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writingcold · 7 months

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Hi. Welcome to the Epilogue. It’s short, but mighty. I truly, truly hope that you have enjoyed my Bootleggers and Wildflowers. They have been so fun to write.

If you are just joining us, you can find the Master List to the series here

Here’s the last time I’m going to say it: @lvnterninthenight, @gardensgatedaisy and @whitesuitjake thank you from the bottom of my toes to the tip of my head for your assistance, patience and talents.

This is a work of fiction, and is totally mine. Please do not take it for your own personal use. I’ve put in hours of research, hours upon hours of writing, re-writing, screaming, yelling and vomiting over this epic of a story. But it is mine.

Content warning: 18+ only story. Fluff. Family. Hardship of the 1930’s and the Great Depression. But, mostly fluff.

Word count: approx. 3200

Epilogue - Cora

Summer 1933

The hard times started one year and two months after their wedding. Jacob and Cora had just welcomed their first child when it seemed the world went wild with grief and darkness. For the honeymoon, they had gotten into his newest car - a cherry red Packard Twin Roadster. Cora thought the car was wildly flamboyant. Jake teased that he loved seeing her frugal and modest nature crumble the moment she slid into the passenger seat, feeling the suppleness of the leather and the smooth ride across the road. And he was right. There were little luxuries that he injected into her life that she could not be without - a pretty tea set, a soft bed, touches through the quality fabric of her dresses, a variety of food in her belly every night. To see her family flourish in their new home was a blessing she promised to never take for granted.

If Cora had thought that she had gathered so much life in the two years she had lived before marrying Jacob, the first year of their marriage was like living life at a full sprint. The Baras’ Brothers General and Mercantile Store opened for official business while they were on their auto touring trip. Joshua, Daniel and Samuel launched the moment they could, offering Arbor Vitae their first real access to a wide variety of needs. Within a month, Sam opened an auto garage and gas service station next door. Molly carved out a bit of a tailoring shop on the opposite side of the street. Rosemary found her hands needed as men streamed in from the logging camps, swamping Molly with so many repairs that she needed assistance right away. Assistance that her mother was delighted to provide. Cora took the job of accounting for all the family businesses - a job that she was happy to manage from the home that Jacob had built at the edge of town.

She walked through the functional kitchen, a cup of tea in her hand. The quiet of the house filled her as she sat down at the rich oak dining table. Across the walls and sideboard, instead of art of a well-to-do wife, she had pictures of them all - all the family. It was difficult not to be reflective as the children slept and her hand on her very pregnant belly as the next little one stirred against her. Her smile tugged as she cooed down at the next blessing. She had been feeling little flutters all morning. Flutters she knew would make loud announcements in a short time to bring forth the next member of their family. Blowing out a soft, cooling breath across her tea, she looked across to the last photo Joshua had taken of her brothers.

Matthew, Jonathan and Georgie stood shoulder to shoulder with serious faces and crisp linen suits. It was taken just a few days before Matthew traveled to the east for the Autumn term at the college where his namesake had once made home. The eldest of her brothers had made quite the impression on his professors and had established himself amongst his peers. He was settling in Boston after the university there invited him to teach. Cora knew that their father’s spirit of sharing knowledge resided deep within him. It would be a good fit for the young man seeking to set his roots. Jon blossomed under Samuel’s tutelage, becoming quite the engineer and helping at the auto garage. The young man showed more than talent, but a mind for innovation as well. He felt strangled when he tried college, finding that he needed to be tinkering rather than pointing out the flaws in his professor’s methods and lessons. After two terms of university, Jon was snatched up by a large car company and moved to Detroit. Sam was as proud as he could be of his protege. Georgie, the last of the boys to be home with Rosemary, was preparing to leave for college soon. He would be joining Matthew in Boston, with a focus on the family business as his guide. He had taken an interest in the management of the shops, to which Jake was quick to foster. The Janas family lived a good, secure life. Quite the opposite of their situation only seven years prior. A blessing she held terribly close in her heart.

Samuel’s service station was wildly popular with locals and tourists alike. The first year without Susannah had been rough to aid him through. The young man’s wounds were bone deep and bled often as he struggled to heal. The station helped return his mind to normal. His reputation of making cars go fast trickled through the various car clubs that traveled through town that first summer of business. He was approached by a driver asking about what he knew about endurance racing. The thought of traveling around the world to showcase his talent that had once been for illegitimate offerings was not lost on the young man. He would spend seven months of each year on the circuit then return home to hearth and home, the conquering hero. After the second season, he returned with a woman he had met and married in Poland. The happiness that had jolted the man’s heart filled every room he graced. It was another blessing that the family could count.

Molly and Daniel had settled in a house down the road from them. Pregnancies were hard on the sassy woman. The grief over losses culminated in the decision to become a doting aunt and uncle. Molly took pleasure in snuggling each child, but to have the ability to turn them back home when fussy was a luxury all its own. Daniel and Jacob ran the shops efficiently. Their partnership was close knit with more than enough work to go around. Daniel shone in the community with his patient nature and level-headed decision making. He had become a fixture on the town board with whispers of perhaps a mayoral term in his future. Molly would cackle behind closed doors about a former bootlegger and dancing girl becoming respectable in society without anyone the wiser. But she knew - it was a blessing. All of it and in between. A blessing afforded by sacrifice that was not willingly given.

Her eyes traced to the numerous pictures of her and Jacob. Her handsome husband and partner. Matthew Kelly arrived a week before the stock market crash that blackened October 28th, 1929. He brought such joy to their home that Cora was sure would rupture it from its sheer capacity. But then, tragedy. Unlike so many in the community, the Baras’ family weathered the perpetual storms with restraint and bonds that were stronger than steel.

Next to the photo of Jake holding infant Matthew was one of the twins. Stone faced, seated with bodies turned slightly towards each other, it belied the laughter that rang out once the camera flashed. Joshua, though invested throughout the community, became restless shortly after the dark days began to unfold. He was instrumental in immediately setting up aid to those who were affected, seeing to it that hungry mouths had food to turn to as well as having shelters built for families displaced from instant foreclosure. Joshua’s spirit grew restless in the small community that held few options for him. He drifted in his pursuits, moving further and further away from hearth and home, traveling the country in search of his niche. Always graced with the gift of words, Josh had discovered an opportunity to delve into his love of film. Instead of Hollywood, he found himself behind a camera, capturing the horrendous human suffering of the time. He was able to put pictures and words to those who were too smothered to be heard and seen. He became active in documenting atrocities of what would become a defining moment in history. Though he was far from home, Joshua marched to his family’s heartbeat always. Caring and sheltering those he could by bringing awareness to their strife. Cora grinned at the photo, knowing that Joshua was a blessing to her in more than just offering her a glimmer of opportunity that was doubtful in the beginning. Her husband’s brother saw within her something that could be pushed, nurtured and elevated to be a pillar of strength of his family. For that, she would always be grateful.

In the center of the wall, hung a beautifully framed photograph of the entire family, all together. Rosemary and Dorothy were the center with both sides of the family fanning out behind them. Though on the fringe, Junie could be seen holding the hand of Lucas for the very first time. It was a moment no one realized until the finished piece arrived in the lovely silver frame. Lucas provided her sister with the kind of quiet love Junie needed. The young man held her with such tenderness, yet protected Cora Rose with a fierceness that rivaled the girl’s mother. Lucas had started to expand on the little cottage next to Dotty’s, but the woman gifted the big house to them instead. Cora Rose became sister to Ada Marie the following year and the house would become what Dorothy Baroski wanted it to be - a home for a family. The shelter the woman had afforded Junie when it most needed, turned to the blessing of found family.

Cora’s belly constricted once more, hard, under her fingertips. The air in her lungs burned as she tried to breathe through the stirrings. Shifting for the eighth time in an effort to remain comfortable, her eyes strayed to the grand clock. The fourth hour chime would fill the home with a tone that was meant to prepare for the evening. However, she knew it would be a few hours yet before Jacob would return to her.

Their twins, Sarah Jane and Junie Belle, arrived in March of 1931. Tiny little things, the pair screamed their way into the home and their parents’ hearts. The picture of Jake holding both babies while she held Matthew on her hip was one of her favorites. A hint of a smile resided on her man’s face that happened to be there from the moment of the vows, never straying, never fading. Her Jacob. Her handsome husband. He was a better father than she could have hoped for. Echoes of her father resounded in her spirit as he would swish around holding the babies in his strong arms as they babbled and sang songs that floated out of the radio. He read to them every chance he received, spinning tales that she was sure had been his favorites as a child. He glowed in the presence of his children.

Though the dark did not seem to touch the Bara’s household, it ravaged their community. It was not uncommon for men from all over the region to gather on the main street and wait for jobs in order to feed their families. Men as far away as Eau Claire and Waukesha would show up and wait for the timber crews to glean from their numbers for logging to the north. A few were brought on to the farms for day help, but that was mostly just in the Spring and Autumn months when help was needed. Most were unsuccessful in their search for work, leaving an endless march of souls that were hungry and lost to the time at hand.

