#my mom says to just take them away but I’d feel bad because the whole reason I taught him was to make it easier for us to communicate

[prismatic-bell]

You know, I’m 35 and get told on a regular basis that people think I’m in my early 20s. I usually tell them it’s because I hydrate and mind my own business. But the truth is this: I do actually have a whole-body skincare routine, and I’m going to share it because THE COMPANIES ARE LYING TO YOU and I am going to save you so much time, worry, money, and counter space. It’s ten steps and they’re easy:

1) HYDRATE. Hydrate hydrate hydrate. Dehydration is the little death that brings chapped lips, flaking skin, and hangnails. Drink water. Drink fruit juice. Drink coffee, I don’t fucking care. Anything that puts more water into your body than it removes (which translates to “anything nonalcoholic”). Hydrate.

2) take a multivitamin. There are many out there. Do research if you want to. I take Centrum. Keep in mind this is not a replacement for meals and proper nutrition! It’s more like putting a high-quality patch on a hole in your wall. Micronutrients in particular can be hard to get and vitamins are good for those.

3) fuck your fancy facewash. I use a blend of two parts rubbing alcohol to one part each of rosewater and witch hazel—just dump your constituent parts in a mason jar and shake it. The rosewater and alcohol both lift dirt, the alcohol dissolves excess oil but it’s weak compared to specialized chemicals so it’s not stripping your skin, and witch hazel is a mild astringent that kills bacteria and moisturizes at the same time. Just wipe your skin gently once a day using a cotton round. (I actually have reusable ones, they’re great.) if you have super-dry skin you can use a moisturizer at this point, but I have normal-to-oily skin and have never needed one.

4) only wash your hair twice a week, but comb it every day with a fine-toothed wooden comb to prevent dandruff and stimulate blood flow to your scalp.

5) get an Italy cloth. I swear these things are magic. You just sit in the bath until your fingers just barely start to go pruney and then you rub it all over like a washcloth and it lifts off all the dead skin (don’t use it on your face, the skin is more delicate). You can literally see it come off, it’s so gross and so satisfying at the same time. Do it about once a week. Make sure you hang it up to dry after, and wash it regularly. (Also: Italy cloths do not kill bacteria, so you do still need soap. That’s okay, because washing after will also help remove any bits of dead skin that didn’t rinse away.)

6) fuck your fancy shampoo (if you have white-person hair). Mix apple cider vinegar with tea tree conditioner about 1:1 and soak your hair with it. Let it sit while you bathe. Rinse it out. Astonish hairdressers.

7) pick a fruit/veggie-based snack and reach for it when you’re idly hungry. Look, I get it, junk food tastes great and cooking vegetables is hard. (Believe me, I know.) That is why you do this. I go for veggies dipped in ranch or a cream cheese spread, or apples dipped in peanut butter. (You know what’s REALLY good, if you have the time and spoons? Mix the peanut butter with raisins and then slather the apples with it. Yum.) I’m not saying don’t have a piece of cake. I’m saying when you’re what the Brits call “peckish,” you can cheat and get some of your necessary fruit and veggies this way. It’s also super-helpful if you, like me, are neurodivergent and often forget to eat.

8) make cartoon faces. No, really! Your face was made to move. Puff up your cheeks, squeeze your eyes shut tight, move the muscles in any direction you can make work. You’ll find you feel more relaxed after, and when your face is more relaxed it’s not creating stress lines. (Wrinkles are beautiful, but speaking for myself I’d rather have crow’s feet and smile wrinkles than the angry line my mom had down the middle of her forehead.)

9) get a hobby that relaxes you, preferably a tangible one. Stress is bad for every part of you—your brain, your mental state, your heart, your kidneys, your skin. All of it. The skin is an organ. Treat it as such, and manage your stress.

And finally:

10) makeup ages you. MAKEUP AGES YOU. MAKEUP AGES YOU!!! Makeup blocks pores from doing their job; makeup mixes with sebum (your face’s natural and necessary oils) to create blackheads and whiteheads; the aggressive rubbing you may do to remove makeup causes microtears in your skin. MAKEUP IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU. If you want to wear makeup (or it’s required for your job or the world is stupid and racist and is forcing aggressive femininity on you) try to find powders instead of creams, look for the makeups with the fewest possible ingredients, invest in a good makeup remover, and don’t wear it everyday.

That’s it, that’s the ten steps I use to keep my skin healthy. Take care of yourself and mostly leave your body alone. It knows what to do.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

A Place To Call Home: After Shocks

Summary: The reader is feeling guilty after doubting her parents after the stunt her birth parents pulled. But with her parents going away to film a new project soon, the only solution may be for her to go with them for some much needed bonding...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x foster daughter!reader

Word Count: 11,100ish

Warnings: language, angst, fluff

A/N: This one takes place directly after Long, Long Time!

________

“Y/N.” You felt TJ behind you, his strong arms wrapping around your waist, holding you close. “What do you need right now?”

You smiled to yourself, closing your eyes. For every bad thing that’d happened in your life, you were still amazed at how lucky you were to have found someone that loved you wholly. He was still the one person that you’d never once doubted cared for you, never struggled with sharing the dark parts of your past. 

There were things you’d only told him even, the details behind vague statements to your parents. Yet he stayed and never complained about what being with a person with scars was like. It’d be so much easier for him to have found a normal girl, so much less for him to worry about.

“I probably would have wound up with a not so nice guy if I’d not gone to my parents when I was a teenager. I would have fallen for the first guy that was nice and sweet just so he could get me in bed or worse. I was so fucking starved for attention and love back then. I was so goddamn lonely.”

He squeezed you tighter, tucking his head down so he could burrow his face in your neck, kissing it softly.

“My dad showed me what to look for in a man. My mom too. They taught me how I was supposed to be treated when I was in a relationship.” You opened your eyes, staring out the back window again. “How did I let those assholes make me afraid of my parents? I hate that I pushed them away, TJ. It’s better now but it’s not. I feel so guilty.”

“It’s only been a few days since things got back to normal. Give it some time. Try therapy with them, bring ‘em to a session.”

“Honey, I know exactly what the therapist would say. I had this same conversation when I was in college. I know it’s because I want people to be angry at me when I make a mistake. It’s what I expect. It’s what my childhood taught me, my time in foster care did.”

“Alright,” he said, kissing the side of my head. “So how’d they say to not feel guilty back then?”

“They suggested I spend time with them so I could understand that my guilt had no basis. That they loved me no matter what and that’s what the whole unconditional thing meant. It’s not bad to get afraid. It’s human and we shouldn’t be ashamed of being afraid.”

“So go spend some time with your parents,” he said.

“I spend too much time with them already,” you said, squeezing your eyes shut as he spun you around in his hold. “Other people our age-”

“I don’t give a fuck about other people our age. Our family lives around the corner and frankly, I hope they always do. I love them. I enjoy their company. Honey, I can promise you that having a close, loving family is a good thing. Allie and Colin? They fucking adore their grandparents. They regularly get to see their aunts and uncle. We have amazing family friends they get to grow up with. Those two kids are never, ever, going to doubt they they are loved and supported. You and I could die tomorrow and I know those two will turn out amazing. I promise you, we will never spend too much time with our family.”

“I worry you think I’m too needy sometimes,” you whispered, meeting his gaze. His face was gentle, short black hair still damp from his shower. “But I’ve never doubted you. I just don’t want to put too much on you. I don’t want to take away time that should be yours.”

“Oh you sweet, silly, adorable, idiot,” he chuckled, tucking your hair behind your ear, letting his finger trail down the side of your throat. “We have forever together. I know how lucky I am to spend as much time as I do with you. My job is flexible and only getting more with time. And you? You’re turning set design into a career now. What couple our age gets to spend so much of our time together? Believe me, I’m greedy to be with you as much as I can be but I am more than happy to share you with our family.”

He cupped your cheek, smiling while he gently stroked over your cheekbone. “Give spending some extra time with them a shot for me. Okay, silly goose?”

“Where did I find you?” you whispered, nuzzling into his chest.

“Orientation. I was the boy awkwardly staring at you for so long you asked if I had heatstroke.” You laughed at the memory of him just blank faced, sweating in the boiling summer heat as you stood with your orientation packet and attempted to find your parents in the crowd. You thought he was from out of state with the way he was dripping and offered him some water while finding him some shade to hide beneath. 

By the time he’d gotten his words back, you’d realized he was there on his own. No family to help him move in, find buildings, buy books. It wasn’t a conscious thought back then but you knew that ache of loneliness. Even people who came from homes with parents could feel like they were by themselves. 

“Lucky for me you took pity on me and instead of thinking I was a creeper, you showed me which line to get my packet from and pointed out where buildings were on maps and all of it. I was in love with you before I even knew your name.”

“Thomas,” you said, cheeks flushing. “Don’t be cute when I was feeling crappy five minutes ago.”

“Ah, but that’s my favorite thing to do,” he teased, kissing the tip of your nose. “Now off you go.”

“To where?” you laughed, TJ walking you over to the front door. 

“To your parents, silly. It’s only nine and we both know they don’t sleep until late. Go hang for a bit, talk to them about being together more. Me and my perky butt will be waiting here for you when you get back.”

“Okay, well that’s just cruel to put that image in my mind and then send me away,” you said as he bent down and slipped a pair of sneakers on your feet. He looked up through his lashes, putting on a sultry smile. “TJ! Stop turning me on!”

“Don’t blame me for you being stunning,” he said, rising to his feet and pecking a kiss to your lips. “Drive over for me.”

“Okay,” you said. “What are you planning on doing in the meantime?”

“Check on the munchkins, play a video game, lay in bed in my birthday suit to greet you when you get back.”

“Just don’t scar the children for life,” you laughed, feeling a gentle pat on your ass. TJ ushered you to go when you nearly dragged him towards the bedroom and finally you were out the door. Two minutes later, you were walking into your parents house, the place pretty dark. JJ was at a graduation party and spending the night there. The twins were up in the family room watching an old movie with the lights off, totally engrossed with it. You figured your parents were on their private balcony and headed for their room.

“Oh fuck!” you shouted when you saw way more of your father than you ever wanted to. You quickly slammed the door and stood outside the room, pacing away as you shook your head. “Nope. Nope. Nope. I didn’t see that. I did not see that.”

The door opened after a moment, your mom slipping out in a pair of joggers and a silky black pajama shirt.

“I am so sorry, honey. I thought dad locked the door,” she said as you kept walking, shaking your head. “Are you okay?”

“Was he giving you a fucking naked lap dance?” you said, a coy smile on her face as she shrugged. “Mom!”

“Oh, you’ve seen his ass before when you watched The Boys,” she said.

“I knew that was going to happen! And I saw a whole lot more than just ass,” you said, shivering your whole body as the twins came down from their movie.

“I remember when I walked in on them,” said your brother, wearing a shit eating grin as you groaned. “Dad’s got a huge-”

“I don’t need a reminder!” you said, your dad clearing his throat as he came out in a pair of sweatpants and gray t-shirt. 

“Things going okay out here?” he asked, forcing a smile.

“Talking about your apparently huge dick,” said Arrow. Your mom couldn’t help but laugh as your dad groaned, the twins starting to giggle. “What? It’s the truth.”

“While I normally appreciate how open we are as a family, I mean this in the nicest way, we are never bringing this topic up again,” said your dad with a sigh. “Go finish your movie and for the love of god never talk about this again.”

Your mom was still laughing, earning a small headlock from him. “It’s your fault you didn’t lock the door!”

“Yes, I know,” he groaned, letting her go and standing in front of you with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for scaring you for life, kiddo.”

“It’s fine,” you sighed, crossing your arms. “In terms of traumatizing events, this ranks pretty low for me. Besides, mom told me when I started having sex with TJ about your sex life.”

His head whipped around and she held up her hands. “Hey. She had questions and I answered them.”

“I wouldn’t have told her how big…you know,” he grumbled. 

“I didn’t. I just said above average is nice!”

“As much fun as this conversation is, I’d like to repress this memory if possible so I’m going to let you guys continue with your magic mike moment-”

You heard the twins howl in laughter, your dad storming past you and over towards the stairs.

“You two start high school in the fall and guess what talk we’re having tomorrow?” he said. They both groaned for a moment before you heard noise again, your dad wiping his hand over his face. 

“They both know what sex is,” you said, his eyes wide. “I gave them both the talk like years ago.”

“You did?” they both asked.

“Yeah. I gave it to all of them. It’s a lot easier for big sis to tell you than mom and dad, especially when dad makes talking about sex so freaking awkward,” you said, cocking your head.

“Well, thank you,” he said, nodding once. “And if that’s something you want to discuss, then we can.”

“I’m good. I just enjoy torturing you in return for the trauma I endured tonight,” you said with a smile. Your mom giggled as he pushed you both into the bedroom, closing the door behind himself.

“Well the mood is gone so what’s up?” he asked as you sat very specifically not on the bed and wandered over to the large window out back. You spun on your heels, both of them watching with concerned eyes.

“I…have been feeling guilty about doubting you guys that you’d hurt me like the sperm and egg donor did and…I’d like to try that thing we did when I was younger and spending more time with you guys helped…if that’s cool,” you said, biting your bottom lip. 

“Honey, of course you can hang out with us more often,” said your mom. She wrapped you up in a hug, letting you melt into her. “Dad and I were talking earlier and hoping we could steal some time with you. We missed you.”

“I missed you guys too,” you said, feeling your dad come up behind you and hug you, resting his chin on your shoulder.

“You don’t have anything to feel guilty about,” he whispered, kissing the top of your head. 

“I know I shouldn’t but I know I hurt you both and that’s something I have to deal with.”

“It hurts more knowing how much you hurt yourself for being human, kiddo,” he said.

“I know how scared you were that I’d stop-“

“You didn’t stop loving us,” he said. “You were afraid and sometimes, your kids get scared. It’s that simple.”

You nodded, enjoying being squished between them, a calm feeling settling in your bones. 

“There she is,” he murmured as he felt you relax. “Better?”

“Yeah,” you said. Your mom tugged you over to the bed, your eyebrows raising.

“It’s clean, I promise.” She slid into her side of the bed, tugging you down in the middle as your dad moved in on your other side. “So we could watch a movie, play a game-“

“Guys,” you said. “It’s okay. You had other plans-“

“And now our plans are to spend time with you,” said your dad, throwing his arm over your shoulders, tucking you into his side. You glanced up, frowning at the deep worry in his eyes. “Honey, you never have to ask us to be with you like you’re some kind of bother. Please know that.”

“You know me,” you said, your mom scooting closer, taking one of your hands in hers. “Can I maybe, I know how this is going to sound-“

“Y/N. Ask like we’re your mom and dad, not strangers,” said your mom. 

“I know that too. I’m a little shaky I guess,” you breathed out, both of them holding your closer. “Can we spend more time together, like one on one? Like make a night or something for us like we did when I was younger? That really helped me back then and TJ thinks it’ll help now too.”

“Knew there was a reason I loved that boy,” said your mom. “Of course we can do that.”

You felt your dad stiffen though, your head turning up. He looked sad, pouting almost. 

“You have to go away for a project soon, don’t you,” you said quietly. 

“Oh no,” said your mom, her hand leaving yours, both of them covering her mouth. “We both have to for two weeks starting on Tuesday. Daddy’s gone for over a month.”

“JJ was going to be in charge and we were going to come home on the weekends but-“

“You have work. I understand.” Still, tears prickled in the corner of your eyes. Why’d you have to be so stupid and push them away for the past month? Now they were both going to be gone.

“Come with us.” Your dad turned your cheek to face him, wiping away a stray droplet before it could fall. “We need to be together again for a little bit. Come to the project with us for two weeks and then you can decide to stay with me or go home with mom but either way you got at least one of us.”

“That’s a long time to be away from Allie and Colin,” you said, biting your bottom lip. “But I know TJ can handle it. I need to talk to him first. I can’t make that kind of decision on my own.”

“We understand. Trust me. Dad and I have had a lot of those conversations over the years.” You already knew TJ would tell you to go and have fun. But you’d never spent more than a few days away from the kids. 

