#“How to Plan the Perfect 2025 Vacation”

[allthatisbeautiful]

"The 3 Legendary Destinations Americans, Canadians, and Brits Are Missing Out On: Unforgettable Adventures for 2025!"

Introduction 

In a world crowded with traditional tourist destinations like Paris and Rome, travelers from the **United States**, **Canada**, and **Britain** are seeking unique experiences that blend adventure, culture, and relaxation. From Mexico’s vibrant beaches to Costa Rica’s enchanting rainforests and Thailand’s breathtaking temples, we unveil destinations that will turn your trip into **a legendary tale**! 

Instant Booking Link: [Book Your Trip Now with TripTravel]

Mexico: Where Civilizations Meet Stunning Nature

Why Mexico?

- Geographic Proximity: The perfect destination for Americans and Canadians due to short flight times (3-4 hours from the U.S.). 

- Cultural Diversity: From the pyramids of Chichen Itza (one of the New Seven Wonders) to the modern streets of Mexico City. 

- Pristine Beaches: Luxurious resorts in Cancun and Tulum, ideal for diving among coral reefs. 

Must-Do Activities

- A guided tour of Teotihuacan’s Pyramid of the Sun (available via [TripTravel. 

- Taste traditional dishes like **tacos** and **mole** in local markets. 

- Dive into the magical waters of **Cenote Ik Kil**, a stunning sinkhole. 

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2. Thailand: A Paradise of Relaxation and Adventure 

Why Thailand?

- Perfect Costs: Offers luxury accommodations at competitive prices, appealing to Brits seeking affordable indulgence. 

- Enchanting Contrasts: From the bustle of **Bangkok** to the serenity of **Koh Samui**, and from the temples of **Wat Arun** to **Pattaya’s** nightlife. 

- Eco-Tourism: Explore the rainforests of **Krabi**, including cave expeditions and **ethical elephant rides**. 

Must-Do Activities:

- Book the "Golden Temples Tour" via [TripTravel] (includes entry tickets and English-speaking guides). 

- Enjoy a traditional Thai massage at **Banyan Tree Spa**. 

- Attend the **Loy Krathong Festival** (November), where lanterns light up the sky. 

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3. Costa Rica: The Global Capital of Sustainable Tourism

Why Costa Rica?

- Untamed Nature: Home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity! 

- Thrilling Adventures: Hike the active **Arenal Volcano**, zipline through **Monteverde**, or watch sea turtles in **Tortuguero**. 

- Sustainability: 98% of the country’s energy is renewable, attracting eco-conscious travelers (especially from Canada and the UK). 

Must-Do Activities: 

- A night safari in **Manuel Antonio National Park** (pre-book via [TripTravel]. 

- Unwind in hot springs at Arenal Volcano’s base. 

- Learn to brew Costa Rican coffee at a local farm. 

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#Top family destinations 2025

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#Sustainable travel experiences

 Travel Isn’t a Journey… It’s a Lifestyle!

Travel transcends mere movement; it’s an immersive experience that expands your imagination. In 2025, Trip TP offers unique travel solutions tailored to every traveler—families, couples, adventurers, or solo explorers

1: Why Choose Trip TP?

1. Customized Destinations

Trip TP designs personalized travel packages for all preferences:

Adventure: Explore Canada’s Banff National Park or Florida’s Disney World Resort

Culture: Immerse in Parisian elegance or Italian Renaissance cities like Florence and Rome

Relaxation: unwind in serene natural landscapes or luxury resorts.

2. Luxury Services at Competitive Prices

Experience opulence without breaking the bank! Our packages range from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury, ensuring quality at every tier

. For example:

New York City tours with access to iconic landmarks.

Guided cultural expeditions in Europe with expert historians.

3. 24/7 Support & Emergency Solutions

Our dedicated team handles every detail—whether rescheduling flights or planning last-minute excursions

. Traveling is about embracing the unexpected, and we ensure safety and joy at every step.

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Conclusion: Start Your Extraordinary Journey Now!

Click to claim exclusive 2025 deals. With Trip TP, your journey isn’t just memories—it’s a legacy

[bucketbueckers]

I'D RATHER PRETEND

extra 4: forget

wc: 6.3k

synopsis: the four times tess and paige forgot they were on different wnba teams

notes: i think i would be a terrible ex bc every time i say im done w this series i end up coming back 😟 i went ahead and combined both of the ideas i linked in the poll since they were so close sooooo everybody is winning i think! also i will be moving all of the irp extras to the irp masterlist instead of clogging my main one so do not be alarmed if you can't find them. uhh thats all but as always i hope y'all enjoy 🫶

i. firsts

JUNE 6, 2025

For all intents and purposes, today was just another game.

It was an away game, which Tess always enjoyed – it was the competitor in her who thrived off of the home team crowd’s jeers, their disappointed groans when the game was tight and one of their star players missed a shot. It’s the kind of pressure that she craves. You walk into hostile territory, not even as the underdog, but something a little more intense than that. Something more personal. Hundreds of people fill the stands and all they know is that their team will beat yours. Tess could always be found in that sort of quiet that fills the arena when she’s made her point, when her wrist is bent from a deep three that she knows is going in – that shell-shocked, stunned, dominant silence that surges through her veins like electricity. That’s what basketball is to her.

Besides being a Commissioner’s Cup game, the second of Tess’s season, Tess was committed to treating this game just as any other. They’d steamrolled the Mercury only a few days ago so she was in high spirits going into this game. 

…Which just so happened to be their first game against the Dallas Wings. Her first game against Paige.

She’d heard it all from the media throughout the season, even if they’d never said it to her face directly. How are you planning on navigating these games against your significant other? Will you play the game any differently? Is this personal to you? And even the ever elusive, Are you planning on throwing away your season to improve Paige’s stats and her Rookie of the Year campaign — which, what the fuck?

The point is – this has been the most anticipated game since the beginning of the season. While the Wings and the Sparks have both lost a few games each (losing was something that Tess and Paige weren’t quite used to – KP pulled her aside in the locker room after her first of the season, shrugged, and simply said, “Shit happens. Just make sure you have toilet paper,” and to this day, Tess really isn’t sure what that’s supposed to mean). Despite the culture shock, Tess and Paige were both on tears — averaging about twenty points a game each. Paige led her in assists, although they tied in rebounds and Tess led in stocks. Analysts claimed they’d be the deadliest backcourt the WNBA has ever seen if only they were on the same team. They had a few more years to go, but Tess did have to admit their games were near perfect complements of each other. 

For as long as she’s been playing collegiate basketball and now, the few short weeks she’s been playing professional basketball, she’s gotten a lot better at tuning out the media noise. While this is a huge game for a lot of reasons – the narrative, the cup game, the first she’s played against Paige as professional athletes, Tess knew better than anyone else that she needed to keep her cool and treat it like she would any other game, even if she and Paige haven’t seen each other since their post draft “vacation” (if you could call it that – Paige was in between several interviews, show appearances, a victory rally, although Tess appreciated that she was just as committed to taking the time off together as she was).

So what if this was the first time seeing her girlfriend in person in almost a month? Tess and Paige were grown adults with grown adult jobs. They could handle the distance. They’re professionals. Which is why Tess is going to not geek out about it.

“Girl,” Rickea deadpans, causing Tess to look up from where she’s currently lacing up her sneakers in the Wings’ visitor locker room. “You need to get it together.”

Tess frowns, genuinely confused. “I’m tying my shoes and minding my business!” she exclaims. “What do you want from me?”

Kelsey snorts, sliding the Sparks warm-up sweatshirt over her frame. “You’ve been smiling all day,” she says. “It’s actually terrifying. Like you were even smiling while tying your shoes. Who does that?”

Tess, conveniently, focuses on her other shoe, making sure the laces are tightened to her liking. “I have plenty of things to be happy about in my life,” she defends. She can hear Cam laugh from the other side of the locker room, turning to Azurá and whispering something about here we go again. “My cousin’s pregnant again. Did I tell you guys that?”

The entire locker room chimes in with a chorus of groans – because truthfully, Tess hasn’t shut up about it. “So that’s really fun! I’m trying to talk her into naming her daughter after me. Tess Kennedy Jr.”

“What if she has a son?” Rickea asks, clearly entertaining this ridiculous conversation.

Tess wrinkles her nose. “She won’t. There’s no space in my family for a man.” Then, she remembers the topic of their conversation, trying her best to steer her teammates away from the conclusion they are most definitely making about her pregame mood. “Then, when we played the Mercury, I set a new career high. Very happy about that, too.” Rickea hums, gassing her up, much to Kelsey’s amusement. “What else?” Tess exaggeratedly taps her chin.

“Keep your secrets,” Kelsey goads, squeezing her shoulder. “Whenever you wanna admit it to yourself, just know that we know. And so will the cameras. So don’t look too in love with the enemy.”

Tess rolls her eyes despite the flush on her cheeks. “You guys have no faith in me,” she says glumly.

“I have faith in you,” Cam says brightly. “We’re happy that you’re happy. Just remember to have some dignity when you walk out.”

“Cameron.”

Cam’s laughter echoes in the locker room as she leaves. Still, Tess grins, satisfied with the tightness of her laces, and follows them out for warm-ups. She can handle this.

Tess, in fact, was not handling it.

Well – she was, but she didn’t want to. She’s not sure what Paige did to her to turn her into the kind of person who stares longingly across the court during warm-ups. Her brain knows that she and Paige have done this long distance thing long enough to deal with it, but having Paige so close to her seems to override that logic. A month isn’t even the longest period of time they’ve gone without seeing each other, but Tess just misses her, as trivial as it is.

She tries, though. She knows there were things they could get away with in college, but she has to remind herself that while she’s just playing basketball, this is her job now. There are a lot of things the media won’t let slide – she could already see the headlines that would tear the both of them down for distracting each other. Tess keeps her focus on her warm ups, listening to the trainers coach them through the exercises and Rickea’s endless complaining about the fact she left her favorite moisturizer at her apartment. It keeps her mind off of Paige for a few blissful moments until Paige jogs by, heading back into the tunnel, and she throws a disarming smile over her shoulder which erases all of the progress she’d made during warm-ups.

Despite the difficulty, Tess makes it through warm-ups in one piece, feeling ready for the game ahead. Everyone lines up for the ensuing tip off. That’s when she locks in fully, the responsibility and vigor of the game taking over. Paige is laser focused too, both of them worried more about the game in front of them, and they’re hardly one-on-one unless their respective teammates call for a switch.

The first switch happens five minutes into the first quarter — the Wings hold a solid six point lead, courtesy of Paige’s signature midrange pull ups. Kelsey is guarding Paige, but NaLyssa sets a screen for Paige. The Sparks had run this play enough in practice so Tess finds herself glued to Paige, effectively stopping the jumper that Tess knew she was squaring her feet for.

“You avoiding me?” Tess asks Paige, knowing her girlfriend can’t resist the opportunity to chirp when presented with the opportunity.

Paige grins through the sheen of sweat glistening on her temples and Tess knows she’s got her — hook, line, and sinker. She keeps the ball close to her person, knowing better than anyone else that Tess is one of the best defenders in the league, second to the bigs. “Nah,” she goads, dribbling the ball calmly between her legs. Her eyes dart around like she’s looking for an opening in the defense, which Tess doesn’t miss. “Figured I’d let you try to defend someone a little more your speed.”

“Scared you can’t keep up?”

“Come on, baby,” Paige coos. “Don’t make me do this to you on national television.”

Tess just smiles at her. She anticipates the pass before Paige even moves and she launches in the air, deflecting it back towards the logo. Kelsey manages to catch the rebound and Tess is already barreling down the court, Paige hot on her heels. Kelsey passes it low to get around Dijonai and Tess scoops it up, laying it in easily with her right hand, knowing that Paige was on her left. It was a pattern she’d picked up not only from watching her in film, but also training with her over the summer before their super senior seasons. Paige is probably the only thing she’s a master in.

Tess can’t help but feel a little proud of herself, glancing back to smile smugly at her girlfriend, who shakes her head with a flicker of impressed amusement in her eyes. Paige, seemingly forgetting that they’re supposed to be on opposite teams, gives Tess a friendly pat on the ass as Tess backpedals for defense. It catches her a little off guard but the game is moving too fast for her to dwell on it.

She refocuses, knowing they’ve already goofed off enough, and settles in for another three and a half quarters of rigorous basketball.

