#this was in my drafts for ages and i finally finished it | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

emmasbrain · 1 day

Text

Miscommunication (the fun kind) Part 2

This is part 2, trust when I say it makes very little sense without part 1.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x fem!reader

Synopsis: You meet him for your date, but it’s cut a little short.

Warnings: None I can think of other than cringe writing.

A/N: This took ages man, I don’t know what happened but I just felt a block so many apologies for taking so long.

As you click the little green button, you feel unnecessarily nervous. “Hello.”

“Hi.” He replies, and the smile that graces your lips can be heard from the other end of the phone.

“Doc. I’m glad you called.” You try to play it cool, but you know he can sense your excitement anyway.

“I’m glad you asked me to. Look, I’m on my way to a case right now, but I was thinking that when I get back we could do something? Go for dinner, maybe?” He sounds as nervous as you feel, and your heart spikes a little.

“Dinner sounds great. Have you thought of a place?” You do a little spin in the living room of your small apartment and you hear chatter in the background of the call.

“There’s this little restaurant that I normally get takeout from. I know them pretty well so they’ll keep me a table on short notice. They’ve got everything so statistically there’s bound to be something you like.” The way he speaks reaches a spot in your brain, fast and passionate, even about the most mundane things.

“I know I’m gonna like it because you do, and I trust your taste.” You bite your lip, wondering if that was too much.

“You should, I’m very particular.” His voice betrays the fact that he’s grinning, and you match his expression.

“I like particular. Particular is good.” Your voice has dropped a little subconsciously, and he’s about to reply when you hear the familiar voice of Agent Hotchner alerting Spencer that they need him.

“I’ve gotta go, but I’ll call you when I’m home?” You almost sigh in contentment at just the sound of him, but you snap out of it quickly to reply.

“I’ll be waiting patiently, Doc. I’ll see you.” You hang up, and stand in the middle of your living room for what seems like an hour but truly is only a few minutes. Why are you so attracted to this guy you only met a few nights ago?

But you feel as though you know him, from the way Penelope has talked about him, from the time you spent together. You feel as though you know them all.

—

You just sent in the final draft of your latest article. This one had been an absolute nightmare, being asked to write a piece on climate change. Your editors loved you for your fresh takes, but after so long there was no angle on climate change that hadn’t already been written. They seem fairly happy with it, but you can’t help the nagging feeling of wishing you could have done the proposed piece on how tourism is ruining the economy like you had wanted.

Through the annoyance of knowing you could have done better, you still feel slightly more at ease knowing the article is finished and out of your hands, and that you can relax and drink your fourth mug of coffee for the day. It’s eleven am.

But as you stand to stretch your achy muscles and make some fresh coffee, your phone rings. You know who it is before you even pick up, but make sure to check anyway just in case.

‘Spencer’ flashes on your screen, and you immediately sit down on your sofa, hitting the answer button and taking a readying breath.

“Hey Doc.” Your voice is unintentionally airy, but he doesn’t seem to notice - or he pretends not to - as he replies.

“Hey. I got back from work late last night, but I didn’t wanna call in case you were asleep. I was just wondering what you had planned for tonight?” The grogginess in his voice is evident, and it raises a question before you can even think about answering his.

“Spencer, how long ago did you wake up?” The simple question makes him go quiet for a moment before he speaks.

“I woke up just before I called you.” He sounds nervous to admit it, like he’s embarrassed to be caught thinking of you so soon into his day.

“Must have been thinking about me in your sleep then. And to answer your question, I’m free tonight.” You can’t hide the tinge of satisfaction knowing he thought about you maybe as often as you thought about him.

The small breath he sucks in doesn’t pass by you. You may not be a behavioural analyst but you are a damn good journalist, and you know what that little breath means. It says “you caught me”. Was he really thinking of you in his slumber? You note it down in the back of your head to try and slip out of him later.

“Would you like to go for dinner to that restaurant tonight?” He seems to have composed himself as he asks his question, and you try not to sound too enthusiastic as you eagerly say yes. “Okay, great- that’s great! I’ll pick you up at six… I don’t drive.” The defeat in his voice makes you laugh.

“How about I pick you up?” You suggest, calming his nerves. “You can tell me where to go.” Truthfully, you had already planned to drive him. Penelope told you once how he doesn’t drive, and you called her two days ago to reconfirm. This information, however, is not something you feel the need to tell him, because it seems a little obsessive - but you were just thinking logically of course - and you don’t want to weird him out quite so early.

He seems to be okay with the idea, and you’re thankful that he doesn’t take it as a blow to his ego like most men would. The call ends after a few short pleasantries - that are actually pleasant - and you immediately get to work.

You throw open the doors of your wardrobe and go straight to the dresses, very slowly narrowing it down to two options. A flowy red dress that you almost go with, and a simple black silk dress that ends just below your knees.

This one is for special occasions, and you deemed this a pretty special occasion. As you rummage through your box of shoes and stack of earrings trying desperately to find earrings and heels in the same colour, you come across a pair of purple strapped heels that you know you have drop earrings in a similar shade to. You just can’t find them.

Suddenly you notice that it’s 12:30 and your brain short circuits. Your entire room is thrown upside down and inside out until you find the earrings you’re looking for, and then neatly arranged back to its original state, all within thirty minutes. Now you have your little purple dewdrops and your outfit is complete, but you have four and a half hours until you need to leave and you know you’ll need it, albeit mostly to panic.

Four hours passes and you’ve showered, shaved, styled your hair and put on some light makeup. Your nail polish is just dry and you have your dress on, so you buckle your heels and stand. Twenty five minutes before you can leave. That’s not bad. You just have to wait twenty five minutes… But what if traffic is bad? You should probably leave fifteen minutes early for that, right? And if you think about it, the time between leaving your house and getting to the car wasn’t considered in the time it would take you to get there, and if you drag it out that’s a good five minutes. So really you only need to leave in five minutes. But what’s the point of waiting five minutes really? You should just leave now. Good idea.

As you park at his apartment building you realise you may have been a little over eager. The drive was ten minutes shorter than expected, so you’re around thirty minutes early. Which is embarrassing, so to speak. But you decide to head up early, a gut feeling telling you that it’ll be beneficial.

As you knock, he immediately opens the door and then a sheepish look comes over his face. “I saw you get out of your car.” He nervously rubs his hand on the back of his neck and it makes you smile. Then you take in his attire. He looks similar to when you met him in the bar, although he’s wearing white converse to match a white shirt underneath his brown suit. He’s also sporting a watch, and - most importantly - glasses. Damn those fucking glasses.

You realise you haven’t responded and are now intensely looking at his eyes, and he looks a little uncomfortable.

“Shit- sorry. I was just looking at you- I mean you look good- Great! You look great. You look… pretty. I like your glasses, do you wear them often?” Although you can feel yourself rambling into oblivion, you somehow can’t stop the flood of words that come out of your mouth.

His mouth opens for a moment as though he might speak, and then it shuts again. He stands aside to let you come in. “I never let you in.” He comments, sounding apologetic.

You shake your head in reassurance. “That’s alright, I wasn’t sure if you would even be ready since I’m so early. I never meant to be, I just kind of over thought it and now I’m here.” You wring your fingers together. Spencer noticed that you do it as a nervous habit when you met in the bar.

“I was ready an hour ago, I’ve just been reading while I waited for you. You can sit.” He motions to his sofa, and you sit next to the armrest so that you can turn and lean your back against it to face him sitting a little away from you. “You look beautiful. You remind me of a painting called ‘Madame X’, you probably know it. You could almost be a modernised retelling. Did you know that the painting caused an extreme public discourse as people thought the artist, John Singer Sargent, made the woman look deathly pale and scandalously unclothed.” He says all this with a little grin, and you can’t help but grin along with him.

The decision to tease him comes before you can truly think about it. “You think I look deathly pale and scandalously unclothed, Doc?” As the words come out of your mouth, he pales slightly.

“No, of course not! You remind me more of the principle. The woman was so beautiful she was renowned for her looks. Painters had all but begged her to do a portrait before, but she declined until she found Sargent. But even then, the people of Paris thought the painting didn’t do her beauty justice. Despite this, the painting became famous and beloved for hundreds of years around the world, and to this day is still considered a work of true historical art. A timeless beauty. That’s how I think you look.” His passion for little things shines through again, and your mouth is left slightly agape from his words.

“That was…” You can’t even think.