Junie would drive into town four afternoons a week with Dottie, bringing in extras from the garden and donating time in the soup kitchen. Jacob, on his walk home each evening after the shop closed at six, would stop in the kitchen to sneak in a ten dollar bill when no one was looking. He would take a few minutes to play ‘Look what I found’ with a few of the children, pretending to find tiny bags of lollipops or hard candy or toffee treats to share. He always felt he needed to give more. More time. More smiles to lighten the heaviness of the spirit of their community. In truth, Cora knew the man would give every last shred to shield them all from this dragon that threatened them.

The flash of pain blazed from her core, spreading down through her legs and up through her chest. She knocked her tea cup, spilling its ignored contents across the deep toned wood. Gasping for breath, she fought to steady herself while her body worked to bring the baby forth. The bloom rapidly subsided and she stood to retrieve a towel from the kitchen. As she sopped up the mess, she could hear Matthew stirring in his room. Shaking her head, she knew it was time. Moving to the hall, she lifted the phone to first call the midwife, Mrs. Totts. Next was a call to Molly’s shop to request one of them to alert Jacob and then to come and retrieve the children for the night. It was a well run plan that they had planned out and executed. As she hung the receiver, she bent, holding her belly and swallowing the pain the best she could so as not to worry the children.

Time ticked along with the mechanical sound of the clock that she stood beside with eyes trained on the door. Each tick brought a pinch to her breath while each tock, the heat of her labor spread further around her back. She could hear the girls waking in their room above her. There would be no way she would be able to climb the stairs to comfort them, welcome them back from their slumber. A soft gasp dripped from her lips as another flare struck her.

Her brain began to latch onto anything around her in search of comfort. At the edge of the sideboard was a photo of Jake and her with Marcus. It had been taken shortly after Matthew had been born when their dear friend passed through town. The sight of the man who treated her like his own daughter soothed her. Marcus held an orderly court in Iron Mountain as the waves from the Kiszka and Wagner reign blazed to a close. He talked about how times were about to change once more. The end of Prohibition would bring legitimate business back to the liquor trade, effectively cutting off revenue for ‘family ties’ as Marcus put it. He had hopes of retiring. He had hopes of finding a soft place to land amongst the trying times. She had hoped that perhaps in time he would find his path back to them.

“Mama?” Matthew called from the top of the stairs, his little voice filled with sleep and worry.

She bared her teeth as she tried to move towards the foot of the stairs but a sudden flush of liquid between her legs stopped her immediately. Her jaw dropped as her knees started to bend to lower herself to the floor.

“Stay there, Matthew,” she managed, trying to sound normal.

The screech of the screen door followed by the solid sound of the front door opening brought her heart a moment of relief. Molly’s eyes grew wide when she found her in between the hall and the dining room.

“Oh, Mama,” she breathed. “That close? Let’s get you up, dolly.”

Cora breathed out in pain as her friend helped her back to her feet and to a chair. “Get the babies. The stroller-”

“I know where everything is. Don’t you worry about a thing,” she remarked as she turned. “Jake’s right behind me. You call Mrs. Totts?”

Cora nodded in answer as her hands smoothed around to the base of her belly. The door flew open once more, admitting Jacob with a worried look in his eyes. She held up her hands to him.

“I saw Molly-”

“Up here,” she called. “Got a few things to do first. Get her to your room.”

He helped her to stand once more as a contraction struck. She fell against him, but he held firm. Breathing him in as her body struggled through the process, she could feel his heartbeat through the linen of his jacket.

“Ready?” he whispered, his fingers pressing into her back.

All she could do was nod. He helped her into the bedroom. “I left a mess,” she said, feeling her cheeks blush.

“Do not worry about that. I’ll get it,” he answered as he moved her to the side of the bed.

He proceeded to start in on the buttons of her dress before unhooking her stockings and taking off her shoes. He reached for the nightdress that she had worn for all three pregnancies and wrapped it around her before helping her into the bed with a firm hand and gentle kiss to her mouth. They heard Mrs. Totts walk through the front door with a knock as Molly worked her way down the stairs. Jacob sat on the edge, his body a bastion of strength for her to hold to as the storm raged across her belly. He whispered love and devotion into her hair as she tried to breath through the waves.

“Mr. Bara,” Mrs. Totts scolded as she made her way inside. “That is enough of you. Out.”

He laughed through his nose as he leaned into her, capturing her gaze. “I love you. I can’t wait to meet our newest cherished one.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth before the old woman could physically remove him from his room. She watched him go and turn back with a wave before closing the door. The labor was longer than with the others. She could hear Jacob becoming frustrated as he waited in the dining room. At times she could hear her mother’s voice. Others, Danny and Georgie. Just when she thought she was too tired to go on, she felt a calm wash over her. It was a strange sensation she got with each of the babies - a calm that soothed her spirit and refocused her nerves just before they were pushed into the hands of Mrs. Totts. Her heart grew quiet until the first note of a cry filled the room and relief filled every pore of her being.

The radiance of pure love was a welcomed friend in her family. Cora, exhausted, watched as Jacob took their newest son, Jacob Thomas, Junior into his arms and held him close, kissing him on his forehead in complete happiness. Mrs. Totts frowned as Jake maneuvered beside his wife as she left. He cradled Cora against him as she brought the baby up to her breast to feed him. It was a blessing that both would feel, together. This idea of togetherness in their family. The blessing of forever.

The End.

So if you enjoyed my story, please please please, share it. Reblog it. Comment. Let me know the good, the bad, the ugly, because I do love to hear every thought you have - it will help me to only get better. I appreciate it more than you know.

Thank you everyone for being patient and reading along with the story. I hope to have something a little different for you soon. Something gothic for October. 🎃👻

@lvnterninthenight @doodle417 @luverleaver @jakesgrapejuice @fictional-duchess @whitesuitjake @milkgemini @positivegvfthings @songbirds-sweet @streamingcolors-gvf @gretavanbitches @samsurfgreenbass @gardensgatedaisy @babyhoneygvfarchive @myownparadise96 @josh-iamyour-mama @starcatchercarol @loveisonaroll @jakesstarlight @reesetrippingthelight @builtby-gvf @ignite-my-fire @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @wetkleenex-gvf @gold-mines-melting @starsasone @puzzle-gvf @mysticalstarcatcher @montenegroisr @takenbythemadness @way-to-go-lad @cal-a-bungaa @lightmylove-gvf @thewritingbeforesunrise @leftjudgeempathsuitcase @brokenbells11 @imborrowedshesblue @vanfleeter @sammysvanfeet @jakekiszkasbuttsweat @jaketlove @redsierra1960 @gvfmarge @becinabubblegvf @wildbluesorbit @sinarainbows

#greta van fleet #gvf #jake gvf #jake kiszka #josh kiszka #josh gvf #sammy gvf #sam gvf #daniel gvf #danny gvf #greta van fleet fanfic #greta van fleet fan fiction #greta van fleet fanfic au #greta van fleet au fic #greta van fleet x ocs #bootleggers and wildflowers

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agirlwithbigdreamsforher · 6 months

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SAY YES TO THE DRESS.

THE NANNY: ONE SHOT

SAY YES TO THE DRESS.

Pairing: Andy Barber x Annie Johnson (OFC)

Summary: It’s time to choose the dress.

Warnings: NONE.

A/N: You have no ideas how many “say yes to the dress” videos I watched to write this! Also Melissa Benedict is not a real person. The final dress is at the end of this piece of writing.

Word count: 1339

Disclaimer: I do not give permission for any of my works to be copied, used, translated nor reposted anywhere else but here on this blog. Do not steal what you didn’t work for. Minors and ageless blank blogs don’t interact with me or my works. Reblogs and likes are always welcome. Thank you for reading this work of fiction.

GIF'S not mine, you can find the credits in each gif :)

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Melissa Benedict, was one of the most famous wedding dress designers of Boston. And to get an appointment with her was almost impossible, it was known that some people made appointments with a 2 year gap before the wedding. But Annie and Andy only had a year, and right now it was only 6 months till the wedding. Annie had seen other options of dresses in different magazines, but no matter what, she always like best one of her designs.

“I can believe we are going to Melissa Benedict’s shop!” Sharon said looking to the rare mirror to see Annie.

“I know! I can’t believe Andy found a spot for me.”

“Thank god he felt awful for not paying attention to you,” Mark said who had his eyes focus on the road. “I hope next time he gives you a new car.”

“Remember we have to pick up Martha. She would kill me if I don’t take her to see the dresses.”

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“What you mean I can’t go?” Tom said.

“I don’t want you to see the dress.”

“I’m your brother, not the groom! I have every right to be there and give you my input in what you should wear to the wedding.”

“No, besides, who will take care of Denisse?

----------------------------------------------( )-------------------------------------------------

Annie, Sharon, Mark, Martha, Tom and little Denisse arrived to the boutique at 11:00. They walked into the shop and it was packed! They could see there were at least 15 brides inside, along with their families. The shop looked expensive, white, silver and gold on the walls, twinkle lights in some corners, a big chandelier hanging from the reception roof.

“Welcome to Melissa Benedict!” A young blonde woman greet them, “Do you have an appointment?”

“Yes, my name is Annie Johnson.”

“Annie Jonhson? Let me check.” The girl quickly type the name on her computer, “I’m sorry, there is no Johnson. We have a Barber.”

“That’s me! My fiancé’s name is Barber.”

“Marking territory already,” the girl giggled. “Melissa will see you now, let me just call her.”

