#aren’t sticking their bare hands into the cast iron dishes
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cast iron controversy
I realized while cooking dinner tonight that obviously in the descendants universe there’s a food trend of cooking things in tiny cast iron ramekins. Like these:
and Jane has to make a whole post about how she’s not IGNORING the tiny cast iron cheesecake trend, she just CANT participate because her boyfriend’s boyfriend’s girlfriend has fairy blood, and she can’t make them if the whole polycule can’t partake, and fairies can’t touch iron without being burnt, so actually stop asking guys, she’s not going to do it.
The comments section on the post gets nasty. There’s one long time reader who’s trying to defend Jane and insisting that asking her to make a trendy recipe that her metamour can’t eat is actually discrimination against people with fairy blood, and another longtime reader arguing just as passionately that her great-grandfather was a full-blooded fairy and SHE can eat from cast iron just fine, so there’s really no reason why having a girlfriend-once-removed with fairy blood excuses the author from providing her loyal readers with a cute trendy dessert for their next social gathering!!
A third reader points out that actually, those with fairy blood can eat from cast iron just fine, so long as the food isn’t too acidic and they don’t touch the dish while they’re eating. Remember forks, guys?? The things that we use because eating with your hands is gross??
Jane almost hires one of the younger isle kids (who are DEEPLY invested in the drama) to moderate her comment section, until she realizes that letting Celia and Dizzy moderate is only going to make things SO much worse.
And that’s not even touching the great enameled cast iron debate that broke out after LoyalReader259 linked to a fairyzon listing for the cutest set of blue enameled cast iron ramekins.
(For the record, Jane is a fairy on both her parents’ sides, and she’s not making anything in cast iron because she doesn’t want to bake in gloves just for a trend. Mal could care less what dishware Jane brings to her bridal shower, she’ll wear full leather safety gear if it means she gets to eat cheesecake)
#my fic#sorta….#I’m getting just the right amount of deep into this made up fantasy baking blog drama I feel#I did ask my fiance what he thought of this and he’s the one who pointed out that enamel and forks exist and also bakers typically#aren’t sticking their bare hands into the cast iron dishes#and she can just get somebody else to wash them out afterwards#she does have an army of gorgeous polycule members at her disposal#sugar and spikes AU
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The Radio
“Yo, sis, dinner’s read,” Kallard hollered from the kitchen of their shared apartment.
Puppy perked up at the mention of food, his little nose twitching as he sniffed the air. The scents coming from the kitchen forced the small dog to hop of Marilini’s bed, darting into the kitchen. He barked and looked up at Kallard who in turn looked down at the animal, clearly amused by his attempt to beg for people food. Beady black eyes stared back up at the Hyur, tongue hanging from the side of his mouth.
“What’s for dinner?” Marilini signed at her brother as she walked into the kitchen, closing the bathroom door behind her.
“Steak and mashed potatoes. I’ve had the meat marinating in some sauce since I got home this morning. Should I have the dog some?” Kallard replied, setting down two plates on the kitchen table.
“Yes, please. Just a little, though. Puppy’s already had dinner and I don’t want him to get fat,” came Mari’s silently reply as she spoke with her hands before pulling a chair out and taking a seat.
Kallard walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a clean plate off the dish rack. He set it onto the counter and grabbed the cast iron pan he had cooked the steaks on, angling the pan and gently sliding the last bit of steak onto the plate. After setting the pan back onto the stove, Kallard grabbed a knife, cutting the steak into puppy sized bites before setting the treat down on the floor. Puppy dove right into the food, chomping away happily as Kallard plopped down at the table.
“How’ve you been?” he asked Mari.
“Bored!” she signed back with a smile. “Did you find anything cool on your trip back home?”
“Yeah, I found a working radio that I set up in my room,” Kallard said between mouthfuls of steak. “I ran the antenna up to the roof this morning after I got back.”
“What do you need a radio for? With the capitol gone there shouldn’t be any radio chatter.”
Kallard shrugged his shoulders, nudging his empty plate forward with the tip of his index finger. He then leaned back in his chair and fished a pack of cigarettes and a match out of one of his pockets. After a cigarette was shuffled out it was placed between Kallard’s lips he struck the match against the table and brought the flame to the tip.
“For now it’s going to be a handy way of summoning Clank to the city instead of walking to where he’s stored. We can also stop relying on these linkpearls and switch back to two way radios. No one around here uses them so we won’t have to worry about people listening in on our conversations.”
“Were you able to find any that worked?” Mari asked, signing to her brother.
“I found a few that aren’t working, but I can tear them all apart and fix them with what I have on hand. If they continue to be shit, I’ll just grab more on my next trip. Is there anything you want me to try and find for you? I’ll probably take Clank and fly back in a day or two.”
“What, another trip? Kal, is there something going on? You’ve barely been home,” Mari signed, frowning at her brother.
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Kallard muttered, blowing smoke from his nose. “I can’t keep doing nothing all day. I need a purpose. Something to do. Adjusting to a civilian lifestyle after two decades of service is harder than the soldiering we did. I don’t know how you’re able to sit around all day without going insane.”
“I know it hasn’t been easy for you. Is there anything I can do to help? I miss having you around all the time, you grumpy butthead.”
Kallard chuckled and shook his head, snuffing his cigarette out in an ash tray before lighting a fresh one. Marilini reached out to his pack and stole one for herself, sticking her tongue out at her brother. Once the cigarette was lit, Mari leaned back into her chair and let out the smoke from her lungs, slowly exhaling. Having finished his own meal, Puppy scampered back over to the sofa and climbed up before plopping down.
“Nah, nothing I can think of. How have you been feeling lately? No bad thoughts?”
“Having Puppy really helps with that,” Mari signed with a smile. “Whenever I get sad or the intrusive thoughts come back he finds a way to calm me down. Maybe you should get your own support animal.”
“What kind of animal would I get?” Kallard asked, shooting his sister a quizzical look.
“Well, you’re allergic to cats so that’s a no. What about a dog? We can find you a cute puppy for you to take care of.”
“What about when I make my trips up to Garlemald. Would you be willing to watch over it while I was gone?”
“Oh,” Mari sighed. “I didn’t think about that. What about a bird? Get a small enough one and you can put it in your pocket!”
Kallard tried to picture himself cramming a songbird into a pocket and the mental image his mind produced caused him to snort back laughter. He shook his head at his sister, who was looking at him with a single eyebrow raised.
“Sorry, I was just trying to imagine me putting a bird in my pocket so I could fly around on a robot. Would a bird even like that?”
“Make a nest in your pocket! That’ll help.”
“A nest?” Kallard sighed, throwing his arms up into the air. “What am I, a tree?”
“Ugliest tree I’ve ever seen,” Mari signed back, sticking her tongue out at her brother.
Kallard opened his mouth to offer some witty reply but went silent the instant he heard beeping coming from his room. Both of the twins stopped what they were doing, looking back at the door leading into Kallard’s workshop/bedroom. Mari leaned forward and put her cigarette out in the ash tray before scooting her chair back and rising to her feet. In the blink of an eye, Kal shot up from his seat and ran over to the door and threw the door open.
“Is that the radio?” Mari signed before pointing at the rectangular box, its surface littered with a series of buttons and dials with a small backlit screen displaying the frequency. Coming from the two small speakers built into the radio was a series of beeps, easily identified as Morse code.
“Wait a minute. It’s telling us to switch to a different radio frequency. Switch over now.”
Kallard twisted one of the dials to the left, the numbers on the display flickering as he surfed through the available signals. Once the radio was dialed into the correct frequency the twins exchanged looks and stared at the radio. Five minutes passed and nothing happened, the radio whispering in static.
“Try saying something,” Mari signed.
“Unknown station,” Kallard said. “Identify. Over.”
“This is Victorum actual. Identify unknown caller. Over,” the radio replied.
“Say again? Over,” Kallard said, a look of confusion washing over his face.
“This is Victorum actual. Identify. Over.”
“What the fuck is Victorum?” Mari signed, looking at her brother.
“I have no clue,” came his reply with a shrug of his shoulders. “I can already tell that they’re military. Is Victorum the name of a ship or a base?”
“Unknown station, this is Victorum actual. Identify. Over.”
“You’re going to have to say something, Kal. Can they trace the signal back to us?”
“No, they can’t. What do I tell him?”
“Give them our callsigns,” Mari signed back at her brother a look of worry lingering in her eyes.
“Victorum actual this is Rascal and Sweets. Over,” Kallard said into the microphone.
“Authenticate. Over.”
“Juliet bravo zulu two five eight.”
The radio then went silent for several minutes, both of the twins finding their own way to work out the anxiety that was building up within them. Marilini stood there and wrung her hands together while her brother paced around the room, chain smoking cigarettes as if his life depended on it. Neither of them knew what was going on and why it was happening. Something was going on somewhere out in the world and all signs pointed to the remnants of the Empire. Whatever their intention, the twins were sure to find out.
“Rascal and Sweets, it is good to hear your voices. We were worried none of the Frumentarium were left alive. This is Titus Van Malignus, High Legate. What is your status? Over,” came the radio’s reply, someone new now speaking to the twins. They glanced at each other, Mari anxiously wringing her hands together.
“We are taking refuge in Eorzea. Over,” Kallard said into the microphone once more.
“Good, good. I’m going to send an agent to meet with you in the coming days. He will debrief you on the current situation. We all look forward to working with you both. Over.”
“The both of us look forward to meeting with your delegation. Is this the channel you will be sending their information? Over.”
“Affirmative. While it has been lovely chatting with the both of you, I have an urgent matter I must attend to. Information will be passed onto you regarding my agent in a few days on this channel. Until then, radio silence. Over,” came the High Legate’s reply.
“Roger. Over and Out.”
Kallard dropped the microphone and let out a long sigh, running a hand through his black hair. Marilini took a seat on her brother’s bed, looking down at the floor as she continued to wring her hands together. Neither of them said anything for a good deal of time, choosing to remain in silence as they digested this information.
“I will not fight for them again,” Marilini eventually signed, snapping her fingers to get her brother’s attention. “Never in a million years.”
“I agree,” Kallard sighed. “As much as I want to believe this will be a new Empire, we both know that’s a lie. For now, let’s play their little game. Learn what needs to be learned and act when we need to act. It may be worth considering mentioning this to the folks over in Meishuya. It’d be a suicide mission if we tried to tackle this alone.”
“I agree. Let’s play along for now and see what they’re doing. They probably don’t know we went AWOL since they didn’t bring it up. To them we’re still good and loyal soldiers. Whatever it is they’re doing we need to stop it.”
“Yeah, I know,” Kallard said as he took a seat next to his sister. “We’ve done a lot of bad shit, sis. It’s time we made up for it and did some good for a change. Whatever they throw at us we’ll just throw back at them. We’re unstoppable, after all.”
“Unstoppable?” Mari signed before letting out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. “I don’t know about that.”
“We managed to survive to this point in our lives. What’s another war gonna do to us?”
“Let’s stop this before it starts a war. We’ve got the skills and the tools to do this, so let’s do it. Let’s take down the Empire,” Mari signed back at her brother.
“Good, sounds like a plan. For now, let’s go for a walk. I want some candy.”
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The Radio
“Yo, sis, dinner’s read,” Kallard hollered from the kitchen of their shared apartment.
Puppy perked up at the mention of food, his little nose twitching as he sniffed the air. The scents coming from the kitchen forced the small dog to hop of Marilini’s bed, darting into the kitchen. He barked and looked up at Kallard who in turn looked down at the animal, clearly amused by his attempt to beg for people food. Beady black eyes stared back up at the Hyur, tongue hanging from the side of his mouth.
“What’s for dinner?” Marilini signed at her brother as she walked into the kitchen, closing the bathroom door behind her.
“Steak and mashed potatoes. I’ve had the meat marinating in some sauce since I got home this morning. Should I have the dog some?” Kallard replied, setting down two plates on the kitchen table.
“Yes, please. Just a little, though. Puppy’s already had dinner and I don’t want him to get fat,” came Mari’s silently reply as she spoke with her hands before pulling a chair out and taking a seat.
Kallard walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a clean plate off the dish rack. He set it onto the counter and grabbed the cast iron pan he had cooked the steaks on, angling the pan and gently sliding the last bit of steak onto the plate. After setting the pan back onto the stove, Kallard grabbed a knife, cutting the steak into puppy sized bites before setting the treat down on the floor. Puppy dove right into the food, chomping away happily as Kallard plopped down at the table.
“How’ve you been?” he asked Mari.
“Bored!” she signed back with a smile. “Did you find anything cool on your trip back home?”
“Yeah, I found a working radio that I set up in my room,” Kallard said between mouthfuls of steak. “I ran the antenna up to the roof this morning after I got back.”
“What do you need a radio for? With the capitol gone there shouldn’t be any radio chatter.”
Kallard shrugged his shoulders, nudging his empty plate forward with the tip of his index finger. He then leaned back in his chair and fished a pack of cigarettes and a match out of one of his pockets. After a cigarette was shuffled out it was placed between Kallard’s lips he struck the match against the table and brought the flame to the tip.
“For now it’s going to be a handy way of summoning Clank to the city instead of walking to where he’s stored. We can also stop relying on these linkpearls and switch back to two way radios. No one around here uses them so we won’t have to worry about people listening in on our conversations.”
“Were you able to find any that worked?” Mari asked, signing to her brother.
“I found a few that aren’t working, but I can tear them all apart and fix them with what I have on hand. If they continue to be shit, I’ll just grab more on my next trip. Is there anything you want me to try and find for you? I’ll probably take Clank and fly back in a day or two.”
“What, another trip? Kal, is there something going on? You’ve barely been home,” Mari signed, frowning at her brother.
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Kallard muttered, blowing smoke from his nose. “I can’t keep doing nothing all day. I need a purpose. Something to do. Adjusting to a civilian lifestyle after two decades of service is harder than the soldiering we did. I don’t know how you’re able to sit around all day without going insane.”
“I know it hasn’t been easy for you. Is there anything I can do to help? I miss having you around all the time, you grumpy butthead.”
Kallard chuckled and shook his head, snuffing his cigarette out in an ash tray before lighting a fresh one. Marilini reached out to his pack and stole one for herself, sticking her tongue out at her brother. Once the cigarette was lit, Mari leaned back into her chair and let out the smoke from her lungs, slowly exhaling. Having finished his own meal, Puppy scampered back over to the sofa and climbed up before plopping down.
“Nah, nothing I can think of. How have you been feeling lately? No bad thoughts?”
“Having Puppy really helps with that,” Mari signed with a smile. “Whenever I get sad or the intrusive thoughts come back he finds a way to calm me down. Maybe you should get your own support animal.”
“What kind of animal would I get?” Kallard asked, shooting his sister a quizzical look.
“Well, you’re allergic to cats so that’s a no. What about a dog? We can find you a cute puppy for you to take care of.”
“What about when I make my trips up to Garlemald. Would you be willing to watch over it while I was gone?”
“Oh,” Mari sighed. “I didn’t think about that. What about a bird? Get a small enough one and you can put it in your pocket!”
Kallard tried to picture himself cramming a songbird into a pocket and the mental image his mind produced caused him to snort back laughter. He shook his head at his sister, who was looking at him with a single eyebrow raised.
“Sorry, I was just trying to imagine me putting a bird in my pocket so I could fly around on a robot. Would a bird even like that?”
“Make a nest in your pocket! That’ll help.”
“A nest?” Kallard sighed, throwing his arms up into the air. “What am I, a tree?”
“Ugliest tree I’ve ever seen,” Mari signed back, sticking her tongue out at her brother.
Kallard opened his mouth to offer some witty reply but went silent the instant he heard beeping coming from his room. Both of the twins stopped what they were doing, looking back at the door leading into Kallard’s workshop/bedroom. Mari leaned forward and put her cigarette out in the ash tray before scooting her chair back and rising to her feet. In the blink of an eye, Kal shot up from his seat and ran over to the door and threw the door open.
“Is that the radio?” Mari signed before pointing at the rectangular box, its surface littered with a series of buttons and dials with a small backlit screen displaying the frequency. Coming from the two small speakers built into the radio was a series of beeps, easily identified as Morse code.
“Wait a minute. It’s telling us to switch to a different radio frequency. Switch over now.”
Kallard twisted one of the dials to the left, the numbers on the display flickering as he surfed through the available signals. Once the radio was dialed into the correct frequency the twins exchanged looks and stared at the radio. Five minutes passed and nothing happened, the radio whispering in static.
“Try saying something,” Mari signed.
“Unknown station,” Kallard said. “Identify. Over.”
“This is Victorum actual. Identify unknown caller. Over,” the radio replied.
“Say again? Over,” Kallard said, a look of confusion washing over his face.
“This is Victorum actual. Identify. Over.”
“What the fuck is Victorum?” Mari signed, looking at her brother.
“I have no clue,” came his reply with a shrug of his shoulders. “I can already tell that they’re military. Is Victorum the name of a ship or a base?”
“Unknown station, this is Victorum actual. Identify. Over.”
“You’re going to have to say something, Kal. Can they trace the signal back to us?”
“No, they can’t. What do I tell him?”
“Give them our callsigns,” Mari signed back at her brother a look of worry lingering in her eyes.
“Victorum actual this is Rascal and Sweets. Over,” Kallard said into the microphone.
“Authenticate. Over.”
“Juliet bravo zulu two five eight.”
The radio then went silent for several minutes, both of the twins finding their own way to work out the anxiety that was building up within them. Marilini stood there and wrung her hands together while her brother paced around the room, chain smoking cigarettes as if his life depended on it. Neither of them knew what was going on and why it was happening. Something was going on somewhere out in the world and all signs pointed to the remnants of the Empire. Whatever their intention, the twins were sure to find out.
“Rascal and Sweets, it is good to hear your voices. We were worried none of the Frumentarium were left alive. This is Titus Van Malignus, High Legate. What is your status? Over,” came the radio’s reply, someone new now speaking to the twins. They glanced at each other, Mari anxiously wringing her hands together.
“We are taking refuge in Eorzea. Over,” Kallard said into the microphone once more.
“Good, good. I’m going to send an agent to meet with you in the coming days. He will debrief you on the current situation. We all look forward to working with you both. Over.”
