kind of obsessed with the fact maddie and chimney literally took a haunted house and turned it into a home. what if two people who are constantly haunted by their pasts and their families took a rundown house everyone thinks is cursed, put in the work to renovate it, and made it their own. what if two people who can't outrun the past no matter how hard they try build the future somewhere ghosts lived. what if they got engaged there and planned to get married there and raised their kids there. and it's all literally in a haunted house. but it's not haunted for them. they're the ones who put in the work to turn it back into a home. they took something defined by the ghosts of the past and dared to transform it into something that shows they have a permanent future. insane.
don’t argue with or challenge the delusion—attempting to disprove someone’s delusions is not helpful at all and will result in that person not trusting you
assure the delusional person that they are safe; be open and honest at all times
encourage them to verbalize their feelings and offer protection to prevent injury to themselves or, possibly, others
start building a trusting relationship with them rather than acting on a desire to control their symptoms
do not confirm or feed into the delusion by asking questions about it when the person is not experiencing a psychotic episode
what it does not mean:
insisting to a psychotic person experiencing psychosis that what they’re experiencing isn’t real
I don’t mean to trivialize psychosis by making a weird comparison, but this guide also serves as a handy checklist for helping someone through a bad drug trip. In both cases your number one priority is to get the person through whatever they’re dealing with unharmed.
i don’t think it’s trivializing at all, nor a weird comparison—as a psychotic person who has had psychotic episodes inadvertently triggered by drug use and/or worsened while trying to self-medicate with drugs, i think this is an important addition.
i do not minmax i do not play competitively i do not optimize my build i do not grind i do not topscore i do not give a shit about leaderboards. i play to have fun and if im not having fun i go do something else
Eddie babysits Theo one time—one time—and suddenly it's basketball this, basketball that; can we get a hoopy-thing for outside and when is Eddie coming back and why doesn’t he live here; things would be so much better if Eddie was here all the time.
Buck struggled to disagree with many of those points.
Did Buck try to distract Theo with dinosaurs and Hotwheels and whatever else he’s collected around Buck’s house after only a few months? Sure. He’s not too proud of it. Did Theo outsmart him every time by literally not letting go of his child-size nerf basketball for a week? Also yes. Buck’s not proud of that either.
The one unexpected benefit of this new obsession comes in the form of Buck lounging on his stoop, legs crossed in front of him receiving a tan from the overhead sun as he runs colorful commentary about the game at hand.
A plastic basketball hoop for toddlers is propped up at the end of the driveway. Eddie’s truck is parked in a way to block access to the street—though Theo has proven to be a master escape artist when he wants to.
Eddie chases after Theo who is definitely travelling with the ball. He manages to snag it from Theo, exaggerating his triumph and flicks it over his shoulder. The ball misses by a good mile. Theo giggles and runs after it.
“Ooh, and a bad shot by Diaz,” Buck calls out, holding his glass of lemonade like a microphone. “One must ask if this is truly the end of his career.”
When Theo’s back is turned, Eddie flips him the bird and Buck cackles. It’s such a shame Chris had school today. They could have tag-teamed ribbing Eddie together.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Eddie walks towards Buck—stalks him, more like. He places his hands on his hips. “Why don’t you join us?”
“Nah, I’m perfectly happy here.”
Eddie cocks his head, tousled hair flopping against his forehead. “What’re you scared of losing to a four year old?”
Buck wrinkles his nose; that’s not going to work on him this time. That magnetic cocky attitude. He doesn’t notice himself placing down his drink, pre-preparing to stand. “I’d crush the both of you, don’t deny it.”
Eddie’s grin fails to mask his skepticism. His sarcastic tone doesn’t help either. “Oh, I’m sure.”
“You asked for it.” Buck hauls himself off the stoop. When Theo sees him joining the ‘fun,’ he races toward him, excitedly yammering about basketball probably. Buck is too focused on Eddie’s smug face to register. He ruffles Theo’s sweaty hair—bathtime is going to be a bitch tonight, he just knows. “We’re going to bring Eddie down a peg, okay?”
