#they’re my little dolls that I dress up and act out funny little stories with

[sucker-for-stardew]

While I do love imagining farmer and the bachelor/bachelorette interactions I also love thinking about how all of the other characters relationships shake out when one of them is married

Like you don’t marry Emily so she starts a long distance relationship with Sandy

Or you don’t marry Penny or Maru and they get that little bit closer

#idk I just like the characters #they’re my little dolls that I dress up and act out funny little stories with #stardew #stardew valley #sdv #emily sdv #stardew valley penny #stardew valley maru #stardew valley bachelors #stardew valley bachelorettes #stardew valley headcannons

[early2000smovieimagines]

Meeting and Dating Al Capone

(Not my gif)(Requested by anonymous)

- Let’s pretend that our monochromatic gangster was transferred to the Museum of Natural History after the whole Kahmunrah fiasco for the sake of this story.

- You worked in the restoration department, taking care of all the artifacts in the museum; though you’d always worked during the day. When the new shipment of exhibit material arrived, you were the one unboxing it, which means you were the one to first see the gangster in all his; at the time non living, glory.

- It was a few days after you’d done so that you’d lost track of time and accidentally stayed in your office after closing. Once you’d noticed, you quickly packed everything up and headed towards the actual museum part of the building, in which you found the organized chaos that was a night at the museum.

- The Neanderthals are the first to see you, creating quite the commotion as you hesitate at the entrance of the hall that led to your room. Napoleon is next, greeting you with a “bonjour madame” just as Larry turns and spots you.

- Initially, you were sure that you were dreaming but the the look on Larry’s face when he first saw you told you otherwise.

“Larry! Who’s this?” Teddy asked chipperly though he was ignored as Larry approached you, asking what you were doing “here”.

- You stuttered out a “I was working downstairs ...lost track of time” as your voice trailed off. You stepped into the main room, your eyes moving upstairs where you found hundreds of the exhibits standing, walking and interacting.

- As Larry walked towards you, your eyes finally fell on the monochromatic gangster that was sitting relatively close to you. Your heart raced a bit as he scowled at you; despite his hostile demeanor you couldn’t deny that he was handsome.

- By the end of the night, (and the tour, explanation and a few thank you’s from the more vocal artifacts that you’d worked on) you decided that you’d like to start working nights more often.

- Whenever you did, you made your rounds, getting to know all the exhibits on a more personal level. That being said: you always kept away from Capone, he seemed unsocial and somewhat scared you; especially with the way he strutted around with his men and a scowl on his face.

- Finally, you had no other choice but to come into contact with him. He was on the other side of a hall that had no other way out so you swallowed and continued walking, moving slightly out of his way and meeting his eyes as you passed. You nodded and gave him a “Mr. Capone”, causing him to turn a bit and stare at you as you walked. Oh, he liked you.

- The next night, he approached you himself, well, he’d more so been purposefully standing in your usual route as you went to walk it. He called out a greeting as he leaned against a wall you had to pass and you nearly stumbled out of sheer surprise. Your heart raced as he moved to follow you after you greeted and passed him.

- He drilled you with a few questions, about you and about the museum and so on. You figured he was just trying to get more information on the place or that he was bored so you thought nothing of it. Just before you were forced to excuse yourself, you shyly confessed that he’d always interested you, and though he was used to people finding him interesting, the idea of you finding him interesting left his heart racing. And just like that, you’d excused yourself before he could say anything else.

- A few days later, you’d approached him yourself and he couldn’t have been prouder. You timidly asked if you could ask him a few questions and once you had, you’d gotten the ball rolling. Soon enough, he was rambunctiously and passionately telling you a story as though the two of you were old friends.

- Well, now you’re a part of “the family” whether you like it or not. He doesn’t like someone? He’ll scare them off. He wants you somewhere? You best get walking. He sees you? You join him by his side for the rest of the night. Oftentimes, “the boys” are stationed outside your office while he sits perched on your table, watching what you’re doing or cleaning his gun nearby.

- You’re sort of dating before you’re actually dating. He makes the two of you a thing; especially in other peoples eyes, before you even realize what he’s been doing; though you probably don’t find out about that.

- Your real relationship starts one night as he’s sitting in your office, his chin resting on his clasped hands as he watches you. He asks about your love life, teasing you with some of his comments and the way he moves closer to you as he speaks.

“So you ain’t dating anybody, and you don’t like anybody?” He grins down at you as leans against the table by your side.

“Well ...I do like someone but... it’s a bit complicated.” You say, both hoping he takes the hint yet not wanting him to at the same time. He nods with a small smile, obviously understanding.

“I think it’s worth it to give it a shot doll.” He says and you look down at the table with a small smile before his hands are on your jaw and he’s tilting your face up in a kiss.

- The kiss is heated, his lips crushing against yours, his arms bringing you in as close as he can, squeezing you against him. It’s enough to make you weak in the knees and when he pulls away, you’re almost in a daze.

“How about that shot?” He asks you quietly and you smile up at him.

- And just like that, you’re a slightly out of the ordinary moll.

- He’s incredibly touchy with you; he loves having his hands on you. He may be a tough guy with a harsh reputation but you’re his woman and he’s proud of that.

- His arm around your shoulders or his hand gripping your arm, keeping you close to him. He likes having you right next to him whenever he can.

- Sitting together with his hand on your knee.

- Pecks on the lips, cheeks and forehead/top of the head.

- He likes when you kiss him on the cheek. He doesn’t even care if it messes with his “image”; a proper gangster shows that he loves his girl.

- Rough, breathtaking kisses.

- Loving kisses. He’s a hard man but he’s got a soft spot for you.

- Kissing and tracing his scars.

- Getting picked up and spun around in hugs.

- You usually cuddle while you’re sitting together, oftentimes with you nestled under his arm and against side. 

- He’s a pet name fiend; he probably calls you them more than your real name. Baby, doll, honey, angel, babyface, etc; they’re all the most common ones. 

- He likes when you fuss over him: cup his face in your hands, flutter around him busily setting things up for him, act all worried when he “gets hurt”. It’s the motherly, housewife attitude that he lives for. 

- Straightening out his tie and hat for him; though he almost always seems to look picture perfect.

- Wearing his coat around you. He likes how attracted to him you are when he’s in just his vest with his dress shirt sleeves all rolled up. 

- Get ready for the most proud and amused smile to form on his face whenever you “speak his language”. He thinks it’s adorable, hearing you adopt his slang or even just hearing you try to tease him about his accent. 

- If you like to think that you were there for the whole Kahmunrah thing, then you should know that he’d be side eyeing everyone suspiciously whenever their eyes fell on you; specifically Kahmunrah since he’d probably show a little interest in you. That may or may not have been the reason that he was eager to get the tablet for himself. 

- Sitting in his lap. He’ll hold onto your hip or wrap an arm around you whenever you do.

- Shoulder rubs; both giving and receiving. He’ll stand behind you and knead at the knots of tension, smiling a bit as you lean into his touch.

- He’s a little hard to sneak out of the museum, considering the fact that he’s in monochrome, so you most likely just stick to staying there, unless you can sneak inside alleyways and/or your car when leaving the building. 

- Everyday, by the time you arrive at the museum, he’ll already be waiting for you somewhat menacingly in the lobby. It’s less menacing for everyone around you when he brings you into a hug and pecks your lips.

- He may or may not have threatened people; or made offers that people can’t refuse, to go buy him things for you; particularly during special occasions. …Poor Larry. 

- Sitting with him as he cleans his gun. Occasionally, he’ll hand it over to you and let you give it a try; or just let you hold it. He thinks it looks funny in your arms.

- Playing card games with each other.

- Swing/slow dancing together; usually when you’re alone. You’ll bring a radio/your phone into work with you and listen to oldies with him sometimes. 

- He may or may not be able to consume food but that doesn’t stop him from trying. He’ll set up a whole ass table and candles so that the two of you can have dinner together some nights. 

- He likes when you read or just talk to him as he cleans his gun or smokes a cigar or something. Your voice is one of the most soothing things he’s ever heard. 

- He does pretty much everything you ask. He thinks your interests are cute and he likes giving his girl all that he can. 

- He’s sort of resentful that he didn’t meet you in the good ol’ days when he could really spoil you. Every now and again he’ll say something like “I woulda filled your fingers with diamonds if I knew you back then” and you’ll just reassure him that it would have been unnecessary either way. 

- If he was really transferred to the museum then we can assume that there’s a whole 1920′s/Al Capone exhibit set up somewhere so it might be possible for him to have you wear a chain or ring of his; at least when you’re with him. And boy does he like seeing it on you.

- Getting bragged to. He likes telling you about all he’s done and hearing you give him praise. 

- Telling him about his future accomplishments and having to break it to him that he was pinched for tax evasion. 

- He loves whenever you get all dressed up. Seeing you in a dress and heels makes his heart race. 

- You’re one of the few people he genuinely listens to. Larry/ the others are quite thankful.

- Always having bodyguards.

- He definitely has a bit of a temper so you try your best to take care of that and keep him calm.

- He always immediately tries to find out what’s wrong whenever you’re upset. His voice is quiet and gentle but there’s a hint of intimidation and the trembling of anger in his tone. He’ll stand/kneel in front of you or sit beside you and take you by the arms, trying to pull the name of whoever made you feel so bad from your lips. He’s rough around the edges but he certainly cares deeply for you.

- He’s pretty possessive of you. You’re his girl and his girl alone and everybody; including you, should know that.

- Because of his possessiveness, he’ll occasionally try to order you around like he does with his men. You just have to stand your ground and he’ll learn that you won’t be told what to do.

- Jealousy, so much jealousy. He tries to deny that he is, always trying to argue that he just gets a bad vibe from whoever he’s jealous of until he can’t anymore After that, he’ll just exclaim something along the lines of “Well, you’re my girl! I’m allowed to be.”. 

- Overprotective. He was a bit of a bad guy himself so he knows how dangerous the world can be; and he’s used to the traditional housewife type of women who can’t really defend themselves. He always runs through a list of things you “have to do” when you’re preparing to leave the museum, and whenever you’re with him he’ll be on the offensive: making threats and quite literally pushing people away from you and/or out of your way. 

- There’s going to be quite a few fights in your relationship given his personality. He’s got a bit of a hair trigger temper so he may snap on you every once in a while or just do something that causes a problem.  

- Whenever you go to storm off, he’ll give a “hey doll, you know I was only playing.” and/or a “Come on honey, I’m sorry, alright?” but you rarely forgive him until around the next day; or so, when he snakes his way into your good graces with his sweet words and the sneaky, slow weaving of his arms around you. 

- A good few “I love you’s”, he does love you and he isn’t ashamed of it, so why wouldn’t he let you know? 

- He really wants to marry you but that’s not an easy feat, now is it? Regardless, he’s gonna have you as his woman for as long as he can. 

#al capone imagine #al capone headcanons #al capone imagines #al capone headcanon #al capone night at the museum #night at the museum imagine #night at the museum headcanon #night at the museum imagines #night at the museum headcanons #battle at the smithsonian imagine #battle at the smithsonian headcanons #battle at the smithsonian imagines #battle at the smithsonian headcanon

[junicai]

Relationship with WAYV

➣ KUN ☾ karia

if it wasn’t for dotae potentially coming to kill him, he would steal aria into wayv

he’s the cool dad? 

they can’t spend a lot of time together because none of their schedules match up, but aria takes every third or so weekend out to come have dinner in the wayv dorms

she’s surprisingly close to the china line, and its a combination of ten dragging her to his dorm for an entire month and them just kinda adopting her when they realized she was a foreigner as well 

yuta can fight them, she’s one of them now

he doesn’t like to baby her a lot, and she really appreciates the break from being the “maknae” so to speak 

however does that stop him from giving her the forehead kithes? no

aria sad? forehead kith

aria mad? forehead kith

aria smad? forehead kith + kuddles (kun cuddles)

he has sent her a passive agressive text when he found out that she wasn’t eating enough again and had almost passed out

but he finished it with a heart so its ok

if she isn’t smiling at all times, someone will die

aria feels like she can trust him with a lot; that no matter what she tells him, he’ll never out her or make fun of her

kun actually took a two-week online course to learn how to make traditional japanese dishes when aria mentioned missing her parents

he originally was going to learn how to make irish dishes, but he changed his mind after seeing what they were

“im not giving my kids boiled cabbage and mashed potatoes what kind of post world war-”

wants to give her a chinese name but hasn’t yet because he hasn’t found the one that fits her right and he wants it to be perfect 

aria teaches him japanese phrases in exchange for him teaching her a little bit of mandarin

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT.

aria saw kun’s back as she entered the practice room, the man standing with three other members in the centre of the floor before the choreographer came in to start their practice. coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, peeking her head around from where she was. “hi!” she smiled brightly.

“hi,” ten chuckled, showing her the camera that had just filmed all of that. 

➣ TEN ☾ tenaria

Whipped(TM)

so so gone for her its upsetting actually

yangyang and aria share the position of his baby 

except aria willingly accepts the title while yangyang would rather fling himself from a rooftop

ten’s instagram is half his cats, half miyazu aria

he posts her dancing practice on his story a lot, with a variety of captions ranging from “thats my baby  ♡( ◡‿◡ )” to “yah that’s not right...(눈_눈)”

such an enabler for her bad ideas 

aria wants to go shopping at 4am? ten agrees, now they’re sitting by han river eating ice cream

pls he’s gonna get her in so much trouble one day

when they walk together, ten likes to take her hand and put it in his pocket 

its under the pretense of not wanting her to get lost 

he just wants to hold her hand

yes he has lost her in a shopping mall, and NO it wasn’t his fault

ten always complains that they never have schedules together and he misses his baby 

“we have superm-” “I NEVER SEE YOUUUU (ﾉಥ益ಥ)ﾉ”

if they’re in the same room ten is either watching her out of the corner of his eye, or is actually wrapped around her like a boa constrictor 

hugs n kithes all around

only he is allowed make fun of her mistakes in dancing 

anyone else gets deaded. he will fight for her honor how dare you insult his baby 

sm give these ttwo a dancing duo video pls 

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT. 

the first and only time aria and ten had a duet was during their last concert on superm’s first world tour. during the second half of ten’s solo performance, aria emerged from the left side of the stage, coming to join him in the centre stage. no one had ever seen aria as serious as she was then, both herself and ten becoming completely different people in the moment. midway through, aria spun with her back to ten and leaped backwards into the air - eyes closed - completely trusting ten to be where she needed him to be to catch her. 

➣ WINWIN ☾ winria

a love hate relationship at its finest

they don’t actually hate each other it’s just really funny to pretend that they do (especially because yuta complains that 2 of his favourite people aren’t getting along)

winwin is so savage towards aria but it’s ok she claps back twice as hard

at first, before czennies had seen enough of their dynamic they thought that they actually did hate each other

but that’s not true they just don’t know how to express, affection, without brutally insulting the other with a loving tone

they are, surprisingly, the most stable pairing in 127 - they have a dynamic and rarely stray from that, which is a good comfort for the fans

despite what they might say to each other, they don’t mean any of it - and winwin has been seen several times raising his eyebrows with a questioning look at aria to make sure she wasn’t taking any of his playful jabs to heart

oh god the flexibility

the entirety of nct is terrified of them

the day sm gives them a circus act is the day that kun and taeyong have a heart attack

quietly supportive of each other - catch aria “playing” with a water bottle and not getting up to get it when it conveniently rolls across the floor and into winwin’s leg

he makes sure to save some new chinese sweets whenever the wayv members get packages from their familes, and sneak it into aria’s room before the managers can catch her breaking her diet

not really physically affectionate with each other, which played into czennies idea that they didn’t like each other but aria cleared it up in a vlive

“winwinnie and I, well. we don’t hug a lot because i know he doesn’t like it as much as i might, so i try to show him i care with other things :)”

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT.

winwin and aria going in to each other on knowing brothers, to the point where the mc’s had their eyes popping out of their head and waved about to stop the segment before aria could start attacking winwin’s cooking methods-

nothing is off limits when it comes to them

➣ LUCAS ☾ arihei

besties 

please they’re so cute together - tol child next to tini child she barely comes up to his chest :(

bear hugs

he just swamps her in his arms, and when he doesn’t feel like being bent over he picks her up 

complains that she’s too heavy but then immediately after will throw her around like a softball 

someone tell this man to be careful with her she’s not a barbie doll 

singular braincell energy

don’t get it wrong, they’re both super smart 

so it’s just - being smort together, but then nearly dying because neither of them remembered that you couldn’t eat raw cookie dough when there are eggs in it

she adores how he’s so confident in the things that he does - like convincing the entire nct fandom that he was fluent in english? king behaviour

so aria looks up to him (literally) but also because she wants to have that confidence some day 

lucas says they’re not close and then aria pouts and he takes it all back

nczennies made a 14 minute compilation titled “lucas melting like a popsicle in australia for aria” 

and literally what the title tells you, this man goes :(( when he sees her 

lucas was actually the person to convince her to go ahead with the [redacted] proposal - and reminded her that it was too good an opportunity to pass up just because she felt like she was outgrowing the boys

he’s so proud of her

and she’s so proud of him 

they’re so proud of each other and it makes nczennies want to cry because they never are seen together 

sm stop separating the platonic soulmates first markhyuck and now arihei smh

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT.

during a photoshoot, aria was standing off to the side of the boys, dressed in white suit to contrast the boys’ black ones. the photographer was calling out to her to get her to move closer, but she couldn’t hear him from so far away, and so lucas (who was on the end) just walked over to her, gripped her by the biceps and lifted her vertically and to the left a little bit. 

“luc-LUCAS?”

“you had to move :)”

➣ XIAOJUN ☾ arijun

honestly these two aren’t super close, just because their schedules never matched up until the NCT 2020 promotions

even when aria was dragged to the wayv dorms, xiaojun kept his distance from her because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable 

even so, when they were filming Make A Wish together, they seemed comfortable enough around each other

there was a mutual agreement to not try fill the silence with awkward small talk, so they sat in silence when left alone together

they’re both shy :( someone needs to get them to talk to each other :(

even so, aria was all supportive smiles and thumbs-up when she saw him getting nervous before their first public stage as the unit 

he was a little intimidated of her at first, but also really curious about how she was holding her own against the other members

not only physically, but her vibes are tiny let the man be concerned ok

his first impression of aria was just: small quiet? she was sitting apart from the other boys in the practice room, and he almost wanted to go over and ask her if she was ok; before she was approached by donghyuck and her face broke into a bright smile 

aria’s first impression of xiaojun was: eyebrows he was really handsome? at first, she thought he was in the wrong room, seeing as the SM modeling auditions were happening in the next room down

any arijun shippers are starved of content im so sorry guys 

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT. 

currently still up for debate between the fandom :(

➣ HENDERY ☾ aridery

ah these two 

you might as well sign a waiver if you decide to do anything with them, because they can and will get you killed 

kun can testify

ten’s the enabler but hendery is the do-er

super giggly around each other, for no reason at all

hendery could pick up and throw a basketball and suddenly aria’s on the floor in literal stitches 

have a secret code 

no seriously

they don’t text in words, they just send various reaction memes and a colourful variety of emojis to convey emotions and scenarios 

it’s become quite a beautiful language actually 

got some nice proverbs in there

they’re like, cousins but the ones you only see at family reunions but get so hype to see them

that energy 

asides from the chaotic, murderous vibes they possess as a duo

hendery knows what it’s like to miss home, to miss your parents, etc etc

and so he tries to make aria feel as home as possible - especially with wayv, because they’re all foreigners who know how she feels 

whenever he gets packages from his parents who have sent things over, he always makes sure to keep some of the small treats/sweets back for aria

1. because he knows she’ll appreciate the thought and she gives good hugs

2. because he knows she’s on a diet constantly and never allowed eat these things when she’s in the dorms with managers around 

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT. 

filming the Resonance “Wish” event, aria was put in a skimpy minimalistic mock-suit to differentiate from the others’ clothes. unfortunately, that left aria with a little too much shoulder and chest on display than she would like, and she was noticeably uncomfortable with her clothes, constantly pulling it up and even going so far as to just hold it with her hands. 

hendery saw this, and knew he was finished filming his segment for the time being, so he pulled off his own jacket and tossed it over to aria, who caught it with a grateful smile. “thank you,” she mouthed to him, tugging the dark blue material over her shoulders.

➣ YANGYANG ☾ ariyang

aria. has 9 days of age on this boy and will never let him forget it

“respect your elders you brat” “9. DAYS.”

european pals 

they feel so cultured when they get asked about europe, and then are kindly reminded by hendery that A. Germany started 2 world wars, and B. Ireland was just a British colony until 100 years ago. 

they both hit him for that

aria teaching him curse words in irish and yangyang teaching her curse words in german? more likely than you’d think 

they met before yangyang’s debut was announced, in a practice room that had let them accidentally overlap their practice times 

instead of working it out between them, they actually just started to alternate their songs - and the other gave them some good, constructive criticism 

most of the time

when they found out they were going to be in 90s Love together, they were so happy 

it was going to be their first official schedule together

all the behind-the-scenes videos are just aria and yangyang being children and then ten coming over and cooing at them 

they love ten, but they will trash talk the man behind his back 

yangyang confessed to her that he sometimes feels nervous when speaking korean, like he’s going to make a big mistake

so she tries her best to teach and correct him where she can, and make him as comfortable as possible 

if you look at any of the 90s Love promotions - aria is always beside yangyang

he bit her ear once

she doesn’t know why and he won’t tell her

but now when she makes fun of him, he threatens to do it again 

FAN FAVOURITE MOMENT. 

aria skating onto the rink during filming, and yangyang following her because she promised to teach him how to skate backwards.

“ok just, think like you’re leading with your heels. press your knees in, and push outwards, with you-no no that’s forwards. go backwards yangyang.”

“no no no thats a WALL YANGYANG STOP-” 

#*aria.relationships #nct 22nd member #nct 24th member #nct additional member #nct dream 8th member #nct #nct 2020 #nct 2018 #wayv #kpop!oc #kpop additions #kpop addition #nct female member #nct female member au #nct female oc #nct extra member #superm #kun #ten #yangyang #xiaojun #dejun #hendery #kunhang #winwin #sicheng

[desertdollranch]

A Day in the Life of Rebecca Rubin

Good morning and welcome to Rebecca’s world! She’s here today to give you a peek into a day of her life in New York City with her family and friends. She’ll take you with her as she starts her day, goes to school, hangs out at the candy shop, reads magazines with her friend, and spends time with her parents and grandparents at home in the evening.

This glimpse into Rebecca’s day is the newest episode in a series of ongoing posts showing how my character dolls go about a typical day. Check out my tag to see past episodes!

It’s a beautiful spring day in April of 1915, after Rebecca’s tenth birthday and the week-long celebration of Passover. Let’s wake her up and see what she’s doing today.

Rebecca’s day begins when she wakes up in the morning and starts getting ready for school. She shares a bedroom with her two older sisters, Sophie and Sadie, one of two bedrooms in the Rubin family’s small apartment. The bedroom window looks out over the busy streets of New York City. 

Sophie and Sadie are already up and dressed. Oh no! Rebecca almost overslept! She’ll have to hurry to get to school on time!

Getting dressed in 1915 means lots of layers. She wears a chemise, bloomers, and stockings that go over her knees. 

She quickly brushes her hair, ties a big blue hairbow into her curls, and puts on her favorite school outfit. The sky is clear blue and sunny, but there’s still a springtime chill in the air. 

She’s the last one to arrive at the breakfast table. 

Mama saved her some coffee and a few rugelach for breakfast. Rugelach are rolled pastries with sweet fillings. She’ll tuck a few into her lunch box to have later at lunch. Then she puts on her hat and her shawl, grabs her satchel, and hurries out the door. 

Rebecca runs the whole way. She wishes she could still walk to school with Ana. But after her family moved into the tenement home, Ana started attending a school closer to where she lives. 

At least her friend Rose hasn’t gone anywhere. Rebecca waves to her and slides into her seat just in time for class to start. Miss Maloney doesn’t tolerate tardiness!

She sits up straight and listens closely as Miss Maloney gives the class today’s spelling words. Rebecca writes them in her favorite Kewpie notebook. 

But it’s hard to pay attention when Rose is next to her, drawing funny pictures in her notebook! Rebecca has to hold in her giggles so she doesn’t get brought up to the front and made to sit in the corner wearing the dunce cap.

At lunch, Rebecca and Rose sit together outside on their favorite bench. Rebecca trades Rose one rugelach for a sugar cookie that Rose brought.

Rose asks Rebecca if they should meet up at the candy shop after school. She’ll bring a movie magazine that they can look at together. Rebecca says, “yes, of course!” 

As she eats her bagel cheese sandwich and pickle, she remembers Ana’s first day of school last fall, and how Ana said her family only eats bagels when someone dies. Rebecca misses seeing Ana at school every day. 

After school is over, Rebecca heads straight home to ask Mama if she can meet Rose at the candy shop, and hopes that Mama will give her a few pennies to get a treat. 

But Rebecca’s grandmother, Bubbie, calls Rebecca up to her apartment so they can share some tea. Bubbie asks Rebecca about her day at school as she pours tea from the samovar. 

When they’re finished with their tea, Bubbie gives Rebecca some money and tells her to go have fun with Rose, but she must return home before it gets dark.  

Rebecca runs all the way to the candy shop, where Rose is waiting for her.

She’s sharing her money with Rose so they can both get an egg cream.

An egg cream is a bubbly drink with milk and chocolate syrup. It doesn’t have any egg nor any cream, but it sure is good! 

Rose brought a copy of the latest Motion Picture Magazine, and Rebecca brought an older one she borrowed from her sisters. 

