#[ It's getting toasty here good lords

[rafayel-fishie-moving]

((gonna end up writing a smut fic with this exact scenario im thinking abt all three rafayels… zoo wee mama))

well, i’m sure i don’t need to tell you. i’m quite capable and rather flexible. my pretty mouth does more than just blow bubbles… right mr sea god? my hand is quite dexterous with a paintbrush, and can easily lend itself to other more intimate acts… wouldnt you say mr artist? as for you mr. abysswalker, it seems there is an abyss between my thighs that needs your attention… 🤭 <3

...Yes, that mouth is quite skilled, my beloved.

Gods, you just enjoy riling me up, don’t you?

If that’s the case does Your Highness require assistance?

#🎨 artist!rafayel #⛓️ abysswalker!rafayel #🌊 god of the tides!rafayel #anon #asks #cw: suggestive #[ I know I've been screaming GET ME OUT #[ Mostly because they're loud in my head and I can't concentrate #[ But I'll be waiting for this lovely fic if you do write it #[ It's getting toasty here good lords #rafayel love and deepspace #love and deepspace

[yooniesim]

Small Simblr Saturday Appreciation Post 💜

Hey y'all! Since @tau1tvec came up with the idea for this event, I thought I'd shout out some of my personal favorite always free creators :)

To start it off though, you know I gotta recommend @alwaysfreecc, the finds blog currently managed by myself, @superflare, @nicatnite88, and @toastie-sim! We only reblog cc creators that are always free (no exclusive or early access) and use the tag #alwaysfreecc to find your posts! If you're an always free cc creator, please use the tag and/or mention the finds blog so we can get your catalog reblogged there 😌 now, onto the list~!

@xiuminuwu - a creator I've really been loving lately! they have a variety of cute cc, including poses and unique, fashionable clothing~

@hexcodesims - a very underrated creator with tons of clothing edits for masc frame sims, I also love their big bud press palette~

@herecirmsims - makes amaaaazing unique poses for a variety of situations

@adelarsims - has awesome ideas that you wouldn't think of, amazing variety of cc like hello

@janjumjam - adorable cc for kids, gives me happy feels and nostalgia

@ceeproductions - some of my fav cc on this site, great variety for both masc and fem frame

@powluna - super cute items for kiddos... a staple in the mods folder

@ssspringroll - occult cc for daysss, cool sliders and presets, they got it all

@nicatnite88 - yes I'm biased, but the variety and hustle cannot be denied, just look at the amount of cc!

@bobnewbie - hairs, facial hairs, accessories, gorgeous sims... what else could you want?

@darlyssims - UNIQUE. really cool ideas for hairs, accessories, and more

@cliffirem - clothes and hairs with an alt twist i really enjoy

@sammi-xox - beautiful skinblends and super useful skin details

@warwickroyals - gorgeous formalwear, especially good for all you royal simblrs!

@marsosims - cute cute cute all over... hairs, clothes, even build/buy cc!! we stan

@whyhellosims - lots of stuff for kids, build buy cc, and a slant of humor!

@creamlattedream - masc cc staple in this house, lots of cute recolors and casual wear

@pluto-sims - the cutest patterns EVER, adorable kids clothing, posters and walls~

@deathpoke1qa - unique is my word for the day bc my lord... it's popping off! alt staples you can't miss

@icchixxxxxx1 - hairs hairs hairs... and more cute hairs! if you like the cutesy anime look but still mm, go here

@mellosakicc - so. many. t-shirts. but also other clothing, tats, and hairs! another alt cc maker with work ethic for days

@whirliko - cute bright recolors... we have no choice but to stan the pop of color

@shandir - conversions, historical, occult, variety... hello??? get going

@mangosimoothie - the ideas are popping... once again things that would never pop into my brain but are brilliant... just go look and see what I mean

@igorstory - facial hair... a totally unrepresented niche of sims cc.. I have all their stuff... download it

@madameriasims4 - CLASSICS. STAPLES. I use their clothes all the time and they also got build/buy stuff.

@aniraklova - alt & punk vibes to the tippy top, fallout, chains, mohawks, whats not to love??

@pixelunivairse - ONE OF MY FAVS. use their cc constantly for my fem frame sims. uses tons of cute patterns that I love

@demondare-sims - cas cc i love, I use it pretty much every time I play, mm and practical

@fiftymilehighclub - talking about work ethic, it's here... so many recolors in bomb palettes that you'll never download them all... or can you??? try

@sforzcc - retired from cc making, but I gotta recommend, bc I use their wardrobe sooo much... brilliant

@casteru/@woosteru - also retired, but same as #16, I use their cc every day!

@xldkx-cc - am I just listing staples of my mods folder now? yes!! I am not biased!! go and get all that cas cc and poses and deco sims NOW!!

@a-luckyday - if you don't know ms a luckyday poses u have not lived in life!! they have a huge amount of them, solo, couple, group, accessories, and more

@gothoffspring - really cute and vibey recolors, I use them a lot, also some build buy items too!!

@jellymoo - we love the clothing... mm aesthetic to the core and cute af

@gladlypants - lotsa adorable items I adore, variety of patterns too

@birksche - tons, I mean TONS of hairs bro, years worth, always free... a treasure trove

@teekalu - supreme maxis match, vanilla vibes that are so lovely... ideal for low cc players

@honeyssims4 - poses, honey!!! the variety will shock you. and they ALL look good

@sewerwolfx - really cool stuff with alt style, some recolors and some from SCRATCH, we love to see it

@historysims4 - historical cc from many different eras!! iconic

@hamsterbellbelle - some of the most unique scifi cc i ever seen... idk how they even make some of that stuff! must see

@surely-sims - beautiful legendary amazing gorgeous never been done before... their fallout inspired cc made me weep and almost solely furnished one of my households, work

...annnndddd I hit my limit!!! I guess thats it for now but maybe a part two... 😉

#ceci speaks #text #smallsimblrsaturday #alwaysfreecc #i tried to put a lot of ppl i havent seen mentioned as much #but theres still so many to love #can u tell my mental state deteriorating as the post went on #it is currently 6 am i am going to bed #hopefully this is coherent when it posts from the queue LOL #alwaysfreecc creator boost

[thebreakfastgenie]

What is your s'mores theory?

It's not a theory about s'mores so much as a theory of s'more-making.

Graham crackers. Nabisco from the red box are ideal. If you can't get those, the Honey Maid ones are acceptable, but inferior.

You need mid-tier chocolate. Hersheys is perfect. Lowest-tier store brand chocolate is no good, but chocolate that's too fancy doesn't work either. The one area where I'm willing to diverge from 100% classic s'more is that in my opinion dark chocolate pairs better with marshmallow than milk chocolate does. However, milk chocolate has a lower melting point so it melts a little better. It's personal preference. Also you really want to pay attention to the shape of the chocolate, because it has to fit on the graham cracker and it has to be the right thickness for melting. The classic full-size bars are the best (half a bar per s'more), two minis will work in a pinch. Don't fuck around with fancy shit like Reeses cups. That's not what we're here for.

Classic marshmallows only. This is so important. They NEED to be ROUND so you can rotate them and make them roast evenly. Those square ones are an abomination unto the lord. The ones coated in coconut just don't roast as well (they are delicious though). You MUST roast the marshmallow on a WOODEN stick. Metal heats up too fast and the inside melts before it's done cooking and it falls off the stick. Sad! Also I'm sorry but the people who say they like to set their marshmallows on fire are just too impatient to cook them properly. It's pure cope. You have to cook them slow to make them puff up!!! If they're not puffing up they're not cooked right!! They should be gooey and melty on the inside and toasty and crunchy on the outside. I like a dark brown exterior it must be said but you will get that by roasting. It works best to roast over coals, not a big open flame, which does kill the bonfire aesthetic a little but oh well. Have two fires or build the fire back up after you make your s'more idk.

S'mores CANNOT be recreated indoors. They never taste right. It's not just about the chocolate+marshmallow+graham cracker combination. For one thing roasted marshmallow is a completely different flavor and it can only be achieved over an open flame. Melting a marshmallow in the microwave will never give you that. Secondly it is also about the TEXTURE and the TEMPERATURE. It's a whole experience. It should also be dark! You should be outside!

S'mores WILL be messy. As god intended. That thing WILL ooze when you bite into it. You WILL have marshmallow all over your hands, face, in your hair. If you're not prepared for that you're not ready for S'mores.

Seriously don't try to make them gourmet! I've tried it! It's never as good! You cannot beat the classics!

[sirenlulls]

get him back! → theburntchip

pairing , theburntchip x youtuber!reader

summary , where, in lieu of yours and chip’s reconnection, fans find out how it happened, and just why you ended things in the first place.

part one (bad idea, right?)

oh, i wanna get him back! 'cause then again, i really miss him, and it makes me real sad

🔴 Y/n L/n Talks On Breakup, Reconnection, The Launch Of Her Brand, & More! FULL POD EP.77 -Saving Grace

join premiere!

LIVE CHAT !

user: stop i’m actually gonna cry ☹️☹️☹️

user: I KNEW THOSE TWITTER B WORDS WERE WRONG I KNEW THEY DIDNT END BADLY

user: that’s so lala land of them

user: “if i ever complained, i’d be the nagging girlfriend” NO BABY 😭😭😭😭

user: never thought i’d say it but i’m glad they broke up bcs if they hadn’t done it then, it would’ve been MESSY messy

user: off topic but can we please talk about how pretty she is :(

user: “if he ever complained about you, i would’ve given him a belting” YES GRACE 👏👏👏

user: WHY DIDNT WE GET Y/N ON HERE SOONER OMGGGGGG I LOVE THIS DUO SM

user: Sending love from Brazil! XX 🇧🇷🇧🇷❤️❤️

user: stop that’s so sad ☹️

user: she’s so real for the anxiety thing

LIVE CHAT !

user: i feel like i’m watching a tv show

user: “i don’t want to lose this again” and when i start sobbing????

user: ok but is the dick game good

user: HE SWIPED UP ON A COSTA TOASTIE ☠️

user: nah he’s down BAD me too but like 😭

user: he def would’ve thrown a temper tantrum if she didn’t respond

user: grace booing is so real i wanted a kissing in the rain screaming ‘i love you’ confession

user: her smile when she said she’s happy now man they’re literally my parents ☹️

user: Love you both X ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

user: ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

user: the world is healing

user: NAH MAN SWEAR THATS CHIPS BOICE COMING IN NOW

LIVE CHAT !

user: i’m actually gonna cry i missed them sm ☹️😭

user: the camera switching to her looking at him with heart eyes after calling him a bellend is so funny GET HER ASS 👏

user: chip is the new an*rew t*te 🙏

user: oh how i missed him calling her lady and missus

user: he’s the leader of the sassy man epidemic oh lord

user: OMG I FORGOT WHEN SHE YSED TO GO ON COFFEE DATES WITH HIS MUM

user: leave my girl and her spotify playlists alone

user: this has literally made my year

user: just in time for y/n’s fall vids

[tagged: savinggracepod , gkbarry_ , theburntchip]

❤️ liked by georgeclarkeey, georgebxggs, and 98,992 others

yourusername mum! mum! i made it! i’m on saving grace!!!!!! (and i figured i deserved at least one pic of chip from the launch x)

user that episode was the funniest thing ever i can’t even i nearly pissed myself when grace pretended to spank u with the paddle 😭😭😭

user mother ur so gorg i’m speechless

user you know the content is gonna slap when y/n l/n is there

user im so obsessed with u pls

user CAL AND CHIP AT THE FUNCTION SIR 👏🙇‍♀️

user best video in youtube history methinks

gkbarry_ loved having you on babe, even if the boss man gatecrashed 🫶❤️

yourusername he doesn’t like feeling left out smh

theburntchip oh alright then

max_balegde ICONIC!!!!!!

user MY ROMAN EMPIRE

user i hope you know that twt is in flames rn

user i gen teared up a bit when you talked about the breakup 🥹

user icons only

[tagged: ynapparel , nellarose , theburntchip]

❤️ liked by landonorris, behzinga and 97,872 others

yourusername self representing by wearing @ ynapparel the past (and every) week 😩🤭 featuring the love of my life & chip ig…

theburntchip wow alright

theburntchip i thought you were a g 😔

yourusername oops sorry babe

theburntchip we’re over smh

yourusername oh no… what a shame ☹️ anyway… hot girl winter!!!!!!

theburntchip the fits are fire though 😮‍💨

yourusername as always x

user EATING SLAYING DEVOURING

user OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

user forever obsessed with u

user graduated from cuntingtion university with an phd in slaying

nellarose love you bae x

calfreezy chip looking dashing as per usual

theburntchip aye thank you brotha

nellarose AYYYY LOOKING SEXY 🔥🔥🔥🔥

yourusername ALL YOU BABY 💋💋💋

ynapparel looking good and dressed to kill 😉😇🩷

user face card NEVER declines

lissiemackintosh this barbie is my mother

user ur so real lissie

faithlouisak doll 🤩

alice_hez 😍🔥🖤

user WHATS THE SQUARE ROOT OF 64?????

user angel girl 🤍

centralcee 😮‍💨🔥🔥🔥🔥

user NAHHH HES BRAVE COMMENTING ON THE POST W HER BOYFRIEND

user CENCH GET OUTTA HERE MAN

user SIRENSIRENSIREN Y/N BABY RUN!!!!!

user OH??????

user wait am i missing smth why are we freaking out

user @ user cench has always been lowk flirting with y/n, like she interviewed him at some event last yr and he was being so flirty and obviously she was giving him blank wall back BUT when her and chip broke up he got even WORSE like man was always in her comments tryna chat her up and she entertained it a lil but now the bitch is back and he’s bold

user NAH MAN GTFO WE JUST GOT CHIP BACK IN THE PICTURE WE CANT HAVE U RUINING THAT

theburntchip just posted to their story

#theburntchip x reader #theburntchip imagine #theburntchip fic #theburntchip x y/n #youtube x redaer #youtube #british youtube x reader #british youtube #british youtuber x reader #uk youtube #calfreezy #gk barry #max balegde #nella rose

[worldsetfree]

Stardust Crusaders × Reader: Motion Pictures

(+ bonus card at the bottom of the cereal box!)

Finally, you and your travelling band of troubadours have arrived at a hotel for the first time in days. It's early in the evening, everybody's exhausted, so you decide to retire to your rooms early and decompress. But you want to take some time, either with the group or your special someone and unwind with a movie.

(Trying to stay as canon-compliant as possible, so only movies that came out in or before 1988. Enjoy! Feedback welcome.)

I. THE MAGICIAN

Muhammad Avdol hasn't watched a lot of movies tbh. Down for most anything. Spending time with you is the true privilege.

Tbh I am struggling so much with picking a movie for him. His favourite movie canonically is Midnight Run, so maybe he'd recommend something like From Russia With Love?

I think he would let you pick if it was only the two of you and just be happy for the time together. He is the sweetest of men.

Respectfully tender. You want to share a blanket? You want snacks? You want to kiss? He's prepared and willing for anything.

Toasty warm if you want to cuddle. Leaves him delightly flustered.

V. THE HIEROPHANT

Omg this bean. 💕 Kakyoin Noriaki wants you to watch something that is of great personal significance to him but he's fearful of rejection.

He'll pick something a little bit artsy (and maybe pretentious), but something he holds dear to his heart. But it's Kakyoin, and he's also kind of a weirdo. He's gonna pick something a little out there like Blade Runner. The Princess Bride?

Please, bear with him. He's doing his best. Does the movie fit the vibe? Maybe not. But it's about being next to you.

Wants to cuddle, is too nervous to ask. You're gonna have to be the bold one here.

Watch his face flush to match his hair if you pull him in close and kiss his cheek. He's gonna want to do this every night from now on.

VII. THE CHARIOT

Oh Lord, Jean Pierre Polnareff has been waiting for this moment. He wants to fall in love. This is his chance to woo you, mademoiselle.

Already has a running list of appropriately romantic movies. Settles on Dirty Dancing (he is incorrigible). He doesn't actually care about the movie, this is all just a scheme to set the mood.

Chatty as fuck during the movie. Sweet nothings in your ear and distracted commentary on the movie. His stream of consciousness, really. Wants to see you blush.

Offers to let you sit/put your head in his lap. C'est magnifique if you take him up on that.

He is a gentleman, he won't try anything you don't want. He is going to ask to kiss you, though. Even if it's not the first time you've kissed today. He can't help himself.

IX. THE HERMIT

Joseph Joestar is either trying to inspire the group with some big moral lesson or he's leaning on his comfort films in private with you. No in-between.

"Comfort films" means Indiana Jones. That's it. There's a new one coming out next year, you know? You'll go see it with him, right? He's just as handsome as Sean Connery!

He's gonna try the ol' big yawn and stretch into holding you trick. Thinks he's slick.

Somehow he's already eaten the snacks. Pest. Will get more if you ask nicely.

The type of man who waits til you're very engrossed in the movie, then distracts you by kissing your neck. Success may vary. What do you mean Indiana Jones doesn't get you in the mood?

XVII. THE STAR

Good grief, why do you have to do this right now? Kujo Jotaro is tired and wants to sleep. You're so needy.

(He's thrilled by the idea and would love to turn his brain off for a night).

In front of the guys, he wants to watch some cool action movie. Top Gun? Yojimbo? More of a cinephile than he lets on. In private, he is more comfortable being the dork we know he is. Might suggest detective fiction or a documentary.

Adores these quiet moments of respite. Will play with your hair. Pamper him a little bit with soft affection and see his brows finally relax right before your eyes.

Will end up falling asleep on your shoulder, with his arms wrapped around you. Will beat up anybody that tries to tease him about it. RIP Joseph

0. THE FOOL

(He's a dog. Obviously platonic)

You're done. Fuck these guys. Fuck this whole trip. They have tried your patience for the last time today.

You and Iggy will cuddle up on a soft hotel bed and watch a Disney movie or something and have a self-care night.

Do a face mask. Realign your chakras. Enjoy strange flavours of gum. Live your best life.

Iggy is suprisingly okay with this turn of events. He lays in your lap and lets you pet him. Finally, he has found peace.

The men are distraught grumpy about missing out on this. Open the door, please. They're sorry, they promise they won't fuck up and do any stupid shit without listening to you again. Please!

Bonus Card:

IV. THE EMPORER

Baby, he's never wanted to do anything more in his life. He swears! Hol Horse loves taking time to unwind with you!

You already know this man is going to try to charm you with a spaghetti western. Fistful of Dollars it is.

THIS AIN'T HIS FIRST RODEO. He's already got all the pieces together to make this a proper romantic night. Popcorn? Check. Comfy seating? Check. Cologne? Check. Handsome smile? Baby, you're screwed.

Takes it slow, lets you make the first move. Will make you swoon.

Like a bandit, he is gone in the morning, with a note telling you he'll be back again soon and to keep him in your heart. ♡

#jjba #jojo no kimyou na bouken #jojo's bizarre adventure #stardust crusaders #part 3 #mohammed avdol #noriaki kakyoin #jotaro kujo #jean pierre polnareff #iggy jjba #hol horse #jean pierre polnareff x reader #kujo jotaro x reader #kakyoin noriaki × reader #joseph joestar x reader #old joseph joestar #muhammad avdol x reader #hol horse × reader #ramblingsfromzawarudo

[writingonleaves]

will you take a moment? promise me this (that you'll stand by me forever) - the blue au

universe: the blue au (clementine sandoval x hughes brothers x nico hischier)

warnings: swearing, mentions of death, more sadness than i intended originally, mentions of covid during one particular part, so so much fluff!!

title + based on: "long live" by taylor swift, "i'll always remember you" by hannah montana, "ribs" by lorde, "vienna" by billy joel, "home" by edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros and "a letter to my younger self" by ambar lucid. title from "long live"

word count: 14k

author's note: graduation / draft moments that technically take place before the first installment. though you should read the first part for context if you haven't yet! romance who? we ride and die with found family. i def made myself cry a few times writing this. happy american thanksgiving to all those who celebrate. hold your family and loved ones close. hope you all enjoy and please let me know what you think <3

2018 - dallas, texas 

i wish you love, i wish you luck

for you, the world just opens up

- “i’ll always remember you” by hannah montana

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dallas. The time is currently 12:26 p.m. and the current temperature outside is a very toasty 91 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Clementine tunes out after that. 91 degrees? She’s gonna die when she gets out of the airport. 

As soon as she exits the plane, she follows the signs to the baggage claim, waiting for her luggage that isn’t only for this next week, but is for the entire summer as well before she returns to UCLA in the fall. After the draft, she’s heading back to Massachusetts to work in a clinic for the summer. 

Fuck, she just had her last final three days ago. She feels like it never stops. Sometimes she wishes it would. 

But she shakes her head to herself, watching as her bag comes closer. None of that now. She’s about to celebrate one of her favorite people making their dream come true. She smiles to herself as she wheels her suitcase and adjusts the straps of her backpack, not quite running but pretty close to it as she walks through the arrivals terminal of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. 

