#(fun fact that day at the restaurant we were like 8 people out of which i was the only non-asian one lmao)

[daydreamsandafternoonteafics]

Let's Pretend It's Love- Chapter 7

banner by ren

“Bugger.” I cursed running a hand through my hair that was beginning to need a trim as I rummaged through my very empty and very disorganized pantry.

Ollie purred loudly as he rubbed against my bare feet. He was telling me he was hungry and I’d just opened the pantry to discover that I was all out of his dry food. It was Friday night there was a hungry cat nipping at my toes and I really didn’t feel like running to a Tesco.

I shrugged grabbing a box of Lucky Charms I was certain weren’t stale and dumping the rest of the box’s contents in Ollie’s favorite green bowl. Sometimes when I ran out of food for Ollie I substituted with cereal. If a hardcore animal activist found out about this they’d probably rip my head off but I’d done it several times before. It’s cheaper than cat food and Ollie loved the marshmallow bits.

I know, I’m a horrible cat mum.

I was in a pleasant mood tonight considering that tomorrow was Saturday and I had a much-needed day off from work. The last few days at work had been rough. Most people (namely my mum) did not take my job seriously but in total honestly, retail is hell.

People were stupid, rude, and just about any other word you could think of and I had to deal with loads of them. The more I worked at Jess’ shop the more I began to hate people and the more I began considering moving far away into the Swiss Alps without telling anyone.

I’d planned to spend a quite weekend to myself away from everyone I knew. I might just lock myself into my room all weekend or maybe I might actually do something for a change like bake something or go window shopping. The possibilities were endless.

Once I saw that Ollie seemed content with his Lucky Charms, I trudged over to my small sofa and plopped down grabbing my laptop that was on the coffee table. Time to find another Netflix series I can binge-watch while I think about what takeaway would tickle my fancy.

After some time of skimming over my show choices (which were very limited since I’d already watched a vast majority of them), I decided that I’d die for Indian food tonight.

Curry was a weakness of mine. I was such a regular customer at the small restaurant a few blocks away from my flat that I had their number programmed into my phone. As I grabbed my mobile from in between the couch cushions I noticed a few missed text messages all from Penny.

Oh boy, this better be good.

Hey Pres! Whatcha doing tonight?

I groaned. Don’t tell me she’s got some wedding plans to share with me. If so, the hell starts now. It took me a few minuets but I eventually replied.

Nothing. Why?

Within a little less than a minuet Penny replied.

Liam and I thought it would be fun if you lot came over tonight. We’re having game night. It’s going to be pretty wicked!

Confusion kept me from rolling my eyes. Who’s the you all? Last time I checked I was a party of one. I walk alone

Who’s you lot?

Once again Penny wasted no time in replying. I was honestly beginning to worry about her. She obviously must stare at her phone all day.

You and Harry, silly! Did you guys break up or something?

Shit! I forgot all about Harry. I hadn’t even talked to him since our night at the pub. That was a stupid slip up. I have to get used to the fact that Harry’s apart of my life for the time being. Otherwise this whole scheme will blow up in my face.

No. You failed to specify. What time?

I nervously chewed my lip hoping Penny didn’t catch me in my lie.

How’s 8:30 sound, yeah?

I looked at the clock. It was 7:15. I had a little over an hour to locate Harry and make myself presentable. Damn you Penny.

I’ll see what we can do.

I practically flew off the couch in a panic. Why does Penny always come up with these spontaneous plans and why does Harry have to come along? Why can’t she and Liam just have their stupid game night by themselves?

I quickly scrolled through my contacts and found Harry’s name. Any other time I would have texted him but not tonight. I didn’t have time to wait for him to reply. I needed to get a hold of him right this minute.

I tucked my lip between my teeth and tried to stay as calm as possible while listening to that bloody awful dial tone. I’d never hated it this much until now.

“Hello?”

I could have jumped in excitement after hearing that familiar drawl. His voice sounded a little raspier than usual. He almost sounded out of breath.

“Where are you?” I blurted over the receiver. There was a slight static on the other line.

“Lovely to hear from you too, Presley. I’m takin a jog. Why?” Harry retorted.

I sighed.

“My sister is having game night at her and Liam’s flat. She invited us and I don’t think she’ll take no for an answer.” I replied as I headed to my bedroom in search of something to wear.

Great. Harry went for a jog. That just eats up more time.

“You wanna meet me somewhere?” He questioned before clearing his throat.

I sighed.

“No. I’ll text you my address and you can pick me up. Just be here before 8:15.” I instructed.

“Alright, love. See ya.“

"Yeah bye."With one click the conversation was over and I resumed my task of getting dressed. I’m such a massive mess.

At 8:15 on the dot there was a loud knock on my door. Oh God. Harry’s one of those punctual people. It was a good thing I was actually dressed and ready to go. If Harry didn’t have to pick me up would have stuck to my fashionably late rule.

I sauntered over to the door not bothering to look in the peephole before opening the door. Just as I expected there stood Harry with his worn lucky boots.

To my surprise, he’d ditched the flamboyant patterns for a black tee and jeans. The same black hat from the first night we’d gotten together over drinks sat on top of his wild curls.

I don’t know why Harry didn’t dress like this on a regular basis. A simplistic sense of style boosted his attractiveness factor by about ten percent.

"Hi.” I greeted dryly tossing my handbag over my shoulder. A slow smile crept over Harry’s face as his green eyes scanned the length of me. I didn’t know how to feel under his gaze.

“Hi. That’s a lovely color on you. You should wear it more often.” He declared gesturing to my maroon colored playsuit.

“Uh, thanks. Black’s a nice color on you.” I complimented awkwardly.

Harry grinned, a dimple denting his left cheek.

"Black’s your favorite color. I remembered.” He replied proudly.

He wore black because it was my favorite color? Strange but I guess that’s what fake boyfriends do.

Even though Harry and I had gotten to know each other more over drinks at the pub there was still that awkward silence between us as I gathered my keys and locked up my flat.

I guess we were a little better after that night but we still had a long way to go.

“So, ready to crush Penny and Liam tonight? I’m quite competitive when it comes to games.” Harry announced as we approached the lift.

I smiled for the first time tonight since being forced into Penny, Liam, and Harry’s company.

“You’re competitive, Styles?” I questioned raising an eyebrow whilst pressing the elevator’s down button.

He shrugged.

“I can get kinda nasty sometimes.” The words causally slipped out of his mouth and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I don’t believe you. I reckon there’s not a mean bone in your body."

Harry smirked.

“You’ll see.” He replied.

The elevator chimed and I grinned.

Tonight might actually be fun after all.

*****

It was 8:39 by the time Harry and I arrived at Penny and Liam’s flat. London traffic along with Harry being very adamant about slowing down on yellow contributed to our tardiness. Penny didn’t seem to mind though, she seemed extra excited to see us when she appeared at her front door in a purple dress that almost looked fit for a cocktail party instead of an indoor game night.

“It’s so great to see you again, Harry!” Penny announced happily as she led Harry and me into the lounge of her flat.

It had been a while since Penny and Liam had invited me over, so long that I hardly remembered what the place looked like. The walls were a nice cream color and the living room had a lot of earthy tones. All the furniture was modern.

I could imagine Penny and Liam being one of those couples who changed their throw pillows ever so often and rearranged the furniture every month. Mr.&Mrs. Feng Shui.

“Likewise. Lovely place you have here.” Harry replied politely making himself comfortable on the sofa.

I sat next to him snuggling up to his torso. He smiled whilst draping a long arm around his shoulders.

The magic starts here.

We were sitting dangerously close to one another our thighs were touching and I could smell Harry’s aftershave and for the first time since knowing him I realized he was in great shape. His abs felt like a rock next to my frail body.

Penny smiled at us and she took a seat in one of the chairs facing the sofa.

“Thank you. You two are so cute! Liam should be out of the kitchen with the food. He made most of it himself. If you like it don’t tell him it’s good, please.” Penny begged.

Almost as if on cue Liam emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of various foods with a huge, goofy grin on his face.

“You made it! Great you see you again, mate.” He greeted Harry placing a large bowl of what looked like guacamole on the coffee table in front of us.

“Same here.” Harry replied with a smile.

I cleared my throat very loudly and very dramatically.

“Aren’t you forgetting someone, Leeyum?” I asked coyly.

He smirked.

“I can’t lie and say I’m happy to see you, Presley. I reckon I like your boyfriend more.” Liam replied.

I gasped

“You meet him one time and love him and you’ve know me for how long? After all I’ve done for you and this is how you repay me? I’m the reason you have a future wife.” I replied pretending to be offended.

Liam chuckled sitting in the chair adjacent to Penny.

“Just kidding, you know I love ya. Especially for leading me to my future wife.” He replied sweetly.

I smiled.

I was so thankful that there was no bad blood between Liam and me. It was almost as if we’d never dated.

“So, what games have you guys got for us tonight?” Harry questioned helping himself to a handful of the fruit on the table.

I rolled my eyes.

“You have to excuse him. he’s a wee bit competitive when it comes to this type of stuff. Still trying to redeem himself from all those primary school losses.” I spoke gently patting Harry’s knee.

Penny grinned.

“Li and I love a good competition. We were going to play Scrabble but since Harry wants competition we can play charades!”

I cringed. I always hated charades.

In addition to that, I was a total hermit. I never played games in group settings.

“Ooo, keen idea. I’ll go get the board.” Liam announced hoping from his seat. He came back in what literally felt like seconds with a large easel with a large notebook of paper. Harry smirked at me before popping a piece of cantaloupe in his mouth.

“They’re so not ready for this, babe.” He mumbled.

Yeah? Neither am I.

“Okay let’s split into two teams. We should come up with team names!” Penny suggested giddily.

Liam’s brown eyes lit up.

“We should call ourselves the Payne Train!” Liam suggested.

Penny gasped.

“It’s genius. I love it, honey!”

I gazed over at Harry who sent me a wide smirk. His green eyes seemed to dance with amusement making it obvious he was thinking the same thing I was thinking.

We both burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Penny asked.

I chortled.

“Your team name. It sounds so overtly sexual. Is that your nickname for Liam’s willy?” I questioned tears forming in the corner of my eyes.

I nudged Harry who was laughing harder this time. Penny and Liam turned a shade of red I didn’t know existed.

Penny rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. What would you call yourselves then?” She questioned folding her arms across her chest.

“Our team name is We’re The Bestest cuz we’re gonna run your little Payne Train off the tracks.” Harry, who’d recovered from his laughing fit replied darkly.

I liked his attitude even though I knew I would screw it up.

Liam scoffed.

“Talk is cheap, mate. Let’s get on with it.”

Let’s just say I would have rather preferred it if Harry hadn’t talked so much dirt.

Charades was a lost hope. Liam and Penny were practically murdering Harry and me at the game. Neither one of our drawing skills was that good but I was horrid about guessing Harry’s hints. He’d made a bloody idiot of himself as he frustratedly stomped around practically begging me through body language to guess correctly.

Liam and Penny seemed to guess each other’s hints correctly every time. They were more mentally in sync than Penny and I were and we were twins.

It was creepy actually.

“No fooking way!” Harry exclaimed while Penny and Liam did this weird victory dance in celebration of scoring another point.

Even though Harry and I were losing miserably, I was having a great time.

His competitive side was quite entertaining.

“Alright, We’re The Bestest (yeah right) you have one last shot to score one point. Either way, Payne Train still wins!” Liam declared in his best impersonation of a TV show host. I rolled my eyes.

“You can hang that up, mate. We forfit.” I replied.

Harry’s green eyes grew wide.

“What?!? We’re not going down without a fight, Presley.” He replied firmly.

Gosh. It’s not even that serious.

“Whatever Harry. It’s your turn to draw, let’s get on with it.” I replied dryly.

Harry hopped up from the couch, cracking his knuckles before approaching the board. He snatched the marker from Liam’s hand and held up two fingers.

“That’s easy, two words.” I replied.

He nodded his head vigorously before moving his wrist in a sort of twisting motion. I’d seen Penny and Liam do this before when it was their turn. I trapped my lip between my teeth.

“Movie?” I questioned. Harry grinned and I assumed I was correct.

He then drew what appeared to be a slope or something, perhaps a hill? The next thing Harry drew was a stick figure who appeared to be sleeping.

“Ugh, this is so easy!” Penny scoffed.

I narrowed my eyes at her.

“This is my guess, thank you!” I retorted. I knew she was only trying to distract me. Hill. Sleep.

“Sleepy village? Oh, I know! Sleepy Hollow!” I guessed. Harry furrowed his brows and shook his head while Liam chuckled.

He then furiously drew a heart and two stick figures. It has to be a romantic movie then. About hills and sleep? I suck at this. This is exactly why Harry and I have like zero points.

“You have five minuets left, Presley.” Liam taunted.

“Leave me alone, Li”

I bet he was distracting me on purpose.The living room was silent and it was almost as if everyone was watching me. Penny and Liam were just waiting on me to loose and Harry was nearly begging me to get it right. So much pressure. Okay, I can do this. Think hard. A romantic movie about sleep and hills. I know I’ve seen this before. I think I was forced to watch it with Penny. Julia Roberts was in it I think. I can take a stab at this.

“Is it Notting Hill?”

Harry grinned widely displaying his dimples. “YES! FINALLY! YES!” He shouted literally snatching his hat off his head and throwing it on the ground.

“Yes!! We got a poooint!” I shouted hopping up from my seat. Even though I didn’t care about winning, Harry and I had been the underdogs all night while Penny and Liam rubbed it in our faces.

I was pretty damn excited about that one point. Harry came over and without any warning picked me up.

Bridal style.

I was startled but too surprised and excited to react.

“You did such a good job!” Harry exclaimed whilst spinning me around. I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck to keep myself from falling out of his strong arms.

“That was too easy!” Penny protested.

“It doesn’t matter. She got it right, didn’t she?” He challenged.

I shot Penny a victorious smirk.

“My boyfriend and I are amazing. You’ve gotta give us or credit for that.” I declared.

"Well, either way Payne Train still wins! We’re unstoppable!” Liam exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes.

“Help me with the dishes, love?” Penny asked Liam once the excitement died down.

Of course Liam didn’t even hesitate to agree. I swear that woman’s working some kind of black magic on him.

Penny and Liam had long gone in the kitchen and Harry was still standing there holding me in his arms. For as long as we’d been standing it that position I was afraid his knees would give out and we’d both topple to the floor. I’m not the lightest girl in the world.

“Y-you can put me down now, Harry.” I declared shyly.

Harry’s handsome face flushed red.

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

He gently placed me back on the ground and I straightened my outfit before looking up to meet Harry’s cheeky grin.

“You and me; we make a great team. Don’t cha think?” He questioned. A slow smile spread over my face.

“Yeah. I reckon so.”

[goldammerchen]

@polpruweek Day 6: Fake Dating & Nostalgia loosely interpreted (+ Day 7 Late nights at home)

Weekend

Some new semi routine, and nosy people. >2k words / AO3

201X, Warsaw.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Hit me.”

“Do you go to Sunday service in Berlin, or you only go here?” Feliks asked to Gilbert, both walking away from the Holy Trinity Church to Feliks’ car. Picking Gilbert from said Church some Sundays’ evenings was starting to become routine.

“Almost never, and… Yes.” Gilbert smirked. “Didn’t think that before.”

Feliks rolled his eyes. He would ask more questions, but preferred to talk about different topics. If Gil only going to Church in his house and reverting to the average non religious Berliner at his home had a meaning, he didn’t want to think about it, at least not for now.

(Though, the other time it was fun seeing the Archbishop happy after a liturgy, having a supposedly young men in the service, and watch his face when he realized who Gilbert was: “Ah, it’s you, Mister… East Ge—Prussia.” “Bishop… I’m afraid you have mixed two things, but yes.”)

“Well, you went to Mass in the morning, I’m just back from the Holy Eucharist… Let’s go drinking!”

Feliks snorted. “No! We said we were going to eat pizza!”

“Boooo—Not to the pizza, boo to the lack of alcohol.”

“We can drink at my house.”

“Deal.”

*****

In a local restaurant, the two alone were eating a familiar size of a Margherita pizza (one that both liked without arguments). Feliks and Gilbert discussed while eating about the last few games they have played. By accident, both became followed Steam game reviewers, in their respective languages—besides the occasional reviews translated to English.

Were they paid for this? No, it’s just that both liked having the opinions heard. People didn’t know who they actually were, so it was a nice balance of people liking their opinions without getting, too personal. Both hoped it stayed that way, gamers communities often left a lot to be desired, extra attention would make things worse. But it wasn’t all bad, online they could just be just online users, common people.

“That was a disappointing game,” said Gilbert, “8/10 it’s too much!”

“Well, I just don’t think the same. Maybe you don’t know how to enjoy anything.” Feliks wanted to lightly hit his forehead with his palm, but resisted, instead taking a sip from his tea (“just drink something cold, like me!” “Don’t want to!”).

“Me, not knowing how to enjoy things? I live life to the fullest!”

Yeah, sure.

“In fact—!”

“Uh, excuse me…” A short young waitress—thankfully—interrupted Gilbert. She was carrying with her a fresh glass of sparkling water for the loud customer. “Here’s you water, sir.”

He picked the glass. “Thank you…” He turned to Feliks. “What I was saying…?”

Feliks gestured with his eyes to Gilbert, to make him look at the waitress again: she hadn’t move, standing there with the mouth slightly ajar. Crap.

“Can I help you?” asked Gil.

“Are you guys dating…?” she replied, almost murmuring.

“What?!” exclaimed Gilbert, startling the poor (albeit nosy) girl. “We are not!”

“I mean, like, kinda,” added Feliks, joking out of nervousness, while running his left on his hair: “but we are not together of course, he just comes here often.”

When Feliks looked up, both Gilbert and the waitress were staring at him with the mouths in agape. Gilbert in particular was furrowing his eyebrows.

The waitress bolted away from their table. “I’m so sorry!”

“What?” said Feliks, trying to not stammer. “I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“Then don’t say ‘kinda’!” he said through clenched teeth, gesticulating his mouth with exaggeration. Gilbert placed his elbows on the table, intertwining his hands’ fingers in front of his nose, which didn’t entirely hide his flushed face. He looked to the streets through the window.

Feliks, also blushing, lifted one of his pizza pieces, Gilbert having already finished his half. He put the pizza down again, not hungry anymore.

“Sorry, that was stupid.”

“Idiotic you mean,” snapped Gilbert, without changing his position.

“Come on, you don’t have to be an asshole.” One of Feliks’ lower eyelids twitched. He would have replied more beligerent if they weren't in public.

“If you want me to stop coming here just said it, and I’ll leave you alone.”

“I was just joking before! Stop jumping to conclusions.”

Gilbert shifted in his chair, now crossing his arms. Feliks would make fun of Gil sulking, if wasn’t that it would make things what he was trying to fix worse.

“Giiiil,” continued Feliks, “I like playing when you come here to play video games with. And you help me with my PC even if I can change parts myself.”

A quick smile flashed on Gilbert’s face, then scoffed. “Sure.”

“I’m serious!” Feliks was terrified of the possibility of ruining his computer with his own hands, if Gilbert could do the maintenance, he wasn’t going to say no. “What I don’t ask you do to it’s cleaning my actual house, and you it anyway! And I don’t know why you go to church in my house but not back in Germany, but I don’t mind, as long as you don’t try to proselyte. I do talk to talk about religion a bit…”

Feliks inhaled, recovering his breath after talking long with little no pauses. In front of him, Gilbert played with his glass of water, still frowning.

Say something.

“Of the other ones that play video games,” resumed Feliks, seeing Gilbert wasn’t going to talk yet, “Alfred is more friends with Tolys than me, and Matthew and Kiku are Alfred’s friends, not mine—and I’m not playing with Ivan, not unless everybody including Alfred is playing together, and I rather not even in that case, unless it’s a game where I can kick Ivan’s ass.”

That last comment seemingly amused Gilbert, who grinned briefly. He finally bothered to reply: “what about Tino?”

“Plays more with Edward and the Nordics.”

“Just ask Tino, he will tell you yes.”

“Yeah, probably—”

“He would,” interrupted Gilbert.

“Not my point.”

Gilbert raised an eyebrow.

“Tolys doesn’t care about my online interests. He tries, but I know he only uses the computer for work and chatting. Meanwhile, we kinda, no, practically we share the same interests, and I don’t have to chat in English with you, you talk to me in my language.”

“<As if you would speak German with me>,” Gilbert teased.

“Oh no… though I understand it.”

Gilbert chuckled, yet his face became serious again soon later. “So, you hang around me out of discard, and because I talk Polish, but mainly out of discard.”

“Oh come on! You say that because you think you’re the most important person on Earth.”

Gilbert grunted while he squinted. “Looks who’s talking.” He stood from his chair. “Sorry for having feelings I guess,” added, then shook his head. “Ah, I’m waiting in the car.”

He pulled out his wallet, throwing euros to the side of leftovers pizza.