“The little one’s will survive. Give ‘em a call and facetime them everyday and it helps. Believe me, nothing beats a hug from them when you’ve been gone for a few weeks,” said your dad. “They’ve dealt with TJ being gone for a week for work before. They’ll be alright if you choose to go.”

“I know they would. It’s me I don’t know about,” you said, closing your eyes. “Let me talk to TJ and I’ll give you guys an answer in the morning.”

“Whatever you want to do. We can always hang out when we get back too,” he said, kissing your temple. “So can I interest you ladies in a game of Mario Kart?”

Three days later you were walking into an upscale cabin you were sharing with your parents, most of the other cabins at the unique little hotel filled with cast and crew for the movie your parents were making. They were producing it and your dad was starring as the main character. You’d done the set design on it nearly a year prior and while you’d forgotten most of the story, you were excited to see one of your sets in person. Plus you hadn’t seen your dad on a film set in more than a few years and knew seeing him act in person was a rare treat.

After you ditched your bags in the spare bedroom, you changed and met up with your parents for a pre-shoot dinner they were hosting at a restaurant in town with the cast and some of the higher ups. While the dinner was fun, you were tired from traveling all the way to Vancouver all day. You ducked outside to give TJ a quick call but were reluctant to go back inside and have to be social again when you were exhausted.

“Hey,” said a woman around your age if you had to guess, her hair silky and tied back in a loose ponytail, a black floral tank top and jeans on. “You’re Y/N, right?”

“Uh yeah,” you said, offering her a smile. “You’re Cara Micks. You’re playing Maddie. My parents were really glad they managed to get you. Everybody wants you in their stuff after that indie film.”

“One little Oscar nom and suddenly I’m not surviving off ramen in an apartment with four roommates,” she laughed, nodding her head. “I uh, I’m really glad I got this role, even if it’s not what my agent wanted me to pick. Working with your dad is like a dream come true. He has such a good reputation. I know this’ll be a good set.”

“I can guarantee it’ll be one of the best you ever work on,” you said as she wiped off her forehead.

“Plus it’s a good story. You did the set design, right?” she asked. You hummed, her eyes lighting up. “I got to sneak down and see some of the set mock ups earlier today. They look really cool. I’d love to know more about how that kind of stuff works. If that’s okay. People seem to think I know a lot about this business when I’ve really only done a few gigs before.”

“Well, I’ve never been on a set I’ve designed before so I’m right there with you but I’d happily answer any questions. I’ll leave the acting stuff to my dad though. I can barely tell you what a mark is,” you said, Cara smiling as she closed her eyes. “You good to drive?”

“Yeah, just tired. I’ll see you tomorrow though. Maybe we can grab lunch?” she asked.

“Sure,” you said, Cara handing over her phone. You exchanged numbers and watched her drive off as your parents walked out of the restaurant, others trailing out. 

“Ready for bed? We got an early day tomorrow,” said your mom. You hummed and closed your eyes, your dad rubbing your back.

“Come on. Sooner we get back soon you can head to sleep.”

“Oh my god! It’s my basement!” you said, hopping up and down when you walked onto set the next morning. 

“And what a lovely torture basement it is, kiddo,” laughed your dad. You walked around the set, poking at the shelves, surprised they actually put the cobblestone walls in. He nudged you when you ran your hands over it, a proud smile on his face. “It does look good. Appreciate the fact you know an old shack would have cobblestone and not cinder blocks.”

“That was the point,” you said, walking around the space, stopping at the chair in the center of the basement. “They even found the same chair!”

“They do tend to make the sets match what’s designed,” he chuckled, following you around set, hands clasped behind his back. “You should do this full-time. Design.”

“I don’t know,” you said with a shrug, watching him take a seat on the wooden steps. You sat down in the chair across from him, resting your chin in your hands. “TJ has great benefits so it’s not like a fear of having to be self-employed or not getting gigs. I could not work and we’d be perfectly fine.”

“If you have a sense of obligation to stay at the brewery-”

“I know I don’t have to,” you said. “The team does all the real work.”

“So what’s keeping you from giving it a shot? I mean,” he said, leaning back on his elbows, kicking his legs out in front of him, “You’ve got more than a few projects under your belt. You have the resume, connections. You can set your own schedule. Granted, yeah, it’s not going to be every single day and there’ll be long days sometime but you’ve already handled that with two small kids and working another job.”

“I know,” you said, his head cocking as he smiled. 

“So…” You closed your eyes and sighed.

“My brewery job you gave me. And somehow people always know I’m your daughter, even when I use Hanover in projects. I just…if I do this full time people are going to assume I got the job because of my dad and I’ll never know if it’s because I’m good at it or if a director wants to work with you. You know?” He nodded, smirking as he glanced down at the concrete floor. “You know it’s true.”

“Nepotism is a thing in this industry for sure. But I also am a product of that through grandpa and people he knew. Nepotism gets you in the door as a guest and it’s right to acknowledge that. Talent gets you invited to stay at the party long after all the wannabe’s head home.”

“But I didn’t earn it like someone off the street,” you said. He sighed, running his hand through his hair.

“Cold hard truth? No one knew who the fuck you were when you submitted that first portfolio for your first project. Nobody. I know that because I worked with the director of that project after and he had zero clue you’re my kid. He recommended you to other projects before I came along so you did earn it. You’re right. You’ll never know for sure but you shouldn’t stop because of it. You don’t always have to start in last place to be worthy of earning first.”

“But nepotism is basically cheating your way to first,” you said.

“Sometimes, yeah. Sometimes, it’s a kid who is talented who got in on her own and won’t give herself a break to do something she clearly loves because she thinks it was a gift. Even if it was a gift, take it. Life threw enough shit at you. Take the nice crap too.”

You pursed your lips, looking around. “You think I’m good at this?”

“Mom and I didn’t approach you to do this project for shits and giggles. We knew you’d do quality work and sure as shit, you did. There are not a lot of sets on this film. Most scenes take place out in the woods so the pieces we do have, they need to be fucking good. And this room doesn’t even have four walls and it’s scary as hell so yeah, I’d say you’re good at this.” He stood up, holding out his hands. “Come on, let’s go check out the rest of the sets.”

“Has anyone seen Cara today?” asked the director, Dave close to lunchtime. You glanced up from where you sat in your dad’s chair, your mom over at the film tent with the other producers.

“She’s still not here?” asked your dad as he walked off set. They’d been filming for a few hours for his scenes at the police station but those were wrapped up, everyone ready to start in the basement once lunch break was over. “That doesn’t seem like her.”

You pulled out your phone and dialed, getting no answer. You tried a few more times and got more of the same. 

“This fucking kid,” grumbled Dave, leaning back in his seat. “Can someone get over to her hotel room and tell her to get her ass on set? I don’t care if she was nominated for a fucking Oscar. She pulls any diva shit and I’ll kick her out.”

“She said she was tired last night,” you said, several heads turning your direction. “When we left dinner. She looked a little ill too, like sweaty.”

“Well if she’s sick she’s supposed to call in. She better be fucking dying for not giving notice,” said Dave. You raised your eyebrow at him, Dave giving it right back. “I’m not being dramatic. It’s in her contract what she’s supposed to do if she’s sick.”

“Maybe so but a little common decency doesn’t hurt. You shouldn’t wish for someone to be ‘fucking dying’ because they’re not at work on time,” you shot back. You could feel the eyes on you, most of the nearby crew watching you. 

To your surprise Dave nodded, his face relaxing. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. Let’s have someone get over to her place and see what’s going on.”

People dispersed for lunch, your parents holding hands as they stopped at the chair and your dad grabbed his phone.

“Sorry I did that,” you said as you stood. They shared a smile, your dad tucking you under his shoulders as you walked out of the studio.

“We’re not,” said your mom, tilting her head up to your dad. “Remember when she used to be scared of men?”

“You wouldn’t know it with that little display,” he said, squeezing your shoulder. “And you think you’re riding off my reputation in this business. Think again, tall munchkin. Things like that are why people want to work with you.”

“I could have done it privately,” you said with a shrug.

“Don’t take shit on a set. We both did,” said your mom. “It’s nice to know you won’t.”

“Well, what’s the worst that’ll happen? I get fired? So what,” you said. 

“We did good,” said your dad, releasing you to high-five your mom. You rolled your eyes and walked ahead, turning around to walk backwards.

“Excuse me but I did good. Y’all were just like…there,” you said, smirking. Both their faces fell and you sighed, stopping in your tracks. “Oh my god, it was a joke! Guys. You two driving me insane as a teenager was incredibly helpful. You definitely did good. Promise.”

“Well,” said your mom with a smile, “It was a team effort.”

“It was,” you said, your dad biting his bottom lip. You spun around and smiled. “It didn’t hurt having a good guy want to be my dad. He set the bar high so I don’t accept shit. I appreciate that.”

You glanced over your shoulder and caught him smiling off to the side, his cheeks a hot pink.

“Dad are you blushing?” you teased. He snapped his attention to you and rolled his eyes, failing to keep his lips from curling up. 

“God no. I don’t blush,” he scoffed. 

“Sure you don’t,” you said, smiling as you headed for the catering tent. “I forgot you’re a super tough manly man.”

“Damn straight I am,” he said. You shook your head and got in line, looking up when you felt him by your side. “You shouldn’t feel guilty.”

“Dad-” you said quietly as you both stepped forward. 

“Your parents hurt us, they hurt you. You didn’t do anything to us. I wouldn’t be strong enough to risk getting hurt by another set of parents let alone believe they love me. I’d be terrified. You’ve always been the strong one in this family, kiddo. You don’t have to say nice things to make me feel better.”

You shook your head, smiling when you looked down. “I don’t say things to you to make you feel better, dad. You or mom. I only say what I believe and genuinely, you made me know what to expect out of men and if they don’t deliver, I’ll let them know about it. I’m not blowing smoke up your ass.”

He smirked, nodding to himself. “You stopped feeling guilty before we even got out here, didn’t you.”

“What can I say? You guys give good pep talks,” you said, feeling your mom hug your waist from behind. “It’s still cool that I came out though right?”

“Don’t ask dumb questions, kiddo,” he chuckled. “Let’s get some lunch and hopefully Cara will be back by then.”

“We have a big problem,” said Dave, stopping by your lunch table about twenty minutes later. Your parents left, leaving the rest of you wondering what was going on. When your lunch break was up, people headed back to their various departments, your dad appearing out of nowhere and giving you a strange look.

“What’s wrong?” you asked.

“Cara has food poisoning it sounds like. The PA that went over found her vomiting. She’s taking her to the hospital to get some fluids in her. Hopefully she’s feeling better later.”

“Oh. Well that’s good,” you said, that strange look still there. “Dad…”

“Technically the scenes we need to film this afternoon are all my coverage. Since Cara’s stunts don’t start until next week, her stunt double and stand in aren’t here yet. But you may have noticed you and Cara share a certain-”

“You want me to fucking double for Cara Micks? Me?” you asked as he smiled.

“You guys are the same height, size. Your hair’s almost the exact same. Literally all you have to do is put on some clothes, sit in a chair with some make up on and make sounds like you’re scared. It’s not going to be hard at all.” You stared at him, his eyes searching yours. “I promise it’s as easy as-”

You crossed your arms and glanced down, kicking at the pavement. “You’re filming the scenes where Ben finds Maddie. Your coverage.”

“Exactly,” he said, voice dropping slightly. “You don’t have to. We can find another woman to I’m sure. I just thought you’re perfect for it already. But you don’t-”

“Dad. It’s not the being a stand in. I don’t mind that,” you said. He cocked his head when you raised yours, sighing deeply. “I’m nervous that…I know that scene. I remember it from the design. Maddie is tied up in a chair in a basement. And I know it’s a film set and it’s safe but…”

You shrugged, smiling wearily.

“House six,” you whispered, his head nodding. “I’m just-”

“I never should have asked,” he said softly. “I’m sorry.” 

“Dad, no,” you said, grabbing his arm before he could go. You tugged him away between some trailers, letting go when you ran your hand through your hair. 

“Tall munchkin, there is no way I would make you do that. I am so sorry I-”

“Stop. Please.” He snapped his lips shut. After a beat you leaned back against a trailer wall, breathing slowly. “Ben’s a cop. House six, that prick was a cop. I need…I don’t know the script that much, only the early parts, if at all. Tell me Ben’s a good guy.”

“He has his rough spots but by the end of the movie, Ben and Maddie are basically father and daughter. It’s a big step for her considering her own father is the one that had her kidnapped and then tried to kill her.” You pursed your lips, his eyes scanning the clouds overhead. “This is going to sound corny as hell but just listen to me for a minute.”

“Okay,” you said as he met your gaze.

“You’re a grown woman. I recognize that and respect it. You can make your own choices, own mistakes, successes. You have a husband and children and I know when you’re in trouble, I’m not the first person you turn to anymore. That’s okay. It’s normal.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and smirked. “But you’re still my little girl. I will always do my best to protect you or I’ll go down swinging in the process. You don’t have to worry about if the character I’m playing is good or bad. I’m your dad. Behind every character is me. And you know me and what I’d do for you.”

You looked away, nodding a few times.

“You don’t have to do this. At all. But understand that I would not allow anything to happen to you if I didn’t believe it was safe. I’ll let you get some bumps and scrapes along the way cause that’s life. But no more scars. Because I told you that night on the road my job is to protect you, that I’ll never hurt you. You know that deep down but you need to hear it out loud sometimes because you get scared.”

You felt him step closer and forced yourself to face him. “What?”

“I will never let anything like what happened in that house happen to you again. Understand?” 

“Okay.”

“Okay,” he smiled, giving you a hug. “Why don’t you go hang out in my trailer for a bit? It’s going to take a little bit to find someone and start filming again.”

“Well,” you said, his eyebrow raising, “You or mom will be nearby the whole time right?”

“Absolutely,” he said. You shrugged and nodded. “You change your mind?”

“I can do it,” you said. “You sure you can?”

“Me?” he laughed. “What do you mean?”

“You gonna be cool with seeing me with fake blood and stuff?” He cocked his head and smirked. 

“Fake blood I can handle,” he said, your mom stopping by the end of the trailer. “She says she good with it.”

“Oh thank you,” she sighed, quickly grabbing your hand and dragging you behind her. “Jensen, you need to change while I get her ready.”

“See you on set, kiddo.”

“Thank you everyone,” called Dave at the end of the day. You stretched out as you stood up from the chair, your dad rubbing your shoulders that had a small ache to them. “That’s a wrap for the day.”

“How you feeling?” asked your dad, massaging the muscles with my force, the ache soothing away.

“That helps,” you said, Dave coming over to you. 

“I really do appreciate you filling in for us today, Y/N,” he said. 

“It’s no problem. I didn’t have to do much,” you said.

“Well thanks anyways, and for calling me out earlier. I want this to be a fun set.”

“I think I figured that out when dad started carrying me out of the scene upside down,” you laughed, your dad chuckling. “How’s Cara feeling?”

Dave shared a look with your dad, his hands falling away from you. “She still at the hospital?”

“Appendicitis. It fucking popped this afternoon.”

“Shit,” said your dad. “That’s bad.”

“She was being prepped for surgery when it happened, which was good, I guess. They were able to go in fast and clean her up. I was going to drop by in a bit and check up on her.”

“Dee and I’ll go too. Her parents know?”

“On the way but Florida’s pretty far. They won’t be here until around midnight. I’ll see you guys there,” he said when he got pulled away by another producer.

“Can I go?” you asked. 

“Sure. Let’s stop by hair and makeup so they can clean you up first.”

The Next Morning

“What do you think they’re going to do?” said the key grip as everyone ate breakfast together. Cara was doing better but she was on strong antibiotics so she didn’t get an infection and her surgery had been more invasive than if her appendix hadn’t burst. All in all, it meant she was on bed rest for a few weeks and looking at a full month before she was going to be cleared for work.

Which wouldn’t have been a big problem if your dad didn’t have a project lined up for six weeks from now. 