“Clementine!” She whips her head over to see Ellen’s unmistakable blonde hair and wide smile, waving enthusiastically. Next to her is Maeve, her own mother with a more subdued smile, her carry-on suitcase beside her. They had scheduled their flights so that they’d land around the same time. To Clementine’s absolute delight, she sees Jack and Luke right before Luke comes flying at her. 

“Oof,” she groans as Luke hugs her tightly, burying his head into her shoulder. “God. You need to stop growing.”

“Never,” he mutters into her neck before letting go with a bright smile. “Hi Clemmy!”

She grins back. “Hi Lukey. I’ve missed you.”

“My turn!” She laughs as Jack shoves his brother aside and sways her around. He messed up her hair before pulling away. “I’m so pumped you’re here.”

“Me too, Jackson.” Both moms finally get to where they are and she hugs Ellen before hugging her own mother. “When did you land?”

“About an hour ago.”

Clementine cringes. “Yeah, we were delayed back at LAX. Sorry.”

Ellen waves her apology away as they start heading out of the airport, Jack grabbing her suitcase and Luke grabbing Maeve’s. “No worries. We’re just excited you both are here.”

“El, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Maeve says. And her mom’s right, Clementine thinks. Quinn’s getting drafted into the NHL. She can’t remember a time when this wasn’t his dream. 

“How have you been? How’s college?” Jack asks. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever.”

“We literally all FaceTimed last week,” Luke says while avoiding Jack’s slap. 

“It’s not the same,” Jack whines. Clementine rolls her eyes at his tone, but he kinda has a point. FaceTimes and texts are never the same as their in-person debriefs, which have become fewer and more in-depth since all four of them are in different-ish places now (though Jack and Luke technically still live under the same roof and Quinn isn’t that far). 

Clementine feels a pang in her heart, knowing that the amount of debriefs will only get fewer and fewer as the years go on. 

“College is good,” she automatically squints against the sun the second they get outside. “Same old, same old. Didn’t fail any classes somehow, which is always a win.”

Ellen snorts. “Honey, you’re literally the smartest girl I know. I don’t think failing is in your vocabulary.”

“No, literally.” Luke adds. 

“Aw, not true. Thank you, but not true. And this weekend isn’t about me.” Clementine whips out her arm in front of Jack’s front so that he doesn’t get run over by a car. “I didn’t expect to see you two until dinner.”

Jack shrugs. “We were gonna tag along with Dad, but we already did to some of his stuff yesterday and it was so boring.”

Clementine snorts. “Well, he’s technically kind of working this weekend, no?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be that boring,” Jack says. 

“You two better get used to it then,” she swings an arm around both Jack and Luke’s shoulders. “Especially you, Jacky. This is gonna be you next year.”

Jack groans, but Clementine knows he secretly loves it. “Ugh. Don’t remind me. You’re gonna be here, right?”

“Where?”

“Next year. At the draft.”

“What? Of course I will.” How dare he think differently? “And whenever Luke’s is. You guys are silly for thinking otherwise.”

“But what if you’re too busy saving lives?”

“It doesn't matter where I am. I’ll be there,” Clementine promises, as they all climb into the car. 

“Clem’s right, boys.” Maeve says, turning around from the passenger seat as Ellen starts the engine. “You can’t get rid of us that easily.” Luke responds by putting his chin on Maeve’s shoulder as she reaches up to tap his cheek fondly. “Have you all gotten the chance to see Quinn much?”

“Here and there,” Ellen says. “Media and last minute meetings with teams have been keeping him busy though.”

Clementine has naturally always known more about the hockey world than the average person purely from her circumstances, but within the last month or so — mostly when she’s been procrastinating on studying for final exams — she’s been poking around online to see people’s pre-draft predictions. Obviously, she knows they’re just speculations, but she wanted to get an idea of what the general world has been thinking of Quinn. She thinks he’s the best at everything, but she’s aware she’s incredibly biased. 

She hasn’t really talked to Quinn, or the other two, about it, knowing that it’s all they’ve been thinking or hearing about and there’s no use adding onto the noise. But Clementine wants to be prepared. From her research, people have Quinn going to places from Arizona to Vancouver to Ottawa. She’s seen Detroit a good amount. One or two said New York or Chicago. 

But at the end of the day, truly, it doesn't matter. For her at least. He’s getting drafted into the National Hockey League and Clementine brought two waterproof mascaras to prepare. 

“God, El.” Maeve puts a hand on her best friend’s shoulder. “You must be so proud.”

“It’s definitely a big week,” Ellen says. Jack puts his head on Clementine’s shoulder because she somehow ended up in the middle seat. But she doesn’t shove him off like she usually would. 

Every time she sees these boys — this family — again, she feels more grateful to have them.

“Thanks for picking us up,” Clementine says. “You really didn’t have to.”

“Oh, it was nothing.” Ellen says. “Now tell us about college, honey. Only one more year to go! Well, of undergrad at least.”

…..

Later that night, they’re about to go inside a nice restaurant for dinner when Clementine squeals, launching herself at Quinn. She feels his laughter as she squeezes tight and she holds on longer than normal. 

“Hey Clem,” he says. 

She pulls back and smiles, before hugging him again. “Hi Q.”

“It’s so good to see you,” he says, as Clementine lets go to let him hug Maeve, who sways him. Clementine thinks she sees her mother’s eyes water. 

Clementine turns to beam at Jim. “Hi Jimmy!”

“Hey sunshine,” he says with a laugh, hugging her and kissing her on the cheek. “Glad you and your mom made it.”

“Of course.” They all file into the restaurant and take their seats. She sits inbetween Quinn and Ellen with Jack directly across from her. She narrows her eyes when he kicks her foot and purposefully avoids her eye contact. 

She turns to Quinn with a wide smile. “Look at you. You’re such a star.”

Quinn laughs nervously. “What are you talking about?”

“We’re here. In Dallas. To watch you get drafted. This is a big deal!”

“Are you gonna cry?” Luke teases. 

Clementine snorts. “Of course I am. Stupid question, Lukey. I’m gonna be crying all weekend.” She wraps an arm around Quinn and leans in for a side hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to come to see you play at Michigan this year. I’ll try my best next season.”

“What?” Quinn asks, genuinely confused. “It’s okay. I-I didn’t expect you to. You’re busy at school.”

She shrugs, thanking the waitress for pouring out her glass of water before turning back to Quinn. “I want to, though. Jack and Luke and even Trevor keep texting me that I need to come to one.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Quinn says. And Clementine knows he means it too, the sweet boy. “I’m serious. You already stream the games and that’s completely unnecessary.”

“Sorry I want to support my best friend slash brother.”

Quinn pouts, “Well now I feel like an asshole.”

Clementine just smirks as everyone looks over the menu.

Dinner is simply wonderful. The food is yummy but the company is even better, as she finds herself laughing loudly at all of Ellen’s classic stories and Maeve bouncing off of her old friend seamlessly. Clementine just giggles under her breath as she watches Jim sit there in amusement and sometimes exasperation, ordering a second beer before their main courses even come. The boys are the boys, lively as ever and filled with love. The feeling of anticipation and excitement in the air has Clementine just putting her chin on her hand, observing the love around her. 

Her father would’ve loved this. 

As if he knows that she’s about to go too deep in her thoughts, Luke pulls on her ponytail. She shoots him a look as she’s swallowing her bite of gnocchi. “What?”

He beams. “Nothing.”

She rolls her eyes, but smiles nonetheless. Luke will always be her baby, but it’s moments like this when she realizes that he’s growing up so fast. As Quinn laughs at something his dad said and she watches Luke’s eyes drift towards him, she bites her lip. Soon enough, it’ll be Luke in his oldest brother’s shoes seeing what team will draft him. 

She blinks as a hand waves in front of her. “Earth to Clee,” Jack says. 

“What’s up?”

Jack gives her a hopeful look. “Can I try some of your pasta?”

“Cut me a piece of your steak and then we’ll talk.”

…..

The next few days, Clementine and her mom explore Dallas. Ellen, Jack and Luke join them when they can, Jim comes on the rare time that he doesn’t have meetings and Quinn is just too busy to join at all. Clementine’s surprised Ellen, Jack and Luke are even tagging along with them. But she welcomes it. 

Until Jack is nudging her way too close to the edge of the sidewalk and she stumbles. Luke just laughs and both Ellen and Maeve don’t see it because they’re walking up ahead. Assholes. 

The day of the draft comes quickly, and her and her mom are staying in the same hotel the Hughes family is. They get ready right after lunch, as Maeve and Clementine take charge of being the communication liaison for the rest of the Hughes family who’s here on this special day to let Ellen and Jim handle what they need to. Ever since the day Ellen introduced Maeve to her family, Maeve’s become one of them. Clementine smiles as she watches Geegs, Ellen’s mom, and her mom hug, opening her own arms happily when it’s her turn. 

“Hi Sweetie.”

“Hi Geegs,” she lets the older woman place her hands on her cheeks. 

“You look more like your father the older you get. Beautiful.”

Clementine swallows as she reaches up to squeeze her pseudo-grandma’s wrists, before turning to greet the various other family members. Most of them she knows, some she doesn’t. Many she hasn’t seen since she went to college. 

She volunteers to wait downstairs for everyone to come while her mom makes a few trips to and from the hotel room where Ellen, Jim, Quinn, Jack and Luke are. Once she’s 99% sure everyone is at the hotel, she makes the trip up to the room herself. In the elevator mirror, she glances at her outfit. A blush pink wrap dress with white heeled sandals. She’s decided to keep her hair down, a hair elastic around her wrist that will no doubt be used the second she steps outside into the Dallas heat. Earrings that Ellen gave her for her 18th birthday are dangling from her ears.

And of course, the three friendship bracelets tied around her left wrist. They don’t match any part of her outfit, but it doesn’t matter. She rubs over them with her right thumb as the elevator door opens. 

When she knocks on the door, it’s swung open immediately by one of their many cousins. Emily, who can’t be more than five years old, immediately wraps her arms around Clementine’s legs.

Clementine laughs, maneuvering carefully so that she can shut the door behind her before bending down to fully hug the girl. “Hi Em.”

“Hi Clee!”

“How are you?” Clementine stands back up. “You look so pretty.”

“Thank you,” Emily reaches out to tug at Clementine’s hand and she obliges. “Everyone’s been looking for you.”

“Really?” Clementine asks skeptically as she follows the young girl down the short hallway.

“Well, maybe just me.” They come to a stop and there’s a big call of her name echoed throughout the room. Clementine smiles bashfully. The Hughes extended family has always been nice to her, but this isn’t her day. She eyes the camera out of the corner of her eye and blinks.

Sometimes she forgets that the three boys she calls her brothers have outside attention on them. Which is dumb, because duh. But she forgets they’re not just… Quinny, Jacky and Lukey. 

Though today, out of all days, nothing will let her forget. She thinks she’s okay with that. 

The sound of Luke calling out her name puts her a bit more at ease. “I was starting to think you got lost.” She rolls her eyes, ignoring him as she gets pulled into hugs. 

She eventually stops in front of her mother, who just raises an eyebrow and lowers her voice. “You have the cufflinks?”

She nods, blindly reaching into her purse and feeling around for her small gift for Quinn. “Yeah. I’ll give it to him when he starts getting dressed.”

Jim, who overhears the exchange between mother and daughter, eyes them suspiciously. “Cufflinks? Mae, you already got him-”

“Not from me,” Maeve sings with a mischievous smile. “Technically, this one is all Clem.” Jim rolls his eyes as Clementine smiles innocently, before she gets pulled into a conversation with Lara, one of the aunts. 

She notices immediately when Quinn is ducking into the attached bedroom to change and quickly scurries in his direction. She stops in the doorway, watching as Quinn starts unzipping the garment bag that’s holding the suit that Maeve gifted him for this very day. “You have a second?” Clementine says. 

Quinn turns around quickly with a small smile. “Of course.” Clementine walks in and reaches into the outside pocket, taking out the small black pouch. Immediately, Quinn is shaking his head. “Clem, no.”

“You don’t even know what it is!”

“I don’t have to. Clem, the fact that you’re here and I’m wearing a suit your mom made me. That’s enough. That’s more than enough.”

Clementine pouts, “It’s never enough. Open it.” With a skeptical look, he carefully takes the pouch for her hands and opens it. He gently lays the cufflinks out on the palm of his hand. They’re silver, a Q and an H written out in cursive on each. “It’s nothing too crazy, but-”

“It’s perfect,” Quinn breathes out. He closes his fest and looks up, pulling Clementine into a very tight hug. “Thank you so much.”

She can feel herself starting to tear up. Dammit. “I’m so…god, I don’t know.”

He pulls away and laughs. “You’re already crying?”

“I’m trying not to,” she whines, watching as he puts the cufflinks back into the pouch and places them on a nearby table. She clears her throat. “I’ll let you get ready.”

She smiles at him one last time before turning around to walk out of the room. “Clem?” He says. 

She whips her head back around. “Yeah?”

“I love you.” 

She swallows and puts a hand up. “Don’t,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady. He laughs and she laughs with him. “I love you too, Quinny. So much.”

He nods and she leaves the room and enters the other bedroom. Immediately, she’s met with Jack. He takes one look at her watery eyes and cackles. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

Jack’s eyes widen as he clasps his watch around his wrist. “Little ears!”

“You’re a big boy. You can handle it.” She sits down on the edge of the bed across from him, eyeing his formal attire. Only his blazer is missing. She softens. “You look great.”

Jack beams. “Thanks, Clee! You do too.”

“You think?” She says playfully, smoothing down her dress. 

“Yes,” he says genuinely, causing her to look at him. “You look beautiful.”

She just smiles, making grabby hands at him. Jack obliges, collapsing into her for a tight hug that has a tear falling down Clementine’s face. A few other ones slip out as Luke walks in and immediately wraps himself around the two. 

The ride to the arena is quick, Maeve in charge of driving her daughter, Aunt Lara, Uncle Rich and Emily. Once they’re parked, Maeve sees a text from Ellen saying that that the Hughes family who were riding on the bus also just got there and asks if she and Clementine can meet them for a second before they all go their separate ways — the Hughes family to their spots and the others to the designed family and friends area on the other side of the arena. Maeve furrows her eyebrows, muttering about what her old friend could possibly want, but obliges.

Clementine hears the crowd before she sees them, knowing that Quinn is somewhere in the thrall. Before Clementine and Maeve can be confused about where they go, they see Ellen waving them over. 

“What’s up? Did you forget something?” Maeve asks. 

Ellen shakes her head with a smile. Suspicious. “No. Come on. They just opened the doors.”

“What?” Maeve and Clementine ask in unison as they follow Ellen. 

“Surprise! You two are sitting with us.”

“El-”

“Nope,” Ellen glares at Maeve. “No arguments. Quinn wanted you both with him when his name gets called, and it’s his day, so what he says goes.”

Clementine snorts. Dirty move pulling that. But she knows Ellen knows exactly what she’s doing. 

“Are you sure?” Clementine asks softly. 

Ellen pulls her into a side hug as they walk into the building together. “Of course, honey. You’re family. You know that.”

The only three people who are actually in their seats when the three of them go up to their row are Jack, Luke and Geegs, who all just smile and direct them both to their designated seats — Clementine inbetween Jack and Geegs while Maeve is inbetween Ellen and Jim. Maeve sits on the other side of Geegs, the seat momentarily open and Ellen immediately leaves because she’s getting signaled to do media.

Thank god that she doesn’t have to do that, Clementine thinks. She thinks she’d rather die. 

Clementina takes her seat and narrows her eyes playfully at Jack and Luke. “You little secret keepers.”

Luke laughs as Jack smirks. “Good to see you again.”

“Yeah,” she breathes out, looking around and taking in her surroundings for the first time. “This is bananas.”

“Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Luke says. And yeah, it is cool. And wonderful. But also scary? And Clementine’s not the one being drafted. 

Clementine sees Quinn and the Tkachuk brothers coming up to where they are. She’s only met Brady and Matthew a handful of times, but everytime has been as lovely as the last. Brady is immediately occupied by Jack and Luke so Clementine turns to Matthew, standing up and giving him a quick hug. 

“Hey Clementine. Long time no see,” Matthew says into her ear. 

Clementine chuckles. “Hi Matty. It’s good to see you.”

“You look beautiful. Most stunning woman in the room.”

She rolls her eyes. Fucking charmer. “The flirting didn’t work when we were 17. It’s not gonna work when we’re 20.”

Matthew pouts playfully. “At least I tried.” He smiles genuinely. “You excited? It’s a big day.”

“Yeah. It’s quite something.” They both look at Quinn and Brady and she nudges Matthew. “Big day for you guys too. I bet your parents are excited.”

“Yeah, they are. I’m sure you’ll see them later. Last I heard you were in college?”

“I am. Just finished my junior year at UCLA. One more to go.”

Matthew whistles. “Damn. You still wanna be a doctor?”

“That’s the plan.”

He shakes his head with a smirk. “Smartest Hughes by far.” She just shoves his shoulder playfully.

“Clem!” Brady interrupts them by corralling her into a hug, causing Matthew to almost fall. 

Clementine giggles. “Hey Brady. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Brady beams. Clementine finds him absolutely endearing. 

“Whatever team calls your name is lucky to have you.” Brady just keeps smiling and it’s so damn infectious.

Ellen and Jim return and Brady and Matthew take that as a signal that they should head back to their seats. Clementine smiles as the boys all exchange hugs — Quinn and Brady’s lasting longer than all the others — and settles back into her seat. Geegs offers her a bottle of water and Clementine thanks her with a grin. 

“I’m nervous,” she mutters to Geegs, so the boys can’t hear and make fun of her. 

“Me too, sweetie.” She says, patting her leg in such a grandmotherly way that makes Clementine miss her own. She catches Clementine looking down the row at Jack, Luke and Quinn, in that order and takes her hand to squeeze it. “They’re always gonna need you, you know?”

She whips her head back, Geegs with a light smile on her face. “What do you mean?” Clementine asks. 

“It doesn’t matter what team all three of them will eventually get drafted to, they’re always gonna need their big sister.” 

Immediately, Clementine shakes her head, trying not to fucking cry at an event that has nothing to do with her. “They’ve been doing just fine on their own.”

“Sweetie.” Geegs just says, looking at her with that look. 

And Clementine realizes the last time she saw that look, three years ago, a day before she was on a flight to LA, her father dying nine months prior but it feeling like yesterday. She had broken down in her childhood bedroom in Toronto, where everyone was downstairs about to have a farewell dinner to send her off. Geegs had seen her first before getting Maeve and Ellen, and then the three women were just holding Clementine and letting her cry. She had gone on a ramble about leaving home and going to LA and how she misses her dad and how her brothers are going to be so far away and are gonna forget about her. It was a lot for her at that time and the three most important women in her life helped her through it. 

She just leans her head on Geegs’s shoulder, before placing a kiss on her cheek. “Love you.”

“Love you too, sweet girl.” 

Geegs is about to say more before Jack starts incessantly tapping on Clementine’s shoulder. She rolls her eyes but catches Geegs’s knowing look before turning. “What?” Jack pouts at the snap in her tone and Clementine sighs. “Oh don’t give me that.”

“Why not? It works everytime.”

“What’s up?”

He just nudges her shoulder. “Just, I don’t know, wanna make sure you’re good.”

Clementine smiles, leaning her head on his shoulder as he rests his arm around the back of her seat. “I’m perfect.”

“You sure?”

She bites her lip. “Yeah. I just, I don’t know, not trying to bring down the mood but, I wish Dad was here, you know? He would’ve loved all this.”

Jack swallows and she feels him lean his head atop of hers. “Yeah,” he breathes out. “I was thinking that this morning, when we were all at the hotel and everything. I wish he was here too.”

She sneaks a look at Quinn, who’s chatting with his mom. “He would’ve been so proud.”

Jack hums. “Love you, Clee.”

It’s the second time she’s heard that from someone in the Hughes family in two minutes, but it still makes her emotional all the same. “Love you too, Jacky.” She breathes out and tries to gather herself. “God, can we get this show on the road? I’m getting antsy.”

Jack snorts. “Already? It’s gonna be a long night for you then.”

She narrows her eyes. “Careful. If you want me to sneak you a sip of alcohol later, you have to be nice to me.”

Jack huffs. “I can’t wait until the day I’m legal. The drinking age being 19 here is ruining my vibe.”

“Got a couple more years until that, buddy.” And then the arena lights start dimming and a tribute for the Humboldt Broncos tragedy starts. 

It begins. 

When Quinn’s name gets called seventh overall to the Vancouver Canucks, Clementine jumps out of her seat and immediately starts crying as she watches him hug his brothers, before hugging her tightly.

“I’m so proud of you, Q.” She mutters into his shoulder.

“Thanks, Clem.”

“I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” And she lets go to let him hug his grandmother. 