The Wings, ultimately, end up taking the win at the end of the game. Losing is one thing but losing to Paige is another. Tess had played her game, but basketball was a team sport for a reason. There were a lot of things they still had to work on if they wanted to make a dent in the playoffs this season. Similarly, the Wings had some things to work on, but they were just the better team that night.

Tess is still nursing the butthurt feeling when Paige finds her after the game, a radiant smile on her face. Truly, losing this game wasn’t the end of the world, a fact Tess was still trying to make peace with.

“Does this mean I’m on the couch tonight?” Paige asks a little coyly, which makes Tess roll her eyes as she pulls her girlfriend in for a tight hug. She doesn’t say anything, just sinking into Paige’s embrace with a deep sigh, tucking her face into the crook of her neck as her eyes slip shut. Paige is still damp with sweat, smelling something like adrenaline and victory, but Tess doesn’t care. She missed her girlfriend. A lot. Probably concerningly so. She’s sure that feeling wouldn’t ever go away — she’d just get better at dealing with it.

“Hey,” Paige murmurs, her voice softening a little, no trace of her previous tease. “You okay?”

Tess nods slightly, making a concerted effort to pull away. “Yeah,” she says, finally allowing that lovestruck smile to appear on her face, the one that she’d hidden for the better part of the game. “Just miss you. LA is an adjustment.”

The crease in Paige’s brows relax and the blonde smiles a little. “You’re happy though?” she asks, just to confirm, but she knows better. She and Tess have spent enough time on the phone at night to know about every little thought that went through their heads.

“I am,” Tess promises, grinning when Paige’s smile brightens. “But I’m happier now.”

Unable to resist, Paige asks, “Even when you lose to me?”

Tess scoffs, pulling away fully as Paige laughs. “You’re such an asshole,” she complains, but Paige doesn’t let her get too far before she links their fingers together. Begrudgingly, Tess admits, “I don’t think I can ever lose when it comes to you. Not in a way that matters.”

“The distance really has turned you into a lover girl,” Paige teases.

Tess raises a brow. “Says the girl who slapped my ass like we were teammates after I embarrassed her on TV.”

Paige at least has the decency to look a little caught. “I kinda forgot we weren’t just playing one on one,” she confesses sheepishly, which makes Tess laugh. “Didn’t even see your fuck ass purple jersey. Just my girlfriend doing something cool.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” Tess states. “Do you know what I have to hear in the locker room now?”

Paige sighs a little, kissing her teeth. “Trust, I’mma be hearing the same. Rike’s gonna laugh at me for the next week.” She doesn’t look too bothered though; instead, she nudges Tess with a coy grin. “The price we pay for love, right?”

Tess returns the grin, reaching out with her free hand to tug lightly at the hem of Paige’s Wings jersey. “Think you love me enough for a Bueckers-Kennedy jersey swap? Unless you’re too cool for my fuck ass purple jersey.”

“I am feeling charitable today,” Paige muses, but the excited expression on her face betrays her feigned nonchalance. She procures two sharpies from the scorer’s table, hands one to Tess, and pulls off her jersey. Tess tries not to stare too hard at Paige’s figure, but she knows she’ll be trending on Twitter after the clips surface. She can’t find it in herself to mind.

Bracing the jersey over her hand, she signs her name on the 2, and in the 5 she writes, “6.6.25 — long way from 2.8.21, but playing against you for the first time is always a date to remember. To my #5, I love you endlessly and I’m so proud of you.”

She finishes the same time Paige does and they swap their jerseys. Tess laughs in delight when she reads Paige’s message to her — the way she’s dotted her I with a lopsided little heart and how she scribbled in a tiny 2 next to the 5 on her jersey so it looks like 25. “6/6/25 — our first professional game against each other. Here’s to many more. I can’t wait for the first game we play with each other. I love you, #25. There’s no one else I want to do this with.”

“Looks like the distance turned you into a lover girl, too,” Tess jokes.

Paige wrinkles her nose, but the love and affection on her face is evident as she slips Tess’s jersey over her frame, looking far too proud. “Unlike you, I’m not ashamed to admit that,” Paige says, watching Tess do the same. The colors on their jerseys and their shorts don’t exactly match, but neither of them care. “I like this on you.” She tugs a little on the hem to be annoying and Tess swats her hand away. Paige grins.

“You mean it?” Tess asks instead of feeding into Paige’s ego. “You wanna be on the same team in the future?”

Paige’s face softens as she reaches for Tess’s hand. “Course I do. I know we haven’t been doing this very long, but you know I’m crazy about you. I can’t see myself settling down without you.”

Despite herself, Tess smiles, her expression far too tender to be standing in the middle of a basketball court with dozens of reporters milling about. She doesn’t care — as far as she’s concerned, she and Paige are the only ones in the room right now. “I feel the same,” she admits, taking in Paige’s beaming smile. “Just don’t think you can win a championship before me, though.”

Paige scoffs, but there’s no malice behind it, only amusement. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” she assures her, wrapping her arms around Tess’s waist and pulling her in to press a chaste, innocent kiss to her lips. “We’re 1-0 professionally right now. Think you can keep up?”

Tess laughs, knowing that at the end of the day, she truly doesn’t care about the win record. The distance is hard but it’s times like these that make up for it, when she’s reminded that she has everything she could ever need right in front of her. “You know I can,” she says confidently, and Paige’s grin is full of challenge.

“Then it’s game on.”

ii. i’m not arguing with a woman with pretty blue eyes (whatever you say beautiful)

JULY 2026

The All-Star break had been kind to Tess and Paige.

It was the first time in a while they’d been able to spend so much uninterrupted time together all season – the Wings and the Sparks had obviously been scheduled to play together, but in between flight times and team obligations, they were unable to spend a whole lot of time together before and after their games. With the All-Star game, which they were both (obviously) selected to play in, they both flew in the day before any of the festivities and were able to spend all of Thursday together. On Friday, they were basically attached at the hip for the Skills Challenge and the Three Point Contest (Paige shamelessly cheered for Tess, for the record). And on Saturday, they were on the same team for the All-Star Game. Tess wasn’t sure who allowed that to happen considering the two of them dominated from start to finish, but she sure wasn’t complaining.

It was the first time she’d played a game with Paige. Like, ever. At the All-Star game in 2025, they were on separate teams and they honestly spent the entire time talking shit to each other, much to the chagrin of their respective teammates, who accused them of flirting the entire time. It was most definitely not flirting – Tess at least had the decency to know her and Paige’s actual flirting was not court appropriate, but that’s neither here nor there. The point is that Tess enjoyed playing with Paige. Maybe a little too much because there’s still a lot of time before free agency and she’s honestly not sure if a team could afford them both.

It was back to business following the All-Star break. Tess’s first game back with the Sparks was against the Mercury, who, bless them, were still rebuilding, and got steamrolled by them. Her second game back, however, was at home versus the Wings.

To be honest, she and Paige had gotten a lot better at handling the pre-game emotions. Sure, this game was different considering they’d spent the entirety of the All-Star break together so they weren’t down horrendous like they usually were, but missing each other was something that became easier with time.

Still, during warmups, they shared matching smiles and Paige even wandered over to wish her well. “Good luck scoring without my passes,” she said, which just made Tess roll her eyes.

“You have terrible ball security,” Tess responded, which made Paige’s eye twitch. “Let’s hope you shoot better than you take care of the ball.”

They stared at each other for a minute before giggling like they weren’t pushing 25. Then, they launched into the handshake they’d perfected halfway through their rookie seasons, and the game was underway.

For the most part, it was a typical Sparks vs. Wings game. Tess and Paige always seemed to play their best when it was against each other, which led to exciting match-ups and close games. Tess and Paige usually weren’t each other’s defensive assignments, but when they were, the entire arena seemed to hold its breath – watching the both of them go head to head was like watching two titans clash. They knew each other’s moves, tells, and weaknesses, and usually, it always ended with one of them having to pass the ball to someone else.

Halftime comes and goes and the third quarter begins with the two teams tied. And that’s when Tess’s muscle memory kicks in. She has the ball at the top of the key, scanning for an opening in the defense. Dijonai is stuck to her side – probably one of her toughest defensive match-ups on the Wings with the exception of Paige, and the Wings are playing lockdown coverage. Paige is to her right, locked up with Kelsey, and Kelsey breaks away from her to receive the ball.

Tess and Paige ran this specific play numerous times during the All-Star game. She just needs to kick it out to Kelsey, who’s making the cut, but Tess is thinking too hard about how she was passing the ball to Paige that she accidentally passes to the blonde, instead of Kelsey fucking Plum, her actual teammate. Paige recovers quickly from her confusion and takes it across the court for the easiest layup of her life.

Tess is sure she’s never been more embarrassed in her life. She watches her coach rub her temples in exasperation while the Sparks fans groan. But her coach isn’t calling for a timeout or calling Odyssey over to sub in for her, so she dutifully ignores the blush on her cheeks and tries to lock back in.

Paige is defending her while Kelsey directs traffic, but before she can get too far away, Paige grins mischievously at her, chirping, “Look at you racking up assists all point guard-y and shit. Look for the purple jerseys next time though, a’ight?”

(If Tess drains a three over Paige’s outstretched hand in response, well…that’s no one’s business but her own.)

iii. The Foul (tess and paige’s version)

SEPTEMBER 2027

Tess doesn’t think it’s in her nature to be petty.

At least, she’s not consciously petty. As in – it’s not the front she puts out to the world. Like the time she was feeling a type of way about Maddy Siegrist being weird in Paige’s Instagram comment section and she was being passive aggressive about the entire situation – Tess knew Maddy wasn’t even being weird. She was just upset that she and Paige were moving so far away from each other and regressed into an old version of herself that she didn’t particularly like.

Tess doesn’t like being petty. Or passive aggressive. But sometimes shit just happens and it’s so much easier to retreat into herself and to be silent (for the most part) because as much as she hates it, she feels things too strongly and can’t put her emotions into words in a constructive manner without exploding first. She hates hurting people – especially Paige, and she hates that it’s just so easy to hurt her, too.

The situation wasn’t even anything that deep. Tess knew that, but she’s not sure if her heart does. With the WNBA playoffs approaching, every top team in the league was working harder than ever to secure their seeding. Coach Roberts was working the Sparks to the bone and more often than not, Tess would drag her feet home and collapse into bed the minute she got in. Games were grueling, travel felt harder, and it’s at this point in the season where Tess has to treat herself with a little bit more kindness because it’s so easy for her to catastrophize.

It was nearing 10pm. Tess had just gotten home from an away game versus the Aces. Her body hurt – she took a hard foul from Deja Kelly (at least she got the free throws), she was exhausted, and most of all, she just wanted to hear Paige’s voice. Much like the Sparks, the Wings were at the top of the rankings and were fighting to secure their seeding. She knew Paige was working hard on and off the court. During times like these, it just means that they spend less time on the phone together – mostly because their practice schedules are so rigorous, they’re travelling, time zones suck, and when they do find themselves on FaceTime at night, one of them falls asleep fifteen minutes in.

But now? Tess is at her wits end. She just needs one thing and she’ll be fine. She’s sure there’s someone out there who will say that she has terrible emotional regulation, but all things considered, she really is fine. She has her friends and her teammates whom she relies on and her psychologist. Despite that, she’s just a little lonely in a way only Paige can fix and the exhaustion from the season just makes it worse. She glances down at her phone, taking in the lack of notifications.

Frowning, she opens her message thread with Paige, reading Paige’s last message to her from about an hour ago.

Just landed back in Dallas My phone is almost dead but I’ll try to FT when I’m home I love you 🫶

Tess had responded the same and Paige reacted to her message with the heart emoji. She checks her location, seeing that Paige is at her apartment. Tess knows she’s asleep – she knows this week has been rough on her in between training, playing, and travelling, and as much as Tess hates herself for feeling this way, she can’t help the way the disappointment blooms in her chest like a wildfire. It’s not Paige’s fault – it’s not either of their faults.

She shuts her phone off, plugging it into the charger and leaving it on the nightstand. She rolls onto her side, stretching out in a bed that’s far too big for one person as she pulls one of her pillows to her chest. Early in the morning, she’d be flying out to Dallas for their last game of the regular season against the Wings, and not even that knowledge can keep the frown off of her face.

With that said, Tess would, once again, like to reiterate that it’s not in her nature to be petty. And, truly, the subsequent silent treatment is more for Paige’s benefit than her own. Tess knows herself well enough to realize that when she’s in a terrible mood, speaking usually makes things worse. When she wakes up that morning, she finds an apology from Paige for missing their FaceTime. The worst part is that Paige is genuinely remorseful but Tess is just too stubborn to stop being upset about it.