“There’s no way we can finish on time unless they got in a backfill today,” said Molly, your dad’s PA, slurping down a bowl of oatmeal. “Jensen has two different films he’s supposed to be in once we wrap and they’re big studio ones. No way he’d drop those to finish this late with Cara.”

“Couldn’t they just push until after he does the movies? That’s only a few weeks, really randomly too. He wouldn't be needed every day at those,” you said. The key grip, a very, very tall man named Ivan shook his head.

“Cara’s got a Marvel role she starts prepping for then. By the time both their schedules are free it’s late winter and we can’t film in that, not when the movie takes place in the early fall. So that pushes us back to next summer which a lot of the time means we’re dead in the water.”

“Yup,” said Molly with a sigh. “I liked this job. Your dad’s not a dickhead and I’ve worked with some dickheads before.”

“How hard is it to find another actress though? Couldn’t they call up like the girl that came in second in the auditions?” you asked. They shared a look and you frowned. “I clearly am not in on the gossip.”

“It’s okay. You just got here,” said Molly, slurping up more oatmeal. “Rumor is it took like five months to find someone to play Maddie. No one could pull off the intense moments in the script until they got Cara. It’s an amazing script but damn, the lead actress has to be able to do a fucking lot.”

“What do you mean? How’s that different than any other story?” you asked, Ivan chuckling. “I am so out of the loop.”

“Set designers normally are. We hardly ever see you guys to be fair. But basically Maddie in the story has be vulnerable but funny, a whimpering mess but also frighteningly creepy. Soft but strong. Do a number of fight scenes with grown ass men twice her size. All while running around in the woods most days, freezing her ass off during the many night shoots and being able to not oversell the emotional moments and have it come off as cheesy instead of awesome. It’ll be a miracle to find someone like Cara Micks.”

“Oh. Well that sucks. The movie sounds cool. I really want to see if get made,” you said, your mom ducking into the tent with a smile, waving you over. “I’ll be back guys.”

“Let us know if you find out anything!” said Molly. You gave them a smile and walked out of the tent with your mom, surprised when she was practically jogging away.

“Where are you going?” you laughed, following after, grateful you were in a pair of sneakers and leggings today. She just waved and you followed her into your dad’s trailer, many pairs of eyes on you. Your dad and Dave were there along with the other producers that were on set, the assistant director, the writer and a few other people you didn’t know. “Hi.”

You took the only open seat at the far end of the little couch across from your dad, Dave walking over and squatting down in front of you. “Uh, can someone explain what’s happening?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard we’re a bit fucked without Cara. We can’t film a two lead movie without one of our leads. She’s a hard girl to replace,” said Dave. Your eyes flicked up to your dad, his lips pressed into a thin line. “We would like it if you’d entertain us for a few hours and try to film a few scenes with Jensen. You already did the stand in work yesterday and that was great-”

“I played a barely conscious girl yesterday. I didn’t have to do anything.” You got to your feet and shook your head. “I can’t act let alone replace the girl who almost got an Oscar. I will happily be a stand-in but guys…y’all do realize I’m not related by blood to these guys, right? There is zero chance any acting talent was passed along. I haven’t acted since the fourth grade where I played girl #4. Does that sound like the person you want starring in a freaking movie with him?”

Your dad shrugged. “I think you’re selling yourself short.”

You were wide eyed, mouth dropping. Had he lost his mind?

“You’re very smart. You had a lot of good suggestions during pre-production,” said Dave, taking a seat on the couch. 

“Sets. Sets I get. I have a degree in architecture and so does my husband. I know walls and floors and ceilings. This? I have zero fucking clue about acting.” Dave looked at your parents, slowly returning his gaze back to you. “I can’t do it. I’ll ruin your damn movie.”

“Well we can’t film shit without Cara so let us try for two hours. If you’re as shitty as you say you are, then I have no problem telling you that. Let us try to grab a life preserver before we go down with the ship. That’s all we’re asking,” said Dave. You grumbled, putting your back to the room before sighing.

“Fine. But no one get mad at me when I can’t do it, alright?” you said, turning around with a huff.

“Perfect. Get her a script and in hair and make up. Jensen, we’ll give you twenty minutes to rehearse before we’ll try on set.” You were ushered out of the room and twenty later you were back there with a wad of paper in your hand, wearing the same dirty t-shirt, leggings and sneakers you wore in the basement scene yesterday.

“Why the fuck would you volunteer me for this?” you said the second you were in his trailer, your dad snapping his head up from where he sat on the couch with his own papers. “When have I ever expressed an interest in acting? I look like shit. I’m not a bombshell like Cara Micks. I look like damn roadkill. You are insane for thinking I could pull something like this off. Why, why do you think I can do this? What is wrong with you, dad?”

He looked you up and down, a soft smile on his face. “Stop smiling! I’m pissed!”

“You do realize the qualities Maddie has in the movie are all ones you have, don’t you? You can do it because you have done it. And don’t tell me you can’t act,” he scoffed. You threw up your hands, dropping your papers.

“Of course I can’t fucking act! Why on earth would you think I can?” you said. He walked over in front of you, crossing his arms and staring you down. “What is wrong with you? I can’t-”

“You can act with the best of them.” You could only stare with wide eyes, growing angrier at the smug expression on his face.

“Stop saying that!” you shot back. “Why would you make me do this? I’m going to humiliate myself and you and mom and-”

He started to laugh and you’d had enough. You turned to leave, his hands gently catching your shoulders. You swore your eye was twitching when you faced him, that stupid smile still there.

“Oh, kiddo. I watched you put on a class act for months when you first came to us. Before that? Acted your ass off in those shitty foster homes. Acted your ass off when you put in anonymous calls to get the truly awful ones shut down. Pretended it was all okay to those monsters faces when it was eating you up inside. Even with your birth parents you pretended to be perfect for them.” He got in your face, tilting his head ever so slightly. “You can act and it’s like I told you yesterday. You’re safe here. So trust me to keep you safe and you can act when your damn survival doesn’t depend on it for the first time in your life. Trust me, it’s going to be a hell of a lot easier than the last time you acted.”

You frowned, growling as he leaned back. “Has anyone ever told you how irritating it is that you always have a fucking point?”

“I recall being told once or twice by a certain munchkin,” he chuckled, picking up the papers and handing them over. “Oh and Y/N? You are beautiful, even with that bruised makeup on your face. Believe me.”

“Dad. You have to say that.”

“Hm, no I don’t,” he laughed, taking a seat. “You don’t know how many death glares I’ve handed out over the years. Plus your husband never shuts up about how pretty you are.”

“Don’t make me smile. I’m still annoyed with you,” you said, sitting down at his kitchenette table, fixing your pages. “Do I have to have this memorized?”

“Let’s just practice a few times and go from there.”

Two Weeks Later

It was quiet out. Then again it normally was at two in the morning. You sipped on your thermos of hot coffee while the crew took a short break. You passed it to your dad beside you, the two of you sat in front of a fire in the forest. Above you was a clearing in the sky, so many stars out in the deep wilderness.

“You’re happy.” You glanced to your right, the shadows dancing across his face. 

“Yeah,” you whispered, looking back up at the sky. “It’s so pretty here.”

“I’m really glad I get to do this with you,” he said quietly. 

“Me too.” You took the thermos back from him, taking another sip. You were both quiet, watching the flames in front of you. He wore a long sleeve henley while you were still in your t shirt and leggings. But at least tonight you got to wear his warm flannel between takes. Until he’d give it to you in the scene at least. You set the thermos behind the log where it’d be hidden from view when they turned the cameras back on in a few minutes, catching your dad close his eyes. “Dad. Don’t fall asleep.”

“I’m not sleeping. Just happy.” You hummed, connecting the stars in the sky, trying to find the big dipper. “Kiddo?”

“Yeah?” 

“It’s to the left of that branch.” You spotted him with eyes open, darting around as they made connections.

“I used to sit outside when I was a kid and stare at the stars. No one ever bothered me when I did that,” you said, pointing out the little dipper to him. “Always seemed so peaceful up there.”

“Did you find a little peace down here?” You nodded, laughing quietly. “What’s so funny?”

“You wonder where I get it from,” you said, shaking your head. “You want to be told you’re loved as much as I do.”

“I suppose I do,” he said, the heat of his gaze on you. 

“Yeah, I found my peace down here. Don’t think I ever told him the night of my seventeenth birthday was the first time I slept through the night in a decade. I got my peace a very long time ago, just was afraid of losing it.”

“Afraid anymore?” he whispered. You shook your head, catching Orion far off on the other side of the clearing. 

“No. No one can take my peace away from me ever again.” He shifted closer, letting you rest your head on his shoulder. “This is the longest I’ve ever been away from TJ since we’ve been together.”

He hummed, breathing softly.

“How do you stand being away from mom for weeks at a time?” He crossed his arms, smiling to himself.

“Why do you think I’d fly all night just to see her and you guys for half a day? We know how to make long distance work. Our whole relationship has always had an element of it. But getting a hug when you get home eases that ache that forms.”

“I miss Thomas,” you whispered. 

“You’ll see him and the babies tomorrow,” he said, crew memembers starting to gather back around, eyes fluttering open. “He has a surprise for you.”

“Oh god. What’d he do?” He held up his hands and scooted back over to his mark. You put on puppy dog eyes, a sigh leaving him. 

“He and the kids made you a cake. He misses you too.” You inhaled deeply. “Do you regret-”

“No. I just need a moment with him is all.” You forced a smile and nodded. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

Three Weeks Later

“You’re so pretty,” whispered TJ as you exited the bathroom in a pair of pajama shorts and one of his t-shirts. You laughed, pushing back your damp hair before crawling into bed with him. “I can’t believe I’m sleeping with a movie star.”

You slapped his chest, TJ giggling, rolling himself so he rested his chin on your chest. You ran your fingers through his dark strands, TJ inhaling slowly.

“If this was something you wanted to try, you know we’ll figure it out, right?” You smiled, nodding once.

“People said I did good.”

“If you mean your parents bragging about how fucking incredible you did then sure, you did good.” You traced your finger over his cheek, concern growing in his eyes. “You’ve moved on from the brewery and we both know it. You can clearly do this acting thing if you wanted.”

“Thomas,” you sighed. He wrapped his arms under you, giving you a squeeze. “The only reason I did it in the first place was to help. I did it to spend time with my parents. I got to hang out with my dad so much and a lot of the stuff we filmed…I couldn’t have done that with someone else.”

“I have no problem with you not taking your career that direction if you don’t want to do it. But I don’t want you to not try because you do want it and you’re scared. I want you to go after everything you want in life,” he said quietly, tilting his head up, kissing your jaw. “That’s all I want from you.”

“I don’t want it,” you said, closing your eyes. “I want to get into set design full time. Being away for so long, even coming home on the weekend in the middle there…I don’t want to be gone from you guys for that long regularly.”

“I understand, believe me. We missed you too,” he said, giving you another squeeze. “But we’d go with you if you wanted.”

“I know you would,” you murmured, slowly peeling open your eyes to find him with a smile on his lips. “Let’s put it in the maybe someday again category, if it were with my parents. Until then, I am ready to take a few weeks off and spend some time home.”

He nuzzled you and chuckled. “Why not make a vow to not leave this bed? That can easily be arranged.”

“You’re cockier than usual, my sweet boy,” you teased, TJ lifting himself up on his hands, leaning down over you. “Feeling needy?”

“I haven’t slept with my wife in three weeks. I’m fucking needy. Now if the movie star was so kind-” You smacked him with a pillow, TJ putting on a shocked face. “Is this how you hollywood types are?”

“You’re such an ass!” you laughed, hitting him again, TJ plopping all of his weight down straight on top of you. “Thomas!”

A throat cleared in the room, TJ spinning around and in front of you quickly, your dad smirking at you both. “Well I didn’t mean to interrupt this strange…whatever flirting thing this is but I do need to talk to Y/N. It’s kind of important.”

“What’s up?” you asked, shoving a pillow in TJ’s lap to hide the tent in his pants. 

“Your birth parents got wind that you were doing a movie.” You narrowed your eyes as he sighed. “They gave an interview an hour ago. My team is freaking out. I couldn’t care less what they say but-”

“But it could damage your reputation.” 

He was blank faced but you knew it could be turn into a big deal. “I don’t give a shit about mine. But they said you only got set design jobs because I got them for you and I know how much it means to you to make your name on your own. Just don’t look at your phones or go online for a while. I’m going to fix this. I promise.” 

“Is there anything we should do? Or I guess shouldn’t?” asked TJ. 

“I know you two are careful about handing out your numbers but don’t answer any calls-”

“I know how to fix all of this,” you said. You felt both of their eyes on you as you climbed out of bed and tugged on TJ’s hoodie sitting on the bench at the foot of it. You glanced back at TJ and then to your dad.

“You want me to release that video. The security footage from the back porch with your parents,” he said. 

“Yes and no.” You slipped past him and went down the hall to the kitchen, both of them following as you grabbed an empty coffee mug from the cabinet. You set it under the coffee machine and after a moment it was churning, the pair of them looking very confused. “On a scale of one to ten, how much will your team freak out if you don’t say anything for like…twelve hours?”

“Considering this is the most controversial thing that’s ever happened to me, probably like a fifty. Why? You’re thinking of something,” he said.

“Like I said, I know how to fix this. But I need time and a few other things.”

“This isn’t your mess to fix,” he said. “I’ll release the video with a statement or-”

“Or…you can give me what I need and I can guarantee anyone with a brain who thinks you and mom manipulated me will change their minds.” You could tell he didn’t want to have to get you involved. He knew how much they’d hurt you. All he wanted to do was protect you from them ever doing that again.

“Give her a chance, Jensen,” said TJ, getting out another mug for himself. “I know my wife. If she has an idea, let’s give it a shot.”

You stepped forward and stood in front of him, his lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s your choice, dad. We can do whatever you and your team want. I just feel like if I said something first it’d mean more. I really need you trust me with this if you-”

“What do you need?” he asked, a small smile on his lips. You nodded, inhaling deeply and grabbing the pad of paper and a pen from nearby.

“You instagram password to start.” He jotted it down, giving you a look to not do anything stupid with his account. “I also need the login to the cloud account with the video backup at the house.”

“I can send you the video of your parents directly. It’ll be easier than-”

“Dad. Just give me the login.” He wrote down more on the pad, his eyes concerned now. “How far back does it go?”

“Since we had the house. What-”

“Is it just video or audio too?”

“Both…I’m pretty sure the security company compresses the files.” You hummed, grabbing the paper and picking up your mug, heading for your home office.

“Uh, is there anything we can do?” asked TJ. You spun around and took a sip of coffee.

“Keep the coffee coming and dad, tell your team you need to discuss with your family and you’ll have a statement out by the morning. Otherwise, do not disturb me.”

You slipped away into your office, leaning back against it. 

“This is gonna be a long night.”

Twelve Hours Later

You yawned as you exited your office, quickly making your way down to the bedroom and plopping down next to a sleeping TJ. You were asleep in an instant and woke up a few hours later at noon to TJ shoving on your shoulder.

You were pretty sure you growled at him but he knew how tired you were after the jet lag and staying up a full day. But you needed to try to get your schedule back on track so you reluctantly let him pull you up to sitting.

“You’re on CNN! Come look!” he said. You shook your head, TJ hoisting you up, carrying you bridal style into the family room where what looked like your entire family sat watch the news.

And there was your face from the video you’d made in the middle of the night smack dab in the middle of the screen. TJ set you down as heads turned, your mom rushing over and hugging you.

“How did you make that so fast? How…you didn’t have to share those things, honey,” she said, holding on tight. 

“I just wanted people to know the difference between a bad parent and a good one,” you said, surprised to find your dad missing. “Is dad mad? I know I put a lot of private moments in and things he’d probably wished had stayed a secret.”

You spotted him come out of the hallway where the half-bath was, his face neutral. He was mad. Of course he was mad. You’d been sleep deprived when you put that video together. You fucked it up. You should have just let him handle it so you didn’t make it worse.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I should have…” you trailed off when he held up his finger and stepped in front of you. He looked you up and down and nodded a few times. “I’m sorry.”

