#16 year old remodel

[the-californicationist]

The Missed Deadline

Gaz/FReader - virginity pact, childhood besties, explicit consent

AO3 Link

You and Kyle had a pact. Ever since you were teenagers, you pinky promised that if you were still virgins by the time you turned 21, you’d do it together. He’d gone off to war and lost his virginity immediately, but when he comes back to help his mum for the holiday, he learns that you still have yours, and you’re way past your deadline. 

!!! MDNI/18+ NO EXCEPTIONS !!

To anyone who has not yet lost their virginity: THIS IS FICTION AND IT IS NOT A GUIDEBOOK. Fuck responsibly, everyone.

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You couldn’t believe your eyes. Your neighbor, Mrs. Garrick, had been moving all of her old furniture into storage, prepping for a huge remodel, and now, here he was. He was back. It had been years since you’d seen him. 

“Marco?” You called out from your open bedroom window.

He looked around for a moment, resting after helping move a dresser out of the front door, so you called again,

“Up here!”

He looked up at your window, and his face lit up when he found you. 

“Polo? Bloody hell. It’s you,” his face softened with amused wonder, and he started to take off his leather work gloves, “I’m coming up!”

Kyle moved through your garden in the same way he always had, ever since you were kids. You heard your front door open, and then you listened as his heavy boots trod up the stairs, and finally, you watched the old brass knob to your room turn, pop, and open with a soft creak. 

He stood there in the doorway, one hand still on the knob, frozen in time. Only, he was much older than he should’ve been. 

He should have been 15 again, showing you how to work a two-way radio so you could play recon with him in the fields next to your house. 

He should have been 16, trying to learn how to kiss, telling you and himself that you were just doing it to practice, that it didn’t have to mean anything. 

He should have been 17, sitting on your bed, head in his hands, telling you he’d joined the army and that he didn’t know when he was coming back, but that he had fallen for you and he knew that you couldn’t be together. 

He should’ve been 18, back from basic training, telling you about all of his adventures, asking if you still liked him, making you promise that if you were both still virgins when you turned 21, you’d lose it together. 

But, now, here he was, 22 and staring at you, making you feel like you were still 15, making promises to him that you were never meant to keep. 

“Marco,” you whispered, standing up and reaching out for him.

“Polo,” he whispered back, crossing the room to hold you in his arms. 

He was wearing a tee shirt without its sleeves, sweaty and dirty from moving furniture all day, and he stared down at you like he expected you to kiss him. Remembering himself, he broke the hug and moved back, suddenly aware of his body in your small space.

You went through the little dance you were supposed to do: hi - hi - how are things - how’s school - how’s your mum - blah, blah, blah. It was nothing, and you knew it was nothing, and so did he. So, you stopped. 

“Did you keep your promise, then?” You knew he hadn’t. He was a grown man in the army for fuck’s sake. 

He blushed, and shook his head,

“No, I didn’t. Go a little carried away on leave with the lads once or twice.”

“With the lads, hm?” You teased him.

“No! I mean, it was ladies. But, uh, it was also lads. Sometimes. Uh…Christ,” he rubbed his hands down his face in embarrassment. 

You raised your eyebrows and smiled wide,

“Ah! So, you have been practicing, haven’t you?”

He grinned,

“Yep. Just rehearsing for the big performance. How about you?”

He grabbed a towel from the stack by your closet, knowing where you kept them and put it on the bed so he wouldn’t get your sheets dirty when he sat down on them. The mattress creaked under his weight. You could smell his sweat and laundry detergent. 

You shook your head,

“None for me. Just haven’t found the right one, I guess.”

Kyle gasped,

“You’re past due, Polo. What are we gonna do with you?”

“Throw me out?” You laughed, trying to ease the tension.

The tension did not ease. He was so close to you, and he was staring at you in a new way, studying you like he didn’t know you by heart. 

You reached out to touch his cheek, finding a fresh scar on it where there had not been one before. You felt his skin shudder so gently beneath your touch, and his breathing quickened. You rubbed the scar with your thumb like you would a stain, trying to get it out. Then, he lunged for you, kissing you deeply, so different and so much more sure of himself than he had been at 16, 17, and 18. All of those kisses tasted just like this one though, and the memory of your feelings for him came rushing back, fresh as the day they were borne. 

You remembered when you had decided you were in love with Kyle Garrick. He was about to turn 16, and you and he and a few of his friends had gone down to Brighton beach for the day to celebrate. You’d played Marco Polo in the waves, blind, hands out, feeling for bodies in the current. You were Polo and he was Marco this time, and you were swimming away from him, but a wave caught you and shoved you into him. He had wrapped you in his arms to steady you, and since you were the only girl, he knew it was you. 

He’d lingered on you with his eyes still wrenched shut, rubbing his palms down your body, touching your breasts beneath the water, cupping your ass and touching your belly. You’d lingered on him as well, getting as far as the band of his pants before the next wave hit and broke you apart. You’d swam to shore together, and you didn’t speak for the rest of the day, but you had stared at each other like your life depended on it. Enthralled.

That next evening, while your parents were out at dinner, you’d used the two-way radio to call him over, but you couldn’t help yourself, and you called him “Marco.” When he called you “Polo,” you knew he liked you, and that was enough. 

He broke the kiss, and he whispered into your gasping mouth, 

“I’m sorry, I just… I wanted to… sorry…”

“Are you going to make good on your promise, Marco?” You tested him.

His gaze shot up to find yours, and you got lost in the deep chocolate brown of his wide, bright eyes. He was searching for the jest and finding only earnestness.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I think it should be you. Seems right. You don’t have to… be with me or anything. I get that you have your army thing, and I don’t want to distract you from that, but I —”

“No,” he said, shoving a stake through your heart. Or at least it felt like it. 

“No?” You confirmed, praying you’d heard the simplest word wrong.

“No, I mean, not like this. Tonight. What are you doing tonight?”

“Tonight? Nothing. I was just here helping bring my mum’s things to her sister’s house. She lives there now, and I’m watching their place while I’m on holiday from uni. Didn’t even plan to stay this afternoon, but I can.”

“Tonight, let me take you to Five and Ten,” he stood up suddenly, straightening himself out, looking proper as he could in his mess of work clothes. 

“Why? You don’t have to do all that. Just forget I said —”

“Please. Let me take you. Six o’clock. I’ll drive us.”

So, he did. You wore an old dress from when you were young, and you thanked all the gods that it still fit. He looked much sharper than you in a burgundy suit and a shining tie. He’d become quite fashionable in his adulthood, it seemed.

The food was exquisite, and he ordered expensive wine. Kyle held your door and pulled out your chair, and he even paid for the whole meal. It was magical. You’d only been on a few dates, but this one blew the others way out of the water. 

At the end of the night, you ended up back where you started. The towel was still on the bed. But, now, you were in your dress clothes and he was in his, and you were just as nervous as you were when you were 16. 

“Look,” he said, placing his hands on your shoulders, speaking softly as though you weren’t the only people in the house, “I need you to know that this stops the moment you say it does. If you think, even for a moment, that you need me to stop, all you have to do is say so and it stops. Okay?”

“Okay,” you sounded unsure. 

“Hey,” he took your chin in his hands and lifted your face to his, “We don’t need to do this. I loved… I had a wonderful time tonight, and I’m happy. You’ve made me the happiest man alive. Please don’t say yes just because you think —”

“Kyle,” you dropped his nickname in favor of his real one, needing him to know you were serious, “I want to, if you want to.”

“Bloody hell, I want to,” he groaned. 

It was all a rush, then. He was kissing you, and you were pulling off his coat. He was running his huge hands across your bare back, and you were tugging at his buttons. He was laying you on the bed, and pulling off your heels. You were unzipping him and unzipping you and unfurling into each other like two roses blooming face to face, your petals bending and pushing and mixing and slipping together as you opened and opened and opened to each other. 

Finally, there you were, naked and shaking. He paused, whispering to you,

“Marco?”

You smiled, kissing his full lips to taste your memories again, 

“Polo.” You whispered back. 

He kissed down your neck,

Marco?

Polo.

He took one of your nipples into his mouth and began to suckle from it, pulling the skin and nipping at your taut nub. 

Marco?

Polo.

Traveling down your belly…

Marco?

Polo.

Licking up the side of your navel…

Marco?

Polo.

Burying his nose in your folds and taking in a long, deep breath…

Marco?

Polo.

He plunged his mouth onto you and ate you like he was still hungry, like he hadn’t had dinner, like he’d never tasted anything so good in his whole goddamn life. All of the lapping and the laving and the sucking came to a crescendo again and again. Adding a finger, he began to stretch you open. He was careful with you, too careful. 

“Kyle,” you rubbed his shaved head encouragingly, “Another, babe. Please.”

The groan that came out of his mouth sent powerful vibrations through your body. You felt him add another finger, and the delicious stretch that came from it made your core flood with wet, hot slick. 

“You’re so wet. So good,” he moaned against your lips.

“Will you… please?” You begged, not sure how to ask for what you wanted.

Kyle smiled,

“Still impatient as ever, Polo. You haven’t changed.”

You whined, begging with a twist of your hips and your body. 

“Shh, shh, baby,” he kissed your pussy again, wetting his lips on you, “Gotta open you up for me.”

You arched your back as he sucked on the tight nerves of your clit, pulling an orgasm from you as his fingers pumped inside of you, creating wet noises that filled the quiet room. Your moans and his breaths became your call and his response, and the more you rocked your hips against his jaws, the hungrier he seemed to become. Eventually, his tongue joined his fingers, feeding itself into your clenching hole as a third member, stretching you through your pleasure, readying your body for his intrusion. 

“God,” you reached down to him, searching for a hand to hold, “Oh, my God.”

He grabbed your hand tightly, holding you as you trembled against his mouth.

Finally, he was satisfied, and you were deeply pliant, dripping for him, and you felt the warmth pool inside you. You felt ready. 

He positioned himself between your legs and lay his cock along your pussy lips and up onto your belly, showing you its length. You put your hands on him, touching his hardness. Kyle whimpered, shocking you with the noise he made, steadying himself on your hips, breathing hard. 

“Are you going to put it in me?” You whispered, hearing your voice but not realizing you were saying the words. 

“Yeah, baby, I am,” he promised, “You ready?”

You nodded, watching as he placed his head at your entrance, feeling the pressure he applied as he pushed forward. The first inch or two felt wonderful, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until he sank deeper into your pussy that you started to feel the pressure he was creating with his girth. It stung, and then, there was a quick release. He slipped forward, no longer impeded, and he caught himself, aware of you and your pain.

He was gasping, trying to hold himself back,

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m okay,” you pulled him into a long kiss, bending your hips to encourage him.

“Fuck, okay, okay…” he groaned, pushing into you deeper. 

He moved slowly, carefully, and with his gaze pinned to your face, watching for any signs of pain or displeasure. His hand worked your clit for you, building your pleasure as your body experienced this new, full sensation. You felt like you were using muscles within you that you’d never used before. 

Unable to hold himself together, he rested his nose and mouth in the crook of your neck, kissing you, whining for you, telling you a million sweet nothings about how good you were and how you were making him feel. You cradled his head, enjoying all of the sensations he was crafting within you, hanging on every word.  

The way that your body was taking him was painful at first, but the fullness had made up for it. You reveled in the sensation of his cock’s hardness as it parted your walls. You had an implant, and you were looking forward to feeling his come in you.

