#thousand problems verse

I don't know how this came out or what you had in mind, so I hope I handled it right ajlhflajfhlakjhf 💖

Parent/child relationship prompts

“I never thought I’d say something like this, but I don’t want to set foot in a castle for the foreseeable future,” Regina announces, sinking into her couch with a relieved sigh.

At long last, they’re home. Her drink with Emma is finished, Excalibur is locked up safely in her vault, and the Charmings are off sorting out their own problems for a change. If it were just her and Robin in the house, they could put aside every other less pressing issue so they could rest their weary bones and start wrapping their heads about everything that’s happened since Christmas.

Unfortunately, however, the third person with them is too young to understand the whole picture, and yet old enough to be hyperactive while he adjusts to being in the right world again. In fact, Roland keeps wandering aimlessly around the room, picking things up only to set them back down seconds later

“I liked the castle,” he says, eventually. “Why wasn’t it there anymore when we left?”

“Because it was made with magic, Roland,” Regina explains patiently, for what feels like the umpteenth time. “Once the magic stopped working, the castle stopped existing.”

“Oh. That’s boring.”

“Why is he more concerned about the castle than the actual battle he saw?” Robin whispers in her ear, looking puzzled from where he’s pressing close to the woman’s side. “That knight threatened him with a sword, for goodness’ sake. Should we be worried?”

“I don’t know how much notice he paid to that sword, Lampwick was covering him pretty well,” she mutters back, scoffing.

“One of his smartest moments, for sure.” 

“And Morgana said she’d take care of the kids’ memories. I suppose that might have helped.”

“Perhaps you’re right.” The man scratches at his beard, looking nothing short of exhausted as his voice becomes louder again. “In any case, I wish I had that much energy, too. We’ve been running around like chickens without a head for too long- I think we should rest, while we have the chance.”

“Things have been pretty hectic lately,” Regina concedes, but instead of taking the advice she leans forward and beckons the boy closer, her smile full of mischief. “But what I think that means is, we should skip worrying about dinner and go straight to dessert. What do you say?”

“Yes!” Roland cheers, throwing his hands up in excitement as he steps eagerly into her arms. “With chocolate!”

Robin huffs in laughter, but his eyes are warm and relieved as he looks over the both of them. “You'll never convince him to side with an apple turnover, I'm sorry.”

“That's okay.” She lets the boy clamber onto her lap, and finally, the clenching in her chest begins relenting, and Morgana’s words grow dimmer in her head, even if just for a moment. “What matters is that we're eating it right here where we belong. I'm tired of knights and Camelot sorcery, aren't you?”

HI HELLO!!!! This has been in the works for………… MONTHS and I’m really sorry for how long this took to answer!! (there were distractions a’plenty BUT these guys are extremely important so >:))) ) Anyhow bonkers is how I’m gonna go by grabbing one guy from each of our things just for this thing 😇 @lizardthelizard given I grabbed your boy too!!

father figure prompts pt. 2

"you're literally a child. this isn't your responsibility. don't worry about it. just...go have fun."

Idk how THIS could work, so if it's too much feel free or impossible to delete and ignore it!! But perhaps a little cross between all three of our AUs (any of yours, any of Libby's and any of Mine) involving ANY prompt of your choosing

if THAT doesn't work then perhaps, still with any prompt of your choosing, a little continuation of the Stray SaplingsXEnchanté crossover

AGAIN!!! THIS IS SELF-INDULGENCE AT THIS POINT SO FEEL FREE TO IGNORE IF IT'S OVERWHELMING!!!

WHO HAS EVER SPOKEN A WORD AGAINST SELF-INDULGENCE??? BECAUSE IT DEFINITELY WASN'T ME!!!!!!!! Besides, the randomizer wheels picked such an insane combo, you'd think it was rigged LMAO

Found Family Prompts

"You choose how your future goes, no one else can choose it for you."

August smells trouble the moment he realizes his younger counterpart has brought a friend along.