“The both of us look forward to meeting with your delegation. Is this the channel you will be sending their information? Over.”
“Affirmative. While it has been lovely chatting with the both of you, I have an urgent matter I must attend to. Information will be passed onto you regarding my agent in a few days on this channel. Until then, radio silence. Over,” came the High Legate’s reply.
“Roger. Over and Out.”
Kallard dropped the microphone and let out a long sigh, running a hand through his black hair. Marilini took a seat on her brother’s bed, looking down at the floor as she continued to wring her hands together. Neither of them said anything for a good deal of time, choosing to remain in silence as they digested this information.
“I will not fight for them again,” Marilini eventually signed, snapping her fingers to get her brother’s attention. “Never in a million years.”
“I agree,” Kallard sighed. “As much as I want to believe this will be a new Empire, we both know that’s a lie. For now, let’s play their little game. Learn what needs to be learned and act when we need to act. It may be worth considering mentioning this to the folks over in Meishuya. It’d be a suicide mission if we tried to tackle this alone.”
“I agree. Let’s play along for now and see what they’re doing. They probably don’t know we went AWOL since they didn’t bring it up. To them we’re still good and loyal soldiers. Whatever it is they’re doing we need to stop it.”
“Yeah, I know,” Kallard said as he took a seat next to his sister. “We’ve done a lot of bad shit, sis. It’s time we made up for it and did some good for a change. Whatever they throw at us we’ll just throw back at them. We’re unstoppable, after all.”
“Unstoppable?” Mari signed before letting out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. “I don’t know about that.”
“We managed to survive to this point in our lives. What’s another war gonna do to us?”
“Let’s stop this before it starts a war. We’ve got the skills and the tools to do this, so let’s do it. Let’s take down the Empire,” Mari signed back at her brother.
“Good, sounds like a plan. For now, let’s go for a walk. I want some candy.”
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pirate king epilogue: wooyoung || atz
There’s a girl.
She stands in the surf, the waves lapping over bare feet, strands of her hair flying with the sea breeze. Softened by the light of the sun just as it peeks over the horizon, burning orange sets the silhouette of her aflame, it’s as if she’s the sun herself, bringing with her warmth that seeps into cold fingers, gentle light that slowly fills his entire night even before he notices.
There’s a girl, and she’s out of reach.
He tries to take a step forward, to call her name, one hand reaching out to tuck her hair behind her ear. His lips move and nothing passes his ears, drowned out by the sea wind. But she hears and begins to turn around, and he just wants to see that radiant smile on her face one more time-
There’s a girl, and it’s a dream.
He wakes up.
Wooyoung’s disoriented for a moment, the sea fading away in his eyes to be replaced by the ceiling of the room. The sounds of Yunho’s noisy snores in the bed opposite him bring him back to reality, slowly but surely, and he sits up, one hand rubbing at his eyes while the other drags through his hair in an attempt to tame his messy bedhead.
Light and chain free.
Letting out a yawn, he turns his head to glance at bed next to his and finds it empty, the sheets already neatly folded and pillow fluffed. It’s barely the crack of dawn.
He shifts to the side of his bed and looks out of the window, the familiar smell of sea salt on the air and soft amber light striking the blue aquamarine gem on his bedside table, throwing soft blue and orange flecks of light everywhere in the room.
He watches the sun rise until it lifts away from the sea into the sky, before he gets to his feet and changes into a simple shirt and trousers, slipping the silver hairpin into his belt.
It’s a new day today.
“Oh, you’re finally awake.” Yeosang greets him as Wooyoung slips down into the living area of the house. Wooyoung cocks an eyebrow at him. “You’re up early.”
“I had some strange dreams and couldn’t fall back asleep, so I came down here to read for a bit.” Yeosang points at the book sitting in front of him on their dining table, a cup of coffee beside him. “Jongho got us breakfast from Seonghwa’s before he went fishing this morning.“
The fragrance of Seonghwa’s beef stew fills his nose and he sniffs appreciatively, glancing around Yeosang to see the pot hanging over their hearth fire. “It looks good.”
“Hurry, eat and wake Yunho up so we can go. We have a lot of things to prepare today.”
“Isn’t your turn to wake Yunho today?” Wooyoung reaches for a bowl and ladles some beef stew into it, perching himself on the table and legs dangling over the side. Even after leaving the ocean for three years, he still can’t get used to the feeling of sitting down on a chair. “And Jongho’s out early. What for?”
“He says there’s been strange sightings of a giant squid monster further out and wants to check it out for himself, the brave soul.” Yeosang chuckles as he flips a page, and Wooyoung catches sight of an ink drawing of a tentacles monster on the paper. “And as for Yunho, you offered to wake him up this morning yesterday in exchange for me doing the dinner dishes.”
The memory is hazy at best, but Wooyoung remembers stumbling into the house late at night, completely exhausted and on the brink of falling asleep on the doorstep if it hadn’t been for Jongho dragging him into his bed by the scruff of his neck. “Ah, shit. You sholdn’t let me make regretable decisions when I’m clearly not in the right state of mind.”
Yeosang shrugs, taking a sip of his coffee. “Well, it benefitted me, so of course I’d agree.” Wooyoung makes a face at that, sticking his spoon into his mouth. The familiar taste of Seonghwa’s food instantly brightens his mood and chases away some of the fear that accompanies his later task.
All too soon, the bowl grows empty while his trepedition grows. When it is scraped clean, Wooyoung looks down at it with a sigh before turning to Yeosang. “How about we make this a team effort?”
Yeosang shakes his head, eyes shining with amusement. “You’re on your own.” He makes a shooing motion with his fingers. “Remember to dodge if he starts snorting, being kicked by him hurts.”
Wooyoung sighs, rising to his feet. “Yes sir.”
>>>
A few swung fists, a near encounter with a black eye and an apologetic Yunho later, the three of them head out to their usual place, Yunho and Wooyoung trailing after Yeosang with their arms laden with books. The second they near the familiar iron wrought gates, they hear delighted shouting from one of the upper floor windows.
“It’s Yeosang-oppa!”
“Yeosang and his two slaves!”
At the title, Wooyoung laughs loudly, amused. “Even the kids know how much we’re worked to the bone because of him.” Wooyoung jokes and Yunho lets out a snort as he raises a hand to wave to the kids. “Now, if only they would call us by name instead of ‘Yeosang’s lackeys’... I understand how Captain feels.”
“Well, he’s the teacher and we’re just his assistants.” Yunho replies, the three of them stepping into the orphanage compound. The bright faces from the second floor window quickly vanish, and Wooyoung hears the pitter patter of small feet before the front door is thrown open and excited children spill out of the small building.
“Teacher Yeosang!”
“Look, look! I made a drawing of three of you!”
“Teacher Yeosang, read us that pirate story again!”
“Teacher Yeosang, could you help me solve this mathematics problem...”
“Ahh ahh, no need to be impatient, all of you.” Yeosang chides and the children instantly fall silent, all of them vibrating on the spot with excitement. Wooyoung can’t help but snicker at the sight, they’re quite adorable. “Let me head in and get the room set up first, alright? I brought new books for all of you today.”
“You mean we brought the books.” Yunho says loudly from behind him, waving the stack of hardbacks in his hands for extra effect. Some of the children burst out into little giggles, and Yeosang rolls his eyes goodnaturedly.
“The specifics aren’t important.” He retorts, before he leans down to whisper to the children. “If all of you behave, I’ll read the story of ‘Pirate King’ for all of you, alright?”
Their faces light up instantly, before their little hands grab at Yeosang’s clothes and they begin to pull him into the orphanage, chattering excitedly. “Hurry up! I wanna hear the pirate story again!”
“Pirate story! The pirate king!”
Yeosang casts a helpless look back over his shoulder as the children practically manhandle him into the building.
Save me.
Wooyoung and Yunho exchange looks, before they both give him serene smiles and wave simultaneously.
Good luck.
Yeosang’s glare burns into them the entire way, much to their amusement.
In the lesson room, a small dining space cleared of its usual tables and chairs save for one, Yeosang sits before the group of excited children, his book in his hands as he begins to read aloud.
“Legends say that out there, sailing across the ocean somewhere, is a pirate ship called the Treasure that has plundered every land of its gold and jewels.” Sitting at the back of the room, Yunho and Wooyoung watch as Yeosang slips on his reading glasses. The expression on his face is one of calm focus even though the story he’s reading is nothing but a simple tale, and his audience merely a group of young children even though he’s held debates before scholars and distinguished men.
“The kids never get tired of this story, do they?” Wooyoung says out of the corner of his mouth. Yunho stifles his own laughter, his head leaning back to rest against the wall with a quiet thump.
“Well, the writers did make it very dramatic.” He says softly, so as to not disturb the kids. “It was a lot more boring, the way we lived it. From how they tell it, it’s as if we got into battle every week. They completely missed out the most important, boring thing that happened on board, which was-”
“- lookout duty.” Both of them echo at the same time, and Wooyoung snickers.
“The mizzenmast is still better.”
“Even in a pile of ashes, the main mast is still of more substance that yours.”
Wooyoung covers his mouth with both hands and tries not to laugh too hard.
Across the room, Yeosang levels a glare at the two of them and they shut up instantly, Wooyoung miming locking up his lips and throwing the key over his shoulder.
“The pirate king was a terrible, fearsome man with a reputation that stretched across the oceans-” Yeosang’s barely a few seconds into the story when he’s interrupted.
A young boy throws his hand up, eyes shining with excitement. “Was the pirate king huge?” Yeosang pauses, brows furrowed. “Uhh...”
“He must have been really big and strong if he was so scary!” Another girl pipes up, and Yeosang glances back at the two of them for help. Upon finding none, he nods slowly, a slight grimace on his face. “Oh, yes. He was uhh... very big and scary, almost a head taller than Yunho back there and the size of two men across.”
Yunho coughs loudly into his palm, and Wooyoung can see him struggling to keep the smile off his face. The thought of their captain in the proportions that Yeosang described makes Wooyoung want to laugh till his sides hurt.
“The pirate king and his pirate band ATEEZ crossed the oceans and raided several towns, terrifying townspeople and Royal Navy alike. He would catch misbehaving kids... and steal them away!”
The children jump in their seats, eyes wide. “Steal misbehaving children?” One of the more boisterous boys calls out from the back, looking slightly nervous. Yunho grins from behind, rising to his feet silently and taking quiet, silent steps towards him. Yeosang nods seriously, his eyes flickering towards the creeping battlemaster at the back for a brief moment before returning his attention to the children.
“Oh, yes.” He says, voice dropping to a low whisper. “The pirate king would steal around in the middle of the night, when the lamps burn low and the shadows seem to watch you from the foot of the bed.” The children seem to be completely enraptured by his words, eyes huge like dinner plates and their mouths hanging open, Yunho going completely unnoticed behind them as he sneaks up on that child. “If you misbehaved, he would climb in through your windows or sneak into your house, and then-”
“Ah!”
The boy at the back screams as Yunho pounces on him, and Wooyoung erupts into laughter at the sight. Panicking, the boy’s arms flail for a second and he ends up smacking Yunho straight in the gut. With a loud, dramatic groan, Yunho sinks to his knees, keeling over onto the floor.
“Ahh... you got me good...”
Wooyoung’s laughing so hard now he can barely keep the tears from the corners of his eyes. “You defeated the pirate king!” The boy cheers, and Yunho gets up from the floor, eyes shining with amusement.
Yeosang shakes his head, but Wooyoung can see the slightest hint of a smile pulling at the corners of his lips as he flips a page. “Now, what adventure shall I read?”
“The one where he raided a town for chocolate instead of gold!”
“Oh, oh! The story when he had to run away from the Royal Navy!”
“When he faced the sirens!”
“Alright, I got it.” Yeosang’s face is gentle, and he turns the pages of his book once more. “I’ll read all the stories that you want today.”
The children cheer.
The morning passes peacefully, with Yeosang wrapping up his storytelling session with one or two (or a whole lot more untruths about their captain). After that, Yunho and Wooyoung take some of the older boys to the backyard to play some sword fighting, while Yeosang teaches the younger ones their letters.
“What do you intend to do for the rest of the day?” Yunho asks Wooyoung as the two of them finish up arranging the books that they’d brought on the shelves. Wooyoung frowns, pondering this for a second.
“Well, I’m supposed to do quite a lot of deliveries for San and Seonghwa today, so I’ll probably be busy till evening.” He says, shrugging before he slips another book into the shelf. “What about you? Training the recruits at the Royal Navy has got to easy as pie for you, isn’t it? You come home before the sun sets every day.”
Yunho shakes his head, laughing. “Oh, no. They’re all talented, that’s it. I’m just teaching them the basics and they catch on fast. Still,” he glances at Wooyoung, eyes twinkling. “It’s funny that we’ve come to this, isn’t it? Two legendary pirates from the story of the Pirate King, one working as an odd job man and the other training the Royal Navy, of all things.”
Wooyoung nods, fingers stilling on the spine of a book. “Yeah. It’s not something any of us would have seem coming.” He says softly.
After the incident three years ago, the Treasure had been turned to matchwood and the crew returned to normal lives for the first time in years. Learning to get used to walking on flat, unmoving ground once again, smelling flowers and grass instead of the familiar scent of sea salt in the air, sleeping in a bed instead of on a hammock, all these were like taking baby steps back to normalcy, one at a time.
“But I like it, you know.” Yunho says suddenly, voice quiet. Wooyoung blinks at him, prompting him to elaborate further. “No more running, no more fighting, just peace and quiet and an honest living.” He turns and grins at Wooyoung, eyes bright. “I think I’ve had quite enough adventure for a lifetime.”
Wooyoung smiles, turning away to put the books left in his hands on the topmost shelf. “Yeah.” He agrees. “It really was the adventure of a lifetime.”
>>>
San’s apothecary is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of town, right at the foot of a small hill some distance from the port. Barely anyone takes the time to head out there, so Seonghwa’s eatery ended up becoming the place for the townspeople to place orders for medicines and cures. Peace and quiet, San had joked when he’d turned down living with the rest of the crew in town.
Well, it’s certainly a bit too quiet now.
“Oi, San, don’t tell me you’re still sleeping.” Wooyoung calls, banging the door with his fist. No one replies. “San! If you’re not going to let me in, I’m going to break in through your window.”
“You’re going to what now?”
Wooyoung turns around to see San standing behind him, one hand cocked on his hip and a bunch of lavender sprays under one arm. “I was only joking.” Wooyoung shrugs with an easy smile, stepping aside for San to unlock the front door. “You’re the one who wasn’t home when you said you would be.”
San rolls his eyes good naturedly. “I was out gathering these.” He tosses them into Wooyoung’s hands before he rummages about in his apron pocket for the keys. “How were the kids today?”
“They’re filling up nicely, quite a few can read, and now all of them think that Hongjoong is a monster who sneaks about in the middle of the night and kidnaps children.”
San pauses with his hand on the doorknob. “He’s a what?”
Wooyoung shrugs, grinning. “Yeah.”
“Hongjoong’s going to have a fit when he finds out.” San ushers Wooyoung in through the open door. The apothecary is a small redbrick affair, a simple kitchen and living space connected to his far more sizeable workroom. San says he’s used to it after living on the Treasure for so long. Wooyoung shakes his head.
“He might like it. Yeosang made him sound tall.”
San snickers at Wooyoung’s words, tucking the lavender onto one of his shelves before he points to the many vials and bottles on the table. “Here, all the deliveries for today.” Wooyoung peers at the two empty coffee cups left out on the table.
“Someone came by earlier?”
San nods. “If you had just come earlier, you would have run into Hongjoong. His expedition should be starting anytime soon.” He grins at Wooyoung, eyes bright. “How does it feel heading back to sea again after three years?”
“I don’t know.” Wooyoung says, stepping around San to pack the medicines into his bag. The scent of lavender and ylang ylang are soothing, but nothing can quite beat the smell of the ocean. “Good, I suppose. I’ve been having strange dreams about the ocean anyway. Maybe it’s a sign.”
San pauses slightly, eyes glancing over at Wooyoung. “Strange dreams?” He repeats.
“Yeah, of a girl and the ocean. Weird, I know.” Wooyoung explains, hoping the dreams don’t sound too ridiculous. “I can never see her face, but whenever I see her, my chest feels warm. Light. Calm.” Then he chuckles, fingers wrapping tightly around the neck of a bottle. “The chains around my wrists, they just disappeared when I woke up on that island with Captain and Yeosang three years ago. I don’t know what happened, and I still can’t remember.”
Sudden, slight pain pulses through his heart and he grunts, one hand thumping his chest and San rushes to sit him down on a chair. “Don’t force yourself too hard.” San says quietly, handing Wooyoung a honey covered sweet. “Maybe it’ll take time.”
“I thought I’d get the urge to go to a brothel or something, but I just can’t bear the idea of chasing after a woman other than her.” Wooyoung struggles to explain. “I feel like I’m waiting for someone every time I walk past the ocean. And she doesn’t... she doesn’t even exist.”
San watches as Wooyoung runs a heavy hand through his hair, pressing his lips together in a thin line. “I told her you’d never be able to forget her, whether you remember her or not.” San murmurs under his breath, his heart breaking for his best friend. “When I see how much you’re hurting, though, I sometimes wish I was wrong.”
Wooyoung blinks up at him, confused, as he pops the sweet into his mouth. “Huh?”
San shakes his head. “Oh, no, nothing. Just thinking that Hongjoong came by this morning complaining of weird dreams too.”
Wooyoung gives him a half hearted glare, punching him lightly in the arm. “See, you could have just given the two of us check ups so much more easily if you’d just chosen to live with us. You could share a room with Jongho, you know. There’s no point to having two beds in your cramped bedroom.” He points at the two small beds on opposite sides of the house, and San hesitates for a moment.
He can’t very well say he’s clinging onto a hope, dreaming, waiting for a day someone no one else remembers will come home. He can’t say that it hurts when he wakes up into life of normalcy with the rest of the crew but without her there with them. He can’t say that if she’s not there, he’d rather be alone, where the rest of the crew isn’t there to remind him that he’s the only one who holds on to a past no one else remembers.
So instead, he replies casually, “Well, I got used to having two beds on the Treasure. Besides, it’s a good place to dry extra herbs when it happens to rain outside.”