“A lot, I know. I tend to ramble a lot. I don’t really notice that I’m bothering people until it’s too late.” He rubs the back of his neck again, and the thought of people being bothered by him sends multiple emotions running down your spine.

You reach over and grab his hand with one of yours, the other going to touch his face. “I was going to say, that was awfully considerate of you. Never assume that you’re bothering me. Talk quite literally as much as you please, I want to know what you want to say… If we weren’t on our first date I’d readily teach you exactly how much I enjoy when you talk, but that can be saved for another time, maybe.” Your voice drops nearer the end, and he picks up on it as he sucks in a breath and nods vigorously.

“Definitely- I mean yes, sure. I will keep that in mind.” He’s still nodding as you smile at him, a proper smile.

“You’re pretty when you get flustered. You get all red, from the tops of your cheeks all the way down your neck.” You silently wonder if it goes further. You wish you could check. The hand on his face trails down his neck as you speak, emphasising what you mean.

He gets redder. How can he get redder? “Pretty. You’ve used that word on me twice now.” The comment seems to be more of an observation than a question, but you answer it as though it is one.

“I think you’re pretty. Handsome is a word I dislike. It reminds me of Ken, like Barbie and Ken. You’re not a doll, you’re a man, who just so happens to be pretty. I could call you beautiful instead, I’d say that adjective very accurately describes you too. Gorgeous, if that’s something you prefer.” You relent as the redness gets impossibly worse, and it makes you feel a little guilty. “Sorry, Doc, I just like seeing you flustered. I’ll call you handsome or something more masculine if you’re more comfortable with that.” You give him a little smile and pull your hand from his face.

He wouldn’t say it out loud but he wishes you would keep it there. He grasps your other hand tightly in his, and he shakes his head. “I don’t mind. You can call me whatever you feel like… You’re wearing purple. Purple is my favourite colour.” He looks away for a moment, and it warms your heart.

“Purple suits you, as a favourite colour I mean. Mine is green.” Your voice holds a gentleness in it that comes with caring for someone. It’s baffling. You’ve known him days. A week at most. You shouldn’t feel so… warm around him.

“Green makes sense. I think purple looks best on you though, which is definitely coming from a place of bias.” This makes you laugh, small and breathy, but he smiles at the sound.

You don’t realise how much time has passed until you hear a buzzing noise, and you both realise it’s a phone ringing. It’s coming from the other room so you assume it’s Spencer’s and he quickly gets up to answer. You can’t hear much from the wall between you, but when he comes back through looking thoroughly disappointed, you can tell it’s a work call. “Serial killers don’t stop for first dates sadly.” You remark, and he looks a little surprised.

“How did you know?” He questions, coming closer to you and you stand up to face him.

“I may not be a behavioural analyst, but I can tell what that face means. It means ‘I’m so sorry but I have to go stop murders’.” You smile to try and reassure him, but you can see the cogs whirring in his brain.

He seems to be thinking too many thoughts to process, but suddenly he dips down and kisses you. It’s short, but it’s soft, and you have a look of surprise on your face as he pulls away. “I wish we had gotten to go on our date, but I really wish that this doesn’t stop us from going on another one.” He looks at you in anticipation, and you melt.

“I wouldn’t pass it up for the world, Doc. Why don’t you go get ready and I’ll drive you there. We can plan the next one in the car.” You kiss his cheek and go to sit back down, and he shuffles away to his bedroom with a stupid smile tugging at his lips.

A/N: So… thoughts on part 3 with newly established relationship reid x reader ? Equally, thoughts on me adding smut somewhere along the line?

#criminal minds #doctor spencer reid #spencer reid #spencer reid x reader #fem!reader

82 notes · View notes

marleyybluu · 14 hours

Text

Four and Counting

husband!Oscar Diaz x fem!black!reader

Word count: 4.4k (oops)

Warnings: everything is fluff, the cutest couple alive, another pregnancy, hints at abortion (but supportingly?), Oscar being the cutest fucking husband, self-indulgent asf cant lie like I want be in love like this

if i missed any lmk

AN: yall do not know how long this mf has been in my drafts omg I finally finished. This fic is just drowning in love. No smut 🤷🏾‍♀️. A bit rushed in certain places but it all fits pretty well in my opinion. this is not the end of the series but its like the end of the main chapters. there will be lore on the couple obvi, updates on the kids and the family as a whole bcus i am obsessed. hope yall enjoy.

You didn't know how it happened, you blinked and soon there were four. You had four kids running around your home filling it with innocent joy and laughter, and the occasional attitude. It was a full house and a busy life, but it could be enjoyable. You'd become a stay-at-home mom. At first, you weren't sure if you'd be able to manage, you loved your job a lot and worked extremely hard for it but with your growing family, your kids needed you more.

With Oscar opening a second restaurant you thought it'd be a good idea to bring up what's been gnawing away at you and he tells you that he's behind you no matter what path you choose. You put in your letter of resignation and bid your co-workers a teary-eyed farewell with promises to visit as much as they can. You had to admit it was a nice break, you didn't have to wake up as early, you weren't on your feet as much and the house was nice and quiet for a few hours when your children were either in school or at daycare. But then you had baby Rosie and your house had returned to a screaming, hollering mess.

She was a loud one and very expressive, babbled and cooed to anyone who would listen. "And then what happens after that?" You say laying next to her gently stroking her hair. She kicks her feet with excitement and responds in her usual baby language. "Oh my goodness." You respond. You could do this all day. You hated to admit it but you missed the baby stage so much and you were grateful for your little one. You'd been lounging around all day, only getting up to shower when she had fallen asleep and the occasional time when you needed to grab her bottle.

You pepper her chunky face in kisses and she squeals with happiness. "Que hermosa." You giggle. You two are so wrapped up in your world you don't even hear when the door unlocks and Oscar strolls in, he decides to check in on you since everything at the restaurant was going fine today. He notices the obvious vacancy of your presence downstairs and stumbles into the kitchen thinking you were feeding Rosie but he was wrong. He hears his baby's infamous noises from upstairs and smiles following the sweet noises. He creeps in on you two.

His head lolls to the side and rests on the door frame. He'd seen you like this many times (clearly) and it never got old. The way you lovingly interact with each child at any stage in their life, it was sweet to witness you give the same sweet eyes to Rafa at his big age as you did when he was a baby. Just a gentle reminder that he chose the right woman to marry, the best one to make a mother.

Rosie turns her little head and screams when her eyes land on her father. "Hola, mi corazoncito." He coos entering the room matching the same excitement as his baby which causes her to become even more riled up. He scoops her up and holds her in the air and all you can do is watch and grin like the Cheshire Cat. He brings her down and kisses her cheeks. "Cómo estás, mi mariposa?" He asks Rosie and she nuzzles her forehead in his cheek. Her nonverbal way of saying she missed him. Oscar takes his place next to you on the bed. "How are you, mama?"

You pucker your lips and he smiles dropping a kiss. You pout at how quick it was but quickly subsides when he gives you a forehead kiss. "I'm good. Sleepy. Hungry. Missing you."

"Missed you too, that's why I came home. And I brought some food from work."

You squinted. "Who cooked it?"

He chuckled. "Jason."

"Yes!" You fist pump. "Jason makes the best fucking food I swear."

Oscar's head seems to tilt even more, he's insulted by your statement but you smile sheepishly placing an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "Not as amazing as you do." He rolls his eyes and kisses your temple. Rosie babbles as her little reminder that she's still in the room. "No one forgot you chica" He affirms giving her some more smooches. "Let's go get mommy her food."

You sit up and stretch; some much-needed cracks are heard via your aching bones, and when your arms come down, you feel much looser and less tense than before. "It's okay, iré contigo." (I'll come with you.)

The three of you plop down the stairs and you part ways as Oscar heads to the kitchen while you shuffle to the living room and drop onto the couch, your lounging was short-lived when the doorbell rang. You huff getting back up on your feet. You swing the door open with a mean mug on your face until your eyes land on your mom and your features immediately soften.

"Hi, Mommy." You smile reaching out for her. "Hi sweetie, how are you?"

"I'm great," You pull her inside and close the door behind her. "What are you doing here?"

She shrugs off her jacket and hangs it up on the rack nearby, her shoes slip off her feet and she places those next to Spooky's on the mat. "Came to visit, figured you'd need some... company..." She trails off and— not so subtly— stretches out her neck to see if she can spot the baby. "Mhm." You say crossing your arms, you call bullshit.