The first Pinocchio would have been bad enough, but that, at least, was on par with what he might have expected from an overlapping of lands. Emma already told him there was a man in that other world born from a wish, a man that was August but not quite - granted, he hadn't thought that man would come with a small child, a much more advanced relationship with his Lampwick and a menagerie of other bizarre individuals, but it's still manageable.

But the boy has a face August hasn't seen in his reflection since he was still living mostly on the streets - his appearance rocked both men to the core, that much was clear even without being able to read the other Pinocchio's mind. And still, not content with that, he took one look at the two of them and then vanished for a good couple minutes.

And now, he's returned in the company of a second boy, who mercifully seems unrelated to them all. "And you are?" August asks, though he's already dreading the possible answer he'll get.

The little stranger bows ceremoniously, making a grand scene of every movement. "My name is Pierrot, at your service, my good sirs."

"Of course it is," the other man mutters gloomily, massaging his forehead, but before August can ask him if he knows something the rest of them don't, their younger carbon copy is speaking again.

"He's my brother. I knew I'd have a hard time talking to you guys without freaking out, so I went to grab some backup."

"Dear old Archibald would be proud of you, mon frere," Pierrot chimes in, nodding sagely. "We stan a guy who knows his limits."

"Stop calling Jiminy that."

"I'm sorry, do you or do you not want my unwavering support in questioning your future selves?".

"Sorry," August echoes him, trying to regain a modicum of control over the situation, "why are you making it sound like we're being interrogated? Also, brother?"

All he gets in return, though, is a distracted shrug. "I knew it'd be a foreign concept to you. You've both been displaying what the experts would call motherless behavior all day."

"Dare I ask who these experts are?" Older Pinocchio ventures, sounding somewhat sceptical.

Still plainly unbothered, Pierrot waves a dismissive hand his way. "Mostly Mignon. Anyway, you were correct on one point, leather jacket man - this is an interrogation."

"He's exaggerating," Pinocchio says, elbowing him briefly in the side before cutting in. "I just want to ask you some questions about the stuff you've seen - I know it would be stupid to try to make any prediction about what might happen to me based on what happened to you, because every land we live in seems to be its own microsystem, but maybe if the same situation presents itself, I'll know what to do."

That is, as of yet, the most familiar thing the kid has said ever since he showed up the first time. Even behind that brave, easy smile, it's clear that the boy is as nervous as can be - it's blatant in the shiftiness of his eyes, in the way he clings to his brother's hand like a lost child, even though the both of them must be at least sixteen. The earnestness isn't forced, but there's still a thin layer of worry underneath it all.

August understands. He wishes he didn't, but it's not like he can help it, is there?

"I'm not sure we can help you that much," he says, slowly, weighing every word. "For what it's worth, you can ask any question you want. But I really hope you won't go through a good chunk of the things we've seen."

He's not lying about that, either. This is supposed to be the child who had the best outcome of them all - if there's any justice in this Storybrooke, nobody will shoot at him, or shame him into hiding in a boat for weeks. Luck has never been on any of their sides, but one has to hope.

"He's right," the other man nods along. "And don't take anything we say as a guideline, either. You, and no one else, can choose how your future goes, least of all us."

"Damn right you can't," Pierrot says, grinning a mischievously big grin. "My mom taught me all about keeping big nosy folks like you in line. Try me, and see what happens."

I will forgive you on the basis of a) I love you b) I'm always eager to talk about the square child <3

WIP Game

You're in luck, actually! He has a POV section in the next Choice chapter and I wrote some of it just a couple days ago:

This is not the first ask by far but I couldn't resist the tenderness and joy this pick exuded so 😏💝

Spotify Wrapped Game

35. Down By The River, Baldur's Gate 3 (Spotify) (YouTube)

How about we start this off with a little something fun:

Maybe the "On a cold winter day Caretaker notices that the child is freezing" from Classic tropes/prompts in parental stories <3 with TP!Pino and Archie?

