#(going back home when its 9 pm: what can you do except a dinner eating and shower taking idk)

[glimpsesofeuterpe]

honestly will never ever get how in the world neurotypicals manage doing so much of things while working all the time esp on good ol slavery low paid jobs- i mean i could partly get it i guess but they somehow manage to make families and kids in the middle of the run, like how, how do you fish out enough of energy and time while on the run??

[mypimpademia]

Bakugo, Todoroki, and Shinso quarantining w black s/o

Bakugo x Todoroki x black!reader x Shinso

TW: Swearing, refers to sexual activities at the end of each of them

Note: Yes, I did do most of this stuff in quarantine. [And they're aged up as always]

BAKUGO

He honestly feels like he's losing his shit

And he probably would if he did have you with him

You guys are staying up all night and watching Wild n Out, Basic to Bougie, 90 Day Fiance, all that shit

And of course Bad Girls Club

He claims he hates 90 Day Fiance and BGC, but he stays watching that shit, even if he has the remote or youre on his phone

His sleep schedule is fucked up

And by fucked up, I mean its a few hours past the old man's bed time

He goes to bed at 1 am now instead of 9 pm

But still wakes up at 9 am

He took a leave on hero work because of covid

He loves his job almost as much as he loves you (aw💖)

But hes not gonna risk his health for it

"Fuck all that bullshit, as much as I love my job, I'm staying my ass in this house. And you are too. I'll be damned if you catch it, especially if its from me."

Yall only go out once a week

He could minimize it to once every other week, but he tried that and it almost drove him crazy

There aren't any exceptions unless there's an emergency

Makes you wear gloves and use a reusable mask that he washes as soon as yall get home

And you get mostly essentials but he'll ask you if you want candy or anything and he'll buy a big box of brownie mix if you like brownies just to hold you over for a while

Also stocks up on meds like pain killers and allergy pills

No fucks given, he will hit up different stores for toilet paper

"WHY ARE ALL THESE FUCKIN IDIOTS TAKING THE TOILET PAPER?? I KNOW DAMN FUCKIN WELL YALL DONT SHIT THAT MUCH, AND HALF OF YALL PROBABLY DONT EVEN WIPE."

Hes gonna experiment with cooking more now that he has time

Writes down all the recipes that work out

Youre his taste tester so you best believe you bouta be eatin good 😌

If you want your hair done he'll order it online unless yall are already out

Hes gonna make sure that you're eating good and feeling okay because these are tough times 🥺

But hes gonna do it in his own way and act like he's not concerned

"Hey idiot, do you wanna pass out? You haven't been drinking water today, I can tell. I'm getting you a full cup, you better drink it all."

"You haven't eaten anything today, I'm making you dinner."

"Your hair is dry, come here so I can help you put oil on it. I keep telling you to take care of it, ill laught at you if you go bald." He wont

Also has you work out with him do you can stay in shape

Libido?

Yessir

Every other day, anywhere (except in public because hes not about to get sick), at anytime

It goes 50/50

Sometimes its just because hes in the mood

Other times hes feeling really soft and wants to show you that he loves you

All in all its a mixture of Bakugo losing his shit and loving you all in one

TODOROKI

He's pretty chill about it

Just super bored

Starts watching BGC, binges Basic to Bougie and 90 Day Fiance

Oddly enough he really enjoys watching Love & Hip Hop????

He finds it interesting

Especially likes Cardis season because its funny and hella memes came out of it

Don't get me wrong tho I aint a Cardi stan but you gotta admit that she's mad funny im a barb at heart tho

His crackhead really comes out over quarantine

He'll start referencing random ass memes

Hes mostly on leave for hero work unless they really need him

In that case he wears a mask and gloves out

When he gets home the first thing he does is reference BGC

"WHATS UP BAD BITCHES"

And thats how you know he's home

Goes to bed at like 1:30 - 2 am

Only because he doesn't want to be passed out if he's needed for hero duties

Goes out every other week

Mainly for basic essentials, but if you want a little extra he'll buy it

Anything else he'll buy online

Also goes to other stores to buy more toilet paper

Figured out that hes really good at crochets

So if you want your hair done he'll order any crochets you want off Amazon and do them for you

Takes care of you and makes sure your doing well all together

"Did you eat today baby?"

"How much water have you had today?"

"Have you been putting oil on your hair?"

Lotsss of cold soba

But he cooks a few other things so that its not the same thing 24/7

Asks Fuyumi for help when he doesn't know how to cook something super well

If you're the type to go to bed hella late, he'll make sure you sleep a full 8 hours

Even if you wake up after 5 he'll ask you to take a nap with him

Has you work out with him every now and then so you can both stay healthy

Not too much libido

He didn't get in the mood like that even before quarantine

Its not every other day like Bakugo though

More like twice a week

Anymore than that and it'll probably be because you needed it rather than him

If its after a mission it'll be slower just so he can show you how much he loves and appreciates you for being someone he can come home to and just being you

If its more spontaneous he'll be slightly rough but still a pretty slow

But it's a lot of crackhead Todoroki and soft Todoroki

SHINSO

He's doing fine

Just more bored than usual

I feel like Shinso likes cartoons so hes rewatching a bunch of childhood cartoons

Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Regular Show, all that good shit

Lotsss of cartoon quotes

Yall are having a pillow fight and he grabs 2 pillows and claps you?

"Cheatin ass bitch."

"Street rules, man." (Regular Show quote for those who don't know)

Please sing the bacon pancake song (Adventure Time) with him while yall make breakfast

He'll be so happy

If you do something stupid hes gonna do a lemon grab (Adventure time) quote

"UNACCEPTABLE"

On leave for hero work

Really doesn't care about getting himself sick unless he gets super sick or dies

But hes not about to get you sick

He'd genuinely rather get himself sick and die than get you sick

Yall go out twice a week

Once to get essentials and another just to get out

I feel like shinso is a decent cook so he'll cook for you

Write down recipes that you like

Also gets some off the internet

Works better with natural hair than braids and crochets

So he'll do slick backs for you and maybe give you a ponytail or something if you ask but he'd rather do 100% natural just because hes better at it and he likes natural black hair

Can also do half wigs

Takes care of you more than himself

So you have to take care of each other

"Did you drink water today, Doll?"

"I did, did you?"

"Did you eat today?"

"No, and you haven't either. What should we eat for lunch?"

"You havent been putting oil on you hair. Do you want me to help you, kitty?"

Small work out sessions

Maybe like 15 min a day

Full body tho because hes too lazy to split up days

Does to bed at like 4 - 6 am

Mostly just watching YouTube and binging cartoons and eating

Insomnia Cookies? (If you dont know, its a cookie place that delivers till 3 am and theyre so good-)

YESSIRRR

Yall gain back any weight you burned off from exercising earlier that day

Pizza, cookies, chicken nuggets, fries, fried chicken, etc.

Basically just a constant sleep over

Libido to the max

Once or twice a day

Nothing public because germs

Normally rough

But every now and then he'll get soft and just tell you how much he loves you and appreciates you

His aftercare for times like that consists of a bubble bath, lots of hugs, food and cartoons😌

[breanime]

Logan Delos Routines Headcannons

Requested by @drinix: Hi! How about requesting two headcanons about our problematic fave Logan Delos. One about his routine (similar to the Billy Russo one).....[I snipped the other half of this request]

Warning: it’s Logan, so... STEAMY (and some mentions of drug use); also, it got kind of long...Logan just inspires me, what can I say? haha!

*gif not mine*

Logan used to wake up with either a hangover or still drunk/high

He’d wake up, get high, and go about his day

Sometimes he’d be up all day, unable to sleep because of the drugs in his system

Other times he’d be passed out until 3 or 4 pm and wake up groggy and sick, desperate for a fix and hating himself

But now that he’s clean (five years clean!), his routine is different

Better, actually

If he’s working, Logan usually wakes up very early

He checks his emails and messages in bed for a while before officially getting up

If he’s traveling for work, he’ll order breakfast and eat it in bed while he works

If he’s at home, he’ll get up and go to his home office and work until he’s ready to leave

Logan is well liked by everyone at Delos (excluding his father and William), and the staff go out of their way to assist him in whatever project he’s working on

He’s always been a charmer, and he has the entire corporation wrapped around his finger

Logan tends to buy/own expensive, namebrand clothes and accessories and electronics

Because that’s what he’s used to--high quality has been his norm since he was a child

So it’s not a status thing for him like it is for some people

*coughBillyRussocough*

It’s more of a lifestyle thing for Logan

Logan likes to get pampered, so he has his secretary schedule him a spa day every few weeks

He gets massages

(That turns into slippery, oily sex 9 times out of 10)

(The masseurs practically fight over who gets to work on Logan)

And he gets facials and has his nails trimmed and manicured

He gets a cranial massage that he adores

And he leaves with a month’s worth of expensive, cruelty-free product to use for his hair, skin, and nails

As he proves himself to be a competent business more and more

And starts to care less and less about what his father thinks of him

Logan starts to feel more secure in himself

He sleeps better--surrounded by plush, soft pillows filled with goose feathers, and wrapped up in his expensive duvets

Logan sleeps naked 110% of the time

On days he doesn’t work, he sleeps in extra late

Sometimes he’ll get up and exercise if he feels like it

Or he’ll go to a club, have ONE drink, and meet a handsome/pretty person to take home for the night

Which is how he met you

Except he found himself, when he woke up the next morning with you naked in his arms, wanting to keep you around

And suddenly he found himself changing his routines again

Now, when he woke up with you in his arms, he’d spend the morning giving you kisses and cuddles

He’d whine when you’d leave bed, grabbing you by the waist and dragging you back into bed

You usually had to attempt to leave the bed at least three times before Logan would actually let you go

He liked to start his day with slow morning sex as the sun came up

His body on top of yours, kissing your neck as he moved his hips above you

His hands roaming over your skin, touching all the places his lips were too busy to get to

Logan LIVED to hear the soft moans and sighs you made in those moments, your lips were right on his ear, so he could hear you in perfect stereo

Or sometimes he’d convince you to a long romp in the shower

Your hands pressed against the glass as he stood behind you, pushing into you and growling in your ear

He’d have one hand on the glass next to yours, keeping himself steady

And the other would either be on your neck, turning your head so he could kiss you

Or in your hair, pulling at the wet strands as his pace increased

Or sometimes on your hips, holding you in place so he could get that perfect angle that made you scream

When you’re not with him in the morning, Logan wakes up with a pout

He grabs his phone and calls or facetimes you

And then his day gets better when he hears your voice

He gets downright giddy when you facetime with him

He loved your sleepy face and the way your lips pull downwards just as you wake up

He thinks it’s fucking adorable

The day you agree to move in with Logan is one of the best days of his life

He thought he’d have to convince you

He’d made a PowerPoint presentation with embedded videos and detailed slides to sway you

(With such gems as “if you move in, you get to see me walking around naked all the time” (with an attached nude), and “remember when we had sex on the patio at 4 in the morning after we got back from Tokyo? We can do that all the time!”)