“Wait, what????”

A couple of minutes later, Melissa Benedict herself walked towards them.

“Hi! Welcome to my shop!” She shook Annie’s hand, “Annie, right?”

“Right!”

“Your fiancé called me, saying he messed up and wanted to make it up to you; and who am I to say no to a man who wants to make her woman happy?” Annie laughed, “He sounded very sorry. Are you ready?” Annie just nodded, she was in awe, “Perfect! Follow me.” They walked further into the shop, “So, who are all these people?”

“OH! These are my friends, that is my sister in law, and that’s my brother and my niece.” Annie finished as they sat in a small living area.

“And, what exactly are you looking for?”

“Well, I was looking for a simple dress, mermaid cut, you know like form fitting. I’m not very into stones, I could do lace, but I don’t want sparkles.”

“Do you have a budget?”

“Yes, two thousand.”

“Awesome! So, I will steal the bride from you guys. I’ll meet you at the dressing rooms.”

While Annie went to the dressing room, Melissa walked around the shop choosing different dresses for her client. She was taking a dress out of the rack when Tom approached her.

“Hi, miss?”

“Oh, Hi! Annie’s brother?” she said trying to remember his name.

“Yes, Tom, hi. Look I saw a dress when we walked into the shop and it is definitely not what my sister has in mind and I was thinking you can put the dress into her options.”

“I can do that. Just remember we can force her to buy it if she doesn’t like it.”

“I understand, I just want to see her in that dress.”

“Sure! Show me which one?”

Tom walked almost to the entrance and pointed to a dress in a mannequin.

“Oh my god! Beautiful choice! I’ll get one for her.” She when back to the back and disappeared.

Annie was sitting on a chair inside the dressing room with a satin white robe waiting for her dresses. The door opened and Melissa walked in along with another girl, carrying 4 dresses each.

“Ok! So I have some choices from what you told me you want, we have white, nude, off white, champagne.”

“Those are a lot of options.”

Annie walked out of the dressing room, a white dress with a heart shape cleavage, it has stones in the bodice, and a short trail at the bottom. She stood in front of the mirror right in front of her family.

“So, what’d you think?” Melissa asked.

“It’s pretty.”

“You don’t seem too convince.” Sharon said.

“It’s just the stones, I don’t like them. The dress it’s beautiful,” She turned to see Melissa, “I don’t want to be disrespectful.”

“No problem, darling. I’m not offended.” She smiled.

“I don’t think that’s the dress for you.” Tom said frankly.

“Yeah, me neither.” She thought for a moment, “I want Andy to die when he sees me!” Everyone laughed, “Too much?”

“Of course not! It’s your wedding day. Although I don’t think you want to be a widow so soon. Let’s get you another dress.”

Four dresses later and Annie was still in the dressing room. She was starting to get anxious and stress.

“Tell me what’s wrong?” Melissa said.

“What if I don’t find a dress?”

“We will find you a dress. I need you to breath.” Annie took a deep breath, “We are here to have a good time. I don’t want you to stress out. If I need to take out 30 more dresses, I will.” Annie nodded, “On the meantime, I have a dress your brother chose.”

“I’m sorry?”

“He just want to see you in it.” Melissa opened the bag where the dress was in, “It’s not the style you are looking for but it is a gorgeous dress. How about if you amuse him? You can relaxed for a bit.”

“Ok.” Melissa took out the dress, “That’s… a bit puffy.”

Annie walked out of the dressing room for the fifth time of the day. When she walked pass her family, all of them gasped.

“Oh my god!” Sharon said.

“You look so pretty!!!” Mark said.

The dress was a soft nude ruched tulle ball gown. It had a detailed beaded bodice and a low back.

“Oh God.” Annie said softly as she saw herself in the mirror. “This is gorgeous!” She turned to see her family and Tom was crying. “Are you ok?”

“You look beautiful.” He sniffed and cleaned his eyes. “Mom and dad would’ve been so proud.”

“Stop! I don’t wanna cry!” But you know she was already teary. “How much is this dress?”

“Well…” Melissa began, “It’s five thousand.”

Annie’s face immediately fell, “That’s three thousand more.”

“Do you like this dress?” Tom asked.

“I love it! Who would’ve thought you had good taste!”

“If you want it, you can have it, I can pay it for you.”

“Are you serious???”

“Yes, of course.”

Annie ran the short distance between her and her brother almost tackling him. “Thank you!!!!!”

“Ok, let’s get you a veil.” Melissa left them alone for a moment to return with a thin tiara and a long veil that match perfectly the color of the dress. She helped Annie put them on. “So this is pretty much how you can look in your wedding.” Annie turned to see herself in the mirror one more time, “We can always change the tiara and the veil; remember it’s just for you to have an idea of the complete look.”

“I love it!”

“So is this your wedding dress?”

“This is my wedding dress!!!!”

“Perfect! Let’s take it off, so you can take it home.”

Four dresses later, Annie found the perfect dress. The one she knew Andy would die when she sees her walking down the aisle.

One less thing to worry about.

Six months until the wedding.

Wedding dress: Lazaro style 3700

#andy barber fanfic #andy barber #annie johnson #andy x reader #andy x annie #the nanny fic #andy barber fanfiction #jake barber #andy and annie #the nanny au

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tanoraqui · 9 months

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Other things I like to think happen in the wake of Leon Stamatis’s final death:

The will Uriah Connolly found wasn’t the first anyone had seen of Leon’s will, because of course Leon had updated copies backed up with his lawyer, bank, and a public notary. Instead, it was a draft of his next update, which he hadn’t yet finalized enough to officialize—not fully legal, but clearly intended. To Uriah’s mild embarrassment, it included 6 months of rent and etc. utility payments to himself and other relevant parties on behalf of Michael Tate and/or anyone else who might be sleeping on Leon’s couch at the time of Leon’s death.

Ben Affleck produced a eulogeic biopic of his friend Matt Damon. He considered starring in it as Matt Damon, but eventually decided (on advice of his new friend and formal jail neighbor Nica Stamatis) to direct instead. To Nica’s discomfort, he wrote in Nica in as the misremembered role Matt Damon initially gave her. He offered to let her play her own part; she declined. She asked Nicole if she wanted it and Nicole thought about it seriously but also declined—she likes being a newswoman.

“Matt Damon: The Story of Matt Damon by Matt Damon’s Friend Ben Affleck” may not have been a perfect movie, but it was made with so much obvious love that it won several major awards and launched Ben Affleck back into a real directing career.

Michael invited Autumn and Ada to the premiere. Carrington Vanderbilt, the man Matt Damon died trying to save, had minimal screen time, but in what he had, he was presented as a regretful and loving failure of a husband and father who is robbed of his chance to apologize just as Matt Damon is robbed of his chance to continue being Matt Damon. (Ben Affleck had consulted on the script with Nica, who'd forwarded him to Louisa.) On balance, it was…

Yeah, it was even weirder and more awkward than their first Wonderland date. But in a good way.

Michael and Autumn resumed dating shortly thereafter. He moved in with her and Ada in Providence and they got married in Wonderland. Tyrell was their wedding planner, of course. Louisa broke her own rule to photograph her best friend’s wedding—they were going to hire someone else; they did hire someone else, and Louisa kept telling the other person they were doing it wrong, and taking over. Phil smuggled himself back into Boston to sit on Autumn’s side of the aisle.

There are exactly 2 photos of Phil at the wedding: 1 from the other photographer of him throwing a delightedly laughing Ada (ringbearer ofc) in the air, and 1 clumsy one from Louisa of Phil tripping on a stray streamers and faceplanting in one last pile of cheese. There’s a less clumsy, though still not professional, photo taken by Gemma of Louisa in her Best Woman dress bent over with laughter as she wrestled her camera into place for that shot. Wendell has it framed.

Louisa and Wendell neither get married nor have children, though they do get a beagle. Bagel the beagle helps Louisa sniff out clues (usually food) and likes to harmonize with Wendell. Wendell actually makes this work, musically. He briefly blows up on TikTok for being “the guy who sings with his dog.”

Meanwhile, the Redsistance is still hard at work helping people get by, a task that has alas grown no easier with Emily officially resigned and living in New York. However, typically, it’s MD:TSoMDbMDFBA that really kicks off the downfall of the Bespin regime and everyone associated with it. She basically killed Matt Damon, and that other guy, the loser dad! Legion remains present in everyone’s homes, and its shops are still everywhere, but the people boot out Mayor and elect something like a moderate Democrat, who promptly drops 95% of the exploitative fare and jail things, and un-exiles the Wonderland community…though doesn’t do much to re-provide housing for them…(to be fair, other people do live there, now)…

That’s manageable, because also meanwhile, Dimitri and Mallory have befriended the secret rodent civilization living in a parallel city below Boston (as secret rodent civilizations live beneath most major cities in the world). They—the rats, mostly, but also mice, squirrels, etc—have become allies and business partners with the Wonderland community, much like at the end of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (Pratchett).

Btw at some point Dimitri and Nica went on a road trip down the coast, maybe to visit relatives in Virginia. Along the way, they met the Jersey Devil (literally some sort of supernatural creature), and Mothman (a now-old man who played a prank with a good costume in the 60s and felt obliged to keep it up. Dimitri puts him in touch with Darby Cooper and they become happy penpals for the last years of Darby’s life.)

