eager to wear the new outfit that Garcia had bought for you to wear—she really had thought of everything.

You had to admit, the ensemble was pretty cute.

You’d dressed in the sleeveless maxi dress that was designed in an alternating pink and blue chevron style and white flats that were partially hidden by the long skirt of the dress. Your bump was fully on display in the outfit, but it just made the dress seem even cuter.

It also helped that it was extremely comfy as well.

The finishing touch for the outfit was a flower crown. Yes, a flower crown. Garcia went all out when she did things, that’s for sure. 

It was a thin band of flowers that sat nicely on your head. One side was decorated with pink flowers while the other half had blue. With the entire outfit complete, you had to admit, Garcia definitely had picked a cute ensemble.

Spencer had come in just as you’d finished getting ready and whistled, making you blush.

“Why if it isn’t the sexiest baby mama around,” he grinned slyly, wrapping his arms around you from behind, “You look beautiful, Y/N.”

“You look rather charming yourself,” you chuckled.

His appearance wasn’t that much different than it was from his work attire. His suit pants and dress shirt were the same as usual, but Garcia had gotten him a pink and blue chevron tie to match your dress.

“Not exactly something I’d wear every day, but I like it,” he smiled, “Ready to find out what our baby is?”

“More than ever.”

•

The first thing you saw when entering Rossi’s backyard was a sign on the iron gate door to his backyard. 

There were a handful of pink and blue cardboard, cutout circles hanging on the gate door, along with a pink and blue cutout onesie that said We’re here for the sex. It made you laugh. This definitely had Garcia written all over it.

“I’m sure Rossi is thrilled with that hanging on his gate door,” Spencer laughed.

He took your hand and pushed the gate open into a pink and blue wonderland. 

You gasped as the two of you walked further into the backyard. Not only was the actual decorations and set up amazing, but the turnout was just as shocking.

The entire team was there; Emily Prentiss, Matt Simmons, his wife Kristy and all five kids—you’d specifically told Penelope that all the BAU kids were welcomed, you had a special place in your heart for them, just as she did.

JJ was there with her husband Will and her two boys Henry and Michael. Tara Lewis was there as well, always ready for a get together. Of course David Rossi was there as well with his third wife Krystall that he’d recently married again.

Luke and Penelope were of course in attendance, but what surprised you most was seeing the unexpected and surprise guests that Garcia had most definitely arranged to show up.

Former Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner was there with Jack, who was now taller than you. They both greeted you with a hug and their congratulations. Jack said he was mostly excited for cake and you couldn’t argue with that.

Derek Morgan, wife Savannah and little Hank Spencer Morgan had made it too. These kids were growing faster than you would like because now little Hank was 4 quickly approaching 5.

“Pretty boy!” Morgan greeted, hugging Spencer tightly, “It’s about time you became a father.”

You greeted Savannah and Hank, who was in his mother’s arms, suddenly a lot shyer than normal. After speaking to them both for a minute, they too went back to socializing with the others.

What was most surprising was seeing your parents and Spencer’s mom, Diana Reid.

“Mom! Dad!” you exclaimed, hugging them.

“Mom!” Spencer said, hugging Diana, “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“You think I was going to miss my grandbaby’s first party? I think not,” she grinned.

After greeting your parents, you hugged Diana yourself.

“It’s so good to see you Mrs. Reid,” you kissed her cheek.

It had been a little bit since you’d last traveled to Las Vegas with Spencer to visit her, not long after you’d married. Before that, you’d seen her at the wedding.

“Oh honey, you know I told you to call me Diana,” she beamed, “You’re the Mrs. Reid around here. How are you feeling?”

She rubbed a hand across your belly and you smiled.

“Feeling rather large, if I do say so myself,” you chuckled.

“Well there’s a good reason for that,” she winked, making your brows furrow in confusion.

Garcia was just on her way over to the three of you as Diana spoke and suddenly, she sped up, rushing over.

“Diana! How about I get you some punch and refreshments!” Garcia exclaimed, leading Diana away.

She turned to you and Spencer as she led his mother away.

“Take some time and look around before we do the reveal!” Garcia hollered.

“Come on, I wanna check things out,” you told Spencer.

You were beaming so big that he couldn’t help but chuckle and indulge you. He was pretty curious to check out everything too.

First off, there were pink and blue balloons everywhere. 

At the table where the food and refreshments were at, were gold letter balloons that spelled out the phrase Oh baby. 

The actual food spread was rather impressive too. There were finger sandwiches of chicken salad, turkey and ham, mixed nuts, vegetable plates with dip and of course, much to your delight was Alvez’s homemade salsa and guacamole, along with chips to dip. You’d be eating good this afternoon, that’s for sure.

The sweets were all gender themed, which was an adorable touch.

There were blue and pink chocolate covered strawberries, blue and pink cake pops—a mustache on the blue cake pop sticks and a bow on the pink ones—and hilariously enough, there were M&Ms in two bowls. One with peanuts were labeled Nuts and the other with plain was labeled No Nuts, hence the mystery of the baby’s sex.

“That’s ingenious,” Spencer commented, laughing, grabbing a handful of some.

There were blue plates with matching napkins and pink plates with pink napkins, along with alternating blue and pink jars that held the opposing color of plastic ware in them. 

At the very end of the refreshments table sat two huge glass jugs with spigots filled with blue and pink drinks. The blue was named Bouncing Blue Punch whereas the pink was Sweet Pink Lemonade.

“Wow, Luke and Penelope really went all out,” you gaped, amazed.

“And you haven’t even seen the best parts,” Garcia said, seemingly appearing out of thin air next to you, “Come on!”

She tugged on your arm excitedly, dragging you to another section of the party. You laughed, trying to keep up with her, looking behind you at a grinning Spencer who was following behind the two of you.

The first thing she had to show you, made you tear up thanks to the damn pregnancy hormones.

It was a canvas of animals in a little hot air balloon and the “balloons” were made up of thumbprints from all the guests, in the color of their guess of the baby’s gender. Even the kids had all done one.

There were a variety of pink and blue thumbprints, each one signed by the person. At the bottom of the canvas it read: Oh the places you’ll go.

“We all made our guesses and I put this together a week ago so it would be dry and ready to display for today,” Garcia beamed.

“I love it,” you said, your hand covering your mouth, still shocked at how beautiful it was, “Spence, this is going up in the nursery for sure.”

“Definitely,” he nodded, looking at it himself.

“This is amazing. Thank you, Garcia,” you breathed.

“Oh honey, we’re just getting started on the tour. Come on, there’s more to see.”

The next display was another interactive guessing game.

This was a chalkboard that read Twinkle, Twinkle, little star. How we wonder what you are!

One side of the board represented the boy votes and the other represented the girl votes.

“This is where everyone was able to vote as they came in with their guess,” she said.

You looked closer. So far a girl was winning by two.

“I also included two more interactive little games,” Garcia said, leading you to two more chalkboards.

One had Guess The Date written on it and the entire month of September written out. Your due date was approximately September 25th, which was listed at the top and sticky notes covered the dates of different attendee’s guesses on when the baby would arrive.

“Oh that is super cute,” you laughed.

Your eyes scanned over the numerous guesses.

Some had guessed as early as September 6th and others had guessed as late as September 30th.

“Pinterest, I’m telling you,” Garcia quipped.

The next board had a list of girls and boys names. Underneath the board and easel on each side was a basket, in the matching colors, slips of paper inside.

“This here is where the guests have tried to guess what your number one name for a boy and a girl is,” Garcia explained.

“So that explains why you asked for our top name for a boy and a girl,” Spencer mused.

“Yup.”

You looked at each column. There were a total of five names on each side.

The boys’ column included:

Carl

Aidan

Luke

Alexander

Matthew

The girls’ column included:

Daisy

Abrielle

Gabriella

Penelope

Paige

“Penelope? Luke?” you chuckled.

“Hey, for all they know you could be naming a kid after us!” she protested.

You smiled, seeing yours and Spencer’s top two picks on the lists—Abrielle for a girl or Alexander for a boy.

“Last but not least,” Garcia beamed, “You gotta see the cake. It’s amazing.”

The three of you walked to a table in the middle of the party where there were two chairs and a cake resting on the table.

“Obviously since it’s baby Reid, you two will be the center of attention,” Penelope said.

On the table was a beautiful cake decorated with blue and pink icing roses. One side was strictly pink roses and the other blue. The finishing touch was the various sized edible pearls that had been delicately placed in the center of each flower.

You audibly gasped.

“Penelope, it’s gorgeous!”

“Isn’t it though? I was in awe when I picked it up,” she commented.

“So the inside will be the reveal, right?” Spencer asked.

“Yes sir,” she smiled, “You guys ready to find out the gender?”

“Yes, please!”

You were practically bouncing on your heels like a child eagerly awaiting candy.

“First, I wanted to give you guys a little gift,” Garcia said, rushing over to the table where Luke sat, holding a gift bag.

“Garcia, you know we said no gifts!” you protested.

“Yeah, I know. But you know me,” she scurried back over, handing you the bag, “I can’t keep huge secrets.”

“What are you talking about?” you laughed, opening the bag.

Inside was a simple, cute, white baby onesie.

On the front, it said We’re having a baby! with the word baby scratched out.

“Why’s the word baby crossed out?” Spencer asked, peering over your shoulder at it.

He seemed to be just as puzzled as you were.

“Wait, there’s something else in the bag,” you observed, reaching in to pull out the second object.

It was a second white onesie that read Make that TWO babies!

“I couldn’t keep such a big secret obviously, so I told the entire team and they wanted to chip in on a present to announce it to you—this isn't all the gift though.”

You were stunned beyond belief and absolutely overjoyed.

“Twins?! Spence, did you hear that? We’re having twins!”

You turned to see your husband as white as a ghost, starting to sway.

“I-I-I think I need to sit for a moment,” he stammered, falling into the nearby metal folding chair.

“Spence, you okay?” 

You rushed to his side—as fast as your pregnant body would let you, that.

“Yeah, fine,” he muttered, still looking dazed, “Everything just started spinning there for a moment.”

Garcia was by his side with an unused paper plate, fanning him, just in case he was actually going to pass out.

The rest of the party’s eyes were on the spectacle, all of them clearly amused.

“Who knew the kid could create twins! Even his sperm is brilliant,” Derek hollered.

Everyone laughed at that and the fact that Savannah immediately stuck a sandwich in his mouth to quiet him.

“There are kids here, Derek!” she whispered loudly.

“Twins, huh?” Spencer asked.

The poor thing looked dumbstruck. 

“You sure you’re okay Spencer?” you asked, worried.

It’s like it took him a moment for it to finally sink in because he turned to you, a big grin on his face.

“Y/N, we’re having twins!”

He grabbed your face, kissing you, not caring about all the onlookers. You turned scarlet when he pulled away, a tad bit embarrassed that everyone was watching, but you were just as happy as him, so you couldn’t complain.

“My baby boy is going to have twins,” Diana smiled, coming over to wrap her son in a hug, “I was so excited when I heard that I almost ruined the surprise earlier!”

“Oh so that’s what you meant?” you asked, laughing.

That was definitely a good reason for you to be larger than normal. Your body was home to not one but two babies for the next little while.

“You knew, mom?” Spencer asked.

“Oh of course, Penelope called everyone,” Diana answered.

“You know I can’t keep a secret!” Garcia exclaimed, “This was my biggest one yet! It was the only way I could make it without bursting.”

“Speaking of everyone else,” JJ said, bringing up another, slightly larger gift bag, “This is from all of us, Hotch and Morgan included.”

“You wanna open it?” you asked Spencer.

He shook his head, indicating you could, so you did.

You pulled out a long, wood, plaque that read:

Our family is growing by

4 feet

and

2 hearts 

At the bottom, there was an engraving.

Reid Twins

It was absolutely perfect.

There were definitely tears on your end as you made your rounds hugging everyone and saying your thank yous.

You made your way back to the center table to Garcia, who you gave another huge hug.

“Thank you so much for putting together such an amazing party,” you said.

“It was my pleasure,” she smiled.

“Cut the cake already!” Both Jack and Henry hollered simultaneously, making everyone chuckle.

“I can’t argue with that, now can I?” you responded.

You managed to pull Spencer away from the conversation he was having with some of the guests and you both put your hands on the knife, cutting through the cake. It reminded you of your wedding reception, but this was ten times more exciting; you were expanding your family with the man you were in love with.

The entire backyard counted down.

“THREE!”

You looked over at Spencer, a big smile on your face. At this point, you didn’t think much more could surprise you than the news of having twins.

“TWO!”

He winked at you, silently reassuring you that no matter what the result, you two would raise these babies as a team.

“ONE!”

You both lifted up the slice, revealing a two layer cake; one layer was pink and one was blue.

“It’s a boy and a girl!” Spencer cheered.

You were pretty sure this day couldn’t get any better. 

You and Spencer would soon be welcoming fraternal twins; Abrielle Jade Reid and Spencer Alexander Reid. 

Little Abbie and Alex were going to be incredibly loved.

TAG LIST: @dreatine​ @reid-187​ @groovyreid​ @reidslibra​ @suvikamahes98blr​ @fuckthealarm​ @iamburdened​ @cindywayne​ @queenofmischief​ @tinyminy88​ @sundippedprincess​ @missprettyboy​ @hushlilbabydoll​ @sammy-jo1977​ @haileymorelikestupid​ @lemonypink​ @multifandommandy​ @teamkiall​ @redbullchick​ @ifeelloved​ @one-sweet-gubler​ @nanocoool​ @delightfullyspeedyearthquake​ @unsteadyimagines​ @ughitsbaby​ @inkwiet​ @pennythetechgoddess​ @capt-engr-ssa​ @sixx-sic-sixx​ @spencersdolore​ @reidsstudies​ @disney-dreams-world​ @chocolatecalzoneherringbonk @mggwhore​ @andiebeaword​ @cupcake525​ @be-the-bravest​ @gretaamyk​ @likelovers @hopebaker​ @prisonreid​ @httpnxtt​ @daviddoughboy​ @pastathighs​ @marvels-gurl​ @blushingspencer​ @pretty-boy-gubler​ @victorzsaszmydaddy​ @inlovewithamess​ @im-inlovewith-mycar​

[doodlingstuff]

Neil’s (fake) B-day

Let’s celebrate my boy’s birthday with some fluff :)

All likes, shares, kudos and comments make my day shine. Thanks for reading ❤

***

( Chapter 14 of Comeback)

Andrew was definitely allowing himself to get carried away by Neil’s joy, otherwise, there is no logical explanation as to why he is driving the pipe dream towards the stadium instead of Fox Tower after he got Abby’s clearance to get back to classes. They could be using each other time’s in more pleasant ways, but then again, Neil loves his newfound family and all their nonsense. And Andrew is no one to take that away from him. Even less after everyone thought they’d lost him for good. Twice.  

Matt’s massive truck and Allison’s hideous atrocity are already there when they arrive. Neil is still too unsteady to walk that much from the parking lot to the court on his own, and he is too stubborn to use any walking aid, but Andrew has proved his talent as a reliable walking stick, so he lets the striker hold to his arm and squeeze it all the way.  

As Andrew knew beforehand, the lounge is covered with streamers, balloons, confetti, and an enormous Happy Birthday sign.  

Every Fox approaches Neil with a big smile. Some dare to pat him on the shoulder and Matt ruffles his hair. Almost everyone gives him presents and of course, the boy looks lost. He turns to see Andrew, but it wasn’t his idea, so he won’t make it easy, although there is the faint ghost of a smile trying to break free as Neil gets more and more confused.  

 “Happy birthday kid.” Coach is the last one to approach and the striker finally finds it in him to talk.  

 “Thank you? It’s-It’s not my birthday, tho”

  His comment is received by a well-deserved couple of pairs of eye rolls.  

 “Some things never change, do they?” Aaron asks. Her cheerleader shushes him with an elbow on the ribs. Maybe Andrew doesn’t hate the woman that much after all.  

 “Sweet baby, don’t tell me you forgot your own birthday,” Nicky says.  

 “It’s March 31, Neil! We promised you a party!” Matt follows with one of his brightest smiles.  

 The auburn-haired turns to look at Andrew as if he’d had any part in that. He was only the driver and his attention is drifting away from the happy reunion as he eyes the big cake on the back. That may be worth the bother.  

 “Told you my birthday was in January,” Neil says, clearly uncomfortable.  

 “And you were getting killed then.” Allison goes on. “You deserve a birthday party. Even if it’s not your real birthday.”  

 “But-”  

 “Lookit this way,” Nicky interrupts. “You get to celebrate twice every year. Sounds like a dream.”  

 Neil looks like he wants to keep arguing, but  Wymack   steps in before. “Shut the fuck up before I get sick. These morons made you a party. Enjoy it and stop looking like a stray cat for once.”  

 The next argument in Neil’s tongue dies as everyone starts to roll food around. They are smart enough to restrain themselves from singing and the cake finally arrives. Since the junkie is happy talking to everyone and watching wide-eyed all his presents, Andrew can distract himself by seeing how many slices of birthday cake he can eat before getting sick of it. As if that was possible. It’s easier for Kevin to die from diabetes just by watching.  