“I told you I was going to use my debit card!” protested Feliks, being ignored by Gilbert who was leaving the place. “Since you never change your euros for złotych as you should!”

*****

After asking for a take away box and paying, Feliks found Gilbert leaned in his car, breathing in his hands. He rubbed his hands together as he watched Feliks walk to the car.

“Fool, you’re going to become sick,” chided Feliks, opening the passenger door for Gilbert to get in, as well tossing the small box with pizza leftovers to the back seats.

Gilbert got into the car. “I won’t.”

“That’s not how it works…”

They waited in silence with the car turn on, until the vehicle got a little warmer. Gilbert leaned on the car door.

“Your money…” tried Feliks.

“Keep it, just send a transfer of the spare money later,” Gilbert replied in a monotone voice.

“I was going to tell you how much it was.”

Gilbert shrugged. “I trust you.”

Feliks tapped with his fingers on the steering wheel. He hated when Gilbert became this contemplative, when some centuries ago he simply at some point would disclosed (with anger) whatever annoyed him. The second half of the XX century changed everybody, ones more than others. In the case of Gil, little to no power finally made him an approachable and less threatening person, but the GDR also made him more secretive and distrustful.

So Feliks needed to figure this out, without relying in Gilbert.

“I don’t only hang around you only because of… video games.” Feliks started to figure out he might have been the one of the two being insensitive this time. “Remember when…” You still had your own government—don’t say that. “When you started to come here since the 60s after annoying the SED? Our bosses mutually hated each other, so that pissed my bosses too…”

Gilbert looked at him, confounded. “So that got you in trouble and you’re angry with me now?”

“No! I’m talking that we began to mingle again! And to bicker and drink a lot.”

Gilbert smiled slightly. “There was a lot of reasons to bicker and drink.”

“Yeah… ” From the past and during that present. “Since then…” No, during the nineties both were occupied. “We also go to medieval fairs together, besides traveling around my house.” The woods, the lakes, the rivers, the castles, churches and more. “…What about the horses?!”

How he could forget about the horses. One of the small luxuries he wasn’t going to get rid of, that weren’t cats or dogs, still a lovely pet regardless.

“I know.” Gilbert chuckled.

“So don’t think I’m only your friend because games… Wait.” 'I know?’

“You would have more friends if you weren’t so shy, that’s your own damn fault.” He laughed a bit, before sighing.

Feliks rolled his eyes. “I don’t need a ton of friends, I have enough!” Though he had to admit that type of comments always hurt. Feliks glimpsed Gilbert, still looking defeated instead of being his usual self. “Then what’s bothering you?!” He prodded Gilbert.

He grunted, moving away from the touch. “Nothing! Nothing is bothering me.”

“Uh, liar?”

“I’m not a liar!” Gilbert crossed his arms again.

Feliks licked his lips, recalling what happened in the restaurant. “Sorry for the joke again.”

“Ugh.”

“Wanna know why I said that?” Feliks kept his eyes on the road, hoping that Gilbert staring out the side window won’t allow him to notice Feliks’ subtle blushing.

“No,” snapped back Gilbert.

“As I said before, you’re often with me. So, a tiny, tiny-tiny part of me thought we kind of have something already, or could have…” His heart pounded in his ears… Gilbert didn’t even bother to turn around. “This is dumb, forget it.”

Neither said anything after that for a while, until Gilbert sighed again. Feliks saw him opening his mouth, and the closing it again.

“Nothing to say? Alright, I don’t mind,” Feliks stammered, feeling unable to stay quiet, and stupid for the same reason.

“I think we should keep things as they are,” said Gilbert, again in the deflated tone of voice.

Feliks turned around, forcing himself to smile, in an attempt to make Gilbert happy—not because that hurt his feelings. “Yeah, yeah, we can continue like this forever. I wouldn’t mind, I, I really like this…”

“Ha!” Gilbert laughed out of nowhere, making Feliks flinch. “Forever?”

Oh.

“It’s the uncertainty that’s annoying.”

Bwaaaannnnnn.

Hitting the brake, the car skidded forward: Feliks didn’t see a red light, out of his impression of being reminded of the depressing reality. They almost hit a car in the street intersection.

Gilbert, pale like paper, grabbed Feliks by the jacket.

“That doesn’t mean you get to accelerate things!” Gilbert screamed into Feliks’ face: Yup, that was the old aggressive Gilbert there.

“Sorryyyyy!” Feliks scrunched his eyes closed.

Gilbert moved back to his seat, lifting his arms up, frowning. “Just try to not fucking get us both killed, that isn’t funny anymore.” He snorted. “I mean it is, but I can’t play like that anymore.”

“Shut up!” exclaimed Feliks.

At least Gilbert seemed in a quasi good mood again. That man still had a morbid sense of humor, and a taste for danger—that couldn’t satiate as before anymore.

Feliks turned on the radio, although neither played attention to the people talking in there.

Soon after Feliks parked the car in front of his house, Gilbert took right his hand, putting it between his own two hands. He said:

“Let's keep things as they are, they are perfect like this.”

For a moment, it looked like he was going to say more. Feliks supposed he was going to add something about not risking ruining the something they have. Instead, Gilbert squeezed Feliks’ hand and got out of the car, opening the back door to get the pizza leftovers.

Feliks stayed in the car, with the safety belt still on, and his mouth open. It didn’t matter what Gilbert said, what he did meant something different, contradictory. For a moment, he dreamed awake about the times of the Commonwealth, being in good terms for some centuries with their then fief. It wasn’t a peaceful time, yet the enemy order was no more (or not his issue anymore).

“Hey! I’m gonna kick your door if you don’t come here soon! I’m going to die of cold!”

“No! Don’t you dare to touch my door!”

…Nor you dare to die.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day 

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day falls on November 12 and is also known as National Pizza With Everything (Except Anchovies) Day. Pizza is the most eaten — and best liked — food item in the U.S. Each American eats about 46 pizza slices a year. Anchovy is a small fish that usually comes in a can. Pizza fans feel it does not go well with a classic, deliciously topped pizza, since its flavor tends to overpower the more delicate nuances of the ingredients used as toppings. Bring out the chef in you and top your personal pizza with your favorites, minus the anchovy, of course.

History of National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Although there is no factual origin of this cod-less Pizza day and people continue to wonder about its origin, it does not mean this day cannot still be celebrated. In fact, if we go into the details of pizza making its way to America, we can find that the first restaurant pizza was made in New York City’s Little Italy in 1905.

But where does the idea of putting fish (anchovies) on the pizza come from? Well, if we go back in time and see what the Ancient Romans did, we would see that they used to put fermented fish on their flat breads. The Greeks had a pie which they called a “pita”, which could have led to the word entering the Roman (later Italian) vocabulary. The recipe stayed around the early days of pizza, and mozzarella was used as the cheese of choice. As pizza became more popular, and people added their own preferences, different ingredients were experimented with, and this is where anchovies crept in as a topping.

Pizza has been described as the favorite meal of Americans, especially since World War II. Since then, there have been different recipes and varieties of pizza, with a wide array of toppings. There always has been a group of people who have ridiculed the beloved pizza with anchovies as topping choice – so much so that only 3 in every 1,000 people would admit to selecting anchovy as a topping of choice. So this day celebrates the mainstream taste regarding pizza.

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day  timeline

1905Little Italy’s Lombardi Pizzeria Napoletana

The first pizza establishment in the U.S. is opened in New York City by Gennaro Lombardi.

1940sAmerican Soldiers Bring Pizza Home

During the Second World War, those soldiers who fought at the Italian front regularly ate pizza and from there brought the original recipe back to the U.S.

1987World’s largest Pizza

On October 11, 1987, Lorenzo Amato and Louis Piancone make the largest pizza ever — 44,500 pounds — and spread over an area of 10,000 square feet.

2010National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Although there is no confirmed date as to when the nation started celebrating this beautiful day, as far as published records go, the first National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day was celebrated in 2010.

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day FAQs

What kind of pizza is made with anchovies?

This is basically a Napoletana-style pizza where a few high-quality anchovies are added to Margherita pizza.

How long does it take to bake anchovy pizza?

Bake the pizza for about 8 to 10 minutes first, and then add anchovies. Bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted, and the crust is golden brown.

Can you add pineapple slices to anchovy pizza?

For some people, anchovy and pineapple pizza is a heavenly creation because the sweet pineapple cuts through a salty anchovy. But others hate this flavor combination.

How to celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Make a Pizza

Donate those pizzas

Build your own pizza oven and teach others

Create and make pizzas, or have a pizza-making competition for family and friends to share the creativity of each. And turn a blind eye to the one who might slip in that topping-that-shall-not-be-mentioned. Create public awareness by sharing photos of the fun on social media.

Make your pizzas and share them with your local senior centre, group home or some NPO. You could involve friends and family, your colleagues, or members of the community and make this day delicious for people who would not normally get the chance to eat pizza.

Clay pizza ovens are all the rage in the natural building fraternity, so impress those around you and design and make your own. That way, you have a talking and social point, and learn a new skill. You could use it for years to come, making pizza in the authentic way.

5 Facts About Pizza (and Anchovies) Everyone Should Know

The origin of pizza

Pizza is a 37 billion dollar industry

Pizza was delivered in space

Some love anchovies on their pizza

Fisherman prefer fishing at night for anchovy

In the times of ancient Greeks and Egyptians, pizza was a flatbread seasoned with cheese, oil, and herbs.

There are over a million people working in the pizza industry in the U.S., which generates $37 billion every year.

In 2001, a six-inch pizza was delivered to the International Space Station, where Yuri Usachov was the recipient.

0.003% of Americans select anchovies as a topping of their choice on a pizza.

Anchovies shine in the water because of their silvery scales and are easier to catch at night.

Why Do We Celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?

It’s our favorite meal

The focus is on the ‘works’

It helps us appreciate those who love anchovies

Pizza is definitely America’s favorite meal — roughly 100 acres of pizza a day or about 350 slices per second, are consumed. So even a funny day that makes fun of a topping, in this case anchovies, is part of what we celebrate daily.

This day is about concentrating on the ‘works’ which point towards appreciating the toppings.  Instead of an average pizza, this day celebrates the effort of selecting gorgeous, mouth-watering toppings and really savoring them.

There are so few true blue anchovy lovers that it may be a good idea to get them to celebrate this day with you — without their fishy love. Then do a turn-around and let them make you a pizza with their favorite topping on it and give it a chance. You may love it and be hailed as a bridge builder across the topping divide in the pizza world.

Source

[kdndigital]

I was so busy and tired the last couple days of Gen Con that I didn't take many pics and didn't write much down. I played in about 8-9 hour of DnD each day and walked a ton, so no surprise that I wore myself out.

But I want to note some highlights so I don't forget about them:

--I played 6 games of dnd 5e, and all except one of them was super fun.

--Dungeons and Doggies was particularly adorable and hilarious. I was even almost moved to tears. Since there were some kids at the table, I let everyone else choose characters first until only 2 were left: a golden retriever wizard or a cattle dog ranger. There was only ever one option for me...

--I also loved playing Dungeons and Desserts with my friend, Chris. It's based on the book Legends and Lattes, which I have just started reading. During the game, I realized my character with a folk hero background would vehemently disagree with the rest of the party's decisions. My artificer would have to go a bit rogue in his attempts to do good. Not my usual style to split off and be secretive, but the GM and the rest of the players helped me roll with it. We ate cookies, successfully established a coffee shop, and turned a mob-like thieves guild into an HOA.

--I saw some cool cosplays, but not as many as previous years. Either there were less cosplayers, or I was so holed up in dnd games that I missed them. I particularly enjoyed the giant balloon gnomes, an excellent Lup with hand-sewn rib cage, Tim the Enchanter, and these two Final Fantasy XIV characters who were super nice people...

--I had a very good time just talking with people. One convinced me that next time I go to Gen Con I should go to one of the burlesque shows because apparently they are phenomenal. Another helped me pick out the perfect color dragon eye earrings and sold me her Urban Dragon book. Some shared their love of NADDPOD and we reminisced about the Band of Boobs and shared thoughts on the latest campaign. Some folks gave good game and podcast recommendations, and other folks shared cosplay tricks and details. A sweet bartender shared her story of sobriety and paid for my NA beer. And most others were just superbly cool.

--In fact, I better give a shout out to Mimic Dice. On Thursday night I was on my own at a busy Thai restaurant, waiting for my food order. I had sat at a high top with another girl waiting for her order, but she had left after her food arrived. I was planning to move out of the way as soon as a group needed my table or I would stay if some other lone person wanted to share. A group of tired folks with matching Tshirts came in, so I told them they should take my table. They insisted that I stay while a couple of them went to wait in line to order food. So I chatted with a woman named Andrea and she was very cool and nice. My food arrived and she insisted that I should stay and eat with them. So I did. I felt a little bad since their food didn't even arrive until I was finished, though I did share some spring rolls. They were fabulous company, with stories of fun and frustrations playing DnD. Of course I made sure to stop by their booth the next day, and I picked up some fabulous dice for me and kiddo. Thanks, Mimic Dice crew!

--Before we left, I hit the dealer's room one more time. I walked away with more tea and stickers, picked up a TS bracelet for kiddo, and bought 5 beautiful art prints for her and myself. I could say I bought too much, but we did skip 5 years of the con, so I had catching up to do, right?

Who knows what will happen next year, but I hope to go again soon :) Thanks, fabulous people at Gen Con!

(Don't ask how many selfies it took to get most of the words to show on the shirt without making myself looking awful and awkward. It was on the long car ride home after 4 days of the con...so this is the best ya get.)

[jacks-tracks]

The christmas party;

Dan puts on a Christmas party for his staff, and as an adopted member of the family I was invited. My courtesy and frequent licuados make me a friend.

20 staff and 5 gringos rode a chartered bus to Agua Blanca to a restaurant for food, fun, and games. Only one male(?) staff member, all else were the maids, cafe workers, and office women. Much excited chatter on the bus and a happy throng piled into the reserved long beachfront table. Agua blanca has been described in previous entries, suffice to say that these women were here to party, not swim. The manager, Yuri, had her brother passing out cold beer( he drank 8 in 2 hours!) and my those small women could gulp em down. While waiting for lunch Yuri led party games like egg and spoon races, relays involving swilling a beer in a tag race and a similar gulp fest using Jamaica drinks. Lots of squealing and encouragement, slopped drinks and general hilarity. The event that elicited the wildest approval was musical chairs with 8 chairs and Christmas carols for tunes. Some wild friendly pushing and shoving and Yuri won due to her massive bulk. Oddest of all was a contest with electrified sticks , the winner the person who could hold the sticks in her hands longest while the current was turned up. Plenty of shrieking, but harmless.

Lunch, prepared by the restaurant ,was to- order fish or shrimp, garlic or diablo. I chose the garlic, Maru said the diablo was muy pica! Big farm shrimp, rice, tostados, salad(sic) and juice. Like the beer these people know how to eat! Fast meal, more beer!

I went swimming in the rock pools which were relatively calm and the sea was very warm. Sort of a jaccuzi with foam and swirling sea water. Most Mexicans don't swim,and only 3 of the staff came in.

Really, this was a chance for these people to socialize rather than just work together.and the chatter was busy. Don Dan watched with his daughter, granddaughter, and ex wife(he has 4), and they enjoyed the fun too. There was a big pile of presents, drawn by lottery, and fine gifts they were: blenders, coffee pots, glasses, crock pots, all things that these women could use.They also exchanged gifts among themselves, likewise drawn from the hat.Jewelry, watches,clothing, all new ,all nice.

The beer was flowing, party got louder, and the music made many dance in the sand. All styles, all graceful, fun to see. I swam again and again to keep cool.It,s plenty hot despite the sea breeze and shade. Scheduled to close at 5 , the dancing was ongoing, and the social more voluable. Dan drove home at 5, we waited through a nice sunset and finally got half the crowd on the bus by 6:30, home by 7. The remaining ladies stayed much later, and came home loaded(sic) in the back of a stake side truck. Next day 3 called in sick, and everybody else was in slo-mo

That's my Christmas fun and nice to feel included. There are religious festivals and parades every other day. I went off on a bus towards the Agencia where there might have been a party, but the bus went way up oaxaca street and turned right into the residential area. i hopped off and went further uptown in time to see a Virgin of Guadalupe parade. Local folks,flower filled truck, brassband, and perhaps 50 marchers. Oddly costumed characters passed out balloons and people fired sky rockets all the time,Bango!. Got a combi towards home and passing the Agencia saw a lit stage but no crowds. the fiesta was school closing and probably occured while I was uptown. Incredible traffic and the combi filled to overflowing(19 people!). I was glad to get home safe and enjoyed the whole experience. Fact is, I,ve been feeling well and happy lately, all is well.

[lifekomorebi]

Bar hopping at 8...

How did you spend your weekends from the ages of 8-12? Playing on bikes with your friends? Cinema trips? Cosy evenings around the TV watching Noel's House Party? Not quite the same in the Galunacy household. For 5 days of the week, my brother and I were normal school kids, but as the school bell rang on Friday (no, we didn't turn into bananaman/woman/person). We would be picked up by mum in the latest nuts/wildly impractical motor dad had purchased - Cherokee Chief, Aston Martin, Cheeseburger Mini. All bags packed and off to Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London we schlepped for the weekend. (I write about the journeys in another blog post further down the page) This was where dad lived permanently, we could not live with him all the time as it was just too crazy. The commercial premises on Gray's Inn Road, opposite the soon to be ITN building at the beginning was where his electrical company was housed but later it evolved (naturally) into the first bar, music venue and restaurant. Never, really knowing what we would walk into, there was a fair amount of trepidation about what the weekend would hold. In the early days, it was pretty awesome. On the Friday evening, whilst my dad and mum would do work, my brother and I would fuck about with power tools in the basement. We would then go out for food on nearby Exmouth market, one of the biggest highlights - this was the late 80s so not much of that was around Steeple Bumpstead. Chinese and Indian, or across the road to dad's mad friends Italian restaurant. These were always fun nights, as we were either smashing poppadoms over our heads, asking for suicide sauce (my brother meant to say Soy Sauce, he was very little), or setting fire to those Amaretto Biscuit waxy wrappers to make wishes...dad would normally fall asleep in a bowl of whatever he was eating. Saturday mornings, would be where we had to keep quiet and amuse ourselves. So my brother and I would go back to the power tools, and sawing random bits of wood - how we managed to keep our limbs intact, I will never know. Mum and Dad would work, they ran the business together. If we were good - in the afternoon, there would be a fun trip out in London to one of the many attractions in the city. I have happy memories of Greenwich Observatory, Tower of London and various museums.

The Sunday's were where it all started to unravel, and to this day I am so thankful for pubs closing at 3pm! Remember that?! We would normally go to one of the famous pubs to watch lunchtime blues. Now these places were popular, so they were normally heaving, sweaty, loud and definitely no other kids there. We had to sit in the corner with a bottle of coca cola and some crisps and witness the fun unfold. Everyone drank Newcastle Brown Ale, everyone smelt like Newcastle Brown Ale, you stuck to the chairs and floors because well...Newcastle Brown Ale. We saw some amazing acts, in some legendary pubs and now I absolutely love that sort of music so I am thankful for this music education. In fact this would probably be my favourite way to spend a sunday afternoon now sans Newcastle Brown Ale. But to the ears of an 8-12 year old - it felt it was endless. An endless afternoon of music, that all sounded the same, whilst watching your dad get pissed and chat to his mates. It would get more and more raucous, people would talk at me with hot aley breath. Dad would go a bit on the turn and we would have to be careful to keep the 'we are enjoying this' faces plastered on our face. The best bit was when Mick the Jug (a real character in that scene) would walk around the pub getting money for the band - that meant we were on to last three songs and then in car, drop drunk dad off and drive back to our home ready for school on Monday.

In the early days, it felt like a big adventure - our weekend school news stories rivalled the other kids and quite often we were told off for 'creative writing'. To which we protested it was all true! We had two lives and it was exciting - but then came the Fenders - the bar. How the bar came about is another story, and a real turning point for our family and how these weekends would pan out.

[susanhaley1111]

Wilkes-Barre to Max Meadows, VA 451 miles

Another beautiful morning. It was just below freezing for at least a few hours as a pond nearby skimmed over. We headed out at 8:30 which is way ahead of our usual 10 or 10:30 of years past. I pack a lunch so we only stop for fuel, dog walks, and potty breaks-hopefully all at once. A 400 mile + day is long. In fact we both prefer 300 to 350 miles which will be our next 2 travel days.One fuel stop at $3.99/gal which is great.

We have both stayed here. Close to the highway, but not too close,clean, and nice people ,and only $50 a night.

Dinner was amazing at this historic restaurant. After calling for a seating time, we arrived, parked t h e truck, got out, and suddenly had 2 big dogs running toward us. The drivers door was open, and the Rottie mix jumped in the front seat.!! The Husky mix wanted attention and jumped up to our noses for a kiss. The Rottie was not getting out of the truck.

