fandomtownies | Fix and Clean Shop- Friday

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Fix and Clean Shop- Friday

It had already been a productive morning by the time Dwight was downstairs opening the shop for the day. He had gone for a quick run with Snoopy around the block and then gotten back to the apartment to make sure a certain loppy eared special rabbit hadn't gotten into trouble while he away. Rabbit!Amaya was a bit of a handful but a good bit of that was simply due to her apparent inability to stay at ground level. He had found her that morning in the top drawer of his dresser that he had evidently not closed all the way last night. How she got up there he had no idea, but he guessed the sock drawer had made a comfortable bed in any case. Though, Dwight was pretty sure he would lose a few pairs to nibbling teeth before all of this was over.

At least the fluff ball had a good appetite that morning when he fed her and Snoopy so maybe his socks would survive.... maybe? With the animals, including himself, fed it was time to head downstairs for a bit to get some work done. There may or may not have been a quick whispered prayer that the pup and bunny didn't destroy his apartment while he was downstairs.... And with the morning routine basically done, including switching on the coffee pot on the back table, Dwight opened the door and got started.

Today was likely to be a bit of a busy yet unusual day honestly. There were no big projects in mind, partly on account of the furry rabbit he had to keep an eye on upstairs. But also it was partly because he really did need to do some rearranging in the shop and set things up a bit better for some projects he did have in mind down the road.

So, if anyone needed Dwight, they would likely find him in the shop, taking measurements, jotting things down on his note pad, moving around some of the inventory, and muttering to himself a little as he went.

Shop is now open!

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Liz was trying to keep herself busy and not think about the weekend, even though it was still hard and she was still miserable and lonely but today she was starting to feel a bit more energetic than she had been at the start of the week.

She was still tired and pale but she felt well enough to go for a walk, to try and clear her head and during her walk she came across the Fix and Clean shop, an idea came to her and she decided to stop by.

“Hello?” She called out softly.

Dwight looked up from the notes he had been jotting down and gave luz a smile.

"Hello! Liz right?" They had a few times and chatted once or twice but it had been some time. "What can I do for you?"

“It’s Liz,” Liz nodded with a tired smile, “I …um …I…” she stopped and started as she realised she didn’t know how to word her question, “um this might seem a bit of a strange question but did you have any thing that was well flame resistant?”

There was another pause, “it’s just I’m pregnant and I’m starting to consider options for the nursery and I’m working on a crib with Amaya but I - I’m trying to make it fire proof as possible and I thought maybe I’ve over looked something?” she finally said.

Dwight nodded slowly as he listened. Growing up in a place like Haven, you remembered those with unique abilities, especially ones that were unique, hard to control, or potentially dangerous- like his.

He gave Liz a small smile when she finished and thought for a moment. "Let's see, I'm sure there might be something that could possibly work. Please, come sit" he said motioning to the counter and the couple of chairs set up there.

“I - thank you,” Liz said quietly as she took one of the seats.

“It’s hard keeping track of everything I need to do sometimes,” she admitted, “I didn’t realise just how much there was to prepare for and then with my powers as well…” her voice trailed off.

Dwight gave a knowing nod. "It can be a lot to manage. And there's so many more choices and so much more to deal with and figure out now than when I was worrying about cribs and diapers and all the last time."

“My - my daughter’s father isn’t here either,” Liz admitted, “I - I don’t know when he’ll come back, he - doesn’t know,” she said softly. “I….I wish he could be here to make decisions with me but it’s been pointed out that even in Fandom pregnancy won’t wait,”

She paused at that last bit, “you’re a parent as well?” she hadn’t had the chance to talk to other parents yet.

Dwight nodded, the smile fading slightly and turning a bit sad. "Was, more accurately. My daughter Lizzie. She died a couple years ago, before I came here to Fandom. I raised her on my own after her mother left when she was just five years old." He gave a sigh and a sad laugh, "it got... messy."

“Oh,” Liz felt bad for asking, “I’m - I’m sorry for your loss, I - I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories for you,” she said quietly.

"No, no, you're fine. Lizzie is the one thing I did right in my life" Dwight said with a slight smile. "I left Haven after she died, but I will always treasure those memories."

He paused a moment and gave Liz a smile and nod. "And you seem to be off to a good start with the planning and preparations."