 "Alright. Time to get serious.”  Wymack   is clapping to get everyone’s attention after they all are stuffed and ready to pass out. It takes almost fifteen minutes for the team to clear their heads and gather in the sofas around their Coach.  

 “As you know, we are too far away to have a normal championship, but after how things unfurled for the Ravens,” He spares a brief glance towards Andrew that the twin dismisses “They decided to get them back to their original district. That said, championships will be only a single round of deathmatches to be played on the same day. Winner teams will be qualified by points scored. The two best go directly for the championship and the rest can wait until next season.”  

 “I still don’t know which team we will be facing but from now I tell you that for once, it doesn’t matter the score. This year had brought a shitload of problems I hope I never have to face again, but we made it to this round, so  let's   take the chance as best as we can and keep showing we are not a joke anymore.  

 Wymack   is faster to keep talking before his shortest striker speaks “As for you Neil, don’t even expect to play more than five minutes. You are allowed back to practices, but I will strangle you myself if you pull another fucking stunt in the court. Depending on how you do and in the remote chance we pass, I might think about letting you play the full final match. Doubts?”  

 Everyone shook their heads or deny. Andrew can’t take the perspective of getting back to practices, but Neil is radiating energy only with the perspective of five minutes on a match, so he abstains from complaining as Kevin starts talking endlessly about every single plan and strategy he’s plotted during the past months.  

 Andrew can’t wait to get out of there, but if Neil is happy, he can stay a bit longer.  

 Campus is swollen by darkness when they get out of the gathering. Nicky spends the short ride speaking, as he always does, and Kevin is making a tantrum from traveling in the back. Andrew can’t care less. If he doesn’t like it, he can walk to Fox Tower or catch a ride with the rest.  

 When they arrive at the building, Andrew takes Neil’s duffel bag and motions towards the elevator. The junkie is about to protest, but he is finally learning to tell when he’s tired and the night hasn’t ended for them, so he steps into the elevator.  

 Andrew has the door of the dorm open for Neil. They step in and the blond makes way to the bedroom. He dumps the duffel bag on the bed and looks for the things he stuffed in there before heading out.  

 “Wait.” There it goes. The cogwheels inside the junkie’s brain finally move. Nicky and Aaron pause their silly game to see “This is not my dorm.”  

 “It is now.” Neil looks for the lie in Andrew’s eyes and then he sees Nicky laughing as bills pass between him, the other twin, and even Kevin.  

 “You are such a cute thing. Andrew kicked Aaron out as soon he knew you weren’t dying.”  

 Neil  looks   startled from Nicky’s gigantic smile to Andrew’s shrug. They had shared enough nightmares and had slept together so many times for it to be a scandal, but it was until then when the blond realizes he didn’t ask. He just acted out of spite because he wanted to have Neil close.  

 A big smile spreads on the striker’s face and then he follows Andrew to the roof.  

 After three cigarettes, Andrew still can’t find how to get this over with. They had talked about bigger demons before. They had  shared   more intimacy. It shouldn’t be a big deal. Still, his voice is almost scared when he talks.  

 “Enjoyed your party?”  

 Icy eyes send a wave of shivers down his spine. “I guess. I’ve never had one.”  

 “And you won’t ask me why I didn’t get you a present?”  

 “Do you want me to? I don’t need presents. And you had given me much more.”  

 “Then shut up.” He says and finally drops the contents of his pocket in Neil’s hands.  

 Minutes pass before the striker can talk again. “My phone and keys.”  

 “You left them on purpose.” There is a hard swallow traveling down Neil’s throat.  

 “Told you I never thought I’ll stay. And... I couldn’t be Neil Josten in the Nest. If I took these, they would’ve been more reminders of the life I couldn’t have anymore.”  

 “You have it now.” The official IDs sent by Kengo are still unbelievable to Neil. He nods as he grips the objects in his hands. The proofs that he is real, that he didn’t come out from Andrew’s drugged mind and he will stay. Probably.  

 “And this is your present.” The blond drops a packet of cigarettes in Neil’s lap. He looks bewildered and attempts to give them back.  

 “Abby says I shouldn’t smoke again.”  

 There is no point in explaining things to the pretty idiot, so Andrew settles for looking at him until he opens the damn box and takes out a couple of pieces of cloth.  

 “You want me to sew your socks?”  

 “Don’t be stupid,” Andrew replies while pulling up his sleeves. Maybe Neil can get the hint that way.  

 “Armbands?”  

 “It’s already hot as fucking hell and you keep wearing long sleeves.”  

 Realization crosses fast through his face. If the junkie thought Andrew wouldn’t notice he didn’t want the scars on his wrists on display, he was even dumber than how he looked.  

 “Thank you,” The red-haired says while slipping the pieces of cloth through his hands.  

 Words are burning Andrew’s throat worse than the smoke of his sixth cigarette. He doesn’t want a      no    , but he knows he won’t be in peace if he doesn’t ask. “Will you stay now?”  

 “I haven’t gone anywhere.”  

 The blond only spares a glance at Neil. He doesn’t want to explain. However, as silence stretches, he knows he needs to make sure the point is understood just in case Neil is indeed stupid or Andrew hasn’t been clear enough.  

 “Last year I told you to give me your back and stay. You ran away and did the exact opposite. You’re not in danger anymore. The promise stands. I’m just asking again.”  

 A wild river clashes with sweet honey. For the first time in a long, long while, Andrew can’t tell what hiding those eyes are hiding. He is the one with the blank expression, not Neil. Silence keeps growing between them. The blond is sure he talked too soon. He is expecting the dream to vanish because it has been a big strike of consecutive good weeks and nothing lasts forever. He doesn’t forget that.  

 “Your memory isn’t so perfect after all.” Andrew is startled by the comment. Of course, it is. A fucking burden he never asked to have. A good thing when it comes to Neil and the bright  smiles   he gives. The twin starts digging if he had any other slips like the room swap without asking first, but he can’t find any. “I said yes. Always yes.”  

 “It was a different question.” Relief spreads as he speaks.  

 “But the answer is always yes.” The blank stare is quickly replaced by a big smile.  

 Andrew knows he has to tell him that always can’t be his answer for everything, that there will be times when it’s no, that he will respect any change of mind, that he doesn’t want to force it, that he is afraid everything is still an illusion, but Neil is so close and he has talked so much, that the only thing he manages is a soft growl as the striker´s lips are near his neck, and then, every objection gets drowned in a kiss.  

“One condition,” Neil says when they part. “You don’t protect me. We protect each other.”  

Every complaint dies even before Andrew can voice it because it is true.

Before Neil said it, he gave his life willingly for Andrew, and the blond had turned the world upside down in a week to keep the pipe dream safe. The promise was fulfilled before it was made.  

Regardless, it’s the first time someone says to him anything like that, and it fills his chest with something so powerful and strange that he isn’t sure if his life is really this good. Perhaps he died in juvie, or in Thanksgiving, or in Easthaven, and this is all a weird fantasy created to bear the boredom of being in hell.  

When they return to the dorms, neither asks before getting inside the same bed to fall asleep with their fingers intertwined.  

 If always feels like this, Andrew can get used to having it.  

[tabloidtoc]

Star, March 8

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: George Clooney vs. Brad Pitt -- the fight that ended their friendship

Page 1: Scott Disick's mid-life makeover -- some guys buy a convertible but Scott already has a garage full of fancy rides, so what else to do when you're edging close to 40, split from the mom of your three kids and are already dating a 19-year-old model? Well, bleach your hair platinum, of course!

Page 2: Contents, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary with a couple's surf session

Page 3: Star Shots -- John Legend wore an eye-catching sweater to a photoshoot in West Hollywood, Anya Taylor-Joy stunned in a crimson gown on the set of an untitled David O. Russell-directed period film, Jason Sudeikis grabbed a bite during a break from filming Ted Lasso's second season in London

Page 4: After hosting countless rose ceremonies over nearly two decades of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Chris Harrison is now in the hot seat himself and facing backlash for defending current Bachelor frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell who's been accused of racist behavior -- the next day, Chris apologized and said he was stepping aside as host of the dating reality series but the damage was done as Rachel Lindsay who is the first Black lead in the franchise's history revealed she won't renew her Bachelor contract and current Bachelor Matt James supported her -- as for Chris, the fallout continues as Crest are considering pulling down ads featuring him but with critics calling for his ouster Chris wants his job back and no one at ABC wants to see him replaced but those conversations are happening

Page 5: Miley Cyrus has an idea how to help Britney Spears in her legal battle to replace dad Jamie Spears as her conservator -- Miley is hoping she and Britney can record a classic song together like an anthem like Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves or Enough Is Enough and she's hoping to get Britney on board but that may be a challenge with the legal restrictions in place

* Mom-of-eight Kate Gosselin didn't get what she was asking for on her house in Pennsylvania -- it's upsetting that she got less than she paid for it but her hand was forced; it costs a lot to keep up a house like that on 20-plus acres and with years of roughhousing, it needs a lot of work -- with twins Mady and Cara already in college and the sextuplets growing up, Kate hopes to jump-start her career and she's dying to leave Pennsylvania and head to Hollywood

* Paris Hilton's boyfriend of just over a year Carter Reum dropped to one knee on a gorgeous private beach and offered Paris his heart and a sparkler from Cartier and she said yes -- close family was on hand to celebrate the couple who have been friends for 15 years and the party went on well into the evening -- now Paris is already making wedding plans for something simple and elegant with a gorgeous dinner and the couple is ready to start a family sooner rather than later and she's hinted she's already started IVF and if she gets pregnant they'll just push up the wedding

Page 6: Ryan Gosling needed some time off after 2018's moon-landing biopic First Man because he really became Neil Armstrong during the six months of shooting and he was absolutely drained after finishing it and he spent the next two years with wife Eva Mendes being a full-time dad to their two young kids -- now he's back and with three movies lined up, he's looking at a $75 million paycheck this year -- in addition to The Gray Man, he's gearing up for a Wolfman update and another space adventure called Project Hail Mary -- he wants to be a popcorn-movie star and he's going full-blown buff-and-shirtless action hero

* Allen v. Farrow is a new investigation into 1992 allegations about Woody Allen by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow and her mother Mia Farrow that digs up damning new evidence against the director -- one harrowing home video shows the then-7-year-old Dylan saying her dad touched her privates and later a doorman and a building manager and a maid at Allen's NYC residence raise questions about when Woody began his shocking relationship with Mia's teen daughter Soon-Yi -- Mia also expresses fear in the doc, saying she worries that when the documentary comes out he'll be on the attack again and he'll do whatever he has to do to save himself

* Star Spots the Stars -- Julia Roberts, Joe Jonas, Luann de Lesseps, Christina Aguilera, Kaia Gerber, Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young

Page 8: Star Shots -- With balloons and a box of chocolate in hand lifestyle expert Gretta Monahan arrived at The View, Melissa Gorga snacked on a huge box of sweets between Zoom interviews to promote the 11 season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Vanessa Lachey prepared to host a Galentine's Day celebration with macarons and wine

Page 10: Jenna Dewan making a plant-based meal, Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn and her husband Christian Richard sipped juice bar drinks while running errands in Beverly Hills, Hugh Grant stopped to tend to his laces while out for a walk in Chelsea in West London, Carrie Underwood prepped for her daily workout session in pieces from her Calia fitness apparel line

Page 12: After a stop at the Kidding Around children's store Bradley Cooper had his hands full walking with his daughter Lea in NYC, Sofia Vergara chic in a blowout and patterned top in Beverly Hills, Justin Bieber looked comfy in a message tee and pajama bottoms in L.A.

Page 13: Thandie Newton looked tense while Chris Pine hit the ground running as the two filmed the spy thriller All the Old Knives in London, Jon Bernthal braved the frigid water while Gretchen Mol bundled up on the set of American Gigolo in L.A.

Page 14: Think Pink -- Jennifer Lopez hoisted an oversized customized bubble-gum hued Coach satchel in a promo shot in NYC, Cardi B slipped on neon sneakers from her Reebok collaboration to shop on Rodeo Drive in L.A., Hilary Duff showing off a peek of her growing baby bump on the set of Younger in NYC

Page 16: In town to film The Hills: New Beginnings with their castmates Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag played in the snow with their son Gunner in Lake Tahoe

Page 17: Mandy Moore and husband Taylor Goldsmith celebrated their last Valentine's Day before parenthood with a romantic stroll in Pasadena, Michelle Obama on her new children's show Waffles + Mochi

Page 18: Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay in NYC, hiding her locks in a cute newsboy cap Brooke Burke grabbed dinner at Nobu in Malibu, Krysten Ritter brought her son Bruce to meet some farm animals at the Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita

Page 20: Normal or Not? Farrah Abraham suffered a serious wardrobe malfunction while hitting the sand in Malibu -- not normal, Nikki Reed gushing over her therapy chicken -- normal, Property Brothers' Drew Scott booty bumpin' with wife Linda Phan -- not normal, Lucy Hale lovingly held onto her new dog Ethel while fueling up her ride in L.A. -- normal

Page 22: Fashion -- stars in pastel frocks -- Heidi Klum, Sophia Bush, Chrissy Teigen

Page 23: Rihanna, Kirsten Dunst

Page 26: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are having sexy slumber parties at Kourtney's $8.5 million Calabasas pad and they are spending so much time together and she loves having him sleep over and he'll stay the whole weekend -- Travis who has lived nearby in the gated community for years is already making himself at home and not only has he moved a bunch of stuff into Kourtney's property but she leaves him to chill out and enjoy his space if she has to run errands -- even if it seems the couple is moving and moving in fast, their respective broods are on board with the new arrangement and Kourtney's kids Mason, Penelope and Reign love having Travis around and meanwhile the door is always open for Travis' kids Alabama and Landon, and Travis and Kourtney do a lot of fun stuff with their kids together -- there's already speculation that the move-in will be permanent because Kourtney knows a good thing when she sees it and Travis checks all the boxes

Page 27: Meeting the in-laws might be a little complicated for newly engaged Shailene Woodley and Aaron Rodgers because the Green Bay Packers QB is famously estranged from his Chico, California-based family -- in 2016 Aaron's younger brother Jordan Rodgers exposed the rift while competing on The Bachelorette and at the time, fans blamed Aaron's then-girlfriend Olivia Munn for turning him Hollywood but the trouble continued after their 2017 split -- now that he's with Shailene, Aaron doesn't want to bring her into that toxic atmosphere but Shailene who once called her own folks super f**ked up is not deterred and she is encouraging Aaron to let bygones be bygones but he's not ready

* Melissa and Joe Gorga's marriage troubles will play out on the new season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey but their issues are even worse behind the scenes and they've been butting heads as Melissa's career continues to skyrocket so she's distracted with work and doesn't have time for Joe and he feels neglected and he isn't one to hold back -- it doesn't help that the Envy boutique owner was rumored to be getting close to another man -- the couple is trying to work out their issues for the sake of their three kids but Melissa may be done

Page 28: Cover Story -- George Clooney and Brad Pitt: The Breaking Point -- fights, jealousy and other women -- the former besties had a major falling out and now mutual friend Sandra Bullock is desperate to reunite them -- George and Brad have barely spoken in eight years and they've definitely gone their separate ways and Brad's ex-wife Angelina Jolie played a big part in the demise of their friendship because Angie felt George took Brad away from her and their kids -- Amal Clooney found Angie unbearable and that was kind of the point of no return for Brad and George -- George is struggling to regain his luster as a director while Brad is out there winning Oscars

Page 32: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Interview Shockers -- as they prep for baby number two, Harry and Meghan announce a no-holds-barred interview, leaving the palace on edge

Page 34: Celebs in Wheel Trouble -- don't drink (or drug) and drive; these stars got caught making some very bad decisions -- Bruce Springsteen, mug shots of Justin Bieber

Page 35: Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Phelps, Khloe Kardashian, Henry Thomas, Heather Locklear, Jesse Luken, Mel Gibson

Page 36: Beauty -- curl care -- strengthen every type of wave and coil with cool new miracle workers

Page 48: Parting Shot -- Bill Murray teamed up with NFL player Larry Fitzgerald for the AT&T Every Shot Counts Charity Challenge in Pebble Beach -- despite landing in third place, Bill and Larry made a great pair, earning an impressive $209,000 for local charities

[optimist-pine]

Hair Care || Voltron Crew

Prompt: What would the team do with a reader who has no clue how to style their own hair?

Featuring: Shiro, Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Allura, and Coran

a/n: I just want someone to play with my hair, can you tell?