“You make a video telling the world how miserable you used to be, about some of the bad things foster parents did and calling them out by name, about how mom and I changed your life, about how I…” he clamped his mouth shut, glancing away with a scrunched up face. You swore his bottom lip wobbled and smiled, watching him put his back to your siblings who were all watching intently. 

“Was it the part about you being the only real dad I’ve ever had that got you or how I called you a good man that anyone would be lucky enough to have in their life?”

“Goddammit, Y/N,” he said, wiping off his face, keeping his head turned away. “It’s one thing when we say that shit in private but you had to say it to everyone?”

“Yeah because everyone should know. Those assholes tried to fuck with you. My whole life assholes fucked with me and now they tried to do it to someone I love. I’m not letting that shit go anymore. So fuck my birth parents and fuck my other foster parents. If people find out that you’re a good person in the process then that’s a bonus to me.”

He sighed, forcing himself to turn around, a sad smile on his face. “I just wish you hadn’t felt forced to share those things.”

“I didn’t,” you said, his eyes widening ever so slightly in surprise. “All I wanted to do was send a message to those people that they can’t hurt me anymore. I’m sorry if I royally screwed stuff up for you or violated your privacy. I just wanted them to leave us alone from now on.”

“You didn’t, sweetie,” said your mom, tucking you into her side, your dad nodding, easing a bit. He cleared his throat and ruffled your hair, his smile relaxed now. 

“You with me for a second,” he said. You followed him down the hall to your room, frowning when you were alone.

“Dad I really am-” He pressed a finger to your lips shushing you, fixing your hair behind your ears.

“Do you remember after the accident when I couldn’t take showers and there was that time you helped me wash my hair?” You nodded as he fixed your part, smiling to himself. “I realized something that day.”

“What?” you asked quietly. He rested his hands on your shoulders, breathing slowly.

“You’re a good person too,” he said softly. You cocked your head, a sliver of a chuckle slipping past his lips. “I knew before then but in that moment, when you with one arm in a sling offered to help me, I just knew I was damn lucky I wound up with a kid like you.”

“You were hurt and I helped…how does that make me a good person for doing what I should have in the first place?”

“Welcome to life in my head the past three hours while everyone in my life tells me how amazing I am when all I did with you was what I was supposed to.” 

“Well…” you groaned, stomping your foot. “How do you always do that! Every single time you turn it around on me. It’s not fair!”

“I’ve been playing the game longer than you have,” he chuckled, picking up a hair tie off your dresser and bunching up your hair. “Something I learned with your youngest sister is if you start braiding their hair, then you have a captive audience so you can get out of them whatever intel you need.”

You raised your eyebrow at him as he started to work the hair together, ignoring your face. “And what intel are you looking to get out of me?”

“Just sharing a parenting tip,” he chuckled. “You? You I think I have a pretty good idea of where we stand.”

“Oh you do, huh?” You glanced down, annoyed at the fact he could do a far better fishtail braid than you ever had. He slipped the tie off his wrist, twisting it in place a few times before humming.

“Yeah. I mean, I’m apparently the best dad that ever existed so…” he said, chuckling when you lightly punched his arm. 

“You’re just…” you trailed off with a shrug, a smile on his face. “Are you mad? About me showing all those videos of us from home over the years?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Honestly, I loved it. Made me cry like a baby but I loved it. I know you’re pretty damn selective about who you let in but I’m glad I made the cut.”

“Yeah, well, you’re alright for an old guy.” You smirked, getting one in return. “I love you?”

“Yeah you’re lucky I’m still in a good mood,” he said, cocking his head. “Want to know why you’re on the news?”

“Because you’re oh so famous,” you said dramatically, his eyes narrowing. “You so want to give me a noogie, don’t you.”

“The desire is strong,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back. “In news surprising no one, your birth parents were keeping more secrets. Apparently they stole money from their shady employer. A lot of money. Which then the attempt on their lives were made. They were never in witness protection. They were working a deal with the government. Go undercover and they wouldn’t be arrested for partaking in those shady deals themselves. They took the deal and ran. Feds lost them a long, long time ago. You were only supposed to be in foster care a few weeks. But when those dummies got money hungry…they seem to have forgotten they’re fugitives. Pretty interesting have people like that call me the manipulator huh?”

You parted your lips, holding up a hand. “Did they arrest them?”

“It was in process on the news when you came out,” he said as you stood and headed for the door.

“Oh, I want to see this.”

“Knock knock,” said your dad that evening as you lay in bed, ready for a full night’s sleep. “Need anything before we head out?”

“I’ll take a hug,” you said as you sat up. 

“Those I’m an expert on.” He walked over and sat on the edge of the mattress, giving a big squeezing one. “Get some rest. You had a long day.”

“So many phone calls. On the plus side my birth parents were arrested, the DA is looking into most of my old foster parents and you gained like a couple hundred thousand followers in like twelve hours. You can tell your PR team thank you.”

“She’s so modest and humble,” he teased, kissing your temple. “Tomorrow will be better. We’ll do breakfast burritos like a normal Sunday. How’s that sound?”

You hummed, closing your eyes. “Can you do one more thing before you go?”

“Shoot,” he said quietly.

“Can you go in my closet and get rid of the duffel bag with the files in it?” He leaned back, letting you lay back against your pillows. “I think it’s time for it to go. I don’t need it anymore.”

He smiled and stood up. “Okay then. Mind if I hang onto it?”

“Do as you please,” you said, closing your eyes. 

“You sure you don’t need these papers anymore?” he asked.

“I have my letters from you. That’s all I ever needed,” you said, shuffling the background. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, tall munchkin,” he said, tugging your blankets up. “You realize the studio wants us to make another movie together after this, don’t you?”

“It’s gotta be at a resort or no deal,” you said. He chuckled, quietly opening the door. “You can negotiate that right?”

“We’ll see,” he said. The room grew quiet for a beat before you heard his heavy exhale. “I’m really glad I managed to prove you wrong about trusting me. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to.”

“You’re annoyingly relentless like that,” you said, turning on your side, tucking your covers up. “Love you.”

“Love you back. Sleep tight, kiddo.”

__________

#jensen x daughter!reader #jensen ackles #daughter!reader #jensen ackles x daughter!reader #spn fanfic #supernatural fanfic #jensen ackles fanfic

[godneuteredmeforbeingtoopowerful]

CW: discussions of child neglect, food policing, abusing autistic children, fatshaming

I’ve always been confused why I have food insecurity trauma behaviors, but my family has always had the privilege of having enough food and money and whatever else. I was reflecting on this with one of my partners this morning, and realized that my parents had a lot of rules around eating that other people… didn’t? So I wanted to share some of them and… idk. I just don’t want to feel alone. Also, understanding that I am (undiagnosed as a child) autistic with sensory issues that sometimes explode into ARFID, is vital to this conversation and adds a whole other layer. Again, CW ahead.

We always had ingredients, not pre-prepared meals. And you couldn’t eat things bc they were an ingredient

Things like cheese you could snack on but you could only have a little. If you’re hungry, eat a fruit or a vegetable (notoriously some of the worst things for textural sensory issues.)

Pre-packaged snacks have a purpose- if we’re leaving the house, or if you want to take one to school. You may have one snack after school, but there’s a specific amount you’re allowed to have, and it cannot be pre-packaged. I was banned from goldfish for a period of years bc I kept ignoring the rule with it. (I was unwittingly self-medicating for POTS, because it was the saltiest thing I was allowed. The diagnosis came years later.)

Sugar was evil. I could have it several times a week, but only as dessert. I had no say in what dessert was or when. If I asked for it, the answer would automatically be no. Breakfast cereal, one of my only safe foods that I could count on, was not allowed to contain more than 8-9 grams of sugar. That ruled out things like fruity pebbles, my favorite cereal. Occasionally this rule would be broken for things like Golden Grahams, because my dad liked them, but not for anything else unless it was a special occasion.

If you miss your time slot during the day, you just don’t get that thing: i.e. snack time is from 3-4pm. If you don’t eat then, you can’t eat until dinner at 6. No food after dinner. No food between 8am and noon. No food between 1 and 3. This schedule was only allowed to deviate if mom deviated from it.

Also, if you don’t like what’s been prepared for a meal, too bad. Eat it or eat nothing.

In a similar vein, if you don’t eat all of your lunch at school, the leftovers are now your snack after school the next day so mom can watch you eat it. It was supposed to teach me to eat all my food at school. Instead I just learned to throw food away.

Foods other kids got a lot, we didn’t really. They were only for car trips or birthdays, so a few times a year. Things like chips, soda, cracker jacks, etc.

Since safe foods were policed so heavily, I learned to eat a shit ton when I could, so I could make it through potentially not eating anything else substantial until the next day, or even several days. This was usually breakfast cereal, which was guaranteed, and snack time food, which was usually something like popcorn or peanut butter celery (which I did like) or pretzels or yogurt. Hated trail mix and granola bars with a passion. This got me consistently criticized for “eating like a pig” or “wasting food” or “eating up money” when I would have 2 bowls of cereal for breakfast, especially in middle school and high school. But if I wasn’t really eating anything else during the day, and I ran out of energy from those 2 bowls by 10am, what else was I supposed to do but take it?

There was also a lot of competition for getting ahold of my safe foods when they were in the house- because I have 3 siblings. So I grew a habit of stealing and hoarding food in my room- even though that was strictly forbidden. I got busted often, but I was fucked otherwise. Or when we had things like pizza for dinner or other safe foods, I’d have several helpings (consequently getting fatshamed) because I wouldn’t know when I’d have a pleasant sensory experience again, or when I’d get to really eat again.

Also, had to clean my plate whenever I complained about dinner. Think I got bungee corded to the chair once. Had to sit at the dinner table past my bedtime a few times because the lasagna or avocado was too much and I’d puke. And then get verbally abused for it. They stopped that with my siblings. They were allowed to have pb&j after eating 3 bites, but only pb&j. What I would have given for that when I was a kid.

Anyway. Any solidarity is unfortunate but appreciated. A bit sobering now that it’s all listed out like that.

#actually autistic #vent post #child neglect #food policing #eating disoder trigger warning #eating disorder #child abuse #fatphobia #body shaming #exmo #autism #did system #pro endo

[treedaddymcpuffpuff]

Flying/Dream to Believe (2 parter - part 2) (TW: mention of gore/fighting/rage/bullying)(mostly sfw)

@gea-chan96

Part two.

If there’s one place I absolutely hate with a passion, it’s the cafeteria. 

I’d rather be in gym class than here, sitting alone and pushing my soggy noodles around a styrofoam plate. Surrounded by loud, rowdy peers that sometimes feel the need to make fun of me. Something about food and chubby people just don’t mix, apparently, so I get a lot of “is that your fifth tray?” Or “slow down, Hoss.”

Understandably, after I rearranged Nate’s face, there has been less and less of that. Now I just get ignored a lot. Which is better, but still not great. 

Today, however, it’s different. Tommy and Leo plop down at my table like they’ve been sitting there the whole semester. 

“What are you doing?” I ask them, and I can’t help my dry, uninterested, downright bitchy tone. 

Tommy gives me this kicked puppy pout, which makes me feel really bad about my attitude problem that lingers from this morning when my family told me if I didn’t join gymnastics then I was taking a job at Uncle Vic’s antique store. 

I hate dolls, especially old porcelain ones. It would be a bad experience. 

Speaking of porcelain dolls, Stacy and Leah also take a seat at my table, which scares the shit out of me. Sure, I can punch a buff football guy in his mouth, but these two tiny gymnasts make me want to melt into the floor. 

Leah saddles up to Leo, rubbing his shoulder and being flirty. Stacy does the same thing to Tommy. I hope I’m hiding the disgusting scowl on my face at this display, but I highly doubt that I am.

“Hey, y/n,” Leah says, playing with Leo’s hair, “I heard you’re joining the gymnastics team?” 

Both of them give this melodic, chiming, grating laugh. Tinkerbell bitches. But, I realize something in that moment. I’m not afraid of Stacy and Leah; I’m afraid of what Stacy and Leah will make me angry enough to do to them. 

“My mom is making me,” I say. 

“No offense, but aren’t you a little large to do the stuff we do?” Stacy asks, placing a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. 

I look at him, expecting his face to be red and blushing, drooling like an idiot over Stacy - smitten and dumb, but Tommy, instead, is staring at me apologetically, like he feels bad?

I would have preferred the smitten look. Anger spikes my brain. I don’t need pity, I need revenge. “The stuff you do?” I don’t even recognize my own voice. It sounds more like something off Discovery Channel predator week. “You mean prance around putting everyone else down because you hate yourself and not even being that good at gymnastics in the first place? That the stuff you’re talking about, Stacy?” 

Her face puffs up like a blowfish, and I feel myself smiling - this sinister, numb curl of my lips that just happens on its own while she turns purple and furious. 

Aw, someone’s mad. 

“Listen, you fat bitch - “

“No. You listen, Leah.” I look back at Tommy, whose usually soft face is pulled into something kind of…. scary. “Y/n is actually pretty cool, and you’d know that if you stopped being a spoiled, bitchy princess for a few seconds of your miserable existence and just talked to her.”

For a second, the collective table just looks at him while he goes knives out and directs it all at Leah. She shrinks under his gaze. Stacy’s hand drops off his shoulder and she scoots away. Even I’m kind of.. what’s the word? Not scared, exactly. Thrilled? Yeah, I think that’s it. 

The chocolate lab is actually a rottweiler? What a turn of events. 

Leo is also looking at Tommy like he’s seeing him for the first time. 

Leah goes from scared to scowling. “I’d watch your mouth Tommy, or Mark will kick your ass.” 

“Go get him,” Tommy nods, “let’s see.” 

“Tommy,” I say his name, hoping to diffuse this. 

He turns to me, and I expect him to keep the scowl, but he trades it for a kind smile. “It’s cool, y/n, let me handle these jealous bitches.” The last word ends on a curled horn point as he flips around to pin Leah with his psycho glare again. 

“There a problem here, Tommy?” Right on cue, Mark steps up to our table like some kind of bouncer at club high school cafeteria. Jesus, not Prince Charming here, too. 

“I think you should teach him a lesson, Mark,” Stacy says, grabbing Mark’s hand and standing beside him like she’s the First Lady and we are mere peons.

I can’t help it that my eyes are rolling. 

“Yeah, there’s actually two problems,” Tommy tells Mark, also standing up to face him. And if I was mark, and mark was smart, personally I’d be a bit intimidated. Tommy’s got some height and bulk on him. 

However, Mark is failing four subjects for a reason - he puffs out his chest, and stands toe to toe with Tommy. 

Ugh, boys.

“Hey, you two.” Mr. Alan is walking towards our table, yelling and drawing the attention of the few people in the crowd we haven’t interested yet. 

And I was actually starting to like being ignored. 

“I suggest you boys agree to disagree before you both land yourselves in detention.”

Neither one of them even look at the teacher - they’re too busy staring one another down. 

Mr. Alan places a warning hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “Warneki, you hear me?” 

The little standoff breaks up, but something in the way that they maintain eye contact even after Mark sits down across the cafeteria tells me it isn’t over. 

“Hey,” I tell Tommy, “I don’t need your help, you know that?” 

Tommy shrugs, looking at his milk carton instead of me. “Too bad.”

I start to open my mouth to say something to him, but he’s already up out of his seat and slamming through the cafeteria doors. 

Leo sighs. “What crawled up his ass?” 

I don’t see Tommy for the rest of the day, and it’s making me feel like a total shitbag. What kind of ungrateful person says that to someone after they just defended them? 

Sure, to me it may have seemed like he was doing it out of pity, or to keep up appearances, but Tommy probably really did just want to defend his new friend. 

And now he’s going to hate me. Awesome. This just proves the fact that I’m hard to get along with. The report cards and my dad are right. 

Without Tommy, Leo and I don’t really have common ground, so we part ways awkwardly and don’t talk for the rest of the day. I’m isolated again because I can’t keep my fat mouth shut. Fantastic. 