“You like your space, I got it.” Wooyoung chuckles, rising to his feet. He turns back for a moment just as he’s stepping out of the door. “You’re coming by tonight to Seonghwa’s eatery for dinner?”
San nods seriously. “Of course! How could I miss a chance to look at baby Hwaseong... he called me ‘bubu’ on Monday!” The healer clasps his hands together, shaking his head at just how adorable that little angel is. “It reminds me of the days when Jongho was an cute baby too. Now he hasn’t even visited me for two days. That kid’s growing up the wrong way.”
Wooyoung laughs. “I heard from Yeosang that Jongho has been sailing out further these days hoping to catch sight of a giant squid monster locals have been talking about.” San pauses, fingers stilling on a spray of lavender at Jongho’s words.
“A... sea monster?”
“No need to be scared, you’re living all the way inland anyway.” Wooyoung teases, completely mistaking San’s anticipation for fear. “We might hear some of Jongho’s tales tonight if he catches sight of it. Well then,” he waves his bag of deliveries in one hand. “See you later.”
When Wooyoung leaves the house, San catches sight of the silver hairpin tucked into his belt just as the door closes behind him.
“He can’t remember you, yet he can’t let it go either.” San murmurs softly under his breath as he sits down on the bed opposite his, fingers gently brushing linen sheets. Waiting for someone to come home.
“Chin Hae, please... hurry home soon.”
>>>
The sun is just beginning to set when Wooyoung makes his last delivery for the day.
Making his way to Seonghwa’s eatery by the docks, he avoids the red light district and instead chooses to take the long way round by the sea shore. Footsteps quick and light, he’s hurrying along the beach just as his heart begin to throb once more.
“Ahh, ouch.” Wooyoung winces, face screwing up against the pain. Taking a seat in the sand, he quickly unwraps a painkiller that San had given him earlier and pops it into his mouth, biting down hard on it. The bitter taste spreads through his mouth and he gags. “Couldn’t he have made them a little sweeter?”
With a sigh, he lies back in the sand and waits for the pain to abate. They’ve been getting more acute and serious lately, along with the dreams.
Reaching down, he pulls out the silver hairpin in his belt and holds it up to the light of the setting sun. Orange fragments the second it strikes the aquamarine blue surface, the silver petals catching its light. At a single glance, Wooyoung can tell that it’s a beautiful, expensive piece.
But why would he have something like this?
Three years ago, right after they had been released from the Royal Navy after Hongjoong had signed that contract with them... San had given it to him with tears in his eyes, begging him to keep it with him at all times. For no reason at all, Wooyoung couldn’t understand either why he felt so much pain when he looked at it, and yet couldn’t bear to throw it away.
Up till now, Wooyoung still doesn’t know why.
With a sigh, Wooyoung tosses the hairpin up into the air, making to catch it again. All of a sudden, however, a seagull swoops down and grabs it away with its beak, before flying off towards the ocean.
“Hey!” Wooyoung shouts, scrambling to his feet. But the bird is already halfway out to sea, and all Wooyoung catches sight of is a glint of silver as it drops the hairpin into the ocean.
Wooyoung doesn’t know why he’s so furious. It’s just a hairpin, just a stick of metal, that’s all. And yet his heart throbs even more painfully than before, and he simply looks out over the ocean, feeling despondent. What is he going to do now?
Just as he’s thinking that, however, the tide shifts.
Confused, Wooyoung takes a step back as water washes over the tip of his boots. Is it natural for the tide to just rise suddenly like this? Frowning, he takes another step back, until he hears it.
At first, he thinks that his ears must be playing tricks on him. It sounds like a heartbeat from within the ocean, drums in the deep, every wave that rushes towards the shore keeping its slow rhythm. He looks up.
And sees a girl who was definitely not there less than a few seconds ago standing in the surf, reddish brown tentacles slowly slipping away from her form, sliding back into the sea and vanishing from sight. Wooyoung only stares.
She’s dressed in robes spun from sea silk, the fabric shining gold in the light of the setting sun. There’s a silver hairpin in her hand.
“I believe this belongs to you.” She says softly, and memories surge into his head like a tidal wave crashing onto shore.
Him pressing that hairpin in to her hand the day she got her name. Sitting on the yardam with her head resting on his shoulder. Her fingers wrapped around his in the warmth of his pocket. The chains falling from his wrists, falling free away from their hold on his heart.
“When you come back, I promise I’ll tell you how I feel about you.”
“No, it’s yours.” Wooyoung manages to choke out, as he looks at her... no, you. He feels like if he says any more than that, he’ll break down into sobs. You smile at him, taking a step forward.
It’s another dream, isn’t it? He’s just fallen asleep on that beach and now he’s having the most beautiful dream in his life - that you’re back, that he remembers you, that you’re alive.
“Why are you crying? Not happy to see me?” Your voice is slightly teasing as you draw closer, and Wooyoung startles to feel hot tears sliding down his cheeks.
“No, no, I just... the opposite.” He chokes on a sob. One of your hands reach out to cup his cheeks, gently brushing the tears away from them. “I... I just... I... how...”
“Shh, you don’t need to say anything.” You smile, pressing the hairpin into his palm, where he grips it tight. “Can you do my hair again for me?”
He nods wordlessly, unable to speak. You turn around and he takes a few strands of your hair with trembling fingers, lifting it to his lips in a silent, reverent kiss before he starts braiding it back. With every slide of his fingers, the warmth pressing against him starts to sink in bit by bit.
This is real.
You are real.
He’s crying again when he slides the hairpin into the updo to hold it in place. Upon hearing his soft sniffling, you turn around and take his face in your hands gently, prompting him to look into your eyes.
“I’ll keep my promise with you.” You say softly, smiling slightly. Wooyoung only cries louder, unable to find words to speak. “Wooyoung-ah, I love-”
He kisses you hard.
His lips move frantically against yours, deep and hard, as if he’s trying to confirm your existence, that you’re really here with him. He crushes you against him so tight he can feel your heart beat against his chest - you’re real.
There’s a girl, and she’s home.
#ateez#ateez fanfic#ateez fanfiction#hongjoong#seonghwa#yunho#yeosang#san#mingi#jongho#ateez pirate king#w; ot8#w; pirate king#w; fanfiction
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A Wonderful Li(f)e
Pairing: Oliver Emese Song/Walter C. Dornez (one sided love)
Summary: 50 theme challenge revolving around Hellsing’s Dolos and Aphrodite
[Note: Like Olivia, Oliver is likened to Aphrodite. That is not changing lol. Olivia/Oliver are the same character except different names and appearances. However, if you want to imagine Olivia here, you can. Characterization remains the same.]
[Note 2: These themes will contain references to chapters in “L’amour et La Mort” so this one shot will not make sense if you aren’t familiar with the fic.]
-----
#01 – Ring
Walter prided himself on his well-honed ability to mask his emotions, an improvement from his youthful spitfire self. Yet, every time the ruby on Oliver’s finger caught the light, Walter felt a familiar scowl chisel across his face.
The triumphant smirk Alucard constantly shot his way didn’t help matters either.
#02 – Hero
At the tender age of eight, Oliver sold his soul to Hellsing to become a hero against creatures of the night.
How ironic that in the span of ten years, Oliver found a family in the darkness itself—even going as far as to marry its king.
#03 – Memory
“Even when we are old and no one remembers us, I will always be at your side, Walter.” Oliver had vowed on top London Bridge, ruffling the younger boy’s hair with a smile. “We are brothers for life. That’s all the matters, right?”
And perhaps that was enough for Oliver, but not for Walter.
Never for Walter.
#04 – Box
Walter leaned against the doorway of the attic, watching Oliver pull Martha’s wedding gown from the chest and bury his face against the lace. If he announced his presence, Oliver would’ve lashed out, so Walter remained stagnant as Oliver’s muffled sobs filled the room.
#05 – Run
In the beginning, Walter was miles ahead of Oliver, laughing as the bleeding hearted older boy struggled to keep up with him as soldier.
Then, with the passing years, Oliver caught up and was able to keep pace with him before suddenly bypassing him entirely.
Now it was Walter chasing after him, struggling to maintain his place as a solider and his place in Oliver’s heart.
#06 – Hurricane
The juxtaposition of Oliver’s angelic face and Adonis physique was a constant source of whiplash for Walter.
Destiny may be cruel to Oliver but puberty sure as hell was not.
#07 – Wings
When enemies and allies heard the name “Angel of Death”, they envisioned Walter’s cunning smirk as he sliced through his foes.
When Oliver heard the name “Angel of Death”, he envisioned six year old Walter with his chubby cheeks and missing front teeth.
#08 – Cold
As the bitter Oxford chill gnawed at his skin, Walter pulled his blue, handmade muffler closer, the faint scent of home lingering on each thread.
“Only you of all people could make such a shoddy gift, Oliver.” He scoffed with a smile.
#09 – Red
The blood glimmered in the moonlight, sticking to their bodies like a second skin.
Oliver stood a few feet away from him, his profile illuminated in the moonlight. The blood stained his face and neck, slowly dripping down his torso and seeping through his white button-up. His wavy, black hair clung to his forehead, his cheeks flushed with extrusion, and his plump lips were damp with saliva.
Walter had never seen a more beautiful sight, and as Alucard emerged and pulled his husband in for a heated kiss, he begrudgingly acknowledged that he and the mutt were of one mind.
#10 – Drink
Arthur’s habits kept them from over indulging, yet Oliver and Walter had fallen into a tradition of drinking together once a week.
They would sit in one of the reading rooms, share a bottle of wine, and chat about everything and anything until the early hours of the morning.
For Oliver, it was a get together with his brother and lifelong friend.
For Walter, it was an opportunity to have Oliver to himself.
#11 – Midnight
“You’ve downed more than half of the bottle already, and it’s barely midnight.” Oliver teased, holding up the translucent bottle to the candle light. “Stressful week?”
“You try to keep this manor running while training incompetent cadets day in and day out!” Walter huffed, downing the rest of his glass. “I don’t get paid enough for this.”
“You must really be drunk if your tongue is this loose.” Oliver leaned over and brushed Walter’s bangs out of his eyes. “Perhaps we should call it a night. After all, a hungover ‘Angel of Death’ is a fussy ‘Angel of Death’.”
“Piss off.” Walter hissed, latching onto Oliver’s hand and pressing his palm to his neck. “For fuck’s sake, why are your hands so cold?”
#12 – Temptation
“My hands are probably cold because your body is a furnace from all that wine.” Oliver tugged against his grip. “C’mon, let me go and let’s get you to bed.”
“Shut u—p.” Walter huffed, unbuttoning his shirt and placing Oliver’s palm over his clavicle. “Let me cool down first.”
Oliver gave an exasperated shake of his head before slouching back in his seat and allowing his head to fall back against the cushion.
“Who knew Walter C. Dornez was a light weight?” He chuckled while Walter continued using his hand as a cool pack. “You’re lucky I’m too decent to tease you about this when you’re sober.”
Walter didn’t bother responding, maintaining his inebriated illusion as he gave into foolish temptation.
In this candle-lit room with the scent of wine permeating the air, Walter casted aside his cocky façade and willingly fell prey to a songbird’s gentle touch.
Because, within the walls of this reading room, Oliver was his.
#13 – View
As the grandfather clock struck three, Oliver heaved another sigh before gazing upon the slumbering body across from him.
Even in deep sleep, Walter had a death grip on his hand and Oliver wondered if he’d made a mistake in playing along with his antics.
“You will always be my dearest friend and brother,” Oliver finally wiggled his hand away and rested it on top of Walter’s head. “And you deserve better than me.”
Walter’s eyes fluttered open for a moment, staring at their shadows against the beige wallpaper, before allowing them to fall shut again.
#14 – Music
Oliver was a talented singer; Walter would be a fool to deny that. Years of practice had tuned his once pitchy, strangled shrieks into a smooth, molasses-like melody. And Oliver wasn’t afraid to show it, constantly belting out arias day in and out to the jaw dropping awe of their soldiers.
But not Walter.
He would give credit where it was due, but Oliver’s tastes in music were rather dull to his ears.
That was until Oliver suddenly belted out a Chuck Berry number, his operatic tone taking on a raspy, soulful flair that had Walter’s jaw dropping like the rest of them.
#15 – Silk
Calling someone ‘angelic’ was not in Walter’s vocabulary, leaving such words to devotees or overly saccharine poets.
Yet, as a weeping Oliver adorned in Martha’s silk veil stood at the altar of St. Paul’s cathedral, ‘angelic’ was the only word he describe him.
#16 – Cover
“Alright, I’m going in. You got my back, Walter?”
“Do I have to?”
“I mean, you can just let me die I guess.”
“Very tempting, isn’t it?”
“…….I hope your socks rolls down in your shoes.”
#17 – Food
Walter pretended not to notice Oliver sneaking pieces of brownies from the dish behind him.
No, he just removed the fresh batch from the oven, sprinkled a generous amount of salt on the top, placed it on the counter, and waited.
#18 – Dream
In Walter’s dreams, he was a true Angel of Death—imperious, unbeatable, and feared by all.
In Oliver’s dreams, he had his family back and was able to grow up normally.
#19 – Candle
Oliver raced back up the aisle, leaving Walter on the ground with lips tingling and a flame igniting in his core.
#20 – Talent
“Chugging six bottles of Fanta at once is not a talent, Oliver, it’s an atrocity.”
#21 – Silence
During those four years at Oxford, Walter loathed to admit he missed Oliver’s show tunes and occasional rock numbers.
#22 – Journey
Walter knew the moment he took The Major’s deal, his path and Oliver’s had split in different directions. Yet, sometimes after a bottle of wine, he hoped their paths would intersect again.
#23 – Fire
Millennium’s Warsaw base burned around them like a sea of fire, and Oliver stood above it all with his mangled arm outstretched as he unwillingly commanded the No Life King to slaughter all their enemies.
For the first of many times, Walter felt a twinge of awe and fear.
#24 – Strength
It took everything for Walter’s knees not to buckle when Oliver picked him up by the waist and moved him aside.
“Sorry,” Oliver bit into his apple, the juices dripping down his chin. “You were standing in front of the fruit bowl.”
#25 – Mask
Although Walter was brash and had a sharp tongue, Oliver knew his friend had a heart deep down.
#26 – Ice
Walter knew the moment his treason was brought to light, Oliver’s eyes—warm and green like the spring—would become frosted and bitter as a blizzard.
#27 – Fall
In their youth, Oliver and Walter used to hide in the leave piles and scare Arthur during his morning walks.
#28 – Forgotten
The root of his treason, and the eventual cause of Oliver’s heartbreak—all of this stemmed from Walter’s one and only fear.
#29 – Dance
As Oliver twirled him around the palace ballroom, Walter understood why children were obsessed with fairytales.
#30 – Body
Walter considered it horribly unfair that, upon his return from Oxford, Oliver was a head taller than him and twice his muscle mass.
#31 – Sacred
Alucard may have Oliver, but Walter was his first kiss and he would carry that victory to his grave.
#32 – Farewells
Upon their return from Warsaw, Walter held Oliver as they stood in the foyer.
To Oliver, it was a gesture of brotherhood and comfort.
To Walter, it was a farewell to the future they could’ve had together.
#33 – World
In their younger years, the two of them marked an old map in the library with where they wanted to travel together, with crayon lines zig-zagging everywhere from Montreal to Antarctica.
#34 – Formal
“For the love of all that is holy, Oliver, button your shirt up! We are attending Her Majesty’s banquet, not a cocktail party in Vegas!”
#35 – Fever
Walter had a fever once when he was 10, and Oliver had made some homemade chicken noodle soup for him.
Never again.
His taste buds can only handle so much salt.
#36 – Laugh
The way he hunched over with a crinkled nose and a toothy grin, Walter could see why Oliver’s nickname was Rabbit.
#37 – Lies
“You can trust me, Oliver.”
#38 – Forever
Despite his sins, Walter hoped to meet Oliver again in the next life.
#39 – Overwhelmed
When Oliver leaned over his shoulder, his chest pressed to his back, and whispered in his ear, Walter swore his heart beat could be heard from space.
#40 – Whisper
“Move your ass, Walter, you’re blocking the bathroom door.”
#41 – Wait
4 years.
1,460 days.
2,102,400 minutes.
And, in the end, Oliver still chose Alucard.
#42 – Talk
It took Walter by surprise when Oliver said he didn’t believe people are inherently good.
“It is easy to be cruel and selfish, but to be kind and loving—that takes effort.” Oliver elaborated, swirling his wine glass with a far-off expression. “And it’s hard to make that effort sometimes, especially when the world is hellbent on breaking you down.”
#43 – Search
Walter never thought he would miss the days when Oliver would reach for his hand during mission briefings.
#44 – Hope
The words Oliver stitched into his muffler.
#45 – Eclipse
Oliver stands above him, rays of moonlight filtering through his raven locks, and offers him a hand and a smile.
“Another successful mission by the dynamic duo, hmm?”
#46 – Gravity
It seemed the more Walter tried to pull away from Oliver, the harder he fell for him.
#47 – Highway
The officer was tempted to turn on his sirens as a black Cadillac Sixty-Two Convertible and a Silver Triumph motorcycle zipped by him, but upon recalling the drivers’ identities, he just closed his eyes and prayed none of his colleagues would be foolish enough to pursue them.
#48 – Unknown
The future was a mystery but, as long as he had his ‘family’, Oliver wasn’t afraid.
Too bad Walter didn’t share the same sentiment.
#49 – Lock
The memories Oliver had given him would be guarded in his heart forevermore, even as his wires sliced through Oliver’s skin.
#50 – Breathe
As his final breath passed through his lips, Walter clutched the rabbit keychain in his hand and bid farewell to his first and only love.
#oliver song#m!olivia#walter dornez#hellsing fanfiction#hellsing oc#Walter is a punk ass binch but his relationship with olivia/oliver is always dear to me#and I want to pursue the oliver agenda because i can#oliver emese song
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Fanfic - 3 Times Iris Tried (and failed) To Make Pancakes - 1/1
Summary: Three times Iris has tried (and failed) to make Barry pancakes through out their lives from childhood to married life.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2322
A/N: Inspired from episode 6x17 where Barry made it clear Iris was never (and never will be) good at making pancakes XD
1. When they were kids
The first month Barry stayed at the West home he barely ate a thing.