- Shiro -

just gives him that much more of a reason to run his fingers through it

so soft

especially when it’s his metal hand

commits serious time to have Lance teach him how to take care of it

someone’s gotta

a couple of times a week you all gather near the couch

you sit on the floor and play video games with lose to Pidge

“(Y/n), sit still!”

there’s plenty of frustrated huffs coming from behind you

but Lance is patient, and really enjoys getting to teach Shiro something for once

he gets all flustered with the finished product because it’s “not good enough, there’s a loop sticking out here, and here...”

you reassure him that you’re going to bed soon so it’ll get all messed up anyways

but you can’t stop running your fingers across the braids

how’re you supposed to destroy such magnificent artwork?

eventually, once he gains more confidence, he’ll do it without Lance’s help

Lance all “look how fast they grow up” with tears in his eyes

he’ll even do it in the morning so that you can wear it throughout the entire day

“Can’t have it getting in the way during training”

“or during meals”

“or-”

“Shiro, you don’t have to have an excuse to play with my hair.”

*grumbles*

focusing on your hair becomes a big time de-stressor for him

bad day?

he’ll start undoing whatever braid is already in you hair, brushing it out slowly with his fingers

when he starts braiding it again you can feel him release a little bit of tension every time he adds a new strand

you don’t mind it much either

a free massage?

a piece of him to carry around with you all day?

not to mention if it weren’t for him your hair would be a hopeless case

but he does love it when you get out of the shower and it dries sort of poofy and funky all around

or when you haven’t done anything with it in the morning and it just sort of sticks. out. everywhere.

but it’s still so soft

nobody else asks to mess with your hair

they know it’s Shiro’s thing, and only Shiro’s thing

like doing so would be crossing a line of some sort

he has offered to do Keith’s hair

was rejected

- Keith -

not like he would’ve noticed

the boy’s got a mullet for golly’s sake

but he appreciates the fact that you aren’t too worried about it

not that it’s a bad thing to care about, but if you cared too much... eh

would never do it in public, but he finds comfort in twisting a strand around his finger when he’s tired, or stressed, or frustrated

so that happens a lot

you hum while he does so and it tends to put him (or both of you) to sleep

he’s tried braiding, but he’s gotta redo the same basic braid about five times to be okay with anyone else seeing it.

including you

even though Lance would never make fun of your hair, sometimes it’s implied that he considers the two of you to be compatible based on hair care alone

although he doesn’t believe he has a preference one way or another, during the few instances that Lance or Allura has done your hair, he has taken a few many extra glances

thinks wild hair during a fight is pretty gosh darn intimidatingly beautiful

he’s always stealing your hair ties

just so he can shoot them back at you later

like buddy, if you’re gonna take them, use them to contain your own flowing locks whydon’tcha

Maybe it’s because whenever the two of you go for ponytails, Shiro won’t stop being an annoying little brat and tugging on them whenever he gets the chance

- Lance -

at first he’s sort of offended on his own behalf

gets over that quickly once he realizes it’s just not your forte

it’s not like it’s unclean

you just can’t seem to keep it under control

then he realizes it’s pretty amazing that you don’t care one way or the other, and honestly don’t care what other people think either

like wow, he knows those things can be harder for girls, but darn, a confidant woman is his jammm

he sorta feels like he’s the insecure one in this relationship

until the one day your hair is just driving you crazy because yeah, you don’t really care what is looks like, but does it ALWAYS have to be getting in the way

but guess who can fix that

he doesn’t feel quite so upset now that he’s got a way he can help you

get ready for the full treatment

masks

oils

the fanciest styles you can imagine in the blink of an eye

you’re starting to rival Allura in the hair game

he’ll do your hair anywhere

 regrouping during a battle?

“Your hair’s a mess!”

“It’s been shoved up in my helmet this whole time. Of course it’s a mess.”

mumbles while whipping your hair into a braid in like 3 seconds

diplomatic meeting?

leans in close to whisper sarcastic comments while creating rows upon rows of braids

but when the two of you are alone he’ll braid slowly and purposefully and murmur songs his mother would sing while braiding his sisters’ hair

afterwards he’ll hold onto you tightly, running his hands over the braids he put there

he wants to braid his niece’s hair again when you all return to Earth, so he’s gotta practice, right?

even so, he does find it melts his heart a little when he catches you with a messy bun

he knows you’re trying your best

- Hunk -

he gets so excited to do your hair

he may not be the best but he does try his hardest

his favorite thing to do is to braid things into it

feathers

beads

flowers

whenever you’re on a new planet, he’s searching for things that’ll look just perfect framing your face

Coran would definitely help him collect a wide assortment of items

flowers are his favorite

he’s in love with weaving them into braided crowns

and they smell so good

and they leave you looking like Rapunzel in Tangled when all the little girls braid her hair

yeah, okay, so maybe he does leave you feeling a little bit like a Disney princess

beads are cool too

on planets that have markets he does his best to find you the most beautiful ones

he’s gotten you some to match each lion and it’s paladin

especially yellow (duh)

so many yellow beads

there’s some in your hair at all times

he doesn’t realize that he’s doing it though

but you don’t mind

some of his favorites are each hand painted with alien symbols

once he found out that they could be translated into English he was ecstatic

instead of wearing his heart on his sleeve, he’ll braid his thoughts and feelings right into your hair

when a battle is coming up:

strength

justice

perseverance

courage

honor

helping a planet get back on it’s feet:

hope

peace

kindness

unity

assurance

finally getting some downtime

joy

family

humor

rest

love

when he’s had a rough day, or just wants you to know how much you mean to him:

comfort

warmth

trust

calm

safe

he also likes to tie in feathers to give you that warrior goddess vibe

he doesn’t do that too often because he can’t handle it for very long

blushy blushy

- Pidge -

hair care?

the two of you are literally the embodiment of ‘I woke up like this’

bed head is now ‘all day’ head

Lance and Allura team up to try and tame the locks of the both of you, but it only ends in ridiculous faces and bubbling laughter on all of your parts

what’s the point when Shiro’s just gonna come and ruffle it all up anyways?

or Pidge is gonna somehow singe the ends of it with whatever new tech she’s working on?

*after the both of you take your helmets off*

Lance: “look! it’s Thing 1 and Thing 2!”

pretty sure he got tazed for that

you gave her pigtails once, and she tried to return the favor but...

let’s just say there’s a reason she works with machines

Matt would definitely rub balloons on your heads then run away

- Allura -

hope you like gemstones

if she was on Earth during the bedazzling era

ooh booy

she loves to tell you tales about Altea while she makes your hair sparkly

the task at hand keeps the bad emotions from reaching her as strong

and it’s good to talk to someone other than Coran about her home

she’s got all these ancient Altean hair products, and you bet your bottom dollar that she’s gonna use every. single. one. on you

your favorite is the one that makes your hair all shimmery in the light

but she really loves to give you a tussled wavy/curly look

the opposite of her smooth and gently flowing locks

when your hair is in it’s natural state, the mice love to make a little nest on top of your head

she’ll sprinkle seeds over your head so that they have a snack

you would protest, but she’s having such a great time, why bother?

- Coran -

among the whole assortment of ridiculous hidden talents the man possesses lies hairdressing

sure he can cut or style your hair, but his favorite thing to do is color it

he’s got some great vibrant, but temporary dyes

every week is a new color

you even got him to let you dye his hair once

and for some reason the dyes smell like fruits and flowers, and nothing like the chemicals used on Earth

the two of you’ll prank dye the others’ hair occasionally

that time the Paladins of Voltron all had hot pink hair?

that may or may not have been your fault

[thepuckbuddies]

lifeline

prompt:  nhlhockeydreamer asked - would you be willing to write one with auston mathews where he forces the reader to go to a hockey gatherimg with him and hes tired but the reader is more awake and offers to drive and he declines and then he accidentally goes through a red and driver hits the passenger side of the car and the reader gets hurt where as matthews doesnt and how he reacts

player: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

TW: Characters are involved in a car crash, and there is discussion of hospitalization and some injury.

“(Y/N)!” Auston calls into your apartment, door slamming shut behind him.

“On the couch!” you call back, pausing the movie you’d been watching. Auston bustles in, stripping off his coat, and reaches out a hand to pull you up.

“Come on, time to get dressed!” He begins to usher you into your bedroom and gives you a little nudge towards the closet.

“Uh...for what?”

“There’s a dinner tonight for all the guys and their families,” Auston replies, stripping off his shirt and heading towards the bathroom. You unashamedly wolf-whistle, admiring the cut lines of his body. He turns are gives you a withering look. “Babe, I’m serious. It’s in, like, forty-five minutes. We’ve gotta be there!”

“Forty-five?” You raise your eyebrows and look down at yourself. Ratty t-shirt you’ve had for years, comfy Leafs sweats that are definitely Auston’s and way too big for you, fuzzy socks, unwashed hair. You know, the works. “Auston…” He huffs and scoots back over to press a kiss to your cheek pleadingly, resting his big hands on your shoulders and ducking to look you in the eyes.

“(Y/N), please? It’ll be fun! Just hop in the shower now, we can totally make it in time!” You sigh.

“Alright, alright, put away the puppy-dog eyes, Aus. But afterwards, we’re coming back here to relax, okay?” Frowning, you brush a thumb over the dark circles under his eyes. “These are worse than usual, baby, are you sure you want to go?” you ask. Auston waves a hand dismissively.

“Those bags are Gucci, sweetcheeks, I’m good,” he says with a grin. “Now, shower? Please?” You shake your head ruefully and move to the bathroom.

“If you say so…”

*****

Thirty minutes later, Auston is standing at the apartment door, checking his watch.

“Babe, are you ready to go yet?” he sighs.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m right here!” You say, standing on one foot as you tug on the straps of your heel, supporting yourself with one hand on the wall. “I would’ve been ready earlier if you had told me about this, you know,” you add mildly. Auston holds out your coat, and you slip into it, turning around to meet his gaze,

“You look beautiful,” he says, smiling slightly down at you. You press a chaste kiss to his lips, resting one hand on his jaw.

“Thank you.” Stepping back, you give him some cheesy elevator eyes. “You clean up well too, handsome,” you tease. Auston rolls his eyes and offers you his arm as he whisks you out of the apartment and to the elevator.

Watching the numbers tick down, you look over to see Auston covering a yawn with his hand, leaning back against the elevator wall and closing his eyes.

“You sure you’re up for this?” you ask. “We can always go to the next one.” Auston cracks one eye open and squints at you.

“I’m good,” he replies, pushing himself off the wall as the elevator dings at the ground floor to let you both off. He wraps one arm around your shoulders and tucks you into his side as you walk in step to his car. You feel him yawn again.

“How about I drive?” you ask, holding out your hand for the keys. Auston scoffs and steers you to the passenger door, opening it up.

“Come on, babe. I’m fine,” he says, pouting a little.

“I know, Auston, I’m just saying, you could rest a little as we drive over? That’s all.”

“It’s not a big deal, (Y/N).”

“I know, I’m just saying, I could drive us.” Auston shakes his head and offers you his hand to step into the car.

“I got this.” Shrugging, you hop into the car and buckle up while he makes his way over to the driver’s seat.

Auston’s music plays over the speakers as you turn onto University Ave. You don’t talk much as you make your way out of downtown Toronto and onto quieter streets, letting the low thrumming of the bass fill the silence. You’re looking out at the bright lights of the city nightlight when you hear Auston yawning again.

Huffing a little laugh to yourself, you turn and see him resting with one hand comfortably on the wheel, head tipped back against the seat. He’s squinting a little against the flashing bars of street light that pass over his eyes, lashes turned gold in the slight yellow glow.

Smiling to yourself, you turn back to your window and watch the buildings flow by. Your phone buzzes in your lap - a text message from a friend. Typing out a reply, you see a weird movement out of the corner of your eye. Looking up, you gasp and yell out.

“Auston, look ouー!”

The pickup truck barrels through the intersection, slamming into the passenger side door. Glass shatters, metal crunches, and your vision goes black.

*****

“(Y/N), baby, come on, answer me. Come on, please, answer me, Iー”

“No, you have to let me go with you, I can’t leave her, pleaseー”

“Stabilize her neck, and watch her arm. Get me an IVー”

“(Y/N), you’re going to be just fine, alright? You have to beー”

“God, this is my fault, it’s all my fucking fault, I can’tー”

“Come back to be, okay? Please, I can’tー”

“I love you so muchー”

“(Y/N)ー”

*****

Beep. Beep. Beep. The steady rhythm of a heart rate monitor is the first thing you notice. Wrinkling your nose, you try to shift away from the noise.

“Ahー!” You hiss through your teeth as a searing pain radiates from your shoulder and the right side of your face begins to ache. Your eyes fly open to see the bland white and blue of a hospital room. Instinctively, you try to move your opposite hand to touch your collarbone or your cheek, but you can’t move it from under a heavy weight. Looking over, you see your boyfriend fast asleep, hand tucked into yours and cheek resting on them both, fast asleep. He looks, frankly, like hell.

He’s unshaven, his hair is greasy, and the bags under his eyes are, somehow, three times the size they were earlier. Softening, you slowly work your hand out from under him, running your fingers through his hair and watching as the lines between his eyebrows and next to his mouth begin to fade. The door clicks open as two familiar figures shuffle in, quietly closing the door behind them. Mitch Marner and Patrick Marleau are carrying flowers and a balloon that cheerfully proclaims “Get Well Soon!”, clearly acting as team representatives.

“You’re awaー” Mitch starts, blue eyes wide in surprise. You hold a finger to your lips and gesture down at Auston, smiling a little as Mitch winces. “You’re awake!” He repeats, somewhat quieter. He moves towards the bed and sets the flowers down on the table there. Patty follows behind and smiles at you.

“How are you feeling?” he says, eyes kind.

“A little banged up,” you say, wincing when you automatically try to shrug. You tuck your hand back into Auston’s hair and keep stroking as you look between your two guests. “What exactly happened?” you ask. “Last thing I remember is the pickup truck hitting us.”

Mitch nods. “Your car spun out pretty badly. Since you took most of the impact, you’ve got most of the injuries.” You nod, remembering how fast the other car had been going.

“We’re lucky it wasn’t worse,” you mutter, zoning out a little. Your eyes jump to Patty’s again. “Wait, the other driver! Is he alright?” Patty nods.

“Matts said they kept him in the hospital for a day to monitor him for head trauma, but he was released with no injuries.”

“A day? How long have I been out?” you ask, startled.

“Just under two days,” Mitch pipes in. “You’ve kind of been in and out of consciousness.” He nods towards Auston. “He hasn’t left your side except for when they make him. I think this is the first time he’s slept.” You look over at your sleeping boyfriend, shaking your head. No wonder he looks so terrible. Auston snuffles a little and his shoulders shift as he starts waking up as if he had heard them talking about him. Patty grips Mitch’s shoulder, tugging a little.

“We’re going to go grab something to eat, alright? Give you two some time to talk. We’ll bring you something back, if they’ll let us. This hospital food isn’t the best.” You thank them quietly and watch as they make their way out of the room, talking in low whispers. Auston recaptures your attention, groaning a little as he flexes his hand.

“Auston, are you alright?” you ask, keeping your voice quiet. Auston’s head shoots up, spine suddenly ramrod straight.

“You’re awake!” He says dumbly, voice still thick with sleep. The chair screeches a little when he stands up, leaning over you to press kisses all over the left side of your face. “Thank God, I thought I’d lost you,” he mutters into your hair. He leans back again, expression worried.

“(Y/N), I’m so sorry,” he begins, scanning your face. His dark eyes start to well up with tears as his mouth trembles. “I’m so sorry, this is all my fault, I didn’t mean to, I swear, I’m sorryー” You shush him, gingerly reaching up one hand to cup his cheek, brushing away a stray tear.

“Auston, baby, it’s okay, we’re alright.” He shuts his eyes, pressing a kiss to your palm as he covers your hand with his.

Worriedly, you scan him up and down. “Aus, are you alright? Are you hurt?” He chokes out a little laugh.

“You ask if I’m alright? Baby, you’reー” he cuts himself off, taking a breath. “You’re all bandaged and broken, and it’s my fault, and you’re still asking if I’m alright.”

“It wasn’t your fault!” you protest.

“I ran a red light, (Y/N), of course it’s my fault!” Auston half-shouts, another tear running down his cheek. Shocked, you blink dumbly at him for a second. Giving yourself an internal shake, you quickly recover.

“Did you do it on purpose?”

“What? Whyー”

“Did you?”

“No, of course not!”

“Then it’s okay.” You say, emphasizing the last word slowly. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you for any of this, alright?” Auston stares at you disbelievingly.

“How? How? I was tired and you told me I shouldn’t, but I didn’t listen and now you’re in the fucking hospital? Andー”

“And it was an accident, Auston. They happen sometimes. We’re alive and we’re okay, which is all that matters.” Auston’s face drops. Gritting your teeth, you scoot a little to your right, ignoring the pain coming from what seems to be a broken collarbone and your boyfriend’s confused protests.

“Come on, hop on up,” you say, patting the bed next to you and leaving your arm outstretched. Auston shuts his mouth and scrambles up, careful not to jostle you too much as he tucks himself into your side, legs scrunched up comically in the tiny hospital bed. He rests his head on your the join of your chest and shoulder, and you card your fingers through his hair again.

“Mitch and Patty say you haven’t left,” you murmur. He gives a minute shake of his head.

“I couldn’t,” he says in reply, wrapping one arm around you to rest a warm palm over your ribs. Humming slightly, you scritch against his scalp and feel him melt into you. “I wouldn’t.”