“Can you go faster?” You asked into his ear, ready for another orgasm and needing his help. 

He looked up at you like you had asked him something impossible, or at least something insane, and he furrowed his brow, cupping your chin in his palm, looking into your eyes to see if you were telling the truth. 

“I can, baby,” he kissed you, sucking your bottom lip between his, licking against your tongue like an invitation.

“Please…” you begged. 

“Mmmnghh,” he cried, forcing his hips to thrust into you with a quicker rhythm, listening to the wet slapping noises it made on your body. 

The bed creaked, and you watched as his whole body contributed to his work. His strong core and huge shoulders helped him rut into you, and you could see the red flush coating his cheeks and neck. His intensity was making you feel like you were static, like you could call down lightning to strike you at any moment.

“Kyle, oh, fuck… you’re making me come. Fuck!” You called out for him, feeling yourself tumbling over the edge from his new speed. 

“You’re making me come,” he growled, staring down at where you were joined together, his huge body tensing like he was trying to hold onto you in a torrential storm, like you would fly away from him if he didn’t hold you tight. 

You tried to hold back, but you clenched down around him, unable to help your reaction. He thrust forward once, and then once more, in a stuttering, slow fashion, and you felt his come pulse into you, hot and sticky. It was subtle, but enjoyable, and you clenched again to draw out another sigh. 

“Fuck, that was… it was perfect. Your pussy is perfect, baby. Holy shit. You held me just right. I’m so sorry, I couldn’t stop it,” he was mumbling, still thrusting in and out of you as he softened, trying his best to calm down. 

You ran your hands across his wide chest,

“Thank you for keeping your promise.”

“Wanna make another one?” He smiled down at you, kissing you as he slid out of your body, turning you over so he could hold you close to him.

#kyle garrick #kyle gaz garrick #gaz x reader #kyle garrick x reader #call of duty fanfic #cod mw2 #cod mwii #cod #kyle garrick x you #kyle garrick cod #kyle garrick smut #kyle garrick fanfic #gaz cod #gaz garrick #gaz mw2 #gaz call of duty

[kickthecan-revolution]

Last week was a lot. I told my team that I was leaving for another experience. They are sad and processing but also very happy for me. We cried a little at the end of the meeting. The initial support structure I had in place was OK but a few parts were confusing/concerning so I adjusted those and I think they feel better. My boss isn't sure where they will officially report into yet but I just made the call and confirmed who their direct manager will be. I've let all of my partners across the company know which has been weird, but OK.

The work in the new role is SO intense, I'm learning everything as fast as I can but also have to apply new learns to what I really don't understand yet to a plan that has to be localized into multiple languages by next week. It's nuts but there's no option not to do it, so I'm working a lot this weekend. I was experiencing such a confidence crisis but a few meetings on Friday validated I am moving in the right direction. For the first time in so long, I had anxiety dreams about work which in a weird way is a good sign - I was just kind of....dead, going through the motions, not super busy, not really caring about anything. My brain is waking up. It's where I am at my best. There will be a time for another way of moving through the world but right now for this next year/last experience, I want to be driving something hard and seeing the impact. I want to push myself to take risks and not be an invisible middle manager. Shirley said that I am like a little joey (baby kangaroo) - I am mostly comfortable living my emotions through animals and I have a tendency of hiding like a little joey. I already see this job will make me deal with conflict, stand in the strength of my opinion instead of being accommodating and malleable, afraid of making someone upset. There's such personal growth here for me.

The Alki remodel continues to provide a number of surprises. After we found so many concerns in the electric wiring in the lower unit, I asked the contractor to have the electrician check the upper unit as well. He couldn't even do much given the electrical panel is over 30 years old, so I had it replaced. We also repaired some cracks in the roof and an HVAC person is coming out to assess what I should do to upgrade the 30 year furnace. It's a lot but I am comforted to know these upgrades will make everything so much stronger and safer, I'm much more confident in renting it now. Another fun thing, the contractor found an outdoor shower on the side of the house so we're going to replace it with this and create a little area with a sauna, so someone can do a cold plunge in the ocean, and then wash off in the shower and take a sauna. It's actually not expensive and the contractor can build it for us. I'm excited!

Health-wise, I signed up for a service that will make it easier for me to get the updates to my health that I need. I got 16 vials of blood taken on Friday for a number of tests - a full panel including a lot of early detection stuff.

This is going to be such a good year. It already is. I trust it. I trust that good things are here, that I deserve them and I am going to meet every moment with new strength, new capability and create more silence so those that are guiding me can be heard even more clearly.

[k-evans-reads]

Playing With Fire

Chapter 16

Summary: After a change of heart nearly ten years into her career as a pediatric intensive care unit nurse, Ellie Maxwell has moved back home and returned to her old job at the local bakery, where the regulars are the firefighters from down the street. When sparks begin to fly between Ellie and the guarded, closed-off Chris, will anything come of it?

Pairing: Firefighter!Chris Evans X OFC Elizabeth “Ellie” Maxwell

Word Count: 6,518

By: @k-evans-writes and @ourfinest-hour

We do NOT give permission for our works to be reuploaded, translated, or reposted on any other site. Our work is our own.

Warnings: Smut. 18+ ONLY. Minors DNI.

Previous | Main Masterlist | Playing With Fire Masterlist

A little clunk echoed in the bakery as Chris laid in the last tile for the brand new flooring, his back tight as he finally stood up and looked around at the finished flooring. It had been a long few weeks, first with Ellie deciding to jump into buying the bakery but that was only the beginning. What had come next was Ellie becoming lost in samples of all kinds before they started renovating and remodeling the damaged bakery. He had spent all of his days off while Hazel was at school putting in the work side by side with Ellie, but lately, the stress on both of their shoulders was nearly suffocating.

Chris let out a sigh when he glanced over to see a familiar blonde in the exact same place she’d been for the past two hours. Ellie was sitting in the doorway to the kitchen, pieces of wallpaper spread out around her as she stared at each one, picking them up and inspecting them before putting it back down and doing the same with the next. He crossed his arms as he came over and leaned against the doorway, waiting until she finally lifted her head so that he could give her a look. 

“I thought you already picked a paint color?” 

Ellie shook her head as she turned back to the samples, holding up a pale pink wallpaper square and inspecting it. “I changed my mind, I think yellow is going to be way too off putting inside,” she informed him firmly. 

“Elles, we spent hours yesterday going through all the samples of that paint,” 

“I know but I don’t think it’s right,” Ellie sighed and confessed, her shoulders hunching under his stare as she continued to avoid his gaze.  “I think I should do wallpaper instead.” 

Chris refrained from letting out the sigh of exasperation that he so desperately wanted to, and instead frowned and asked, “Okay well did you pick one?” 

“What do you like? I think I like either of these,” Ellie replied, holding identical samples in either hand. 

“Ellie, those look exactly the same.” 

“It’s the same pattern but look, this one the leaves are a lighter green and this one it has a darker green,” she murmured as she moved over to stand next to him, trying to point out the supposed differences as Chris felt the headache that’d been looming all afternoon begin to ache. 

Chris’ voice was delicate as he watched Ellie’s hands fly all over the sample in her efforts to pick apart the samples, interrupting her as he said, “I think you’re starting to see things, honey. They literally look identical.” 

“They’re not though,” she insisted, a deep frown on her face. 

He let out a huff that broke into a sigh and waved a hand, too tired to battle. “Then just pick whatever one you like.” 

She continued to stare at the samples in either hand, practically deflating as she quietly admitted, “But I don’t know.” 

“Okay then how about you take a break and come see the tile? I just finished it,” Chris suggested as he nodded his head towards the front area of the bakery. 

For the first time that day, he saw a smile on Ellie’s face before he rested a hand on her back, gently leading her to the doorway and around the corner so she could come over behind the counter to see his handiwork. Chris felt a little bit proud of himself, knowing that he hadn’t exactly been inept when it came to things like this and he’d certainly done his fair share of house projects over the years fixing up his small home, but laying tile was a new challenge and he was pretty happy with how it had come out. He glanced over at Ellie, seeing her bite her bottom lip as she tucked some of her blonde hair behind her ear and immediately he knew he wasn’t going to like what was going to come out of her mouth. 

His jaw clenched as he saw the way her eyes stared at the tile and froze as a frown appeared on her face. “I don’t like that look,” he murmured nervously. 

“No, no, it looks great,” she rushed to tell him, but the familiar deflating of her shoulders occurred and she shook her head. “I just… okay don’t hate me but I just think that maybe the grout is too dark.” 

“You’ve got to be shitting me,” Chris muttered, feeling his patience finally snap. It’d been several weeks of her indecisiveness, and while he was more than understanding, he was also fucking tired of redoing things because she couldn’t make a decision.  “Elles, I’m not ripping up all of this tile and redoing it just for the grout color. It’s gray! Nobody will even notice it!” 

“But I’m afraid it’s going to look dirty and I don’t want that in a bakery,” Ellie rushed to explain, but she didn’t seem sympathetic to the strain on Chris as she continued, “I knew I should have picked white.” 

“Elles, it literally does not matter. You’re making everything a huge deal,” Chris muttered as he shook his head in disbelief. 

“It is though Chris,” she insisted firmly. “All of this is a huge deal. I have to make sure everything is perfect.” 

“Well you don’t have to, you just want to,” his low, nearly sarcastic voice amended. 

Ellie’s demeanor reminded Chris so much of Hazel – the upset pout, the worried eyes, and the nervous fiddling and movements, and he felt a rush of sympathy wash over him as she repeated the sentiment, telling him, “Things like this matter though.” 

And as much as Chris wanted to say more, he decided to keep his mouth shut. In all their months of dating, he’d never seen Ellie like this. He knew she was a perfectionist but he’d never actually seen it come out in this way. She had been on edge ever since buying this business and there wasn’t a day that had gone by that she didn’t obsess over some minute detail or change her mind for about fifteen different things. Chris couldn’t help but feel frustrated but knew that she just was stressed and he hoped things would calm down soon enough. 

He was thankful that Ellie eventually looked at the clock, suggesting they take a break for lunch and nothing sounded better to him. They both washed their hands before grabbing the sandwiches that Ellie had made and brought out to the front porch, sitting on the top step and soaking in the spring sunshine. Neither said anything for a long moment, Chris being able to see the gears inside Ellie’s head churning on high speed and if he was being completely honest, he didn’t really even want to know all that was going through her brain. 

Ellie wiped her face with a napkin, putting it in her lap as she asked him, “When do you think we’ll be able to finish the bakery?” 

Chris lifted his shoulders in a half-hearted shrug, a small smirk playing on his lips as he told her, “Depends on how many times you change your mind.” 

Ellie rolled her eyes at him fondly, but then moved to stare at the paper plate on her lap as she whispered, “I’m serious.” 

“So am I,” Chris replied, but dropped the teasing tone as he saw the anxiety in her expression. “I think we can have everything ready in the next two, maybe three, weeks probably.” 

Ellie nodded as she chewed on a carrot, her eyes watching the cars drive by. “I want to get open so we can start making some money but I’m also nervous,” she admitted with a tentative and nervous look on her face, one that broke Chris’ heart. “When it opens then I actually have to run it.” 