Liz nodded, still feeling bad as she listened to Dwight explain , “I - I lost my family when I was 14,” she said quietly, “I understand what it’s like,” she wasn’t going to mention she had been responsible for her family’s death but she did want to say that she knew what it was like.

She paused, “it took a while but I’ve started to work on getting things ready - it - it took some time to process that I was actually pregnant but I have a lot of support here to help me prepare,” she said quietly.

"Far too young to lose a family and far too young to lose a child. I think we understand each other in way few can" Dwight said with a soft, kind smile.

"And it is good that you have support. That is one of the most important things. Frills and things can come and go, but having people to fall back on can make a world of difference."

Right from the mouth of the man who had done it all on his own or mostly on his own for many years now.

Liz returned that small smile. "It's - it's taken a while to get to this point," she admitted, "I wish Prompto was here with me but I ... I've been lucky that I've got people I can turn to, it - it's times like this when I don't feel so alone," she said quietly.

"Every journey is different. Forward progress is progress, even the small steps add up over time" Dwight said. "And having hope and faith that Prompto will be able to return soon will give you something to keep fighting for."

"And preparing for the little one's arrival will help keep you appropriately distracted too I think" he added with a smile. "You said it is a girl you are expecting?"

“I’m keeping a record of everything that I’ve been doing, so that he can see what’s been happening,” Liz told him, “I’m having a girl, I will be three months next week,” which she still couldn’t believe so much time had already passed since she had found out she was pregnant.

"That is a really good idea. Photos and notes and mementos will help him feel less like he missed out on things. And it will be something you can look back on and enjoy in the mean time as well" Dwight said.

'And now... about the reason you came in. You said you were working on the crib with Amaya..." Dwight paused here to give a glance towards the apartment upstairs and say a quick prayer the critters up there were not destroying his place. "What other pieces do you still need? I know wood might not seem ideal but there are some ways we can work around things to some extent."

"I think mostly storage pieces," Liz considered, as she began to consider what the nursery layout could be, "I think a bookcase and dresser would probably be a good place to start," she added, "maybe a nightstand?"

Dwight nodded and grabbed the pad of paper from the counter and started jotting things down.

"The shelves, table and things like that could be made from wood treated to be fire resistant. It is safe, but would be best on things the little one won't be getting much direct contact with. The dresser, and anything the baby or her clothes or such would touch and be kept in would be best made from wood that is more naturally fire and heat retardant. How does that sound as a starting point?"

“I do like the sound of that, I didn’t realise there could be wood that was resistant to flames and heats,” Liz admitted, “Travis mentioned putting in a sprinkler system and that we can get clothes that are fire proof, so there’s less risk as well,” she added.

"Ah yes, Travis is definitely a guy to work with closely for all this too! Good that you are already talking with him" Dwight said with a nod.

"And all wood will eventually burn to an extent but there are several types that don't ignite as easily, or burn as fast, and some will smolder more than burn. So, those would be idea for furniture that is more likely to be in the room but maybe not necessarily right near your daughter. Like the crib I definitely agree should be metal. But I think we could make a few wood pieces work as well."

"I thought it was important to let emergency services know, especially since I don't know if my daughter will be pyrokinetic as well," Liz said quietly, "it ... it's going to take a lot of figuring out and preparation," she admitted.

"I would like that, having a few different wood pieces in the nursery, I'm due in February so there's a bit of time still to start preparing some of the bigger pieces," she added.

"Aye, plenty of time" Dwight agreed. "I can definitely work some pieces in for you! I only have a few other pieces right now in the works. Coincidently a couple kid-related pieces too, so it will be a good continuation of the current thread" Dwight added with a laugh.

Liz smiled at that, "I would definitely appreciate if you could do that," another thought came to her, "oh, how much would you like for them as well?" she figured she should start figuring out payments and working out how she was going to start paying for preparing for her daughter's arrival.

She paused at the last part, tilting her head, "is someone else expecting a baby as well?" she asked curiously.

She didn't listen to radio so it was entirely possible she had missed the news on someone else being pregnant as well.

"Oh, we'll figure something out, I'm not worried about it," Dwight stated with a smile. "I will get some sketches done and once we agree on designs and materials we will figure out payment details."

Dwight finished jotting down a couple last notes and then looked back to Liz a that last question.