It’s a cool autumn day on my walk home from school, and I have my hands shoved in my pockets to keep them warm. I try to stop thinking about the friendships I could’ve had, but maybe my loner facade has finally come to an end, because I am pretty upset. There’s this heavy feeling in my ribs that makes me understand the term ‘heartache’ more than I’d like to. 

I hear yelling from somewhere down the block. Sounds like a group of my classmates are antagonizing a fight. It makes sense - the shouts are coming from the old sugar plant, and that’s where people go for scheduled brawls. I punched Nate on the bus, because I don’t need plans, only my fists and rage. 

I’m surprised no one has called the cops on these idiots yet. Has to be a big fight by the sounds of it, and the surrounding neighborhood is a village for older folks, so the cops usually do break it up sooner rather than later. 

Tommy’s dad - one of the guys on the police force - got his arm broken last year when a kid tried to smash another kids head in and his foot accidentally landed on Mr. Warneki’s arm instead. I remember it was the only thing everyone could talk about at school the next day. 

Tommy. I sigh, kick a rock, hoping it will bring me some sense of peace like it does in the movies, but I just feel bad still. Wait. Tommy. Mark. The fight. 

I look down the street leading to the old building, trying to catch some of the words that the yelling voices are saying. Shit. Is Tommy fighting Mark? 

I book it as fast as I can, which isn’t very fast at all.

By the time I make it to the crowd, I have to shoulder through to the middle, where Tommy is sitting on top of Mark and hitting him in the face - that’s a lot of blood. I’m not thinking about anything but this idiot going to jail when I tackle him off of the smaller guy. 

He grabs me, too, and I fall on top of him, probably breaking his ribs and maybe his pointy pelvis while I’m at it. 

But he doesn’t seem broken. He looks up at me, sweaty and red faced and mad - at first. Then, his face gets calmer, and he smiles. “Oh, hey, y/n.” 

I don’t know what to say to him, so I roll off his body and land ass on ground, rubble digging through my jeans. 

He sits up, still smiling pleasantly at me as if I’m not a huge asshole. 

“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else I can say.

“It’s fine,” Tommy says, waving me off. “I got it.” 

Mark is still lying on the ground, and I would think that he’s dead if it wasn’t for the low groans of pain rolling from his swollen lips. 

“Your dad’s gonna kill you, Tommy,” I tell him, looking away from the bloody scene. 

I’m wrong, his dad does worse. He takes him, in handcuffs, down to the station where the rest of the group are gathered for questioning. Apparently Mark is not here because an ambulance took him away. 

“He was crying like a bitch,” Amber says, making me cringe. Stacy and Leah are on the opposite side of the room, surprisingly not glaring or scowling at me. Not even looking my way at all. Strange. 

When Tommy walks in with his hands cuffed behind his back, his dad leading him through the crowd, he looks at me and gives me a big, toothy grin. 

I should think he’s a total idiot. I should be mad that he decided to play knight. I should be annoyed that he’s acting like he’s top dog. And I am all those things, but I’m also…. I’m flattered. I feel liked. I understand why he’s the usual hot topic of the girls in the locker room. I get why the popular crowd doesn’t pick on him. He’s actually a pretty good guy.

Man, I really hope he doesn’t go to Juvie or prison or something - that would suck for my conscience. 

It takes almost all evening for the cops to talk to each one of us. I decide to tell them about Mark and Tommy in the lunch room, hoping that will help the big idiot’s case a little bit. 

After I’m released, the sun is down and the heavy wind scatters colorful leaves across my shoes. 

“Hey, y/n.” I turn around to see Tommy sitting on a sidewalk bench. 

Oh, well, at least he’s free to go. I walk up and sit beside him. “You know,” I say, “you’re alright, Tommy.”

He giggles. “Well thanks. Same to you.” 

“How’d it feel to hit him?” I ask, kinda wishing it was me that got to do it.

“Felt like I understood why you liked punching Nate.” 

He makes me laugh. “Yeah. I am sorry, though. Are we still….. friends?” I keep telling myself that if he chooses to say no, I’ll be okay with it, but I feel my heart tearing at its seams already in anticipation of that. 

He looks confused. “What? Yeah, of course.”

I try to not smile so big at him. I really do. But, I’m actually delighted. “Oh, cool.”

His grin is worrying. I only have a second to wonder what the cheeky look is for until he’s pulling me under his arm and messing up my hair. “Aw, you thought you could get rid of me?” 

I roll my eyes, keep the smile that’s just getting bigger despite his gentle bullying, and grumble, “can you be anymore annoying?” 

“Absolutely.” 

#keanuverse #flying #dream to believe #chubby reader #plus size reader #fic requests

[jhsgf82]

Without Success: The Failed Attempts of Peeta Mellark to Speak to Katniss Everdeen

For @dandelionlovesyou​

Failed Attempt #1 

Age 11 

The first time I try, without success, to talk to Katniss Everdeen, the girl I have this crazy crush on, is the day after I tossed her that bread… 

We’re at school, on the playground at recess. She’s off on her own as usual, and I’m near some of the other boys but ignoring them right now. My friends have been trying to get me to play ball with them, but I’m not in the mood. I can’t help watching Katniss...  

I’ve been feeling ashamed about it, the thing with the bread; I’ve had this sick feeling in my stomach ever since. I just keep thinking I should go over and apologize to her, for tossing her those loaves of bread like she was one of the pigs, instead of handing them to her directly. 

She probably thinks I’m a jerk for doing that, even if she did take them. They must’ve been muddy and gross, I think, frowning. And I feel bad they were burnt, but I knew that was the only way I could give them to her. 

Well, I must’ve been staring the entire time I was having these thoughts because suddenly, she looks up, and our eyes meet. I really like her eyes; they’re so pretty, and different from any other girl’s that I know. I freeze for a moment, because of her eyes; I guess that’s why I don’t look away like I normally do. 

She looks back at me from across the yard, then looks down, and for some reason, she picks a dandelion. She stares at it for a long time, and though it’s hard to tell from the distance, I think she smiles a little. 

I’ve heard that the dandelion is a weed. The yellow color is nice, though, and I like how you can rub it under your chin to tell if you like butter (if it turns yellow). Mine did. Of course, I like butter; I’m a baker’s son. Anyway, I have a thought. To bring her flowers. I’d like to bring her nicer flowers than dandelions, but there are so many around the schoolyard, and she seems to like them, at least, from the look on her face. 

I think to pick a whole bunch of them for her before recess is over, and I set to work. After I’ve gathered quite a few, I begin to head over to her… 

But then I stop. Reaching up, I touch my eye and wince, remembering my punishment for burning that bread. My brother, Rye, tried to cover up the deep bluish-purple color for me this morning with some of Mom’s makeup. He told me it didn’t make me a pansy. I was more concerned Mom would notice some of it missing. The stuff isn’t cheap. He said it was necessary, though, and he only used a little bit, promising she wouldn’t notice. Anyway, it sort of hid my black eye, and I’ve been doing my best all morning not to touch it and rub it off.

I wonder if Katniss will notice if I go up to her. Maybe not the makeup (the shade is pretty close to my skin), but surely, she’ll notice the swelling. Even though I had a bag of frozen peas on it for like an hour last night, it must look all puffy and horrible today. I can’t go up to Katniss looking like this. 

I turn away but look back at her over my shoulder. She still has the dandelion. She’s sitting on the swings alone, staring at it and pumping her legs a little. She looks cute, and lonely. I start to change my mind‒I could go over and sit by her, maybe a few swings down where she can’t see my face too good‒but then the bell rings. 

I shoot her one last look; she doesn’t look at me, and then I sigh. I drop the bunch of dandelions; they fall into a pile at my feet, and I head in with the rest of the class.  

All the way inside I’m beating myself up over my failed attempt at talking to Katniss. Actually, it’s not the first time, come to think of it. The first one was after she sang in the music assembly...  

From the moment she sang, I knew I was a goner. 

I was so impressed. I mean, it was beautiful, and she wasn’t even scared. I would have been scared, to get up in front of everyone like that…  

I wanted to say something to her then, something like… “You sing pretty.” Or, “You sing like the birds, but prettier.” 

I shake my head at my stupid five-year-old self. 

I’m braver now. Better with words, though apparently, not much. I have friends, and I’m even able to talk to girls. 

Just not the one I really want to… 

Maybe tomorrow. 

#drabble #Peeta Mellark #Katniss Everdeen #for dandelionlovesyou #I changed it slightly #I think in the book she picked the dandelion and took off home haha #Happy Valentine's Day #even tho it's a little sad and angsty #everlark

[allthingsfangirl101]

Secret Birthday–Joe Keery

When you work on a big Hollywood set, things are crazy and constantly busy. There isn't much time to celebrate a CGI artist's birthday.

Being an only child, my parents always made a big deal about my birthday. Breakfast in bed, a shopping trip with my mom, visiting my dad for lunch, and a fancy dinner where we go to my favorite restaurant all dressed up.

When I went to college, I was so busy with school, projects, and work that I didn't have time to celebrate my birthday. My parents still tried to celebrate it though. They'd call me and wish me a happy birthday. My dad always sent me money to go to dinner and my mom always sent more money for to me go shopping. They'd make sure to send my gift the day before so I'd have something to open on my birthday.

Today, I had to work on my birthday and it really bothered my mom.

"I don't understand why you couldn't take the time off," she sighed into the phone.

"We're in the middle of the season," I chuckled.

"So? One day is not going to kill them." I heard my mom sigh before she added, "I feel bad that your father and I didn't come visit you. Now you're stuck at work all day."

"You came down last year," I tried to reassure her. "And besides, you and Dad live five and a half hours away. You can't drive down on a Tuesday to take me to dinner."

"But it's your birthday," Mom sighed.

I let out a small laugh. "Besides, I can't just take a day off because it's my birthday. The special effects we're working on are insanely difficult."

"At least tell me you're going to go to a fancy restaurant all dressed up."

"Going to a restaurant in a fancy dress by myself is kinda pathetic, don't you think?"

"What are the kids saying these days?" She asked with a giggle. "Treat yourself!"

"Mom!" I laughed. "Look, I will pick up some cupcakes from Albertsons on my way home."

"No," she said quickly. "I want you to go to a nice bakery and get yourself a whole cake! Splurge and get you an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins."

"How about I get both?" I teased.

"I'll have Dad send some extra money to pay for them."

"You don't have to do that," I sighed. "I was kidding about the two cakes, Mom."

"Honey, my little girl is living in a big city by herself and doesn't have anyone to celebrate her birthday with. Of course we're sending you money."

"Love you, Mom."

"Love you too, sweetheart. Happy birthday."

"It's your birthday?"

I turned around to see Joe standing in my office doorway.

"It is," I said, slightly clearing my throat.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't think it was a big deal," I shrugged.

"Y/N, we've been friends since season 1," Joe sighed as he walked in and sat on the edge of my desk. "How could I not know today was your birthday? You know when mine is."

"It's really not a big deal, Joe. I don't celebrate my birthday."

"Why not?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "I'm an only child and my parents live in Arizona. With my birthday being on a Tuesday, my dad couldn't miss work just so they can take me to dinner. They can't drop everything and drive the five and a half hours."

"You don't go out with friends or. . . or a boyfriend?"

I wasn't sure why he paused before adding "boyfriend", but I shrugged.

"No one knows," I said, suddenly realizing how sad this sounded.

"Well," Joe hesitated, "why don't we all go out tonight?"

"No," I probably said too quickly. "It's really not necessary, Joe. I'm sure everyone wouldn't. . ."

"Wouldn't what?" He chuckled. "Want to go out dancing or to dinner? It would be fun. We could get dinner and I know a club that doesn't sell alcohol so the kids could come without it causing a problem."

"Joe," I cut him off. "We don't need to make a big deal out of this."

"You're my best friend, Y/N. I feel horrible that I've never celebrated it with you. Or even wondered about it. Wow, I'm a shitty friend."

"No, you're not," I said quickly. "You've been an amazing best friend, Joe. When I first moved here, I was scared and alone. You instantly became my friend. You don't realize this, but you saved me."

"How?" He asked with a cheeky smile slowly forming.

"Before I started working on Stranger Things, I was really depressed. I was new to the city. I was alone. And I was about to give up on my dream when you complimented my doodle at Starbucks. You got me the job that saved my career and saved me."

Joe smiled. He opened his mouth to say something but he was called to set. His face dropped but I sent him a reassuring smile.

"You should go," I said, nodding towards set. "They need Steve Harrington, Hawkins Best Babysitter."

"We're not done talking about this," he said trying to sound angry but it came off jokingly. I folded my arms over my chest, unable to calm the raging zoo in my stomach.

"How about this," he said slowly as he turned back toward me, "why don't I take you to a restaurant? We can even get all dressed up. That's what you and your parents would do, right?"

"We'll, us but. . ."

"Then it's settled! I'll pick you up a little before 6 tonight."

"Joe, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you don't need to go out of your way," I sighed.

I wrapped my arms around myself, slightly starting to feel uncomfortable. Joe has been my best friend since the first day of Stranger Things. A little piece of me couldn't understand why he wanted to be my friend. And now, a bigger piece of me couldn't understand why he wanted to make such a big deal about my birthday.

"Y/N," he said with his smile that I could never say no to. "It's your birthday. We're going to dinner."

                                * * * * *

"I'm so happy you aren't sitting at home," Mom sighed almost dreamily.

As soon as I texted my mom that Joe and I were going to dinner, she called me. She's been talking to me about it the whole time I've been getting ready.

"It's just dinner," I stuttered nervously.

"I've always liked Joe," she giggled. "He's sweet and funny and cute."

"He's just a friend," I cut her off.

"Really?" Mom laughed. "Because with how you talk about him, it doesn't sound like it."

Before I could defend myself in a way that neither my mom nor I believed, there was a knock at the door.

"I gotta go, Mom. Joe's here."

"Yay!" She cheered. "Call me after your date and tell me everything!"

"It's not a date," I mumbled even though she had already hung up. I put my phone in my purse and fixed my dress. I shook off as many of the nerves as I could before answering the door.

"Hey, birthday girl," Joe smiled. "You ready? I found this new Italian restaurant not too far from set."

I smiled, my stomach doing crazy flips as Joe held out his arm for me. I could feel my face burning as I looped my arm through his. I felt like I was shaking as Joe led us down my driveway.

The ride to the restaurant wasn't full of conversation. We sat in a comfortable silence as the radio softly played. Once we parked, I started to open my door but Joe reached across me and closed it.

"What are you doing?" I chuckled.

"It's called chivalry," he smirked.

I laughed and started nervously chewing on my bottom lip as he got out of the car, walked around to my side, and opened the door for me. Before I could get out, he reached his hand out for me to take. I intertwined our hands and he helped me out of the car.

"Chivalry isn't dead," I teased.

We walked into the restaurant, the hostess's face brightening up.

"Oh my gosh!" She giggled.

An older male, who looked like her manager, walked over and cleared his throat. He leaned in and whispered something to her. Her face immediately dropped and she walked away.

"I apologize for that, Mr. Keery," the gentleman sighed. "I told my staff and told them you were coming. They were supposed to be on their best behavior."

"That's alright, Marcus," Joe smiled.

"Let me make sure your table is ready."

As he went into the back, I turned toward Joe. "I thought you said this place was new. Have you been here before?"

"The head chef, Louis, is a friend of my father's," Joe explained. "He just opened the place. I called him to see if we could get a table at short notice and he set everything up. He told me that he'd talk to the staff and make sure none of them made a big deal about us."

"You mean you," I smirked at him.

"I didn't want to have to worry about fans or pictures during your birthday dinner," he said, looking away. I squeezed his arm, making him look back at me.

"That's really sweet of you," I whispered as Marcus walked back.

"Right this way, you two."

                                * * * * *

The waiter had just brought our drinks when Joe broke the silence. "Okay," he sighed. "I have to know. Tonight we have been more awkward than we have been in our entire friendship. If you're really uncomfortable, I can take you home. I didn't mean to drag you here."

"You didn't drag me," I said with a small chuckle. "You convinced me."