Slowly the owner walked over a hill and tried calling them. Nope. They found some fun and were not leaving us. They tried to follow us to the restaurant and the owner had to grab the Rottie to go home. The Husky only went if we headed toward the owner a few paces. Other than the initial adrenaline rush, it was fun.

We were seated at 7:30 in a wonderful old room with squared off log walls. The menu was limited but fine. The guys had steaks, and Jobie and I had rolled stuffed pork loin with apple stuffing with a side of fried grits. It was wonderful. I don't like grits but the 2 x 2 inch piece was divine. The steaks were also good., I hear.

We have decided to stay here for another day. We gave cable, decent wifi and 2 big football games tomorrow. We are all happy to stay put.

[bubbleddisasters]

Just thought of another set.

——-

Yuu- Was the unofficial dorm therapist in my dorm in boarding school, and somehow ended up being the only girl in my grade at one point.

There was also a cat that followed me around everywhere and once sat outside the science classroom meowing at me.

Bonus 1: My friend once invited me all the way to her apartment in fucking Florida with her for a long weekend just because she felt like it.

Bonus 2: I twice befriended someone on vacation as a kid that didn’t speak any language I knew and I didn’t speak theirs. The first was a French boy who was also on vacation at the time (I was 5-6 I think?) , and the Second was an Costa Rican Girl who’s parents ran the restaurant of the place we were staying (I was 8 I think?)

I played Fire Boy and Water Girl with her, a game based on teamwork and communication, while not being able to communicate.

(General) Lilia: We had a chicken coup of chickens we hatched for a science class and made the coup for home ec, with there were 5 black feathered chickens and 4 with assorted shades of golden brown.

I was coming in to feed them for a friend and I found one of the black feathered ones (Karen, who was really annoying tbh, once attacked my ankle when I tried to fix the fence.) was literally beheaded on the ground outside of the coup. All the chickens still in the coup were fine.

But nope, not Karen, she was beheaded.

I was really tired so I just kinda looked down, decided it was too early to deal with a murder, walked around the body, filled the feeder, walked back to the stable, left a sticky note that just said : “Karen fucking died.” And went back to my dorm.

Bonus. 1: In trying to find a water source at like midnight so we could get water to filter, I sat on a dirt road and lead the other group to it by listening for its location and giving them the directions. It worked to my surprise and later on misery because they kept making me do that at other campsites as a last resort.

Also once someone accidentally held a knife to my throat by accident and I just stared blankly back at them. I literally can’t remember why the hell I did that but apparently it scared the shit out of the others.

Bonus 2: When me and the camping group got groundstruck by lightning in the middle of no where in the woods, me and the only other person still capable of movement had to find our way back on a big time limit bcs the youngest member in our group had gotten flung into the camp fire. The Guides ended up in some trees and another group member ended up in the wood pile.

We also once had to filter water that was so muddy it was near pitch ass black. I did not trust it but since that happened on my last day I just rationed the rest of my water.

Bonus 3: My older sister discovered I am apparently very strong (and can see that sadly I’m also short and smol) and proceeded to always make me carry her large and/or heavy items, especially through doors because i’m short and tiny enough that if its big, I don’t get stuck trying to get it through or need someone to hold it with me so its lower down.

She also makes me carry everything if I’m shopping with her, and I mean everything. I’ll end up holding 2 Watermelons, a bag of clothes and/or makeup, spices, a whole chicken, etc.

Once I genuinely forgot to take some of the purchases out of my bag, which at the time was the same I used for school, and ended up pulling out 4 full blocks of different kinds of cheese mild Honors English, said “Shit.” and just casually put them back.

Apparently one of my childhood friends actually witnessed this and until I introduced myself he just knew me as “Cheese Block Girl.”

Fun Fact: I fucking hate raw cheese, any kind. Just no wtf why are you eating wax textured Milk Mold.

Bonus 4: Scared the living shit out of this drunk bachelor party that happened to be doing an escape room with me and my mom-

(If you had two or less people, you were placed with a random group)

-By doing the entire thing by myself because I got tired of waiting, then at the end you were supposed to get this sword and stab it into a book, and for some reason they put a whole ass real metal sword in there, so these poor drunk men are standing around waiting for me to come out because my mom told them I finished it

Then boom, this tiny 11 year old comes out with a fucking metal sword and screams “ON GUARD!”

Bro they literally parted the way for me I felt so damn cool.

Bonus 5 : I went to a renaissance fair with a good friend and beat a ton of people in a (fake weapons) sword fight. I was also in heels and bitch even I don’t know how I didn’t trip.

Also I met a guy who had 12 replica Flintlocks and 2 Blunderbuss’s, he somehow attached all 12 flintlocks his vest and wore it.

Najima: My sister was having a party, and I made my Russian Roulette Cupcakes without telling her they were Russian Roulette Cupcakes (More or less they are party game I made, except I ironically rarely attend parties.)

Basically, lets say you have 12 cupcakes, 5 are filled with good stuff, like chocolate mousse, or marshmallow fluff. 5 are filled with bad stuff, which is usually just whatever edible sourcesI can find in the kitchen that should never be legally allowed in a cupcake , Like Sardines, Pico, Mayo, etc.

Then 2 are “Big Bangs” , one is several good fillings mixed together, and the other is an abomination to mankind.

My older sister kicked me out of the room I was in last minute to have this party, so it was my revenge by only telling one of them what the cupcakes actually were and getting him to agree not to snitch that some were bad but make sure nobody gets something their allergic to.

Giving those cupcakes to tipsy College students and watching them eat them was a comedy act in of itself.

Bonus : Unintentionally started a school wide manhunt after using a giant highlighter I found on a random desk and forgetting to return it, and apparently the teacher it belonged to, who I didn’t have, was pissssseed.

I don’t know what exactly happened, but one of my friends had him and a week after I took it by accident he said he was so tired of the teacher interrogating them about it that he was contemplating just buying him a new one. Other conversations I overheard had people sounding down right homicidal, like “When I catch the guy that stole that stupid fucking highlighter-“

I literally just sat there like, In the words of John Mulaney :”Did I do that?”

I never returned it out of fear, and since I wasn’t even in his class I wasn’t a suspect.

———

OK THATS PROBABLY IT FOREVER BUT WHO KNOWS.

BYE :3

Stupid Shit I’ve done/Gotten myself into by accident/been dragged into as Twisted Wonderland Characters:

—————-

Ace : Heard my sister screaming bloody murder downstairs and didn’t do shit because I assumed she was watching a horror movie. Turns out there was a fire in the oven.

Bonus: Sniped my friend in the eye from across the Cafeteria with a Ketchup Packet, Meant to hit his glasses, but he repositioned them at the last second.

Deuce: Answered Maine four times on a Historical Geography test and was wrong all four times.

Cater: Threw my phone out of the window in a panic after seeing one of my Idols followed me back.

Bonus : Accidentally convinced a transfer camper from Wales I was from London after I quoted something in the accent to myself in the showers and was too awkward to tell them I wasn’t when they struck up the conversation.

(I am from America, and the camp is in America.)

Trey: Accidentally created a puddle of Dark Red Icing and Stepped in it four times in a row while making a cake at 2 am.

Bonus : Befriended and helped out the owner of a French Bakery down the street when they started out, they ended up becoming really popular (rightfully so, her stuff is amazing) and now I either get free shit and/or Friends and Family Discounts.

Riddle : I have read the dictionary on multiple occasions out of sheer boredom.

Bonus: I once read the bible and marked down verses. Im not religious I just needed to win an argument.

Leona: Slept through an earthquake and 3 ambulances coming to my house bcs my sister was hurt.

Ruggie: Waited for families going inside to pass by and asked them to hold the door for me so I could sneak into a VIP rooms for free food. (Usually only at fancy hotels but luckily this strategy is flexible when your 5’2 with a baby face.)

Jack: Used to Smash open large rocks containing Crystals or Quartz at the beach as a kid, and now I have a large collection of them.

Bonus: I have extremely good hearing, to the point I hear into the negative decibels up to -15 - -20 (according to the audiologist this is rare but i literally don’t know shit about audio and decibels) so my old dormmates used to try and bribe me to tell them what I heard about certain things or themselves.

Bonus 2: Almost got shot by an illegal hunter while in the woods with my sister.

Floyd : Cracked my skull open at the pool, lost consciousness for a few seconds and woke up in the water calling for help, then got confused on why I was calling for help.

Bonus : A Sea lion once came up to me while I was scuba diving and did little circles, bumped its snout on my mask and just followed me the whole time in a very gleeful manner as a temporary homie.

Bonus 2: Apparently ate / took bites of my moms library books as a little kid (????) according to the librarian.

Jade: Taught myself to untie my hands with my hands behind my back, tie by hands behind my back with my hands behind my back, deciphered, translated and memorized a fictional hieroglyphic language, Read from Act 1 to Act 6 of Homestuck, and accidentally discovered how to disguise Chocolate Ice Cream as Pistachio; all within the span of 2 weeks. (I had covid and was A-Symptomatic)

Bonus : Lived in the Woods for 7 months (in total), had a large bag of mica and Almost Drowned in a tent when there was no moving water nor rain. (Basically, I was asleep, Woke up underwater, nearly went back to bed, then shot out of my tent screaming “My Tent Titanticed!” )

(It was like 3 am don’t judge me)

Azul: Somehow ended up with $2200 dollars in $100s in Monopoly at the end of the game. Also have been stuck between two identical twins while talking with both and boi that shits TRIPPY. (I also almost died with them later but it was fine)

Bonus: I lived on a middle of fuck knows where island during the spring and summer up until covid, yet I absolutely despise eating fish or Shellfish, and the smell often makes me nauseous.

(Bonus 2: I love shiny things, but very specifically fancy looking keys. I also had a weird obsession with signing a shiny contract after watching Ariel. Another tiny thing Is I own a Flotsam and Jetsam Scarf which I chuck around when Floyd or Jade pisses me off ingame.)

Kalim : Got distracted by a cool leaf while at a fancy resort in Xatapa, Mexico, and waddled off from my parents and explored around to try and find more, somehow managed to get extremely far and ended up lost in a whole different city for 6 hours while trying to find my way back.

Bonus 1: I had an obsession with Kiwis for awhile as a kid, and our neighbors house had a Pangium tree that reached over to our yard. (It was planted before either families moved in so we didn’t know) I thought it was some kind of strange Kiwi and ate one. I didn’t like it and was like “Oh maybe its not ripe” and waited 3-5 months then tried it again, same reaction, repeat process one more time.

I went to my parents out of curiosity and asked them what it was, and so after some process I am unaware of but I think my mom brought one of the fruits somewhere, we discovered what it was.

Pangium contains Fatal amounts of Cyanide if not properly prepared. I was fine but for the love of anything please don’t try eating it like little me did.

Bonus 2: I’ve Almost died more times than I can count on both hands and feet. Im not an heir or something fancy I just have wackass luck.

Jamil: Once had to talk my sister out of jumping off a tour boat because our cousin dared her to.

Bonus : Managed to make French Toast in the middle of the woods with Dehydrated Milk, Cinnamon, Three Eggs I stole, and a loaf of bread we got once a month. Also made 3 kinds marinated chicken in the middle of the woods.

(My Cooking Style is literally “just trust me bro.” I’m like Lilia except it actually works and is edible)

Epel : Whenever we went applepicking at my Grandfathers house, I’d climb into the trees and throw or pass the apples down. Sometimes I actually wish I could sit in trees more often shits comfy.

Bonus: My Mom was a Champion Horseback Rider as a kid, and sometimes took us to this Dude Ranch I shall not name for my own privacy, but I’d run around with this group of kids and this one herding dog like a damn movie protagonist, sometimes go riding horses, or the one time we stole a tractor and near crashed it (THE REGRETS I STILL HAVE-) etc.

The WHIPLASH from that to going back to a whitewashed Northeast suburban town is insane.

Rook: My Cousins and I, and sometimes the kids at the priorly mentioned ranch, would play the most intense games of manhunt (basically really intense hide n seek at night) ,

I mean wearing camo if you had it, alliances, little dollar store walkie-talkies, code words, binoculars, climbing in trees or hiding in bushes/tall grasses/Hay to “scout”.

I hid in a large pot/vase more than once and another time on a roof, and (ONLY ONCE, DO NOT DO THIS IM STUPID) under a car.

I still remain the top in last man standing points. Mostly bcs I’m stingy with rescues but shhh

Vil - Accidentally poured a lot of liquid eyeliner into my eye, was literally crying out Eyeliner for 30 minutes. Also taught myself to run and jump in heels as a kid because I thought it looked cool in movies.

Ortho : Unknowingly was Hacking my Elementary School Databank for several years,

I genuinely thought it was normal to go on the school website, press a few buttons and be able to find a friends address if I had a playdate and needed to tell my mom where the house was, a parents phone number if needed communication with my friends parents , and mostly ignored the other general info.

I didn’t even know I did this until my dad told me a few months ago that I almost got suspended for it but by the time they found out it was the end of my last year there. ;—;

Idia: Accidentally acquired both a Nahida and Eula in Genshin and was genuinely annoyed at the time, they are now my most powerful DPS’s…

Bonus : I own a shit ton of original Japanese first edition Pokemon Cards my cousin gave me, (they are probably worth more than me which is neat), and I have a giant pile of Pokemon plushies I have infact fallen asleep on or in on multiple occasions.

Bonus 2: I was playing Breath of the Wild, and my very first thing I did after getting off the plateau was beeline for the castle. I actually got all the way up and took out 2 blights but the Wind one kicked my ass.

Bonus 3: Got confessed to and asked out by a guy I did not like nor knew very well, and I panicked, said “Maybe, Sorry no.” And ran into a wall. Also have crawled through a chute to avoid an awkward situation as a kid (do not recommend its dusty and definitely not safe)

Bonus 4: Once didn’t sleep for 5 days.

Malleus : Accidentally attended a Private Party and a Private Funeral in the same week. I was not invited nor knew anyone present. Stayed there for most of it because I was too nervous to say I wasn’t supposed to be there. Whoop.

Bonus: Got nicknamed the “Trip Curse.” By my Old Dormmates because everytime I went on a trip with them everything seemed to go to shit or get hella chaotic.

Bonus 2: Another camping one: Once woke up at night with a shit ton of fireflies just chilling in my tent. It was serene but also I genuinely thought I was hallucinating for a few minutes.

Lilia: Literally will hang upside down anywhere I can, its so fun bro.

Bonus : I know an extremely large amount of useless historical information, and once genuinely realized I know more about poison than what flour and eggs are used for in baking.

Silver : Once befriended a wild horse ( Im like 90% sure he was a Chestnut).

I called him Clover the Dog like horse because he was honestly just a golden retriever in the body of a horse.

This is great and theres alot of sweet moments, but then theres the times you have a giant horse galloping full speed at you for attention or trying to nudge you affectionately and nearly pushing you into a creek in the process.

Sebek: Got groundstruck by lightning once. Also I am often told I have a loud voice.

Che’nya : a good friend of mine and I have an inside joke at school where if we see eachother through a window (my school has alot of indoor windows for some reason?), we’ll text the other “Behind you.” Or “To your left.”

——————-

Theres more things I can think of but I have run out of characters and this is getting too long, so ye!

[jikookuntold]

https://mobile.twitter.com/JungkookAsia__/status/1574228284371439617

Jimin and Jungkook going on dates separately for 96883782th time now. But as usual Jikookers will come with explanation: they don't need to be together 24*7, couple also needs alone time bla bla bla.

Yes loves every couple need their own time BUT what if that's only happening now ? Most of the time they are busy working, other times they are seen in restaurants and concerts alone or with other people. I wonder which healthy couple don't spend time at all with Significant others lol. Just accept they don't hangout any more other than during OT7 schedules which happens rarely anyways.

Anon, you not only can't understand the concept of "date" but also have no perception of "time". Do you think the members only exist when we see them, and time freezes for them when we are not getting any update from them? That's not how things work lol. You need to get out of this parasocial relationship with the members and stop projecting your anger from Jikook, on Jikookers. Going out alone or with friends once in a whole month doesn't mean that you have been separated from your partner. Eating dinner at a restaurant takes two or three hours at most, but a month is 720 hours long. You still have 717 hours left to spend in many different ways with things like working, sleeping, working out, attending concerts, gaming, having fun, and spending some quality time with your significant other which can be 100% private. Okay. Let's review JK's "dates" this year. In the nine months that have passed from the year 2022, JK has visited barbecue restaurants 7 or 8 times, this number might not be precise because I haven't counted. The first time was with Jimin on White Day (March), the second, again was with Jimin in Las Vegas (April), and one time he had a gathering with his 97liner friends in August (Jimin couldn't be there because he has born in the wrong year lol). On the rest of his dates (four or five times in combine), JK either was alone or with family members or non-celebrity friends. Fun fact: most of these "alone dates" (at least three times) happened during the two weeks that Jimin was in LA. Interesting, isn't it? Jimin also had three or four dinners alone or with friends in barbecue restaurants (I believe JK goes out more for barbecues because of his recently diagnosed food allergy and gluten-free diet). Another fun fact about these dates is that every single time both Jimin and JK left autographs for the restaurant, except that one time they were together on White Day. Now do the math. LV barbecue restaurant also didn't post any autographs but the staff couldn't shut up about Jikook dining there. lol Going out for food is no big deal, anyone, single or taken can do it alone or with friends or family members, and it doesn't determine the relationship status of the person. But going out on specific dates like Valentine's day, birthdays, and anniversaries is meaningful. We were just lucky for that leaked photo of Jikook and their friend on White Day, otherwise, how were we supposed to know about it? I remember how my Taekooker "friend" who lives in SK was crying that day because she knew it was a romantic holiday in that country, and Jikook being seen together was an end for her ship. Now you can go cry about it too, lol Nice try, Anon. I'm not going to promote your (or your besties) blog, and I'm not interested in your Anti-Jikook POV. You better stay in that echo chamber yourself and stay away from Jikook blogs. No one is interested in converting you. Have fun.

[woobly]

FLOWERS AND FILM . . . 박성화 !

PAIRING. florist! seonghwa x gn! tourist! reader GENRE. strangers to lovers, implied star-crossed lovers au, college au, fluff, poor attempt at angst WARNINGS. cursing, partial nudity for a split second WORD COUNT. 7.7k

𓂋˚˖ SYNOPSIS. after going through several breakups, you've finally learned that constantly looking for someone to be in a relationship with only ends in heartache. but when you find love again in someplace unexpected, does it also lead you to the same unhappy ending?

𓂋˚˖ A/N. happy valentine’s day! i didn’t actually plan this specifically for today, but here it is anyway :D also im not sure if the pacing is too fast so lmk if it is i guess. and quick fun fact! while writing, i kept seeing concert vids of seonghwa dancing dlbw, his happy song while on tour, so i just had to include :3

𓂋˚˖ EVENT. for @ficscafe’s trope event! i used the trope the epitome of elegance x clumsy mess, or at least i attempted to &lt;/3

“GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND WELCOME TO HEATHROW AIRPORT. local time is 8:06 in the evening, and the temperature is 15°C or 59°F. for your safety, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the captain turns off the fasten seat belt sign. on behalf of AZ airlines and the entire crew, i would like to thank you for flying with us, and we hope to see you onboard again in the near future. may you all have a pleasant stay here in london.”

you look out the airplane window to your left and try to look through the mist that has built up on the thick glass. a few planes of different sizes are lined up beside the one you’re currently on. the moonlight faintly shines on the airport right in front of you and the buildings in the distance, although they really only look like a blanket of lights bunched up together.

you look back into the plane as a yawn takes over your body. the captain has already turned off the seat belt sign, so some passengers have already begun standing up even if the doors haven’t been opened yet. when they do, you turn off the movie you’ve been listening to for the past hour (which you’ve already watched multiple times before) and take off the headphones provided by the airlines. you pack away the rest of your things and finally stand up to stretch. the passengers a few rows in front of you have already left, so you move out of your seat to take the rest of your hand-carry luggage from the overhead cabin.

the walk through the airport, through immigration and baggage claim, was pretty much a breeze. after you realized that there were too many people and that it would probably take a while to get through all that, you decided that you were tired and would rather listen to music. once you’re done and walking through the final gate, you hear a loud scream for your name that you recognize almost immediately and suddenly you’re no longer so tired.

you don’t even have to see her face to confirm who she is. without realizing it, you start picking up your pace, frantically searching for the person who called you. once she was finally in front of you, your things are suddenly on the floor and your arms are tightly wrapped around her. “mimi!”

“bitch, i can’t breathe,”

you release your older sister miyoung from your hug attack to cup her face instead. “how have you been?”

“i literally called you before your flight- what are you on about?”

“right, but it's been too long since we last talked talked,” you pout as the younger sibling role settles in you while in her presence.