Incredible how the lot of you sent SEVERAL winter/cold focused prompts. Were you guys hoping it would cool me down? Because it's NOT working ajshjkashfkjah having a symbiotic relationship with my fan in this precise moment

Classic Tropes in Parental Stories

On a cold winter day Caretaker notices that the child is freezing so they draw a gentle smile and say: "Come here", pulling them under their coat to warm them up

Pongo starts barking within minutes of them traversing Main Street.

Archie groans inwardly, wondering if they’re going to have to cut their walk short again just because the dalmatian has sniffed something he doesn’t approve of, or worse, another villain in disguise. Not that he would mind so much - evening is approaching fast, and the cold wind is biting at his nose and ears - but if they did, he'd soon find himself with a restless dog who clearly needed more exercise on his hands.

Fortunately, it seems that won’t be necessary. Pongo seems to be particularly interested in one specific figure that’s moving in the opposite direction as them - it’s running at first, but then slows down when it gets closer, though still shifting weight from one foot to the other. “Hi Jiminy! Hi Pongo! Don’t mind me!”

“Hi, Pinocchio.” The doctor feels his lips twitch into a smile, watching the boy restrain his rush just to pet a very excited Pongo on the head. “Such a hurry- where are you going? And where is your coat?”

Pinocchio shrugs, wiping at his nose with the sleeve of his sweater. Despite the temperature falling drastically he’s only in his school uniform, and his cheeks are red and chapped, as if he’d been running right against the wind. “I think I left it at the park by mistake. I wanted to go back and look for it, but I’m late and it gets dark so early now, Papa would worry- I’ll just go home and try again tomorrow.”

Honestly, this child. “That’s a wise decision, but you can’t walk home like this. You’ll freeze.” That’s probably an exaggeration, but still. No one likes to see a young boy out and about, lacking appropriate seasonal clothes.

Besides, with their family’s luck, one can never be sure.

Pinocchio, however, doesn’t seem to be as concerned for his own well-being as Archie is. It shouldn’t be a familiar scene, and yet- “It’s okay! If I run, it won’t feel as cold.”

“Oh, for- Come here.” The doctor holds out his hand, and though the boy hesitates for a second, blatantly confused, he takes it mechanically, letting himself be dragged forward.

Pinocchio’s fingers are as cold as icicles, enough to make the man balk, but he tries not to show it too overtly, besides running his thumb over those stiff knuckles in the vain hope of warming them up some. Instead, Archie gently guides his charge into tucking by his side, covering them both with a coat that is mercifully wide enough to fit them both with some wiggling - he doesn’t let go of the hand, of course, and his other arm is still very much preoccupied with Pongo, but he can manage. There are more important things at stake.

“There, that should keep you out of the worst of it,” he says, once they’re all settled. “I’ll walk you home. I don’t like the thought of you going off in the dark alone.”

Pinocchio’s brow furrows, though it’s undeniable that he appreciates being shielded from the wind a little, if his little, adjusting shivers are of any indication. “But weren’t you going the other way?”

“We didn’t have any particular place in mind, no. Besides, if we try to part ways now, Pongo would want to chase you, and drag me away with him.”

That elicits a giggle out of the boy, who burrows further into his newly found hiding spot, sounding amazed. “It almost looks like a tent! Pongo, we can be spies again!”

The dog yaps enthusiastically, thrilled by hearing his name being called out so much even if he likely doesn’t understand a thing. Archie doesn’t, either, but that’s beside the point - what matters now is getting the three of them to Marco’s house before the streetlights come on, him and his two passengers alike.

Clown and mama, my beloved 💗💗💗

Family Dialogue Prompts

"Did you take the trash out?" "Yeah?" "They why is the recycling bin still full?"

“Honey, did you take the trash out?” Leona calls out, frowning at the cabinet underneath the sink.

Pierrot’s reply is somewhat distant, which means he’s probably still on the couch scrolling through his phone. “Not in recent months, no.”

She pauses in her tracks, her brain trying to piece together whatever context she is clearly missing, as happens often when talking to her son. “What on earth is that supposed to mean?”