“Aus?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” Shuddering out a sigh, Auston presses a kiss to your neck and snuggles in closer, weaving his legs in between yours.

“I love you, too.”

********************

A/N: yoooo check me out trying with the angst that really just turns to cuddles because i am INCAPABLE of writing anything without cuddles!!!! 

also disclaimer i’ve never been in anything more serious than a fender bender, so any inaccuracy in regards to injury or accidents may be blamed on my poor googling skills. also support people with broken collarbones, they are the actual worst

hopefully you all enjoyed this! as always, requests are open and i am more available to write recently, which is why a little less radio silence. love yall and catch ya on the flip

[fandomthesickness]

Lance Birthday One-Shot!

Hello everyone! Since it is Lance’s birthday, I decided to write a small birthday one-shot with a sprinkle of plance! Hope you all enjoy it! Feel free to leave reviews and comments on it!

July 28th, Lance’s favorite day of the year. His family would surprise him early in the morning by waking him up and making his favorite churros and garlic knots. Then they would sing to him and watch telenovelas all morning. Lance would be showered with kisses and hugs by them continuously. He would receive calls from his phone every minute from his distant relatives. That would be the drill every year. But not this one sadly. Lance was still in space, familyless, and still fighting Zarkon. Was he sad about this? Of course. But the night before his birthday, he sang his mama’s song like she did when it was him and his siblings birthday. Tears formed in his eyes as he told himself how much he loved his family. He slowly drifted to sleep dreaming about his past wishing time stopped. The next day was coming and Lance would officially be 19.

-------

Pidge ran as fast as she could to the teleduv room. It was early in the morning and she knew Lance wouldn’t sleep in today.

“GUYS IS IT READY?!” She yelled into the room.

“Jeez Pidgeon, yes, I just finished putting up the banners.” Keith huffed.

“KEITH! I know you want to keep up with your angsty facade but please, it’s Lance’s birthday. Be happy for once in your life.” Pidge pleaded.

“Yes, Keith. Lance needs this, he has been missing his family for so long… I wanna make this day great for him.” Shiro agreed.

“GUYS I FIGURED IT OUT!” Hunk screamed from the kitchen. As soon as he said that, both Pidge and Shiro bolted into the room.

“WHAT?!” They screamed.

“HOW TO MAKE LANCE’S MOM’S SIGNATURE CHURROS!” Hunk screamed in pure joy. “Turns out, Allura has had a supply of cacao in the drawers! OOH and, remember when we went to the space mall? I was able to make some bread out of the wheat and the varar powder from Vrepit Sal’s” He exclaimed.

Both Pidge and Shiro didn’t really understand what he was saying but at this point, anything was good.

“THAT'S AWESOME HUNK! WHEN WILL THEY BE READY?!” Pidge asked.

“Pidge… Pidge… Pidge… you can’t rush art..” Hunk said pursing his lips.

“HUNK STOP PLAYING GAMES HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? LANCE WILL WAKE SOON.” Shiro yelled.

“10 MINUTES.” Hunk said out of fear.

“PALADINS!” Allura yelled from the other room. Pidge ran out of the kitchen and into the Altean pod storage room.

“WHATS CRACKIN ALLURA?” Pidge asked.

“Cracking?” Allura asked as she got out of the pod.

“YOU GET WHAT I MEAN.”

“Oh yes, well I took the Altean pod like you asked me too to planet Wagluf but I couldn’t find the sword,” Allura said dismally.

“Allura?! That sword was a replica of Gyro’s sword from Monsters and Mana! Lance saw it on that planet and wanted it! Cmon isn’t there anything we can do?” Pidge asked, now worried.

“Pidge, please... You didn’t let me finish. I couldn’t find the sword but I was able to find… A REPLICA OF THE JEWEL OF JITAN.” Allura exclaimed as she pulled it from the pod.

“Allura... THAT IS WICKED LEMME SEE!” Pidge yelled. She took the gem from her and examined it. It looked exactly like it! Pidge remembered that Lance really wanted it when he first played Monsters and Mana with her, but they never actually got it as they kept losing to the 3 headed swan beast that pecked them to death.

“Careful Pidge! This did not come cheap!” Allura exclaimed. She pulled it back from Pidge and kept it safely in her satchel. Pidge ran back into the teleduv room.

“GUYS LANCE’S PRESENT HAS BEEN SECURED,” Pidge said with relief.

“Well, golly gee I was so worried,” Keith said sarcastically.

“KEITH,” Shiro yelled.

“Paladins! I found an ancient Altean birthday song we could sing for Lance!” Coran yelled as he entered the room from the library.

“Um, Coran that's great and all... But Lance would have wanted his mothers special birthday song.” Pidge replied. Hunk overheard this from the other room.

“Pidge. Calm down… I’m pretty sure Lance will still like it. Coran, we will all sing that song, thank you!” Hunk interjected. “Pidge... I need some help in the kitchen, can you help me?” Hunk said slowly pulling her away.

“WAIT NO... I HAVE TO MAKE SURE KEITH DOESN’T RUIN THE PARTY WITH HIS ANGST.” Pidge begged.

“Don’t worry Pidge, I can do that.” Shiro winked. Keith rolled his eyes.

Hunk dragged Pidge into the kitchen and closed the door.

“Alright... Out with it…” He said crossing his arms. “Why are you stressing so much about this party?” Hunk asked.

Pidge was surprised. Stressed? Never met her.

“You are crazy. I just wanted to give Lance the best birthday ever!” Pidge exclaimed.

“I get that Pidge. We all want that, even Keith. But why are you so particular about everything. You know Lance would like it no matter what color the ribbons are, or no matter how long I cook the bread.” Hunk explained.

“I.. Just kind of owe it to him to give him the best party ever. I mean of course, either way, he should have the best birthday ever but part of me will feel like crap if it isn’t up to par.” Pidge muttered.

“And why do you owe it to him?” Hunk asked.

“Ok listen, remember the days where I was still searching for Matt? I was going through a lot of breakdowns and stress around that time. Only after I found him, I gradually became less worried about his safety.” She answered.

“Yes, I know this. What does this have to do with Lance?” Hunk asked raising an eyebrow.

“I would stay up all night in the lab searching through distant solar systems on my laptop to find some trace of him. It was just me sitting in the cold lab in the dark of the night. Lance saw this one day and every night he came by to give me some food, a warm blanket, and even tell me to take a break. He even made sure I went to sleep and if I told him to wake me up 3 hours later, he would do it no matter how late it was. I really owe it to him.” Pidge confessed. Her cheeks started to glow red.

“Well, that is the sweetest thing ever. That’s like something right out of an anime. Pidge, Lance will like this party no matter what. He knows how much we care about him. Don’t stress. Alright? Now, get out of the kitchen.” Hunk said.

“Well thank you Hunk- wait why?” Pidge said startled that he took that tone.

“YOU THINK I TRUST YOU AROUND MY CHURROS. NUH UH I WORKED TOO HARD ON THESE. PIDGE YOU ARE A BOMB IN THE KITCHEN.” Hunk yelled.

“ALRIGHT FINE. IM GOING.” She said as she left towards the teleduv room. As soon as she did, Allura, Coran, Keith, and Shiro all fell back from the door.

“You quiznackers were eavesdropping weren’t you,” Pidge muttered. This was ironic as she was acting like Keith at this moment.

“Awe PIDGE! THAT IS SO DAMN SWEET.” Allura exclaimed.

“True that Keith started tearing up,” Coran said jokingly.

“I hate you all,” Keith muttered.

“Guys.. let’s just finish up this party,” Pidge said happily. The rest of the gang nodded and they all continued to sort out all the details and put the decorations up. Soon enough, Lance’s alarm would start blaring and the birthday boy would soon wake up.

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

His alarm blared loudly as if it was some normal day. But it wasn’t a normal day and Lance knew that better than anyone. He exited his bed, stumbling across the mess that was his room. The castle was dead quiet. Lance rubbed his eyes and came to the conclusion that no one remembered it was his birthday. He remembered for Shiro’s birthday, everyone waited outside his room and greeted him with cake. No one was outside Lance’s room and he suddenly felt depressed. He could sure eat some of his Mama’s churros right about that moment. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and headed to the lounge area. No one was there. Lance grew worried. They all were usually situated there in the mornings. He looked to a window and saw that the castle was still moving, meaning that someone was still operating the castle. If the gang could be anywhere, they would be in the teleduv room.  

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

“Where is he?” Allura asked. She set down the Jewel of Jitan replica on the table next to the chocolate churros.

“I dunno. He usually would have woken up by now.” Shiro wondered.

“Give it time guys. He probably did some special birthday facial for himself.” Keith interjected.

“WHAT IF HE THINKS WE FORGOT HIS BIRTHDAY,” Pidge said frightened.

“GUYS CALM THE HELL DOWN. LANCE WILL COME BY THE MAIN DOOR. ONCE IT OPENS WE WILL ALL YELL SURPRISE.” Hunk interjected.

Lance walked to the Teleduv room’s main door sorrowfully. At this point, he was broken inside that his friends forgot his birthday. But the last thing Lance wanted to do was to make them feel guilty. He plastered his natural smiling face while opening the door. Little did he know that his fake natural face would turn into a real, happy one.

“SURPRISE!!!!!!” Everyone yelled with glee. Lance’s eyes widened. It took him approximately 5 seconds to realize what was happening.

“GUYS?” He asked.

“Happy birthday Lance!” Pidge yelled.

Lance was in awe. There were streamers everywhere and the entire gang was all holding balloons.

“Guys this is.. Amazing.” He walked forward into the room looking at all the decorations.

“Psh it better be, Pidge was so damn stressed out you wouldn’t like it.” Keith smiled. Pidge elbowed him in the ribs.

Lance pulled them all into a group hug. He had never felt more at home in his life.

“Don’t be... I love it.” He said smiling. Pidge took a sigh of relief. They all let go of the hug.

“LANCE. GUESS WHAT I MADE.” Hunk exclaimed as he held the gigantic plate of chocolate churros.

“OH.. my… goodness. HOW DID YOU MAKE THESE?! THIS IS MY MAMA’s SECRET RECIPE.” Lance screamed with joy.

“A good magician never reveals his secrets,” Allura said smiling. The gang all took one from the plate and munched happily.

“Oh my god… these are utter perfection.” Lance said. The gang all agreed and thanked Hunk.

“OOOH WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT PIDGE GOT YOU,” Allura exclaimed. Lance looked toward Pidge.

“Pidge you didn’t have to get me anything cmon.” He said smiling at her. Pidge’s cheeks turned rosy again.

“W-well Allura was the one who picked it up and paid for it.” Pidge took the box from the table and gave it to him.

Lance swallowed the rest of his churro and sat down with the gang surrounding him. They all watched Lance slowly unwrap it. The Jewel of Jitan glowed, twinkled and was so shiny as it showed the reflection of Lance.

“Pidge you remembered. You didn’t have to. Allura this was all the way on Wagluf. Guys… I don’t know what to say.” Lance stuttered. Allura smiled at Lance and put her hand on his shoulder.

“Of course I remembered you knucklehead! Me and you spent so much time going after it, I thought you deserved it. I’m glad you like it, Lance.” Pidge smiled. Lance pulled her close and gave her a hug.

The rest of the day went blissfully. They spent it playing Lance’s favorite games, eating the endless supply of churros and sang him the special Altean birthday song Coran found. From all this, Lance realized something. Even if his biological family wasn’t here, he still was surrounded with family. And that was the greatest gift anyone could give Lance for his 19th birthday.

[brandoncarlo]

I just wrote 1700 words of evil vampire mitch but there’s literally no plot so I can’t really finish it so read it below if ya wanna

The first mistake people make with him is thinking he’s sweet. It’s not the worst mistake they could make but it can easily spiral out of control if they’re not vigilant and because of that it’s one of the most important mistakes Mitch needs them to make. Because he doesn’t look how people expect him to; he has sparkling blue eyes, a bright lively demeanor, and an almost rosy complexion. People see him and they think wow  and they love him.

It means making the NHL is a lot easier than it had any right to be. If any of the people in charge -- his teammates, coaches, scouts -- had any sense they wouldn’t have let him near the ice, their children, themselves. But Humans are dumb. They feed off of connection, they trust with every inch of their being even when everything in the universe is screaming at them not to. Their emotions are complicated, layered, complex. Because Humans survive in packs, as a group, together in tightly knit communities. It keeps them safe for most any predator but not from Mitch, not when Mitch can fit in so well.

The most inhuman thing about Mitch, is how much everyone loves him.

It makes him the perfect predator.

******

It’s hilarious, the way the media talks about him. He’s too small, too weak, too immature to make the NHL. It’s a men’s league they say and Mitch is just a boy. But they don’t know. They don’t know that Mitch has felled men of such stature, such strength, such power that even Zdeno Chara would quiver before them. Too weak? He could take them all down with a single, sharp smile, and they’d thank him the whole time.

His perceived weakness is his greatest strength. When he pouts to the cameras and whines that he’s closer to 6’1 than 6 feet, they all laugh but little do they know Mitch is laughing at them right back. Oh it’s so cute that Mitch thinks he could ever be over 6 feet tall. So cute that this small, trembling, puppy of a boy thinks he could ever stand to match the likes of Tom Wilson, Auston Matthews, Matt Martin… So cute until he has Matt Martin trembling in his hands, pale and a distant look in his eyes, ready to tear the world apart the moment Mitch asks him too.

Mitch is small but he’s a nuclear bomb and he’s been setting the world on fire for hundreds of years.

******

Martin takes him by surprise the first time they make eye contact. He’s no mere man and Mitch can feel that deep in his bones. Martin has the same shocking blue eyes like Mitch, the same light hair, the same lovable personality. And yet Martin has everything Mitch doesn’t too, strong, and big, and so deeply human that it makes Mitch sick.

They were made for each other.

******

Humans are dumb trusting animals, it’s how Mitch has lasted as long as he has. He flashes his trademark smile towards Matt, flutters his long lashes, and mentions something about watching a movie. And just like that. Matt is his, and he doesn’t even know it.

That first night Mitch licks over his fangs as they grow from his gums, tearing at his own unliving flesh, because Matt being so close reminds him how hungry he truly is. But he tells himself to be patient, keeps his mouth closed until his fangs retract back.

It’s almost a shame because Mitch knows Matt would be the finest meal he’s had in centuries. The closest thing he gets to desire is wanting to sink his teeth into the skin of Matt’s neck, feel that powerful muscle crumple beneath Mitch’s hands, hear his voice beg Mitch for mercy. But Matt has so much more potential than that and Mitch would not have lasted as long as he has if he hadn’t milked everyone of everything they had to give.

Humans may thrive on community and selflessness. But Mitch thrives on caring only for himself. There’s no being in the world worth Mitch’s mercy. And Matt who’s so big, and so caring, and so loving to everyone he passes is perfect for Mitch to use and take.

Mitch Marner, the 20 year old hockey player from Markham Ontario poses no risk to Matt Martin. He’s young, dumb, reckless, and prone to falling in love with everyone he meets. He tells Matt how great he is. Begs Matt to spend more time with him. Fumbles inexpertly through kissing Matt in his kitchen.

And Matt is none the wiser.

*****

It doesn’t take Matt long to invite Mitch into his home. He swings his door open, holds out his hands and says “come on in,” and Mitch steps over his threshold easily. Matt doesn’t see the wicked smile when he turns his back, doesn’t know this wasn’t his idea. And of course every inch of Matt’s apartment is just as human as he is. Just as warm and welcoming as Matt has been to everyone he’s met so far.

Mitch could never live in a place like this but he loves it all the same. Because it just proves he was right about Matt. Right as always.

He plays the eager and desperate card, getting Matt into his room because he can’t help himself. And Matt knows something is wrong the moment Mitch grabs the side of his neck, just under his jaw. His grip is too strong for Matt to resist it, letting Mitch lead him back until he’s sitting on the bed.

When Mitch grins down at him he can feel those sharp fans on display and Matt’s eyes widen in the most primal fear he’s probably ever felt. No one ever sees this part coming and Matt’s no exception.

Because Matt made his first mistake.

******

The second mistake Matt makes is tilting his head back with very little guidance from Mitch. His heart is pounding hard and fast, screaming at him to get away. But the dumb, trusting human that he is, he bends to Mitch before he’s even been claimed. He can’t help but laugh at Matt, laugh at the way he’s trembling in Mitch’s hands and doing absolutely nothing to get away. He must trust Mitch so much, think Mitch has a plan for both of them.

He doesn’t.

This is all for him.

When he straddles Matt’s lap and bites his neck, the world disappears from around them. In that moment it’s just the two of them, Matt trembling under him and Mitch doing his best to keep control as Matt’s skin pops like a balloon and blood starts to fill Mitch’s mouth.

He lets himself take a few sips, just to feel rejuvenated, stronger, more in control.

Matt moans.

Mitch grins.

He lifts up his hand and squeezes Matt’s neck tight as he pulls his mouth away, staring at the puncture wounds and feeling the way Matt struggles against his hand.