When they make it to the Wings arena, they dress for warm-ups and head out. Tess is one of the last to leave the locker room, which is unusual for her, but when she makes it into the tunnel, she finds Paige waiting for her, a bouquet of flowers in hand. It makes her soften slightly, feeling a whole lot of guilt for being butthurt over something small, but part of her isn’t ready to let go of her anger.

“Hey,” Paige says, smiling gently like she knows she’s in the doghouse. It would make Tess mad all over again if she wasn’t aware of just how much Paige knew her – Tess knows that Paige knows she’s a little upset, but she’s more upset at herself for feeling upset right now. It’s a weird emotional balance Tess has never been good at explaining. The best thing about Paige is that she’s never needed her to. “I’m sorry for missing our call. I know you’re having a rough week.”

Tess offers a tentative smile, the sight of Paige doing wonders for her tired eyes. “It’s not an excuse to be butthurt. I know you’re not doing any better than me. I’m sorry too.” She takes the flowers from Paige’s outstretched hand, allowing her to pull her into a tight hug, one that she sinks into gratefully.

“I’m not,” Paige agrees with a forlorn sigh. “I passed out in my airport clothes last night. Now I got germs and pathogens and shit on my sheets.”

That makes Tess laugh, her chest feeling loose for the first time in a few weeks. It’s enough to remind her that this – being able to melt into Paige’s arms – is truly all she needed. Her bad mood dissolves, but she can’t bask for too long as Cam’s calling her from the end of the hall. Regretfully, they break away, but Paige presses a gentle kiss to her lips, one that makes her forget what she was moody about in the first place.

The game itself is different. Sparks versus Wings games always are. Maybe it has something to do with how Tess is playing against Paige again or how she’s playing with a smile on her face for the first time in weeks. Whatever the reason, Tess plays with a different kind of fire, a physicality that she doesn’t usually play with. Every time she’s defending Paige, they’re both grinning like they don’t have a shot clock ticking down or a seeding on the line, but the issue comes late in the fourth quarter.

The game is tied – as it always is – and Tess has possession of the ball with Paige sticking close by for defense. Cam steps in for a screen, but Paige doesn’t bite. Instead, in a rare move for the blonde, she accidentally barrels into Tess, who’s already off-balance from an uncharacteristic step-off. Tess lands flat on her ass while the ref calls the foul on Paige, who again, seems remorseful, but there’s a lingering, mischievous amusement in her gaze.

Paige steps behind her, arms wrapping around Tess’s waist and helping pull her up while she pushes herself to her feet. Paige is absolutely fucking shameless – her hands pressed tight to her stomach and her body pressing into Tess’s back like they’re in a dark corner of the club instead of in the middle of the court in a sold out arena. Tess turns on her heel, raising one brow in near disbelief at her girlfriend, who grins like she hasn’t done anything wrong, her hands in the air.

“You’re actually unbelievable,” Tess says, shaking her head, but she can’t keep the smile off her face.

“Was just tryna help you up,” Paige argues, still looking smug as ever, but she backs away, calling, “I’ll make it up to you!”

Tess rolls her eyes, a blush on her cheeks but her grin lingers. The ref passes the ball off to Kelsey to inbound and just like that – the game’s back underway, and all Tess can really do is smile.

iv. she wanted some of my deliciousness

OCTOBER 2028

Of course the first year the Sparks make it to the WNBA Championship, they’re up against the Wings.

Tess can’t even be surprised about it. Every championship she plays in always seems to have Paige on the other end of it, but honestly, she likes it this way. The games against Paige are always nail biters. They were the two people in the league who hated losing the most.

Knowing that, Tess really should have expected for the WNBA Championship to go to a game seven. Tess and the Sparks won the first match, then the Wings won the second and the third. The Sparks bounced back with the fourth and the fifth – both incredibly hard fought games for Tess, and then the Wings tied the series on the sixth game.

Tess has played against this Wings roster numerous times. She knows their strengths, their weaknesses, their physicality. But she honestly wasn’t prepared for how grueling a seven game, winner takes all series against them would be. Nobody made it more difficult for her than Paige did. She was on one from game one through game six, never once faltering, but Tess was never one to back down.

Game seven was different – for both of them. Paige was locked in from the get-go, banking in contested shots like it was effortless, directing traffic like she knew every one of the Sparks’ plays before Kelsey even called for them. She was a menace on defense, her expression one of pure fire, grit, and determination. More than anything, there was a simmering frustration. Tess could see that she was picking up the slack where her teammates were falling short. They were missing costly shots, forcing uncharacteristic passes that transformed into turnovers.

It all culminated late in the fourth quarter – the Sparks held a slim four point lead, one that Paige had cut from nine herself after a deep three and a contested midrange jumper. Tess was guarding her, her Coach having made the adjustment after she realized that Paige was taking the game into her own hands. Paige is at the top of the key, dribbling the ball and waiting for the perfect opening as her offense shifts. She steps forward, pressing Tess, but in her haste to set a screen, one of Paige’s teammates bumps harshly into Tess, sending her right into Paige’s body and knocking her down.

And somehow, in the haze of confusion, the foul is called on Tess instead of Maddy fucking Siegrist, and she’s pushing herself to her feet to plead her case to the ref when Paige starts chirping like it wasn’t her teammate’s fault.

“What the fuck was that?” Paige exclaims, her frustration and exhaustion bubbling over. Tess just blinks at her, the Wings staring at Paige hesitantly, unsure of if she’s actually pissed or if this was just a Tess and Paige thing that’s not actually that serious. They’re competitors – they argue and fight on the court, but off of it, it’s like it’s never happened. She waves her arms, gesturing widely in a way that reminds Tess of her father when he’s heated, and all she can do is raise a brow because there’s no way Paige is actually crashing out at her right now. “That’s a fucking flagrant, Tess, what the f–”

Tired of hearing her complain, Tess leans forward to plant a kiss right on Paige’s lips, shutting her up while the refs step in, pushing them away from each other. Paige just blinks in confusion while Tess grins smugly, always wanting to recreate that Diana Taurasi and Seimone Augustus clip but never having the optimal opportunity for it. “You can apologize to me later!” Tess calls, letting Cameron drag her away from the scene. “Coach, please tell me you’re challenging that call?”

Her coach does challenge it, the refs giving the personal foul to Maddy instead, as it should be. Tess watches Paige from across the court, her expression softening with guilt as she watches the replay.

(For the record, Paige does apologize later, after the celebrations and Tess has taken sufficient pictures with the championship trophy. And, she supposes, Paige makes up for it with interest a month later in Italy when she proposes, and Tess finds that she likes this ring a whole lot more than the one she’d won.)

v. bonus: the one time tess and paige remembered they were on the same team

MAY 2029

The last time Tess had ever played in what felt like a monumental preseason game, it was her first preseason game in the WNBA as a Los Angeles Spark. They’re preseason for a reason – the stats don’t count and they’re just a good way of seeing how your team stacks up against other people in the league.

But this game? This one is different.

She’s dressed head to toe in the Valkyries purple uniform, BUECKERS-KENNEDY stitched proudly on the back. To her right, Paige, wearing a matching uniform, last name on the back and all, stretches her legs out one last time before tip-off against Tess’s old team, the Sparks. And, to be honest, Tess can’t believe that they’re here, together, on the same team after so many years of being competitors. She can’t believe the Valkyries actually signed the both of them, that the team has welcomed the both of them in with open arms, but this opportunity feels more like a blessing than anything else. It feels like a Welcome to the first day of your future.

Tess and Paige had bought a house in the Bay. They would settle down here, retire as Golden State Valkyries. They both knew they’d end up coaching somewhere along the line. They knew they’d raise their children here when the time came. Right now, it just feels like the perfect prelude to forever, the perfect capstone to an arduous journey. While the hard part of it is over, Tess knows that the rest of her life will be an adventure as long as Paige is in it.

Paige catches her wrist, smiling softly at her when she startles. “You good?” she asks gently. There were still a few moments until tipoff, but the fact that Paige is taking the time now to check in with Tess makes her feel warm all over.

“Yeah,” Tess responds, unable to stop the smile from spreading across her face. “I’m perfect.” Paige’s eyes search hers, knowing instinctively that Tess wants to say more but granting her the time to find her words. “I’m just happy we get to do this together,” she admits. “You’re the only one I want to do this with.”

Paige’s grin turns a little tender, affection shining in her gaze. “How’s forever sound?”

Tess’s smile widens. “Perfect.”

They line up for tip-off, taking their respective places. Before the ref walks over with the ball, Paige calls out to her, “Remember to write this on your jersey, too. May 4th, 2029. Just another first game, yeah?” Tess is sure she looks a little strange – smiling before the game’s even started, but she can’t find it in herself to mind too much.

Paige assists her on her first three as a Valkyrie. It’s a little full circle, she thinks, for her first points to be scored with her wife. For Paige’s first assist to be to her. It’s every bit as monumental as she’d expected.

And, sure, it’s just a preseason match-up, but Tess finds that she really likes hearing, “Bueckers-Kennedy to Bueckers-Kennedy for three…it’s good!”

[1ftinreality]

1ftinreality’s wolfstar fanfic recs - Jan 2025

@moonheavens makes these wolfstar fanfic rec lists that have led me to some incredible finds. so i wanted to take a stab at tracking my monthly reads, because this fandom is full of so many incredible people and i desperately need to yell about it! ah!

authors, if you’d like to be untagged, or if you’d like me to change/remove descriptions of your fic, please do let me know!

Some WIPs I have been losing my mind over

on another ocean by @colgatebluemintygel (133K, Explicit)

Sirius gets broken up with so of course he brings his BEST PAL Remus on a pre-planned romantic vacation across Europe. What could possibly go wrong??!!

Of Prefects, Pretence, and Precendent by Whoops_e (102K, Mature)

Remus is the fifth-year Gryffindor prefect and Sirius is a sixth-year who could not care less about swots. Or could he?

time passages by @fruityindividual (16K, Explicit)

They’re Hogwarts professors AND they’re ex-husbands!! Fruity_individual writes the best divorce fics and I CANNOT WAIT. 

Canon universe but better

Of Protein Powders and PTAs by @SquintClover and @Tracingpatternwrites (89K, Mature)

Enemies to lovers! Good soup! They’re on the Hogwarts PTA together, what could possibly go wrong?

Falling in Love Without You by @babblingflowers, @TherestheSnitch (51K, Explicit)

Sirius needs to get soul-bonded before his 20th birthday because of a Black family stipulation. He goes through the friend group looking for the perfect husband, and Remus helps him because of course he does :) 

Bound by @shiftylinguini (21K, Explicit)

Sirius comes back from the Veil to find Remus married to Tonks. They don’t talk about it, but they do… many other things instead.

Candy crush by bizarrestars (24K, Mature)

Remus has been sucking lollies to quit smoking. Sirius makes stealing them his hobby. Fluff, fluff for ages!

Modern AU

Writing Pages by @Dearamleo (118K, Explicit)

Remus is a struggling Masters student who meets Sirius at a house party. They don’t get along at first. 

A Brief History of Dragons by @eyra (23K, Mature)

Eyra always writes the softest, cosiest fics that soothe the soul. This is no exception. Sirius moves to Cornwall for the summer, where he meets a boy who may or may not be writing a book about dragons. 

The Road to Sweetwater by @EuripidesTrousers (57K, Explicit)

Bounty hunter Remus x Outlaw Sirius, with flavors of Brokeback Mountain. It’s about fighting back against an unjust system in spite of the odds, so, you know, not at all relevant to the state of the world right now. Every sentence, every phrase is so thought-through, I think I have half the fic highlighted just because of how beautiful it all is. 

The World is Waiting For You by thechanchanman (92K, Mature)

An Amazing Race AU! The silliest, sweetest banter, fluff all around! 

Sorry I'm Late - I Was Waiting For You by @euripidestrousers (84K, Explicit)

Obsessed with everything by euripidestrousers tbh. Sirius and Remus meet in college, but Remus is still a werewolf. 

I'm Waiting Here For You by ohyou-pretty-things (64K, Explicit)

Sugar daddy Sirius x sugar baby Remus. Such a gentle, lovely story, it’s like a big warm (spicy and fun) hug. 

Hurling Crowbirds at Mockingbars by @Wrapped-Up (40K, Explicit)

Exes to lovers, exes to lovers!! Remus ran off years ago but he’s back for some reason. Why??

Religious trauma?!?