Theo clearly doesn’t understand what that means but he matches Buck’s serious enthusiasm anyways. “Yeah! We’ll crush Eddie!”
Buck turns his smile at Eddie. “That’s the spirit.”
It becomes a one-on-one game by the end. Theo quickly loses interest in the competition, electing to draw chalk caricatures of them or renaissance portraits, depending on how you look at it. The hoop is small enough that Buck can use his whole body to block all of it. Eddie can’t find an opening. The ball hits the pavement as he lunges only for Buck to foil his attempt. He can read Eddie like a well-loved book, spine creased and pages dog-earred.
Eddie darts backwards before they collide. “Don’t bust my ankle this time, Buckley,” he huffs.
“One time,” Buck mutters, but he knows he wouldn’t do something like that now. Not when Eddie’s attention is already locked on him, no distractions—besides the occasional check-in on the resident four year old.
The next time Eddie makes a break for it, Buck grabs him by the waist, wraps his arms around his body, not hugging really, just holding, in a wild, impulsive move to stop Eddie from catching an opening. Eddie’s momentum causes them to spin together before settling, basketball between them. Frozen, Eddie stares, motionless except for blinking and breathing. The beat of his heart pounds hard enough that it reaches to where Buck lays his hands flat on Eddie’s back. His chest brushes Buck’s own whenever he breathes out.
“That’s a dirty, illegal move,” Eddie eventually comments, voice rough from exertion. His body slides against Buck’s as he tosses the ball over Buck’s head. It swishes into the net, bouncing and rolling across the drive before resting on the lawn. “I win.” He smirks again, and then absently over his shoulder, he calls out, “Theo, we won!” His gaze stays forever trained on Buck.
Theo cheers but remains invested in turning the driveway into a Jackson Pollock painting.
“Theo was on my team,” Buck argues.
“He was secretly on my team. We made a pact before you joined.”
“Traitors. In my own house.” Buck sighs. “Chris would never do such a thing to me.”
With his hands now free, Eddie rests them on Buck’s arms. His fingers curl around his biceps, tapping inane beats against his bare skin. Eddie’s hands are warm and sweaty from the stupidly intense game of Buck’s least favorite sport. He doesn’t mind one bit.
Eddie laughs. “How can I make it up to you?”
Stay. Never leave. “Buy the good beer next time.”
“I do buy the good beer.”
“Then you have shi—stupid taste in beer, Eddie.” Buck shakes his head. “I shouldn’t be surprised, with your stupid taste in sports after all. Which you corrupted Theo with; hate you for that a little, by the way.”
“You and Chris have your thing; me and Theo have ours.”
They do, don’t they? Like a true family unit. His stomach twists at the sudden thought. “I’m glad he has that with you,” Buck admits. After the immense hardship Theo has been through recently, Buck is happy to know Theo has more than just him, that he has Eddie and Chris, and the entire 118 if need be.
Eddie’s expression softens. “You’re doing great with him, you know. He’s adjusted well.”
Buck ducks his head, unsure. “I guess.”
Eddie grabs his face, refusing to let him hide, and he waits until Buck makes eye contact with him. “Hey,” Eddie coaxes, gentle and quiet, “You’re a wonderful foster parent. Don’t doubt yourself.”
Buck allows a soft smile to tug at his mouth. He doesn’t even register that he is still holding onto Eddie, not really. Eddie, for his part, hasn’t moved either. His grip seems to tighten the longer they stay linked together. He quirks his mouth; his lips part.
“Are you two going to kiss?” Theo asks with all the naive innocence in the world, appearing before them as if summoned by magic.
Ripping himself away from Eddie, Buck almost stumbles backwards into the basketball hoop. His face burns, a white hot sear. What the hell. He needs to put a bell on that kid stat.
to a wip I started forever ago and still haven’t finished. chose this one specifically for @cathcer1984 and @sassay-fox after it came up the other day
Rules: post a snippet from a WIP or favorite published work you really enjoy 🫶
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
El Paso, TX - 1999
“Okay, Eddito,” Abuela says. “Place your hand, palm down, over the bowl.”