"She's in the kitchen with Spooky."

And just like that, your mother leaves you in her dust. You hear her high-pitched, "Hiiiii GG's babyyyyy, helloooo." And you can't help but smile. Your mom always seemed to become happier with each grandchild you produced.

You begin to feel left out when you hear all the commotion in the kitchen so you decide to join them. Your daughter has your mom's nose in her small fist while your mom blows raspberries in her little tummy, she erupts with laughter and you catch a glimpse of Oscar with nothing but heart eyes for his baby girl. You sneak over to him and slide your arms around his abdomen, he drops his arm over your shoulder and draws you close. He plants a kiss on your head. The microwave beeps behind you signalling that whatever was in there had finished heating up. Your eyes widen when the aroma of cheese hit your senses. "Is that lasagna?"

He nodded. "Yeah. He made a little dish for you, told him you've been craving it lately."

You squeal with excitement as you take the hot dish out of the microwave, you set it on the counter and danced over to the drawers in hot search for a fork, your successful in finding one and greedily stick it inside the soft noodles that were jam packed with delicious ingredients. You take one bite and practically faint at the taste.

"Just needs one more thing." You think out loud, you hustle over to the pantry and grab a bag of barbecue chips, you snag a handful and crack them in your hand, sprinkling them on top. Oscar stands there... confused.

"Girl, what the hell is that?" Your mom asks equally appalled.

You shrug and take another bite. "It's good though." You muffle with a full mouth.

"I love you." Oscar sighs and you laugh at his adoration for anything you do, you blow him a kiss before taking another bite. You don't see it but your mom has her eye on you with a very interesting theory brewing in her head. Your husband's phone rings and he excuses himself to answer it leaving you alone with your mom and Rosie, who is quiet and happy on her grandmother's chest, her little eyes slowly closing with sleep.

You try your best not to make too much noise while you reach for more-

"Are you pregnant again?"

You nearly choke on your saliva at the ridiculous question. You quickly shake your head. "No!? Are you nuts? I just had her and she is the last one." You assure but your mom isn't believing it. "This little concoction says otherwise."

You roll your eyes. "I just... like pasta and chips... together."

It did sound ridiculous.

"Since when?"

"Like... a month ago..."

She sucks her teeth. "Mi amor, I'm telling you, I think you're pregnant."

This was insane, this was an insane conversation to be having. You were one hundred percent sure there was nothing and no one in your belly-- just the mere thought of having two under two was giving you the heebie-jeebies. "I'm just saying-"

You groan like the irritated teenager you once were, "Ay Mama, no más charlas de bebé, por favor." (No more baby talk, please.)

She agrees to ease off the topic but it remains in the back of her mind.

-- --

Later that day after Oscar's gathered the others from school, you sneak out of the house to do some grocery shopping. It was a bit of time for yourself, a time when you didn't have to keep your eye on your tiny little humans. You go through the aisles for the essentials and when that's done you browse for treats and snacks for your kids (that you and Oscar will eventually munch on as well.)

You cautiously approach the next aisle that is stacked with condoms, contraceptives and pregnancy tests. You meant to move, your hands ready to push the cart forward but your feet are firmly planted on the floor. You sigh and turn in, quickly grabbing a box and dumping it in the cart as though it's not for you. "She better be fucking wrong." You mutter to yourself.

-- --

With all kids fed, bathed and in bed before twelve it allows you to have the bathroom to yourself for a while. You wedge the knuckle of your index finger between your two rows of teeth, you stare at the box and sigh. "Please prove her wrong." You whisper to no one in particular. You pop open the box and rip open the wrapping of the test. One original and one digital. You sit on the toilet and do what you've done a hundred times, you pee on the sticks and set them aside until the timer goes off.

You clean yourself up and wash your hands, you know better than to just stand there and watch the sticks waiting for that fate-sealing answer but you go against yourself and stare. You're in a trance until there's a knock at the door, it startled you and you clutch your non-existent pearls for dear life. "Que?"

Oscar asks, "You good? Didn't need company tonight?" He's referring to your commonly shared showers which, now that you think about it, is probably one of the reasons you're in this predicament again!

"No, it's not that. I'm just..."

You huff and unlock the door swinging it open with displeasure on your face, your arms crossed as you nod over to the tests on the counter. His eyes follow your actions and pop out when he sees them. "How-"

"Mom said it was weird that I ate the lasagna like that."

He chuckled. "Didn't want to say anything."

You whine saying, "It's not funny, I just thought it was a change in my palette or something, I mix random foods all the time. I-" You searched for every excuse you could find. Oscar's face softens at the worry in your voice. "I just had Rosie." You sigh sounding depleted. You turn your back to the tests when you hear that all too familiar sound. You squeeze your eyes shut, if you don't look you won't know the answer and you can go about your merry way. Your husband offers to look for you and leans over. You hear the quietest gasp he's ever uttered and you know. You spin around to look at them yourself.

Positive. Both of them show positive.

You look up at Spooky and he's already looking at you waiting for your reaction so he can curate his own. "How do you feel about it?"

You shrug. You truly didn't know, you didn't even have words. Your throat was dry. You pick up one of them and look at it. And you feel nothing. Empty. Just waiting for a sense of gratitude to come across and for some reason, you can't seem to produce it. You put the test down and leave.

Spooky's still standing there with his heart in the pit of his stomach. Maybe he should've listened to you, that two was enough, and then three and four. He's after you, right on your heels as you enter your bedroom. You sit on the bed and fall back onto the sheets, you cover your eyes and shake your head at yourself and him. "I just had Rosie." You repeat to yourself. And then it happens. A tear slips and as quick as you are to wipe it, he knows you like the back of his hand— your breathing gets choppy and choked, you sniffle. The bed dips beside you and the sound of the sheets ruffling as he lays down.

"Háblame." (Talk to me)

You take a deep breath. You can be honest. "I don't know how I feel. I'm not sad but I'm not happy. I just hoped Rosie would be a little older. They all have good age gaps and- Oh god, what if they don't want another sibling? And Rosie and I spend so much time together, they just got used to her-- Emilia was so clingy when I had her, she felt so left out and-and-"

Oscar presses his hand over your thigh. "Cariño. Respirar. Por favor.

You breathe shakily. "It's okay not to know how to feel. If this is not what you want... I'm here for you, your moms here... the kids are here. We have more than enough, Sí?"

You nod. He reaches over and pulls you into him, you rest your forehead on his chest while he rubs smooth circles on your back. "We have some time for you to think about it right? It's your world mi amor, we're just living in it. I got you no matter what."

"Spooky."

"Mhm."

"Thank you."

He smiles and kisses your head. "It's my job baby."

— — You'd been hiding your belly from everyone, even the kids. It was easy for the most part because you only wore baggy clothes and they made you look a little large anyway but then there were not so subtle signs— like the heavy breathing from doing just about anything, and your walk? Oh, your walk was not normal no matter how hard you tried. So you decide to come clean to your kids and other close family during a little gathering that Spooky's brother, Cesar, was hosting. Cesar was the only person who knew and you two asked if it'd be okay to announce it tonight.

He was fine with it, excited actually.

Your hands shake. You were cautious in deciding on having this baby, it took you a while to feel anything. At first, it was uncertainty, did you want another? Would you be crushed if you didn't have it?

But as the weeks passed you couldn't help but fall in love with the growth, the bigger you got the giddier you became. Modelling in front of the mirror any chance you got, and when all the kids were asleep you'd talk to your belly and giggle with every shift they made.

"Listo?" He asks and you nod confidently. Oscar whistles over to Cesar giving him a thumbs up. Cesar turns down the music to gather everyone's attention. "I just want to thank everyone for coming out, it's been a while since we've all been in one place, right?"

The crowd mumbles in agreement. "But it's great to see everyone in good health and good spirits—" He raises his Corona bottle and the crowd follows with their drinks (including the kids and their juice boxes) "Salud." He smiles.

"Salud." The crowd repeats. You clear your throat and enthusiastically say, "Oh let me see if I can get a picture. Everyone gets in."

They shuffle into one pile as best they can, you grab your phone and hold it landscape, you press record and say, "Alright everybody in... great, now saaaay... Y/n and Spooky are having another babyyyy!"

There were collective gasps, the word "what!?" Being thrown around in every language. "Excuse me!?" Your mom hollers. You unbutton your cardigan and turn to the side having worn a tight dress on purpose. "Surpriiiiiise." You sing out.