“let’s talk later. right now, i’m sure you’re starving coz i’m starving since you took almost an hour going through immigration. and don’t touch my face again unless you have clean hands,”

“yes, mom,” she takes your wheeled luggage while you pick up the rest of your bags. “where are we eating?”

“i’ll take you to my favorite, it’s only 30 minutes from here,”

the ride to the restaurant in mimi’s car was surprisingly just as loud, with you bombarding her with questions about her life here in the bustling city. your conversation crosses over to dinner, from talking about your sister’s job and your college professors to sharing stories from your past relationships that you've never told and almost crying over old memories.

ever since someone confessed to you for the first time, the timeline you live in changed tremendously. you felt the need to be in a relationship and be around someone all the time. you convinced yourself that it wasn't because of the pressure among people your age to be in one (although it is true), but because it felt nice to have a favorite person and to be someone's favorite person. you were either constantly looking for someone who you could call your ‘significant other’, or entertaining someone who wanted to call you exactly that.

unfortunately, this came at a high price. it’s not an uncommon notion that many couples break up at some point, whether it's after a few months or a few years. you weren't unacquainted with this either. you've had your fair share, with numbers rising up to two hands (not that body count matters). and since you hardly had anyone to turn to, you've learned to deal with the post-breakup process mostly on your own. over time, it became easier and faster to move on, crying less each time. you avoided giving your entire being into the relationship, giving less and less of yourself so as not to break too hard in the end.

“honestly though, i’m tired. i’m gonna stop looking for someone to like and just focus on college. whether i get into a relationship again or not, that's no longer my problem,”

“stop lying to yourself. you know you’re gonna jump the person you like, even if it's only slight, the moment they confess to you,” miyoung chuckles as she takes a scoop of her mashed potato.

“you know me so well,” you give her a strained smile. “but shut the fuck up anyway,”

this is why you will always be grateful for your one and only sister. although you didn't have people to turn to when you needed comfort, she always helped you pick yourself back up. you may have lost numerous people in the span of only a few years, but miyoung was the only one who stayed constant. although she was the more hard-working one in your duo, she never failed to make time for you.

before you know it, you’re back in the car, and she’s driving you to her apartment, your jetlag slowly sinking in. once you arrive, you don’t even bother to unpack some of your things and head straight to bed.

the blaring of your alarm, unfortunately, disrupts your deep sleep. you pick up your phone which is right beside your head and turn it off to see that it’s already 11 in the morning. when you walk out into the living room to find no one around, you assume that your sister has already left for work.

after you make yourself brunch with whatever was in the kitchen, you take your time getting ready, unpacking some of your things while you’re at it. it’s really refreshing to finally have absolutely nothing to worry about that the worst thing that’s running through your mind is what to do next. you didn’t really want to create an entire itinerary for every second of your stay, but your sister did send you a list of places she thought you might want to visit. today, however, you just wanted to relax and go wherever your feet take you.

although the city doesn’t seem so special at first glance, you take time to observe all the buildings and establishments you pass by, from houses to bookshops, and all the people walking around with you. when a little flower shop comes into view not too far away, you decide you want to buy some flowers for your room and for your sister.

when you enter, no one was around, not even behind the counter. still, you slowly walk around the shop and see which ones you should buy. you don’t notice that someone was already standing next to you until he spoke up.

“hi, is there anyone you want to give flowers to?” you were so startled by the low voice that you somehow manage to lose your balance as you turned towards the pink-haired man who thankfully catches you by the arm. “woah, sorry i didn’t mean to scare you,”

“it’s fine. i guess i could never go through my day without tripping over my own feet at least once,” you look up again to the man beside you and wow you never thought pink hair could suit someone so well.

you didn’t realize you were staring when he spoke up again. “so, may i help you?”

”oh! well, i’m buying for my sister and for myself, but i’m not really sure what’s appropriate since i’m not familiar with the messages behind these,” you reach out for the flowers labeled ‘white carnations’.

“those can represent innocence, purity, and luck,” he says as he watches you move around and lightly brush the flowers in front of you.

“then maybe gratitude? for my sister,”

the man doesn’t even need a second to think and immediately turns around, to which you follow. he picks up a few flowers from the ‘hydrangea’ basket and hands them to you. “hydrangeas can also mean grace and beauty,”

“these are perfect,” you smile at how they truly remind you of your sister.

“then what about for you?”

you look up at him and notice his big curious eyes waiting for what you might want. “surprise me,” you quickly look at his nametag. “..seonghwa,”

he takes a hot minute to look into your eyes as if that could help him find out more about you, find out which flowers suit your style and personality. after he goes around the shop for a while, he comes back with two types of flowers.

“couldn’t choose, so i got both. these are asters and white camellias,”

“and is there a reason you got me these?”

he takes a moment to look at you again, opening and closing his mouth, seemingly trying to decide whether he should tell you or not. “...secret,”

“you- why not?”

“flowers are meant to deliver messages that you can’t really say out loud,” he shrugs and flashes a shy smile, and you debate whether you should tease him about it and push him to tell you, or just leave the mystery be. “alright, fine, i’ll tell you. but you have to spend the rest of the day with me,”

“and why would i do that?” you smirked at his indirect attempt at what you assume is asking you out. although i would gladly do so anyway is what you want to say next but obviously, you don’t. “google doesn’t exist for nothing,” you declared.

“well, i think you’d miss out on a good time and google isn’t always right, you know,” he grins like a child and continues to look at you expectantly. you still take some time to think about it since he is still someone you just met ten minutes ago, but ultimately, you come down to fuck it.

“fine, deal,” for a split second, his eyes widen with shock for accepting his condition at all. “i mean, i don’t really have any plans since it’s fall break. you don’t seem to be a dangerous person either, so … but if you’re planning to take me to the woods, then think again coz i learned judo in freshman year,”

he brings his hands up and uses his left palm and right pointer finger to mimic writing on a piece of paper. “no woods, judo, noted. could you wait for me then? i’ll just arrange and wrap these flowers for you then i just need to tell my boss i’m leaving,” you nod and he takes the flowers from your hands. “we can come back for these later so that you don’t have to carry them around all day,”

you watch as he carefully arranges the flowers he suggested to you with different materials and other smaller flowers with ease. once he’s finished, he sets them aside and goes into the room at the back while you walk towards the window to watch the cars and people passing by.

“where are we going?”

“the national gallery,” you think you’ve heard or read it somewhere, probably one of the things on the list your sister gave you.

“why there? if i may ask,”

“you seem like someone who truly appreciates art, and there’s also a new exhibit i’ve been meaning to visit,”

“okay, but what makes you think i like art?”

“for one, you’ve got a camera hanging around your neck. two, you seem like a thoughtful person. you entered the shop wanting to buy flowers based on their meanings, which not a whole lot of people really do. but honestly, it was just a hunch. am i wrong?,”

“oh no, you’re not. i guess the camera gave it away,” you give him a small smile as you follow him to the art museum, walking side by side. “how about you? are you a botany student or something? you know a lot about flowers,”

“actually, i’m a dance major,” you quickly turn your head in shock as you don’t see any correlation between the two, except maybe when you use flowers as props.

“i didn’t peg you as a dancer,”

“then what did you peg me as?”

“i’m not sure actually. i thought you could be a model, but then i thought maybe you’re taking something biology-related?”

“a model?” he chuckles at that, and his cheeks turn a gentle shade of pink, which you just pass off as due to the cold weather. “i did actually consider bio, but in the end, i went with dance. i work at the shop because i wanted to do part-time, and my aunt owns it, so i help out. she told me i should at least learn a bit about floriography, so i did,” you turn your head to him, silently asking what the word means. “floriography is the language of flowers. it comes from the victorian era,”

“oh, so that’s why you could just tell your ‘boss’ you were leaving as if you were just asking your mom if you could go outside to play. i thought they were just really nice,”

“that’s what you’re hung up on?” he turns to you and chuckles breathily. “you could come work with me at the shop, then .. uh i just realized-,”

“it’s y/n. and you just broke my record for the longest time it takes for a stranger to ask my name,” the both of you laugh as you enter the museum.

after walking through different exhibits for a while, you finally arrive at the one that he wanted to see. when you enter, you are delighted to see that there are quite a few more people looking around. you notice that seonghwa seems to be looking for someone in the venue. “do you mind going around by yourself for a bit? i’m just gonna greet my friends,”

you shake your head and watch as he walks towards a few guys, suddenly hearing loud banters from them. after looking at the artworks alone for a while, you feel someone walking towards you.

“you ditch all your dates like this?”

“you guys are on a date?” you turn to the man beside you and realize that’s not seonghwa.

“and you are?”

“name’s hongjoong. i’m a friend of the man you came in here with,” hongjoong? you check the description of the sculpture you were just looking at to see the same name. “yep, i also made that,”

“woah, you sculpted this? you’re really good! i love the perfect balance of intricate details and the serenity that seems to flow from it,”

“thanks. at least someone knows how to appreciate my work,” he rolls his eyes and looks at seonghwa as the man in question approaches the both of you.

“you said you wanted constructive criticism, so i gave you exactly that,”

“saying i need to do it all over again is not constructive criticism,”

“you were making a portrait of me, and it didn’t look like me, what did you want me to say?” you lightly chuckle at their bickering and pull them away from each other before anything happens.

“anyway, i think my prof might be calling me. it was nice meeting you, seonghwa’s date,” you smile and bow as hongjoong jogs away.

“date?”

“oh, that’s nothing. take it as you will,”

after a few moments of silence, you try to strike up a conversation again. “so hongjoong .. is he an art major?”

“yeah, we go to the same college. his prof decided to showcase their sculptures for their final last sem, but today was the only day available, so here they are. what about you? you seem to be a long way from home,” you frown at him in confusion, spurring him on to explain what he meant. “you said earlier that you’re on fall break right now, and it’s definitely not fall break here in london. and you were taking pictures when we were walking outside,” he blurted as he pointed towards your camera.

“damn, how did you even pick up on that? and here i thought i was doing an excellent job at pretending not to be a tourist,” you chuckle as you pick up your camera from hanging it around your neck and examine it as if you don’t already know how to use it. “i’m actually a photography major. i came here to visit my sister, but i also hoped i could get some inspiration and good pictures while i’m here,”

“that’s really cool. if you want to take pictures of me, you don’t need to ask- i’d be most honored,” he smiles and bows like a prince, with one arm across his stomach and the other behind him.

the rest of the night continues like a breeze, with seonghwa agreeing to meet up with his other friends later in the night, saying he’ll be “a little late”, and you feeling a little bad that you’re probably the reason behind it. the both of you also decided to get some dinner together, and the entire time, it just felt like you were catching up with an old friend.

when it was getting dark, you both head back to the flower shop, which was already closed. seonghwa opens the doors with his keys, grabs the flowers he wrapped for you earlier and hands them to you.

“may i walk you home? it’s dark out now,”

“it’s fine, you’ve got your friends waiting for you, and the apartment’s only a few blocks away,”

“please, it’s the least i can do for asking you to spend your day with me so suddenly,” it takes you a solid 5 seconds to remember the whole deal you made this afternoon.

“oh right! yes, you definitely have to walk me home,” you say as you start walking. “so tell me, why did you choose these flowers for me?”

he stares at you for a moment, but instead of replying, he turns to the satchel bag slung on his shoulder and fishes for a small pocketbook from one of the compartments, which he hands over to you. you read the title in your head as it says ‘the language of flowers’.

“look for asters and white camellias when you get home,”

“you’re still not gonna tell me?”

he simply shrugs. “i still stand by what i said about delivering silent messages,”

all you could do was chuckle at the man’s antics. you can’t really blame him anyway because it seems impossible to be angry with him and because you surprisingly enjoyed the time you spent with him today.

as if on cue, the building of your sister’s apartment comes into view. “well, this is me. see you around?”

“yeah, you know where to find me,” he smiles, and you turn to enter the building, but not before waving one last time. as you walk towards the unit, all you can think about is the flowers in your hand, the little book, and seonghwa.

once you enter the flat, you are greeted with the sight of takeout and a zombie of a sister, who hardly even noticed you arrive, combined with a sitcom playing on the tv.

“these flowers are for you, mimi,” you place the hydrangeas on the small round dining table.

“thanks? what for?”

“nothing, just felt like it. i’ll just put my stuff down then i’ll eat with you,”

you hear a tired ‘okay’ as you enter your room. the moment you closed the door, you open the floriography book to find that asters represent love, wisdom, faith, and daintiness, but you notice a little note written by who you assume is seonghwa, saying that they were also used as offerings in the altar of the gods in greek mythology. a few more flips of pages and you find that white camellias symbolize adoration, and that in the victorian era, it roughly translates to ‘you’re adorable’.

if you weren’t blushing like a little schoolgirl earlier, you definitely are now.

the next few days were spent either with seonghwa or your sister miyoung. however, because miyoung has a 9 to 5 job, usually working overtime even on saturdays, you seemed to be around seonghwa a lot more, not that you’re complaining.

when your sister was free though, she would either take you to her favorite restaurants for dinner or you both just stayed at the apartment and binge watched an old cartoon series you used to watch together as kids. meanwhile, when seonghwa wasn’t busy attending lectures or working, he usually took your afternoons, bringing you to different tourist spots and smaller establishments like a tour guide. and on days when he can't accompany you, he makes sure to call. he’s even introduced you to his other friends, the ones he talked to when you went to the national gallery, and you found them to be a chaotic but welcoming bunch.

one time, after taking you through the hampton court palace, you stepped into the nearest gift shop right after. on the numerous times you asked to go to a gift shop, he noticed that you usually only bought a postcard with a photo of the place you just visited. and every time before he walks you back to your sister’s apartment, you always ask to stop by a cafe first where you take out the postcard and quickly write on it. this time, curiosity got the best of him.

“why don’t you buy anything else aside from a postcard? i’ll pay if you want,”

you look up from the card you were busy writing on and at seonghwa who is sitting in front of you.

“oh no, it’s fine. postcards are really all i need. not those shot glasses or bottle openers,” you chuckle as you go back to writing.

“then let me rephrase my question. why do you buy a postcard every day and also write on it hurriedly in a cafe every day?”

you look up again, and you guess it showed a bit of hesitancy because then he was suddenly waving his hands.

“oh! no, if you don’t wanna tell me, it’s fine. i was just curious,”

“you’re gonna laugh,” you give him a reassuring smile and look away.

“i won’t. scout’s promise,”

you look back at him and switch between his eyes, but you only found sincerity in them. you sigh as you finally tell him that you write on postcards like a diary, going through everything that’s happened on that day because you unfortunately have a poor memory.

“really?”

“yeah, i treat it like a travel journal. it’s so tedious to actually maintain one, so i do this instead,”

“who do you address them to?”

“... myself. i write them to myself .. from myself,”

he smiles fondly at the hobby of yours that he just discovered. “that’s cute. then, will you also mail them?”

“yeah!” you beam when he didn’t show any signs of feeling somewhat appalled or make any jokes. “it’s really cool to find them in your mailbox at home too. sometimes they even come home wet from rain,”

you go back to finishing on your postcard, but not without noticing the eyes that are constantly on you.

today wasn’t any different. it’s a saturday, and seonghwa promised to take you around the city again after meeting up in the morning with his group to work on a presentation. you accidentally woke up a little earlier than you intended, so you decided to surprise him at the college library.

you weren’t very good with directions, so it took you a while before you found his university. when you arrived, all your frustrations from going around in circles were suddenly washed away as you took in the beauty of the campus. most of the buildings looked a bit old, probably at least 100 years old, with distinct old english decorations half covered in vines. of course, there were still some more modern buildings, but there was a good balance between the two that makes the school feel homely.

a few students were coming in and out of the gates when you facepalmed yourself once you realized that there was no way of you getting inside without ruining the surprise.

seonghwa, on the other hand, was busy working on the slides for his group’s presentation. one of his groupmates who hasn't been helping also didn't show up today, so he now has to do their parts as well. he was starting to get fed up with the stress he was feeling, and being unable to let it out in a library was not helping- until he received a message from you.

y/n: hey

y/n: so uh

y/n: the stupidity kinda came out today

seonghwa: good morning to u too

seonghwa: did something happen?

y/n: im kinda outside ur school gates rn

y/n: but i realized i don’t have a student card lmao

seonghwa: WHAT .

seonghwa: stay right there

finally having an excuse to take a break, he told the rest of his group that he just needed to pick something up. he brisk walked towards the library doors and quickly ran across campus to where you were waiting.

“what are you doing here?”

“i was supposed to surprise you coz i woke up too early,” you slightly sulk as he ushers you into the campus. “now i made you leave your group. sorry about that,”

“don’t be. i needed a distraction. plus as long as it's you, i don’t mind,” he declares as he turns to you with a small smile on his face.

there he goes again. his words are so simple, but the way he says them with an air of grace and confidence makes him seem so dignified and somehow out-of-reach, yet it pulls you to him even more.

when you reach the library, he asks you to wait for him as he goes back inside to grab his things and take his leave from the group.

“where are we going, dora the explorer?”

“what do you mean, i’m just the monkey or the map at best,” he chuckles as you walk side-by-side with a distance in between you that may or may not be a little too small. “actually since you’re here, i thought we could go around campus for a while,”

“i’d like that. everything about it is so beautiful and enchanting, almost like castles pulled straight from fairytales if they were real,”

“they don’t compare to you, though. you’re at the center keeping all this beauty together,” again with the genuine smile and calm tone.

“stop being so cheesy without being a tease. it’s so hard to get annoyed with you like that,” you lightly punch his arm and he dramatically feigns pain as he rubs the spot you just hit.

“you’ll just have to get used to it,”

after walking around for some time, you find yourselves alongside a river where seonghwa sits under a tree, watching you take a few photos of the scenery and buildings.

“i have an idea. do you think you can do one of your routines here?”

“here? right now?”

“yeah i mean there's no one else here, and i wanted to take pictures of you,” you slightly blush as you realize what you just said.

“okay, i guess i can do one or two. but you’re only allowed to take good pictures,”

“even if i tried getting a weird photo of you, you’d still look good anyway,” you scoff, sitting down in the shade and leaning backwards on your hands to take a good look at him.

“take a picture. it’ll-”

“that’s old, seonghwa. try it on someone who’s not a photography major,” he laughs breathily as you take off your bright purple cardigan. “wear this,”

“while dancing? also i think my hair alone is already bright enough to stand out in a crowd,”

“just trust me,”

he mutters a small ‘okay’, removes his own cardigan and tie, and unbuttons his shirt before taking your piece of clothing.

“what are you doing?” your hands slip on the grass and you fall sharply on your elbows and back when you turn to see him shirtless.

“i don’t think your cardigan goes well with what i’m wearing,” he said with a teasing tone and a smirk plastered on his face.

once he’s fully clothed once again, you take the matching purple handkerchief wrapped around your hair and wrap it around his neck like a choker. you were so focused on tying the cloth properly and so closely that you didn’t notice the way seonghwa stared at your concentrated face and held in his breath.

“okay! now play a song and dance right there beside the river. just be careful,”

he walks over to the spot you pointed at and plays a melancholic song just loud enough for the both of you to hear. the moment you hear the music, his face contorts into something of pain and longing, and you were immediately enthralled.

a rush of a feeling you can’t quite place surges through you as you capture the man before you, pushing you to amplify all the emotions flowing through seonghwa as he seemingly floats on air. you were so entranced by the scene that you hardly registered the sound of your camera clicking and your body subconsciously kept moving around to find the right angle.

you didn’t even realize the song had already finished until he bent over on his knees panting. you get up and slowly walk towards him.

“seonghwa…”

just as you were about to shower him in compliments and admiration, another song started playing, this time more upbeat. he immediately looked up at you while stars seemingly twinkled in his doe eyes. “one more,”

you smile at how excited he looked and how he doesn’t seem to lose energy and walk back to where you were taking pictures.

a completely different person was dancing this time. he no longer looks like a man who’s lived 20 lives and experienced heartbreak in all of them. no, his inner child seemed to come to life as he danced in a different, more sharp style with a smile that almost hid his eyes. if just a while ago, he was a swan full of grace and poise, now he was a butterfly who is finally free and couldn’t have a care in the world.

by the time the first chorus of the song finished, you suddenly remembered that you brought your film camera with you today, so you rush back under the tree to grab it. you weren’t even sure if there was any film left inside. since you’re trying to capture a moving subject, you could only hope that the photos you’ll take with it will come out fine.

once the song finished, you immediately started clapping and cheering as he staggers towards the shade.

“that was so good! the stark difference between the two dances– and yet you expressed both emotions so well! i don’t know how you did it, but that was beautiful,” you beamed in awe as seonghwa lays flat on the grass with an equally radiant smile on his face.

“thanks. i haven’t had that much fun in a while. it felt kinda .. freeing,”

you put away your cameras and lay beside him, elation still coursing through your veins. you turn towards him to see that he’s closed his eyes in hopes to gain back his energy. his breathing matches yours as you both bask in the cool breeze.