The two of them love seeing all the glamorous movie stars all dressed up for the stories they act out. They gush over their beautiful costumes and hairstyles. 

They can’t leave before listening to a few songs on the phonograph! It’s fun to dance along to the music. 

After that, Rose has to go straight home. Rebecca heads out too, but makes one last stop on her way.

She goes to the library and gets a book to share with Ana. 

It’s called Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Ana has been doing so well learning to speak and read English, and so Rebecca thinks she’s ready to read this book. She’ll give it to Ana the next time they see each other. 

Mama has dinner ready by the time Rebecca gets back. She feels a little sheepish that she wasn’t around to help Mama make it, but Mama is used to Rebecca being lost in her own dreams. 

After dinner, she sits by the fireplace in the parlor with Grandpa as she works on crocheting more doilies. She sold all she had last fall, to raise money to bring Uncle Jacob, Aunt Fanya, Ana, Michael, and Josef to America. She’s slowly replacing them all to add to her trousseau for one day when she gets married. Grandpa shares funny stories he reads in the newspaper, and they laugh together at them. 

Grandpa has made it very clear he doesn’t approve of a young lady having a career in acting, and so Rebecca hasn’t told him yet that that’s her dream. Someday, though, she will tell him, and she knows he’ll still love her anyway. 

The warmth from the fire feels so nice, and makes Rebecca start to feel sleepy. 

Before she gets dressed and gets into bed, she arranges her Russian nesting dolls and has them act out the events of the day. The little girl doll tells the grandfather doll, “I want to be a moving picture actress one day!”. The grandpa doll says, “Well, if my granddaughter wants to be in the pictures, maybe they aren’t so bad after all! A respectable girl like her would only strive for the very best.”

These were Mama’s dolls that she brought from Russia. Rebecca treasures them and is always careful to look after them. Someday, maybe, she’ll pass them on to her own daughter, who will tell them all her secrets.

Rebecca gets dressed into her nightgown and gets into bed, just as Sadie and Sophie come in to the room and get ready for bed too. 

Sweet dreams, Rebecca! 

#rebecca rubin #a day in the life #american girl dolls

[sortaotaku]

Happy New Years! 🎉

Ikevam New Year’s Set Stories

2021 Super Awesome Set

I wanted to share because I understand the paywall is probably too much for a lot of people. It’s a pretty informal overview of the stories though~

Boys Talk - Team Abnormal 

Shakespeare, Le Comte, Jean

Setting: Thermae

Le Comte asks why Shakespeare is looking gloomier than normal. Shakespeare says he feels a bit weird about a sarcastic comment Arthur made about the three of them (Shakespeare, Le Comte, Jean) being abnormal.

Le Comte: I guess he means we’re deviants. Idk where he got that from. 

He comments that Shakespeare likes to tease people and wonders what to do with him.

Jean: You two are most definitely deviants

Them: Wha? 

Le Comte calls his comment unnecessarily cruel. Shakespeare defends himself and says unlike Le Comte he’s a gentleman

Le Comte is like LOL I feel like you added an insult in there

Jean: It’s best you hear the truth bc you’re in denial. You’ve been buying <your name here/MC> dresses a lot. Are you sure it’s not just bc you like dressing her up?

Le Comte: What else am I supposed to do? She looks ravishing in everything. I’m not doing anything except sitting and watching in the dressing room.

Shakespeare: A grown man enjoying dressing up a girl like a doll sounds pretty deviant to me

Jean: Yep. He’s the most deviant one.

Le Comte: Judging from the content of your plays I think you’re worse than me.

Shakespeare: My writing isn’t necessarily representative of my desires

Jean comments about how Shakespeare has been inviting MC over to his villa a lot.

Le Comte comments that he quite likes Jeans fixation on MC and Jean tells him to shuddup.

Shakespeare also says he isn’t doing anything weird. He says he blindfolded and cuffed her for research purposes.

Jean: Hold on, I’ll come back with my sword.

Le Comte: Don’t run around the mansion naked and angry. Return to the water now.

Shakespeare states that Jean is upset by trivial matters. Basically “tough luck, that’s life”

Le Comte: Yeah, be more open-minded

Jean: I must destroy the world then

Shakespeare asks if he had any weird encounters and Le Comte says he’s basically been a recluse 

Jean admits to giving MC a boost on his shoulders, but... He was shocked because her thighs were pressed against his cheeks and they were soft. 

Shakespeare: How are you insult us when you had her pressing her thighs against your face? You’re the worst deviant one.

Le Comte is basically like LOL and Jean is kinda baffled.

End

Boys Talk - Battle Against Desires

Theo, Napoleon, Mozart

Setting: Thermae

Mozart calls the two of them sighing in sync annoying

They do it again and state they’re tired

Mozart comments that this is rare considering how adept they are at dealing with the more eccentric residents 

They’re both like “That’s it!”

Napoleon is like that’s what everyone says. Everyone thinks I’m sensible

Theo: Yeah, I thought common sense is something everyone should have. We just look overly sensible because everyone lacks it.

Napoleon is like how about we just toss that (sense) out, I’m sick of it. 

Theo: Yeah, I’m going to do whatever I want

Mozart: Hold on, if you do that you’ll lose sight of yourselves.

Mozart (Internally): They say it’s the most dangerous when people go off the rails. These two keep order. I must stop them.

Mozart adds that everyone didn’t start out selfish. He asks if they’re sure if something else isn’t making them this way.

Napoleon says its a problem that MC sees them as so sensible.

Mozart is like: 🤨 Why?

Napoleon says that everything is wrong. She lies around in the common area asleep and apparently sleep undresses. (Half way, that is)

Mozart: Yea sounds about right... Wait what? Don’t tell me you...

Napoleon: Obviously I buttoned her up and tucker her in so she wouldn’t catch a cold.

Mozart: Are you her mom?

Theo: I get that! I would do that too.

Napoleon: Theo~ 🥰

Mozart: Can you guys not hug in the bath? Anyways what about Theo?

Theo: I went in for a bath and MC was in there stark naked bc she mixed up the time.

Mozart: Yea, she’s ditzy sometimes. Don’t tell me you...

Theo: Obviously I simultaneously tossed her my own towel and quickly turned around.

Mozart: Are you her dad? 

Napoleon: I get that! I would do that too.

Napoleon~ ❤️❤️❤️

Mozart: Stahp hugging in the bath... So you’re saying you don’t feel free to express your desires bc you’re seen as too sensible?

Them: Yea

Mozart: That’s easy to fix. Just act on your desires. It’s important to be true to your feelings. I just do what I want.

Napoleon: Easier said than done. Women find it even more frightening when a “safe” man comes onto them more than normal men. They feel violation AND disappointment because of the breaking of expectations.

Theo: And you’ll lose trust that you cannot recover.

Mozart: That sounds oddly convincing from you two.

They sigh heavily again. Mozart smiles a bit and comments that he must warn MC to be careful from now on and encourages them to cheer up.

End

Boys Talk - Imagination Station

Dazai, Arthur, Isaac

Setting: Thermae

Dazai talks about how great a bath after a good drink is. Arthur agrees and asks Isaac what he thinks. (Note: Don’t go into a huge hot bath while drunk)

Isaac: STAHP TOUCHING ME YOU TWO! Why did you guys insist we bathe together?

Dazai: It’s a good way to get to know each other.

Arthur: Yep, we know each other well but there are no limits on luvbbb ❤️

Isaac: If this is your love I have some doubts...

Arthur + Dazai: Lalalala~~~ 🎶

Arthur: Isn’t it funny how alcohol loosens inhibitions? I’d love to get naughty with MC

Isaac: Don’t you dare touch her!

Dazai: I find it questionable too.

Isaac: Dazai?

Dazai: Women get uncomfortable with sudden moves. You haveta do “that” 

Isaac: huh?

Them: I-mAg-I-nA-tIoN!

Isaac: 🤨huh???

Arthur: Lemme explain. We’re writers. We think up scenarios for a living.

Isaac: ?

Arthur: GOSH. We can do anything we want. In our minds. In vivid detail.

Dazai: Ai-kun is confused still, we must invite him into our minds

Arthur: Good idea! Naughty story time!

Isaac: Hold on—

Arthur and Dazai cook up an Isaac x MC smut headcanon in which Dazai still calls her “Toshiko”

Isaac didn’t even notice at first and commented that it makes sense Mc was drowsy because she’s a hard worker. He gets embarrassed when he figures out and the other two are like LOLLL 😂😂😂, we love your reactions!

Isaac: You’re saying you spend your days thinking about lewd stories of MC?

Them: No.

Arthur: We could imagine but the real thing is a whole different thing.

Dazai: The real thing trumps fantasy.

Isaac: So you were trolling me?

Them: Yes.

Isaac: You’re the worst!

Them: Rofl

End

Boys Talk - A Steamy Nighttime

Leonardo, Vincent, Sebastian

Setting: Thermae

Leonardo: A bath sure is nice!

The other two: ...

Leonardo: Why so quiet?

Vincent: I don’t think MC registers me and Sebastian as men. (Correct. You are indeed an angel and not a mortal man)

Leonardo: Why?

Vincent recalls how he was sunbathing with MC and she commented how he was comforting like a little brother

Leonardo: Pride must’ve been hurt by that. Sebas?

Sebastian: Similar. She said I was like her dad.

Leonardo: Dad-zoned, huh (*This isn’t my own abridging of the story, he actually said that) It’s not as bad as you think. Its proof MC is comfortable, that’s important.

Vincent and Sebastian says that : They want to be seen and treated as reliable men

Leonardo (internally): I’m pretty sure she sees them as men though. If I’m too serious about this, they’ll try too hard. The best thing is to make them laugh

Leonardo: You must get comfortable around women. If you get too self conscious things get weird right?

Sebastian: I see. How?

Leonardo: Prof Leonardo shall teach you. This is classified so don’t share

Them: We Promise.

Leonardo: Did you know a women’s breast is as soft as the inside of their arms. Start there with the inner arm

Vincent: Brilliant. What do we say after

Sebastian: Practice on me master Vincent

Vincent: Your arm is hard

Sebastian: I’m actually swole. (He says quite muscular)

Leonardo: You weren’t supposed to take this seriously

Vincent: Will you give more tips? I wanna get closer to MC

Sebastian: Please teach us professor Leonardo

Leonardo (internally): I didn’t expect this... They’re so pure. I can’t let them down.

Leonardo: When someone licks their lips it means they want you to kiss them, so watch out.

Vincent: You’re a genius! Arthur does that all the time! But I won’t do that since it will startle MC if I suddenly kiss her.

Sebastian: Start with the forehead/cheek

Vincent: Anything else?

Leonardo: Playing with hair = Wants affection

Sebastian: Isaac does that a lot, but he DOES crave affection. I gotta watch out for that.

Leonardo: Listen. I didn’t expect this...

Them: Teach us more!

Leonardo: 😓 

End

A/N

Sorry it’s late. Distracted my Animal Crossing. You can find 2020’s set in my previous post or under the “2020 New Years Set” tag.

#cybird #ikemen vampire #ikevam #2021 new years set

[tanakavox]

Rowan and Summer meet Rosemary

A crossover done by me and @bssaz97, edited by @thatorigamiguy Thanks guys!

Zwei: ”Ah, I almost forgot to introduce you all to my partner. Come follow me and I’ll introduce you to her.”

He gestures for the twins to follow him as he begins walking in the opposite direction. The twins quickly matched his pace, a look of matching curiosity and excitement on their face at the thought of meeting Zwei’s partner.

Rowan: “Your partner? Cool! What kind of person are they? Are they nice? What kind of weapon do they use? Are they strong? Are they nice?”

Summer: “Are they a boy or girl? Have you two known each other for long? Do you two fight in a similar manner? Or do they have their own fighting style?”

Zwei couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the twins' inquisitive rambling, though it was more in fondness than exasperation. Their constant questioning reminded him of Ruby whenever she started drooling over a gun or was just excited in general about anything.

Zwei: *Internally* “Yep, they’re definitely Ruby’s children.”

Zwei’s lips twitched into a smirk at the thought, before he made to answer the twins before they could ask anymore questions.

Zwei: ”Her name is Rosemary. She’s been my best friend since we were practically toddlers. She uses an Axe that’s been modified into being a gun to compliment her semblance. No, we both have different fighting styles though they both compliment one another. She’s very strong, one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. And yes, she’s very nice. Though, she also tends to be rather mischievous when she wants to be and can be a bit of a hothead as well.

Rowan: “Really? That’s so cool! And she uses an axe too as well? That’s an excellent choice of weapon, good for powerful swings and penetrating heavy hides on Grimm. As a matter of fact, Summer is learning how to use an Axe as well, right sis?”

Rowan’s question went unheard, as Summer seemed to have been fixated on something that Zwei had mentioned when talking about his partner.

Summer: “You said she’s your best friend huh? And that you’ve known each since you were old enough to crawl?”

Rowan eyed his sister from the side, rolling his eyes as he began muttering about being so blatantly ignored.

Rowan: “Oh yeah sure, just ignore my question Sis. It’s not like I was talking to you or anything like that.”

Rowans' muttering went ignored as Summer patiently waited for an answer from Zwei. Zwei shot a curious glance over his shoulder at the question, before giving a quick shrug.

Zwei: “Maybe not that young, but we’ve known each other since we were about two or three years old.”

Summer: “Oh wow, you two have practically known each other your whole life! Sounds like they're about as close as Blaze, Joanna and Liena doesn’t it Bro?”

Rowan was still muttering to himself about being ignored, causing Summer to roll her eyes at her brothers sulking. Zwei in turn, merely ignored the two of them as he led them down the halls of Beacon to where the inner gardens were. They eventually found themselves outside and surrounded by lush greenery and plentiful flora. The cascade of vivid colors from all of the varying flowers and plantage was quite the sight to behold. Summer let out a small gasp of delight as she looked upon colorful and well maintained gardens. Even Rowan couldn’t help but gape at the mesmerizing gardens, his sulking having already been forgotten about. Zwei ignored the surrounding gardens, and instead made his way towards a lone person who was currently in the middle of watering some plants.

Upon getting closer, the person had turned out to be a woman with vibrant red hair that covered one of her violent eyes. She was dressed in gardening gear that had obviously seen a fair amount of use judging from the varying dirt and grass stains that were layered upon it, and the leather gloves and apron she wore having been warped and crimped from frequent usage. She was humming a cheerful tune to herself, when she noticed that she had company. A big smile plastered itself across her face as she quickly placed her watering can down before rushing over and immediately embracing Zwei, which he quickly returned. They held one another for a few seconds before they both separated from one another.

Rosemary: “Well, well, what brings you around my neck of the woods Z?”

Zwei’s smile quickly turned into a grimace, before letting out a groan of annoyance at Rosemary’s choice of words.

Zwei: “Ugh, really Rosie? Plant metaphors?”

Rosemary huffed in response, quickly crossing her arms as she gave Zwei a challenging look.

Rosemary: “Oh hush, you! It’s funny and you know it!”

Zwei merely gave her a deadpan look in response, clearly unimpressed with her lackluster attempt at humor.

Zwei: “Oh sure Rosie, it’s funny alright, if you have absolutely no taste in humor. But I suppose that’s what I should expect from someone that hangs around Yang all the time.”

Zwei didn’t even bother to stop the smirk that formed on his face as watched Rosemary immediately get flustered. Her face was as red as her hair, and her teeth were gritted together in anger. 

Rosemary: “Now listen here ya little mangy mutt!”

Zwei and Rosemary’s friendly greeting soon devolved into bickering between the two of them. Rowan and Summer both stood awkwardly to the side, unsure of what to do as they didn’t wish to impede upon their conversation. At least, Rowan stood there awkwardly while his sister looked upon the bickering friends with stars in her eyes.

Summer: *Internally* ‘Oh brother’s, they have it so bad for one another that it’s unreal! And she’s perfect auntie material on top of that!’

Rosemary’s tirade was cut off when she finally noticed the twins standing behind Zwei. She quickly calmed herself down, before giving the two a curious look.

Rosemary: “Never figured you to be one to willingly put up with tagalongs Zwei. Did the headmaster finally manage to get you to take on some firsties for that leadership program?”

Zwei only scoffed at her words as he rolled his eyes in annoyance of ever having to teach his younger peers anything. 

Zwei: “I’d run face first into a brick wall with my semblance active before I’d ever willingly take on a group of first years. And to make a long and complicated story short, these are Jaune and Ruby’s kids.”

Rosemary: “...Wait, wha-”

Zwei: “From another dimension.”

Rosemary was doing her best impression of a gaping fish at the total bombshell Zwei casually dropped on her, before shutting her mouth with an audible click. Her eyes were pinched shut as she found herself taking in a long, deep, breath before exhaling with obvious exasperation. Her eyes snapped open to give Zwei a tired, withering stare.

Rosemary: “Not even time and space itself prevents your family from doing anything by halves, huh Z?”

Zwei simply shrugged, before shooting Rosemary a cocky grin.

Zwei: “You’ve known me and my family long enough Rosie. Since when have we ever been one’s to let the impossible stop us from doing anything?”

Rosemary went to give Zwei a response, before once again clicking her mouth shut in frustration.

Rosemary: “I hate the fact that I can’t actually prove you wrong on that. But at this point, I shouldn’t even be surprised at something like happening, it’s not like reality hasn’t practically been shattered around us before or anything like that.”

Zwei: “Now you’re just being emotional, and besides: what’s wrong with casually breaking all known laws of science and physics every now again?”

Rosemary: “...No comment.”

Rosemary gave Zwei a blank stare as she ignored his shit eating grin, before turning to regard the twins with a warm and welcoming smile.

Rosemary: “Well with that little bit of insanity out of the way, it’s nice to meet you two! I’m Rosemary Thornbush, and you two are?”

The twins eyed each other momentarily, before they both went to introduce themselves to the older women. 

Rowan: “I’m Rowan Rose-Arc, and it’s very nice to meet you Miss Rosemary.”

Rowan gave Rosemary a small, but polite smile as he gave her a quick wave in greeting. Summer on the other hand....

Summer: “Hi, I’m Summer Rose-Arc, and I’m really happy to meet you Miss Rosemary!”

Summer had practically launched herself at Rosemary as she took one of her gloved hands in hers, practically shaking her hand at the same pace of a jackhammer on steroids. Rosemary didn’t even so much as flinch at the act, having long since been used to such hyperactive behavior from dealing with Ruby on a near daily basis. A small squeal escaped past Rosemary’s lips as she took in the sight of the precious little girl in front of her before quickly pulling her into a hug.

Rosemary: “Oh Brother’s above, you’re just an absolute doll! Oh what precious little thing you are Summer.”

Summer’s face practically beamed with joy as she preened at Rosemary’s words of praise, returning her hug was just as much enthusiasm. Rowan couldn’t help but snort at the sight of the two girls quickly getting along with one another, while Zwei quietly snickered at the sight of Rosemary acting just as her mother would in such a situation. Though she denied it, Rosemary had a tendency to smother people in a bombastic manner like her mother often tended to do, though she was a lot less open about that particular habit.

Rowan let out a curious hum as he truly took in the garden that was surrounding them. He saw various pathways all neatly trimmed and cared for, all of which were lined with various species of flora. From his observations, he honestly wouldn’t be too surprised if Beacon had a greenhouse or two as well. 

Rowan: “By the way Miss Rosemary, do you mind if I ask why there’s so much focus on tending to all of the plant life here in Beacon? Is there some kind of curriculum based around it?”

Rosemary: “First of all: Just call me Rosemary or Rosie, Rowan. I’ve never been one for formalities and I’m certainly not my mother, that’s for sure.”

Rowan's face flushed red in embarrassment before muttering out an apology, only to give his sister a dirty look when she snickered at his reaction. His face soon matched his skin when Zwei also snickered at his reaction, though he was quickly silenced by a pointed look that Rosemary shot at him.

Rosemary: “Secondly: There is a curriculum of sorts. The gardens and greenhouses of Beacon have been a staple since its founding. Apparently the original headmaster was big on preserving endangered flora and plant life that was at risk of being wiped out due to human expansion and Grimm hordes destroying the terrain during their rampages.”

Rosemary released Summer from her grip, before she walked back over to the flowers she was tending to before they had arrived. There were several flowers that were in the middle of their blooming period, still several days away from fully blooming.

Rosemary: “While it had originally started as a preservation effort, it had eventually become part of the curriculum as a set of optional classes. Specifically for training huntsmen in medicines and survival courses. Being out in the fields for extended periods of time isn’t anything unusual to a career huntsmen, but that often means being out in the wild on your own with very little in conventional medicines and foods. Which often leaves you at the mercy of mother nature, and whatever mood she’s currently feeling at the moment.

Rowan and Summer were completely enraptured by Rosemary’s impromptu lecture, practically hanging onto every world. Zwei himself was paying rapt attention to Rosemary, though it certainly wasn’t because he was interested in hearing the same lecture he’s heard a million times from both Rosemary and his step-mother. 

Rosemary: “Aura can protect and heal your wounds, but it’s still a finite resource and it can’t keep you from going hungry or prevent your wounds from becoming infected or bones from setting right. There are loads of cases of huntsmen dying due to being unfamiliar with even the most basic of medical knowledge or because they ended up poisoning themselves from eating wild plant life they didn’t know was meant for consumption. Not to say that huntsmen are dying left and right due to being ignorant of basic survival tactics, but it does make up for quite a few deaths and casualties every year. And as such, that’s why it’s been a part of the Beacon curriculum for quite sometime and even though it’s technically still considered an ‘optional,’ class.”

Rosemary emphasized the word “optional,” with a sneer and air quotes, causing the twins to giggle at and Zwei smile at her obvious feelings on the subject.

Rosemary: “It’s still heavily encouraged by most of the faculty and the current headmaster himself to take the course and to be familiar with at least the basics. The Class is currently taught under the instruction of Thumbelina Xiao-Long who, by the by, is also Beacons official doctor for the student body and my mentor. She’s a bit soft spoken, but she’s also an absolutely brilliant woman and takes her role of an instructor and healer very seriously.”

Rowan and Summer both nodded along, before Rowan piped up with another question.

Rowan: “Professor Xiao-Long is the current instructor of the class? Then I must imagine she has quite the green thumb if she’s the school's expert in medication and survival.”

Rosemary: “You would be one hundred percent correct Rowan! An astute observation on your part.”

Rosemary shot Rowan a sincere smile, causing him to blush at the sudden praise he received. He tried to ignore the snickering of Summer and Zwei, though both were quickly silenced when Rosemary gave them both another pointed look.

Rosemary: “Yes, Thumbelina does in fact have quite the green thumb and it’s practically a requirement for being able to instruct the survival class. You have to have a thorough knowledge of flora and their medicinal properties, while also being familiar with what’s edible and safe to eat versus what’s dangerous for consumption. It’s also important because you have to be familiar with various poisons and toxins that Grimm produce and that both assassins and rouge huntsmen use and how to either treat or stall their spread.”

Summer: “Wow, sounds like professor Xiao-Long is one smart cookie then!”

Rosemary: “Like I said, she’s a brilliant woman to work with, and I’ve learned a whole lot from tutoring under her.”

Rosemary went to say more, only to be abruptly interrupted by an annoyed looking Zwei.

Zwei: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, she’s such a ‘smart’ and ‘well read’ woman. Alright Rosie, this has been riveting, but are you done kissing my step-moms ass already or are you going to keep on rambling?”

Rosemary’s mouth dropped for only a second, before her cheeks flushed red with anger and she had gotten a fierce look in her eyes.

Rosemary: “Ah shut ya trap you mangy fur ball! Ya just angry that your Ma refuses to give you an easy pass in the class just because you’re family!”

Rowans and Summers' eyes widened as Rosemary went from being happy and cheerful, to having a full on Northern Vale accent. Zwei winced as her accent flared up, only to glare back at her in defiance.

Zwei: “I’m not angry at all! Ever since she took you on as an apprentice, all you ever do is go on and on about how ‘brilliant,’ and ‘passionate,’ she is!”

Rosemary: “It’s called having a healthy appreciation for someone Zwei! Sorry if that seems to upset ya for some reason, but I fail to see why ya care so much about it!”

Zwei: “Healthy appreciation, my ass! You're practically obsessed with her and all of her studies and theories, you may as well have a huge crush from how much you gush about her!”

Rosemary: “N-no I don’t! Ya just saying that because-”

Zwei and Rosemary once again broke down into bickering with one another, completely ignoring the twins once again. Rowans looked on with concern written on his face, wondering if he should say something or intervene with the fight. Summer, on the other hand, watched them with a cheshire grin planted firmly on her face. 

It was easy to see that there was little to no heat behind any of their words, even with the two of them practically shouting at one another. Secondly, Zwei had purposely goaded Rosemary into the argument, not even bothering to be subtle about it. And it was clearly obvious to Summer that Rosemary had the ability to keep a cool head and could have avoided getting into an argument with Zwei, but that she all but yanked on the obvious bait that had been laid out in front of them. All in all, they came off as an old arguing couple that were arguing for the sake of arguing rather than two people that were truly mad at one another.

Summer: *Internally* ‘Oh yeah, they definitely have it bad for one another!’

Summer snickered at the thought, before she gave a polite cough to grab the arguing pairs attention. Zwei and Rosemary were practically in each other's faces when they both froze, and looked over to see that they still had people present. Rowan had suddenly found the ground to be the most fascinating thing in the world, while Summer was trying(and failing) to hide a smug smile at their behavior.

Summer: “Do you two need a moment? I’ve been told that a lover's spat is usually dealt with in private, rather than the whole world to see.”