"I FUCKING KNEW IT!" Jasmine screams stretching her arms out for you, you gasp and playfully smack her hand. "Not in front of my kids, puta!"

She tells you to shut up and hug her, your mom joins in and soon the children and in that moment it hits how loved and supported you are by everyone around you. This was your village and it was a damn good one too.

Oscar's friends dap him up and congratulate him. They hug you as well and whisper that they hope it's another girl. They loved spoiling your daughters. Anything they asked for the boys were sure to buy it no problema.

"Well, actually," You begin to say. "We know what we're having."

Rafa, your oldest comes up to you. "Is it a boy?" His eyes gloss over with the hope that you would say yes, he'd been hoping that Emilia (your third) was going to be a boy but he lucked out. You had an idea. You hunch over to match his eye level. "You see that cake over there." You whisper and he nods. "Papi and I were going to cut it, but I think you should get the first slice."

He shrugs and you walk him over to the white cream frosted cake. You and Oscar help him hold the knife and carefully slide the blade into the spongey treat making one incision and you help him make another. He pushes the knife under to take the slice out and plops it on his plate, he reaches for a fork when he looks down to see the inside was blue.

Nobody spoke. Nobody moved with the understanding this was his moment. He looks up at you. "You're having a boy!?"

You nod with tears spilling over and ruining your makeup. "I am."

He puts the plate down and hugs you tightly and that's when the crowd goes wild. "Thank you, Mommy." He sobs which makes you cry even more. "Oh, you're welcome sweetie."

— — Nine months had sped past you and it seemed as if it was just yesterday that you found out you were pregnant. Now, you lay on a hospital bed, covered over by a few blankets to help with post-partum shivers, your jaw rattling and fingers dancing involuntarily. But that wasn't your main focus.

Oscar hovered over you staring at the sleeping newborn in your arms. He made the cutest noises while he nuzzled against your chest. Your finger ghosts over his nose and he reacts by moving his head and sighing. "Are you sick of me already, mi hijo?(my son)" You joke nudging him with your nose. "You get used to her." Oscar chimes in and you suck your teeth hitting him as hard as you could. "Cállate culo."(Shut up, ass)

"Hitting me in front of my son?"

"And I'll do it again."

He smiles and leans down to kiss you. "You know I like you a little feisty, mami."

You sigh, so in love with your new baby, in love with your husband— just filled with overpouring affection. You can't stop staring at your new son and your husband couldn't stop gazing at either of you. He'd been in this room over and over and he swore up and down you made it look so easy, that you looked like a goddess bringing new air and life into this world. Even though you thought you looked like a monster from the swamp.

Oscar tells you in a loving tone. "You're doing an amazing job, seriously, you... you're just amazing."

You blink rapidly to keep tears from spilling over. When you met this man he was so rough and tough, such a brute that it seemed impossible to get him to even admit that he liked you, but under all that fake-cold persona, was the gentlest giant and the biggest sweetheart you'd ever met—a man who spreads nothing but positivity around you and your children.

"I'm so happy, I met you." He mutters. You were his wife, the mother of his children and his best friend rolled into one and that's all he wanted out of this life. You look up at him with glossy eyes. "I'm happy I met you too."

You share a kiss as a tear slips out, you just can't hold them back any longer. He kisses your forehead as his thumb swipes over your cheek. Your attention is drawn back to your son when he begins wiggling in your hold, you press your nose against his hair taking a whiff of that fresh baby smell. As you soak in the presence of your child, your husband's phone buzzes against the fabric of the diaper bag, he looks over and your mom's name catches his attention. He looks to you for some sort of permission and your brows furrow together. "It's okay."

He rushes over to answer, and just then your nurse walks in with a smile on her face. "Just came to check on mommy and baby." She announces.

"Ok... yeah, I'll meet you guys downstairs... bye." Oscar hangs up and looks over at you. "Your parents are here, with the kids. I'll just be back okay?"

"Mhm." You hum. He gives you a quick kiss before he speeds out of the room. The nurse smirks as she helps you adjust yourself into a somewhat comfortable sitting position, asking you if you'd like your son to be put back in the bassinet to which you respond yes and she gently takes him. "I apologize if this is forward but... I've seen a lot of couples in here and let me tell you, I've never seen anything like you two. He is so attentive."

You giggle. "Thank you. I just got really lucky with him."

A few minutes had passed and she had finished her check-up letting you know that she'd be back in a bit for another check-in. Once she left that's when your family, quietly, barged in. Oscar approaches you first with a sleeping Rosie in his arms and you happily reach for her and coddle her in your arms. Rafael, Elliana and Emilia gently charged over to you, shuffling off their shoes and finding their places on the bed with you. You greeted them as best as you could, with restricted movement all you could do was reach for their faces. Your parents and Oscar stand in the background of it all observing you in your motherly nature and Oscar can't fight the grin that has been plastered on his face since the day he met you.

"Baby." Emilia chimes in drawing everyone's attention to her now. "Yeah, mira, mommy had the baby."

Rafael seemed enamoured by the presence of his new sibling. He loved his sisters, you knew that, but by the looks of it-- this would be a special bond. "Rafa, would you like to hold him first?" Oscar asks.

He nodded eagerly and readied himself by sitting up straight and folding his arms. Oscar removes your son from his bassinet and carefully places him in Rafa's arms. The baby was a bit squirmy, upset that he'd been disturbed but with the soothing 'shhhh' from his mother's lips he settled down. Your two girls surround their brothers with curiosity.

Emilia giggles. "Hi, cutie."

"He's so tiny," Eliana mutters. Your parents finally make their way over to you after letting you have your moment with the kids. They congratulate you and your dad holds up a Chipotle bag and you beamed. "Thank you, this hospital food sucks." You whisper.

They attempted to take Rosie from you but you assured them it was fine, having missed her snuggles anyway. "Want me to feed you?" Your husband asks and you snicker shaking your head. "Está bien papito, I'll eat when I'm ready. But thank you."

— — After all the kids had their turn holding the baby their attention spans had turned to you and their father, telling you everything that had happened since you left the house.

"And then Ellie licked the cookie and put it back in my bowl," Rafa whines and you hold back a laugh. "Eliana you do not do that, that's gross."

She shrugs and nuzzles closer to her grandfather on the couch who is causing a ruckus with all his snoring. Your mom nudges him awake and he hits his famous line, "I'm not sleeping, I just closed my eyes."

"Think it's time for us to go." Your mom says. "Um.." Rafa chimes. "Is it okay if I stay?"

"I- yeah, I guess so." You answer. Oscar says that you'll keep Rosie since she has now found a new sleep space in his arms. Your mom carries a sleeping Emilia and your dad carries Eliana on his back. They say their goodbyes and are out the door.

— —

The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Rafael had fallen asleep on the couch while Rosie, who'd only woken up to ear and fell back into slumber, lay under her older brother's arm. You sigh contently as you gaze at them.

"Did you ever think when we met at that laundromat, that we'd be here?" Oscar mumbled as he held your baby boy, tracing his finger along his little nose. You turn to him. You shrug.

"Maybe with one kid... two.... But not five." You joked. He chuckled.

"Did you?"

He nods. "I knew you were gonna be my girl from the moment I picked up that sexy red bra you dropped-"

"Spookyyyy." You gasped gently hitting his arm.

He laughs. "Que? Man, once I saw those cups I started barking."

"You are so fucking stupid."

He shrugs. "I know. But I'm stupid in love with you."

You playfully rolled your eyes at his corny, yet sweet, line.

"I'm stupid in love with you too."

if you liked this fic feel free to like this fic. comments and reblogs are appreciated. hopefully, I'll be back a whole lot sooner. peace and love

tags: @darqchilddaydreamz @realhotgurlshit @skyesthebomb @librarian1002

Who might be interested: @miyahmaraj @bigenergy777 @educatorsareslutstoo @missdforever

#marleysfanfictions #spooky fanfic #on my block #marleywrites #fluff #on my block fanfic #spooky fanfiction #on my block fanfiction #oscar diaz x black!reader #oscar diaz fluff

39 notes · View notes

x-neurodivergent-reader · 8 months

Text

Headcanons: Dhawan!Master with a companion who has migraines

@asexualaromosafezone’s request: “could I request a Master x platonic reader… …Where the reader is having a bit of a brain fog cause by a migraine coming on... ...or after where the reader is sluggish really not there and shutdown to *reboot* and falling a sleep… …I get sleepy after a attack. Master pick up on the changes of his dear pet. Master just takes care of them and keep a eye on them, knowing full well that the feeling in their hand is not back just yet.”