 But you’d agree to move in easily--with no hesitation

He showed you the PowerPoint anyway, of course

And then you had sex on the patio

You and Logan made a list of all the places you could have sex in his--your--apartment suite now that you shared it

And you made plans to cross them all off within the first 30 days of you moving in

The list included:

Sex in front of the mirror

Sex with toys

Sex in the pool

Sex in front of the fireplace

Sex in the tub (the shower, you’d decided, didn’t count)

Sex on the kitchen table

Sex on the stairs

Sex on the treadmill (Logan had nearly broken his neck trying to make this one happen, but it was worth it)

Sex covered in whip cream

Sex covered in chocolate

Sex during breakfast

And lunch

And dinner

Sex for dessert

--and many, many others

You’d crossed them all off by day 26 

You and Logan loved living together

And a year later

You were selling the condo and buying a house together

And you kept your routines and traditions going

...and added a few things to the sex list along the way as well

*******************************************************************************************

Maaaaaan.... I want to wife Logan up so bad. Thanks for reading! 

Taglist:  @lexxierave @loveintheroyalfamily @suchatinyinfinity @fanfictionrecommendations-com  @maxslime-blog @elanor-of-imladris @songforhema @lucielandss @fandomlifeandeverythingelse @themadhatter92 @realduckvader @the-blind-assassin-12 @christinawxxx @anabella-baby @blackcoffeeandgreenteaforme @luminex3 @littlemermaidprobz @ashkuuuu @luckysstrikes @carlaangel86 @floralpeaceofmind @dylanobrusso @teacuplotus @iaintnofurry @thesumofmychoices @ymariejp @its-my-little-dumpster-fire @mrsjaxtellerfan @whovianayesha @holamor @drinix @rhabakoli @stories-you-wont-hear @king4thesirens @bellamys @marauderskeeper @charlylama @thesandbeneathmytoes @gollyderek @leahnicole1219 @evanlys19 @something-tofightfor @banditthewriter  @binbons-is-theloml 

[skyflyinginaction]

Shinhiro Aragaki Transulations from the Persona 3 Portable Fanbook

[sidebar]

Blog Handle Gaki

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[main body]

[handwritten title at top] Gaki-san Cafeteria

Profile Name: Shinjiro Aragaki Sex: Male Birthday: 1991/8/11 [This profile uses year/month/day format.] Blood type: A Group: Gekkoukan Academy Upper Class Year 3 Class C (Suspended) Club: Unaffiliated

Ugh...  Me? Having a blog? So lame... Still, everyone's doing it, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Dunno what's with the goofy title. I'm just gonna write whatever I want. So uh, maybe gimme some ideas for posts?

Well... Might as well pass the time while I'm here. Anyway... enjoy?

Favorite Sites: [banners] A Dog's Heart [in snail] Sea slug [to right] Umiushi Family Cooking [white text, bottom right] Official Site

[large white text below blog page] I'm keeping my eyes peeled. Because there's an unimaginable way back...

[main body]

Aragaki, the lone wolf who sticks out like a sore thumb at nightly meetings, is from the same orphanage as Sanada. Three years ago, Aragaki was a member of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, where Sanada awakened the power of Persona within him. However, he wasn't able to fully control his powers. One day, a horrible accident occurred and a number of people were driven mad. Aragaki's Persona went berserk and snatched away the life of an innocent bystander. Despondent, Aragaki dropped out of school and began aimlessly roaming the streets at night. In order to restrain his Persona ability, whenever Aragaki is faced with danger, he takes a suppressant drug - although it has its side effects. Aragaki only returned to the SEES to bear his past deeds. Aragaki gave his life as a final apology to those tied to the past and unable to move forward, saying: "I'm the only one who deserves to rot in hell."

[at bottom:]

Shinjiro Aragaki

[left column]

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Like A Whole Nother World

Category: Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad 2009/9/3 (Thu) 23:18

People are taking my return to the SEES really nicely... What the hell happened. Back when it was just me and Aki and Kirijo, the lounge felt way too big... But with all the new members, it's stuffed. Girls, a little kid, and even a dog... Some real variety in this lineup. Did Aki and Kirijo just get swept up in all that?

And on top of that, they're all treating me real good, even though they barely know me. The 2nd years think I bailed their asses out at the meeting place, when really I was just chasing off some pests. Either way, they're being real nice to me.

I don't bother with school or club activities or whatever, so I can focus all my energy on battle. Hit me up whenever you're heading off to Tartarus. I mean, that's why I came back here in the first place.

COMMENT Comments (4) ・ Trackback (0)

2009/9/4 (Fri) 01:23 JUN☆P-

Never gonna forget the hero at the meeting spot, dude. You totally bailed us out. With Aragaki-san on our side, we're like a hundred-man army!

2009/9/4 (Fri) 18:51 Yukaricchi♥

So you helped found the club, Aragaki-senpai... Thank you so much for saving us. I think you might actually be a really good guy, deep down...?

2009/9/4 (Fri) 21:00 Aigis

Koromaru-san reports that you often give him treats. It seems you two have become fast friends. Aragaki-san, you are rather reserved.

2009/9/4 (Fri) 23:06 Gaki

Oh come on, are you guys really kicking things off with a bunch of embarrassing comments? Hundred-man army, good guy... Don't just make stuff up about me. Ugh, I dunno how to deal with this.

[righthand column]

Boy's & Girl's Event

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Escapade

Category: Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad 2009/9/6 (Sun) 21:55

Under the full moon, a Shadow appeared, as promised. I hang out at Escapade plenty, but this time everyone on the floor was complaining about the power being on the fritz. I guess that was an omen or something that a Shadow was about to appear. Can't let things like that slip you by.

But man, there were some real annoying tagalongs last night. Junpei thought he was gonna party his ass off, the poor guy. That chick from Strega was totally stringing him along, but Junpei still managed to be worried about her. Maybe I'm being too harsh, but pure-hearted guys like him are the ones that fall for that kind of thing.

But still, the chick's Persona was really something... Might be worth worrying about. I think I'll pop my head into the hospital too.

[screenshot:]

Junpei Iori

Hey, uh... I just wanna know one thing... Was that really all just an act?

COMMENT Comments (4) ・ Trackback (0)

2009/9/6 (Sun) 22:23 Yukaricchi♥

I mean, Junpei's so unsubtle about things like this... I bet he's going to visit at the hospital again today. Maybe if Junpei keeps talking to her, Chidori-san will start to open her heart... Or maybe I'm naive for even thinking that?  

Boy's & Girl's Event

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Passing the Persona Torch

Category: Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad 2009/9/15 (Tue) 22:36

Man, you guys are a real pain. Though I guess I can't be so quick to judge if Koro-chan hangs with you...

⬤ Questions From Persona Users ⬤

1. How did it feel when your Persona awakened?

I don't remember anything from back then...

2. What did you think when you saw your Persona?

Don't really care, that's just how he looks. He's Aki's Persona's brother. I mean, me and Aki go way back. You couldn't separate us even if you tried.

3. What's your favorite attacking strategy?

I'm not a big fan of whittling enemies down bit by bit. Better to give 'em one big hit and knock 'em dead, all in one go.

4. Any Shadows you have trouble with?

I don't got any weak points. I mean, if your Persona is weak, that just means your heart is weak.

5. What do you want to do when we're done fighting?

Hell if I know. I just want to take responsibility for what I've done. I think I'm just about there. After that... Aki, it's your turn.

COMMENT Comments (4) ・ Trackback (1)

2009/9/15 (Wed) 19:47 Aki

So it's my turn... Got it. Shinji, it may very well be because of my influence that the power of Persona was awakened within you...

[left column]

Boys & Girl's Event

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What Are You Weirdos, a Cosplay Group?

Category: Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad 2009/9/16 (Wed) 22:58

Come on... I am not gonna participate in your little cosplay thing. The bus stop was one thing, but this time you　want me to wear a tailcoat? What? Is that a butler costume? Like I'm gonna play some servant role.

Oh, and when we're going off to Tartarus, don't expect me to act like we're going on a picnic, or whatever. When a Shadow pops out, I want to look like a grown-up warrior. We didn't get this far by being stylish.

I mean, if you're fighting to win, then I'll quit whining. Just don't mess around too much. And don't forget that lives are on the line.

COMMENT Comments (4) ・ Trackback (0)

2009/9/17 (Thu) 19:48 Yukaricchi♥

Please don't call us all "weirdos"! Our leader is the one who's into dressing up. I'm a victim too.

2009/9/17 (Thu) 22:39 JUN☆P-

That's the first time I've seen you hatless, Aragaki-san. ...And your head looks totally normal. So disappointing...

2009/9/17 (Fri) 19:29 Aki

I've never brought this up, but... Junpei, what do YOU look like with your hat off? I mean, even when you went swimming at the beach, you refused to take it off.

2009/9/17 (Fri) 21:46 Gaki

What kind of weird ideas are you having about people's heads... Hey Aki, meet me at the strategy room for a tactical debriefing on stealing Junpei's hat.

[right column] Boy's & Girl's Event Public Post

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Haven't Seen a Movie In Ages

Category: Posts 2009/9/23 (Wed) 22:26

Man, I haven't been to the movies in ages. It's a lot nicer to go on your own, but... Well, if you're inviting me, you must be kind of a weirdo. I guess I don't mind coming along though, kills some time.

But like, did you pick that movie on purpose? "Woof-Meow Kingdom"... We were surrounded by family, made me weirdly sweaty. And the climactic scene where they got dragged in the river... That was... Well, whatever...

Right, I need to give Koro-chan the special dog food and assorted bones I got on the way home. The leash we use on walks is filthy, so maybe I should get a new one, too... Oh, and I'm going to give him a bath later tonight. Shoot, I forgot to get a massage brush...

Anyway, do you think Koro-chan's good at doggy paddling? Never know when something bad might happen around water...

[screenshot:]

> Somehow, Aragaki's eyes seem red...

COMMENT Comments (3) ・ Trackback (0)

2009/9/24 (Thu) 10:00 Aigis

Koromaru-san is profoundly moved by your exceptional treatment of him, Aragaki-san.

2009/9/24 (Thu) 19:13 Fuu＊ka

Aragaki-senpai, you're a real animal lover, aren't you? Nobody who likes animals is a bad person, or so they say. I'll have to cook up something nice for Koro-chan too!

[advertisement:]

Garlic ・　Olive Oil ・ Pepperoncini

Paella

Family Cooking

Airing Weekly, Sunday 7 PM SMATV Network Kismet Publishing

September edition of the textbook now on sale. If not at your local bookstore, go here → to order online.

[button:] I Want It!

[left column]

Boys & Girl's Event Public Post

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Evening Walk

Category: Posts 2009/9/26 (Sat) 23:14

You guys keep going off about how taking a walk at night soothes the soul, and I kinda have to agree. I used to kill time at night by hanging out in back alleys or clubs, but I guess it's not so bad doing something more healthy with my evenings. And this is so weird, but taking a nice walk makes me want to make dinner for Koro-chan.

It's fall and everything's being harvested, which makes it the season for eating. You guys need to remember to eat up and stay healthy. Or else you're gonna end up bedridden, like our leader was. What would you even do if a shadow popped out then? Well, I guess everything's going good on that front, so it's fine for now. Just remember to get a nice square meal in every day.

[screenshot]

Shinjiro Aragaki

You hungry? I'll fix you something when we get home.

Girl's Event Public Post

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The Trick to Cooking

Category: Cooking 2009/9/27 (Sun) 23:47

Fall's the season for eating, but I don't think that fancy kitchen we have is getting any use. The fridge is full of sports drinks and milk, the cupboards are crammed with protein shakes and cup noodles and junk food... It's messed up. Do you people seriously never cook? We didn't even have a good set of utensils, so I brought some in. Yamagishi's the only one who seems excited about cooking, but she doesn't have the basics down yet. Don't get me wrong, enthusiasm's great, but...

