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catzula · 3 years

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a/n: I just love Suna so much *screams*

honorable mentions: crackfic-like? The handsome-stranger-you-meet-at-the-airport au, swearing, 1.2k

It's a night flight.

Suna always preferred night flights, anyway.

Suna doesn't like flying. Sitting in a cramped seat for hours can't be anyone's favorite hobby, but he hates flying with a passion. For starters- it's unhygienic. The air has a strange smell to itself, as well, and it never fails to give him goosebumps and an urge to stop inhaling altogether.

He hates the tasteless coffee they serve, and the little packets of nuts remind him of the day he had discovered his nut allergy in a flight like this. The leather seats making him feel sticky with sweat, but the air conditioning brings him on the brink of hypothermia.

If there was an injection of sorts he could take that would put him in a coma during the flight, Suna wouldn't think twice before taking it, and based on all this, it's fair to say he can get a little cranky in airports.

As someone with not too much energy to spare, airports are exhausting for him. He already doesn't like running, but Kita is a little too punctual to let him rest or buy a coffee from Starbucks. The twins' fighting about something new every other minute never already driving him mad, but being surrounded by overly stressed people doesn't help, either.

"I will jump out of the window if I have to sit next to Atsumu on the flight." Suna had told the captain months before, the exact moment he had heard he would have to fly with the team.

That was the very reason the middle blockers seat was all the way in the back, located next to the window and a stranger. Suna can't be happier- all he wants is some peace and quiet, anyway, to wear his sleep mask and headphones and cut ties with reality as much as he can.

"You good there?" Suna barely hears Atsumu's irritating voice through his headphones, lips curling in annoyedly as he turns to the boy to send a glare- but to his surprise, the fake blond isn't looking at Suna.

"Oh, I- ah fuck- yeah!" He hears a voice, and it takes him a second to notice you who stands before the seats, arms reaching up for the overhead cabins and successfully blocking Suna from his seat. You must be the stranger he'll have to spend the next eight hours with, he supposes.

The tired gaze looks you up and down, you who is fighting a bag half your size- shouldn't that be under the plane?- and trying to push it into the overhead cabins. It's apparent you're struggling, arms shaking with the heaviness of the bag, biting your lip to muffle the sounds of your wrestling.

Despite your words, anyone who has eyes could tell you are, in fact, not fine.

In desperate need of a pair of longer arms, you peek at the tall brunette standing next to you; he's huge, broad shoulders and a height that makes you wonder if he hit his head on the way here. He looks familiar- if you weren't in as much of a pinch- you might've let out an audible gasp when you realized why he looked so familiar.

He's the stranger you'd seen earlier that day, standing in the line across of you, looking tired and black-painted nails scrolling down his phone. The all-black fit he has only adds to the mysterious aura surrounding him, arms slumped forward nonchalantly. You remember thinking if you'd ever see him or anyone as handsome ever again, making scenarios in your mind as to what kind of a man he is. You never thought you'd ever meet him again, though.

Suna notices the silent cry of help you have in your eyes, even when you avert your gaze away from him and mask your desperation- but he's no fool, he can tell when someone lookshim with an open need of help.

Well.

Suna admits he's no saint, either.

He can help you out, and you both can sit your seats, but he doesn't really care, nor has the energy to help you. All he wants to do is to sit down already -even though it would suffice if he just pushed the bag with his fingertips, but Atsumu beside you smiling at you does look a little more eager to help than he does, anyway. There you go, a prince charming ready to help.

Suna seems unfazed by the glare you send his way -any scenario you've created falling in disappointment, too, really? He wouldn't even offer to help?- as he bends in half to slip through the triangle-shaped gap you've created with your arms, slipping underneath them to get to his seat and-

A shriek outs your lips as you watch the bright blue bag slide from your fingertips, it's almost like slow motion, watching the object fall right on top of the boys' head.

"Ah! What the-" Suna groans in pain right after hearing a loud thump caused by the crash of the luggage and his skull. "What the fuck?"

Fox-like eyes are quick to find you, going between your panic-stricken and slightly amused face and the bag resting before your feet. "I-I'm so sorry!" You exclaim, but your strained voice sounds more like you're holding back a laugh instead of guilty.

Well. Karma is a bitch.

"Here, let me help." Atsumu offers maybe a little too late as he lifts your bag off the ground -Atsumu hopes he managed to hide how much he struggled, too. Honestly? What do you have in there?- and places it in the cupboard. "Thank you." You at least have the decency to look grateful at the blonde, giving him a pretty smile. "I'm so sorry," you repeat, turning your focus back to the brunette, who is rubbing his head in pain. "It just slipped out of my hand!"

To your dismay, Suna doesn't even spare you a glance as he mutters a "Whatever." Frowning and finally plopping himself down on his seat.

You narrow your eyes but stay silent as you do the same, too, settling in the seat, accidentally elbowing him one too many times as you try to get your damn jacket off.

You can feel his dissatisfied glare as the flight attendant brings the man sitting beside you a packet of ice, and you ignore the "tch!" sound he makes as he places the ice on the crown of his head.

"Bye, Suna!" The blonde you've seen earlier waves a goodbye at the stranger sitting next to you- Suna, you think, a pretty name for a man as cross as him.

"Are you okay?" You mutter under your breath, raising your gaze to take a better look at him. His face contorted in pain- he's the type of handsome you only get to meet in an airport. It's unfair how good-looking the man is, his shapely lip rolled between his teeth, deep-brown locks tousled and messy, and he has the prettiest eyes you've ever seen in your life.

Suna doesn't answer your question, but he makes it clear he's heard you with a scoff, eyes rolling in annoyance, averting his gaze to his phone. It makes you feel angry- being ignored as if you're a six-year-old kid.

"I'm not sorry, actually. You had it coming." You huff pettily, lips pursing when he keeps his silence.

"Okay, I'm a little sorry." You mutter after a few awkwardly silent seconds, suddenly feeling guilty. You did drop a heavy ass bag on his head, after all. "But not much."

You turn your eyes away from him when he sighs, annoyance evident in the sound. "And?" He hums, voice monotone and deep. "Which answer I give will make you stop talking to me?"

Suna knows that was unnecessary as hurt and embarrassment flash across your face- he notices that's the first time he even looked at you that night. Well, he can get unreasonable at airports, he agrees.

"That was rude." Suna comments after a few awkward seconds.

"It was." You agree. "But I was rude, as well."

"You kind of were."

To his answer, you can't hold back a lighthearted chuckle, the oddness of the situation dawning on the both of you. "This might be in the top 10 strangest ways I met someone." You chuckle, he does, too, but with a sarcastic quirk of his brow.

He has a pretty smile, plump lips curving just enough to show you a glimpse of his white teeth, enhancing the sharp features of his face. "Only top ten? That's a shame."

You don't speak as Suna closes the sleeping mask over his eyes -it has a cat print on it too, how cute- as a smile still lingers on his lips. "Good thing I have eight hours to at least make it into top five."

#haikyuu x reader #suna x reader #haikyuu x you #hq x reader #suna rintaro scenarios #suna rintaro imagine #suna x you #suna x y/n #suna fluff #haikyuu suna #haikyuu imagines #haikyu x reader #haikyuu!!

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botanicallyinclinednerd · 3 years

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*sigh* I entertained the cursed thought of Evil!Leon and now it won't leave, so fuck it: bullet point frame work

Warnings for blood, temporary character death, graphic injury, murder, attempted murder, angst with a happy ending, magic reveal

First of all this is also immortal Leon, because I could

Morgana is discovered by a patrol headed by Leon and he's the only one of the round table there.

For some reason or another Morgana is having a really bad life day and completely obliterates the patrol in her rage.

And for narrative purposes/ the man is very sturdy, Leon somehow survives the assault, but he's not in good shape

Morgana, in her full sadistic glory, offers a painfully dying Leon a second chance, he need only pledge himself to her and she would heal him

Leon, while chocking on blood, defiantly glares at her, declaring "You're wasting your time Morgana, I will die before I betray Arthur"

And at this something hardens in Morgana's eyes and she lunges forward with a dagger and plunges it into Leon's heart, twisting it violently while hissing "so you shall" before pulling it back out

This, obviously, kills him

And for some reason or another, maybe its a part of why Morgana is having a no good very bad terrible awful day, she sticks around the site of the massacre for a bit rather than immediately leave.

Which is how she witnesses Sir Leon, whose heart she plunged a dagger into not an hour ago, take a gasping breath

This, quite understandably, scares the shit out of both of them

It scares the shit out of Morgana because she knows she killed him, there is no way he's alive

And it scares the shit out of Leon for much of the same reasons, he knows she killed him, why the fuck was he breathing (he did not know he was immortal before this point)

And while Morgana is still in shock, Leon asks angrily what she did to him, why did she bring him back (while he is scrambling for his sword and to rise, because that worked soo well for him the first time)

Morgana tilts her head at him, a slow sinister smile spreading across her face as she replies "I did nothing my dear knight"

And it is in this moment that Leon realizes he fucked up

Morgana probably kills him again for good measure, to see what will happen, and sure enough, he's back again in a little while.

Leon is freaking the fuck out and Morgana's day just completely turned around because she has Arthur's most loyal knight, his first knight, and he can't die

To make a long process short, she kills him for transport to where ever she's hiding, kills him a few more times because she can, and as she does so she formulates a plan. Since it has become quite obvious that Leon was not aware of his allergy to death, Morgana reasoned that no one back at the castle would know either. And if she could control Leon... well. Camelot and Arthur's head on a platter was as good as hers.

Since her last attempt to kill Arthur by proxy through a creature ended poorly, Morgana decides on an enchantment.

I’m thinking maybe the spell has a caveat, the only way for it to be broken is if Leon was killed by another Immortal's hand, something Morgana is certain is impossible, and is sure to gleefully inform Leon of this so in his last moments of free will, his hope and spirit would break

When Leon returns to Camelot, he doesn't act strange. A little haunted maybe, but not outwardly out of character

He says he was the only person to survive the attack by Morgana, and he barely made it away with his life (she either roughed him up to make this believable, or he did it himself)

Everyone is relieved he’s safe and back home

Arthur makes a light hearted joke about how this was the second time Leon was the lucky sole survivor of an attack, and he really needs to stop scaring Arthur like this, he’s starting to think he's doing it on purpose

And in the first indication that something might be off, Leon smirks at this, his laugh much darker than usual, and he makes a returning dark joke. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, nothing that couldn't be explained as him having survivors guilt and being exhausted and in pain

And for a while everything seems fine.

Everything is not fine.

Leon is a much more subtle assassin than Merlin was. Much more patient as well. His first attempt is in a patrol in the woods, where he tries to catch Arthur off guard.

Arthur notices in time and fends him off, expressing confusion, and Leon pulls what he pulled in Servant of Two Masters when he finds Arthur behind the tree: awkward apologetic smile (much more sinister this time, his eyes are much colder)

He apologizes profusely, being a bit self depreciating as he admits that he was still a bit jumpy from his last trek through the woods and was on edge

Arthur accepts this and just tells him to be more careful, though ultimately there was no harm done

Arthur turns away and Leon frowns/glares

Maybe Arthur makes a passing mention of it to Merlin, asking him if he noticed Leon jumpier than usual, and Merlin replies that he hasn't really seemed jumpy per say, but definitely quieter and more closed off

Again, this isn't a huge red flag considering that he went through, but Merlin starts to pay closer attention to Leon, just in case

Leon seems fairly normal. He's a little quicker to temper, and his humor is much darker than usual, and his smiles are more smirks than anything, but he's not really treating anyone any differently

His behavior isn't suspicious, he's not in questionable places, he's just Leon with some survivors guilt and trauma. So Merlin relaxes.

When a mystery assailant keeps setting traps and ambushes for Arthur in cleaver and subtle ways, Merlin is at his wits end trying to figure out who it is. And he’s getting worried, as the last two attempts very nearly succeeded.

Leon is a very patient assassin. This drives Morgana nuts

She demands he meet her outside the castle walls one night when he's on solo rounds of the castle to demand what is taking so long

"Do you want him dead or not?"

"Of course I want him dead, I want him dead NOW. Stop dragging your feet and kill him already!"

And let me tell you, Morgana may have taken control of his loyalty and twisted his motivations, but she could never rid Leon of his sass

"Morgana, this is why you've never managed to kill Arthur. No patience. No attempts on Arthur's life have ever succeeded for a reason, I'm avoiding those mistakes. You can have it done quick or done right, I'm trying to do it right."

In the end, Leon had a valid point, as it was Morgana's impatience that demanded Leon sneak away from his rounds to meet her, and caught Merlin's attention as he saw Leon sneaking into the woods

Merlin follows Leon and sees him meeting with Morgana and every alarm bell goes off in his head. Because Leon despises Morgana, and he would never betray Arthur, never. Not willingly at least. So Merlin figures out that Leon is compromised, and all those near misses on Arthur recently that Merlin couldn't figure out the source of must have been Leon's doing.

Leon tells Morgana she just needs to wait one day more, as he plans to kill Arthur the following night. Morgana hisses at him "see that you do" and leaves

Merlin follows Leon back to the castle where the knight continued on his rounds, prompting Merlin to run to his and Gaius's quarters.

Gaius isn't happy to be woken in the middle of the night, until Merlin explains what he saw

"Leon? Working with Morgana? Are you certain?"

"Pretty sure, yeah. I heard Leon tell Morgana he was going to kill Arthur tomorrow night. Leon would never betray Arthur, especially not to Morgana. She did something to him, I know she has"

They quickly rule out a femora and eventually conclude that it must be an enchantment. One so powerful to bind and manipulate one's loyalties and will would have to have a very specific condition to break it. The only way to stop/ save Leon and protect Arthur is for Merlin to figure out what it is so he can break it

He does not manage to figure it out

So when night comes and Leon is acting shifty as he heads in the direction of Arthur's chambers, Merlin has to do something, prepared or not

He comes up with an excuse or another to get Leon to come with him, its urgent, blah blah blah

Merlin pulls Leon into an empty room where no one would be likely to find them or interrupt them. And Leon tolerates Merlin's rambling excuse for pulling him aside for a few moments before he's had enough and brushes Merlin off, trying to leave

And Merlin doesn't let him, blocking the exit.

Leon is still trying to maintain his cover, but his patience is finally beginning to run out

He tells Merlin to move, he has duties to attend to, and Merlin cuts to the chase. “I can’t let you hurt Arthur, Leon”

And Leon studies Merlin, nods, and breaks out into a wide smirk. “Took you long enough to figure out. What gave me away?”

And Merlin is thrown by the sudden shift in behavior, but as long as Leon is talking he isn’t killing Arthur, so he’ll take it.

“I saw you talking to Morgana. I heard you plotting to kill Arthur.”

And Leon nods, tutting. “I really wish you hadn’t seen that Merlin.”

And Merlin is in desperate ‘try to reason with him’ mode, which is obviously not working because Leon is under a powerful enchantment. And while it was amusing at the start to toy with Merlin, Leon has had enough.

All patience has run out.

"Merlin, if you do not get out of my way and keep your mouth shut, I will kill you, and do so gladly"

Merlin of course does neither of these things.

Leon attacks Merlin, and Merlin barely dodges the sword. Merlin is, understandably, pretty scared. This is someone he considers a close friend, a brother, and he's currently trying to kill him. Merlin tries to talk Leon down, but its not working. There is taunting involved, and some very evil smirks

All the while Leon is swinging at Merlin with his sword, coming very close to hitting Merlin.

The final straw is when Leon knocks Merlin down, stands over him with his sword to his chest, and taunts Merlin that he is going to kill him, and then he's going to kill Arthur, and there is nothing Merlin can do about it

Well. Yes. Yes there is.

Merlin's eyes flash gold and before his eyes can even widen in surprise at this unexpected development, Leon is thrown backwards into a wall. Hard.

His head hits the wall with a sickening crack and collapses into a still heap.

Merlin is very much panicking as he scrambles up and over to Leon, feeling for any sign of a pulse.

He can't find one.

Merlin desperately tries to cast a healing spell but its not working. Leon's dead.