Dear Your Holiness by @MollyMaryMarie (14K, Explicit)

Remus is a priest who helps Sirius write his dad’s eulogy. Breathtakingly thoughtful take on the hypocrises and contradictions of mainstream Catholicism.

The Fall by @euripidestrousers (13K, Explicit)

Remus is an elementary school teacher and Sirius is the devil, here to corrupt his soul. Oops.

Christmas AUs

Sweet Dreams of Holly and Robbin by @tealeavesandtrash (15K, Teens and Up)

Non-magical AU. Sirius visits the Potters in Hogsmeade and meets Remus, the local bookstore owner. Warm, festive vibes all around. 

Dear Mr Black by @languagelessonswolfstar (73K, Explicit)

Sirius is a celebrity chef who takes a career break at Remus’s BnB. MsAlex has the loveliest Xmas fics, and this is no exception. 

Short fics

Remus Lupin and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Book Signing by @severedreamerfox (3K, Mature)

Remus is a public school librarian and Sirius is a children’s book author. Cute stuff all around!

Open Thoughts by @marigold-hills (3K, Mature)

Sirius becomes a temporary Occlumens after getting hit by a stray spell during an Auror mission. He becomes very, very aware of how his dear friend and roommate thinks about him.

What became of the dreams we had by @aryastark_valarmorghulis (8K. Mature)

Sirius visits Remus after Goblet of Fire. A sweet little fix-it of sorts.

Basilisks, Boggarts, and Boyfriends (oh my) by OptimisticDinosaur (8K, Teens and Up)

Sirius has the hots for the Dark Magic Exterminator he hired to clear out his parents’ place. So he starts planting Dark Creatures in his house to make Remus come back. Harry befriends a Basilisk in the meantime. 

This One's Just Right by thechanchanman (10K, Explicit)

Too many mattresses! A modern AU where James accidentally locks them in a mattress store.

[realityinsuspense]

one step closer | chapter 4: day off

--summary: "me and him? in one apartment? yeah, right. nothing is going to happen" ~~ two strangers living together. not talking and just going about each other's lives. that was your plan. that's how you've always done things, and you've gone far doing so. so when you have to suddenly move into a new apartment with your new roommate, you expect almost nothing. almost.

--pairing: mingi x fem!reader

--genre: strangers to lovers, fluff, a little angst #mingi is cold and standoffish, #eventual mutal pining

--a/n: oh. my. god. hello to anyone still out there reading and happy 2025! this chapter has been a loooong time coming. had lots of life stuff going on, holidays, writers block, and overall perfectionism held me back from updating any sooner. as i re-read and proofread my work, i get quite tangled up in characterization and how i want the story to flow, which then holds me back because i suddenly want my work to be 100% perfect. but that in itself also holds me back from improving in general. thank you for your patience, and i ask for your grace as i navigate and continue to grow as a writer. thank you, love you, mwah! enjoy!! <3 (and again, there is a taglist, just let me know ^-^)

words: 6.8k

~

chapter 4: day off

12 years ago

The late spring air began to cool as the sun set, a light breeze kissing your skin. Summer was approaching. It was your favorite time of the year, and you usually couldn’t contain your excitement: longer days, vacation trips, and even something as simple as getting ice cream at the convenience store with your friends. You guys would hang out at the park nearby, sitting at the benches—laughing, talking. This summer was supposed to be special—your last summer break together with your junior high class. It was the last year before the start of all your high school days.

As the dusk settled in, you took that seat at the same park bench next to your best friend. Like you guys always did. But this time you were not laughing.

“You’re moving away?” You whispered almost to yourself, your eyes focused on the unwrapped ice cream cone in front of you.

You could feel Jongho’s gaze, but you were suddenly afraid to meet it. For the first time in your life, you were afraid to look at him. You didn’t want the news to be real.

“Yeah,” He said, turning to look at his own ice cream cone as well.

“In the middle of the school year?” You ask. It’s pointless; he’s already explained it, but you still wanted to try. He only nodded in response.

“Well… when are you gonna come back?” You murmur.

Jongho sighed heavily. “I don’t know if I will, or… I don’t know.”

Jongho was moving away with his family back to his father’s hometown. He was going to transfer to another school, and you and him were not going to finish high school together like you guys said you would.

You felt selfish for wanting to say he betrayed you. It’s not his fault. It’s for family, and family is important. You knew that. But it felt like your heart sank to the bottom of the floor after hearing the news. You grew up together. Jongho was your next door neighbor. He was your first best friend. And even your first crush.

“I can’t believe this���” You say softly.

“It’s at the end of the summer though, y/n,” He tries to comfort you. “We can still hang out like usual.”

“But still!” You exclaim, finally turning to him. You feel your eyes well with tears, and poor Jongho has this worried expression on his face. “What am I gonna do when you leave?”

Jongho then pulls you into a hug, and that tugs at your heart strings. You let yourself cry into his shoulder.

“I’ll still be your best friend even when I’m gone, okay?” He whispers, his voice shaky. You wonder if you crying is causing him to feel bad. Or that maybe he wants to cry too. It’s not like you’ll be the only one who will be missing him. He’ll miss you too.

“Promise?” You finally pull away.

“I promise.” Jongho smiles gently, and your heart flutters once more.

present day

“Someone take that pitcher away from him,” You hear Yeosang mutter to your left. “One glass of beer and he’s already gone.”

You chuckle and glance over at the other end of the table where San is talking a bit too loudly with other coworkers. They’re all smiles and laughs.

It was a different Friday night—a company dinner. This meant free food and free drinks. You down the last of the golden liquid in your glass.

You don’t usually drink often, so you decided to take this opportunity to let loose. It’s been a long week. Just like any other week, you suppose. But you felt that you haven’t had a real chance to just relax and have fun ever since you moved. It’s been nonstop stress and work. So why not? And if it has to be at the work dinner, then so be it. You were at least with your friends.

“Hey! Pass the pitcher over here too, don’t be selfish!” You project from your end of the table. San’s blushed out face is all smiles when he walks over with the pitcher of beer.

“Another drink already y/n?” San teases as he pours more into your glass. He turns to Yeosang. “And you?”

Yeosang shakes his head. “I think I’ll stop for now.” You take a small sip at first, then take deep gulps, the bitter taste burning your throat.

“Guys, just imagine this, but even better during my birthday party!” San says happily, then scurries off to the karaoke stage where your other coworkers have gathered and started singing. The music rings loudly in your ears.

Yeosang waves him off. “He keeps bringing that up. At this point I’m not gonna show up.”

You laugh in response. “He really is the life of the party.”

“And what about you?” Yeosang raises an eyebrow at you and glances at the already half drunken glass of beer. “You usually don’t drink this much at the company dinners.”

“Oh you know,” You chuckle sheepishly, slightly embarrassed at Yeosang’s observations. If there was someone that had the potential to become a detective, you’d swear it’d be him. “Just-” ”Let me guess,” He interjects. ��Work. Life. Your roommate. Hectic isn’t it?” Bingo.

“You’re right,” You nod and finish the rest of your drink. “Just for tonight.”

“It’s okay, I’m not judging. Just worried, you know?” He says. You smile at his thoughtfulness and concern.

“Yeah,” You say, starting to feel a little buzzed. “I’m sorry I keep bringing him up. I… I feel like it’s all I talk about these days.. I swear I’m still interesting!” He laughs. “Don’t be sorry. I know roommates can be complicated. And maybe…he’s actually good guy or something.” Yeosang shrugs then takes a bite of some meat and rice.

“Maybe,” You say to yourself before you follow suit and take a bite of your food. Yeosang reaches for an unopened soju bottle sitting across from you, opens it, and proceeds to pour some into two shot glasses. “Really?”

Yeosang smiles and nods. You both raise your glasses. “Yup. To good guys! Cheers!”

You and Yeosang carry on your conversation amidst the loud conversation and music playing the background. You also chatted with some of your other coworkers who also joined in on your side of the table. This is kind of fun, actually. You decided you didn’t need to overthink anything in this moment.

After lots more rounds of meat and rice, alongside more beer and soju, you were stuffed. And you were definitely feeling the full effects of the alcohol. You did it. You reached your goal. As the night progressed, more people gave toasts and slurred speeches, and then it was finally time to go home.

It was nearly one in the morning, but the flashing lights on the street indicated that people were still out and about. The places closed late here, you noticed. San was completely wasted—slumped over Yeosang’s shoulders, trying his best to prop him up with his much smaller frame. The smaller one carrying the bigger one—it was a sight that made you giggle. After loudly expressing each other’s concern, Yeosang assured you they were going to be fine going home and that he’s done this a bunch of times. You also assured him that you’d be able to get home after his offer of sharing a cab. This part of the city was generally safe. And you, too, have done this before.

“Are you sure y/n?” Yeosang pressed. “It’s getting late.”

“It’s okay!” You urged. “It’s totally okay, I’m closer than you guys. He needs to get home asap.” You poked San’s shoulder, and Yeosang chuckled.

“Okay fine, but let me know when you get home!” Yeosang is already dragging San into a cab they managed to hail.

“You too!” You called out happily.

But then again, it’s been a long time since you’ve felt like this.

Feeling drunk felt so freeing, vulnerable, and scary at the same time. Your head was pounding, and your eyes were desperate to close. You were tired, but still so full of energy. You were aware of everything still, just…lighter. And now you were standing out alone, drunk in the night’s cold. Of course, taxis were to come and go, so you just stood at the edge of the sidewalk waiting for one, with your arms wrapped around yourself. Everything felt so heavy, and you didn’t want to move. You swear you could feel your heart thumping violently against your chest. Where the hell are those taxis?

“y/n?” You hear a soft voice behind you. Your first instinct of fear runs through you and you turn around quickly. A couple of feet away, stands someone you swear you’ve met before.

Someone…

“y/n,” He breathes. “It is really you.”

You try your best to concentrate, but your drunken mind is betraying you. You want to go home suddenly.

“Hi…” You whisper out. It was him…

Choi Jongho.

Was it really?

Your old friend.

Is this a dream? What is he doing here? What’s happening? Am I this drunk? Is this really him? What’s he doing here?

Your head was spinning with all these questions, and it didn’t help that you were drunk. You didn’t know what to do—what to feel.

He approached you gingerly, and you unconsciously recoiled.

“I.. I..” I want to go home.

“Are you going home? Let’s get you a taxi.” Jongho says.

“What are you doing here?” You blurt out. You wanted to believe that this was just an illusion. How could he possibly be here right now? And to face you so upfront like this? After everything….

“It’s a long story,” He sighs locking eyes with you, and smiles weakly. “Are you okay?” His face turns into an expression of genuine concern.

You can feel them.

Tears.

They’re coming, and you feel that burning sensation building up in your throat whenever you start crying. But you suppress it and swallow hard.

You hear a few cars pass by, and you glance back to the street. Finally. You quickly gesture for it.

The taxi slowly approaches the edge of the sidewalk where you stand, and you mentally thank the driver for coming at such a perfect time. You wanted to go home. You needed to go home. Away from this.

“I have to go.” You whisper, unsure if he’d heard you or not. You swiftly step into the vehicle, give your address to the driver, and catch one last glance at Jongho’s concerned expression before driving away.

This isn’t real. He’s not actually here. I’m drunk.

I’m drunk.

The ride back home was quick, and you used your remaining energy to thank and pay the driver. Getting up into the elevator required some deep breaths, as you were getting dizzier and dizzier—and all the more nauseous. Great.

“Too…drunk…” You mumble to yourself as you stumble into your apartment. You instinctively drop your belongings onto the floor and quickly make your way to the bathroom. You felt horrible. Maybe this was why you haven’t drank in so long…

That nauseousness caught up to you once you finally reached it, where you crouched and hunched over the toilet bowl, letting it all out. I drank way too much.

Now sitting on the floor, you leaned back against the bathtub to catch your breath. In that brief moment of stillness, your mind tugged at you to move. You were suddenly hyper aware of your physicality and environment. You knew you had makeup to remove, teeth to brush, and pajamas to get into. You had to stand up and get into your bed. You needed to clean yourself up. And your brain managed to give you a lovely reminder that you didn’t live alone. Just the thought of Mingi seeing this entire mess made you fearful. But your body betrayed you. You couldn’t bring yourself to move.

Your head was still pounding so you just shut your eyes and decided to give yourself a few moments. 5 minutes. In 5 minutes, I’ll get up.

The image of seeing Jongho tonight popped into your mind once more. His voice rang in your ears.

Y/n, it is really you.

It’s a long story. Are you okay?