Well, if you've heard someone say that cooking is an act of love, it probably came from someone who's mastered their basics. Doesn't matter how much love you pour into your cooking, if you mess up some fundamental part, it's not gonna taste good. A super common mistake beginners make is ignoring what the recipe says and improvising instead. Get your basics down pat, then you can switch things up. Remember, you don't gotta rush it. Doesn't matter what you're doing, taking it one step at a time is key.

COMMENT Comments (2) ・ Trackback (0)

2009/9/28 (Mon) 18:51 Fuu＊ka

Aragaki-senpai, thank you... You put it pretty bluntly, but you're trying to help, aren't you? I'll start working my way up with simple things like onigiri. If you'd like, feel free to come sample my work?

2009/9/28 (Mon) 19:52 Mitsuru

Aragaki, I'm rather surprised at how good you are at cooking. I wouldn't say you surpass my family's professional chef, but your food was indeed exquisite. Perhaps eating together with everyone isn't so bad, every once in a while.

[right column]

Girl's Event

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Making Things Right

Category: Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad 2009/10/3 (Sat) 02:45

[screenshot]

Shinjiro Aragaki

...They're in your hands now. I believe in you.

[post body]

So tomorrow's the long-awaited full moon, huh. And you know another huge Shadow's gonna pop out. But I never thought the full moon would fall on tomorrow's date, of all days... I can't bring myself to call it a coincidence.

It's not like I think I won't be coming back, but with what I have in the palm of my hand... Well, I can't tell if it's a coincidence or a cruel prank. And the whole time I sit here agonizing about it, the pocketwatch in my palm keeps on ticking. If I had to name the one thing I can never change, it'd be my past self. Who's bound by their past now? It's not just me... So, the only thing left for me to do is to make things right. Because no matter what I choose, I don't got much time left...

I'm not gonna write anything more here, I promise. You don't have to forgive me for my selfishness. And no matter what happens, don't you dare cry...

COMMENT Comments (5) ・ Trackback (0)

2009/10/7 (Wed) 18:36 Fuu＊ka

Aragaki-senpai, they said you wouldn't wake up... When I first read this post, I didn't get it at all, but... Looking back, I think you knew what you were about to do...

2009/10/7 (Wed) 20:28 Mitsuru

Of course I was aware of the situation between Aragaki and Amada. It was a failing on my part that it came to this. From hereafter, the Kirijo family will dedicate all available resources to his medical care. Perhaps Aragaki's strong spirit will grant us a sliver of hope...

2009/10/8 (Thu) 01:36 JUN☆P-

I know you were ready to give your life in this battle, but... Now that it's actually happened, it hurts like hell... Aragaki-san, please wake up...

2009/10/8 (Thu) 20:38 Aki

When I thought Shinji was all but gone, he whispered, "This is what I wanted." While some may dismiss his way of making things right, I would not count myself among them. Everyone, we need to face forward!

2009/10/9 (Fri) 18:46 Amadaman

I've decided to keep fighting here. Until Aragaki-san returns, I will protect his place.

[bubble at top left]

If You Get Into A Relationship...

Social links with Aragaki don't turn romantic until you max out your S. Link rank with him. But once you do get to max, if you call him one more time, you can have the protagonist confess to him. After a short period of heated questioning, you can enter Aragaki's room. Acting much unlike the Aragaki you've seen so far, he will embrace the protagonist and make an unexpectedly bold move. While it's quite the mushy event, if you do get in a relationship, he'll actually be quite assertive. By the way, the protagonist confesses to him in the dorm lounge. If you think about it, Yukari and Junpei and all the other members would be right next to them the whole time...

[screenshot:]

Shinjiro Aragaki

You're uh... not married, so don't get this wrong, but...

[bubbles at top right]

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Break

[center of circle:] Shinjiro Aragaki

[by tarot card:] Moon

[spiky bubble at bottom:] Shinjiro Aragaki

[to left of portrait, beneath "Persona capable to summon once Moon's commu rank reaches the max:]

Sandalphon, the Angel That Conveys Prayers

[tag labeled 27]

From the Iwatodoi Dormitory Lounge ......Edition 27

[junpei:] Man, Aragaki-san's cooking is the best. [koro:] Woof!! [aegis:] Koromaru-san says he enjoys it too. [aragaki:] H, hey. You guys suck at eating balanced meals. Try to take care of yourselves. [mitsuru:] I agree completely. Akihiko could stand to eat something aside from gyudon. [Rice with beef and vegetables.] [sanada:] I, I eat more than just gyudon! I get plenty of protein shakes in too!

[next column] [mitsuru:] Ugh... You're giving me a headache. [junpei:] Gyudon and protein shakes and nothing else... That's uh, really... [aragaki:] Don't act like you're any different. You basically live off cup ramen. Balance your diet. [junpei:] Uh, well... I uh, how do I put this, just like, think it's good... [fuuka:] Okay, I'll keep balance in mind and cook something up! [aragaki] How about you focus on learning how to cook, first. ...Although, you can go ahead and start practicing.

[vertical line of text in center:]

Brotherly Lines

[column on right]

S. Link Rank 3 Female Protagonist

Look at the balance in these meals... Do you guys live off this...?

S. Link Rank 4 Female Protagonist

...You're not going to leave those vegetables on your plate, are you?

S. Link Rank 7 Female Protagonist

Get some good sleep. ...'Night.

S. Link Rank 9 Female Protagonist

Feels like I got a place to come home to.

S. Link MAX Female Protagonist

Now that you're here, I don't have a care in the world...

[screenshot to left:] Shinjiro Aragaki

Does everyone here eat like crap...?

[block labeled Girl's Side] Like An Older Brother

Shinjiro Aragaki always makes sure his fellow club members make it home safe. While he comes off as rather blunt, he's actually deeply worried about everyone's unhealthy eating habits. Following the protagonist's advice, he throws a party. While putting everything together for the party, he teaches Fuuka (who is hopeless at cooking) how to cook. Drawn by the smell, their dormmates gather, and the lounge springs to life. While everyone enjoys the meal, Aragaki steps out for a bit, and asks the protagonist for a private chat. Then, gazing at the protagonist with a gentle smile, he says, "I'm leaving Sanada and everyone else in your hands."

[screenshot to right:]

Aegis

Koromaru-san is distraught.

[caption below screenshot:] Even Koromaru-san can tell how bad Fuuka's cooking is. But with Aragaki teaching her, she'll be able to make delicious food someday.

TRANSULATIONS NOT MINE THEY ALL BELONG TO THE LOVELY (https://kasael.tumblr.com) ALL CREDIT OF THIS ENTIRE TRANSULATION BELONGS TO THEM NOT ME DON’T REBLOG WITHOUT CREDITING THEM FIRST.

[sierrabinondo]

woodland creatures tour - day 7 (greensboro)

normally i feel very weird about sleeping over people’s houses, just in general??? you know what i mean? sometimes you just can’t get comfortable because you’re not in your own bed, not because of where you are or who you’re with. on tour i’m so fucking exhausted and so comfortable with living like i’m a backpacker that it’s all just normal to me. like a brat i located the couch and crawled up onto it while everyone else took an air mattress. i would have slept on an air mattress but we couldn’t fit one lmao. 

i automatically woke up at like 8:30 and couldn’t fall back asleep, so i got up and started getting ready. tour has also made me skilled at being able to freshen up and do my makeup in the crevice of any house, hotel, car, you name it. i try not to make noise but inevitably everyone heard me and slowly woke up one by one. the door was unlocked so i started to pack whatever i could into the van. god, it was so beautiful out. though we were in the south, and the temperature was still pretty high day-to-day, at this moment it just felt like the most beautiful fall weather. we managed to get out of the house at 9:30 am, which we were aiming for. james’ roommate, who was leaving for work, kindly wished us well as we packed up the van to head out. we unfortunately missed james so i shot him a text. 

the day before, taylor and i coordinated a group outing to the greensboro science center, which was a museum, zoo and aquarium all in one. for the price of $12 per person, since we were a group!!! incredible! before heading to greensboro, which would be our shortest drive all of tour (an hour and a half!), we hit starbucks and panera again. when we pulled up to the panera it was in a shopping plaza with people lined up waiting for like... verizon to open???? so bizarre. 

i desperately needed to hunker down and get some work done before we hit the road, for the most part my phone was providing reliable wifi but i had a time sensitive task that needed to be completed. once that was done we hit the road. we arrived to the science center and once pulses. showed up, we headed in. the science center was so sick. we started our trek around the building at like 1, and penguin feeding was at 3:30. but with so much exploring to do, we knew we’d be able to kill two hours and a half easily. 

we started with the zoo portion a

nd saw a lot of cool animals. they had a lot of atypical mammals you don’t always see at zoos. what they DID have was R E D  P A N D A S, and theY WERE AWAKE. back at home we have the cape may zoo which is soooooo sick, i love going there, but their red pandas are always sleeping. i literally cried because the red pandas at this exhibit were so much closer, and they were romping around their lil home. the one red panda hopped off its perch and CAME TO THE WINDOW TO SAY HELLO IT JUMPED UP RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. i definitely made a fool of myself getting loudly emotional but i didn’t care in the slightest. my entire life was made. we also saw an owl at the barn where the petting zoo was!!!

we were all laughing so fucking hard cracking jokes at every exhibit. it felt like an adult school field trip hahaha. i was having so much fun. it was nice to enjoy something together and not be stuck in a van in a rush to get somewhere. the outdoor area tuckered us out pretty badly from being in the heat, so it was nice to get back inside to go check out the aquarium in the air-conditioned building. the aquarium was pretty sick, there was a tank that was home to the biggest octopus i have ever seen in person. i was most interested in the otters and penguins, to be honest. we also hit the touch tank which was sick, except i had to soak my entire fucking arm just to maybe get a crumb of attention from a sting ray. they were swimming everywhere but where i planted myself. 

after going through the aquarium, we still had some time to kill before the penguin feeding at 3:30 pm. we hit the gift shop, where they had red panda and barn owl plushes. what a coincidence, both our tour mascots!! i’m a sucker for stuffed animals so of course i bought one. taylor bought an owl for pulses. so now we both had FRIENDS to represent our bands. we went downstairs to go check out the snakes and lizards. not as exciting for me, but still sick. we were going to hit the museum part finally, but it was 3:20 so we figured might as well head over to the penguins. it was worth the wait. there was a penguin named gojira haha

it turned out that there was enough time for us to get food together before the show. jaime found a restaurant named pastabilities, it was a sit-down but you could make your own pasta dish chipotle-style???? so i got chickpea pasta with chicken, sundried tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms. sooooooooooooooooooo good. i wasn’t going to get pasta because i was going to try to be a healthy guy but ugh what the fuck ever. i love pasta. i’m not going to rob myself of pasta opportunities!!!! we had another really wonderful meal together as a tour package. i guess because we were the biggest group and you could hear us talking loudly about tour the staff figured out we were musicians. the manager came over and started asking who played what haha. 

after a delicious early dinner, we drove to our hotel for check-in so that we could drop our personal bags. pulses. followed us because they were just driving home after the show later, and waited in the parking lot until they could head to the venue. i forget the name of the hotel we stayed at but the people in there were super suspect, and projecting those vibes FOR sure. taylor said she thinks she saw a guy walking around with a burner phone as a car was slowly driving in circles around the parking lot. i’m like great, last thing we need is another scary motel. our stuff ended up being fine though, it was one of the better spots we stayed at. 