Summer thought she would get a further reaction out of them, only to become confused when neither Zwei or Rosemary gave each other a look, before they started laughing as if they had just heard a funny joke.

Rosemary: “Ha! Me and this guy dating? Not in a million years!”

Zwei: “Sorry to disappoint you Ruby Junior, but while we’re close we’re not that close with one another.”

The two continued to share a good laugh with one another, which only served to confuse Summer more than she already was! It was obvious they had feelings for one another! They had all of the textbook signs of being attracted to one another, how could they not see this! Summer went to call them out on this, before she was interrupted by her twin.

Rowan: “You know it’s not polite to assume they’re dating based solely off of looks alone Summer.”

Summer: “What?! But, but-!”

Rowan: “And even if they were, it’s not nice to call them out like that either. It’s rude, and you know you were taught better than that.”

Summer couldn’t do anything but openly gawk at her brother’s scolding, her mouth open and closing as she tried to(and completely failed to) formulate a response to how the situation had completely been turned against her. Not helping matters was the fact that Zwei and Rosemary were both openly snickering as Summer was being reprimanded by her brother in an eerily similar fashion to how their mother would have been scolding them.

Zwei: “Snk! Yeah Summer, it’s pretty arrogant of you to just up and assume that Rosemary and I are dating just because it looks like we’re having a lovers spat.”

Rosemary: “Pfff! Yeah hon, you shouldn’t just assume something based off of first impressions alone. That kind of attitude will just come back to bite you in the ass sooner or later.”

The pair continued to laugh as Summer’s cheeks had flushed red enough to match her namesake, before she quietly muttered out an apology while she desperately wished she could sink into the ground. Rowan kept a neutral facade, though inwardly he couldn’t help but smile as his sister was now the target of some embarrassment. After a few more teasing comments from his tour guides, Rowan had decided to end his sister's torment.

Rowan: “Okay, I think you two have gotten your kicks in and my sister has been thoroughly embarrassed enough.”

Zwei and Rosemary both quickly picked up on what Rowan was saying, and after another brief round of chuckles and one last teasing remark or two, they had both finally let up on Summer.

Rosemary: “Ah man, the look on your face was priceless! Ah, but enough of that, I think she’s not going to make any more assumptions soon, don’t you think Zwei?”

Zwei: “Mmmmh, yeah I think our would-be romantist has learned her lesson.”

Summer let out a sigh of relief, only to wince when Zwei’s eyes narrowed and he got a devious smirk on his face.

Zwei: “For now.”

Summer could only groan at the thought of future teasing, while her brother could only roll his eyes at her reaction. Doing his best to ignore his sister's despair, he addressed Rosemary yet again as a sudden thought occurred to him about something she had mentioned earlier.”

Rowan: “You mentioned that you were Professor Xiao-Long's apprentice earlier? I’d imagine that the requirements would be having an extensive knowledge of flora and medicines, as well as having a way with plants yourself?”

Rosemary: “Pretty much, though It also helps that my semblance is practically tailor made for the position.”

At the mentions of her Semblance, both siblings perked up with excitement with Summer’s previous air of misery quickly evaporating.

Rowan/Summer: “Really?!”

Rosemary: “Yes, really! Course, I had to work my butt off to still qualify for the position against several other people, but my semblance pretty much gave me an edge over all of the others.”

Zwei had let out a rather loud cough that sounded like he was saying “nepotism,” though he began coughing for real when Rosemary elbowed him in the gut. Neither of the twins chose to comment on the aforementioned moment.

Summer: “In that case, could we see your semblance Rosie?”

Rowan: “That is, if you don’t mind taking the time to show us that is.”

Summer was practically beaming in excitement at seeing a new semblance that she had never seen before. Rowan tried to keep his excitement in check by being polite, though even he couldn’t mask the enthusiasm that leaked into his tone at the thought of Rosemary giving a showing of her semblance.

Rosemary went quite as she put her hand to her chin as if to suggest that she was contemplating the twins request. Zwei scoffed at the display, though he couldn’t help but internally smile at the twins' curiosity and excitement. The yearning of wanting to learn and see new things made him think of both Ruby and Jaune, and he was slowly starting to see bits of both parents in their kids as he observed and interacted with them.

Rosemary: “Mmmmh, well… I guess I can take the time to show off a little bit. I’d be more than happy to show you two my semblance...”

The twins both beamed with excitement, before it quickly dimmed as Rosemary quickly tacked on:

Rosemary: “...After I finish the rest of my tasks around the garden. It won’t take me long, all I have to do is finish laying down some mulch and stow away my tools and gear and I’d be more than happy to show off to your heart's content.”

Rosemary couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of the twins both pouting in disappointment at having to wait to see her semblance. Zwei simply rolled his eyes at their obvious disappointment, before he decided to speak up once again.

Zwei: “Ah quit your bellyaching you two. It won’t take her long to finish up, and there’s plenty we can do to kill some time. How about I show you two around the gardens some more, then we come back here to bug Rosie some more, alright?”

The twins both muttered out words of agreement, before they both started to make their way deeper into the gardens. Zwei let them get ahead of them for a moment, before he turned to regard Rosemary with a smirk.

Zwei: “So, when did you have the girl made?”

Rosemary in turn, gave Zwei a shit eating grin back as she made to respond.

Rosemary: “As I was holding her, and she kept looking back and forth between the two of us as if she had just had an epiphany. You?”

Zwei: “She kept looking back at me with a ‘knowing,’ look when you were giving your impromptu lecture. I think she thought I was looking at you as if I was enraptured or some other sappy shit like that. Sorry about suggesting you were a kiss ass by the way, I didn’t mean any of it.”

Rosemary barked out a laugh as she waved off Zwei’s apology, showing that she wasn’t offended in the slightest.

Rosemary: “Nah, I knew you were only saying that to set the girl up. Besides, I’d know you’d never willingly talk smack to me like, especially about your Step-Mom. I couldn’t even imagine what your dad would have done to you if that were the case, and Brother’s above what your sisters would have done to you if they heard you talking about Thumb and I that way.”

Zwei physically flinched at the thought, before mentally locking that nightmare scenario away with all of his other repressed memories. 

Zwei: “Yeah, best not to think about the results from that hypothetical situation. Still, it was fun to mess around with her like that. Those two may be from another dimension, but they’re definitely Jaune’s and Ruby’s kids, and just as fun to mess around with.”

Rosemary: “Mmm, be that as it may, do remember that your sister and brother in law got you just as often as you did them, and I doubt their children are no different. So try not to mess around with them too much Zwei, lest you find yourself being played at your own game.”

Zwei went to argue against her warning, only to pause as he truly thought it over. After a moment of contemplation, swore under his breath as he realized that Rosemary was right.

Zwei: “...They’re probably going to get me back at some point for all of this, aren’t they?”

Rosemary only smiled at Zwei’s Rhetorical question, before giving him a quick pat on the cheek as she walked the other way, grabbing her water can along the way.

Rosemary: “Give me about thirty minutes or so, and I’ll be available for the rest of the day. In the meantime, you should probably catch up with your strays before they end up causing chaos like they’re probably prone to do.”

Zwei stared at the retreating form of Rosemary’s back, before letting out a sigh as he began  walking in the direction that the twins wandered off to, grumbling to himself the whole time.

#rwby #zwei #zwei rose #rwby zwei #zwei xiao long #fanaus zwei #rwby rowan rose #summer arc rose #rosemary thornbush #Lancaster kids #bssaz97 #editing by thatorigamiguy

[bluezey]

Play Date

Ian dresses up and does girly things with his little sister Judy, but wants to keep it secret because he’s afraid of what would happen if someone found out.  So of course the inevitable happens when Judy invites a friend over for a play date.

I wanted to write a story about Ian dealing with Judy bringing a friend over for a play date, but I didn’t know how to end it.  I saw some stuff by @tepiski and I figured something out.  So, thanks!

EDIT:  a nice person informed me that I used the wrong wordings in some places, so I made a few corrections.  My apologies, like Ian, I’m still learning.

Barley skidded his van to a stop outside of New Mushroomton Elementary School, excited more than ever to pick up little Judy.  Judy has been telling Barley all week about her new friend she made at school, a faun named Saria.  After talking to Laurel and Colt, and convincing Saria’s parents, Barley and Judy got a play date set for that afternoon.  Shortly after the bell rang, Judy raced up to the van and hopped inside as soon as Barley opened the side door to the back.

“Where’s your friend?” Barley asked.

“She’s right behind you,” Judy replied.

Barley turned and looked down at a little faun girl.  The faun had the bottom half of a sheep, and short curly black hair to match her curly black wool.  She wore a sherbet orange hoodie and wire frame glasses.  She had a friendly smile, but looked a little shy.  “Judy?” she called out.

Judy waved.  “Right here, Saria!  I told you my brother’s van was cool!”

Saria perked up a bit when she realized she was at the right van.  “Oh, good. “  She then looked up at Barley, and kind of grew sheepish again when noticing the size of him.

Barley just smiled.  “Don’t be scared, milady,” he introduced himself in his boisterous acting tone.  “Tis I, Barley of Lightfoot, and my mighty steed, Guinevere the Second!”

Saria laughed as she climbed into the back of the van, with Barley’s help.  “You’re right, Judy, your brother is funny,” Saria commented, settling into the back of the van with her elftaur friend.

Barley chuckled as he closed the door and hopped into the driver’s seat.  The ride home was short, thanks in part to Barley’s partly reckless driving.  Barley asked a few questions to get to know Saria.  Her favorite color is orange, her favorite school subject is reading, she likes ice cream, flowers and, of course, Pretty Pretty Centaurs.  Barley was also sure to ask if they have homework, but decided they didn’t have to start on it right away since it’s the weekend. Besides, he didn’t like math either.

Guinevere the Second pulled into the driveway, and Judy hopped out the second Barley opened the side door.  Judy saw they parked right next to an old red sedan and immediately squealed with delight. “Ian’s home!” she cheered as she raced up to the front walk.

Saria looked up at Barley as she followed him up to the door.  “Who’s Ian?”

“Judy didn’t tell you?” Barley asked.  “Judy has another brother.”

“Oh,” Saria replied.  “Sorry, I forgot his name.”

Barley smiled, seeing Saria growing sheepish again.  “You’re gonna like Ian.”

Judy burst into the front door and immediately started looking for Ian.  The college elf Ian was sitting at the dining room table, going over his chemistry notes and textbook while sipping a fresh cup of coffee.  “Ian!” Judy slammed herself into a side hug, almost knocking Ian out of his chair as he made a mess over his notes with his highlighter.

“Oh!  Judy.”  Ian chuckled to himself as he stood up to fix his notes and some toppled pieces of Barley’s role playing game occupying the rest of the table.

“Are you home for the weekend?” Judy asked after letting go of her hug.

“Uh, yeah?” Ian replied, not sure how else to respond to that.  He’s here, and college is about an hour away.  It’s obvious he’s staying over for the weekend.  But Judy’s just a kid.

“Yo, Iandore!” Barley called out as he strolled into the dining room.

“Hey, Barley.”  Ian looked down at the little faun girl hiding a little behind Barley’s leg.  “And who’s this little girl?” he asked with a friendly smile.

“This is Saria,” Judy introduced.  “She’s my friend from school.  She’s here for a play date.”

“Is that so?” Ian saw the shyness of Saria, but noticed her trying to overcome it by stepping out from behind Barley.  Still, her face showed how unsure she was of this new person.  Being nice, Ian simply held out his hand.  “Hi, I’m Ian.”

Saria smiled, then took his hand with a gentle handshake.  “I’m Saria.”

“Good to meet you,” Ian replied.  “I like your name.”

Judy’s excited smile turned to a disappointed frown as she saw Ian sit back down and return to his studies.  “Oh. You don’t have time to play, do you?” she pouted.

“Judy,” Barley tried to warn her.

“No, it’s okay,” Ian replied, reaching for his coffee mug.  “Just give me a few minutes, I can take a break to play.”  Ian took a sip of coffee, now knowing he’s gonna need the caffeine for both a play date and a study session.

Judy leaped with joy. “Great!  Saria can meet Iandelle!”

Ian immediately spat out his coffee all over Barley’s board game.  Barley held out his arm, trying to stop much of the sprayed coffee and spit from getting on the figurines.

Saria looked curious. “Who’s Iandelle?”

“I, uh… uhh…” Ian quickly turned to stuttering and sweating before he finally gave up and quickly exited to his and Barley’s bedroom down the hall.

A short pause passed before Saria innocently pointed out, “Ian forgot his books.”

---

“Ian?” Barley opened the bedroom door just far enough so he could peer in, before stepping inside. He looked across the room at Ian sitting on his bed, his back facing towards Barley, hunched over and clinging to his sides so tightly it left folds in his Willowdale College hoodie.  Barley closed the door behind him and started making his way across the room.  “Ian?”

Ian looked over his shoulder.  “Oh, hey.” He turned back for a second, before looking back again.  “Where’s Judy and…?”

“Saria?” Barley asked.

“Yeah,” Ian replied.

“They’re playing in Judy’s room,” Barley replied, pointing upstairs.  Barley made his way to Ian’s bed and sat down beside him.  Ian scooted away a bit, he hunched back over, squeezed his sides, his leg shaking with stress and his skin pale and clammy.  Ian obviously knew why Barley was here, and it wasn’t making the situation any better.  Barley waited a minute, before finally breaking the tension with a, “Soo…”

“I can’t dress up like ‘Iandelle,’” Ian replied, defeated but firmly.

“Why not?” Barley asked. “You’ve dressed up plenty of times.”

“Just for Judy,” Ian stressed, standing up from the bed.  He turned to Barley, wide eyed in panic.  “I can’t do it for… I mean… I…”

Barley just sat there, waiting for Ian to get it all out.  It’s not like Ian had a choice.  He was between his bed, with Barley sitting on it, and his closet, where he hides those few dresses that he wears when he plays with Judy so she can have someone to do ‘girly things’ with.  He felt trapped.  It was causing him to breathe shallowly before he finally released it, ranting to Barley.  “How am I going to deal with Saria when she goes home to her parents?  What if she tells of Judy’s big brother who likes to spend time in a dress?  That he likes to spend time with his little sister in lace and stockings, and playing with princess dolls, and having tea parties, and getting their hair and nails done?”

“You guys paint your nails?” Barley asked.

Ian paused, before nervously shoving his hands under his arms.  “N-No?”

Barley raised an eyebrow at Ian.

“I… I take it off before I go back to college, okay?”  Ian leaned back against the closet door and slid down to sitting, his knees bent and feet on the floor, so the legs of his jeans rode up and revealed some of the white stockings he was wearing under his jeans and sneakers.  “What if Saria’s parents start telling others about me?  What if those people tell those people?  What if word gets back to the school?  What if word gets back to college?”

“You haven’t met any transgender people at college?” Barley asked curiously.

“…. One.” Ian admitted. “I think.  I don’t know, but… there’s this one guy cyclops, and… I think he might- I mean he may have been assigned as female at birth… I may be wrong.  And maybe I am wrong, and he really is a guy.  I…”  Ian closed his eyes tight and grit his teeth, growing frustrated with this argument.

“… Okay.” Barley replied.

Ian opened his eyes.  “What?”

“Okay.”  Barley stood up from the bed.  “You made your point.”

Ian watched as Barley stood and walked back to the door.  He looked down, defeated and mad at himself.  “I know Judy loves playing with ‘Iandelle.’”

Barley looked over his shoulder, and gave a comforting smile.  “I know.”  With that, Barley walked out of the door, closing it behind him.

---

A week passed, and Ian was on his way home from college for the weekend.  He usually visited when he didn’t have much homework to do, and he had a lot of homework to do.  But he couldn’t help it.  He felt bad for how he ended it with Barley, with Judy.  And it was a bad first impression with Saria.  He didn’t know how he was going to handle it if Judy asked for Iandelle again, but he just had to go home.

Ian pulled into the driveway beside Guinevere the Second.  He took out his bookbag, his suitcase, and his laundry bag full of dirty clothes.  He went inside, but surprisingly, it was quiet in the house.  “Hello?” he called out.  No response.  He was curious, but he thought he’d get started on his homework while he had free time. Ian started a pot of coffee and let it brew as he put his suitcase and bookbag in his bedroom and tossed his load of laundry into the washer.  He returned to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee for his studies.

As Ian made his way to the bedroom, he thought he heard laughter in the backyard.  It made him pause for a moment, then curious when he heard the laughter was two little girls and Barley.  He knew there was nothing unusual about that, but he thought he’d at least check in on them before he closed himself off in his bedroom.

Ian approached the sliding glass window and took a look outside.  Their backyard had an in ground pool, currently tarped over for the fall, a small playset complete with a slide and swing, and a big oak tree in the corner. Saria was climbing the tree, jostling the branches so more leaves could fall, and Judy was racing through the yard, laughing as her hooves kicked up the leaves as she ran through the small piles of them scattered around the yard.  Barley was chasing after Judy, trying to keep up with her newfound speed beginning to grow on her.  Judy was dressed in a Princess Kenna tunic, and Barley was dressed in his usual warrior outfit… and a brown skirt.  A skirt that was far too short for him, so he had to wear his cargo shorts underneath, but that’s clearly a brown miniskirt!

Ian couldn’t help but smile. Judy was having the time of her life, Saria was having fun, and Barley did look a little silly with his big body in such a tiny, wide skirt, but Barley looked like he didn’t care. Barley used all of his energy to catch up to Judy, tackle her and drag her into a pile of leaves with a big flurry of autumn colors flying into the air around them.  Ian gave a laugh before leaving the scene, going back to his room.

Hours passed with Ian secluded in his room, at his desk, between writing an essay and looking up collegiate sources online for said essay.  Just as he was two pages and a cup of coffee in, Ian’s focus was distracted a bit by laughter in the house, then again a half hour later as Barley entered the bedroom.

“See ya later, Saria! Goodbye, Mrs. Morrow!” Barley closed the door behind him as he saw Ian at his desk.  “Hey!  You’re home!”

“Yeah, and I’m kinda busy here,” he said, motioning to his computer, “so…”

“Oh, got it.”  Barley threw himself on his bed, picked a random Quests of Yore book off his nightstand and began reading.

Ian went back to work, but not before looking back at Barley, legs casually crossed while still in that miniskirt.  “You know, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” Barley replied, not looking up from his book.

Ian shook his head with a smile before going back to work.

---

A few weeks passed, with Saria visiting the Lightfoot house three times for a play date.  Ian wasn’t home, but Barley was, and dressed in his mini skirt at least twice for the occasion.  Laurel came home early the second time, and shared a laugh with Barley when she realized what was happening.  After that, Barley began to dress up in his mini skirt just for Judy once in a while.

One Friday afternoon, Saria was dropped off at the Lightfoot house for a play date, and she and Judy waited at the brothers’ bedroom door for Barley to get dressed.  “Come on, Barley!” Judy pouted.

“Just a minute!” Barley shouted from the other side of the door.  A moment passed before Barley came out, in a bold display, donning his warrior garb and mini skirt.  The girls cheered, but Barley held out his hand to shush them.  “Ah ah ah, we have one more joining us…”  Barley stepped aside.

A hesitant moment passed before Ian stepped shyly out of their bedroom, wearing his white princess dress with pink lace and frills.  His head was lowered a bit, but a smile formed over his blushing blue face when Judy hugged him tight.  “Iandelle!”

Saria looked up at Ian in complete confusion.  “You’re Iandelle?”

“…. uh…. yes?” Ian muttered.

Saria smiled.  “I like your dress.”

“Uh, thanks,” Ian replied, a little more audibly, but still sheepish.

“Let’s play makeover!” Judy chimed.

Barley replied, “Uh, Saria’s mom says no makeup.  How about tea party?”

Saria gasped.  “With real cookies?”

“Mom?” Barley called out.

“Two cookies per tea party guest,” Laurel called back from the kitchen.

The girls jumped up and down and cheered, while the boys tried to calm them down.  “Okay, you girls go upstairs and set the table.  We’ll get the cookies,” Ian said.  The girls ran upstairs, squealing excitedly, as the boys in dresses made their way to the kitchen.

“Nice of you to join us, Princess Iandelle,” Barley told Ian.

Ian smiled to his brother. “Why thank you… Barlia.”

“That’s Lady Barlia,” Barley declared as he grabbed Ian and held him down for a noogie.

Ian struggled as he protested, “Watch the dress!”

#pixar onward #sir iandore of lightfoot #ian lightfoot #princess iandelle #judy lightfoot #barley lightfoot #judith judy lightfoot

[queen-erika-the-songful]

Okay, here are my initial thoughts on Princess Adventure. These are in no way organized; they’re just as I can remember them. Feel free to send asks if you want

- Barbie defending Chelsea’s creativity and imagination is great to see. It’s one of the best parts of Dreamhouse Adventures so it’s nice to see them continue that in this film

- I like “Try It On” a lot more now. It’s not my favorite, and I think it’s one of the weaker songs in comparison to the rest of the soundtrack, but it’s honestly kind of a bop.

- “It’s like they don’t even want me in this movie!” LOL even Tammy herself knows she’s been done an absolute injustice.

- Holy crap Amelia’s plan is so freaking funny to me. She could’ve just, like...invited Barbie over to her kingdom since she’s the princess and was already a fan of Barbie’s vlogs anyway. But nah, she’s gotta have this whole convoluted “cultural exchange” bullshit I just can’t

- Speaking of Amelia, it’s a little disappointing that we don’t spend nearly as much time with her as we do with Barbie, and, thus, we don’t get to see who the supposed “real” her really is. She says she finally got to explore things about herself, like her fears and dreams, but she never goes into details. Ironically, the audience never gets to see who the true Amelia is, we just have to go off what she said about “who [she] is does matter”. I mean, we certainly get glimpses of it (again, the convoluted plan - she’s obviously ‘act first think later’), but overall it’s not nearly enough, at least to me

- “(Not A) Picture Perfect Girl” might just be my favorite song from this movie. It honestly made me tear up a bit. We’ll see if that changes over my next rewatches

- The running gag with Trey mixing up Barbie and Amelia while Ted and Ned knew was a lot funnier than I expected it to be

- Trey is now trans and you can’t change my mind.

- I really appreciate “Somewhere New” a lot more now since seeing it in the movie. I love that the choreography starts on the plane. It was a cool choice that really felt like a “musical” thing to do. I also like that everyone got to sing at leaset a line or two on their own. 

- WTF happened between Floravia and Johanistan? Did they have a war or something? Why are they being united into just a bigger Floravia? It sounds pretty fishy. I can understand why Johan is so upset based on what little information is given to us, so I wish they had gone into it a bit more.

- Johan asked “Amelia” (Barbie in disguise) if she remembered what they said they would do as rulers when they were kids. That never comes back and it really bothered me. What was the promise? That they’d rule together? That they’d treat each other’s kingdom equally? I actually thought at the coronation that Amelia would give the answer to that question (something like “Johan, remember what we told each other...”) and then do something like absolve the treaty so that she and Johan would rule their own respective kingdoms. l

- IDK, I think I would’ve just liked it more if Johan had been like Amelia’s brother/cousin/whatever that wanted to become King. He’d be a more boring villain that way but it would be less complicated than this.

- WE GOT REPRISES OF 2 SONGS BUT THEY AREN’T ON THE SOUNDTRACK?! I will NOT stand for that. As soon as the movie comes out on DVD I’m ripping those tracks out and adding them to my playlist

- I really thought Ken and Barbie were finally going to get together. I shall now accept my clown shoes and wig. I’m already applying the makeup now.

- The sequence for “Life in Color” disappointed me a bit. It’s one of my favorite songs on the soundtrack, but the placement in the movie felt like it came out of nowhere. I was really hoping for a nice, tender moment between Barbie and Amelia. Even if they were kept separated, it could’ve started with them video-chatting again. Maybe they’d talk about their personal struggles and then Barbie would stop the recording (”We don’t have to film this...”) and they’d just have a moment between themselves to talk.

- On the other hand, “King of the Kingdom” was such a good scene. It was very entertaining and I laughed a lot (which I had to hold back a lot since I was still at work). Also, those boys can move!!

- To make up for all of the interruptions and missed opportunities, Ken Carson deserves at least 3 episodes centered on him and his life and 1 where he finally tells Barbie how he feels

- TAFFY HAD NO REASON TO BE IN THIS MOVIE. I don’t care that Barbie almost always needs an animal sidekick. Snowy (Amelia’s bunny) fills that role. Taffy just gave everyone a freaking heart attack. Also, how the heck did she survive the plane ride? California to Floravia is a 10-hour flight so how did she stay unnoticed for so long?? ROBERTS FAMILY, GET SOME DAMN LEASHES!

- Speaking of that scene, I hate it. It ate up valuable time that could’ve been later spent developing the plot or Amelia’s character. It was only like 2 minutes but in a movie that is already pretty short (1hr11min) every second counts

- Can DA please finally drop the whole “Hey look Renee is claustrophobic” already? It’s repetitive as all hell and honestly it rubs me the wrong way how often it’s played for laughs. It works in the DA Halloween episode since it’s all about everyone facing their fears but everywhere else it feels like a cheap & undeserved laugh (it only happens twice in the movie I think but I wanted to mention it anyway)

- Morningstar being a little bitch to Barbie was hilarious. I don’t really like animal toys anymore but I’d totally buy her. (She’s part of a doll-horse set called Prance & Shimmer Horse. The Barbie doll has Amelia’s princess dress).

- “This is My Moment” really warmed my heart. The last shot with Amelia and Barbie smiling at each other reminded me a lot of Princess & the Popstar actually. I also really like how they brought back stuff from “Try It On” for Barbie’s verse. Musical finale numbers that bring back earlier motifs is something I just cannot get enough of. 