“You like that babe?” Mitch asks on a snarl, so different than the voice he usually uses with Matt, “You want to submit to me?” He asks.

Their eyes connect and Matt’s losing color in his rapidly, even the whites of his eyes are turning black.

Perfect.

“Tell me,” Mitch demanded, squeezing Matt’s neck tighter.

“Y...Yes” Matt says back, his voice gargled, his neck coated in thick red blood.

Mitch leaned forward and licked up Matt’s neck, collecting as much as he could. Then he pressed his mouth to Matt’s, letting the larger man taste his own blood mixed with Mitch’s saliva. That’s the first time he struggles, because Mitch knows it burns. But it’s the most important part of what they’re doing tonight.

When Mitch pulls back he forces his thumb under Matt’s chin and presses up roughly, forcing his jaw to stay closed, tilting his head back so he has no chance but to swallow. Mitch watches the way his throat constricts and the blood on the side of his neck stops pouring.

Mitch let’s Matt look back at him then, his eyes black circles, his face shocked, his skin pale. It’s the most beautiful sight Mitch has ever seen.

“You’re mine now,” Mitch growls.

Matt just nods.

*****

New vampires are worse than humans, just as dumb but way more out of control. They never last and Mitch doesn’t intend for Matt to either. But he needs him to last for now, just a little bit. At least until Mitch tires of his life and moves onto the next where he can find another man larger than life to do his bidding.

Because as much as Matt hates him the next morning, there’s nothing he can do about it.

“You should have asked?” Matt snarls his hands passing over the pearly white scars along his neck, “this is a big decision, I should have had a say, this isn’t fair.”

Mitch rolled his eyes. Fair? Fair? Why were humans always so concerned with fair.

“It’s not meant to be,” Mitch tells him.

Matt goes to respond but Mitch shakes his head and like a zipper, Matt’s mouth closes. Soon enough he’ll follow the rules on his own but for right now, Mitch has no problem making him.

At Practice that day Mitch goes back to his normal bubbly personality and Matt is looked over by the team doctors. He looks sick to the rest of team, pale and shaking on his feet, so unlike Matt. And when they ask Mitch just shrugs and says Matt was like that when he picked him up on the way to the rink this morning.

It must just be a cold.

Matt glares at him when Mitch says this, so much intense, deep, hatred in that look that Mitch is almost proud.

He’s learning well.

It’s obvious that Matt is confused about what’s going on. Not just the biting and the dying and the way he feels like he needs to bite everyone in sight. But the impulses to, the fact that he can’t deny Mitch anything, that he physically can’t be away from Mitch.

Matt’s scowling like he’ll never be happy again but he doesn't leave Mitch’s side. He curses Mitch out at home, telling him he’s a psychopath, that he’s ruined Matt’s life, taken everything from him, and does it all with his head resting on Mitch’s chest.

“I’ve never hated anything as much as I hate you,” Matt says and Mitch kisses him.

*****

[jbuffyangel]

Weekly Rundown 10/21/18-10/26/18

Time to rundown what I’m watching, loving, hating and everything in between! Spoilers ahead! Full episode reviews and reactions are linked in the titles.

Daredevil Season 3

Just so y’all know - most nuns do not wear their habits in public anymore. It’s been that way since Vatican II, but TV refuses to catch up.

The action is amaaaaazing again. I love how Matt actually gets tired when he’s fighting.

I don’t want Matt to put that ugly Daredevil suit on again he looks ridiculous. Keep the black mask and call it a day.

I want Foggy to propose very badly. I need a Foggy wedding in Season 4.

Is there any particular reason why Karen didn’t haul ass to Frank’s Punisher lair when her life was in danger and Matty Mcbrown eyes was off Daredeviling an existential crisis? That’s where I’d go.

Matt refusing to ask the other Defenders help because “it’s not their fight” is the stupidest reason ever.

Arrow (“The Longbow Hunters”)

It is a bit creepy when Stan says, “I bet a guy like that would do anything to keep his family safe.” Maybe Stan is a nuthouse, but leave me to my dream for now.

Is it me or did Yorke look older than 40? 1978????

Deputy Director Bell is evil. Calling it now.

The Longbow Hunters don’t actually use bows. This is a twist I did not see coming.

Bl*ck S*ren can’t lawyer worth a damn, but she can wear a suit.

“Stay behind me.” That was oddly hot Rene. I’m wildly uncomfortable that I find you attractive right now, but it is what it is.

Rene: Been back in town a week and you’re already sneaking out of A.R.G.U.S. behind Papa Dig’s back? I’m so proud.

Felicity: Thanks man.

This whole exchange was delightful and not remotely derogatory like “Blondie.” THY NAME IS CHARACTER GROWTH.

“Grab your balls Curtis, we’re going in.” If the Rene character only exists to say this one line of dialogue then it was worth it.

Why didn’t BS and Dinah go after the Longbow Hunter? What is up with allowing all these criminals to run away at a moderately brisk pace and our people acting like they can’t catch them? They are called legs! Move your ass!  

BITCH YOU BETTER NOT STEP ON THAT PHOTO!!!!!!!

Legends of Tomorrow  (“The Virgin Gary”)

Legends Season 4 premiere is fantastic and full of all the hi-jinks I’ve missed over hiatus.

“Speaking of the same old crap isn’t that what he did last year?”Legends gets points for acknowledging that Wally gets the storyline shaft a lot.

When you are officially a hero the time bureau gives you a medal, but I was more excited about the balloons.

It would be super weird if the Legends spent more than a day in 2018.

Remember when Oliver asked Sara to move in with him and she went running screaming in the other direction? It all worked out because Sara knew he was really in love with Felicity. I’m just saying she’s come a looooong way.

I want to be clear about one thing and it’s not up for debate. Ready? The best thing about Legends is Mick. It’s always Mick. That is all.

OMG NATE’S FATHER IS BIFF FROM BACK TO THE FUTURE?????!!!!!!!! THIS IS SPECTACULAR CASTING!!!

Manifest “Connecting Flights”

It was nice to fill in the back story of the characters left behind after the plane went missing, however the show is starting to lose my attention. I need more movement on these character relationships. Manifest is hitting a lot of the same notes week after week.

This Is Us (“Toby”)

Randall is going ahead with the city council job? Are they independently wealthy Does no one have to work?

Baby Toby is the cutest.

Holy crap is this how in vitro really works? It’s so friggin expensive and no guarantees. Wow, my sympathies to all those who have gone through this excruciating process.

Randall unbuttoning his shirt is all the reason I need to vote for him. Done deal. 

Toby used his wonderful sense of humor to cheer up his depressed Mom. Ugh my heart.

But for real though sometimes you need just “one damn day.” #MomLife

Three hours to get ready Kate? Just as an FYI - that’s all over when you have a baby. You’ll be lucky to get a shower.

Miguel carried a piano up stairs to cheer Rebecca up. That’s love.

“There’s so much of her in you it scares me.” THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SAY TO YOUR CHILD ASSHOLE.

A+ on the prom dresses. Absolutely what I wore in high school. We were fashionista slaves in the late nineties.

Kate’s impression of Adele is dead on.

Miguel tries so hard. He’s just trying to keep his promise to Jack.

Rebecca is such an amazing mom. Kate doesn’t give her nearly enough credit.

KATE IS PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rookie (Pilot” and “Crash Course”)

I really loved The Rookie. I typically don’t hate procedurals, but this one has surprised me thus far. It’s fast paced, so it held my attention more. I hope it stays that way. 

I love how it is the rookies versus the training officers. It fills my Rookie Blue void.

I am not invested in any ships yet. I am not buying the romance between Nolan and Lucy so far. I actually think Lucy has more chemistry with Bradford and Nolan with the Captain.

A Million Little Things (“Friday Night Dinner” and “The Game of Your Life”)

I want to love this show, but they are making it next to impossible. I hate cheating storylines in any show. It’s one of the main reasons I quit watching Shonda Rhimes’ shows because she is unable to write one without including adultery. Arrow’s original love story revolved around cheating and was an absolute mess. It feels like a lazy way to inject drama. This cheating storyline between Eddie and Delilah is making two characters who are otherwise very likable extremely unlikable. 

Instead of jettisoning this plot into the atmosphere where it belongs and never speaking of it again, A Million Little Things is double down on it.  Delilah is pregnant! Oh wonderful, now we get to play “Who’s the Daddy?” for several weeks.

Apparently, the writers come from The Fl*sh school of writing. Characters can only be mad at other characters for one episode. All the friends found out about Eddie and Delilah’s affair and the very next week they are sitting down to pizza. It’s at Delilah’s house and Eddie’s wife Katherine comes too because FRIENDS. No. Just no.

Instead of being angry at Eddie and Delilah, the friends make excuses for them. Regina’s conversation with Delilah turned into a huge “I didn’t see your pain” apology, which is flat out ridiculous. What Delilah did was so off the charts wrong there is no excuse for it. If you are in pain see a therapist. It’s not an excuse to cheat on your husband. Also, Regina you are not to blame for Delilah lying to everyone for over two years. 

Gary, who has been the angriest, decides he’s being too hard on Eddie (ya know by actually holding him accountable for his actions) and lets Eddie move in with him after his wife finally kicked him out. Are you freaking kidding me with this? I was already mildly irked at Gary for giving Delilah a free pass, but I understood his reasoning because her husband just jumped off a building. She has been punished quite a lot. But Eddie? I think we could muster a couple episodes of anger towards Eddie.

The writers attempted drum up sympathy for Delilah by shining a little light on her seemingly perfect marriage with Jon. It’s not really perfect, but what marriage is? Jon was short with Delilah during a family dinner. He took a phone call from work and snapped, “Everything I do is for this family.” What a bastard. Of course, that is reason enough for Delilah to jump into bed with Eddie, her husband’s best friend. GIVE. ME. A. FRIGGIN. BREAK. If my husband slept with someone else every time I was cranky with him, he’d have a harem.

So, on top of being suicide apologists, the writers are adding cheating apologists. There is no reason to cheat. It’s just mean. Nobody has put a gun to your head. If you want out of your marriage you march to an attorney’s office and file for divorce. Not sure if you want a divorce? Then go to counseling. But cheating, under any circumstances, is wrong. It’s cruel and selfish. It’s trying to have your cake and eat it too. A Million Little Things trying to excuse away Eddie and Delilah’s heinous behavior is almost as bad as the cheating itself. Trying to make suicide and cheating okay with excuses is dangerous behavior. I AM NOT A FAN.

Stray Thought - on what planet is a school program presented in the middle of the freaking day? What kind of ridiculous school do Eddie and Katherine send their son to?

Blindspot (“The Quantico Affair”) 

Zapata has a very interesting running stride. Sorry I was in cross country. That stuff interests me

Roman saying "He knows. This is it. Kill him" underscores the dramatic tension.

I’m gonna need someone on Team Blindspot to pick up on Remi's side eye. Y'all are FBI agents for goodness sake.

I don't actually know what Patterson's name is, but I feel confident it is not Lisa.

I think Martin Gero saw me write "Where is Patterson's storyline?" in my last review. I could have opted for patience, but complaining loudly via written word felt like a better plan. 

Hey watch the condemnation Remi aka Jane aka double secret agent who told so many lies I can't keep it straight anymore.

OMG Rich not explaining how the tattoo was solved is the best thing ever. PLEASE DO THIS EVERY WEEK

I wanna talk about the Book of Secrets mostly because Rich calls it the Book of Secrets.

Hahaha. Her one night stand showed up at work. This is how Meredith and McDreamy began. I highly recommend elevator scenes too.

One night stand boy is Weitz's nephew. IT. JUST. GOT. BETTER

Sure Madeline come on in and check out our super secret tattoo murder board.

"Thundercats ho!" OMG was that an ad lib?

Totally ship Patterson and this dude. I should probably learn his name.

Somebody tell Rich about the one night stand. Pleeeeeeeease.

I'm not calling him Lincoln. He shall be known as "Slab of Man-Ham" forevermore.

Patterson and Rich are the perfect work wife/husband team. Remember Rich is the work wife

How does Weitz maintain employment? This may be the greatest of all Blindspot's mysteries.

Of course "Jane" and Weller are on the train Weitz. IT'S THEIR JOB. Seriously someone get this dude a DVD of #Blindspot S1-S3

Patterson girl, Jane is never that cranky with you when she's diffusing bombs. SOMEBODY NOTICE PERSONALITY CHANGES PLEASE!!!

"You're new here." ALL KNEEL TO PATTERSON.

[workingforthewidow]

Body Like a Backroad (Jeff Hardy X Reader)

Okay so I am the worlds worst person ever. This was requested by @thatweirdgirlnamedsara back in like May 2017 maybe even before. I am so sorry this took so long to do. Thank you so much for requesting and again I’m sorry I’m a horrible person. Heres a cute gif along with the fic. 

Word count: roughly 975 give or take 

Warnings: none I think 

Tags: @vsturgeon5489

  “And then he fell out of his chair. No lie completely tipped backwards. I thought he might have gotten a concussion.” Matt laughed causing the group of wrestlers he was talking to laugh as well.   Jeff smacked him on the shoulder and glared at him, “Shut up, stop telling people that story.”   “Why worried your girlfriend is going to hear it? I’m still surprised she didn’t see it. How someone could possibly not hear the sound of your hard head hitting the ground I have no idea. I know I wouldn’t have missed it.”   “Miss what?” You ask walking up the group of wrestlers after you were done in hair and makeup.   “The new episode of some show he’s watching. He wants me to watch it but it sounds stupid.” Jeff tried to cover but he stumbled over some words. You looked great tonight. You had a match for the title so you asked the glam girls to do something a little different from your normal ring look. “Nice hair twist thing,” He added trying to compliment your braid.   Out of habit you touched your hair, “Thanks. I was worried I might look like Nia but the girls did great. Last week my hair got caught on the ropes and I didn’t want to risk getting a bald spot again.” You cringed remembering the headache you had later that night caused by the hair pulling. By this point the others has left leaving just you and the Hardy’s.   Jeff opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a crewman,        “Hey (Y/N) we need you on the ramp.”   “Okay. I’ll head over. See you guys later. Good luck tonight.” You smiled and walked away.   “Dumbass.” Matt said.   “What?” Jeff asked looking at his brother.   “You could have asked her out or at least for her number.”   “I was caught up on the moment, I’ll do it later.” He had been saying that since he first saw her two months ago. 

  After the show was over Jeff went looking for (Y/N). He couldn’t find her after her match or after his. It was like she had disappeared. Finally when he was about to give up he heard her voice travel down the hallway. When she came into view he saw she was talking to someone on her phone.   “Hey (Y/N)!” He whispered when she got closer. She smiled at him and mouthed ‘One minute.’   “Okay. I know I’ll come by soon. I miss my Bird too. Tell her I love her. And I love you to Brie. Okay, see you soon. Bye.” She hung up and put her phone away before giving Jeff her attention. “Sorry. Its become a sort of ritual for me to call Brie after my match.”   “How do you know Brie? She hasn’t been around since before you joined?” He decided the best course of action was small talk then ask for her number.   “My mom and the twins were friends as kids. When my mom died Brie really helped me out with everything. She’s part of the reason I’m here. Her and Nikki put in a good word for me. What are you still doing here? You and Matt are normally first to leave.”   Guess that was enough small talk.   “Matt went on ahead. I was looking for you actually. I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner sometime? If not that’s cool. It’s cool. Okay I can tell by your face thats a no. Got it.” He spoke a million words a minute and started to leave when he felt a hand on his arm.   “One, this is just my normal face. Two, dinner sounds great. I’m free Thursday. Give me your phone I’ll put my number in.” He handed her his phone and watched as she quickly typed in her contact information.   He took his phone back and smiled to himself. “Thursday is perfect. I’ll pick you up. Is 7 okay?”   “Sounds perfect. See you then.” 

   Three Years later   “What’s your secret? How day keep the romance alive after three years together? Great question.” Jeff and (Y/N) were doing a youtube Q&A for WWE so far the questions had been wrestling related but this was a nice change. “I wanna hear your answer first.” (Y/N) said after reading the question.   “Well first off, surprises. I’m not just talking flowers and chocolates, really focus and do something unexpected. Like one time (Y/N) said she wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride. Four months later we’re in a hot air balloon. Second, pay attention to the details, learn everything you can. I can tell you (Y/N)’s shoe size, preferred brand of jeans, and where every freckle on her body is located. And finally don’t rush anything. It’s okay to take it slow. Sometimes fast can be okay but I learned that slow can be good too. In my previous relationship we moved in together at the 5 month mark. (Y/N) and I didn’t even kiss until that point. I’m not saying everyone should do it that way but it worked for us.”   “Okay wow. Thats way better then anything I could come up with, so you win that one.” (Y/N) was beyond impress with that answer. She was imagining him to say something about sex or something super cheesy. “I’m a romantic. I can’t help it.” Jeff smirked and leaned over to kiss (Y/N) on the cheek.   “Yes such a romantic. Next question: Are there any wrestling moves that can be used for sexy times? Oh lord its your favorite question.” (Y/N) shook her head as Jeff rubbed his hands together ready to explain the answer in extreme detail.  