Important note for the record: Merlin did not know Leon was immortal. Merlin also did not know the stipulation that would release Leon from Morgana's enchantment.

So Merlin thinks he just killed a man he viewed as a big brother

He takes this about as well as could be expected: absolutely horribly.

He’s crying, babbling definitely, the words "I'm so sorry" "I didn't mean to" "please wake up" are mixed in there and repeated a lot

And then, lo and behold, Leon woke up

Its hard to say who was more surprised: Leon or Merlin

It would be fair to say Merlin, as his brother he accidentally killed ten minutes ago was sitting up in his arms, definitely alive

But it would also be fair to say Leon, who decidedly was himself again, free of Morgana's enchantment. Which should have been impossible, save from dying at the hand of an immortal. So not only is Leon dealing with being himself again, but he's also processing the information that apparently Merlin is immortal. And oh yeah: killed him by using magic

So they are both freaking out

And Merlin stammers out a mess of words that boils down to "what?? How are you alive? You, you were dead, I know you were dead! Oh gods, you were dead, I killed you, I swear I didn't mean to, you were trying to kill Arthur, you were trying to kill me, I was just trying to stop you, I didn't mean to kill you..." and he's clinging to Leon during this, and is totally not still crying

And Leon eventually manages to get a word in and halt Merlin's rambling with an exasperated and slightly hysterical "Merlin, I'm not dead!"

"You were!"

"Can we focus on that later? Is Arthur alright?"

And now Merlin is instantly back on alert, drawing back a bit to study Leon's face, but still holding his shoulders. "He's fine." At Leon's sigh of relief, Merlin asks slowly "Do you still want to kill him?"

And Leon is instantly horrified and shaking his head vehemently declaring "No!"

And then he stops, thinks, and realizes he truly meant it. He no longer felt any distain towards his friend and king, the sickly poisoning influence from Morgana's enchantment gone

Which was only possible at the hand of another immortal.

Leon's brain is going a million miles an hour, his often misused or missing brain cells taking longer than they should to come to the obvious conclusion, but in his defense, he had a lot to process, and it is a pretty unbelievable conclusion

"Merlin, you said you killed me?"

And the guilt is right back with Merlin apologizing and defending with "I swear I didn't mean to!"

"But you're sure YOU killed me? Absolutely positive?"

And Merlin's starting to get a bit annoyed, why the fuck would he lie about killing a man he viewed as a brother? "Yeah Leon, I'm pretty sure. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget it"

If this had been normal circumstances, Leon may have comforted Merlin, but these were most certainly not normal circumstances, because if Merlin killed him, that had to mean one thing:

"Merlin, since when are you immortal?"

What ever Merlin was expecting Leon to say, it sure as fuck wasn't that (friendly reminder that Merlin doesn't know he's immortal at this point)

So it is with very real confusion that he says slowly "I'm... not?"

"Clearly you are, or I would probably be trying to kill you to get to Arthur right now"

This is clearly the wrong thing to say, because Merlin now thinks this is an elaborate trick, and somehow, has come to the conclusion that this isn't even Leon, or if it is, he's a Shade like Lancelot was.

So Merlin scrambles to his feet, grabbing Leon's sword and pointing it at him. Leon raises his hands in alarm and also to placate Merlin (he’s still not used to being immortal and forgot that the sword can’t actually do him permanent harm)

"Merlin, I'm not going to kill you. The enchantment Morgana had over me is gone, you broke it" ("with magic" is screamed loudly in his head, but one earth shattering topic at a time)

"I don't believe you"

"The enchantment had a condition to it: the only way to escape Morgana's control was if another immortal took my life. You killed me, and now that control is gone. I have no desire to hurt Arthur or you, or anyone else in Camelot." I swear to you on-" he goes to say his life and realizes that maybe that wouldn't mean as much anymore and adjusts "I swear to you on my honor as a knight of Camelot."

Merlin doesn't know what to believe. He wants to, but he doesn't know if he can. So he makes Leon explain everything, which he does. Leon still has all his memories, though some of them seem a little distorted and distant, but still there are the same

When Leon finishes, Merlin puts down the sword, approaches Leon and makes him promise again. He does so, and Merlin finally believes him

He collapses into a sitting position next to Leon, looking exhausted but relieved. They are silent for a bit until finally...

Leon eventually decides its time to address the elephant in the room: "Merlin, how long have you been practicing magic?" It’s said in a way that aims for nonchalance and misses by several miles

Merlin, naturally, goes pale and plays dumb

"Merlin, I saw your eyes glow gold and then I was being flung across the room. That's magic"

And Merlin's still denying it, fiercely, and Leon has had a very long day and an even longer month

"Merlin, I'm having a hard enough time knowing what's real and what's not right now, please don't make me question this too"

And what was Merlin supposed to do? Continue to deny what Leon clearly figured out?

"I was born with it" is whispered, a scared admission

"I didn't think that was possible"

"Yeah well, I'm special"

"I could have told you that Merlin"

This is going much better than Merlin thought it would. He expected anger, yelling at least. Not teasing, as tired as it sounds

"Are you going to tell Arthur?" Is asked in that same scared voice from before

He should. Leon knows he should. As a knight of Camelot, it was his duty to uphold the laws of the kingdom, and magic is against those laws.

But it was also his duty to protect the king, a duty, through no fault of his own, he had abandoned and gone against. Where as Merlin did his job for him.

That and he could not deny his friendship to the younger man, the protective nature he felt for him

Seeing Merlin stare at him with fear and resignation, like he had already been condemned to death, Leon realized there was really only ever one possible response he could give:

"No. I'm not"

Merlin did not expect this.

When he sees Merlin's surprise, Leon gently bumps Merlin with his shoulder. "Merlin, I know you. You would never hurt Arthur, would never do anything to put Camelot in danger. Magic or not, that doesn't change. I would not risk condemning you to exile or death when you have done no harm"

At Merlin's pained look between Leon and the wall, Leon sighs. "I'm fine Merlin. I'm more than fine, you broke Morgana's enchantment. It was not... ideal, but it was the only way"

Merlin shakes his head "Leon, I didn't know. I didn't know you'd come back. If it was anyone else, they wouldn't have. I killed you, using magic. How do you not hate me?"

"Merlin," Leon waits for Merlin to make eye contact, putting a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Magic has saved my life, in the past. And as far as I'm concerned, it saved my soul today. Am I wary of it? Yes, because I have seen the harm it can do in cruel hands. But I also know that it can protect and heal in kind ones. How many times have you saved Arthur's life?"

Startled by the sudden question, Merlin answers honestly "I've lost count"

"How many times have you used your magic to protect, to save?"

"Always"

Leon ruffles Merlin's hair with a ghost of a smile on his lips. "I could never hate you for upholding the same ideals I live by Merlin, regardless of your methods of doing so."

And finally, finally Merlin gets it. He's not going to be imprisoned, he's not going to be outed as a sorcerer, Leon is alive and himself again and has no intention of hurting him, and Merlin doesn't have to worry about losing his friend anymore because apparently he's immortal and he is too but he is not about to deal with that right now (and also let's be real, he’s still going to worry about Leon)

It is with this that Merlin finally relaxes for the first time in a long time, shuffling closer to Leon and leaning against him, the knight putting an arm around him and pulling him close, each taking comfort in the presence of the other

It's a lot to take in, and it will take many conversations and explanations over the next few days and weeks to even begin to unpack and comprehend it all, but for now, each man was left with the relief and knowledge that they were safe with the person beside them.

The end! This is not at all what I thought it would be when I first started to write it, but I'm okay with that. If anyone wants to write this into a proper full length fic feel free to do so, I just ask that you please credit me and send it to me so I can read it!

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dickspeightjrs · 4 years

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Nut Up, Novak (au / 1.7k words)

Prompt 13 from my ‘30 Destiel Prompts’ for @caslikescoffeeandfreckles

ao3 link

Castiel hummed to himself. He felt like a bumbly bee, happily buzzing around the kitchen. He was packing up a lunch to have on a picnic date with Dean.

The thing between them was still a little new. They’d only been on a handful of dates since they’d met at the library where Castiel worked.

Castiel had been stacking and rearranging the shelves when this man had come sauntering up to him loudly asking about a book he needed.

After telling him, politely, to lower his voice because the green-eyed man was getting glares from the college students trying to cram for finals, Castiel took him to the correct area that he needed in order to find the book he was looking for.

“Thanks, man, you’re a life-saver.” He said. “My nerd-ass brother needs it for his final but he’s deep in study mode.”

“You’re most welcome.” Castiel assured, with his customer service smile tacked onto his face.

The man hesitated for a moment, raking his eyes up Castiel’s body, taking in the slacks and sweater vest Castiel was wearing. “How do you remember where all the books are in this place?”

Castiel shrugged, trying not to feel self conscious at the stranger’s examining gaze. “I’ve read a few from each section, which helps a little, I suppose. I also happen to enjoy my job.”

“Wow,” he said, “you must be super smart.” He grinned a lop-sided smile.

Castiel blushed. “Well, I don’t know about that. But thank you.”

The lop-sided smile on the man’s face turned into a cheeky grin. “So,” he said, leaning his shoulder against the bookshelf he’d just picked up a book from, “how about we get together one day soon and you tell me some of the stuff that’s in your big brain?”

Castiel’s face couldn’t get any more red. Was this, frankly beautiful, man asking him out? It couldn’t be. They’d barely known each other for even a few minutes but Castiel could tell this man wasn’t the kind of guy that was normally into him.

Castiel’s tie and sweater vest certainly weren’t the typical match for the ripped jeans and henley that this wonderful man was wearing.

“What d’ya say?” The man asked when Castiel still hadn’t given an answer. He seemed a little cocky to Castiel but, instead of being put off by it, Castiel just thought it was a little goofy and endearing.

“I think I’d like that.” Castiel smiled.

“Good.” The man pushed himself off the shelf he’d been leaning against, and pulled his wallet out of his jeans pocket. He produced a card and passed it over to Castiel.

‘Dean Winchester.

Singer Salvage & Autos

TEL: 07593123344’

Dean. It was suddenly the best name Castiel had heard (or seen, he supposed).

“Text me.”

* * *

Since then, Castiel discovered that Dean was much more than the cocky ‘bad boy’ vibe he’d tried to give off.

For example, Dean cared a lot about his brother, Sam. He talked for most of their first date about Sam being the most hard working kid, and how he’d got into Stanford on a full ride.

After about an hour, Dean had stopped for a second and cringed. “I’ve been talking about my dork of a little brother for our entire date, haven’t I?”

Castiel had chuckled and nodded but was quick to assure Dean that it was nice to hear about someone Dean cared so deeply for. He only hoped that one day Dean could care that much for him too.

Now, Castiel was preparing for their third date. He’d planned a picnic to have on the grassy expanse overlooking the river on the edge of town.

He was hoping that today would be the day that he’d finally work up the nerve to ask Dean to officially be his boyfriend.

Putting the finishing touches to the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Castiel licked the remaining peanut butter off the knife. If he wasn’t saving room for when he ate with Dean later, he’d finish off the jar.

Peanut butter was a gift from the Gods as far as Castiel was concerned.

Noticing the time on the clock, Castiel rushed to pack the remaining parts of the picnic into the basket and leave out the door.

* * *

Later, at the river, Castiel arrived first and set everything up in anticipation for Dean’s arrival.

Looking at the spread of food laid out on the blanket, Castiel couldn’t help but feel proud of what he’d put together. He just hoped Dean would like it.

The nerves began to set in and spotting Dean across the way, walking towards him, only made it worse.

Dean looked good today. His dark blue jeans and khaki henley hugged him in all the right places. And it sent Castiel’s heart racing. How was he meant to pluck up the courage to ask Dean to be his boyfriend now?

“Hey, Cas.” Dean waved, as he approached.

“Hello, Dean.” Castiel replied, patting the spot on the blanket next to him, inviting Dean to sit down with him.

“Oh man,” Dean said, taking in all the elements of the picnic in front of him, “did you do all this?”

“Yea,” Castiel couldn’t help but blush, “I thought it would be nice for our third date. I hope that’s okay?”

Dean nodded with an excited smile on his face. “Yeah, dude, this looks awesome!”

“Thank you, Dean.”

Dean grinned from ear to ear.

Gosh, Castiel thought, Dean truly was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen.

He couldn’t wait any longer.

“Dean?” Castiel asked, making eye contact with the other man.

“Yeah, Cas?”

“Um, I was wondering, considering we’ve been on a few dates now, and I really enjoy spending time with you, and you’re very kind and caring and-”

“Cas, you’re rambling. What do you want to ask me?” Dean teased, a knowing grin on his face. If Castiel wasn’t so nervous he’d tell Dean off for winding him up.

“Sorry. I just wanted to ask if you’d be my boyfriend? Officially?” Castiel immediately closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see Dean’s reaction.

A hand came to rest on Castiel’s cheek.

“Castiel, look at me.” Dean whispered.

Castiel fluttered his eyes open to find Dean’s green ones intimately close.

“I would love to be your boyfriend.”

A huge smile spread across Castiel’s face. He was so happy. He’d never expected it to lead to this when he’d helped a slightly cocky guy look for a book but he would never change a thing.

“Can I ask you a question now?” Dean smiled.

“Of course, Dean. Anything.”

“Can we eat some of your food now?” Dean gave Cas a cheeky grin.

Castiel chuckled and nodded, moving to take the food out of the packaging he’d wrapped it in. Dean’s eyes lit up when Castiel took a pie out of the basket. Already, Castiel knew that he’d do anything to keep that look of happiness on Dean’s face.

Dean’s happy smile stayed on his face as he reached over to pick up a sandwich from the pile Castiel had carefully constructed.

But the smile quickly turned sour when he brought the sandwich to his mouth. Castiel frowned when Dean sniffed at it instead of taking a bite.

Just as Castiel was about to get really offended, Dean spoke up.

“Uh, Cas?” He asked. “What’s in these sandwiches?”

“Just peanut butter and jelly. They’re my favourite. I ate some earlier though so it’s okay, there's nothing wrong with them.” Castiel explained.

“No, no Cas. It’s not that, it’s just,” Dean awkwardly rubbed at the back of his neck, placing the sandwich delicately back on the pile, “I have a nut allergy. That sandwich could literally kill me.”

The blood drained from Castiel’s face. Dean had only just agreed to be his boyfriend and now Cas was trying to kill him! God, Dean would probably never want to see him again, let alone date him after this.

“Oh my god, Dean! I’m so sorry! I had no idea. I didn’t even think. Oh god. I could have killed you.” Castiel frantically apologised, breaths coming fast and deep.

“Woah, dude.” Dean raised his hands in a calming gesture. “It’s okay. It’s an honest mistake. You couldn’t have known.”

Castiel could hear Dean’s words but his body wasn’t watching up. Deep breaths kept being drawn into his body.

“Cas,” Dean gathered Castiel’s hands in his, “focus on your breathing and listen to me. It’s okay. I hadn’t told you yet. I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re okay.”

Castiel finally snapped back, his eyes focused on Dean’s. They then moved down to look at his hands enclosed by Dean’s.

Dean noticed Castiel calm and leant down to place a soft kiss on their joined hands. “Are you back with me?”

Castiel nodded. He didn’t trust his voice to speak.

“It’s not something I usually tell people right away,” Dean explained, softly. “I dunno, I guess I feel embarrassed by it. It’s kinda nerdy. I tend to just avoid things where I don’t know that the food situation will be, y’know?”

Hearing Dean speak badly of himself made Castiel find his voice. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You can’t help it.”

Dean shrugged. “I just feel bad. You went to all this effort for me and I can’t eat it.”

Castiel shook his head. “It’s okay, Dean. We still have the pie. I got an apple one because I remember you mentioning that it’s your favourite?”

Dean blushed. “You remembered that?” Castiel nodded.

The two men looked softly at each other for a moment. Dean looked into Castiel’s eyes like he was searching for something. After a couple of moments, he must have found what he was looking for because he opened his mouth to speak.

“Cas, how long ago did you have some of that peanut butter?” Dean whispered, moving his hand to cup Castiel’s cheek.