- I liked Alfonso. Like Amelia said, he means well; he just didn’t put as much thought into what Ameila herself wants as he could have. But hey, he was learning just as much as they were

- I LOVED all of the stuff with Barbie trying to make it big and that bitch Rose Ross being all “This is what you have to do to make it sweetie :)” like that’s a great thing to show to kids. You can want to be famous and expand your content like Barbie wanted to, but you have to be smart about it, and you have to stay true to yourself. That plotline also mixed pretty well with Amelia’s life being formulated for the public too. I really did like all of that stuff about how media, social media especially, is constantly fabricated and edited to make things seem easier/better than they might be in real life. 

- THEY FINALLY WENT BACK TO INDIVIDUAL END MORALS THANK GOD. I got really tired of seeing “This is our story, what’s yours?” after every Barbie movie, especially when every movie that used it wasn’t going for that message. Hell, that’s not even a lesson or anything, that’s just a random end quote.

- “Life doesn’t happen on camera. Life is what happens when the cameras are off” THAT IS SO GOOD AND RELEVANT I CAN’T EVEN!!!

#barbie spoilers #barbie movies #barbie: princess adventure #long post

[writingsfromhome]

A June Love Story (Pt 2)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Epilogue

June. Three years ago.

Harry: The outdoor garden is alight with laughter and happy greetings as everyone comes together for Jack and Jess’s baby shower. I try to find a familiar face as I walk through the gates, but I only recognise Jack’s family. My eyes continue scanning anyway, barely admitting to myself I was looking for one face in particular.

A small gasp from beside me lets me know my girlfriend had returned with our name tags. Leave it to Jack to have nametags at a baby shower to help everyone mingle. “This is lovely isn’t it?”

I look down at Alyssa, my girlfriend of seven months-the longest I’d kept a girlfriend in a while. Jack’s Jess actually made the introduction, she was her maid of honour at their wedding. And as cliche as it was, the maid of honour did indeed end the night in the best man’s bed.

Alyssa scrunchles her nose and loops her arm through mine, “let’s go find the parents-to-be!”

“Yeah okay,” I laugh. Alyssa was always a bubbly personality, never a mean word out of her. It was refreshing but the complete opposite of how I could get. I always had to watch what I said, she was too soft for harsh words.

“I heard there’s a secret baby wager going around,” Alyssa tells me as we make our way to the deck. “Don’t tell Jess though, I’m pretty sure it was Jack who started it.”

“Oh it was definitely Jack who started it,” I chuckle. “You can get him to bet on anything.”

“So?” Alyssa peers at me. “What did you wager?”

“Why did you think I wagered?” I laugh but Alyssa only raises her eyebrow; I give in. “A boy.”

Alyssa rolls her eyes but we stop the conversation as Jess nears, “There you are!” She hugs the both of us and the girls begin gushing over how big her bump had gotten. As much as I would love to have kids of my own someday, it wasn’t today. I zone out and look around the small garden, I almost don’t catch her.

Y/N, in the flesh. The last time I saw her was Jack’s wedding, she’d been a little cold. I didn’t blame her. After she broke down in front of me at her housewarming, I guessed she was embarassed again. But she stayed away the whole weekend, avoiding me until I cornered her on the dance floor on wedding day.

She’d confessed, she was avoiding me. And she also admitted she was confused anytime she saw me, it complicated her feelings, her relationship with Nate which she was sorting out. She didn’t want to put more strain on it. I told her to break up with him. She got upset and said I would never understand, things were complicated. She left. I decided Y/N was never going to leave Nate, I was putting my love life on hold for her but “we” were never going to happen. So I went to bed with the maid of honour.

When I realised a few weeks ago I was seeing her again, I couldn’t stop thinking about her again: all my old feelings resurfaced. And here I was trying to find her face in the crowd even though I was here with Alyssa. But there was a draw to Y/N I couldn’t deny. It was unhealthy.

She’s talking to Jack, I realise. And her hair was short. Really short. And dyed. She has on a white tee tucked into loose green trousers. There was no Nate in sight. I had to talk to her before he showed up and ruined things as he did.

“Look at Harry eyeing Jack,” Jess’ voice snaps me out of it. I didn’t realise how hard I was staring. “You can be excused from this boring conversation Harry! Go talk to him!”

Alyssa giggles and pecks my cheek before leaving with Jess. I push aside the guilt of what I was really looking at, I do what they say. My heart pounds the closer I get to her.

“The godfather to my unborn child,” Jack spots me first and rushes me. I grapple with his body and hug him.

“I will ruin your child if you make me the godfather,” I swear. “I don’t know the first thing about kids. I’m not worthy.”

“Nah I’ve seen you with your wittle fans,” Jack mocks and looks over at Y/N to include her. “He’s this big softie inside.”

“Y/N,” I acknowledge her, anticipating a cold nod. But surprisingly, her face breaks into a genuine smile and it takes my bloody breath away.

“Harry,” she moves to give me a hug. She’s warm from the sun and smells like lavender. I could stay there longer but we break apart.

“Look at the two of you,” Jack comments as we break. “No fighting, no rudeness. Almost like we’re all adults.”

“I can speak for myself, but I don’t know if we can call Harry that quite yet,” Y/N teases.

“There it is, I should’ve known it was coming.” Jack swings his arm and we all laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Alyssa comes up from behind and she joins the group. With the way Y/N watches her arm wrap around my waist, I realise she didn’t know. She didn’t know. And her face falls now that she does.

“These two finally getting along,” Jack says when nobody talks.

“I don’t think we’ve formally met,” Y/N sticks out her hand. “You’re Jess’ bridesmaid right?”

“Maid of honour,” Alyssa corrects and I watch my worlds collide as they shake hands. “But most people call me Alyssa.”

That earns a laugh but as the group eases into small talk, I avoid looking at Y/N. I didn’t know what I expected today, but the reality of it makes me realise I was in some deep shite.

Y/N: The one time I’m finally single, Harry’s not. It’s my bloody luck! I’m single after years and the one guy I thought I might reconnect with, is taken. The worst part, by a kind and gorgeous woman.

The last time I saw Harry was at Jack’s wedding. I was still with Nate then, we were on the cusp of another breakup. But it felt different that time. Seeing Jack marry the woman he was so clearly in love with, the same woman who’d broken his heart after their split...it made me realise things. Nate and I broke up again and again and every time we got back together, we were just more broken than before. We were papier maché of broken bits acting like a perfect whole-Jack and Jess broke up once, and soon as they got back together, Jack had proposed and she’d said yes. And I was still in the same shitty relationship from my early twenties. I couldn’t even imagine Nate proposing. It was pathetic how I fooled myself into thinking we were worth something together.

What was more pathetic was it took another month to officially break up with Nate. Convince him it was for good, forever. It took a week for him to move on to a girl he met at a club. And another four months of living in the empty house he’d moved out of because it was my name on the lease. As soon as the year was over, I’d found the first decent flat and that marked the end of a shitty almost decade of my life.

And today, it seemed my shitty decade persisted. It was clear I was fated to be alone and miserable.

“So where’s Nate?” Harry asks me and that gets a string of swear words out of Jack. Alyssa looks on confused.

“We broke up,” I say simply, carefully watching Harry’s barelt hide the shock and something that almost looks like regret. I wondered what was going on in his head, and immediately feel like a bad person. He was in a happy relationship, I shouldn’t interfere.

“Thank fuck,” Jack says just as Jess walks up. He winces and covers her stomach.

“You know you’re not covering the baby’s ears, right?” Jess says to Jack.

“I am-I’m a doctor honey, I would know.” Jack says and kisses Jess. My heart twinges, I can’t help it. I missed the feeling of being so in love.

“So as a doctor can you figure out why Alyssa is so afraid of children,” Harry asks, the conversation fast moving away from my breakup thankfully. But moving towards Alyssa and Harry having a baby and the thought makes my stomach drop.

“I just don’t want to bring another human into this world!” Alyssa defends herself, it sounded like it was an argument they’d had before. “I’ll gladly be the godmother though. I just don’t want any of my own.”

“Isn’t it nice the godmother and father of our children made it easy for us, they’re already a couple.” Jack comments.

“Thanks to my matchmaking skills,” Jess says. So that’s how it happened, I think.

***

My cramps kick in later in the day and I scramble to find a painkiller. The intensity makes me sit out of the games, so I settle down on a picnic blanket near a garden patch, happily watching the competition between Jack and Jess’ friends. Three girls and guys stand as their groups try to make diapers out of TP before they tag the next person to change a doll’s diaper. A baby-themed obstacle course, which was probably Jess-inspired. I smile at the thought.

Lost in thought, I pick up a few of the fallen flowers just as a pair of sneakers come into view and breaks me away from my thoughts.

“Can I join you?” Harry’s low voice asks.

“Sure,” I brush aside my mixed feelings and shift to make room. He sits down, leaning back to watch the games. One of the girls being dressed was Alyssa. Her back is mostly to us but he watches her fondly.

“It’s been a while,” Harry finally says, looking over at me.

“Yeah,” I twirl a flower in my fingers, a couple petals fall off. “Feels like a lifetime ago though since we last saw each other. Congrats, by the way, on your awards.”

I’d watched every second of that awards show, attentive to every moment Harry was on screen. I’d gone to text him later that night and realise I never even had his number.

“Thanks,” Harry skims past the accolades humbly. “Seems like a lot has changed between now and then.”

“I know,” I try not to sound bitter. “I finally broke up with Nate, you got together with Alyssa-who is lovely by the way. Let’s see...you won an amazing award-your career’s really taking off, I moved into a flat in central and got a promotion and...am I missing anything else?”

“You changed your hair,” Harry says like duh.

I laugh and point to his buzzcut, “Yeah. I did, so did you.”

It was a rash decision on my part. When I moved into the new flat, I wanted to be done with every part of my old life. So I’d done something drastic. Remembering it dredges up unwanted feelings: loneliness, anger, insecurities, and unhappiness. I go quiet as Harry laughs at something that happens with the obstacle course. It takes me back to when we first met, how I wanted to hear that laugh for the rest of my life. And that wasn’t something I could have anymore.

“Earth to Y/N,” Harry says gently. I’m too lost in thought to look up but he calls my name again, his fingers lifting my chin up so I’m looking at him. He’d shifted closer to call my name, leaning on his hand that’s splayed right beside me, the tips of his fingers a breath away from my thighs. The pain of being so close to him yet not being with him is palpable.

With his fingers still on my chin, my eyes meet his and I realise I’d never seen them this close up with the sunlight leaving no shadows in sight. They ask me a question I don’t know how to answer, they ask if I was okay. But I really didn’t know anymore.

I put on a smile for his sake, so he wouldn’t ask out loud, and push the flower I was playing with behind his ear. He looks cute, and my smile widens as I drop my hand down to lay beside his. His smile stays in place, his pinky reaching out to touch me while his eyes still watch me, asking the same question. My smile drops away and I look down again to our hands so close together. I couldn’t let him see me cry like he did once. I was stronger than I was then-I couldn’t cry.

“Harry there you are! Do you like it?” We both look up as Alyssa comes running up to show off her TP diaper and sash. Harry leans away and I immediately miss the feeling of him being so close. God, what was wrong with me.

“Wow what a look,” Harry stands up and walks towards her. She grins, so clearly in love with him. Like his eyes were only for her-and they probably were. I think I pushed Harry away one time too many. Our chance was gone. Yet to think all he had to say was “yes” four years ago, we could have had our chance all this time.

June. Two Years Ago.

The crowd was huge and I grab Jack’s arm to avoid getting lost. The sun was relentless, shining down her rays until I was sticky and sunburnt.

“Can you believe this?” Jack shouts to me. I mouth an I know as we grin at each other. It was the first festival we’d been to in years, the feeling of hot bodies packed together in the sun was not as fun in your late twenties than your early twenties. The only reason we were here was because Harry was playing and we were stoked, ready to scream with the crowd as he performed. I told him I would wear the neon cowboy hat so he could find us in the crowd.

“Our boy’s a bloody rockstar!” A giddy laugh bubbles up as we make our way into the crowd to find Jess and Alyssa.

It had been a year since I found out about Alyssa and Harry, I was crushed about it. But Harry really was incredibly happy with her, and the more time I spent with her the more I liked her and got over my petty feelings. Jack usually invited me to be their fifth wheel on double-dates or would set me up with a friend of his and Jess’. None of the setups were as good as Harry but a couple did last a few months. I was feeling better than I had in a long time though, and finding my freedom in being single. And Harry and I were actually friends, often texting each other stupid memes and videos.

“There they are!” Jack points to two girls. I slow down as Jack rushes to surprise Jess from behind. I slowly approach and Jess pulls me into her famous hugs.

“It’s so he can spot us,” I say when Jess asks about my choice of hat. “Speaking of the devil...” I look to the front just as Harry walks onstage and the crowd around us becomes one large megaphone.

And the experience is pure magic. Harry becomes otherwordly on stage as he performs the songs I knew every word to and we all shout the lyrics back to him. During his slower songs, the crowd quiets down and my heart bursts realising just how much I loved the man onstage. How loved he was by the enormous crowd.

“I’m so telling Harry he made you cry,” Jack says in my ear and I startle; I didn’t realise I was crying.

“I’ll kill you-“ I say as Jack already snaps a picture. I stick up my finger for the second and he takes a selfie with me for the third. I roll my eyes as Harry introduces his last song.

“It’s not on my album, or any platforms. I think it’s my first time performing it...”

I assume it was a song about Alyssa, he’d already sang two about her. I glance at her to see her reaction but her head is bent over a phone. Curiosity gets the better of me-who would she be texting while Harry was performing?

I could barely make out the name but it’s definitely not Harry’s; I can only see hearts. The texts themselves...I quickly bounce back on my heels and look away just as Alyssa looks back at me. I pretend to be interested in Harry, only glancing at her because she was looking at me. She smiles but she looks guilty and my heart thuds, louder than the crowd, ready to fall out of my chest as I fall back into his fans. I try to push away the ugly truth of it.

“So the working title is Speechless, but don’t hold me to it.” Harry says and I swear he’s looking right at me. My heart takes another beating as the name clicks, I didn’t know how much more my heart could take as it flutters along with the opening notes and into the chorus

Mouth open, shut, she’s speechless. Heart open, shut, I’m speechless.

I listen to his lyrics. They’re about me. About a strong woman who he left speechless, that being the only power he had over her. Because I might love her but she didn’t love me, she gave herself to another and left me lonely.

Harry was with Alyssa, I remind myself. Alyssa might be...cheating on Harry? But they were still together. Harry and Alyssa. Together.

So why was he performing this, in front of me?

***

“You sure you don’t want anything?” Jess asks me, as they order food from a stand. I couldn’t think about eating, I make an excuse that I was staying hydrated. Harry told us about a private area we could meet him, he’d told security we were coming so we were just getting a bite to take to him. I wasn’t sure what I would do when we got to him.

He’s a sweaty happy mess when we do, listening to everyone’s praises with a big grin, laughing and acting shy as we all hug him. This was his first festival!

“How did you like the new song?” Harry asks, his eyes lingering on mine.

“I was speechless,” Jack jokes.

“I’m curious who the inspiration was,” Alyssa teases Harry, I try not to act as flustered.

“Someone long ago,” Harry winks and they pretend to be scandalized.

“I’m starving,” Jess lifts her container. “I’m finding a place to sit.”

Alyssa and her head to an empty spot while the three of us head to the water station first.

“So when are you going to do it?” I hear Jack asking Harry as I fill my bottle.

“Do what?” I ask, looking from Jack to Harry.

“Uhm, I was going to-I was thinking today was a good time to finally-“

“He’s bloody proprosing to Alyssa!” Jack whispers to me. If I thought the song or Alyssa’s texts were going to end me, I was wrong. This was worse. It felt like a trainwreck I could only watch, and not stop. This was going to end horribly, and Harry. Harry...I didn’t want him to end up in a relationship like mine. I had to stop it somehow.

“Y/N?” Jack waves his hand in front of my face.

“Woah!” I try to cover up. “I was waiting for the punchline! Harry, really? You’re ready to-to commit?”

“Yeah,” Harry shrugs. “I think it’s time.”

“Have you guys talked about it?” I ask curiously.

“A couple times. But I know it’s the right time.”

“I asked Jess to marry me before we talked about it,” Jack says, and I know he’s eyeing me suspiciously. He knew me too well. “And look at us now.”

“You and Jess are a golden exception Jack,” I roll my eyes. “I just want to make sure Harry isn’t springing it unexpected.”

Jack’s phone rings-Jess wondering what was taking us so long and asking if he could get her another drink. That leaves Harry and me walking back together alone and the guilt of knowing his girlfriend may be cheating on him eats me up so I burst after we walk in silence.

“Harry, I don’t think you should do it.”

“What?” Harry heard me but he looks confused. “Why would you say that?”

“I just...I can’t...I can’t say. Just trust me.” I didn’t want to be the one to break it to him. But I didn’t want him to fuck his life up either.

“Trust you? Give me something to trust Y/N! Why wouldn’t I propose to the woman I love?”

Ouch. “Just trust me Harry please,” I stop and grab his arm. “I never interfere with your love life unlike you do with mine, but I just think you should wait. Talk to her about it first. I don’t want you to make a mistake.”

Harry scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Why don’t you tell me what this is really about Y/N.”

“What?” Now it was my turn to be confused.

“I know we’ve had a history, and you’ve been out of a relationship for a while. But that song was one I wrote years ago, when you were still with Nate. I was in love with you then-not-not now. I love Alyssa, not you.”

My jaw drops, that was not what I meant but Harry’s bluntness is misdirected, his old mean streak coming out. I wanted to tell him what I saw on her phone even more than before, how did he think I was that...jealous that I would stop him because I wanted him?

“What the fuck!” I finally sputter out after Harry turns to continue walking. “D-do you really-who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? You really think I’m petty enough to try to stop you because I think we belong together or some-you’re a self-centered dick, Harry! I’m just looking out for you!”

“I don’t want you to! I never asked you to!” Harry shouts back. “I don’t need you in my life Y/N! I don’t need your judgements or your advice. I want nothing from you. Unlike you, I have a healthy relationship with an amazing woman and I plan on bloody marrying her whether you want me to or not!”

“I-“ his words sting the back of my eyes and the lump in my throat feels like a tennis ball lodged too tight. I don’t need you in my life. He was right, we weren’t as close ever since he got together with Alyssa...we only ever hung out because of Jack. Harry moved on from me. “You know what, whatever. I cared about you as a friend Harry, that’s why I look out for you. Maybe you should ask yourself why your performed that song in the first place if you love Alyssa so much. But whatever. If I’m nothing to you, do whatever-just do whatever you want. I’m going to find Jack.”

I force my wobbling legs to turn around and go in the direction that Jack left. I find him just as he pays for his drinks and when he sees me he knows something’s wrong but I deny it until he gives up. I claim I felt sick, to let the group know. I let myself cry when I reach my car, not knowing Harry was proposing at the exact same moment.

June 21, One Year Ago

Harry: “Have you spoken to Y/N recently?” Jack asks me over the phone. I could hear Jack’s kid crying in the background, his daughter born in April-who they also named April.

“Not since your baby shower,” I reply. “You know we don’t talk anymore. After I fucked it all up.”

“I thought you patched things up at the baby shower?” Jack asks.

“I tried but Alyssa was there and I was distracted. She was just polite. I think I ruined anything between us for good.” And I felt like an idiot. After the whole disaster between Y/N and I at the festival, what was supposed to be the happiest day turned into the worst when I got back home.

Alyssa confessed to me that night she’d said yes because we were in front of all our friends but she couldn’t marry me. She’d met someone else, nothing actually happened between them but she couldn’t marry me. And it tore me apart. I finally understood why Y/N was trying to stop me, she must’ve known somehow.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realised how hard I was trying to force Alyssa to be my perfect girl. She wasn’t. I could never let go around her, always had to make sure I didn’t offend her. She never wanted kids, one day I did. I wasn’t enough for her, I forced her to be enough for me.

But at the time, I was heartbroken. I drank myself into blackouts and missed so many important meetings. I lost an album deal and set my bloody career back. I lost the only girl who maybe was enough for me, told her she was nothing to me. And I only apologised to her a few months ago. By then, it seemed like she moved on.

“Mate, what the hell are you doing feeling sorry for yourself and not trying harder for her? She doesn’t have a boyfriend, she’s still in love with you-“

“How do you know?” I demand. “She treated me like she was forced to talk to me. She’s over me. We were over before we had any chance!”

“Whenever I bring you up, she flinches Harry. She’s still hurt by what you said, that means she’s not over you. Just talk to her.”

“Is that Harry? Tell him I’ll put these babies down and kick his arse if he doesn’t go after Y/N! Did you see her last time she came over for dinner...” Jess in the background interrupts the conversation. Maybe the worst part of all this was I did give up on Y/N. I was embarassed that she knew about Alyssa and me before I did. And I’d said such stupid things to her. I didn’t think I was redeemable.

Y/N: I check my hair in the mirror one last time before I grab my purse. I was meeting Jack and Jess at a nearby restaurant for dinner, ever since they had their baby in April I had only seen them once. They’d secured a babysitter-Jack’s sister-and we were all planning on just catching up.

On the tube ride there, I can’t help but think about Harry. Usually dinners with J&J meant Harry was there too but ever since the festival, his proposal...the four of us hadn’t hung out. We talked for a bit at Jack’s baby shower, I had tried to act like I moved on and was doing really well. I don’t know if he bought it. Alyssa was there with her new boyfriend and she seemed happier than ever, I noticed how Harry kept looking at her. That had done it for me, he was still hung up over her. Even though Jack told me he was in a bad place after the breakup but better now, it was right before me. And I was done reading in between the lines with Harry.

I get to the restaurant just as Jack’s pulling out Jess’ chair. It was a fanicier restaurant, our table in the middle of the space. Jess springs back up to give me a tight squeeze and we settle in but I notice they glance at each other frequently.

“Is something the matter?” I ask after the fifth time.

“No? Why?” Jack looks at Jess again and I point it out.

“There! Why do you keep looking at each other?”

Jack and Jess’s gaze moves above my shoulders and I feel a presence behind me. I turn around and Harry stares back just as shocked.

“You guys bloody did not,” I stand up and face them. “Is this just an elaborate hoax to get me to talk to him?”

“I didn’t know anything about this,” Harry raises his hands in defence. But he still moves towards the empty seat. Like he was okay with this.

“We didn’t mean to parent trap you two but...” Jess looks to Jack.

“You have a lot to talk about. We hate having to see you guys separately, we miss the gang. Just have one dinner that’s all.”

I want to whip my glass across the wall, I was angrier than I should be. But it wasn’t like they didn’t mean well. So I drop into my seat like a child after a temper tauntrum and glare at Harry. I ignore him up until we order when Jack gets a “text” from his sister about an emergency and just like that, they rush off and leave Harry and I alone.

“We haven’t even ordered yet,” I say. “We could just call it a night ourselves.”

“J&J went through all this to get us to dinner, we could just...have dinner.” Harry looks at me from his menu. It’s like my life had come full circle, Jack setting me up to have dinner with Harry. Except this time, it’s Jack and his wife and I already know Harry would just be a waste of my time.

“You’d like that,” I mutter as I stare at the words without reading them.

“What?” Harry leans in. “Are you talking shite under your breath?”

My brows shoot up, taken aback by Harry’s abrasiveness. I hadn’t seen this side to Harry in a while. “What if I am?”

“I’d like to know what you’re saying,” Harry moves to the seat next to me. “Lay it on me.”

I stare at Harry’s strange behaviour, glance at his glass but it’s untouched.

“This dinner?” I stare him square in the eye.” “Really for your benefit. Jack probably pitied you and decided to try to rekindle the flame he lit in the first place, I don’t bloody care to be here. I’m fine if you’re not in my life.”

“Who said I want this?” Harry asks. “I’m fine if you’re not in my life.”

Even though I’d just said those words to him, when he says them back they sting a little. And it must’ve shown in my face because Harry backs down a little. He reaches for his glass and takes the first sip. The waiter takes our order and I’m left staring at Harry’s side profile as he burns a hole into his glass. I open my mouth to talk but he speaks first.

“I’m sorry for being so horrible to you. All these years, not just at the festival.” Harry finally makes eye contact and it’s my turn to look away. He waits for me to say something and when I don’t he speaks again. “You don’t have to forgive me, I understand if you don’t. But I did lie right now, I wouldn’t be fine if you weren’t in my life. I haven’t been fine. I don’t know what else to say except I’m sorry.”

Tears spring up and I hate them. But remembering Harry’s words from that day, how often I did recall them. And I think he’s done but he continues:

“I really thought I had it all figured out with Alyssa. When I think about it now I know we would never have lasted. I don’t know how you knew she...but she couldn’t...it just wasn’t meant to be. With her and me. And I wish I believed I wasn’t such a dick that day. I think I was just scared what losing her would mean. So I lost you instead.”

I would never admit it, but life was a little less dull without Harry. I missed when we hung out with J&J, the four of us had fun. But I didn’t want my life to be a pattern of crawling back to any man I had history with.

“Thank you for apologising,” I say formally, it was the only way I wouldn’t cry. “But I don’t think we can be friends again.” It’s too painful, too much had happened between us.

Harry doesn’t speak for a while, I thought he wasn’t going to until he does: “Okay, if that’s what you want.” I see him lean back in the chair from the corner of my eyes. He pinches his nose and sighs, “I’ll respect your...what you want.”