pulses. awaited us at the venue and we arrived a little after load-in started. it was super quiet when we showed up, we set up quickly and waited around. the house we played, ice house, was huge. so much more massive than houses in new brunswick where students in jersey host shows, mostly. there was so much room to move around and sit, it was nice. at first it seemed like not many people were inside, but then you go outside and there’s DOZENS of kids hanging out drinking. eventually more and more people came inside to watch the bands too. glow and terms x conditions were great! 

for all of us, it had been a weird afternoon, but we did our best to be positive and just rip our set(s) as best as we could. and the change in attitude paid off! both our bands received awesome crowd response from the people who attended. it was awesome to see people jamming out and genuinely having a good time. also uh a fight broke out during our set??? insane. there was a kid trying to take down everyone, like just to the ground lmao, and when he tried to do it to david he put in a chokehold. and david grabbed his arm and was just like, STOP. i made everyone stop playing until we sorted out that everything was all right. i had to play without my in-ears which sucked, in the past i have always struggled and tired myself out trying to sing loud enough over the monitors. so i just tried to listen carefully, sing carefully and trust myself. and joe said i hit some like bananas note during synapse that i haven’t been able to do since?? i remember going for it and it was fine, idk maybe it was actually BAD, but i will never know now haha. 

we didn’t sell merch, nor make a lot of money, but i think what counts as a successful show is when people receive you super well. leaving a positive first impression on somebody as a band is so important to me because that person could potentially go on to listen to us for a long time. i will say though, it’s important to try to help touring bands make money if you can, like legit anything. i know we’re small guys and we’re not worth much, but we travel so far from home. and this is the ONE time of year that we actually do need money to operate. i’ve run into people who don’t believe in this, or don’t understand. i guess it won’t be possible to make those people understand until it happens to them. it’s why we can only tour on vacation time and even then we deplete our funds. 

we sweat our fucking asses off playing the house because it had no AC, so nothing could feel more refreshing than loading out during a rainstorm. i wasn’t even mad that it was raining. it felt so amazing. normally i bug out during crazy storms, but the thunderstorm was lighting up the sky in an incredible display. it continued as we said our goodbyes to pulses. before they headed back to virginia late, and we made our way to sheetz for post-gig eats. i wasn’t going to pig out but i was feeling the munchies. sheetz doesn’t really have anything wawa doesn’t have except for the tacos, so i got some hard shell tacos that were absolutely banging. also wonderful, they had my favorite flavor of bon & viv (black cherry rosemary) so i grabbed that too. eating tacos and drinking late was NOT a smart move the night before we played our last show on tour, but boy did it feel like a nice TREAT after playing a fantastic show. 

[winchestergirl23]

Breaking Curfew

Pairings: Dean x Sister, Sam x Sister

Words: 1700+

Summary: The reader returns home late from a party and pisses of her brothers.

A/N: Thank you guys so much fro reading and sharing your love! I’m truly grateful. Also, this is more of a Sam x sister fic and its really fluffy!

-----

It was your friend Sarah’s birthday. She was throwing a party at her place. Unfortunately for you, the party fell on school night. You also happened to have a math test the next day.  

After a lot of convincing, your brothers agreed to let you go. You promised Sam you would study in advance. You were given a curfew of 9 o clock.

The party started a little late and before you knew it, it was 9.

“Sarah... I have to leave. My brothers will kill me if I’m late.” You whined.

“Come on Y/N. Just stay for a little while longer.” Sarah said. “It’s my birthday. Come on. Pleeeaseeee, stay for 2 more songs.”

Reluctantly you agreed. You danced with everyone else. You ended up having a lot of fun.  You left the dance floor to get a glass of water. You checked your watch to see the time. It read 10:30 pm.

Crap. Your brothers were going to be so pissed.

“Sarah… I’ve really got to go. Happy Birthday once again. Bye…” you shouted as you practically ran out the door.

You opened the bunker door quietly, hoping to sneak in. It was a wonder you thought, that your brothers hadn’t come to Sarah’s house to drag you back home.

They sat at the hall table with inscrutable expressions.

“Nice of you to join us Y/N” Dean said, glaring at you.

“Before you get mad…” you started.

“Oh we are mad Y/N. We are way past that” Sam yelled, standing up, his jaw clenched.

“What the HELL were you thinking? We let you go to a party even though it’s a school night. You have a test tomorrow and you’re coming in at 10:30. We clearly told you that curfew was 9:00.”

You were taken aback by his tone. It was usually Dean who did the shouting. Sam had always been the calmer, more understanding one. You could see that even Dean was shocked to see Sam shout at you like that. You tried to explain why you were late.

“The party started late Sam. And then Sarah insisted I stay for a little while longer and then I kinda lost track of time.” You said, guiltily.  

“Well maybe you can keep track of time when you’re grounded for 2 months.” Sam bellowed.

“2 MONTHS??! What the hell? “You cried out angrily. “You can’t do that!”

“I think I just did.”

“What is the matter with you?” you shouted, losing your temper.

Sam opened his mouth to reply.

“Okay… okay... This is getting out of hand. Let’s take it back a notch shall we?” Dean said, coming between you two, giving Sam a look.

Sam glowered at Dean.

You looked at Sam who was still fuming. You decided to try and soften him up.“Sammy… I’m sorry.”

“Save the apology Y/N. And don’t call me Sammy! Just go to your room” Sam growled.

Sam had never taken such a harsh tone with you. Dean had always been the strict one. Seeing Sam behave this way with you brought tears to your eyes.

“Fine” you hissed and stormed out, wiping the wet tears falling from your eyes.

“Okay. What the hell is wrong with you man?” Dean asked as you exited the room.

“What?” Sam said, glaring at Dean. “She broke curfew. She needed that”

“Yeah. She broke curfew Sam. So why’d you go all “Hulk” on her?” Dean questioned.

“She needs to know the consequences of breaking the rules, Dean”

“I agree. But come on man, this is Y/N we’re talking about. She rarely ever goes to parties, let alone break curfew. She’s a teenager. She was bound to do it sometime.” Dean cajoled.

“So… what? You were just going to let her go without any punishment?”

“No Sammy. I would have yelled a little and then grounded her for a week at most. Not 2 months. I mean seriously, 2 MONTHS? Since when are you this hot headed?” Dean asked.

“Look man, Y/N is a straight A student. She hardly breaks any rules. She’s always reading some book or the other. I mean, she’s practically a younger, female version of you. Except maybe, your hair is longer.” Dean said, grinning at the last part.

Sam threw his classical bitch face.

“You went overboard with this, man.” Dean continued. “Look, I don’t know what the hell has been going on with you but whatever it is; you’ve got to sort it out. You can’t use Y/N as your punching bag.”

“I’m not using her as my punching bag.” Sam scoffed.

“Right. So you almost didn’t rip your sister to shreds 5 minutes ago just because she broke curfew.” Dean says, sarcastically.

“How are you not mad at her?” Sam questioned.

“I am mad at her Sam. But it’s a little hard for me to be mad at her when you’re treating her like she’s committed a crime. Be rational about this, Sammy” Dean reasoned.

Sam instantly felt bad about yelling at you but was too pissed.

“Whatever.” He scoffed and walked off.

-----

“Hey kiddo… can I come in?” Dean asked, knocking on your door.

You opened the door.

“Dean… if you’ve come to do your share of yelling, can we please do it tomorrow? I don’t think I can take any more of it today.” You said, tearfully.

“I’m not here to yell at you.” Dean stated.

“I’m not, I promise” he said in response to your raised eyebrows.

“Look kiddo… Sam was right in being mad at you. You did break curfew and you didn’t even call or anything. You could have at least texted one of us saying the party started late.” Dean said.

“If I’d have called or texted, you would have just insisted that I come home.” You responded.

“Be that as it may, you know how worried we get kiddo. You know what’s out there. What if something had happened to you sweetheart? How would we have even known?” Dean asked in a calm voice.

He wiped a tear off your face, “It’s not okay for you to break curfew. Don’t do it again. Okay?”

“I won’t. I promise. I’m sorry.” You said, hugging Dean. Dean wrapped his arms around you and patted your hair gently.

“Why did Sammy get so mad at me?” you sniffled against his shirt, now wet with your tears.

“It was just one of those days kiddo. You know how he gets when it comes to school. He just doesn’t want to see your grades going down. ” Dean consoled.

“I’ve already studied for the test Dee. I would never compromise on my grades.”

“I know kiddo. Maybe you should apologize to him again tomorrow.” Dean suggests.

“I already apologized to him once and he shot me down. I’m not talking to him” you snapped, lifting your head and wiping off your tears.

Dean sighed, “Alright kiddo.”

“By the way, you’re still grounded.”

“But not for two months right?” you asked, hopefully.

“No. Not for 2 months. But you are grounded for this entire week. No gadgets, no going out. ” Dean said.

“Thank Youuuu Dee!” you said, hugging Dean again.

---

The next day, the test went well. You knew the answers to most of the questions, having studied well in advance.

You didn’t speak to Sam the entire day. You were too pissed at Sam for being so harsh with you. Sam, on the other hand was mad at himself for having yelled at you but still hadn’t gotten around to talking to you. You would just ignore each other whenever you were in the same room.

Dean came to call you for dinner.

“I think I’ll eat in my room tonight” you said.

“Okay. You know what. Come here…” Dean said walking out the door, dragging you by the hand.

He walked you to the Hall where Sam was sitting and reading a Norse lore book.

“Okay. I’ve had enough.” Dean said, slamming the book shut.

Sam jumped in confusion. He looked between you, standing there rolling your eyes and Dean who had his mouth had set in a hard line.

“We’re fixing this now. You both are going to talk and set things right. If there’s one thing we do, its eat dinner as a family. I don’t care who is pissed with whom or who’s not talking to whom. You’re both going to act mature and figure this out. I’m done with you two fighting like kids. Now TALK! So, we can eat dinner as a family.” Dean glowered.

“I have nothing to say to him.” You said, pursing your lips and looking away.

Dean made a face. “Sammy? Do you have anything to say to Y/N?”

“Yeah. I do” Sam said, quietly.

“Y/N, I shouldn’t have yelled at you so harshly. I don’t know what got into me the other day. I’m sorry.”

He walked up to you and placed his hands on your shoulders. “I’m really sorry darling. I didn’t mean to behave that way. ” He said apologetically.

“It’s okay. You were right to be mad. I’m sorry I broke curfew.” you sighed.

“So are we cool? “Sam asked.

“Yeah. We’re cool Sammy.” You said, hugging him tightly.

“Great. Now let’s go eat shall we?” Dean grumbled. ”That apple pie won’t eat itself.” He said, smiling dreamily at the thought of pie.

“Hide the pie while Dean gets the table ready?” Sam whispered in your ear.

“You know it!” you giggled.

(10 minutes later)

“Where’s the pie?” Dean stormed.

“I saw on the table 10 minutes ago.” You said, innocently.

“I know Y/N. I did too. So where is it now?” Dean asked, glaring at you.

“How would I know?”

“Sammy?” Dean growled.

Sam feigned innocence, “I have no idea Dean.”

You looked at Dean who stood with his jaw clenched and then at Sam. You both burst into laughter. “Your face” You chortled, holding your stomach in one hand and pointing to Dean with the other.

“Epic.” Sam said, giving you a high five.

“Really? For this you team up?” Dean asked with an incredulous expression.