After his mom died, and his dad went to prison, Barry felt like his body went into shock. His appetite disappeared and he lost track if he ate at every meal time. The breakfasts and dinners Joe prepared went half eaten as Barry spent most of his time pushing around the food on his plate as we waited till he could be excused from the table. He'd keep his head down the entire time as he could feel Joe's concerned eyes staring him down.
Which is why he felt a sense of relief one Sunday morning that Joe had gone into work early. Barry didn't want to deal with the disapproving eyes and lectures about needing to take better care of himself.
On this particular Sunday morning he planned to lie in bed for as long as he could. Nothing motivating him to get up and do anything. But instead of lying in bed alone with his thoughts he heard the sounds, that he assumed came from Iris, of pots and pans clashing and loud pop music blasting. Curious and a little concerned he headed downstairs wondering what he'd find.
What he ended up walking into was a kitchen in complete disarray. Piles of dirty dishes were in the sink. The floor covered in patches of white flour. A stick brown substance covered all the counters and cupboards. Thin grey smoke curled in the air and the smell of burnt charcoal made Barry's eyes water.
And there right in the middle of it all his best friend danced to Janet Jackson songs while flipping pancakes onto a plate.
“Barry!” She exclaimed when she spotted him. “Finally you're up. I thought I'd have to drag you out of bed.”
Barry went red at the idea of his best friend, and not so secret crush, coming into his bedroom while he still laid in bed. The one downside to this new arrangement is having your crush right down the hall where she could pop in on you at anytime.
“What are you doing?” Barry asked trying to deflect his embarrassment. His green eyes took in the streaks of flour across her face and the dried batter splattered across her apron making her just as much of a mess as the kitchen.
“Making pancakes duh,” Iris rolled her dark brown eyes playfully at him. “They're your favourite right? I know you haven't had any in a long time so I wanted to make you some.”
Barry stood there with his mouth gaped open at her remembering. The thought that Iris went to the trouble to make him pancakes surprised him but also made a prickling warmth spread through his body. He couldn't remember feeling this kind of happiness since his mom died.
“Go set the table and I'll get our plates ready,” Iris ordered as she went back to flipping the pancakes not at all concerned about the clouds of grey smoke coming off the pan.
Barry obediently followed orders though the idea of actually eating her pancakes filled him with dread. His best friend had many talents, but none of them included her abilities in the kitchen.
Five minutes later Iris came into the dinning room with two plates of pancakes. A proud smile spread across her face as she deposited the plate in front of Barry. The dread he felt increased ten fold as he got an actual look at the pancakes. They were misshapen to a shape Barry didn't think a name for it existed, their colour was a shade a pancake should never be, and he swore he saw lumps in them.
Any sane person would of pushed that plate away and refused to eat. But then Barry took one look at Iris to see her practically vibrating with excitement, her brown eyes shinning as she looked at him, and knew he couldn't say no.
“Mine probably aren't as good as your mom's,” Iris said almost looking a little bashful, “But I promise to keep trying to get better at it because I know you love them.”
The thought of his best friend putting in all that effort to make him happy gave him the motivation to finish the whole plate.
Even if he did regret it later when he got a stomach ache.
2. When they were dating
Barry woke up to the loud beeping of the fire alarm going off in his apartment.
In his half asleep state he struggled to throw the bed covers off his body. He immediately noticed Iris wasn't sleeping in the bed beside him and his heart dropped to his stomach. He already had a hunch as to what set off the fire alarm.
Barry ran straight towards the kitchen where clouds of grey smoke were already spilling out from. As he entered the room his eyes immediately took in two things. One, Iris standing away from the stove with a spatula in hand but otherwise unharmed. Two, the cast iron pan on the stove currently had orange flames shooting out of it.
Acting on instinct Barry grabbed a lid to cover the pan to smother out the flames, next he turned off the burner, then grabbed a towel to move the pan into the sink. All of this occurred in a span of ten seconds but for Barry it felt much longer.
After he felt satisfied the lid had snuffed out the fire Barry turned his attention to a sheepish looking Iris.
“Good morning baby,” Iris said in her sweetest voice, the one she knew made Barry melt. “Did you have a good sleep?”
Barry gave her a withering look before taking in the rest of the kitchen. He noticed the tell tale signs of what Iris tried to make with the flour covering the counter, and spilled milk and broken egg shells.
“Iris,” Barry sighed as he looked back at her, “Were you trying to make pancakes? Alone?”
“I wanted to surprise you,” Iris folded her arms across her chest looking adorably put out. “You always make me breakfast in bed since we started dating. I didn't want to be a bad girlfriend who didn't return the favour.”
Thats because I can make pancakes without burning the kitchen down, Barry thought to himself but didn't dare speak it out loud.
Cooking remained a touchy subject with Iris. After years of failures, and food poisonings, and kitchen fires, she still remained convinced if she just kept trying then magically one day she'd become a great cook.
Barry having been her test subject for many years had his doubts her lack of cooking talents could be turned around. Now as her boyfriend of three months Barry struggled to dance around the subject. Luckily Iris kept incredibly busy with her job at the paper and helping Team Flash that her go to in the kitchen involved ordering take-out. She also tended to sleep in late on the weekends which meant Barry typically got up first and did all the cooking. He'd hope to avoid the situation of Iris cooking for him for as long as possible.
“You're not a bad girlfriend,” Barry rushed to reassured her. “Besides you know I love making you breakfast.”
Iris nodded at his words but Barry could tell by the look on her face she wasn't convinced.
Without the threat of his kitchen burning down Barry could now take a better look at her. Heat curling in his stomach when he noticed the she only had on his oversized CCPD grey shirt. The hemline barely hitting the top of her thighs giving him a clear look at her shapely legs. Her petite body swimming in the excess material of the large shirt. After a few months of dating He still felt a quiet possessive thrill when she wore his clothes, and he'd happily give her his entire wardrobe if he could.
Barry moved towards her like a moth drawn to a flame. His arms wrapping around her smaller frame and pulling her in close. He buried his face in the soft skin of her neck breathing in the sweet scent of her soap. He could feel her relaxing in his arms as her body melted against his.
“Listen let me clean up and then I'll make your favourite chocolate chip pancakes,” Barry kissed the exposed skin of her neck earning a soft giggle from her. “And you can make our coffees.”
“Okay,” Iris sighed under Barry's attentions as she pressed closer to him. “But I swear Bar one day I'll make you the best pancakes.”
Barry knew Iris meant that as a sweet promise but to him it came off a little bit like a threat.
3. When they were married
In a flash of red lighting Barry returned to his home.
He'd been out all night and early morning dealing with on meta-human after another. He hated being away from his family especially on the weekends when he ideally wanted to hang up Flash duties to be with them. But as the protector of the city he had to answer the call if needed.
He pulled off his cowl and headed towards the kitchen. He planned to cook Iris and Nora a huge breakfast of their favourite chocolate chip pancakes, waffles with whip cream and bacon and eggs, to make up for him being gone. His plans quickly changed as he headed towards the kitchen he heard voices talking.
Slowing his steps and walking quieter Barry peered around the corner of the kitchen to see his wife and daughter. Both were still in their pyjamas and their hair piled messily on tops of their heads. Nora stood on top of a chair in order to be tall enough to reach the counter. Iris whisked a batter in a large bowl while Nora poured over the open cookbook.
Warmth spread through him watching his two girls. It was almost enough to distract him the sense of dread he felt to see Iris getting ready to cook.
“Mama is it suppose to be that lumpy?” Nora went up on her tip toes and looked into the bowl with a face scrunched up in distaste.
“Lumps are not that big of a deal,” Iris said even while she continued to furiously whisk the batter, “They'll dissolve eventually...I think.”
“Daddy's pancakes don't have lumps,” Nora pointed out in a kind of bluntness only a child could have.
“Nora,” Iris gave her a mock stern look, “What did we say about comparing my pancakes to daddy's?”
���Not to do it,” Nora mumbled as her shoulders slumped.
“Good girl,” Iris patted on her head before going back to whisking.
She continued to struggle for another five minutes before Barry decided he needed to intervene for everyone's best interest.
“There's my two best girls,” Barry proclaimed loudly as he walked into the kitchen.
Both Iris and Nora looked at him with matching wide eyed looks that quickly dissolved into elation.
“Daa-adddy!” Nora scrambled down from the chair and ran over to him. Barry bent down and easily scooped her up into his arms and cuddle her close to his chest. Nora threw her small around his shoulders in a hug.
“What are you two making?” Barry asked casually as he tried to hide the concern on his face when looking at the batter in the bowl Iris had been whisking. He noticed the lumps right off and the thickness of it concerned him too.
“Mama is trying to make pancakes,” Nora whispered loudly to him. “But I don't think its going so well.”
“Alright you two I get it,” Iris scowled at the both of them. “You both will be eating bananas for a week if you're not careful.”
Barry and Nora both knowing Iris never made an idle threat schooled their expressions to not give themselves away.
“Nora why don't you go set the table,” Barry put his daughter back on the ground, “Your Mama and I will finish the pancakes.”
After Nora scampered off Barry turned his full attention to his wife who looked less than pleased.
“Why can't I get this?” Iris sigh in frustration. “Its pancakes, not rocket science!”
“Iris come on don't be upset,” Iris wrapped his arms around his wife's waist to pull her in close. “You're talented at so many things. You're an accomplished journalist, you got the most deadly punch in the family, you win every game of spades and pictionary we play.”
“Keep going,” Iris's elbow nudged into his side. “What else am I good at?”
“You're also the most amazing mother and wife in the world,” Barry bent to press a soft kiss to her cheek. “Not to mention smart, funny, and absolutely stunning. You're basically perfect but everyone needs to have one or two flaws. Yours just happens to be cooking.”
“Okay, okay I get it,” Iris laughed and to Barry's pleasure snuggled in closer to him. “You can stop laying it on so thick smooth talker.”
“I speak nothing but truth,” Barry said while he tilted his head to steal a kiss from her.
As they parted from the kiss Barry could see Iris didn’t look upset anymore but instead he saw mischief in her dark brown eyes.
“Well I guess lucky for me my husband is excellent at cooking,” Iris gave him a coy smile as she pushed the bowl of batter towards him. “Hope you can make this work honey, I'm going to go make myself coffee.”
Barry stared down at the lumpy mess Iris left him and figured he'd have better luck beating a army of meat-humans blind folded with one hand tied behind his back then make good pancakes out of it. But he would do anything for his wife so he'd definitely planned to try.
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(SING!) Story Not Told, chapter 5 – I Walk the Line
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Click to read chapter 5:
Ash sat in bed rubbing her forehead. She had made bad mistakes, but that was sure to be #1 on the list. She wondered if it was a dream. She wished it was a dream. No. There was no way in hell she kissed Buster. It had to be a dream. But… What if it wasn't? How would she ever look at his face again? She was lost in her own thoughts, when the sound of something metallic crashing to the ground startled her. Chasing after the sound, she found a distressed koala sitting on the ground, and holding his ears. Around him, a variety of pans and pots.
"I washed the dishes, and when I was putting them back, BOOM!" He was motioning agitatedly with his hands. "Sorry I woke you up."
She gave him a somewhat nervous smile. "You didn't wake me, Buster."
"I didn't?" He faced her for a moment, and scratched his head. "Uh! Good. I made you breakfast! I'd eat, but I'm kinda very late and still gotta drop by the theatre to grab my stuff. Mind if I borrow the mug?" He finished, waving a steaming mug in the air. By his actions, she deducted it was coffee.
"Sure, no problem." She was looking for anything to confirm her doubt, but found nothing. It was a crazy dream. It had to be.
"And I still gotta iron this one, great!" He said, putting his creased shirt on hurriedly. "I see you at rehearsal. Thanks for letting me stay the night, and the pizza, and movie, the all. See you!"
He ran out the door, slamming it on his way out. The all. What was that supposed to mean? She sat down in thought, munching on whatever was it that Buster had prepared. Both of them kissing didn't seem likely to her, but that could've been because her maybe-companion was in a hurry. She took another piece of the yellow and brown mix. It tasted kinda good. Reminded her of mash potatoes, and something else she couldn't quite identify. But it tasted good. She heard a knock on the door.
"Come on in, it's open!"
"Didn't take you too long to find someone else." She almost choked on her food.
"What are you doing here?"
"You were just waiting for me to jump out before sticking to the koala, right? And I gave you that!"
"What are you talking about?!"
"That's why you went back, right?! You were seeing him, don't try to hide it, I saw him leaving the building!"
"Lance, he came here to eat and watch a movie!"
"Oh yeah, in the morning, fine, I believe you."
"Why are you here? I don't owe you any explanation on what I'm doing!"
"I thought I was the only cheater, that's why I'm here."
"I'm not-" She laughed nervously. "I can't believe I'm listening to this! You're out of your mind! Buster is a FRIEND!"
"He is? Uh… I wonder how did you went from 'Mr Moon' to 'Buster' so quick."
"Do you call your friends by their last name? Last time I checked, you didn't."
"So I'm imagining all this? You didn't go back because of him, it isn't a coincidence that just the other day after we break up I see him walking out of our house?"
"I went back for us! Both of us! We'd start a label, and the world would know your songs! How did this end up being my fault?!"
"You kicked me out!"
"You were about to kiss someone else, Lance!"
"At least I tried to hide."
"Ha! Tried to hide? You BROUGHT your lover to our house, Lance, our house! Who does that?!"
"You just had to come home early that one day, you had to."
"It's my fault I found you cheating? That's what you're saying?" She practically jumped off the chair.
He put his hands up defensively. "I'm just saying… If you hadn't come home earlier you wouldn't have found out and wouldn't be like that now, babes. Can't you just forget about that?"
She was staring at his incredulously, and couldn't believe her ears. "You cheated Lance! CHEATED, with all letters! Do you expect I'm just going to forgive you for that?!"
"It was a one day thing!"
"Get out of here!"
"Come on, we can start over!"
"I don't-!" The words clogged in her throat. "I don't want to. How long will it take until you cheat again?!"
"You also did!"
"We had split up!"
He froze, smirking and cocking an eyebrow. "So you have something with him."
She sighed. "I don't know for sure."
"That's just how much I meant to you, we break up one day and the following one you are with someone else."
She stared at him venomously. "I waited for us to break up before getting together with someone."
"Okay, okay, babes, that's fine. But let me tell you something, you ain't getting the prize by sleeping with the director."
She choked on her food. "I'm not hearing this!"
"It's not how it works, babes. The guy wants to increase the popularity of that joint, he is going to choose the best performer."
"Stop talking!"
"If that's your strategy, you better just drop it now."
It took all Ash had not to throw something at him. She detested violence, but he was already pushing. She adjusted her quills, and turned to him. "We." She motioned to him, and herself again. "Are not a thing. Get it? This here, is over. I don't owe you anything about who I date, or kiss, and neither do you. You are free to date whoever wants this crazy personality around."
"Crazy?!"
"DO YOU HAVE A BETTER NAME FOR IT?!" Her voice broke, and she couldn't hold her tears back. "You bring your lover to our house, and the next day you barge in here complaining I brought a friend over, let alone assuming I slept with him?! Crazy really isn't the word, Lance, you're absolutely nuts! You are the cheater! You!" She said, closing the space between them, and pointing an inquiring finger at his chest. "And now you are jealous over someone that you aren't dating anymore!"
"More like wondering if you cheated first."
"Are we at high sch-" She swallowed hard. "I didn't. Is that what you wanted to hear? That I was actually loyal to you while you saw others?"
"I did it once!"
"One or one thousand times, it doesn't matter! It's cheating nonetheless!"
He seemed to give her words a thought. "Depends on how you see it."
"I see it that way. Now please, please get out."
He went to the door, and gave her a last glance. "Sure you never cheated?"
"GET THE HELL OUT!" She shut the door in his face. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She slammed her forehead against the door. Blaming her over his cheating? He had to be out of his mind.
Buster was very excited. At least he had a chance to get the money, and of course he was not wishing to waste it. It couldn't be more perfect: He'd get the blueprints he had done with an architect years prior, put it to use, and put together the best singing competition the world had ever seen. It was perfect! But he was running out of time. He ran into the theatre excitedly.
"Okay okay, break time's over! Everybody to the stage please, gather up!"
He paused when going past Ash. The rocker was staring down, avoiding his glaze. He merely shrug it off for now. He had something important to do.
"Miss Crawly!"
"Yes, Mr Moon?"
"Go get D4, please! It should be in our files!"
"D4?" Johnny asked, as the lizard climbed up the stairs.
"It's the number of a file, Johnny, don't worry!" Buster started, "Now, listen up! Tomorrow we're gonna have a full preview of the show, and our audience will be none other than Miss Nana Noodleman!"
And came that bratty, annoying voice no one liked to hear. "Nana Noodleman, that woman still alive?"
"Yes, and believe me, she's got some pretty high standards! Today we are going to have a full dress rehearsal! I want to see you all light up that stage!"
"Got it, Mr Moon."
"Great! Meena, Miss Crawly!" He opened the blueprints to a beautiful, and entirely squid-powered stage. "What ya think?"
Miss Crawly seemed surprised. "So ambitious…"
"Yeah." Meena agreed. "You sure about this?"
"I promised Nana something spectacular, and this!" He quickly folded it back. "This is gonna blow her away! Two minutes everybody!" He finished, taking place at the first row of seats, and motioning for his doddering assistant to follow him. "Putting it simple, guys! Mike first, than Ash, Gunter and Rosita, Johnny as the final act! One more time, Mike, Ash, Gunter and Rosita, Johnny as the final act! Meena, if you feel like it, tag along!"
Mike went on stage and started singing to Fox Sinatra's New York, as all other animals sat, patiently waiting for their turn. However, they noticed Johnny was not there, but knew better than to warn Buster. They had a feeling the koala would not care for that. All they could do was hope he'd be there in time.
Ash was lost in her own thoughts, and was barely listening to whichever joke Gunter was telling. All she could make out were the words "priest", "rabbi" and "minister". Not too long after, the cast broke into laughter, but all she could do was give a weak smile. She wanted Lance back, and it took the power of every fiber of her being to turn him down. And now that power was replaced by acute regret. She didn't want to sing, she wanted to go back to her house and cry herself to sleep.