It’s awkwardly silent between us as we wait for dinner. Jack texts me just as it arrives and I check it discreetly.

I’m sorryyyy!! False alarm but we decided to take the babies home. Give him a chance Y/N, he’s always asking about you. Don’t shut him out!!!! Xxx

I want to facetime Jack just to flip him off but I turn my phone over and focus on swallowing my food without throwing up.

“So,” Harry starts. “Since we’re havig dinner we should talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I decided to stay polite.

Harry looks intensely at me, “What you’ve been up to? Unless you don’t want to get...personal.”

I shrug. “I haven’t had much of a life outside of work. But I booked a month off next month, I’m visiting some American friends.”

“Oh? Where are they located?”

“Some in New York City, LA, Seattle, and one in Chicago.”

“You’re going to visit all of them?” Harry sounds surprised.

“Yep,” the excitement for the trip flares up again and I can’t help but grin. “New York first, then make my way to Chicago and then Seattle. But the most exciting part is I’m going to drive down to LA after that-“

“Alone? That’s cool!” Harry joins in on my excitement.

“Right?! I just needed...” I sputter out as I remember it was Harry I was talking to. But then, I say screw it. “I just feel like the last few years with Nate and stuff, I needed an adventure. To just go out and explore.”

“I think that sounds perfect.” Harry smiles and he looks genuinely happy for me. The way he looks at me, I feel flushed as I concentrare on my food and throw the question back at him.

“Catching up on studio time,” he says. “I missed out on a lot after...Alyssa and I split. I’m going on tour in a month.”

“Local tour?” I ask.

“America, actually.” Harry says and I raise my eyebrow.

“Maybe we’ll bump into each other,” I say without thinking. We pause as we stare at each other. I break eye contact.

“It’s a big country,” Harry says. “But if we’re destined to meet...I’d like that.”

We talk some more, Harry telling me his plan for his new album and accepting my crticism. We decide to skip dessert, I claim I was getting tired but the night was just growing heavy. I missed Harry like you miss a childhood friend. It felt like we might have outgrown each other, I wanted things to go back to simpler times, but it was so easy to fall back into a familiar pattern when we were together. It was confusing and upsetting.

Instead of an Uber this time, Harry had driven himself and he offers to drop me off. He was passing me on his way home apparently.

The ride is silent, but not awkward. An unspoken agreement to just exist beside each other and not force a conversation. As we near my flat, his song comes on. He goes to change it but I swat his hand away and turn the volume up. I catch him glancing at me but I turn my head out my window and let Speechless wash over me. The only song anyone’s ever written for me.

Before I leave, I turn to him, the goodbye a painful one. “Goodnight Harry.”

“Goodnight,” he watches me with sorrow and it makes me pause as I hop out.

“I had a nice dinner even though we were parent trapped together.”

He laughs, relief coating his features. “Me too, it wasn’t as painful as you looked when you first spotted me. I thought you were going to run out of that place.”

“I was not,” I laugh. I decide to lean back in the car and peck his cheek goodbye. “I’m really proud of you Harry. You’re definitely going places.”

He smiles, but his eyes give away the truth behind what he was thinking. It was a thought I couldn’t entertain.

I wish him goodnight again and head to my doors, making sure I didn’t turn around. I wasn’t sure I would have the strength to walk away if I did.

I drop my keys by my door and head to my room, shedding the day as I step out of my oufit and into my sweatpants. My tickets to JFK in two and a half weeks greet me as I open my freezer for ice cream, I might have refused dessert tonight but my heart needed the sweet relief that I was going to be okay. In under three weeks I was going to be halfway across the world tasting freedom and a new adventure! I couldn’t wait. As I dream about what was waiting for me, I begin to think I really was going to be okay.

#harry styles fic #harry styles x reader #harry styles angst #harry styles #fic #yearly #harry styles imagine #harry styles fanfic #this took so long because I kept changing things #but it WILL be okay #😌 #and if there are any mistakes or plotholes #i've been staring at this for so long #it really doesn't matter anymore

[peachybowen]

painkiller

pt. 2

series masterlist 🍑 masterlist

pairing: platonic!Peter Parker x Stark!reader, platonic!Bucky x Stark!reader

warnings: Morgan’s cuteness (yes that’s a warning), swearing, mentions of Natasha’s death, Bucky acting like a dad (🥺), maybe some mistakes

A/N: hi! I just wanted to say that I’m going to do these ‘social media posts’ more often bc they’re really fun to do 👀 (i’m trying to find pics where u can’t see a face u know 😌)

I’m also so glad that you all like this story so far! It makes me incredibly happy :) Feedback is appreciated (as always) and hmu if you’re a writer and want to be friends 👀🥰 love u xx

If you want to be added to the taglist tell me! 🍑

,,Y/N!'' was the first thing I heard when I got out of the car. I laughed and got on Morgan's level to hug her.

,,Hi Morgan.'' I said as she put her little arms around my neck.

,,I missed you so much.''

I smiled and picked her up.

,,I missed you so so much more.''

,,Not possible.'' she pouted and still had her arms around my neck.

,,If you say so...'' I giggled and turned to Bucky.

,,You wanna say hi to uncle Bucky?'' I asked her but she just buried her head in my neck. She was still a bit afraid of him. I looked at Bucky and shot him an apologetic smile.

,,Morgan, where's mommy?''

Morgan looked up again and pointed towards the house.

,,Can you show me?'' I asked as I put her down. She just nodded in response, took my hand and lead me inside.

When we arrived inside, everything was just as it was when I left. I mean, yes, there were a few toys on the ground and there was a new framed picture of Morgan and Pepper on the shelf but everything else stayed the same.

,,Y/N! I thought you were coming at 6:30pm!'' Pepper exclaimed and hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back. It felt good hugging her again.

,,We thought we could come a bit earlier so Y/N can spend a bit more time with Morgan.'' Bucky explained and we turned to look at him.

,,Bucky! It's so nice to see you!''

Just as the adults hugged, Morgan took my hand and yanked me to the living room area.

,,Look! This is my favorite doll!'' she giggled and held the doll in my direction. I took it and looked at it and then at her.

,,And why's that?'' I asked while sitting down on the floor.

,,Because it looks like you. She's the prettiest doll I have.'' she smiled proudly.

She waited for some type of reaction but the only thing I could do was smile.

,,Wow Morgan. That's- very nice of you. Thank you.'' I eventually said and handed her the doll back. The girl just continued to smile and play with her dolls.

,,Did you have fun?'' Bucky asked on the ride back to the apartment.

,,Yeah. A lot, actually. You want to know what Morgan said to me?''

I turned my gaze to Bucky, who was driving. He nodded.

,,She showed me her favorite doll and when I asked her why it was her favorite she said: „because it looks like you". She also added that it was the prettiest doll she owns.''

,,Wow.''

,,That's what I said!''

,,She's just like Tony.'' Bucky stated and I turned my head to look out of the window to my right.

,,Yeah. She knows how to make her way into your heart.'' I mumbled and leaned my head on the window.

,,Y/N/N we're here. Wake up.'' Bucky said as he got out of the car. I groaned, not wanting to leave the car. Eventually, I got out and walked up the stairs to our apartment. When I walked through the door, I headed straight to my room.

,,Goodnight Buck.''

,,Goodnight doll.''

-------

Saturday. A day where you can sleep as long as you want.

Well...not when you're friends with Ned Leeds.

hsm fanclub 😍🍑

today 9:06am

guy in the 🪑

wake uppp

I'm bored

go back to sleep Leeds

stop texting

some people

want to sleep

bae 🤤

Good Morning losers :)

penis parkor 🕸

morning 👹

oh fuck

i wanted to send ❤️ not 👹

You tried :)))

cute chemistry guy 👀

good morning :)

good morning 👁👄👁

read 9:17am

Y'ALL RUDE BYE

read 9:19am

,,Good Morning." I said as I entered the kitchen.

,,It's not even 10, are you okay?" Bucky asked slightly worried.

,,Yeah I'm fine. Do we have Lucky Charms?"

,,Yeah. Look in the cabinet." he replied pointing to the cabinet over the sink. I grabbed a bowl and the Lucky Charms and sat down again. Then I put the cereal into the bowl and added the milk.

,,What are you doing today?" Bucky asked and sat down in front of me.

,,Dress shopping with MJ, Peter and Matt." I mumbled and ate my cereal.

,,Who's Matt?"

I looked at Bucky who was drinking his coffee with a curious look on his face.

,,Uh he's new. Moved here from Salt Lake City."

Bucky began to smirk.

,,What?" I asked with my mouth full of Lucky Charms.

,,Is he cute?"

,, Bucky, I'm not having this conversation with you right now."

,,Okay what about later? Are we gonna have the conversation then?" he joked and sipped his coffee.

,,No." I replied and put the empty bowl into the sink.

,,Okay get dressed. Sam is coming over in like 45 minutes."

,,Kk."

After changing and getting ready in the bathroom, I decided to post a picture on Instagram.

y/nstark

liked by peter.p, nedleeds and 4829 more

y/nstark  3️⃣

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stan.y/n.stark imagine looking like THAT

queeny/nstark snapped

nedleeds I felt it when your hips said ↖️

Just as I was about to leave my room, there was a knock on my door.

,,Come in!" I said as I turned off the lights on my vanity. When I turned around I was greeted by Sam.

,,Sam! I missed you!"

I hugged him.

,,I missed you too. How's school going?"

,,Good. It's way better than being homeschooled."

Sam nodded and I let him go.

,,And is there anybody-"

,,Nooo Sam. I had this conversation with Bucky an hour ago." I groaned and walked out of the room.

,,How am I supposed to know what conversations you and bucky have?” he joked and I rolled my eyes playfully.

,,Why are you here anyway?" I asked and walked into the living room to sit on the couch.

,,Bucky and I are going on a mission."

I snapped my head towards Sam.

,,What? You haven't been on a mission since-” the sentence came out in a whisper.

,,I know Y/N/N but we need to go back to normal. It's been 3 months." he mumbled and sat down beside me.

,,When are you gonna be back?"

,,Tonight. I promise."

,,Okay be safe."

Just as Sam was about to answer, Bucky entered the room.

,,You ready to go?" he asked his mission partner, who was sitting beside me, and leaned on the doorframe. Sam nodded and got up. I looked at Bucky and he started to smile and opened his arms for me to hug him. I returned the smile and got up before running into his arms.

,,Be safe okay? I need you." I mumbled into his chest.

,,Always. And no funny business while I'm gone." he joked and put his chin on my head.

,,Buckyyyyy."

,,I'm sorry. Be safe when you're going out okay? I put money on the table so you can order a pizza tonight. I'm trying to be back by midnight." he explained and kissed the top of my head.

I hummed in response and let him go.

,,See you in a minute." I said as Sam and Bucky walked down the stairs. We started using that phrase after Nat died. I knew Natasha since her Natalie days. She was my babysitter when Pepper had to do things for Stark Industries.

,,See you in a minute." Bucky repeated before leaving the apartment complex.

I sighed and fell back down onto the couch. I pulled out my phone and read my new messages to take my mind off of the mission.

hsm fanclub 😍🍑

today 11:16am

bae 🤤

I'm tired

peter parkor 🕸

can we eat ice cream later?

bae 🤤

yess pls

where's Y/N?

guy in the 🪑

probs asleep

yes

bae 🤤

there she is

when are we gonna meet up?

2:30?

cute chemistry guy 👀

is okay for me :)

penis parkor 🕸

for me 2

bae 🤤

k see u then 😌

painkiller taglist (open):

@hannahneedstocalmdown @eridanuswave @viarogers @badgalll88

#peter parker #fanfic #marvel #peter parker x reader #peter parker imagines #peter parker x stark!reader #bucky barnes x daughter!reader #tony stark x daughter!reader #dad!bucky #dad!tony x reader #timothee chalamet #timothee chalamet x reader #marvel imagine #x reader #bucky x y/n

[thetravelerwrites]

Geyarajan (Gandharva)

Rating: Teen Relationship: Female Human/Male Gandharva Additional Tags: Exophilia, Gandharva, Childhood Sweethearts, Puppy Love Content Warnings: Blood, Broken Limb, Separation, Memory lapse Words: 4600

A commission for @floral-and-fine​, who did the lovely artwork above of Geyarajan! An angsty story about childhood love that gets torn apart by family, race, and circumstance! Please reblog and leave feedback!

The Traveler's Masterlist

In Hinduism, the Gandharvas are male nature spirits and husbands of the Apsaras, the spirits of clouds and air. Some are part animal, usually a bird or horse. They have superb musical skills; they guard the Soma and make beautiful music for the gods in their palaces. Gandharvas are frequently depicted as singers in the court of the gods.

Gandharvas in the historic sense acted as messengers between the gods and humans; today they are depicted as imitators, cheaters, liars and those who have tricked themselves 'into being god'. In Hindu law, a gandharva marriage is one contracted by mutual consent and without formal rituals.

You couldn’t remember exactly how old you were, perhaps six or seven, when you first met Geyarajan. You’d heard singing in the forest as you played in the garden behind your house, and though you knew you shouldn’t go into the woods alone, you couldn’t ignore the draw of the sound. After maybe ten minutes, you stumbled upon a clearing wherein a boy was singing, though he was unlike any other child you’d ever met.

Your village was human only; beasts and monsters were not allowed to settle there. In fact, non-human merchants were discouraged from selling their wares in the area and non-human travelers weren’t welcome in the taverns or inns. In your short life, you’d only seen a person who wasn’t human maybe twice, and only in passing. You didn’t quite understand why, but you were a small child and didn’t think to question it.

Not until you met Geyarajan. When you first saw him, you were mesmerized by his music. You sat and listened as still as a statue, afraid of spooking him, except when he stopped singing, he looked right at you and smiled as if he’d been waiting for you to come. He hopped off the rock where he had been sitting, and you got a better look at him.

He wore no clothing, but from the waist down, he was all feathers. His legs were long and spindly, ending in three-toed claws like that of a purple heron. The feathers extended up his back to his large wings, heather-grey in color, which were folded at rest behind him.

His hair was long and falling around his shoulders in ringlets, the same heather-gray as his feathers. He had a four streaks of black, two on each side, running down his neck, one stripe down his arms to his wrists, the other down the inside of his shoulders and disappearing into the feathers near his hips. His skin was dark brown and his eyes were sharp in shape, amber-gold in color, and hawk-like.

Though he was much taller than you because of his long legs, in his face, he looked to be about your age, perhaps slightly older. He was slender and graceful in his movements, taking careful steps toward you as if not to scare you, though you didn’t think you could possibly be afraid of him.

“Aren’t you from the village?” He asked, his speaking voice as musical as his song suggested. “Won’t you be in trouble for coming into the woods? My parents say that humans are scared of the woods.”

“I’m not scared,” You said, puffing up. “Papa says I’m a big girl. I can go to the corner store all by myself now. I only came ‘cause I heard you singing.”

“Oh,” He said, frowning. “I must be too close, then. I should go.”

“Wait!” You reached out, grabbing his hand. “Stay and play with me, won’t you? What’s your name?”

“Geyarajan,” He replied, not attempting to break away from your grasp. “You’re the girl who lives in the house near the river, right? What’s your name?”

You told him. “How do you know me?”

“I’ve seen you sometimes,” He said, leading you to the rock where he was sitting before. There was a bushel of flowers laying there. He began to weave them into a ring. “When I fly above the town. I know you from the ribbons.” He tugged at the blue ribbon you wore in your hair, which matched your pristine dress. Your mother insisted on dressing you like a doll, always making you wear frilly dresses and putting ribbons in your hair.

“You can fly?” You whispered in awe.

“Well, sure,” He laughed, fluffing his wings a little. “These aren’t fake, you know. I have to fly pretty high, so the only thing I can see of you clearly is the ribbons.”

“Why do you fly so high?” You asked him.

“Mother says it’s too dangerous to fly too low over the town,” Geyarajan said. “She says the people don’t like us, that they’d be mean to us if they knew we lived in the forest next to them.”

“Oh. That’s a shame. If it’s dangerous, why don’t you move?”

“Our kind lived in these woods before those humans ever settled here,” He said, pointing toward the village. “Why should we have to leave?”

“That makes sense, I guess,” You admitted. “I don’t see people like you in town. It’s only humans. I don’t know why.”

“Mother and Father say it’s because humans hate us,” He said morosely, looking at his hands as he continued to weave the garland. “Do you hate us?”

“No!” You said. “You’re so pretty! Can I… Can I touch your wings? I’ve never met a person with wings before.”

He regarded you warily, but said, “Okay, but only for a minute. Mother says our wings are a sign of divinity, that they make us holy.”

“Divine? Like an angel?”

“What’s an angel?”

You tried to explain what an angel was to him, but he just looked confused.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Do you want to touch my wings or not?” He asked impatiently.

“Yes, yes!” You exclaimed. You reached out tentatively and ran your fingertips gently down his proffered wing. He watched you carefully, his hands stilling in their work.

“Wow,” You breathed. “It’s so hard to believe they’re real.”

“Well, they are,” He sniffed, eyeing you. “It’s weird.”

“What is?”

“Well, I’ve never met a human, but my parents said they’re all cruel and heartless. They call your kind monsters, but you seem nice.”

“I am nice,” You replied. “I’m friends with everyone in town. I want to be your friend, too. Can I call you Rajan?”

“Why?”

“It’s a nickname!” You said. “It means we’re friends.”

“Oh,” He replied. “Yeah, I guess so. Can I give you a nickname?”

“Sure!”

“Alright, how about…” He looked around for inspiration and his eyes fell on the flowers in his lap. There were wild daisies, coneflowers, purple poppies, blanket flowers, black-eyed susans, and blush-pink primroses. “What about Primrose?”

“I love it!” You said excitedly. “Primrose and Rajan.”

Rajan giggled.

“What’s funny?”

“Well, my whole name, Geyarajan, means ‘king of songs,’” He replied, finishing the crown of flowers and placing it on his head. “But Rajan just means ‘king.’”

You giggled too. “I like that! You can be the king of the primroses! It’ll be a kingdom just for us!”

“Sounds fun!” He said. “Let’s play Kings and Flowers, then!”

“That’s not a real game!”

“Is too! I just made it up!”

The two of you played until it started to get dark, then Rajan escorted you home. He stopped about thirty feet away from the treeline, where you could hear your mother calling.

“I can’t go closer,” He said, still wearing the flower crown. He took it off and placed it on your head. “You should run home now. I’ll watch you to make sure you stay safe.”

“Alright,” You said brightly, standing on your tip-toe to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you again soon!”

He blushed and touched his cheek, frozen. You laughed joyfully and ran back to the garden behind your house.

“There you are!” Your mother shouted as you came out from around the house. “Where have you been? Look at the state of your dress!” She fussed. “It’s ruined! Do you know how long it took me to sew that?”

“Just make me a normal dress, Mama,” You said. “A plain one I can play in.”

“Nonsense,” Your mother said, taking your hand. “I’ll not have my daughter wallowing in the muck like some street urchin. To the bath with you!”

As she dragged you along into the house, your lovely flower crown slipped from your head and floated away on the breeze.

“Oh, Mama, my crown!”

“Leave it,” She said.

“Oh, but it was--” You stopped short before saying a present. You didn’t want your mother asking from whom. You watched as it floated into the road and was trampled by a passerby. Sighing with disappointment, you followed your mother inside.

Geyarajan became your best friend from that day on. You had to be careful, though; you couldn’t go too deep into the forest for fear of dangerous creatures and he couldn’t get too close to the village, or he’d be seen and possibly captured by the townspeople. As such, you could only see each other once a week or so, and on the days you agreed to meet, often you’d sneak out to play for a few hours after bed.

Having a secret friend was thrilling. It made you feel special and important. He’d told you that he hadn’t told his parents about you, either, because he didn’t want them to be mad at him for getting so close to humans. It was as if the pretend kingdom the two of you built together was real, and you were the only two in it.

It didn’t take long at all for you to develop a crush on Geyarajan, and it seemed to be mutual. He always held your hand whenever the two of you walked together and you often gave him quick pecks on the lips to see the surprise and delight on his face. It was the pure, innocent love of childhood, and though your time together was limited, you were both happy.

Of course, secrets are never meant to last.

Time passed. One evening when you were eleven, after you’d snuck out to see him, the two of you were stargazing in a clearing, making up constellations, your fingers intertwined loosely.

“See there,” He said. “That’s the raven. It’s good luck.”

“Who says?” You asked, laughing.

“I say!” Rajan said. “I’m a king, aren’t I?”

“Oh, right,” You replied. “Papa calls that the eagle. And that’s the dog star.”

“Why do they call it the dog star?”

“I don’t know,” You said. “Tell me another one.”

He squinted. “I can’t see it all that well from here. I usually look at the stars from up in the trees. It’s harder to see them all clearly on the ground like this.”

“How high up do you go?”

“The top, obviously,” He said, sitting up and pointing straight up to a nearby oak tree. “The tallest, strongest branch. That’s the best place.”

“I’d be scared to go that high,” You said, shivering a little.

“I could help you,” He said. “I’d fly you up there.”

“Aren’t I too heavy?” You asked him skeptically. “I was the last time you tried to lift me.”

“That was a year ago! I’m much stronger now.” He hopped to his taloned feet and flexed his skinny arms. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

“Are you sure?” You asked as you took his hand.

“Come on, you trust me, right?”

You straightened up and smiled at him. “Yeah, of course I do.”

He grinned back. “I won’t be able to take off from the ground,” He said. “We’ll have to climb up a little ways so I can do a drop. I’m really good at those.”

You frowned at the thought, but since he knew way more about flying than you did, you didn’t argue. Swallowing down your nervousness, you followed him up the tree.

You hadn’t known how to climb a tree when you first met him; your mother had forbade such things. Geyarajan had decided immediately that it was inappropriate for anyone to be unable to climb a tree and taught you how to do it the second time you met. You got pretty scraped up the first few times, which you had a hard time explaining away. Now, you were an expert. You were even able to keep leaves and dirt off of your nightgown.

Of course, Geyarajan was much faster than you, since he’d been climbing trees before he could even walk. We was already on the branch he planned to launch from, waiting patiently for you to catch up. He wasn’t above heckling you, though.

“Are all humans as slow as you?” He teased. “I could be halfway to the coast by the time you get up here.”

You stopped for a moment to blow a raspberry at him. In the few seconds that you were distracted, you misstepped, your foot sliding out of your evening slipper and catching you off balance.

Geyarajan leapt, reaching out to catch you, but he was too late. You fell straight down, landing on your right leg. It snapped in half upon impact. The pain shot up your body and struck your brain, and you screamed like you never had before. Geyarajan landed next to you, panicking, trying to figure out what to do. You were crying too hard to speak.

“Hold on, Primrose, hold on,” He lifted you as carefully as he could and began to run through the woods. The pain and smell of blood made you violently sick. “I’m taking you home, just hold on.”

“No!” You managed to gasp. “You can’t go there!”

“I won’t be able to stay, but I can get you there, I promise,” He said.

“No!” You said, beginning to struggle, squealing as the movement made the pain worse. “They’ll kill you! You can’t go to the village!”

Geyarajan stopped in his tracks, breathing hard and looking toward the village and back into the forest.

“I’ll get into a lot of trouble, but there’s only one other place I can take you,” He said, sweating and shaking with fear. “Hold on to me. We’ll be there soon.”

What happened next was a blur of pain, color, noise, voices, and a terrible sick feeling throughout your body, the only familiar thing through all of it was the sound of Geyarajan’s voice and his hand holding yours. At some point, you blacked out completely.

You woke up to the sound of screaming. You were lying in the back garden of your own home, a large, grey feather in your hand, and your mother rushing over to you, checking you frantically.

“Oh, god, are you okay?!” She asked. “Where have you been? What happened to you?” She saw your leg and shrieked. “Who did this to you?!”

Her shouting had attracted the attention of several men, all of whom looked tired and held burned out torches. One of them dropped their spent torch and lifted you up, carrying you into the house. There was noise and shouting and confusion all around you, made worse by your mother’s constant shrill crying in the background. You let them do as they will in silence, clutching Geyarajan’s feather.

Your leg hurt, but nowhere as badly as it had before. You looked down and saw to your surprise that the leg had been wrapped set, wrapped in cloth to stem the bleeding, and was in a makeshift splint made of straight wooden rods and vines.

The physician was called and examined your leg. During this time, you learned you’d been missing for four days. The men with torches were part of the search party, tirelessly searching the woods for any trace of you. When they found blood on the grass and a fragment of your clothes, along with several large feathers, they thought some massive monster had gobbled you up.

The physician determined that your leg had been expertly set, however, meaning it was no monster that had taken you. Since you couldn’t remember most of your time missing, you kept silent, which made everyone grim-faced. They assumed the worst and decided someone had taken you and kept you in the woods somewhere, and you were so traumatized by the incident that you’d blocked the entire event out. You couldn’t exactly argue with them, but you knew Rajan would never hurt you. Not that you could tell them that.

The search began anew, only this time it wasn’t retrieval. It was revenge. You wished you could tell them that it wasn’t necessary, you wanted to stop them, but you couldn’t do anything without telling them about Rajan and his people, and you had promised never to do so. So you could only watch anxiously as the townsfolk worked themselves into a froth, looking for a predator that didn’t exist.

Bedridden and helpless to stop the villagers from their crusade, you spent many nights crying and wishing you could see Rajan. It was too dangerous now; you thought you wouldn’t see him for a long time. You were surprised when, a week later, Rajan came straight to your window late one night. He opened it and hopped down.