“i have a question, which by the way you don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable because i’m just cu-,”

“y/n, i promise i’m comfortable with you, but what is it?,” he chuckles slightly.

“is there any particular reason you chose to pursue dancing?”

he opens his eyes to stare at the leaves trying to block the harsh sun. “this might sound a bit cliche, but i used to watch my mom perform. she was a very graceful dancer until she suffered from an injury that stopped her from dancing. that didn't discourage me from pursuing it though. i always wanted to be like her, and i found that it was easy for me to express emotions when dancing. i also just enjoy the fulfillment that choreographing and learning routines give me. doing them with other people is also really fun,” he smiles as he stares into the distance longingly. “your turn,”

“me?”

“yeah, i’m curious too,” he turns to his side, props up his arm and leans his head on his hand while gazing at you. this time, it was you who stared up into the half empty sky.

“i got my first camera when i was 16. it was a simple disposable film camera, and i didn't wanna waste any film, so i tried teaching myself how to take good pictures. i really liked how you could tell stories and also show the beauty around me that only i could see in just one picture alone, but i was mostly into the idea of immortalizing memories and moments into a piece of film. i already told you that i usually have a hard time remembering things in the past, so the pictures i take are always dear to me,”

a comfortable silence takes over, so you turn your head to find seonghwa simply staring. “are you gonna say something?”

he goes back to lying on his back and sighs. “i was just thinking about what you said. i must have saved a kingdom in my past life for me to be among your pictures then,” he smiles and turns his head towards you.

you chuckle as you both continue to look into each other’s eyes, both wanting to say something but tongues seemingly caught in their throats.

“i have an idea,”

he gets up and pulls out his phone once again, making you sit up as well. “aren’t you tired?”

“nope,” he pops the ‘p’ as he scrolls through his phone. “i could never be tired of dancing,”

once he finds and plays the song he’s looking for, he sets it down and slightly bends over to bring his hand out in front of you.

“may i have this dance?”

“i don’t know how. plus you’re really sweaty,”

“c’mon, don’t ruin the moment,”

you reluctantly place your hand over his, and he helps you up. he places your left hand on the upper part of his arm, then he places his right hand behind your shoulder, his arm supporting yours up. he takes your other hand and clasps them together as he brings you closer to him.

“i never learned how to waltz,” you look down as you whisper sheepishly.

“look at me,” you do as he says and you find your breath caught in your throat as you stare into each other’s eyes. “relax, i’ll guide you. right foot forward first,”

you take your time trying to move around without stepping on his or your feet, which you do a few times, but he doesn’t even look the least bit annoyed. by the time you reach the last leg of the song, you finally get the hang of things, and you’re grinning with satisfaction.

at the end of the song, he spins you around, and you manage to stumble on your legs. you almost fall on your back, but he’s quick to hold you up, albeit a little too close to his face.

“hi,” he chuckled with childlike wonder before he helps you to your feet.

although the song is over, neither of you move or say anything, unable to leave the gaze you held upon each other.

“i think we should .. get going?” you ask as you look away from him upon sensing the growing tension. he simply nods as he takes off the clothes you gave him and changes into what he was wearing earlier.

“i’ll take these with me and wash them first,”

you can only agree as you remain in your flustered state. you both take your leave from the university campus, and seonghwa steps back into his tour guide character.

the rest of your time here in london was pretty much the same, a cycle of spending time with miyoung or seonghwa, and occasionally his friend group. however, the day you had to fly back home was slowly coming around, haunting you each day it does. you’d very much hate to leave, not when both miyoung and seonghwa are here.

miyoung knew that your last day in london was nearing, so she tried to spend more time with you. unfortunately for you, in that time, she noticed that you always had flowers when coming home, and now she knows that you’ve been ‘seeing’ a guy, although you've reminded her countless times that you and seonghwa weren't like that.

she then asked to invite him over a few times, wanting to meet and ‘approve’ or ‘disapprove’ of him. you were thankful that seonghwa was a good sport about it and even made your sister head over heels for him (in an approving ‘he’s too good for you!’ type of way).

on the other hand, you were too afraid to tell seonghwa that you were going back home in a few days. it was stupid, you know, but you couldn't find the right time to tell him.

that was your first mistake.

because when he appeared on your doorstep, flowers in hand and about to actually ask you out (but you didn't know that), he was more than devastated.

“you’re leaving?” you saw how his usual twinkling eyes suddenly looked empty, and it twisted something painfully inside you.

“yeah,” you whisper as you look away from him. “i’m really sorry i didn't tell you earlier. i couldn't bring myself to tell you,”

you take the flowers from his hands and open the door even further to let him inside the apartment, and he tries his best not to look too dejected.

that was your second mistake.

you offer him something from the kitchen, which he declines, and you wonder how long you'll be feeling guilty like this.

your flight is in a few hours, so you go back to your room as miyoung tries to strike a conversation with him to lighten the mood.

after a while, as you fold the remainder of your clothes, he knocks at your door, and you allow him in. in the corner of your eye, you notice him walking to your messy study table.

“are these .. all the flowers i’ve given you?”

you know exactly what he's talking about, and for some reason, it hurts you even more.

“yeah, i wanted them to last so i took a few and dried and pressed them,” you wanted to tell him that you wanted to keep every reminder of him that you could have, but you don’t.

“what about the postcards?”

“i already had them mailed this morning,”

“oh,”

you take in a deep breath and sigh shakily. you know exactly how you feel about the man, and what you wished you could say to him. your sister even helped you realize that last night. and you also reluctantly came to terms with the fact that you can’t be with him because it would be hard to maintain a long-distance relationship while it's still fresh.

and you cursed the universe for letting this happen to you.

just when you finally decided to stop actively looking for love, seonghwa casually enters your life and gives you exactly that.

it was scary how easily and quickly you became comfortable around him, so much so that you have never been so willing to give your whole self to someone in such a long time.

you may have been a tourist here in london, but he made you feel like your home belongs here, with him, in his arms.

“and these are the pictures you took of me?”

your head snaps up because you thought you already packed them.

“.. yeah,”

“they're beautiful. may i keep one?”

“of course. i still have the soft copy, so don’t worry,” you finish folding and packing your clothes, so you move to your table.

he watches as you clean up and pack the things on your table, carefully placing the dried flowers inside a notebook and the photos inside an envelope.

“do you mind if i drive you to the airport?”

“are you sure? are you not busy?”

“yeah, i’m sure. i wanna maximize my time with you,”

you slightly freeze at that and take your eyes away from his because you feel like you'll start crying if you keep eye contact with him.

before you know it, seonghwa’s already driving you and your sister to the airport, the flowers he brought earlier on your lap.

unloading your luggage and taking you to the entrance was faster than you would have liked.

you turn to your sister first, and she starts crying.

“stop crying. you know i’m just as emotional as you are,”

she cups your face and places your foreheads together, something you did when she also left your home for london.

“call me when you arrive, okay? and don’t you dare avoid my calls whatsoever,”

you smile and a tear falls from your eye as you hug her tight.

you then turned to seonghwa. you couldn't bring yourself to look up at him because you knew that the tears would never stop if you did.

“hey, look at me,”

you did exactly that and found that he also shed a tear, and now you really couldn't hold it in. you wrapped your arms around his torso and rested your head in the crook of his neck.

“don’t miss me too much,” he chuckled as he stroked your hair to calm you down. “call me too when you’ve arrived, okay? i promise we'll keep in touch coz i’m not going anywhere,”

you nod as you try to stop crying. before you released him from your hug, he whispers, “i wish you could stay,”

you finally break, and you’re not sure you’ll ever be able to recover. i would if you asked me to, but it’s too late for that now.

unable to do anything else out of fear of also breaking, he takes one of your hands gently as if they would break and kisses the back of it.

if you stayed in his presence a little longer, you knew you wouldn't be able to leave, so you took your luggage and went through the gates. you turned back to them once more to wave, and that was the last you saw of seonghwa.

two weeks after you arrived back at your home, you finally received the postcards you mailed. you found yourself smiling as you read whatever you wrote, your heart stinging at every mention of seonghwa.

in the first few months, you and seonghwa kept in touch pretty often, as he promised. although it was difficult to do so due to the difference in timezones and college work, you both tried to find time for each other.

however, it became more difficult as time passed. during calls, one of you would either fall asleep or end the call early. over time, you somehow felt like you no longer knew the man you fell hard for all those months ago.

just as quickly as you met and found love in him, he simply became a distant memory engraved in pictures and flowers.

it was now more than a year since your trip to london. you graduated a few months ago and were finally having your very first exhibit. it wasn't too crowded, but you were grateful for all the people who were interested in your work.

you were talking to one of your old college professors when one of the security guards told you that there was something for you at the lobby. you excused yourself and made your way to the concierge.

“hi, i was told there was something for me?”

“ah, miss y/l/n! yes, this bouquet is for you,” they hand you the bouquet they were talking about, and you check the tag for the sender.

there was no name written on it, but you noticed a familiar logo. you look again at the flowers, and you realize what combination they are- asters and white camellias.

you didn't need a second longer for you to know who this was from.

without even sparing the lady at the concierge a simple ‘thank you’, tears started threatening to fall, and you immediately ran back to your exhibit. you frantically searched for any pink-haired man that you might've missed, but to no avail. you tried to calm yourself down and slowly examined the side profiles of the people around, or what you can see of them anyway.

that's when you finally found him, looking at an all too familiar picture that you could recognize even if you were tens of feet away. this time, however, he dyed his hair black, and you thought it made him look even more regal and ethereal.

bouquet of asters and camellias in hand, you slowly make your way to the man as you wipe whatever tears had escaped. you stopped right behind him and sighed.

“hey, stranger.”

© woobly, 2022. all rights reserved.

[aerimomo-mellon]

Skz as Boyfriends!

Paring~ SKZ x Reader

Genre~ informative lol

A/N~ yep it was requested! Enjoy 친구 <3

warnings? none. (idk mention of bed related things haha)

SKZ M☁List II Main M☁List

시장……..

✿ Bangchan

We all know this guy and you all have read enough of him I think, to know what imma say. (But for special purposes why not..)

This guy is really really serious about relationships and you are probably the one because he just can’t help loving everything about you.

The fact that he is yours even with all the responsibilities and work he has as a leader and idol is a miracle itself. Therefore consider yourself LUCKY to have the most caring and loving man anyone could have.

Dates- He likes movies hence movie nights and date to the theater are often. If not then he likes taking you to a sports event or the beach cause yeah. ( that vibesssssss you know? )

PDA = 3/10 why?, because as mentioned earlier he is responsible for many important things and he doesn’t want to have any misunderstandings about you and dislikes hate in general. That 30% I gave him was because he would only do PDA if really needed.

In Bed things? Umm not often actually but once in a while yes WHILE he would like it I’m sorry I mean LOVE it..

Con? Yep time! Sorry girl but that time you need, it’s hard for him to fulfill every time.

Cute extra info- Doesn’t mention it but secretly likes when you poke his dimple and say he’s cute.

✿ Minho

There are these majority conceptions, as I said majority but not all cause there are stays who know that he is a sweet guy deep deep down.😉

If you’re his s/o he will give every bit of him to you and expects the same for you. I would categorize him as a boyfriend wo acts like a mom lol. It maybe hard to digest that information but trust me this feeling I have from my gut I can say that he is also very caring. Although he might not say things like I will be there whenever you need me or even I miss you, care for you, but he doesn't need to say this anyway. As action speak more than words our Minho is the same.

Dates- He likes to balance it between what you like and what he likes as well. If you are a new couple he straight up asks what you prefer. Plus point he likes to take you to cat café if you like cats too.

PDA = 0.5/10 why? honestly speaking this guy literally hates to express his feelings. That .5 is literally him agreeing that he is yours and that's it. (when someone asks that is)

In Bed things? I personally think it depends on his mood and not yours. Yup. Somedays he wants you a lot and somedays he likes his space. I'm not saying he hates cuddling but more than that on days he is either tired or stressed he likes to keep that little limit to what happens next.

Con? Attention... you would literally take his cats away from him to get his attention.

Cute extra info- likes it when you call him and yourself Appa and Eomma to his cats.

✿ Changbin

Changbin being the puff/ strong guy(sorry that sounded disturbed lol) We all know how babied he likes to be.

Him as a boyfriend is just very natural, I mean from the way he takes you on a fancy date to even putting nail polish on your left hands. Everything is very genuine and he loves it. The Boyfriend to always apologize first.

I find him as someone to take attraction and the next step which is relationship very seriously. ( the person to be very calculative, it can beat Chan honestly..)Knowing that he is afraid to hurt people in any kind of way, to hurt you even as an accident breaks his heart.

Dates- Our Dwaekki loves taking you on dates with loads of food or snacks. A typical Korean restaurant or even food stalls, he loves seeing you eat than to be broken when you might have some kind of sickness due to eating problems.

PDA = 5/10 why? Because he likes your opinion. He is okay with either if you insist on a particular one but slightly leans on less public knowing. Holding hands and probably hugging you wouldn't be a huge problem for him.

In Bed things? he loves it anytime honestly... if he is horney he is getting what he wants and when you are same goes to you.. you'll get what you want..

Cons? Too much aegyo which makes you do things you don’t necessarily want to. (Stay blessed)

Cute extra info- Praise him! (x100) loves it when you say things like " my boyfriend is so strong.." or even " those arms mmm..."

✿ Hyunjin

I mean do I need to say how into he is with this??? Damn this man is the most prepared man a girl could have. The type to know everything about relationships... from trending couple fashion to even special not important but cute couple events..( that he probably found randomly scrolling through google)

He knows your anniversary, birthday, your moms birthday, dads and basically your whole family knows him too. He also keeps track of your monthly cycle too cause he likes being responsible for you..

He is the type to get jealous very easily BUT wont admit it when you ask. Likes to braid your hair while learning from YouTube.. Likes to buy you so many colorful cute hair accessories. (loves your hair..)

Dates- we all know this guy is fancy so he likes fancy dates but he can also be the complete opposite.. Fancy~ maybe to a art restaurant or even on a fancy boat cause why not.. Normally though~ likes to take you to an art museum or at night to take you on the roof for star gazing..

PDA = 2/10 why? I've probably given hints on my fictions with Hyunjin about this in particular. He prefers keeping this in private and that 20% is with his members (barely)

In Bed things? This guy couldn’t be more romantic lol. Loves being prepared for this buys every thing you both need… and yeah loves it.

Cons? He buys Kammi more hair clips than you sorry….

Cute extra info- likes when you get mad when he cut his hair lol. I apologize to all the stays I know he is cute every time but that long hair just hits different….

✿ Jisung

The craziest boyfriend you could have and will only have. You would low key love your relationship with this man I’m telling ya…

You two would have so much fun like toddlers. He is honestly the cutest, funniest, talented etc.. man you get all in one.. ahaha..

Likes to buy you the most stupid things that actually works for a daily living..( that thing he bought to watch on his phone while laying down 😵)

likes to joke around and talk to you a lot.. gurll listen to him he loves it. He likes to value your problems as well so listens to you too.

Dates- likes to watch anime so you two usually have this anime night cuddle sessions but if he were to plan something outside he would prefer to take you to the amusement part lol.

PDA = 8/10 why? honestly he likes showing you off cause he is fond of you. Basically doesn't care what others think... his parents know you, members, friends outside the group, and stays know you exist lol.. 20% i kept for a reason because he doesn't like it when things get out of handle so he wont do anything to the extent..

In bed things? yes he likes it but that turns up into a tickle fight or even a complete cringe but cute moment..

Cons? He might be very sensitive leading to him being upset and you having to apologize...

Cute extra info- loves it when you kiss his cheeks or just play with them in general..

✿ Felix

I had to bring this up at some point lol.. stays probably know the video where he says his clothes are boyfriend material lol...and yes i agree hands down!

A boyfriend material in his own way ahaha.. i mean we all know he loves to be cared for and loved. That Bangchan! spoiled little youngbok.. i personally feel or think two ways. Either he likes being cared for by you or he takes care for you since now he gets to be the older one..

Felix likes speaking in English so if you know English he would speak both languages as well. Likes to give you blowjobs cause he fell in love with you lol..

Dates- Shopping malls, window shopping, UNO on a picnic lol all these are his favs and so are yours .. Personally speaking he likes to take you to places where he can take lots of pictures of you..

PDA = 4/10 why? I don't know haha yup its just a feeling where I'm in between of two opposite thoughts.. I fell like he shows you to his members and family but not more than that.. (Olivia is most likely to love you)

In bed things? Likes being pampered and loves it when you lead.. happens pretty often actually..

Cons? yes! he like being touchy and so do you but he does it too much which beats ya.. and jealous really easily! and he lets you know that..

cute extra info- compliment him on his freckles and he will blush literally a tomato 🍅..

✿ Seungmin

Sweet really sweet.. he is the typical Korean boyfriend you'll get haha even better than that.

He just likes to talk to you or even look at you all day and keep that puppy smile on him.. The type to sing you a song to sleep or whenever you ask him to. likes to hear you sing too.. attempts to make you laugh but ends up, giving up.

He likes kissing your eyes when they are closed.. or when you just fell asleep after the song likes to give your eyes quick pecks..

Dates- He likes walks and that's why you go on evening walks and return when it's dark.. likes holding your hands. He likes grocery shopping with you, takes you to the rooftop to talk about life and its shitty problems.. Basically effortless things that make your relationship happy for what it is.

PDA = 1/10 why? I mean do I need to tell you this? he is like Minho but just a little bit more obvious.. Prefers to express his love when you two are alone..(that's it)

In bed things? umm yes but no.. i mean he gives in to your begs but I feel like Seungmin is just too into cute cuddling and these things are only when he is very desperate ..

Cons? not much but maybe ignoring you when you ask if he can buy you ice Cream for the fifty-sixth time..(but gives in anyway)

Cute extra info- He likes when he sees you in his clothes.. but doesn't say it and acts like he doesn't..

✿ Jeongin

Baby, baby, Baby..... he is our baby boyyyy but his savage ass towards his Hyungs just breaks it all hahaha…

Jk he is actually really cute, caring, sweet and likes to be protective. It may not suit him but yes he likes scolding people if done wrong to you..

You might be older or younger honestly he doesn’t care.. he is very respectful to you either way. He loves you and is very shy too which you find cute.

Dates- Asks you for your opinion or his Hyungs. He still is very inexperienced so he doesn’t know but sometimes likes it when you two spend time on the swings of some random park with fruit juice 🧃..

PDA = 0/10 why? Cause no no no no not even to his members haha he is just too shy and likes to keep his relationship in its own boundaries.

In bed things? Nope please! I’m sorry stays but I just can’t with Jeongin… (no further details he is just so precious to me)

Cons? He understands very late.. like you trying to say you want to cuddle, kiss etc.. without words he won’t get it. Just fucking be straight forward with our baby.

Cute extra info- honestly everything is cute about him so I can’t fit it here sorry… stays use your imagination here…

끝…

[m0srael]

Drunk Texts

For the @drarrymicrofic prompt: Love Letter

One balmy night in June, Harry’s lying in bed wide awake--unable to sleep again--when his mobile lights up on the nightstand. The only people who ever contact him on his mobile are Teddy (“All the cool wizards have them these days, Harry, please get one so I can send you memes!”) and Hermione, and neither of them would be texting this late.

Friday, June 6 2008, 1:27 AM

+445195555555: I’ve been hopelessly in love with you since we were sixteen, won’t shut my bloody mouth about you actually, can I take you on a date? I’m still very rich, all things considered, and know all the best restaurants in Wizarding Britain.

+445195555555: Maybe just a shag, then?

Harry: bloody hell, who is this??

Harry: This number is unlisted, I don’t know how you got it but I’m blocking it now. Kindly, fuck off.

+445195555555: WAIT

+445195555555: What do you mean, who is this? I thought muggle mobiles know who you’re talking to already.

Harry: Not if a strange person is texting in the middle of the bloody night from a number I’ve never seen before!

+445195555555: If you don’t want to date me or shag me just say so, Potter. No need to play hard to get and toss around insults

+445195555555: Unless that’s a thing for you, cheeky ;) ;)

Harry: Last chance, tell me who this is or I’m blocking your number.

+445195555555: Draco

+445195555555: Obviously ;)

Harry: Draco...Malfoy?

Harry: You expect me to believe Draco Malfoy is confessing his love and hitting me up for a shag at 1am. On a *muggle* mobile.

+445195555555: Believe it scarhead, now answer the question do you or do you not want to shag me

Harry: Look, you’ve obviously read one too many Prophet articles…

Harry: Somehow found my number...did you confund someone I know??

Harry: And thought that...pretending to be Draco Malfoy, of all people, would entice me to meet up with a total stranger?

+445195555555: Ooh, the logic of it all, Potter ;)

Harry: Stop doing that

+445195555555: what ;) ;)

Harry: The emojis. Malfoy would never use emojis.