Clementine catches Ellen’s gaze right after Quinn hugs his mother and they share a watery smile, as she watches Maeve squeeze Quinn and kiss him on the cheek. As she watches him go down the stairs and give Brady a hug — she cheered extra loud when Ottawa called his name out earlier — she takes a deep shaky breath but laughs when Luke urges her to take Quinn’s seat. She sits down and squeezes Ellen’s hand, before Ellen kisses her on the cheek. 

Clementine is so overwhelmed and proud and excited for what’s to come, while also being very emotional about how much hard work it took for Quinn to get here. She’s had a front seat on seeing him grow up and it’s been the most incredible ride. 

Later, when they finally all meet up with Quinn again at one of the suites in the arena, she’s about half a vodka cranberry in and just watches all his admirers greet him, the Canucks jersey and hat adorning him nicely. When he finally comes up to her, she beams. 

Quinn laughs as he hugs her, “Already starting to drink?”

“It’s a big day,” she says, pulling away to look him up and down. “Holy shit, dude.”

“Careful. I’m mic’ed up.”

She rolls her eyes. “They can bleep that out. I’m so happy for you. How you feeling?”

“Good, good.” That’s all the words they exchange before other family members rightfully step in to offer their congratulations.

She knows it won’t fully sink in until later, probably when he makes his NHL debut. But what a special day that will live in Clementine’s memory forever.

(It’s not until they’re transferring the celebration to a nearby restaurant / bar does Clementine remember. She literally stops in her tracks, and Quinn, who’s walking beside her and was talking about all the media stuff he had to do, looks at her, confused. 

“Everything good?” He asks. 

Clementine digs into her purse to pull out an envelope. “Yeah. I just almost forgot.”

He takes the envelope, still confused. “What’s this?”

“It’s from Dad.” Quinn blinks at the familiar scribble of his name. “I’ve been keeping it safe this whole time.”

“Fuck, Clem. I-what’s in it?”

She shrugs. “Whatever he wanted to say to you during this moment. I got one when I graduated high school. I’m almost certain your parents probably got theirs today or will eventually from my mom.” She smiles sadly as Quinn sniffs, still staring at the envelope. “Read it later,” she urges softly. “It’ll still be there tomorrow.”

Quinn nods, putting it inside his suit jacket as they continue walking. “Yeah, that’s probably for the best.” He pauses for a few seconds before hugging Clementine the tightest he’s hugged her today. “Thank you.”

“I’m just the messenger,” Clementine says, but she hugs him back. “I know he’s so proud of you, wherever he is.”

Quinn just nods into her shoulder and Clementine feels like they’re kids again)

2019 - los angeles, california

you’re the only friend i need

sharing beds like little kids

and laughing till our ribs get tired

but that will never be enough

- “ribs” by lorde

Clementine’s trying to stifle a yawn as the speeches start. At least they got over the majority of the speeches yesterday during all-university commencement. 

She knows her mom, Ellen and Jim are in the crowd somewhere, from the selfie she got from them as she was waiting to walk to her seat. Thankfully it’s not that hot out, especially for LA, otherwise she’d be more restless than she already is in her lace white dress. Having a ceremony outside is kinda nice, actually, especially with the wind brushing around her legs. 

She walks on the stage, shakes the dean’s hand, gets her diploma and doesn’t faceplant at all, so she takes that as a win. She cheers for her friends when they walk across, and she’s still trying to wrap her head around the fact that four years have gone by so slowly yet so quickly. It’s been filled with great and tough moments, but she’s grateful despite it all. 

They throw their hats up and she embraces her friends, thinking about how they’re all gonna be spread out around the country in just a few months. Clementine’s staying in California, at least, heading to Stanford for medical school in the fall, but it’ll be so different. 

But that’s the beauty of it all, right?

After exchanging a few texts with her mom to establish a meeting place, she briskly walks over to the area, eager to see her family. But she stops in her tracks when she sees Quinn, Jack and Luke. 

They’re not supposed to be here. She blinks, wondering if she’s imagining it. But she hears Luke scream her name and it’s real. All in various colors of a button up and slacks and they’re fucking here. 

“Oh my god,” she says to herself before running over — as fast as she can in these heels — and absolutely crashing into Luke. Her cap falls off but she can’t even care. Jack’s next and hearing his laugh so close to her ear makes her fully start sobbing. By the time Quinn is swaying her side to side and handing her a huge bouquet of flowers “from all three of us,” she’s afraid her eyeliner is ruined. 

She quickly hugs her mom, Ellen and Jim, accepting two more smaller bouquets and turns back to the boys. “You guys are not-how are you here?”

“This was the plan all along,” Quinn laughs. “Come on, Clem. We weren’t gonna miss this.”

“B-but you’re supposed to be, I don’t know, somewhere! Jack, you’re supposed to be doing whatever the hell people do a week before their draft. And Luke, I swear you told me you had a tournament.”

Everyone’s laughing at her disbelief. “Just a few white lies here and there,” Jack says with a proud smile. “Quinn’s right. We wouldn’t miss this.”

“Congratulations, Clemmy!” Luke beams and Clementine wants to squeeze his fucking cheeks. “You didn’t trip walking across the stage.”

“And isn’t that a relief,” Jim jokes. 

Clementines points at the parents in mock accusation after adjusting her hold on all the flowers and her diploma. “You guys knew about this all along, didn’t you?”

“Of course we did,” Maeve rolls her eyes with a grin. “They’ve been planning this for months. Jack literally said he wouldn’t go to Worlds if it was at the same time as your graduation.”

She whacks him lightly across the back of his head with her diploma. “Stupid.”

“Hey!” Jack whines, rubbing the back of his head. 

“Okay, pictures! Before Clem completely cries her makeup off.” Ellen exclaims as they all laugh. Pictures take way too long but Clementine can’t even complain, even when Jack blows raspberries on her and she wants to strangle him. 

As they all walk around campus, Clementine giving an unofficial tour, she points out her old residences, where she used to study, where she’s cried, where she’s laughed. This campus means so much to her and houses so many memories that they’re not a part of. She also gets updates since the last time she saw them over her brief winter break. Luke officially committed to the NTDP, Quinn made his debut with the Canucks that she’s still upset she couldn’t make it for, both Quinn and Jack went to the World Championships, not to mention that Jack’s draft is literally in a week.  

They’re so interested in hearing about her last semester of college and congratulate her officially on Stanford even though Clementine thinks that’s nothing compared to what they’re accomplishing. She voices that, and Quinn immediately gives her a disapproving look that is kinda funny coming from someone younger than her and Luke rolls his eyes with the bold sass of a 15 year old.

Maybe that’s a good thing, Clementine thinks as Jack starts saying how he always talks to his friends about how his “smart, cool older sister” is gonna be a doctor and go to one of the top schools in the country. They all have their talents and they see each other’s accomplishments as the coolest thing in the world. 

She knows not everyone has that kind of support system. She is so blessed that she does, especially today. 

She’s surprised even more when she’s told her mom booked a reservation for one of her favorite farm to table places nearby for dinner, and she indulges herself with two glasses of wine, turning a blind eye when Quinn sneaks a sip. She glares when Luke tries though. Quinn’s at least closer to legal age. 

As she gets healthily tipsy, giggling at every single thing being said and Quinn subtly filling up her glass of water, a tear slips out again. Luckily, no one notices because she wipes it away very quickly.

Everything’s moving so fast. She wishes it would slow down. 

2019 - vancouver, british columbia 

slow down, you’re doing fine

you can’t be everything you wanna be before your time

although it’s so romantic on the borderline tonight

- “vienna” by billy joel

Clementine likes to think she’s more prepared this time around. But deep down, she asks herself if she really is. 

The vibe leading up to this draft compared to last year has been a bit different. While there was a good amount of focus on Quinn last year, it’s ramped so much higher this time around for Jack. She’s heard all about the hype. The draft of the Americans. The draft where Jack’s projected to go first.

And she really applauds Jack for handling it as well as he has. Clementine turns 22 in two weeks and she doesn’t think she could be as collected as Jack is at 18. But then again, all three brothers have been preparing for something like this their whole lives. 

Her and her mother are sitting with the family again with the draftees and this time it’s not a surprise. Maeve once again bought Jack’s suit and Clementine gifted him a watch this morning, and also gave him the letter from Miguel because she vowed to herself that she wouldn’t almost forget like she did for Quinn’s. Jack had just given her the longest hug. 

Jack’s been smiles all morning, confidence radiating off his skin. Clementine knows that most of that is genuine  — Jack has always worn his fearlessness the most outwardly compared to his brothers. So when he says he isn’t nervous, she believes him.

At least this time she has a clearer idea of where Jack will be. It’s either going to be New Jersey or New York. She, and everyone in the hockey world, would be shocked if he ended up in Chicago. 

New Jersey would be extra special. Her dad grew up there. So she hopes all the prediction articles she’s read are correct.

So now here they are. A different country and arena this time around. She’s sitting next to Luke and Geegs and there’s a lot more media that’s paying attention to them. Like right now, where it’s only her and Geegs at their seats because the entire Hughes family is doing media. Being on the bus with them this time around instead of driving to the arena herself, Clementine got more of a look into the behind the scenes stuff before the draft starts. She watched with pride as Jack walked down the carpet, signing autographs and probably charming every single person out there. 

As she walked into Rogers Arena, she got more nervous, smoothing down her olive green dress with her sweaty palms. She’s wearing the same white sandals she wore last year because of some sentimental thought she had in her head while figuring out her outfit. Friendship bracelets are on, hair is fully up this time in a high curled ponytail and her head’s all over the place.

But she also is distracted as Jack has wanted to introduce her to everyone. She’s met a lot of the kids in the program at least once, but it’s been awhile and it feels like she’s meeting them again. Everyone except for Alex, who has crashed some of Jack’s FaceTimes with her since he’s lived with the Hughes’ the last two years. Because of that, she’s inadvertently adopted him as another younger brother of sorts. Cole has the widest smile on his face and Clementine just wants to put him in her pocket. Trevor’s laugh is so contagious that Clementine understands why Jack always says him and Trevor are almost the same person. 

As she watches all of them together, she feels sad that she’s had to miss out on stuff like this, watching her younger brothers find their friends and their way and her only appearing in the stories the boys tell but not actually being in the stories. But what can she do? She chose to go to California for school. She’s choosing to stay in California for school. All with their full support and encouragement. 

That doesn’t mean she can’t be sad that she’s missing things back home. Wherever that is.

She snaps herself out of it though, those pangs of sadness she’s felt throughout the morning. It’s not fair on her emotions that she literally just packed her own stuff up from UCLA a week ago and now is here for one of Jack’s biggest moments. He’s so excited. She doesn’t want to cloud that. 

Jack’s ability to be so happy and excited is one of the best things about him.

Once everyone’s back to their seats, she’s bouncing her leg. Without looking, Quinn just puts a hand on her thigh to calm her down and she wonders for the 100th time in the last week when the fuck he got so observant and mature. 

(He always has been. Clementine’s just in a state of constant denial lately.) 

Jack gets picked first overall to the New Jersey Devils and Clementine, to no one’s surprise, starts crying. 

“Let’s go, baby!” He practically screams into her ear as he hugs her.

She laughs through her tears. “Congrats, Jacky. Love you.”

“Love you more, Clee.”

Jack walks down and makes his way onto the stage and Clementine is having the most intense case of deja vu in her life. Maeve hands her a tissue and she knows that some camera is capturing her wiping her eyes carefully. Hopefully the camera captures her whacking Quinn as he makes fun of her as well. She puts her hands over her heart watching Jack shake Gary Bettman’s hand. She can feel her dad’s love and happiness as if he’s here. 

And maybe he is, even if not physically. He’s here somewhere.  

(Hearing “Coming Home” by Diddy - Dirty Money and Skylar Grey playing as Jack walked down had Clementine wanting to slam her head through a wall. She knows Jack probably didn’t put too much thought into the song, but as she hears Skylar’s voice crooning on about letting the rain wash the pain away and coming home and forgiving mistakes, what else is she supposed to feel?)

She watches one by one as Jack’s friends get drafted with a big smile while enjoying the quiet commentary that Jim is offering. She’s still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Jack will probably be playing in the NHL this year and she still clearly remembers him hiding her shoes when they were younger. 

Clementine laughs as Jack launches himself at her when she sees him later, laughs even more when he and his buddies are being stupid and so boy-like that it makes her heart ache. At some point, someone has control of the aux and “The Spins” by Mac Miller starts playing and Clementine feels fond. Quinn appears beside her and she leans into him. 

“Is this how you feel all the time when you see us?” He asks. 

She breathes out. “Yup.” 

“I don’t know how you do it.”

“Me neither, Q.” 

He chuckles. “The curse of being an older sibling.”

“You have no fucking idea.” 

“The first thought I had when his name was called was that Miguel would’ve screamed.” 

She snorts. “Probably true. I gave Jack his letter this morning.”

“I know. I accidentally walked in just as he was finishing reading it.” He pauses suddenly. “Will you come watch when I come to play the Sharks?” 

She looks over at the vulnerable look in his eyes. “Of course.” She realizes then where Quinn’s fears are going. Michigan is only an hour and a half away from Jersey by plane, while Vancouver is four hours away by plane. She’s gonna be the closest to him out of the seven of them. “Of course I will, Quinn. Always.”

“Thanks,” Quinn replies, voice a bit rough. She just presses a kiss to his cheek.

…..

The next morning, Clementine’s woken up by a knock on the door. She groans, but the knocks keep happening so she kicks herself off the bed, throws on a UCLA sweatshirt over herself and opens the door. Jack’s standing at the doorway, hair all over the place and t-shirt and shorts wrinkly. 

“What the fuck, Jack?” She asks bluntly. 

“Sorry.” At least he looks apologetic. “Shit, sorry. I’m just a bit restless.”

“Get in. Quietly. We can talk on the balcony.” Jack gives her a thankful smile as he follows her into the room. They tiptoe past so that Maeve doesn’t wake up, Clementine grabbing her phone along the way. 

She groans as he closes the balcony door and she sinks down into one of the seats. “Jack, it’s 8 in the goddamn morning. Did you not see Ellen and I knocking back shots yesterday?”

Jack snorts. “Who didn’t? I’m pretty sure at least 10 people were filming.”

“What can I say? Your family and friends think I’m entertaining.” She yawns. “What’s up, superstar? What’s got your mind racing at this ungodly hour?”

He shrugs and Clementine wants to roll her eyes. But her semi-awake brain reminds her that this is how all three of them, but especially Jack, has always been. When there’s something bothering him, she always gives him time and lets him come to her. 

A few minutes of silence, before:

“I’m not in over my head, right?”

“About?”

“Everything.”

Clementine blinks. Frankly, she’s too tired and hungover to be a big sister right now. But she’ll try her best. “Jack Rowden Hughes. Don’t tell me you were just drafted number one in the National Hockey League, which is something that had been predicted for at least two years now, and are telling me you’re in over your head.”

He flinches. “Don’t full name me. It’s too early for that.”

She kicks him in the ribs. “You’re a good player, Jack. Which is honestly probably an understatement. I’ve seen you play since you were literally a child. It’s almost freaky how good you are.”

“But you have to say that.”

“I don’t have to say anything,” Clementine says. “I don’t have the time and energy to be bullshitting people anymore, especially you.”

Jack looks down at his hands. “I guess the expectations have always been there, especially recently. But it’s so much more now and that’s kinda scary, Clee.”

“Everything new is always gonna be scary,” Clementine says softly, the breeze waving with her words. “Always. I don’t care how ready for it you’ve been. I’ve been wanting to be a doctor since I was 16. You think I’m not scared to go to Stanford in the fall?”

He furrows his eyebrows. “B-but you’re so smart. You’re gonna be fine.”

“And you’re so talented. So you’re gonna be fine.” She says pointedly. “Realistically, no one can predict the future. Of course I hope that you and Quinn have a great rookie year and a long, successful career ahead of you. Same with Lukey when it’s his turn. But inevitably, there’s gonna be hard moments. That’s just life. You and I both know that. Hell, we’ve been through that together. Will people talk shit about your hard moments more than mine? Yeah, unfortunately, which I hate and wish I could change. But those people, you need to remember, don’t know you. The people who do know you and who love you whether you have skates on your feet or not? Those are the people you should be listening to. And we all love you and are so, so proud of you, Jacky.”

He scooches his chair over and leans his head on her shoulder. “How do you always know what to say?”

“I think I’ve known you all long enough just to know what to say so that you’ll listen to me.” She plays with his hair, staring out into the harbor the hotel borders. “You got all the time in the world to be who you want to be, Jack. And maybe sometimes that requires being in your head a bit. But you’ll come out okay in the end. You always have.”

She swears she feels a few of his tears drip onto her shirt. “I love you, Clee. I know I say it a lot but I mean it everytime.”

“I know you do.”

“I cried when you got your diploma last week.”

“I know. Luke told me.”

“Traitor,” he says with no heat. He throws his legs over her lap and tucks himself into her. “I-I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she parrots back.

He looks up at her from where he’s tucked his head under her chin and Clementine smiles sadly. He looks so young when he does that. He pouts. “You look sad.”

“I’m not sad.” 

He gives her a look. “Clementine Ana Sandoval.”

“Hey. You can’t do that,” she protests weakly. He waits. “I’m not sad, really. It’s just been an emotional week. In a happy way.”

“You can still be emotional in a happy way and be sad.”

She smiles. “I guess you’re right.” She kisses the top of his head. “I am so proud of you, Jack. Truly. I love you so much.”

“I love you the most, Clee. I’m serious.”

She looks at him with a smile, because she knows there’s just no way. He smiles back brightly in the morning light. 

His lips quiver and she frowns. “We’re gonna be so far apart now.” He whispers.

“We haven’t lived close to each other in awhile.”

“But it’s gonna be even farther.”

“Like I told Quinn, whenever you come play at San Jose, I’ll be there. I promise.”

“And what if I need you other times?”

“When have you called me and I haven’t picked up? Or haven’t called back within the hour?” Silence from him, because he knows she has a point. “Doesn’t matter how far apart we are. I’ll always be there for you.”

He nods, once to indicate that he heard, twice to inject those words into his veins. He kisses her cheek and she bites her lip. She’ll always love him. 

(They end up dozing off. Maeve wakes up and is very confused when she looks to see her daughter’s empty bed. Her gaze shifts to the balcony beyond the glass door and she smiles, watching Clementine and Jack’s chests fall and rise in sync. 

Maeve snaps a picture and sends it to Ellen, before getting out of bed to shower. She’ll give them some more time to rest.)

2021 - canton, michigan

laugh until we think we’ll die

barefoot on a summer night

never could be sweeter than with you

- “home” by edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros

The second her mom pulls into the Hughes’s driveway after 13 hours of being in the car, Clementine immediately runs to Ellen, who’s standing by the doorway waiting to greet them.

She breathes in Ellen’s familiar citrus perfume and melts into her arms. A year and a half into the pandemic has felt like 30 years, and Clementine just feels lucky that she can be here. She steps aside to let Maeve and Ellen embrace, getting the luggage from the car. 

“Where are Jimmy and the boys?” Maeve asks as they all gather in the kitchen and Ellen starts reheating some lasagna.

“Playing golf. They’ll be back soon.”

All three of them are collectively a bottle of white wine in deep when they hear a call pull into the driveway. Clementine can hear the moment the boys see the Massachusetts license plate because she hears Luke scream “Maeve and Clemmy are here!” and three car doors slamming before they barrel into the house. 

Clementine just waves her fingers and giggles. Quinn reaches her first, hugging her and lifting her off the stool as she laughs into his neck. Luke’s next — has he grown even more? — and she places three consecutive kisses on his cheek. Jack’s smile is as bright as ever and she threads one hand in his hair as he spins her around. 

Then finally, Jim, who’s been patiently waiting his turn. When she hugs him, she turns her cheek so that it’s against his chest. He places a fatherly kiss in her hair and she feels like a little girl again. 

In her wine drunk stage, she happily listens to the boys babble on about whatever, Maeve chiming in from time to time with stories about what it’s like trying to teach ten year olds over Zoom. At one point, Jack spits out a mouthful of beer and Quinn’s grimacing while Clementine grabs a paper towel without missing a beat in her retelling of how she should’ve gotten an A on a final paper she submitted last semester. 

(Jack had rolled his eyes, muttering “fucking overachiever” under his breath which Clementine glared at him for. Mr. Number One Pick shouldn’t be talking) 

It sucks that Luke won’t be able to get the same draft experience his brothers did, but in a way, it’s a wonderful compromise. He gets to be at home surrounded by his family and friends. Sure, media is still somehow finding their way in because it’s the draft and because he’s a Hughes but it won’t be nearly as much as it has been before. 

Clementine finds a bit of comfort in knowing that Luke won’t immediately jump into the NHL like Jack did. Not that she doesn’t want him to. She wants them to get everything they want in life. But Luke is her baby. He’s perpetually eight years old in her mind. 