"Okay, can we see Ash next please? Ash, let's get you out here!"
She sighed and stood up, slowly going onstage.
"Stand back. Moody teenager comin' through." She heard Mike mock. On a normal day she just would've wanted to step on him, but this time she couldn't care less. He could mock her all he wished.
"Good luck, Ash." Came a soothing voice. She smiled a little under her breath. Meena had a way of always sounding sweet and caring no matter what she said. She walked to the mic, as the beat started. That's just what she needed, the most annoying song in the world… Which happened to be about love.
"I threw a wish in the well, don't ask me I'll never tell, I looked to you as it fell, and now you're in my way…" She could feel her eyes burning, and regret, and sadness. "Your stare was holdin'. Ripped jeans, skin was showin', hot night, wind was blowin'. Where do you think you're going baby?" She could no longer hold her tears, and finished the song sobbing. "Hey I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number… So call me, maybe…" She covered the mic with her hands.
"Whoa whoa, okay, enough of that! Cut it, cut it! Cut it." He rose from his seat. "I don't think anyone's gonna call her after that." His mind flashed back to the previous night. Maybe… No. They didn't went that far for her to be regretting it. "Hey… Come on, Ash, what is it? Do you not like the dress?" He asked sympathetically. She ran to the wings, accidentally sending quills flying all over the place.
"Ow." Buster said, as some quills got stuck to his face. "Ow!" He finished, pulling one of them out.
"Ash, what's wrong?" Rosita said, as Ash rushed right past her.
"Okay, let's call it a break! Five minutes everybody!"
"Okay dear, sit with us and tell me exactly what happened." Rosita soothingly said, while rubbing Ash's back. Trying, at least. More like avoiding quills the best she could. Meena laid down the controllers for now, and listened intently to the porcupine. Mike couldn't care less, and left the theatre. Gunter merely stood against a wall, whilst Johnny still was nowhere to be seen.
"I have a-" Ash begun, wiping her tears. "I had a boyfriend, who cheated on me… Just the other night, I caught him close to kissing someone, at our living room."
"Sohn einer Hündin!" Gunter exclaimed.
"That he said!" Meena added, trying to sound enthusiastic.
"Oh for heaven's sake let her finish!"
"He cheated… And today he dropped by saying he wondered if I had cheated, and asking to forget about it." She sniffed. Rosita lifted a hand in air.
"Why would he ask if you cheated?"
"He saw a friend leaving the house. I had called him the previous night and asked him to drop by, we watched a movie, played a couple songs in the guitar, and ended up falling asleep."
Buster was listening intentionally from a distance, and wondered if she didn't want to share what happened between them, or if she wanted to forget what happened between them. But that didn't matter. At least he knew the entire story now. It was time.
"So he asked if I didn't want to put all that behind, and start again, and I said no, and now I'm regretting it."
Rosita intervened. "Oh, don't you be like that! You are way better off without that… That…"
"That total super-jerk dinkleschplatt!"
"Exactly! Total, super-jerk, dinkle… Schplatt." Rosita spoke it the best she could. She had no idea what it meant, but spoke it for the lack of a better word.
"Rosita, Gunter! You're on!"
"Okay, here!" She added, pushing her purse towards Ash. "There should be some gum or some candy in there, just help yourself!"
She smiled the best she could, and felt a warm feeling flushing her heart. She didn't knew Rosita, or Gunter, or Meena three days prior to this, and here they were, trying to cheer her up. She smiled, and opened the purse to pull out a small gum box that was sitting there. Johnny rushed in. He seemed to be in a hurry. She saw him and Rosita exchange words, then their respective presentations. Saw Rosita fall face first to the ground, and leave upset by all matters, and Johnny both present and leave as hurriedly as he came in.
"Okay everybody! Uh..." Buster rubbed his temples. "I got half a cast here, practice at your homes and let's call it a day! Gunter, dismissed! Meena, dismissed for now, but stay tuned, I'm gonna call you later! Miss Crawly... Please phone the ones who have left and ask them to practice. Ash, my office please!"
A/N: Try to guess what Sohn einer Hündin means. You guessed right, as it means "son of a *beep!*". Trying my best not to put dirty words into this, good thing I got Gunter to say them in another language for me! Also, I get the feeling I should stop with the puns involving singer's names, but I simply can't. Review! Thanks to all reviewers!
#story not told#sing#sing movie#sing 2016#sing2016#sing bustash#bustash#oc#sing fanfic#sing fanfiction#sing buster#sing ash#sing oc#ash#buster#buster x ash#ash x buster
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CHILDREN OF LILITH CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Boz turned a plate over in his hands, inspecting it for stray food particles or soap residue he might have missed when he rinsed it. Deeming it up to his standards of cleanliness, he dried it and stacked it with the others in the cabinet. He sighed, glancing around the dimly lit kitchen. Such utter quiet made him uncomfortable but anything other than silence felt disrespectful.
Boz had turned off the radio the moment Griffin had called to tell them about Kaelin. He couldn’t bring himself to turn it back on now.
When he’d relayed Griffin’s message, Lisa had barely said a word. She’d paced for twenty minutes, chewing her thumbnail until she bled, and intermittently attempted to arrange the dishes Boz had cleaned before he got fed up and suggested she put her organizational skills to use in the upstairs bathroom. She hadn’t protested, and Boz guessed she had wanted to be alone from the start, but didn’t want to be away from him in case.
In case Griffin called back. In case things got worse. In case she really couldn’t handle being alone after all.
He made it a point to check in on her every thirty minutes. Just in case.
Several times Boz had stopped mid-scrub, dish in hand, to reach for his phone. The urge to make contact, to see if Griffin or Nikki needed anything from him, was overwhelming but each time he pulled his cell from his pocket, language failed him, and after staring at the screen for God-knows how long, he always ended up putting his phone back and returning to the sink.
The crisp click of the lock broke through the enveloping silence, and Boz spun around.
Griffin trudged inside first, with Nikki close behind him. Both were soaked, and exhaustion clung to them just like their wet clothes. Nikki was wrapped in Griffin’s coat and her damp hair hung limp around her face. Her eyes were red and swollen; a sharp contrast to her pale skin and lips.
Cold and defeated, they paused just inside the main room, and Boz held his breath.
The bathroom door flung open and Lisa jogged down the staircase. She halted on the third step when she saw them and gripped the banister to steady herself.
“You’re back,” Lisa breathed. “Nikki, I…” She faltered. “I’m so sorry.”
Nikki gave a weak nod, and hoarsely whispered, “Thank you.”
“Is…” Boz swallowed. “Is she…”
Griffin shook his head. “Kaelin’s stable,” he answered. “She’ll be in the ICU for a while though.”
Boz exhaled a shaky breath. “Do you need anything?” Boz asked, looking to Nikki.
Her stare drifted to the side as she jerked her head ‘no’. “I think I’m just gonna go to bed.”
Nikki slipped the coat off her shoulders, holding it out for Griffin to take. She glanced up at him, but her gaze didn’t linger and she turned, heading up the stairs past Lisa.
No one spoke until they heard the door click shut.
Lisa released the banister, stepping into the kitchen. “How bad is it?”
“Bad,” Griffin said, going straight for the coffee pot. “The doctors won’t know the extent of the damage until she wakes up.” He paused, remembering what Doctor Katz had told them. “If she wakes up.”
“If?”
He glanced over his shoulder, and Lisa frowned as understanding hit her. Griffin started to reach for a mug, but one was already held out for him. He blinked, looking at Boz.
“It’s fresh,” Boz said, nodding at the coffee. “I just made it.”
“Thanks.”
Lisa ducked into the adjacent hallway and he heard the door to the laundry room open. Moments later she returned with a pile of neatly folded clothes.
“Here,” she said. “I finished washing your clothes from earlier today-”
“Lisa, how many times do I have to tell you, you don’t need to do my laundry,” he argued, but there was no heat in the words.
“I washed Nikki’s too,” she said. “And Boz’s-”
Boz’s head jerked up. “Say what?”
“-It’s not like you’re a special prince I’m doting on.” She pushed the clothing at him and waved her hand. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up and dry off?”
If Griffin was ever going to be thankful for Lisa’s mothering tendencies, it was that moment. He did as he was told, both too tired to protest and also increasingly uncomfortable in his wet jeans and tee shirt. Saying he would be right back, he trekked up the stairs into the bathroom, kicking his boots off as he shut the door.
For the first time all night, he noticed how cold he was, and he didn’t take long to decide on a hot shower. Twisting the knob, he let the water run while he peeled damp layers from his skin and dropped them into a heap on the tile floor.
Stinging pain through his skull brought him to a stuttering halt. The dogs thrashed in his head, just like they’d been doing since that afternoon, and this time he was so exhausted he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold them back much longer. He either needed to read someone or he needed a drink.
Crouching down, he ignored the burning protest from his injured side and reached to the back of the cabinet, feeling around in the dark for the bottle he’d hidden. Pulling it out from behind one of the pipes, he stood up and started to unscrew the cap.
Back to that are you? Serena’s voice scratched inside his head. I can’t say I’m surprised. You always go for the bottle when you fail. And you fail quite a lot.
Growling, he brought the liquor to his mouth and gulped.
That’s not going to make you forget me, you know. There isn’t enough scotch in the world to do that.
He drank through the burn, willing the alcohol to hit his bloodstream faster.
I bet right about now you’re wishing you’d had the balls to kill me when you’d had the chance. Maybe then Kaelin wouldn’t be lying comatose in a hospital bed, and your darling Nikki wouldn’t be this close to despising you.
Setting the bottle on the counter, he stepped into the shower, hot water rushing over his head and shoulders.
“She doesn’t hate me,” he muttered, arguing with his personal demon. “She blames herself.”
And isn’t that worse? She’s going to continue blaming herself, thinking if only she had done something differently, then maybe her friend wouldn’t have gotten hurt. But the truth is, if you hadn’t stuck your dick where it didn’t belong, then none of this would have happened. You might not have done the beating yourself Griffin, but you allowed the monster who did to live. So how do you think Nikki’s going to feel once she finds out you’re effectively an accomplice?
Anger twisted inside him, setting his teeth on edge. His fingers curled, nails digging into the flesh of his palms.
You aren’t innocent. Serena’s voice sneered. You were never innocent. Stop pretending to be a hero, when you’re so clearly not cut out for the title.
The heel of his hand slammed against the knob, cutting the water off. He didn’t bother toweling himself dry- just yanked on his fresh clothes and stomped his feet into his boots.
Remembering Nikki was asleep in his room, he held back from throwing the door open with as much force as he wanted, and rushed down the stairs. He still wasn’t as quiet as he should have been, as Lisa was calling up to him before he’d made it to the main room.
“Griffin?” She scowled when he made it around the banister. “What’s wrong?”
He grabbed his coat and holster off the back of his chair, and leveled his stare on Boz. “Watch after Nikki.”
“Wait a second.” Lisa started towards him. “Where are you going?”
Griffin wrenched the door open and strode outside. That was his answer.
* * *
Serena weaved through the mass of people, making her way to the bar. Lifting herself up, she sat on the countertop and swung her legs over, hopping back down on the opposite side. Her staff only gave her cursory amused glances while they rushed back and forth between taps. She was the owner- If she wanted to use the bar as a personal pommel horse, then she damn well could.
The Silver Rose was the product of having too much time on her hands and a heavy dose of nostalgia for the humid, fertile bayou she’d grown up in before she was sired. Equal parts French gothic and New Orleans style décor, with considerable new wave punk influences, the venue was a blended mix of Serena, pre and post Vampirism. All the tables were dark stained oak with hand-carved detailing along the edges to match the bar. Wrought iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling, Spanish moss and vines of ivy artfully draped around them. White and black candles of varying heights illuminated the alcove in the painted stone walls, and cast dancing shadows around the room. Strings of white lights were scalloped above the bar, and Voodoo dolls hung from the lights by the tiny yarn nooses knotted around their necks.
Spotting the lead server, a handsome twenty something college student with a dimpled chin and dark red hair, Serena strode over to his side of the bar.
“How are we doing tonight, Mark?” She yelled over the raucous punk blues band on the stage that night.
Mark smiled, sticking a pint glass under a spout and pulling the tap down. “It’s been like this since we opened,” he said, jerking his head at the growing crowd.
She beamed at him, letting her fingers trail over his shoulder as she passed. “Good work.”
Mark stopped her before she could go around the bar. “There was a guy here looking for you.”
Serena narrowed her gaze. “A guy?”
Alexander wasn’t a fan of The Silver Rose, so he rarely stopped by. Which left only one other option, and just the thought of Nicholas keeping tabs on her made her want to slam his pretty European face into a meat grinder.
Mark nodded. “I sent him to your office to wait for you.”
Rounding past the side of the bar, Serena headed down the corridor to the left, dodging two adequately drunk college girls coming out of the ladies’ room. She honed in on the door with the simple black sign reading ‘management only’, and she slowed only a fraction before reaching for the knob. She inhaled, ready to rip Nicholas a new asshole.
Her stilettos froze on the hardwood, yanking her to a halt.
Sitting at the end of her black leather couch, with a tumbler of scotch in his hand, was the ghost of Griffin O’Connor.
The nearby table lamp illuminated one side of his face, obscuring the other in darkness. That amber gaze however- the one Serena had mourned the loss of- sparked fiercely, boring through her. She remembered what it felt like to have those eyes on her while she straddled him.
Present time restarted and Serena shut the door behind her, flicking the lock. She gave him a lingering once over.
“Well, I have to say, I was not expecting to see you.”
Griffin lifted his glass, glaring at her over the rim. “Next time you stab me, aim higher. Belly wounds bleed slow.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “I’ll try to remember that.”
Stepping further into the room, she slid out of her leather jacket and hung it on the back of her desk chair. His presence made her skin prick with excitement and fury and the deeply rooted hunger to create and destroy. The sensation was so potent her stomach clenched. She turned to face him, leaning back against the edge of her desk and tossing her hair over her shoulder.
She waited for him to react, to track her movements like he’d done countless times before. But his stare never softened. He smelled of rain and hatred. Giving one last attempt to stir up the beast, she arched her back, thrusting her chest forward. The sequined halter top she wore had a deep neck line that left little to the imagination. And she knew how much Griffin loved her in silver…
Nothing. He simply reached for the decanter on the table to his right and poured another drink. His lack of attention made her bristle.
She rolled her eyes. “Well, this is turning into a lovely visit. So full of laughter and conversation-”
“Shut up,” he said, voice flat.
“Excuse me?”
He drained his glass in two swallows. When his eyes found hers this time the light in them was hellfire.
“Shut up. You don’t get to talk right now. You’re going to stand there and listen and you’re not gonna say a word.”
A growl rippled through Serena as she shoved away from the desk. “How dare you-”
The tumbler flew from Griffin’s hand across the room and crystalline shards exploded behind Serena’s head. “I said. Shut. Up,” he snarled.
This was not the beast Serena had intended on waking.
She stilled in a heavy beat of silence before glancing over her shoulder at the mess. “That was an expensive antique you know.”
Griffin stood up, muscles coiling, ready to lunge. “You know what’s expensive? The hours of surgery it took to piece back together the woman you nearly beat to death.”
A slow smile crept across Serena’s face. “So she survived. Hallelujah,” she mocked.
“Why’d you do it, Serena?” He took a measured step forward. “Why did you go after her?”
She shrugged. “Because I could.”
“So you spent the better part of the day torturing a woman you don’t know, for kicks?” Angrily, he shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”
“I was bored,” she said, uncaring. “And it was cheaper than a matinee.”
“You and I both know you’re a lot more self-serving when you’re bored,” he said. “And you’re a ladder climber by nature.”
She snorted at his accusation. “You say that like you know me.”
“I do know you.”
“No. You don’t.” She strode towards him, but kept herself an arm’s length away. “You think that just because I let you between my legs for six months, you know me?”
“Unlike a lot of the other guys you were screwing, I was capable of using both of my heads.”
Serena huffed out a laugh. “So you weren’t a complete idiot and had a modicum of observational skills. Congratulations.”
Griffin glowered down at her, lip curling. “What was in it for you, Serena?”
“I already told-”
“Did you do it for Nicholas Bradley?” Griffin cut her off. He registered the flicker of surprise in her expression and pushed forward. “Did you do it to serve your Alpha?”
“He is not my Alpha,” she snapped.
Griffin’s eyes shifted to her left wrist, noting the symbols permanently etched into her skin. Vamp ink was different from the marks of a Hunter, more of an intricate filigree that created a language no one spoke. Over the years he’d been able to decipher the meanings of a few symbols, one of which was the brand of an Alpha. Serena had had one since the beginning, but he’d never cared to ask. It was a detail he didn’t want to know. She was aligned to someone though, and if it wasn’t Bradley pulling her strings…
“Then who is?”
She sneered at him, turning her arm inwards to hide her tattoo. “Can’t tell. Clubhouse rules.”
“You might not be Nicholas Bradley’s pet, but you’re somebody’s,” he said. “And you went after Kaelin to get to Nikki. Why?”
Serena blinked and her stare became disturbingly playful. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”
Griffin paused, evaluating facts and what she was implying. “You knew Nikki’s a Blooded Hunter.” It was a statement, not a question.
Serena hummed in agreement. “By the way, how is our little darling holding up?” Her tone was conniving. It made the hair on Griffin’s arms stand up.
“Seeing as how you tried to murder her friend, I’d say she’s doing alright.”
Pursing her lips, Serena nodded and turned to slide open her desk drawer, retrieving a chrome cigarette case and matching lighter. “I’m sure she was curious after my hearing my voicemail… Did you tell her who I really am?
Griffin’s jaw clenched and his silence betrayed him.
Serena chuckled, a cloud of smoke sweeping between them. “Of course you didn’t,” she said. “You’d rather lie to save your own ass than admit to being a total fuck up.”
She prowled closer, invading his space. She stopped a few inches from him, trailing her gaze over his chest and neck.
“Which part was the hardest to own up to? Telling your precious Nikki that a Vampire used to ride your dick and drink your blood?” She paused, smile revealing her fangs. “Or telling her you liked it?”
Adrenaline and shame mingled in his gut, souring his stomach, and Griffin swallowed hard.