Chris turned to face Ellie fully, his hand moving to cover her own and squeezing it lightly. “Hey, you’re going to do a great job,” his low voice rumbled. 

“I hope so.” He could see the invisible weight causing her shoulders to sag, her eyes looking anywhere but him as she mentioned, “I actually was thinking about something though.” 

“What’s that?” 

“Well I was thinking of hiring Brooke,” she finally turned to look at him. “She hates her job cutting hair and she’s so good at details that I was thinking she could help me order inventory, schedule all the employees and manage the custom orders.” 

Chris smiled at her idea, reaching his free hand over to rub her back, encouraging her with, “I think that’s a good idea. I think you’re going to drive yourself insane if you try to do it all by yourself.” 

“Yeah…” 

He could tell more was lingering inside of her anxious shell but Chris felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, pulling his attention away from her. With both his job and having Hazel, Chris always made sure to check his phone in case something had happened, but the text that he read caught him completely off guard. 

“Who is it?” Ellie asked lightly before she took a swig from her water bottle. 

He grimaced and raised an eyebrow as he unlocked his phone and opened the text, telling Ellie, “It’s Ashlee.” 

“...Is everything okay?” 

“Yeah, she just is asking me for your phone number,” Chris’ brows furrowed as he looked at the text, as if staring at it longer would somehow explain it all. “She didn’t say why.” 

“Oh…” 

He watched her neatly folding her napkin as she tucked it underneath her paper plate before finally asking, “Are you okay with me giving Ashlee your number or do you want me to ask her why? 

“No, no, it’s okay.” 

Chris’ blue eyes lingered on Ellie for a long moment, studying her face before finally looking back at his phone so he could type out her number and send it off to Ashlee. An uncomfortable silence fell on each of them, neither knowing what this could be about and honestly not feeling great about it. At the sound of Ellie’s phone buzzing with an alert, they each jumped a little while Ellie instantly grabbed the small device. 

Ellie had a deep frown on her face as she stared at her phone, and Chris felt his heart begin to race. “Ashlee said she wants to talk to me,” Ellie began slowly. 

“About what?” He asked instantly, confused at the sudden shift thanks to Ashlee. 

Ellie shrugged, looking at him helplessly. “She said she just wants to meet next week to talk,” she explained with another shrug. “I don’t know.”

“Elles…you don’t have to answer. I’ll call her and find out what’s going on,” he sighed, reaching for his phone again and clicking on Ashlee’s contact. 

“No, don’t,” Ellie’s voice interrupted him. He glanced up at her and at the resolute expression on her face and the way she shook her head, he locked his phone again with a sigh. “If we’re going to continue to get more serious, I’m going to have to figure out how to have a relationship with her.” 

“But you don’t have to do it now,” he reminded her with a clenched jaw. 

“I think it’s probably for the best if I do,” she replied, an odd mixture of nerves and confidence all over her. “I didn’t feel like when I met her that one time that it went well, so I think it’d be good for everyone if I went.” 

Chris was struck by the simple way Ellie turned her mood around in light of a pretty fucking large curveball being thrown her way, something he never felt he did well himself. “...You’re pretty wonderful, Ellie,” he murmured in admiration, shaking his head with a small laugh. “I hope you know that.” 

Ellie shrugged, raising an eyebrow. Her voice was sarcastic and that teasing smirk – the one that’d gotten them into so much trouble already – taunted him as she reminded him, “I don’t think you were thinking that about twenty minutes ago.” 

“Well when you’re devoting hours on end to identical wallpaper, you can’t really blame me,” Chris drawled as he laughed, feeling that stress from the last few weeks begin to lighten off of his shoulders. 

Ellie rolled her eyes, looking at him as she protested, “They weren’t identical though.” 

“Yes they were!” Chris insisted, laughing loudly. Despite their ‘arguing’, he knew it was all in good fun. It was a side of Ellie and himself that had been all but locked away in the last several weeks. He’d missed this – he’d missed her – and he welcomed the shift in Ellie.“I think you’ve been smelling too many paint fumes at this point and it’s making you insane.” 

“You know what? Just for that I’m going to go meet Ashlee just so we can talk shit about you.” 

“Oh do you mean shit like how I just laid an entire bathroom full of tile for you?” Chris couldn’t help but quip with a raised eyebrow. 

And although he didn’t know it, that little smirk of his had Ellie’s stomach doing flip flops. Chris watched from under his long eyelashes as Ellie rested a hand on his broad shoulder before leaning in to press a kiss to his lips. He was so hungry for her kiss that he couldn’t help but deepen it quickly, needing more, but with them still sitting on the front porch, Ellie quickly pulled away. 

Resigned to his kiss-less fate at the moment, Chris looked back down at his unfinished lunch but got it taken away by the blonde sitting next to him. He shot her a confused look as she put their paper plates on the porch before standing up and tugging on his arm. When he saw the little familiar grin on her pink lips, he knew exactly what was happening and he practically leapt to his feet, chasing after her through the bakery and up the back stairs as she laughed wildly before she stumbled at the top of the stairs, allowing him to capture her in his thick arms. 

He was happy to forget about everything that was downstairs, all the wet grout, paint samples, and boxes of trim to be installed. It felt like their past few weeks together had been completely engrossed in the bakery and he’d missed not having Ellie’s full attention, even in moments like this being able to tell her brain was elsewhere. He loved her so deeply and seeing her so weighed down with all of this had not only been frustrating but had broken his heart a little to see her so different and withdrawn. 

But he wasn’t about to let that be the case now, his lips caressing hers just the way he knew she loved, making sure he got her full attention this time. Chris’ chest was tingling with warmth, loving the needy way she was tugging at his sweaty clothes. Needing her just as badly, Chris shimmied out of his athletic shorts and his tight boxers, kicking them over to where she’d already left his shirt before he set his sights on peeling her out of every layer that kept her body from his. 

Normally they liked to take their time, loving all the soft touches and sweet kisses that came before, but Chris was burning with so much desire for her that the only thing he could think of was getting deep inside her and hearing those sweet moans that poured from her lips. His pure need for her took over his actions, making him spin her around in his arms, lips attaching to her neck while his fingers dipped inside her warmth. 

Chris felt drunk on the sound of her sighs, loving the way her back arched against his chest while his fingers spread around her wetness, rubbing deliberate circles on her sensitive button to keep her writhing in his grasp. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched Ellie’s head tip back to rest against his broad shoulder, her chest heaving as he whispered so many things into her ear as he kept working his fingers in those tight circles. 

But just when he could tell her body was about to snap, he pulled his fingers away, needing to be able to be tucked deep inside her so that he could feel the way her body grasped his as she hit that peak. He turned them around, pushing Ellie into the wall a little harder than he intended but the soft grunt she let out when she hit the wall was enough to drive him wild and somehow got him even harder than he already was. 

In one swift move, his hands were around her thighs, lifting her up and pinning her between her body and the wall. Her back was resting against the tan colored wall, legs being held on either side of his hips and pushed straight into her with a little guidance from her slender hand. They both were moaning loudly with that initial stretch, each of them having missed this deep connection and primal need for one another. Chris relished the way that Ellie’s soft hands reached out, rubbing across his firm chest, her core clenching down on him from being able to take in the way his muscles were bulging from how he was holding her up. If it was any other moment, he would have loved to just stand there and just get to watch the way she was already coming undone, melting against the wall and clenching him so hard, but right now, he couldn’t manage any of that. 

He needed her and he needed her so fuckin’ bad. 

Chris’ hips started thrusting, fast and unfocused as he chased after that euphoric feeling. He was thankful for his choice to hold her up, being able to lift her slightly and drop her back down to meet his thrusts, causing him to hit her so fucking deep with each thrust, making Ellie cry out in a way he hadn’t heard before. They were both panting, Ellie grasping at him blindly as his grip on her thighs tightened, his pace picking up as he kept hitting her hard and deep. 

He could hear the almost obscene squelch as he kept diving into her over and over again, that wildly amazing feeling starting to tingle inside of him. Chris wanted to let go, he wanted to fill her up so badly and have that feeling of pulsing inside her warmth but he was determined to hang on, keeping himself steady as he kept thrusting until Ellie’s body was exploding while her fingers dug into his shoulders. 

Chris focused on working her through that high, loving the way she was practically wilting onto him, her arms wrapping around his neck, face buried in his neck and chest heaving against his own while he kept pounding into her. It only took a few more thrusts and Ellie’s muffled whimpers against his skin to have him spilling into her and finally having that incredible feeling that they each needed more than they even knew. 

After a long moment of them both panting, he heard her voice say against his skin,“I think you broke me.”

“Oh fuck, honey I’m sorry,” Regret instantly washed over him as he pulled out of her and then gently lowered her down to her feet. He knew he shouldn’t have gone that hard, knowing it wasn’t something they normally did and certainly not without talking it through before. Chris’ blue eyes anxiously scanned over her bare form, his hands on her waist as he surveyed her and asked, “Are you alright? What can I do?” 

He heard Ellie’s soft laughter before her arms snaked around his neck, leaning in to peck his lips before telling him, “I meant in a good way.” 

Chris squeezed her a little tighter, his anxiety washing away as he commented, “Well in that case, I’m glad I could be of service.” 

He watched her as she trailed a hand along the side of his face, cupping his cheek tenderly as she stole another kiss, commenting, “So I think it sounds like you did end up enjoying working on the bakery.” 

“If this is what comes with it, I’ll work here every day.” 

“Need a hand?” Chris asked Hazel with a raised eyebrow, unclipping the buckle of her car seat. At Hazel’s stubborn shake of her head, he moved his arms back to his sides and stepped back, watching as he stood next to the car while she pulled the straps of her car seat off her shoulders. She shot him a grin as she slipped out of the seat, grabbing her water bottle from the cupholder before she moved towards the open door. Before Hazel could leap out of the car, Chris hastily latched onto her spare hand, keeping her still before he scooped her up. 

“Why can’t I walk by myself?” The little girl muttered unhappily in his ear as he shut the door of the SUV, locking the car with one hand before he began walking them to the front of the grocery store. Her fist clung to the collar of Chris’ plain t-shirt, the same one that was stained with grout in a few places from earlier that day. 

Chris paused and looked both ways before he crossed the walkway, hurrying before the waiting cars impatiently drove through. “Because it’s busy right now and I don’t want you to get hurt,” he murmured to her just before they reached the sidewalk in front of the store. He glanced towards the doors as a constant stream of people, having likely just left work or gotten their kids from school as well, poured in and out of the store, smiling instinctively as he felt Hazel grasp his hand tightly. “Let’s go get a cart, Basil,” he told her with a smile, leading her over to the carts. 

Hazel’s eyes were locked on the small section of mini kid’s carts as he pulled a cart from the row. “Can I get one?” She asked him quietly, her brown eyes wide as she met his own blue eyes. 

A chuckle rose from him as he shook his head, reaching under her armpits and lifting her before he placed her in the seat in the cart. “You lost your cart privileges last time, remember?” He asked her, raising an eyebrow as Hazel moved to avoid his eyes and stare at the ground with a pout. “Maybe in a few weeks, my heels still hurt Hazie,” he told her quietly, a small smirk on his lips before he leaned down and kissed her forehead and began steering the cart through the double doors of the grocery store. 