Castiel frowned. “A few hours ago. Why?”

“I just wanted to check it was safe for me to do this.”

And with that Dean leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Castiel’s lips. Once Castiel got with the program, he opened his mouth to allow Dean to deepen the kiss.

* * *

Eventually, when Dean and Castiel moved in together, Castiel had to give up his favourite food.

But he’d found that the taste of peanut butter wasn’t his favourite anymore. Instead, it was the taste of Dean every time they kissed.

Now that was the true gift from the Gods.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it Lexi!

Fun fact: I have a severe peanut allergy so I really enjoyed writing this one lmao. And much like in the fic, everyone else is always more concerned about me dying from it than I am haha

If you liked what you saw, REBLOG! and consider reserving a prompt from my ‘30 Destiel Prompts’ challenge, or just send me your own prompt you’d like me to fill!

TAGS: @eccentriccas @starrynightdeancas @credentiast @imbiowaresbitch @starclaire @cockleslovesdestiel @bend-me-shape-me @destielfactory @dea-stiel @wendeano @wingsandimpalas @aggressivedean @flowersforcas @chill-legilimens @pancakesofthelord @saltnhalo @caslikescoffeeandfreckles @assbuttboyfriends @jhoomwrites @breathingdestiel @simplymisha @thekingslover @aelysianmuse

(once again tagging my faves, let me you if you’d like to be removed from future fics - or added if you’re not already there! we don’t have to be mutuals)

#destiel #destiel fic #destielfanficnet #dean winchester #castiel #myfic #fluff #first kiss #au #1k #librarian!cas #prompt fill

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7team7 · 4 years

Text

Choosing Fate: Chapter 4

Helping or hurting? // Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

A/N: Happy birthday to the best girl ever, Uchiha Sakura!! I also posted a super short one shot yesterday, so consider that an homage to her as well :D

After the strangeness of living with a new family wore off a bit, Sakura started growing dreadfully bored. She couldn’t think about her parents and siblings for too long without growing teary eyed. The house was quiet most of the time, even when the entire family was home. Even when she tiptoed, she felt like the floors always creaked beneath her feet and she could never achieve the silent grace of the Uchihas.

She tried making small talk with Sasuke but it usually ended quickly and in an awkward silence. It seemed that to him, a good life was a productive life, so he often met her efforts with a cutting, “What are you doing?” If she wasn’t keeping busy, it didn’t seem worth his time or understanding.

The jokes and smiles that flowed so freely in her childhood home were nowhere to be found here. She tried to think of different ways to spend time with him that didn’t include eating with his parents. He was a tough nut to crack. If they had to court each other before marriage, they both would’ve done a terrible job, she thought.

When she found him in their room packing up for another trip with his father one morning — this time, hunting — she offered to go with him, as silly as it sounded. She was just desperate.

But Sasuke didn’t see the point at all and quickly wrote her off, “There’s no need. You would just get in the way. We’re almost ready anyways.”

She bit her lip, “Ah, you’re right. Sorry, I wasn’t sure. Just trying to help. This whole marriage thing is new to me too.” She forced out a laugh.

“Sakura,” he started awkwardly, “I don’t want this just as much as you don’t.” He had paused in his packing and found her wringing her hands with a hopeful expression, but the light quickly dimmed in her eyes after he finished speaking.

What were meant to be words of comfort were interpreted as words of cruelty, words that distanced. “I know you don’t want me, Sasuke,” she said, already exasperated. “But you don’t have to always make it seem that way. You can pretend for a second and be nice to me.”

In a moment of frustration, he spit, “We don’t have to love each other to be married, you know.”

Sakura laughed without humor, “Trust me, I know. You think I want to love someone like you, let alone be married? Like you said, this is as bad as it is for me as it is for you. At least I’m trying to make the best of things.” Everyday, she discovered ways they were different. She didn’t understand him, but she wanted to. He was making it near impossible; they wouldn’t make any progress when she was always being kept at arm’s length.

She marched out of their room quickly and left him to continue his preparations. She didn’t want to cry, and she knew seeing his face would’ve set her off. An apology rested on the tip of his tongue, but his pride held it back.

He felt a strange sense of guilt settle in the bottom of his stomach when she still sent him off with a perfectly made bento.

It had been two weeks since Sasuke returned from the hunting trip and things were icy between him and Sakura. She was always polite, but she wasn’t extending herself the way she used to. Even if he knew he could find the answer through introspection, he wondered what was wrong with her. The house felt dimmer than ever.

Their little argument faded into the background when new and more important issues needed to be addressed. What Mikoto originally waved off as spring allergies eventually revealed itself to be a nasty flu. “It’s all the pollen in the air, you know,” she insisted even after her first attempt at speaking was cut off by a bout of coughing. Where Sasuke was panicked and uncertain, Sakura was calm and composed — the water to his fire.

Sasuke admired how Sakura never left her bedside and cared for her when he couldn’t. He was surprised, even, that she would dedicate so much time to someone who, while friendly with her, was still a bit of a stranger. It would’ve been more convenient to call a doctor, but Sakura claimed she had it under control. His father, stoic as ever, still proceeded with all their plans. Even Itachi and Izumi were forbidden to visit lest they catch the same flu and spread it around. “She has Sakura,” Fugaku said matter of factly when Sasuke expressed concern over leaving Mikoto alone. They set out on a scheduled trip, taking care to wash up, but trusting Mikoto in Sakura’s hands.

When Sasuke was at home, he still left it to Sakura as she proved to be far more capable than him. Her hearty soups and cups of tea were always heated to the perfect temperature. She washed the bedding often, making sure her mother-in-law was always as comfortable as possible. She carried a heavy bucket of water into the room to keep a damp cloth on Mikoto’s forehead without spilling a drop. She even ordered Sasuke to go to the market and buy a specific herb that was nowhere to be found in their kitchen.

Upon returning, he found her asleep against the foot of the bed. He felt bad that he had to wake her up, but he had no idea what to do with said herb. He felt, in a word, useless. But Sakura roused easily and thanked him as she blinked the sleep away. He watched as she expertly ground it into a fine powder, adding it to another cup of tea. Sasuke made a note of the process; next time he would let her sleep.

Anyone who displayed so much care for his mother was worthy of praise, he decided.

He caught her in the backyard enjoying the brilliant sunset and a bit of fresh air after she deemed Mikoto healthy again, a week later. “I wanted to say thank you for taking such good care of her,” he started. “She always wanted a daughter, and I know she was sad when Itachi and Izumi moved out. Both my parents felt that way, really. She was very happy when it was decided that you would move in so soon after.” He didn’t really know why he was telling her all of this — in fact, it was probably the largest amount of words he’d ever said to her — but it felt like he owed her now more than ever.

Sakura laughed lightly, “Well, I’m glad at least one person was happy I came here.” It really was reassuring, she had felt like an intruder for so long. Honestly, Mikoto was lovely and Sakura would willingly help her anytime. The circumstances of them living together were just a little unfortunate. Sasuke responded very seriously, “It’s not just her who appreciates it.” She, in spite of all her annoying tendencies, was growing on him. When he noticed the pretty blush dusting her cheeks, he quickly changed the subject. He really didn’t want to explore the implications of his words or her reaction.

“How did you even know what to do?” Sasuke asked bluntly.

Sakura laughed again, and Sasuke still couldn’t help notice the way the fullness of her pink cheeks made her eyes crease at the corners. Such a useless piece of information, yet he couldn’t look away. “I have so many siblings, someone is always sick. We usually couldn’t afford an actual doctor, so it was always up to me to figure things out.” Sasuke nodded and looked out into the yard. None of the grasses or plants were quite the color of her eyes.

He found himself thinking she’d make an amazing mother. He had been praised for his looks his whole life, and he took after his mother. He knew if their child took after Sakura, they would be beautiful.

He headed back inside when he noticed his heart rate speeding up. He tried convincing himself that maybe he was just getting sick too.

After Mikoto made a complete recovery, she set out to visit her friends and family that had been kept away by Sakura’s orders. And once again, without someone or something to attend to, Sakura only felt trapped inside the house. The chores she used to despise growing up were ones she now wished she could pass the time doing. Was her father minding his back in the fields? Were her mother’s joints hurting with the change in the weather?

Sasuke noticed Sakura staring out the window, looking terribly bored and melancholy on more than one occasion. He finally found the time to stop and talk to her, something he knew he should do more often.

“What are you doing?” He had something to give her, but was she..busy?

“I want my life back,” she stated dully while continuing to look out the window.

He sighed. She didn’t even try to sugarcoat it. Their marriage wasn’t his choice, but he was beginning to feel like some of her misery was directly a result of his neglect. And he didn’t like the way that weighed on him. “I’m not a thief,” he answered simply before placing a thick book on the table next to her, titled A Beginners Guide to Medicine.

He had never seen her eyes so bright.

Sasuke took it upon himself to tutor Sakura from that point on. Even if they weren’t yet suited to being husband and wife, they didn’t have to ignore each other’s existence. Tutoring her gave him a goal, it helped orient their relationship. And she was an excellent student: diligent and hungry for knowledge.

He discovers that there are gaps in her education, from times when she had to devote herself to helping in the fields or raising her siblings. He had always thought of being educated as a binary: either you are or you aren’t. She hardly seemed embarrassed, rather she was more determined to catch up to Sasuke’s level. He admired her impetus and found himself regretting taking his school days for granted. He couldn’t help but think the village would have been a lot more prosperous if someone like Sakura had been allowed to put her mind to solving its problems.

Sakura grew to admire Sasuke, just a little bit. He was a strict teacher, but a knowledgeable and clear one. She had his full attention for once, and his intensity was impressive.

She privately decides to accept the book and his teachings as a birthday gift.

A/N: I wanted to draw parallels to Sakura taking care of Sarada, and provide some sneak peeks into how Sakura gets into medicine in this AU. Also anyone catch the New Order reference?? Haha superheated is one of my favorite songs ever, so I just wanted to throw something in when I got the chance. There’s a lot packed into this chapter, hopefully it was ok! Sakura please tell everyone to stay home and flatten the curve :(

#sasusaku #fan fic #my writing #arranged marriage AU #happybirthdaysakura

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iamvegorott · 4 years

Text

Hidden Romance Ch. 1

Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to the long-awaited sequel to Undercover Love! I hope all of you enjoy this story as much as the last!

Summary: After discovering the treason of Alice, Mare, Phantom, Mad and Blank are now living in the Septiceye's House with the Ipliers and everything is not okay from the overly-crowded house as everyone tries to figure out their emotions and their lives are made difficult by Alice's clones and her ink army

Wanna help me and give me some support? |Donate To My PayPal|

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Crowded

After endless hours of tossing and turning, brain going at a million miles an hour with plan after plan that all ended with chaos. With death. After all of the questioning and wishing he had been smarter, that he had been better. He was finally asleep.

It was only a few more hours until he felt something touch his nose, it wasn’t enough to fully wake him, but it made him make a face and sniff. There was a short pause before something touched his nose again, this time getting him to groan. After fighting the urge to just go back to sleep, he opened his eyes and was greeted with purple.

“Hi.” Robbie greeted and Mare jumped in shock, now fully awake and feeling his heart race. “He’s up!” Robbie called and walked away from the couch, leaving Mare to plop back down and rub at his eyes.

“Did you wake him?” Chase asked, walking into the living room, holding two plates.

“Kind of.” Robbie giggled. “His nose was twitching like a bunny.”

“I am not a bunny,” Mare grumbled, sitting up and surrendering to consciousness.

“We were trying to let you sleep in but Robbie got away from us,” Chase said as an apology, ushering Robbie to go back into the kitchen. “I’m guessing you didn’t get much sleep either?”

“How am I supposed to sleep? Alice is out there, I don’t have a home and this place is filled to the brim with loud, obnoxious men.” Mare rubbed at his face. “Yandere is the only sane one here.”

“Marvin would disagree.” Chase chuckled.

“Yandere doesn’t leave her underwear everywhere,” Mare grumbled, tossing the blanket across the couch.

“She spends too much money on them to risk getting them damaged.” Chase sat himself down on a chair.

“She’d just stab someone if they did,” Dark added, leaning against the entrance to the room and showing he had been there for a good minute. He glanced over his shoulder and moved so that Blank could squeeze past him.

“Morning.” Mare greeted, smiling a little as Blank sat down next to him. “Did you sleep well?”

“No,” Blank answered honestly, his slumped shoulders adding to his answer.

“Is it cause of Alice?”

“Yeah.”

“We’re giving Jackie some time to heal before going after her,” Chase said. “Plus some of us need bruises to heal as well.” He added with a rub at his stomach.

“That was a pretty solid hit,” Mare said. “Glad he’s on our side.”

“He was holding back, I’d be dead if he didn’t,” Chase said.

“Now I’m really glad he’s on our side.”

“It’s going to take literal hours to make enough food for everyone,” Marvin complained as he came into the room, a mug of coffee in his hand. “I hope none of you hates bagels.” He said with a sigh, handing Chase the mug.

“We could help cook since we’re using your house and all.” Mare offered.

“If you do, you need to know a few things,” Chase said.

“Please, allow me.” Dark had a grin before he cleared his throat. “If you plan on doing meat it has to be raw for Robbie, rare for Jackie, and JJ, medium for Chase and Marvin and practically charred for Anti. Henrik isn’t the biggest fan of beef, so you’ll have to make something chicken or pork for him. Robbie doesn’t like his vegetables so you’ll have to hide them in cheese, but Jackie is lactose intolerant so either you’d have to use vegan cheese or make two vegetable sides, but they’d have to be the same or Robbie will feel left out. JJ has a nut allergy, so no peanut products can be used with anything JJ eats, everything is labeled that either has lactose or peanuts in it.” Dark had to bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing at Mare’s face. “And that’s just the Septiceyes, for the Iplier’s; Yandere is a vegetarian, Bing needs everything extra salty, Host has a texture problem so it has to be crispy or dry, Bim likes very rare meat and Dr. Iplier is allergic to cranberries.” There was a pause. “Did you get that?”

“I think bagels sound good.” Mare nervously laughed.

“I got it, we’re good,” Mad said with a wave of his hand, everyone looking at him since they were unaware of his presence. Dark did not like that he didn’t notice as well and took a mental note to figure out how Mad was able to do that. “Blank, want to help make the eggs?”

“Yeah!” Blank jumped up and rushed into the kitchen.

“Do you want me to repeat the long-ass phrase or am I good to go?” Mad asked Dark.

“Go ahead, knock yourself out,” Marvin said, preventing Dark from answering.

“If Phantom gets up, send him back to bed,” Mare said as he got up himself and went towards the kitchen. “I don’t need him and Mad arguing while we’re trying to cook.” He added before getting out of the room.

“How long are they going to be here?” Dark asked.

“Probably until we take care of Alice, they need as much protection as possible,” Chase said.

“Why are we protecting them? After everything they’ve done?” Dark scoffed. “They can take care of themselves.”

“They’re like us, Dark. They’re a lot like us.” Marvin said. “And if I think that they can stay, then they can stay.”

“Just admit you don’t like Mad,” Chase said with a chuckle. “He gives off a vibe that contradicts yours.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Dark crossed his arms.

“He’s all about emotions and you can barely accept you have them unless it involves our son, kind of.” Chase clicked his tongue. “And speaking of the devil.”

“Virus, not devil, that’s Dark.” Anti giggled as he came into the room. “Everyone else is slowly getting up, what’s the plan for food?”

“Mad’s cooking,” Marvin answered. “And your boyfriend doesn’t like him.”

“I mean, opposite vibes.” Anti shrugged and Chase just gave Dark a look while gesturing towards Anti.

“I’m going house hunting for them.” Dark huffed.

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Tag List: @thesinginggal @ninazappy @takethepainawaybae @classy-birb @madallice329 @m0th-dude @always-in-a-fandom @wolfbear135 @mirrored-calamity @thelonelycreature @grnpurplgrmln @shamelesscollectorpiratesstuff @antibeaneverybody

#undercover love series #danti #trickshot #schneepilier #dapperstache #bingle #bindere #madhero #damn that's a lot of ships #everyone's in love man #madmare #heh

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ladylb · 4 years

Text

To Cry

Chapter 16 Two Days

This chapter can be found here on AO3

To start at the beginning, chapter 1 is here on AO3 or here on tumblr

Summary: Marinette didn't have to wait very long for Lila to make the wrong claim...