He looked the same, but different. More mature. Stronger. Still just as handsome…

Was that actually real? Maybe. Probably. You didn’t know. And maybe you didn’t want to know.

Suddenly, he felt so far away again.

I’m drunk. I’m drunk. I’m drunk…

—

You gently blink your eyes open to the sunlight streaming in from the windows. Instinctively, you yawn as well. Oh god. For a moment, you simply lay there as you let your thoughts slowly come over you like a wave. What time was it?

Thank goodness you had the day off. Anyhow, you probably would’ve been extremely late. But you were also glad you got the chance to sleep in, as it was quite the night last night. You gingerly sit up on your bed, shedding off the warmth of your duvet.

You feel a slight headache rush to your head again. Maybe I’ll take it easy next time, you think to yourself. It had been awhile since you drank that much after all. You then briefly ponder how San even does it, and wonder how he handles his hangovers. Your thoughts are interrupted by your grumbling stomach.

You notice your phone at the edge of your bed and grab it.

12:08pm **

You ignore all the text notifications from San and Yeosang for now, and decided to order takeout. You were too lazy to make anything in the state you were in—plus fried chicken sounded perfect right now. After putting in your order, you notice that you’re still in your clothes from last night.

Huh.

You could’ve sworn you’d changed and gotten into bed fine, but you could hardly remember. You did remember throwing up like crazy, however. You jumped out of bed and took a look in the mirror—your makeup was still on and your hair looked dangerously disheveled. This calls for a long shower.

After gathering your things and a fresh pair of pajamas, you crack open your bedroom door and peek outside around the apartment. Mingi cannot see me like this, was the first thought you had. The thought of him seeing you like a mess after ordering him around about being clean felt contradictory somehow. But more importantly, you were embarrassed. It’s not like he’d care, probably… But…Where was he anyway? Was he out?

The silence surrounding the apartment told you that the coast was clear, so you quietly rushed into the bathroom and proceeded to take your hot, much-needed, shower.

When you were finally finished, you headed back to your room and freshened up your bedding. You felt so much better already. Five minutes pass when your phone dings, notifying that your order is officially delivered. Excited and absolutely starved, you head for the front door excitedly when you suddenly stop in your tracks to see Mingi in standing by the door. He was holding the door open and grabbing your takeout off the floor. Your stomach grumbled once again.

“That’s mine,” You say. He turns around in response, his face unamused. Guess he was home after all…

He’s wearing his usual loungewear, and his glasses are framed above his head, pushing his hair back.

“No, it’s mine,” Mingi replied bluntly. “You ordered fried chicken?”

“Yes!” You exclaim, approaching him. You attempt to examine the bag.

“Well my name’s on it,” He argues. Mingi tugs the receipt off the bag and holds it up to your face. “See?”

“But the app just told me it was just delivered right now,” You hold up your phone to his face for proof. “Maybe they put both of the orders in there? Can I see?” You lean in to look inside the bag, but Mingi moves the bag away from you. Your sudden closeness made you more aware of your height difference all of a sudden. You take a step back.

“What did you order?” He glances inside the bag, then back at you.

“A six piece, soy garlic. With a side of rice,” You sigh. “And you?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Same… except it was a ten piece for me.” Mingi looks into the bag again, then proceeds to walk towards the kitchen in silence, ignoring you.

“What?!” You follow him into the kitchen.

“Why do they do that?” Mingi takes out both orders from the bag and places them on the dining table. “Is it easier for them to put two orders in one bag even though they’re different?”

“I think it’s because we live in the same place, maybe they thought it was meant to be ordered together…” You respond, staring at the food on the table. “And our orders aren’t even that different.”

“Whatever,” Mingi takes a seat and starts eating. You awkwardly stand there for a moment, unsure of what to do. *Uh…*You guys don’t ever eat at the dining table together. Does he expect you to leave? You suppose you could. You could take your food into your room for privacy, but then again it would just make the room smell like fried chicken…

“Are you not going to eat?” He asks, interrupting your thoughts. Your eyes widen at his bluntness, and you take your seat across from him. You don’t argue since you really were starving.

“I will,” You say and proceed. It was delicious, greasy, and filling—the perfect hangover cure. You guys eat in silence for a while. Luckily, you both distracted yourselves with your phones, so there was no space for small talk, thankfully. You wouldn’t be able to stand it. And he didn’t seem to want to talk to you anyways. What is there to even say honestly, you thought. This is how it should be.

You were in the middle of responding to Yeosang’s texts when you hear him place his phone back on the table.

“You’re welcome, by the way.” He says.

You look up, slightly confused. For letting you sit with him at lunch? For giving you your food? “For what?”

The corners of his lips tug up slightly, but then his expression returns to its neutral, indifferent state. “I think I went up to use the bathroom around two in the morning. Nearly had a heart attack seeing you on the floor. I didn’t know you went all out when you drink..”

Your eyes widen. Oh no…

“Wait, you…” Your words falter as your brain finally connects the dots. It was no wonder you were still in your same clothes and makeup. You usually had the strength to complete those tasks no matter how drunk you were—but I guess you hadn’t been that drunk. The memories of last night seem to gather once more, and you feel your face heat up.

“Yes,” Mingi says after swallowing a mouthful. He scans your face, and his eyes show a slight hint of amusement. “You wouldn’t budge, no matter how long or hard I shook you. I had to flush that disgusting toilet bowl, and carried you to your room.”

“Oh god,” You throw your face in your hands. “Oh my god. That is so embarrassing-”

“It’s fine, I know it was a Friday night just-” Mingi glances back down to his food. “Don’t do that next time.”

“That won’t happen again. I can usually handle myself. I don’t know- I guess last night was too much, I was-” You scramble to find the words, but decided not to put forth any excuses. You sigh heavily. “Thanks..”

Mingi simply nods and finishes up his food. After checking his phone one more time, he stands up.

“Well, now I think you owe me y/n,” He says and slides over his dirty dishes to you. “My dishes, for the next two weeks?”

“Huh?!” You scoff with your mouth half full of chicken. What the hell? You decided to challenge him with his own words. “What happened to keeping to ourselves and doing our own chores?” You did NOT want to involve yourself with another roommate related fiasco, yet here you were. It was as if these conflicts were inevitable, and you two kept clashing at the most random of times.

“Oh I know, but you didn’t. Drunk on the bathroom floor definitely crossed that line,” Mingi says matter-of-factly. It was true. You shivered at the reminder that he carried you into your room. What did he even think of you? You immediately pushed that thought away. **“But anyway… as roommates. I helped you, and now you have to help me. Right?”

Roommates.

“Fine, is that how it’s going to work now?” You sigh in defeat. “Two weeks, and that’s it.”

“Deal.” Mingi smiles a little, then leaves the kitchen.

What just happened?

~

next chapter >

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tags: @hwaskookies @chicksmoothie

[michaelsfavgirl]

‎‧₊˚✧[masterlist]✧˚₊‧

˖⁺‧₊˚ 🎞️✮Michael Jackson✮🎞️˚₊‧⁺˖

One-shots:

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ needy*

As the days pass, during a holiday stay at Hayvenhurst, your need for Michael grows more insistent, leading you to beg for his touch while everyone else is home.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ innocence*

Wanting the best for his angel, Michael takes you to your dream vacation place and makes your first time unforgettable, more special than you could have imagined.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ not like the movies

it's a cliché love story isn't it? The global superstar and a die hard fan who manages to catch her idol's attention during a concert. it's that simple, right?....right?

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ good luck charm*

Michael is a meticulous performer, driven by the pursuit of perfection in every show. Thus, he has crafted the perfect routine to reach his goals and you're an integral part of it.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ first kiss (captain eo)

You confess to EO that you've never kissed anyone before. Rather than judging, he guides you through your first kiss with care and tenderness.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ in the studio*

After weeks of no intimacy due to his demanding schedule you decide to pay Michael a visit at the studio in a short skirt. Oblivious to the effects it has on him you face the consequences.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ crestfallen

After Michael cheats on you with Diana Ross you cross paths again at the Grammy's.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ through the keyhole*

While Michael attends to his duties as a devoted husband (taking you to pound town), the maids arrive unnoticed. Drawn by the sinful sounds echoing from your bedroom, they find themselves unable to resist eavesdropping.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ fast learner*

(related to/continuation of innocence) After taking your virginity and focusing solely on your pleasure, Michael hasn't asked for anything in return, leaving you doubting your ability to please him due to your inexperience. Determined to return the favour you ask him to teach you how to give him a blowjob.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ freaky friday

One ordinary night, you and Michael unexpectedly switch bodies, forcing him to navigate life as you. With no choice, he has to go on set and do his best to act like you.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ heartstrings & rings

A thoughtless act on your part leads Michael to mistakenly believe you're planning to divorce him. Consumed by fear he spirals, thinking he's about to lose you.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ porn stash*

Alone at home, consumed by boredom, you stumble upon Michael's secret stash of tapes. Lost in curiosity, you're oblivious to his return until he catches you red-handed.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ tied & taken*

Michael finally indulges one of his most sinful fantasies: tying you to the bed like the perfect present you are and fucking you stupid over and over, until you're utterly spent.

Drabbles/Blurbs:

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ spit kink*

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ spoiled with pleasure*

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ panty stealer*

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ arranged marriage*

Headcanons:

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ he takes care of you when you’re sick

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ NSFW alphabet*

⋆⭒˚｡⋆ chubby chaser*

Last updated: January 22nd, 2025

© michaelsfavgirl 2025 | All rights reserved. Do not republish, steal, repost, modify, translate or claim any of my works as your own.

[angrywhispers7]

Horoscope for Monday, March 17, 2025

Aries (March 21-April 19) Both Mercury and Venus are retrograde in your sign, which will attract ex-partners and old romantic connections back into your world either in person, online or even in your dreams. This might be an excellent time for closure or cleaning up old business.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) The moon is opposite your sign. This occurs for 2 1/2 days every month and when it happens, it means you have to go more than halfway when dealing with others. In other words, be convivial and accommodating. Fortunately, this is basically your default mode.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) With both Mercury and Venus now retrograde, you’ll run into friends from the past as well as contacts from clubs, groups and associations. This can be pleasant. It will give you a chance to catch up and trade lies about the good old days.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) This is an interesting time for you because fiery Mars is in your sign, making you determined to achieve your goals. Meanwhile, Mercury and Venus are retrograde at the top of your chart attracting bosses, parents and authority figures from your past back into your world. Get ready!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Mercury and Venus are both retrograde giving you a chance to finish paperwork, finish manuscripts and novels as well as school writing projects. You might also finish details related to legal or medical matters. Retrograde planets can cause delays, but they can also help you finish old business.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This is the perfect day to wrap up old business with taxes, shared property, insurance issues and inheritances. Go with this energy right now because you will be surprised at how easy and fast this work will flow, especially if you’ve been putting it off for ages. “Done!”

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Your ambition is aroused today, which means you’re keen to be productive and get things done. Meanwhile, both Mercury and Venus are retrograde opposite your sign, which will attract old partners, both romantic and professional back into your world. (Perhaps even in your dreams.)

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today the moon is in your sign, which will give you a little bit of extra good luck. Admittedly, it will make you more emotional than usual. This is a playful week for you. Romantic opportunities, sports events, the arts and fun activities with kids will appeal. Enjoy!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This is an excellent day for research of any kind, especially into artistic matters or anything related to future vacations and exciting travel plans. Meanwhile, old flames are back on the scene in one way or another, perhaps even in your dreams?

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A conversation with a female colleague might be important today. Why not share your hopes and dreams for the future with this person to get their feedback? It might help you. Meanwhile, stock the fridge because relatives might be camped on your doorstep. (Maybe you can you put them to work.)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You’re high visibility today, which means people notice you more than usual. (Avoid a public, hissing argument in an elevator.) Allow extra time for everything, especially transportation, because public transit and car problems are classic right now. Double check everything you do.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This is a nice way to begin your week. You want a chance to do something different. Travel will appeal. If you can, do something to explore your own city. Meanwhile, Mercury retrograde will help you wrap up old business regarding earnings and cash flow.

[aylen-san]

Finrod Felagund: A Horoscope for Sauron, or How Not to Rule Arda This Millennium

Greetings, friends!

Frodo just handed me a horoscope he put together for Sauron with Gandalf’s help. Honestly, when you receive a note co-authored by a hobbit and a wizard, you should brace yourself for something... unexpected. But as an elf who once spent quite some time in Angband’s dungeons, I figured it couldn't get any worse.

So, let’s see what the stars have in store for the Great and Terrible Sauron.