"I don't know if that sounds any better," he joked half-heartedly.

"Joe," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "If I hadn't wanted to come, I wouldn't have. It's just. . ."

"What?" Joe asked as he reached over and grabbed my hand.

"I don't know," I stuttered, my voice dropping. "I can't be the only one. . . I mean, am I the only one who feels a little awkward?"

"No," Joe smiled as he readjusted his grip on my hand. "You aren't the only one. My entire drive to pick you up I kept wondering if this was a mistake."

"Really?"

"Really," he said gently. "I have to admit something to you, Y/N."

"Okay," I said softly.

"Ever since we've met, I've had. . . Well, I've been. . . I started to. . ." He looked up at me and suddenly got embarrassed. He let out a small laugh as he reached up and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I may or may not have a tiny or a gigantic crush on you," he admitted. I smiled when he started chewing his bottom lip as he waited for me to respond.

"Well," I said, clearing my throat as I looked down at our intertwined hands. "That's interesting because I may or may not have a tiny or gigantic crush on you too."

I blushed as Joe tried to stop himself from smiling. He opened his mouth to say something, but our waiter brought our entrees. We sent each other shy smiles as we started eating. A few minutes into our pasta, Joe reached across the table and grabbed my hand.

We spent the night talking about work, our families, and our lives before we met. By the end of the night, I felt closer to Joe than ever before. As we left the restaurant, Joe instantly took my hand and we walked to the car.

This time as we drove to my apartment, we continued our conversation. When we got to my apartment, I started to get out of the car but smiled when Joe got out too. I waited for him to open my door. As soon as I was out of the car, Joe grabbed my hand. We walked up to my door in silence.

I was about to unlock my door, but Joe pulled on my hand. The second I was facing him, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I instantly let go of his hands and wrapped my arms around his neck as I kissed him back.

The kiss was gentle yet said so much. The butterflies in my stomach officially turned into a zoo as Joe and I kissed. We broke the kiss when neither one of us could breathe. I leaned back, looking into Joe's eyes as we caught our breaths. For some reason, I had the courage to ask a question I'd never asked a guy before.

"Would you like to come in for a nightcap?"

#joe keery #joe keery imagines #joe keery x reader #joe keery POV #stranger things

[luvrxbunny]

not horny!

so i’m gonna rant about my brother

here’s a list of things he’s done. now on top of that, he’s my older brother and when my parents divorced, my mother started working a bunch but my sister was still too young to take care of herself. so my brother and i kinda had to take over except my brother did not step up at all and used the freedom to sneak himself a phone, get social media (against my mothers rules at the time) and i ended up basically being a single mother to my little sister in 4th grade

i’d make sure she showered, i’d make her dinner and lunch box, i’d make sure she got her homework done and check it before bed and i’d make sure she gets dressed in the morning and make her breakfast— my mom knew i was doing all this but also assumed he was helping, he was not

on top of that my mom got stressed about the house being clean and so i took on a lot of those responsibilities as well! i was in a really bad place and i felt like if i wasn’t useful enough then my family wouldn’t love me anymore so i tried to take on any responsibility i could.

by sixth grade i was still taking care of my sister but i also started sweeping and mopping the house, doing all the dishes aside from his, and the laundry

so i kinda blame him for me not getting a childhood and all this happened before “ran away” on my list (it’s chronological)

so then there’s everything that happens afterward. and my mom recently decided to get in touch with him and make my sister and i hang out with him every weekend… just with everything completely forgiven

and it pisses me tf off because i wasted a lot of my childhood because of him meanwhile he got to live his life AND be the problem child. and my mom currently treats him better than she treats me so it feels like i wasted my whole fucking life for her approval when apparently all i needed was to be a royal fuck up to get it!

i’m going to fucking college because it’s what she wants meanwhile he’s a dropout with no intentions to go to college

he brags about all his friends— how some of them have been to jail, are accused sexual and physical abusers and she feels BAD for him???? and then get MAD at me for not wanting to be around him.

so she says she’ll hangout with him one on one if it bothers me so much (she said it so fucking sarcastically tho) but now i’m like… so you’re choosing him over us?? after everything we’ve done to make your add happy. my sister and i clean the house almost everyday trying to keep her happy

my poor sister knows how to pour alcohol so that it doesn’t foam because she does it for my mom just to keep her happy. like it’s all so fucked up

sorry for my LONG ASS rant guys ily all for giving my a little safe space

#AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA #but yeah!!! 😀 #so so so girlhood #girl vs mother #a tale as old as time #so coquette #🎀 #luvr mother diaries #my sister is the only good one in my family fr #and that’s cus i raised her

[the-most-sane-hp-fan]

Incorrect Quotes

just a quick little idea @mintsugarmy

---- *about to marry Lucius* Narcissa: Is this a good idea?

Andromida: Probably not.

Narcissa: Do I care?

Andromida and Bellatrix: No. but you certainly should.

-----

Sirius ready to kill Peter*

Remus: Don't quote me on this, but I believe murder is illegal!

-----

Harry, looking at his watch: It has been 2 hours and sixteen minutes since I’ve been insulted.

Also Harry: It’s been about 5 seconds since I’ve been assaulted, but let’s not talk about that.

------

out grocery shopping Hermione: takes a free sample twice

Also Hermione: Robbery and Fraud. I am a Rebel.

-----

Ron: I hate how you're just born out of nowhere, and you're forced to go to school and get education so you can get a job. What if I wanted to be a duck? No one ever asked me if I want to be a duck!

-----

Filch: I scare people a lot because I walk very softly and they don't hear me enter rooms. So when they turn around, I'm just kind of there and their fear fuels me.

-----

Ron when he and Harry crashed into the womping willow: Get in, loser, we’re committing vehicular manslaughter!

-----

Mattheo, at the slightest provocation: I came into this earth screaming and covered in someone else's blood and and I'm not afraid to leave the same way.

-----

Golden trio: I don’t always go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me first.

-----

Tom Riddle: trying to buy a Father's Day card at Hallmark

Tom Riddle: Excuse me, do you have any that just say "You are my dad?"

Associate: Well, I-

Tom Riddle: How about "You banged my mom?"

Associate: No…

Tom Riddle: How about, I don't care for your filthy muggle holidays but here's a card anyways?

Associate:....

Tom Riddle: You know what, I'll just get a blank one.

Tom Riddle: *writes* You are a father. This is a day. Here is a card.

----

Buckbeak: Caw caw, motherfuckers.

-----

Fred and George: If history repeats itself, I’m so getting a dinosaur!

-----

James: Yo is Peter sleeping or dead?

Sirius: Hopefully dead, I hated their guts.

Remus: Yeah, so did I.

Peter: Okay first of all, fuck you-

-----

Professor McGonigal: Can I be frank with you guys?

Hermione: Sure, but I don’t see how changing your name is gonna help.

Ron: Can I still be Ron?

Harry: Shh, let Frank speak.

-----

Newt and Theseus sitting in jail together

Theseus : So who should we call?

Newt: I’d call Y/n, but I feel safer in jail.

-----

Newt: Come on, I wasn’t that drunk last night.

Theseus : You were flirting with Y/n.

Newt: So what? They're my partner.

Theseus : You asked them if they were single.

Newt:

Theseus : And then you cried when they said they weren't.

-----

Credence: You're the love of my life and my best friend, I would do anything for you.

Y/n: I want you to eat three meals a day and have a decent sleep schedule.

Credence: Absolutely not.

-----

Jacob: You lying, cheating, piece of shit!

Y/n: Oh yeah? You’re the idiot who thinks you can get away with everything you do. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD

Jacob: I’m leaving you, and I’M TAKING NEWT WITH ME

Theseus , picking up the monopoly board: I think we’re gonna stop playing now.

-----

Snape: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the items you have lost throughout your life

James: Self-esteem, haven't seen you in years!

Peter: Oh wow, my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this!

Sirius: I knew I lost that potential somewhere!

Remus: My moral code, is that you?

Snape:

Snape: I was just gonna show you this cool trunk my mother left me but do you guys need a hug?

-----

Tina: I really like this whole ‘good guy, bad guy’ thing you guys have going on.

Queenie: It’s not an act, it’s just that I’m mean and Y/n isn’t

-----

Tom Riddle: Don’t worry, I have a few knives up my sleeve.

Harry Potter: I think you mean cards.

Tom Riddle, pulling knives out of their sleeves: No, I do not.

-----

#newt scamander #theseus scamander #tom riddle #jacob kowalski #queenie goldstein #tina goldstein #fred and george #harry james potter #harry potter #ron #ron weasly #hermione granger #hp incorrect quotes #harry potter incorrect quotes #the marauders #peter petigrew #remus lupin #sirius black #james potter #Severus snape #professer McGonigal #slytherin #narcissa black #narcissa malfoy #lucius malfoy #bellatrix lestrange #bellatrix black #andromeda black tonks #andromeda black #andromeda tonks

[latenightgasstationwalk]

One time when I was in like 3rd grade the principal pulled me into a room and screamed in my face like a drill Sargent because I couldn’t hold still while we were in line to go on stage and preform a Christmas choir bullshit thing that I wanted no part in because I knew my parents weren’t able to come so it just felt like a huge waste of time to me. He got big big BIG mad, because as soon as he was done screaming at me, all I said was: “you’re dumb”

I was forced to preform in the dumb Christmas thing, but I did not sing, I only moved my mouth like I was singing.

Same principal who encouraged my parents to put me on aderall and scolded me in front of my entire class multiple times for not being able to eat. Because that totally doesn’t make you feel like a freak, if you don’t already, on account of being the only kid in your class that HAS to be on mini-meth pills to help you focus.

My 3rd grade teacher also made fun of me in front of my entire class for being on aderall, after she (along with my principal) grilled my mother about putting me on said aderall. I went home and told my mom about it and she immediately got in the car and took me to the school and went BIG MODE on this woman. I was outside the classroom but I could hear her going ape Shit on her. My mom was gettin thug in that elementary school. Love that woman. (Incase you’re curious She called on me to answer a question and I wasn’t sure where we were in the book and she said “wow did you take your pill this morning? I know you need it. You need all the help you can get” even my bad little Ass was like wooooow okay you can’t say that to me lmao)

My 8th grade music teacher made us all take a guitar class, this was some time before I had taken an interest in playing music, we all had to preform in front of the class. We could chose between smoke on the water, Elenor Rigby or some other song I don’t remember. I very foolishly chose Elenor Rigby over smoke on the water and totally ate shit in front of the class. She gave me a D (like verbally, in front of the whole class of course, everyone else got their grade in private. But not the freak. He exists to entertain us) and then Stated aloud “that’s okay Jay, you’re just not cut out for music”

Shows what she knows. I Fucking rip at the guitar now. What now miss Thomas, Whatchu guna say now, yeah that’s right you got nothin. *poorly plays cliffs of dover*

One time when I was in high school my best friend overdosed on purpose in an attempt to take his own life, and the SECRETARY, not a teacher, for no reason walked up to me after school and said “you’re a bad friend. I’d never let my friend do something like that” and I was literally like “😦” like. What the Fuck do you even say to that he didn’t even take them at school. I wasn’t FUCKING THERE WHEN HE DID IT YOU DORK.

One time, also in high school, I found a super useful truancy loophole. If you got sent home, they couldn’t send you a truancy ticket. But coincidentally, if you were seen on your phone they’d confiscate it. But if you refused to give them your phone they’d send you to the office. Where you would once again be asked to turn over your phone. If you said no again they’d send you home. So of course I’d just be texting all first period until someone told me to stop and then I’d just leave. Free truancy.

One time, also in high school, I got in trouble for peeing on the building during gym class, but I got away with it by insisting “it was an emergency”

One time in middle school some kid dumped an entire Dr. Pepper on the audio mixing board in the auditorium. It literally wasn’t me. They (principal, vice principal, and the janitor for some reason) walked right up to me during lunch and said that I did it. I had no idea what they were even talking about. I hadn’t even been in the auditorium at this point as it was like the 2nd week of school. They all pulled me into the office and tried to force me to confess to breaking “a $5000 piece of equipment” and I just kept stone walling them and saying it wasn’t me because I knew they had no proof because I DIDNT FUCKING DO IT. They eventually let me go, because they couldn’t prove that I did it, because I didn’t do it.

This other time in middle school, I dumped a whole Dr Pepper on this dumb audio mixing board thing

This other other time, also in middle school, we were given a project where we were supposed to do online research on a celebrity or historical figure and write an essay on their life and accomplishments. I couldn’t decide on who to pick, so I asked my aunt to help me out, she was a huge Elvis fan so she recommended him. I was like “sure okay” and wrote this big ass thing about Elvis’s life and everything and read it infront of the whole class. Every one was snickering at me the entire time but I had no idea why. Until I got done reading the essay and the teacher revealed to me that not only were we assigned people to do the report on, but the project was black history month themed, I don’t think I need to even explain the irony in doing an entire report on Elvis for a black history month themed project. (She was cool and gave me a D instead of an instant fail, which would have been totally understandable)

Also worth mentioning that by 4th grade I could barely see in front of my own face because of my dog shit vision and my parents refused to by me glasses because I kept breaking them. I didn’t get another pair of glasses until my first job when I turned 18. So for alot of these stories I’m also like legally blind.

This other time, when I was in the juvenile detention center, I was sitting in my teachers chair doing an impression of him to make the other kids laugh, because he wasn’t in the room. Except he was in the room. And these teachers can hit you. He like clotheslined me out of the chair and dragged me around by my neck screaming “YOU THINK THATS FUCKING FUNNY??” I didn’t say anything because, between the lack of airflow to my lungs and the crazed laughter, I couldn’t talk at all.

Same year at the same place, they we’re giving kids from one of the high schools in the area a tour of the facility, for some reason. And I once again got grabbed by my neck and dragged into a room and screamed at because I walked by 2 girls from the high school and said “hey ladies :)” what a terrible terrible child I was.

I was ASKED to stop showing up to school my sophomore year. Which I gladly agreed too.

My school experience was so whack.

#school stories

[lovesosweeet]

better left unsaid // cth

chapter thirty seven

in which orion has leukemia, and calum doesn’t know.

calum hood x fem!oc

read other chapters

november 10, 2018 san diego, california orion

Since finding out there’s no hope… I’ve had no hope. Everyone else has had to come to terms with my defeat. They all had shit to say to me, trying to convince me to at least read about the trials that Dr. Gupta suggested, but I didn’t want to. 

I don’t want to keep being poked and prodded and nauseous and aching constantly. I’d rather just be somewhat miserable at home as I inevitably wither away. I want to sleep in my own bed and stay out of the bleach scented hospital I’d spend more time in if I did a trial.

Everyone is trying to cheer me up. Macy and Emelia take turns coming down and staying with me during the day while my moms are at work. I tell them they don’t need to, but everyone insists I have someone with me all the time just in case something goes wrong. I feel bad because they have to drive at least two hours each way every time they come. Macy isn’t in school right now so she doesn’t really need to be in LA for anything, so she stays two days at a time, but Emelia is finishing out her semester and has a full load of classes.

They all say they’re just happy to spend time with me, which may be true, but I hate how much I’m ruining everyone’s lives. Emelia is even planning on spending her whole Thanksgiving break with me, rather than with her family in Seattle, and I feel horrible that her family won’t get to spend Thanksgiving with her.

Today is Macy’s day. We’ve been spending the days that she’s here watching the entirety of Gilmore Girls. We’re somehow still only on the third season. The episode we’re on is featuring Rory on a walk through a park that’s covered in orange and red fall foliage, which I’ve really not experienced much of in my life given where I live. 

“Cal and I always talked about going to New England in the fall sometime.”

Macy’s head snaps toward me. She looks shocked.

“What?” I ask.

“You haven’t talked about him, like, at all, since you broke up.”

“Yes I have!”

“You’ve tried to justify breaking up with him several times, but you haven’t said anything about him, really. Y’know?” 

“I have talked about him!” I’ve thought about him every hour of every day and have creeped on him via his fans on Twitter every single day and constantly check his Instagram to see if he’s posted anything. He’s still at the center of my life. 