"I've had a few clients from the mainland ask for pieces here and there that I have been working on" he explained. "But.... I have been playing around with some ideas of my own, trying to figure things out and prepare as well."

Dwight gave Liz a small smile. "I've actually not mentioned this to many people really, but I am looking at the possibility of adoption." Dwight could not keep a smile off his face at that point.

Liz nodded, "that sounds great thank you, I can work with that," she told him.

Her smile widened at that last part, "that sounds wonderful, I hope it does work out for you, have you started applying yet or is it still just something you're considering?"

"Got my foot in the door in a few places. Friend of mine from back home is helping me out with all the paper work and red tape." Dwight gave a smile as he thought about it all.

"It's something I've thought about a lot. Can't really have kids of my own... given the nature of my Trouble. But adopting is an option where I don't have to worry about my child inheriting my Trouble."

And it was at that point he realized he couldn't remember if he and Liz had talked about the Troubles any previously or not....

"It must be so exciting, I was really lost and scared when I found out I was pregnant but now I'm really looking forward to meeting my daughter, it ... there's so much to prepare for but it will be worth it, when she arrives," Liz's smile widened.

There was a pause, she ~~or the mun~~ couldn't remember hearing that particular term being used to describe a power before and she tilted her head.

"Trouble?" she repeated, she wasn't sure she quite understood.

"Ah forgive me," Dwight said with a slight nod. "It's hard to remember who knows and who doesn't at time."

There was a slight pause as he thought about the best way to explain it all.

"See, back where I am from, there are people who have different powers and abilities. We call them Troubles, because most of them are not all that good and they can be difficult for people to control a lot of the time too. Back home I know someone who's touch causes severe pain for whoever she touches. There's someone whose emotions affect the weather. I know a guy whose Trouble makes it where he cant feel any physical touch or sensation. There are stories of people who used to have Troubles that would cause earthquakes, that let them see into people's dreams, bring inanimate objects to life... And then there's my Trouble. I'm essentially a bullet magnet and any gun that is fired near me will have the bullet change course and come right for me."

Dwight gave a sigh and a weak smile. "And the Troubles are passed on through families so...." he gave a shrug. He had already lost a child to the Trouble. It wasnt something he wanted a repeat of.

Edited 2022-08-06 14:22 (UTC)

Liz listened to Dwight’s explanation of what a Trouble was, “oh, I’m sorry - that must be extremely difficult for you,” she could only imagine how difficult it would be attracting bullets, hesitated at the mention that it could be passed on through families.

“It’s - no one back home is a pyrokinetic, that I know of,” she said softly, “in- I don’t know where my abilities came from, no one in my family had powers but it’s …I know there’s a possibility my daughter could inherit my powers, I’m - scared of her having to go through what I did with my powers,” she admitted.

"It can be hard at times, especially when we parents have extra things to worry about" Dwight said with a small nod. "But it is easier going into things knowing the possible risks from the very start. I never even knew about the Troubles or that I had one of my own until it kicked in... in the worst possible time and place too" he added with a dry laugh.

"But you have a better understanding of your power. You know the things you went through when you were dealing with everything when you were younger. So you can prepare more than many other parents can for things their child might experience. And" he added with a smile, "if there is a place to raise a daughter who might have pyro abilities as well, it is Fandom."

“It’s definitely not somewhere I ever thought of raising a child,” Liz admitted, “but at least she won’t have to hide her abilities here if she has them …I can make sure she doesn’t have to be afraid of them growing up like I was,” she said softly.

"Definitely, and you have done a wonderful job already making sure she has the best possible life here with you, and with Prompto later on," Dwight said with a soft smile.

He considered Liz for a moment and the grin broadened slightly.

"Remember, it's the parents who worry they aren't doing enough and wont be good enough who usually end up doing just fine and being amazing parents."

Liz was quiet for a moment as she considered, “I hope so, I - I want a family of my own so much and I just want to make sure I’m doing what is right for my daughter,” she bit her lip, “I - I didn’t think I’d be having children so soon,” she admitted.

"Even the best prepared parents will still feel like they could have used more time" Dwight said simply. "But having a family is an amazing feeling. Like nothing else. It's... something I've missed. A lot. Even after running away from Haven to try and get away from it all. That's something I don't think I will ever be able to change about myself. Not that I ever truly would want to."