“Okay. Haha. Very Funny Now give me MY PIE!!” Dean demanded.

“Sammy… what do you think?” you asked, giggling. “Shall we give to him? “

Dean glared at you, “GIVE ME THE PIE NOW or I swear to god…”  

“Alright, alright… It’s on the hall table....” You started but burst into peals of laughter as Dean ran into the hall.

“The pie’s not in the hall. Is it?” Sam asked.

“Nope. It’s not” you chortled.

“We better run kiddo.” Sam said between laughs, just as you heard Dean shout “Y/N!!!!! GIVE ME MY PIE!!!”

[bendywackyadventures]

BATIM SOL AU Chap. 5

I. Did. ALOT. Of. Writing today! Its now 9 PM and I can submit the stuff I got done so far! I got three stories done today all which are BATIM related. I won’t submit the third story till tomorrow. 

Enjoy!!

Ashley bonded with the toons quite well, they played more board games, watch some cartoons on TV, and talked. The toons didn’t talk too much about their lives at the studio before Henry came back to the studio and rescue them, but they told the young girl keeping the more serious stuff vague.

After having a great time together, it was time for dinner. Henry decided to barbeque some food on the grill. Henry grilled stakes and hot dogs along with vegetables. Linda made some baked potatoes, and even grabbed a bag of chips for the toons. Though Boris and Bendy finished the chips before they even had their meal. Best part is their toons, and don’t have a digestive system like humans.

Once Henry brought in the food everyone chowed down on stakes, hot dogs and potatoes. “Grandpa! Your cooking is the best!” Ashley complimented.

Henry smiled over his granddaughter’s comment. “Aww thanks Ashley.”

“Its better then mommy’s cooking!”

Henry almost chocked on his food hearing what Ashley said. “Um, sweetie don’t tell your mother you said that, but thank you. I guess.”

Ashley smiled in response and zipped her lips eating more of her meal. Once dinner was done, Linda brought out some vanilla ice cream sundae’s for everyone to enjoy.

“Thanks for the sundae’s Linda!” Bendy beamed.

“You’re welcome Bendy!” Linda replied.

“Could I have more?”

Linda shook her head. Bendy sighed, but eyed Alice’s sundae. The angel was taking her time eating her sundae. A smirked formed on the demon’s face as he tried to take a small bite of the angel’s sundae.

Alice noticed Bendy was going to take a bite of her sundae, and decided too lift up her bowl and slammed it on Bendy’s hand. The demon squealed as he felt the cold bowl touch his inky hand.

“Now do you want a bite of my sundae?” Alice asked.

Bendy shook his head. The coldness made him not want to speak his answer, but Alice knew it was no. Alice smiled and lifted the bowl from Bendy’s hand, and continued to eat her sundae. Bendy held his hand, rubbing it to warm it up. He then saw Ashley giggling over the little scene. At this point, Bendy would have been mad, but he actually smiled seeing he made a child happy. Bendy smiled and laughed as well, making the whole table laugh.

Once everyone was done with dessert, everyone was now getting ready for bed. Well except for Henry and Linda who decided to stay up to watch a movie before bed. The toons and Ashley decided to play another game before heading off to bed. They decided to play a game of Memory using cards, and Boris was winning.

“Boris! Your good!” Ashley commented. “Can you teach me your skills?” She asked.

Boris nodded, “Sure anytime.”

Bendy chuckled, “Ash, he gets the skills because he’s a wolf he knows which card is witch.”

Boris gave a low growl at the demon as everyone laughed.

“I thought you guys would be in bed?” Henry asked coming into the room. The toons and Ashley chuckled nervously as the cleaned up the game and went to bed.

“Night Henry!”

“Night Grandpa!”

Henry smiled and turned off the lights as everyone went to bed.

The next morning, everyone was enjoying waffles, fruit and eggs for breakfast. Breakfast was pretty interesting for Ashley. Henry had to take away the syrup from Bendy and Boris since they wanted their waffles to be swimming in syrup. However, breakfast was great for everyone.

After breakfast everyone was watching game shows on TV, which were Ashley’s favorites. “You like game shows?” Bendy asked, confused over the young child’s choice for TV shows.

Ashley nodded, “Their interesting to watch, plus give me knowledge for everything.” She explained. She turned to the TV, and heard the question the host asked:

“What’s the capital of Italy?”

“Rome!” Ashley responded.

“Correct!” The host replied. Even though Ashley wasn’t competing the contestant also guessed Rome. Bendy face Ashley in shock. Ashley smiled proudly as she got the question right.

Bendy smirked if she was that good, what else can this child know. “Alright I’ll give you some Bendy trivia.” Bendy declared.

“Your on.” Ashley replied, smirking.

“When did Joey Drew Studios open?” Bendy asked.

“February 10th, 1929.” Ashley answered. “The first cartoon was Little Devil Darlin’.”  

Bendy saw the determination in the child’s eyes. “When were Boris and Alice created?”

“Boris was created in March 23rd, 1929 in the cartoon Sheep Songs. Alice Angel was created April 18th, 1929 in the cartoon Sent from Above.”

Boris and Alice were even surprised with how well she knows about them and looked at Henry who smiled proudly. The toons knew Henry gave her some info before the toons decided to live with him.

“How much do you know?” Bendy asked.

“Almost everything you should know.” Ashley responded.

Everyone heard the door knock, and Henry went to go and check who it was. Henry smiled to see it was his daughter, Ashley’s mother. He opened the door to the woman who smiled at her father.

“Hi dad.” Henry’s daughter, Nancy said. Henry chuckled hugging his daughter. “I’m here to pick up Ashley, I hope she wasn’t any trouble yesterday?” She asked.

Henry shook his head. “She was not a problem. Well behave with Bendy and the others.”

Nancy turned and faced the toons. Her reaction was nostalgia, she remembered the Bendy toys her father bought for her when she was a little girl. Her father wasn’t kidding when he said the toons was living with him. Her thoughts were, Henry bringing back some old Bendy toys from when she was a child.

Nancy walked up to Bendy who smiled, Nancy smiled back remembering Bendy. “Hi Bendy.” She whispered. Bendy smiled and hugged Nancy tight. Nancy was surprised, but hugged Bendy tight. “My father was right all along, you are alive.”  She then looked to see Boris and Alice, she let go of Bendy and went up to the other two toons. “Boris, Alice. Right?” She asked.

“Yep!” Boris replied. Alice gave a giggle and a smile. Nancy smiled back and hugged the two toons. Boris hugged Henry’s daughter tight, loving the hug.

After the touching reunion, Ashley and Nancy were ready to head back home. “I hope we see Ashley again.” Linda mentioned.

Nancy nodded, “For sure, mom.”

Ashley smiled and went to the toons, “Bye Boris! Bye Alice! Bye Bendy!” The toons smiled, but weren’t expecting Ashley to run up to Bendy with a smile, “Thanks Bendy.” Ashley said giving a hug to the demon toon. Bendy blushed and hugged Ashley back.

“Anytime Ash. Anytime.” Bendy replied. Ashley let go of the hug and smiled at the demon before going back to her mother and headed home.

Bendy snapped waking up in bed, breathing heavily. It was nighttime and after Ashley left everything was a regular rest of the day, except tonight. Bendy woke up to another nightmare. It was the same one as the last nightmare. He looked at the clock; 2:35 am. The demon turned and saw Alice asleep, but he didn’t want to disturb her, so he walked over to Boris’s bed.

“Boris! Boris!” Bendy whispered.

Boris groaned and turned to Bendy, eyes still closed. “What is it Bendy?”

“I had another nightmare.” Bendy replied.

The demon didn’t need to ask if he could sleep with Boris. The wolf scooted over to make room for the demon. Bendy crawled into bed and slept next to the wolf. “Night Bendy.” Boris whispered.

“Night buddy.” Bendy whispered in reply. He didn’t notice his left eye had his wandering eye, but it was late for him to go to a mirror and look. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

[drlaurynlax]

The #1 Cause of HPA Axis Dysfunction (Adrenal Fatigue)

The HPA Axis Dysfunction or Adrenal Fatigue

HPA Axis Dysfunction or adrenal fatigue is real…don’t believe me? Read on for yourself to find out how it can happen to anyone, and the #1 cause behind it all. 

I’ve been quiet in social media world the past several months and, to be honest, it’s been a rough stretch to say the least. In short: “Adrenal fatigue” or HPA Axis Dysfunction is real, and if you’ve ever experienced an extreme bout of stress, you’ll know what I mean. Here’s a little personal story, and the science and research to prove it. 

Stress = The #1 Cause of HPA Axis Dysfunction

In fact, stress alone is the #1 driver of HPA Axis Dysfunction—the primary attributed cause of practically every known ailment plaguing our society today—from diabetes, to cancer, autoimmune disease, anxiety and beyond.

Contrary to popular belief, stress goes far beyond just mental stress alone.

Physical stress is often times even more detrimental, as it more easily goes unseen, including: imbalances in the basic human needs (such as lack of sleep, dehydration, poor nutrient density, sedentary or overtraining lifestyles), to gut dysfunction (SIBO, leaky gut, IBS), circadian rhythm dysfunction, inflammation, and light exposure (blue screens, light at night, etc.).

In fact, you can be sitting on a beach in Tahiti with a margarita in hand, seemingly no care in the world, but your body STILL be under a significant amount of stress, such as: fighting leaky gut and acne, experiencing shortness of breath from overwork in your daily lifestyle and lack of sleep, and hormone imbalances from overtraining in the gym and under-eating fat and protein.

Regardless of what type of stress you face (physical or mental), our bodies can only take so much stress. While stress is inevitable (impossible to avoid in modern day), if you go over your individualized threshold of stress or experience a significant amount of stress in a short amount of time, your body may back fire.

Enter: “Adrenal Fatigue” or “HPA Axis Dysfunction.”

My HPA Axis Dysfunction Story

It all began in March of 2018.

Actually, rephrase that: It all began about 3 years ago, in 2015—the beginnings of my business and life as an entrepreneur.

Eager to “save the world” with my business aspirations in the health and wellness field, I went to work on the front lines, doing things like:

My Job (“Saving the World”)

Therapy:

Providing counseling and therapy services to individuals with emotional baggage to get rid of;

Nutrition:

Offering support plans and nutritional guidance for individuals seeking health improvements;

Functional Medicine:

Knocking conventional medicine on its head with functional medicine—providing tools, resources, protocols and procedures for helping people truly heal, not just manage their disease:

—You know, just “saving the world” (or trying to).

Along with these pursuits, a sneak peek into my life as an entrepreneur looked something like this for a couple years:

HPA Axis Dysfunction Begins: (Stressful) Life of an Entrepreneur (Beginning Fall of 2015)

6 a.m. Rise & Shine. Wakeup to my alarm across the room (despite wanting to go back to sleep after 5 hours of sleep)

Brushing my teeth, swigging a protein shake, and rushing to get ready for the day to make it to the gym by 6:30 a.m. or 7

7-8:30 a.m. Workout. Hitting a workout in the gym first thing to get energized for the day

8:30 a.m. Breakfast: Another protein shake, greens, coconut butter and 1/2 a banana on my way to my office

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Work It Start the work day, seeing new clients and writing or creating my next online project or book.

2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Workout #2. Hit the gym again for a break in the middle of the work day to burn off energy and clear my head.

3:30 p.m. Lunch. Chicken, avocado, greens, beets.

4 pm-7:30 p.m. Work It. Back to the grind.