Hazel’s displeasure was quickly forgotten as they moved through the produce section, the little girl excitedly instructing Chris on what to get. “I want the candy grapes!” She cheered as the cart stopped, pointing at the container of cotton candy grapes in the display. 

Chris huffed out a laugh and shook his head. “You mean the organic, $5.99 a pound grapes? Not the normal green grapes?” He asked, holding up the container as he looked at his smiling daughter. 

“Yeah, the yummy ones,” she affirmed, holding her hands out until he handed the grapes to her. She quickly turned in her seat, carefully dumping the organic grapes into the cart before she spun back with a wide grin. 

“You’re lucky you’re so cute,” Chris muttered before he began pushing the cart away before Hazel could make any more costly decisions. He navigated them through the story, pausing every few moments to pull something off the shelves as he listened to Hazel’s chattering, hearing about her day at preschool.

“I drew a unicorn today but I didn’t like it,” Hazel told him seriously, her brown eyes as wide as saucers as she watched him slyly pick a box of pasta made from zucchini and spinach off of the shelf, dumping it into the cart before Hazel’s eyes could linger on the ‘normal’ pasta boxes. 

“Oh, really?” He asked her as they moved down the aisle, then turned and paused in the cereal aisle. “What cereal do you want? Cheerios or Mini-Wheats?”

She turned in her seat, looking up and down the aisle next to her at the brightly covered cereal boxes, each adorned with some cartoon character and image to entice her. “Cocoa Puffs,” she finally answered, turning to look at Chris with a satisfied grin.

His lips curled in amusement and he leaned against the cart, Hazel’s hand reaching out to tap along the skin of his bare forearm. “I don’t remember offering Cocoa Puffs…”

“I know,” the girl replied with a small shrug of her narrow shoulders. “But Cocoa Puffs seem like a cereal Ellie would like.” 

“Really?” Chris asked, pursing his lips as he thought. “I don’t think Ellie’s ever mentioned them before.”

“Yeah, but they’re chocolate and Ellie makes chocolate things all the time for us,” she informed him, and he had to admit her logic was fairly sound as she pointed to the box again, almost reminding him to get it.

He let out a long sigh with a small shake of his head. “Okay,” he finally agreed, refraining from grinning at the excited look on her face. “But only this one time, then only Cheerios or Mini-Wheats until summer, alright?”

Chris kept pushing the cart through the store, Hazel’s small legs swinging gently as they weaved up and down the aisles while she asked, “Daddy, can we have peanut butter sandwiches for dinner?” 

“Not tonight honey, I’m going to make spaghetti and meatballs,” he informed her. 

“Why can’t we have peanut butter?” She asked, not understanding why he couldn’t simply change the menu. 

Chris was looking at all the different kinds of bread, checking the dates and placing a loaf for dinner in the cart as he told her, “Because Ellie’s coming over tonight and she’s had a long day working on the bakery so she’s going to be hungry.” 

“I want spaghetti now,” Hazel stated firmly, her little hands playing with the beaded necklace she had on while telling him as he looked for sandwich bread, “I like it when Ellie comes over.” 

Although Hazel didn’t know it, that one simple sentence completely melted his heart. Ever since Ashlee, he hadn’t been in a relationship with anyone, and if he was being honest, he hadn’t expected to for a long time. Hazel was his priority in life and he hadn’t planned on bringing anyone new into her life… or into his. He tried to just keep his head down and take things day by day, going to work, then taking care of Hazel and not focusing on much else. 

But Ellie had changed all of that. 

She had come into his life and made him want things that he didn’t think were possible anymore. She pulled him out of his little bubble that was filled with so much loneliness and showed him that life could be so much more than what he had been experiencing. She made him feel loved in a way he hadn’t ever felt before and getting to see that love extend to Hazel and to see how Hazel loved her so much in return made him know that this was right. 

All of those thoughts brought a warmth inside of him that stayed present as they finished shopping and headed back home to unload the groceries and start on dinner. The chaos of the evening passed by in a blur between Chris getting dinner ready and Hazel buzzing around, happily greeting and pulling Ellie away the moment she arrived from the bakery, still covered in various paints and grout smears. 

It wasn’t until after the spaghetti dinner and cleaning up that Chris finally pulled the tired little girl away from the bright-eyed blonde that time seemed to slow. After giving her a bath and helping her into bed, he shut Hazel’s door with one final “goodnight,” and trudged down the stairs, ready to relax with Ellie, but when he came to the bottom step, he found a much different scene in front of him. 

Ellie was sitting on the floor in front of the couch, her back resting against it while she looked at flooring, wallpaper, and paint samples spread out in front of her that she must have brought with. He couldn’t help but feel frustrated with Ellie and how she had let herself be consumed with every tiny detail of redoing the bakery. He knew it was a big event for her, but the level with which she had become obsessed was taking a toll on them both. Ellie was perpetually exhausted these days, that little Ellie sparkle she always carried with her being dulled. Her extreme patience, calmness and all around good nature had been overtaken with anxiety and perfectionism to an unhealthy level and he couldn’t help but miss his Ellie, just wanting this bakery to be open already so he could have her back. 

“Elles, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Chris murmured quietly as he stepped in front of her with a sigh. He had hoped they’d be able to just relax tonight, maybe share a beer and watch something on Netflix, but Ellie was turning the evening on its head. 

“I just need to pick out some tile for the backsplash for the counter and in the bathroom, and the color for upstairs in the breakroom and my office,” she insisted with a shake of her head, not meeting his gaze as she held up a piece of tile next to the sample of the flooring for the back counter area. “The painters are coming on Friday.” 

Chris refrained from saying something rash and instead moved to grab a beer from the fridge. “Well it’s only Tuesday so you still have time,” he pointed out. 

“No I don’t because I have to order the paint and pick it up and tomorrow I’m meeting with Dottie to go over things. Then I’m meeting with Brooke since she accepted the job to kind of go over what it’ll look like,” Ellie rambled, her voice wavering as Chris made his way back into the living room as he took a long sip of the beer. He could tell her brain was moving a thousand miles a minute, and while it hurt him to see the way she was overthinking and overdoing everything, he didn’t know how to make it stop. “And I’m still nowhere close to being finished with decorating it and I need to go find what tables and chairs will fit and then-”

“Ellie, will you just fuckin’ stop? If I have to hear about tile or paint or countertops one more time I swear I’m going to go insane!” He interrupted, his voice raising in what was a somewhat sharp manner, while still low enough to not wake the curly-haired girl upstairs. He’d watched Ellie think, move, and go nonstop from the moment she woke until the moment she – restlessly – fell asleep each night, if she even did fall asleep, and he could tell she was approaching the point of no return. She could put up some boundaries, leaving the bakery stuff at the bakery each night, giving herself a few hours of a break she desperately needed, or she could keep going, and likely crash and burn in the process. And while Chris would support her either way, he couldn’t watch her self-destruct like this without at least trying to help her. 

For the first time since he had come back down the stairs, she brought her eyes up to meet his, but Chris almost wished she hadn’t. He could see the tears brimming in her eyes and immediately felt a wash of guilt, knowing that his harsh words had brought those dripping tears there. But this wasn’t Ellie, the cool, calm, and collected blonde. This was the Ellie that her parents, brother, and Brooke all vaguely referenced from time to time, the one who didn’t know when and how to stop until it was too far gone. And while he hated having to be the one to proverbially smack it out of her, it had to happen, for everyone's own good. 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that so harshly Elles,” Chris whispered guiltily, shaking his head as he fell backwards onto the couch. “But you can’t keep doing this, you’re going to burn yourself out before the bakery even opens.” 

She gasped as she took a breath, the tears falling rapidly as she abandoned the samples to turn and face Chris. “But I have to make these decisions,” she whispered.

“Yeah make decisions, that means make a choice and then you’re done with it. Not stress over a miniscule decision for days on end.” 

“They matter!” 

Chris shrugged half-heartedly, a hand lifting in the air unconvincingly. “Yeah they matter but not enough to make yourself sick over, especially when it's a decision like faucets and wallpaper and trim color,” he tried to reason. 

“They all make a difference,” Ellie’s voice was hardened, and she shook her head. “This has to be successful.” 

“And tell me how picking this white or this tan for the break room upstairs is going to matter if you run a successful bakery or not,” Chris pointed out, crossing his arms after he took a sip of beer, then leaned back against the couch cushion. 

Her voice was impossibly tiny, her shoulders hunching as she caved in on herself. She seemed – in the moment – as small as Hazel was, so delicate and breakable, but still with a stubborn, fierce fire inside of her, just buried below all of her anxieties. “You don’t understand,” she insisted again.

“No, don’t do that. That’s just trying to shut this conversation down,” Chris called her out, shaking his head as his jaw clenched. “Tell me, Ellie. I want you to be able to articulate what it is I don’t understand.” 

“It just…” she paused, floundering as her eyes were locked on her wringing hands in her lap, Chris barely able to see the white and black wool rug beneath her. “I just have to make sure this is all is right. It all has to be right. It needs to be perfect.” 

He sighed in frustration, nostrils flaring and his hands flying apart from where they’d rested over his chest and into the air. “But what does that even mean? How is there a right or wrong when it comes to picking a paint color!” 

“Because I can’t fail at another thing!” 

“Elles,” his voice cut through, suddenly losing all his steam in his argument at that admission. “Hey, come sit by me and tell me what this is all about.” 

He held a hand out, waiting as Ellie slowly stood up from the floor and sat next to him, leaving a reasonable distance, something Chris was grateful for as he could see her face clearly. “I already failed at one career so what’s to say I won’t fail at this one?” Ellie asked him, her eyes wide and all but terrified at the thought.  “Only this time will be ten times worse.” 

“How’s that?” 

“Because now I’m responsible for other people’s income. My parents invested money, you’ve put in all this work getting it repaired, Brooke quit her job to work for me and all these other employees are depending on me,” she informed him, but the notion was nothing new to Chris. He was incredibly proud of her, the way she was able to be in this position where others worked for her and wanted to do so, and do it well. But he couldn’t help but acknowledge how terrifying that must be, especially in a moment of weakness like this. “I’m responsible and when I fail, it’ll affect all of them.” 

“But obsessing over paint and tile isn’t going to help change any of that,” he told her with a soft whisper.

“I just can’t fail again, Chris. I just can’t.” 

“Ellie, you have to stop thinking of yourself as a failure. You worked as a nurse for quite a few years and decided it wasn’t for you, so what? Now you’re doing something else,” he shrugged, pausing a bit before he continued, “and if the bakery doesn’t end up working out, it’ll be hard but you’ll find another job and so will everyone else. That’s just a normal part of life.” 

She gave him a tight smile – although it leaned more grimace – before she admitted, “It sounds so simple when you say it, but it doesn’t feel that way.” 

“You can be dedicated to something and work hard without killing yourself, honey,” Chris reminded her, tilting his head as he studied her. “You have to be able to let go of some of it.” 

Ellie frowned, looking down at her lap as she pulled on a loose thread from her shorts. “I just don’t know how,” she quietly confessed.

“You do know that there are quite a few people in your life who’d be more than willing to help you, right?” Chris asked, an eyebrow raised before he smiled a little. “And there’s one sitting right next to you.” 

Her eyes were wide as she took in his words, something shifting inside of her before she quietly said, “I love you, Chris.” 