Isaiah and Melissa become a crack political activism team. They don’t always agree on exactly what the best path forward is, but they agree on most of their goals and it sometimes seems like they can almost read each others minds.

Mark Wahlberg starts vengefully stalking the guy who plays Matt Damon in MD:TSoMDbMDFBA, and ends up with a restraining order from Boston entirely. Fuck Mark Wahlberg.

Nica works in the Redsistance but she also goes back to work in Singer’s Sewing Machine and Vacuum Repair. Yeah, she’s rehired partly because of the amazing advertising of MD:TSoMDbMDFBA, but also because she was the best damn sewing machine repairer they ever had. She starts part-time—she’s also busy with the Redsistance; an unnoticeable, forgettable face is a real asset—but it’s not long before she’s full-time, and not long after that it becomes Singer&Stamatis Sewing Machine & Vacuum Repair. She keeps the name when old Mr. Singer finally retires, though she branches out to repairing more odds and ends of common household mechanisms.

It’s an innocuous little store. In the back room, while the proprietress repairs, she also hosts visiting revolutionaries, politicians, and the press, Hollywood directors and local artists, and one famously missing man who always comes home between adventures—who sometimes tugs her out, laughing, onto the road with him. She also welcomes anyone in the neighborhood who needs a good listening ear.

At some point, someone dies. Probably suddenly, maybe violently (they ARE all making trouble for powerful people, after all). Don’t ask me who; I refuse to contemplate it! Instead of moving on, however, they’re caught by Gemma in another crystal ball.

She hunted down the original supplier who made them for Magic Staples, see. “What the fuck, Gemma?” ask multiple people. “So we can say goodbye in our own time,” she says.

“…and it was an incredible tactical advantage for a bit there,” she admits. “Just briefly! Until they’re ready to move on!”

“…and I wanted to see if I could still do it,” she eventually confesses. (It’s all fine, though. Mostly, they all just get that extra chance to say goodbye, then Gemma breaks the ball.)

It turns out that the person who used to bless those crystal balls is the same seer who sold Dimitri those parting puzzle boxes. They’re completely unhelpful, information-wise, but they do advise Dimitri to visit China. Dimitri is still pretty busy fighting omnipresent capitalism in Boston, so he books a flight rather than try to get a job as some sort of sailor again. His plane goes down over the Pacific, but only one passenger is lost…Dimitri, of course.

Nica fights to remain calm. She’d know if he was dead, she’s sure. Somehow. Anyway, it’s Dimitri. Adventures just happen to him. He’ll be fine, and he’ll come home.

She’s right. Dimitri arrives home about a year later having found Amelia Earhart on one of those one-coconut tree islands where time doesn’t really move. (She, too, is Like This.) He brought her home with him. Dimitri and Amelia get married couple years after that.

They try to use Dimitri and Amelia's weird tropiness to bust Ethan's evil necromancy/mind control/cheese robot lab on Coney Island. Surely THAT'S a mystery to reveal to the world! Their attempts at contrivance keep failing, though; eventually they conclude that this sort of thing depends on whatever-it-is being an unsolved mystery to Dimitri and Amelia themselves (until they solve it). And they already know about the evil necromancy/mind control/cheese robot lab.

Fortunately, while Legion did immediately use its massive information-gathering reach and money to purchase as many of those fully functional glass balls as they could, and hired some skilled but unscrupulous psychics to summon ghosts into them, it turns out that it's an incredibly rare ghost who has both the wide-welcoming compassion and clockwork-like mind to function as the massive inter-human connector that Ethan and Legion seek. Leon was, as we all knew, both incredible and unique.

It all comes to a head at last when a young girl's grandmother dies, in one of NYC's many districts of immigrants. The grandmother was special because, among other things, she was strict and precise but always loving, and enough of a witch to own a really good old crystal ball (not one of the half-plastic knockoffs you get these days). The girl is special because, among other things, she, too, has some innate supernatural talent, and she doesn't want to let her grandmother (and sole guardian) go, and also she can talk to animals like the youthful protagonists of the Rescuers movies.

Cheese robots steal the crystal ball containing her grandmother's spirit. Her friends among the secret rodent city underneath NYC reach out to their allies in Boston for aid. The Bostonian rats tip off their trusted humans. Legion is still a massive evil international corporation which may or may not actually be run by humans, but its necromancy/mind control department is broken for good by the power of bildungsroman.

Emily files for divorce.

#greater boston #ficlet #my fic

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alphaman99 · 10 months

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FYI

Jeffrey J. Milam

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT regarding the shopping app TEMU ...

Radio talk show hostess, Kim Komando, did some digging about TEMU and this is what she found!

Seemingly overnight, everyone’s talking about Temu (pronounced “tee-moo”), an online shopping app that boasts deals that seem too good to be true, like $17 wireless earbuds, $1 “gold” necklaces and $23 wedding dresses.

Over 50 million Americans have downloaded Temu since it launched state-side in September 2022, after it gained traction with expensive Super Bowl ads promising to let you “shop like a billionaire.”

Today, Temu is the most popular shopping app in the U.S. behind Amazon. But most of us don’t know much about the app’s true origins. Reader Daniel Mayer asked an important question, “Is [Temu] something we should be concerned about?”

So, I did some digging. And as it turns out, yes, you absolutely should be. Here’s what I found:

Where did Temu come from?

This isn’t some fly-by-night operation. Temu is based in Boston, Massachusetts, by PDD Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: PDD). PDD is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

PDD also owns the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo headquartered in — you guessed it — China. So, Temu is a Communist China-based app and site.

What you need to know before using Temu

First, you’re buying goods directly from manufacturers in China and other parts of the world. That’s why shipping times are often 12 days or longer. The prices are low because the goods are cheap. The pictures of what you see advertised may not be what you actually get.

Temu’s BBB rating is 2.21/5. Reviews at TrustPilot are interesting, with 38% 5-star reviews and 41% 1-star reviews.

But that’s not the worst of it.

Temu is downright dangerous.

The app is a clever, pervasive digital stalker. As you shop, Temu monitors your activity on other apps, tracks your notifications and location and changes settings.

No shopping app needs this much control, especially one tied to Communist China. If you’re using Temu, delete the app from your phone ASAP.

On iPhone, Long-press an app, then tap Remove App > Delete App. Tap Delete to confirm.

On Android, touch and hold an app, then tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete.

Pro tip: If you downloaded Temu, to be safe from Chinese spies, you really need to do a full factory reset.

But wait, there’s more! Temu’s sister app was removed from Google Play because of malware.

Do not buy from this company, or use their app!

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historicalfictionsims · 2 years

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Epilogue

Though they had jumped the broom twenty years prior, Ruth and Ben Walker legalized their marriage at Trinity A.M.E. church on January 28th, 1866. With M’dear and Miss Dunn’s help, Addy made them a quilt as a wedding present*.

The Walkers had wanted to move out of the Golden’s boarding house shortly thereafter, but their plans changed when Miss Dunn recommended Addy for Philadelphia’s Institute for Colored Youth**. The cost of tuition was high, but the family agreed that it was well worth it. Harriet Davis was also chosen, and the girls began attending the I.C.Y. the following year, when the school moved to a new location that could accommodate twice as many students. Ever since the church fair, Addy and Harriet had developed an uneasy truce. They got on each other’s nerves constantly, but had their laughs as well. Most importantly, their continued rivalry ensured that they studied hard.

After graduating, both girls took jobs as teachers in Philadelphia. Harriet married after a couple of years and quit, as her husband was a successful businessman who was able to support her in the manner she had been accustomed to growing up. Addy kept on teaching. She took a position at Sixth Street School, where Miss Dunn had recently left. Inspired by her former teacher, Addy treated her students with compassion, giving encouragement to those who were just learning how to read, and maintaining peace so that no one could get away with acting superior to their classmates. In 1880 Addy got married and started a family. For her wedding, Addy decided that old traditions were just as important as new, and everyone cheered as she jumped the broom during her church ceremony. She had a boy and a girl, whom she named Solomon and Lula.

Sarah Moore did go back to school, but still had to miss a day here and there to help her parents take in laundry. True to her word, Addy helped Sarah study so that she never got too far behind. As they entered the 1870s, things improved for the Moore family. Mrs. Ford's dress shop was doing so well that the business expanded, and the first new hire was Sarah's momma, Mabel. With this steady income, Sarah was able to focus on running errands and making deliveries, all the while practicing her sewing so that she could join the seamstresses as she got older. Sarah and Addy remained best friends for life.

Sam's career options were slightly limited due to his missing arm, but with his quick wit he was determined to do well for himself. Addy helped him learn to read and he took night classes, saving up money so that he could attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. Sam became a lawyer and used his connections to champion for the rights of black people in Philadelphia.

Esther always looked up to her big sister and attended grammar and high school at the I.C.Y. However, she didn't want to be a teacher. Instead, Esther decided to become a nurse. After graduating from the I.C.Y., she moved to Boston and enrolled in the nursing school at the New England Hospital for Women and Children. It was a very rigorous program and few who entered it graduated, but Esther was as determined as her older siblings. After sixteen months of lectures and clinicals, Esther became a professionally licensed nurse.