And this isn’t the time to dwell on this, but Jack’s rookie year was so tough on him. She’ll never forget getting a call at 2 am his time, absolutely hyperventilating over the phone. After that, she demanded he call her once every week for at least two months after. Luckily, Quinn had a great rookie year and Jack’s second year was better, but goodness, she needs a bit more time to prepare before she starts getting middle of the night calls from three Hughes brothers involving a world she’s still learning about day by day. 

The next week is relaxing and lovely, Clementine having nothing to do for the first time in awhile having taken two weeks off from her summer job at Boston Children’s for this. She lets herself sleep in, takes naps in the backyard and on the boat, moves around slowly in the kitchen to help prepare dinner and cherishes the sounds of Quinn, Jack and Luke’s laughter echoing through the house. 

…..

The night before the draft, Clementine feels a bit restless. She tosses aside her blanket and tiptoes downstairs in a Michigan sweatshirt that she’s stolen at some point this week. Wiping her eyes, she quietly opens cabinets and pokes through the pantry, concluding that the Hughes household has all the ingredients she needs to make brown sugar cookies. Luckily, sound doesn’t travel much in this house, she’s learned. Clementine starts to get to work. 

By the time she’s waiting for the oven to finish preheating so she can put cookies into the oven, she hears footsteps coming down the stairs. She’s about to open her mouth to apologize but snaps it shut when she sees Quinn, all cozied up in a black t-shirt and gray sweats, hair absolutely all over the place. 

He blinks. “Why are you awake?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

Quinn scans over the three trays of cookies waiting to go in. “Didn’t both our moms bake a gigantic cake today?”

“Yup.”

He hums. The oven beeps and before she can react, he slides the trays in. As he shuts the oven door, Clementine pours him a glass of water as she sets a timer on her phone.

“Why are you awake at this hour, Quinny?”

Quinn shrugs. “I was up to use the bathroom. Thought I heard something downstairs and wanted to check it out.”

She yawns. “Yeah, sorry.”

“I didn’t know you baked.”

“Newer habit. One of my roommates, Allie, you’ve met Allie over FaceTime, she’s a stress baker. Whenever exam season hit, there were baked goods all over our apartment. Picked up on a thing or two.”

Quinn hums. “What’s Allie up to this summer?”

“She just started her residency in Florida.”

“So she graduated?”

“Yup. Now I’m all alone.” Quinn rolls his eyes because he knows that’s not true. It isn’t. Clementine still has two other roommates as they continue looking for a third. 

“I still can’t believe you had time to do med school applications as well as a full course load,” Quinn says. “Like, I know you said that’s kinda normal. But how did you have the time?”

Clementine snickers. “I’m not sure how I did. Pure rage and fumes? ”

“I mean, you’re superwoman. You always have been. But damn. There are really no breaks for you, eh?”

“Coming here is a break.”

“Good,” she ruffles his hair. Quinn sighs. “Can’t believe it’s finally little Lukey’s turn.”

“Yeah. I’ve been having a crisis about it all summer. Makes me feel old.”

“You’re only 24?”

“Exactly,” she deadpans. “Old.”

Quinn rolls his eyes. They both look up as someone else comes down the stairs. Alex, who came in just a few hours ago, rubs his eyes with his fists. “What the fuck are you two doing up awake?”

“Clem’s making cookies.”

Alex blinks. “And you are?”

“Keeping her company.”

Alex just shrugs before sitting down across from her. He nods in thanks when Clementine fills up a glass of water for him. “Haven’t really gotten the chance to catch up with you. How’s Stanford?”

Clementine snickers. “Good. Well, as good as it can be in a pandemic. School’s school. First two years were mostly by the textbooks. Next two will be textbooks and clinicals so I’ll be in the hospital. Hopefully.”

“Clinicals?”

“Like, actually working with patients. Or like, observing in the hospital with a supervisor. The good stuff.”

“Sounds smart,” Alex hums. “How do you feel that all your babies will have been drafted 24 hours from now?” 

Fucking asshole. She doesn’t know why Ellen has a soft spot towards Alex when he’s clearly a nuisance. He just laughs at her pout and Quinn shakes his head with a close-lipped smile. “Don’t get her started. It’s 1 a.m.”

Her eyes roll so hard they might as well fall out of her head. “Don’t you have siblings?” He nods. “Are they younger or older?”

“Older. I’m the youngest.”

She huffs and Quinn grins. “That makes sense,” she says. “You don’t get it.”

Alex gets up and pulls Clementine into a quick side hug as he gets more water. “I only got to hear about how you were crying when Quinn and Jack got called. Now I’ll get to see for myself.”

“Careful,” she says wearily. Careful of what, she doesn’t know, but she needs to instill some sort of dominance as the oldest here. Quinn snickers into his sweatshirt. 

Her timer beeps a few minutes later and she shuts it off. Quinn ushers her aside while he grabs the trays and sets them on the counter to cool while Clementine digs around for a large tupperware container to store them. Alex just stares at them hungrily and she can’t even be annoyed. She sees that look in all the Hughes brothers’ eyes all the time in the kitchen. And Alex might as well be a Hughes. 

Once they each finish a cookie, Clementine shoos them both upstairs as she follows behind them to try and go back to sleep. Tomorrow’s a big day.

…..

The next morning comes quickly. She’s sharing a room and bed with her mother but she’s nowhere to be found. Instead, Clementine gets woken up by Jack jumping on her bed. Thankfully, he avoids anything that could really hurt her, but she still grunts, whacking him in the stomach and shooing him out of the room before beginning to get ready. She can already hear various family and friends coming through the front door downstairs.

She gets dressed in a cream romper she found on sale a month ago and pulls out, of course, the white sandals. She rummages through her backpack to find the letter — the final one she’s in charge of — and quickly debates on when she’ll give it to Luke. 

Now, she decides, putting it on the bedside table. Before the cameras turn on. She slips her phone into the pockets of her romper — she’s pumped they even have pockets — and walks down the stairs. Immediately at the front door, she’s met with Emily. She’s nine now and Clementine just goes on her knees and holds her tightly. Clementine then quickly runs into Ellen, who wants to introduce her to some people — some she’s met a handful of times, some she hasn’t met once.

It’s lovely, in a way, knowing that while their lives are so intertwined, there’s always someone new to meet or someone to reunite with. The support system for all of them is so much larger than she could’ve ever dreamed of, as she grins when Sophia, who she last saw at Quinn’s draft, hugs her tight like they just saw each other yesterday. She’s in her second year at Michigan on the lacrosse team and so smiley and lovely.

Once she spots Luke, she taps his shoulder and he excuses himself from talking to one of Jim’s old friends. Luke’s constant smile this whole week has been small but genuine. As his eyes drift down to the envelope in her hands, she sees him swallow. 

Clementine hands it over and claps a hand on his shoulder. “Later, yeah? When you have a minute.”

Luke just nods expectantly. Like almost everything in life, his brothers have gotten their letters before him. If Clementine sometimes thinks too much about it, it makes her almost sad that Luke’s always had someone do something before him, whether it’s her or Quinn and Jack. But it’s also a blessing, in a way, she thinks, because in her eyes, Luke is the best out of all of them in pretty much every single way possible because he’s seen how the older three have messed up and can take from that. She knows Quinn and Jack agree. 

“Thanks for being here.”

“Of course.” She pulls him into a hug and breathes in. “Is that the cologne I gave you yesterday?”

“Yeah.”

“Cute.” Clementine gives him one last squeeze before pulling away. The house is filling up more and more and she knows her time is limited. “If I don’t catch you before, just remember that I love you, okay? And I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Clemmy.”

“I’ll look at the schedule soon and try to come down to see a game when I can.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

“Duh. I gotta put all this Michigan merch I have to some use.” 

Luke shrugs. “I don’t know-I just figured, you saw Quinn at Michigan and you’ve seen Quinn and Jack in the show. Why would you come to see something you’ve already seen, you know?”

“Because it’s you, Lukey.” She squeezes his arm. “You’re always going to be my baby brother.”

She feels him relax as he folds himself into her arms again. 

The day passes by in a blur as Clementine is enjoying catching up with everyone. And there’s a feeling of gratitude in that everyone can gather with each other again after so much isolation in different parts of the continent for so long. She sees Josh for the first time in literal years and happily spends time catching up with him. 

For most of the day, she forgets that it’s draft day. She’s just bouncing around, sipping casually on her cider and snacking. The cookies she made the night before are gone very quickly, which makes her laugh to herself. 

Once Luke disappears upstairs to get dressed, she finds herself leaning against a doorway, staring out into the living room that’s filled with people but not really looking at anything. 

“You okay?”

She turns to see her mom, pearl earrings matching her deep red blouse. Clementine grins. “Yeah. Just zoned out for a minute.”

Maeve lets out a heavy breath. “Last one.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s weird. I always knew he’d get here. All of them. But then it happens. And you think you’re prepared, but you’re not.” Clementine perks up. Her mom doesn’t often get into these types of moods, always the fun-loving, energetic woman. Her dad was more the outwardly perceptive one. Maeve just continues with a small smile. “From the most adorable little boys to incredible young men.”

Clementine laughs. “They’ll always be little to me.”

“Take how you feel and multiply that by three hundred and that’s where I’m at as I’ve seen all of you together this week,” Maeve says with a snort. She hooks her chin on Clementine’s shoulder. “Love you, Clementine.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

Soon enough, everyone’s gathered in front of the TV, with a few cameras around and someone on standby who’s gonna do an interview right when Luke’s name gets called. On the couch and chairs at the front, from right to left, are Geegs, Ellen, Quinn, Luke, Jack and Jim. Her and Maeve are standing right behind Jim and Alex and Josh are next to Clementine. 

This time, it could be Anaheim or Columbus or Detroit. Maybe San Jose. 

Or it could be New Jersey. 

She knows Jack has been pretty outwardly casual about it — he knows nothing, he’s just hoping. But she knows Jack. He wants his younger brother with him. And it would be lovely for those two to play on the same team. What are the odds? 

(Apparently, pretty good.)

Luke gets drafted to New Jersey fourth overall. The whole house explodes with cheers. She’s never seen Jack so excited. Maeve puts her hands on Jim’s shoulders as Luke is hugging Quinn and Jim turns around, eyes wet. That’s what sets Clementine off crying. When it’s her turn to get a hug from Luke, she rises to her tiptoes and throws her arms around his neck. 

“Congrats, Lukey. Proud of you.”

“Thanks, Clemmy. I love you.”

She smacks a kiss on his cheek. “I love you too.” Luke then hugs Maeve, Alex and Josh before continuing down the line. 

From there, there’s media to be down and they quickly set up. Most of the family stays in the room as the three boys adjust themselves on the couch, ready to answer some questions. After Geegs gives her a big hug and Luke throws on Jack’s Devils jersey, Clementine bites her lip and suddenly spins on her heel, feeling overwhelmed. 

Alex notices, furrowing his eyebrows as he lightly grabs her arm. “You okay?”

Clementine nods with a smile. “Yeah. I’m just gonna get some air.”

Alex just nods. “Okay,” he squeezes her shoulder in a side hug. “Don’t be too long or we’ll all come looking for you.”

“I won’t,” she promises, before quietly slipping out the screen door in the backyard. 

She takes a deep breath, wiping her eyes and deciding to take a little walk around the block. She stares out at the sky, currently painted in hues of pink and purple as the sun is starting to set. Michigan is beautiful. She can understand why they all love it. She fiddles with the three friendship bracelets and her vision blurs as she starts lightly crying again. 

It’s been a long time coming. All of this always has. But like her mom said, it doesn’t mean she’s ready for it. 

After a nice walk, Clementine sits down on the swing in the front yard. She can hear the commotion happening inside the house and in the backyard, but she’s not quite ready to go back in yet. She watches the sun continue setting, thankful that it’s just windy and cool enough to not have the mosquitos attacking her. 

Quinn’s in Vancouver. Jack’s in New Jersey. Both of them are looking to stay long term. Luke will be going to Michigan for at least a year. If Clementine’s inkling is right, it’ll be two, just like Quinn did. And then Luke will be in New Jersey. She’s in California for two more years. And then who knows where for residency afterwards. Ellen and Jim are mainly based in Michigan and her mom’s out in Massachusetts.

Will they ever all live close enough to each other again? Will there ever be more than just the holidays, which started already looking different ages ago when the boys started having tournaments at that time of the year? Will there ever be a time where they’re all able to be together for more than two — maybe three if they’re lucky — times a year? 

She’s accepted by now that no, they probably will never live near each other again or see each other more than they currently do. But she can hope, right? 

Because she’s made a home for herself in a few places now. Massachusetts, where Mom is. California, where she’s been for six years, She hasn’t lived in Toronto for six years now, but that will always be home too. 

But home, Clementine realizes, as she hears Quinn’s contagious laughter filter from the house, is this. Home is Quinn’s subtle loyalty and kindness that knows no bounds. Home is Jack’s contagious vivacity and love that envelopes every room. Home is Luke’s steadfast resilience and empathy that pulls everyone in. Home is Ellen’s warm hugs and Jim’s proud eyes. Home is her own mother’s…everything. 

Home is the way her father lives in all their memories, even six years after he’s gone. All the people he loved the most. That’s home. 

The front door opens. She looks up as Luke walks out and immediately smiles. He looks good in Devils red. “Hey.”

He grins. “Hi. I was looking for you.”

“Just needed some air. Are you done with media and interviews?”

“Yeah,” he slides in next to her. She watches his handle fiddle with the envelope, “Luke” written unmistakingly in Miguel’s handwriting. “I wanted to read this with you.”

Clementine shakes her head. “Nope. I was given very specific instructions. Your-”

“Eyes only,” Luke finishes. “Yeah, yeah. I know. But could you stay here while I read it to myself?”

She softens with a smile. “Of course I can.” 

She watches as his shaky hands carefully tear open the envelope, biting her lip as he unfolds the paper. She then purposely looks away as Luke leans forward, elbows on his knees, eyes scanning the words. She places a hand on his back, rubbing small circles to let him know that she’s here. Once she hears the sound of him folding the paper, she turns to look at him. His lips are quivering and she corrals him into a hug. 

“I wish he was here,” Luke chokes out through tears and Clementine tilts her chin up to the sky to try to hold back her own. “I miss him so much, Clemmy.”

“Me too, Lukey,” she whispers, letting him place his head on her lap. “Me too.”

“It’s so unfair how little time we had with him,” he says and well, Clementine’s fully crying again because yeah, she was 17 when her dad died. But Luke was 11. Not even a teenager. “All I could really think of when I got picked was that Miguel’s from Jersey.”

Clementine smiles. “Yeah.”

“Kinda feels like fate, maybe?”

“Fate sounds good,” she says softly, stroking his cheek with her thumb as she smiles at him. “I really like the sound of that, actually.”

There are footsteps coming closer and Clementine turns behind her to see Quinn with Jack behind him. She gives them a bittersweet smile and nods at them to come sit. Quinn slides in next to her and Jack sits on the other side of Luke. 

“You okay, Moose?” Quinn asks softly.

“Yeah,” Luke says in a scratchy voice. “I’ll come back in in a few minutes.”

“Take your time,” Jack says, exchanging a look with Clementine as she starts playing with Luke’s hair. “No rush.”

“Did all your letters make you feel like this?” Luke asks. 

“Yup.” Jack snorts.

“Yeah.” Quinn sighs. “It still does.”

“I had to reapply my mascara before my grad party,” Clementine says lightly. All four of them chuckle. She swallows, “I love you guys. So much.”

Quinn kisses her on the cheek as Jack reaches out behind Luke to squeeze her shoulder. “We love you more, Clem.” Quinn mutters. 

They stay out on the swing for a little while, just the four of them. Only when the sun sets do they make their way to the backyard to rejoin everyone. Before he gets pulled away again, Clementine holds Luke one last time. 

bonus - 2028 - new york city, new york

ya no quiero que llores

the universe is gonna give you muchas flores

quitate ese miedo

you’ll be a lot more, trust me, yo te entiendo

- “a letter to my younger self” ambar lucid

Clementine really didn’t need everyone to be here. It’s only a lunch after all. 

But “it’s not like we have anything going on anyways,” Quinn had said, the lunch NYU is throwing to mark the end of people’s residencies taking place at the end of June during the off season. So when NYU said she could bring up to eight guests, she didn’t really have a solid argument. 

And here they are now, sitting in a small but beautifully decorated ballroom. Clementine’s wearing a dark purple jumpsuit as she looks around the table. Nico’s to her right, talking happily with Jim on his other side. Then it’s Jack, then Luke, then Quinn, then Ellen and then finally her own mother on Clementine’s left. They’re all dressed up a bit, the guys in button ups and Ellen and Maeve with nice blouses on. It makes Clementine smile.

It’s really not a formal thing. But she’s grateful to have them all here anyways.

“Okay, real talk.” Jack says across the table, grabbing Clementine’s attention. “Your attending physician who stopped by earlier? I would hit.”

Maeve snorts. Ellen sighs and just says his name in disappointment. Jim takes a sip of his beer trying to hide a smile. Quinn and Luke roll their eyes and Nico scoffs. 

“Really?” Clementine says dryly. 

Jack, like the menace he is, just smirks. “Absolutely. I mean, I know you’re engaged or whatever, but if you weren’t…”

“The person she’s engaged to is right here,” Nico says as Jack cackles. 

Clementine rolls her eyes. “Well, Dr. Butterfield is happily married with kids. Sorry to burst your bubble. Though I’m sure Amelie would also not be thrilled.”

Jack waves her off at the mention of his girlfriend. “Amelie would probably agree with me.”

“I don’t know how Amelie deals with you,” Nico shoots back. 

“Settle down,” Clementine says in a monotone voice. Even after so many years, Nico and Jack love finding anything to bicker about off the ice. “Let me eat my pasta in peace.”

“Better listen to Clem, boys,” Jim chuckles. “It’s her day.”

“It’s her month,” Luke clarifies, elbowing Jack. “Are you trying to get uninvited to her wedding?”

“Clee would never!” Jack exclaims. Which is true, but Clementine’s glad Luke is backing her up. 

“Nico would,” Nico grumbles. Good thing they’re not seated next to each other right now or she’s sure Jack would be smacking him. Which is hilarious, considering Jack is one of Nico’s groomsmen. 

Five years. Five years since she walked into Langone for the first time. Five years since she moved into Hoboken with Jack and Luke. She may not live with them anymore, but sometimes, with the amount they’re over her and Nico’s house, it feels like she still does. 

Five years of great moments and really, really tough ones. Five years of highlighters in her mouth, pencils twisted in a bun atop of her head, dark under-eye circles after overnight shifts, delirious conversations with her fellow residents and so, so much coffee. And before that, eight years of school, sometimes forgetting what it was all for. But here she is.

Doctor Clementine Sandoval has a nice ring to it. 

She’s brought out of her own world when she feels Nico squeeze her thigh lightly. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

“You zoned out again.”

She hums lightly. Nico always knows when to bring her back to the present. “Thanks.” He just kisses her temple. 

Along with eighteen other new doctors, Clementine’s called up on the stage to receive her certificate. Dr. Butterfield says a few words about her in front of everyone that she thinks are far too kind and she can’t help but laugh when she hears her whole table cheering as her picture’s being taken. 

“You have a lot of loud supporters,” Dr. Butterfield jokes as he shakes her hand. 

She snickers. “You have no idea.”

“They seem lovely. Keep them close.”

“They are. I will.”

“Enjoy your time off. You deserve it. We’ll see you back at NYU in September.”

Clementine beams. “Thanks Doc. I’m looking forward to it.”

After lunch is over, they go outside and take pictures right by Battery Park, where the lunch was held. Unlike the three brothers, she doesn't complain about the amount of pictures Ellen, Jim and Maeve want to take, just grinning and laughing as Nico pokes her side. They split up to drive back to Nico and Clementine’s in Jersey — Ellen, Jim and Maeve in one car and her, Nico, Quinn, Jack and Luke in the other. Nico is somehow roped into driving and Clementine knows he probably regrets that. You put five 25-31 year olds who see each other simultaneously too little and too much in the same car when there’s an annoying amount of traffic and it’s an interesting ride. 

“Someone must be throwing a party,” Clementine comments as they turn onto the cul de sac, cars lining up the curb. She squints at her and Nico’s driveway at two familiar cars. “What are Dougie and Bratter doing here?” Nico just gives her a shrug. The brothers in the back don’t respond either. “What are you guys not telling me?”

“Chill, Clee,” Jack says. “We have no idea what’s going on either. We’ll find out in two seconds anyways. 

She almost believes him. Instead, she falls in step with Nico, who locks the car. “What’s going on?” She mutters.

Nico just smiles, hand on her lower back naturally. “It’s all good. Just trust me.”

And the thing is, she does. She trusts Nico with her life. 

The second she walks through the door, she jumps as a chorus of “congratulations” echoes through the home. She scans the room quickly. The house is decorated with streamers and balloons, there are food and snacks all over and their home looks so filled. 