“I love you too, Elles,” he easily replied, the phrase being the easiest one he’d ever said. “Now let’s put all those samples away and you’re not going to think about it for the rest of the night, okay? You’re officially taking a break.” 

She nodded, leaning down to put the samples back into her large brown tote bag. Before long she glanced over her shoulder at him with a smirk, saying, “Just so you know, you’re not allowed to leave me ever, because I don’t know any other man who would do all of this for me.” 

His shoulders relaxed as he comfortably leaned back, taking a sip from the lukewarm beer in his hand as he playfully admitted, “Well don’t worry, the only plans I have are getting you closer to me.” 

Chris watched as Ellie zipped up the top of her bag, stowing away all the samples and hopefully putting them out of her mind. He caught her gaze as she turned back to look over at him and he took the opportunity to pat his chest with a hand, a silent invitation to her that she gladly took. Ellie curled up next to him, her head coming to rest on his chest and her arm curling around his waist. It wasn’t until he draped his thick arms around her that a soft contented sigh came out of her, and although it seemed far-fetched only a matter of minutes ago, he had his Elles back.

A/N: Sorry for the delay- it got stuck in our queue! Whoops. We’ve missed Chellie so much! This chapter was one of our faves to write between everything, and so many headcanons we’ve had for so long ended up getting brought up here! We can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and feel free to send any asks you want to our inbox for Firefighter Friday tomorrow!!

#playing with fire #chris evans story #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans fic #chris evans x ofc #chris evans writing #chris evans x original female character #chris evans #chris evans fanfic #chris evans ff #chris evans au #cevans #firefighter chris evans #firefighter!chrisevans #firefighter!au #firefighter au #dad!chris evans #dad! chris evans #dad chris evans #hazel's dad #chris evans smut #chris evans fluff #writing #original content #original female character

[j4ythm]

How old is Lloyd exactly?

Let's see.

I think we can safely assume he's around 12 at the beginning. In season 2 when they start training him, he mentions being "too old for comic books but too young to fight" so I'd say he was closer to 12 or 13, thats definitely when I thought I was both too young and too old. Season 2 likely takes place a couple months after season 1, seeing as a lot is repaired but there's still a lot of damage at the museum.

The tomorrow's tea incident likely added 5 or 6 years if we're going off him now being the same as the rest of the ninja physically (Cole's father being under the impression he was at a music college type school suggests late teens). But we're calculating his age, not how old he is physically.

After the "final" battle ends season 2, we see Ninjago city is completely rebuilt and remodeled. Now listen, you can't tell me that happens in less than a year. I don't care how advanced Borg is, that has to be at least 1 or 2 years, making Lloyd 14-15, physically 19-20. Season 3 is a relatively short season, but a lot happens. So I'd say maybe it takes place for about a month.

When season 4 happens it's clear some time has passed, with everyone separated and doing their own thing, I'd say a few months maybe. The whole thing with Chen's Island takes place within weeks. It's an extremely planned tournament, I don't doubt that it was fast paced. So let's say Lloyd's 16.

I'd say seasons 5-7 add about a year and a half to his age, if we consider how much happened to the time in between seasons. So he'd be 17.

Going from Sons of Garmadon, they've been looking for Wu for a long time and all their styles completely change. Their styles are reminiscent of the old one in flashback scenes, so it's safe to say the change if because of time passing. So that adds another year, making Lloyd 18. We can clearly see that Harumi is grown as well, as she looks much different from her child design, so that supports their ages.

Since the next couple seasons happen while following the Oni stuff specifically, that adds probably another year. And the next seasons after that add like 2 years if we're going by the same logic.

Making Lloyd about 21 officially, 26 physically.

#ninjago headcanon #lego ninjago #ninjago #lloyd garmadon #ninjago lloyd #lloyds age #I'm a total simp so i did some calculating to make sure i wasn't a fuxkin creep

[y-ta-nees-simblr]

Chapter 1.05 - Newcrest is Home

Newcrest was home, and Helena was happy to be back for an unofficial visit. She’d given her usual entourage a few weeks off. She traveled to the suburban city with a small security detail consisting of just two agents.

“Auntie ‘Lena!” Helena heard the voice of her three-year-old niece as soon as she stepped out of the car. She braced for impact. “Hi Livie! I missed you so much!” “Missed you too. I sawed you and Uncle Tony on TV.” “You did?!” “Your dress was so pretty! Is Uncle Tony here too?” “Not this time sweets. He has a lot of work to do.” Helena put the child down on the ground.

“Hey, you,” said Marcelo as he hugged his younger sister. He’d been on the porch watching his niece play in the front yard when he saw Helena’s car pull up. “Hey! I didn’t know you were going to be here too. I got the full welcome wagon!” “Yeah, Darius and I were just helping with the nursery. Though, we were just taking a bit of a break. You know how Candice can be. We wanted to give Jack a little support.” “Darius is here too?” Helena asked looking around.

“Twice in less than 48 hours, this is a surprise.” Darius said as he came down the stairs. “Yeah, a good surprise. It was nice seeing you and your wife. Remind me to thank my dad for giving you his tickets. Did she have a good time?” “Yea, Bea enjoyed herself. She doesn’t get to spend too much time in Windenburg so I told her to stay for a couple more days. I can handle our three terrors by myself for a while.” Darius laughed.

“That’s a lie Mr. W, you have me scheduled to babysit the entire time Mrs. Cervantes is gone.” Kaila said walking up. “Hi Auntie H.” “Kaila’s here too? Is anyone else going to come out here?” Helena laughed pulling the teenager in for a hug. “I mean Aunt Candice is inside, but this is here house so…” “I meant anyone else I didn’t expect smartie pants.”

“We were just heading out anyway. I have to drop this one off at her piano lessons.” Marcelo said. “And I have to save my in-laws from my twin terrors and their side kick. If you’re still around, you should come Saturday, I’m having a cook out for the big reveal.” “Big reveal?” Helena asked. “Darius bought the old Hunter house next door. He’s been fixing it up for the last two years. Apparently he’s finally finished the remodel and wants to show it off to his family and friends.” Marcelo explained. “I plan to be here for a couple of weeks at least, maybe more. I told Candice I’d be here to help when the babies come, and I want to stick around for Dad’s surgery.” “I can’t believe the Trust is letting you disappear for so long.” “Very funny Marcelo. The anniversary party was the last thing I had scheduled before this break. So no royal duties for a while. Anthony can handle it.” Helena smiled. “All kidding aside, I’m happy you’re here for a while, sis. I’ll see you later for dinner right?” “Yeah I’ll be there.” “When you’re free, we should have lunch and catch up.” Darius said as he walked out the door. “Definitely, I’ll get your number from Marcelo and set something up.” “See you later Auntie H.” Kaila said as she bounced away.

Helena stood as she watched her family leave. She missed being this close to everyone. Though she’d lived in Windenburg for 16 years, there was nothing like coming home to the people who know you best.

#the sims 4 #sims 4 #black sims #black sim #Black Simmer #black simblr #sims 4 royals #y-ta-nee's royals #sovanti #royal simblr #sims 4 story #story simblr #royal story simblr #black royal simblr #Queen Helena #Helena Moore #1-Welcome-to-Vinford

[void-botanist]

Here's an STS question that I just thought of: how and when did you go from old canon:tm: to the stuff you're writing now? Was it a gradual process or were you like "okay time for me to scrap these characters/concepts and write new stuff"?

This is an excellent question, thank you!! I took a minute to dig up my canons post to make sure I was remembering right, but for the most part it was a gradual process. With Pajiir especially I had a tendency to take the exact same characters and shuffle them into a completely different plot setup, but as I got better at writing they got more personality (I started Pajiir when I was 8 and what became locality space when I was 16). Old and Middle Canons for Pajiir break on what my focus was (you'll notice that Middle Canon was basically all about Zalen) and how much Delphonus stuff was involved. It's kind of the same for locality space - Old Canon ended when I abandoned the faery police stuff and tried to make better, funner, more reasonable settings for the stories (and also to be honest everything got kinkier in Middle Canon).

I got New Canon for Pajiir when I, coming off of years and years of thinking Aza had to be a princess and she had to choose between Keearo and Kirnus, decided that neither of those things needed to be true because I didn't want to write either of them even though I still really wanted to write Aza. And then I kind of realized this world could be my sandbox and I also missed the whole Dez and Delphonus shenanigans so I started rebuilding that. And from there it just snowballed. But the setting changed significantly as I moved into New Canon, and despite all the other changes I think that's still the major difference (that and I got my act together and said "no but Zalen should actually be with Silas fr").

I got New Canon for locality space when I was rereading Spinder and Georg which...is an absolute disaster of a book but it was fun to yell about to my friend who actually remembers being around when I was writing it. I was also thinking about Isabelle and Spynder and just generally how much I love the two of them as a couple, but I wanted them to be as actually cool on the page as they were in my head. Add a little Expanse and Cowboy Bebop &c. and this is when I said fuck it I want to write space nonsense and no one can stop me:

(if your characters don't canonically have a world is it an AU to put them on a spaceship under the command of Spinder's gruff nephew-in-law probably in an allied fleet with the tall action hero lesbian rebels and the whole thing is kind of Alice Isn't Dead but like...in space)

"if your story is bad, just put it in space" -me, kind of

The more I thought about it the more this actually worked, lol, though obviously the plot changed from my initial concept. Then I just sort of shifted all my other Faeryland stories over to this new world.

I guess the short answer is I rarely scrap characters, but sometimes they get very recycled/remodeled. It's usually missing writing those characters that makes me start a new version. But I cannibalize settings and plots all the time until I find something that speaks to me.

Nicea taglist: @kahvilahuhut @kk7-rbs @outpost51 @writernopal @athenswrites

#absolutely bonkers that nicea came into being THIS YEAR #wip: nicea #sts #setting: locality space #setting: pajiir and delphonus

[tofeelnomorebitternessforever]

nine people you’d like to know better tag

tagged by @cryptophasiac ^3^~* Thank you

last song: attractive today by motion city soundtrack...yeh

fav color: yellow or orange right now. Just ended a long purple streak

currently watching: I dont realy watch shows ummmm I watched romeo+juliet with my sister last week(wonderful!) and caught the latter half of the naked gun at my dads the other day c: sometimes I'll watch adventure time when im bored

sweet/savory/spicy: spicyyyy is the most fun

relationship status: I am single for as long as patrick can keep outrunning me

current obsession: Fall out boy uh huh...and recently I've revisited my love for talkers/animated toys! been meaning to upload some of my favorite teddy ruxpin tunes to this blog + making plans to road trip to the last cec locations with 3-stages (I have to stop putting it off..i feel like remodeling is happening faster and faster)fomo is real theres no more listings for toby terriers. My sister also told me I'm "going through [my] spongebob phase".

last thing you googled: 'special right triangles' cus my 16 year old coworker got his phone taken away and needed help with his homework haha

tagging: I don't know if i know that many people who havent already been tagged ignore this yayaya

@toyblanket @wolfieskunkkit @cafememory

[mariacallous]

For most of his life, Cory Infinger has lived down a hill and along a bend in the Little Wekiva River, a gentle stream meandering northwest of Orlando. During Hurricane Ian, in September 2022, the stream swelled, inundating the homes of his family and his neighbors and also the street where they live, making it impassable.