[mercurialmist]

To Be Something Else, Mathilda Oosthuizen, 2021

Crashing, right knee hitting hard, back, then head. Thud. The force brought her head back up from the concrete stairwell. Was she trying to get up? To move her purple jumper away from the spilt ketchup? To lift her head to joke? Complain or rib? Stillness. 

***

Adam was in the toilets. There were only two cubicles. No one else was there, yet. I’d wait until he finished, then show myself. As a scientist he would probably look at me with curiosity, making time for him to see who I was. I’d try and show him the handshake we used to do. I was sure he’d remember even though it was fifteen years ago or so. The flush sounded. Still on the ceiling, I began to make my way down. Adam flicked the lock, the door opened. 

My legs/arms touched something slippery. I stuck to every surface but not this. I scrambled to get a grip but it was no good. I was going down. I hit the hand drier and fell into the bin head first. I rustled around in the cesspool of papery germs trying to turn myself around, but there was no room to manoeuvre. The bin, mostly filled with damp hand towels from the early morning toilet goers, began to sway. This was not the entrance I had planned. The contents and I spilled out. After shaking the paper towels off, there was no sign of Adam. He had gone.

I felt something fall onto my back and saw a roll of toilet paper making its way towards the door. Adam was armed. If it wasn’t so tragic it would have been hilarious. We would have laughed as we passed a spliff. I tried to tell him it was me. I crawled closer so he could see the handshake. 

Look! I gestured towards him. He swung his leg out, clipping what once would have been my chin. My whole body was flung into the air. Adam began to shout. Telling me to get out. To leave him alone. Upside down, I could see his face, eyes wide, nose flaring, holding a toilet roll in his right hand, ready to fire. I scrambled, remembering the earlier technique of rolling and tipping. My head was spinning from the kick. Perhaps I deserved this greeting. I hadn’t kept in touch. Things had changed, we were different now. Even after Covid I hadn’t asked him how he was, or his family. Maybe he was just angry at me. Another roll hit my back, I fled. 

**

I had to find the food. That’s what they wanted, that’s what they’ll get. I focused all my energy. I closed my eyes, searching for something, some instinct that would alert me to nearby food. 

“That’s it, come on. Just go left, then you’ll have it. Come on.” Tamzin whispered under her breath. 

That’s more like it! Keep it coming, I’m all ears. Now where? Come on Tamzin! I waited for her to give me a signal. She moved around the other side of the maze. I followed her, turning left in the Perspex maze box. My hairs skated on the smooth surface of the plastic. She stood still, I tried pointing my antennae in front, to see if it could gather any sense of food. There was a small scent coming from somewhere, seemed to be right. I followed it around the corner. My stick feet became separated from the ground. I was being swept up in something. I wriggled my legs, trying to keep my face above the water, now be pulling me around the maze. 

“What are you doing! Matt stop! Are you trying to drown it!?” Tamzin tore the litre bottle from him. 

“ Just having a bit of fun. I wanted to see if he could swim.” He chuckled. 

“Not cool Matt.” 

The water seemed to be rising. As long as I could keep my mouth out of it. I was floating along the surface of the water. My shell was keeping me from drowning, like an in-built life jacket. Each time there was a ripple in the water, it splashed into my mouth, causing my arms and legs to wriggle, causing more water to splash into me. I spluttered, or tried to. Water seemed to be covering my shell. I held my breath. I could hear Matt laughing as I felt myself becoming engulfed by the water. 

***

The lid began to lift and a thin strip of daylight blinded me. The antennae were stronger than they looked. I’ll give them that. It was time to leave this shit behind. Literally. Mounting the pile I had created over the last few hours, I used my entire body, starting with the antennae, I had finally found a use for them, even the shortened one and pushed up with all my legs. Holding the lip of the lid with my front legs, I kicked and wiggled my way out of the dumpster. 

It seemed adding an outsider to a research project wasn’t allowed. The boss had instructed them to get rid of me. And so they had squabbled. What should they do with such an animal? Matt said it would be easiest to squish me, there was an incinerator in the basement they could throw me in. Thankfully this was voted out and I ended up here wallowing in the fatty acids and squalid thoughts of getting what I deserved. It was meant to be, I was finally where I had always belonged, animal or not, I recalled the urgency of finding answers. It wasn’t just my life at stake. I remembered Suzannah, her obsession, her books, that all things have force, have agency. I needed to show the world that Jane Bennet was right. We things matter, and are vibrant. For Alfie.

Forced to make my way out of a bin for commercial waste, my ego was squashed to the size of my broken antenna. The food didn’t help. Whilst in the lab, a voluntary test subject, a guinea pig ,the food had been shit. Mostly bin scraps. Probably pulled from this same bin. I needed some decent food. Some Halušky for example.

***

Approaching the back of the shops and restaurants, overflowing bins on either side. I scrambled down the wooden slatted fence and into the alley. It was an open space. I stood still. Cigarette in hand, she was looking out, down the alley, I was in her eye line. Checkered trousers ballooned around her, making it seem like she had one leg. The tightly fastened apron suggested otherwise, as it hugged the tops of her large thighs. I froze. She could easily choose to ignore me. Right? I couldn’t think of a time, when if a large insect had come into view, I would have ignored it. There was a chance when smoking with Tom, playing The Legend of Zelda, a chance. I wished for Zelda to appear now. Something to take the pressure off. But all was still. Nothing moved except the smoke drifting from her cigarette. I was relieved when she turned away. Maybe she hadn’t seen me. 

“Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!” 

The pain was staggering. I couldn’t work out what was hurting. Neither could I move. 

“Take that!” I felt a thump in my abdomen as the chef’s foot pushed its way underneath me before lifting me up in the air. I landed on the other side of the alley on some bin bags. Old fish skins seeped out along with kilos of slimy noodles and meat packaging. This was not the problem. Towering above me was a very irate human. I watched in slow-motion as she swung a wooden post above her head. For a second I thought I was on World’s Strongest Woman the strain and bulging features, penetrating through her skin. The post came down hard on the bottom half of my body. Knowing this could be the end, I forced myself over, off the bags and onto my feet as once more the post was raised. I tried to limp fast. My back leg trailed behind me. My balance was off. I couldn’t move fast enough. She was getting closer. 

“Oi! Chef! Order!” 

I caught sight of the chef turning towards the voice. 

“What the fuck man? Can’t you see I’m in the middle of something here!”

“Yea, well, customers!” 

I could see her once again raise the post. I kept running, looking for anywhere to hide. I felt pain all over, then my eyes closed. 

***

I cleaned the plate. Pleased to finally be allowed such a thing instead of the rabbit bowl I had been using.“More sleep for you, I think. You need it to regenerate those legs.” Marina lifted me from the table and carried me into her study. I nestled into her arm. Once in the room, she laid me down into the small dog bed she had had in storage somewhere. It was the ideal size. In the partially lined sheepskin bed, I felt cocooned but not constricted. As I was about to close my eyes. Something large entered the room and made its way towards me. It was huge! Black with some white wiry hair and a large tail it wafted around wildly. It knew I was here. I looked over to where Marina was sitting at her desk. I couldn’t run, I couldn’t escape to the ceiling. She hadn’t noticed the dog’s entrance. Marina! It began sniffing in front of me, wanting to get closer. Go away! Leave me alone!

It tilted its head to one side and made a whiney noise. 

“Oh Rory! What are you doing in here!” Marina grabbed the dog by its collar and whisked him out of the room, closing the door behind it. She came back, and seeing my agitation, insisted the dog was gone and wouldn’t be coming back. An apology would have been nice but she didn’t go that far. I’d never been into dogs. I never knew what they were going to do. Not like cats. They were much more relaxed. Marina, why don’t you have a cat!? I looked back at her but she was fully engrossed in her writing. He nearly ate me for fuck's sake. What were you thinking letting him in here? She must have sensed my unease as she swivelled round to my direction. 

“Sleep for you. Sleepy time. Gosh I need to stop getting distracted, first the dog now you. This paper won’t write itself.”

She was right. I needed rest. I needed to get my strength back. From reading books by Ewen Cameron over Suzannah’s shoulder there was a likelihood that I would grow back the legs. The one on the right was the worst off, most of the leg was gone. This was the ideal place to heal. The study was quiet. Marina would talk to me, I liked that, even though I couldn’t talk back. It was more that she was muttering to herself most of the time. She would read too, read aloud what she was writing. At first I found it difficult to understand, it all seemed so academic, so out of reach. But as time went on and my legs began to heal, it began to make some sense. She made sure the dog didn’t get back in after the incident. I’ve never felt so helpless. Not as a human anyway. This world was not made for me, that was very clear. It didn’t know how to react to me, to treat me. So instead I got violence. I got kicked, attacked with toilet rolls, chucked into bins, twice. And worst of all, I too had been driven to violence; the only person, perhaps ever, who had understood me, was dead because of me. 

****

Crashing. I watched in slow-motion as her right knee hit the edge of the step hard, her back smashed into the concrete, then her head. Thud. The force brought her head back up. Her purple jumper just missing the ketchup spill from the old chips. Was she trying to get up? To lift her head to joke? Complain or rib? Stillness. 

“Mum?” A quiet Alfie crept up the stairwell from where he was told to hide. He looked around the corner where he had last seen his mum, stopping abruptly, grazing the top of her head with his little knee. Looking down at her and then up the stairs towards where I was standing. I lay down. There was nothing to hold me up, it felt as if all my insides had gone. Had left me. Slumped on the floor, I watched as Alfie began to pat his mum on the pack, pulling at her tight purple cropped jumper. 

“Mum? We need to go. Mum?” Blood began to spill out from her nose. Her head resting limply near the edge of the landing. A small pool formed that soon expanded, sliding onto the stair below. Realising his mum wasn’t moving, Alfie took her hand which lay dumbly in front of her. And stood, watching. The blood continued to flow, her ears too began to bleed, building up in her outer ear, dripping from her lobe, spilling over and merging with the pool from her nose. Alfie watched as the pools grew. He looked up at me, as if he might see his Uncle Greg.  

���Uncle Greg!” 

I couldn’t move. As Alfie watched the door of my studio flat, I caught Gen’s eyes, they were open, wide open. Empty, but looking at me, as if to say, what have you done? 

A door opened below, voices echoed around the concrete stairwell. And I ran. I ran for my life. Ignoring the screeches that passed me. The kicks that nearly hit me. The cries from Alfie as neighbours began to see the state of his mum. I ran for the guilt. I ran.

See more of Mathilda’s work at: https://www.everythingforever.net/mathilda-oosthuizen

[melyaliz]

New Years

Summary: Jennifer looks forward to the new year with her friends. Years later their kids are doing the same.

Pairing: Dick Grayson x oc, Roy Harper x oc, Kaldur x oc

Notes: Just some fun with my OC’s for New Years

Maia and her kids Collin, Eric, Sofie are @royslittleharper

Annabella and her kids Atina, Aquata are @the-shadow-of-atlantis

Rest are mine or DC’s (You get it)

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” Jennifer cried shaking the bottle of champagne Shane had given her. The bartender laughed shielding his face from the spray as the very drunk girl stood on the bar spraying the screaming crowd. Everyone jumping up and down as glitter, balloons, and champagne rained down on them. Alcohol infused excitement exploding through the bar as everyone moved in a large frenzy.

“I don’t know what I expected giving you that bottle,” Shane laughed up at his friend who was now sitting at the bar looking proudly out over at the people around her. Next, to Jennifer, a cute blonde leaned over the bar motioning for Shane to come over.

“Where’s my New Year’s kiss bartender?”

“Waiting for you baby” Shane said leaning forward kissing her. Behind her, a line of other girls started to clamber up cheering and asking for their new year's kisses.

Jen laughed as she watched swinging her legs. Taking in the room around her

Kaldur’s hand was above him and Jennifer’s cousin. Annabella was laughing at something the Atlantean was saying as Kaldur moved his hand letting the champaign he had shielded from her fall to the floor. Protective as always. even if it was just from some sparkling wine. Gently he leaned forward and kissed her. His precious little gift. 

Maia was trying to get some glitter out of Roy’s hair before noticing Shane’s line of ladies.

“I’m going to kiss my old self-goodbye this year,” she told the red-haired man as she nodded toward the scene at the bar. 

“Better idea,” Roy said leaning forward, “you kiss me and keep your old self.” Maia couldn’t help but smirk as brushed her nose against his. 

“Sounds good to me”

The sound of Dick Grayson’s laughter broke Jennifer out of her musings. She flashed him a smile as he walked up to the brunette. She had always loved the sound of his laughter and could pick it out of any room. Taking a swig from the mostly empty bottle she nodded toward him.

“Is there a problem officer?” Jennifer asked before holding out the bottle for him.

“I’m on duty,” he said shaking his head, “But I had to stop by and make sure you were all good.”

“Well I’m not,” Jennifer said wrapping her legs around his waist, drunk on wine and excitment, “I never got a New Year’s kiss”

“I could fix that,” Dick whispered before leaning forward gently kissing her. His hand getting tangled up in her thick brown hair. He knew this was it, just the light flirting and surface relationship. But it had taken so much time to get back to this place he would take what he could get.

Plus she tasted amazing, like champagne. Bubbly and sweet.

“Also, can I get a ride home officer? I’m too drunk to drive.” Who knows, New Year and all. 

Dick smiled kissing her forehead, enjoying her closness, Savoring it. drinking it in. “Of course, you ready to go?” Jennifer looked around the bar at all her friends. It had been a good night to a rather messy year. Who knew what the future unfolded but for this moment, this beautiful moment here in this bar everything was beautiful. Covered in glitter and champagne.

“Dick you’re here,” Annabella said skipping up to him, her hand intertwined with Kaldur’s. At the same moment Maia’s laugh rang in Dick’s ear as her arms wrapping his neck.

“Officer Grayson! Are you here to arrest us for disorderly conduct? Or are you going to give Jen a ride home?” Maia winked at Jennifer “Fast and hard.”

Shane was now trying to break apart Gigi and Bart who were still making out against the wall. Honestly, Jennifer was pretty sure they hadn’t moved all night. Both Tim and Faith had offered to patrol that night which meant the red haired couple tended to be even more handsy than normal. Mostly because Faith wasn’t there to shoot them with a water gun.

“I hope we never grow apart,” Jennifer said pulling Annabella into a hug kissing her head. “In fact, I hope our kids are as close as we are”

--- Many years later---

---(Children years later)---

“NO Collin! I just got this shirt. UHG! I hate you!” Britney cried looking down at her brand new gold glittery crop top covered in the blue drinks that Shane and his two sons were passing out.

The bartender had offered to host a high school New Years party. All non-alcoholic of course. Not that the high strung kids of Gotham High needed it to be total idiots.

Case in point Collin, Maia and Roy’s son, and Britney, Jennifer and Dicks Daughter. 

“Well if you weren’t such a klutz I wouldn’t have spilled it on you!” Collin shouted back rolling his eyes, “Don’t be such a drama queen.”

“I’m not being a drama queen! If you hadn’t been ogling Renee’s butt you would have seen me come up.”

“It wasn’t her butt I was looking at!”

“Huh?”

“It’s not that bad,” Lisa said pulling out a napkin, “Honestly you can’t even see a difference with the glitter.”

“Ohhh Britney, do you have a drinking problem?” Renee asked skipping up looping her arm around Collin’s “I doubt anyone will want to give you a New Year’s kiss looking like a wet dog.”

“Oh shut up” Britney snapped lunging forward causing Lisa to hit herself in the face as she tried to help Britney clean up. Letting out a soft sigh Lisa silently wondered why she even bothered. 

“They're at it again,” Antoinette said taking another drink from the bar.

“Do they ever stop?” Sofie asked

“Have you guys seen Aquata?” Red asked coming up to his sister and friend. Both girl’s shook their head. Red shrugged taking a mocktail from the bar and slowly walking back into the crowd of people where May was teaching a few of the football guys how to do a cheer.

-&-

Aquata ran her fingers through her hair as she looked down at her phone. The black screen seemed to look up at her mockingly. She had just broken up with her boyfriend. It was somewhat a mutual thing but didn’t hurt any less. 

Putting her phone back into her back pocket Aquata looked out at the crowd of kids. Even her sister was talking to a few of her drama friends. New year new girl right? Slowly she walked outside to see Red sitting by himself.

“Hey.”

“Oh hey!” Red flashed her a smile

“Why aren't you with Collin?” Aquata asked sitting down next to him. The younger boy followed Collin around as if the older boy’s “wisdom” would rub off on him.

“Too loud” Red sighed tapping his head. Aquata nodded, when they had been younger Red had to sometimes leave school because he would get headaches trying to keep everyone’s thoughts out of his mind. The Teacher’s always thought it was just migraines even suggesting to Gigi and Bart that they get their son checked out for tumors.