Maeve, Ellen and Jim beat them here, all looking very proud. Next to them are Quinn, Jack and Luke with big smiles, next to their significant others — Amelie snapping pictures with her camera, Jordyn leaning back into Luke’s chest, and even Grace is here, Quinn’s arm wrapped around her waist that’s starting to show her small, beautiful baby bump. Grace is supposed to be on tour singing in front of a sold-out crowd in Florida right now.

And then there’s Dougie. And Jesper and Nicole and their toddler son. And Timo and Steph. And Erik and Kristen and their kids. And Seamus. And Jonas. And Ethan. And Nate and Dawson and their significant others. And seemingly almost every other Devils player, most present, some past. And then there’s Trevor, Alex and Cole and Clementine feels like she’s 21 again.

Then there’s her family, blood related and not. Her Uncle Thomas and Aunt Mariana — Thomas is Miguel’s younger brother. Her Aunt Aoife, who was in California literally two days ago. Those are the only blood-related family members who live in the US, and they’re all here. Then there’s Lara and John and Emily, who’s somehow 16 now. Other various members of the Hughes extended family who she’s always loved are dispersed around. 

And then a smattering of her friends from UCLA, Stanford and NYU, all cheering enthusiastically. The ones who made all those years filled with light even in the darkest crevices.

The house is filled with so many people she loves. As she turns back to look at Nico, she feels overwhelmed. “What’s all this?” She chokes out.

“To celebrate you,” Nico says with a twinkle in his eye. 

“His idea, by the way.” Emilia calls out with a grin. Clementine has to laugh. Because of course it is. 

“I love you,” she whispers to Nico, pecking him on the lips. 

“I love you.” He repeats back. “Now go celebrate with everyone.”

And celebrate with everyone she does. As she does that, she can’t help but steal glances at Nico from wherever she is in the room. Because she’s been blessed with having a wonderful support system — the people currently in this house prove that — but there’s never been anyone quite like Nico who just loves her so wholly and wants to celebrate her all the time. 

Later that night, after she bids goodbye and a gracious thank you to Jesper and Nicole, who stayed to help clean up, she lets out a deep breath. It’s just her and her brothers and all the significant others now, Ellen, Jim and Maeve having retired up to bed half an hour ago. She collapses on the couch next to Nico. She stays quiet as she listens to Luke and Grace arguing about something that really reminds Clementine that Grace may be married to Quinn, but Grace met Luke first at a bar in New York years ago and has refused to stop making fun of him since then.

It was just her and the boys for so long. She’s so happy that they’ve all found their own counterparts throughout the years. 

“Thank you for today,” she mutters to Nico. “Seriously. It was…thank you.”

“Of course,” Nico says, his thumb going over the ring on her left hand. “You’re so loved, baby. Any chance to remind you of that is worth it to me.” She just leans up to kiss him. 

“Ew,” Luke says, ruining the moment. Jordyn slaps him for that one. 

Clementine scoffs, “Fuck off. We’re literally getting married next month.”

“Okay and?” Even at 25, Luke is still her annoying little brother. “I know today’s your day and all, but sucking face with my captain is not something I really want to see.”

“Then look away.”

Quinn snorts under his breath. “You guys are impossible.”

“Learn to deal with it, Quinny,” Jack smirks. “You have a child coming soon. If they’re anything like Grace, they’re gonna be fighting you all the time.” 

Grace reaches over her husband and shoves Jack. “Watch it, Hughes. Unless you want your backstage pass taken away when you come to my show in two weeks.”

Jack gasps dramatically. “But I haven’t gotten to see you perform in ages!”

“Exactly. So zip it.”

Amelie makes eye contact with Clementine and Nico with an eye roll. “They exhaust me.” And Clementine has to laugh, because they’ve all made the choice to be exhausted by each other.

Soon after, everyone’s tired out from the day’s festivities and starts heading to their respective rooms for the evening. Clementine trails behind everyone, shutting the lights off and making sure the doors are locked. 

She’s about to shut the light off in the living room when she stops, catching sight of a photo frame hung on the wall opposite the couch. They don’t have many frames hung up around the house, but the photos they do have hung up are important.

She stares at her father’s face. The picture was taken when Clementine was fifteen. The three of them were about to go to Thomas and Mariana’s wedding, Maeve in a long blue dress, Miguel in a dashing suit with a matching blue tie and Clementine in a glittery pink dress. They’re all smiling at the camera in front of a sunset. It’s one of Clementine’s favorites. 

Suddenly, her throat closes up as her father’s voice echoes through her brain. “The universe is gonna give you muchas flores,” he always said. All the flowers, he would say. She thinks he said that on the hospital bed on his last day. She’s long forgiven herself for not remembering every word from that day anymore. 

Nico comes from behind and his hands wrap around her shoulders as she grabs his wrists. She then turns her head to the picture right next to it and smiles. It’s of her and Nico almost two years ago on New Year’s Eve, four hours before Nico would get down on one knee and ask her to spend the rest of their lives together. And then lastly, to the right of that picture, a frame with three pictures in one. Her, Quinn, Jack and Luke all during their respective drafts. The same photoset is hanging in their homes as well. 

She feels Nico kiss the back of her head and she smiles, before turning and heading to bed, Nico’s arm around her shoulder.

long live the walls we crashed through

i had the time of my life with you

#k writes #hockey fanfiction #hockey fanfic #new jersey devils #vancouver canucks #quinn hughes #jack hughes #luke hughes #nico hischier #the blue au #hockey blurb #nhl fic #nhl #nhl fanfiction #nhl blurb

[mikkomacko]

DATING TYSON JOST-INSTAGRAM POSTS

Happy Tyson Tuesday and Josty birthday! (and pie day too I guess) Sorry I've been MIA just been busy. Anyway here's something cute and simple to celebrate our favorite guy

Liked by your.instagram and others

Josty17: Chilling with my chilled Coors light 😎

#ad #21+

📸: your.instagram

Coors light: We love to see it

Landeskog.92: Influencer era

JTCompher: making the big bucks now I see

Your.instagram: sorry y'all he's a transplant and hasn't learned that banquet is better

-> Newhook18: tell him teach

->your.instagram: school's not really his thing unfortunately

->Josty17: Hey! I went to college

LOConnor: DU would've taught you better bud #SkoPios

Liked by ColoradoAvalanche and others

Your.instagram: 2 minutes and he still didn't realize I was sitting here

Tagged: Josty17

ColoradoAvalanche: Mr.Influencer has learned to ignore the camera

Josty17: Didn't realize it was visiting hours at the jailhouse

-> your.instagram: 🎶 mama I'm in love with a criminal🎶

6ErikJohnson6: Josty give her the attention she deserves before I do

-> your.instagram: wearing your sweater next game 🫶

->Josty17: Oh dear...

Liked by your.instagram and others

Josty17: A screenshot from today's daily FaceTime with mom. If anyone's looking for a photographer hit up momma Jost

Tagged: your.instagram

Your.instagram: Don’t be shy Tys post the birds nest of bed head you cropped out

->Josty17: I’d have to reveal your cute squishy face and that’s a hard no

->Josty17: squishy face is for me and me only

AndreBurakovsky: you make out with your girl while your mom is on FaceTime??

->JTCompher: confirmed mommy issues Josty

->Josty17: we were not making out I was pinching her face together to make her mad

->your.instagram: then we made out

->Josty17: babe stop we did not make out in front of my mother

Liked by Josty17 and others

Your.instagram: Uber driver was really hot but only played SoundCloud recordings of his ukelele 7/10

Tagged: Josty17

JTCompher: he's working hard for that tip

Cradnec: Wow cutie. How do I request this driver?

->Your.instagram: offer to buy his dinner and he'll respond within 2 seconds

Josty17: I play Justin Bieber upon request

-> Your.instagram: no one requests Justin Bieber

->Josty17: I'm a Pisces... please don't spite me...please no fighting :(

Liked by ColoradoAvalanche and others

Josty17: My girl dressed me for this one. Apparently pinstripes are in

Landeskog92: Hope you play as good as you dress

6ErikJohnson6: Did she pack your lunch for you to?

->Josty16: extra juice box and everything

-> your.instagram: I also wrapped his booboo finger for him 🥰

Your.instagram: wow you're almost as hot as this winning streak #GoAvsGo

->Josty17: Gonna keep turning up the heat 🔥

Liked by 6ErikJohnson6 and others

Your.instagram: He clearly wasn't pleased to see my Condor jersey tonight

Tagged: Josty17, 6ErikJohnson6

MelLandeskog: you travelled to see your man and still didn't wear his sweater?! Brutal

->your.instagram: Toasty needed to be humbled after he ignored me in the box and didn't throw me a puck last game

6ErikJohnson6: I love my fans (you) but more importantly I love my haters (Josty)

->Landeskog92: Fan behavior from both of them

Josty17: The lord giveth (my girl at my game) and the Lord taketh (her in my mortal enemy's jersey)

-> Your.instagram: The lord giveth (a hot hockey bf) and the Lord taketh (him giving my warmup puck to the 5 year old with a sign)

-> Josty17: Babe he was a child and it's a rubber disk

->Your.instagram: *my rubber disk

Liked by your.instagram and others

Josty17: Snow days >>

Tagged: your.instagram

Makar8: That's a Canadian welcome if I've ever seen one

->Josty17: warm greetings for our adopted Canadian y/n Josty

->Landeskog92: y/n Josty?!

->Josty17: Figured I'd give her time to get used to it before it becomes her name

Your.instagram: Tys at home days >>

->Josty17: clingy gf days >>

->Your.instagram: clingy for you 25/8

->Josty17: <3 :-)

AndreBurakovsky: please tell me your mom didn't take this pic

->Josty17: this is the work of an overbearing and imposing sister

->Your.instagram: an overbearing and imposing sister that we love with all our hearts

->Josty17: my girls 🫡

Liked by matbarzal13 and others

Your.instagram: Josty fan girls rise up

Tagged: Josty17

6ErikJohnson6: you're telling me he's naked in the middle of a Canadian winter??

->Your.instagram: #FreeTheNipple is year round baby

JTCompher: Josty fan girl here. Thanks for my new lockscreen pic

->Your.instagram: Strength in numbers

Landeskog92: Hot

Josty17: Didn't even give me a heads-up so I could flex for ya

-> your.instagram: your abs are the star of this show please stop complaining

->Josty17: Would've hiked my shorts up higher if ya asked ;-)

->Your.instagram: Thighs are for my eyes only babes

#tyson jost #Tyson Jost social media #fake social media #dating Tyson Jost #Tyson Jost blurb #Tyson Jost x female reader #fluff #nhl imagine #nhl blurb #josty #josty baby

[rudie-wr1tes]

Endless Passion- A Sandman Fan Fiction

X. Reverie

Synopsis: On a bright morning in the Dreaming, Sabine meets the acquaintance of Morpheus's most recent creation. The creature seems innocent, but it makes Sabine wonder if she knows more than she lets on.

  The sound of mourning doves and the fluttering of wings stirred Sabine from her rest, as gentle golden daylight crept through from the edges of her bedroom. She was perfectly splayed out on the sheets, blankets and pillows scattered on the floor. She slowly rose, sitting at the edge of her bed. Oddly enough, she felt more energized. In her apartment, she would spend an extra hour in bed just to rot, but here- here something was recharged within her. She noticed the plumerias from her floating vases had disappeared, and were replaced with light blue hydrangeas- another favorite of hers. She began to wonder if that would change daily, as she walked across the room. 

A rolling rattle activated within the wall across from her, as she noticed a fireplace coming to life on the empty wall. It was a graceful thing, carved with two sirens on either side. Waves and strange, medieval looking sea creatures swept across the crest of the hearth. She shook her head. 

“He is done for.” She muttered, sitting in front of the toasty fire, “Trying to win my affections to a lifetime in this pretty place.” 

As she curled by the fire, there was a knock to her chamber door. She quickly approached, snatching a fluffier robe that seemed to appear out of thin air on a coat rack. She was five seconds from opening the door when a glass peep hole formed in the starlit surface. She flinched back, to lean in again. 

An unmanned handcart appeared on the other side, with a tea pot and sealed food packages on its surface. Of course she wasn’t going to let it get cold, the woman was starving. 

As she opened the door, the wooden cart moved past her, nearly running over her toes. 

“Hello?” She stammered, trying not to laugh, “What are you?” 

The teapot floated on its own, pouring a steaming cup of french sipping chocolate for her, before sliding back down in its proper place. Sabine’s jaw dropped. 

“.... Is marriage out of the question?” She remarked to herself, soon reaching for a little tin full of cream. 

“I can make myself a bowl of cereal just fine, you know.” She muttered to no one, taking a rather large sip of it out. She melted, tapping her feet against the floor at the rich flavor. And to think it was only the beginning of her time here- an eternity of hot chocolate and invisible wait staff would mean heaven for the rest of her days. 

There came a tapping on the glass doors to her balcony. Sabine turned with an upper lip full of chocolate, soon scrubbing it off with the back of her palm. It was Matthew, who waited patiently. And as she opened the door to him, she couldn’t help but to smile and think of Edgar Allen Poe so fondly. 

“Morning!” Matthew croaked, “How are you feeling?” 

“Good morning, Matthew!” Sabine smiled, “I am feeling juts fine now… My cut is nearly healed.” 

“Ah, that’s great.” Matthew honked, “I’m glad to see you adjusting. Dream is still on to see you this afternoon and told me to remind you.” 

Sabine rolled her eyes, “Yes, of course. I can’t forget about the Lord of dreams and trying to bribe my affections.” 

Matthew opened his beak, but soon shut ut into a small chuckle, “He genuinely does feel bad to keep you here, you know.” 

Sabine crossed her arms, “I know he does. He’s doing so much for me and… Frankly…” She looked back at her beautiful room to see the bed had been made automatically on its own, “I find myself receptive to it. He even gave me my hot chocolate this morning.” 

“Oh, that’s not all he’s giving you.” Matthew said in a smug tone, “I’d like to stay and chat, but there’s someone who’s been wanting to meet you!” 

“Me?” Sabine inquired, “And just who may that be?” 

“Matthew!” A smaller squawk echoed, “Matthew I’m almost here, I’m- Woah!” 

There was a crash of white feathers into a portion of Sabine’s moon garden. Her eyes widened slightly, as Matthew let out a groan. 

“... Here we go.” He muttered, hopping off th balcony to aid his apprentice. 

In the mix of dirt, leaves, and white flowers was a dust ridden albino raven. A female, younger than Matthew, who sneezed dirt out of her beak and coughed. 

“Oh, gosh, the dirt here tastes terrible too!” a warm, innocent voice stammered out of her beak, “I thought it would be something magical since this is just a dream realm, but my goodness! It’s just plain old dirt!” 

Matthew scoffed in annoyance, his feathers puffing up.

Sabine squatted down and helped the creature out of the mess. 

“Well, what did you think it was going to taste like?” Sabine asked curiously. 

“I don’t know! Something like oreo dust,” She shrugged her wings softly, “Like those worm cups they make for kids in preschool with gummies in them.” 

 Matthew plucked a leaf off from the top of her head, sighing. 

“And I told you to watch your landings.” Matthew struck an impatient tone, “You’ll bust a bone, and then what will become of you?” 

“Have you broken anything?” Sabine asked, sweeping the dirt off of her feathers. 

“Oh, no, just my own pride.” The white raven said sheepishly, “Especially in front of you, lady.”

As she flicked the dirt off of her feathers, Matthew nudged her. 

“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?” Matthew asked, seemingly annoyed by his apprentice. 

Sabine only smiled, waiting patiently. 

“What’s that?” She squaked, “Oh! Please forgive me, lady-” she cleared her throat, bowing with her wings, “Good morning, my name is Evangeline. I am a raven that was created by Lord Morpheus to be your personal messenger and guide!” 

“Hello, Evangeline.” Sabine greeted, “It’s nice to meet you.” 

“Oh, you’re right, Matthew!” Evangeline beamed, “She is lovely! My name sounds prettier when she says it!” 

Sabine laughed softly, letting Evangeline perch on her fingertips, “You’re even lovlier. It’s my great grandmother’s name you have.” 

“You don’t say!” Evangline said bashuflly, “Well, I’ll tell you this. It wasn’t the name I was born with! You see, I was just like Matthew here-” Matthew seemed annoyed at this tibit of information. 

“I was human too!” Evangleine’s blue eyes brightened, “And I was a human in the waking world! I was dying of cancer one minute, and I remember watching my family over me, and the next I was flying through the air and stars, and I was here! And he let me pick my own name. Oh, I always wanted something pretty and heavenly like Evangeline. I’ve never felt freer, so when Lord Morpheus gave me this chance, I had to say yes! I can’t fail him, or you now!” 

“Not until you improve your flight patters.” Matthews frowning tone interrupted her, “She will be closer to you in due time, but for now I’m on flight training duties with this one. She will have a more in depth judgment of the Dreaming as a whole for you to reference.” 

“That’s amazing.” Sabine said in awe, “Thank you, Matthew. When do you think she will be done with her training?” 

“That depends on how far we get today.” Matthew answered. 

“I can’t help it.” Evangeline pouted, “I’ve only had these wings for a day, you know.” 

“She does make a point.” Sabine said in a reassuring tone. Matthew clicked his beak. 

“We should go.” Matthew said, “Lucienne’s sorting books out now whenever you want to head over and visit. She always claims she doesn’t need help, but…” 

Sabine nodded, “I know exactly what you mean. She could use the company?” 

“Exactly.” Matthew said, “Allright, Evangeline, let’s hop off here.” 

“Okay!” Evangaline chirped, “Well, I am so happy to meet you Sabine. I hope my training goes fast so I can see you again soon!” 

“You too!” Sabine smiled.

“Oh, I can’t wait to learn.” Evangeline beamed, stepping onto the balcony, “I love it here. Come on Matthew, you promised to show me Fiddler’s Green!” 

Matthew shot an irritated look toward Sabine’s way, as Evangeline was the first to fly off. 

“You’re having the time of your life, aren’t you?” Sabine remarked. 

“She’s green.” Matthew sighed, “And I’m trying to be patient, and it’s hard.” 

“I’m sure it was like that for you too, once.” Sabine reassured, “But you’re doing great. I know it’ll work out.” 

“I know, I know.” Matthew groaned, “She’s just got too much energy for me, personally.” 

Sabine giggled, “Are you regretting my stay here?” 

“... Not even in the slightest.” Matthew said with a smile in his voice, “Hang on, I gotta keep her from crashing into the gargoyles here. They’re not the friendliest.” He checked below him, “Hey! Eva! Keep your distance from there, you’re going to get eaten by one of those damn things!” 

Sabine watched as he banked down to help the younger raven, finding more questions than answers in regards to Lord Morpheus. 

As she finished her sipping chocolate (by some miracle that remained warm) with her croissant, she opened her grandfather’s wardrobe to find it looking shockingly average to the real thing- space spreading horizontally, instead of inwards. A handful of items lined the racks with felt hangers- one being the outfit she escaped the Corinthian in- perfectly washed and pressed, free of bloodshed. The second was her night slip and robe, as she pushed past them, a soft mint colored dress ran across her fingertips. The scoop necked thing was plush to the touch. The waist was decorated with a light layer of lace and buttons, cinching exactly at the smallest point of her figure. Small trims of lace framed the three quarter sleeves. She smiled to herself, taking it off the rack. It was one of her original designs from a notebook a year prior. Beneath the dress was a pair of eggshell colored flats, like the ones she missed at home. 

As tempted as she was to run off without makeup, a single glance by the mirror convoluted her judment, as she found her makeup arenal to be overpowered. 

“I could get used to this,” She smiled to herself. 

************************************************************************

Evangeline dragged her wings away from the window of the mortal woman who was to be her patron. Matthew had begrudingly steered the young corvid from stone jaws of hungry gargoyles on the southern side of Dream’s palace. In the light, she could swear she saw sweat forming at the top of his beak. The oil spill hues of his feathered coat shone brightly, as they banked to the left in flight together. 

“You need to be more careful.” Matthew advised, “I know you might think I’m being a hard ass, but I am for a reason!” 

“I’m sorry.” Evangeline faltered shyly, “I just got so excited. Sabine is so pretty, and she’s so nice. She’s like a disney princess on that balcony.” 

“I’ll tell you this, it’s far from disney with those two,” Matthew shrugged off, “This may be the realm of dreams and nightmares. But I’m still trying to piece together hy he’s keeping her around. And I know there might be something he isn’t owning up to.” 

Evangeline looked back at Sabine through her windows, at her vanity. Eva watched, as she put on her eyeliner with a precise hand, a learned hand that left a feline flick at the outer corner of her doe eyes. 

“Do you think he fancies her?” Evangeline blurted aloud, “Like it’s one of those things… What are they called? The revelation people run from but always seems to happen anyways?” 

“A prophecy?” Matthew corrected. 

“Yes, that!” Evangleine beamed, “That exactly! Maybe that’s why he’s quiet about her.” 