Overnight Ian had moved slowly and violently over the state’s interior, dropping historic amounts of rain, after coming ashore in southwest Florida as a category 4 hurricane, its high winds and storm surge flattening coastal communities there.

For Infinger the deluge forced a hasty morning evacuation with his wife and youngest two of their three children. It would displace the family for months as their home underwent massive repairs. More than a year later the ordeal has left the family rattled, especially his 16- and 8-year-old children, said Infinger, who grew up fishing and trapping turtles along the Little Wekiva and now enjoys doing the same with his kids. (A 22-year-old son no longer lives at home.)

“You could tell they were sad when we came back to get the last few things,” he recalled of his kids as he described the family’s temporary stay in a rental house, and then the move back to their newly remodeled home. “It took them a while to get used to, this is our new house. Everything had changed.”

In the last seven years Florida has weathered five major hurricanes. Michael, which made landfall in 2018 in the Panhandle, was the first category 5 hurricane to strike the continental United States since Andrew in 1992. Ian, in 2022, was the costliest hurricane in state history and third-costliest on record nationwide, after Katrina in 2005 and Harvey in 2017. Recent major Florida hurricanes also include Irma in 2017, Nicole in 2022, and Idalia in 2023.

If the disasters sharpened Floridians’ resolve, in the immediate aftermath, to build back stronger and better, another crisis may be causing some to rethink where they live and the rising risk as the global climate warms.

After Ian, Infinger’s taxes and homeowners insurance, which he pays together into a bank escrow account as part of his regular mortgage payment, jumped by $450 a month. That amount could be considered moderate in a state where annual home insurance rates in the five and six figures have not been unheard of in recent years, and many homeowners have received letters from their insurers informing them that their existing policies will not be renewed.

Some homeowners have received multiple such letters from multiple insurers, leaving them scrambling from one policy to the next, as lenders require mortgage holders to carry insurance. Others whose homes are paid off are going without insurance altogether, to spare the expense.

“We deal with it,” said Infinger, who, with his wife, is considering moving away from the Little Wekiva in the coming years. For now, he said, “there’s nothing really we can do about it.”

Across the country, homeowners are grappling with skyrocketing insurance rates and dropped policies, with those in states such as California, Florida, and Louisiana hit hardest. Growing evidence suggests the soaring costs only hint at the widespread unpriced risk facing homeowners as the warming climate leads to rising seas and more damaging hurricanes and wildfires.

As many as 6.8 million properties nationwide have been affected by insurance problems, but that number represents a fraction of the 39 million homes and businesses vulnerable to flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires whose risk has not been priced into their policies, according to a study by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit researching climate risk. Together these 39 million properties constitute what the study characterizes as an “insurance bubble,” defined by properties likely overvalued because of underpriced or subsidized insurance.

Other research suggests the changing climate has not been priced into the real estate market in a way that reflects the risk. A separate study published last year in Nature Climate Change, a peer-reviewed journal, estimates that residential properties vulnerable to flooding are overvalued by $121 billion to $237 billion, in part because of the subsidized National Flood Insurance Program.

The study found that the most overvalued properties are concentrated in coastal counties where there are no flood risk disclosure laws and where there is less personal concern about climate change. Much of the overvaluation is driven by properties situated outside of the 100-year flood zones designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Low-income households especially are in danger of losing home equity, potentially leading to wider wealth gaps. In Florida, properties are overvalued by more than $50 billion, according to the study.

The unpriced risk is important for many reasons. Municipalities that rely on property tax revenue may be vulnerable to potential shortfalls, the study says. The National Climate Assessment pointed out last year that the overvaluation of coastal properties makes it difficult to move people out of harm’s way, because of the limited amount of compensation available through flood insurance and federal flood disaster assistance programs.

“Florida is one of the riskiest places from a climate impact standpoint that you can live in,” said Rob Moore, director of the flooding solutions team at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “One only needs to look through a few years of front pages to see how many major hurricanes have struck this state, and that definitely had an impact on how both private insurers and insurers in the public realm are looking at risk and pricing it in the state of Florida.”

“We’re so far behind in regard to pricing in the climate. That’s why we’re seeing these big [insurance] spikes in places like Florida and California and Louisiana,” said Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications research at the First Street Foundation. “It’s the first mechanism to start to price climate into the housing market.”

[baby-xemnas]

If we ever got a scene/flashback sequence of the wayfinder trio pre-bbs where Ven hasn’t fully recovered yet. With the new engine and all. Would you rather have them be their regular models from bbs (even they they’re literally younger. 12 year old Ven, 14 year old Aqua, and 16 year old Terra)? Or would you rather it physically show them the correct way they’re supposed to look?

(With it being psp hardware it made sense that they couldn’t make different game models, but NOW, there’s no excuse. If Sora Kairi and Riku could all get different age models, so could the wayfinders?)

we already have a flashback scene of them all meeting for the first time and it uses regular models, noone is remodeling it

#anonymous

[sonicasura]

Wolf Father and Werehog Son

More stuff based on this idea. Usually this stuff goes in my side blog but since I posted the first part here and it wasn't a full fledged idea...here we are. Basically this a summary of various changes that came with Sonic coming into Twilight's life.

Sonic- Adopted by Twilight around 13 years old and is about 16 when the Chain arrives. Stands around Time's height in normal form, around 7'1 in Werehog form. Helps the village by either herding goats, collecting herbs or deliver packages. Sonic tends to switch to his Werehog whenever he feels like it.

Can decently swim thanks to the combined efforts of Prince Ralis and Twilight, although he still prefers to stay on land or run on water. Quite well known around Hyrule for his incredible speed but only certain people know about his Werehog form(especially the Gorons as he wrestles them in Werehog form.) One of the few to considered an honorary Gerudo and Twili.

Due to his adaptability involving foreign energies and the positive view from Hyrule's Hero, Sonic becomes the new holder to the Triforce of Power. This grants him access to various transformations that his iterations underwent on their own journeys. It is mostly intertwined with Sonic's emotions similar to the how the Chaos Emeralds react before positive or negative emotions.

Transformations: Super, Hyper, Dark, Darkspine, Excalibur, Werehog and Colors(simplified term for every form)

Forms like Excalibur and Colors require mediums to properly channel. Colors ended up creating a Wisp of each color including White, which has no form, for Sonic to use. They usually stay in Ordon Village until Sonic calls them(or they act like ducklings around Twilight)

White Wisp- Gleam

Red Wisp- Flair

Orange Wisp- Pel

Yellow Wisp- Bee

Blue Wisp- Viva

Cyan Wisp- Link Jr

Green Wisp- Drift

Pink Wisp- Krash

Violet Wisp- Iris

Purple Wisp- Fang

Indigo Wisp- Orbit

Crimson Wisp- Frei

Magenta Wisp- Beat

Black Wisp- Bang

Jade Wisp- Flo

Ivory Wisp- Spark

Grey Wisp- Stele

Twilight- Ranch hand and Gardener currently raising one hedgehog son alongside eighteen Wisp kids. Has the dad bod plus adoption papers to prove it. Also has toe beams alongside paw pads after constant use of Wolf Link during his journey. Remodel his tree house abit to fit his new family and created a large garden(to provide more but also a good stress reliever)

Twilight acted as a temporary ambassador for the Twili when an incident with Darkspine Sonic had reopen a stable connection between both realms. His house has two guests, usually reserved for Midna and Ooccoo alongside her son Ooccoo Jr due to frequent visits.

Tends to roam around in Wolf form, something now known amongst the village alongside a select few. (This development is a result of constant encouragement from Sonic.) Has a special 'den' for alone times whenever things get too much.

Called the 'Rainbow Man' due to the Wisps' duckling habits which leaves speedy rainbows in their wake. Twilight hung up the Master Sword and uses a broadsword until the Chain appears.

Ordon Village- More lively and bigger village as some Twili join the population post Darkspine Sonic incident with a few Gerudo following after thanks to a certain blue blur. Ordon was made more suitable for everyone thanks to combined efforts of the villagers, Twilight's family and acquaintances. Plans are being discussed to turn the area surrounding the Arbiter's Grounds into a village or colony.

Darkspine Sonic incident- Not much is known about this occurrence as the only few witnesses prefer to keep their mouths shut. What can be said is the mysterious transformation, Darkspine Sonic, opened a stable connection between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule.

Warp Point- The Chain were definitely unprepared for the strange additions to their quest. Luckily these newcomers come with a much needed gift. Thanks to the combined work of Sonic, Midna, the Wisps and Ooccoo, a warp point to Twilight's Era is now available to them.

It leads to a personal house project jokingly called the Wolf's Den. This secret cabin located in a small alcove within Ordon Forest serves the purpose of a (temporary) hideout for the Chain. Plans about creating warp points in the other eras are being discussed with Wild's era as the next plausible target.

That's all I have for now! Figured I sum up some of the interesting stuff but save some goodies for later. Until next time folks, continue to reach for the stars and I'll see you back in Hyrule!

@hermitdrabbles56

#sonicasura #loz #loz link #legend of zelda link #legend of zelda #loz tp #legend of zelda twilight princess #linked universe #linked universe related #sonic #sonic the hedgehog #sonic series #sth #sonic wisps #wolf father and werehog son #sonic the werehog

[mbrainspaz]

I posted 3,907 times in 2022

That's 1,137 more posts than 2021!

565 posts created (14%)

3,342 posts reblogged (86%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@mbrainspaz (I feel called out.)

@b1y7h3shifter

@dkpsyhog

@geeneelee

@curlsabroad

I tagged 2,865 of my posts in 2022

Only 27% of my posts had no tags

#tiktok - 154 posts

#funny video - 131 posts

#personal problems - 112 posts

#life of a texan peasant - 91 posts

#funny story - 78 posts

#funny post - 77 posts

#us politics - 75 posts

#gifs - 68 posts

#writer problems - 63 posts

#lmao - 62 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#i will continue to enjoy my trash entertainment where everybody comes back to life and nothing makes sense and villains are inexplicably ho

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Can people change?

Yes

Can you change them?

Nope!

85 notes - Posted June 27, 2022

#4

I keep coming back lately to how f*cked up it was that my dad never let me mess anything up. Oh no, don’t climb out the window and sit on the roof--you’ll damage the shingles. So I put out beach towels and was extra careful, and he still got mad. Some of my best childhood memories were sitting out on that roof with my brother or my friends. Man f*ck the shingles. We sold that house a year later anyway. I waited years for him to fix the toilet paper roll holder in an upstairs bathroom--then one day just broke down and fixed it myself. It took me 5 minutes. And he was mad because I didn’t use the right kind of screws. F*ck the right screws. It looked perfect and it worked just fine, at least until I moved out. Now I’ve been out here living with a bunch of rogue ranchers and old engineers and it’s given me a whole new perspective on life. The first day I moved onto this ranch the owner got out an electric saw and cut a hole straight through a sewer pipe. I nearly panicked! Like--YOU CAN JUST DO THAT?!?! Just break something?! It was a horrible job! But BAM--it was done! And that sh*t changed my whole worldview. Last week I helped remodel a bridge with some spare logs and a pickaxe. I’ve sawed open the roof of my house and glued it back together. I’ve torn wall fixtures off and burned them in a bonfire. 

GO AHEAD! BREAK IT. Wear down the shingles. Cut holes through the wall. Get mud on the sofa. Put stickers on your car. Break the world around you just a little instead of living in fear of losing resale value you rarely get back anyway. It’ll be fine. 