A/N: Sorry this took a while, but here you go! Your description of your migraine symptoms helped a ton, so thank you for including it – I hope you like this!

The reader here is gender-neutral. These imagines are written to be fully platonic!

Content warnings: None.

You’re the Master’s closest friend, not that he would admit that to you. Despite him not being open enough to express it verbally, however, it often shows in his actions towards you.

One example of this is how he notices immediately when your migraines start to develop, having learnt to recognise the brain fogginess as a sign leading up to them.

The moment he notices you becoming more disoriented and unfocused, he’ll prioritise finding you somewhere to relax – whether it be on the TARDIS, or somewhere near you during a trip.

He always tries to find somewhere quiet and dim, with a place for you to sit down, so you don’t have to suffer as much during the migraine.

If you two were in the middle of an adventure, he’ll quietly guard you nearby with the TCE, more than ready to cut anyone who may disturb you down to size…

…unless you ask him to stay with you, in which case he’ll either get an ally you’ve gained during the trip to stand guard, or use a transmat to get you and him back to the TARDIS (he started to keep them with him each time you travel together, just in case).

If you start shivering or losing the feeling in your hands while holding something important, he’ll be sure to pick it up again for you before you leave, if possible.

He knows you might get angry at yourself for not being able to stay steady enough to keep assisting him, so he makes sure your efforts weren’t for nothing. It's his way of looking out for you.

Has a quiet room on the TARDIS, designed to suit your needs during migraines. The lights can be adjusted to your liking, the walls are soundproof, and it includes both beanbags and a bed, so you can rest well during the aftermath.

The Master’s temper is volatile and easily triggered - but over time, he's learnt to be more patient when you become irritable during migraines.

He'll help you when you're at your most vulnerable not only because you're his loyal companion, but also because you're not-so-secretly his favourite human.

#dhawan!master x reader #dhawan!master imagine #dhawan!master imagines #dhawan!master x you #dhawan!master x y/n #doctor who master x reader #doctor who master imagine #doctor who imagine #doctor who x reader #neurodivergent!reader #my imagines #this sat in my drafts for ages as I kept forgetting to proofread and post it bc of other responsibilities #I'm glad I finally remembered to finish it!

97 notes · View notes

thedndgoblinwholivesinyourwalls · 5 months

Text

Cannot believe these exist/hj Octonauts gijinkas? Humanised octonauts? Call them what you will but yeah!! I still have four to go. And Tweak’s design has given me pain- originally she had short hair but it didn’t really look like her so i added a ponytail sndbdk

#these are like drafts #and then i’ draw them all in a piece togheter #and kwazii does not look his age #and i know that i figured out his age after finishing this drawing lmao #so i’ll fix that in the final piece #this is too fun man #thoughts in the void #my art #octonauts #<-never thought i would be using that tag again in my live

51 notes · View notes

xatsperesso · 1 year

Text

Iruma is taken

part 3 / 4

part 1 Part 2

Warning: angst

"I'm sorry," What. "I know you don't like being summoned, and I know i should stop the ritual but-"

"Don't." I damn near begged. Not so soon

"Don't you dare stop the ritual."

And it's strange. I've never felt so attached to a student before

It could have something to do with me being the whole familiar situation it doesn't

It could be opera-senpai's disappearance is he even safe out there?

It could be his effect on the misfits the class feels so so empty

I just can't

"I'm not going back without you"

Iruma stared at me. He looked surprised (am i that unreliable of a teacher?)

"Please," he said, voice too haorse as tears started trailing off his cheeks "i want to go home"

Iruma's sobs were quiet, smth, and too much to bear.

I layed my head on his cheek, the best comfort i could give him riggt now, then i looked at the restraints. They were made from leather, and probably laced with magic. They shouldnt be too hard to break.

That's what i thought, but no matter what spell i used, how hard i yanked, no matter how much i pecked them, they wouldnt budge. They wouldnt break or tear or show any sign that someone has even touched them.

"My bloodline magic," i turned around quickly, spreading my wings as far as i can reach. If that bastard thinks of going anywhere near iruma, im going to-

He raised his hand, a silent threat. I didnt move an inch

"You tried to break it, didnt you?" He entered the room "as long as i have mana, these restraints are unbreakable. Quite practicle, isnt it!"

I stayed silent, watching him, daring him to try and hurt iruma more.

"It looks like iruma-kun is asleep. That makes everything easier" what? What's he planning to do-

"Hello, sensei"

That bastard is working with the six fingers?

"Amiy Kirio" I hiss out, hating how unthreatening it sounds like in this body

But at least iruma isn't alone now

"Please don't be hostile, sensei," he steps forward "I just want to make a deal"

A deal?

What would make them even think-

I blink

And suddenly I'm posing threateningly in front of my bathroom mirror

I've left iruma there

I take out my phone and dial that number

"Senpai,"

"You better have a good-"

"I've been summoned"

This is the closest I've ever been to death

It was a good call to get shichiro with me. Not like he was less scary, but he reminded opera and sullivan that if i get hurt they won't get there needed information.

Once we get our kid back, I'm grilling him on how he got close to the brat.

For now, I've been given a command from Sullivan

Report whenever i become summoned.

A smoke engulfs me, and i move without thinking. Flying straight to where iruma is-

Thud

I hit something

Kirio's shield

"My~ do you usually hit windows like birds do, sensei?" He is sneering at me, making fun of me. Looking down at me

The doctor is not with him

"If you know what's good for you, you will let me pass" he is not going to keep me away from my kid

"Aww, but sensei," Kirio puts up another shield between us "If you go to Iruma now he'll wake up. We don't want him to hear our deal now, do we?"

"There won't be a deal for him to hear" this is the second time he's mentioned a deal. Why on hell does he think I'll be willing to-

"Iruma hasn't drank water in two days"

What?

I look at iruma, confused. What does this have to do with anything-!

Why

Why does iruma look like this?

His skin is pale, cracked. There are dark circles around the eyes, and his breathing is irregular. He's comatose

What caused this

"Iruma is a...special type of demons. He needs to drink a lot of water to survive"

How did no one ever-

No. Not now

I grit my teeth and force myself to look into kirio's eyes. The bastard has the audacity to look so thrilled.

"What do you want"

"Glad we could come to an agreement, sensei"

"I've made a deal" the room stilled.

The tension rose in the room, becoming too thick it could be cut a knife. Balam straightened at my words, while opera's posture shifted, becoming defensive. Just in case. Sullivan.

His eyes became sharper. An aura engulfed the whole room, seemingly only affecting me as I tried to fight my legs from giving out, forcing my lungs to work, and preventing myself from choking on thin air.

"Oh," the room became suffocating as all the demons tensed even more "do tell me about this deal, Kalego-kun"

At this point, Kalego is not even sure how he's alive. Between getting repeatedly summoned in the middle of a terrorists base and facing a sullivan who has lost what could only be described as his most prized possession, Kalego is just not sure how he at the very least didn't loose a limb.

And so, once again he gets summoned. His first instinct is to fly to iruma's side, check his injuries, and this time he reaches his kid student unobstructed.

This time he is aware of the two other demons in the room (is there no one else in this damned place?) They’re standing near the door, gaurding it. Kalego pays them no mind.

He's focused on the demon laying ont the bed. Iruma is looking at him, his eyes glazed over seemingly dazed. He looks..terrible, but at least he's awake. At least he doesn't have more bandages. At least he's alive.

"S-sen-"

"Sensei," Kirio said, forcing Kalego to finally acknowledge their presence, "c'mon, sensei. Let's go"

Kirio moved to get out of the room, but Kalego stayed put. He’s not leaving Iruma's side. Not so soon.

"Kalego-sensei~ you're not gonna honor your words?" That

That broke kalego's resolve. His stubbornness, because if he is not going to honor his words, then why should they?

Slowly, he left iruma's side amd flew cautiously towards Kirio who was keeping the door open for him.

He tried to ignore iruma's eyes that were following him until he disappeared out of the door.