Matthew paused. There was a reason that Evangleine was created. At first, he only assumed she was juts some lucky kid with a second chance at life. He oversaw her creation- watching her in the window of a hospital room with chords and fluids tied into her. Two weary parents stood beside her in her final moments. He remembered the sound of their cries of agony, as Death welcomed her with a gentle hand to the face and a reassuring smile. 

There was a part of him that ached. She had no chance in the waking world, sickness had ruined that for her before her life could even begin. He was angry about that. He was angry at first being assigned to training her how to fly, but wanted to be the only person who could. Matthew stood no chance of surviving in his cruelty as a human. But here, he could at least try and protect her from it. He was angry with Morpheus, despite his reasons. But it seemed she knew more than she let on. But maybe, he considered, Evangeline was a fresh, innocent pair of eyes examining a situation Matthew had seen unraveling. After learning of Morpheus’s unfortunate track record with love, it wouldn’t be out of the question. He paused a moment, wondering if that was actually the case, even after joking about it. He hadn’t been that defensive about someone… Well, ever. Except in aiding in Calliope’s escape. 

Matthew shook his head and sighed, “We have work to do. There’s a lot you need to learn…” 

“I think it would be so romantic.” Evangeline delighted in a near whisper, “I can see it now. He’s very lonely. Otherwise, why would he make such a pretty room for her? Friends wouldn’t leave fresh cut flowers in a lady’s bedroom every morning-” 

“And I don’t need you getting all swooney on me either!” Matthew cut her daydreams short with a sharper tone, “I need you to stay focused!”

“Yes, Matthew.” She snickered. 

“We will land in a few minutes, there in the field.” Matthew instrucrted, “I can tell you’re getting tired.” 

Evangeline was quiet. He began to worry. 

She was looking at the skies above their heads- many changing, glimmering with different colors spanned across the horizon. 

“This is the best first day of existence I’ve ever had.” She observed, looking back at him, “thank you, Uncle Matthew.” 

Matthew’s nerves eased at such a term of endearment. They had barely known each other for a day. And he slowly realized- perhaps she wasn't just there for Sabine.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, yes, I made another OC for this fanfic, and I would commit arson for Evangeline.

Happy Easter to my readers who celebrate!

#dream of the endless #fan fiction #writeblr #my fanfiction #the sandman netflix #the sandman #lord morpheus #fic writing #matthew the raven

[vulpes-fennec]

Shadows Tell Me (If He Really Cares) (4/4)

Summary: For someone whose job title is “spymaster of the Night Court”, Azriel Shadowsinger is surprisingly oblivious to Gwyneth Berdara’s heavy-handed flirtation this Winter Solstice season (or is he?). What will it take for these bumbling fools to get together before the night ends? A mish-mash of Gwynriel holiday fluff (set post-ACOSF).

A gift for @shadowsxgwynriel for @acotargiftexchange!!

Notes: I made a Youtube playlist to go with this fic!

Read: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | AO3

🌠Winter Solstice🌠

The Solstice service ended at six in the evening, so Gwyn had to rush to get ready. She switched her blue priestess robe out for a long-sleeved teal dress that stopped just above the knee, with a lacey lattice of snowflakes cut diagonally across the skirt. Gwyn did a little twirl in the mirror, loving how the garment made her feel like a winter sprite. 

She hurriedly curled the ends of her red hair with a hot iron and tied up half of it with a white ribbon. Brown eyeshadow, dark liner, and mauve red lipstick were also carefully applied. Gwyn hadn’t even dressed up this much for Nesta and Cassian’s mating ceremony, but since it was Winter Solstice at the River House, she wanted to do something special. Feeling simultaneously excited and nervous, Gwyn picked up her bag of presents and headed out the library’s side door. 

Her quick steps and thick cloak kept her warm in Velaris’s bitter cold. Gwyn spotted a familiar tall figure with flaming red hair and a satchel of gifts walking ahead of her along the Sidra. “Hello!” she called out. 

Lucien Vanserra turned around, his scarred face surprised. “Gwyn!” he exclaimed, a handsome smile breaking across his face. “How are you?” The emissary waited for her to catch up to him.

“I’m doing well. It’s very nippy out, but the views are worth it. Are you going to the River House Solstice party, too?”

“Yes. Let’s walk together. Do you need help with the presents?”

“Oh no, I’ve got it. But thank you.” The two of them fell into a friendly chatter, for Gwyn had not seen the male since Nesta and Cassian’s mating ceremony. Lucien’s courtier demeanor always put Gwyn at ease, and she enjoyed his witty remarks that often included word puns.  

Before Lucien even knocked on the wreathed River House door, Rhysand opened it. “Welcome, Lucien and Gwyn,” he greeted. The High Lord of the Night Court held out a hand for their bags of presents. It was fascinating how Rhysand simply tucked the presents into that invisible pocket of space. “Please, come in. We’re glad you’re here.” 

Rhysand led them past the grand foyer, down the tastefully decorated hallways, and into the large family room. The rest of the party was comfortably mingling around plush couches, a toasty fire, and pretty decorations. 

Lucien froze beside Gwyn as Elain Archeron turned towards him with a breathless look on her heart-shaped face. The Seer’s doe brown eyes were fixed on the foxy emissary with a strange intensity. Gwyn glanced at Lucien, who had fallen uncharacteristically silent. The male’s golden eye was whirring at a frenzied rate, his throat bobbing with an unbecoming nervousness. But Lucien managed to smile shakily at Elain, and the pretty female dipped her head in demure acknowledgement.

“Gwyn, you’re here!” Emerie and Nesta leapt off the couch and gave her a hug. “You look so good!” Her sisters looked equally beautiful, with Nesta in a slate gray strapless gown and Emerie in a short dress of crushed emerald velvet. 

“Thank you! Mor bought the dress for me, so it’s all thanks to her.” Gwyn tore her eyes away from Elain and Lucien, nodding towards the blonde female who was absolutely stunning in a slinky red dress. Mor raised her wine glass in acknowledgement. 

Gwyn wished Feyre a happy birthday and greeted Nyx, who was smartly dressed in a purple onesie. At the table, Mor and Cassian were breaking out yet another bottle of wine. Lucien was conversing quietly with Emerie in the corner. And Elain had given her a warm smile and asked Gwyn about the Solstice service. 

As she made her way around the room saying hello to everyone, Azriel ended up being the last partygoer to greet. 

Gwyn suddenly felt shy approaching the shadowsinger. She clutched the stem of her wine glass nervously, taking a quick sip of alcohol to calm her nerves. It had been three days since she last saw him, since their “dinner date” in Velaris. Azriel had flown her back to the House of Wind, but made no move to kiss or hug her goodbye. “Goodnight, Gwyn,” was all he had whispered roughly before turning away. 

Seeing him tonight, dressed in a silk black shirt and neatly creased black pants, had Gwyn tight with giddy anticipation. Azriel’s dark hair had been trimmed so that it no longer hung in front of his eyes. A small gold cuff glinted in his ear—the only jewelry she’d seen the spymaster sport. The subtle touches made him more put together, more formal.  

“Hello,” she greeted. “And hello to you all, too.” Gwyn glanced at the shadows that sat atop Azriel’s shoulders. They ghosted towards her, dipping through the air in greeting. 

“Wow.” Azriel’s hazel eyes blinked in awe. “You look…” he trailed off, shaking his head. “You look really beautiful.” 

“Why thank you, Az.” Gwyn’s head was spinning, and it was not because of the massive gulp of wine she’d taken earlier. Beautiful, she thought, stunned. Azriel called me beautiful. The shadowsinger and the Valkyrie stared at each other, starstruck under the faelight. Gwyn felt a bit weak in the knees when she noticed the soft smile on Azriel’s lips and the warmth in his hazel eyes.

“Have you eaten yet?” Azriel finally asked. Gwyn shook her head mutely. “Poor, starving priestess. If you come with me, I’ll fix you a plate.” 

🌠

Last Solstice, he’d lingered far away from everybody and brooded quietly, trying not to breathe in the scent of Elain and Lucien’s mating bond. But this year, Azriel’s heart was full as he watched Gwyn interact with his family. She folded paper frogs that jumped for Nyx, connected with Varian over the topic of Summer Court beaches, and was currently giggling with Feyre. 

She’s meshing well with everybody, his shadows whispered encouragingly. She’ll be part of our family in no time.

When Gwyn had met everybody during Nesta and Cassian’s mating ceremony in the spring, she was visibly nervous, always looking over her shoulder. But tonight, she was all crinkling smiles and relaxed body language. The ease at which the Inner Circle engaged with her also quelled some anxious part of Azriel that worried about how his family would take to the priestess. 

“Let’s open presents!” Of course, it was Mor who always wanted to open the presents first. So the party gathered in a circle, watching Rhys bring out the pile of gifts with a snap of his fingers.

Baby Nyx was lavished with gifts for his first Solstice. Emerie had put in a special order for baby-sized Illyrian leathers. Nesta and Cassian bought a soft bat plush that was the same size as their nephew. “Oops,” Cassian had chuckled. “The bigger the better, right?” 

Elain knitted a little hat that would keep Nyx’s head warm. Amren and Varian gifted Nyx a sea glass and lapis lazuli pendant. Mor presented a pair of gaudy canvas walking shoes with sparkly stars. Azriel bought the baby a set of gummy teething toys. Gwyn gifted an illustrated book about a fruit bat named Stellaluna. And Lucien brought the baby a starry blanket of the softest wool. 

Other presents were opened. Azriel’s chest was tight with anticipation when Gwyn gently undid the wrapping of his present for her. The Summer Court artisan had given him the strangest look when he picked up Gwyn’s present last month. It wasn’t everyday that someone like him put in an order for something like…that. Gwyn gasped and clapped her hands when she opened the box. 

“What is it?” Varian asked excitedly. 

“It’s a pegasus suncatcher!” Gwyn lifted a glassy apparatus with awe. Two pegasus, one white and the other black, dangled in a circle. From the crooked grin Azriel saw on Rhysand’s face, it was clear his brother realized that the white pegasus represented Gwyn, while the black pegasus represented Azriel.

Azriel’s shadows darted over, rotating the circlet and throwing beams of rainbow light across the room as the pegasus “flew” with their wings proudly outstretched. Azriel smiled at Gwyn’s joy, trying to coax his shadows back. As usual, they did not listen to him. Several of them even began gleefully riding on the pegasus’ backs. 

Gwyn set the suncatcher back in the box and walked over to him. “Oh, thank you so much, Azriel! This is going to be so beautiful in my room!” Azriel thought Gwyn was going to give him a hug. Instead, she pressed her lips delicately on his cheek.  

Gwyn’s warm mouth sent a surge of shock through Azriel’s body. The world spun disorientingly. The spymaster blinked, slack-jawed, with a deep red blush creeping up his face. Azriel felt like his brain had been boiled, fried, then mashed by the Cauldron. Oh gods, he thought faintly. Oh gods, Gwyn just kissed my cheek. I’m never going to wash my face again. 

Hip hip, hooray! Hip hip, hooray! The shadows swooned as Azriel let out a shaky breath, nodding dazedly at the pretty Valkyrie flouncing away. “Y-you’re wel-welcome, G-gwyn,” Azriel stuttered. Cassian and Rhys snickered loudly in the corner, but for once, Azriel could not be bothered to care. As the pretty Valkyrie eagerly opened the rest of her presents, all he could think about was how soft her lips felt against his skin. 

🌠

Azriel had saved her gift to open last. “This one’s from Gwyn,” he announced, carefully unwrapping the package. Emerie and Nesta craned their necks, attempting to see what their sister had created for the shadowsinger. Feyre locked eyes with her, and the High Lady took a sip of wine to hide the smile on her face. 

A drunken Azriel had told Gwyn several months ago that his hands would never be washed clean of blood and pain. “I’m not a good male,” Azriel had confessed. “I’ve killed and tortured countless times…I don’t know if these hands are capable of anything good.” 

“Azriel, you are a good male,” Gwyn had tried to assure him, but he had shook his head. “And I’ll always be your friend, even during your darkest times.” She’d managed to convince him to try a few sessions with the healer at the library. The healer was not for physical wounds like Madja, but rather, for mental strains and scars. From what Azriel shared with her, those sessions seemed promising.  

But Gwyn still wanted to remind Azriel about all the wonderful things he’d done for her. So his Solstice present was a little memory book he could refer to whenever he felt down. 

Azriel saving her in Sangravah. Azriel as a teacher in the training ring, raising the legion of Valkyries. Azriel patiently teaching her how to use a dagger. Azriel cleaning the cuts she’d grazed on her hand from their dagger lessons. Azriel helping her rehabilitate the injured owl they’d found on the roof. Azriel bringing her soup when she was sick. Azriel taking her on an evening flight over Velaris whenever she asked. Azriel helping her drag a drunk, deadweight Cassian and Nesta back to their rooms. And many more. 

She’d recruited Feyre’s daemati and artistic skills to create little images under each entry. Gwyn had bravely walked to the River House on her own several days prior to collect the miniature pictures from Feyre. And that was where she’d run into Azriel. On the back of the book, Gwyn had written in swirling script: “You are a good male and an even greater friend, Azriel. With love, Gwyn.”

Granted, it was more a collection of Gwyn’s most treasured memories of Azriel. An encapsulation of her love for him, of her heart. She was terrified he would be ambivalent towards it, or worse, embarrassed by how cheesy the book was.

Gwyn held her breath as the spymaster beheld the leather-bound book. Azriel’s scarred hands trembled as he flipped the pages, his brow creased as he scanned the entries. Gwyn’s heart felt like it was going to explode in the silence. 

“I-I’m sorry if it wasn’t what you were expecting,” she started to say. “Maybe I should’ve included—” Azriel crushed Gwyn in a hug before she could finish her sentence. “—other people’s stories of you.” 

Azriel was trembling, his head buried in the crook of her neck. “Az?” Mor asked, concerned. “Are you okay?” Gwyn wrapped her arms around Azriel, mouthing to his family, what is happening? Their dumbstruck expressions and shrugs told her nothing. 

When Gwyn felt something hot dampen her collar, she realized Azriel was crying. The stoic spymaster was crying. His shadows dove in, trying to wipe the tears from his face. Azriel finally pulled back, his hazel eyes glimmering with such deep appreciation that it took Gwyn’s breath away. In his arms, just gazing into his eyes…it felt like there was no one else but just the two of them in the room. 

“Wow,” Cassian quipped, breaking the romantic spell. “That’s the first time I’ve seen Azriel cry over a present. Either you made him really happy, or really sad, Gwyn.” 

Azriel managed to laugh. He dried his tears quickly and regarded the little book. “It’s perfect. I love it very much.” 

Gwyn’s heart soared at his response. “I told you that I was at the River House for your Solstice present! That’s because Feyre helped me with the art.”  

Azriel turned to his High Lady, bowing his head in deep appreciation. “Thank you, Feyre.”

Feyre grinned. “You’re very welcome, Az.” Always happy to help you two out, she sent Gwyn through her mental channels. Azriel gave Gwyn another squeeze before disentangling himself, holding the little book like it was a priceless, bejeweled crown. 

Presents continued to be opened around the circle. Gwyn felt everybody hold their breath when Elain picked up the gift from Lucien. The middle Archeron sister and the emissary had been dancing around each other awkwardly the entire evening. Gwyn herself had noticed the way Elain looked at Lucien when Elain thought the male wasn’t looking, and it had reminded Gwyn of how she probably stared at Azriel.

Elain beheld a curious-looking plant with pointed orange “petals” that were thick and stiff, growing in a sunburst pattern. “Sedum adolphii,” Lucien explained to the puzzled faces. “It’s a type of succulent. From the continent.” 

“Oh,” Elain breathed, her warm brown eyes fascinated by the succulent’s details. “It’s very beautiful. Thank you, Lucien.”  

The foxy male’s tan skin flushed scarlet. “You’re welcome, my lady,” he said dazedly. 

Elain blinked. “I…I have a gift for you, too.” She fished into her pocket and brought out a small box. The room rippled with shock. Elain has never given Lucien a present before, Feyre’s voice explained in Gwyn’s head. And this is the first positive reaction she’s had to his gifts. 

Ah, what a fickle couple, Gwyn sent back amusedly. The entire family was eyeing Lucien intently as he opened the lid. Gwyn didn’t know what she was expecting, but she certainly didn’t think Lucien would chuckle. He looked at his mate, russet eye filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Elain. This is a wonderful little treasure.” Elain Archeron turned red, nodding her head shyly. 

“Wait! I want to see!” Mor demanded. “What did you get, Lucien?”

Lucien was about to put the box away, but he opened it again for everyone to view. Four hair barrettes, with yellow corn charms, were nestled in the box. Confusion ensued. Lucien had lucious scarlet hair, which explained the hair barrettes. But the corn? 

“It’s an inside joke,” Lucien said, winking at Elain before he pocketed his present. His pretty mate only blushed harder. Hmmm, Gwyn mused with busybody satisfaction. Perhaps things are not as bad as they seem between the mated pair. 

🌠Three hours later🌠

At the moment, Amren, Varian, Mor, and Emerie were engaged in a very intense game of cards. Rhysand, Feyre, and Nyx were playing with the bubbles. Nesta and Cassian were utterly engrossed with the mechanical music box Nesta had from Lucien. The downed cups of hot chocolate and wine had prompted Gwyn to ask Azriel, “can you show me where the bathroom is?” 

“Yes, of course,” he replied, getting up immediately. They walked down a hallway so dim that Gwyn had to loosely hold onto the back of his shirt—not that he minded. Light spilled out of the kitchen on their left. At the sound of soft voices floating out the door, Azriel stopped so suddenly that Gwyn crashed into him. 

There was a startled gasp. Elain was sitting on the counter in her lilac dress, mixing bowl in hand. And Lucien was standing next to her, with a very improper dab of whipped cream on his nose. The pair looked like deer caught in the crosshairs of a hunter’s bow and arrow. Azriel vaguely remembered Elain saying she was going to bake something half an hour earlier, but he did not recall her mate following her out the family room.

“We were just baking cupcakes,” Elain said, a tad too brightly.

“This is not what it looks like,” Lucien added, hastily wiping his face. 

An awkward pause. “We didn’t see anything,” Gwyn giggled as she pushed Azriel ahead. “Az is just showing me where the bathroom is.” They eventually found the first floor bathroom. Azriel waited a few yards down the hall while Gwyn used the bathroom. Do something, Azriel, his shadows urged him impatiently. 

No, he replied, this night is perfect as it is. 

You can make it better, they objected when Gwyn reappeared.

“Thanks.” Gwyn said. “Let’s return to the party, shall we?” Azriel had barely started walking back when the strangest sounds echoed down the hall. He came to a stop, ready to send his shadows ahead to investigate. Wait a minute. Was that…was that MOANING?!? “Great heavens above!” Gwyn hissed in realization. “It’s Nesta and Cassian.” 

Their friends had apparently slipped away from the family room, and were somehow heavily making out during their escape. The frisky couple was oblivious to Gwyn and Azriel’s presence as they rounded the corner, but Gwyn looked positively mortified. 

The priestess quickly opened a random door, ducking inside and leaving Azriel standing in the middle of the hallway. Azriel cursed under his breath, looking sideways for a way out as his horny friends stumbled closer. Finding none, he slipped through the door as well. 

“What the hell, Shadowsinger!” Gwyn snapped, giving him a little shove. “There’s not enough space in here for both of us!” It seemed like they were in some sort of coat closet, though Azriel couldn’t tell in the dark. 

“Shhh,” he hushed, turning an ear to the door. Mother’s tits, why do Rhys and Feyre have so much stuff in this closet? It seemed everywhere he turned there was something in the way that kept him squashed up against Gwyn. “Sorry,” he muttered, shifting away so that only their shoulders were touching.

“It’s okay,” she whispered back conspiratorially, as if they were on some sort of stake-out. “I actually kind of like it.”

What? Azriel’s mind short-circuited.

You heard what she said, his shadows snickered in his ear. You should snuggle closer to her. 

I am NOT going to do that! Leave us alone! 

Shadowsinger, you are lame. If shadows had tongues, Azriel was fairly certain they would be sticking their tongues out at him.

He would have responded to Gwyn, but Nesta and Cassian’s stumbling seemed to grow closer and closer. Azriel held his breath, praying the drunk idiots would not open the closet door. Being in such close proximity to Gwyn, with heady moans in the background, was not doing his self-control any favors. When the footsteps and sounds finally faded away, Gwyn turned on the tiny faelight. The priestess and the shadowsinger were pressed close together, surrounded by thick coats, shoes, and heavy boxes. 

“Shit…that was a little taste of what it was like to chaperone them last year,” he muttered darkly.   

Gwyn let out a mirthful chuckle. “My condolences.” 

“Should we…should we go back?” he asked, but his voice sounded faint. Gwyn’s irresistible scent of fresh books and water lilies was overpowering in the enclosed space. “Do…do you want to go back?”

Gwyn bit her lip. “I mean…it’s quite cozy—oh, look!” Several shadows peeked out from the closet’s top shelf. They floated out, carrying a little green bough with white berries. “Is that…is that mistletoe?!?” she squeaked. Sure enough, it was mistletoe.