7:30 or 8 p.m. Group Meeting. Mixing, mingling and talking more about business.

9:30 p.m. Workout. Force myself to hit the gym again after a long afternoon of sitting to work out pent up energy for 40-60 minutes.

10:30 p.m. Dinner. Dinner at home: Turkey burger patty, sweet potato, coconut butter, greens sautéed in ghee.

11 p.m.-1 a.m. Work. Finish my work for the day (e-mails, admin, etc.).

1 or 1:30 a.m. Bed. Hit the sack and sleep like a rock for about 5 hours.

Wakeup and do it all over again! 

But Stress is “Normal” Right?…

Can you relate?

Or do you know anyone who is an entrepreneur, or in school, or loves what they do, or who is super stressed over their work or life—and keeps a similar schedule? (Burning a candle at ALL ends).

Face it: Stress and “running on a hamster wheel” is normal, and if you are NOT doing it, then you better watch out because (gasp) you may fall behind.

Although I thought I was made of “steel”—immune of stress wreaking havoc on my health—my body had other plans in mind.

Before I realized it, various (silent) health issues began to arise including:

Health Issues Arise (2016-2017)

IBS

SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

Unwanted weight loss (losing about 10 pounds over the course of about 3 years due to malabsorption and gut issues)

Bloating after eating

Chronic constipation

Shortness of breath if I slept less than 5 hours multiple days in a row

Gym performance decline (loss of strength, endurance, gains in the gym)

Hormone imbalances (losing my period)

However, despite all these “new” symptoms, I was completely checked out from my body—laser focused on checking off to-do lists, getting further ahead in business and growing a company.

In addition to not feeling on “top of my A-game,” other things in my life began to shift too, such as:

Lifestyle Imbalance (2016-2017)

Isolation from friendships (in place of work)

Working on weekends and evenings instead of spending time with people or taking breaks

Lack of interests and activities outside of work

Disconnection from my “source”—time spent in Word, prayer

Disconnection from the great outdoors (staying inside most of the days)

Over-screen exposure (upwards of 10-12 hours per day in front of a computer)

Loss of “who I am” or what I like to do (outside work)

Running towards a goal with no end in sight

To say the least, I became more like a robot, and less like “Lauryn”—the well rounded individual I am in my core.

I could talk and write all day about living a health lifestyle, and I knew WHAT to do, but when it came to my own health and life, there wasn’t time to do all the things I preached about!

As a busy entrepreneur, trying to save the world, who had time to do things like sleep 7-8 hours, or mix up my workouts, or eat a variety of nutrient dense foods, or make time for hobbies and passions and relationships?!

This schedule and pace continued for a good 3 years before my body really began to speak—letting me know that something was up.

Getting Out of Balance: SIBO, Leaky Gut, IBS & Beyond (September 2017)

Come September 2017, I was hit with a severe case of SIBO—Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—in which my body, under high amounts of physical and mental stress, developed a gut condition where unhealthy bacteria overpopulated my small intestine.

The result?

Rapid weight loss and IBS.

Although I have struggled with “gut stuff” (constipation and IBS) most of my life, things really kicked up.

Seemingly overnight, I went from just feeling bloated after most meals to having to run to the bathroom after most meals with loose watery stools, or the opposite, waking up super constipated—unable to go at all.

This conundrum continued for a good 4 months before I decided to dig deeper and consider what else may be going on under the hood.

Thanks to my functional medicine background and training program at the time, we were actually learning about SIBO at the same time, and come to find out, SIBO is exactly what I had—triggering unwanted weight loss, malabsorption, bloating, constipation, tummy cramps, and the inability to tolerate most FODMAP foods.

At the turn of the New Year (January 2018), I was treating SIBO at home with a strict supplement protocol, courtesy of my functional medicine training, and by the end of February, I was feeling much better on the gut front—except about 10 pounds lighter than I’d want to be.

“What’s wrong with Lauryn?” I could sense others saying with their eyes, and it appeared I was “back” into my eating disorder that I had struggled with from ages 10-24.

I could hardly look in the mirror myself, and sitting at barely 100 pounds (on a “good day”), for my 5’4’’ frame, I felt it—felt weaker, and more discouraged, despite being more at peace with eating, feeding my body well and even giving up cardio in place of more muscle building workouts.

However, despite my efforts to gain weight—it wasn’t happening. Eating approximately 2400 calories each day wasn’t doing it. “Carbing up” wasn’t doing it. Working out a little bit less wasn’t doing it.

By March 2018, I found myself in a Gastrointestinal Doctor’s office to try to “get to the bottom” of things to see what—if anything—in my gut was still keeping me from putting on some weight that I wanted, and the conventional medicine “rabbit hole” began.”

The Plot Thickens: The Triggering Event (My Colonoscopy) (March 2018)

To start, the doctor ordered a CT scan of my intestines to start, finding a presentation of a “Megacolon” and “Autoimmune bowel,” and advising we do a colonoscopy to do some deeper digging to see what, if any, autoimmune diseases were present as well as any blockage or structural issues preventing me from absorbing nutrients and restoring bowel function.

In addition, I had a full blood panel done and hormone panel, and the results revealed:

Iron Overload

Low Thyroid Function

Low Vitamin D

SUPER High Cortisol

Low Sex Hormones (practically NO testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)

By the end of March, “C-Day” (“colonoscopy day”) arrived (and so did countless health side effects from this invasive procedure).

Colonscopies: More Harm Than Good

Colonoscopies have become one of the most prescribed outpatient procedures in America with more than 15-million performed each year (1) (CDC, 2016), and are only growing in prevalence.

While only about 50% of adults, ages 50-75, who “should have” colonoscopies comply with recommended guidelines, in 2018, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (a group of public and private organizations) aims to raise the percentage of people screened for colorectal cancer to 80%.

And although colonoscopies are thought to be “necessary” for detecting “gut issues”—particularly colon cancer—they actually may be more detrimental than good.

In fact, according to Dr. Mercola and Dr. Michael Greger, about 1 in every 350 colonoscopies end up doing serious harm. 

I am a case study example.

Colonoscopy: Little Known Side Effects

Common (little known) side effects from this invasive bacteria with a scope include:

Perforation (puncturing) of the intestines (Gatto et al, 2003) (2)

Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) (Lorenzo et al, 2016) (3)

Infection with another person’s gut bacteria

Eradication of healthy gut bacteria from prep (Lorenzo et al, 2016) (3)

Electrolyte, bacteria and blood sugar imbalances (from the “prep diet” and extreme cleansing that is mandated) (Shobar et al, 2016) (4) (Mai et al, 2006) (5)

The result?

A gut microbiome that is “worse” off then prior to the colonoscopy.

Given that our gut bacteria and our gut itself is the “gateway” to health, if our gut bacteria gets off (or even MORE off), then you can bet your bottom dollar, other body systems get “off” by “imbalanced.”

Healthy gut bacteria or unhealthy gut bacteria determine whether the following body mechanisms are healthy or unhealthy, including:

Gut Bacteria Govern Our Health

Immune function (disease, skin) (Oregon State University, 2013) (6) (Nanjundappa et al, 2017) (7)

Digestion (Lawrence, 2017) (8) (Kim et al, 2012) (9)

Heart/cardiac function (Tang et al, 2017) (10)

Weight and metabolism (Filip et al, 2018) (11)

Blood sugar regulation (Kumamoto University, 2018) (12)

Brain health (anxiety (Hoban et al, 2017) (13), depression (Clapp, 2017) (14) and memory (Lund University, 2017) (15)

Adrenal health (i.e. “HPA-Axis” affecting hormones, cortisol and thyroid) (Konturek et al, 2011) (16) (Cryan et al, 2011) (17)

Exercise progress (or plateaus) (Clarke et al, 2014) (18)

Headaches (Gonzalez et al, 2016) (19)

Attention/ADHD/ADD (Carmen et al, 2017) (20)

Cancer (Fellows et al, 2018) (21)

A better option than colonoscopies?

Stool testing—Addressing gut bacteria and gut health itself—prior to looking for structural issues with a scope. (Bullman et al, 2017) (21)

Since gut bacteria, gut infections, parasites and bacterial imbalances determine whether you get cancer, IBS or autoimmune disease in the first place, comprehensive stool analysis, like this one by Doctors Data or this one by GI Map, can be tremendously helpful in assessing “underlying issues.” Additionally, organic acids testing, SIBO breath testing and even a new blood test (Tsai et al, 2018) can give you more information as well.

(This is something a GI doc won’t typically tell you).

Me: Post Colonoscopy (April-May 2018)

My colonoscopy was the “straw” that broke the camel’s back —accumulating the past 3 years of stress in one fatal swoop on “C-Day” (colonoscopy day).

The “prep diet” was too much for my already-weakened body to handle (i.e. clear liquid fasting). Couple NOT eating all day with a full bottle of Miralax laxative powder, laxative tablets and all afternoon on the toilet, and by midnight that night, I was “far gone.”

Walking up the stairs to go to bed, I blacked out—passing out on the floor, and eliminating more bowels.

It took me about a minute to come to, as I don’t remember what happened, and strewn on the floor, my body started convulsing and trembling, my teeth chattering, and all I remember is asking my mom for a banana—some potassium.

Ten minutes later, the ambulance was there, and I was hooked up to IV fluids, EKG monitor and  a blood pressure cuff on my way to Dell Seton Medical.

“Electrolyte imbalance,” the ER doc diagnosed, and by 4 a.m., my mom and I were back out the door to prepare for my 5 a.m. colonoscopy arrival time.

I went through with the procedure, but little did I realize the “health issues” were not over, as my body spent the next 5-6 weeks trying to recover from the stressful event, inclusive to:

2 more ER visits (for “electrolyte imbalances” and hypoglycemia)

3 urgent care visits for more fluids and blood work

A GI Doctor office that would not return my phone calls post-procedure

A severe acute allergic reaction to a cat that moved in with a new roommate

Blood sugar highs and crashes

And more than a handful of diagnoses, speculations and prescriptions from docs trying to figure out what was going on, including: Asthma, Type I Diabetes, obstructed respiratory system, low sodium, iron overload, and…adrenal insufficiency (aka: “adrenal fatigue” or “HPA Axis Dysfunction”). 

Adrenal Insufficiency (aka: HPA Axis Dysfunction)

Adrenal insufficiency (aka adrenal fatigue—or “HPA Axis Dysfunction”)  IS real, and although our bodies are resilient to handle stress, if TOO MUCH stress happens at once, or a SUPER STRESSFUL event sets you over the edge, then HPA Axis Dysfunction is a byproduct.

The result?

Complete body imbalance. 

The news was really no new news to me. It was more like an “A ha!” moment.

A ha! This is EXACTLY what I had been experiencing all along, I thought.

I could talk about adrenal insufficiency or HPA Axis Dysfunction ALL DAY LONG. I could write about it and educate others about it.

However, when it came to looking at myself in the mirror and facing the facts that I had NOT been taking myself…easier said than done. (It is like the nail salon technician that paints everyone else’s nails—but their own).

Flat on my back, in a hospital bed in the ER after an emergency trip due to a 3 a.m. hypoglycemic blood crash after a friend’s wedding in Dallas was the wakeup call I needed.

For the past two years, (ever since my symptoms of SIBO, gut dysfunction and other health maladies had begun), my prayers had been:

“Lord, be Lord over my body,” 

“Lord, bring the manna and balance to my life,” and,

“God, help restore my body to health and help me put on healthy weight.”