+445195555555: You don’t know what I would or wouldn’t do anymore Potter. Would you like to learn? ;)

Harry: Fuck

Harry: Even if I believed you, I’ve never given Draco Malfoy my number. My *muggle* mobile number.

Harry: I’ve never given him my number because Draco Malfoy would never use a *muggle* mobile.

Harry:...among other reasons

+445195555555: Always so preoccupied with blood purity, Potter, haven’t you learned anything?

+445195555555: And there you go again, assuming that you know what I would and would not do

+445195555555: It really would be much more efficient if you just let me demonstrate

Harry: oh my god

Harry: I can’t believe I’m still messaging you

Harry: ffs, you have one chance to convince me that you’re really Malfoy otherwise I’m blocking you immediately

+445195555555: You are a tetchy one, hm?

+445195555555: Fine. You cornered me in a bathroom in 6th bc you were *obsessed* with me and tried to murder me using sectumsempra (which you claimed not to know the effect of, pft) but only because I tried to Crucio you and I would have died if Snape hadn’t found us and cleaned up your mess (again)

+445195555555: They definitely didn’t print THAT in the Prophet. Unfortunately.

Harry: Bloody hell um...okay…

Harry: Look, about that, Malfoy…

Harry: Wait, unfortunately…??

+445195555555: So you see, Potter, it is in fact I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, confessing my love and “hitting you up for a shag at 1am” as you so elegantly put it.

+445195555555: ;)

Harry: Okay. Malfoy, then. Jesus.

Harry: How exactly did you get my number?

Harry: For that matter, when did you get a mobile?

Draco Sodding Malfoy: I got it from Pansy, who got it from Ginny, you recalcitrant twat

Draco Sodding Malfoy: See, I can do the sexy insults thing, too :*

Draco Sodding Malfoy: And if you must know, Potter, I purchased a mobile years ago to stay in contact with my cousin, Teddy. Teddy Lupin. I think you’re acquainted? The little brat refuses to owl, apparently it’s “sooo medieval”.

Harry: Oh. That...actually makes sense. He said the same thing to me.

Harry: Hang on, Teddy isn’t a brat. I thought you two got on rather well…?

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Whatever, the point is I’m mad for you and I never told you because, well, there was the whole war thing and then the whole trial thing, and since then I’ve become a bit of a self-righteous coward. Also, I fancy myself something of a martyr. I think the constant pouting makes my mouth look more kissable, don’t you?

Draco Sodding Malfoy: We could do the dinner thing if we must, or you can just come round mine I can meet you there right now

Harry: Oh. You’re drunk.

Harry: Never pegged you as the type to get sloshed and text your ex-childhood-nemesis for a hookup

Draco Sodding Malfoy: not with that attitude you haven’t

Harry: Hah

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Not drnk

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Honestly, Potter

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Harry

Harry: weird

Draco Sodding Malfoy: I’ve seen the way you watch me when you think I’m not looking. You look at me like some lovesick teenager. Why deny what *literally everyone* can plainly see?

Harry: I do not look at you like a...lovesick teenager, Malfoy.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Draco ;)

Harry: I do not watch you, DRACO.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: I only notice because I’m watching you too, Harry. All the time. I’ve been watching you for as long as I can remember.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: You’ve practically been the center of my universe since I was eleven years old, for Merlin’s sake. I think about you all the time. I miss you all the time, even when we’re in the same room.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: I mean I LITERALLY do not shut up about you I wasn’t exaggerating about that. It drives Pansy and Blaise, who have the patience and constitutions of actual saints and who are very, very good friends, absolutely mental and they’d like nothing more than to hex my mouth shut permanently.

Harry: um

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Admit it.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: You’ve wondered what it’d be like.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Imagined it.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Us

Harry: Malfoy…

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Draco

Harry: Draco…

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Yes, Harry? ;)

Harry: I...could do dinner.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: You could “do” dinner? That’s all, after everything I’ve just said, you can “do” dinner??

Harry: For the love of Merlin

Harry: Fine. You’re right, Draco. I...have wondered

Harry: About us, I mean

Harry: Ahh and actually Draco sometimes when I look at you I just want…

Friday, June 6 2008, 2:15 AM

Draco Sodding Malfoy: what

Draco Sodding Malfoy: you want what

Friday, June 6 2008, 2:48 AM

Draco Sodding Malfoy: harry

Friday, June 6 2008, 3:09 AM

Draco Sodding Malfoy: harry, bloody hell

Saturday, June 7 2008, 6:45 AM

Harry: Draco, I’m so sorry

Saturday, June 7 2008, 8:18 AM

Harry: My mobile died and I didn’t have my charger

Saturday, June 7 2008, 9:23 AM

Harry: Draco

Saturday, June 7 2008, 11:47 AM

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Potter, why on earth are you contacting me so early on a Saturday?

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Scratch that, why are you contacting me at all? Where did you get my number?

Harry: Oh, so you were drunk

Draco Sodding Malfoy: How is my present or past level of intoxication any of your concern?

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Oh.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: No.

Harry: Draco, what’s wrong? What happened?

Harry: Draco…?

Harry: I’m sorry, if I said something…

Harry: Look, YOU’RE the one drunk messaging ME at all hours of the night looking for a shag!

Saturday, June 7 2008, 7:08 PM

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Dear Harry,

Draco Sodding Malfoy: I hereby formally apologize for my previous messages. They are inappropriate and entirely out of line, do forgive me. Although it appears that Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson absconded with my mobile yesterday evening to, “have a bit of fun”, I take full responsibility for what has transpired. Do not report me, or something. I do hope you were not too offended. I will henceforth refrain from contacting you by this, or any other, means. I assure you that my traitorous, juvenile, back-stabbing, inconsiderate, so-called friends have been soundly reprimanded. You may expect their formal apologies via owl, posthaste.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Apologetically, Draco L. Malfoy

Harry: Wow, uh, ok. I’ve never gotten a formal apology over text before. Did it take you...8 hours to write that?

Harry: And for the record, I knew something was up. We may not be best mates or anything but I know you wouldn’t use emojis like that.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Oh, bugger off, Potter you had no idea it wasn’t me. You were ready to spill your innermost desires to a stranger on your mobile! Stupid Gryffindor.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: Ah.

Draco Sodding Malfoy: I mean, goodbye! So sorry, again, for the inconvenience! We will never speak again from this moment on!

Harry: Draco, wait

Draco ;): Merlin, what, Potter?

Harry: Harry

Draco ;): No.

Harry: Fine. Look, if you accept full responsibility, does that mean your offer still stands?

Draco ;): What offer?

Draco ;): No. It doesn’t, whatever it is.

Harry: Your offer to take me on a date.

Harry: ;)

Draco ;): Bloody...Potter, that wasn’t MY offer!

Harry: Perhaps not, but I’ve seen the way you watch me when you think I’m not looking...Draco.

Draco ;): Who is this? I’m blocking this number. I’m going to ask Pansy how to block a number.

Harry: Draco, I’m serious.

Saturday, June 7 2008, 9:14 PM

Harry: Draco, I can tell that you didn’t block my number.

Saturday, June 7 2008, 11:47 PM

Harry: Fine.

Harry: Draco, could I take you out for dinner some time? I know someone who knows all the best restaurants in Wizarding Britain.

Draco ;): …..

Harry: ?

Draco ;): If you must

Harry: If I must?

Draco ;): It's true that I'm still rich, all things considered, but you’re paying

Draco ;): ;)

[rabbitcruiser]

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day 

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day falls on November 12 and is also known as National Pizza With Everything (Except Anchovies) Day. Pizza is the most eaten — and best liked — food item in the U.S. Each American eats about 46 pizza slices a year. Anchovy is a small fish that usually comes in a can. Pizza fans feel it does not go well with a classic, deliciously topped pizza, since its flavor tends to overpower the more delicate nuances of the ingredients used as toppings. Bring out the chef in you and top your personal pizza with your favorites, minus the anchovy, of course.

History of National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Although there is no factual origin of this cod-less Pizza day and people continue to wonder about its origin, it does not mean this day cannot still be celebrated. In fact, if we go into the details of pizza making its way to America, we can find that the first restaurant pizza was made in New York City’s Little Italy in 1905.

But where does the idea of putting fish (anchovies) on the pizza come from? Well, if we go back in time and see what the Ancient Romans did, we would see that they used to put fermented fish on their flat breads. The Greeks had a pie which they called a “pita”, which could have led to the word entering the Roman (later Italian) vocabulary. The recipe stayed around the early days of pizza, and mozzarella was used as the cheese of choice. As pizza became more popular, and people added their own preferences, different ingredients were experimented with, and this is where anchovies crept in as a topping.

Pizza has been described as the favorite meal of Americans, especially since World War II. Since then, there have been different recipes and varieties of pizza, with a wide array of toppings. There always has been a group of people who have ridiculed the beloved pizza with anchovies as topping choice – so much so that only 3 in every 1,000 people would admit to selecting anchovy as a topping of choice. So this day celebrates the mainstream taste regarding pizza.

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day  timeline

1905Little Italy’s Lombardi Pizzeria Napoletana

The first pizza establishment in the U.S. is opened in New York City by Gennaro Lombardi.

1940sAmerican Soldiers Bring Pizza Home

During the Second World War, those soldiers who fought at the Italian front regularly ate pizza and from there brought the original recipe back to the U.S.

1987World’s largest Pizza

On October 11, 1987, Lorenzo Amato and Louis Piancone make the largest pizza ever — 44,500 pounds — and spread over an area of 10,000 square feet.

2010National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Although there is no confirmed date as to when the nation started celebrating this beautiful day, as far as published records go, the first National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day was celebrated in 2010.

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day FAQs

What kind of pizza is made with anchovies?

This is basically a Napoletana-style pizza where a few high-quality anchovies are added to Margherita pizza.

How long does it take to bake anchovy pizza?

Bake the pizza for about 8 to 10 minutes first, and then add anchovies. Bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted, and the crust is golden brown.

Can you add pineapple slices to anchovy pizza?

For some people, anchovy and pineapple pizza is a heavenly creation because the sweet pineapple cuts through a salty anchovy. But others hate this flavor combination.

How to celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Make a Pizza

Donate those pizzas

Build your own pizza oven and teach others

Create and make pizzas, or have a pizza-making competition for family and friends to share the creativity of each. And turn a blind eye to the one who might slip in that topping-that-shall-not-be-mentioned. Create public awareness by sharing photos of the fun on social media.

Make your pizzas and share them with your local senior centre, group home or some NPO. You could involve friends and family, your colleagues, or members of the community and make this day delicious for people who would not normally get the chance to eat pizza.

Clay pizza ovens are all the rage in the natural building fraternity, so impress those around you and design and make your own. That way, you have a talking and social point, and learn a new skill. You could use it for years to come, making pizza in the authentic way.

5 Facts About Pizza (and Anchovies) Everyone Should Know

The origin of pizza

Pizza is a 37 billion dollar industry

Pizza was delivered in space

Some love anchovies on their pizza

Fisherman prefer fishing at night for anchovy

In the times of ancient Greeks and Egyptians, pizza was a flatbread seasoned with cheese, oil, and herbs.

There are over a million people working in the pizza industry in the U.S., which generates $37 billion every year.

In 2001, a six-inch pizza was delivered to the International Space Station, where Yuri Usachov was the recipient.

0.003% of Americans select anchovies as a topping of their choice on a pizza.

Anchovies shine in the water because of their silvery scales and are easier to catch at night.

Why Do We Celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?

It’s our favorite meal

The focus is on the ‘works’

It helps us appreciate those who love anchovies

Pizza is definitely America’s favorite meal — roughly 100 acres of pizza a day or about 350 slices per second, are consumed. So even a funny day that makes fun of a topping, in this case anchovies, is part of what we celebrate daily.

This day is about concentrating on the ‘works’ which point towards appreciating the toppings.  Instead of an average pizza, this day celebrates the effort of selecting gorgeous, mouth-watering toppings and really savoring them.

There are so few true blue anchovy lovers that it may be a good idea to get them to celebrate this day with you — without their fishy love. Then do a turn-around and let them make you a pizza with their favorite topping on it and give it a chance. You may love it and be hailed as a bridge builder across the topping divide in the pizza world.

Source

[softpromise]

Zelinktine's Month Day 8 - Staying In

Welcome to Zelinktine's Month Day 8! I got to collab with one of my favorite creators and people, @binkus-and-smelda. We had a lot of fun planning this one out and deciding on music, and I'm so glad to finally get to share it with everyone!! Check out Bink's incredible artwork here!!

WC: 1342

Read on ao3 or below the cut :)

Zelda was beyond excited. She’d cooked a whole dinner for them following a recipe from her great grandmother, something she thought he’d really like. She’d picked out a wine that should pair perfectly, something she thought she’d really like. And she bought a whole chocolate cake from a local bakery, something she knew they both really liked. Staring at the table, she nearly giggled to herself.

There was a red tablecloth, and heart-shaped plates she ordered online, and heart-shaped confetti in a vase in the middle of the table. And red and pink candles, and red cushions on the chairs, and romantic music playing, and… and gods, he was going to lose it when he saw this.

She knew he would’ve been happy to take her out to a fancy restaurant after a night of dancing; buy an expensive bottle of wine, bring her a huge bouquet of flowers, a big pink fluffy stuffed bear with a heart that said ‘I love you’ (even though neither of them had said the same yet). But… well, she was more comfortable spending it at home. Then she could prepare everything how she wanted, and she could feel comfortable, and they wouldn’t have to dress up. And… and she wouldn’t have to worry about her family finding out.

Because of who her father was, there was little Zelda could do in public without word getting back to her family, whether by acquaintances or tabloids. And if she were to show up someplace with a man? Oh, the scandal of it! Who was he? What was his name? What did he do for work? Did he come from money? She got overwhelmed just thinking about it. No; for now, this was just for them.

Like it had been for the last year.

But Link didn’t really complain about it. He’d only mentioned it the one time, and her explanation had seemed to sate him, so… Their first Valentine’s Day would be spent at her apartment. And she couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.

-

Link was… apprehensive. He’d bought her flowers and chocolates, ones he knew she liked. He’d brought some of his favorite movies, ones he knew he liked. And he was planning on saying three words that… well, that he was hoping they’d both like equally. Staring at her door, he nearly threw up.

She let him in and everything was pink and red and cheesy, including her grinning cheeks, which he promptly kissed (only after the door was closed). She’d put her hair up, showing off a delicate gold chain necklace he had bought for her birthday, and she looked prettier than ever, somehow. Maybe it was the soft candlelit ambiance.

They ate a delicious dinner she’d made, one of her great grandmother’s recipes (whom he hadn’t met). They drank the wine that only amplified and accentuated the delicious flavors from dinner (that was entirely private). They had chocolate cake from a local bakery (that he would’ve loved to take her to himself). And it was great, but somehow bland.

After dinner, they sat on the couch in front of her TV and watched a movie. It was corny and romantic, some old rom com he’d told her about, and she liked it just as much as he thought she would. And it was great, but somehow lacking.

After the movie, they went to her room to do what had made them fall for each other in the first place: listen to music. Zelda had a vintage record player and a vast selection of vinyl, some old and some new. That was how he’d met her, in fact; bopping her head to some niche death metal in a tiny old record store, not a care in the world. And with time, he’d learned that when she was listening to music was maybe the only time she was so carefree. She could be stressed about work, or her parents, or whatever was on the news, but all of that would melt away as soon as she put a record on.

As always, they brought some pillows down to the floor and laid right in front of the speakers, listening to one of their favorite albums. He’d always liked metal before, but something about the way she liked it made him love it. And it was great, but… it was almost enough to make him forget about what he’d come here to say.

“Hey, Zelda?” he said nervously, turning over to face her once they’d finished the first side of the record she’d put on.

“Hm?” She rolled onto her side to look at him, too. And her eyes were so beautiful and happy and, as always, laying like this made him think about waking up with her this way. Which made him think about living with her.

“When do you think we’ll… y’know…” he started, not at all saying what he’d wanted to say.

She blinked at him, then her face lit up and she laughed. “I mean, we can now if you want to. Do you want me to put on another record first, or…?”

“No, no, not that,” he said, his face turning red. “I meant, um… telling your family.”

Her face fell instantly. “Link, you know how I feel about that and why I want to wait.”

“I know, I know, I just…” He sighed, turning onto his back again. “I just want to be able to call you mine. In front of people, you know?”

She was quiet for a minute. “Is that a deal breaker for you?”

“Zelda…”

“Is it?”

It was his turn to be quiet.

“What if it was?”

She was quiet again, and he started to regret having said anything. Nervously, he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She was staring at him, and her eyes were hard. They were hurt. But… but so was he.

“I should go,” he said quietly, then got up and pulled his shoes on and left. And she didn’t make any moves to stop him.

-

There were a million and one things she’d wanted to say when he got up to leave, and for some reason, she couldn’t force herself to say any of them. After a few minutes lying on her floor still, blanketed by silence and disappointment, she pulled out her phone. She needed to talk to someone, and for some reason, her mother was the first person that came to mind.

-

When Zelda called him, sobbing, he had no choice. Of course he’d go to console her, and they could talk about it, and… and he’d already decided it wasn’t a deal breaker to him. That he could stand to wait longer, for her.

He stood in front of her door, wanting to throw up for an entirely different reason than the last time. She’d just said she wanted to talk, which was one of the most terrifying things anyone can ever say to a person. Sure, he’d decided he was fine with it, but what if she was getting cold feet? What if she changed her mind?

When she opened the door, he could tell immediately by her face that she had changed her mind. Well, both her face, and the room full of people behind her, chattering away. The people that he vaguely recognized from family photos in her apartment or on her social media.

“Hi,” she said, giving him an apologetic smile.

“Hey,” he said, his grin unavoidable as he glanced past her at the full house. “So?”

“I changed my mind.”

“Oh, yeah?” He said, grinning even broader.

“Oh, yeah.” She took a step forward, and he pulled her into his arms.

“You didn’t have to,” he said into her hair.

“Of course I had to, Link. I love you. And I can’t be afraid of that anymore.”

“Oh, gods, Zelda,” he breathed. “I love you, too.”

“Hey, lovebirds,” her father called from the living room. “Are you going to come in and drink with us, or what?”

[soobadnoonecanstopher]

Touch it for Real, Part 9

Genre: Humor / Fluff / Angst / (Eventual) Smut 18+

Warnings: OMG they were roommates / slice of life / slow burn / mutual pining / crude humor / cursing / virgin!baek / idiots to lovers / unresolved sexual tension

Characters: Baekhyun X You/Female Reader

Description: You teach Baekhyun how to date. (Basically the Get You Alone M/V)

A/N: DO NOT YELL AT ME! It is going to be okay. 

Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8  , Part 9 , Part 10

You had a secret.

For such an abstract and shapeless thing you could sure feel it sitting in there.

It was pulsing.

Your secret felt like a splinter lodged just under a single taste bud that sat in the center of your tongue. You could feel your white blood cells attacking it, trying their best to push it up and push it out, but still it clung tight with its sharp barbs lodged within your cell walls. You brushed your tongue against your teeth.

The secret did not budge.

What you knew about them though, was that secrets did not like to stay hidden forever.

Your fork slipped and clanked noisily against the ceramic plate and the bright orange carrot ball rolled across the smooth white surface nearly sliding over the edge onto the white linen. Whoever decided that your steamed vegetables needed to be shaped into spheres simply for aesthetics should be forced to come out here and explain how you were supposed to spear one of these things while also avoiding the risk of it shooting across the table and hitting your date in the face.

Ben turned out to be very nice. If you were into tall, handsome, clean-looking, and responsible guys who drove their own cars and also had things like health insurance and retirement plans. When you first saw him, you were struck by the firmness you felt when he shook your hand and smiled brightly at you. He had all of his teeth and a head full of hair. He was definitely walking around on his real legs too. He looked like the kind of guy who didn’t let the clean laundry sit in the dryer for longer than a day and changed out his toothbrush every three months. You couldn't see a single fault.

You were trying your best to make a good first impression.

Really, you were.

Well, while also keeping an eye on Baekhyun who sat beside you with his focus down on his plate as he sliced his food into bite sized bits. His control of the fork and knife felt so careful and so exacting, it neared obsession. He had not ordered the steamed vegetables. None of his food rolled.

Across from him, looking just as cute in person as her online dating profile pictures conveyed, was Mia.

Mia was fine.

She was fine.

You didn't want to get into it.

Her clothes were fine. They were exactly the kinds of clothes you had expected she would wear.

Her hair was fine.

She actually had a hairstyle that reminded you of one of the characters in an anime you watched with Baekhyun once and you wondered about the upkeep costs of that particular shade of blue that streaked through her hair. You wondered if she had to switch to blue towels and blue pillow cases or if everything in her house was just stained forever.

Baekhyun’s cheeks blushed when he shook her hand and his smile was bashful, if not a bit tight when she complimented his glasses. Your mind briefly considered the plush, expensive white towels you both owned at home and a flash of horror overcame you for a split second when you imagined those towels streaked with a blue stain from the shower.