The years following the Civil War were known as "Reconstruction," as the nation worked to reunify and bring the Southern states back into the fold. This was no easy task, as the North and South had such different ways of life that they were bound to clash, as had led them to war in the first place. Voting rights were expanded at a national level, but states found loopholes to restrict them locally. Slavery was replaced with sharecropping, a form of serfdom that kept many families, black and white, in poverty. Despite its many downfalls, Reconstruction did succeed in expanding education in the South. Prior to the Civil War, North Carolina was the only Southern state that provided public education to white children. After the war, public schools were established in all states for all races, though more often than not these schools were segregated.

*"Addy's Wedding Quilt."

**"High Hopes for Addy."

Read more about the Institute for Colored Youth and its legacy here.

Read about Mary Mahoney, the first professionally licensed black nurse in the U.S. here.

#sims 4 historical #ts4 historical #american girl #addy walker #1864 #1860s #epilogue

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smythesm · 1 year

Text

I Was Enchanted To Meet You- Thursday, April 27, 2023

Para: I Was Enchanted To Meet You

Rating: PG.

Pairing: Seblaine.

Blaine: @andersoncharm

Sebastian: @smythesm

When: Thursday, April 27, 2023 (Seb 28, and Blaine 26.)

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Notes: Blaine and Sebastian get married under a sky of spring flowers.

Warnings: This RP in general includes; Mentions of death/Parental Death (Blaine’s Mom), Mentions of toxic past relationships. Mentions of brief past Klaine. Depression. Anxiety.

Extra Warnings: (This RP is not Kurt Hummel friendly. You’ve all been warned.)

Para Title and Lyrics Taken From: Taylor Swift- Enchanted.

We will be doing a series of little mini’s to progress over the next few years of this RP. Things might get a little confusing but we promise to date them accordingly.

Under cut to keep dash neat. Work is mostly unedited as usual.

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian Smythe was getting married and he was thrilled. That was a thought he had never imagined would happen. But, things with Blaine were just that way- mystical, surprising, shocking, romantic, and wonderful. The two of them stood in the courtyard of their Boston home with their hands clasped together. They were surrounded by a select few of their family and friends.

The courtyard was full of every type of purple and white flower you could imagine. There was a mix of magical and natural flowers, even some sprinkled in from Friday's Flower Shop. Blaine had spent the days leading up to the ceremony working his magic to create garlands of hyacinths that swept across the space intertwined with sparkling fairy lights, bouquets of lilies and corsages of sweet smelling lilacs for both of them to wear.

Sabine looked impeccable in her sleek black dress as she sat in the front row, the mother of the grooms. Blaine had told her that his father was in England for business and couldn’t get back. They didn’t want her to think he was on bad terms with him but couldn’t really tell her about the whole exile thing either. She said she understood and gladly accepted the role. She had been a wonderful help, of course. She helped to make sure the chairs and catering arrived on time and even volunteered to watch the house and the pets while they were gone even though she didn’t need to with Freya around.

Hunter had held Mel, their little flower girl, and even sprinkled magical aubergine petals down the aisle. He couldn’t hide his smile as he stood next to Sebastian, Mel’s little coos and giggles mixing with the soft music that played. Tony was their officiant of course and Sam, B’s best friend, stood next to him with a happy look in his eyes that could rival an excited Enjolras ready for a treat.

Tony spoke eloquently but Sebastian could hardly focus on the words. He knew he needed to of course, he had things he was supposed to say. He just couldn't stop staring at his soon to be husband. He looked perfect with his sleeves rolled up and his suspenders. They kept squeezing each other's hands three times, “ I love you.” Seb just wanted to slip the ring onto his lover’s finger, just wanted to dance under the dizzying but lovely scent of the flowers and drink champagne and kiss and kiss and kiss until it was time to celebrate their wedding night all alone.

When it was time for his vows he felt more nervous than he had anticipated. He pulled the piece of paper from inside of his tux jacket and unfolded it with ever so slightly shaky hands that only Blaine would notice.

“ I’m not the best with words unless I’m arguing a case or just….arguing in general, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Blaine, the day that Ras dragged me into you at the park was the best happy accident to ever happen to me. You're my favorite person and somebody I never could have imagined ending up with. I grew up thinking that I didn’t need love, that it was a losing game and that I was too smart for all of it. I hate admitting when I’m wrong, but I’m so glad that I was. I love you and everything that you are.”

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine had worked meticulously and tirelessly to make sure his and Sebastian’s wedding was beautiful and intimate, he’d spent weeks tweaking each leaf and petal- most of the flowers were natural except for the hyacinths which Blaine had gone to great measure to craft out perfectly with magic, all the while explaining to his soon to be husband all about Apollo. One of Blaine’s patron gods, and why the flower was significant in the first place. Alas, the story was a sad one- Apollo lost his lover after all, but the point of incorporating the symbol into such an important day for the two of them was that Apollo had gotten love Hyacinth while he was alive and didn’t their story have traces of Sebastian and Blaine’s story? Men loving men, others being jealous of that, fates… It seemed only natural to have as many of the flowers as possible. He’s also made sure to tuck little surprises of red roses and myrtle here and there to honor Aphrodite. She did have a hand in their meeting after all and was protecting his love still. It made him smile every time one of their human guests made a comment about the pop of red in all of the magical purple and white.

And Blaine truly had outdone himself. The whole courtyard looked like a fairytale and smelled floral with a sprinkle of freshly cut grass. It just felt like love and spring and the birdsong was enough to make a person cry. It was as if they were singing just for them. It was gorgeous. Still, none of it compared to the man standing in front of him in a fitted dark tux, purple flower in his lapel, trembling fingers holding onto a piece of paper that featured words that threatened to sweep Blaine away all over again. He wanted to reach out and steady Sebastian’s hands and reassure him once more with three squeezes of love, but he was too taken with his words to do more than grin.

Sebastian’s words, the man who said so little but showed so much. Gods. It was all happening, it was real- they were getting married. Sure, technically they were already married, the papers were signed so they could leave for their honeymoon in the morning with little fuss, but here in front of an audience of people they cared about both present and in memory, it was actually happening. His breath hitched as he listened, Seb telling him that he loved him and everything he was almost made him lose what little control he had over himself and a teary laugh escaped him at Seb’s little joke.

“I hope someone recorded that so I can remind you that you said it later…”

He swallowed to keep himself from losing it over Sebastian’s sweetest words, but he could still feel the tremble in his bottom lip and his eyes stung with tears as gold met green. Blaine felt breathless and like he might float away and was only able to steady himself by reaching out and taking Seb’s hands in his.

“I- well, I guess it’s my turn,” He looked around the crowd at all the faces watching them- Sam, Hunter and even adorable little Mel, hair in ringlets, in her dad's arms stood next to them all with goofy grins on their faces. Tony stood in front of them looking gorgeous with her long braids piled on her head, the tip of her nose red from sniffling. She was doing such a good job. Freya and Ras sat happily with the two of them like proper wedding party members, Freya had trained the pup well. They both looked so proud, yes even Freya. Sabine sat up front with, wiping away tears as she listened, and he watched as Thomas actually took her hand in his as he looked up at Sebastian with- was that pride? He thought so. Blaine noted that David and Nick had snuck in somewhere in the back because of course they did, forbidden or not they had shown up. He gave them the smallest nod. Only two people were missing for him- one was in his heart and he could feel her there each time the spring breeze rustled a new batch of petals into the air, almost like his mom was throwing them herself. And the other person would be risking a great deal by showing up. He supposed his dad not being there was for the best even if it hurt both of them.

He cleared his throat, knowing it was pointless as his voice would be thick with tears the moment he tried to speak anyway.

“Sebastian… where do I even begin?” He squeezed Seb’s hands trying to steady himself and took another breath. “After I lost my mom I never really thought I’d find happiness. I had this… emptiness inside of me and I felt so alone all of the time even when people I cared about were around me. It felt like a piece missing that I hadn’t noticed before and nothing made me feel better about it. Nothing until you and Ras came crashing into me and turned my whole life upside down. The two of us have been through so much- more than most people could come back from, you know?” Blane wanted to say that they’d sacrificed and lost more than most but he didn't’ want anyone to question it, besides Sebastian knew what he meant, “we’ve fought so hard to keep what we have, this love- this untouchable thing, and we’ve came back stronger than ever after all of it, most people would just fall apart-” He swallowed hard, rolling his eyes upward to clear away the tears and losing a few in the process.

“I said I wouldn't cry and here I am crying- shocking, I’m sure.” he paused and brought one of Seb's hands to his lips before kissing it gently, “What I’m trying to say is that I love you so much. In fact, I love you a little more every single day that I get to spend with you. Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done and getting to just sit next to you and wind down on the couch each night after a hard day is the most magical thing in the world to me.” He didn’t care if that last line was cheesy, he meant it.

He wanted to tiptoe up and kiss his person, but Tony was telling them it was time for rings and Blaine’s heart jumped again knowing they were one step closer to being Mr. and Mr. Smythe-Anderson. Normally there would be a ring bearer but the two of them had decided to keep the rings close to their hearts in honor of the way Seb had proposed during their short engagement. Blaine reached up to Sebastian’s necklace, the one that held his protective crystals and wedding ring and slid Seb’s ring loose with shaking but sure hands, nodding to Seb to do the same, his fingers gently guiding Sebastian’s to his own necklace.