Wednesday morning and Marinette was found on the front steps of the school again, with a slight blush and a smile on her face as she was typing away on her phone, saying good morning to Luka once more.

Adrien was shortly delivered by his bodyguard to the school and he joined up with Nino and Alya, who were of course standing by Lila’s side listening to her newest tale, based upon the newest newsworthy item. If only she knew that she was poking the bear… or in this case, by extension, the crocodile’s best friend.

While she tried for half a second, Marinette discovered that it was too hard not to ignore the chattering and gossip that was loudly being passed along around her, but she listened in anyway. Pressing record on her phone just in case.

Good for her… not good for the resident liar.

“Of course, I knew that they were going to get together, I introduced them after all, after saving his kitten that he had to give away because of his allergies.” Lila loudly proclaimed, repeating a former lie. “I mean I was the one who found a baby alligator in Australia a couple years ago that I knew he’d love, that’s how he got Kang.”

“Oooo!” Rose cooed, “weren’t you afraid of him?”

“Of course, not silly. Kang was only like ten centimeters long and abandoned by his mother. I knew Jagged would love him! Penny too. I’ve even helped them plan the wedding. I’ve passed on Gabriel’s personal number so that he could help them design their outfits of course.”

“What’s Lila talking about now?” Adrien asked Nino.

“Dude, haven’t you heard the news, Jagged Stone is marrying Penny!”

Adrien looked over at Marinette who had stopped the recording and was now forwarding it to a certain friend with a small grin on her face. She was shaking her head like she just couldn’t believe her luck.

“Marinette?” He asked in a questioning tone.

She looked up at him and answered, “Adrien.”

“Are you going to, uh? You know?”

Marinette only grinned wider at him with a glimmer in her eye.

“Oh yes, Marinette, what do you think about the news?!” Lila squealed. “I know you’ve met Jagged, but he really LOVES me!”

Marinette shrugged and got up, collecting herself as she calmly replied, “oh, I guess that’s nice? Although I will admit that I heard about the wedding a couple days ago though and I’m very happy for them.”

“Dude! You knew!” Nino exclaimed.

Alya shook her head, “no way! You would totally have told me.”

“Jagged and Penny didn’t want to have that information leak just yet.” Marinette offered with a shrug, “they just got engaged after all, besides they knew they couldn’t keep it a secret forever but they wanted to keep it to themselves while they could, so I didn’t tell anyone.”

“Gurl, I can’t believe you!” Alya looked on at her in shock, “I can totally keep a secret!”

“Sorry Alya, I know how to keep a secret, it wasn’t my secret to tell and they’re practically family. They came by and told us about everything Monday night, when they came to set up their taste testing for their wedding cake.”

“Just because I know him so well, you don’t have to lie and try to steal the spotlight Marinette!” Lila teared up, irritated that she had lost her adoring crowd’s attention, “I can’t believe you’d do that!” Then she ironically started up with the crocodile tears.

“I’m really not trying to steal anyone’s spotlight Lila.” Marinette pointed out with a raised eyebrow. “I really know Jagged that well and my parents ARE making his cake.”

“Yeah, she even had him over at her bakery once.” Adrien quietly supplied with a smile.

“Uh, yeah.” Alya looked confused, not quite sure what side to take, as if there were sides as she offered, “she even designed one of his album covers.”

“Of course, she did, I didn’t want Marinette to keep feeling bad about herself so I suggested that they give her a shot at that!” Lila offered.

“Umm, I think that was Jagged’s idea.” Marinette answered, “and I know I’m a good designer. I don’t feel bad about myself at all in that respect. Jagged thought of me because I had already made his Eiffel Tower sunglasses at that point.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t know that I suggested to him to call you up again! I told him not to use my name, I didn’t want you to think you were being chosen for the job out of pity.” Lila offered.

Marinette just blinked at that.

“That was so cool of you Lila!” Rose praised.

“Yeah, well, it was a really good thing for Marinette’s career.” Alya joined in, “you should seriously bake her some cookies or something Marinette.”

“I don’t think I could if I wanted to, remember Lila’s nut allergy?” Marinette parried. “Not that I was going to do that.”

Chloe had arrived a few minutes earlier, and just snorted as she tossed her hair. “Of course not, that would be ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.”

Lila gave Chloe a look since Chloe usually overlooked her lies and avoided her, “are you saying that I don’t know Jagged?”

“Silly me, of course not. He only stays at my father’s hotel and I’ve never seen you there visiting him.” Chloe mentioned off hand as she inspected her nails, “honestly, I think I know him better than you, and there is only one person here, unfortunately, that knows him better than Moi, and she’s not you Lie-la. It’s Dupain-Cheng. She actually comes to visit Fang, you know, his crocodile? Usually when he has a show or something and he has to leave it behind. Dupain-Cheng is one of the few that that beast will listen to and crazy enough to get near it willingly.”

“Oh, please, Kang follows me around like a puppy!” Lila laughed and waved Chloe’s information away.

“Uh, Lila, I can’t believe that I’m saying this but Chloe is right. Fang is a crocodile, his name is Fang not Kang and while he’s friendly to almost everyone, he won’t listen to everyone. He’s kind of spoiled that way.” Marinette explained.

Chloe rolled her eyes, “you better believe it. He’s chewed up my shoes before!”

Marinette giggled, “well, did you at least get some more shoes?”

“Eight new pairs.” Chloe proclaimed with a smirk, “and I’ve locked them all away from that beast!”

“Well, it just goes to show he has taste right?” Marinette joked.

“Yeah well, whatever.” Chloe rolled her eyes like her comment didn’t phase her, as she tried to hide her smile.

“Yeah, well, enough about the amphibian.” Lila began as she decided it was time to change subjects, “I can’t wait to tell you all about what Jagged and Penny want me to do for their wedding!”

Just then, a limo came racing down the street and hit the breaks in front of the school so hard the back of the vehicle rose off the ground for just a moment comically. People stepped back and then jumped away from the limo as the door opened and Fang the crocodile spilled out and ran up to Marinette knocking her over and started to lick her happily.

Jagged Stone and Penny Rolling exited the vehicle next and caught up to the happy crocodile. “Aww, Fang really likes you Marinette! I knew I contacted the right girl to help me with my wedding!” Jagged exclaimed.

Penny giggled as Fang finally let a laughing Marinette stand up, “thanks Jagged. I like Fang too!” She leaned down and started to rub Fang’s tummy and then he started to tap his leg like a puppy.

“Hey, that’s Uncle Jagged to you Marinette!” Jagged Stone proclaimed.

Lila was crowded by her fellow students and couldn’t leave. “Hey Jagged!” Rose called out innocently, “do you ever miss your kitten?”

“Kitten?” Jagged gave Rose a questioningly look, “I’ve never owned a kitten, right Penny?”

Penny shook her head, “not that I’m aware of.”

Jagged nodded as he snapped his fingers, “that’s right, I’ve owned Fang here for seven years, he was only about thirty centimeters long when I got him, but the farm I got him from said that he was about a year old and that he wouldn’t get along with any other pets.”

“But your friend Lila said that she saved your kitten and got you your alligator from Australia a few years ago.” Kim offered, “or was she mistaken?”

Jagged Stone looked at the crowd confused, “I have no idea who you are talking about. Fang is a salt water crocodile which is way more rock n roll than any ordinary gator and even I know there are no gators in Australia kid. Besides, I’ve never owned a gator and I don’t know a Lila either.”

“But Mr. Stone! This is Lila!” Rose objected as she pointed at Lila, who was looking for a way to escape. “Don’t you know her?”

Jagged shook his head, “nope. I just came here to meet with my niece.” He grinned at Marinette and began to just ignore everyone else, “I wanted to catch you before school Marinette. You see, I’ve been trying to find someone to design some rock n roll outfits for our wedding and no one will make a suit for Fang! Not even Gabriel Agreste!”

“You contacted Father?” Adrien asked from the edge of the crowd.

“Oh, yeah, you’re his kid.” Jagged frowned at Adrien as he shrinked away from the disapproval in the rocker’s gaze, “you’re the one that my niece USED to like.”

“Jagged!” Marinette and Penny scolded.

“Nope. I’m not having it. Blindness must run in his family,” Jagged put his arm around Marinette supportively as she covered her face with shame, “not only would your old man refuse to make something for my dear Fang, but I can’t believe you didn’t want to go out with this girl! She’s so amazing and talented! Don’t worry Marinette, Uncle Jagged is here for you.” Jagged hugged her close and petted her hair like she was breaking down.

She wasn’t breaking down though, she was embarrassed and a bit mortified.

“Jagged, A-Adrien is just a friend now! I told you that.” Marinette muttered from behind her hands.

The crowd gasped as Alya asked loudly, “you’re over him! Really? NO WAY!”

“Yep.” Marinette took a deep breath as she finally put her hands down escaped Jagged’s grasp and gathered her Ladybug courage before she announced with a wave of her arm. “Adrien Agreste has a new title, just a friend.”

…

Adrien had a confused smile on his face, he was happy about the friend part, but sad and hurt about the ‘just’ part for some reason.

He had a sinking feeling as he thought randomly, wow, karma sucks.

Penny and Jagged whispered amongst themselves as Lila took center stage once more.

Lila smiled to herself as she sidled up next to Adrien and clutched his arm, “I guess that means that Adrien’s available?”

Adrien pulled back from her unconvincingly, “ah, s-sorry Lila, there’s another girl that I like.”

“Dude? Really? I thought you an Lila…” Nino began.

“No way Nino!” Adrien almost shrieked as he looked at his best Bro incredulously.

How could you think that I’m with HER!

“Psft, you don’t know what you want Adrien.” Lila waved the idea off as if his feelings didn’t matter as she gripped his arm painfully again in a possessive way.

Adrien realized that no one seemed to notice this but Marinette who gave him a look which clearly said ‘well, what can you do?’

Lila didn’t notice and went on, “of course I could help you figure out what you want Adrien, I’d be the perfect girlfriend for you.” Then she loudly whispered for the whole crowd to hear, “you know we’re perfect for each other and you don’t have to hide it anymore, Marinette is over you and it won’t hurt her if you start going out with someone better than her, like me.”

Adrien looked shocked and didn’t seem to know what to say. Thankfully, Marinette did.

“Oh, PLEASE Lila,” Marinette stood up from petting Fang again, he was one spoiled croc after all as she announced, “as far as I understand it, Adrien either doesn’t want to be or CAN’T be in a relationship right now." Then she sarcastically adds with a shrug, "so he claims that he likes some girl that doesn’t seem to see him for who he is. I mean, I know it seems like she doesn’t exist because this is the first TIME that we’ve heard about her and while I know it’s odd that we don’t know her, and I have a hard time believing that ANY girl wouldn't jump at the chance to date Adrien at the very least if he's asking. Still, there is one thing that I’m sure of and that the girl that he likes is NOT YOU Lila. Now please, just let go of the poor boy and let him LIVE HIS LIFE!” Marinette demanded.

“But Adrien adores me!” Lila objected with false tears in her eyes, refusing to let go of Adrien.

“Umm, no. He doesn’t. I can’t believe I’m saying this because that means that I’m on the exact SAME side as Dupain-Cheng, but that’s WHY he’s leaning away from you.” Chloe pointed out. “That’s why he makes that face of revolution around you.”

“Even I can see it, and forcing yourself on someone is so not Rock-n-Roll.” Jagged commented as he now hugged Penny to his side.

“You know, they’ve all got a point.” Mylene pointed out. “Adrien has never said that he’s secretly dating Lila to anyone, has he?”

“She actually said that?!” Adrien demanded, and they believed her?

The whole class nodded as Rose chirped up, “she said that you had to keep it private because of your father and because you’re a celebrity.” Then she looked uncertainly at Marinette, as if confused for some reason, “plus, it would, ah, maybe hurt Marinette’s feelings?”

Marinette shook her head, “look, I know he tolerates Lila, but even I’d never believe he’d date her, and why would Adrien care about my feelings like that? We’ve never been more than friends and he’s never found me attractive at all.” She waved it off, “which is totally fine. I’ve finally figured out that he’s not really my type.” She returned to petting Fang as several people gasped for some reason.

That you know of. Adrien looked away bashfully, why does Marinette not know that she’s the most attractive girl in our class? And there it is again, why does her saying that we’re ‘just friends’ sting?

“Ah dude, you’re prettier than you think.” Nino told his girlfriend’s best friend, “besides, we all knew that you liked him, it was so obvious that even we could see it.” Nino bluntly explained to Marinette herself, “that’s why we didn’t say anything to you Dudette.” Which of course meant that he was quickly elbowed by Alya.

“That was a secret!” She hissed as she worriedly looked at Marinette.

Marinette laughed and waved the idea off, “oh, that was so last month guys. One sided crushes will always end like that.”

They… they do? Adrien looked at her worriedly, but what about Ladybug? Does that mean she’ll never love me?

Penny chuckled, “she’s telling the truth guys. There isn’t one poster of this boy left on her walls at home anymore.”

“Really?!” More than one voice exclaimed, the loudest of course was Alya and Adrien.

“Yep.” Marinette happily answered as she finished petting a now groggy Fang.

Adrien looked down at the ground, sad for some reason at her answer as he processed the fact that she truly had had a crush on him and it seemed like she was over it now.

“Wait a minute.” Kim of all people put it together, “Lila’s been telling us all not to tell Marinette that she was secretly dating Adrien…”

There was a flash of uncertainty that crossed Lila’s face, but she just held onto Adrien more.

“She wasn’t!” Adrien defended. “I’d never date her!”

“Never say never.” Lila flirted with him despite Adrien trying to gently pull away from her again. “I mean, I totally understand why you’d want to keep our relationship secret, I’m great with secrets after all my model-boo.”

Adrien’s face wasn’t the only one that cringed at the terrible nickname.

“Yeah, well, Jagged Stone just said that he doesn’t know her either.” Someone else pointed out.

“Totally.” Jagged shot them finger guns. “That girl is so not Rock n Roll!”

Alya folded her arms, “wait, that means at least three things she’s told us isn’t real. She’s not Adrien’s girlfriend…”

“Thank you!” Adrien squirmed under Lila’s grasp until he finally broke away from her.

Alya frowned as she went on thoughtfully as if she was still processing it, “then at least the two other things about Jagged. There was no kitten and she didn’t get him Fang.”

Lila looked around at the now wary crowd, no one wanting to believe it, but things were starting to look bleak for their world traveling, charity driving and well-connected girl, aka, Lila, soon to be, the liar… maybe.

Turns out the crowd needed a little more convincing…

“Rose?” The quiet voice of Juleka asked, “maybe you should ask Prince Ali if he knows her.”

“On it!” Rose brightly answered as she finished a text to her pen pal Prince Ali and sent it off.

Lila almost cringed as she tried to come up with something…

#To Cry #miraculous #miraculous ladybug #mlb salt #mlb angst #marinette dupain cheng #lila salt #lila rossi exposed

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therabbitholestories · 4 years

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Sickest Man of Kaweens (A Children’s Story)

Sickest Man of Kaweens, a children’s story

By Russell Legaspi

Part I “The Angry Cloud”

There is a prosperous island named Kaweens

Sweet air filled the skies and salty fish swam the open seas.

One day, a scary looking cloud came over the island of Kaweens.

It was angry and mopey. And it carried a sack old of beans.

It rained beans on the shamans and elders

Leaving families scattered

It rained beans on the fishermen and farmers

Leaving children hungered.

The onslaught of the angry cloud did not spare the weavers and storytellers,

As it poured old beans, shout thunder and cried even louder.

Repairs and rituals became hard,

For the builders and cleaners only had mustard.

The people of Kaweens was stuck in their huts,

So their Chieftain said “Do not let the aches get to your butts,

When all of this is done

We will all enjoy the sun”.