“Orion, I spend so much time with you and have seen you stalking him on Twitter, but you have not truly said a word about him.” 

My cheeks flush as she mentions my Twitter activity.

“You’re allowed to miss him, you know.”

I look down at my hands, fiddling with the rings I’m wearing. I already feel my eyes watering. “I miss him so much, Mace.” 

Macy places a hand on my arm and squeezes it. “I’m 100% certain if you called him, he’d pick up.” 

I shake my head, feeling a few tears start to fall. “I can’t call him.”

She sighs. “You miss him. He misses you.”

“No, Macy, I can’t call him. I can’t.” 

“O, they’re on the Europe leg. You could go back to where it all started.” 

I shake my head again. “I’m terrified of having to see his face fall as I die. It’s going to hurt so bad.”

Macy hugs me then, wrapping her arms around me, but my hands stay on my lap, still twisting my rings around. “He wants to love you, Orion, he won’t see it as watching you die.” 

“I can’t do it. I can’t let him watch,” I say as I stand up. “I’m gonna go take a nap. I’m feeling kinda shitty today.”

I walk upstairs to my bedroom and collapse on the bed, sobs shaking my whole body. 

read next chapter

#5sos #luke hemmings #5 seconds of summer #ashton irwin #calum hood #fanfiction #5sosfam #imagine #fanfic #michael clifford #calum 5sos #calum fanfic #cal

[hockeylvr59]

Collide Part 3 || Sidney Crosby

Summary: Life as a single foster mom and a pediatrician didn’t leave much time for dating. But when Dr. Erin Lancaster becomes the pediatrician for Pittsburgh Penguins Defenseman Brian Dumoulin's baby boy, her association and quick friendship with his wife Kayla turns her crazy but quiet life upside down. 

Requested: [ ] yes [x] no

Authors Note: I am determined to finish this series and these two are finally making some progress. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see for them moving forward. 

Warnings: Sexual tension? Word Count: 3,284

*******

After weeks of dealing with a slushy sleet mix over the city of Pittsburgh, I finally woke up to the start of a powder fresh snowfall covering the ground. It was clean and bright, and the sun’s reflections made the ground shimmer. 

Just like the weather had turned, so had the gloom that started creeping into my life. And it was all because of Maisie. 

That was the name of the little blue-eyed, curly blonde-haired girl who had cleared the clouds from around my heart and brought light and laughter back to my house. 

After talking with Sidney at the Dumoulin's, the thought of stepping away as a foster parent had lingered in my mind for a day or two. Deep down I knew I couldn’t but it was so hard saying goodbyes over and over again. Knowing that this kind of pain was always waiting somewhere on the horizon. Then I had gotten a call about Maisie. 

She was three and a half and had been living with her grandmother since shortly after her birth. But her grandma had been battling multiple sclerosis for the past few years and had finally reached the point where she just couldn’t handle taking care of the bubbly little girl all the time. On her good days, she could get by but on her bad days, it was just too much. With no other family to step in, she had made the difficult decision to seek alternative care arrangements. Maisie would still get to spend time with her grandmother, she would just be living with me. And the odds that she would end up leaving...well they seemed lower than what I was used to.

The first time I met her my heart just melted. She had been so reluctant to leave her grandma’s side and shy to say hello but once she had a few minutes to assess and observe, she had warmed up to me and begun chattering away. Foster kids, especially those who had been in the system for a while, generally had a hard time letting down their walls. They were often ill-tempered and didn’t trust easily. But with Maisie who had only known a loving home, once she warmed up she was loving and affectionate almost instantly. 

In order to protect Maisie and ease her into things, we’d taken it slow. Starting with me just spending an evening with her and her grandma. Then we’d progressed into an overnight when her grandmother was having a bad day. It was almost Christmas by the time we had transitioned her to living with me while her grandma came to visit as opposed to the other way around. Over the course of a few weeks, Maisie had shared with me all of her favorite things. Her favorite color was purple, her favorite food was mac and cheese, her favorite animal was a cow, and her favorite holiday ever was Christmas. 

Wanting to keep the little girl’s Christmas spirit alive, we did a number of fun holiday things. I had taken her to go meet Santa and we’d driven down to Oglebay to see the lights. We decorated my house with all of the lights and garlands and the tree that I hadn’t expected I’d put up this year while listening to Christmas music. When her grandma came to visit we baked cookies and drank hot chocolate and watched classic Christmas cartoons. Through it all, the smile on Maisie’s face was the real holiday magic. 

And with snow falling outside, now just a few days from Christmas I was starting to finally feel whole again. I couldn’t linger watching the snow as long as I would like though because even on a Sunday, Maisie and I had somewhere to be. 

~~~~

I’d lost track of time lately with my focus being on Maisie’s transition and was working through lunch to try and catch up on documentation paperwork before the weekend when my phone rang on my desk. Seeing ‘Kayla Dumoulin’ flash across the screen, I had closed the file I was working on and picked it up, asking her what was going on and how Brayden was with a smile on my face. She had quickly assured me that her seven-week-old baby boy was doing great and regaled me with his latest little quirk before changing topics. 

“What are you and Maisie doing Sunday afternoon?” She’d questioned. I’d had to rack my brain trying to figure out if we had anything planned but there was nothing I could think of. “I don’t think we have anything going on.” I’d replied, reaching for my water bottle to take a generous drink. 

“Good. Then you can come to PPG and skate with us.” Her declaration had made my heart race and I nearly spit my water across my office. 

“Wait what?” I’d questioned. 

“The team Christmas skate is Sunday. You’re bringing Maisie.” She’d stated, her voice bright and cheery. Pausing for a moment, I’d cleared my throat. 

“I don’t think we’d be invited to that…” 

“I just invited you.” Kayla declared, her tone becoming amused. “So you’re coming with Maisie. Noon. Sunday. PPG. I’ll text you directions on the easiest way to get into the parking garage.” 

Before I’d had the chance to push back, she’d murmured hurriedly that Brayden was waking up and she had to go before hanging up. 

~~~~ As I pulled away from the window looking out at the snow, my phone buzzed on the kitchen island. Checking it, I saw a message from Kayla providing directions into the player garage and reminding me that the skate started at noon and she would see us there. 

Checking the clock, I knew that by the time I got Maisie’s backpack ready with snacks and drinks and got both of us ready after having breakfast that it would be time to get on the road to head to PPG. Moving to the bedroom Maisie had made her own with purple bedding and curtains and artwork taped to every surface, I gently woke her, accepting her good morning hug and laughing when she immediately asked if she could have pancakes for breakfast with snow on them. Maisie loved pancakes with snow, or powdered sugar, on them, and though it was not an everyday breakfast, we could make an exception this morning. 

Breakfast finished, I sent Maisie to brush her teeth and hair while I cleaned up the kitchen and then moved to help her get dressed for the day. Though she wanted to wear a dress, we were going to an ice rink which required warmer clothes. She protested about how the clothes I picked weren’t girly enough, but eventually, she’d relented and got dressed before sitting to play while I got everything else ready to go. 

In my own room, I’d thrown on the outfit I’d picked out last night: jeans, a green shirt, and a red cardigan, an outfit that was simple but Christmassy. Then I moved to pack Maisie’s bag and checked in with her grandma to see how she was feeling today. I frowned hearing that it was another rough day and reminded her that all she had to do was ask if there was anything that she needed. 

With everything ready to go, I moved to get Maisie from her room, interrupting her playtime with a few dolls to get her in boots and a jacket. She repeatedly asked where we were going and I replied that it was a surprise not sure how she would feel about the day’s plans being that she was a somewhat shy little girl. 

In the car, we played Christmas carols with Maisie singing along the whole way as best she could. Driving into downtown never failed to send a wave of emotions through me -  marvel at how pretty the city I lived in was, but also annoyance and stress at navigating to the proper exit and down busy city streets. 

Peeking into the backseat, I could see Maisie’s amazement at all of the big buildings around us from her wide eyes to her fingers gripping the windowsill tightly as she looked out. 

Thankfully, Kayla’s directions had been really helpful and it wasn’t long before I was approaching a garage. There was a security guard there and upon pulling up I gave him my name before being let through. 

Once in a spot, I texted Kayla that we were there and by the time I got Maisie out of her car seat and had her bag draped over my shoulder a familiar voice was calling me with a ‘hey Doc!’. Looking up I spotted Brian and let him pull me into a hug when he approached. 

“You made it!” He greeted smiling his boyish smile. 

“Don’t think your wife was going to give me much of a choice.” I quipped back, causing him to nod and laugh. 

“And you must be Maisie.” He added, squatting down to the level of the three-year-old who was already trying to hide behind the leg of my jeans. ‘She’s a little shy.’ I mouthed to him before urging her that it was okay to say hi. 

“You’re tall.” She whispered softly while taking him in. I could already see that she was going to be a little intimidated by the size of the hockey players she was going to be surrounded by today. 

Brian just smiled however and shrugged saying the view was better from up there. Maisie looked at him with perplexed eyes before looking up at me. 

“Would you like to see?” Brian asked and when Maisie nodded, he turned in front of her, still in a squat, and told her to hop on. After checking with me that it was okay, she climbed onto his shoulders and let out a soft ‘woah’ as he stood bringing her more than six feet into the air. 

With Maisie settled, Brian led us through the halls, bending through doorways to avoid Maisie’s head until we reached the locker room. There was a bustle of activity in the room as he guided us to his stall where there was a few extra pairs of skates. 

“Hey, doc!” A few of the guys greeted as they made their way out to the ice and I acknowledged them with a wave before watching as Brian spoke softly to Maisie explaining hockey skates to her and asking if she wanted to give them a try. 

“That’s why we’re here,” I confirmed when she once again looked to me to check that it was okay. Carefully, Brian helped her get skates on her feet, tying them tightly before he moved to put on his own. 

“You gonna join us doc?” He asked seeing that I was still standing in the middle of the room. 

“Uh maybe later,” I replied. Focused on Maisie, Brian didn’t fight just motioned to the pair of skates beside him for me to at least take out to the bench. 

“We ready?” He asked Maisie and after gathering her on his hip when she nodded, we headed down the tunnel and out to the ice. There, Kayla and a few of the other partners were standing on the bench watching as players and kids and staff all skated around the rink. 

Beside Kayla was a car seat with a baby boy bundled up inside. Giving her a hug as she greeted me, I peeked inside and smiled seeing the baby sleeping despite the hustle and bustle around him. Looking back at the ice I saw that Maisie seemed a little nervous for Brian to put her down. 

“He won’t let you fall,” I assured her softly. “But even if you do, it’s okay. Falling is normal.” 

“I don’t want to,” Maisie murmured. Hoping that we were going to have a meltdown on our hands I tried to think of ways to soothe her. 