198 notes - Posted April 7, 2022

#3

How much did I want a horse?

A totally sane amount. 🫣

406 notes - Posted September 1, 2022

#2

have I mentioned how hilarious it is to me when people ask me about my gender and I tell them I'm non-binary and they go "well I don't believe in all that." Cool beans pal. And I don't give a f*ck about your beliefs. Have a nice day. 😂

448 notes - Posted June 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

mom: It’s so crazy it’s like everyone around me is getting covid.

me: that’s why it’s spiking, mom.

mom: no like your dad was saying I’m the carrier, haha. 

me: Well you might be. You were sick over christmas and everyone else had it after. [and I begged you to wear a mask but you went around kissing everybody instead]

mom: But my symptoms were really mild and allergy meds made mine go away.

me: allergy meds can treat symptoms. My regular ones have helped with covid too.

mom: huh. But your dad’s symptoms are totally different. He’s got a fever and he’s been throwing up. It’s really bad. Same with our friend from church. 

me: Were they vaccinated?

mom: no. 

me: THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE NOT VACCINATED.

mom: But your dad already had covid before the pandemic. 

me: IT’S A DIFFERENT STRAIN MOM. PEOPLE CAN GET COVID MULTIPLE TIMES MOM. THAT’S WHAT THE VACCINE IS FOR MOM. THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN TELLING Y’ALL FOR TWO YEARS MOM.

mom: Well...

675 notes - Posted January 16, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #the longest tag 😂😂😂 #tumblr drama #I knew tiktok was gonna top the charts

[silverspoonfedbraggart]

I played alongside my little cousin

This thanksgiving

I used the culmination of my work experience

To elevate the dining experience

Of the youngest member of our family

Well at one point

Just like me

16 years i held onto that crown

Before stepping down

Glad to relinquish spotlight

She seemed so much more willing to perform

But i know the baby is pushing her from her stage for the first time

Shared limelight on the couch in the living room. As mother Mary hands her newborn to the youngest in the room. Without telling her to support the neck, a child holds an infant and the woman call to all to make more.

I look to my queer cousin with a shared reality that our ships have both sailed away from that idea of family. Though we like to come back for snapshots

But maybe Emma was even there as a new boy stole her fame

Something new always develops just out of frame

I’ll be the lighthouse that keeps her from crashing rather than a panopticon, watching for her to trip and fix it.

Adjourn the domestic sphere

For a brief recess

Play in the meadows-grown-over-farm-fields,

be gay backdropped by deer

She says she wants to play hide and seek

No on has asked me to play my favorite game in years

We Negotiate the game rules

But I tell her not to hide outside the fence

Out of bounds, off the map, what would her parents say if i lost her to the woods?

i slink into shadows to count

Riffle through the inventory to keep the magic alive with pretty rocks and natural history

Through whimsy teach her

how to really play hide and seek

We only talk about deserts and the extremes of ourselves

Loves and hates

When we reenter for dinner, I’m sorry to her that i got distracted from our game.

But i cant help but see the record skipping

As i look around the room

See so many that share my face, my brain, my, dna

To feel like you are the same

Yet you can’t sink in

To the seam of the couch

Because they remodeled the farmhouse

Gammie overplayed and overlayed

By leisas wallpaper in a warmer shade

The yellow wallpaper

I stare out and resist the urge to crawl on all fours

Like i did as a little girl

To talk to the animals

Since no one else would take the time

To listen

To understand me

But I’ve made myself understandable to Mankind, i am the ambassador at dinner for child and man, man and woman, the bridge between two spheres. Reconnect the bisected globe

I dont care who else is talking. I’m listening to her

Because she does that to me.

Takes my word on good faith

That i can speak to foxes and can tell stories in cards.

The looks of dissonance behind her eyes. As new information enters her mind and makes its place, the boxes of fact and fiction not unsealed in her mind, not to mentioned emptied and resorted. She opens her mind and the magic that i speak is real, and i get what Peter Pan meant

A boy healing his inner child

The little girl that curled and went dormant inside this suit of armor

Red riding hood was never cut out of the belly of the beast, but My Dear never learned to fear Canine teeth

So maybe I’ll gently lie to her about the details of our world. She’ll be ready to know someday. Until then

I’ll ask her questions and I’ll remember her answers because a 6 year old has a lot figured out

But still needs someone there to direct, guide, and lead the way

Through the woods and through the dark

To find discarded branches from trees

Sticks to throw to the dogs, make even the smartest at ease

And i tell her to only pick up the sticks from the ground

Because those were the gifts the tree left

And my little doe, if i wanted a strand of your hair,

Wouldn’t you rather i pick it off the ground than cut it from your head? 

It’s an impossible wish for me to hope that she comes out of childhood, still intact

Maybe she won’t be consumed entirely, will be able to crawl back up the throat because she won’t wait in vain for someone to save her

I’ll teach her to save herself.

#thanksgiving #family #georgia

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

Bluff Point and Keuka Park: A shared history

By Jonathan Monfiletto

Following my prior article about the shared ZIP code of the hamlets of Keuka Park and Bluff Point in the Town of Jerusalem – and the absence of a post office in Bluff Point where one once stood – I wanted to present the apparently shared, but certainly differing, histories of these two hamlets and their respective post offices.

First, let’s get the lay of the land, so to speak. According to Google Maps (because nobody uses an atlas or a map anymore, he said cynically and wistfully), Keuka Park and Bluff Point are just seven-tenths of a mile apart from each other. Google Maps places the center of Keuka Park at the intersection of Central and Assembly avenues, while the heart of Bluff Point lies along State Route 54A where it meets Assembly Avenue and Kinneys Corners Road. You could drive from one hamlet to the other in two minutes; if you have the gumption, you could walk the route in 14 minutes or bicycle there in 3 minutes.

At first – around the late 18th century or early 19th century, though no specific founding date is given – the whole area was called Fox’s Corners, its center nestled at the intersection of the east and west roads and the road coming from the end of Bluff Point the landmass. Abraham Fox, a hotel landlord, had inaugurated public exhibitions such as athletic sports, horse racing, and general training by the militia in the area. In 1825, two years after Yates County was established, the settlement took on the name Kinney’s Corners for local tavern keeper and tradesman Giles Kinney.

The Bluff Point Post Office opened in either 1849 or 1850, and either Robert Chissom or John H. Bishop was the first postmaster. The post office was initially located in a hotel that burned down on March 16, 1881 when Allen Spooner was the proprietor. It was with the establishment of the post office that the hamlet was given the named also labeled on the promontory that splits Keuka Lake into two branches. A rural route began on October 1, 1901 when most of the county’s rural post offices were discontinued.

The first church in the hamlet was indeed the first church in the Town of Jerusalem, outside of the Public Universal Friend’s home that also served as the meetinghouse for the Society of Universal Friends. Methodist circuit riders first came to the area in 1793, and the first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1823. The first church building was constructed between 1838 and 1840. A new church was erected in 1896, with the old church moved and relocated as part of the new building.

In the early days of Bluff Point, along with the hotel, the hamlet featured a general store with meeting space on the second floor, saloon, wagon shop, cooper shop, shoe shop, blacksmith shop, cider mills, ashery and distillery, and even a doctor. The post office was moved into W.M. Barrow’s wagon shop, while the hotel’s barns were remodeled into a feed mill. When the wagon shop burned, Barrow bought the feed mill and built a store with a home attached; the post office moved into this building alongside a department store.

Nearby, Keuka Park was a deliberately planned village, not officially incorporated but in the sense of a having a more urban center than being in the rural outskirts. The settlement was conceived in the late 1880s around the same time the idea for Keuka College was being birthed. The Ketchum farm was purchased, college buildings were provided for, and houses were built. Eight hundred lots were laid out on the property that became Keuka Park. “But other than the college development, the village was temporarily a typical nineteenth century hamlet,” states an undated typewritten document in our subject files, likely crafted by former Yates County Historian Frank Swann.

There were a couple of stores in the early days, and in 1891, a stagecoach line was established from Keuka Park to Penn Yan with sizable horse sheds in Keuka Park to accommodate that business. Summer college sessions took place in a build on the assembly grounds that was later moved and became the college basket factory. At this factory, students could earn part of their expenses by operating the Taylor pony basket making machine.

Later, the Penn Yan, Keuka Park, and Branchport trolley line made Keuka Park more accessible. Even later, a road following the line of the trolley from the trolley’s powerhouse to the main Penn Yan road eliminated two hills and decreased the distance to the county seat. Since 1920, Keuka Park residents have been supplied with water from the college’s water system. The Keuka Park Fire Company was organized on March 14, 1928, and the Keuka Park Fire District was organized on January 30, 1941.

While the Bluff Point Post Office close for good in the mid-1980s, its closure was threatened 30 years before when it was one of four fourth-class post offices in Yates County the U.S. Postal Service considered eliminating – the others being Starkey, Gage, and Himrod. A fourth-class post office conducted less than $1,500 worth of business annually, but more than 150 residents signed a petition against discontinuing the post office with the argument that the hamlet’s post office had the potential to grow into a third-class post office. Indeed, the Bluff Point Post Office marked its 103rd year in 1953 with the specter of that year being its last.

“To many of us this post office is part and parcel of a rich historical heritage,” states a newspaper article from the time. “To others, it is a valuable and very efficient postal service. To still others, Bluff Point looms as an undiscovered wonderland, soon to be embellished with new cottages, hard roads and the mecca for tourists from near and far.” The article notes the year of the post office’s opening coincided with the development of the plank road connecting Penn Yan and Branchport via Kinney’s Corners and the establishment of the first railroad out of Penn Yan. Steamboats had first cruised Keuka Lake a few years prior, and two decades before had seen the start of the Crooked Lake Canal. The grape industry contributed to the growth of Bluff Point in the years after 1850.

At the halfway point of the 20th century, the article pointed to more developments that would provide a boon to Bluff Point and thus make a post office in the hamlet a necessity. The Bluff Point Post Office remained open, and in 1974 the post office received a new building after 30 years by that point of resident in a house owned by the Olbrich family. The new building, across the road from the old site, turned out to be a mobile trailer adorned in a Postal Service motif of red, white, and blue. The trailer previously provided shelter to people who lost their homes due to Hurricane Agnes two years before, and now it provided “more space, a modern appearance and better working conditions for the employees,” Postmaster Paul Yarnall said in a newspaper article.

The Keuka Park Post Office opened in 1890 and presumably sprang up alongside the development plans for the hamlet and the college. As the calendar turned from 1945 to 1946, the post office received its own dedicated building after years of mail and postal business being handled in “the store at Keuka Park,” according to a newspaper article. The one-story, 32x24-foot building housed a third-class post office – putting its revenue between $7,000 and $8,000 annually – and contained 200 mailboxes. When it opened, the building served 56 families with balance of the mail being handled for Keuka College.

An article dated April 8, 1954 placed post offices at Keuka Park, Bluff Point, and Starkey on a list for discontinuance but also announced the termination of those plans. Less than 20 years after the new building in Keuka Park opened, another new location was proposed as part of a larger Postal Service plan to lease facilities under private ownership. Keuka College received the contract to build a new post office and lease the building to the Postal Service, showing how the hamlet and the college had grown up together.