Sebastian’s POV:

It came as no surprise that Blaine’s vows were perfectly picked and poised. Most guests wouldn’t think twice about the word ‘magical’ but to Sebastian it meant everything. In their world, one filled with enchanted fruit, gods, cryptids, and teleportation, Blaine had picked him as the most bewitching thing. He had always picked him over the power and the divination, over leading the Witches in his father’s footsteps. Sebastian had never really felt like anybody’s first pick before he met the other man. He wiped a tear off of his cheek with the back of his hand and rolled his eyes playfully, only for B to see.

He knew that later on, when it was just the two of them in their bed that they’d tease each other about how sappy everything was and that he would cheekily deny his nervous hands and watery eyes, he’d smother B with kisses to end the playful teasing and the dark would wrap them up as they tangled together.

The rest of the ceremony was a bit of a blur. They slipped each other’s rings on with shaky and soft laughter. They kissed and held each other tight when Tony announced them as husband and husband. They walked down the aisle surrounded by soft applause and shiny eyes. Sebastian stopped to hug his mother and Blaine shook Thomas’s hand. Looking around at the small group, Sebastian couldn’t wait to get inside and celebrate with their friends and family.

Sabine had helped them set up the downstairs of their home or the small reception. There were more of Blaine’s flowers and handmade candles with lemon balm and cinnamon for good cheer enchantments to keep the mood bright. Sam was in charge of music and manned the record player, Sabine doted over the appetizers and insisted all the guests eat more. Hunter cheered when the two of them sloppily fed each other the first slice of their chocolate wedding cake.

They spun around the living room dancing with their friends to their favorite songs, taking turns twirling Mel around, her giggle better than the music- the champagne didn’t stop flowing (literally, it was secretly magical) and the furniture was covered in suit jackets and discarded high heels. There was candle wax on the floor and flower petals in their hair. Sebastian hated mess and disorganization but this felt perfect, felt like one of the parties Blaine had described from the old times, when witches would dance and sing and drink for the changing seasons.

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine’s body buzzed with an energy that could only be defined as cosmic as their wedding evening soared on. He was tipsy on champagne, laughter and stolen kisses. He’d already referred to Sebastian as his husband more times than was really necessary but he couldn't seem to help himself. It was made all the better by the twinkle in his husband's eye each time he turned to answer Blaine’s call which made Blaine want to keep doing it even more. He found it so hard to contain himself when Sebastian cheekily referred to Blaine as Mr. Blaine Smythe-Anderson while they were pressed close and slow dancing to a song that had lost its lyrics to the melody of Sebastian's voice whispering the words into Blaine’s ear. He swallowed hard, stupidly happy as he remixed an echo of the words to Sebastian by replacing his name with Seb’s and giggling like a kid and good gods they were the cheesiest they’d ever been before. He secretly loved it though and supposed it was warned after the chaos they’d been through.

He was about to make himself pull away so that he could surprise his man with one more thing before the party ended and he got to steal him away and into their bedroom for the night when, dancing there and looking over Seb’s shoulder he spotted a face that outside that he was sure wouldn't be able to make it. There, in their flowery courtyard, standing just out of the fairy light glow where only Blaine could see him stood Will Anderson. His dad was smiling at him, really smiling- blue eyes glittering with a happiness Blaine hadn't seen on him since before his mom died. Blaine’s breath hitched and before he could even smile back, Will was gone. He smiled to himself, opting to keep the secret for just him until later on when he could share it with Seb. Weeks later when the two of them would go through their wedding gifts Blaine would find Will’s gift among the guests as if he’d been there the whole time and perhaps he had been. Blaine hoped so.

He let himself sway with Sebastian for a few moments longer, just breathing in his husband and the revelry around him, his heart feeling light and fluttery with joy over the events of the day. He pulled back and tiptoed up to press a few soft, lingering kisses to Seb’s lips before guiding him to a chair he had placed next to the piano he’d moved into their living room. When he’d magicked it down here yesterday Sebastian had been curious but Blaine had jus told him that someone might want to play it. Nevermind that the someone happened to be him. He cleared his throat and the music faded away slowly by his own doing. He made sure to make the change subtle so their less “in the know” guest wouldn't wonder how he’d done it.

“I, um, I have another little surprise for my husband.”

He licked his lips as he looked around at everyone's faces. He suddenly felt so strangely nervous as he sat down at the bench. Blaine performed live all the time. He sang and played at the Snowed In, he sang and played at the river and in parks and on stages. That was the whole reason they’d even met in the first place. But looking up at everyone now, Blaine felt so overwhelmed that his nerves were starting to get the better of him and he wondered for a moment if playing, which was one of Blaine’s strongest magics, with people like Sabine and Thomas around would give him way. He couldn’t help but hum with his natural, Witchy energy when he played, but most people didn’t notice because they were strangers or they knew what to look for. People just knew they felt better after hearing Blaine play. But, one look at Sebastian’s eager, open and smiling face told him it was okay and he let his fingers hover over the keys. He kept his eyes up and trained on Seb as he spoke, not wanting to miss a moment.

“I’ve spent a long time trying to find the perfect song because of course I was going to sing to you, you know? I mean, it’s me. I wondered if maybe I should go over the top and happy, or slow and sappy. There were so many options I could have used to show you how I felt and then the other day while baking for the Snowed-In this little gem came on and it hit me, I thought it described exactly how I felt when I first met you, Sebastian. And I am so happy that you went against your own rules and reached out to me after that first night and didn’t let me spend forever wondering if you knew how very enchanted I was to meet you…”

Blaine grinned to himself at the silly romantics of it all and let his voice trail off as he pressed his fingers to the keys, shifting into a slow, stripped down piano version of Taylor Swift’s Enchanted. His voice rang sweet and soft yet seemed to fill the room as if that was all that there was in the world. He moved his way through the song, his eyes never leaving his husbands as the rest of the room faded until it was just the two of them.-

(There I was again tonight

Forcing laughter, faking smiles

Same old tired, lonely place

Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy

Vanished when I saw your face

All I can say is, it was enchanting to meet you

Your eyes whispered, "Have we met?"

'Cross the room your silhouette

Starts to make its way to me

The playful conversation starts

Counter all your quick remarks

Like passing notes in secrecy

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you…

And now I'm pacing back and forth

Wishing you were at my door

I'd open up and you would say, "Hey"...

…

This was the very first page

Not where the story line ends

My thoughts will echo your name, until I see you again…

…

Please don't be in love with someone else

Please don't have somebody waiting on you

…

This night is flawless, don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you…)

Blaine’s voice, though trained to do the exact opposite, cracked on his last note as emotions took over and what seemed silly a moment ago left him feeling raw and exposed in his feelings now. His vision blurred with tears as the room came back into view, everyone standing with blissful, softly magicked expressions on their faces- Blaine had tried to only channel his energies to Sebastian since he knew what to expect. Blaine’s vision tunneled only to him, Seb who looked just as blissful and a little in awe, his eyes bright and green in the candle and fairy light glow. Was his husband crying too? Blaine stood on jelly legs and closed the short distance between them, eyes full of happy tears and enveloped Sebastian safe and protected in his arms.

“I know it was cheesy, I couldn't help myself though. I just love you so fucking much, Seb.” The words were whispered against Seb’s jaw as Blaine tried and failed to reach for new kisses.

“I can’t wait to spend forever showing you how much.”

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian quirked his head to the side, a curious smile spread across his face as Blaine pulled away and announced that he had another surprise. Their guests turned to follow Blaine as he walked over to his instrument. He could feel everyone’s eyes switch over to watch him, to look for his reaction. All Seb could do was smile and watch his new husband speak, his fingers ghosting over the keys, itching to play.

As Blaine spoke, he could picture their first chance meeting perfectly. Well, chance probably wasn’t the right word. It was destiny. It was the fates plan all along. Seb thought about how B told him they were connected by an invisible string that tangled and wove around their lives until they finally came crashing into one another.

He shook his head and rolled his eyes playfully as Blaine wove the song title into his introduction. The whole thing was just so perfectly Blaine and just so reminiscent of their beginning that he couldn’t stop grinning. Sebastian could feel the pang of happy tears threatening to fall as the other man kept his golden eyes locked on his. His body felt like it might float away with Blaine's magic music flowing through him.

When the song ended the two of them crashed into each other’s arms and held tight.

“That was perfect, B.”

He finally caught Blaine’s lips in a soft kiss, “I love you back. Can’t wait to hear you sing for the rest of my life.”

____

The party slowly wound down after midnight. Sabine urged them to not worry about the mess, said that she’d take care of it. Of course all Blaine needed to do was wave a hand and the whole place would look good as new but they had to agree and thank her to save face. Sebastian had a feeling that even if his mother knew for sure that B was a witch, she would still insist on cleaning. She shooed them away, towards the stairs and told them to go to bed.

“You two have a flight in only a few hours. Don’t worry about me or the pets. Go. Go!”

They knew that they had their flight to Norway and that they should probably sleep a little but, B was magical, after all. He could whip them something up to give them energy or even add more time to their day.