“Rajan!” You breathed, elated, and reached out your arms to embrace him from the bed. He stayed out of your reach. You couldn’t see his face well in this light, but his body radiated distrust.

“How could you?” He said whispered, pain seeping into his voice. “I thought you were my friend. How could you do this to me?”

You dropped your arms. “Wha… How could I what?”

“You know what!” He retorted angrily, his voice rising in anger. “You told them! You told the humans about us! You told them where to find us!”

“I didn’t!” You replied, stricken. “I would never, you know that! I never told them anything!”

“Liar!” He snapped. “Men came! They set fire to our colony! We have no home now because of you!”

You ignored the pain in your leg and swung around to sit up properly. “I didn’t tell them anything! I don’t even know where your colony is! I’ve never been there!”

“You’re lying! You were there! My parents cared for you, they fixed your leg! This is how you repay their kindness?”

“What?” You replied, confused. “I… no, I… I don’t… I don’t remember. I don’t remember anything. The last memory I have before waking up in the garden was you carrying me. We argued because I didn’t want you to come to the village. I was worried you’d get hurt--”

“Stop,” He said, raising a hand. “Enough of this. My parents were right. You can never trust a human.”

“Don’t say that! How could you have so little faith in me? We’ve been friends since we were little! I’d never do anything to put you or your family in danger, you know that! Why would I do that?”

The light from the moon caught his face, and the pain in his eyes stopped your heart.

“You tell me.”

He climbed up onto the windowsill, walked out on the roof, unfurled his wings, and took off. You fell to the ground with a loud thump. Your father came in to find you sobbing in anguish. He lifted you and put you back to bed, petting your hair and telling you it would be alright. But it wouldn’t.

You decided that once you were healed, you’d go and find Rajan and keep protesting your innocence until he believed you. You didn’t count on your parents’ plans.

Another week passed, and your mother came into your room.

“How are you feeling, love?” She asked.

You shrugged your shoulders. You’d been sullen and depressed since Rajan’s visit. Everyone assumed it was because of your disappearance and you made no attempt to correct them. The guilt of his family’s home being destroyed weighed heavily on your mind. If only you hadn’t tried to climb that tree.  

“I’m sorry, darling,” She said. “I can’t believe monsters were living right next door to us in the woods. It’s become too dangerous in this place. Look at what they did to you!”

“They helped me!” You shouted. “They’re not monsters!”

Your mother rounded on you, her face pinching in suspicion. “How would you know that? What do you know about them?”

You scowled at her and remained silent.

“I knew you were lying when you said you couldn’t remember anything.” She stood up and looked down her nose at you. “That does it. We’re moving to Dunmountain.”

“What?!” You cried. “No! I don’t want to move!”

“The decision has already been made,” She told you, pulling out your luggage and starting to pack. “Your father and I can’t abide those disgusting creatures living so close.”

“But there are people like them in the city!” You argued.

“There are rules for them there,” Your mother said. “Most of them are ring fighters or laborers. They don’t practically nest  in the backyards of decent people.”

“Who said you were decent?” You screamed. “You can’t make me go!”

“Who’s going to stop me?” She shouted back. “Your father has agreed. We’re going!” She threw your bag on the floor next to your bed. “Pack your things yourself!” With that, she turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her and leaving you to weep bitterly into your blanket.

You had no choice. Within the month, you were all packed and in a wagon headed to the city. You had become withdrawn and quiet, unlike the girl you had been before. Your father worried over you, but your mother told you to suck it up and get over it. New city, new life, new start.

She was more right than she knew. In the city, you were a new person. The cheerful child that was friends with everyone she met was gone. You were shy, introverted, and taciturn, only speaking when spoken to. You found it difficult to make friends and were quick to tears.

Your mother, in an effort to desensitize you to “monsters,” took you to the gladiator’s ring and made you watch them fight each other. You hated it; the sight of them viciously attacking each other for no other purpose than to entertain humans made you physically ill.

As you got older, the people of your neighborhood began to call you the monster girl because of your tendency to go to the ring and talk to the fighters. Just talk. Some of them were willing participants, but there were others who were forced to fight. People with debt, criminals, the homeless, the mentally ill; anyone society deemed abnormal. Their jailers seemed to forget that they were still people.

You’d often sit outside of their cells and talk to them, comfort them, even write down messages to give to their loved ones. Your mother despaired of you, and the humans thought you were weird, but the creatures of the fighting ring called you an angel.

One day, when you were nineteen, there was a new arrival at the jail, a young woman with wings and bird feet. When you were told, you immediately went to see her first.

“Hello?” You called softly, tapping gently on one of the bars.

“Who are you?” She asked.

You told her your name. “I come here to talk to the fighters and help them when I can. What’s your name?”

“Aashiyana,” She replied. “You can help me?”

“I can try,” You replied. “Why are you here?”

“I caught a deer in a field near my home,” She said. “It was apparently owned by a nobleman or something. What kind of person owns a deer?”

“People with too much money,” You replied, laughing. “How long is your sentence?”

“Until my fine is up. Six months, I think they said.”

“How much is the fine?”

“300 gold.”

“That’s highway robbery!” You exclaimed. “Let me see what I can work out.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” She said. “This city is stifling. I hate it here.”

“So do I,” You replied, standing. You were about to turn and leave, but you were compelled to ask. “By any chance, do you know a boy named Geyarajan?”

Aashiyana sat up straighter and peered at you. “I did know a boy by that name, yes.”

Your heart hammered in your throat. “Did?”

“He doesn’t go by that name anymore. His name is Gaveshan now.”

“Why did he change his name?” You asked.

“How do you know him?”

“He saved my life years ago. He… was my friend.”

Her eyes widened and jaw dropped. “Are you Primrose?”

Your expression matched hers. “Yes! How did you know about that?”

“We met!” She said, her eyes lighting up. “Your leg was broken and my mother set it. She was the colony’s healer. You stayed in the colony with us until she felt it was safe to move you.”

“I don’t remember,” You told her. “I don’t remember anything. I was with Rajan when I broke my leg, and then I passed out. When I woke up again, I was back home and I’d been missing for four days. I don’t know what happened during that time.”

Aashiyana frowned. “You don’t remember me at all?”

You shook your head sadly. “I’m sorry. What happened to the colony?” You asked her, putting a hand on hers around the bars. “Rajan told me that it was burned, but he didn’t give me any details.”

“Men came out of the forest with torches. They set fire to everything. We had to flee with nothing. Some didn’t make it.”

“Oh, god,” You said, covering your mouth in horror. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t fallen out of the tree…”

“Did you tell the men how to find us?”

“No! I swear I didn’t! I don’t even remember being there!” You said. “I swear, Aashiyana, I swear on my life.”

He deep brown eyes searched yours for a moment, a discerning look on her face, and she said, “I believe you.”

Your face crumpled as the tears began to flow. “Thank you.” You wiped your face on a handkerchief and straightened yourself. “Let me see what I can do for you. I’ll get you out of here.”

“Thank you,” She said.

It took some time, but you managed to make a deal with the judge. It was a lucky thing that your parents were in good standing with the stadium, as your father was a financier, so you were able to pull a few favors. You returned to Aashiyana’s cell three days later and directed the jailor to open the door.

“What’s happened?”

“I’ve made a deal,” You said. “You’re free of the fighting ring, but in exchange, you must work. I’ve made arrangements for you. I’ll tell you about it once we’re in the carriage.”

“Carriage?”

You took her by the arm. “Come on.”

Outside the jail, a carriage was indeed waiting for you. You opened the door and assisted her in getting inside, as the steps weren’t built for her large claws, and got inside after her. The carriage began to move.

“So what deal did you make?” She asked.

“You are to be my personal servant for the remainder of your sentence.”

She balked. “What makes you think I want to be a slave any more than a punching bag?”

“I have no intention of giving you any order,” You told her. “But if you wouldn’t mind, I’ll like you to take me to see Geyarajan. Or Gaveshan, I guess.”

“Do I have to stay with you?” She asked, eyeing you.

“Of course not,” You replied. “You’re free to go as soon as we get out of the city limits, as far as I’m concerned. I have no intention of ordering you around.”

“Can’t you get into trouble for this?”

“Of course. The penalty for assisting a criminal escape is taking their sentence plus five years.”

“If you know that’s going to happen when you come back, why would you do it?” She asked you, horrified.

“Simple. I’m not coming back.”

Since my work is no longer searchable, please do me a favor and reblog this story if you enjoyed it. Help me reach a wider audience! To help me continue creating, please consider buying me a Kofi, becoming a Patron, or donating directly to my PayPal!

Thanks for reading!

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[velvet-helvetica]

Fireworks in Goodneighbor

Here's my gift for @falloutfandomeventhub’s #Celebradiation2020, written for @bi-mirandalawson! This scene takes place immediately after Fallout 4′s Dangerous Minds quest. It features dialogue between Hancock and Deacon, with cameos by Magnolia and Nick. There’s also a hint at a Sole Survivor femslash pairing, although the exact pairing is not specified. Enjoy!

It was the fireworks that woke him from his psychedelic slumber. At first he thought the fireworks were in his head—a pleasant side effect of the cocktail of chems he had imbibed several hours before. But the colors, the emotions were wrong. They didn’t stir him the way they should. As he squinted, he realized the fireworks were streaming in from the boarded-up windows.

They were coming from outside, across the street. From the Memory Den. A massive power surge had temporarily lit up the entire building. The marquee lights snaked along their path in a frenzy, lights up and down the building flashed interchangeably. Sparks flew from a previously-unseen Tesla tower on the roof, showering the street below with discharged electricity.

Then as suddenly as the fireworks show began, the Memory Den grew cold and dim. Then the building illumination returned to normal, the marquee blinking its obsolete advertisement for a centuries-old vaudeville act.

What the hell is that doctor up to now? Hancock wondered.

The Mayor stumbled off of his lounger and wandered out of the Statehouse, determined to find answers. But as he stepped outside, the crossing to the Square zoomed back, suddenly seeming very far away. His head wasn’t quite right yet.

He leaned against the doorway of the Statehouse, content to idly observe the ebb and flow of nocturnal street life. Through his hazy drug-addled vision, he glimpsed a private eye with a metal arm staggering past, muttering strange phrases in a low sandpaper voice. Moments later, two women scurried past him—one of them wearing a bright blue Vault suit. Their arms interlocked, they giggled inebriated as they headed straight for the Hotel Rexford.

Heh, they’re gonna get some tonight, thought Hancock. Good for them.

Whatever had happened at the Den, the main players were already gone. Instead of pursuing the mystery any further, he headed to the Third Rail. Hancock casually saluted the bouncer then sauntered down the stairs.

From afar, Hancock spied a lone man seated at the bar, nursing a half drunken glass of scotch. Strange to find him here before happy hour, the Mayor thought.

Hancock slipped onto the empty stool beside him. Deacon popped up his sunglasses and regarded the ghoul seated next to him.

“Well hello, Mister ‘Of the People, For the People.’’’

“Hey my man. How’s my favorite secret agent?” 

They exchanged a series of friendly fist bumps, then Hancock ordered his current favorite, a gin and Quantum from Whitechapel Charlie.

While he waited for the robot barkeep to mix his drink, Hancock eyed Deacon’s latest disguise. He was bald today, with a threadbare plaid shirt and a beat-up pair of old jeans. The sunglasses, which looked custom-molded to his perfectly square eyebrows and weathered features, threw off what would otherwise be a spot-on drifter impression.

“I thought you agents were all about tailored suits and tuxedos rather than that bum get-up you wear all the time. Live a little, man! Dress up! Have some pride.”

“This from the man wearing the ruffled ascot of our Founding Father—one who lacked the modesty to leave enough room for the co-Fathers to sign.”

“Exactly. Why go half-ass when you can be as fabulous as this?” Hancock gestured his arm down his body with a flourish.

Deacon laughed. “Hey, I can be fancy when I want to be. This particular mission required a little more subtlety, that’s all.”

Whitechapel Charlie set Hancock’s glass on the sticky bar top, which emitted an eerie blue glow. Hancock picked up his drink, threw his head back and downed the cocktail all in one go, then exhaled a satisfied sigh.

Deacon raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you get all fancy with the gin and Quantums? I thought you were all about ‘keepin’ it real’.” Deacon added air quotes with his fingers for added emphasis.

“I’m still keepin’ it real, man,” Hancock insisted. So what if his drink choices lately were a step up from the moonshine of his drifter days? He was Mayor of this town now, dammit. He could drink whatever the hell he wanted. Secretly though, he was annoyed that Deacon had struck a nerve.

“If you say so, Mister Mayor,” Deacon replied skeptically. He spun his glass around, then put it to his lips, slipping the last slivers of scotch into his mouth.

The ghoul let his remark slide. He bought the agent another scotch and ordered himself some vodka. Hancock wanted to find out what the hell was going on in his own town, and talking to Deacon was the fastest way to get answers.

“Hey Deac, you see anything go down at the Memory Den? I was having the most mind-blowing trip, man, ‘til all this shit starts flashin’ in my eyes. How’s a ghoul supposed to come down easy when his own town’s blowing up on him?”

“Well, we can’t have that,” Deacon cracked. “You have your blue newcomer to thank for the fireworks.”

“The Vault Dweller?”

“Yep, her and Nick Valentine. They gifted Doctor Amari some brains from the dearly departed Kellogg.”

“Kellogg’s dead? Shiiiittt.” Hancock shook his head, taking in the news. “Good. Fuckin’ bastard deserved it.”

“Amen to that, brother.” Deacon and Hancock clinked glasses, drinking to celebrate the death of the Commonwealth’s most despised mercenary.

“So they took Kellogg’s brains downstairs to do some Frankenstein shit, I take it.”

“Something like that. I wasn’t in the room where it happened... But from what I gathered, they hooked Nick to Kellogg’s grey matter, judging by how he looked afterwards. Was even talking like Kellogg for a bit.”

“Damn. Must’ve been some head trip.”

“Yeah, no kidding. I don’t know how they probed into his noggin’, but they drained the power grid while doing it. My poor Barbara even glitched out a few times.”

“Aww... You still seeing your old flame?” Hancock asked. Deacon winced, briefly regretting bringing up his dead wife. 

“Yeah,” Deacon admitted finally. He sighed as he finished his second drink.

“Hey, man, it’s cool, we all got our vices,” Hancock assured, patting Deacon on the back. “But if you ask me, chems are way easier for forgetting your problems. And cheaper.” He fished out some Jet from his pocket. “Want one? On the house.”

“Nah, I’m cool,” Deacon politely declined. “That’s the difference between you and me. I don’t wanna forget all that stuff.”

“Suit yourself.” Hancock took a puff of Jet, and wiggled his head to work in the high.

Deacon continued his story. “Anyway, Irma only charged me for a quickie—I mean, I wasn’t in there that long.” Hancock chuckled as Deacon corrected himself. “Just long enough to say hi, tell her how things are going. That I miss her.”

“What a sweetheart you are. That Babs was one lucky gal to have you.”

Deacon scoffed. “Anyway, what do you care how I spend my caps? I thought you’d be happy with me building up your precious tax base.”

Hancock was taken aback. “That hurts, Deac. That really hurts. That cuts me deep.” 

Hancock leaned into Deacon, jabbing a leathery hand into his own chest. “You think I’m just about the money? Don’t get me wrong—I love my money. But that ain’t what this is about.”

Deacon smirked. “Then what is it about?”

Hancock waved him off. The ghoul stared off into the distance, shaking his head in disappointment. Then he grabbed his glass and gulped down his vodka.

“I don’t know anymore, man,” Hancock said at last. “You know, a few weeks back I had to kill Finn? The lil’ shit was shakin’ down that Vault Dweller as soon as she stepped into town.”

“No big loss,” Deacon dismissed. “Never liked that asshole anyway.”

“Neither did I, but that’s not the point. The point is... I wanted Goodneighbor to be for everybody. For drifters like me, the ghouls, the gangsters, the misfits...even for lil’ shits like Finn. But then I had to turn around and kill him. And I’ve been shakin’ down people for stealing from me, or stealing from the drifters.”

Hancock threw up his hands. “What’s wrong with me? Since when did I turn into the Man?”

Deacon laughed. “Whoo, Hancock. You know what they say about power.”

“This ain’t funny, Deac. I’m telling ya, this ain’t what I signed up for. I’m seriously thinkin’ of leaving all this shit behind. What’s the use of giving everyone freedom if things ain’t truly free?”

Deacon shook his head. “I don’t have an answer for you, pal. But it sounds like you can’t make up your mind about what you want.”

“Thanks. Thanks for nothing. You’re no fuckin’ help.” Deacon laughed some more as Hancock grunted in frustration.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything important, boys.” 

Magnolia had strolled into the bar unseen. She leaned in between Hancock and Deacon and flashed the pair a radiant smile.

“Not at all, doll.” Hancock pecked Magnolia on the cheek, then she turned around and kissed Deacon’s cheek. “Showtime already?” Hancock asked.

“It sure is,” she winked. “Same time as always.” She went to the stage to prepare for her set.

“Well, that’s my cue to go,” Deacon sighed, standing up. “I got a feeling things are gonna get busy soon at HQ.” He dropped a few caps as a courtesy tip, ignoring Whitechapel Charlie’s preprogrammed grumblings.

Hancock stood up too. “You’re not gonna stay for the show?”

Deacon shook his head. “Nah. She’s lovely, but you know there’s only one synth for me... No offense, Mags,” Deacon added, acknowledging Magnolia out of courtesy.

“None taken, hon,” Magnolia replied. “You stay safe helping my friends, you hear?” She adjusted her microphone and began her first song.

I see you lookin’ ‘round the corner Come on inside and pull up a chair No need to feel like a stranger Cause we're all a little strange in here.

“Okay, bro, see ya later,” Hancock said, fist bumping Deacon as a goodbye. “You know you and your buddies can lay low here anytime. Even if all ya do is give me shit.”

“Appreciate it, dude.” Deacon grabbed Hancock’s forearm and whispered a warning into his ear. “Hey, man, watch out for the Institute.”

Hancock scoffed. “Pssht. The Institute can’t fuck with us, man. Goodneighbor’ll never stand for their shit.”

“I hope so, man. Just don’t underestimate them. They’re watching.”

As Deacon made his exit, he glanced back at the ghoul, concerned for his friend and what he feared was coming. Guess I better introduce myself to this Vault Dweller, he thought. Or better yet, have her come to me.

Pondering what Deacon said, Hancock sat back down in his stool and lit a cigarette. He exhaled a plume of smoke and reveled in the sound of Magnolia’s voice filling the room.

Have you got a history that needs erasing? Did you come in just for the beer and cigarettes? A broken down dream you're tired of chasing Oh, well I'm just the girl to make you forget.

#Celebradiation2020 #Celebradiation #Fallout 4 #Fallout #fanfiction #fanfic #Hancock #Deacon #Magnolia #Nick Valentine #F!SS #sole survivor #@bi-mirandalawson #falloutfandomeventhub

[myhockeyworld87]

Nervous Regrets - Tyler Seguin - Part 22

Word Count: 6489

POV: Reader

Warnings: None

Notes: I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today if you’re celebrating! I’m so excited for you all to read this one, it’s the proposal; and it’s so soft. I hope you guys enjoy it as much I enjoyed writing it. I’m also going to do a 22.5 which will be from Tyler’s pov, so you can see all he went through. With that, happy reading everyone. Peace, love and hugs to all!

Tyler didn’t get to stay home long after Thanksgiving, in fact he was back on the road in a couple of days. This trip was extra hard as he was gone for another ten days. These long stretches were killer on you both, for lately it seemed like you just wanted to spend all your time with each other. Though he did call you several times throughout the day and always at the end of the night before you both would fall asleep.

You kept yourself busy looking into new charities for Tyler to endorse. Most game nights you spent with the wags, either at one of their houses or at yours. It was always fun hosting the ladies at the new house, and they always made sure to have some fun non-alcoholic beverage to include you in toasting the teams wins. The only strange thing was when you’d talk about the Fire and Ice gala that was coming up, no one seemed to have any information on it or what the event was even about. Most of the time the Stars foundation would at least reach out to one of you with all the details, though this time it seemed very hush hush. However, you, Alandra and Andrea all made appointments at the salon that day for a day of pampering and to get all dolled up.

 Tyler was still pouting that he hadn’t seen the dress you’d bought, but just as Candace and Cassidy suggested, you’d wanted to wait till that night to show him. You’d actually caught him snooping around in the spare bedroom closet looking for it one day. “I just want to see it.” Or so he explained when you caught him rummaging around.

 “You’re just going to have to wait until tomorrow night.”

 “Fine.”

 “What are you wearing by the way? Do I need to have any of your suits cleaned before tomorrow?” The two of you were still in the closet. Tyler seemed antsy, but you chalked it up to him being caught looking for your dress.

 “You’re just going to have to wait until tomorrow night.” He teased you back, then ushered you out of the spare closet.

 “Ha, ha, you’re so funny. I’m being serious. Do any of your shirts need cleaned from the road trip? I can run them to the cleaners now and they’ll be done by tomorrow.”

 “Umm…actually, I’ll take them myself. I’ve got a few errands to run anyhow.”

 “Oh perfect. I’ll come with you; I need to pick some things up from the store as well.” You were almost out of the moisturizer you used, so why not head over to the store with him as it was on the way.

 “No!” You cocked your head at his sharp tone. “I mean…well, it’s just going to take me a long time and we probably shouldn’t both be gone from the dogs that long.”

 You quirked an eyebrow at him. It wasn’t like you were leaving the dogs for days, just a few hours. “What are you talking about? They’ll be fine. We’ve left for a lot longer than to run errands.”

 “It’s just they’re used to you being home now…and I think they’ll miss you if you leave.”

 “Ty, they’ll be fine. They’re not that attached to me.”

 “It’s just…Gerry hasn’t been feeling well.”

 “Huh?” You glanced over at the three dogs, who were in the room with you. “Gerry’s fine, I just spent the last seven days with him, and he was fine the whole time. Well except for…” You shut your mouth before you got the pup in anymore trouble.

 “Wait what did he do?”

 “Nothing, he didn’t do a thing. Now come on let’s go. So we don’t leave the dogs too long.” You said sarcastically.

 “I really think you should stay here with the dogs. They just seem lonely today.”

 “Tyler, what is your problem? Why don’t you want me to go with you?” A pit formed in your stomach as you started thinking of reasons that he wouldn’t want you to go. Things had been going so great between the two of you, though the ten day stretch was hard; you didn’t think it put that much of a strain on your relationship. He’d seemed fine when he got home, in fact so fine that the two of you made up for those ten days apart by having sex no less than three times in the last twenty-four hours. You didn’t want to think about him cheating, but it popped into your brain anyway. What if he was going to see someone else? You tried to squash the uneasy feeling in your stomach, but with each passing moment he didn’t answer you, you grew more and more fearful. Finally when the silence stretched too long you said, “Just go do whatever it is you have to do.” With that you walked out of the spare bedroom and down the steps, tears starting to form as you left.

 By the time you reached the kitchen, a few tears had slipped out; you swiped at them angrily, then grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and walked outside. You knew that Tyler would be coming downstairs any minute, and you didn’t feel like speaking with him at the moment. Instead you wondered around the outside in the cold November air. It helped cool the anger boiling through your veins. About ten minutes past before you heard the garage door open and the sound of the car engine, as it pulled out of the drive. It was then, that you finally broke down. Tyler left without even trying to look for you. His “errands” were more important than you were, and the more you thought about that, the harder you sobbed.

 How could you have let your guard down, and believe that you and Tyler would have a perfect life together? Things were just too good to be true, and honestly you should’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop. The question now was, what did you do? You knew you had to confront him about the issue and find out if he really was cheating. Your heart didn’t want it to be true and neither did your mind. When you thought about it, there was no real proof; other than the fact he’d been acting strange since he came home. Grabbing your phone out of your pocket, you sat there deciding whether or not to look online for any information. Finger hoovering over the Instagram icon, you debated with yourself on what do to. Then Andrea Bishop’s word echoed in your head; you needed to tune out everything that was on there. So instead you called your friend Jenna. As one of your best friends, she was always the voice of reason and would hopefully be able to help tell you what to do.

 “Oh no what’s wrong?” You hadn’t even said hello, but Jenna could tell by your light sobs something was off.

 “I think Tyler might be cheating on me.” Somehow you managed to get it all out before you sniffed loudly in the phone, then broke down crying again.

 “Oh my god, calm down. Tell me why you think that?” When you continued crying into the phone, she said. “Things have been going so well between the two of you; maybe this is just a misunderstanding.”

 “I don’t know maybe.” You finally choked out.

 “So tell me why you think he’s cheating.”

 “He’s just been super strange since he got home…and today I asked him if anything needed to go to the cleaners for the gala, that I could take it for him.” A hiccup escaped you as you told Jenna what happened only a short time ago. “He told me he would do it, because he had some errands to run. I said I’d go with him because I had some to do too; yet he insisted I stay home.”

 “Well that doesn’t make me think he’s cheating.” “You don’t understand, he made up that Gerry was sick and I should stay home with him. We both know there’s nothing wrong with Gerry or the other dogs. He just wanted to sneak away from the house without me; and it’s probably because he’s seeing someone else.”

 “Oh (Y/N), I don’t think it’s that at all.” You perked up a little bit at Jenna’s comment.

 “Really?”

 “(Y/N) that man is head over heels in love with you. I can’t see him having some fling while he’s out of town. That was the old Tyler. This Tyler is totally dedicated to you and your baby.” She did make sense. It was only today that he’d been acting weird. “You have that gala tomorrow right”

 “Yeah.”