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

#FINALLY!!#this has been in my drafts for ages!#glad i finally finished this part #one more part to go!#mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school iruma kun #iruma kun #mairimashita manga #mairimashita iruma kun #amiy kirio #amy kirio #angst #angst no comfort #angst no happy ending #fanifc #mairimashita fanfic #naberius kalego #kalego sensei #m!ik kalego

68 notes · View notes

threefuckencrowsinatrenchcoat · 6 months

Text

So are any of you bumfucks on this godforsaken app gonna talk about how Brazil (Declan McKenna) was written By and For Ronan Lynch or am I gonna have to do it myself let’s do this bitches

Fair warning I’m sorta really bad at analysis according to every English teacher I’ve ever had so this is a lot of me freaking out but I think it turned out ok (this took half a year)

Starting off strong with Cars and Animals (Ronan’s favourite) !! Anyway the vibe I’m getting from this is like. The barns and then the He’s got eyes talks like an angel looks like me part is about the like. Greywaren vs Ronan Lynch dream vs human stuff we see in Greywaren (not super spoilery but it kinda doesn’t make sense unless u read the book lmao)

I could write a whole second post as long as this one just about this line but let me unpack this because ohhh my god. First up the use of religion is so perfect for mister Lynch over here and then. IM THE FACE OF GOD IM MY FATHERS SON IS INSANE FOR HIM IM GOING SO FERAL OVER THIS HE LITERALLY IS GOD AND HES HIS FATHERS SON (“and Ronan was everything that was left: molten eyes and a smile made for war” and also The Scene in TRK where Adam goes into Ronan’s room and thinks Niall is sitting on the bed) THIS IS CANON

He’s Not what u think u see he looks so mean but he just wants his little farm and for his husband to get into heaven when he dies (he’s worried about his agnostic tendencies) jk but this is 100% ab stereotypes and how Ronan doesn’t rly fit into what anyone thinks he is (the whole thing about Adam wanting to be unknowable and realizing Ronan Is Unknowable [poetry chefs kiss])

Can’t eat leather is so self explanatory. The bracelets are RIGHT THERE you can’t fool me Mr mckenna

I’m done. I’m done. I don’t even need to keep explaining this it’s RIGHT THERE AGH

And onto the ecoterrorism

I’m kidding (not really) bc this part always makes me think of literally the Entire Plot of TDT when Ronan is going around destroying capitalism to save dreamers. This IS the servers scene and the underwater pipeline and the Mirrors lady and also the way all of TDT is about self discovery and learning who you are and how to deal with that in a society made to destroy you and how isolating and sad that is (it gets him down 😞) and I can KEEP GOING

And just the way the song is so melancholy and also happy at once hits me so hard cause it feels like what the Barns does when you read the book like it SOUNDS like something Aurora would sing to kid Ronan it’s so homey and sweet but also sad and perfect

And obviously I don’t go through the whole song here but I feel that I’ve made my case sufficiently enough thanks for reading this far I love u mwah

#this has been in my drafts for over 6 months #it’s finally here #I don’t even really listen to this song anymore but it hit just the same when I was listening to it to finish this post #also just fyi you can’t disagree with me. I am right and I will die knowing that #I’m going to reread the series now I miss my Boy #also insert joke about Declan Mckenna and Declan Lynch ok I’m done #this is a little late for his birthday but it’s close enough #HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ONE AND ONLY I LOVE HIM SO MUCH #Carried my life from ages 12-15 and will do so forever #this is so niche I genuinely have lost it #I miss them #ronan lynch #ronan trc #adam parrish #adam and ronan #richard gansey #gansey #richard campbell gansey iii #blue sargent #declan lynch #matthew lynch #the lynch brothers #the raven cycle #the dreamer trilogy #the raven boys #the dream thieves #blue lily lily blue #the raven king #declan mckenna #Brazil Declan mckenna

12 notes · View notes

might-be-tiny-gt · 9 months

Text

No Big Deal

Chapter 1: A Story Served with Pancakes

———

Alejandra Sanchez is an average girl starting her Sophomore year of high school. She’s got good grades, great friends, and a loving, if a bit dysfunctional, family. Perfectly normal… almost. There is something that makes Ale different from the rest of her family, the rest of the world even. She’s only 4 inches tall. But it’s fine, her height hasn’t stopped her from living a perfectly normal human life and nothing’s gonna stop her now. That is until one night she encounters someone and he’s just as small as she is. Her whole world view shatters as she encounters someone who knows what she is, a borrower.

———

Alejandra dashed into the Queen’s hedge maze, the entire deck following closely behind. She hoped to confuse them but she didn’t really know the maze any better. She knew she couldn’t out run them for long, they were cards after all. They didn’t need to breathe, or eat, or rest, if the Queen demands, “Off with her head!” They won’t stop until heads rolled.

Unfortunately for Alejandra, her breathes we’re getting slower, her steps heavier, she was going to collapse any second. She stopped by the rose bush she had helped to paint red earlier. Little did she know then that would be exactly what lead her to becoming a fugitive, mere minutes away from saying goodbye to her own head. She could not rest easy as the stomping of the guards’ marching grew louder and louder. If she could not out run these soldiers she had to come up with a plan, her only two options being to hide or fight. The clearing she found herself in was large and spacious with no obvious hiding places in sight. She could attempt to hide in the walls of the maze itself but she worried the sound of the leaves rustling would alert the guards to her hiding spot. The only other plan would to be to prepare for a fight, but that don’t seem like a viable option either. She had just used up most of her energy running and even if she had her full strength 1 V 52 hardly seemed like an even match.

As the stomping and the shouts drew closer and closer, Alejandra resigned herself to her fate. She sat down at the foot of the rose bush and hugged her knees. She prayed that maybe now would be the time she would wake up from her dream, that her alarm would pull her back to reality before it became a nightmare. But no such thing happened. She did everything to stifle her tears but she just couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears ran down her cheeks like water from a waterfall. This whole thing felt too familiar. It was just like this when she first fell down and found herself in that wondrous little hallway with the impossibly tiny door. At the time she thought she never escape the hall until she had found the bottle simply labeled, “Drink Me.”

Then another memory came rushing back, one that inspired some spark of hope within her.

Alejandra reached into her pockets and pulled out two pieces of mushroom from either pocket. She had encountered a snobbish caterpillar earlier that afternoon who had instructed her to eat a piece of his mushroom to change her size.

“But which is which?” She muttered under her breathe. She had too much on her mind to remember which piece should make her grow and which piece would make her shrink. Lost in thought she didn’t realize how close she was to being found.

“I THINK I KNOW WHERE SHE WENT!”

“WELL WHAT ARE YOU DOING JUST STANDING THERE, LEAD THE WAY 8!”

Their shouts were too close to be coincidence, they were going to corner her any second now. With no better ideas she ate both pieces whole. She hoped they’d still have an affect on her and not cancel out.

“If it makes me grow bigger, I stand a fighting chance… and if it makes me grow smaller, I can hide until they give up the search..”

“Halt!” Came a shout from one side of the clearing, “By order of the queen!”

The guards had finally caught up and the mushroom was not having any sort of affect. In a panic, Alejandra tried running to the exit on the other side of the clearing only to run into another group of guards. Their pursuit pushed her back to the center of the maze until she was completely surrounded.

Two cards, the Ace of Hearts, clearly the leader, and the Ace of Spades, very clearly the executioner, stepped forward.

“Alejandra,” the Ace of Hearts began to read aloud from a large scroll, “You have been declared guilty of heinous crimes against our beloved Queen of Hearts including but not limited to conspiracy to cover up illegal white roses by painting them red, causing chaos in the courtroom, insulting her majesty, so on and so forth. By order of the Queen you shall lose your head effective immediately!”

The Ace of Hearts grabbed Alejandra before she could attempt any sort of escape while the Ace of Spades happily prepared his axe, lifting it above his head. Alejandra tried to fight back, doing everything in her power to free herself from the Ace’s grip, but she couldn’t get him to budge. A terrible feeling began in her, was this stress? Was it terror? She shut her eyes waiting for the axe to swing when she felt the Ace’s grip loosen. Suddenly, confused shouting began amongst the crowd.

“What’s this?”

“How dare she do such a thing!”

“This shall be added to your list of crimes I assure you.”

Alejandra opened her eyes to see that she was now nearly two feet taller than the soldiers, and still growing at a rapid pace. She realized that feeling wasn’t fear, at least not entirely, it was the mushroom finally taking affect. Looking down she could see the cards attempting to flee from her, trying not to be crushed under her feet. She felt herself stop growing and by then her head had grazed the clouds in the sky. As for the soldiers below?

“Hmm..” She bent down with a cocky grin, picking up the two Aces, “What was that you were saying?”