GENERAL HOROSCOPE: WHEN IT’S TIME TO RETIRE BUT THERE’S NOWHERE TO GO

The year 2025 (or any other age) promises to be challenging. The stars advise Sauron to reconsider his life priorities—especially when it comes to total world domination.

Seriously, it might be time to drop the manipulation, dictatorship, and personality cult. Maybe try yoga? Or, say, open a bakery in Umbar?

But no, here we go again with another plan for world conquest, don’t we?

Advice:

If history has already thrown you out twice and left you as a flaming eyeball in the sky—maybe it’s time to accept the inevitable and take a vacation?

LOVE: YOUR PERFECT PARTNER IS… YOURSELF

Sauron is someone who prefers to work alone. He doesn’t believe in love, friendship, or other such "nonsense," thinking that the only worthy bond is one of slavery and fear.

And that’s just sad. Because above all, Sauron loves… Sauron.

– “What’s your ideal type?”

– “A supreme intellect, powerful, magnificent, great, invincible…”

– “Are you describing yourself?”

– “YES!”

As a result, every attempt at a relationship turns into a dictatorship.

Advice:

Maybe try respecting someone for a change? Even the Nazgûl have figured out your motives by now.

CAREER & FINANCES: BEWARE—ENEMIES EVERYWHERE

Sauron’s career has been steadily declining since the Battle of Dagorlad. First, he loses his army, then his finger, and then he’s reduced to a fiery eye, unable to even lift a sword.

But his ambitions remain! After all, if you’ve once been the boss, working as a lowly orc in a forge is not an option.

Unfortunately, the financial situation isn’t great either. Mordor’s economy operates on a "as long as we have gold for helmets and swords, we’re fine" basis, but with every war, the reserves shrink, and trade routes with Gondor remain nonexistent.

Advice:

Maybe invest in agriculture? Long-term strategy, you know.

HEALTH: EYE STRAIN ALERT

Problem #1: No physical body.

Problem #2: Sunlight intolerance.

Problem #3: Chronic stress.

Sauron may be immortal, but even he’s not made of steel (and if he is, he’s long since rusted). Constant stress and anxiety over spies, rebels, and the ever-looming threat of the Valar seriously impact his well-being.

Advice:

More fresh air, less yelling at subordinates. And stop putting everything on one finger, or you’ll lose another one.

FRIENDS & ALLIES: DON’T TRUST PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS WEAR HOODS

Sauron has long believed that friendship doesn’t exist—only loyalty based on fear.

But… maybe it’s time to rethink that?

Just look at his “friends”:

– Melkor: Used him, ditched him, disappeared.

– Nazgûl: Yes, they’re loyal—but only because they have to be.

– A massive army: At least half of them will run at the first sign of defeat.

Advice:

Maybe make a real friend? Just one. Someone who doesn’t swear allegiance in exchange for a magical artifact.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the stars suggest that Sauron should reconsider his life choices. This might be his last chance to stop being the ultimate villain and try something new.

Something...

– Peaceful.

– Quiet.

– Not involving mass warfare.

But knowing Sauron, he’ll ignore all warnings, try to take over the world again, and eventually end up as yet another cursed artifact.

With love, sarcasm, and eternal questions,

Finrod Felagund,

Former king, former builder, formerly alive.

[snowball-doie]

pls give us some 127 angst, i need to start my year off in misery

you ask and you shall recieve

being separated is a lot harder than jaehyun thought it would be. he knows that he made the right choice leaving for the military early in order to spend more time with his son later on, but now that he's away from the family, he can't sleep. every night, he tosses and turns, wishing that he was holding someone and that they could reassure him that he doing the right thing. he's keeping his eyes on the prize since he gets vacation leave soon after his graduation to visit home, and the first thing he's planning on doing is rushing to the house and scooping up his little reyna into his arms and keeping her there until she's asleep-- and even then he won't let go, not until he's being dragged back to the barracks.

on the flip side, you know who also can't sleep? johnny. it's been a rough year between waking up to rush reyna to the hospital and having two of the boys leave for the military. though they're buying time for doyoung to delay his enlistment, johnny is terrified of what life will be like when his partner in crime is gone too. who's going to help him around the house with chores? who's going to go on work vacations with him? who's going to reassure ahri that everything's okay-- johnny can't lie to her........ well, doyoung can't either, but that's besides the point. johnny misses taeyong and jaehyun so badly, he can't imagine what it's going to do to him when he has to say goodbye to doyoung too. isn't it his job to keep their family together? why is it that he has to watch all of the younger boys leave one by one while he stays at home playing house like the perfect suburban dad he was meant to be? why can't they all just stay with him? life's easier when they're there for him-- he can hold them in his arms, he can kiss them a million times to make them giggle, he can tease them at work, he can thank them for helping to keep ahri healthy and haechan and jungwoo in line. johnny doubts his abilities to do it all on his own. well, not ALL on his own, but.......... he'll be the real head of the house soon and that's heartbreaking to him.

haechan and mark don't know what 2025 is going to look like for them. 2024 was just terrible from start to finish because they had to leave a few days after reyna was put in the NICU... they missed both tae and jae's enlistments. haechan hurt his leg on tour. mark spent more time abroad than he did at home, he's pretty sure reyna doesn't even recognize him anymore......... they just want to be home. yes, they love work, and they love that they get to work together doing the thing they're passionate about-- and they both get solo albums to really make the year better, but.... they just want a month at the very least where they can be at home with the boys, ahri, and reyna and do absolutely fuck-all. haechan wants to sleep in while wrapped in someone's arms, and he wants to wake up just in time for a homemade lunch that johnny makes for him. mark wants to spend every second of every day with his little reyna. he wants to watch her grow. he's thinking about using a doorway to mark her growth spurts, and the only way he can do that is if he's home consistently. he wants to fall asleep in yuta's room after they had a go at it for a couple of hours and yuta's doing all the aftercare for him. but despite what they WANT, mark and haechan know that none of that is likely going to be their reality, no matter how hard they wish for it..........

when jaehyun finally gets that visit, taeyong plans it so that he takes time off too. jaehyun's greeted at the front door by reyna who jumps into his arms and starts crying because she missed him so much. when taeyong walks in right behind jae, haechan falls apart, tears welling in his eyes as he falls into taeyong's arms, relieved to see him again, even if it's only for a little bit. that night, reyna and ahri fall asleep in bed with jaehyun who stays up to watch them as they sleep soundly and snore quietly... he brushes ahri's hair out of her face and smiles at her. pregnancy suits her. she's beautiful-- well, she's always beautiful, but he's a sucker for her pregnancy glow. meanwhile, haechan is fast asleep in taeyong's room, unaware of the fact that taeyong is carefully sliding out of bed, praying not to wake up their maknae as he trades places with mark so haechan at least wakes up being held by someone. "it's time," taeyong whispers to jaehyun when he finds him with the girls. jaehyun sighs. he takes in one last look at his favorite girls, and he leans down to kiss ahri's stomach before he rolls out of bed and follows taeyong to the living room. "when'll you be back?" johnny asks, trying to keep his cool but he's secretly praying they give him good news. "don't know," they reply at the same time. johnny's heart drops. "they miss you," he tells them in reference to everyone in the house. "i miss you......" suddenly, taeyong, despite being shorter than johnny, wraps his arms around johnny's neck and squeezes him. "you're doing a good job, hyung," taeyong reassures johnny. johnny squeezes taeyong back and sighs. taeyong smells different. he doesn't smell like the cologne he always used to wear. he doesn't smell like his bedroom. he doesn't smell like yuta's room after spending a night fucking. johnny squeezed even harder in the hopes to make the moment last, but jaehyun reminds taeyong that they need to head out, and like that... johnny's alone again.

[polizwrites]

PoliZ's WIP Update - 27 Jan 2025

Things are getting stressful at work, so very few spoons for any writing, plus the Muse has gone wandering.   I touched 2 fics (1 new and 1 WIPs) for a total of 609  words. Sigh. 

On Ao3, I posted: 

 Having the Last Word - Tony & Obadiah (kinda) confrontation.

On Tumblr I posted: 

 Close Encounters of the Blue-Eyed Kind -  College AU Stony meet-cute/meet-ugly 

I’m juggling 12-ish  active/semi-active WIPs with my current  deadlines being  the Bucky Barnes and Tony Stark bingos.  

See  below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me   prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding  any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

WinterIron Gets It Done Bingo [WIGID] 

This new WinterIron Discord server event runs on a monthly basis as a flash bingo with a content creation card and an engagement card - got a Blackout for October & November but missed out on December.   Thankfully, January is an Amnesty/Catching Up month, so I finished my last December creation fill and am working on the engagement fills.  Will be making a masterpost here shortly.  

Marvelous Yahtzee [MY_24] (Ends 31 Dec)

Another writing challenge that I kind of forgot I signed up for!  This one is a bit complicated - check out the Tumblr blog for more info.  Ended up with seven fills posted of the 12 combos on the card – stay tuned for my masterpost.  I do have ideas for a couple more and may end up writing them at some point.  

* Full House: Family, Adventure, Road Trip, Mix-Up, Surprise – Tony, Pepper and Harley, Peter and Morgan  rent what turns out to be a duplex vacation home -  Steve, Bucky and Sam have the other half. 

* Large Straight: One Night Stand, Condoms, Kink Discovery, Middle of Night, Sub space – Bucky and Tony hookup - Tony tells Bucky not to bother with condoms,  he insists and Tony gets all subby;  Bucky discovers he likes domming,  and Tony goes into subspace.  

Bucky Barnes Bingo - Round Six [BBB - R6]  (Ends 31 Mar)

This amazing bingo event from the folks over at @buckybarnesbingo is still in progress.  I have twenty-four  fills  and six bingoes with one WIP at the moment, and a couple  more crossovers planned to hopefully get a blackout.  

* U3 - Yelena Belova  - Magica and I are circling back around to Peresmešnik, (aka Three Avengers and a Baby) - with the next chapter featuring Tony’s interactions with Mirriam, and a revelation about her parentage. I’ve written 313 of the 560 words in this chapter so far - it needs about 500 more words before we’ll be ready to post - maybe sometime  next  month?   

* Adoptable Nov - Canon: Animated Series - I picked this up intending to do something with the What If … Captain Carter were the First Avenger? episode from Season One,  but  Season 3’s  What If… The Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?  is the perfect fanfic fodder.  I plan on keeping my fic platonic between Alexie and the Soldier, but there will be some shenanigans -  I’ve got 366 words towards the fic after re-watching the episode, but am debating how far I want to take the story.  

Beginnings  Bingo  [BB_24]   (Ends 30 Apr 2025)

This new all-fandoms bingo event (courtesy of  @sweetspicybingo) celebrates beginnings  - signups run thru 20 Feb so join in the fun!  

* A2 - first impression - Combined this with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF289 Blinding Gaze] for  Close Encounters of the Blue-Eyed Kind - a Stony College AU meet cute/meet ugly with Tony literally running into Steve. It came in as a double drabble (200 words) and will get posted to Ao3 before the event ends. .   

Tony Stark Bingo - Mark VIII [TSB_R8]  (Ends 31 May)

This amazing bingo event from the folks over at @tonystarkbingo is still open for pre-made card signups, I believe. I have  twenty-five squares filled,  and one WIP  at the moment.

* S1 - Bodyguard - filled this with A Dark and Stormy Knight - a vaguely medieval AU WinterIron AU double drabble which crossed over with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF276 Dark and Stormy Night]. It came in at 200 words and will get posted on Ao3 at some point.  

* Oct Adoptable: Facial Hair Bros - Filled this with  New Kid in Town- a double drabble that crossed over with the Flash Fic Friday prompt  [#FFF287 I Can’t Stand It]. Tony is complaining to Pepper about that so-called wizard stealing his look - she thinks Tony doth protest too much.  It came in at 200 words and will get posted to Ao3 before this event ends. 

* A1 - Evil Exes -  back to poking at a couple of different ideas  - notes jotted down, but no actual story yet.  

* Jan Adoptable - Writing Format; First Person Narration  - Snatched this up during the TSB Discord server party  as it fits the fic I’ve been working on  better at this point.  Originally inspired by Ed Brubaker’s  Reckless graphic novel, this is a No Powers AU where Tony and  Bucky reunite after a tragic event tears them apart.  Running in the Shadows is drafted at 1014 words and after a bit of polishing, will post in Friday 

Post July Break Bingo 2024  [pJBB_24] (Ends 30 Jun 2025)

I requested two 2x3 cards for this  Discord-server only event from @julybreakbingo  – so if you want to join in the fun, let me know and I’ll try to get you an invite!  I have four  fics posted & 0 WIPs - need to figure out some more crossovers.