“I guess it’s understandable,” Serena continued, taking another puff from her cigarette. “Especially since it’s obvious how badly you want inside her.” She licked her lips, staring at the tender flesh beneath his jaw. “Be honest, Griffin. How many times in the last twenty-four hours have you thought about throwing her down and-”
“Enough,” he snapped.
She grinned. “Did I strike a nerve?”
Griffin took a deliberate, menacing step forward, closing the distance between them. Serena relented, backing away from him, and he pursued, continuing to push the hairline boundary between them until her shoulders collided with the wall behind her and she was trapped between drywall and him.
Serena searched his face for any sign of motive, and grew uncomfortable when one wasn’t evident. This was a move she hadn’t anticipated. One beat after the next, he just stood there, with his body so close that with every breath she took her chest brushed against his. His warmth, the smell of scotch on his breath, and the rain that still clung to his hair was overwhelming. Something was shifting beneath his skin, unfurling and leeching out into air.
Reaching down, Griffin slipped her cigarette from between her fingers, took a single deep inhale and then stamped it out on the edge of her desk. He licked his lips, dragging the bottom one between his teeth, and slowly releasing it. His darkened gaze kept dropping to her mouth, and finally Serena guessed what he wanted. Angling her hips forward, she brushed her thighs against his and gripped the buckle on his belt, jerking him forward. He chuckled deep in his throat, and pressed his left hand flat against the wall by her head. Ducking closer, their noses brushed for a moment, and then his lips were on hers.
Any restraint he had vaporized and the kiss turned ferocious. Serena’s hands slid over his body, cupping his neck and face, getting her fingers tangled in his hair. He pressed his lower half against her and she groaned into his mouth. Her right leg hitched up, hooking her foot behind his thigh. Soon she was tugging at the hem of his shirt and undoing his belt. Griffin fisted a handful of her blonde hair, pulling and positioning her head as he deepened his kiss. He tasted like tobacco and smoldering embers. It made her dizzy.
She slipped her hands down his waist, stroking his bare sides and sneaking a hand up to rake her nails across his chest. He growled and she did it again, feeling the goose bumps form over his skin. Shoving against her, he pinned her to the wall and slotted his mouth over hers. She nipped at his bottom lip, drawing a single drop of blood that she licked away. He tasted just like she remembered, and it made the juncture between her legs ache.
Something hard and icy pressed into her sternum and nestled against her left breast. Griffin broke the kiss, but stayed millimeters from her face, holding her stare.
Through ragged pants, Serena muttered, “That’s cold.”
The cylinder traveled upwards, stopping just below her collar bone. She spared a glance down to see the barrel of his Glock aimed right above her heart. His index finger stroked the trigger, and his stare became as cold and dark as his gun.
Serena unhooked her leg from behind his and shifted away from him. “If you didn’t want to fuck, you only had to say so.”
“I should shoot you for what you did to Kaelin… To Nikki.”
Serena thrust her chest forward, pressing against the muzzle of his gun. “Go ahead,” she said. “You know you want to.”
He sneered bitterly. “You’re right, I do. But you’re of more use to me alive than dead.”
“I’m already dead, remember lover?” she mocked. He pushed down on the butt of the gun and the metal bit into her skin, making her hiss and bare her fangs.
The livid spark was back in his eyes, and it burned wherever his gaze landed.
“Here’s what gonna happen,” he said. “You’re going to take a message to your Alpha and to Bradley. You’re going to tell them that they made a huge mistake targeting Nikki. She’s a Blooded Hunter, which means she’s under my protection now, and any attack on her or anyone else she knows is going to be taken very personally by yours truly. And since I was stabbed and almost burned to death, I’ve been a lot less inclined to take the sensible approach to things.”
Glaring up at him, Serena asked, “Anything else?”
He smirked. “Yeah… Be honest. How many times in the last six months have you thought about me pushing you up against this wall and fucking you?” When she didn’t answer, he chuckled darkly. “That’s what I thought.”
“I never missed you,” she spat.
Leaning in, he whispered in her ear, “Serena baby…You’re a terrible liar.”
“And you’re a worthless bastard.” Her ice blue stare cut into him. “I know why you showed up here, and it wasn’t because of what I did to that girl. You realized just how shit you are at protecting people, and instead of suffering with your self-loathing alone, you came here to get your fix.”
Griffin’s face hardened and he pegged her with a harsh glare. “At least I’m not the one who handles rejection so poorly they gutted their ex and then burned down a night club to cover it up.”
Serena matched his gaze. “Next time I’ll just rip you apart with my bare hands.” Venom dripped from every word.
A thousand responses rushed up Griffin’s throat, his back molars chewing on the words as he stared at the woman who had haunted him for so long. His grip tightened on his gun, his body pleading to finish the job.
With a voice like acid he said, “Come after Nikki again, and I’ll kill you.”
Releasing her, Griffin shoved away from the wall and strode towards the exit. Serena went to launch herself at him, and he twisted, firing a single round into the floor half an inch away from her foot. Ignoring her enraged cursing, and without missing a single step, Griffin wrenched the door open and left her behind.
* * *
Halfway home, Griffin had to pull his bike over to the side of the road so he could vomit. He coughed as more bile evacuated his stomach, splattering on the asphalt. Shaking, he dropped onto the curb and hung his head between his knees. He ached so badly he wanted to tear the skin from his body. Raking his fingers through his hair, he clawed the back of his neck feeling only mild satisfaction at the bursts of pain. Everything in him twisted and burned, ignited by self-inflicted repugnance seeping in so deep it coated his bones like oil.
What happened with Serena wasn’t his plan, wasn’t anything close to what he’d wanted. The second he’d stepped into the bar he’d decided it was time- He couldn’t let her continue living, not after everything she’d done. Ex-lover or not, she’d nearly killed an innocent civilian, all in an attempt to hurt Nikki. She deserved a bullet in the heart.
And then she started talking, and his gift- those wretched dogs- started thrashing in his head, commanding to be let loose or they would break free themselves.
Another bought of queasiness hit him as he remembered the red lustful haze that had swallowed him up and almost drowned him. Serena’s or his, it didn’t matter. He still acted on it, still took that step closer. Still kissed her first.
Griffin gagged, dry heaving until his eyes stung and the cords of his neck were taught.
God, what had he done?
This is your fault! Serena’s voice echoed around Nikki’s words. You did this!
He dragged a trembling hand over his face, and scowled at the wetness in his palm. His chest constricted, and it was a while before realizing the wounded noises he heard were his own sobs.
Griffin didn’t remember how he got home.
One moment he was staring at the damp black asphalt through blurry vision, and the next he was parking his bike in the alley and walking to the front door.
He stopped in the dimly lit kitchen, crash landing back in his body. It was the first time he’d blacked out sober.
“Griff?”
He turned and blinked at the figure coming out of the hallway. “Boz?”
“Hey,” his friend murmured. “You alright?”
No. No I’m not and I don’t know if I’ll ever be alright again. I’m so cold, and numb and I-
Griffin clamped down on the panic, shutting off the screaming inside his head.
Swallowing, he nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.”
Stepping further into the kitchen, Boz searched his face for a long moment. “You sure? ‘Cause, no offense buddy, but you look kinda wrecked.”
Griffin struggled to take in air. “I’m, uh, I’m just… I’m just really tired.”
Boz jerked his head towards the nearest chair. “Sit down,” he said, going to the cabinet and pulling out a water glass. Filling it, he went over and gave it to him.
“Thanks,” Griffin whispered. His hands were still shaking, and he set the drink on the table, afraid he might drop it.
Lowering himself into the chair next to Griffin’s, Boz loosely knit his fingers together in his lap and waited.
His thirst overriding his fear of breaking the glass, Griffin took a gulp and closed his eyes.
“I thought you’d be in bed,” he told Boz.
“Nah, I was downstairs folding laundry.”
“Did Lisa do it wrong again?”
Boz’s hands flailed a little in front of him. “She doesn’t understand the proper way to fold a tee shirt so that it doesn’t wrinkle,” he exclaimed. “There is a method, I’ve explained it a thousand times, and she still does it wrong. It drives me nuts.”
“It’s her laundry, Boz. She can do it how she likes.”
“She’ll thank me when her shirts are pristine in the morning.”
The fast smile that curved Griffin’s mouth surprised him. Maybe he was feeling steadier than he thought. He finished his water, letting the silence around them linger.
“So,” Boz said after a moment. “You kinda blew out of here in a rush.”
Nope. Not steady anymore.
Griffin’s stomach flipped and for a second he thought he’d throw up everything he’d just swallowed. He must have looked as sick as he felt because Boz scooted to the edge of his seat, reaching out for him.
“Whoa, hey, it’s okay,” Boz soothed hurriedly. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Like, really alright.” He paused, watching him. “I haven’t seen you bolt outta here like that in a while. You looked like you were on a warpath.”
That’s because he was. And then he’d fucked it up.
“I’m sorry,” Griffin croaked.
Boz shook his head. “Don’t be. I’m just glad you’re back in one piece.”
Griffin took in a deep breath, and then another.
And then another.
Boz scrubbed his hands over his jeans and his left knee started to bounce.
“Okay, I don’t really know how to say this, so I’m just gonna spit it out,” he said. “I found the empty bottle of whiskey under the kitchen sink this morning, and after you left tonight I went into the bathroom and found the bottle there on the counter and…” He bit his lip and leveled his gaze on Griffin. “Buddy, are you using again?”
Griffin’s vision darkened at the edges and his heart stuttered. He didn’t think it was possible, but more agony gushed up from that endless crater inside him.
Several months before, he had promised Boz he wouldn’t go near another pill or needle again. He had promised to try, to do better than before, and he had kept that promise. And now, because of a twisted desire to see Serena, no matter what his original motive had been, his best friend suspected him of falling off the wagon.
Griffin couldn’t really blame him.
“No,” he said, his voice hoarse. “No Boz, I’m not using again.”
Boz’s relief was tangible. He nodded, the tension ebbing from his face. “Good, okay,” he murmured. “That’s… I’m glad.”
“Did you…” Griffin faltered. “Does Lisa think…?”
“No,” Boz said. “No, I didn’t tell her. I won’t tell her.” He leaned back in his seat. “The only reason I asked was…” His stare shifted down to hands. “Was so I could cover for you if I needed to.”
Griffin felt like the luckiest man in the world, and the worst imaginable friend. He had been blessed with a friend as fiercely loyal as Boz, and that loyalty was being wasted on hiding his secrets.
He wanted to apologize for everything he’d put him through.
Instead, he whispered, “Thanks Boz.”
Boz nodded again and offered a smile. “Well now that I know you’re not dead in a ditch somewhere, I think I’m gonna crash.” He stood up and made his way towards the staircase, but stopped before he reached the banister. “I know everything that’s happened with Nikki and her friend… I know it’s a hard blow for you.” He waved his hand out in a short gesture at Griffin. “I know you, so I know you’re taking it personally, but you don’t have to handle it alone.” Tucking his hands into his front pockets, Boz sighed. “You carry the world on your shoulders Griff. Maybe you should let us help you with the burden.”
A beat of silence drummed between them and Griffin could only duck his head. With a somber twist of his mouth, Boz turned and disappeared up the stairs.
Griffin slumped forward, leaning into his thighs, and exhaled. Boz’s offer to help ease his load still lingered in the air, but Griffin had never felt heavier.
* * *
Nikki jackknifed up from the mattress, gulping for air and clawing at the comforter. Blind and gasping, she flung her hand out for the lamp next to the bed, and fumbled with the switch.
Her world became illuminated, and she sat up, rubbing her face. For a long time she could only stare at the stitching of the blanket where it marched in even paces along the length of the bed, and try to calm the base drumming of her heart.
The details of her nightmare faded back into the grey delirium of sleep, but her body still ached with its memory. She swallowed and immediately regretted the decision. Her throat scratched as if she was fighting off a terrible cold, and Nikki groaned at the possibility that, on top of everything else, she might be getting sick.
I guess that’s what happens when you have a breakdown in a rainstorm, she thought, raking her fingers through her still damp hair.
The idea of a cool glass of water was enough to propel her out of bed and into the hallway, and she vehemently ignored the way her joints went spongy under the pressure of walking. If she had to crawl on her hands and knees to get to the damn tap, she would.
Her bare feet squeaked on the hardwood when she pulled to a stop at the bottom of the stairs.
Griffin had dozed off, sitting at the kitchen table, with his head perched on his fist. A cup of stale coffee sat next to him, seemingly untouched.
She thought about abandoning her need for liquid and rushing back upstairs. She even glanced over her shoulder, wondering if she’d be able to make it without waking him. But there, in the orange glow of the light above the stove, Griffin looked soft, vulnerable even, and any concept she’d had of running away vanished.
Still, she didn’t want to disturb him. Padding around the table, she started for the cupboard.
Griffin’s head slid off his hand and he jerked awake with a startled noise. Jumping, Nikki whirled around and gasped, her hand flying to her throat.
“Oh my God,” she yelped.
“Wha-” Griffin blinked at her. “Nikki?”
“I’m so sorry,” she said, quieter. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Rubbing his right eye, he shifted in his chair. “No, it’s okay,” he said, his voice rough. “I, uh…” He glanced around the room, as if remembering where he was. “I must’ve been dreaming.”
She wanted to ask about what, but it wasn’t her business. Hugging her arms across her torso, she shifted her weight from leg to leg, and the silence stretched on, reaching an uncomfortable peak.
“I just came down for a glass of water,” she blurted out.
Giving a hasty nod, Griffin said, “Oh, yeah. Sure.”
Nikki took that as her escape route, and made her way to the cabinet. She inhaled deeply, ready to sigh, but thought better of it. Filling her glass under the tap, she snuck a glance over her shoulder and frowned. Griffin sat with the illusion of comfort, but his whole body was rigid. He didn’t look at her- in fact he seemed to be making a pointed effort not to let his gaze cross her path.
Anger and guilt converged in her chest, bubbling up her throat. Shutting off the water, she turned and opened her mouth to release the verbal product of her emotions, when she noticed the small flinch tugging at Griffin’s profile and everything died on her tongue.
He had flinched.
He had anticipated a continuation of their screaming match in the parking lot, and he’d steeled himself to take whatever she would throw at him. He hadn’t prepared himself for a fight, he’d prepared for a lashing.
In the subtle shift between flinch and scowl, Nikki caught the ragged, wounded expression darkening his eyes and her heart slammed against her ribs.
The wet plop was almost too faint for her to hear… until a second one sounded and she blinked, glancing down at her glass. Waves rolled across the surface as something dark dripped into the water. Then she felt the trickle over her upper lip. She wiped at the mess, smearing her fingertips with something thicker than tears.
“Oh my…” She trailed off, staring at the dark stain of blood on her hand.
Griffin was out of his chair and standing in front of her in an instant.
“What happened?” He asked, taking the glass from her and setting it on the counter.
“Nothing,” she said, applying pressure to her nostril. “I was just standing here and then…” She gestured at her face.
Leaning past her, Griffin ripped several paper towels off the roll and lifted them to her nose. “Here,” he said. “Hold your head back.”
His touch was gentle as he tilted her chin up, holding the towels for her.
“How do you feel?” He asked, edging his thumb under her jaw to check her pulse. “Do you feel faint?”
Nikki shook her head as best as she could in his grasp. “No,” she said in a nasal tone that would have made her laugh if she wasn’t so freaked out. “I feel fine.”
It was a lie. She felt sick to her stomach, but it had nothing to do with the blood.
Griffin frowned, gaze skimming over her face but narrowly avoiding eye contact. “Are nose bleeds a regular thing for you?”
“Not really,” she said. “I got one about a week ago but I just thought it was because the air was dry since I’ve had to use my heater more.”
He gave an acknowledging tilt of his head but didn’t comment. Quiet swooped back around them as he cared for her, and Nikki registered just how close they were. Her back was pressed against the edge of the counter and Griffin’s chest was a solid wall, closing her in. Such proximity would usually make her anxious, but his demeanor was nothing but tender, and his warmth was comforting in a way she didn’t want to try to understand at four o’clock in the morning.
But his obvious refusal to look her in the eye was growing more and more irritating by the second. If he would just look at her, only for a second, she felt she might then have the courage to speak.
The bleeding had slowed, and Griffin cleared his throat, inching back. His hold on the side of her face slipped, and he went to pull his hand away.
Nikki’s fingers clasped around his palm, keeping him close. Surprised, he forgot his no-eye-contact rule, and his gaze found hers. The sensation of being unraveled and exposed washed through her, but she wasn’t deterred.
Inhaling a shaky breath, she stared up at Griffin.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Griffin, I… I’m so sorry.”
More wetness ran down her cheeks, but this time she didn’t panic as tears welled over.
Confusion knitted his brows together. “For what?”
“I had no right to treat you the way I did,” she murmured, voice thick. “After everything you’ve done, for me to just turn on you…” The knot in her throat choked her, and she paused, closing her eyes.
“Hey, shh,” Griffin soothed. “It’s okay.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No it’s not okay. You did nothing to deserve being treated like my punching bag. I shouldn’t have blamed you, and I never should have hit you.”
A shy grin played at his lips and he huffed out a laugh. “Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but, I can take a beating.”
Nikki laughed in spite of herself, eyes flicking to the nearly healed cuts at Griffin’s temple. “Still,” she said, returning her stare to his. “You shouldn’t have had to take one more.”
His eyes glistened and she watched him blink away unshed tears.
“I don’t blame you. What you said-”
“Was inexcusable,” she cut in, tightening her grip on his hand.
Was true. He could feel the words behind his teeth, taste their edges and points. A flush spread over his skin as he realized just how badly he wanted to confess. To maybe show his wounds to someone who might not shame him for his scars.
Your mistakes led to her best friend being beaten unconscious, and you want her to kiss your boo-boo and make it all better? His inner self scoffed. She deserves better than you, and you know it.
His half formed admission scraped as he swallowed it back down.
“Can you forgive me?”
Griffin gaped, staring down at her. “What?” His voice sounded small in his own ears.
“For everything,” Nikki replied. “I know what happened wasn’t your fault. I attacked you because you were closest, and I hate myself for how cruel I was…” More tears fell from her lashes and Griffin thumbed them away.