As soon as they were in the privacy of their own room, their hands were on each other. It felt like their first time, tripping over pant legs and awkwardly trying to take dress shoes off, laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

Blaine’s POV:

As the song ended and Sebastian fell into his arms Blaine made sure to discreetly brush the little happy tears from Seb’s cheeks.

“Good because I have saved so many melodies just for you….”

His voice was a hushed and giddy whisper as he twirled them around the room while Sebastian whispered the sweetest things back to him. Blaine’s once aching and lonely world felt so full and new at that moment. Sure, the two of them had spent beautiful and terrifying years together already, but this felt different. This felt new and exciting and most of all- safe. He felt a security he hadn't felt since his mother had died. With Sebastian by his side and friends on their side he was ready to experience all that life had to offer now. He could hardly wait to start.

Guests slowly started to head home, all except Sabine who had sent her own husband on and was insisting she stay and pet sit for Ras and Freya even though they had told her they could make arrangements for them. She wouldn't hear anything else and wanted to clean their wedding mess and to sleep in their guest room. She wanted time with her grandpets. Between Sebastian and him though, they thought she might be using it as an excuse to have two weeks of alone time. She was already dressed for bed and curled up on their couch with Freya at her side and Ras at her feet. A book in her lap and a glass of wine in hand as she absently shooed them up the stairs- almost as if they weren’t even registering to her.. It made Blaine smile how comfortable she was.

Come morning Blaine would be whisking Sebastian away to chase the mystical northern lights in Norway and there they’d remain for the next two weeks, tucked away in a snowy village almost as old as magic. Seb wasn’t much for snow, but he loved Blaine and they already had a second summer honeymoon planned out for August in which Blaine told Sebastian he’d take him someplace hot where they could be next to naked together on sandy beaches again. But for now, the snow called and besides, Blaine had already promised to keep his husband warm with more than just magic.

His hands fumbled like the first night and strange nerves made his fingers quiver over Sebastian’s freckled skin when he pressed him down into their bed. Everything felt new and just like it always had to him- it was like he was seeing the two of them in a new light, yet nothing had changed at all. He was all energy and want and filled with unfamiliar clumsy giddiness. And yet each rise of Seb’s constellation of freckles under his fingertips was as familiar as his own skin. Each kiss, giggle, gasp and moan felt like home and he couldn’t get enough.

He couldn’t wait to spend the next two weeks alone with his person doing exactly this every chance they got under flickering aurora borealis greens and pinks. Aphrodite was going to be so pleased with them by the trip's end, he was sure of it. Furthermore, he couldn’t wait to spend forever knowing he’d finally get to freely live his life just loving Sebastian. He was getting everything he’d ever wanted.

/fin.

(The boys shall return with more stories in the future.)

#smythesm #andersoncharm #seblaine #seblaine para #seblaine witch rp #i was enchanted to meet you #seblaine wedding #para

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genevievemd · 2 years

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One post a day, for 102 days, with something that made our new bride smile…

Day 1: Name Change

Day 2: Upgraded

Day 3: The First Wedding Photo

Day 4: Chocolate Stash

Day 5: Jenner Ramsey

Day 6: The Second Kiss

Day 7: Lazy Sunday

Day 8: Wedding Present

Day 9: One Month Anniversary

Day 10: Gym Session

Day 11: Thank You Card

Day 12: Simple and Sweet

Day 13: First Married Date Night

Day 14: Ethan’s Book

Day 15: “My Wife”

Day 16: Bath Time

Day 17: Lunch with Naveen

Day 18: Surprise Chicken Dinner

Day 19: Double Date Night

Day 20: Maid of Honor

Day 21: Manicure with Beverly

Day 22: First Date Throwback

Day 23: The New Interns

Day 24: Ployes

Day 25: Coffee Date

Day 26: Sister Time

Day 27: Residency Anniversary

Day 28: Lakeside Cookout

Day 29: Painting with Naveen

Day 30: Sleepover with Natalie

Day 31: Tiffany & Co

Day 32: Ethan Returns

Day 33: Vietnamese Coffee

Day 34: Casenna Double Date

Day 35: Farmer’s Market

Day 36: Casenna Save The Date

Day 37: Ethan v Interns

Day 38: Internet Friends

Day 39: Lunch with Sienna

Day 40: Ride or Die Reunion

Day 41: Brunette Gen

Day 42: Brunch with the in-laws

Day 43: Bouquet Shadow Box

Day 44: The New Assistant

Day 45: Jenner Snuggles

Day 46: FaceTime with Mom

Day 47: Dinner in Newport

Day 48: Charity Gala

Day 49: Nat learns to surf

Day 50: Jenner and Dale

Day 51: Matching Pjs

Day 52: Ethan’s Favorite wedding photo

Day 53: A New Book for Jackie

Day 54: Poker Night

Day 55: Bryce’s Birthday

Day 56: Babysitting Ellie and Eli

Day 57: London Bound

Day 58: Donahue’s

Day 59: Toulouse Ramsey

Day 60: The Boyz

Day 61: Walk in the rain

Day 62: Venue Hunting

Day 63: At home spa

Day 64: Elopement Anniversary

Day 65: Blue Snacks

Day 66: The Clock App

Day 67: New Shoes

Day 68: First hosted event as husband and wife

Day 69: Wedding Guests

Day 70: Lady and Jenner

Day 71: The Paper

Day 72: Karaoke Night

Day 73: Willow

Day 74: Drive-in Date Night

Day 75: Six Flags

Day 76: Triple Date Night

Day 77: Wedding dress shopping with Sienna

Day 78: Romantic Surprise

Day 79: Dance in the park

Day 80: Baking with Sienna

Day 81: Throwback Thursday

Day 82: Opera Night

Day 83: Father-in-law Bonding

Day 84: Ellie’s Birthday

Day 85: Ethan Hudson

Day 86: Steak Dinner

Day 87: Volunteering

Day 88: Medical Power Couple

Day 89: Amazon Throwback

Day 90: Cape Getaway

Day 91: Potential Real Estate

Day 92: The Beach

Day 93: Mentors and Interns

Day 94: Career Day

Day 95: Boston Museum of Science

Day 96: The Softball Game

Day 97: SIX The Musical

Day 98: NYC Shopping Spree

Day 99: The Diagnostics Team

Day 100: Casenna Wedding Invite

Day 101: Naveen gets an award

Day 102: The Beach House

#ethan ramsey x mc #open heart #ethan x mc #ethan x gen #oph au #102 smiles #102 smiles masterlist

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winniecouture · 1 month

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Unveiling Boston's Exquisite Bridal Boutiques: Discover Your Dream Gown

As a city rich in history, culture, and style, Boston offers a vibrant bridal scene with a plethora of exquisite bridal boutiques. For brides-to-be seeking the perfect wedding gown, bridal shop in Boston provide a diverse range of options, from classic and traditional to modern and chic. In this article, we will explore some of Boston's top bridal boutiques, guiding you toward the enchanting experience of finding your dream gown in the heart of this iconic city.

L'élite Bridal Boutique:

Located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, L'élite Bridal Boutique is a destination that exudes elegance and sophistication. With a carefully curated selection of designer wedding gowns, L'élite offers brides a luxurious and personalized experience. From renowned international designers to emerging talents, their collection showcases a range of styles to suit every bride's vision. The knowledgeable and attentive consultants at L'élite provide expert guidance to help you find a gown that reflects your individual style and complements your figure.

Winnie Couture:

Winnie Couture offers an exquisite collection of wedding dresses in the heart of Boston. Winnie Couture's bridal boutique in Boston offers brides an unparalleled experience of luxury, elegance, and personalized service. With their exceptional designs, meticulous craftsmanship, and attention to detail, Winnie Couture creates wedding dresses in Boston that epitomize timeless beauty. Whether you're envisioning a classic fairytale gown or a modern and chic creation, Winnie Couture's bridal boutique in Boston will guide you toward finding the perfect gown to make your wedding day truly unforgettable.

Musette Bridal Boutique:

Nestled in Beacon Hill, Musette Bridal Boutique is a hidden gem that captures the essence of romance and timeless beauty. This boutique features an exquisite collection of wedding gowns from renowned designers around the world. With its intimate atmosphere and personalized service, Musette ensures a memorable experience for every bride. From ethereal lace to modern silhouettes, their selection caters to a variety of preferences, making it a treasure trove for those seeking a unique and unforgettable gown.

Flair Boston:

Flair Boston, located in the trendy South End neighborhood, is a chic and modern bridal boutique that offers a curated selection of designer wedding dresses. Known for their friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the team at Flair Boston is dedicated to creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience for brides. The boutique features an array of styles, from classic and timeless to fashion-forward and contemporary. With their expertise and passion for bridal fashion, the consultants at Flair Boston are committed to helping brides find their perfect gown.

Ceremony Boston:

Situated in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, Ceremony Boston is a boutique that specializes in unique and unconventional wedding gowns. If you're a bride seeking something non-traditional, Ceremony Boston is the place to explore. Their collection showcases designs from independent and emerging designers who push the boundaries of bridal fashion. From bohemian-inspired dresses to modern separates, Ceremony Boston offers a refreshing alternative for brides looking to make a statement with their gowns.