Her voice is calming, sending a wave of gentle energy through him. Soft vibrations drape around him like a second skin, working inward and slowly seeping into his bloodstream. He follows her instructions, holding his palm over the black and gold marbled bowl. Inside are the ingredients for a simple enchantment she had him measure and layer together.
Her hand hovers over his, guiding but not controlling. Doing magick with Abuela is different than with his mom or dad. He’s only seven, but she’s made it clear she trusts him. She’s confident he won’t screw this up.
“Can you feel it?” She asks, excitement coloring her tone. “Did you make the connection?”
“I think so.” The tip of his tongue pokes out at the corner of his lips while he closes his eyes and concentrates. He knows he’s succeeded when he can feel the mixture despite not touching it. “There!”
“Very good.” She chuckles good naturedly, the sound infused with love and pride. “Now you can begin to put them together.”
Eddie’s eyes open wide. He’s fascinated and delighted by the soft moss green light that flows from his fingertips down to the rose hips, holly leaves and berries. They lift up and swirl together, weaving with his light and obeying however his fingers move. He carefully arranges them in the air, watching as they form a helix-like pattern that spins and spirals.
Abuela instructs him how to close the spell and sense when the enchantment is complete. As the helix floats back into the bowl, maintaining its glow, Eddie wants to burst with satisfaction and fulfillment.
“You did well, mijo.” Abuela cups his face, brushing her thumbs across his cheekbones.
“Abuela!” He giggles and squirms away, hopping down from the wooden step stool he’d been standing on. “Did I really do okay?”
“You did,” she confirms. “It’s refreshing to see you so interested and wanting to learn. Of course, eventually you’ll have to.” Abuela purses her lips, something darker passing over her features. Only for a moment and then it’s gone again. “I find it’s better when a student wants to know.”
“How else am I gonna help people when I grow up?”
“A very good point! I would expect nothing else from you, with such a big heart. I have a feeling you’re destined for incredible things.”
Eddie beams up at her, hoping what she says is true. Because he does want to make a difference, maybe as a healer. But, more than that, whatever he becomes, he wants to make Abuela proud. If he can manage that one simple goal, surely the rest will take care of itself.
Right?
~~~~~~~~~
Hershey, PA - 1999
“Pleeeeease?” Evan pleads, giving Maddie his widest grin and best puppy dog eyes. In his eight years and two months of being alive, this tactic has never failed him.
Tonight she’s been tasked with babysitting while their parents are out. Which makes him happy because that means she’s the one tucking him into bed and reading him a story. As soon as she finishes their book, because it’s just them, he can’t resist asking for her magick.
It’s not like she’s not allowed to use it, but for some reason their mom and dad never seem happy when she does. Unless it’s for a practical reason. Even then they look uncomfortable, barely being able to watch while she uses her gift.
Shouldn’t they be happy? Not every family has magick, but they’re so lucky with Maddie. She’s a natural healer, with the power to make people better. She always makes him better whenever he gets a cut or scrape from falling off his bike, or does something tricky like that time he jumped off the swings and hit his chin when he landed.
“I should have known you would ask,” Maddie teases.
She takes her time putting the book back on the shelf and switching off the bedside lamp before making herself comfortable at the foot of his bed. There’s a sliver of light streaming in through the curtains, enough to see Maddie tuck her hair behind her ear and wiggle her fingers at him. The wiggling is mostly for show (he thinks) and to make him giggle. She’s always doing her best to make him smile. He wonders if everyone has a big sister like her. He hopes so.
Maddie holds one palm out, showing him it’s empty before she turns it face up. With her other hand, she stirs her pointer finger in her cupped palm. Excitement and anticipation run in a gentle current under his skin. It’s a little like a swarm of butterflies in his tummy, or the feeling he gets when the car drives over a big hill. He clutches at his blanket, leaning forward to get a closer view of the pink and green beginning to form.