“Shh, Nik, no,” he murmured. “You don’t need my forgiveness. You weren’t cruel, you were upset and scared. It’s okay.”
Nikki took a deep breath that made her lungs hurt. “I don’t understand how you’re not mad at me.”
“Because I know what it’s like to hurt so much you want to tear down the world.” Nikki was mesmerized by the glimpse of a battered soul she saw behind his eyes as he spoke.
Griffin’s thumbs were still stroking her cheeks, and in a hazy lapse in judgment she thought about leaning into him, about arching up and kissing away his ache. She watched him lick his lips, and wondered if he wanted that too, the idea of it making her pulse spike.
Shame rushed through her, replacing her desire with cold guilt. A few hours before she had been cursing him, and now after a tearful apology, she thought she could take something else from him? As if saying sorry made it okay. She had already used him as a whipping post; she wouldn’t use him as a pleasure release too.
Letting her hand fall from his, she took the soiled paper towels and balled them up in her fist. “Thank you,” she said, glancing up at him again.
Griffin nodded, slowly pulling his hands away from her face. His gaze dropped to the floor and he stepped back.
“You should get some rest,” he told her.
On shaky legs, Nikki started to walk towards the stairs in a daze. She missed his warmth already.
“Nikki?”
She whirled around, too hopeful to be cautious.
Griffin stepped closer and held out a fresh glass of water for her.
Looking up at him, she smiled and said, “Goodnight, Griffin.”
He waited until she was upstairs and heard her shut the door before he exhaled, wishing it was her he could still taste on his tongue.
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Buying Your First Traveler Trailer
You just bought your first travel trailer and our wondering what RV accessories you need to buy now. Or even what to pack in your brand new camper to enjoy all the wonderful adventures that lie ahead. If you’re a first time camper owner asking yourself, “What camping supplies and travel trailer accessories do you need now,” you’ve come to the right place. Figuring out what RV essentials you need for your first camper can be challenging as well as exciting. Who doesn’t like to pamper themselves with new camping supplies?
But if you’ve never stocked a camper before you may be wondering what should I pack in my new camping trailer? What are the essentials for RV camping? What supplies do I need to live in my new travel trailer? Is there specific RV cookware? How does my camping trailer kitchen work? Do I need special RV toilet paper? Does my travel trailer have an onboard generator? What is the best generator for travel trailer camping? These are all great questions, and if you just bought your first camper you probably have a million more questions. So if you’re thinking to yourself, “I just bought a travel trailer and am a new camper owner what do I need?”
Don’t worry I got you covered. Below you will find a complete camper packing list along with an essential RV accessory guide, and all the camping trailer accessories you will need to fully enjoy your new camper.
There are plenty of wonderful and fun RV accessories you can purchase, but when stocking your RV for the first time you should focus on the bare essentials. Whether you have a small motorcycle camping trailer or a large 5th wheel camper let’s help you figure out what camping accessories you need to buy and pack in your new travel trailer camper. Before diving into the essential RV accessory guide & travel trailer packing list lets debunk a few RV must have myths!
RV Camper Must Haves
What does every RV, camper or travel trailer must have?
There are only 3 essential things that every camper must have. No matter the size, age or condition every RV/camper/travel trailer must have a destination, power source & water source. Any other camper accessory is a comfort focused and convenient based desire.
What is the best camper power source?
The best power source for your new camper is generator power. Generators are lightweight, portable, reliable and affordable. The best generator for your new travel trailer is the Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Electric Start. The Champion generator is ultra-quiet, powerful and can run on 3 different fuel types! Click here to find out how I turned this into an onboard generator for less than $200.
What about solar power?
Solar power is the closest you will come to free power, but solar powered camper setups provide their own challenges. Solar power camper installations can be complex, costly and limited. You would need to spend a lot of money creating a solar powered system that would be capable of running your camper’s microwave, air conditioner and refrigerator. This would add a ton of weight, and electrical logistics that would require occasional maintenance.
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Boondocking must have’s?
Whether you are urban boondocking or backcountry boondocking there are only 3 essential boondocking must haves. Destination, power source & water source. Any other boondocking must have is a want and not necessarily a need.
Is there specific RV cookware?
You can find camping cookware at Cabelas, REI and Amazon, but camping cookware is not RV cookware. There is actually no such thing as “RV Cookware.” They make cast iron pots, pans, skillets and various other cooking surfaces for campers, but these are not what I would consider RV cookware. I consider RV cookware to be any cookware that makes my life easier. So I highly recommend a top of the line nonstick pan. You can use the same cookware you have at home to cook in your camper, but the best RV cookware is any cookware that is extremely easy to clean & versatile. One pot meals are the norm in RV life for a reason.
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Camper Trailer Accessories
But you clicked on this link to answer the question, “What should I pack in my new camping trailer?” And the answer is whatever will make your RV life more enjoyable. We live in an era where almost everything has been created, manufactured or invented. Providing an enormous amount of camper trailer accessories that will enhance your RV Life. All that’s left is for you to choose the camper trailer accessories that will be compatible with your camping lifestyle.
I do a lot of winter camping because I’m a passionate ski bum. So while an electric blanket makes sense for me it might just take up unnecessary space in your new camper. I hate washing dishes in my RV because of all the requirements needed for a 2 minute task that turns into an hour long task. Water source, power source for the water pump, drying space, available grey water tank space and I have to wash them in a tiny RV sink that can barely hold standard sized pint glass.
I would rather use paper plates, plastic cups & disposable silverware because it doesn’t create a chore for me to do later. Plus they work for great campfire starters. Maybe you get uncomfortable backing up your travel trailer so a backup camera might be the perfect camper accessory for you. Or maybe you like to watch your favorite sports team while camping in the middle of nowhere so a self-tracking satellite setup would be an ideal camper accessory for you. Camper trailer accessories can range from electric jacks to motion sensor door bells, but let’s dive into the essential camper trailer accessories you need to pack in your new camping trailer.
To properly enjoy your new travel trailer you need to pack your new camper with essential RV accessories, and purchase additional camping supplies that aren’t generally included in most camper sales. New camper owner supplies should include a reliable generator. New sheets, pillows and blankets. Proper RV kitchen supplies. RV tools along with camper cleaning supplies and RV bathroom supplies. You’ll also need to purchase a variety of miscellaneous camping supplies from camper extension cords to camping chairs and even marshmallow sticks. With your new travel trailer you’re going to need an electric brake controller, tire monitoring system and various plugin adapters to hookup to all the different shore power options available. And on rainy days you’ll be glad you stocked your new camper with board games, movies, books, dice and a deck of cards. Whether you’re a first time camper owner or full time RVer or just bought a travel trailer and asking yourself what do I need. Below you will find the essentials of what every RV needs and what to pack in your new camper. After buying your new travel trailer you need to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of RV accessories to truly enjoy your new camper!
10 Item Travel Trailer Essential Camper Accessories List
1) Generator (gas can, plugin adapters, camper extension cord, storage & security of your generator)
2) Camper Bedroom Supplies (Sheets, Pillows, Blankets & possibly a new mattress)
3) RV Kitchen Supplies (Camping Cookware, Cutlery, High End NON-Stick Camping cooking Pan, RV Dish Drying Rack, Camping Pot/Pan Rack, Oven Mit, RV Spatula, RV Pasta Strainer, Ziploc Bags, Paper Plates, Plastic Silveware, Paper Towel Holder, RV Paper Plate Holder, Spice Rack & Camping Tupperware)
4) RV Bathroom Supplies (Towels, Camping Shower Caddy, RV Toilet Treatment Drop-ins, Toilet brush, & RV Toilet Paper)
5) Camper Cleaning Supplies (Windex, 409 All-purpose cleaner, Bleach, dish soap, scour pads, vacuum, broom/dustpan, Swiffer, RV toilet tablets)
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6) RV Tools (socket set, hammer, drill, hand tools)
7) Misc Camping supplies (Camper extension cord, camping chairs, hatchet/chainsaw, gas can, flashlight, HDMI & AUX cord, fan, hotdog/marshmallow stick, air pump, head lamp, electric blanket, propane sunflower heater, USB wall outlet)
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8) RV/Camper Accessories (backup camera, tire jack, lugnut wrench, spare tire, propane tanks, camper battery, trailer hitch lock & locking pin, travel trailer electric brake controller, travel trailer tire monitoring system & plugin adapters for regular outlets/30amp/50amp)
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9) Living Room Essentials (Cup holders, coffee table, swinging couch laptop tray)
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10) RV/Camper Entertainment accessories (movies, books, camper board games, deck of cards, dice, notebook, camper bluetooth speaker, camper walkie-talkies, inflatable water toys, bocce ball, bean bags, croquet set, jenga, Yahtzee, or any backyard lawn game will be ideal for your new travel trailer)
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Travel Trailers Comprehensive In depth Camper Packing Details
Travel trailers offer more living space, comfort and a buffet of features at half the price of a drivable RV. These pull behind campers are more versatile, adaptable & modifiable than their camping counterparts. Which is probably why they are the most popular camper on the market today, but no travel trailer comes with a checklist of how to pack your new camper. So let’s find out what supplies every travel trailer needs in more in depth than a 10 item camper packing list.
Bedroom Supplies For Your New Travel Trailer
Unlike moving into a new apartment or a house RVs, campers & travel trailers come with a bed and a history you know nothing about. RV mattresses have a notorious reputation for shotty cheap material, rampant with design flaws and about as comfortable as petrified wood covered in broken glass. The first thing you will want to do is replace your RV mattress. Some campers have standard size RV mattresses while others were designed by a blind drunk who used a broken tape measure.
Fortunately, no matter what size your RV mattress is you can get a custom size camper mattress shipped directly to you relatively easy from Amazon. Click here to shop for RV Mattresses. Plan on spending around $200, but you will want to keep a couple of things in mind.
Saggy sheets tend to make for an uncomfortable nights rest, and memory foam freezes hard as a rock in cold temperatures. Flannel sheets will have you roasting in the summer. While silk sheets will keep you cool in the summer but will leave you desiring something more in the winter. If you do plan on doing a lot of winter camping I suggest purchasing an electric blanket. It will keep you warm and doesn’t produce condensation on the windows or walls, but requires electricity. Good with the bad, right? When shopping for a new RV mattress try to purchase a conventional size mattress so you can find sheets and blankets easier.
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**Camper Accessory PRO TIP ** Most RV mattresses sizes are called a short queen
Livingroom Supplies For Your New Travel Trailer
Whether you have a conventional RV jackknife couch, captain’s chair, booth dinette or full surround sound RV entertainment center I bet syou’re missing a few key items you won’t discover until after your first camping trip. One culprit that often gets overlooked is RV cup holders. My first decade of RVing I simply set my cup on the floor, but my beagle is a raging alcoholic. So he soon discovered if he tips it over daddy will let me lick it up. Since they don’t let dogs into AA groups he’s cool with being a sloppy drunk, and I’ve discovered hard liquor isn’t his red solo cup of tea!???!
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You can buy cupholders for a couple dollars at any autoparts store, Walmart, amazon, thrift store or even goodwill. A couple dollars now will save you confused frustration later. If your new camper has a slideout one of the first things you will want to purchase is a 4 foot power strip because it is very rare to find any outlets on a slideout wall. If your new travel trailer is like mine this means you will have no outlets on one side of your entire camper. Obnoxious is a word that comes to mind, but for a couple of dollars its an easy fix. Another thing you might want to think about is laptops, eating arraignments or a work station.
They do NOT make a specific RV coffee table. Its left up to you and your creative juices to figure out how to make a conventional coffee table work. My suggestion is to look for one with folding legs or add wheels with a braking mechanism to the legs of a coffee table you do like. Walmart, Etsy & amazon also have swivel tray stands for less than $50 that are perfect for RVs, campers and travel trailers.
**Camper Accessory PRO TIP ** You can find wonderful one of a kind RV coffee tables off of Etsy, or do a google search for transformer furniture.
Camper Kitchen Supplies For Your New Travel Trailer
Stocking your RV kitchen for the first time can be a lot of fun. But the kitchen is where most new RVers trigger the question,”I just bought a travel trailer what do I need?” Before you go out and buy and bunch of cool RV kitchen supplies. Take a serious look at your kitchen. How many drawers & cupboards do you have? Is there any counter space in your new camper? After taking a good look at your new travel trailer kitchen where will your RV cleaning supplies go? Cooking utensils? Seasonings?
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A really easy way to give yourself some more space and camper storage is head off to your local Walmart, Target, Peir1 or other big box stores with cheap containers. I personally like Target because they have a few more “wood” options in their storage container aisle. Majority of the aisle will be filled with plastic containers made by Sterilite, but take a good look at all of them. Can you hang any of these containers underneath your existing camper cupboards to give you more drawers and storage space?
Sterilite makes a little 6inch by 6inch container with 3 drawers that I love to use. I take out all the drawers and screw the top of that container to the bottom of my camper cupboards giving me a quick easy 3 drawer silverware drawer for less than $5. Look at their wooden box section. Some of these are intended for jewelry, bread or files. But what could you turn them into. I turned a laptop table into an under the cabinet drawer for important papers. I turned a bread box into an entryway drop point for keys, gloves, remotes, headlamps, spare change & spare keys.
While you are at the store look for a paper towel & paper plate holders, magnet knife holder, seasoning holders that stick to the wall. Keep an eye out for a small garbage can & battery operated magnetic lights & chip clips. These are all personal touches, but the one thing you’re going to really want to focus on in your new campers kitchen is your RV cookware.
**Camper Accessories PRO TIP ** Adding a cutting board to your kitchen increases your campers counter space and gives you added functionality, or install a Cantilever Angled Bar bracket Support for Solid Tops to extend your counter top.
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RV cookware Supplies For Your New Travel Trailer
Most people new to RV camping make their RV mistakes in the kitchen. I recently witnessed this first hand on a road trip with my family. Who knew they were going on a 10 day road trip in a travel trailer that has been used full time for the last 3 years. They still packed cups, plates, bowls and even a counter top oil free deep fryer! No, I’m not kidding! A giant red egg shaped looking thing sat on the counter of my travel trailer for 10 days. Never getting used.
At the grocery store they purchased items that required multiple steps from mixing to preheating and even multiple cooking steps. It was like watching someone new to RV camping going on their first RV trip. Not knowing there wouldn’t be mixers, blenders, measuring bowls & ample counter space to chop vegetables while prepping entrée’s.
Stocking your camper trailer for the first time can be as easy or as hard as you would like to make it. I like an easy, simple and efficient lifestyle so I pack a lot of disposable kitchen aids. The more glassware, home cookware & regular utensils you stock the more work you will make for yourself later. First, all of this stuff needs to be washed after it is used. Washing dishes in a camper is not easy. In fact it actually sucks. I specifically have a camper that has over 10 feet of counter space. Which is about as rare as a turtle mating with a bear, and its still not enough counter space to do dishes. Now take a look at your RV sink and home cookware. Can any of that fit in your camper’s sink? Probably not.
Before you start unloading your new cookware take a look at your glassware and other kitchen supplies. Are they all actually made of glass? Glass breaks! Travel trailers move. Cupboards accidentally open. Did I mention glass breaks! Keep in mind you have to wash all of that regular cookware after using it. Which also means you need water. Which means you need electricity to run the water pump. So you need access to an outlet or you need to start your generator. These are things that you don’t have to worry about when stocking your kitchen at home, but when packing a camper you have to be aware that you’re packing a tiny house that moves. That you will use when you’re out dirt biking, hunting, fishing, skiing, climbing, kiteboarding and yes CAMPING!
When stocking your new camper’s kitchen for the first time you want to stock it with camping cookware. Camping cookware is durable, reliable and fits your tiny RV sink.
When I say camping cookware I don’t want you to go buy the lightweight folding handle pots and pans that all stack inside of themselves that fit nicely in a backpack. So that you can roam around Southeast Asia. You can and it will be cheaper, but one of the biggest RV mistakes new camper owners make is RV cookware. I know you’re excited about your shiny new camper with its shiny new oven & gas burners. But when it comes to kitchen camper packing plan to cook one pot meals for the rest of your RV Life.
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You don’t need a set of pots and pans. You need one top notch nonstick lifetime guaranteed pan that is super easy to clean. One that you can cook burgers and steaks in one night and fish and vegetables the next. As well as eggs, bacon, hash browns and pancakes in the morning. A pan that doesn’t take any more effort than wiping it down with a paper towel to clean. Yes, you will need a pot to boil water for noodles and rice dishes, but trust me when I say this: “When it comes to camping cookware in your RV less is more.” Remember to reheat items for 30 seconds in the microwave requires you to run an extension cord, pay for RV Hookups or start the generator.
When it comes to RV cookware & RV kitchen supplies…less is more. Simple is better. Camping cookware comes down to how reliable, multi-functional, durable, adaptive & reusable your camping cookware is. Does it make your “camping life” easier or more challenging?
Rather than buying a complete kitchen cookware set that includes multiple pots & pans. Just buy one pan that can cook everything. One pot that will do the job. It’s not like you can leave dishes piled up in the sink while traveling from one destination to the next. You’ll open up your camper door to an unwelcomed disaster. One pot & one pan is all you need. You can’t even use more than one full size pan on your camper’s mini stove anyways. A regular size pizza pan won’t even fit in your oven. One pot & One pan is all you need for your RV cookware.
New Camper Bathroom Supplies
What camping bathroom supplies do you need to pack in your new travel trailer? Another area where many new RV owners make RV mistakes is in the bathroom. Remember while your new travel trailer has all the bells and whistles of a regular bathroom. Your travel trailer camper bathroom moves.
So no countertop jewelry displays, ladies! No magazine stands next to the plastic throne guys! Really all you need to purchase for your new camper bathroom is an RV shower caddy to hold all your soaps, shampoos and various other shower supplies. I recommend one that secures to the wall of your shower, but I use one that simply hangs off the shower head. Which has me cleaning up all my shower supplies every time I reach my new destination.
**Camper Accessory PRO TIP ** The best camper shower caddy is the one that has a pole reaching from floor to ceiling
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Is RV toilet paper necessary?