Be careful what you pray for.

Never in a million years did I think that my “answer” to my prayer would be in the form of a blood sugar crash, but it was the wake up call I needed.

It was as if God was saying: “Lauryn, you DON’T have to save the world…I have already done enough.” And, “Instead of trying to bring glory to yourself, bring glory to me. Live out the gifts I’ve created and let me provide the rest.”

Mic drop.

I spent the rest of the weekend, praying, thinking and broken. I didn’t want to go back to my hamster wheel ways.

And you know what…I didn’t have to. I don’t have to. And whatever plates you are spinning or race you are running too…You don’t have to either.

How HPA Axis Dysfunction Happens

So…how did my body get SO out of whack in the first place?! How does HPA Axis Dysfunction REALLY happen?

In functional medicine, there is typically a “triggering event” that sets the body “over the edge” for HPA Axis Dysfunction and distress.

In my case: the colonoscopy (on top of the past 3 years of stress) resulted in disrupted gut bacteria, along with my side effects:

My Side Effects of HPA Axis Dysfunction

“Diabetes,” hypothyroidism

Unwanted weight loss and inability to gain weight

Suppressed immune function

Autoimmune disease

Feeling “wired and tired”

Shortness of breath

Hormone imbalances

Apathy about my work

IBS

Poor workout performance

Electrolyte imbalances

Melancholy mood

  …And, to say the least, an entrepreneur who was anything BUT her healthiest, most vibrant, kick-ass self.   

Other Side Effects of HPA Axis Dysfunction

For others, “adrenal fatigue” or HPA-Axis Dysfunction may present as one or several of the following:

Inability to lose weight

Mood swings

Fatigue

Anxiety or Depression

Autoimmune conditions

Food intolerances

Insomnia

Needing coffee or sugar to function

Headaches

High blood pressure

Low or high heart rate

Feeling dizzy when standing up

Inability to concentrate/focus or memory loss

Lyme disease

Catching colds, flus or illnesses easily

Not “feeling like yourself”

Skin breakouts or acne

Feeling burned out or unable to do your usual basic “to dos”

Inability to tolerate exercise like you once did

Random allergies you’ve never had before

  How does adrenal fatigue happen to one person but not another? What separates “adrenal fatigue,” or HPA Axis Dysfunction from regular stress?

Check out this blog to find out ALL about adrenal fatigue and HPA Axis Dysfunction, how to find out if you have it and how you (and I) can heal.

Resources

1. CDC. 2016. Colorectal Cancer Screening Capacity in the United States

2. Nicolle M. Gatto, Harold Frucht, Vijaya Sundararajan, Judith S. Jacobson, Victor R. Grann, Alfred I. Neugut; Risk of Perforation After Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy: A Population-Based Study, JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 95, Issue 3, 5 February 2003, Pages 230–236,

3. Lorenzo et al. 2016. Persisting changes of intestinal microbiota after bowel lavage and colonoscopy

4. Shobar et al. 2016. The Effects of Bowel Preparation on Microbiota-Related Metrics Differ in Health and in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and for the Mucosal and Luminal Microbiota Compartments.

5. Mai, V., Greenwald, B., Glenn Morris, J., Raufman, J., & Stine, O. C. (2006). Effect of bowel preparation and colonoscopy on post‐procedure intestinal microbiota composition. Gut, 55(12), 1822–1823.

6. Immune: Oregon State University. (2013, September 16). Gut microbes closely linked to proper immune function, other health issues. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 28, 2018

7. Immune: Nanjundappa et al, 2017. A Gut Microbial Mimic that Hijacks Diabetogenic Autoreactivity to Suppress Colitis.

8. Digestion: Lawrence, K., & Hyde, J. (2017). Microbiome restoration diet improves digestion, cognition and physical and emotional wellbeing. PLoS ONE, 12(6), e0179017.

9. Digestion: Gene Kim, Fnu Deepinder, Walter Morales, Laura Hwang, Stacy Weitsman, Christopher Chang, Robert Gunsalus, Mark Pimentel. Methanobrevibacter smithii Is the Predominant Methanogen in Patients with Constipation-Predominant IBS and Methane on Breath. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2012; DOI: 10.1007/s10620-012-2197-1

10. Heart: Tang et al, 2017. Gut Microbiota in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

11. Weight: Filip Ottosson, Louise Brunkwall, Ulrika Ericson, Peter M Nilsson, Peter Almgren, Céline Fernandez, Olle Melander, Marju Orho-Melander. Connection between BMI related plasma metabolite profile and gut microbiota. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 01 February 2018 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02114/4834036

12. Blood Sugar: Kumamoto University. (2018, April 10). How intestinal bacteria can affect your blood sugar and lipid levels. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 28, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180410100937.htm

13. Anxiety: Alan E. Hoban, Roman M. Stilling, Gerard M. Moloney, Rachel D. Moloney, Fergus Shanahan, Timothy G. Dinan, John F. Cryan, Gerard Clarke. Microbial regulation of microRNA expression in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Microbiome, 2017; 5 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s40168-017-0321-3

14. Depression: Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S. (2017). Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clinics and Practice, 7(4), 987.

15. Memory: Lund University. (2017, February 10). Gut bacteria may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 28, 2018 from

16. Adrenal Health: Konturek, P. C., Brzozowski, T., & Konturek, S. J. (2011). Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options. Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society, 6, 591–599

17. Adrenal Health: Cryan, J. F., & O’Mahony, S. M. (2011). The microbiome-gut-brain axis: From bowel to behavior. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 23(3), 187–192. doi:10.1111/j.1365–2982.2010.01664.x

18. Exercise: Clarke, S. F., Murphy, E. F., O’sullivan, O., Lucey, A. J., Humphreys, M., Hogan, A., . . . Cotter, P. D. (2014). Exercise and associated dietary extremes impact on gut microbial diversity. Gut, 63(12), 1913–1920.

19, Headaches: Antonio Gonzalez, Embriette Hyde, Naseer Sangwan, Jack A. Gilbert, Erik Viirre, Rob Knight. Migraines Are Correlated with Higher Levels of Nitrate-, Nitrite-, and Nitric Oxide-Reducing Oral Microbes in the American Gut Project Cohort. mSystems Oct 2016, 1 (5) e00105-16; DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.00105-16

20, Attention: Carmen Cenit, María & Campillo Nuevo, Isabel & codoñer-franch, Pilar & G. Dinan, Timothy & Sanz, Yolanda. (2017). Gut microbiota and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: new perspectives for a challenging condition. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 26. 10.1007/s00787-017-0969-z.

21. Cancer: Fellows et al. 2018. Microbiota derived short chain fatty acids promote histone crotonylation in the colon through histone deacetylases. Nature.  9(105). doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02651-5.

Tsai et al. 2018. Prospective clinical study of circulating tumor cells for colorectal cancer screening. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 36, no. 4_suppl. 556-556… DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2018.36.4_suppl.556.

22. 6. Bullman et al. 2017. Analysis of Fusobacterium persistence and antibiotic response in colorectal cancer. DOI: 10.1126/science.aal5240

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[solastia]

Shadow Song | 1

We are the Shadow Knights. We stand for justice and truth. We bring retribution to those that defy that. And your name is on our list.

Pairing: Yoo Kihyun x Reader

Summary: Yoo Kihyun is an Assassin that’s been paid to take out the heir to a vast corporation. However, after a week of staking out his target, he finds he can’t pull the trigger. 

Word Count: 2,133

Genre & Warnings: Assassin Au, will be a mix of every genre, some angst/some fluff/eventually smut. Will have violence to some degree but nothing overly graphic. Monsta X being adorable and charming. 

Notes: This was just going to be one long one shot, but it was becoming too long, so I’m breaking it down into chapters. Enjoy! 

The light should be turning on in 5...4...3...2...1...

Yoo Kihyun smirked at the reliability of his latest target’s routine as the apartment lit up. He had it down to the exact second at this point. 

Her alarm would go off at 5:55 am, and she would hit the button three times before finally getting up at 6:05 am. She’d get ready and go for an hour-long jog. During this run, she’d only stop once for precisely eight minutes to give treats to dogs in the fenced off dog park. Afterwards, she’d head home to shower and eat before heading to work at 7:45 am. She’d stay in her office working until 6:15 pm, only leaving once to have a salad in the company cafeteria for lunch at 2:10 pm. She would be home at precisely 6:32 pm. From there, she usually didn’t leave the apartment. She’d cook dinner, then watch Netflix, read, or play with her little orange cat. After a quick five minute shower, she’d be in bed by 9:30 pm. And she conveniently left her curtains open at all times, making his job that much easier. 

Kihyun was beginning to wonder why she was a target, though. As of today, he’d been evaluating his mark for an entire week. He knew she liked her coffee sweet, knew that she always kept a book in her purse to read during lunch, knew that when a song came on that she loved she’d pick up her cat and dance around her living room. However, he hadn’t found a single shred of evidence that warranted her death. 

L/N Y/N was the CEO of Hekami Corp, the most substantial architecture company in the entire country. She’d inherited the position after her father passed away two years ago. There were rumors that she was one of the top five wealthiest people on the planet since her company worked globally. Only other family was a stepmother and stepbrother. He’d scoured everything from her bank accounts to every grade she’d ever gotten in school. He’d unearthed everything that could be found. The order had said that she was responsible for using her money and connections to fund all manner of underground dealings. Sex trade, drug trafficking, child labor. Kihyun hadn’t seen anything so far worth shooting her over except that she left dishes in the sink overnight. 

He was beginning to get that feeling in his gut. The one that he felt in the courtroom when he just knew that something wasn’t right. 

Have they been had? Had someone actually dared to use a Shadow Knight to do their dirty work? It was generally well known in the underground networks that while, yes, the Shadow Knights were technically Assassin’s, they only took out the worst of the worst. The guys that slipped through the cracks of the corrupt legal system. Hell, they were practically the Justice League with .300 Win Mags.

Kihyun found himself growing increasingly more agitated as he once again focused on his target. She seemed to be unusually chipper today, dancing around her kitchen as she made what appeared to be curry. He was pretty sure she’d put in too much powder and not enough water making him feel slightly triggered, but he managed to bury his irritation since there was nothing he could do about it. 

He actually felt himself blushing as the bottom half of her appeared from behind the kitchen counter and he realized she’d kicked off her pants somewhere along the line. He’d seen much, much more than that observing his previous targets, so he didn’t get why the sight of panties had him blushing like a schoolboy. No matter how cute she looked in the flimsy scraps of blue lace. He shook his head as if to clear all of his wayward thoughts and refocused on his task.

With his earpiece, he could hear her singing (if what she was doing could be called that) along with some music. He’d bugged her apartment on Sunday while she’d been at the cafe down the road working on her day off. There had been nothing much of interest from this either. No phone calls except when she ordered takeout, her cat Misha was talkative as hell, and she had a cute voice when she wasn’t singing. 

He set his gear down and sat back in the chair he’d set up on the rooftop opposite her apartment building. He chewed on his bottom lip as he contemplated his choices. He was ninety-nine percent certain that this target was an innocent, but he’d do one last apartment sweep to be sure. Then he’d go to the boss tomorrow with his suspicions. He sent a mission update to headquarters, took a short nap as he waited for her to go to bed, then made the familiar trek to her apartment. 