You meddling busybodies! Azriel snarled mentally. The shadows tittered, dropping down even lower. We told you, Azriel. You need to do something.

“Do the shadows want us to…to kiss?” Gwyn sounded nervous. Azriel cursed himself for putting the priestess in such a compromising position. 

“Yes, but we don’t have to,” he gritted out. Azriel reached for the doorknob, ready to send Gwyn on her way. But a shadow firmly guarded the knob, shaking its blob of a head. We would never harm our Valkyrie, it said solemnly.  

“But what if I want to?” Gwyn asked, her cheeks as red as garden tomatoes. Gwyn is…Azriel blinked. Gwyn is BLUSHING. He couldn’t remember the last time the charming priestess was flustered.

A long pause. 

“If you want to,” he breathed, ‘then who am I to deny you?” 

The priestess didn’t flinch when Azriel placed one hand above her head and gently touched her arm with the other. Instead, she looked up at him shyly, the pupils of her beautiful teal eyes wide. Her eyes always reminded him of a calm, shallow sea. Azriel could have sworn an ethereal song was swelling in the background, urging him to be closer to her. 

“Is this okay?” he asked. Gwyn nodded in confirmation, her voice mute. “Not how I imagined our first kiss would go, but that’s alright.” 

Gwyn turned even redder at his confession, and Azriel chuckled. He tilted her chin up with his fingers. “Where did the flirtatious Valkyrie go, hmm? All bark but no bite now?”

Challenge flared in Gwyn’s eyes. “Well, I was wondering how long it would take for you to realize that…that I…oh gods…eeeep!” She let out an embarrassed squeak, when Azriel leaned in, unable to form a coherent sentence. 

“You’re adorable when you get shy, you know that, right?” Azriel brushed the hair that had fallen into Gwyn’s face, smiling. Part of him couldn’t believe he was voicing his most private thoughts, but again, there was always something about Gwyn that always prompted him to peel off his armor. Letting her see the most vulnerable, raw parts of him. 

“I’m always adorable,” Gwyn managed to say breathily, just before Azriel closed the distance between them by tenderly kissing her lips. 

Azriel had many kisses over his centuries of life, some more memorable than others. But after kissing Gwyn, they might as well not have existed. Gwyn’s mouth was utter perfection, crackling with electricity, but also soft and sweet. Like it had been made for him. 

Azriel had also spent the last few months convincing himself that he and the Valkyrie were better off as friends. But after kissing Gwyn, he knew there was no going back. 

“Gwyn,” he said lowly when he pulled away. Azriel would have gladly lost himself in the kiss forever, but he needed to make sure his Valkyrie was alright. 

“Azriel,” she murmured softly, his full name on her lips sounding like heaven. Gods, the way she said his name had him weak. His shadows were performing multiple loops in the air, and Azriel had the feeling they were silently cheering. 

She was still shy, still blushing, but there was relief in her expression. Gwyn took his hand that was on her cheek and kissed it gently. Her warm breath ghosted over Azriel’s scars, making his knees buckle. “Gwyn,” he repeated, tentatively wrapping his other hand around her waist. 

Gwyn, noticing Azriel’s care to not frighten her, made the move to tug him closer so that their bodies were flush against each other. Her mouth was on his again, bolder this time, but still affectionate. The lingering taste of chocolate on her tongue was so Gwyn, spurring Azriel to cup her cheek and delve deeper into the kiss. Her hands laced in his hair, sending tingles racing down his body with each thread of her fingers. 

“Finally.” Gwyn’s breathless voice drew him out of the reverie. 

“What?” Azriel let out a little groan as she reluctantly pulled away. 

“For a spymaster, you’re pretty terrible at picking up hints.”

“Me? I picked up on all the hints! I was just—”

“A coward?” Gwyn teased. 

Azriel grinned as he kissed Gwyn again on the corners of her mouth. “In denial. You reciprocating my feelings seemed too good to be true.” 

Gwyn blushed again. “Well, what kind of feelings are you talking about?”

“My feelings for you are supposed to be a secret, Gwyn.” Azriel leaned in to give her another kiss, but she drew back. 

“I’ll give you a kiss if you tell me a secret.” Her teal eyes gleamed mischievously.

“A secret for a secret. And a kiss,” Azriel added. “I’ll start: I like you, Gwyn.”

Gwyn laughed, a sound like tinkling music. “That’s not really a secret, Az. But if it wasn’t clear before, I like you, too. More than a friend.” Her delectable lips kissed him. “And I love looking at your ass when we’re training.”

Azriel laughed, loud and clear. “What did I say about being eye candy, Berdara? But fine, I love looking at your legs when you’re doing stretches.” He kissed Gwyn with a chaste peck, but tightened his grip on her waist possessively. 

“I like your sense of humor.”

“I like your optimism towards everything,” he said. Gwyn ran her tongue along his bottom lip during her next kiss. 

“Your hands are my favorite hands in the entire world.” Gwyn beamed as she took Azriel’s scarred hands into hers.

“And I get weak in the knees whenever you smile at me.” Azriel’s mouth lingered on Gwyn’s, relishing the way her lips curved against his. 

“I daydream about what it’s like to cuddle with you.” 

“Me too. You feel like home to me.” 

“Really?” Gwyn’s eyes filled with emotional tears. “You feel like home to me, too,” she said in a hushed whisper. “I never thought I could feel that way again after Sangravah.” 

Azriel hugged the Valkyrie close to his chest. “Home is where the heart is, Gwyn.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “As much as I love kissing you, Valkyrie, I really think we should do this outside of a coat closet.”

Gwyn nodded, smiling. “Happy Solstice, Azriel. Let’s get out of here.”

“Happy Solstice, Gwyn.” 

Notes: Thank you for reading! @shadowsxgwynriel I hope I did the shadows justice with their antics in this Gwynriel story! Have a Merry Christmas! 💖

#gwynriel #gwyn berdara #azriel shadowsinger #gwyn x azriel #gwynriel fanfic #gwynriel fluff #acotar solstice #acotar gift exchange #acotar secret santa #acotar secret santa 2022

[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

5/24/2022 DAB Chronological Transcrtiption

Psalm 108-110

Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible Chronological, I'm China. Today is the 24th day of May, welcome. And we are just blazing through the month of May. I feel like once it gets warm, maybe because it's just so beautiful and enjoyable, it's like, what day is it? I have no idea. And then you blink and it's like August and, well, it's still really hot in August in Tennessee, if anything, that's like, truly some of the peak days. I would say July, August, I don't know. It's definitely getting humid and very toasty in the spring of Hill. That's what I call it. But it's beautiful. We've had really beautiful weather, but looking at the calendar, it's the 24 of May. Wow, here we are. Welcome. It's so great to be here with you guys today. I wouldn't say this is a bouncing in the Psalms. We're not bouncing around in them, but we are in the Psalms. We are planted. We are rooted in the Psalms. That could be a fun band name if anyone needed a band name. There you go. Just name a song after me or something or give me credit, whatever when you're feeling. Today we are in Psalm 108 through 110. We continue on with the New English Translation for this week.

Commentary

So we're nearing the end of David's life, and so we're reading some Psalms, really of his heart and kind of like some final words that he has left. And I love that what he has to say, what's in his heart when he's writing and poetry, is praises and honor to the Lord. And I love that he speaks of his own iniquities and his own sins and his own shortcomings and points it back to the goodness and mercy of God. And I just feel like that it feels simple, but it also feels so powerful because that isn't always the case. And it's not to diminish the suckiness of things that happen in life. And like, any time I feel like I mess up or get something wrong, it feels devastating and it feels like, oh, my gosh, you might as well just put me in a trash trash night and take me to the curb. But David doesn't stay in this woe is me place. Maybe for a second, but he doesn't live there. He doesn't set up camp, and he's like, this is where I live. Anything. It's this beautiful part of scripture where he's saying, I will make sure that I'm praising the Lord with all that I have. And I think that's beautiful. Even up until the end of his life. Yes, he was not a perfect man by any means. He did a lot of terrible things. And I believe his heart posture and the repentance and the walking away and the turning away and turning back to the Lord. That is just really beautiful to me. Yes, he may do it 800 times, but also who doesn't? We can all relate to that. I feel like David's story is very relatable and it's very beautiful. And the ways that he is giving thanks and praise to the Lord. He knows who God is. He knows he has a deep grasp of who he is. I feel like.

Prayer

And so, God, I just thank you ultimately your Word gives us guidance and it steers us in new ways and directions with each reading that we have. That it can just stir up so much in us and cause us to reflect and to pause, to think and to move forward in a way that humbles us and honors you. And so, God, I just pray that we'd be aware of David's story and maybe in the ways that we are finding ourselves in his story, God, that we would just be people who bring forth honor and praise to you. We wouldn't hold back our praise based off of if we feel like it or if you have been good to us that day or anything else, circumstantial or conditional. But I thank you that in the way that you love us is unconditional and freely and bountiful. I just pray that we would grasp hold of that so that we may return that back to you as well. We thank you for who you are and we love you. We praise you. It's in your name we pray, amen.

Announcements

Dailyaudiobible.com is our website. You can check that out, see what's happening in the community. You can also go to Facebook.com/dailyaudiobible.com. That's another area that you can also get connected as well. I super encourage you to check that out as you can see other people in the community and get connected with them. That is all for today. I'm China. I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer Line

Hey, DABC friends, this is Jen from Tennessee. I called in in January and asked you all to pray for my son, Josiah. You might remember I said I was calling in with my youngest son and I wanted to call and give you guys an update. It's been about five months since I called and Josiah is definitely improving. So praise God. He is sleeping better. He is having a lot less nausea and stomach pain and we're continuing to see results. God has led us to some amazing functional medicine doctors and other practitioners who have been helping us to get to the root of the problem. And we're just so thankful thinking about where he was and where he is now. And I wanted to call in and say thank you for your prayers. I know that you were praying and I'm just so grateful. So thank you and keep prayers coming. When you hear me or when you think of us. I just really appreciate your support. Along those lines, I want to say Yay and praise God for Inga and Denmark praise report that I just heard and a couple of days ago, maybe yesterday. And yeah, I just wanted to say how excited I was to hear that praise report about your May 1, that baptism of your daughter. How awesome and how good of God. And I'm so excited that you had that day that you could be with your family and celebrate and commemorate her decision to follow Christ. So Yay. All right, I have 20 seconds left. I just wanted to say to the lady that I heard call, I think it was on May 16, her husband just got fired abruptly. I just wanted to say that I'm praying for you guys and we'll continue lifting you up. God is near and just rely on him. God bless.

Good afternoon. Good evening. Daily Audio Bible Community this is Diane Olive Brown from Newburgh, Indiana. And Jeff, my husband. And it's about ten after nine in the evening central time. And I'm responding to the Daily Audio Bible Chronological today with Jill Parr on the readings for today on May 17. I believe it is 2022. Jeff and I just joined with everybody at the global campfire in the Daily Audio Bible Community Chronological. And I just want to thank you, Jill, for opening up your heart to all of us, especially me. I have struggled with anxiety, depression, bipolar, all my life, abuse. And I just can't see him. It just kind of circles around and around and around. And you helped me, Jill, so much. You helped me understand depression, deep depression, and deep anxiety as I've never understood it before. Because only someone who has walked that way understands. And you understand and you gave me freedom to just be myself and not worry about it so much. And I've been getting so close to the Lord and that's really been helpful. But Jill, you helped me so much.

Hello, this is Carol from Houston, Texas. I've called in about my grandson being in juvenile detention and I just want to praise God that he is out and he is working and he's got two years on probation. So I just continue to pray for him and thank you, God, for getting us through this. Thank you so much for being here for me. Have a great day.

Hello DABC. I have a praise report and just a little thing to thank Jill for, so I called about a couple of weeks ago, I may read and I called about not being invited to a word ceremony and how that was just really beating down on me. And the crazy thing is that the Lord answered my prayer. I got invited the next day because I didn't even realize that I qualified for the events. And they told me that since I had received a really good scholarship through my College that I was able to go and it was just such an awesome and amazing thing. I will confess it was like 90 seconds of recognition, but so many people from our group was there. Everyone was getting recognized for different things. And I don't know, I kind of felt a little bit about it too, because I thought about it later on. I was kind of like, oh, I think I made a bigger deal of it out of my mind, but God still answered my prayer, and that's just something I didn't actually think he was going to answer. This sounds really bad, but I just was one of those things like, God, I'm just going to trust in you and I'm just going to trust you and just going to love you even if it doesn't happen. And then it happened. I couldn't believe it. So then another thing is jealousy. On may 16, your commentary was exactly what I needed. I struggled with anxiety. Weird anxiety. It's like the enemy will just attack me with something weird. Sometimes I'm not even like it's kind of like the anxiety is there anything has to do with it. And I'm just kind of like, okay. And then how are you talking about anxiety is not under control. That was freeing for me. I mean, I sat there and I was like, that's why I have to surrender every bit of anxiety to God, because I can't control it and I can't like, I don't know. I can't control it. I also didn't really know what depression was because I never really struggled with it, and I really just learned about that. Anyways, I just thought that concrete is beautiful. It really just helped me even today, just practice surrendering. So that's my prayer support. And thank you, Jill, so much for that commentary. And I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed day.

Hey, DABC family, this is Mark from Oregon. First time calling in. This is my first time this year, our first time ever going through the Bible from beginning to end. I've been one of those people that bounced around my whole life and never read cover to cover or gone through the entire thing. So this is perfect. I want to say thank you to Jill and China for dedicating your lives to this because otherwise I never would have found I mean, obviously I would have found this, but it may have been longer since I actually did go through the Bible. Plus I didn't really thought about chronologically. So this is great. Thank you so much. I wanted to pray for the net from London, and she sounds like she's going through a lot right now. It's hard to pinpoint what's causing that unrest, but, God, I just pray that you have your hand on that and pray that you remove whatever it is in her life that's causing this unhappiness. And I pray that you strengthen her resolve and I pray that you give her joy and release her from anxiety. There's so many people that deal with anxiety, God. Please pray that you help her just remove the anxiety and find joy and rest and peace. I pray peace over her in Jesus name. Amen.

[boethiahsboytoy]

☁️ cloud emoji for vulon

Ask Meme ! Thanks for sending one in :DD

☁️- What is this oc's clothing style like?

You know those slutty armor mods? Like that.

Unfortunately I'm being serious, it really is out here in a slutty version of the Ebony Mail. It's also got a cloak and set of robes it brings with it. Both enchanted with frost resist to keep it toasty, and normally it wears the cloak over the armor I'm just too lazy to 1) design it and 2) draw it afterward :") Its cloak is just a simple black fabric with some designs Its embroidered into it. The robes were given to it by one of the Priests of Boethiah that helped smuggle it into Skyrim, so they're very important to it. It does everything it can to keep them in good condition, mending holes and washing out stains as best it can. The cloak it probably stole off a corpse tbh, so it doesn't care so much if it gets fucked up as long as it's still warm and fairly weather resistant. For leg wear it just. Has some fishnet tights. And thigh high stilleto heels. Because he's supposed to be goofy and impracticable sexy before anything else :') Lord Boethiah DOES get on its ass about stilletos not being a good shoe to fight in. Vulon doesn't listen ehehe.

#ask #theandrogynousdragon #Slaíne #ask meme response #oc vulon shulzaan

[envysparkler]

I posted 256 times in 2021

234 posts created (91%)

22 posts reblogged (9%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 0.1 posts.

I added 444 tags in 2021

#envy answers - 231 posts

#whumptober2021 - 68 posts

#compliment - 32 posts

#ask game - 27 posts

#my snippets - 23 posts

#my fic - 18 posts

#faqs - 18 posts

#greenie - 11 posts

#headcanon - 9 posts

#fic finder - 7 posts

Longest Tag: 104 characters

#kinda difficult to run a gang when batman is hovering over your shoulder and telling you you're grounded

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

I was juuuust reading Batcellanea chp138 - was in the middle of the part where Bruce's internal monologue was telling him he should keep Jason and he can take care of Jason, when it hits me : the voice in Bruce's head reminds me of Venom and lmao what if its like Venom but instead of killing people it just maliciously whispers at Bruce to keep adopting kids.

Thats it. That's the comment that I got on tumblr at 12.30am for. Cheers.

Oh my god. Yes. Some villain infects Batman with a parasite to turn him against the rest of Gotham but all it does is make him adopt kids.

Venom: Bruce. Broose. Come on. You know you want to. Bruuuuce. Bruce: he has parents. Venom: we can take care of that.

Venom: BRUCE Bruce: NO Venom: BRUCE Bruce: NO Venom: BRUCE I WANT-- Bruce: he is older than me I said no

Venom, cackling: our little brood goes bigger and brighter, all the little birds roosting in the nest, safe and warm and toasty-- Bruce: you're making it sound like you want to eat them

52 notes • Posted 2021-11-05 11:40:05 GMT

#4

Jason eyeing the league members popping in on his cases just to see he’s still alive: “I am never going to be able to do anything illegal again”

It is very difficult to be a crime lord when the Justice League keeps showing up to coddle you.

This reminds me of one of my ideas of Batman deciding to dismantle the Red Hood's operations by just showing up and acting like a disappointed parent.

54 notes • Posted 2021-09-18 13:52:09 GMT

#3

In response to the Jason being Bruce's biological son: I think there could be some cool and interesting new twists in this. But I still would cling to the Red Hood path. Because the whole idea of Red Hood is just so great. Coming back from the dead and waking up in his grave. Thrown into the Lazarus pit und realizing that his murderer never faced adequate justice is simply genius. Red Hood is an interesting character.

Red Hood is a fascinating character, but giving Jason a chance to live is also good, and seeing who he would've grown up into without the Lazarus Pit. And I can hear Ise shrieking distantly about killing her precious baby Jay.

77 notes • Posted 2021-07-03 19:02:10 GMT

#2

idk but when jay is put in the lazarus pit, it heals his injuries but what it doesn't do is make him tall and muscular. so like he's still the tiny, skinny 15/16 year old he was because of the years of malnourishment. so he goes to gotham at like 17-19 years old, a formidable warrior, but TINY, smaller than dick himself and does the whole drug-lord business + it makes it easier for bruce + dick to work out who he is of course. this probably doesnt make any sense- anyway i love your work!! 💖

Oh my god, I am dying, this is a hilarious idea and I love it to pieces. The fearsome Red Hood being this snarky twerp. Tim is taller than him which is the real reason Jason is determined to end him.

Bruce, seeing a criminal in a red hoodie take on guys twice as big as him: why does this feel familiar?

117 notes • Posted 2021-11-09 13:19:46 GMT

#1

ik you said it’s buried in your idea pile but i am very excited about the possibility of seeing a red hood vs the justice league face off !!!

For context, this is the table of contents of my idea doc.

Definitely not getting around to it any time soon, but here's a snippet:

“You’re Batman’s son?” Superman sounded especially pissed, and Wonder Woman’s eyes were narrowed slits. “Since when?”

“Forgotten the adoption party already, Uncle Clark?” Jason spat back, hurt and rage churning inside of him. It led to an easy rejoinder—a reminder that Jason had died in Ethiopia, and all of him didn’t come back, the best parts of him didn’t come back, that Bruce was clinging to a delusion and Jason wasn’t really his son, not anymore—

But Superman was frowning, eyes distant like he was looking through Jason—his eyes focused again, and he inhaled sharply.

Before Nightwing could move, Jason was upright and out of the chair, cold air blasting onto his helmet-less face.

“Jason,” Superman said in a voice of broken glass. Jason blinked—his restraints were gone and he was being squeezed to death by a sobbing alien.

“What—Uncle Clark?” Jason shot a bewildered look at Nightwing as Clark released him—what was happening—but didn’t manage to get out any more words before he was being swept into a another hug, courtesy of an Amazonian. “Ribs—Auntie—still human—”

“My brave bird,” Diana whispered, voice cracking, “You came back to us.”

134 notes • Posted 2021-09-13 11:27:48 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

#my 2021 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

[ladydimitrescuspet]

The Offer And The Crush (Daniela x Elena)

AO3 link! context: the dimitrescu daughters are new to the area but the rumours about castle dimitrescu still stand true. but for the purpose of the fic, the castle was "abandoned" so it's just like daniela and her family just moved there because they inherited it. okay, yeah, that makes sense, let's go with it.

sorry for any grammatical errors and the title, it sounds horrendous! anyway, I hope you enjoy this, and let me know your thoughts if you want to! and remember, reblogs help more people see my fics!

-----

Alcina had bundled her youngest daughter, Daniela, up as best as she could to ensure that she wouldn’t get cold. Daniela hated it, how her mother fussed over her or her sisters every time they went out. But this time, she’d reluctantly allowed her mother to put her in an excessive amount of layers because it really was cold outside this time of year.

“Promise me that you’ll be safe?” Alcina asked. Daniela nodded her head. “And you’ll go somewhere to warm up when you get to town, yes?”