“Ready?” She asks.
“Uh-huh,” he answers, eagerly nodding his head.
They’re only slightly out of sync with one another as they begin counting out loud. “One… two…” Evan takes a deep breath, as much as his growing lungs can hold before Maddie exclaims “Three!”
His breath rushes out of him, blowing into the pink green glow. He watches in awe as it disperses, making the sunburst patterns on his walls light up, warm and golden, illuminating the space like fireflies.
“You did it!” She praises him as if he had an ounce of influence on any of what just happened. He gives her an enormous grin anyway. It’s impossible not to with how content he is.
“No, you did!”
“Well, you did the most important part,” she argues good naturedly, tousling his hair.
He beams with pride, leaning into the touch. Thankfully, she takes the hint and strokes his forehead with her thumb.
“Okay, lay down. It’s way past your bedtime.”
“Not sleepy,” he protests through a yawn. When she gives him an incredulous look, he burrows into the covers, letting his head loll to the side on his pillow. “Hey, Maddie?”
“Yeah?”
He hums as she resumes lightly scratching his scalp. “Do you think I’ll get my magick soon?”
“I-” Her movements slow almost to a stop, but start again before he can complain. “I don’t know.”
“Hope so,” he mumbles sleepily. “Can’t wait to have mine, just like you.”
The mattress shifts and soon warm lips press a kiss to his temple. “Get some sleep, Evan. I’ll be here if you need anything.”
The reassurance is a formality — of course she’ll be around. It’s nice to hear the words anyway. Before she leaves the room, he’s already drifting into a calm slumber, beautiful shades of pink, green, and gold dancing behind his eyelids.
np tagging @diazsdimples @daffi-990 @dangerpronebuddie @soupfic @cathcer1984 @fanficmanic @poledancingghostson @welcometololaland @spotsandsocks @bekkachaos @damnit-buck @sassay-fox @sunflowerbuckleys @eddiesstabwound @minalover @911varietyposts @keeperofdragons @sintari @honestlydarkprincess @greencreekwolf @dr-shortsighted-owl @elvensorceress @giddyupbuck @monsterrae1 @bi-buckrights @thewolvesof1998 @whatwouldeddiedo @thekristen999 @theotherbuckley @superbisexuals @midsummersmorn @lemonzestywrites @your-catfish-friend @rainbow-nerdss @lesbucks @ryliversbuddie @tweetsongs and YOU 🫵 please tag me so I can see what you’re working on 😘
Y’all know that I’m into ancient Roman history and I do a lot of research on it but even though I should be used to it by now sometimes I read an anecdote about how an individual slave was treated and I’m hit with the realization that like a third of the population was living like that and I just need to put my head in my hands for a second
Emperor Hadrian randomly stabbed a slave in the eye in a fit of rage and he was supposedly unusually sympathetic to slaves.
There’s other instances of people randomly punching slaves that they didn’t even know because they got in their way or something. This was just normal behavior.
And slaves didn’t rebel en masse because if even one slave committed an act of violent rebellion it was common practice to kill every slave and former slave in the household.
People only took notice for posterity when these mass executions got into the hundreds of people. One of the few recorded for the history books is of over 400 people being killed because one guy stabbed his enslaver.
Like how many people throughout history were beaten to death because some rich asshole was angry and there was no legal or social consequences for doing so? We don’t know.
When you study ancient history you’re reminded that slavery has never once been kind or justified. It just takes on different forms of evil in every time and place that it infects.
I am pleased by people messaging me telling me that after adding a carb or protein to their snacks or meals they feel more satisfied all day. Yes, my plan is working. People are getting through their days with less hangry.
sometimes, i think about how a few seasons ago harry and denny were arguing over video games. now harry’s a firefighter and denny is still only three apples tall 💀
jimmyeatworldofficial
areudirty