Fandom Free Bingo: Gingerbread Edition  [FFB]   (Ends Nov 30 2025)

The @fandom-free-bingo blog offers up themed cards on a monthly basis - I requested a 3x3 card (with 3 alternates) in December and have two fills already. 

* A3 - Road Trip - Used this prompt towards Chapter Five of  Half of the Flesh and Blood That Makes Me Whole - where Bucky returns from a self-assigned mission and gets to know Tony a little better.   It came in at 1560 words.    

Year of the OTP [YOTP_25]   (Ends Dec 31 2025)

Decided to jump in on this challenge where you create (at least) twelve works for a specific pairing by using the monthly prompts provided. 

* January - Sharing Clothes -  filling this with a new chapter of  Carrying Things Forward  - a followup to my omegaverse fic A Little Bit Carried Away where  Alpha!Bucky has moved in with omega!Tony and they’re figuring out their relationship.   It came in at 1342 words.  Chapter Three is in progress at 561 words.  

* January - Stockholm Syndrome -  used this prompt in combination with last week’s Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF288 Loud Lie, Quiet Truth]  for Redirected Aim .  The Soldier’s mission had been to retrieve the serum Howard Stark had reformulated, leaving no witnesses.  He chose a different target.  It’s a WinterIron fic that came in at 687 words and will get posted to Ao3 before the event ends. 

Warm and Fluffy   Bingo  [WFB]   (no end date)

Nine fills on my card, courtesy of   @warmandfluffybingocards  - need to try for another crossover or two!

* B2 - Sharing Clothes - see YOTP Sharing Clothes above.  

* G1 - Kiss on the Forehead - Filled this with A Damper on Dinner - a domestic Stony ficlet where a power outage threatens their romantic dinner.  It came in at 151 words and will get posted to Ao3 at some point.   

————

On  other creative fronts:  I’m working on a Sheriff Rogers figure for my Marvel Trumps Hate 2024 auction fills -  Steven Grant is next up! 

If  you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check  out Stuffed With Character    over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!).   These soft stuffed figures are  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design   requests  for any fandom!  I’m currently booked through the next couple of months, but should have commissions opening up this spring.  

[satoshi-mochida]

On Your Tail delayed to December 16 for PC, February 2025 for Switch - Gematsu

Publisher Humble Games and developer Memorable Games have delayed story-driven life simulation game On Your Tail from its previously planned November 21 release date to December 16 for PC (Steam) and February 2025 for Switch.

“We’re sorry for the very short notice but we want On Your Tail to be the best experience possible for the players, so we have made the difficult decision to slightly delay the game in order to make your trip to Borgo Marina even more unforgettable,” Memorable Games said in a message.

“We can assure you this was not an easy decision to make and that’s why we’ve been silent on the release date lately.”

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

Embark on an intriguing getaway you’ll never forget in On Your Tail, a sleuthy story-driven life sim of relaxation, investigation, and knowing how to play your cards right. Set in the charming seaside village of Borgo Marina, On Your Tail follows the adventures of intrepid Diana in her pursuit of the perfect summer vacation. For a curious spirit like her, that means three things: explore her new surroundings as she gets to know the eccentric inhabitants, unwind with some of the area’s iconic recreational activities, and get to the bottom of some of Borgo Marina’s most puzzling local mysteries.

Key Features

Visit a Secluded Village – Explore a beautiful Italian town by the sea, lovingly built from the ground up by the Italy-based development team at Memorable Games, and shape aspiring detective Diana’s summer in a third-person 3D narrative adventure.

Uncover Layers of Mystery – Discover secrets big and small hiding behind Borgo Marina’s idyllic exterior. Search the village’s streets and shops for leads, and collect clues on characters, locations, and events to help unmask the thief who’s menacing the once-peaceful town.

Draw Your Conclusions – Use a mix of investigation, interrogation, and deduction to unravel the truth through strategically engaging card-game inspired gameplay.

Enjoy the Ultimate Escape – Cook delicious local cuisine, or try your hand at fishing (and make extra pocket money in the process). Hit the beach, play games at the arcade, or enjoy a night simply gazing at the stars. Borgo Marina is a leisurely sandbox, and how you spend your summer is up to you.

[kevinsreviewcatalogue]

Review: Companion (2025)

Companion (2025)

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, and language throughout

<Originally posted at https://kevinsreviewcatalogue.blogspot.com/2025/02/review-companion-2025.html>

Score: 5 out of 5

Okay, when did January horror movies suddenly stop consistently being total dogshit? I mean, don't get me wrong, we can still get a good "fuck you, it's January" movie like last year's Night Swim, but increasingly, it seems like January's becoming a go-to month for wild, wacky horror films that didn't fit in elsewhere in the year but certainly weren't forgettable enough to debut on streaming. (And I think I might have just answered my own question: streaming scooped up all the crap that normally goes to theaters in the dump months.) Two years ago, we got M3GAN, one of the biggest horror movies of this decade so far and a film whose sequel is getting released this summer with all the hype that goes with that, and this year, while the latest Wolf Man movie was by all accounts a disappointment (I have yet to see it), it wasn't outright terrible either.

And now, we have Companion, the first 2025 film I've seen and one that will likely make my personal year-end best list. It's a film I've seen compared to The Stepford Wives given the broad strokes of its premise and its feminist themes, but in practice, it's a film that takes that famous premise and flips it on its head. Our protagonist Iris is a young woman who, unbeknownst to her, is actually a robot created to serve as the perfect lover for her boyfriend Josh. She learns this when the two of them are on vacation with some friends at a remote mansion owned by a sleazy Russian businessman named Sergey, where Josh uses her in a plot to kill Sergey and steal his money, hacking into her systems in order to increase her aggression and then putting her into a situation where he knew the lecherous Sergey would sexually assault her and she'd have to fight back. None of this is really a spoiler given how it all takes place in the first act or so and was given away by the trailers, but what the trailers didn't spoil was that, instead of the killer sexbot horror movie they sold this as, this is a darkly comedic romantic crime thriller in which Iris is the protagonist, fighting to survive as Josh's plan to kill and rob Sergey and use her as the fall guy quickly falls to pieces and he and his friends have to take her out. What it comes closest to is a sci-fi version of Revenge, one with less rape, more robots, and a deeper streak of black comedy but a very similar feminist subtext behind its mayhem (and just as many Russian douchebags) -- and a similarly high standard of quality, this being a film that marks writer/director Drew Hancock (a TV writer making his directorial debut) as a filmmaker whose work I am now very interested in going forward. (Apparently, he's lined up to do a remake of The Faculty, a sentence that makes me feel old typing it, but after seeing this, I fully trust him to pull it off.) This movie is stylish, funny, intense, well-written, boasting a star-making lead performance, and most importantly, just really damn fun, and a film I'd immediately recommend to anybody interested in any of those descriptors.

The film plays coy as to what it's actually about for much of the first act, giving us a few hints that Iris is a robot beneath her manic pixie dream girl skin but generally creating a feel that something is wrong, even if we're not sure what. It's a very humorous film, too, both before and after the big robot reveal, the trailers having leaned heavily into a "subverted romantic comedy" tone (complete with a "from the studio that brought you The Notebook") that reflects the film itself quite well. The writing and the cast had a lot of fun sending up hackneyed rom-com tropes, from the "meet cute" to to the classic line "it's not you, it's me," all while Josh and his friends feel less like horror movie protagonists than characters who've wandered in from a Coen Brothers caper about stupid crooks in over their head watching their hare-brained scheme to rob Sergey fall apart as Iris proves annoyingly unwilling to cooperate. Jack Quaid as Josh makes for a great doofus, the kind of sad-sack loser who would buy a sexbot in the first place and isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, constantly fucking up and revealing exactly what kind of asshole he is beneath his "nice guy" exterior. The supporting cast, too, is filled with plenty of great performances, most notably Lukas Gage as Patrick, the boyfriend of Josh's friend Eli who gets a lot to do over the course of the film, starting as a seemingly shallow hunk but soon revealing that he's a lot smarter than he presents himself as before turning into something else entirely.

The real MVP here, though, is the film's leading lady Sophie Thatcher. I've been a fan of Thatcher ever since I started watching Yellowjackets, and here, she plays a character a world apart from the sexy, punkish Natalie Scatorccio. If Josh and his friends feel like they stepped out of a crime caper, then Iris feels like she was built to be the heroine of a romantic comedy (literally so, given... y'know), dropped into a tense survival thriller but still not feeling like a traditional horror heroine no matter how much dirt, blood, and grime she gets covered in. Thatcher made that cute little robot feel human, spending as much of the film grappling with the fact that she's not actually human as she does staying one step ahead and trying to outsmart Josh, on a wild journey through the woods that Drew Hancock shoots the hell out of. There are some vicious moments in this film, but much of it is a tense cat-and-mouse game between Josh and his friends on one hand and Iris on the other, with twists and turns unfurling for everybody involved as each side seeks the upper hand. It did a great job of putting viewers right into Iris' shoes and making them feel as alone as she is, outnumbered with nobody to turn to and forced to rely on her wits to get the edge over her assailants. The subtext beneath that plot isn't beat-you-over-the-head obvious, but it isn't subtle, either, the film taking a very dim view of domestic abusers, misogynists, modern "manosphere" types, and the kind of guys who would see sexbots as good replacements for girlfriends while suggesting at the end that Iris' payback is just the start of something bigger. There's a reason I brought up Revenge earlier, and that's because I can imagine there being a similarly cathartic feeling here for anybody who's ever had a lout of a lover.

The Bottom Line

The marketing may have given away one of this movie's big twists, but there's plenty more that it didn't, so I'm just gonna stop here and tell you to go see what's probably gonna wind up as one of my favorite films of this year.

[serinxo]

𓇼 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: SERIN KAPLAN 𓇼

serin doesn’t really believe in the whole "new year, new me" sentiment. to her, change comes through calculated effort, not arbitrary dates on a calendar. but this year, there’s something about the crispness of january air in palmview and the quiet moments between chaos that’s making her pause. maybe 2025 isn’t about reinvention but refinement. she’s already serin kaplan, the opulent. now, she’s figuring out how to wield that power even better.

THREE GOALS FOR 2025:

expand her professional empire. serin doesn’t just want to create; she wants to dominate. this year, she plans to design her first solo couture collection under the palmview fashion house label and ensure it’s unforgettable. a vogue feature by year’s end wouldn’t hurt either.

reinforce her independence. her life is hers to dictate. this year, serin plans to deepen the distance between herself and her family, especially her parents. no more meddling or guilt trips. she’s worked too hard to be tethered to their expectations.

love on her own terms. serin isn’t looking for romance. it’s messy and far too complicated. but if she does indulge (and let’s face it, she probably will), it’s going to be on her terms. she wants passion without chaos. intensity without losing herself. maybe leon crosses her mind too often for her own liking.

IDEAL AESTHETIC FOR 2025:

chic, sleek, and intimidatingly luxurious. think monochrome palettes with statement pieces that turn heads — polished gold details, silk scarves, structured blazers, and heels that scream don’t waste my time. everything about her is curated to perfection — just like her life.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HER FEELINGS ABOUT 2025:

ambitious. unrelenting. guarded.

VACATION PLANS FOR 2025:

serin doesn’t "plan” vacations; she lets them happen when she decides she deserves a break. maybe a spontaneous trip to paris during fashion week or a long weekend in the maldives to escape the palmview drama. she’s thinking about milan too — purely for inspiration, of course.

DOES SERIN BELIEVE IN NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?

“do i believe in them? no. do i see their utility for some people? sure.” resolutions aren’t serin’s style. she’s already setting goals for herself every day. if something needs fixing, she fixes it. if she wants something, she gets it. she doesn’t wait for january 1st to make it happen. but the quiet reflection of the new year has given her a chance to recalibrate — and she’s fine with that.

WHAT DOES SHE WANT TO LEAVE IN 2024?

the lingering traces of guilt that her family can manipulate her with. she wants to leave behind any hesitation in pursuing what she wants — what she deserves. most of all, serin wants to let go of any lingering doubt about her place in palmview. she belongs here, and this year, she’s going to prove it.

[iraimmigration77]

Europe Tourist Visa Guide 2025: Explore the Continent with IRA Immigration

Are you dreaming of strolling through the romantic streets of Paris, witnessing the Northern Lights in Norway, or savoring authentic pasta in Italy? With a Europe Tourist Visa, your dream vacation is closer than you think. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, a family holiday, or a romantic getaway, understanding the visa process is essential to making your European journey smooth.