For now the sun had to rest,

The angry cloud was too furious even for the Sun’s best.

This time, life on the island is in grief,

For Kaweens’ sunshine is taken by the Angry Cloud, a thief.

Unable to produce goods and gather food

The island trades and the Chieftain were in a bad mood.

Feeling victorious, the cloud yelled more and more

Spreading Beans to the sleeve of their shirt,

Beans to the corner of their door

Beans until peoples throats began to hurt.

Beans until Kaweens was so deep in the smell of old bean,

That everyone was sick and turned green

Man had an idea and stepped forward,

Shy but smart and had allergies to mustard.

“What if the best and the strongest brave the storm,

Continue work and gather food so the young and old can feel somewhat warm”

The Chieftain and elders gathered,

While the children and islanders remain sheltered.

One hour, then two

A bang of yesses and no boo

Kaweens began implementing

And for now the plan seems working

Man is called a savior

The Chieftain said, “Man will be a great leader”

A bit of sunshine peeked over the angry cloud

And life on the island was moving.

Even when old beans needed plowing,

There was food, play and a little good cheering

The angry cloud was cunning and devious

It slid old beans when people were out in their business.

No one knew they were smelly and atrocious

Until they got home and with them the beans yuckiness.

The chieftain said “Everyone calm down

Kaweens is safe and strong.

To stop the angry cloud we must not frown

Band together for the days will be long”

“But my daughter is green, my husband reek of old beans,

And my brother can’t breathe”

Afraid and helpless cried the people of Kaweens,

To stop the spread of old beans the elders agreed.

“Stay in your huts maybe twenty days long

Kaweens is safe and strong

Lock your doors and windows so there’s nothing to fear

The angry cloud will soon tire and disappear”

“What will we eat for twenty days long?

How can we work and live if everything is gone wrong?”

The people cried stepping out of their huts

So again the cloud sneak behind everyone’s struts

Man saw the cloud slip behind the growing crowd

“Stay in your huts so the Cloud cant see

Where to stick and throw old beans freely”

But Man didn’t notice that the cloud has gone

Inside her hut to spread beans ‘til dawn

To the elders and Chieftain she extended her plea

Of the cloud’s wit and trickery.

But the people’s panic and fear, was something to hear.

They started to keep coconut-nuts and its milk

Keeping dried meat wrapped in paper and fine silk

They locked wild chickens and geese for themselves

Taking the whole banana its leaves and fruits, in their shelves

They kept jars of water and sacks of rice

They even kept sacks of jars, and jars of sacks leaving nothing for the mice.

They hid ointments and oils, herbs and balms

So they can stay in their huts

Free from worry and smelly palms

In despair Man went home full of worry

Afraid of the cloud and its smelly fury.

The people of Kaweens is safe in their huts at least

Even when there’s nothing left for a feast.

In her hut she found the angry cloud

With a mopey face and a cry so loud.

The tears made of beans spread throughout her hut

And the stench it made stank like fish gills and gut

Then Man thought to save Kaweens so this she must do

To keep the cloud in a pas de dux

When its tired and weak

It will then fly away within a week

In a cry of bravery Man opened her window

“People of Kaweens let me be for fourteen days,

I have trapped the angry cloud in my own ways

And here it will surrender and soon after we will all recover”

The island cheered, the children and elders,

The warriors and weavers, the mothers and fathers,

Even her father the chieftain of Kaweens

Had nothing but tears all over the old beans.

Now for Kaweens to discover

They must wait ‘til all is over.

that is the first of the three part children’s story i wrote about, somewhat the current state of this lockdown situation. if you want to hear the full audio version of the story--hit the link below, i also tried using shadow puppets just for fun. i hope you enjoy this.

https://youtu.be/tgPIRVeASKY

#man #rabbithole #childrenstories #shadow puppet

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theuprisingbakery · 4 years

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Less Restrictive, More Unique: A Personified Short Story of Cookie Ingredients

The cookies sat at their desks, watching the clock tick down to the end of the class period. Thirty more minutes, and they would be free to enjoy their Spring Break. A simple half hour of Biology was all that stood between five friends and Spring Break plans. Ms. Chip’s back was to the students as she wrote on the board ‘INTRODUCTION TO HEREDITY AND INGREDIENTS’ and turned around to face her students.

“Alright! Before we break for break,” she paused and chuckled at her own joke, “I want to introduce you to our new unit of study.”

The cookies groaned. Sandy Pecan in the back row rolled his eyes, Oreo Nabisco had already slept through most of class, but Gluten FreeMont in the front of the room looked up from a doodle she was creating on her notes sheet, interest peaked. Although she was interested, she was thoroughly irritated at having yet another thing take time away from her holiday freedom.

Ms. Chip looked at the class of chocolate chip cookies and smiled.

“We are all products that have similar ingredients. Commonalities that make us chocolate chip cookies, but we are also so different. Your genetic ingredients, what makes your essence so uniquely you, can be traced back through your family members. Your heredity! Let’s look briefly at the genetic ingredients map on page 54 of your textbook.”

There was a quick rustle of pages as students flipped through their books.

In the middle of the page was a chart that pictured different ingredients: 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of salt, followed by different variations of flours, butter, eggs, sugars, and most importantly: chocolate chips.

“Our recipes are unique, we learned this when we discussed DNA earlier in the semester,” Ms. Chip went on. “But,” she continued, “our ingredients make up the traits that classify us in different diets, our ingredients give us a foundation of who we are, and what we are made of. Everything about us can be traced through our ingredients: nutrition, macros, enzymes, and calories!”

The class nodded, assured she was correct but many had faces that expressed utter confusion, as any new lesson might leave a student. Keto Atkins nudged the back of Gluten FreeMont with her pencil.

“What is she talking about?” Keto whispered to Gluten. Gluten swatted away Keto’s pencil proddings. “Shhh!” she turned around slightly to reply in an irritated fashion, then faced back to the teacher, her eyes set on Ms. Chip’s instructions. Gluten cringed slightly at the sudden movement of turning around. She’d experienced continuous abdominal pain for the last week or two, and it always seemed to happen right after lunch. She brushed off the pain not wanting to complain and gritted her teeth, knowing she didn’t have time to deal with stomach cramps and Keto’s unfortunate inability to pay attention at the same time.

Keto looked to her left after being silenced by her friend, where another girl was sitting. Vegan Planters was drawing a family portrait on the front cover of her Biology book; her focus had shifted attention to an art class project assigned for the break from earlier that day. Keto leaned over and whispered to Vegan, “why else was there a sudden emphasis on ingredients and heredity in Biology with less than twenty minutes left in class?” Vegan looked to Keto and shrugged, and went back to her drawing.

Keto slumped in her seat, but suddenly made eye contact with Hazelnut Cashew. Known as “Hazel” to her friends, she was sitting in the far left corner of the class, her twin sister Nutella, or “Ella” sat directly to Hazel’s right. Both of them were passing notes back and forth. They are the worst twins in the world, thought Keto. Most twins seemed to have ESP, but Hazel and Ella had nothing in common it seemed like. Keto looked at her four friends, all in some sort of different stage of paying (or not paying) attention to the lesson. Gluten was the only one seemingly writing anything down, and Keto figured Gluten would give the rest of them a briefing on whatever Ms. Chip was explaining.

“You are going to research your ingredients over the break!” Ms. Chip clapped enthusiastically. “I remember when I learned of my great-great-grandmother’s rare Allulose condition. Her genetic make-up used Allulose instead of granulated sugars. It was so fascinating! That’s why her chocolate chips were a bit more shiny in appearance compared to other chocolate chips.” Ms. Chip sighed, her thoughts somewhere else. “Because of her, my own chips are still shiny... not because of Allulose, but from my own mother’s Stevia ingredients she passed on to me!” A hand went up from the back of the classroom, it was Oreo Nabisco.

“So,” he asked, “You want us to research our families and our ingredients to see how we are made?”

“Yes, Oreo, that’s exactly it! Glad to see you are able to have some semblance of attention today, I thought maybe you were getting a little stale back there!” Ms. Chip passed out a packet of instructions and directions to the students, aware that there were only a few moments left before the students would rush out of the room to enjoy the sun and freedom that only comes with an extended holiday away from school.

“You can present your findings any way that you wish,” Ms. Chip said to the young cookies, “but remember that you are researching your ingredients through family members only- interviews, photos, and resources will all help you compile your findings into a story to share with the class when we return! Really think- what exactly makes you so you!” With precision that only comes with teaching for years, her sentence was punctuated with the Beep-Beep-Beep bell that signaled the end of another school day.

. . .

Gluten and Keto had been next door neighbors since elementary school, and as the sleeve of cookie-cutter houses in their neighborhood grew in size, Hazel and Ella, followed by Vegan, all moved into houses near each other while the girls were still in middle school. By high school, they were inseparable, and were able to walk to school and home together each day. As Keto and Vegan talked about an assignment for art, Gluten started to fall behind the others on the way home. Her stomach pains were getting worse. She thought eating something small, like a piece of bread as a snack, would help but it only made her feel worse. Ella noticed Gluten walking a little slower, holding her side.

“Gluten are you okay?” Ella asked her quietly. Ella could see that Gluten didn’t want to bring any attention to something being wrong.

“I’m fine!” Gluten snapped at Ella, which made her immediately feel even worse. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m just so irritated today. It’s probably because we were given so much homework the day before break.”

“I understand,” Ella smiled, and hugged her friend. They were at Gluten’s house at this point in the walk, and the girls waved goodbye to her. They would meet up later in the week to work on the Biology project together. Gluten turned around and smiled at her friends, gritting her teeth through the pain in her abdomen.

. . .

Ella and Hazel were in the middle of a typical dinner feud. As twins, they were almost identical in genetic makeup, except for one small particular: Hazel was allergic to tree nuts.

“I just don’t understand,” Hazel said to her mother across the dinner table, “why you had to name me Hazelnut. It’s just so cruel, mom.”

Her mother smiled at the girls and shook her head.

“You’re named after your grandmother, Hazelnut. Gammie Hazelnut Toffee was so kind to me when I married your dad.” Hazel rolled her eyes at her mother. Everyone in their family had remnants of nuts in their DNA except her. It was the first thing she discovered while researching her family’s ingredients.

“I just don’t understand how that’s possible,” Hazel said to her mom when she discovered this small discrepancy in ingredients. Ella immediately started the “You’re Adopted, Hazel” campaign just to irritate her twin sister, but Hazel knew better.

“It just happens sometimes, Hazel. It’s a quirk, nothing more. You can be around nuts of course, clearly, you just can’t ingest them. You don’t remember this, but you had all your walnuts removed as a baby.”

“Ew mom, please don’t talk about removing my walnuts ever again,” Hazel said, while Ella snorted into her glass of chocolate milk.

Ella and Hazel had created a family diagram of a tree for their presentation. It was a tree of traits that dated back five generations of chocolate chip cookies. The girls had listed out family members across the top each with their own branch. 1 egg, ½ c. granulated sugar, 2 ¼ c. oat flour, ¾ c. light brown sugar were scrawled across the top

“Did you know,” their father chimed in, “that you have an ancestor that was part of Ruth Wakefield’s first batch of chocolate chip cookies? Ingredients were so simple at that time that Ruth chopped up barks of chocolate instead of using morsales in the cookies. The chocolate in our family was chunky and square until about three generations ago.” The girls added the story to their project.

The girls had a list of their ingredients; some listed as the same crucial elements from their biology textbook, others were unique to their family.

“The brown sugar,” Ella said, “is different. Most people don’t include that in their ingredients- why is that dad?”

“Brown sugar adds to the chewiness of our family,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Most people assume that two types of sugar would make a cookie sweeter, but in reality, the breakdown of brown sugar turns into a glaze… hence chewy!” He laughed looking down at the family pet. Their dog, Chewy, pawed at his side begging for scraps.

“Hazel,” their mother said, “Don’t worry about your allergy, you just have to be careful who you hang out with. Luckily all your friends are nut-free… well, except your sister of course!” She smiled at the twins, and started clearing the plates from the table.

. . .

Keto was putting the final touches on her project, noting the last piece of information from an interview she had with an aunt. Coconut flour uses ¼ the amount compared to other flours, her paper stated, and doubles the egg and liquid quantity due to high liquid absorbent properties. She knew her genetic makeup was thinner than others and often runny, but didn’t realize the extent of how different ingredients were to others. This must be why I’m so good at cross country, Keto thought to herself, because I’m made with double the liquid amount as other cookies. Her thoughts were cut short as her mother called her name from the living room. “Ketosis! Come here a minute I need to talk to you!” Keto looked at the clock, it was so late she was surprised her mother was even awake. Normally at this hour her mom and dad were usually half-baked. Keto walked into the living room, where she realized her mother had been crying.

. . .

Vegan was in the middle of her report, typing out ‘½ c. coconut oil, melted, ⅓ non-dairy milk, 1 ½ c. chickpea flour, Vegan chocola’-- when the phone suddenly rang in her bedroom. Vegan looked at the clock. 10:15 pm. It was a little late for a phone call, but she answered it regardless.

“Vegan!” The sound of Keto’s voice rang through from the other end in a panic. “It’s Gluten. She’s in the hospital.”

. . .

The next morning of Spring Break started in a gloomy fashion for the four friends. The night had been punctured by the sudden news that Gluten was very, very sick and in the hospital. Mrs. FreeMont called Keto’s mother the night before, and all the girls wanted to go to the hospital immediately to see Gluten. Begrudgingly, and after hours of begging, Mrs. FreeMont agreed.

“Girls,” Mrs. FreeMont insisted, “Before you go in to see her, you need to know that Gluten is very tired. She was poked and prodded for days, and had an endoscopy done last night. The doctors think she has...” There was a pause as Mrs. FreeMont held back tears, “Celiac Disease.”

The girls looked at each other, confused. Normally Gluten was the science nerd who knew all the answers to anything remotely medical, but from Mrs. FreeMont’s statement, it was more serious than anyone knew. Keto spoke up first.

“Mrs. FreeMont,” she asked, “What is Celiac Disease, and how could Gluten not know she had it?”

Hazel, Ella, and Vegan all nodded in agreement with her.

“It’s an auto-immune disease,” she whispered, as if this cleared up any confusion. “Gluten can’t.. Well she can’t have gluten in her system. It’s been building up more and more over the last year. Even more in the last few weeks. It’s slowly damaging her intestines, so she’ll have to have part of her small intestines removed later week. She also must have an immediate flour transplant. Our whole family’s genetic flour is all-purpose. Completely,” Mrs. FreeMont held back tears, “full of gluten enzymes.”

The girl’s mouths slacked open, horror-struck. This meant that none of Gluten’s family members would be able to donate flour to the young cookie for the necessary flour transplant. Suddenly, Vegan realized an important fact at the same time as Keto, Ella, and Hazel.

“Mrs. FreeMont!” Vegan piped up, “Can we help? I mean…” she paused, “can we donate flour to Gluten?” Mrs. FreeMont looked at the girls collectively.

“My sweets,” she said with a small smile, “I doubt any of you can help, so many chocolate chip cookies are make with all-purpose flour now-a-days, it’s going to take time to find the right donors that Gluten needs--” her words were cut off by Keto suddenly.

“No, Mrs. FreeMont! Listen!” Keto said. The girls all started to talk at once.

“My genetic ingredients include chickpea flour!” Vegan almost yelled excitedly, thankful she decided to study her mother’s side of the family that included other vegan and gluten-free flour alternatives.

“And ours includes oat flour!” Hazel and Ella chimed in together.

“And mine,” Keto included, “is from coconut flour!”

“You see, Mrs. FreeMont,” Vegan said as she looked around at her three other friends, “we’re all made from gluten-free flour alternatives. It’s in our ingredients. We can help her.”

Mrs. FreeMont looked at the group of girls, bewildered, unbelieving at the chances that her youngest cookie would have made friends with a group of unique cookies who all held different active ingredients that her daughter needed most to survive.

“I just can’t believe it,” she said to herself, “what are the chances…” As the girls called their parents and met at the hospital to prepare for the flour transfusion, they quietly went into Gluten’s room to tell her what they were going to do to help their friend.