He bought those glasses at a store. Anyone can go to the store and buy glasses. Did such a superficial compliment really warrant such a deep shade of pink on his cheeks?

You took a sip of your glass of wine and the sweet, cool liquid had a tart aftertaste that lingered on your taste buds long after you swallowed and you stabbed roughly at the runaway carrot again, impaling it with the prongs of your fork.

Finally.

“I got it,” you said out loud to yourself with a wide smile and you held your prize up in front of your face for a second. Long enough for your eyes to drift across your table to meet Ben’s and you caught the soft amused chuckle that puffed from his nose.

You’d already gotten through the backstory. Starting with the curious question from Mia about how you and Baekhyun got to know each other and you took a quick glance toward Ben as Baekhyun explained that you and he had been roommates for a couple of years. You caught the slight smile on Ben’s lips as he looked down into his water glass and you wondered if he was pleased that he already knew the answer to this question as you had been quick to tell him this important detail about your life as you chatted with him during the last week or so.

Mia on the other hand simply let her eyes drift over from Baekhyun’s face to land on yours for a moment and you offered a disarming smile by way of explanation. Not that either of you had any explaining to do. You could live with whoever you wanted to live with. It took her ten seconds to return your smile, although you didn't quite believe it, or believe that she was done with her curiosities about this topic.

You couldn't really blame her although you’d given her nothing to be suspicious about. Not in the last 20 minutes since you’d all arrived and nibbled on shared appetizers, at least.

Hell, you hadn’t even touched him all day. From before you both arrived at this fancy restaurant and just relinquished your coats to some stranger simply because she held a hand out and sported a severe enough hairdo and manic look in her eyes that was too frightening to question. From the morning when you woke up and wandered into your kitchen to make toast for one and you ignored the sound of his feet shuffling in, half-asleep to grab a yogurt from the fridge. You hadn’t even helped him style his hair; which looked stunning, by the way, with the waves and the faded brown color that absolutely looked like something the perfect boyfriend would let you play with as he laid on your lap. He hadn’t even asked for your help picking out his outfit. He’d simply done it all on his own and waited for you by the front door wearing those jeans and smelling like that familiar scent that he bought for your date with him weeks back.

When had this all become so awkward? You’d never been afraid to touch Baekhyun before but now, well, the touches hadn’t ever concealed quite so much meaning before.

By the time the entrees arrived the conversations had moved on to hobbies and interests.

Ben was a movie buff, and his favorites were mostly mainstream blockbusters of the Marvel Superhero variety. He enjoyed many of the genres of films you’d mostly seen just the previews of. His top ten contained a bit more horror than you were comfortable with. One in particular, a prolific film based on a Steven King novel, had been the kind of psychologically terrifying film that made your chest rattle and you had spent most of the second half of that movie with your face buried in Baekhyun’s arm begging him to just describe to you what was happening and to tell you when the scary parts were over.

When he asked you what your favorite movie was you hesitated for a moment before pulling the movie Forrest Gump out of basically thin air. Yes you had enjoyed the movie. Yes it was something you’d seen more than once and if it was on television right now you would sit down and watch it from start to finish and you would enjoy it. It was a respectable favorite to have. It was the kind of favorite movie you would not be embarrassed to show to your grandmother.

But it wasn’t actually your favorite and you could feel the burden of Baekhyun’s eyes as he turned his head to look at your face when you said it.

Something about naming, out loud with your own lips — the light and fun, mindless guilty pleasure of the film that was actually your favorite movie that you’d watched hundreds of times and returned to watch again and again every time you felt even a little bit upset; something about saying it out loud to this table of people with countless of hours of media consumption under their belts and opinions about things like prolific directors, production companies, hefty CGI budgets, and overused, tired tropes that absolutely should be dropped in 2021, well it just felt too vulnerable for you to say out loud.

You swallowed a sip of your wine and refused to turn your head to look at Baekhyun until you heard the sound of his throat swallowing the ice water he sipped.

When Mia changed the topic to Anime you felt Baekhyun come alive beside you and Ben slinked back in his seat a little as the two of them got to talking about something that was highly anticipated and was slated to be released next year. Rumors about artists and directors with names you could not know flew easily from their lips and Mia mentioned the name of one previous work that you recognized.

In fact you had watched the entire thing last year with Baekhyun and you remembered talking excitedly about it with Mia during one of your early text conversations.

Your face lit up and you happily joined in, excited to finally know what in the world they were talking about when you accidentally let something slip when you reminded her of what she had said about the anime before. Luckily you stopped yourself before you could admit that you had actually been the one she had been chatting with at the time.

Still, she caught it. She was very quick and sharp and you watched her face as she registered that you’d referenced something that only Baekhyun should know about. Had you just fucked up?

“Ahh, we,” you raised your index finger and waved it lightly toward where Baekhyun had stiffened up in his seat beside you, “he told me about what you said.”

There was a moment when her eyes widened and she looked at Baekhyun briefly before returning her focus to you.

“He...told you about me?” She lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, straightened her back and leaned forward with her forearms rested in front of her plate on the table. Her off-the-shoulders number dipped when she leaned in and you caught a bit of black lace and the bunch up of her impressive bosom.

She smiled a coy smile aimed across the table.

You followed the smile and your eyes reached Baekhyun. He’d been hit with the smile and had been too stunned to return it. Instead, he lifted a hand and rubbed it over the back of his neck twice before reaching the same hand forward to grab the ice water he’d been sipping all night as he pulled in a mouthful and puffed his cheeks before covering his lips with his flattened palm and swallowing noisily.

“I also mentioned you to my friend,” Mia said not quietly enough for it to be just for him and you dropped your eyes down to the half finished chicken on your plate.

She was fine. Mia was fine. She’d done absolutely nothing wrong. She was nice and she was probably a good person, but you kind of wanted her to die.

“So,” Ben interjected suddenly and you looked across the table at him as you tried to conceal the surprise on your face to find him sitting there.

You noticed he was done with his food and his plate had already been cleared away by the super attentive waitstaff.

The negligence of your own date weighed heavily on you and you angled your chest forward to face him directly for whatever questions he had for you.

He was pointing toward Baekhyun and Mia with his extended finger and raised eyebrows.

“You two work in computers?” It was a work question. He’d gathered this much from the brief introductions everyone had given and while you had failed to offer any insight as to what you did for a living, Baekhyun and Mia had both mentioned computers.

“He’s a software engineer, and I’m a programmer. Similar but not the same,” Mia explained. You weren't sure of any of the details or of how they were different. You hadn’t really put much thought into it. You knew Baekhyun worked the magic with the keyboard and could fix anything that you happened to break.

“I’m in advertising. Just got scouted by Comma Entertainment and I’ve accepted.” Ben had a hand raised to his chest and his eyebrows were up. This seemed important to him and you let your lips form into an impressed O shape as you raised your eyebrows. His tone and the way he said the name of his new employer seemed to warrant the excited reaction.

You weren't familiar at all with his industry but you knew how to react like you knew what he was talking about. He certainly seemed impressed by himself. Who were you to discourage his enthusiasm.

“You’ve heard of it?” You sold it too well. Baekhyun had leaned close to you and whispered an aside question and you shot him a tense look with your eyes as a warning, but you quickly pushed your smile wide for Ben who was, deservedly, very excited about his new position.

“Of course, who doesn’t know Comma for advertising. That’s a very big deal. Is that why you were so busy last week? We hardly got to talk.”

Your subject change was so slick. If you hadn’t been the one to do it, you’d have been impressed by it. The disappointed pout on your face sold it well.

“Actually I was at the bank a lot last week. It was so weird. I had a few accounts that seemed to be hacked but then it turned out to be nothing. Had to change all my passwords though, so that was annoying.”

“That sucks. They didn't take anything did they?” Mia spoke up from beside Ben; concern written all over her face.

“No. Whoever did it just seemed to access purchase histories mostly. Some loser of a hacker. Didn't even get any money.” Ben’s lips pulled wide and he was laughing with his head thrown back at his perceived victory over the hacker that had been messing around in his bank records.

“You can learn a remarkable amount of information about a person’s bad habits from their bank history, Ben. Sure utilities and rent; that’s boring. You can find out how often someone gets hammered at bars. How many of those bars are also strip clubs. How many maxed out credit cards they make minimum payments on each month just to keep their head above water. Their gambling losses and the motel rooms they book in the bad part of town…”

Baekhyun was speaking up beside you. You turned and you looked at his profile as he spoke so candidly and with what you could only describe as a certain smugness on his voice.

The only reason he’d stopped talking was to catch his breath. It was the most he had spoken all night and you honestly felt taken aback by the suddenness of his words and more, the topic he spoke on. It felt weirdly pointed. It just felt so detailed; almost accusatory.

“What?” You hissed the question; focused it hard and as under your breath as possible to the man seated beside you.

His lips closed up before his eyes turned to look at you and you caught a quick blink of his eyes that preceded a softening of his features that had no business looking that confrontational in the first place.

“I’m not saying any of that stuff applies to Ben.” Baekhyun lifted a slim dismissive hand to wave toward your date. “It’s just an example. For all we know Ben’s only weakness is eating fried chicken every day.”

Ben’s lips were pulled into a thin line on his face and his jaw unclenched when you looked back at him. Then he was smiling at you and it was bright and convincing. You smiled back at him and shook your head at your wacky roommate’s antics.

“Actually it’s pizza. You caught me buddy, I’m a hardcore pizza addict. Every night.”

“Well, not tonight.” Baekhyun shrugged with an odd smile landing on his lips.

Ben’s tight smile flattened and the two men seemed to be staring at each other for longer than you thought was polite for a shared first double-date.

“So what is it that you do?” It was Mia who ultimately broke the tension and you looked across the table into her eyes. She had a pleasant smile on her face and was still chewing on a piece of bread, clearly unbothered by the strange standoff that had just been going on between the two men at this table.

Surely you weren't the only one to notice how odd it had been. Had you just imagined the tightness in Baekhyun’s fist that laid over his thigh and the hard glare in Ben’s eyes?

With Mia’s question though, you felt your own lips pull closed and your eyes danced around the table to the other curious parties who also were now looking at you to answer the question.

You’d prepared well for this date. You’d made sure Baekhyun had the detailed first date topics, questions and answers for perfect small talk, even the section on table etiquette. You’d made sure he knew you’d be here to steer the conversations toward topics he was comfortable discussing and you’d even set up a safety signal he would use if he wanted to bail and just go home.

You’d planned it all out, down to the detailed progression of the evening and how at the end someone might even suggest going together for drinks. And should one of the dates wish to split off, it would be completely okay as long as the corresponding person felt comfortable. You’d even promised that under no circumstances would you abandon Baekhyun to do this on his own if he didn't want to. Not even at the behest of Ben, your date.

They were looking at you and you'd gone quiet. You’d been so busy preparing for this date that it never occurred to you that you were also actively involved and that someone might possibly ask a question about you and your work.

Your work. Well…

“Uhh...I don't really do anything worth mentioning.”

You felt it. It was a warmth that had pooled in the skin around your nose. Your cheeks felt warm and you felt just insignificant enough for it to take your undeserved confidence and throw it out the window.

Ben and Mia were watching you. You pulled your bottom lip in between your teeth and bit down on the dry chapped skin on the surface.

“Nothing?” Ben said and his eyes were wide with a look of confusion on his face.

“Well, not nothing.” You were not completely unemployed. You had been quite impressive before. You’d been working with the best publicists of an entertainment company and had been in charge of crafting and perfecting the asset sheets of many of your company's highest profile artists. You’d been the best at it and at one time had been highly sought out for your expertise. You had a way with it. You could work some real magic. You could make a dud of a raw potato sound like a five star course in a Michelin star restaurant. Losing your position in the spring of 2020 had really been a huge blow to your confidence. You looked back at how far you had fallen. Boring data entry jobs to make ends meet. Taking on weird side gigs so you could afford tiny luxuries like your favorite scented lotion or the name brand tampons instead of the store brand.

“I do have a job.” You added lamely. “It’s just not at all interesting.”

Ben dropped his eyes from yours and Mia shrugged her shoulders and stabbed a carrot ball expertly on the first try.

“Yeah but what is it?” Mia said as she chewed daintily. The heat in your cheeks spread and you let your eyes wander away from hers over the various dinner items that covered this table.

Beside you, Baekhyun’s movement caught your eye and you turned to see him place an elbow on the table in front of him and he leaned forward.

“She’s a dating coach. She’s really good at it, but much too modest when she talks about herself.”

Oh no. He wasn't about to spill the beans was he? This was definitely not something in the approved list of first date dinner topics. Wasn't this topic too incriminating? Wouldn't Mia put two and two together and figure out that you had been coaching Baekhyun all along? Also, wasn't this new profession of yours too brand new to start talking about so freely like this? What the hell was he doing?

“A dating coach? What’s that?”

Strangely, Mia didn't seem to be looking at Baekhyun with wheels turning and sirens blaring. She was looking at you with her mouth empty and hung open with a look of genuine interest in her eyes.

“Do you like, feed them what to say in an earpiece?” Ben was speaking up from the other side of Mia and you laughed at the absurdity of such a silly rom-com movie cliche.

“Well no. I’m not a pickup artist. I am a dating coach. Think about it like a sports coach. I am teaching my clients the skills to play the game. Skills to overcome dating anxiety, or I’m teaching them to identity and move away from self-sabotaging behaviors, limiting beliefs, or preconceptions that are detrimental to a healthy relationship.

I have clients that don't even know where to begin. My goal is to strategize with them and place them effectively within the dating scene so they stand the best chance. It’s incredibly hard to be objective about your own love life, but I provide an outside viewpoint. I step in and intervene when I see something that isn't in line with their relationship goals or the vision they have for dating.

I’m not teaching manipulation or just telling them what to say. There are no love spells to make someone fall in love with you. I’m changing the way they believe in themselves so they can present themselves to someone else in the absolute best way to begin a real relationship with someone.”

You’d been leaning in as you spoke animatedly with your hands. You felt the genuine excitement building with your words. You were surprised at how much of your previous profession’s language applied to this new exciting endeavor you were embarking on, but there really were tons of overlapping similarities between the two fields. The explanations just poured out of you.

You hadn’t said any of this out loud before to anyone but the more you talked about it, the more elated you felt about what you were doing with your life. With how much you had been helping Baekhyun and how much progress you had seen in just one day of helping your clients — Baekhyun’s friends Minseok and Sehun. Sehun had finally, finally sent you his first selfie that wasn’t taken from his lap after you’d sent him many examples of good selfies taken from different angles. Minseok was already halfway through the materials you’d sent him to study and had been working hard on identifying and changing the self-defeating language he’d used in his rough draft dating profile.

“She has an app.” Baekhyun piped up from beside you. He’d leaned back in his chair as you spoke.

Both Ben and Mia’s faces mirrored each other’s. Their eyes were wide and their mouths hung in amazement and you quickly closed up your own mouth and grabbed anxiously at your wine glass, feeling a little bit embarrassed about having talked so much. You couldn't resist the chance to smash their misconceptions about what your goals actually were with helping your clients. None of these people were unlovable. They were all worthy of finding someone and you were going to give it your all to help them see their own value.

“Not at all interesting?” Mia spoke up, “that’s super interesting. That’s really, really cool. Can—Can I have your contact info? I have a friend that would be interested in your services.”

“You have an app too? This is something we could advertise online. It would do extremely well on certain kinds of reddit forums and definitely in most online gaming communities.” Even Ben sounded excited, if not a bit overly judgmental, and you heard a quiet, but hostile scoff next to you.

You ticked your head toward the sound but did not turn to look at him. You knew that scoff well enough to hear the annoyance in his voice at whatever he thought Ben might be insinuating about online gamers and the connection to the incels that haunted the forums of reddit.

“I think it’s a bit premature to think about online advertising. I’m still only one person.”

Ben smiled and shrugged off your quick dismissal of his idea to partner up and advertise your business to the desperately lonely and pathetic gamers of the world. Hell, the more you thought about it, the less inappropriate Baekhyun’s annoyance was. Ben could use some coaching on choosing less insulting words.

Thankfully the dinner was over and the check had been taken care of. You looked away from the palpable awkwardness that slapped you across the face when Baekhyun waved away Ben’s card and paid for the entire bill with his own.

“You can get me next time, buddy.” He definitely said this word sarcastically. It was out of line and you simply could not find the right moment to pinch his leg under the table to get him to behave himself in a discrete enough way that would not get you caught by the other two people at this table.

You let it slide simply because you had no way to stop it. He was ignoring the way you waved your finger frantically at him down by your calf. You knew he could see you in his peripherals.

No, Baekhyun. Stop that. Be nice. Your hand was saying. He wouldn't even look at it.

The dinner was over and the movie was starting soon. You’d picked a restaurant that was close enough to the theatre that you could walk.

You paired off. It was far from natural. You actually caught Baekhyun’s eyes as you stepped quickly and walked ahead of him, falling into step beside Ben and you left behind Baekhyun and Mia to bring up the rear. It took every ounce of self control not to turn around and look behind you to see how closely they walked to each other. To see if Baekhyun kept his hands shoved securely in his pockets or if he swung his arms at his side as he walked, inching a hand closer and closer to Mia’s swinging hand in the hopes of a back of the hand brush of his warm skin against hers.

Your steps must have stalled. You’d reached the theatre and you looked up to locate Ben, only to find him at the box office purchasing four tickets for the movie you’d all agreed to watch days ago. For the life of you, you couldn't remember what you were seeing. You merely followed where you were led and found yourself seated in a center row of a movie house sandwiched between Ben and Baekhyun. You noticed the center armrests had been lifted when you arrived and simply did not bother to lower them since everyone was too full from dinner for any movie snacks or drinks.

The house was mostly empty and then lights dimmed as the movie began. You searched your brain and nearly pulled out your phone to check your chat logs for the name of the film but decided against shining a tiny bright light in a dark room.

The movie began and you were quickly drawn into the narrative. It was a dark film and as the soundtrack began to take on more sinister sounding tones you recognized that your heart was racing and you were feeling the tension all over your body. It was not a gorey horror film, but it was leaning more toward the psychological suspense thriller genre. Not really something you watched much of.

To your left, Ben sat completely still; focused only on the movie screen. He looked so calm and nearly unaffected by the terrifying things happening on the screen. He occasionally shifted in his seat but did not react to the jump scare that flashed before your eyes and made you flinch hard in your seat. You’d reached the point in the film when the main characters were in genuine danger and you began to wonder if anyone would make it out of this movie alive. Was this one of those films where everyone was doomed?

It happened again, another jump, another loud shocking sound and another noise startled you and you dove to your right, hiding your face in the warm shoulder of the man sitting beside you.

The realization was instantaneous. The second you felt the warmth of his arm, and the smell of him hit your nose, you pulled your head up and you straightened out your spine, mumbling a quiet apology to Baekhyun for using his arm to hide behind as you removed any and all contact points you had with his body. You angled your hips and your knees away from him and even went so far as to stick your hands well under your own thighs and keep them there so you didn't grab for him again. You had been doing so well by not touching him at all today. Why did it have to be a scary movie?

Things grew more frantic on the screen. You held your breath and tried your best to keep from reacting as much as you could. How long was this movie? How much longer did you have to endure this? You should have paid more attention to the details of this part of the date. This was your own fault. You were acting like a big baby because you couldn't handle a little frightening scenes in a movie.

It was coming again. You could feel it building. You closed your eyes and terrible sounds were erupting all over. You would just not look. You could make it through if you just didn't look. With your eyes closed the sounds felt louder than ever and when you thought you couldn't take it anymore you considered committing the enormous sin of getting up during the climax of the movie to use the bathroom just so you didn't have to sit through this anymore.

There was a shift beside you then. You felt warm fingers inching down your forearm, traveling the path your hand took that led below your thigh and someone was reaching for your hand and pulling it out from where you’d been sitting on it. Someone to your right was gripping your hand with his own warm hand and you opened your eyes to look down between the hidden space between your hip and Baekhyun’s hip. There, you saw the grip of his hand that wrapped securely around yours.

He squeezed down once and you followed the length of him up to catch a glimpse of the side of his face. He was looking up at the screen. His eyes were open and he did not flinch at all. He was so still aside from the occasional movement of his lips when he moistened them with his tongue.

You could handle this if he lent you a little bit of his strength like this. Your eyes returned to the screen but your mind wandered back down to the secure comfort you felt in his hand.

You felt your own secret throb.

It made you flinch just a little bit and Baekhyun’s hand shifted then. He moved, lifting the tight grip for a moment and you wondered if he was done, would he take his hand back and leave you cold and afraid again? The lift was for the shift of his fingers and you felt the push of each digit between yours. He pushed his fingers between yours; interlocking your hands together with his and his thumb moved lightly over your own thumb, brushing comforting strokes again and again through the loud and scary and shocking scenes that played over that screen.