The building, where the Keuka Park Post Office remains today, measures 1,972 square feet – nearly tripling the space the post office previously occupied and was situated on the north side of Assembly Avenue, a stone’s throw from the entrance to the college campus. The additional space and more modern equipment were geared toward providing more efficient handling of the mail for a growing population – both permanent residents and college students alike. Of course, as we now know, this post office also handles mail and postal business for residents in Bluff Point and Branchport.

#historyblog #history #museum #archives #american history #us history #local history #newyork #yatescounty #bluffpointny #keukaparkny #keukacollege #hamlet #postoffice #postal service #village

[dxsturbia]

Zac and without that you’re just a selfish little kid

Ashley just got out of jail you can’t get a job unless it’s with me and I would be happy to do it except for the fact that my father fucked me

The state is broke it took me six months to get an assistant in the first place after that I turned 18 and all of that shit got reported my insurance I can’t get insurance

Papa is retired he lives on va and survivors benefits

No I have a contract with him I don’t have to tell them Ashley is there Papa lives on Atkins meals he’s not going to allow me to buy him food but I have just enough for the two of us do you know why because I know she’s fucking coming and I know how to budget this kind of money

Ashley only eats chicken wings and hot sauce anywhere if I can’t get her any money I can at least make sure she doesn’t miss a meal

Now you’re here and we are actually missing meals because you know what Ashley is Ashley and I’m on link

I am a 19-year-old college and all I’ve ever asked four is my freedom and not only know am I your older sister but you’re a minor child he’s got to pay utilities for four individual it’s not necessarily the side of the house it’s what it takes to heat and cool

Ashley is anemic and doesn’t care about anyone before I even moved out of my roommate place

It’s the middle of April he’s gone at a gun show I’m getting ready to move back home I go to visit her for the day she’s sitting in the dining room

At the other end of the house where the kitchen the oven is on the door is open

Biting the bullet on the gas bill is one thing the reason he hast to do it so it’s because of me I am paying rent I am the only one paying rent and as much as Mom would like to forget that I am the only one who actually tried to repay him his kindness that’s what happened

The utilities have tripled in the span of six months since his wife passed away

Papa spends half the year outside on the roof

And the other half he is in Iowa buying guns

Go the fuck home but you have the

 Absolute nerve

Call me selfish because I didn’t commit felony fraud and handover my link card as I was moving two states away

 and you’re not even a kid you’re 16 Ashley was a job corps I didn’t have a job but I was bringing in income I’m also the reason the bathroom got Remodeled for her right before she died

#love notes to imaginary friends

[44gamez]

All Nintendo Switch Exclusives Releasing in 2024

It’s trying like yr for Nintendo! Whereas rumors of a brand new console launching this yr proceed to bubble onwards, all we all know to this point is that extra Change unique video games will proceed to launch in the meanwhile. Though 2024 is little doubt a quieter yr for the console than 2023, there are nonetheless loads of first-party titles on the horizon. Let’s check out all Nintendo Change exclusives releasing in 2024!

One other Code: Recollection

Launch Date: January 19, 2024

Picture Supply: Nintendo The primary Change unique of 2024 is One other Code: Recollection. It is a set of two remakes from the One other Code journey sport sequence. It collates revamped variations of the primary two entries within the franchise, One other Code: Two Recollections and One other Code: R – A Journey into Misplaced Recollections. Most excitingly of all, this assortment marks the primary time that the latter sport releases in North America. As such, this can be a big deal for followers of the sequence. The primary sport initially launched on Nintendo DS again in 2005. It’s a point-and-click journey harnessing the twin display screen format, as you utilize the touch-screen to unravel puzzles whereas the principle character, Ashley, investigates her lacking father. In case you’ve by no means performed One other Code earlier than, this polished new assortment is the perfect place to begin. Boasting brand-new voice performing, visuals, and much more puzzles than within the unique variations, that is the definitive technique to expertise each One other Code video games.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Launch Date: February 16, 2024

Picture Supply: Nintendo Just some months after the staggering highs of Tremendous Mario Bros. Surprise the plumber returns, albeit in a lesser position, in Mario vs. Donkey Kong. It is a remake of the 2004 Recreation Boy Advance title. You play by way of side-scrolling platforming ranges in Mario’s toy manufacturing facility, which has been overrun by Donkey Kong. It’s an extremely trustworthy remake in addition, retaining the unique sport’s puzzle focus. In some ranges you’ll must discover a hidden key earlier than you may full it. In others, doorways will probably be locked till you gather a hard and fast variety of objects, or bypass environmental puzzles. It’s sure to be considerably more difficult than Surprise, even when it doesn’t boast as diverse a variety of skills. Much more considerably, Mario vs. Donkey Kong may effectively be the ultimate mainline Mario sport to launch on the Change, outdoors of RPGs. If that’s the case, then the sport will tackle a legacy completely separate from its supply materials: harkening again to the simplistic platforming mechanics however endearing attraction that make the character so beloved.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

Launch Date: March 22, 2024

Picture Supply: Nintendo The subsequent Nintendo Change unique releasing this yr is, because it stands, the ultimate brand-new first celebration sport slated for the console. Much more considerably, it’s the primary time the beloved Princess Peach has had her personal sport since Tremendous Princess Peach in 2005. We nonetheless don’t know masses about Princess Peach: Showtime! apart from it being a side-scrolling platform the place a plethora of recent skills formulate the gameplay loop. Within the reveal trailer we noticed Peach casting spells to banish bushes blocking her approach, wielding a sword, and remodeling into an old-timey detective. If Tremendous Mario Bros. Surprise gave Mario an entire new host of skills, then Princess Peach: Showtime! appears set to do precisely the identical factor. In case you’ve been craving for a brand new solo Peach sport for the previous 20 years, it isn’t too lengthy till your prayers will probably be answered!

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD

Launch Window: Summer time 2024

Picture Supply: Nintendo Introduced within the Nintendo Direct from September 2023, this full-fledged remake of the 3DS Luigi’s Mansion sport is the primary time we’ve seen Mario’s brother in a solo launch for the reason that third entry of the Mansion franchise again in 2019. The teaser trailer proven was extremely transient. That stated, did present a way more polished graphical model that revamps the 3DS visuals for the Change. The spooky environment continues to be right here, alongside Luigi’s dependable ghost-busting device, the Poltergust. In case you first sampled the Luigi’s Mansion sequence with the third sport, this can be a nice likelihood to move again in time to see how we obtained to this stage. Even higher, it brings again the four-player co-op mode. You may put an finish to those paranormal pests with mates!

Paper Mario: The Thousand-12 months Door

Launch Window: 2024

Picture Supply: Nintendo The final formally confirmed Change unique for 2024 is a remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-12 months Door. That is the second entry within the sequence of turn-based Paper Mario RPGs. Meaning a complete of three video games from that sub-franchise are actually playable on Change. It’s probably the most coveted remakes ever from Nintendo. The unique GameCube sport isn't solely inaccessible on fashionable {hardware}, however vastly costly to purchase used. It’s onerous to see how Nintendo could make the sport look any extra polished as a consequence of its timeless 2D visible design, however with new animations promised, we’re excited to see the way it seems.

Metroid Prime 4

Launch Window: TBA

Picture Supply: Nintendo The final entry on our checklist is a little bit of a speculative one, and a sport that every one Nintendo followers have hoped would launch with the flip of every yr. We first heard about Metroid Prime 4 approach again in 2017 following the Change’s launch, however it has been little greater than an city legend within the years since. If 2024 is the ultimate yr of main assist for the Change, it might be becoming for Metroid Prime 4 to behave as its final hurrah: the ultimate tentpole unique earlier than the successor console releases. There’s some precedent for it, too, with the Metroid Prime remaster touchdown in 2023 to widespread acclaim. We wouldn’t be stunned if Metroid Prime 4 goes down the Breath of the Wild route, releasing on each the Change and whichever console succeeds it. Both approach, we hope 2024 is lastly the yr the place this long-shelved sport lastly sees the sunshine of day. These are all of the Nintendo Change exclusives confirmed (or rumored) to launch in 2024. If any upcoming Nintendo Direct shows add much more titles to this checklist, we’re positive to be in for an unbelievable ultimate yr for the Change! Read the full article

#Exclusives #Nintendo #Releasing #Switch

[borderlinegamer]

Fri, Sep 15

Our car is leaking oil. I don't know what exactly is wrong or how much it's gonna cost to fix but I'm exhausted. Things keep going wrong, why?

My dad has been a mechanic my entire life. When I was 16 I got my first car. It had stipulations. It was a totaled out 2001 or 2002 Volkswagen beetle in the color black. It was the car I wanted. It cost them $800 but the entire front end was missing except the engine. The stipulation was that I get a job, quit color guard and pay for all the parts and that I rebuild it with my dad. I'm positive my dad took some of my part money and used it for other things but it took an entire year to get the car built as he refused to do anything to it in the winter or put it in the garage to rebuild. It didn't have airbags or working seatbelts but it was finally built and drivable. It was only drivable for 6 months. It broke down a winter morning on my way to school. My dad refused to fix it and I had to buy another car which was a 1998 honda accord. I loved the honda so much. When my dad was getting siding on the garage the leader of the team doing it offered him a discount and some cash for the bug sitting in the backyard. My dad fixed the bug and took the deal without telling me. He pocketed the cash and didn't give me a fucking dime.

Fast forward to now and a few cars later my husbands car shit out on us. The transmission blew. We had 3k in savings and wanted to spend around $2500 for something old but reliable. We asked my dad to go with us to check it out in hopes he could spot something shady. My mistake was not realizing he's not at all reliable at the moment due to the divorce. He let us buy an absolute junker for $2400. First it was the exhaust, then spark plugs. We thought the nightmare was over and drove it 30 min to an odesza concert and the stupid light came on again. And now it's pouring oil in my driveway. We have maybe 1500 in savings. We are in about 3k on this car. My husband's not rich but wealthy has a million dollars in retirement and has bought the other siblings houses parents won't help us. My theory is because my husband didnt finish school when covid hit. The best they offered was an older Kia soul so his dad could make a business deal with the guy selling it. Not reliable at all with high mileage. These are the same people that were okay with paying a contractor AND his apprentice $300/hr to remodel their kitchen. The same people who brag to us about their millionaire friends paying for their entire wine country vacation while they griped about us asking for help.

I'm so tired. I didn't ask to be here. I especially didn't ask to be born into mentally ill ridden generational poverty.

*manifestation*

I will have money. I will have money to give us a better home and means of transportation. I'll have enough money so we can go on at least one vacation a year or to reduce my breasts to a comfortable size. We will have money and we won't have to watch your rich parents dog for only $200 when they were spending upwards of 1k a week to put her in a doggy hotel. We won't have to watch them not help us and also have my narc dad telling us it's our fault because we didn't wash his flea dog.

I want fucking change.

Edit: just got done cleaning out my car to get ready to sell. I drive a nicer 2012 civic but u haven't driven a long distance in about a year due to my ptsd so I figured we could sell it and get a nicer car for both of us to drive that's reliable. I had lent my dad my car a few months ago when his was badly damaged in a wreck. I found this present from him borrowing my car while I was cleaning it. I never noticed before because I don't really look up in my car.

My therapist asked me why I haven't cut ties, and I ask myself that every day. I don't know whether I want to die or him to die. Jesus fucking christ.