The Ace of Hearts wriggled in her hand, clearly terrified but doing his best not to convey it, “Y-You are breaking the rules! You shall put me down, make yourself an appropriate size, and properly face your execution!”

The Ace of Spades nodded in agreement.

“Why should I listen to you?” Alejandra tossed them aside and watched as they floated down like autumn leaves, “You’re nothing but a pack of cards.”

While several cards retreated, just as many tried fruitlessly to attack Alejandra. However at this size, even their weapons did nothings. Alejandra would simply brush them to the side with her foot, they weren’t a threat any longer.

Suddenly, a sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach made itself known. She knew that feeling, what it meant… She wouldn’t be this giant any longer, she was beginning to grow smaller. Afraid of what might happen if she found herself at her normal size amongst the aggravated guard she ran. Her first giant steps kicked up large clouds of dirt and dust that blinded the remaining perusing cards. As she stepped over the walls of the maze she felt herself getting smaller and smaller, faster and faster. Luckily she was able to escape the Queen’s domain by the time she returned to her normal size, but she didn’t stop shrinking. She kept running and running, shrinking and shrinking until she found herself seeking refuge under a towering tree root.

She took a moment to compose herself and check her surroundings. She assumed she was in a very dark wood of some kind, but something wasn’t right. The area didn’t look like she was in a forest filled with trees and plants and the fantastical creatures she expected from this place. No, it was more accurate to say that she found her self in a pitch black void with outlines of trees and grass extremely sparse and just barely visible to her eye. She had never been here before nor did she think she could navigate in such a massive space that was nothing but darkness. Instinctually she leaned her hand against the root she was hiding by and through she could barley see it, she most certainly felt it was there. She felt around the ground until she found what felt like a giant leaf. She did her best to fashion it like a tent or even a giant blanket. She felt comfortable resting there for the time seeing as she didn’t hear anything that sounded like the cards’ patrol.

“I-I’ll just wait here til dawn,” She said to no one in particular, “When the sun rises I’ll be able to see, and maybe find a way home then.”

“But there is no dawn here,” No one in particular replied.

Startled, Alejandra looked around for the source of the voice, finding nothing. That is until the no one began to laugh. Alejandra jerked her head up and noticed the moon, the only clearly visible thing in sight. Its beautiful crescent descended down and oriented itself into a large smile as the owner of the smile materialized in front of her, the Cheshire Cat. His fur seemed to glow in the darkness, it’s color overwhelming the space around them. Alejandra had encounter this mischievous cat earlier, but she was much bigger than him earlier and it was hard not to be intimidated by his wide grin now that that alone was significantly larger than her.

“What- What are you doing here?” Alejandra yelled, fearing her voice would not be heard unless she did.

The Cat looked down, finally acknowledging the girl with his eyes rather than his grin, “I noticed you found yourself at a dead end, thought I could lend a paw so to speak.”

“This isn’t a dead end. I was stuck in a dead end back the Queen’s maze, but this place is huge. In the morning I can look fo-“

The Cat cut her off, “But there is not morning in Tulgey Wood, and this is a dead end because you’ve stopped moving, but haven’t reached your end,” Then there was a pause, “Unless this is where you want to call your end?”

“I- no! I don’t want to spend of my life here! I want to wake up already! I… I WANT TO GO HOME.”

“Home? If you want to go home, and you go home by waking up… why haven’t you woken up already?”

That question stuck Alejandra like a ton of bricks. Why hasn’t she woken up? It wasn’t for a lack of trying. Was she just trapped in this dream for the foreseeable future? All she could muster was, “I don’t know…”

“I see, perhaps,” His spoke, grin unchanging, “I could help?”

“Help? Help how?“

“Isn’t it obvious? I can wake you up.”

“You can? Then please, wake me up!”

“I don’t think I should right now.”

“What?!” Alejandra wanted to scream so many thing at this troublesome cat but she felt like her lungs couldn’t continue for much longer, “You just told me I should wake up and now you refuse to help me?!”

“You see, Alice, my services come at a price. Are you satisfied with who you are right this second?”

“What does that have to do with your price?”

“That is the price, Are you satisfied with who you are right this second?”

Before she answered, Alejandra took a moment to ponder the question. Was this some weird trick? Had she some how changed as a person between now and when she first fell down? She didn’t hesitate a second longer, she was happy with who she was now and after everything she’s gone through, she’s ready to go home.

“Yes,” She said, “I am satisfied with who I am right this second.”

The Cat’s grin found a away to grow wider, “Very well,” He took a few steps closer to Alejandra who in response backed up until she back struck the root behind her and she could move no more. “You see Alice, in order to wake up, first you must fall asleep.”

As he said this, the tip of the Cat’s tail had lightly brushed Alejandra’s forehead. In that moment she felt a rush of clam and drowsiness overcome her body. She blinked a few time and found herself now laying on the ground which now felt as soft as her bed.

“Goodnight Alice.”

Then she drifted into a deep, deep slumber.

——————————————————

“Then what happened?!”

“Oye, not so loud, you’ll wake up the neighbors like that.”

“Sorry Mamá, but that can’t be how the story ends! That still doesn’t explain why Ale’s so small.”

“I’m getting that part.”

Ms. Sanchez had finished washing the last dish and took a seat at the kitchen counter next to her youngest son, Marcelo, “Now promise me, that you’ll finish your breakfast as I finish the story, Sí?”

Marco stabbed the last bit of his pancake and stuffed it in his mouth, turning to his mom with a proud smile, “Yes Mamá”

“Dios Mio” She muttered as she corrected her son’s table manners. “So when Alejandra woke up, she was back home in her bed but she brought a bit of magic back with her.”

Marcelo swallowed the last of his food and gasped, “The mushroom!”

“Well, yes and no. You see when the Cheshire Cat asked Ale about her being satisfied with who she was, she though he was asking if she felt like a good person. What he actually meant was her height, she was still a few inches tall after all.”

“So, he sent her back home, but at the same height she was at that moment?”

“Correct.“

“How did you and Papí react?”

“How did we react? Dios Mio, we were absolutely shocked, but Ale explained the whole story to us. Of course we wouldn’t have believed it if she wasn’t standing in our palm when she told us.”

“Mamá, will Ale ever grow back to normal?”

“Well, you’re just gonna have to ask your sister that.”

Marcelo nodded. He grabbed his plate and dashed to the kitchen sink placing his dish in the sink and trying very desperately to reach the handle to turn the water on. His mother, of course, turned it on for him, and he began cleaning his plate Mrs.Sanchez called out, “Oye Mijos, Marcelo already finished breakfast, if you don’t hurry you won’t have time to eat! Same thing applies to you Jośe!”

From upstairs she heard her oldest son, Juan Carlos, “Be down in a second, just waiting on Ale!”

Down the hall she could hear her husband, Jośe, accompanied by the sounds of haphazard typing, “Just finishing up this document, save me some pancakes!”

As Marcelo finished cleaning his dish and drying his hands, they could hear the cacophony of foot steps, Juan Carlos’ racing down the stairs and Jose’s rushing from the first floor office. It was only the first day of this school year, and already the familiar sounds of the family frantically getting their footing were falling into place. Mrs. Sanchez sighed, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m here,” With a stack full of documents barely in hand Jose took a seat at the table, “Did you save me any-“

“Pancakes?” Mrs. Sanchez handed Jose his breakfast before he finished his thought.

He leaned forward to give his wife a kiss, “Rosa, what would I do without you?”

“Make your own breakfast?” She quipped, “Don’t take too long. Marcelo needs to be dropped off in 40 minutes and your are not leaving without cleaning your plate.”

Jose looked up, his face already stuffed, nodding as of to say, I understand.

Rosario pinched the bridge of her nose, “Jose, small bites please. You’re even worse than Marcelo.”

Marcelo, who had been checking to make sure he had everything in his little backpack, chuckled with delight. It’s always fun when you get a win over a parent, even a minor one.

“Morning!” Entering the kitchen was Juan Carlos, but he wasn’t the one to greet them, “What’s for breakfast?”

Sitting on Juan Carlos’ shoulder was a small figure, barley 5 inches tall. Her hair was tied back with a bread tie to keep it in place. Despite the huge size difference between her and the everyone else in the kitchen, no one seemed to bat an eye at her presence. Makes sense, this is her family after all.

Juan Carlos took a seat at the table next to his father while letting the tiny girl climb down so she could take a seat on the table top itself.