This time the racing you felt in your chest had nothing to do with the scary movie. He was touching you. He was holding your hand in secret. It felt forbidden with his date sitting right beside him like she was and with your date seated right beside you like he was. All of your attention was down on the slow pressure you felt from his thumb as it traced the shape of your own thumb down from the very bottom up to the tip, around again. The simple up and down had a slow and sensual rhythm to it. When he lifted his hand his thumb moved and you held your breath to feel that same very slow touching trace the outline of the palm of your hand again and again. He drew absentminded shapes into your skin with the pointed tip of his thumb and your eyes drifted closed as the longing grew within you. He followed the paths of the creases in your skin like a palm reader. He did not even need light to see them, he simply felt them and traced along the paths.

You let him.

You felt bewitched.

You loved him.

The credits rolled on the screen and the lights switched on. The change was abrupt. You were taken by surprise and shocked by it like you were from the jump scares in the film.

His warmth left you. His wandering light touch, his deliberate and careful exploration of the lines that made up the palm of your hand vanished.

Everyone was standing and everyone was walking out of the theatre house and your mind felt clouded and dazed but you followed where their steps led and you found yourself standing outside of the exit doors with the three other people who you entered with.

Baekhyun stood beside Mia and Ben occupied the space of the sidewalk square that you also stood inside.

It was the end of a night. You felt an overwhelming urge for this evening to be done so you could go home and shower and maybe eat something sweet and distracting and maybe made out of chocolate.

“Well this was fun,” it was your own voice that ultimately called it.

Mia had been looking at Baekhyun who had been looking down at his own feet as he lightly tapped his foot on the concrete below. Three taps.

Tap, tap, tap.

You felt a jolt of realization. Baekhyun had just tapped his foot thrice on the floor below him well within your sight and you recognized what that meant. He was feeling done. He was done with all of this exhausting socializing and being out in public with so many people around and he wanted to go home now. This was him asking you for help now as he wasn't sure how to end the date but wanted it to be over.

“What about...grabbing some drinks, maybe...” Mia was talking only to Baekhyun as she looked at him, “if you aren't too tired.”

“Hey Baek, isn’t your grandmother coming over early tomorrow? Do you still have to get ready for that?” You interjected suddenly and Baekhyun looked up into your face with his mouth open and you watched his eyes move slowly over your face as he recognized what you were doing. You were giving him an out. Mia had asked him to go for drinks and you were giving him an excuse, should he need it.

You both knew his grandma came every other Sunday. You both vividly remembered the wonderful visit you had at the beginning of the week with her and she wasn’t due to arrive again until next Sunday.

He could simply correct you if he really did want to go with her. He could call you a dummy and tell you that you had the wrong week again and playfully tap you on the head to jog your brain back into functioning the right way as he often did when you got something mixed up.

“Oh, yeah she is,” Baekhyun grabbed your convenient reminder from the air and smiled a rueful smile directed at Mia. His smile widened with the wince on his face, “that’s too bad.” He added and Mia took it well.

She smiled and nodded her head and there were well wishes for a safe trip home all around as you all parted ways.

Ben said he would text you later. Baekhyun told Mia the same and you waited until they both walked away to follow Baekhyun back to his car for the quiet ride home.

The silence was heavy, but it was comfortable.

Baekhyun didn't speak at all and you could tell by the way he carried himself that he was tired. He wasn’t normally an extroverted person and found it very draining to carry on a full conversation with friends he knew well. Strangers like he had been with tonight, well, you could see the fatigue in his movements and you knew he needed something warm to drink and maybe some comfort with a familiar favorite tv show to zone out in front of.

You handled it better. You were used to having to go out of your home occasionally and you even enjoyed socializing with your coworkers on the few days you went in to the office for work. You felt a bit drained but mostly you were preoccupied with watching how he was handling it and you were also burning with curiosity to know how Baekhyun felt about the whole thing.

He’d wandered into the living room and he found the sofa. You followed him close behind and grabbed the remote, flipping to a familiar and funny cartoon that you often saw him playing in the background as he worked on things. He didn't usually watch it that closely but it was comforting enough to stay on and keep his mind occupied for a while.

You didn't speak. Everything you had to ask him could wait. Even the scolding you had for him about how he acted toward Ben could also wait. You’d let the man breathe a little first.

You busied yourself in the kitchen making two cups of hot tea and when you returned you found his head leaning against the back of the couch with his eyes still glued to the screen. He had a passive smile on his face and he reacted positively to the wacky scenarios the characters found themselves in. He would occasionally speak out loud, speaking along with a funny line he knew by heart and you found it impossible to resist saying the follow up joke. You knew this show as well as he did.

He accepted the tea with a smile and had a few sips and you set your mug on the coffee table in favorable of the comfortable side of the sofa, the side with the pillows that allowed you to rest your head comfortably as you watched the big tv.

You were feeling pretty good. Baekhyun had now officially gone on his first date with a real girl who wasn’t you and he’d had a nice time. You could see from where you laid your head down how relaxed his face was as he giggled at the show.

You stretched and you felt his warm thigh with your foot. This sofa was long enough for you to stretch out completely and you only barely reached where he sat at the other side. You wiggled your toes, unable to resist the light messing with him that you often gave in to and his hand reached down to grab ahold of your foot, which he held in place as he paid attention to the tv.

Your phone buzzed in your pocket and you sat up a little bit to pull it out.

You saw a text message from Ben.

From the preview you got the idea of what kind of text message the man would be sending you an hour after your first, and apparently your last date with him.

-Hey you seem like a super cool girl, but...

The preview showed you enough to know that he was dumping you before you’d even gotten anything started with him.

You opened the text. Your curiosity outweighed your sense of self preservation.

-...but whatever’s going on between you and your roommate, well it doesn’t really seem like there’s much room for me. I just don't think I can start something knowing I’ve already lost. Thanks for inviting me tonight. The movie was fun. Good luck with everything. - Ben

You felt the sting.

You couldn't help it. You’d spent all evening watching Baekhyun interact with Mia with every ounce of your self control devoted to not letting your jealousy show at all. At one point you’d been so damn engrossed in them that you forgot Ben was even there. What an unfair and shitty situation to have put him in. You quickly keyed out an apology for your crappy date etiquette and thanked him for going out with you tonight.

You couldn't even blame him for anything. He had been sweet and he had tried his best to be the perfect gentleman. What had you expected?

You sent the last message you would ever send to Ben and tossed your phone roughly toward the coffee table. It bounced but landed in the middle.

The racket called Baekhyun’s attention and he turned to look at you with his eyebrows raised in question.

“Ben just rejected me.”

Somehow saying this out loud to Baekhyun felt better than hiding it from him. It felt less miserable than keeping it inside of yourself and letting yourself suffer the sting of the rejection alone.

Baekhyun’s lips pulled into a small frown and he took out his cell phone from his pocket and tossed it roughly on the coffee table beside yours. It took a similar bounce and your eyes widened in surprise at the sudden gesture.

“No way, not Mia too,” you said in genuine fear and Baekhyun shook his head with his shrug still well in place.

“Nah, I just can't lay down with my phone in my pocket,” he said as he wiggled on the sofa trying to get comfortable, “though in hindsight I can see how you would think that, sorry. Mia hasn’t texted yet.”

He was wiggling, finding no comfort in all the positions he tried and you caught his wandering eyes for a second as you lightly tapped a hand over your belly.

This…

This would be fine. This was something you both did sometimes. Baekhyun said your belly was warm and comfy and made the best noises and he liked to use you as a pillow when he was just too tired to go to his own bed.

He moved right away at your invitation and you let your legs part around his chest as he laid his head down right on top of you. He turned his head to face the tv and didn't even squirm too much before he sighed out loud. His arms laid on either side of your waist and you felt the constriction as he lightly squeezed around you.

You really hadn’t gotten to touch him all day. Your fingers found their way into his hair and you felt a low moan from the back of his throat travel though your body as you raked your nails down the back of his head to his nape.

“Peanut,” you said softly, feeling every little bit of the annoying little tickle of that stupid secret sitting inside of you.

You could feel the heaviness of his body as he gave in and relaxed his muscles on you. You felt every breath he took and they seemed to be changing as you played with his hair and he gave in to the relaxing comfort you offered him.

“Hmm?” He replied after a long while. You angled your face and could see that his eyes were closed.

“How was the date? Was it nice?”

You had so many hopes for him. You were trying your best to ignore the pangs of your own selfish jealousy and get past it all to get to something good for him. Something that would make him understand how incredible he was. How beautiful he was inside and out and how precious of a human being he was.

“Mhmm, I liked it.” He said softly and he shifted and you felt him tighten his hold around your waist briefly before he relaxed again.

“Did you really? Do you think you liked Mia?” You kept your voice strong. You did not allow your fears to overcome your voice. You were okay with this if he was okay.

He did not answer right away. You’d stopped playing with his hair and you kept your hand rested over his head. He was so warm. He was so lovely.

“Do you want me to like Mia?”

No.

Mia would be so good to him.

You did not answer. Your answer would have been no. It would have been selfish. You’d just been dumped by your date, how dare his date have gone so well. You’d both been on the same date. You could still see the way she looked at him. She found him just as lovely as you did.

You felt a thickness at the back of your throat and you swallowed it down.

“I’m trying, Bug. She’s very nice to talk to. Do you think I should like her?”

Was this because of his mistrust of people? Was this his shyness about letting someone he didn't know very well in close?

You couldn't respond. You did not trust yourself to do the right thing.

“You should go rest if you’re sleepy,” you said, you know, like a coward.

It took him a few minutes of laying on top of you before he realized that you were right and he would be much more comfortable in his own bed. He nodded and pushed up with his arms, and his eyes stayed closed and his head stayed hung down as his feet shuffled and he made his way into his bedroom, leaving his door open you merely heard the loud sound of him plopping down on his bed.

You were stuck where he left you.

Stuck in about as crappy a mood as you’d ever found yourself.

You hated everything about this. You hated how much you loved him and you hated how receptive he was to the idea of dating Mia. You hated how she looked at him and giggled at his small jokes and you hated HATED the way his cheeks blushed and the shy smiles he gave her when she talked to him.

You laid there and you stewed in your mood for longer than was good for you and the only thing that made your it up was the simultaneous buzzing that brought both of your cell phones to life on the coffee table.

You reached for yours. It’s as your dating coach app. Baekhyun had received a new message from Mia. The feelings that surged through you were taking over your sense of what was good and what was right and what was proper behavior for someone like you to participate in.

You swiped to read the message.

-Hi Baekhyun. Sorry I couldn't wait until tomorrow to text you. I had an amazing time tonight and I was wondering if you would like to meet up tomorrow after your Grandmother’s visit for coffee? I have something I’d like to ask you.

You felt as if your body was on fire.

You could feel it deep inside your chest, deeper still inside your belly where his head had been resting moments before. You felt it in the palm of your hand where his thumb had traced the patterns of lines there. You felt it in your lips that he had kissed and in your tongue ached inside of your mouth from your stupid secret.

You reached for your phone. You opened the app for the power he’d given only to you and you responded to her message as if you were Baekhyun.

-Hi, Yeah, that sounds fine. I’ll meet you at 1pm.

Your hands moved on their own. You moved to the internal commands of your app and you deleted both of the messages from the chat history. When you picked up his phone you saw the notification for Mia’s message vanish before your eyes and when you unlocked it and accessed his chat log, there was no sign of the unimaginable and unforgivable sin you had just committed against him.

Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8  , Part 9 , Part 10

Tag list: @j-pping  @blahblahblah-boo  @his-mochi-cheeks  @amyeonzing@littleflowercrown13  @baekinmylife  @insta1010  @nana-banana  @f4ncyvelvet@bbhbeth  @totallynerdstuff  @byunbabybaek @maijinki @bbyunz@theclawofaraven @kingkushdealer  @uhobob @baekswifey​ @punchmebaekhyun @xlxbaekhyuneex

[tomtenadia]

Blind mistake

Rowaelin month - day 8

So, this fic was fighting me at the beginning. as I started, deleted and restarted a million times.

Then slowly the idea came and here it is. What I was not expecting was to write a A Little Braver AU.

Aelin and Rowan meet under different circumstances and are two different people from thee actual story. Aelin is still the captain at east station and Rowan still the airforce captain.

Yes, this is a happier fic but as Aelin said in KoA... she loved Rowan because it was him, the man who had known pain as deep as hers.

IN order to enjoy this fic you do not need to have read ALB. A part from Pete popping up for a brief second at the end, this is a complete stand alone story and no knowledge of ALB is needed.

Rowan sighed. His love life sucked so much that he ended up using a dating app. Since Lyria dumped him a year before he had been struggling to go back in the game. He had been on a few dates but so far none of the women he met had sparked his curiosity. Far too bland and with almost no personality or far too bothered by looks. Some of them had been downright stupid and he had been a gentleman and played along when all he wanted to do was run away screaming. The last nightmare had been a woman called Remelle who Lorcan had recommended to him. He had to feign food poisoning and pay the chef to let him escape from the back of the restaurant to flee the monster. He had paid the bill sneakily, and once home he had insulted Lorcan and his poor taste in women.

Now he was again in a restaurant, ready for probably another fiasco. He and the woman had chatted a bit and she had seemed interesting so he had dared to ask her out and she had accepted. On the paper it was all good. In reality he was getting ready for another crazy escape. Maybe he should just give up and live alone and become a grumpy old man.

He had a kingsflame on the table near him, their code to recognise each other at the restaurant. The fact that they knew very little about each other made him nervous. It was a recipe for disaster. He knew she was a personal shopper and that she liked movies and music. He was really dreading the encounter now, and started to realise that perhaps it had been a mistake. She could have lied.

Until he raised his head and he noticed the woman who had just entered the restaurant. He then spotted the flower pinned on her green dress as they had agreed. Gods, the woman was way too hot for him. There was a catch somewhere. His heart raced when realisation dawned on her face and she waved and started to walk to him. The smile. Damn, the smile could stop a man’s heart. The woman walking toward him was a goddess. He was expecting her to turn away for another table until she sat down in front of him at his table. Rowan was speechless.

“Sorry, I am late. Accident on the ring road. I stopped to give a hand to west station.” She used her hand to brush off the smudge of grease he had only just noticed she had.

“You stopped?”

“Yes,” she looked at him with a strange light in her eyes “I am a firefighter. I am the captain at east station.”

Rowan blinked twice. Shit. She was the wrong woman. She was not here for him. Of course. It was too good to be true. She had sat at the wrong table and a part of him was sad.

“I am Aelin.” she said and he knew that it had dawned on her as well that he was not her date “You are not Chaol.”

Rowan shook his head “I am Rowan.”

“Holy shit. I saw the kingsflame. The restaurant. And you smiled at me when I came in. I just assumed...” He did not want her to go. 

“Ach, I was having second thoughts anyway.” He shrugged.

In that moment the waiter came and they were hesitant for a moment then Aelin grabbed the menu and started ordering, surprising him. Rowan got some wine for both and they placed as well their order.

“Our dates are late anyway. Maybe stuck in the horrendous traffic out there.”

“You will not hear me complain.” Said Rowan with a smile “so, you stopped and helped?”

Aelin nodded, sipping a bit of her wine “I couldn’t resist it. West station was there but there were so many cars involved that I had to something. The traffic wasn’t moving anyway.”

Rowan could not believe the woman in front of him. Not only she was a goddess. She had even stopped to help her colleagues save people from a car crash on her way to a date. Where had she been all his life?

The waiter came with their order and smiled at the expression of joy when Aelin looked at the amount of food in front of her. Another point for her. She had an appetite. He had no need of another date ordering a boring salad. He was a healthy eater but loved a woman with an appetite, especially because he loved cooking.

“So Rowan, what do you do?” She asked him while tackling the gigantic prawn on her seafood tagliatelle.

“I am an airforce pilot. I am a captain.”

Her face lit up “as in the uniform and all? And the awesome planes?”

Rowan nodded.

Aelin was about to take another sip of her wine when two figures stopped at their table. A brown-haired man and a blonde woman. Both had a kingsflames pinned on their dresses.

“Excuse me but you are with my date.” Said the stranger.

Rowan looked up from his risotto “finders keepers.”

“And he is my date.” Said the woman in a shrill voice.

“What he said.” Added Aelin while eating another prawn.

“We got stuck in traffic. There is a massive road accident on the ring road.” Chaol complained, not letting it go.

“Yeah I know. I stopped to help and I still made it here before you.”

“So what does this mean?” Asked Chaol.

Aelin stared at Rowan. It was a no brainer. Chaol was cute but Rowan was sex on two legs. Between the silver hair and the green eyes he ticked all of the boxes. And he was a pilot. Chaol was an accountant.

“You two can go on a date together.” She suggested and hoped they took the hint.

“That is rude.”

“Oh shoot,” said Aelin covering her mouth in fake surprise “I must have left the fucks I have to give in my bunker gear.”

Chaol looked at her aghast. The blonde woman turned on her heels and left.

“You missed an opportunity.” He added before he left as well.

As soon as he left Rowan burst into laughter and she joined him “no fucks to give…” he said trying to catch his breath “I have to steal this when my CO drives me nuts.”

“Ansel, one of my firefighters, she taught me that.”

“It’s fucking perfect.” 

And both resumed their dinner without the awkwardness of a blind date. No stupid questions like how many siblings do you have or what is your favourite colour. No, with Rowan there had been a connection from the start and the joke had been the final proof.

“Most guys would have left running at my joke. I have a big and foul mouth. Not very lady-like.” She apologised. “I work in a male dominated place. Apart from Ansel and my two paramedics, I am surrounded by guys and well, they are not easily scared.”

Rowan chuckled “I am in the military. My CO uses fuck you as a term of endearment and one of my lieutenants has the record for the most innuendos in a sentence.”

“How many?” Asked Aelin curios.

“Ten.”

“No friggin’ way.”

Rowan nodded solemnly. Then looked at her and he was glad she sat at his table mistaking him for another man. They had known each other only for twenty minutes but he was dumbstruck by the woman.

She was fierce, intelligent and with a wicked sense of humour.

The meal had been perfect. Aelin had polished every single plate in front of her and also ordered dessert. And when she offered to pay for half the bill he had smiled. He had plenty of dates where the woman didn’t even offer. She took it for granted that he, being the man, was the one paying. He had no issues with that, he was happy to pay, but the fact that Aelin offered made him realise that she was different.

They left the restaurant and he gasped when he saw a red pickup reading Terrasen fire department on its livery, parked just outside the restaurant.

“Way to scare the patrons away.” He joked.

“Sorry. Yesterday I took a lift to work from a colleague and I forgot for a moment that I had a set the date for tonight after my shift. So I grabbed my work pickup to get here. I need to go back to the firehouse and return it.”

“I’ll follow, you drop off the pickup and then I drive you home.”

“I can take a cab, you don’t have to come all the way to the station and back.”

“Humour me,” he said giving her a beautiful smile and she accepted.

Ten minutes later they were at east station and she parked the pickup in its corner at the side and out of the way.

She saw Rowan getting off the car.

“Welcome to east station.” She said extending her arms. She pushed a button and the rolling doors slid up and two big trucks appeared in front of him. He had always wanted to see one up close.

“Cap,” said a man at her back “what are you doing here? I thought you were on a date?” He smiled “that bad? I told you accountants were a bad idea.”

Aelin laughed “looks like I got myself an airforce pilot instead.” She winked at him and Rowan’s heart skipped a beat.

“I’ll tell you next shift, Pete. I just brought back the pickup before Dorian kills me.”

She waved at her relief captain and followed Rowan in his car and told him her address.

While he drove she studied him. He was wearing a nice pair of jeans, a shirt and a black leather jacket. She should have guessed he was military. Aedion had the same posture and he was ex-army.

“Which house?” Asked Rowan, waking her up from her thoughts.

“The one with the blue door.”

He parked and walked with her up to the door “I had so much fun tonight,” she said to him, not wanting him to leave her.

“I am so glad that you sat at the wrong table. This was the best blind date ever.” He looked at her and wanted to kiss her so badly but they had just met and he did not want to pass a a pig.

She moved a step toward him “I am glad too.” And her lips brushed his cheek in a kiss “perhaps we could go on a proper date. One where we are actually meant to meet each other.”

Rowan sighed relieved “It would make me very happy.”

Aelin rummaged in her bag until she found a pen then grabbed his wrist and pulled up his cuff a bit and wrote down two numbers.

“The first one is my personal mobile number. The second one is the direct number to my office. I am known to leave my mobile in my bunker gear.”

“Thank you.”

“Let me know a date and if I am not free we can find a better one. Us firefighters have crazy long shifts so I need to be off.”

He took her pen and her wrist and wrote his number “then you text me. A day that you are off shift. I work regular hours. This makes more sense.”

He took a step down from the few step and she hated the idea of him leaving.

“Goodnight, Rowan.” She opened the door and looked at him one last time.

Rowan waited for her to disappear behind the door and then went back to his car and was grateful for the best blind mistake of his life.