“Gluten, who would have thought we’d actually learn something helpful from an assignment Ms. Chip gave us to do!” Hazel said with a snort. The chocolate chips all laughed and filled Gluten in on what ingredients they were going to donate to help her out.

“Does this mean,” Gluten said with a smile, “that my heredity project gets to include you all as family now too?”

“Probably,” Keto said to her friend. The others nodded in agreement

“We’re all so similar,” Vegan quoted their teacher from the last day before break, “that we were just meant to be friends after all. This will definitely be a story to tell the class, don’t you think?”

The last thing Gluten remembered before drifting off to sleep was knowing that it felt good to have people in her life that understood her new restrictive diet, and that being made from alternative ingredients didn’t make her a bad cookie. Her new diet and new ingredients made her even more unique, just like her friends.

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momisablessing-blog · 4 years

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7 Habits to Be a Good Mom for Your Little Ones

There might be affiliate hyperlinks on this web page, which means we get a small commission of something you purchase. As an amazon partner we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your personal studies before making any on line buy. Check: https://mymothersday2020.com/ it is 4 am someplace inside the international…

maybe you're pacing the ground with a fussy toddler? Perhaps you're sitting in a rocking chair breast or bottle feeding? Or are you extensive wide awake because your little one has taken over the sacred sleep area that when belonged to you and your partner? We have all been there. We're mothers. The way to be a better mother. 7 crucial hints on a way to be a good mother... And nonetheless enjoy your personal lifestyles. You can discover ways to be a great mother, a better mom, a satisfied mother, without losing your thoughts. But are we exact moms? If you have to ask the question, you may have doubts. But right here’s the good information…

you can discover ways to be a very good mom. Everybody can. In this text, i am going to offer seven approaches to be an awesome mom… a higher mother… a glad mother. A few i've provide you with by myself. A few i have borrowed from different moms. A few i have researched.

what you'll learn [show]

life before being a mother you aren't alone. Whether or not you're modern day to motherhood or had been at it for a while now, one element is real… you have been a girl first. An unbiased, unmarried girl who had no person to answer to. No one's life become in your palms on a day by day basis. You went on dates. You took the time to do your hair and make-up. You went to the health club often. You had a terrific task. You had first-rate friends. You binge-watched tv dramas. You had a existence! But in some unspecified time in the future, you probably made a totally aware selection to turn out to be a mom. And with that, you took in this massive duty. You vowed to preserve your toddler secure. You vowed to love them. You vowed to cherish them. What could likely pass wrong? Take into account that time before you were a mother? Lots. And after nearly 8 years and 4 youngsters, i experience i have got a few correct advice to offer for dealing with this experience referred to as motherhood… and it starts now. I'm able to teach you a way to be an excellent mom… or at the least feel like one. Allow's get began. Habit #1: forget as a minimum half of what your mother taught you did i simply say that? Did i just inform you to push aside the recommendation your mother has undoubtedly tried to offer? Yes. Yes, i did. Now let me clarify. Your mother is a grandmother now. And this is a completely extraordinary ballgame. She's protected all of the bases, literally, when it comes to elevating a infant. You have been that child. However your infant is specific. And no person knows your child higher than you. Duration. Exclamation point! Instances exchange. Your grandmother raised your mom in a completely exclusive world than she raised you. The identical holds actual for elevating your toddler. The fifties brought us to the likes of donna reed. Lucille ball. Barbara billingsley from depart it to beaver. The mothers on those shows have been continually dressed to the nines. Constantly had their hair performed. Dinner changed into on the desk at the identical time each night. They continually smiled. No mom smiles that a good deal. It's kind of scary

there's no ebook on motherhood that could come up with all the answers. And it is good enough. It's ordinary. Consider me. When you have been a toddler, you possibly performed outdoor until dark and disappeared with community pals for hours on give up. Such things as attention deficit disorder and autism weren't mainstream troubles. Pediatricians weren't diagnosing lots of youngsters every 12 months with celiac disease, nut allergies, or lactose intolerance. These problems are very actual and very extreme … these days. How may want to our moms possibly relate? However here's the element… they'll try. Due to the fact they love us, our personal moms will:

upload their 2-cents on the problem. Try extremely hard to attract a correlation between your toddler and you. Key terms like, “you had been the identical manner” or “you probably did the identical aspect” will come up. Lots. Offer tales about a pal's grandchild this is going through the precise equal component. Argue with you to seek a second opinion on certain topics. Attempt to shed a few new light on the subject that perhaps even the professionals have not even figured out but. As i stated, they may strive. And you will be grateful. However being a great mom is essentially reliant on following your instincts. Observe your instincts! Concentrate to the alarms going off on your head pay attention what your child is pronouncing. Observe how your infant is behaving in numerous conditions. Train your self. Be worried. Stand your floor. By no means be afraid to say “thank you, but no thank you” for your mother for her opinion. However always keep an open thoughts. In the end, you turned out good enough. Right? Her advice may just spark some thing interior you that you unnoticed, which could often show up when you're too near a scenario. On the give up of the day, however, the task is yours. You have got this! Addiction #2: use social media as a form of remedy allow's be sincere…

except your process prohibits it, otherwise you live underneath a rock, chances are you've got at least one social media account. Why wouldn't you? Those social media presents top notch avenues for:

sharing news and photographs with own family and pals. Reconnecting with lengthy lost pals. Obtaining facts and pointers. Networking. Organizing occasions. Meeting new people. Stepping into a heated argument about politics or religion. Discussing the brand new traits. Therapy remedy? Yes, therapy. Hear me out. Learn how to be the first-rate mother by means of the usage of social media as a form of therapy. Make social media your ally in motherhood. Capture all the good, the bad, the unpleasant moments. If you're like maximum mothers, you publish limitless pictures of your children doing adorable things. And also you need to. But it is incredibly fake advertising and marketing. Isn't always it? No toddler is glad all the time. And you can't be a glad mother all the time. No matter what the images display, my kids are not:

continuously hugging their siblings. Always volunteering to proportion their toys without a combat. Waking up from their each day nap within the exceptional mood whenever. Waving and smiling at strangers. Sitting contently in a buying cart at the same time as i stroll through the grocery store at a leisurely pace. Laughing all day. Are yours? I'd guess money they're now not. So i'm laying down the gauntlet. Here and now. And a better option to social media is to participate in a single (or a few) of these 88 a laugh sports on your youngsters. These fun activities are a notable way to preserve your children entertained. Alert: motherhood mission! Anything type of day it is you are having, take images of all of it. Regardless of their temper or yours, snatch your telephone or digital camera and capture your toddler:

once they first awaken inside the morning. Ingesting breakfast. Lavatory training. Getting dressed for faculty. Heading out the door. Gambling with a pal. Food buying with you. Coming domestic. Naptime. Time for supper. Bath time. Bedtime. Now post them. The coolest, the horrific and the unsightly. Crying infant picture no toddler or mom is happy all of the time. However seize and treasure those moments. Not handiest will you deliver your followers a glimpse into your “each day”… but you'll examine these images and snicker, cry, smile. Take all of it in. Your children are this age as soon as. You'll not get at the moment again, for better or worse. Time flies. Cling on to those moments. They're the war-scars of motherhood. Embody them. Now breathe. The remarks you get hold of will in all likelihood be extra than simply smiley faces or thumbs up. You may see fewer little tears or mouth open emojis… and greater actual words. Mothers will unite. They'll remark. Lend guide. Percentage their personal tales and pictures. Be inspired! You are not alone. You may experience higher about yourself. A weight will be lifted. Here is what my photograph from the day past could have seemed like:

our three and 4-12 months-olds dozing in-among my husband and me, kicking my face and decrease returned almost continuously from 5-6 am. Our 3 year vintage throwing his water cup and pouring a bowl of yogurt on his head. Our three-yr vintage telling us he didn't should cross poop, then hiding behind a sofa to accomplish that in his diaper. Our 6-year-antique daughter screaming as i tried to sweep her hair before school. Reputedly i'm the worst ever at this. Our 7-12 months-old arguing over the blouse we picked for him to put on to highschool, ensuing in a brief trade earlier than running out the door. Our 3 12 months vintage hitting his sister within the head with a barbie due to the fact he desired to be the mermaid. The 3-yr vintage's tantrum within the grocery save over a cookie i wouldn't allow him have, observed with the aid of a comfort prize of gum to hold him quiet. Eyes have been on me. Said three-year-old falling asleep in the car while on a experience alongside the waterfront. He gave the look of a little angel, slept for 2 hours. Victory! One child wanted fowl for dinner. One desired handiest french fries. No takers on broccoli. Water cups were thrown. One 6-year-vintage yelling at me for in no way making what she likes. They play so pleasant together inside the bath. The laughter warms my heart. Betime bargaining begins. Just one greater show? One greater e-book? Will, you lay with me? The day ends with quiet cuddles with my 7-year-vintage…who's growing too rapid. I will miss these moments. Believe me…

if you made it thru the day, you possess the good traits it takes to be a higher mother. A happy mother. A terrific mom. You will be adequate. Dependancy #three: form a tribe i'm going to credit my expensive pal, kat, for this tip. It's based at the vintage adage of “it takes a village” to raise a infant… and it virtually does. Nowadays, that village is called a tribe. Only some people are willing to assist each other out every time they can. We have got your returned. Currently, i've 3 youngsters antique sufficient to participate in extracurricular sports. Things like taekwondo, soccer, dance, art, piano, scouts. Our calendar has some thing on it every single day of the week… however sometimes we bypass an afternoon or two. Don't choose me. If it weren't for my tribe… i would likely must bypass greater than that. What? Deprive my baby of some thing he or she may additionally excel at? Sorry, however sure. I'm able to simplest achieve this a lot. I'm now not perfect. The tribe gathers weekly to assist every different out – on the whole with carpooling and babysitting. Playdates are an advantage. One much less child to manipulate, even for just a little whilst, can make a mother sense like she's received the chore lottery. Ahh… i see a further load of laundry in your future. Or possibly a quiet shopping trip to buy new denims in peace. Fortunate you! Whilst thinking about forming your personal tribe… start with one easy query. Who do i trust with my children? My tribe consists of:

a handful of close buddies own family pals 1-3 “mothers helpers” or babysitters a small social community of like-minded mothers these humans may be known as upon, now and again on very short notice, that will help you out. Think of them as nine-1-1 responders for “momergencies”. See what i did there? You don't ought to do it all alone. With a bit of luck, you have a spouse or great other who's palms-on. That really takes a number of the burden off. Or maybe you're a unmarried mom… who i'm able to now forestall to applaud. Being a unmarried mother is one of the toughest matters all of us ever signed up for. You deserve all the reward inside the global! And you also deserve a tribe maybe extra than each person else. There is no shame in inquiring for help. Surround your self with the pleasant… and you'll be at your fine in your children. Habit #4: socialize like a child what if i were to inform you there has been a way on the way to be a terrific mom and nevertheless get your weekly exercising in, explore your inventive aspect, volunteer for a neighborhood charity, listen to live music, see a film, rock climb, enjoy a cup of coffee and proper communication with grown-ups? And what if i were to inform you this could all be accomplished along with your kids in tow? Might you trust me? You must trust me. Proper mom creed. Preserve this in mind when times together with your kids get difficult precise mother creed one of the first-class methods to be a better mom is to have a few flexibility on your day. And one of the high-quality approaches to be an amazing mother is to incorporate a laugh sports for you and your infant into each and each day… even though only for an hour or . The household stuff can wait. Existence is short. Youth is fast! Pencil in time along with your child, just as you'll a purchaser assembly or cooking dinner. And if you actually need to make the maximum out of that hour, time table something you may each enjoy. Concentrate to your inner baby! There are such a lot of “mommy and me” sports at our disposal these days, it would be a shame not to attempt them out. Adventure is waiting! There's something for absolutely everyone and every age. You simply want to find them. Start through turning to the web. Here's a terrific listing of ideas put together by way of author, melina gerosa bellows, 21 approaches to revel in being a mother. Or maybe you need to study something new. Here are a number of my favored matters:

1. Go to a trampoline park or roller skating rink you'll burn lots of calories… and your children will tire themselves out! It's a win-win! Simply go away your inhibitions at the door. 2. Take a look at out a paint your own pottery or canvas region a number of these places have unique “mommy and me” or “infant time” every day, in which you would possibly meet other moms. Even though they don't offer this, all of them have open studio hours, where you could cross at your leisure and unleash your internal artist. Discover ways to be a good mom and a way to balance being a spouse and mother on this manual. Discover “mommy and me” activities for your vicinity and revel in the day! Three. Volunteer together with your baby visit dosomething. Org or mommypoppins. Com and notice which kid-pleasant activities hobby you. If you have an older baby, speak your options, making them experience liable for their time. Instilling precise traits in our children at an early age will maximum in reality bring about them becoming altruistic and empathetic adults. Our international wishes more suitable humans. 4. Concentrate to tune inside the park as the weather receives hotter, many towns offer outdoor song. The nice element? It is normally unfastened. Those circle of relatives-friendly concert events are a super way to expose your child to tune other than kidz bop or the wiggles.

now not that there is something incorrect with those… i surely quite like the wiggles. But variety is the spice of existence, and a well-rounded toddler is an thrilling one. Now not to mention, you may just get to relive your glory days as a unmarried woman belting out some 80s or 90s classics together with your girlfriends. 5. Find a pressure-in or out of doors movie venue hop within the automobile with the circle of relatives and cross. Whilst the power-ins may be a bit tough to return by way of nowadays, less expensive (now and again unfastened) out of doors films are popping up like daisies all over the us of a… particularly in the course of the summer time. Similarly to the plain attraction of looking a movie from the comfort of your very own automobile, or on a seashore, your kids are allowed to talk! In truth, it is expected. And bonus: you do not must worry approximately crouching down low when heading out for one among probably numerous lavatory breaks. 6. Locate an indoor rock climbing gym the benefits to be had from mountaineering have it rapid becoming a famous activity, for each adults and children alike. The power conditioning, especially for the top frame, is unprecedented for some thing so a laugh. And then you have the mental thing, pushing your self past your limits till you attain the top. It's a splendid lesson in in no way giving up… for each you and your youngsters. In case you do not have tons of time to investigate, or are not sure what you'd be into precisely, contemplate joining a neighborhood “mothers group”. They normally have new member conferences at least as soon as a month, which might be regularly just casual get-togethers over coffee, where they go over their listing of activities. Whether or not you join or not, you are bound to get a few fresh thoughts and maybe even make a chum or . Suppose tribe! An energetic and nicely-rounded mother makes a glad mother. A glad mother is a great mom. And happiness is contagious. Allow your youngsters see you satisfied. Dependancy #5: positioned a few personal time at the agenda humorous mother's day cool animated film mother mother exact mother proper mom #mom #motherhood #goodmother #habits #selfhelp #selfcare #parenting #figure #parents #quotes #funny this turned into always one in every of my favourite cartoons… because it's genuine. Motherhood is a 24/7 task. There aren't any ill days, no holiday days, no extra time pay, no lunch breaks. It's miles a exertions of love. And it can be thankless. As supportive as your partner or childless pals may try to be in relation to your daily habitual… they can by no means genuinely recognize till they enjoy it. And to be honest, the bond among a mom and her toddler does not examine to that of a father and baby. It simply would not. Ask yourself…

while my child is sick, who do they want? While my baby has a nightmare, who do they run to? When my child is hungry, who do they ask to lead them to something while my infant can't discover their preferred shirt, who knows where to appearance? Possibilities are, your answer to all of those questions is “mother”. Unless you aren't around, the answer is “mother”. It is the fact. As i grew older and became a mother for the primary time, it hit me… dads are type of like alternative teachers. While mom is not available (which is sort of never), they're a great alternative! They may be succesful and charming. They may be truely fun and lenient. They have got this… if they ought to. Till mom comes again. Now…

one in all two things goes via your head at this very moment. I've bowled over and offended you… so that you're going to forestall reading i have given you a terrific snort… and you feel just a wee bit responsible for it my money is on #2. Don't get me incorrect…