 “Well, maybe he’s trying to do something special for you; like rent a limo or something.” That seemed a bit far-fetched.

 “If he was going to do something like that, he could just call. There has to be something more.” You were convinced there was something going on, you just couldn’t put your finger on it.

 “It’s probably something more extravagant than that; it was just the first thing that popped in my head. But I definitely know he’s not cheating on you.” “How can you be so sure?”

 “Because if he is, I’ll beat the shit out of him.” You couldn’t help yourself, you laughed. Somehow, you could picture your best friend beating up Tyler; and you had a feeling she’d win. “Do you need me to come over there now, because I will?”

 “No, but thanks for the offer. Just talking to you about it, made me feel better. I know you’re right; I don’t think he’d cheat on me. I just can’t explain his actions today.”

 “Well you know Tyler, he’s probably trying to surprise you; though he never does it in a normal way.” Jenna was more than likely right. “I hate to cut this short, but I’ve gotta run. Are you sure you’re ok? Because I can cancel my plans and be right over.”

 “No I’ll be fine. I’m sorry for bugging you.”

 “(Y/N) you’re never a bother, this is what best friends are for; but I really have to run.” You felt bad for keeping your best friend from her plans, though she hadn’t mentioned what they were. ‘Sorry I’m late.’ You heard a distinct male voice in the background, which sounded a lot like Tyler.

 “Is that Tyler?”

 “What?...umm…No.” There was a slight panic in her voice. “That’s Bill…my date.”

 “But I thought you wanted us to set you up with Jamie?”

 “Umm…yeah I dp. It’s a long story, I’ll tell you about it later…I’m really late for this…thing. Promise I’ll tell you later…bye.”

 “B…” She hung up before you could even say goodbye. Now you were worried about your best friend. The last time the two of you talked, she couldn’t stop talking about Jamie and how perfect he was. You thought the two of them would be great together. This day just kept getting weirder by the minute. Maybe you should just go lay down and start the whole thing over again. The wind blew just then, making you realize how cold it actually was outside.

 Once inside you decided it wasn’t such a bad idea to just lay down and take a nap; so you crawled into your bed, the dogs following. They’re warm bodies felt good against your chilled bones as the three of you cuddled. You still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on with Tyler, but you tried to convince yourself that things would be fine. Closing your eyes, you let sleep take you. You weren’t sure how long you’d been asleep, but you woke up to Tyler gently shaking your dreaming form.

 “Babe…babe.” You blinked your eyes at him, trying hard to wake yourself from slumber.

 “Tyler?” You asked groggily. “What time is it?”

“It’s almost three o’clock.”

 “Mmmm. I didn’t realize I’d slept that long.” As you became fully awake, memories of the morning started to invade your fog filled brain. You sat up, trying to get out of the bed, but were trapped between Tyler and the dogs. “Umm…can you let me up?”

 “No.”

 “Ty, please. I just want…” You didn’t know what you were going to do, or where you were going to go; you just knew that you wanted to put some distance between yourself and Tyler.

 He brushed a stray lock of hair from your face, which made you flinch. “Baby, I’m sorry about earlier.” You turned your face from him, knowing you weren’t quite ready for this whole conversation. “Sweetheart, please look at me. I just want to talk to you.” A small tear ran down your cheek, and you quickly wiped it away. “Baby please don’t cry.” The pleading tone in his voice broke you, and before you knew what was happening; he wrapped you in his arms and held you to his chest. “Sshh, baby it’s ok.” He rubbed small circles on your back, which calmed you.

 Once, you finally got ahold of your emotions you pulled back slightly from him. “Babe, don’t get mad; but I talked to Jenna.” You should’ve known she’d call and bitch him out; though you couldn’t be upset with her. She only ever had your best interest at heart. “I’m not cheating on you sweetie, I’m never going to do that again. You should know that by now.”

 “I do. It’s just…” You took a deep breath before continuing. “You’ve been so weird since you came home, and you were so insistent that I not go with you today. I didn’t know what else to think.” He ran his fingers through his hair, a habit he had when he needed a minute to think. “I didn’t want you to come with me, because I was trying to surprise you with this.” He reached down and grabbed a small bag that he had by the bed; then handed over to you. “I wanted to give this to you tomorrow night, but…” He trailed off, while you blushed at your foolish thoughts of him cheating on you.

 Nestled inside tissue paper was a black velvet box, which you knew contained something you didn’t deserve. “Ty I can’t.”

 “(Y/N) if you don’t open that box this instant, I swear I’ll take you over my knee right now.” You raised your eyes at him, at his veiled threat; which was somewhat tempting in and of itself. “Don’t look at me like that.” He smirked. “Ok, so that wasn’t a very good threat, but I’ll do something you won’t like at all.”

 A small giggle escaped your lips. “Well if you’re going to do ‘something I won’t like,’ I guess I better open this.” You lifted the lid on the velvet case. Inside lay a beautiful diamond pendant necklace. Small diamonds encircle two round cut stones; that then dropped down in to one large teardrop diamond. The teardrop diamond alone had to be three carats, not to mention the other stones that surrounded it. It literally stole your breath away. “Tyler, it’s too much.”

 “Do you like it?”

 “Like it! It’s breathtaking. I’ve never seen something so beautiful.”

 “Well it pales compared to you.” His words made you melt. You didn’t deserve this man. A few tears spilled out your eyes yet again; though this time they were happy ones. “I just wanted to give you something special for tomorrow night.”

 “Oh Tyler, I love it, but you didn’t need to do this; just being with you is enough.” Reaching over you planted a kiss on his lips. It wasn’t enough, this man deserved so much more; and he most definitely didn’t deserve your skepticism. You pulled back, to tell him this. “I’m so sorry I doubted you for even a minute Ty. I don’t deserve you.”

 “Babe, don’t worry about it. I mean I’m not happy, that that’s the first thing you thought of; but at the same time I didn’t really help my cause insisting you stay home, with Gerry.” You both looked over at the pup, who was over in the corner clearly trying to play fetch by himself. “He’s obviously not sick.” Both of you laughed at the lie which Tyler had used earlier. “So how about I put this on you?”

 He took the velvet box out of your hands, and started to take the necklace out of the package. “Wait…You wanted me to have this for tomorrow, maybe we should wait.”

 “I’d rather have you wear this and nothing else right now. Call it your punishment for making me give it to you early.” He wiggled his eyes suggestively at you.

 “Not that I mind that punishment at all, but don’t you have a game to get to soon?” He shrugged his shoulder, as if it didn’t matter. “And I haven’t made you dinner yet.”

 “I’d rather have dessert first.” He leaned over and kissed you passionately, before pulling away to put the necklace on you; then went and lifted the hem of your shirt. “Now, about that punishment part.”

 Tyler was a good fifteen minutes late in leaving for the game, but you both felt it was well worth any laps he’d have to do in practice the following morning. Luckily, you had another hour and half before you left to watch him play. The Stars were able to pull off a big win against the Oilers that night, which meant that everyone was in a good mood as you headed down to the tunnels. You were certain that everyone would want to go out and celebrate, considering the guys had the next three days off. However, everyone seemed to go their separate ways, and so you and Tyler headed home to just be with each other.

 The next day, Tyler headed out to practice; while you met up with Andrea and Alandra later in the day. The three of you spent a relaxing day at the spa, where you got facials, pedicures and manicures; as well as getting your hair and makeup done for the gala that night. You had originally wanted to wear your hair how Candace had suggested, half-up, half-down; but once Tyler bought you that stunning pendant you felt as if you should showcase it and pull all your hair up. The stylist put a braid on the right side, pulling it out to give it a fuller look. She then swept it behind your ear, while creating a low bun with the remaining hair she had curled. She took down a few tendrils to frame your face. When it came to your makeup, the artist decided to go with a soft smokey eye to give you a more natural look. She used a soft pale pink blush on the apples of your cheeks, with a few gloss drops to give you that fresh dewy look. As for your lips, she kept them simple as well, lining them with a soft pink color that complimented the lipstick she’d chosen. She topped it off with a shimmery gloss, which made your lips look totally kissable. Of course, you ended up buying the lip shades she used, as you were sure you were going to need to reapply it even before you left the house. When you looked in the mirror the overall effect of your makeup and hair looked absolutely stunning; and briefly you wondered if you and Tyler would even make it out of the house tonight.

 You hugged the girls goodbye, telling them you’d see them shortly; then headed home. Tyler had his head in the fridge, looking for something when you walked in the door, so it took him a moment to notice you. “Wow babe, you look amazing.”

 “Thanks, I totally think I’m just going exactly like this tonight.” You still had a pair of jeans, with a button down shirt on. Though you knew once you put your gown on, your look would be complete; right now your outfit didn’t quite fit.

 “You could wear a paper bag and be drop dead gorgeous.”

 “Keep talking like that Seguin, and we may not leave this house tonight.” You slid your hands up his chest, then kissed his lips with your glossed ones.

 He pulled away quicker than what you liked. “Well I better get my ass in the shower, before things get out of control here.” He kissed you again quickly. “Besides, I need to get myself cleaned up if I’m going to be standing next to you all night.” Reaching up you wiped the trace amount of lipstick off of his lips, before he headed off to your bedroom.

 You made your way upstairs and got the gown out of the spare closet and the garment bag it was in. It looked so beautiful just hanging there, and you couldn’t wait to put it on. You dabbed some perfume behind your ears, as well as on your neck and wrists; then for good measure you applied a touch to your cleavage for the end of the night. Finally you slipped the dress on and checked your reflection in the mirror. You still felt like royalty in it. Last but not least you slid into the pair of pumps that you had bought to go with it. There was just one finishing touch left and that was the elaborate necklace Tyler had bought for you. As you placed it around your neck, you truly had to question if Tyler had seen the gown, for they seemed made for each other. With one last look in the mirror you headed down the stairs to meet Tyler.

 He was standing in the foyer, fixing his cuff links when you walked downstairs. You took a moment to take the sight of him in. He was clad in a black suit, with a pristine white shirt. His vest was buttoned up and held in his black tie. Standing there, you couldn’t help but think of the first night you saw him. He was just as handsome that night as he was right now. It was easy to see how you fell in love with him, that first night. Visibly you shook yourself. Your movement caught his eyes and he looked up, his jaw going slack as he took in your appearance. “Ready to go?”

 It took him a moment before he answered you. “Woah…babe, I’m speechless.” He moved closer to the stairs as you neared the bottom. “You look….” He seemed to be searching for words. “Gorgeous doesn’t seem to cover it.”

 “You clean up pretty well yourself.” You added with a wink. His devilish smirk came out then. “Seriously Ty, I don’t think you’ve ever looked more handsome. Maybe the foundation needs to have more of these events.”

 “I think I’m going to have to agree with you there.” He was still struggling with his left cuff link and you grabbed his hand and adjusted it for him, while he still drank in your appearance. “Baby, you’re just so damn beautiful.”

 “Stop, you’re making me blush.”

 “I can’t help it. I just don’t know how l got so lucky?” You gave him a quick peck on the lips, wiping your lipstick off of him.

 “I’m pretty sure I’m the lucky one here.” After everything that happened yesterday, you truly felt blessed that you and Tyler found your way back to each other. “Alright, we better get going or we’ll be late.”

 He glanced at his watch. “Right. I thought we’d take the Ferrari tonight, is that ok?”

 “Yeah that works.” The two of you headed out. With all the traffic it took a few extra minutes to get to the venue. You were surprised when you pulled up to the place where you first met. “I thought we’d be at the arena.”

 “Oh…ummm. I think it was booked or something, so they’re holding it here.” Tyler pulled up to the valet station and quickly jumped out of the car, so he could open your door instead of the attendant. He offered his hand to assist you out of the vehicle. You saw the appreciative glance the valet gave you as you emerged from the Ferrari. Apparently the dress concealed your baby bump more than you thought. Tyler glared at the young man, then slid his arm around your waist to draw you nearer.

 As you walked into the building you noticed it wasn’t as crowded as you thought it would be. Maybe Tyler had gotten the time wrong. “I think we’re in the ballroom.” Tyler stated as he led you through the building. When you entered the ballroom, there was no one in the room, save a lonely waiter finishing up the place settings at one of the tables.

 “Umm…what’s going on Ty?”

 “I don’t know.” He made his way over to the server. “Excuse me sir, is this the right room for the Fire and Ice event?”

 “Yeah, this is the right room.” The two of you surveyed the empty room before he said. “It’s just the event is tomorrow.” With those words he walked into the back room.

 “They gave you the wrong date?” Tyler shrugged.

 “They must have, though I was almost positive they told us today.”

 “Well Andrea and Alandra got ready with me, so they must think it’s today too. I should call them.” You flipped open your purse to search for your phone.

 “Babe, they’re probably already on their way here. Why don’t you just dance with me right now?”

 You look at him curiously. “Huh?”

 “Come on, you look so beautiful in that dress and this room looks amazing. I just want to dance with you.” He already grabbed your hand and was leading you out to where the dance floor was.

 “But there’s no music.”

 “We don’t need any.” He wrapped you up in his arms and started to hum lightly. The tune sounded vaguely familiar, though you couldn’t quite place it. You found yourself, swaying in his arms. He swept you into a grand turn, and soon you were twirling around the floor, to the light lilt of the piano. Piano, where did that come from? The two of you continued to dance, when suddenly you heard a voice break in.

 You steady me, slow and sweet we sway, take the lead and I will follow.

Finally ready now. To close my eyes and just believe that you won’t lead me where I don’t go.

When my faith gets tired and my hope seems lost.

You spin me round and round and remind me of that song,

The one you wrote for me,

And we dance…Oh we dance.

 You looked up into Tyler’s smiling face. “I know this song.”

 “You should, you sang it for months after we went to your cousin’s wedding.” It was true, the melody had stuck in your head and you would sing it when you were in the shower, or out in the kitchen getting dinner ready. But that was at least nine months ago, and you never thought Tyler was paying attention.

 “Where did the music come from?”

 He shrugged nonchalantly, but you could tell by the smirk on his face he had done this. “Just dance with me baby.” He twirled you again and you were lost in the rhythm of the music and the thrill of being in Tyler’s arms.

 And I’ve been told, to pick up my sword and fight for love.

Little did I know that love had won for me.

Here in your arms, you steal my heart again,

and I breathe you in like I’ve never breathed till now.

When my faith gets tired and my hope seems lost.

You spin me round and round and remind me of that song,

The one you wrote for me,

And we dance, oh, we dance.

Oh, oh we dance.

Oh, oh, oh we dance

Just you and me.

 The words of the song had always resonated with you, but never more so then in that moment. Just being in his arms moving around the dance floor, made you lose your heart all over again to him. As you looked up at his brilliant smile, he stole your breath away. It was just the two of you in that moment, and you knew then and there, that this was the only man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. Not that you hadn’t had this thought before, it was just all clear now. You’d walk to the ends of the earth for this man, for you knew he’d do the same for you.

 And I will lock eyes with the one who’s ransomed me.

The one who gave me joy from mourning.

And I will love eyes with the one who’s chosen me.

The one who set my feet to dancing.

Oh we dance,

Oh we dance, we dance.

Oh we dance

Just you and me.

 Suddenly you wished you could bottle this moment and keep it with you forever, as you heard the words of the song coming to a close, for you didn’t want it to end. The two of you had been in the darks depths a relationship could go, but somehow you’d both fought and found the light; and now that you had everything in the world seemed perfect. You just wanted to stay in this dance with him for the rest of your life.

 The voice faded but the music continued as Tyler swayed back and forth with you in his arms. That’s when you noticed on stage there was a grand piano along with string quartet that you never noticed because you were so wrapped up dancing with the man you love. He slowed the two of you to a stop as the music played softly in the background; then he reached and entwined your hands together.

 “It’s only been a little over a year since I met you here, you know that?” You nodded your head, unsure of where this conversation was going. “But I knew that night, that someday I’d be standing in front of you just like I am now.” Goosebumps started to skate up your arms at his words. “This place is pretty special to us, because not only did we first meet here, it brought us back together…well that and this little one right here.” His eyes drifted to your concealed baby bump and you both smiled. His grip on your hands tighten as he continued. “I don’t tell you this near enough, but I love you (Y/N). There is no one else in this world for me.” Your eyes started to tear, as he professed his love for you. “When you left me…as you should have.” A small laugh escaped you. “I thought I was going to die. I knew then that I didn’t want to live a life without you in it. It was like I couldn’t even breathe because you weren’t beside me.” The tears you’d been struggling to hold back, started to fall freely now. He unlaced one of your hands and with his thumb brushed them away. “Stop babe, or you’re gonna make me cry too.” Through your weeping eyes, you could just see him trying to suppress his own tears.

 He took a deep breath in. “Anyhow…I knew if you ever gave me a chance again, I wouldn’t mess it up this time…and I swear to God I never will.” You smiled at him, hopefully letting him know that you’d never lose faith in him again, like you had yesterday. “You’re my everything; do you know that.” It wasn’t really a question, more of a statement; but you knew then and there that he was your all as well. “You’re my home, my shelter, the one I want to run to not only in the bad, but in the good as well. But most of all you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” You squeezed his hands back hoping to convey the words you couldn’t speak at the moment. “I realized in this last year that nothing, not hockey, not the money, not the house, none of it means anything; if I don’t have you to share it with. I love you with my whole being.” He dropped to one knee then, tears streaming down not only your face, but one or two fell from his. You swear your heart stopped beating. He let go of your one hand again and searched in his inside suit pocket. Franticly you swiped at the tears falling down your face, for you wanted to look into Tyler’s eyes without any obstruction.

 “I know I don’t deserve you (Y/N), but if you’ll have me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want us to be a family in every sense of the word.” He flipped open the jewelry case and in it lay the most exquisite diamond ring you’d ever laid eyes on. “(Y/F/M/L/N) would you do me the greatest honor I’ve ever had in my life, and marry me?” You were nodding yes, through a stream of tears now, as you tried to find your voice.

 “Yes, Ty, Yes.”

 He didn’t give you time to say anything more. He placed the ring on your shaking hand and then in one swift motion, he rose from the floor, lifting you off your feet at the same time. He kissed you then, and you melted into his arms; kissing him back pouring all the love you had for him into it. Reluctantly he pulled back. “Did you really just say yes?”

 Again, you nodded your head up and down. “Of course I said yes. Ty I love you so much. There is no one in this world I’d rather spend the rest of my life with, then you.” He still had you swept off your feet, and you had a feeling it would be that way from now until the end of time. You locked your eyes with his. “I can’t believe I get to be Mrs. Seguin, or that you did all this.”

 “I can’t wait to call you my wife, but there’s more.” You weren’t entirely sure you heard him correctly, so you quirked an eyebrow at him. “You guys can come out now.” He placed you on your feet, as the doors to the adjacent room opened and out came rushing all your family and friends.

 “Oh my god!” To say you were surprised was an understatement. They were all clapping and yelling congratulations. Your parents were the first at your side, enveloping you in a huge hug and offering you their congratulations. You were vaguely aware that Tyler’s whole family was doing the same to him. Two little hands latched on to your dress and you looked down to see your niece Rylynn holding on to you tightly. You lifted her up on your hip and she planted a kiss on your cheek.

 “Does this mean I get to be in your wedding?”

 You couldn’t help but laugh at her little request. “Of course you can sweetie. You’ll be the best flower girl there ever was.”

 “Yipee”

 Matt came over and took his joyful daughter out of your hands, while at the same time placing a kiss on your cheek. “Congratulations sis. That man is really in love with you.”

 “Oh my god, everything he said to you was so sweet.” Melissa added as she dabbed her eyes, through your hug.

 “Wait, you guys heard that?”

 “Yep, and watched it too.” Sean added leaning to offer his congratulation.

 “But how?”

 “That’s a question you’re going to have to ask your fiancé.” Jessica told you.

 “I might have an idea how it happened. Congratulations bestie!” Your best friend Jenna added as she squeezed you.

 “Wait, did you help him with this?”

 “Me and a bunch of others, but there’s a microphone in that chandelier right there.” You looked up to find it, glancing through the sparkling crystals, trying to find the tiny device. “There’s also hidden cameras all over here. And while there was a bunch of us that helped, it was all Tyler’s idea.”

 You gave Jenna one more hug, and thanked her for everything. There were still tons of people around wanting to wish you well, but you needed to say somethings to your fiancé. He wasn’t more than five feet from you, so you turned towards him. Automatically, his arm went around your waist to draw you close to him. Standing on your tip-toes you reached up and planted a chaste kiss on his cheek. His mom was still standing there. “I’m so happy for you two. You’re just so perfect.” She was crying as she grabbed you and hugged you hard. Softly she whispered in your ear, so only you could hear her. “Thank you for loving my baby boy. I know that it hasn’t been easy at times, but I couldn’t ask for anyone better for him to spend the rest of his life with than you.” More tears came rushing down at her words.

 You couldn’t find the words to tell her how much what she just said meant. Finally you whispered back, “I promise to love him with all I have.” She released you then, only to be replaced by Candace and Cassidy. In that moment you realized, you weren’t going to get a moment alone with Tyler until later in the night. Both his sisters were so happy, for you; and you couldn’t be more excited to have them as your actual sisters soon.

 Jamie, was the next person to find you, kissing your cheek in congratulations; before he slapped his best friend on the back. “So, he’s finally going to make an honest woman out of you; about time Seggy, because I was all ready to swoop in.”

 “Don’t even think about it Chubbs, she’s definitely spoken for now.” Tyler held up your left hand to show him the ring, while you just shook your head in laughter. It was one person after the next for the following hour, wishing both you and Tyler well. It wasn’t until you were back on the dance floor, alone in Tyler’s arms before you got a chance to ask him the question you’d been dying to know, since talking to your best friend.

 “Ty, I can’t believe you did all this for me? Jenna said there are even cameras somewhere around here. How in the world did you do this?”

 “Well it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it; you’re worth it.” You knew that none of this would’ve been easy to pull off and you couldn’t wait to hear how he did it all.

#nervous regrets #tyler seguin #tyler seguin imagine #tyler seguin imagines #dallas stars #dallas stars imagine #dallas stars imagines #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #nhl fanfic #hockey imagines #hockey imagine #hockey fanfiction

[desiraypark]

When the Sun Sleeps in Canto Bight [5]

Previous Entire Work CHAPTER PLAYERS

The Knights of Ren: Ushar, Cardo, Trudgen, Ap’lek, Vicrul aka “Vic”, and Kuruk) Kylo Ren, Leader of the Knights of Ren Ruby Girard, The Beautiful Singer CHAPTER CONTENT N*FW -| Sexual content; mention of sex work; alcohol; language; back-story Additional Notes: Galactic Standard Calendar | 1920s Stockings, Tights, Nylons, Socks History by Vintage Dancer (scroll down to see how women of color (particularly Black women) wore their stockings) Word Count: 2,721

“I don’t get it. You fuck ‘em good, you give ‘em money and nice clothes—put ‘em up in a nice place, and they still aren’t satisfied. If I was a broad, I would be a-fuckin’ okay,” Ushar said, leaning back in a chair and smoking a cigarette. “She wants the ring, man. She wants the ring,” Cardo said. He was cleaning his gun. “Well, I’ve got a damn wife! Shit!” Ushar proclaimed. The Knights of Ren—all but Kylo, Vic, and Kuruk—were sitting in office of The Garden Lounge—their flagship establishment for over thirty years. It was a placed that lived up to its name: beautiful plant décor in the lounge; sky blue walls and plush brown carpeting—girls dressed in just enough to not be obscene, but just a little to remind you of “nature”, if you will. Vic was out front entertaining guests and Kuruk was manning the office. Trudgen was leaning against the teak-wood desk, downing a glass of whiskey, while Ap’lek was stretched out across the chaise. Finally, Kylo came in. 

“Evening, fellas,” Kylo said. “Evening,” they responded. “Where’s Vic?” Kylo asked as he sat behind his desk. “Minglin’,” Ap’lek answered. “Do you have your fuckin’ shoes on my couch?” Kylo asked. Ap’lek sat up and planted his feet on the floor. “Sorry, Boss.” “What’s goin’ on with the wife?” Kylo asked Ushar. He shook his head. “Wife’s fine. It’s the other one that’s bein’ a fuckin’ brat,” he responded.    “Why don’t you get rid of her?” Kylo asked, organizing things that didn’t need organizing on his desk. “Pussy’s too good, man.” The Knights chuckled. “Can somebody get—” Kylo started. At that moment, Vic walked through the door and left it open. Kuruk stood outside but stayed close enough to the office to hear what was going on. Vic sat beside Ushar, and Trudgen sat beside Ap’lek on the sofa. Kylo looked up at Kuruk and waved him in. “Come on in, Kuruk. Nobody’s gonna barge in here,” he said. Kuruk nodded, closed the door, and leaned against the wall beside it. “What’s goin’ on, fellas? Ap’lek, anything you wanna discuss?” Kylo asked. “Nope.” “I hear the Kesyk gang’s got a hold of some new toys. Automatic. Fast,” Cardo chimed in. “What makes ‘em special?” Kylo asked. “Faster. More precise. Lightweight,” Cardo answered. “Interesting. Look into it. How’s tricks?” “Steady,” Ushar answered. “The johns are startin’ to get a little bold, though. One of ‘em got a little rough with Hela and she cut him.” “Why can’t these bastards shoot their fuckin’ nut and leave?” Kylo asked. “How’s Hela?” “You know her. She’s cool but she said she’ll do it again,” Ushar answered. “As she fuckin’ should.

“Yeah, but--you think that would drive men away?” Ushar asked. “These fuckin’ johns would step over alligators to get some ass. And they know we’ve got the best fuckin’ girls and guys in Canto Bight. If they act like they have some sense, they ain’t gotta worry about nobody pullin’ no fuckin’ blades on ‘em.”