“Oh look at you two,” Jose said nearly teary eyed as he cut his pancakes into more manageable bites, “Sophomores already… time flies. How’s the uniform Ale? Not too baggy, right?”

The tiny girl posed for her father, “It’s perfect dad. Not too baggy at all!”

Juan Carlos snickered, “Gee, it’s like it was tailor made for you.”

Mrs. Sanchez put down another plate of pancakes, this time for her son. She then addressed her smallest, “Ale, I made chocolate chip pancakes this morning but I know that it gets really messy. Would you like something else?”

With out hesitation Ale responded, “Can I have a slice of strawberry then?”

“I don’t know mi amor, the juice is just as messy as the chocolate chips…”

“Mama,” She pleaded, “I’m not a toddler, I can have strawberry without staining my clothes. Besides, dad just made me this uniform, you really think I’d be so reckless that I’d ruin it before making it to class.”

“Alright,” Rosario put her hands in the air as if surrendering, “One strawberry slice it is.”

While her mother rummaged through the fridge, Ale was greeted by her larger younger brother, “Ale!” He had his face pressed against the table.

Alejandra ran to the edge of the table, “Hey kiddo! Excited for your first day of 5th grade?” She playfully messed with his hair as she asked.

“Yup! Papi’s taking me this year! I’m super excited to see Justin and Danny again too!”

“Good, I’m glad.”

“Ale can I ask you something?”

Rosario passed by with Ale’s slice of strawberry, handing it to her on a napkin. To her, it was less of a strawberry slice and more of a strawberry steak. “Yeah of course, what’s up?” She replied before taking a bite of her sweet steak.

“Are you gonna grow back to your normal size?”

Ale was dumbfounded, What is he talking about? Ale’s eyes shifted until she found herself looking her mother’s way. She shot her a confused look while her mother responded with a suspicious grin. On a hunch Ale asked, “Did mom say anything about being bigger before?”

Marcelo nodded excitedly, “Yeah! She told me about how you followed the white rabbit and how the Cheshire Cat asked if you were ready to go home and-“

Above her, Juan Carlos nearly spat out his drink. She looked up to see him stifling his laughter. Ale rolled her eyes and held her hand up to Marcelo before taking another bite of her strawberry. That explains it, she thought. “Well Kiddo, I’m not sure if I can grow back, not without going back to Wonderland at least.”

“Oh…”

“But that’s ok,” She began, “I’ve been this small for years and I am satisfied with who I am. And I know Mom and Dad and even JC like me like this too. You’re ok with having a tiny older sister, right?”

“Of course! I love you no matter what Ale! I just feel bad that you can’t go back.”

Alejandra sighed before finishing off her strawberry. She wiped her lips with a piece of the napkin before returning to the edge of the table. She gestured for her brother to put out his hands. He did so and she stepped on before he brought her closer.

“Don’t feel bad kiddo, I’m just fine. Sure there are things I can’t really do at this size… but there’s so many cool things I can because I’m this size!”

“Like sneaking in my bag and coming with me to school?” Marcelo asked.

Jose interjected with a concerned tone as he took his plate to the sink, “Which is not happening again.”

Ale laughed, “Yes, like that. What I’m trying to say is that I’m not upset or sad I’m like this ok?“

“Promise?”

“Promise. I’m fine.” Ale leaned forward and gave Marcelo a boop on his nose which made him giggle.

“Alright, Macelito!” Jose bend down to meet his son at his height and place a hand on his shoulder, “We better get going, don’t want to be late on the first day. Say bye to your sister.

“Bye Ale!” Marcelo placed his sister back on the kitchen table. He grabbed his backpack and his father’s hand and headed for the door. “Bye Mama! Bye JC!”

“Have a good day!”

“¡Te Quiero Mucho!”

“See ya!”

When Ale heard the door shut, she turned her attention to her mother, who was putting away the dishes. “Mom,” Ale called, “We need to talk about this.”

“¿Que Pasa? You didn’t stain your uniform did you?”

“No, I mean we need to talk about this story you keep telling Marcelo.”

Rosa stopped what she was doing to take a seat at the table. She knew her daughter preferred to have conversations face to face as opposed to across the room. “What about it? It’s a fun little story, no harm in it right?”

“I mean, I guess? But don’t you think Marcelo is too old for it?”

“Yeah mom,” JC joined in as he washed his dish, “You should tell him she’s Tinker Bell’s lost cousin instead.”

“Not funny JC!”

“But he loves that story,” Their mother began to lament. “He always believed you were something out of a fairytale. You should hear him at school, ‘My sister has been to Wonderlnad you know!’ He takes such pride in it.”

“I get it, but maybe you should just tell him the actual story? I’m not magically shrunk I’m was just… born like this.”

…

“But where’s the fun in that?” She asked so plainly. Ale could only facepalm.

“I can’t win with you, can I?”

“Mija, I’m just teasing. It’s just, I love telling that’s they as much as Marcelo loves hearing it. But, you’re both growing up so fast. Giving up on the story feels like admitting you’re basically adults now.”

Ale put her hand on her mother’s, she gave her a sincere smile, “Mama, Marcelo’s 10. He’s not gonna move out and get a job just cause you slow down with your story telling.

“It’s not that simple it’s… well….” Mrs. Sanchez struggled to put her thoughts into words, after a moment she just settled for, “You’ll understand when you have kids of your own.”

Ah, mom’s classic conversation ender. Not a moment later, they heard a loud honk from outside. Ale didn’t have the best view of the window from where she stood, but she knew exactly what was outside.

“Bus is here,” JC gathered his things before walking up the table, “You ready to go Ale?”

“Yeah you have my bag right?” JC nodded and pointed to his backpack’s front pocket, “Then I’m good to go-hey!”

JC picked up his sister by the back of her shirt and placed her on his shoulder, “You got a good grip?” He asked.

“Yeah, but a warning would have been nice.”

“Juan Carlos, how many times have I told you to be careful with how you carry your sister?”

“Mom, she’s fine, we do this all the time.”

“Dios Mio, I hope you don’t do this kind of thing at school.”

“I don’t!”

Ale concurred, “He doesn’t.”

Mrs. Sanchez sighed before stretching out her arms, “Alright, give me a hug before you go.”

JC was pulled into his mother’s embrace, both of them being mindful of Alejandra who had to settle with hugging her mothers arm.

“¡Besos! I love you.”

“Love you too!”

“See you later mom!”

Finally free of his mother’s grip, JC made it out the front door and towards the bus. The door swung open and as JC stepped inside, the bus driver greeted them, “Morning, I’ve got both of you on with me, right?”

JC turned so that the bus driver could better see Ale, “Morning Patty!” She waved to ensure Patty could see.

The driver, Patty, nodded, “Good to see you. Careful finding your seats.” JC and Ale both gave her a thumbs up before making their way further down the bus. The bus was decently full, the Sanchez siblings knew they were one of the later stops. Ale always found it amusing seeing the other students turn their attention towards her and her brother as they boarded. She’s known most if not all of these kids her entire life, but seeing a tiny person casually riding on a human shoulder never seems not interesting. There were plenty of empty seats but Ale and JC were looking for someone in particular…there she is!

“Hattie!” Ale called out. Luckily her friend heard her small voice over the other students. Ale felt her brother walk straight for Hattie’s seat as soon as he made eye contact. When he made it to Hattie’s seat he held out his hand for Ale and she rode it until she made it into Hattie’s hands.

“Keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.” He said as he passed his sister off to another student.

“Oh please,” Hattie scoffed, “Ale is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”

JC smirked, “That’s nice and all, but I was actually talking to my sister.”

Ale laughed as Hattie feigned offense. JC then took his seat closer to his friends, leaving the girls alone for the remainder of the ride.

“Hey Hattie,” Ale greeted again, “What’s up?”

Hattie held her hand up to her face so that she and Ale would be properly facing one another, “Oh not much. What up with you?”

“Well, I had a funny thing happen with my little brother this morning.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, he asked about Wonderland again.”

The girls laughed at the absurdity of it all. They continued to go back and forth, sharing anecdotes until they made it to school.

#Guys… This one has been in my drafts for ages #finally got around to finishing the first chapter #I really like this story so I’m excited to finally post it #No Big Deal #NBD #title is subject to change…. still not sure about it #g/t #giant/tiny #gt #giant tiny #borrower #borrowers #g/t community #gt community #g/t writing #gt writing #mighty writes

13 notes · View notes