“Yes, mom, I’ll make sure to get all nice and toasty before I venture back outside again.” Daniela replied. Daniela knew her mother meant well, but it bugged her a bit at how overprotective she could get. “Can I go now?”

“Yes, Dani, you may go.” Alcina said as she walked Daniela to the door. “I love you.”

“I love you too, mom.” Daniela said, waving goodbye to her mother.

The walk to town went by quicker than Daniela expected, but when it’s cold and windy outside, that’ll really make some get to their destination as quickly as possible. Her goal was to recruit a few more villagers to work on the staff at the Castle. With Winter just starting, the Dimitrescu’s knew they’d get some willing villagers to help provide for their families or just to have a warm place to stay for the season.

Since they were mostly in need of maids, Daniela headed towards the dance school. That was the perfect place to start, right? Since that’s where most of the older girls spent their time anyway. As she entered the building, she started to feel warmer since she’d left the Castle. Daniela tugged on the scarf around her neck and unzipped her jacket. Daniela had to keep herself from getting distracted when her mouth started to water as she smelled the scent of virgin blood.

“Hi. Are you new here?” A voice said from behind Daniela.

When Daniela turned around, it was like her heart stopped. “U-um hi. No, I’m, uh, not new here.” Daniela replied, her cheeks flushing a bit. “Wait, yes, yes I am. Just moved here, recently.” Daniela scratched at the back of her head. What was happening to her?

The woman hummed. “Oh. Well, welcome, I’m Elena. Is there anything I can help you with?” Elena asked.

Daniela stared at her, her mouth opening and closing multiple times before she cleared her throat. “I, uh, sorry about that. I guess, I just, um, so dance.” Daniela said, laughing nervously, playing with her fingers. Snap out of it, Daniela.

Elena laughed a bit. “Yes, this is a dance school. Do you like to dance?” Elena asked.

Daniela shrugged. “I wouldn’t say that I like it, but my mother does insist on my sisters and I knowing all of the fancy schmancy ones.” Daniela replied.

“Oh, so you mostly know ballroom dances?” Daniela nodded her head. “Well, maybe you’d like to come down and teach a class or two?” Elena suggested.

“I mean, I said I know them, not that I was any good.” Daniela replied.

Elena shrugged. “Well, maybe if you and I partnered together for the classes then I can help you perfect them. What do you say… I’m afraid, I never actually got your name.”

“Sorry. I’m Daniela. And I think I’d like that, a lot.” Daniela replied. Daniela, what? You came into town for maidens, not to become a dance teacher with the really cute girl at the dance school in the village.

“Fitting name for you.” Elena said causing Daniela to blush a bit. “Well, Daniela, if you’d like then you can leave your name and number with Isabela, and I will contact you. Maybe we can practice sometime here or at your place?”

Daniela face flushed again. Why do you keep blushing and flushing? Get it together, Daniela. “I’d, well, I’d, um, have to ask my, um, mother about that.” Daniela replied. “And I leave my information with Isabela?”

“Yes, yes. So, is there anything else I can help you with?” Elena asked.

Daniela smiled timidly at her. “Well, my family and I, we just moved up to the old castle on the hill. Castle Dimi-something, do you know it?” Elena gulped slightly, nodding her head. “Oh, great! We inherited the estate after our grandmother passed, but um, we’d like to offer any of the girls here a place of employment to occupy their time when they’re not dancing or at home with their families. My mother will pay handsomely and even house them if they’re in need of shelter for the winter season.” Not bad, Dani girl, not bad. Making an offer for an offer. You teach and some of the dancers help out at the castle. It's a win-win for everybody.

Elena nodded her head. “Of course, I’ll ask around. I know some of them will more than likely accept the offer. Your mother is very sweet to do this for the girls in the village. Be sure to thank her for me, yeah?”

“Absolutely.” Daniela replied. “I, um, I should go. It was nice… meeting you, Elena. I look forward to our lessons.” Daniela gave her a smile and Elena reciprocated it. Gosh, her smile is pretty.

“Likewise, Daniela.” Elena said. “And let your mother know that I’ll gather as many girls as I can for her and the castle.” Elena was a bit hesitant about the idea, considering the stories she’s heard about Castle Dimitrescu. But since the girl and her family just moved to the area, she had no reason to not trust Daniela.

“Good, good.” Daniela replied. “Can I, um, ask you something?” Daniela asked. Elena nodded her head. “If I were to, I don’t know, ask you to go to coffee, would you agree?” Daniela asked, avoiding eye contact.

Elena felt her face flush. “I, well, I would.” Elena replied. “If you were to ask, of course.” Elena gave Daniela a small smile.

“Great.” Daniela zipped up her jacket and put her scarf back on, walking over to Isabela to give her her information. She turned to face Elena once more when she was finished. “Well then, I bid you a very good evening, Miss Elena. And I will be looking forward to your call.” Daniela said as she waved good bye to Elena who reciprocated the gesture.

Daniela quickly left the building, letting out a deep breath that she hadn't even realised she was holding. Daniela glanced back a bit to see Elena talking to Isabela. She's gotten a bit flustered talking to Elena and she never got that way around anybody.

As Daniela walked home, she thought about how this kind of thing happened to a girl in a book she read once, she'd called it a crush. Daniela started comparing how she felt about Elena to how the girl felt in her book and let out a shaky breath. The idea of having a crush on Elena, someone she'd just met, made Daniela smile. She'd have much to talk to her mother about when she arrived home regarding her crush, but for now, Daniela let her mind drift off to thoughts of promised dance lessons and coffee with Elena.

----- Tag List (click here to join, only once please): @lord-dimitrescu, @alwaysgoodnight, @paint-it-periwinkle, @lightspica, @ultimatebottom69, @sexyheisenbeast, @crazy-obsessed, @squid3, @inlovewithalcinadimitrescu, @the-obscurity, @sapphicalciee, @ladydimitresculove, @solemnnova, @itsyourgirlmalise, @the-little-shadow, @marvelwomen-simp,@rachelthefanfictionwriter, @d14n4ol, @peachesandlesbians,@homoo-wan-kenobi (@Followingmyheartledtoyou, @Gansito83 - won't tag properly) and Anna (no @ yet or did you send yours??)

#resident evil #resident evil village #resident evil 8 #lady dimitrescu's daughters #daniela dimitrescu #elena lupu #daniela dimitrescu x elena lupu #lady dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu

[pumpkin-stars]

Fresh sheets at home after a long time away for the pedro boys

‘You’ are in some of these, but not all. There’s fourteen of them... blimey I’ve watched a lot of his stuff oops. Suggestive content is marked with a *

Masterlist

Din Djarin

He doesn’t really have sheets. The little mattress in the tiny bunk and an old blanket have served him well for years. But returning to the Crest with a bounty in hand always brings a little sigh of relief (often mistaken for frustration when his quarry inevitably tries to make a final getaway). It’s the promise of removing his helmet that’s most comforting. The kid conked out on the way home, so as soon as he gets into hyperspace, the bucket comes off. He rests his head on a pillow, gets to lie comfortably, relax for the first time since he stepped off the ship.

Javier Peña

He knows he should make his bed more often, but for the amount of time he spends in the shitty agency-provided apartment he doesn’t always see the point. Passing out half-drunk on the couch is far more common than making it to the bed. He’s gonna have to buy Connie a present for this, though. He and Steve have been on a steak out for three days and in that time the wonderful Mrs Murphy has used the spare key to tidy up a little, make his bed for him. It’s a helluva lot more comfortable than his lumpy couch, and, despite the frustration at almost being shot (again) and not getting the information they wanted (again), the soft sheets allow him to relax, he can forget - if just for the moment - the stresses of the job.

Frankie ‘Catfish’ Morales

His sheets hadn’t been clean when he left... Laundry day was Wednesday, after all. Three days, Santi had said... and it ended up being over a week. When he’d finally made it through the door, you were there, Maria burbling in your arms, and he’d almost broken down at the sight of you both - the two good things he had left... Santi texted me, you told him, get some rest. It was Monday. But there were clean sheets. You knew how to take care of him, exactly what he needed. The scent of cotton and patchouli (only recognisable ‘cause he’d read the detergent bottle one time) surrounded him as he buried his face in the pillow. It didn’t take long for you to join him, letting him be the little spoon as he told you about the latest shitty circumstances he’d ended up in, tears marring the clean pillow before he drifts off to sleep in your arms.

Pero Tovar*

He didn’t have a home for the longest time, part of him still debated it sometimes, but he found himself returning to the same little village year after year. To the same little house on the outskirts. To you. Home wasn’t a place to Pero, it was a person. Fresh sheets were the last thing on his mind as he dismounted his horse and strode to the doorway, hands already unbuckling his belt. You always seemed to know when he’d be home - and he hated to think he was so predictable, but he always said there was something mágica about you, his corazón, his alma. The bathtub was already full, your smile already directed to the doorway. The sheets weren’t clean today, there was no point - once he was finished they would be soiled with sweat and sweetness, a night of reunion and passion. His first job in the morning would be to help you take them, and his armour, to the river, and his second night home would be spent relaxing in the arms of his amor, freshly washed cotton beneath him.

Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels*

Things go one of two ways when he comes home to you. The stress that comes with saving the world either exhausts him so much that he’s out for the count as soon as his head hits the pillow, or riles him up so much that he needs to expel the excess adrenaline. Having clean sheets under his back as you bounce above him is always a welcome experience, and that firm mattress does wonders for his other aching bones.

Ezra

Life on the green is not for the faint of heart, and the sight of his sleeping bag is always a welcome one after a long day hunched over his work. Today has not been one of his best, still getting used to operating with a single arm, more gems destroyed than properly harvested. Swapping the sleeping bags is a good idea, the clean(er) one has been airing in the corner of the tent for a week or so, and while nothing on the green is especially fresh, it’s the best he can do. It’s the most comfort a weary and worn prospector can get without any company to rub the knots from his back.

Max Phillips*

Romania was fun, those blood filled orgies were the clear highlight of his year, but there’s just something about coming home to his apartment in the city that makes that the best part of the trip. The warm body beside him, the thrum of blood pumping, and the soft rhythm of your heartbeat filling his head after a week of nothing but other cold bodied vamps... (you’d have been invited, for sure, but the chance of you becoming an appetiser was too great to risk). Unlike other years, he’d stuck to the sidelines of the orgy, content to watch and leer at the more enthusiastic participants. It’s just porn, babe. Not cheating. You’d, surprisingly, been okay with that, but it’s not like he’d have put up with you for so long if you hadn’t been equally vulgar. The red satin sheets surround you both, and he lies back, listening to the sounds of your body, heatbeat settling down as you come down from the high. As fun as the orgies are, the sheets are always kinda scratchy, and these ones are the softest he’s ever had. Company’s not bad either.

Marcus Pike

International Art Crimes was a great division to work in, and he enjoyed the work. He just hated when it took him away from you. Three weeks, he’d been in London. Three weeks counting the days until he could go back to DC. But he was home now, and you were cuddled up to his side on the couch, head on his shoulder. Cliche, but, he honestly felt like you fit there perfectly. Contentment- the overwhelming feeling of the evening. It wrapped around him like a blanket, relaxed him even more than the jet lag. He knew there were clean sheets on the bed, but you were both comfortable here. They’d still be clean tomorrow.

Oberyn Martell*

His sheets are never clean. He’d told the palace staff not to bother trying to keep them so. Within minutes of them being changed, at least one of his lovers would soil them. So, when he returns from a trip to the savage north, it’s no surprise that he enters his chambers to find both of them amidst the silk and the pillows. A fine welcome fit for a prince.

Dave York

His schedule gets a little messy when he’s on a job. He tries not to be gone too long, but sometimes things get fucked up and he’s delayed. When he comes home to clean sheets it’s a pleasant surprise - like a final disconnect between his life as a mercenary and his life as a father. His three showers between finishing a job and walking through the door are enough, but clean sheets really help him shut off the sounds of his targets’ dying by his hand.

Marcus Moreno

He’s not away from home very often anymore - he doesn’t go on missions, he doesn’t have to leave the city unless there’s a multi-agency conference somewhere else. But when he does come home, the last thing on his mind is clean sheets. Though it is nice to be enveloped in their warmth. He knows he’ll wake up extra toasty, Missy crawling under the covers to join him at some point in the night - she’s getting a little old for it now, but he doesn’t mind, she just wants the assurance that he’s okay.

Maxwell Lord

Max is used to taking care of himself, of working hard for anything and everything he has. So coming home after a disappointing visit to one of Blacc Gold’s oil wells...  to find that you’ve cleaned the house, that Alastair is tucked up in bed, that you’ve made him dinner... To know that you’ve made his bed, given him fresh sheets to sink into... done something for him without expecting anything in return? There’s a lump in his throat. An even greater determination to give you both the life you deserve.

Zach Wellison

Sheets? A home? This guy’s just grateful to have somewhere warm and sheltered to sleep. He’s lucky, he’s so so lucky... and you? You’re wonderful. Amazing. Fantastic... He’s only been gone for a day, and he’d missed the warmth of you against him more than he’d missed anything else in his life. He can sleep anywhere, and while the lumpy motel bed wasn’t great, it wasn’t a park bench or a doorway during a storm. The sheets were still warm when he got home, you’d timed it perfectly - Zach was always on schedule, that military instinct still sharp as ever, and it made it easy to ensure the bedding was fresh from the dryer and put on the bed just minutes before he walked through the door. Dinner can wait, having a nap under warm covers with you in his arms is far more important.

Omar Assarian

The once cocky, almost-world-middleweight-champion had lost another match. It wasn’t surprising, really. His heart hadn’t been in it since that first incredibly public loss. But it’s not like he knew what else to do with his life! Coming home to the only person besides his Ma who could put up with his shit was good though. Distracting. It’s easy to forget the swirling thoughts at the sight of your smile. Fresh sheets had become part of his post-fight routine, last on the list, right behind getting food, being patched up, getting the residual adrenaline out of his system, and taking a shower (with you). He doesn’t need the sheets to be fresh, really... Not when he uses you as a pillow, strong arms wrapped tight around your torso, keeping himself grounded, distracted from the ever growing doubts that boxing is what he wants to do for the rest of his life.

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal character fic #din djarin #the mandalorian #mando #javier peña #javier pena #frankie morales #catfish morales #francisco morales #frankie catfish morales #pero tovar #jack whiskey daniels #agent whiskey #ezra #ezra (prospect) #max phillips #marcus pike #oberyn martell #dave york #marcus moreno #maxwell lord #zach wellison #omar assarian #pp headcanons #my writing #frankie morales/reader #pero tovar/reader #agent whiskey/reader #max phillips/reader

[makenna-made-this]

Do longfowl get back pain?

Anon thank you for this absolutely CURSED rabbit hole that this question led me down. To answer you properly, we must first take into consideration the skeletal structure and anatomy of the Long Fowl. Since little is known about the inner workings of these magic and fantastical beasts, i am forced to use my educated judgment with what we know from better researched animals that are Formally Recognized By Science to come to a possible conclusion. So buckle up and let’s get into it.

My initial reaction would be, yes, Long Fowl would be susceptible to back pain, mainly from thinking about other domesticated animals known for their elongated proportions, like, say, the Corgi.

But upon further thought, I feel like this is not a good comparison. For one, although corgis are prone to back and hip problems, a lot of this also comes from the fact that their legs are so short in proportion to their long frames. Long Fowl generally have sturdy, normal sized limbs that are supporting their mass, so some of the strain would be taken away from their spine, and their lightweight bird bones would also need to be taken into consideration.

Two, Long Fowl are avian and would have different bones and muscle structures than those found in mammals. Which led me to my next base of comparison.

Snakes! Yes, if you are looking for Long animals then look no further than the Longest Danger Noodles themselves. Since birds are essentially just weird reptiles that have been microwaved to a toasty average body temp of around 105-107 degrees fahrenheit (40ish celsius), we’d have better luck looking towards their anatomy for answers.

But while our friends the snakes certainly have the Length going for them, we once again come to the problem of limbs. Besides the occasional tiny little vestigial limb numbs left behind, snakes are as Legless as Orlando Bloom in lord of the rings. Their skeletal structure is much more simple and uniform (ribs for DAYS babeeyy) and thus their method of locomotion and body movement is completely different from how a Long Fowl would move and hold itself throughout the day. Its spine would be supported by the ground and/or the incredibly strong musculature found in snakes. So we must look elsewhere. Which brings us to:

Lizard friends. Besides from actual birds, lizards are probably the closest we are going to get for how a real non-mammalian animal walking on 4 or more limbs to compare to a Long Fowl. Elongated spines, ribcage that doesn’t extend down the whole body, support from limbs, that special “jurassic park” sparkle in their eyes. But it still needs some tweaking. It’s missing something. Oh that’s right.

A KEEL.

Because why think of IMAGINARY bird anatomy when the real thing is already cursed enough. This nightmare bone attaches to the sternum and, besides for looking like the universe got it’s hands on an evolutionary photoshop for the first time and decided to copy/paste a shoulder blade onto a rib cage but at a perpendicular angle, its job is to anchor the wing muscles in all birds other than flightless ratites (who are giant and powerful and really don’t need any other advantages against the rest of the animal kingdom anyways, for our sake).

Since Long Fowl have fully formed wings that have been shown to get just as much lift and function as a regular chicken, then it’s safe to assume that a keel must be present, possibly for EACH limb. But how would this horror look skeletally? Would their be fully formed keels anchored to the skeleton throughout the body? Would this result in separate rib cages? Or perhaps they borrow a few tricks outa cousin snake’s book and just go All Ribs All the Time? Or are they perhaps just three chicken skeletons stacked on top of each other in a horizontal feathery trench coat? Hmm can we get a possible skeletal reconstruction pls?

GReAT. THANKs! I Hate it!! 1000% genuine Forbidden content right here. Out of my house.

TL;DR Long Fowl either have too much spine support or are absolutely far too Cursed™ for the consequences of evolution to come within even 30ft of them, so it is my formal decree that they suffer no more back pain than any other living thing with joints might. Thank you and Do Not Even BeGiN to ask me how their internal organs or muscles are supposed to work. Goodnight and also I'm sorry

#Long Fowl #anon #are you happy? this is the content that you have signed up for #long chickens #tiny fluffy dinosaurs #the BEST animals #pet chicken #pigeon #creature art #cw skeleton #cw animal bones #cw animal skeleton #but like in am anatomy textbook way #idk if that makes it better or worse tbh #kenna answers #fantasy science #world building #i gUEsS?? #long post #everything is long here

[thecipherlegacy]

4. Heartbeat, for the WIP asks? 🥺💜

This one is actually for a touching prompt in my inbox! It's a gentle relaxation time with newlywed Malavai and Mavasha while he listens to her heart and reminisces about their time together.

Here's the rough of what I have so far!

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The rumble of thunder outside was muffled by the walls of their home and rain tapped the windows in a relaxing rhythm. Dromund Kaas had weather that many hated, but for Malavai and Mavasha it was relaxing. And it was home. 

They decided their first house together would be in Kaas City and they finally had a day to relax within it. Their home was toasty warm regardless of the cold storm outside and the only light coming into the room was the occasional flash of lightning from outside.

For the first time since they purchased the place the newlyweds were laying in their bed together without any work needing to be done. The torguta sighed happily and combed her clawed fingers through Malavais raven black hair. The captain was comfortable and relaxed with his head rested on her chest. This was the most comfortable and at ease he had been in years, or maybe ever. 

"I told you that a lazy day was a good idea, my heart" Mavasha said quietly in an attempt to not disturb their peaceful silence. The domesticity was new to both of them, but it was something they could see themselves getting used to.

Malavai pet one of his wife's lekku, tracing the blood red patterning with his index finger. "Yes, I must admit I'm glad you talked me into this" he said. "I've never felt this content. While I enjoy my work, and I love watching you work, it's nice to not have the entire Empire resting on our shoulders for a day."

Mavasha smiled softly. It was refreshing to see her workaholic husband relaxing. "Agreed, love." She brought her hand that wasn't tangled in Malavai's hair up to meet his hand on her lekku to lace their fingers together. His cheeks dusted a soft pink and he returned the gentle grip. The comfortable silence fell between them again and the Captain closed his eyes to enjoy the bliss of the moment. 

As he lay on his lover,  Malavai could hear the gentle beating of her heart. Relaxed and calm. Listening to it reminded him of all their time together. When they were a few years younger and the sith lord was still courting him, sometimes she would have been found standing close behind him while he worked. He could practically hear her strong heart beating fast alongside his own. A smile spread on his face as he recalled the pleasant memory.

#thank you for asking about it im loving this one so far! 🥺 #i have so many fluffy fics woth these two that i am too scared to post D: #friends tag 💛 #sleepswithvillains on blog #my ocs #mox's ocs #torguta #oc: mavasha #malavai quinn #literally mindless fluff #mox writes #ask about my WIPS meme #swtor ocs #swtor oc