i like my husband. He's an brilliant father and really concerned with the kids. My children adore their father. He makes them sense safe and they appreciate him. Discover ways to be an excellent mother and how to be an excellent dad and mom. Dads are form of like alternative instructors. They may be certainly a laugh and lenient. They've got this… if they ought to. Till mother comes lower back. In truth, i'm regularly jealous that he gets to do more of the amusing matters with them. He receives to return home from work and roll round at the ground with our sons, play dolls with our daughters, instruct their soccer group…. He is achieved with work for the day and is all about them. It is exquisite. Virtually. The laughter in the house whilst my husband gets home is track to my ears… and makes doing my “task” a touch less difficult. Nonetheless, i wouldn't mind switching locations from time to time. Would you? In the end, being a great mother approach that you are by no means definitely “off the clock”. You still need to get dinner on the desk, pick up toys, do the dishes, fold one extra load of laundry… all earlier than putting them to mattress. It is laborious. You're exhausted. You deserve a break. And you shouldn't sense responsible for inquiring for one. Flip in your partner, your companion, your mother, a pal, a neighbor… your tribe. Ask them to watch the children for a couple of hours so you can try out a yoga class, have dinner with a chum, walk across the mall and window shop, move for a motorbike ride, take a sleep. Or simply sit down on a park bench and play sweet crush. It doesn't remember what you do, simply go. A part of getting to know the way to be an amazing mother is knowing that you want a smash. A brief break from your kids doesn't suggest you like them any much less. In truth, it is due to the fact you love them that you need a smash. Run! I'm critical. Perhaps you want to head for a run? You could laugh. That became funny. You want to recharge your batteries. Go into your head and close the whole lot off for just some time. Or as a minimum attempt to. Taking care of your thoughts and frame will make you a better mom. Mediation and relaxation are first rate ways to retain recognition and center your self. It enables placed matters into perspective. If you're uncertain of the way to do that, or simply leery, try any such great apps you could get to your smartphone. They may be positive to help you get into the proper kingdom of mind. Mental clarity ends in making better choices. It is as simple as that. And exercising is tested to raise your temper, fight infection, and improve sleep… among other matters. The endorphins will preserve you going for hours! In case you do not accept as true with me, take a look at this out… however come again! We are almost finished here. The advantages of mediation and workout will depart your feeling organized for anything motherhood throws your way that day. I assure it. Plus, you will be a happier mother whilst you go back domestic… and this is something your children (and partner) will admire. Habit #6: time table a “date night” before the youngsters… there has been courtship. Swooning. Past due night time conversations. Quiet food in fancy eating places. This was dating. You loved it. In truth, you cherished it so much that you met a person to have a infant with. And if you have been fortunate sufficient to really marry that man or woman, the children are a reminder of that love each and every day. But here's the twist. You need to sustain that love. Striking onto the reminiscence of love and a laugh times collectively is not enough. You want to certainly display your spouse, each day, which you love him. You loved him first. Every so often it is easy to get stuck up within the beautiful chaos this is raising children. But you can not wander away in it. You loved him first. You still love him. Research have shown that kids raised in a domestic with two loving parents advantage appreciably from this. A few of the many advantages of developing up in a two-figure family, your kids may have a better chance of forming successful relationships in their own at some point of their life… each for my part and professionally. Part of getting to know the way to be a terrific mother is showing your children that they have loving mother and father. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up within the stunning chaos this is elevating kids. You need to clearly show your spouse, every day, that you love him. Moves communicate louder than words. Kids, specially younger ones, are more likely to bear in mind “snapshots” from their early adolescence than phrases. If they see you and your partner being affectionate and worrying towards one another, they may deliver that with them. They may feel safe and loved because of the way you have interaction with every different. Display them which you are excellent buddies. Now inform them that you're going on a playdate with each different. Kids can relate. Begin slow:

placed one “date night time” in keeping with month at the calendar, however do at least 3 months at a time so that you're not inclined to bypass it the next month (if you can pull off two times a month… you move, woman!). Relaxed a babysitter for all of those nights proper away

take turns making plans the date together with your spouse, leave a laugh recommendations or clues to make it a surprise

do no longer check your cellphone on the date, set it to do no longer disturb. Only the babysitter wishes to recognise in which you're in case of emergency and might name the actual venue if want be. Do one spontaneous issue on the date

do no longer communicate approximately the youngsters as soon as the date has commenced. If you feel the urge, speak them within the vehicle or uber earlier than you get to wherein you are going. Reminisce. The point of date night is to recall why it's miles you fell in love… and to test in with each other so that the affection does not wander off within the aggravating daily. The youngsters will nevertheless be there whilst you get domestic. Dependancy #7: it's ok to have a bad “mother” day you are the first teacher your baby has. Lead by using instance. You can not always succeed, but do your exceptional to:

in no way argue with a cherished one in the front of the youngsters. Communicate in your children like you'll an person (is reasonably). Be affectionate. Yell constructively. Never go to mattress disillusioned. Spend a few minutes unwinding every night. There are days while you may succeed in doing all of this stuff. There are days you will not. Similar to a terrible “hair” day, you will have bad “mom” days… and it is good enough. Do not beat your self up. Nobody is ideal. Mother overwhelm quote awful day does not identical a awful mom sensible phrases to do not forget whilst motherhood receives difficult just like a awful “hair” day, you will have terrible “mom” days… and it's ok. However we will all aspire to be “flawlessly imperfect”. This essentially approach spotting while you're wrong and doing all of your best to accurate it. Positive, you could bicker together with your accomplice in the front of the kids. But, there's usually a manner to hold it friendly and productive. In our residence, if my husband and that i are caught having a silly argument, we make it a factor to give an explanation for to our kids why each of us is upset and draw a assessment to some thing they can relate to. Here's an instance…

me: “mommy is aggravated at daddy due to the fact he left me with one square of lavatory paper rather than converting the roll.”

husband: “daddy failed to need to waste the bathroom paper.”

me: “consider your brother drank a big glass of orange juice and handiest left sufficient so that it will have one sip. Might you be dissatisfied?”

toddler: “sure”. Me: “but you will forgive him due to the fact he didn't understand how an awful lot become left. He became simply filling his glass up due to the fact he was thirsty. He wasn't looking to be suggest.”

this easy speak, comparing what we have been dissatisfied about to some thing our toddler can recognize, is a good way to let them know that mommy and daddy will be high-quality. The whole lot is excellent. Regardless of how rough a day has been, you can in no way hug and kiss your baby too much. Real presentations of love lead to well-rounded youngsters with more shallowness. According to an editorial from figure co., affection can cross a whole lot in addition than yelling when seeking to get through in your child. Plus, it simply plain feels suitable. There may be a time and vicinity for the whole lot. And there will be instances you'll need to yell at your toddler… when hugs just may not do. Newsflash! Yelling does not make you a bad mother. The use of demeaning language does. A part of learning how to be a great mother is understanding that yelling does no longer make you a awful mom. There could be times you are going to should yell at your child. That does not make you a terrible mom. But the use of demeaning language does. Phrases can harm. They may be also harder to forget about, that's why you need to pick them carefully while scolding a infant. Glaringly, if your little one is about to run into the street, you must yell first! Then hug them. Once you've got all calmed down, provide an explanation for to them that there are very critical effects available from strolling into the street. What if a vehicle have been coming? In case your infant smacks any other child within the face, it is perfectly appropriate to raise your voice and say, “no!” then possibly put them in “time out” – whether or not that be a chair or a corner, their room, and so on…. However, if your toddler throws his food at the ground throughout dinner, this can not warrant yelling as a whole lot as a stern appearance and, “no greater food for you this night.”

risk! In case you threaten your child with a punishment… be organized to commit to that punishment if they don't heed your warning. Sticking through your words is a huge play in the motherhood game. You do not want your youngsters now not to take you severely whilst the time comes. Empty threats may want to actually backfire, mainly as they get older. You may lose credibility after which probably become frustrated. Frustration can cause pronouncing belongings you don't imply. Tread gently. Whether or not you're yelling, or just threatening punishment, there's a manner to be positive about it. Each time i've yelled at my youngsters, i made a factor to go returned as soon as i'm calm and give an explanation for to them why i used to be so upset and lost my mood. There may be technique in your madness. When scolding a infant, do use phrases and terms like:

no! Forestall! Why did you do this? Do not do this! What are you doing? How ought to you? What had been you questioning? Don't use words and phrases like:

that became stupid! You are stupid! Are you an idiot? I cannot stand you! I'm so tired of you! You are the worst! You may be questioning that you'd by no means say these things to a baby, however rage can be a elaborate issue. Do not maintain your emotions bottled up! Think about the sound a tea kettle makes while the water is beginning to boil. Imagine that is you preserving in your anger, your blood stress rising. Feelings can sneak up on you. So make it a factor to talk your feelings constructively before it receives to the point where you are saying some thing you regret. Learn how to be a happy mom and a way to be an awesome mom. Do no longer maintain your emotions bottled up! Feelings can sneak up on you. By no means go to mattress angry! One of the maximum important matters you can do to turn a terrible day round is to make amends earlier than bed. Make their bedroom a “no negativity area”. Talk flippantly and undoubtedly together with your infant. Toughen one true component that came about to you, or something exceptional that they did, at some point of the day. Locate the silver lining in a difficult day. Smother them with hugs and kisses, wish them candy dreams. Inform them you adore them. Usually. Then take a stroll in your favourite room inside the residence, have a seat, and unwind. Perhaps which means beginning a book you have been trying to finish. Maybe it is having a tumbler of wine and a chunk of chocolate along with your husband. Maybe it is checking your fb web page. Maybe it's catching up on a display you've had dvr'd for weeks. Anything you want to do to relaxation, mirror and recharge. Tomorrow is some other day. Giving a proper good-bye to this one earlier than mattress will result in a higher night's sleep… and a higher night time's sleep will make you a better mom. A glad mother. A terrific mother. A mom who wakes up inside the morning with a smile on her face, confident she's prepared to tackle the day! You have got this! However earlier than i go away you…

mark my words: you already know the way to be a good mom! A massive part of it's miles following your instincts. And, of route, loving your infant unconditionally facilitates. However in case you keep those 7 habits tucked away on your brain, you may be armed with all which you need to stand something comes. Afterall… motherhood, like existence, is unpredictable. What works for you one day, may not the following. Routines exchange, people exchange, conditions trade. Just roll with it! Consider in yourself. Make use of the net sources available to you. Ask for assist. Make time for a touch a laugh. Make time for yourself. Reward your self. Make time for romance. Allow your self off the hook whilst matters don’t pass as deliberate. Motherhood is an experience in contrast to any other. And even as you chose this route… realize that it also selected you. The sooner you permit your self to accept the best with the bad, the sooner you may start to sense like a better mom. The minute you let pass of any negativity or guilt, you will become a satisfied mom. Realize your limitations. Permit your self to be human, fallible. Study from every day. This is the way to be a good mother. What do you believe you studied it takes to be a great mother? so what are your thoughts at the conduct had to be an excellent mother? Do you accept as true with this listing, or disagree? What are your favorite conduct of motherhood?

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celiacandsalty · 4 years

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Kal Penn’s Nuts

Warning: the following blog includes strong language, references to gluten, and excessive whining.

When my brother Jeff got diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2014 (at age 34) I distinctly remember my first thought being something along the lines of, “oh god, that poor bastard.” Not only because many most of the best foods contain gluten, but because I was already imagining the inevitable day when he goes to some business dinner or something and the server mistakes him for one of THOSE people. You know, the people we all roll our eyes at because they claim to have a gluten “sensitivity” or “intolerance,” but we suspect they’re full of shit and make a mental note to mock them at a later date. It’s hard to say why I cared so much about what hypothetical Cheesecake Factory employees in Ohio might think about my brother’s diet but I DID.

(I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but on TV shows now if they want to quickly convey that a character is an annoying douchebag, usually all they have to do is throw in a line where that person orders a gluten free whatever and a vegan something or other. It’s been a “joke” (for lack of a better word) for at least a decade now and for some reason shows no signs of stopping, despite the fact that it is completely unoriginal, unfunny, and hacky. What I’m saying is, gluten free is the new Nickleback.)

Okay, now cut to 2018 when I, following in my brother’s stupid footsteps, also get diagnosed with Celiac disease1 and all those pitying thoughts I never would have verbalized to my poor bastard brother come flooding back, only now they apply to me too and I can hear them all because they’re in my head. I did not take the news well.

Now, it almost goes without saying that it is easier now than ever before to find decent gluten-free food, especially in Portland, Oregon (where I fortunately already happened to live), but I gotta say, it’s a colossal pain in the ass and it still sucks. It sucks that I have to spend so much of my free-time moonlighting as a gluten detective, looking at menus for places I might possibly be invited to eat at someday and reading every word on every food label and trying to get to the bottom of whether miso paste or Werther’s Originals are safe for me to eat.2 It sucks that I don’t even really WANT to go out to eat much anymore because it’s such a stressful experience that I barely enjoy it anways. It sucks that I once enjoyed traveling and now I’ve pretty much written off at least a couple of entire continents (and they were good ones too.) It sucks that I have frequent anxiety dreams about accidentally poisoning myself. It sucks that I only just discovered Shake Shack 6 months before getting diagnosed and now I’ll never again know the joy of a squishy hamburger bun. It sucks that I no longer get to be the easygoing person in a group or at the office who, when asked about dietary restrictions, could proudly say “Nope! I’m fine with whatever (aka I am a very cool and chill person).” I could go on and on, but I’d have to say the thing that actually sucks the most is the whole gluten-as-a-punchline thing because for me it is so terribly unfunny.

A couple of months ago3 I was at the gym, listening to one of my podcasts in which the guests, usually comedians, get a chance to rant for a few minutes on any topic of their choosing. That week, Kal Penn (of Harold & Kumar fame4) was one of the guests and he made the bold choice to rant about GLUTEN. My blood went straight to a solid simmer before he said another word. I considered shutting it off, but I thought to myself, “Easy does it, Jeanne! Maybe it’s not going to be what you think it is.”

Narrator: It was.

Kal Penn went on to say that as a person living with a severe allergy to tree nuts, it makes him very angry that people who claim to have GLUTEN allergies or intolerances are diluting the seriousness of his legitimate food allergy. The main takeaway being that GLUTEN allergies are FAKE and a FAD and they’re a PREFERENCE, unlike Kal Penn’s very real allergy to nuts.

Of course, Kal Penn included the caveat that there is a VERY small percentage of people for whom gluten issues are real, but I feel like that finer point may have been lost in the message of screaming FAKE FAKE FAKE for 3 minutes.5

The annoying thing though, is that Kal Penn is right. It IS a fad. (Especially in LA.) And I HATE that it is. One particularly annoying thing about this is that restaurants are catching on and more and more GF items items are popping up on menus everywhere. Unfortunately, they are often actually GF, unless you have Celiac disease, which makes my gluten detective job much harder.6

Now I don’t doubt that living with a nut allergy is hard. And I imagine that Kal Penn and I actually have a lot in common when it comes to anxieties and frustrations around food and eating out. I know that I shouldn’t say that I’m jealous of Kal Penn and his nut allergy, but in a way I am. Yes, I’m sure it is terrifying to go into anaphylactic shock and have to be rushed to the hospital, but on the bright side, at least people don’t think you’re a douchebag liar!

Speaking of being rushed to the hospital, here’s the funny story about how I found out that I can’t eat gluten. A little over a year ago, I ended up in the emergency room after dramatically collapsing in my apartment and completely losing all feeling in the entire left side of my body. After getting an MRI (and some other very expensive tests), I was informed that there were several areas of stroke in my 34-year-old brain.7

I spent 3 days in the neurology unit with puzzled doctors coming in every hour to scratch their heads and look at me with great concern. I didn’t find out for another full week that all of this was a result of undiagnosed Celiac disease. Apparently though I was asymptomatic in terms of gastrointestinal issues (very common in adults), I had become so severely anemic8 that I literally almost died. Malnutrition and malabsorption are common symptoms of Celiac, and at this point my hemoglobin was so critically low that I required a blood transfusion and 2 IV iron infusions.