Liz did smile softly at that as she listened to Dwight talk about what having a family was like, "I - I thought I'd be married when I started having children," she admitted, "my upbringing was rather strict and I was ... terrified when I found out I was expecting, that I was committing a sin by not being married to my daughter's father but I've told that it's not a sin," she said softly, "it's ... I'm still scared but I'm excited about getting to meet her and raise her and do everything that I can to protect her,"

She stared down at her stomach, which hadn't started showing yet but Liz knew it wouldn't take long to start happening, she looked back up, "I do hope you're successful with your adoption, there must be a lot of work involved trying to organise and make sure it goes smoothly,"

Dwight shook his head and gave a small sigh. "There will always be idiots who think their idea of perfection is the only one that matters. Life is messy and chaotic at times and that is what makes it beautiful as well. I am sure you are going to be wonderful mother, Liz."

"And thank you. It has been so much paperwork already, and the process has only just started." Dwight gave a dry chuckle. "Some things never change and it seems the idea of a single dad still bothers some people quite a bit. But I have a friend from back home. She's helping me with all the hoop jumping and such. Still a ways to go."

Liz smiled softly, “thank you, I do wish Prompto was here to experience these early stages with me. I do know I have support and I’m going to be okay and my daughter’s going to be okay as well, she’s got the best people to look out for her,” she added.

She paused, “do let me know if there’s something I can do to help, even if you want someone to talk to … I’ve been finding that’s been helping a lot, especially after this past weekend,” she admitted.

Dwight gave a smile and nod of appreciation. "Thanks, and same to you too Liz. I've been here over a year now, and these weekend events still throw me. For me, this past weekend was all the confirmation I needed to know that pursuing the adoption was the right choice."

Dwight thought about the weekend for a moment and gave a sigh.

"Turns out in that version of my future I went back to Haven and was stuck there again, with no family, no friends, all alone again. I always knew I wanted a family, even after losing Lizzie.... And the weekend just proved I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life."

“It was like that for me,” Liz said softly, “I was married to Prompto and we had a large family and it was everything that I ever wanted but I’m …I know there’s a chance that it’s not my future,” she hesitated, “I don’t even know if I’ll see him again, that he’ll know about his daughter and this past week ….it’s taken a while to accept that I’m going to be okay, that everything will turn out okay … I just have to be patient, I have to work on my own future not the one that was shown to me,”

"Things like the weekend, the AU kids, and the visitor weekend, I think the best approach to them is to see them as the what ifs and use them as motivation to see what you need to do here and now."

Dwight paused and gave a soft sigh as some of the memories of the last few months passed through his mind.

"It is hard at times, to keep moving. Lord knows between family drama and relationship woes, there's bene plenty to get me feeling less hopeful about what my future was like. And this weekend just showed where I don't want to end up. Now it's up to me to try and make sure things go better, if possible, down the road."

“It’s …I …I for a while things were really bad, before I found out I was pregnant but now …I …I …want to make things better for her, that I’m looking after me because it helps her as well, it’s helping …I don’t think I’ll hit rock bottom like I did before,” Liz said quietly.

"Becoming a parent does that to you. And it is both terrifying and exhilarating," Dwight said. "But I have a feeling you are going to do great. The little one is going to have a great mother looking out for her. May I ask... have you decided on a name yet?" Dwight asked with a soft smile.

Liz smiled softly at that, “I haven’t really thought about it too much,” she admitted, “I was leaning towards naming her after Prompto’s best friend but I’m really hoping he’ll be back before I have to choose a name for her,”

"Well, like you said, plenty of time. And I'm sure you will come up with the perfect name when the time comes. Have you given much thought yet to the finer details of the nursery area? Color or theme? Once we get started on these pieces, I can easily work in some touches to go with anything special you might have in mind" Dwight added with a smile.

"I haven't really given a lot of thought to the colour," Liz admitted, "I think the only thing I was working with was to keep it as fire proof as possible but beyond that ...I hadn't gone into colours or themes," she said, "I've started making some things for the nursery but I'm not really keeping to a theme at the moment, I've been using a lot of yellow though,"

"I can definitely work with yellow," Dwight noted. "Can work in some simply yet cute flowers or similar engravings on the pieces to just give them a little flare. Shouldn't be any trouble at all!"

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Fix and Clean Shop- Friday

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