Ushar shrugged in reluctant agreement, and Vic smiled to himself. 

 The booze?” Kylo asked. 

“Booze is flowin’. Hearin’ more complaints from South Side, though,” Vic answered. “They still waterin’ the shit down?” Kylo asked. “No. This time they’re puttin’ in too much,” Vic answered. 

“People goin’ in for a couple of drinks and walkin’ out eatin’ the fuckin’ concrete,” Trudgen chimed in. He polished off his whiskey. “Fuckin’ idiots. I guess the only thing we can do is give them a fuckin’ recipe book or somethin’,” Kylo said. “Anything else goin’ on?” “Nope/No, boss,” the Knights said in unison. Vic cleared his throat. “There is one thing. Ren’s cousin reached out to me,” he said. “Sheev? That fuckin’ weirdo. What does he want?” “He was very vague. Said he wanted to discuss business and his “retirement”. Said to swing by the Death Star anytime. I was thinking Primeday? Around 2?” Vic suggested. “No can do. Got plans on Primeday. Centaxday. Afternoon.” Vic nodded. **********************

PRIMEDAY 

Kylo had spent the afternoon before dreaming up the perfect Primeday dinner. Everything usually closed or closed early on Primeday, so he had to think fast. Once he got an idea, he made his list and headed out to the markets—the butcher for lamb chops; the produce vendor for potatoes, mushrooms, lemons, and carrots. He’d even snatched a bottle of wine from the Garden Lounge’s inventory, and bought a chocolate cake from the bakery. Ruby agreed to be picked up at three. 

When Kylo pulled up at about 2:55, Ruby stood outside her building wearing another pink dress, blue baby doll heels, white stockings, and holding a white clutch in her hand. Thick curls peeped out of her white cloche hat. As she walked to the car, he climbed out and lifted his hands. “What the fuck are you doing?” he asked. Ruby froze. “What?” “You’re supposed to wait for me to come to your fuckin’ door,” he said. Ruby shook her head and kept walking, and he walked toward her. She looked him over—his tall figure dressed from head to toe in black: black trousers, black shirt, black vest, black oxfords. “I just thought it would be more convenient for me to wait outside for you,” she fibbed. Truth was, she didn’t want Crystal sizing him up and asking him questions. Kylo took her hand and led her to the car.  

Kylo had called Ruby’s building a dump. His building was nice, but so lifeless and empty. No art on the walls; no flowers. His own apartment was similar. Clean. Very clean and neat. But no art. No colorful accents to catch your eye. He had a gramophone but owned no records. At least he had a radio. After he’d poured her a glass of wine in his tiny kitchen, she’d taken it upon herself to go into the living room and turn it on. Then, she got a better look at the place—no pictures. Just a burgundy couch that appeared to never have been sat on and a dining table with only two chairs in the corner. “You gonna leave me in here by myself, Babydoll?” Kylo called from the kitchen. Ruby smiled and walked back into the kitchen. Kylo had taken off his vest and rolled up his sleeves. He was standing over his stove, putting potatoes into a pot of water. Then, he went into the icebox and pulled out a thick piece of brown paper—stuffed with something. Ruby leaned against the counter and watched him work, trying to bite down a smile. “Tell me about yourself,” he requested. Ruby took a sip of her wine. “You first.” She saw his chest rise and fall, trapping a chuckle. “What do you wanna know?” Ruby thought back to the things Crystal told her. Where to start? Why did he call himself Kylo Ren if he was a Solo? An Organa? She chose to point at the most intriguing target. “Did you try to kill your father?” she asked. Kylo dropped pieces of meat into a bowl he’d filled with water. “I didn’t try to kill him. We got into a fight. He was winning. I pulled a knife on him to scare him off.” Ruby’s jaw dropped. “Oh…” Kylo didn’t continue. “May I ask what the fight was about?” Kylo sighed. He grabbed a bottle of vinegar from his cupboard and poured some into the bowl. 

“I’d been out with some friends. Fuckin’ around. Stayed the night with some br--some girl--and didn’t come home until the next morning. I was 18. Thought I was a man. My dad wouldn’t let me inside. Told me I was falling to the Dark Side...that I needed to repent and start coming to sanctuary with him, yada-yada-yada. I told him to shove his sanctuary up his ass and we just started brawlin’ in front of the neighbors.” “So, you’ve always been a little smart mouth,” Ruby joked. Kylo laughed. “Not always. I was just tired of people telling me what to do.” Ruby put her wine glass on the counter, grabbed the edge, then lifted herself to sit high. Then, she yanked off her hat and fluffed her hair. “What did your mom have to say about all of this?” she asked. “She did what she usually did. Defended me in front of him. Because she hates him just as much as I do. But told me how much of a disappoint I was to her behind closed doors.” Ruby’s watched Kylo move about in silence--moving the meat around in the bowl. Everything was making sense. The typical tale—poor little rich boy, rebellious and angry. He glanced at her, then avoided her sympathetic stare--placing his eyes on the pot of boiling potatoes instead. 

“I’m sorry you went through that,” she said. He shrugged and washed his hands.

"Eh. I’m over it. It was a long time ago,” he said. He dried his hands on a towel, then poured himself a glass of wine. “Your turn,” he said as he poured. 

“What do you want to know?” Ruby asked, echoing him. “Tell me about your parents.” He rested his hip against the counter and took a sip.

“I think…my mom is essentially your dad,” she said with chuckle. “Everything is dark-sided to her. Singing about anything unrelated to the gods. The radio. Picture shows. Lipstick. She didn’t have to put me out. As soon as I turned 18, I was outta there.” Kylo listened to Ruby speak, but found himself getting lost in her--her hands that moved with every word she said; brown legs that lifted by the knee when the edge of the counter started cutting off her circulation. Even when she talked, there seemed to be a melody in her voice. She spoke highly of her father—apparently he was a laid-back and funny man—and she justified her mother’s puritan ways by admission of her being protective and caring. “So, mom wouldn’t think too highly of me, huh?” Kylo asked. “Oh, she’d probably melt into a puddle, she’d be so incensed,” Ruby said with a laugh. She guzzled the remainder of her wine. Ruby’s laugh made him smile. He tapped his fingers against his wine glass. “What does Ruby think about me?” he asked. A stillness fell over her. She stared at Kylo’s face—dark eyes boring into her; long waves draped over the side of his face as the result of a side part. Her eyes fell onto the stitches on his cheek, then back at his irises. “I think you’re impulsive and hot-headed,” she said. Kylo rolled his eyes and smirked. “…and passionate. Maybe even loyal...in search of something…” Potatoes began to knock against each other in the pot. Kylo stared into Ruby’s eyes, then at her painted lips. They parted just a centimeter, as though tired of being pressed together. Tired of not being touched. Kylo leaned in close and stopped. Ruby traveled the rest of the space and pressed her lips to his. He moved to stand directly in front of her and held the nape of her neck, pulling her closer as she rested her hands on his waist. He stopped kissing her but didn’t pull his face away. “You want me to stop?” he asked breathlessly. His heart was pounding and he silently prayed that she said “no”. “No,” she said. Kylo pressed his lips back against hers and ran his hand up her thigh. She held the back of his neck and deepened their kiss—pushing her tongue into his mouth. He let her tongue in, and the hand that was on her neck, moved up to grab a handful of her curls. Ruby moaned into his mouth and opened her knees. The feeling of Ruby’s knees moving against him made Kylo stiffen. His hand moved further up her thigh, and in between them. He slipped two fingers past the seat of her panties and rubbed them against her outer lips. Then, he rubbed his way to her warm core and pushed them inside. Ruby pulled her face away and rested her head against the cupboard. Her eyes were wide. “Your fingers are big,” she said with shock in her voice. Kylo smiled and kept fingering. He pushed her left knee open some more, then watched her face crinkle. She closed her eyes and bit down on her lip—allowing ecstasy to overtake her. Then, he stopped fingering her and bent at his waist. Just as he did so, the water on the stove began to boil harder. He jumped up—annoyed at the stove for doing its job—turned the burner off, yanked Ruby’s panties down, and put them in his pants pocket. Then, he pushed back the skirt of Ruby’s dress. She tilted to the left to lift the right hem, then tilted to the right to lift the left—revealing the hooked garters that pressed into her fleshy thighs and held her nylons up. She let the bottom of her dress bunch at her waist.

Kylo stared at her vulva—everything. The lips; the slit leaking from its top and probably down to her core with arousal; the brown rosebud that was fighting to be seen. Ruby pressed her palms against the counter and opened her legs more. Kylo smirked. “Anxious?” he asked. “Yes. I am,” she answered—breath loud, hot, and sure. Kylo bent at the waist and turned his body to the side. He dipped his head between Ruby’s inner thighs, and without hesitation, rapidly flicked his pointed tongue against her clit. Ruby cried out and grabbed a handful of his hair, moaning as he lapped her up. He didn’t abandon an inch of her—tongue venturing around, over, and inside of her—causing her to grind against his face. With a mouth full of pussy, he stared up at her, ego steadily growing with every squirm, every twitch of her brow and every bite of her lip. When he stuck his fingers back inside, she tightened her grip against his scalp and finally looked down at him. The sight of him looking up at her with darkened eyes made her own eyes close again, but he put space between his lips and her flesh. “Look at me when you come,” he said. A chill went down Ruby’s spine and she looked down into Kylo’s eyes. He inserted a third finger and massaged her walls as he sucked and ravaged her clit. Suddenly, he felt her contracting over his fingers. Her jaw dropped and a strained sound left her throat. Then, she let out an endless high-pitched moan and tried to pull away from his lips—but Kylo didn’t stop until his tongue absorbed the very last drop of her sweet cum. She fell backward and rested her head on the cupboard again—loud breaths filling the quiet of the kitchen. Barely giving her a minute, Kylo peeled her off the counter and tossed her over his shoulder—making her squeal as if she were on an amusement ride. He carried her to his bedroom and dropped her onto his bed. He pulled off her shoes, then pulled at the buttons of his vest. Ruby sat up, pulled her dress over her head, unclasped her bra, and tugged at the hook on her right garter. “Keep those on,” he said. He stared at her thighs and licked his lips.

Ruby moved her hand and fell back. She watched Kylo get completely naked. She barely got a good look at him before he was on top of her, planting kisses against her neck. He grabbed her right leg and pressed it back so that her knee was over her chest. Shortly after, she felt something warm and stiff rubbing against the outside of her core—it pressed into her, and the pressure sent a wave throughout her entire body. “Fuck…” they whimpered at the same time. Then, they chuckled. Kylo kissed her lips and inhaled her moans as he pushed more inches into her. He caught her grabbing the blanket in his peripheral, and slowly penetrated her until he couldn’t go any further. “You okay?” he asked. “Yes,” she strained to answer. 

He grabbed her left hand and placed it over the meatiest part of his waist. Then, he dragged out of her, and drove back in. He held on to her right thigh, the leg still pushed back, and dipped in and out of her—fast enough to please, but slow enough for the both of them to feel their lover’s every twitch and pulse, and grip and stroke.

#when the sun sleeps in canto bight #chapter 6 coming thursday

[bloody-oath]

Imagine the slashers taking care of a toddler...

And the award for the most indecent parent goes to…

Jason Voorhees:

⋆ Misunderstands the term babysitting and almost literally sits on the child. The kid just looks up at him like, what have I done to you to deserve this? ⋆ Absolutely, under no circumstances, allows the child to get anywhere near his machete. Jason is protective like a mother hen and also doesn’t permit the kid to stray too far away from him. ⋆ Praises the child with head pats when they finish eating a meal, teaches them how to play catch and pretends like he’s awestruck at their strength when they lift something super lightweight. Jason wants this kid to be confident and have the childhood he never had.

Michael Myers:

⋆ This is uncomfortably awkward. Michael is staring down at the kid, the kid is staring up at Michael, they both squint and neither breaks eye contact; it’s a Mexican standoff. ⋆ What is it doing? Why is it pulling that face? And what’s that smell- oh my god. Michael doesn’t mind getting his hands bloody, but blood ain’t shit, which means it’s time to evacuate the premises. ⋆ He straight up leaves the kid alone in the house all day because fuck it. Who cares what happens to the kid after that personal ‘attack’ he endured.

Freddy Krueger:

⋆ He only has to look at the kid and the poor little thing is terrified and in tears. ⋆ Tries to cheer up the kid by tickling them. Whoops! The kid has to dodge the knives by doing a Matrix™ backwards lean. ⋆ Nearly gives up trying to please the child until he shape-shifts into a Care Bear and suddenly the kid has all the love in the world for him. Freddy is downright humiliated though.

Leatherface (Bubba):

⋆ You get a piggyback ride! And you get a piggyback ride! Everyone gets a piggyback ride! The kid is basically on Bubba’s back for most of the day. ⋆ They are just two peas in a pod; nothing but ongoing silliness and, believe it or not, Chop Top has to stand in and be the responsible guardian. ⋆ Makes up a secret language with the child. It’s just them trying to speak normally, i.e., talking nonsense, but they both seem to understand each other.

Brahms Heelshire:

⋆ But he is the one who needs to be looked after, not him looking after someone else. Just met the kid but already dislikes it. ⋆ Doesn’t allow the kid to touch anything except the floor because his family’s expensive heirlooms are not toys. ‘Here, play with the carpet.’ ⋆ Catches the toddler touching the life-sized doll and feels like punting the kid out of rage, but puts the child in a time-out corner instead and goes to lie down. Much headache, very sore.

Chucky & Tiffany:

⋆ The kid doesn’t care if they look a bit creepy because they’re talking dolls! Doesn’t understand why other toys don’t speak though. ⋆ Chucky comes off as arrogant at first, but soon acts friendly and attempts to persuade the kid into switching souls with him. Old habits. ⋆ Tiffany finds the young one to be adorable and tries her best to look after the child; shooting Chucky a glare when he suggests to perform voodoo and makes it clear to him that it won’t be happening.

Hannibal Lecter:

⋆ Doesn’t touch the child much because children are unclean, dirty little creatures and he’s not about that life. ⋆ Takes the child to a museum, specifically to an insect exhibition, and explains why the moth is the most beautiful living entity. Grosses the kid out. ⋆ Tells the kid unnerving bedtime stories about how he murdered his victims, which one was his favourite to kill and what human flesh tastes like, all nonchalant. The child doesn’t understand and just listens to what sounds like pure gibberish.

Pennywise:

⋆ He cracks jokes, makes balloon animals, and throws confetti to put a smile on the kid’s face. It works. ⋆ Unlike Hannibal, he shares funny bedtime stories and ends up laughing more than the kid. If the kid giggles, it’s because they’re chuckling at the sound of his laugh instead of the tale. ⋆ Dresses the child up to look like a miniature version of himself and squeals with delight when the kid says they want to be a clown when they grow up.

Pinhead:

⋆ The undesirable groaning could be heard from space. He does not handle kids. ⋆ However, he’s surprised the child isn’t afraid of him and wonders if he should take this opportunity to introduce the kid into the dark world called Hell. Supposedly mould the child into his successor. ⋆ Well, that thought rapidly vanishes when the child abruptly vomits on his robe and then becomes airborne; Pinhead summoning chains to wrap around its body and hurling it across the room.

Billy Loomis & Stu Macher:

⋆ The toddler they look after turns out to be an absolute nightmare, and if sex education didn’t turn them off having kids, this demon child will. ⋆ 'You handle it!’ 'I handled it last, it’s your turn!’ 'I don’t know what to do!’ 'Fuck it, let it cry then!’ 'When will it stop crying?!’ ⋆ They end up sticky-taping the child to a wall because it’s much easier this way and occasionally feed it and give it water to make sure the kid doesn’t die on them, like a plant.

John Kramer:

⋆ Shares wisdom with the child and teaches it a life lesson; to always value their life and be respectful of others. The kid listens and nods but doesn’t fully comprehend. ⋆ Picks up Billy and pretends to be a ventriloquist. Amused, the child demands for more every time he’s about to set the dummy aside, so this goes on for a good while. ⋆ Asks the child how they would torture a victim. The child replies, ‘Giving them a bath when they don’t want one.’ John simply smiles.

Cujo:

⋆ 'What makes you a good nanny?’ 'Woof!’ 'Alright, I’m convinced. You’re hired.’ ⋆ Doesn’t do much because he’s a dog (lmao), but happily allows the kid to use him as a massive fluffy pillow. ⋆ 10/10 Will lick food off the kid’s face again.

Dracula:

⋆ Plays peek-a-boo using his cape and makes a different silly face each time he pops up. The kid is crying at this failed attempt of humour. ⋆ Leaves the kid alone for five minutes only to return to almost witness a death; the child is standing on a windowsill, ready to jump because they want to be a bat too. ⋆ Tries to feed the child a bottle of blood and it comes back up just as fast as it went down. Lesson learnt.

Leprechaun:

⋆ His accent just makes the kid laugh uncontrollably. He cannot be taken seriously. ⋆ Allows the child to handle his gold but regrets this decision when the kid tries to push a piece of the treasure up its nose. Why is it when a kid gets a coin they think, 'there’s only one place to put this; up my nose.’ ⋆ Now they’re spending the rest of the day in the hospital waiting room. People keep approaching him, thinking he’s in a costume, and asking him where his pot of gold is. He says, 'Up this fucking kid’s nose.’

#slashers imagine #slashers react #jason voorhees #michael myers #freddy krueger #leatherface #brahms heelshire #chucky #hannibal lecter #pennywise #pinhead #ghostface #slashers #horror villains

[xsecretblastsx]

1x11 - Roman Holiday

Happy Christmas Everybody! Or rather I’m trying to delude myself into thinking it’s winter because it’s awfully hot in here. Too bad the episode only lasts like 40 minutes. Anyway here’s the recap.

This one didn’t get as long as the last ones, but I’ll use the keep reading break anyway because it’s a bit more neat for everyone.

Thoughts I had while watching the episode:

The Constance choir, oh how I miss it.

 I have a coat really simliar to the one’s Jenny’s wearing, mine’s probably cheaper though. 

Global Warming Grinch! what a surprise Dan’s complaining about something yei!

Here comes Vanessa raining on Serena’s parade! Auch. I never really know with her, because she seems nice and sincere and everything, but doesn’t she realize how uncomfortable this is for Serena? She doesn’t acts like Dan’s best friend, she acts like the soul mate or something like that.

I had almost forgotten about Bart Bass, if only. It’s not like Bart knows the actual meaning of the words “I’m in love with you” but I do ser her point on this Lily, ugh. I can’t believe I typed that.

I really like Blair’s outif the perfect mix between school uniform and holiday spirit. Also, I love her, but what with the long face at hearing Chuck is at Monaco? She dump him, so she shouldn’t care.So.. no,  Nothing that she needs to know.

It’s sweet the amount of traditions Blair had with her dad, no wonder she wants him to move back to New York

I’ll never understand this show’s obsession with Dan’s cabbage patch doll.

Blair bear! I had totally forgot about that aww.

That look Blair share’s with her mom, haha “you don’t say what a suprise indeed”

Auch, I was vaguely wondering though in which episode Dan’s mom leaves again, not that I particularly care but I guess is this one

I know shows tape earlier than the season they’re suposed to be, but the park looks so autumm-y for Christmas, is taking me out of the mood. But since I don’t live in New York what do I know.

Blair’s skating outfit thoug, an all time fave.

I had totally forgotten Eleanor had a love interest this episode.

I mean to be fair, that watch is the kind of gift Serena would have made any boyfriend she had because it’s the kind of stuff she’s used to, and I feel for her because she was so excited, I do get where Dan’s coming from, it’s probably the same thing I would said in that situation, but aww Serena.

Again, Vanessa seems nice but, not cool girl.

Blair’s face at Chuck’s text was hilarious, though she shouldn’t be as surprised, Chuck’s pervy on a good day, and she sort of burned him. Not a good combo.

Blair Waldorf in action, sorry Roman.

I’ll never understand why Blair would ask Chuck to  don’t speak to anyone about them, like honey letting him know you want to keep that secret, is giving him levarage. 

Not a fan of having a scene were Serena is like “i came with my tail between my legs, please Vanessa help me to find Dan a gift” and even worse Vanessa is like “I would gloat, but I like you” that’s sorta gloating anyway, ugh. 

Victoria’s Secret themed Christmas party, only on gossip gir.

Rufus and Lily, acting like scaredy cats teenagers.

“Friends doesn’t steal other friends husband” you tell him Eleanor.

This loos “so promising” for  Blair, so Nate said he would go to her mom’s Christmas party, except he didn’t and nowshe’s  tracking him down because he didn’t bother telling her. Same old story.

Blair spelling it out to Vanessa, and for once I think she wasn’ wrong in what she said. Also I love it when Blair is looking out for her friends.

Honestly I would react exactly as Serena and Eric if my mom dropped on me the bomb that she’s dating Bart Bass. That’s scary.

For once I’m liking Eleanor, also she’s dead right, Blair learned scheming from her mother, unrealistic dreaming from her father. Quite the combo. That’s why I lover.

Gotta love Lilly helping Dan to get that tree inside.

I mean considering I’ve seen the whole show, sorry Howard, but your words sound a bit hollow.

Ok, Serena’s gift for Dan was nice.

Dorota’s themed aprons are such a nice little detail. 

Ngl, it mades me sad seeing Bart doing more of an effor with Lilly’s kids and never really bothering with Chuck.

Imagine if Lilly had answered the phone.

That photo of Nate looking like they’re in the Caribbean when they’re supposedly in Monace would never not be hilarious

Normally this is the part where I rant and rant about the episode, but this time I just dont’ have that much to say. I know a lot of people love this episode a lot, but I’m just not one of them, I didn’t fight it particularly memorable on first watch, and now on rewatch even less so, this episode is heavily focused on Derena and the end of the Humphrey marriage, and I don’t really care about either of those things. The only thing I really find interesting about this episode was Harold’s visit,, but on this episode for some reason Blair’s storyline felt like a B plot, that’s probably just me, but l’m finding out that episodes with a lot of Derena feel like such a drag to me now. I almost wish I could care about them again, if only for this season.

So, Blair’s dad. I’ll get it out of the way soon, I’m not a fan. He may have been the loving parent while Blair grew up, but I don’t feel he really knows her, not the way Eleanor does, and I’m not even talking about her dark side, but as Eleanor pointed out, how could he thought she would be glad he had brought over the man he left for when it was supposed to be them enjoying the holiday.

We were told on the Thanksgiving episode that that was suposed to be his first visit after moving to France, and I mentioned there that it sounded like Blair hadn’t seen her father in a long time, which isn’t nice.I feel Harold never really grasped how much he hurt his daughter when he left for France, it was a lot to take for a 16 year old girl who was a total daddy’s girl. First, there’s the separation of her parents, then the fact that her dad is gay, those two were quite a lot, and then he’s like oh I’ll move to France. I’m sure part of the reason Harold stuck in out in his marriage was Blair, and he shouldn’t have to hide who he is and keep married to Eleanor, but I think he could have thought about it and delayed his moving to France. Like Eleanor said this episode Blair might like to act like an adult, but she was at this point still very much a girl in need of her dad.

And this episode he may have said there would always be a place on his life for Blair no mather what, but it was never the same, I mean last episode was Cotillion, and Blair didn’t have any of her parents there, it was probably Dorota the one that was exicted for her, taking pictures and everything. I guess we’re supposed to think she probably talked frequently with her dad over the phone, but I feel in many ways it was mostly a superficial relationship, like I never got the impression Harold went out of his way to see his daughter. But I could be wrong.

The other bit I would like to mention is that not long ago I got an ask about what do I think Blair cared about Chuck not being into town this episode, having watched the episode again now, and I said:  i feel she believed it’s always wise to keep and eye of Chuck and be wary of his intentions, gods knows what he’ll plot just for fun, and now they share history, a secret one at that so she has reason to be cautious, considering the message he sends her at the end of the episode she wasn’t wrong. And while I still think it had a lot to do with that, I do feel having her ask him not to spill the beans, wasn’t the smartest choice, I guess she was banking on him not using it as leverage because they’re are friends and because he had let her know at one point he had felt something, it’s what I call wishfull thinking. 

On a more subconcious level I think she simply wanted to know because well she’s into him. She likes him. She ends their fling out of anger and it’s part that anger that leds her back to Nate, (and it also trills her that after so long Nate wants her, he’s going after her, not Serena). Of course at this point she’s not about to admit even to herself whatever she feels for Chuck, not only because she’s back on track with her so planned life but because well… he’s Chuck Bass, but that doesn’t mean she’s not atracted to him still.

Random bits I would love to mention

The one shot I’m writing (and hopefully finishing one of these days) is actually set between last episode and this one. Not that it wasn’t hard to guess, but I’m glad I got Nate’s location right.

Funny but like a week ago Buzzfeed shared this bit about the watch Serena gave Dan, turns’s out it costs about $25,000. 

“All the grace of Nancy Kerrigan but packing the punch of Tonya Harding” sometimes the Gossip Girl voice is just so on point. 

I’ve always loved Chuck’s voice mail “leave a message and I might listen to it”

The kind of headband Blair’s wearing at that Christmas party were sold anywhere last winter here. Guess they came back.

Lily’s golden dress makes me think of Klimt’s paintings. I like that.

Seriously Gossip Girl’s voice overs this episoder are making me laugh so much “sugar, spicy and everythin nice” not so much.

The Palace hotel decoreted for Christmats time!!  I love it so much. 

#gossip girl #gossip girl recap #gossip girl rewatch #1x11 #roman holiday