“I haven’t had a date in ages, Mom, you know that. Besides, last one that was actual trash was Tommy, and that was all the way in October, so…”

Leona closes her eyes. Takes a deep breath. Then another. Then, when she’s sure she can be the serious adult in the house, she says: “The only actual trash I mean is the garbage. The physical kind. From the trashcan.”

“Oh, you were being literal.” Bless his heart, that would be an excuse coming from basically any other teenage boy, but he’s being genuine about it. He’s only too much of a showman, her son. “Yeah, I did.”

“Pierrot Janeway-”

Her tone, predictably, brings about an immediate protest. “What? I did!”

“Then why is the recycling bin still full?”

The sound of feet hitting the floor and scuttling towards her. Then, a dumbfounded, dark-skinned face pops up beside her, following her gaze to the very much stuffed trashcan in the cabinet, eyes widening as though he just had an epiphany. “...I thought I had taken it out. Sorry Mom.”

Leona sighs. She knows he didn’t mean to forget, so there’s no point in being upset - besides, he’s taking being corrected much more in stride than he would have when he was younger. He’s not even chewing on his nails, which is great, because she is setting him up on a decidedly unhygienic task. “It’s okay. Just do it now, please.”

Pierrot nods without complaint, swivelling past her to get a hold of the bag. “On it.”

“Thank you, dear.” She plants a small kiss on his cheek as he passes by, reveling in the smile he regales her with. He’s such a wonderful boy, he is, even when his head is up in the clouds.

Still… “But just to be clear, I don’t condone you calling any of the people you spend your time with trash.”

I AM FINALLY HERE sorry for the wait these two tools were a balm to my soul ngl 💗

Parental Caretaker Prompts

caretaker teaching their younger kid life skills (kinda)

Twinkle presents her father with the list on the very first day of summer break.

Igor is still drinking his coffee at that point, and reads through it attentively in-between sips, careful not to stain the notebook. Sylvester is sitting in front of him, barely conscious, but their daughter is as awake as can be, bursting with energy.

He reads the whole thing once. Twice. Then he lowers the notebook down, raising his eyebrows at the giddy girl at his side. “Quite a lot of things to do in six weeks, is it not?”

“It's not like we're going anywhere for the holidays,” she retorts, with that polemic tone that is all Scalawag. “That’s what a bucket list is for. I need to have fun while I can.”

Predictably, Sylvester gives her an approving nod. “Excellent argument, sweetling,” he says, stifling a yawn. “I hope it's also inexpensive fun, though.”

“Of course, who do you take me for? Look, most of it is literally free. Beat Eugene at Mario, skip a rock ten times on the river-”

“Homework, my dearest girl?”

“This is stuff I want to do, not that I have to do.”

“Habibti, please. If you start sounding any more like your father, they will make me sign all your adoption papers again.” Igor sighs in resignation, then squints at one of the items on the list, vaguely puzzled. “Ah, this one isn't a plan. It only says dad teach me how to pick a lock please.”

“Yes?” Twinkle replies, blue eyes wide and deceptively innocent.

“Why do you need to learn how to pick a lock?”

“You never know when you might need it! It's good to have extra skills. It's just like cooking or pulling out weeds.”

“So you and your friends are not planning something that will make the sheriff call me again?”

“No,” she says, then amends, because luckily she remains a smart-mouthed, honest child: “Not yet, at least. It’s only June. There’s still time.”

“Very well.” Igor hands the notebook back to her, returning his full attention to the coffee. “I will think about it.”

“Shouldn’t it be we will think about it, Igor?” His husband comments, idly.

“No, because you would not think. You would say yes, and then teach her all wrong, because you are not delicate when you work.”

“Woe is me, my breaking and entering skills are being condemned.” Sylvester shakes his head dramatically, sighing as if it were the end of the work shift. “Run along now, sweetling. Do complete the rest of the list, I’ll make sure to…convince your dad to help you finish it.”