Ok, so cool story, I know, but is stroke and near-death a common effect of eating gluten? Nope! I don’t think so!

So what’s my point? Fuck, I don’t even remember now. But I guess what I’m saying is...we all know the people Kal Penn is talking about. And I spend way too much of my mental energy worrying that when I tell someone I can’t have gluten9, they might, for example, still serve me a salad that they accidentally put the croutons on and then tried to pick them off but missed a few because they probably assume I’m just another asshole doing the Whole 30.10

So, Kal Penn, believe me when I say that I am with you on the issue of THOSE people. But continuing to rail against them and their possibly exaggerated gluten sensitivities does nothing to stop them. (I suspect it might even make them stronger and more annoying.) It does however, continue to reinforce the already widespread belief that gluten is a made-up problem invented in the 2000s, by I don’t know, naturopaths and George Soros probably? And it’s this belief that is actually very dangerous to people like myself and my brother and the millions of other poor bastards with REAL incurable conditions, and, for what it’s worth, one that seems unlikely to change the way we treat someone with a nut allergy. And, last but not least, it is also a belief that occasionally ruins my workout/enjoyment of podcasts.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent.

Oh, but sorry about your nuts, Kal Penn.

----

Cool family, right?? (Also my maternal grandmother had it too and was diagnosed in the 1980s.)

Still unclear

I meant to write this sooner. Fortunately, my New Year’s Resolution was to hold on longer to more grudges.

Among other things, like Obama’s White House?

I was also going to go back and listen to the podcast again to more accurately transcribe his rant, but just thinking about it made my heart hurt. If you want to hear for yourself, it was the November 9, 2019 episode of Lovett Or Leave It.)

Plus the pay sucks.

I think it could still pass for 28.

My blood’s solution to this problem was to produce WAY too many platelets, which I didn’t know and perhaps my blood didn’t know, are what make blood clot.

“Just tell them you have CELIAC.” Well guess what–some of THOSE people are co-opting our magic word too now!

Sorry if you’re doing the Whole 30 and not an asshole.

#celiac disease #kal penn #jon lovett

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luminary-gremlin · 5 years

Text

The Jesting Host (Part 7)

A/N: Ohhhhh boy here we go!

There was no doubt in Host’s mind that Ed caught on to his plans. It was only a matter of time before he starts building reinforcements to try and stop him from finishing his list…and he was only halfway done. At this rate he’ll need to keep his cover low and do things fast, and pray by chance a couple of his victims are in the same vicinity to help speed along the process. Yet the Host was never one to turn down a challenge. It was the reason he started all of this as well as a playful attempt to get all of the egos.

He currently sat under a tree outside, hiding from Ed who had been circling the property to look for him. After moving a few times he was certain Ed gave up his search for now, assuming he went inside where hiding would be much more limited. The shade under the tree kept him cool as the spring breeze washed over him.

Spring had always been one of Host’s favorite seasons aside from fall and the beautiful shivers of auditory bliss of the crunching leaves and pumpkin scent. Winter was a perfect time to stay inside and cuddle up with loved ones, and the Host LOVED to cuddle. He was the cuddle monster aside from Wilford in the ego group. Ahhh the warmth of being sandwiched between his lovers, the small cinnamon scent in his mug of hot cocoa, the soothing crackle of a nearby fireplace in a not so lonely library.

Okay maybe he didn’t have a favorite season, but it’s safe to say he’s learned to appreciate what each season offers. Don’t let me even get to summer with soaking his feet in the cool water and using his mind eye to stare at his soaking wet, exposed skinned, shiny lovers glazed in water and a kiss from the sun. AHEM, where was I? Ah yes, spring. Now what did spring have to offer you may ask? It’s the time of horrible bugs coming back to hover over you, the weather is getting hotter, and god forbid allergies.

Alas, Host has his own reasonings. Just like with Autumn and the color of the leaves changing, spring brings back its own vibrant color pallete. The sweet scent of florescents of a variety of flowers, a final break from the awfully overwelcomed cold, the sweet sound of rainfall at night, the rebirth of Earth. Oh the list could go on and on! Or…it would…if there wasn’t a sudden knock to the back of Host’s head.

He snapped out of his appreciation thoughts to perceive what just hit him. Now obviously he had an idea of it, the size was quite small, so he couldn’t be like Isaac Newton and discover gravity from an apple. He felt the soft grass until he found the weapon…an…acorn?

The moment he felt another hit his head, he tilted his head up, assuming he may have disturbed a family of squirrels awakening from hibernation. That is…until something slapped his face right on the nose that had the odd scent of…peanut butter?!

The Host huffed and discarded the dollup of peanut butter. Before long he recognized the attacker. The King of the Squirrels was currently perched on a branch eating some nuts given to him by his subjects, completely oblivious to anyone below his tree. Of course, of all the trees the Host hid under, it was the King’s. No matter, he was next on his list after all and quite a perfect time to get some revenge after the sudden attack to his poor head!

The King held up a piece of glass to use as a mirror, adjusting his royal beard to make sure it was still to its appropriate volume and coverage across his face and covering his hands in peanut butter in the process.

Host shuddered at the perception, how could anyone enjoy peanut butter on their skin? All sticky and surprisingly difficult to get off as well as the SCENT it leaves no matter how much one were to scrub. That’s the same as if a mark ego covers himself in wet socks and wears them, oh the torture of just imagining it.

The man let himself compose before focusing on the task at hand. Animals sure do love licking peanut butter, so it would be appropriate to have some…rebel subjects of the King’s to take care of that mess on his face and hands. The Host cleared his throat and began to narrate.

“The King’s peanut buttery scent was so strong, it began attracting all sorts of rodents in the King of the Squirrels’ court. Sweet, sticky nectar that has been within their reach. With an unstoppable urge to nibble and lick it all off…until the royal is squeaky clean”

He purred, certain that his torment will feature the squeaky cleanliness of sorts. Now, the Host sat back, closed his mind eye, and let echolocation provide the scene for him.

The King had finished evening out his precious beard, similar to a certain gameshow host and his hair. He took off his crown for a moment to slather the butter on his hands to his hair as some sort of gel when a small chipmunk had caught his eye.

“Ah, greetings little subject. I am King of the Squirrels! What brings you to my humble abode? Would you care for a snack?”

The King was generous to his subject. Often letting them eat off of his hands to gain their trust, it was the legend of how he once began his rule. Why else would he slather himself with the butter…other than for accessories? However that was usually one or two at a time…this King was going to experience a KINGDOM.

The small chipmunk crawled onto his hand and started gently nibbling away at the peanut butter hand. The king did his very best to stay as still as possible, as it was key for feeding the wild creatures. The nibbling on his hand wasn’t bad, just enough to make him twitch, but he remained still for the tiny subject. Out of the corner of his eye, spotted another subject staring up curiously at the king. Once again he slowly let his free hand fall and allowed the furry rodent to climb up and nibble his other hand.

The royal snickered softly, their bushy tails brushing over his wrists combined with the nibbling and licking over his palms. Once again another came, this time a squirrel, the common subject of the kingdom.

“Ah, Reginald, my loyal one. I see you are also interested on snacking on your king. Go ahead, nothing is stopping you.”

He whispered as to not scare the chipmunks away. The squirrel hopped up onto his shoulder and lightly licked his cheeks, another small sensitive spot of the King. He bit his lip to hold back his giggling from the small tongues lapping up his skin, tittering like a squirrel.

Over time, more and more squirrels came by to have a snack, they were all over the king! The king tried his hardest, his chest aching with spasms and held back giggling. The ten tongues all over his face, the 4 on his palms, their bushy tails swaying and brushing over his neck and collar bone. It was absolutely maddening. All he wanted to do was to curl up and squeal, surely this couldn’t get any worse. That is…until the lobes of his ears were sniffed.

Oh god why did he ask?! His arms shook, his face turning pink as he held his breath. The whiskers from one little squirrel brushing the shell of his ears as the sound of their small sniffs violated his ear drums. There was a small dollup of peanut butter and the squirrel started lapping it up with its tongue.

Oh the poor king, his ears were a very sensitive spot! He broke out into shriek cackles and flailed his arms about. By this time his beard was gone and all the squirrels scurried away except for two…and then the other one joined to clean his other ear.

“AhAHhaHAHAHAHAHHA GAHAHAHHAHD SOHOHohOHhoHMEONE hehHEHEHELP!!!! MY SUHUHuhUHuHUBJECTS BbebebhehheHETRAAHAHAYED MEEEHEHEHHE!!!!”

The King cried out for mercy and the Host took his leave to hide, he was for sure Ed heard that and would find him. Ed busted the door outside, he’ll fix that later, and made a bee line towards King’s shrills. He made it just in time. The king was so overwhelmed with ticklishness, he lost his balance and fell out of the tree branch. Ed lunged towards the royal and broke his fall after landing in a…recently bloomed flower bed…was that always there? How on earth did a flower bed bloom under a tree?

The last two squirrels scurried off and left a panting, breathless King, who greedily inhaled air and collapsed backwards into the soft flower bed.

“H-heheh…t-thanks E-ed…the King of the Squirrels…owes you a reward. Anything you…desire. Nuts, peanuts, a jar of honey?”

“My first request is if you can get offa me-”

The King gasped and rolled off the cowboy and offered him a hand up, patting his back and dusting off the dirt and grass stains off his clothes.

“Anything else?”

“Yeah…I think I know a thing or two you can help me with.”

7 down, 5 to go

#KOTS #king of the squirrels #tickle #the host #the jesting host #part 7 #squirrels #nibbling #masterpost

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rootbeergoddess · 5 years

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Peter Parker's Baby is Better Than Yours

AKA Peter loves being a father but he also misses Miles and Gwen.

I’m sorry this is terrible but I decided to post it anyway.

“Oh my god, your baby is so cute!”

Hearing those words was like a drug for Peter. Did all dads feel this way? Probably not because his baby was by far the cutest baby in the world. Okay, most dads thought that but Peter was sure Gemma was the most perfect child in the world. With her chestnut brown skin and a head of gorgeous black curls, how could people not love her?

Gemma was sitting her stroller, looking at the two old ladies who were fawning over her. She was bundled up, wearing an adorable red coat, white hat and little boots with bows on them. Gemma looked up at her father who smiled down at her before looking back at the two old ladies. She smiled so big her pacifier fell out.

“Oh look at that smile!” One of them cooed.

“So precious!” The other said, picking up the pacifier. “Let’s have Daddy clean that before you put it back in your mouth.”

Gemma gurgled, making the women coo again. Peter felt bad for other fathers. Their babies couldn’t compare to his Gemma.

“Alright Gemma, say goodbye to the nice ladies,” Peter said. “You ladies have a wonderful day.”

Gemma gurgled more as Peter headed down the street. They reached the diner. Someone opened the door for them which Peter was thankful for. Strollers could be such a pain in the butt. Someone needed to invent a stroller that could open doors. He could do that and Gemma could be the spokesperson. Or the spokesbaby.

“Peter!” Miles waved him over.

Things had been a tad hectic for MJ and Peter since they had adopted three children. Kids were a handful. Asher and Theo were very well behaved to Peter’s surprised but that didn’t mean they were perfect children. Asher had recently gotten in trouble for breaking Mary Jane’s favorite porcelain picture frame. How? Asher thought it was a great idea to place football in the house. Now, his football had been confiscated and he was doing extra chores to pay his mother back.

Theo hadn’t done anything too bad but they recently discovered he had food allergies. At school, Theo had started having trouble breathing. The teacher had called Peter and he instantly panicked. Thankfully, the nurse was able to figure out the issue. So Theo couldn’t eat anything with cashews or walnuts. Peanuts were fine but the other nuts were a huge no. Peter really didn’t want to witness his baby boy in cardiac arrest so now, he had to check all of Theo’s food.

With all that was going on, Peter hadn't gotten a chance to see the other Spiders. So he decided it was high time that his family slowly started to meet his Spider-Family.

“Oh my god, Peter is that her?” Gwen asked. “She’s beautiful!”

“Yep,” Peter rolled the stroller up. “This is Gemma. Say hi Gemma.”

“Dang, that’s a cute kid. No wonder you adopted Peter because there is no way your kid would be that cute.” Miles said.

“Ha ha, very funny,” Peter took Gemma out of the stroller. “Okay, into the high chair.”

Once Gemma was in the high chair she began to cry. Peter sighed and took her out. The only problem with Gemma was that she wanted to be held constantly. Peter didn’t mind too much. He would hold his little princess whenever she wanted. MJ said that was bad and that Peter was enabling her but he liked to think he was just making Gemma happy. Granted, he knew that sooner or later, he wouldn’t be able to hold her anymore. So why not hold her when he could?

“Gemma, Daddy can’t hold you and eat,” He told his baby. “Will you please sit in the high chair?”

Peter placed her in again but Gemma started to whine. Gwen picked Gemma up.

“Hello Gemma,” She said with a smile. “I’m Gwen. How about you sit with me while your Dad orders some food?”

Gemma responded by grabbing Gwen’s nose. Gwen made a noise like she was shocked, making Gemma smile.

“This outfit is so cute,” Gwen commented. “Did MJ pick it out?”

“She picks out most of their clothing,” Peter picked up the menu. “Which is probably for the best. Baby clothing is confusing. I tried putting her in just some footie pajamas but that wasn’t good enough. Gemma apparently has to look like the next Gerber baby.”

“She’s cuter than the Gerber baby,” Gwen sat Gemma on the table. “Aren’t you? Yes, you are.”

“Do all girls do this when babies are around? Ow!” Miles rubbed his arm, looking at Gwen. “I can scream abuse you know.”

“Grow up Miles.”

“Nah.”

This was nice. Peter knew that Gwen and Miles weren’t his own kids but that didn’t mean he couldn’t feel proud. They were doing so well. They were smart, brave, talented kids. Gwen also seemed to be really good with kids. Gemma loved her. Even when their food came, Gemma was content to sit on Gwen’s lap. Peter was a bit worried when she reached over to grab one of Miles’ fries.

“Gemma, no,” Peter said.

“You want a fry?” Miles asked, offering it up. “Can you say the magic word?”

“Peas,” Gemma replied.

“Good job,” Miles fed her a fry. “I only give my fries to cute girls so consider yourself lucky.”

“Oh, so that is why you let me mooch off you?” Gwen asked.

“Nuts, I’ve been caught,” Miles shrugged. “Oh well.”

“So, fatherhood has been good for you Peter?” Gwen asked.

Had it? Honestly, fatherhood had been a blessing. It wasn’t just because he was back with MJ. No, it was more than that. Peter had always been a hero in some way. He liked helping people. Having three children to help mold into the next generation made him feel like even more of a hero. It was weird but he was happy with his lot in life.

“It’s been great,” Peter replied. “It’s been exhausting but I don’t think I’d change anything.”

After Gemma finished off the remainder of Miles’ fries, the three spiders decided to head to the park. Gemma refused to be put into her stroller so Miles carried her on his shoulders. She liked being tall, getting a new view on the world. As Peter walked behind Miles with Gwen, he couldn’t help but notice something. Gwen was really focused on Gemma. She was also smiling a bit more. They continued walking in silence until Gwen spoke.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you?” Peter looked at her. “For what?”

“For letting me be a part of this,” Gwen motioned to Miles and Gemma. “My Peter---well, you know. He had talked about wanting to get married and have kids one day. I don’t know, I guess it’s nice to know one Peter got there.”

There was another pause.

“You know, you’re part of the family right?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, I know,” Gwen smiled at him. “Thanks Peter.”

“Anytime.”

“Yo slowpokes!” Mile called to them. “You better hurry up and we’re gonna leave you in our dust!”

“Ust!” Gemma declared.

“Who are you calling slow?” Gwen asked, running up to them. “I know it’s not me!”

Peter chuckled. Yeah, fatherhood was good for him.

#Rootbeer Writes #Into the Spiderverse #Peter B. Parker #Miles Morales #Gwen Stacy #The Spider Babies

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