At IRA Immigration, we simplify the complex visa process and help you step confidently into the heart of Europe. With our expert assistance, you can navigate the Europe Tourist Visa application process effortlessly and begin your adventure stress-free.

What is a Europe Tourist Visa?

The Europe Tourist Visa, commonly referred to as the Schengen Visa, allows you to travel across 27 European countries in the Schengen Area for tourism purposes. With one visa, you can explore popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, and many more—without the need to apply for separate visas for each country.

This visa typically allows short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and it’s ideal for sightseeing, cultural exploration, or visiting friends and family.

Why Choose IRA Immigration for Your Europe Tourist Visa?

When it comes to international travel, working with reliable experts can make all the difference. As one of the best immigration consultants for Europe, IRA Immigration offers personalized guidance and end-to-end support.

Here’s what makes us stand out:

In-depth expertise in Schengen visa policies

Updated knowledge of country-specific documentation

Proven success in handling complex tourist visa cases

Transparent consultation and documentation processes

Our team of Europe tourist visa consultants is committed to ensuring that your visa application is accurate, complete, and submitted on time—improving your chances of approval significantly.

Europe Tourist Visa Application Process: Step-by-Step

Understanding the Europe Tourist Visa application process is key to planning your trip. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Determine the Main Destination Country

If you plan to visit multiple countries, you must apply for the visa through the embassy of the country you’ll spend the most time in.

2. Schedule an Appointment

Book an appointment at the visa application center or consulate of the main destination country.

3. Gather Required Documents

The documentation may vary slightly depending on the country, but generally includes:

Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)

Completed visa application form

Passport-size photographs

Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or invitation letter)

Travel itinerary

Travel insurance (minimum coverage of €30,000)

Financial proof (bank statements, ITR, salary slips)

Cover letter explaining your travel plan

4. Attend the Visa Interview

Visit the embassy or VFS center with your documents. Some countries may require biometric data as part of the application.

5. Visa Processing and Approval

The processing time can take between 7–21 working days. Once approved, you’ll receive a sticker visa on your passport.

At IRA Immigration, we support you throughout each of these steps. From preparing the perfect cover letter to reviewing your documents meticulously, our tourist visa consultants in Delhi ensure that you present the strongest possible application.

Why Tourists Prefer the Schengen Visa?

The Europe Tourist Visa is incredibly popular due to its flexibility and access. Here's why so many travelers apply for it:

Access to 27 Countries with a single visa

Simplified travel experience (no internal borders within the Schengen zone)

Opportunity to explore diverse cultures, cuisines, and architecture

Affordable multi-country travel options by rail or low-cost airlines

How IRA Immigration Adds Value to Your Travel Plans

Choosing the right immigration consultant is crucial to ensuring a smooth visa journey. At IRA Immigration, we’re proud to be among the most trusted Europe immigration consultants in India.

Here’s how we help:

1. Customized Visa Strategy

We tailor your visa strategy based on your travel goals, financial documents, and timeline.

2. End-to-End Documentation Support

Our experts assist you in gathering and organizing every required document.

3. Mock Interviews & Application Review

We conduct mock interviews (if needed) and thoroughly check your application before submission.

4. Real-Time Updates & Guidance

Our team stays connected throughout the visa process, offering timely updates and professional advice.

If you’re searching for reliable Europe tourist visa consultants or tourist visa consultants in Delhi, IRA Immigration should be your first choice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Visa Application

Even minor errors can lead to delays or rejections. Here are some mistakes our consultants help you avoid:

Incomplete or incorrect application form

Submitting fake or unclear documents

Not explaining travel intent clearly in the cover letter

Booking non-refundable tickets before visa approval

Choosing the wrong Schengen country for application

With IRA Immigration’s guidance, you’ll avoid these pitfalls and put forth a strong, credible visa application.

Europe Awaits – Make the Smart Move with IRA Immigration

Europe offers some of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world. Whether you’re drawn by the art of Florence, the canals of Amsterdam, or the beaches of the Mediterranean, your dream journey begins with a successful Europe Tourist Visa.

Don’t let paperwork and embassy formalities delay your travel plans. Let the best immigration consultants for Europe—IRA Immigration—make the process stress-free and streamlined. With our team of seasoned Europe immigration consultants, you're not just applying for a visa; you're unlocking the gateway to Europe.

Contact the Best Tourist Visa Consultants in Delhi

Ready to apply for your Europe Tourist Visa? IRA Immigration offers expert consultation, fast-tracked processing, and high success rates. Visit our Delhi office or get in touch online to begin your visa journey today.

IRA Immigration – Your Trusted Partner for Seamless Europe Travel

Let Europe charm you with its history, culture, and beauty. Start your journey the right way—with a tourist visa processed by professionals who care about your travel dreams.

[sabeelashabir]

AI Trip Planners: The Smartest Way to Travel in 2025

In the age of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) is streamlining every aspect of our lives—including how we explore the world. Traditional travel planning, once a time-consuming and often stressful process, has been revolutionized by the emergence of AI trip planner. These smart systems analyze your travel needs, preferences, and constraints to create personalized itineraries in seconds.

Let’s take a closer look at what AI trip planners are, how they work, and why they’re becoming the go-to travel assistant for modern travelers.

What Is an AI Trip Planner?

An AI trip planner is a software application powered by artificial intelligence that helps users plan entire trips—flights, stays, sightseeing, dining, and transportation—based on their preferences. It uses machine learning algorithms, natural language processing (NLP), and access to huge travel data sets to automate itinerary creation and booking assistance.

Unlike generic travel apps, AI trip planners think and act like a virtual travel agent, capable of understanding your travel goals and creating a smart, optimized itinerary tailored just for you.

Why Travelers Are Switching to AI Trip Planners

1. Speed and Efficiency

Planning a multi-city or multi-country trip can take hours or days using traditional methods. With AI, the entire process—from choosing destinations to finalizing bookings—can be done in minutes.

2. Hyper-Personalization

AI planners don’t just recommend popular destinations—they tailor recommendations based on your interests, past travel history, budget, travel style, and even preferred pace of travel (relaxed vs. fast-paced).

3. Real-Time Updates

AI tools offer real-time notifications about flight delays, weather disruptions, route changes, or even better hotel deals that match your preferences.

4. Budget Optimization

AI can find the most cost-effective options, whether it’s suggesting a cheaper day to fly, booking hotels during off-peak times, or combining modes of transport for better value.

5. Discovery of Hidden Gems

By analyzing trends from blogs, reviews, and social media, AI trip planners can recommend local experiences and off-the-beaten-path attractions you might never find on your own.

How AI Trip Planners Work

User Input: You enter your trip details—dates, destinations, interests, group size, budget, etc.

Data Aggregation: The AI pulls data from flight search engines, hotel databases, maps, weather tools, and review sites.

Algorithmic Matching: Using machine learning models, the AI matches your profile with the most relevant travel options.

Output: You get a day-wise itinerary with booking links, local tips, estimated travel times, and personalized recommendations.

Use Cases: Who Benefits Most from AI Trip Planners?

🧳 Solo Travelers

They save time, reduce decision fatigue, and gain safety tips personalized for solo adventurers.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Vacations

AI helps balance diverse preferences—activities for kids, relaxation for parents, and cost-effective options.

🌍 Backpackers and Budget Travelers

Maximize savings with low-cost accommodation and transport combinations that only smart algorithms can find.

🏝️ Luxury Travelers

AI ensures curated experiences, seamless bookings, and last-minute upgrades tailored to their premium preferences.

Limitations of AI Trip Planners

Despite their many strengths, AI trip planners aren’t perfect. Here are a few limitations to consider:

Lack of human judgment: AI can’t always predict emotional or cultural nuances like a seasoned travel expert.

Dependence on data quality: Poorly updated travel databases may lead to outdated recommendations.

Limited local context: AI might miss the essence of local customs, language barriers, or political climates unless integrated with strong, real-time data feeds.

However, as technology improves, many of these limitations are being addressed through better algorithms and real-time feedback loops.

What’s Next for AI in Travel?

The next generation of AI trip planners will go far beyond basic itinerary generation. Expect to see:

Voice-enabled travel assistants integrated with smartwatches and earbuds.

Virtual travel previews using AR/VR to explore destinations before you go.

Sustainability-first AI travel planning, where the algorithm factors in carbon footprint and eco-friendly options.

AI concierge services that assist you during the trip—rescheduling a tour, ordering room service, or navigating an emergency.

Final Thoughts

AI trip planners are not just a trend—they are the future of travel. With the ability to simplify planning, personalize recommendations, and enhance the overall travel experience, they are becoming indispensable tools for both casual vacationers and seasoned globetrotters. While they may not replace the human touch in every situation, they certainly make travel smarter, faster, and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-continent expedition, trying an AI trip planner might be the smartest travel decision you make this year.

[marebear-and-her-digidiary]

April 2025 Goals Update

Goals 2025

Regularly upload dance covers, aim for a few a month- 17 so far!

Jan

Mite Mite Koichichi, 45 fun no Koibito, Music Music, Toluthin Antenna, te-yu-te, Miracle Encore, First Kiss, The Snow White Princess Is~

Feb

Sweet Magic, Kero 9 Destiny, Cirno’s Perfect Math Class, Mischievous Function, Sweet Devil, Discommunication Alien, Alien Alien

March- Ambiguity Avoidance

April- Colourful World

Cosplay Beargguy, no need to complete- Pepakura pattern is no longer available ;-; on hold until I figure out a solution, either waiting or attempting on my own! Likely not this year but I am looking to still do one cosplay this year.

Sew a new pin up dress for spring 2025, carry on from last year, patchwork project- Sewing machine is a bit wonky still so I have done much more on it but it's going!- I’ve dropped the patchwork project and I’m repurposing yellow curtains to make a pin up dress LOL I am hoping to finish it before our 10 year anniversary next week, just need to pick up a couple spools of thread and a matching zipper!

Find a consistent workout routine, go on walks- I gotta get out more! I wanna find a workout buddy! Pilates, dance, hiking, and walks!

Read 3 books- Around a third of my first book!

Paint something- Not really, just started a project and didn't like it so far so I'll revisit!

Build 3 model kits- ✅ 7, Green Haropla, Devil Gundam clear, Gunpla-kun, Hello Kitty RX-78-2, Charizard and Dragonite, MG Char's Zaku II vers 2.0

Get my G2- not yet!

Embroider or cross stitch something-Got a frame but no project in mind lol, I'll be working on something!

Frame 1978 kitchen embroidery-✅ DONE! I got a basic white frame and it's so cute!

Highlights:

I celebrated 10 years of dating and 4 years of marriage with my husband! So amazing to close out the first decade of our lives together. I'm just more and more in love with him every day. Hubby took the week off of work. We had a little stay at home vacation and it was just exactly what we needed. We back on the healthy lifestyle now tho LOL

We did some household restructuring that has truly helped immensely! I feel so much more free and comfortable. Here's to the next couple years getting us through to the rest of our lives!

I started getting back into my grind for planning dances. I got so inspired to dance that I pumped out 20 dance covers in the past few months and I'm glad I took my time to slow down and appreciate quality over quantity! I'm probably only going to do a few dance covers a month moving forward but I'm just feeling so excited to dance and enjoy this hobby while I'm still young! I filmed one dance cover in April!

I'm learning how to crochet! I picked up some of the Red Heart granny square yarn and I'm going to make a simple cardigan! I'm so excited! It's been really hard and I've frogged my first square plenty but I'm glad to be challenging myself to learn a new skill!

Welcoming our rabbit into our home has resulted in lots of downsizing and also just optimizing our space! Waiting to get a new couch for the living room eventually, gotta get a junk removal service for these hunks of garbo. Ugh, so not worth it to buy new couches for us, we'll likely go for a nice vintage couch next time!

Rewatched Wizards of Waverly Place, it was really a beautiful experience to reconnect with one of the Disney shows that really shaped so many of my tastes. I had two WOWP backpacks growing up, even in grade 6 LOL

Watched last season of You, so good! So much to comment on with this show but I really enjoyed the writing and conclusion of the series!

Started stacking the cube shelves in the hallway and they're literally my dream for this space eeeeee, it'll be so cute when we add more!!!

Replaced the living curtains to some burgundy blackout curtains with some cream lace sheers!

April was a lovely month. I can't wait for life to bring more good memories and warm feelings. 🧸🧡