“Why are you here?” The telepaths voice broke into her thoughts. Aquata just turned to him opening up her mind to him. Sometimes words weren’t enough.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Aquata shrugged, “No biggie,”

“His loss really.” Red added flashing her a smile, “You’re really cool… and stuff” he added lamely mentally kicking himself. And stuff? Really stupid? That was all you got? Collin would NEVER say anything that stupid.

That was when the horn went off. “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” everyone cried Aquata smiled turning to see everyone jumping up and down singing and laughing.

“Happy New Year Red” Aquata said leaning forward to give the younger boy a chaste kiss on the lips.

-&-

“Have you seen Aquata?” Atina asked over the music to Eric who was hanging with a few friends by Shane’s older son Fin who was playing DJ for the night. The middle Harper child shook his head.

“Is something wrong?”  

Atina shrugged, it was hard to explain but sometimes she just knew when her sister was upset. Like in the pit of her stomach. “I think she just broke up with her boyfriend.” she finally said. It had been a long time coming. Things hadn’t been going great for a week now and normally this lead to a breakup. Normally her sister was cool with it but it was New Years and breakups are never fun, especially on holidays.

“Oh man, the kid from East Gotham High?”

“No, that Quarterback from Star City”

“Oh, I didn’t know she broke up with the East High kid.”

“Yeah that was four months ago.”

“Huh…”

They both lapsed into silence for a moment. Atina sighed when had things gotten so awkward between them? Conversations use to flow for hours yet the past year it seemed like she could never find the right words.

“So how come you never date?” Eric asked finally. The question catching her off guard for a moment, honestly why didn't she? I mean the boy in front of her was a big part of that. Plus there was that whole Brad drama.

“I don’t know, I never found someone worth it I guess. Plus with that whole Brad stuff…” Her voice trailed off slightly, the fear from that whole experience still fresh. The boy had been stalking her for over a year and while the issue had been resolved it still felt as if she said his voice he would appear. 

“Man, what a tool,” Eric mumbled his hand instinctively balling into a fist. “If I ever see him again”

“You’ll have to get in line.” Atina laughed. “I’m pretty sure everyone wants to beat him up at this point. Or do something worse”

“Yeah, we have a pretty cool family don’t we,” Eric said looking around. His sister was sitting at the bar probably plotting some adventure with Antoinette, Frank quietly sitting next to them listening. Lisa was with her group of friends a few feet away. May was on the shoulders of his teammate, Matt, who were coming up toward them.

“HEY GUYS!” May sang out handing them both drinks. “It’s almost midnight are you ready!”

“Yep!” Atina said raising a glass cheering Eric.

“Here’s to our family and friends,” he said

“I’ll drink to that,” Matt said. May nodded in agreement. They all took a sit as Thomas, Shane’s younger son,  jumped onto the bar holding an air horn in one hand and a mic in the other.

“OK GUYS! Countdown! 10! 9!”

Atina laughed as she raised her glass with Eric and the others counting down with the room. It was as if the whole place pulsed. Excitement rippling through. As she looked up at Eric she knew this was her year.

Things were going to turn up.

-&-

“Oh my GOD! If Renee says one more time that she’s kissing Collin at midnight I am going to rip out her hair” Britney said taking a seat next to Sofie. Antoinette laughed from Sofie’s other side.

“Why does it bother you so much?” Antoinette asked taking a sip of her drink before Sofie elbowed her in the ribs.

“Stop, I already have a headache from Renee following me around asking about Collin.”

“See!” Britney said, “She’s insufferable.”

“Too bad someone else couldn’t just… you know… kiss Collin instead” Antoinette said looking around the bar innocently as if she would find that person. “I’m sure that would shut her up.”

“Nette...” Sofie started but Britney already had that glint in her eye. That, I have an idea and no one can tell me to stop, look. Next to Antoinette Frank just chuckled. Just enjoying the show. 

Thomas had just jumped up on the bar holding up an air horn.

“OK GUYS! Countdown! 10! 9!”

Britney bolted from the girls maneuvering through the crowd.

“8! 7!”

“Britney watch out!” Eric cried almost falling into Atina and one of his teammates who had May on his shoulders. The small redheaded girl let out a squeal grabbing onto the football player. Atina looked away feeling her cheeks heating up at Eric’s closeness.

“6! 5!”

Collin was shouting along with the crowd Renee next to him. Her eyes closed as she counted.

“4! 3!”  

Renee’s eyes opened and she slowly turned toward Collin a large smile on her face.

“2!”

Britney used all the amazing agility (that both her father and grandmother had blessed her with) to spin around Renee so that she had wedged her body between the other girl and Collin. The fire-haired boy smiled down at her, that cocky smile from the excitement of the party spread across his face. It may have also helped that his childhood crush was standing rather close to him. Not that he thought anything was going to happen.

“1!”  

Or that was his thought until she grabbing his collar pulling him down to her kissing him firmly on the lips. Collin’s green eyes grew wide in total shock. His mind went blank, had he just passed out? Was this a dream? No, maybe he had just died and gone to heaven.

Yeah, that was probably it.

Britney pulled away a large smile of total triumph on her face. Her hands falling from his collar to his chest. God, she was so beautiful as glitter and balloons rained down around her. In her glittery golden top, she almost looked like a little fairy or something.

“Uhhh cool” Collin mumbled lamely words totally escaping him. “And stuff.” He didn’t even realize he had wrapped his arms around her waist until the small brunette leaned back against them as she turned to look at Renee.

“Happy New Year” Britney sang slightly off key looking over at Renee who was standing there mouth totally agape in utter shock that probably matched Collin’s. For the first time in her life, she was lost for words.

Tagging:  @coffee-randomness @daisyboobear @werewitchling @nightwing-rules @jayne-writes  @guns-n-lilies @christmascass

[hailey-halstead]

137

I got prompt 137 and so here it is! very fun to write! I don't own anything except irene:-) ——————— "This is so unfair." Sylvie complained as she helped her sister-in-law hang up the blue and pink streamers. "You trusted Stella with keeping the gender a secret, but not me?" Today was Gabby's gender reveal party, a very special occasion for both her and Matt. With first the miscarriage and losing Louie, they deserved all of the happiness in the world. Sylvie was fine with not knowing the gender until the party, despite her hating secrets. If everyone else was in the dark too. But then Gabby spilled that Stella was the only one in on the gender as well. Which Sylvie couldn't help be slightly irritated by. Why would Stella be told over her? She has known Gabby longer, is partners with her on ambo, and is her sister-in-law! And Irene's godmother! That all counted for something. "I literally told her yesterday, Sylvie." Gabby sighed as she handed up some balloons she had blown up. She originally was on the ladder, but Sylvie had freaked when she walked in and saw her five month pregnant friend hanging decorations. So she was given the job of handing things up to Sylvie to hang. "You'll find out in 30 minutes. I think you can handle that." Sylvie opened her mouth to rebuttal, but a baby's cry interrupted her. Her eyes immediately followed the sound, landing on the car seat she had brought in. Eight month old Irene, who was fast asleep previously, was now awake. Ignoring the balloon Gabby was trying to pass to her, Sylvie climbed off of the ladder, heading towards her daughter. Irene's distressed cries quietened once she saw Sylvie's face. Recently she has developed a bit of separation anxiety, especially with Sylvie. Even though, the other day when Antonio left for work, she was pretty upset. "I'm here, I'm here." She picked up Irene, holding her against her hip. Irene's hand immediately grabbed onto Sylvie's shirt, with a toothy smile on her face. A very different mood than just a minute ago. "I was just helping Aunt Gabby with setting up for the party—Ah!" A noise of surprise escaped her lips when she noticed Gabby trying to lift the ladder out of the bar. "Gabby Dawson! What the hell are you doing?!" "I'm fine." She grunted, clearly struggling. "You tend to Irene—" Before Sylvie could place Irene back in her car seat to go help Gabby, Antonio and his kids luckily appeared. Diego and Antonio caught the ladder before it could fall on Gabby. "Are you crazy??" Antonio scolded his sister, handing the ladder to Eva and Diego for them to carry to the back of the bar. "You could have injured yourself, sis!" "I'm fine." She repeated, ignoring how she had almost had a ladder fall on top of her. The Dawsons were incredibly stubborn. Well, technically Sylvie was a Dawson now too, but she could not compare to both Gabby and Antonio. "You should have seen her earlier, Antonio," Sylvie approached the siblings, keeping a study grip on Irene. Gabby gave her an irritated look, but Sylvie ignored it. After all, she didn't trust the secret of her baby's gender with her closest girlfriend. "She was on the ladder! I had to shoo her off." "Betrayal." Gabby stuck her tongue out at Sylvie. Antonio, finally noticing his wife's presence, wrapped his arm around Sylvie's waist. She switched Irene to her other side so Antonio could properly greet her. As he pressed a gentle kiss on an excited Irene's forehead, Sylvie's heart melted. Sylvie leaned into Antonio's shoulder, while moving Irene slightly over so she wouldn't squish her, feeling her own mood beginning to lift. She last saw him early this morning, as she came to Molly's to help Gabby get ready for the party. "I don't keep secrets from my husband." She laughed at the sight of Gabby's slightly annoyed expression. "I won't say a peep to Matt, though." She added, which made Gabby's face lighten. "Speaking of Matt..." Antonio pointed to the front door. Along with Herrmann and Severide, Matt and the two firefighters were entering with boxes of pizza. Behind them, was everyone else they had invited. "Holy shit, Gabby!" Sylvie spluttered out, eyes widening at the sight. "I thought this was a small gathering?" ".....My mom went a little overboard." She admitted, scratching her head. Her face lightened up with recognition. "There she is! I have to talk to her about something." She scurried off towards her. Sylvie was able to spot Camilla Dawson right away, but the person next to her surprised her. It was Stella, who was holding a pastry box. Gabby pulled them away, heading off to a corner for privacy. "You look grumpy." Antonio whispered into her ear. Sylvie sighed, not realizing that she was pouting. She prided himself in being a usually optimistic person, not letting negativity control her. But this jealously was hard to wash away. "Stella knows." She admitted to him, adjusting her hold on Irene. "I just thought if she wanted someone to help, it would have been me." "I bet she wants you to be surprised." Antonio told her. "You're the one she's been going to for baby and pregnancy advice, more than our own mom." He reminded her. "You're probably right." Sylvie sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Thanks for making me see logic." "That's why I'm here, right?" Antonio asked, which made Sylvie roll her eyes. "Ha. Ha. Very funny." She dryly replied, picking her head back up when Gabby came back with Camilla and Stella by her side. She watched as Stella carefully placed the box on the bar counter, opening it while Gabby called over Matt. "We were going to save this until the end, but I can't wait anymore." Gabby said with an apologetic smile. No one seemed to care though, eyeing the box that held the dessert with eager eyes. Sylvie wasn't aware of her own anticipation until Antonio let out a noise of pain due to how tight she was gripping his arm. "Sorry." She whispered, watching as Gabby removed a small cupcake from the box and held it up to Matt's mouth. With a big smile, Matt took a bite out of the chocolate cupcake. When he pulled away, distinct bright blue frosting was easily seen, as the crowd erupted into cheers. A boy! A nephew! Sylvie resisted her urge to step forward and pull Gabby into a hug, as the future parents were having their own moment. Instead she threw one of her arms around Antonio, keeping the other securely holding Irene. After exchanging a kiss with Antonio, Sylvie pressed one on her daughter's forehead as well. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Gabby pulled another cupcake out of the box. She tugged on Antonio's shirt, but he had already noticed. Gabby took a bite out of the cupcake and held the half eaten cupcake high, showcasing another blue frosting filled cupcake. "Twins? We're....we're having twins?" Matt, overcome with shock, had dropped the cupcake he was holding. Gabby leaned down to pick it up, with some difficultly since she was pregnant. With twins! Sylvie was trying to wrap her mind around this mind blowing surprise. In fact, the only one who didn't seem to have any reaction was Irene, babbling away into Sylvie's ear. And Camilla and Stella, both with smiles on their faces. "Holy shit." Sylvie finally spoke aloud. "Holy shit!" She said even louder, looking at Antonio in amazement. "I think that was a good surprise, don't you?" Antonio asked with a laugh, grinning ear to ear. Sylvie eagerly nodded, handing Irene over to him as she began to walk towards Gabby and Matt. This wonderful news was worth the wait, she thought as she wrapped her arms tightly around the both of them.

[matchingvnecks]

Andrew Rannells: Girls’ Best Friend

As Girls enters its finale season, we visit its resident gay best friend Andrew Rannells for a look at how his career has evolved — along with his character on the hit series.

There’s no missing Andrew Rannells. From the instant he strides onstage in the current Broadway revival of Falsettos, you’ll notice that, at 6’1”, he towers over his costars. Put his bearded face on a product, and it would move a mountain of Brawny towels or sell enough cans of Manwich to feed an army. Clean-shaven — as Rannells is onstage tonight — he radiates a post-fratboy glow that still find him playing parts a decade younger than his 38 years. Rannells’ evolution from fresh to familiar face has been like watching an languid summer afternoon roll by. He’s gracefully lept from Promise Ring roles like Elder Price, which he originated in the hit musical The Book of Mormon, to more acerbic characters like Elijah, the one-man Greek chorus who appears to pamper (then puncture) the inflated egos of the galpals who populate the beloved HBO series, Girls. It’s not easy, he says, but “I know my skill set and my strengths. I just do what I do.” Stage vs. Screen In demand on two coasts, Rannells has a Red Bull-binge awareNess that this is his moment, and he’s determined to make the most of it. Much of the time, he ricochets from sitcom sets to the stages of Broadway stage. These days he’s wrapping up Girls’ sixth and final season. Between that and Falsettos, Rannells briefly stepped in to play King George in Hamilton when Jonathan Groff left to finish the Looking film finale. One can’t help but wonder how long Rannells thinks it’s possible to maintain this bustling bi-coastal, multi-media lifestyle — and whether one career path must ultimately win out. ”Well, theater will always be nearest and dearest,” Rannells muses. “It’s where I feel most comfortable and in control and happiest.” He knows it’s rare to be in such demand that he can pick and choose between theater and TV projects. But his coworkers and representation have long become accustomed to Rannell’s need to alternate between screen and stage: “They understand,” he says with certainty. “I need this to recharge.” Despite living in a maelstrom of activity, Rannells remains remarkably polite, grateful and calm. Why? “I’m fortunate to be a gay man at a time when there are great roles to play,” he explains. “I’ve been lucky that way, because I have no issue playing gay men — since I am one — as long as there’s a good script. You just have to find the right ones.” Finding His People Rannells attributes his breezy optimism to his Irish/Polish origins in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was born fourth of five children. Neither oldest nor youngest, Rannells had to distinguish himself somehow; theater quickly became his ticket out of obscurity. “I was not initially very outgoing,” he admits, “but through my involvement with theater, I gradually became more comfortable. “I do remember back in kindergarten I developed a strange little clique that lasted up through eighth grade,” he says, flashing that megawatt smile. “Three guys who eventually came out as gay. Obviously that was a godsend, because they were accepting of me and I of them — even though being gay was never openly spoken about. It was, somehow, something we understood between the three of us. I mean, I remember lip-syncing to Cher in my friend’s basement.” Rannells attended an all-boys Catholic high school where “it took me a second to find my people. But eventually I made a great group of friends, some of whom I’m still in touch with,” he recalls. “While it was all-male, it was also a Jesuit school, where the teachings are ones of acceptance and there’s a lot of room for interpretation of the scriptures.” As a teen, Rannells became a familiar fixture on local stages, and by 18 he’d landed a string of voice-over parts and a commercial spoofing Grease opposite a young Amy Adams. But New York was always tugging at his sleeve, and so — with little more than the zeal to perform — Rannells moved East and began parlaying his voiceover experience into directing cartoons for Fox and Warner Brothers. “I did Sonic the Hedgehog,” he laughs, “along with many others. I directed the voiceover portion. So there I was at 23, trying to get performances out of actors making these Saturday morning cartoons and trying to sync to the originals when we dubbed them over from Japanese.” At the same time, the sense of treading water gnawed at him, until finally something snapped, he says. “I was going deeper and deeper into debt; so I thought I’d see if could just get anywhere by auditioning.” Rannells quit school and began seeing casting agents.