Conclusion:

Boston's bridal boutiques provide a delightful array of options for brides-to-be, each with its own unique charm and style. Whether you're drawn to classic elegance, modern sophistication, or something delightfully unconventional, bridal shops in Boston offer a wide range of choices to cater to every bride's individual taste. With their knowledgeable consultants, personalized service, and carefully curated collections, these boutiques provide an enchanting experience as you embark on the journey of finding your dream gown. Let the magic of Boston's bridal boutiques guide you toward a wedding dress that reflects your style, enhances your beauty, and makes your special day truly unforgettable.

#Bridal Shop Boston #Bridal Shops Boston #Wedding Dress Boston #Wedding Dresses Boston #Bridal Gown Boston #Bridal Gowns Boston #Wedding Gown Boston #Wedding Gowns Boston #bridal shop in boston #boston wedding dress #boston wedding dress shops #boston bridal boutiques #bridal salons in boston

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winniecouturebg · 1 year

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How to select the right wedding ring

It is no point of doubt that you must have been an ardent lover of rings and would have shopped for rings to accessorize each of your daily outfits for sure. But just the way it is different to shop for a wedding outfit from Boston's bridal boutiques choosing a wedding ring is entirely different from the normal shopping sessions for accessories.

It takes a lot of patience to one by one visit the bridal salons in Boston that have exclusive accessories, especially for the brides, and helps them shortlist their most loved wedding ring. Indeed, you will need a guideline that will help you walk the path of choosing the best one that adds shine to your wedding dresses from Boston.

Master tips to choose the wedding ring that blends well with your wedding dress from Boston

1. Don't compromise with your style first

Whether it is about bridal gowns from Boston or about choosing your wedding ring it is certain for girls or brides-to-be to have something particular in mind. Therefore, not losing your inherent style or the illustrated image of the wedding ring that accessorizes your outfit from Boston stop bridal boutique at its best is suggested.

2. Don't over exceed your budget

Well, we have said many times to always do budgeting for each section of your wedding preparations. Indeed, whether it is about choosing the dream outfit from top bridal salons and Boston or for the wedding ring setting aside a separate budget and not over exceeding it helps you manage everything in a smooth way.

3. Shop alongside your partner

Certainly, after picking the wedding dresses from Boston choosing your wedding ring is one of those essential decisions that you must take with your partner. So, taking them along in such a significant preparation helps you make better decisions. Your man is the best help to make your decisions better as he wants you to look the best.

4. Keep in mind your daily lifestyle

Do you have to sit in front of the laptop in your corporate job? Or you are an Instagram influencer? Well, we are asking these questions because choosing a wedding dress from Boston is easy because you have to carry it for a single day. However, the wedding ring has to be worn for the rest of your life, and considering the lifestyle is an important factor to choose the type of element you need to go ahead with the wedding ring.

5. Add your personal touch

You must have not lost your dream illustration of the wedding outfit while you visit a number of bridal shops in Boston. Similarly, you can add your personalized touch or incorporate your name or the wedding date in the ring to make it more memorable and you need just like your bridal gowns from Boston.

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everyendeavor · 10 months

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CRITICAL WARNING!!!!

If it looks too good to be true, that is likely because it IS too good to be true! Radio talk show hostess, Kim Komando, did some digging about TEMU and this is what she found…

Seemingly overnight, everyone’s talking about Temu (pronounced “tee-moo”), an online shopping app that boasts deep that seem too good to be true, like $17 wireless earbuds, $1 “gold” necklaces and $23 wedding dresses.

So, I did some digging. And as it turns out, yes, you absolutely should be. Here’s what I found:

Where did Temu come from?

This isn’t some fly-by-night operation. Temu is based in Boston, Massachusetts, by PDD Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: PDD). PDD is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

PDD also owns the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo headquartered in — you guessed it — China. So, Temu is a Communist China-based app and site.

What you need to know before using Temu:

Temu’s BBB rating is 2.21/5. Reviews at TrustPilot are interesting, with 38% 5-star reviews and 41% 1-star reviews.

But that’s not the worst of it.

Temu is downright dangerous. The app is a clever, pervasive digital stalker. As you shop, Temu monitors your activity on other apps, tracks your notifications and location and changes settings.

🛑 It gets worse. Temu gains full access to all your contacts, calendars and photo albums, plus all your social media accounts, chats and texts. In other words, literally everything on your phone. This is scary

No shopping app needs this much control, especially one tied to Communist China. If you’re using Temu, delete the app from your phone ASAP.

On iPhone, Long-press an app, then tap Remove App > Delete App. Tap Delete to confirm.

On Android, touch and hold an app, then tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete.

Pro tip: If you downloaded Temu, to be safe from Chinese spies, you really need to do a full factory reset.

But wait, there’s more! Temu’s sister app was removed from Google Play because of malware.

Do not buy from this company, or use their app!

(via Facebook)

#TEMU #online shopping app #link to Communist China #obscene customer data collection

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brunchbitch · 1 year

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Update of sorts

Just got through my first week of classes (second to last semester!) and I’m not crazy about 2 out of 3 professors, but oh well. All of them seem like hard asses and tough graders so that’ll be interesting. I’m jealous that so many of my classmates are graduating in May but the trade off was a much more manageable fall schedule. Idk.

I’ve been doing well-ish with cutting down on weed. A couple weeks ago right after the new year I tried to go back to my schedule of no weed during the week (well… really just Tuesday through Thursday lmao) but I had AWFUL trauma dreams and it really affected my mood. So last week I didn’t do as well, though definitely less smoking in the week. This week I took edibles Tuesday night bc I wanted to make sure I would sleep well before my internship, but I didn’t have anything Wednesday or Thursday night. I had some fucked up weird dreams for sure BUT they weren’t directly trauma related so definitely easier to handle. It’s definitely an ongoing challenge but I’m hoping I’ll get used to this schedule and it’ll just become second nature.

Therapy with B is good - we’re now switching to every other week! NEVER thought I wouldn’t be in weekly therapy!! I was worried my behaviors would escalate bc I’m scared of “getting better” and being seen as not sick, but so far so good and it’s helpful to be aware of it.

My parents are coming out next weekend and my mom and I are going wedding dress shopping!!!! Crazy!!!! But we still have 554 days until the wedding so I have plenty of time. This will be more to get a sense of what styles/silhouettes I like. It’s gonna be surreal to look in the mirror with a wedding dress on. Hoping my mom isn’t too opinionated if we disagree lol.

I can’t remember if I have said this on here yet but A and I have decided to move to Seattle in august! I’m soooo excited but also nervous to be close to my family again. A also feels conflicted about it but we’ll take it one day at a time and it doesn’t necessarily need to be permanent. It feels a little silly career wise to leave Boston which is a city with such amazing hospitals and go to Seattle which has one level one trauma center, but I might want to work in a specialized outpatient clinic anyway. I would NOT want to work in an ED so maybe it doesn’t really matter. I think it would be really cool to be a medical social worker in an outpatient cancer clinic working with young adults, though I know that’s very specific and I’m not sure exactly what’s available out there. I’ve started to look at jobs just to get a sense, but obviously I’ll have to study for and pass my licensing exam first. I would love to take more Spanish classes while I’m working on that. I miss it!

Overall things are really good. I keep waiting for shit to hit the fan but idk… weed plus A plus a meaningful internship (last year too) has led to such a long period of stability (well long for me lol). A and I were talking about how at the end of this decade he will be 43 (!!!) and I’ll be 39. I started thinking about my life seven years ago at 24 and it feels like I was a completely different person. I would’ve laughed in your face if you told me I would be where I am today. Idk. It’s weird. I worry that one day I’ll relapse with my depression bc I genuinely feel… happy? So it’s kind of easier to not use behaviors. But if I felt depressed and hopeless, things might be very different. I guess I have to remind myself to take it one day at a time.

Edit: I also started on propranolol a couple months ago and WOW has it made a difference in my anxiety especially at my internship. I feel like I’ve worked really hard to work on the mental distortions, but the physical aspect of the anxiety has just been so tricky. After taking neurobiology last summer, I really am recognizing that trauma can have such long term effects on your body.

#update #personal #a #b #therapy #recovery #trauma recovery #bpd recovery #cptsd #cptsd recovery

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jerzwriter · 2 years

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Tobias & Casey AU/One-Off Masterlist

These are stand-alone stories or series that are not part of my headcanon for the pairing.

🎭 Angst ☁️ Fluff ❤️‍🩹 Ansty Fluff 😂 Humor 🎨Fanart 🔥 NSFW /18+ Ⓜ️ Mature Content ⭐️ Personal Favorite

Updated 02.2024

A Formal Affair 🔥🛸 NSFW/18+ Tobias takes Casey shopping for a dress to wear to his mother’s soiree, and he’s a little overcome by what he sees. (Supplemental Chapter to the Delaying the Inevitable Series - can be read as a stand-alone)

Begin Again 🔥🛸 NSFW/18+ Casey & Tobias finally give in. (Supplemental Chapter to the Delaying the Inevitable Series - can be read as a stand-alone)

Discontent 🎭❤️‍🩹 🛸 She got in more than he ever imagined anyone could, but he wasn’t built for forever, and he made that clear. Now, five years have passed since she made her break, and when he hears she’s in town, he has to find her. When an enchanting evening comes to a halt, will he repeat past mistakes or find a new way.