No! You don’t need to buy any fancy RV toilet paper, but you can if you want. I’ve owned a number of RVs in the last 20 years, and I have never bought special RV toilet paper! Mainly because the internet wasn’t invented when I started RVing, and my local grocery store didn’t carry RV specific toilet paper. I have never had a problem that warranted me to start buying RV toilet paper off the internet. So you can buy whatever toilet paper you like. I promise!
8 brands of toilet paper that are best for an RV?
Thetford Aqua-Soft Toilet Tissue
Scott Rapid Dissolving Toilet Tissue
Freedom Living Septic Tank Safe Toilet Tissue
Valterra Q23630 Softness Toilet Tissue
Thetford 20804 RV Tissue Paper
Firebelly Outfitters Toilet Paper
Caboo Tree Free Bamboo Toilet Paper
Camco 40275 RV Bathroom Toilet Tissue
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Is Charmin safe for RV?
The simple answer, Yes. All toilet paper is safe to use an RV. Do some toilet paper brands dissolve faster and better than others? Yes, of course. Until this travel trailer packing article I have never put this much thought into RV toilet paper. I simply go to the toilet paper aisle and buy whatever is the cheapest that day, and in 20 years I have never had a problem with any of the 2 dozen RVs I have owned. Not my truck camper. Travel trailer. Or any of my Class C RVs. Not the Class B motorhome or my Class A motorhome. So if you came to this website because you’ve been asking yourself,”
Do you really need special RV toilet paper?“
The answer is, NO! The only reason there is something called “RV toilet paper” is the same reason you can get a diet soda with your fast food meal. People like plausible theories. Like the one that says a diet soda makes a 1300 calorie greasy burger healthy.
Camper Cleaning Supplies
Manufactures boggle my mind. They know you are going to be using your new camper out in the wild. Away from running water, electricity and hopefully stores, but yet they design the insides of campers with carpet, floor ducted heat vents and raised ledges that make it impossible to sweep. In all my years of RVing I have really only needed for items for my camping cleaning supplies. Broom or Swiffer, Vacuum, Windex & 409 all-purpose cleaner. For thorough deep cleans bleach, pledge & oven cleaner round out my camper cleaning supply arsenal.
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My favorite vacuum was given to me by mom for my Toyota truck camper, and is by the far the best RV vacuum I have ever come across. If I had to choose between the entire travel trailer and my rocket vacuum. Well I’d have a vacuum. The rocket vacuum cleaner is the best RV vacuum on the market. It’s a powerful and compact bag less RV vacuum. That’s tough enough to clean up dog hair as well as everyday camping dirt and grime. Breaks apart nicely into small little sections so I can tuck it in a cubby underneath the dinette seating.
**Camper Accessory PRO TIP ** Don’t buy one of those handheld vacuums that are only a foot long unless you feel like crawling around your camper every time it needs cleaning. A bag less vacuum that you can use standing up and a Swiffer is all you will need for your camping cleaning supplies.
RV Tools
Every camper needs tools. You may come across the perfect trinket at a gift store that needs hanging. A cupboard door may fall off its hinges and need to be screwed back on. I can tell you from personal experience it’s no fun changing a flat tire without a wrench! Things brake in a moving house, and it’s nice to have a tool to fix broken things.
Every one of my RVs has a cupboard I nickname the tool shed. Where you’ll find a set of sockets, hand tools, skill saw, drill, hatchet & a caulk gun. In my travel trailer’s tool shed you can also find an extension cord, power adapters for the generator and various screws, nuts & bolts. Along with back up piano hinges, peel-and-stick accessories and even bike locks which I use to lock up the generator in the back of my truck.
You may even find camper accessories such as super glue, scraps of Velcro, a two-way air pump, a surplus of batteries and all kinds of cable/internet cords. You’d be surprised at where you can find cable boxes in the middle of nowhere. I have a 300 foot cat 5 cable cord because while boondocking for over a month in Utah I found a cable box that had a live Comcast feed. Giving me high speed internet for free! No I won’t tell you were it’s at. Keeping that secret all to myself.
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**Camper Accessory PRO TIP **A cordless drill with the right socket makes putting down your camper jacks a breeze.
Travel Trailer Camper Accessories
You can go buy an RV hot tub if you’d like and be the king or queen of any campground you call home. But travel trailer accessories that are a little more practical would include a trailer hitch lock and locking pin so it’s not as easy to steal your new camper. A spare tire for when you get a flat doing 80 down the freeway, or even a backup camera so it’s easier for you to get setup at the campground. An electric brake controller is pretty essential too. Ever try to stop a 40 foot box at 80 mph without any brakes?
Do you need a brake controller for your new travel trailer?
Yes, you need a brake controller for the electric brakes on your travel trailer to actually function. If you bought a travel trailer than you most likely have a tiny home with electric brakes. Without a brake controller your electric brakes won’t actuate. I bought an electric brake controller off of Amazon for less than $100, and took less than 2 minutes to install. It was a simple plug and play install. The hardest thing about my electric brake controller installation was figuring out where to mount it on my dashboard.
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Another Camper Accessory ~ Travel Trailer tire Monitoring System
I wouldn’t consider a tire monitoring system a fun RV accessory, but it is an essential travel trailer accessory. A tire monitoring system will monitor your tires air pressure and relay that information to your smartphone, dash mounted LCD screen or even your radio screen. This camper accessory can be hard wired, Bluetooth enabled or operate off of your vehicles Wi-Fi signal. Tire monitoring systems come in all shapes and sizes. From cigarette lighter powered displays to solar powered displays, and range all over the map in price. A tire monitoring system also known as TPMS keeps you up to date on your tires conditions along your travels without having to make unnecessary pit stops. Making it easy to avoid blowouts, and determining when its time to replace your RV tires.
**Camper Accessory PRO TIP ** TPMS systems can cost as little as $40 and as much as $400. Plan on spending $100-$200 for a quality tire pressure monitoring system for your new travel trailer. A couple hundred dollars upfront will save you from sitting on the side of the road later with camper tire blowout.
Must Have Camper Accessories
As you can see camper accessories can range from self-tracking satellites to paper plate holders and everything in between. Below you will find a photo, price and product description of all the must have camper accessories I would purchase for my new camper. Got any questions? Leave them in the comments below. Did I forget an essential must have camper accessory? Let me know in the comments below? What’s your favorite camper accessory? I love opening emails from all of you so if you’d prefer you can always email me [email protected]. Shoot some questions, comments or tips. I would love to hear from you by email or in the comments below. Share with the rest of us how much you’re enjoying your new camper. Happy Travels Y’all. Not sure why I’ve been using Y’all lately but I kinda like it.
My Personal List of Camper Accessories
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Just Bought A Travel Trailer What Do I Need? Complete Camper Must Haves & Essential RV Accessories Guide! Buying Your First Traveler Trailer You just bought your first travel trailer and our wondering what RV accessories you need to buy now.
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Whole30 Prep
Today’s post is all about Whole30® prep—’cause I know some of you are kicking off the New Year with a clean eating bang!
If you’re feeling run-down after the holidays, join the club. Even for committed Paleo eaters, December can feel like a series of food traps. Let’s face it: Every holiday party we attended was an orgy of sugar, and our collective face holes are sore from all the cookie-chomping and eggnog-guzzling. The trade-off for all that deliciousness and holiday cheer? Achy joints, bloating, and a foggy head (not to mention a bit of extra padding). Blargh.
Ready to turn the page on 2017 and hit the ground running in 2018? Then let’s start by being more mindful about the food we stick in our bellies!
For those of you who are embarking on a Whole30, I’ll help guide you along. Starting January 1st, I’ll be posting a Whole30-friendly Paleo recipe EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Some will be culled from my extensive archive of Paleo recipes, while others will be dishes that are entirely new to my blog. (I’ve done this before, so if you’re feeling antsy, go check out my previous collections of Whole30 recipes.)
Hang out with me this coming month, and I’ll fill your noggins with all sorts of tips and tricks for surviving a Whole30, and keep motivated as you figure out how different foods affect your health and well-being. In January, you won’t ever be left wondering what to cook or eat next. Sound good?
Cool. But before we jump into a January Whole30, let’s do a little prep.
WHAT’S A WHOLE30?
The Whole30 is a tried-and-true 30-day dietary reset that eliminates all the foods that could potentially mess you up big time. (Yes, that’s the scientific term.) Specifically—for a whole month, you commit to cutting out the bad-for-you stuff: the foods that are most commonly problematic, like sugar, dairy, grains, legumes, alcohol, or junk foods (even those made with “healthy” ingredients). Instead, you eat whole, nutrient-dense foods. For more information about the Whole30, go check out the program rules over here.
I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t the Whole30 the same as eating Paleo? Well, yes and no. I pretty much eat according to the Whole30 rules most of the time, which is why the vast majority of the recipes on my Paleo Recipe Index are entirely Whole30-friendly. But in the broader world, the term “Paleo” has taken on meanings that don’t always align with my core approach of eating foods that are more healthful than harmful. For example, many Paleo eaters overindulge in “Paleo” treats, despite the fact that most sweets and psychological “crutch” foods—no matter how grain-free or “natural”—aren’t exactly healthy choices. When you’re on a Whole30, certain foods that may be seen as “Paleo-friendly” are out, so don’t even think about making “Paleo” pancakes or “Paleo” cupcakes this month!
Not easy, I know. And yes, depending on what you’ve been eating up ’til now, it may take you a couple of weeks to adjust. But believe me: you will. And by Day 30, you’ll feel like a brand new person—and you’ll have a much better understanding of how different foods affect your wellness. You’ll be able to systematically reintroduce foods back into your diet to see how each of them makes you feel, which’ll help you develop your own nutritional blueprint post-January. Remember: you’re a special snowflake (just like everyone else!) so it’s important to learn what foods make you feel like a superhero.
Pretty awesome, right?
THIS SEEMS HARD. IS IT?
For some, yes: Sticking 100% to the Whole30’s program rules for 30 consecutive days will be a challenge. Frankly, for many folks, sticking to ANYTHING for an entire month is super-tough. But listen to Melissa Hartwig, the headmistress of Whole30:
Your only job during the Whole30 is to focus on making good food choices. You don’t need to weigh or measure, you don’t need to count calories, you don’t need to purchase everything organic, grass-fed, pastured, or local. Just figure out how to stick to the Whole30 rules in any setting, around every special circumstance, under any amount of stress… for 30 straight days. Your only job? Eat. Good. Food.
You can do this. Besides, it’s a Whole30, not a Whole365 or a WholeForeverAndEverAndEver. It’s just 30 days, and I’ll be helping you along each step of the way. What have you got to lose?
To be honest, the biggest challenge you’ll face during a Whole30 is boring food. If you try to tackle a Whole30 by eating nothing but boiled chicken breasts and steamed broccoli, by Week 2, you’ll be waging a full-on assault on a donut shop. That would be illegal (and violate the Whole30’s program rules), so instead, follow along with me this January, and I’ll keep your palates tickled with dozens of flavor-forward, super satisfying, nutrient-packed dishes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WHOLE30!
Start by devouring everything on the Whole30 website. Want even more details? Get your hands on a copy of The Whole30—Dallas and Melissa Hartwigs’ bestselling tome that lays out the science behind this awesome dietary reset.
If you’re a completist and avid reader, you should also pick up the other books by the Whole30 folks, too: The Whole30 Cookbook and The Whole30 Fast & Easy Cookbook (which includes recipes by a number of contributors—including me!). These recipe books are crammed with tasty, clean eats. In addition, Melissa just released Whole30 Day by Day, a daily handbook to keep you engaged, motivated, and accountable during your month of mindful eating. And finally, Food Freedom Forever will help you develop a personal dietary template that’ll last you well beyond your Whole30.
GET INSPIRED!
It’s your lucky day: I’m a walking, talking Whole30 recipe generator.
For recipe inspiration and to whet your appetite, visit my free Recipe Index, which includes tons of step-by-step Whole30-friendly recipes. (Pro tip: For a complete list of my Whole30 recipes, scroll to the bottom of my Recipe Index page, and click on the Whole30 button. Or just bookmark this page!)
You can subscribe to my free weekly email newsletter to stay up-to-date on new Whole30 and Paleo friendly recipes. And definitely follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for all sorts of Whole30 goodness in January (and beyond), too!
Next, go pick up my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans and Ready or Not! 150+ Nomtastic Make-Ahead, Make-Over and Make-Now Recipes by Nom Nom Paleo. The vast majority of the recipes in their pages are entirely Whole30-friendly and 100% delicious.
Oh, and if you like to check off the days of your Whole30 on a wall calendar, don’t forget to pick up my Ready or Not! 2018 companion calendar—it even comes with a sheet of inspirational stickers to keep you cooking! (And right now, it’s super-cheap!)
If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, download my completely revamped and updated, Webby Award-winning cookbook app, which contains over 160 (and counting!) step-by-step Whole30-approved recipes, a 30-day meal plan that takes you through breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an entire section devoted to Whole30 dishes. Get the app here!
(Note: If you already own the app but recently updated your device or iOS, the app may look a little weird or glitchy—but there’s an easy solution: Completely delete the app off your device, and re-download it for free from the App Store. If you continue to have any problems, shoot me an email so I can help you troubleshoot, ’cause I want to make sure you can get cooking!)
I’m by no means the only source for Whole30 recipe inspiration. Follow Whole30Recipes on Instagram, and check out all the wonderful Paleo recipe developers (including Melissa Joulwan, Michelle Smith, Jenn Bumb, and Teri Turner) who contribute to that feed. (Keep your eyes peeled: I’ll be taking over the Whole30Recipes IG feed for a week in January, too!)
GET SUPPORT!
In my experience, it’s infinitely better to do a Whole30 with others than to go it alone. Conscript your family, friends, and co-workers to join you on a monthlong challenge of healthy and adventuresome cooking and eating—and you can all help each other through it. You can coach and support your pals through the many ups and occasional downs, and best of all, you’ll never get bored with your food if everyone shares their Whole30 eats. Camaraderie, variety, and tasty noms are the order of the day!
And if no one in your immediate circle is willing to accompany you on your January Whole30, REEVALUATE YOUR FRIENDSHIPS. (Kidding!) Then, visit the Whole30 Forum, where you’ll find free support from others who are on the same journey.
STOCK YOUR KITCHEN FOR SUCCESS!
Let’s start by tossing the crap from your kitchen and going grocery shopping. Looking for advice on what to buy? Go check out my recommendations on the Whole Foods Market website about how to stock your fridge, freezer, and pantry like a boss!
Next: Stock up on kitchen tools! My books discuss the supplies I try to keep in my kitchen to make super-nomtastic grub, but if you’re just interested in the basics, here are the bare essentials you should have on hand (note: these are Amazon affiliate links!):
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Large cast-iron skillet
Silicone spatula
Rimmed baking sheet
Stainless steel wire rack
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
You’ll also find that I frequently use the following tools, too—they’re not essential, but they sure make cooking a lot easier and more pleasurable:
Food processor
High speed blender and/or hand (immersion) blender
Instant Pot (my favorite models and deals are always listed here)
Spiralizer
And if you’ve got some holiday gift cards burning a hole in your pocket, this might be the perfect time to treat yourself to a new kitchen toy or two. (Check out my 2017 Holiday Gift Guide for my latest gadget picks—including my favorite Instant Pot models!)
COOK UP A STORM!
Most importantly: Cook! Trust me: It’s really, really hard to try to do a Whole30 without getting acquainted with your kitchen. The point of doing a Whole30 is to learn about how different foods affect you—and how can you possibly do that if you don’t know exactly what’s going into your mouth? As I said in Ready or Not!:
Knowing how to prep meals from scratch doesn’t just make you a more rounded individual or hearty survivalist—it makes you more mindful of the ingredients you’re putting in your body. By cooking at home, I know exactly what goes into my food. I never have to guess whether my dishes were cooked with ingredients that don’t sit well with me.
Not sure how to get started in the kitchen? Definitely check out my cooking hacks on the Whole Foods Market blog. Then, grab my cookbooks, check out some Whole30 recipes for inspiration, and get cookin’!
Also, before I forget: Do you aspire to be a meal prepping maven? I have four weeks of meal plans and shopping lists in our new cookbook, Ready or Not! If you want ultimate flexibility and customizability, subscribe to Real Plans—the most amazing meal planning program around! Seriously. It’s the bee’s knees. There are even add-on recipe modules by yours truly, Nom Nom Paleo, and the Whole30, too! Check it out here!
MAKE ENOUGH FOR LEFTOVERS!
“Leftovers” is not a dirty word—especially if you know how to transform your extras into exciting new meals. My latest cookbook, Ready or Not!, includes a big section on leftover makeovers, so definitely grab a copy and bookmark the “Kinda Ready” chapter. Prefer to simply reheat the awesome dishes you couldn’t finish last night? That works, too, and is a fantastic way to stay sane on your Whole30 without feeling like you’re spending the entire month in the kitchen. So remember: don’t be afraid to make extra!
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…
I know: It’s not easy to cook up delicious, 100% Paleo and Whole30-friendly meals from scratch EVERY SINGLE DAY AND NIGHT. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to!
Throughout the month of January 2018, you’ll find a rotating menu of ready-to-eat Nom Nom Paleo dishes in the hot bar in all Whole Foods Market stores in the United States! These meals—all curated from my latest cookbook, Ready or Not!
Okay, enough chit-chat. It’s time to gear up for an awesome January! As I’ve said before, keep your kitchen adventures fun and your taste buds excited, and you’ll cruise through the Whole30. Make this journey a nomtastic one, and it’ll become a life-altering change that you can sustain for the long haul.
Ready to go? I’m all about hand-holding, encouragement, and most importantly, PEER PRESSURE—so find a buddy to take the plunge with you, and let’s do this thing!
P.S. Got questions for me or tips for your fellow Whole30 participants? Please post ’em in the comments!
A note to my Nomsters: This is one of a series of daily blog posts I’m writing in the month of January 2018 to help those doing a Whole30 to kick off the New Year. Come back to Nom Nom Paleo every single day for recipes to inspire, delight, and sustain you on your Whole30!
Throughout January, I’m partnering with Whole Foods Market! As part of this sponsorship, in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide, you’ll find my personally curated Nom Nom Paleo Picks on the shelves, a rotating menu of ready-to-eat Nom Nom Paleo dishes in the hot bar, and even my Magic Mushroom Powder available for sale!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!
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