Saying “Hello!” to Broadway In 2002, Rannells was cast to play the title role in an Austin, Texas production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The show was a runaway hit and quickly ballooned from a four-week to a four-month run. He walked away with the local scene’s award for best actor in a musical. That was heartening, but only a hint of things to come. “My big break,” Rannells always says, “came from Hairspray.” “I was an understudy for nine months — then to get to be a lead on Broadway was something amazing.” By then, Hairspray was already in its third year; so although he could finally call himself a Broadway song-and-dance man, Rannells wasn’t exactly hot on the radar of industry professionals who could put him in bigger parts. His whole universe shifted again when the actor learned about a hush-hush project being assembled by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park. Rannells says he landed the lead in The Book Of Mormon the old fashioned way: by auditioning. “The people behind the show were very secretive, and all we really knew was: that it was about the Mormon church, it was a musical, and that Trey Parker and Matt Stone were doing it.” He heard that the producers were replacing the actor who’d played the role of Elder Price at early readings. “It was really fast,” he says. “It was three auditions: … Something clicked, and I was cast.” Soon after opening, the show became the hottest ticket in town. “I had no idea that it would become what it has,” Rannells admits, “but it was so funny and so smart, I knew we were going to have a very solid audience. It was a surprise that it’s as universal a hit as it has become, that it’s still running and traveled to Salt Lake City.” The Book of Dunham Book of Mormon also allowed Rannells to look for TV roles filmed in NYC. So he took an initially-peripheral role in Girls as Elijah, ex-boyfriend to Hannah (played by series star and creator Lena Dunham). Elijah comes out to her as gay in the show’s third episode. Then, two years into the run of Mormon, Rannells took a vacation during TV pilot season and dashed to LA, where he threw himself into a series of meetings. One of them was with Ryan Murphy, the maestro behind Glee and American Horror Story. “I learned he was working on a show about gay parents [based on Murphy’s own life], and I asked him about it. I had this strange moment of confidence. I thought, ‘I don’t know much about this, but I want to be a part of it.’” A month later, he got the offer to play Murphy’s alter-ego in The New Normal. Rannells had two seasons under his belt playing bestie to the ladies of Girls; so he was understandably itchy to play a lead. He met with Dunham and series producer Judd Apatow. “They said of course I had to try this.” Despite the magic of the Murphy name, The New Normal struggled to find its audience. The challenge was evident: Shows like Modern Family and Will & Grace proved that America could embrace gay characters, but were network audiences ready for a show where gay people were central rather than showcased for spice or comic relief? Normal was cancelled at the end of its first season. When asked if the show was ahead of its time, Rannells is quick to respond: “That’s exactly what I think. Modern Family was very successful and Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet were hugely popular; so it seemed like a good time for a show like ours. But New Normal was principally about gay people trying to have a baby, and Justin Bartha and I were the focus. We had a great cast with Ellen Barkin, Bebe Wood and the rest, but — at its heart — it was the gay couple’s story. Maybe it was too soon for that.”

The show ended, but Rannells didn’t miss a beat. In no time, he says, “Lena offered me my job back on the third season of Girls and it’s been great to be back and see Elijah grow and evolve.” In fact, Elijah has since gone on to become one of the most multi-layered gay characters ever put on a television screen. He’s dealt with issues of sexual fluidity — sleeping with Allison Williams’ character Marnie, and when Hannah’s Dad came out as gay late in life, he turned to Elijah for comfort and counsel. Most recently, Elijah grappled with his desire for monogamy while dating a decidedly non-monagamous TV personality (played by House of Cards alum Corey Stoll). In a show that relies on irresponsible antics for its humor, Elijah often ends up the only adult in the room. “This season, I’m looking forward to showing even more different parts of Elijah. He’s no longer the messy friend, you know?” Rannells offers. “And there’s the storyline with Cory Stoll, where I get to continue to try to be more grown up and proud. Of course, Elijah still observes the girls just as the audience does, and I still get to call them out on their B.S. and being narcissistic.” Getting Bigger Dreams Rannells is now weighing his options for the future, since Girls will soon say goodbye and the lights of Falsettos won’t stay lit forever. “It’s like Oprah says, once you’ve achieved a dream, you’ve got to get bigger dreams,” he reasons. “That’s sort of been my approach. You get where you wanted to go, and move the line several steps.” It’s worth noting that Rannells’ star has risem parallel to the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the beginning of marriage equality. Unlike generations before him, he was not as seriously faced with the possibility that being openly gay and playing gay characters could threaten his career. But he’s wary that the incoming Trump administration may yet prove a danger to that kind of freedom. “What to do? “My plan is to stay vigilant,” he says.

Now when he’s asked if playing gay characters has limited him, Rannells sets the doubters straight: “I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone ask straight guys if it’s limiting playing a straight guy. I know a lot of gay roles are played by straight people, and if they’re the best people for the job — well, fine. But playing gay? I have a little insight into that.” The final season of Girls premieres Sunday, February 12 on HBO. Visit hbo.com for more details.

[daisyxking]

Under the mask of foundation, fake eyelashes and nude matte lip, Daisy was by all definitions of the word - a mess. Memories of what could only be described as the second worst night of her life came flooding back and she saw Dustin on the beach with the one person she wanted so badly to protect him from. When Davis pulled her away from the scene. When someone rushed in and grabbed keys before telling someone else to call the hospital. Seeing Mason hold the only person who mattered to her in that moment.

“Is he dead?!” She screamed, pushing violently against Mallory and Lincoln’s arms as they gripped her. “Oh my god is he dead?!?!?” She wiggled her way out of their hold and ran as fast as her pregnant body could run, watching Davis begin to escort Dustin towards the car.

“Daisy,” Davis said as calmly as possible. The redhead couldn’t focus on anything other than Dustin’s form, watching as he walked without seeming to realize he was walking. “I’m taking Dustin to the hospital. He needs to go somewhere. He was talking about wanting to die.”

And then it all fell apart. Daisy didn’t look as surprised as she should have considering she knew what bruises were hidden beneath his hoodie.

“Get him there safely, Davis. I have something I need to do.”

“Daisy don’t-”

“I said get my boyfriend to the hospital Davis. Now.”

She liked to think that Mason would remember her words for a while.

With a big hug and a last minute check to make sure June’s new cell phone was loaded with any emergency numbers she may need, Daisy hugged Ellie and kissed the top of June’s head.

“I’ll be back soon! Try not to have too much fun without me!”

The drive to the main key where the rehab facility had been built was too long and not long enough all at once. She had arrived an hour and 15 minutes early - possibly due to not “seeing” the speed limit signs that were all over the roads she flew through. While she sat there tapping her steering wheel nervously she watched people set up balloons and exited the vehicle, desperate to be first in the line she might have been completely fabricating.

“We aren’t- sorry we aren’t letting people in for another 20 minutes.”

“Oh don’t worry, I just wanted to be the first one in line.”

“Um… okay,” the woman said, not wanting to be the one to tell the pregnant lady that there wasn’t really a line. After five minutes of awkward silence while Daisy stood there occasionally whining about the pain in her back and the employees kept working, the woman approached her again. “Listen there’s a bench just inside, why don’t you go have a seat?”

“Oh are you sure?!” Of course her back hurt, but she wasn’t one to openly complain about it. Rather, the pity card was one she was well-versed in using. “Only if you’re really sure…”

“Yes well, your back hurts and I’m sure it was already a long drive here, please. I insist.”

With a big smile, Daisy shook the woman’s hand and thanked her. “You’re a lifesaver! I’m almost 8 months! I think she knows we’re seeing her daddy because she’s been kicking like crazy!” A laugh, another gentle smile as Daisy waddled her way into the entrance, sitting on the bench that she’d been told about. Now that she was finally inside maybe it felt like she could breathe, like she could think straight again knowing somewhere in that building was her boy. Lola kicked again and she smiled genuinely for the first time in a while.

There was a man in scrubs who came up behind the desk and greeted Daisy with a warm smile.

“Here for our visitor’s day?”

“Yes I am!” She said, clapping her hands together.

“Let’s get you all checked in, shall we?”

“Goodness, you don’t have to do that! I know I’m 10 minutes early.”

The old doctor with kind eyes looked at her with another smile. “Is your car the Range Rover out there? The silver one?”

“Yeah?”

“I think you were more like an hour and a half early,” another laugh from the man and a blush from Daisy. “What’s your name, Dear?”

“Daisy Amelie King.”

“Wonderful, and which guest are you here for?”

She was thankful he said guest and not patient because she hadn’t gotten the image of a sterile, terrible place that he was stuck in despite having done extensive research on the facility.

“Dustin Young,” she said with a big smile.

“Oh yes! You’re his emergency contact aren’t you? Lovely to meet you Ms. King, I’ve been taking really great care of him for you!”

Her lips shook at his words and some sort of flood of relief went through her realizing this man was his doctor. She stood up quickly, reaching out to shake the man’s hand.

“Normally this is the time that I threaten to ruin everything you have built for yourself if you don’t do your job well but I am very impressed Dr…”

“Dr. Robinson, but please I go by Cliff here,” he said as he returned the handshake.

“It’s very nice to meet you Cliff. Now I did some research, so here is my phone, all reflective surfaces I brought with me are in this bag, I did bring him some photos but I cut off the edges and dulled the paper, you can check them if you’d like, I swapped my shoes from the stilettos into sneakers and took off my earrings so I don’t have anything sharp on me and here is my purse which I put my keys in, I didn’t wear any pockets either, so I’m not hiding anything.” As she spoke (the words coming out quicker than Cliff had thought possible) she laid her items on the counter, shoving bags of jewelry, mirrors, her phone and her purse towards him before laying the folder she’d brought full of pictures in front of him.

“My,” he said with a soft chuckle. “You certainly did do your research.” He placed all the smaller bags back into her purse before flipping through the photos, smiling as he did. Running his thumb along the edges, he nodded with satisfaction. “Miss King you are as great as I’ve heard. These are fine, though I’ll-”

“Keep the folder?” Daisy interrupted because she had to keep proving to everyone she was good enough she was good enough she had to be good enough.

“You read my mind. Now let me put this in a locker for you. Fill out a nametag and I’ll get you all set up.”

She saw a few people waiting outside, a smile forming on her face as she thought of seeing Dustin SO soon. He’d be in her arms again. She missed having him in her arms almost as much as she missed the little snores he made while he slept and his smile while she devoured her 6th scone and his heartbeat and his reflection in the mirror while they got ready and every single thing about him. Her lip shook again as she grew overwhelmed, realizing she’d be seeing him - she’d be seeing him! As the old man reappeared, he nodded for her to follow along as the other visitor’s began entering.

“Now Ms. King, as you know from when we spoke about Dustin staying with us rather than some other options, we strive to maintain a one on one sort of relationship with all of our guests but particularly our more… esteemed ones. So what that means is I am working with no one other than Dustin. I want you to know that I am putting all of my focus and energy into bettering your partner.” Daisy followed him quickly, taking in her surroundings and liking what she was seeing. “What you’re walking into is an already remarkable amount of progress, but he is… for lack of a better word… embarrassed about having to be here. So I don’t know what you’re expecting, but don’t be hurt if his reaction is not what you anticipated.”

“Dr. Robinson, seeing my boy alive means more than enough. Trust me.” They entered what looked to be a common area and she saw many people looking as if they were waiting desperately for their family or friends. Her eyes searched desperately for Dustin before Cliff beckoned her towards the outdoor area.

And there he was, her beautiful Dustin, sitting beneath a palm tree and scribbling all over the piece of paper in front of him.

“This is his reflection time. Routines are important here, so it’s important not to interrupt him but in six minutes it’ll be time for his lunch and that, my dear Ms. King, is where you come in. Would you like to be our delivery girl?”

So six minutes later, Daisy held a tray of food and took a deep breath before leaving into the outdoor area.

“Your food, good Sir,” she said in a haughty English accent, dropping the tray carelessly on the table before collapsing on the bench beside him, pulling him into a great big hug. Maybe she was being selfish, wanting to feel him so close by. Maybe he hated her hugging him. He certainly didn’t reciprocate, but Daisy didn’t mind, she simply leaned further into him, memorizing the feeling of his clothes on her cheek and the sensation of his presence.

“I missed you,” she whispered, smiling as he placed one hand on her back, closing her eyes and letting out a shaky breath of relief. They sat like that for a while, not speaking or anything until she finally pulled away despite wanting to stay there forever. “Let’s see what you’ve got for lunch, shall we?”

Every once in a while, Daisy would steal a fry, make a funny face with it, every once in a while he would let out a small smile because of it.

“Oof!” When Lola’s foot made contact with what felt like a lower rib, Daisy let out a huff.

“Are you okay?” And there was his voice again, melting away every ounce of pain she felt.

“Yes, yes I’m fine! Lola has been kicking like CRAZY, Babe. I kept telling her we were seeing her daddy today but I kinda wish I hadn’t since she’s been excited in there all day.”

Another laugh, this time a bit more genuine. Daisy sighed happily, resting her chin on her hand. If the last thing her ears heard on this earth was his laugh, Daisy thought she’d be alright with that.

“I brought pictures! Did you want to see them?”

“Um… yeah, of course. Can we go to my room, though? It’s going to get busy in here.”

Despite the room being the size of her closet, Daisy was satisfied with the state of it, and joined Dustin on the bed.

“How is it here?,” she finally got the courage to ask as she sat down.

“It’s good,” he answered because he knew that’s what she wanted to hear and because he imagined that, as rehabs went, it was good. Even more relief as Daisy nodded, smiling over at him.

“Good, that’s good. Do you want to see the pictures now?”

“Yeah, lets see what we’ve got here.”

Daisy held the photos out in front of them, already smiling over the first one.

“June was playing dress up as a psychic in this one and thought that my tummy made a great crystal ball while I was doing yoga.” Daisy giggled as she handed the picture to Dustin who smiled upon seeing it. “Oh, this is Lincoln right after he fell into the sand trying to catch Mal’s purse. Long story short he tripped over himself instead, ending up with a mouthful of sand, and all Mal had to do was pick up her purse.” She handed that to him as well. “Oh!” She laughed again, looking at the next picture. “Here’s June pretending to drink coffee out of your favorite mug. It’s just cocoa but don’t tell her I told you.” His expression was something like wistful as he smiled at the picture of June. She looked so grown up and even though he’d only been gone for a while and they spoke almost every night, he missed her. “Is… I’ve got a few more if you’re okay. Otherwise I’ll leave them for you later.”

“Is that a new ultrasound?,” Dustin asked, peering beneath the picture of Davis pretending the small pile of Princess Snuffles the Third’s poop was his own as he squatted down over it. Dustin knew it was Princess Snuffles the Third’s poop because she always did that when she was anxious and Dustin was always the one who had to throw it away. He laughed softly, taking it from Daisy who was flashing the newest ultrasound.

“This was just last week,” she said with a huge grin. “Baby, her heartbeat is so strong! And she’s going to be so healthy, they’re saying. Our girl is gonna be healthy…” She loved saying ‘our girl’ because from the moment Dustin agreed to her offer, Lola was nothing but theirs together, never separate.

Without words, Dustin took the rest of the pictures and sat them on his bedside table. He laid back, patting the spot beside him which she filled almost instantly. Curled up into his side, Daisy relished in the familiar feeling of his arm around her, resting on her stomach. Immediately after he placed his hand on her bump, Lola kicked and the pair laughed.

It was silent for the rest of the time that they laid there. The silence was enough because it was combined with the knowledge and realization that they were there together and they were safe and every once in a while Lola kicked occasionally but other than that it was peaceful and perfect.

One of the nurses came around to make sure all the visitors would be ready to leave in 5 minutes and even though Daisy was far from ready, she stood up and walked with Dustin to the exit.

“Can I kiss you?” She asked quietly. Instead of responding, he pressed a few gentle kisses to her lips and Daisy felt even better. “I left a present for you under your pillow. I love you.” A few more quick kisses before Daisy tore herself away from him, Cliff escorting her to her car with a promise to keep her updated and to take good care of her boy.

That night, Dustin lifted his pillow, not sure what he expected to see. A small, old looking recorder was not one of the things that he’d thought of, though that’s what it was.

“Play me 🖤” was written in Daisy’s handwriting so, after he’d curled up in bed he did just that.

“No you can go first it’s okay!”

Daisy’s voice rang out before June’s giggle, close to the recorder.

“Okay, um, hey Dusty, I miss you sooooo much! I hope your bed is comfy, and that your feet don’t get cold - or stinky!” June giggled again and Dustin smiled, trying not to cry. “Hey I’m taking good care of Daisy, she keeps trying to redecorate all on her own! I’m like, um, no, you can’t move an entire couch! Anyway, Snuffles is here and wants to say hi - say hi Snuffles!” For a few moments the dog’s snorts were all he could hear. Even that made him smile. “Oh and Daisy got me these awesome versions of the Harry Potter books! They’re all pretty and sparkly on the covers! So I’m gonna read those! Anyway, I love you, I’m gonna give the recorder to Daisy now and I can’t wait to see you! Bye!” There was a shuffle before Daisy’s voice was back.

“Hey, babe! I love you sooooooo much! Um - jeez I should have prepared ahead of time more um-“ She laughed and Dustin could practically see her flustered face. “Well we just wanted you to have this so that you can hear us whenever you need to! I know you don’t see it this way but I am so proud of you for what you’re doing because you are my whole heart, and I just want you better because I love you! So from your soon to be daughter and I, thank you. We love you. Goodbye, baby. I already can’t wait to hold you again.”

And then there was a click and the room filled with silence.

On Sunset Key, Daisy’s car was parked in front of Ellie’s apartment building and she was supposed to be up there, she was supposed to have picked June up 5 minutes ago, but she sat there sobbing against her steering wheel because something in her, as hard as she tried to impress everyone and as impressed as everyone was, told her she hadn’t been good enough and she never would be. All of the money and therapists in the world, everything she could give him, it wouldn’t be enough to make him love himself.

She had to count on her own love being enough and how could she do that when it had already failed once.