“How about we skate just like this. I’ll hold you.” Brian suggested, chuckling softly when Maisie nodded slightly like that would be okay. With the two of them off, I settled down onto the bench just looking around. This was certainly a view. 

~~~~~ Maisie skated with Brian for about twenty minutes before his arms clearly grew tired from holding her and he skated back over to the bench. Distracting Maisie with a snack, Brian disappeared back to the locker room to check on Kayla who had gone to go feed Brayden. 

Maisie and I hadn’t been sitting there long before a broad body skated over, grabbing a bottle of water from the bench before looking up. 

“Doctor Lancaster.” Sidney greeted, his voice a little breathless from playing with all the kids out there. 

“Just Erin.” I reminded him. He nodded and swallowed another swig of water before looking back at me. 

“I didn’t know you’d be here.” He stated. “And who is this?” He asked, his voice growing softer. 

“Kayla can be insistent,” I replied. “This is Maisie.” Again the little blonde next to me played shy and tucked herself into my side. “Maisie this is Sid. He’s friends with Mr. Brian and Miss Kayla.” 

“Have you done any skating Maisie?” Sid asked, leaning against the boards. She just gave a little shrug and I sighed shaking my head at her. 

“She let Brian skate her around but I think she’s a little nervous to skate on her own.” 

“And what about you Erin?” He asked looking down to see that my feet were still in my outdoor boots. 

“She hasn’t skated,” Maisie stated softly, slowly warming up to Sid. 

“Do you think she should?” He asked her, whispering conspiratorily. Maisie paused before nodding looking back and forth between us. 

“How about we make a deal…” He suggested to Maisie. “You come skate with me, I promise you won’t fall, and then we can get Erin on the ice. What do you think?” 

“Promise I won’t fall?” She asked quietly and when Sid nodded she agreed, letting him hoist her over the boards to the ice. 

“Lace-em up.” He murmured to me as he carefully set Maisie down, holding onto her hands before talking her through skating on her own. At first, he did more gentle pulling to propel her but eventually, Maisie started moving her own feet, her lips pouted in concentration. 

I was busy watching her when Kayla and Brian returned, the latter stepping onto the ice with a small bundle pressed against his shoulder just skating tiny circles close to the boards. 

“Is Maisie with Sid?” Kayla asked curiously. “So she won’t skate with Brian but she’ll skate with Sid…oh he’ll get a kick out of that.” She laughed. 

As Sid and Maisie skated past he looked over at me. 

“Are your skates on yet?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow when my face showed that they weren’t. “Come on. If Miss Maisie can do it then so can you.” He prodded until Kayla joined along, pushing me to put the skates beside me onto my feet. 

Maisie skated with Sid for another few minutes before he picked her up and carried her back to the bench, carefully setting her over the boards. 

“You ready?” He asked turning to me. 

“Go, I’ll watch Maisie.” Kayla insisted, gently shoving me to urge me up off the bench. 

Meeting me at the gate, Sid held a hand out to help me onto the ice. My first step was wobbly but solid and I took a deep breath. It had been a long time since I’d been skating, hence why I hadn’t chosen to get on the ice. 

“Relax,” Sidney murmured reaching to take my other hand. His grip was gentle but firm as he slowly glided backward, easing me forward step by step. As the feeling slowly came back to me, he loosened his grip a bit more and we slowly skated around the rink doing first one lap and then another before my skate blade caught in a divot in the ice unexpectedly and my balance tipped flying forward. 

Immediately, an arm wrapped around my waist as I hit a firm chest and Sid’s voice reached my ears assuring me that I was okay. Looking up, Sid’s face was mere inches from mine and his warm brown eyes glinted with concern. Breathing rapidly, I watched as Sid’s eyes flicked down for a moment before meeting mine once more. My heart pounded feeling his body pressed up intimately against him and after a moment I pushed back just a hair before swallowing hard trying to find my voice. 

“I feel like that was my signal to get off the ice.” I declared. “And I really should get Maisie home for a nap.” 

Sid hummed for a minute before nodding and wordlessly pushing me over to the bench. 

“Thanks.” I breathed, stomach doing somersaults. For a minute it looked like he was going to say something but then he just started skating backward, waving to Maisie and thanking her for skating with him. 

I could feel Kayla’s stare as I quickly untied the skate laces and slipped back into my normal shoes. 

Gathering up Maisie’s things from the bench I mentioned getting her home to Kayla and thanked her for inviting us. Wishing them a Merry Christmas, I guided Maisie back to the locker room to change shoes and gather up our coats before we headed back to the garage. 

Even as we stepped back into the cold, my body still felt overheated and I tossed the bag into the car before stepping to help Maisie buckle up. 

Licking my lips, the flash of Sid’s mouth, pink and inviting filled my brain and I mentally shook my head trying to stop my brain from going down that path. It didn’t matter that I was attracted to him, half of Pittsburgh and most of Canada were attracted to him, he was an attractive man after all. He’d only gotten out of a serious relationship a few months ago and he was only being polite. 

As I shut Maisie’s door the sound of the garage door slamming echoed through the garage and as I opened my door rapid footsteps approached. 

As I looked over my shoulder, the rapid footsteps slowed.

“Erin…Erin wait.” A voice called out, correction, Sidney’s voice called out. 

Pausing, a million thoughts ran through my brain all at once before vanishing into an abyss. 

By the time Sidney had reached me, his hands were in his pockets and an unreadable expression was settled on his face. 

Neither of us spoke and then he swallowed, his adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. 

“Shit.” He mumbled. “I’m really not good at this.” His sandal-covered feet scuffed against the floor of the garage. 

“I uh…would you maybe want to grab dinner with me sometime…or lunch even if you’d prefer that.” He questioned. 

It took everything in me for my jaw to not hit the floor and I blinked a few times. Was he asking me out? It certainly sounded like he was asking me out. 

“Are you asking me out?” 

Sidney stared for a moment before nodding. 

“It’s fine if you don’t want to.” He added quickly, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. 

“No…I…yes…dinner would be better,” I stated. 

“Great!” Sid stated, a smile growing on his face. “I uh…you should get Maisie home for her nap, I’ll get your number from Kayla if that’s okay and give you a call?” 

Nodding, I froze as Sidney took a step closer, his lips moving to press a quick kiss to my cheek. 

“It was good to see you again Erin.” He whispered softly, his voice warm. “Merry Christmas.” 

“Merry Christmas Sid.”

Outfit: 

#sidney crosby #sidney crosby imagine #pittsburgh penguins #pittsburgh penguins imagine #nhl imagine #nhl imagines #hockey imagines #hockey imagine #ppenguins #019

[weepingwillows-sweethibiscustea]

OKAY. RWRB MOVIE REVIEW.

(Disclaimer that these are all only my opinions)

I imagined Philip as looking more like Philza Minecraft, to be completely honest. So tell me why they made him kinda..???

THEY FUCKED UP HIS CHARACTERIZATION (imo). In the book, he’s just a victim of what he was born into as well. He’s rigid & kinda a dick because it was what he was taught to be to survive, the movie completely took that away, giving him literally two scenes.

AND THEN THEY GIVE GOOD GRACE TO THE KING? Bro. No. Stop it.

I feel as though they were afraid to criticize the British monarchy too hard, which is why they gave the king the good grace they did (plus other changes done, I don’t think they included the cliticization of the British Museum stealing all those artifacts either)

Frothing at the mouth over the fact they not only took away Luna, but completely got rid of the fucking sex abuse scandal in favor of a jealousy plot. Explodes you with my mind.

Going back to my point above that one, I feel they might not have wanted to add that seeing how many Richards are out there. Can’t fan too many flames, huh?

They also gave Bea way less screen time, & took away the whole “Powder Princess” thing, I think the way they talked about their dad passing & how it effects the family was kind of cheap.

AND they fucked up Henry’s moms characterization. She just straight up wasn’t in it, only mentioned, & in a negative light. Again, they really didn’t give the dad passing the attention it deserved.

The beginning went by pretty damn fast. But in all fairness for that & I suppose a lot of points, the movies already two hours long with all that missing, so I suppose I can give some leniency on some of these points.

June obviously wasn’t there either, but it at least doesn’t feel like anybody’s missing. I guess they managed the Nora & June merge well. THEY DID NOT MANAGE THE LIAM & LUNA MERGE WELL.

Seriously fuck them for taking away Luna & subsequently his character arc

THEY UN-DIVORCED ELLEN & OSCAR. I UNDERSTAND IT WOULD HAVE ADDED A LOT OF SCREEN TIME THEY DIDN’T HAVE BUT COME ON.

Do love all the terms of endearment Henry uses, honestly don’t remember if that’s in the book or not.

Can we circle back around to how attractive Philip is. Sorry who said that.

I like the way they handled the cake scene better, definitely feels more realistic.

Admittedly also kinda happy the Henry magazine photo thing wasn’t added, kind of made me cringe reading about it lmao

OH YEA THEY TOOK OUT THE SCENE WHERE ALEX CALLS HENRY TO VENT ABOUT HIS PARENTS(?), IT WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR THEIR RELATIONSHIP BOO

Is there a copy right reason they couldn’t include Henry being a Star Wars fan? If they just simply choose not to then I am Disappointed.

Really liked how they did the phone calls, with them appearing in front & them as though they’re in the same room, together. Great touch.

Edit to add this bullet point because it’s really important to me. Alex says he’s bisexual, Henry says he’s gay. Ellen asks if Alex is gay, fluid, bi, pan. Ellen references transgender people. They talk about the LGBT+ community. They say all these words, they don’t whisper them, or talk around them. They say them loud & clear as day. Idk, this just makes me really happy because of how often you’ll see people talk around these words like they’re bad or dirty words (yes I’m aware this is a movie where they have gay sex multiple times on screen but it’s still important to me shut up)

FINAL THOUGHTS.

It was alright. I don’t regret watching it. It was entertaining, but admittedly not the type of movie I’d usually watch, so I think other people could enjoy it way more then I did. But I definitely still enjoyed it despite all my criticisms.

Definitely not as good as the book, but not bad at all. I’d say it’s absolutely worth the watch.

I’m sure you can also find posts that can better articulate why this movie is so groundbreaking & important as well, which is something I didn’t particularly touch on in this post.

#LUNAAA #COME BACK TO ME #& FIX PHILIPS CHARACTERIZATION WHILE YOU’RE AT AT #IT #movie review #rwrb on prime #rwrb spoilers #rwrb #rwrb alex #rwrb film #rwrb movie #prince henry rwrb #prince philip rwrb #red white and royal blue film #red white and royal blue #sap thoughts

[authortobenamedlater]

Hey who wants to hear about all the AUs Vital Record has spawned?

Yes? No? Doesn’t matter. Here they are.

I said I wasn’t planning to continue the story because I see no less than three possibilities for how it could go:

First, and most obvious: They have to find a family for Angel. John knows he can’t send his girl to a family who doesn’t know what they’re dealing with, and she also needs to be as far under the radar as possible. Who does he call? Soren, of course, who does in fact want to murder John for dropping another kid on him. Soren relents eventually because he knows he’s the only viable option, but not without a lot of profanity and grousing. Of course this doesn’t go as planned and a few years later the Covenant DOES find their Baby Blessed One’s location. Soren has to fight (again, with much profanity and grousing) and John ends up reunited with his little girl. temporarily or permanently? Who knows.

This version does feature a scene of John knowing he has to give Angel away, but not wanting to, and weeping all over Captain Keyes or Kai about it. I have the entire scene(s) in my head and, honestly, don’t know if I could ever get past my mom feels enough to write them down. Now that I’ve admitted this in print, naturally, I’ll probably find the will to write it.

And, this continuation would be two long stories. At least.

Second: John jumps ship and takes Angel to the Rubble to raise her himself. With the help of Silver Team, both Keyeses, and Parangosky, because “It would hardly be the first time we’ve faked his death, Margaret” as Jacob says in my head.

A few years down the line Soren keeps trying to set John up with a friend of Laera’s and John is like “NO.” But he eventually catches this friend’s eye, and she catches his. They both ran off to the Rubble to raise their kids, but John has to dance around his real reasons why. He doesn’t know how to explain the whole Cortana thing either (this would probably come about as a version of Third Wheel). And he can’t lie to save his life. Lady friend suspects he’s not telling her everything, but nobody on the Rubble is telling everyone everything, so she doesn’t push.

Things start to unravel when something blows up that no one can solve but the Master Chief and Kai pops in on the Rubble one day calling John back to action. John has to go to his lady and fess up: He wasn’t just a soldier. He wasn’t even just a Spartan. He was THE Master Chief. And he has to go be the Master Chief again. He’s really sorry about all this. After everything the war is over and John peaces out back to the Rubble with his wife and kid and tells Admiral Hood to lose his number.

This, too, would be at least two long stories.

Third, and most fun: Covenant glasses Reach and several other planets and sends all of humanity running for the figurative hills. Silver Team, Angel, plus both Keyeses because why not, all go on the run Bad Batch/A-Team style.

This could be several shorter fics. If I did continue this AU, this is probably the direction I’d take.

Fourth, as a bonus: AU-of-an-AU in which Makee isn’t dead and season 2 is Halo stuff plus the wildest custody battle in history.

No way am I ever writing this one.

I’m starting to think this show is just a giant AU prompt bank.

Oh, if anyone’s curious, grown-up Angel in my mind looks like Charlie Murphy with her natural hair color.

#halo #halo tv #halo fanfic #halo tv series #halo the series #halo fic #halo paramount+ #john 117 #soren 066 #alternate universe #au fanfiction #makee #john 117 x makee #master chief #master chief x makee #fanfic by atbnl #halo tv fanfic by atbnl #jacob keyes #vital record au

[rpmemes-galore]

the orville : season 1 ... sentence starters

“It's not bad, right?”

“That is unfortunate.“

“So, it's an anti-banana ray.“

“I do not recognize the species.“

“I am better than everyone else.“

“Dude, I'm such a jerk, it's ridiculous.“

“How's that not the first thing you ask?”

“I'd rather have brunch with my parents.“

“I don't need you to remind me of the rules.“

“I have seen you bleed. A god does not bleed.”

“I am feeling very self-conscious. May I leave?“

“And I'm sorry I said you suck. I didn't mean it.“

“I do not understand the reason for this conflict.“

“Translation: You want to make sure I'm not a jerk.“

“Well, yes. The humans. The hillbillies of the galaxy.“

“Those are words of great power. Who wrote them?“

“I believe you are confusing opinion with knowledge.“

“Then for God's sake, why don't you let us help you?“

“Okay, well, so am I, so this is gonna work out great.”

“I am very fond of drinking beer and passing out, yes.“

“Then how come I want to throw myself out the airlock?“

“Yeah, I don't... I don't know if that was ever on the table.“

“You know, I didn't really pry into those kinds of specifics.”

“My God, you guys look like unemployed backup dancers.“

“One more time. Who are you, and where are the others?“

"Between soul and sacrifice, beats the heart of civilization.“

“And I told you you're lying, because there is no such place.“

“I want you and I to be okay, but you are being a prideful ass.“

“With so many voices at once, how do you filter out the truth?”

“No, it's not a 'pass' kind of thing. Just give me your closest guess.“

“You think we could change the music? Something less depressing?“

“No, you mean you're not ready to give up control over these people.”

“But to derive mirth from the pain of another being is sadism, is it not?“

“Look, there's been a little misunderstanding. I'm not who you think I am.“

“Thank you for letting me see all of this. I just wish I could tell somebody.”

“They're kids. With their whole lives ahead of them. They're not my enemies.”

“To do as you say would shatter our entire way of life. This world is not ready.“

“Figured I'd introduce myself, since we're gonna be working full shifts together.”

“I got to say, watching your corpse drift away to this music would be so peaceful.“

“Generally, when someone's as smart as you are, they make productive use of it.“

“No, you are small and feeble, and you do not possess the necessary intelligence.“

“Is it possible that there's more to this universe than what we see? Yes, it's possible!“

“But what about everybody else? Everybody deserves a voice. That's what we're taught.“

“How would you do it? Just walk in and say, 'Hi, I'm from another planet. I'm here to fix you'?“

“I'm gonna ask you a few questions that one might find on any basic test of adult knowledge.“

“No, it's good. You paint some flames on the side, maybe like a rainbow unicorn, you got something.“

“No, no, he's just a leader I admire. Always keeps his cool in a crisis, inspires greatness in his people.“

“So, there's probably not a lot of arguments about leaving the toilet seat up and that kind of thing, right?“

“Well, last time I saw them, one of them was banging your mom, and the other one was high-fiving him.“

“You know what the most depressing part about this is? I allowed myself to care about you, and you used me.”

“It's a good rule in life never to apologize. The right kind of people never want apologies, and the wrong kind take advantage of them.“

#the orville quotes #rp meme #sentence starters

[hopelessromantic1352]

Hi! 🤗 As the new year countdown approaches, who are your top 10 MCs or OCs in the Choices fandom. Of course you can include your own as well. Celebrate yourself!

Hi anon! This is a great question! Sorry it took me so long to get around to answering! This made me really think, cause I think for the most part I really focus on our LIs and not the MCs/OCs. Also, this is not in order! It’s just what my squirrel brain comes up with first 🤣

Perfect Match F!MC - I named her Steph - I love how PM feels so fictional, yet real and exciting. Steph romanced Damien and I love their banter, relationship, everything. She is just so sassy, punny, and overall a great character. I feel like most of the older books have great storylines and great characters all around.

My F!OC Natalia York - I made Natalia for a Red Carpet Diaries AU after the disaster they called RCD 3 was released. I personally felt like RCD’s MC was a complete airhead, selfish, and didn’t really care about including her future husband in any wedding planning. I won’t get started on that whole thing 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣 Anywho, I love Natalia because she is so elegant and graceful. She’s so kind and her past has not been easy yet she doesn’t show that part of her. She keeps her walls up much like her counterpart, Thomas. I feel like sometimes I don’t write her well enough and I feel like I don’t do her justice.

@alj4890’s Amanda Bridgerton (F!OC) - This lady right here, I cannot say enough about her. The writer and the character 🤣 my friend created such a unique OC that started out as a match for Maxwell (TRR) and slowly transitioned into a match for Thomas (RCD) and I am so happy 😂 I may feel bad for Maxwell, but not enough to not be happy about Amanda and Thomas. Reading the fics with those two is just amazing because Amanda writes them so well. Every fic I read about the two shows a new light on their relationship. I just… I love them. They’re probably my favorite ship to read about on this app.

@liaromancewriter MAX! He is so awesome. I binge read all your fics and when I got to the ones with him, I fell in love 🥰 This is not taking away from Cassie and Ethan cause I love their dynamic 😍 But Max and Sienna are so freaking cute together! He is so supportive and I remember him being protective of his sis and then he met Sienna and ugh swoon. Love, love, love ❤️❤️❤️

@jerzwriter Casey… need I say more? 🤣 I love the relationship between her and Tobias. Add Ethan in there 🤌🏼 Chef’s kiss. I love how shameless she is and the way she treats her friends. She’s, overall, someone I’d wanna be friends with 😂 But even though this is a question for MCs and OCs, I’m gonna sneak this in here, the way you write Tobias is the best ever. I think you have his character down to a T and it just makes everything with Casey that much better. I feel like those two feed off each other and the stories you come up with are amazing and hilarious 😆

@lovealexhunt Bogart (OC? Right? 😂) I love how you’ve incorporated Thomas and Alex’s (RCD) pet into your fics and you’ve made him such an important part of their lives. It’s amazing to read about Alex and Bogart, they seem like two peas in a pod and I love how she’s created an IG page for him 🤣 He’s such a good doggo for letting his mom dress him up and take lots of pics with him 🥰

@alj4890 Jackson Nevrakis-Walker and Nichole "Nicky" Beaumont - future TRR - I feel like these two HAVE to be together. I couldn’t put them on separate lines 🤣 I’ve read TRR a couple of times now and I just couldn’t get into it like everyone else could. But then I read an RCD/ TRR crossover by my dear friend Amanda, and I learned it is pretty awesome and the characters are pretty amazing. Since then, she created these two in a later down the road TRR and I fell in love with their dynamic. The breakup to them feeling like they should try again. I love the similarities between Nicky and her mom. I just feel like I need more of these two cause they’re adorable together.

@ladylamrian Alex Fontaine - NB - her name makes her sound like a badass 💁🏼‍♀️ which I mean she has to be to deal with Nik 🤣 I love how she’s so happy to be with Nik even though he can be over protective, over bearing, and overall a jerk sometimes. She helps him see that he doesn’t need to be and deals with his attitude, but he does the same with her. You’ve created a happier spin on a couple that could have some dark personalities lol but I love how you write her with Nik ❤️

@cariantha Sawyer - OH - Idk how I haven’t asked to be on your taglist sooner, but oh my lanta I love her! Her relationship with Ethan is so sweet and I love the softness she brings out in him. I can’t wait to read more of her and learn more about her 😍

The Royal Masquerade MC - I named her Juliette - I love her tenacity and bravery. They wrote her to have pride, courage, but still be very down to earth. She’s witty and I personally think they have some of the best faces and hairstyles for TRM’s MC.

Again, these are not in order! And I’m sooo not taking away from any other MCs or OCs y’all have, these are just ones that came to mind and that I personally love 💕

#ask faith #LOVE this ask!!! #choices #playchoices