Kihyun let himself in using the key he’d made earlier in the week, closing the door with a barely audible creak. Misha the cat curled himself around Kihyun’s leg in greeting, recognizing him from earlier visits. He leaned down and scratched the cat’s ears a bit before pulling his night vision goggles down over his eyes. He crept around the apartment like a ghost, searching every visible cabinet, drawer, window sill, all the usual suspects for hiding suspicious information. Finding nothing in the living room or kitchen, he decided it was time to hit up the bedroom. This part was going to be tricky considering she was still home, but he had no doubt he could pull it off. 

He put everything back in its proper place, only complaining a few times about the layers of dust and drawers full of junk. Just when he turned to walk down the hallway, the light turned on, illuminating the female leaning casually against the wall with crossed arms. 

“The last Assassin they sent was cuter.”

“This is awkward,” Kihyun muttered as he lifted his goggles off. The errant thought that she was even cuter up close ran through his mind as he observed her. He wasn’t really sure where to go from here. He’d never been caught by surprise before. Does he try to make a run for it? Taze her? Throw the cat as a distraction? 

“First of all, ouch. Secondly, don’t worry I’m not going to hurt you...wait, the last Assassin? Are you saying there have been other orders on you and you’ve survived?” Kihyun asked in surprise. She merely sighed and gestured towards the couch. When they were both sitting, she began observing him from head to toe. He felt like she peering into his very soul, and he wondered what she saw. 

“You’re the sixth in the two years since I inherited. A couple were brave and tried to take me out in broad daylight, but security got ahold of them. The rest I’ve been able to pay off. So how much do you want?” She sighed wearily and pulled out her phone, bringing up the bank app. 

Kihyun grimaced as he processed this new information. He waved the phone away and with a frown of her own, she put it back in her pocket. 

“Do you have any suspicions as to who is giving the order?”

“I do.”

“And...?”

“And I haven’t found proof it’s them yet. Even if I do, I don’t know what I’ll do with it. They are...close to me. I never would have thought them capable of this.” She sighed, rubbing her forehead. Kihyun wanted to smooth the crinkles between her eyes. 

“Look, they made a huge mistake this time. They picked the wrong assassin for this. Yes, technically I...well for lack of a better description...kill for money. However, we only take out the people that deserve it. The people that are so vile they can barely even be called human.” He stared, observing every emotion shining through her eyes as he explained. 

“Are you guilty of the crimes of which you have been accused? Sex Trade, Child Labor, extortion, etc.?” He asked her calmly as he held eye contact. 

“No, of course not!” She looked genuinely horrified.

“Okay,” he responded breezily as he tapped his thigh to call Misha. 

“Okay? That’s it? So you believe me just like that?” 

“Mmmhmm.” He responded as he pets the purring cat. “To be honest, I’ve been looking into your case for a week now. I already thought you were innocent. This was just one last sweep before I reported back to my boss.”

“So without a shred of proof you’re just going to listen to me when I say I’m innocent? You’re not very good at this job, are you?” She laughs, the tension slowly leaving her shoulders as she recognizes he’s not going to hurt her. 

“On the contrary, sweetheart, I’m one of the best if not the best. Also, I can spot a liar in an instant. Perks from my day job. Speaking of, I have to get going. Can I leave peacefully, or did you want to try calling the cops or something?”

“The assassin is offering to let me call the cops on him? You really suck at this job. You let me go, so shouldn’t I do the same? Besides, Misha likes you, so you can’t be all bad.” She giggled, and he decides that was one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Kihyun looked at her in wonder, grinning a bit as he shakes his head.

“What?” She huffed. 

“It’s just funny is all. You expect someone to scream or beat you up with a frying pan at least when the assassin word starts getting thrown around. You’re acting like I’m just some dude that showed up for a cup of tea.” 

“Would beating you with a pan help my situation? I have plenty.” She smirked. 

Kihyun chuckled. “Touche.” 

Kihyun pushes the cat off of his leg and stands up. His gaze roams her face as if it might be the last time, although he was sure he’d see her again. 

“I have to tell headquarters about this situation. Do you want me to help find your proof? I know you think it’s someone close to you that you don’t seem to want to do anything about, but you have to think logically. They’ve straight up hired someone to kill you six times. It doesn’t sound like they are going to stop anytime soon. I’m going to make a wild guess here. Stepmom and Stepbrother?”

Her sharp, indrawn breath was all the answer he needed. He sighed and nodded. “It’s almost disappointing that it’s so cliche. Did they not inherit anything?” 

“They got the main house and allowances. Very, very generous allowances. They don’t need to lift a finger for the rest of their lives. Unless they somehow think they’d inherit the business, there is nothing else to be gained from killing me.” 

Kihyun picked up on the keyword of somehow. “Are you saying they wouldn’t? Who would it go to then?”

“Until I have children of my own, it’s some distant cousin. Not really sure. The board keeps the information, and since I never planned on kicking the bucket anytime soon, I never bothered to look into it. I figured they’d probably show up asking for money sooner or later, and then I’d learn all about them.” 

Kihyun nods as he takes in this new information. He’d look more into it when he got a chance. 

“I’m going to head out, sweetheart. I’ll stop by when I learn more. I might even knock next time. Bye, Misha.” 

“You’re a weird assassin.” She grumbled, but he noticed she was fighting off a grin. Damn, he wanted to kiss her. 

NOPE NOPE. Stay on target. 

“Mmhmm. Also, you might want to try closing your curtains from time to time. Blue is definitely your color.” He threw in, chuckling as he closed the door on her blushing face. 

[florenceisnottrash]

Sleepless rainy night (Yuto x Reader)

A fanfiction inspired by the latest release of IU – Sleepless rainy night

Genre: Smut, fluff, strangers, student!au

words: 3853

Summary: The end of term’s been killing you, spending most of your free time in cafés. You could really use some distraction... good thing the hot stranger studying across you feels the same.

The sound of rain hitting a window never fails to calm me down, although rain itself does a pretty good job. Perhaps it’s the constant tickling of the droplets abruptly ending their course on the window or the intense run between those droplets to find out which one is going to be part of the puddle first.

Yes, my thoughts wander a lot while studying, however I can’t allow myself to be distracted, not when finals are around the corner and surely not when I have 8 classes to study for in only 2 weeks.

A coffee shop seemed to be the best option. Studying home is a big no, too many distractions. The cat wants to be fed, my dad absolutely wants to know what I want to eat for dinner and the remains of the chocolate cake we had last night are permanently in my sight. School? I could’ve studied there, I love how calm and quiet the library is, there’s just too many people during the end of term. The only places left, if you are lucky enough to get one, are the ones close to the windows and believe me, you don’t want to be there, the difference between outside and inside is imperceptible. Yes, the isolation is that bad.

A coffee shop is perfect for late night studying. Since it’s further away from another coffee shop, there are practically no one from school, they can’t be bothered to walk the extra mile when there’s a café just outside of school. That’s why it’s perfect, less people means my favourite seat will probably be empty, and I’ll be able to sit beside the window, back against the wall and in selfimposed withdrawal from the bigger room. Unfortunately, my spot’s already been taken by a guy wearing a black hoodie over his head with round glasses, nose in his computer probably wondering how he can magically transform 14 weeks of Cs into an A in 2 weeks. I take the other spot near the same window, it’s not as well located as my favourite spot but, I can still manage to hear the rain make its beautiful song.

After 5 hours of intense studying in history and international politics, I lean back on my chair and allow myself a well-deserved break. My gaze drifts outside, on the businesswoman, the students and retired speed-walking on the sidewalk, wanting to spend less time as possible in this awful weather. I could be the cliché college student and say how I wish I could be them, having a steady job, being done with work forever or simply having 3 classes instead of 8. But I’m aware that my situation isn’t that bad, it’s not bad at all, actually. Those people have their own worries that I don’t know about, that’s why I’m content with the life I have now, if it becomes too much, everything is in my power to change my situation.

Proud of my positive thinking, I take a sip of my coffee and frown in disgust, I love coffee, but nothing makes me cringe more than when it turns cold. I get up, take a 2$ coin out of my purse and go to the counter, passing by the distressed-hoodie-and-glasses-guy and notice the cute toad-shaped post-it in his pencil case. I smile. He doesn’t seem like a post-it kind of guy.

“Muriel, do you happen to know the impacts of the term “plurality of globalizations” on globalization itself? Because I’m about to go crazy over this stupid sociology research” I say leaning my forehead on the counter.

“Ohoh Y/N” She giggles. “I may not know any of those sociology terms, but I know how to make the best coffee in town! Should I make you another one?” “Yes please, your coffees are the only thing keeping me sane, those teachers are crazy with all their assignments.”

She tilts her head and gently slides the mug on the counter, adding a whisper of cocoa on the whipped cream.

“Y/N I can’t wait for the day you’ll realise how lucky you are to be struggling with those papers and homework, someday you’ll thank your teachers for the hell they’ve put you through. But for now, enjoy a hot drink!” She winks and hands me the much too filed mug.

I took the last sip of my coffee and raised my head off my laptop after about another 2 hours of work. It’s dark outside. Good thing the shop stays open late, I don’t want to go home before I finish this goddamn research. There’s visibly less clients now, only an elderly couple doing the cross-word in today’s newspaper, a man sipping his coffee, two students ranting about how their history teacher gives the hardest homework but never fails to articulate his class in a way everyone can easily understand, and the hoodie guy is still here. From my place, I can barely see his face. However, I can say without a doubt that he’s tall and strongly built. If his face looks as flawless as his body, this boy could be a heartbreaker.

“God Y/N get a grip you’re not here to analyse how pretty the boy on the next table is.” I whisper while lightly tapping my cheeks to wake me up from my daydream.

As if he read my mind, he ran a hand through his hair, making his hood fall back, revealing his strong jawbone, sleepy eyes, sloppy hair and leaned back on his chair, creating a sexy mess. I’m totally staring too much, but I can’t help it, the way he looks so damn sexy while making zero apparent efforts is mesmerizing. He closes his eyes, lets out a sigh and sat back straight, focusing once more on his computer. The sight before me is a thousand times more interesting than my own computer right now. Eventually, I get a grip and snap back into reality, I must finish this paper or I’ll be in trouble.

Eventually, I got to the point where I met most the requirements for the research and added the last period to the word document, after 36 pages of tears, pain and suffering. There’s still the damn question about the plurality of globalizations, which I’ll do after the power nap I’ve been dreaming about since 10am. Now it’s 6pm and I think I did enough effort to grant myself a sweet 20 minutes nap and attack the last question of the day. I push my computer to the side, lay my arms onto the table and rest my head over them and relax for the next minutes.

Good thing I set up an alarm because I’d be gone for the night at this rate, the power nap did wonders on me, and I convinced globalization is going to be a lot more understandable than it was before.

I lift my head and see the handsome guy from across my seat closing his laptop and putting it back into its case before getting up and leaving the café. The good thing is that I’ll won’t be distracted anymore by how stunning he looks; the sad thing is that I’m sure I’ll still be distracted by the lingering memories of this guy’s sharp jawline and the well-defined body under his black hoodie. Disappointed I lift my head and before setting my gaze back to my computer, my eyes met a mug of coffee with whipped cream and cocoa on top, with a toad-shaped post-it stick on it.

“Sociology might be hard, but nothing is impossible with a cup of coffee, don’t you think? Keep working hard - Yuto”

I read the note again in disbelief, and read it once more. Impusively, I grap the post-it and run outside to find the only person who could possibly be Yuto. I swing the door open and lift a hand over my head, even though the heavy rain will still make my hair wet and make up run. The left side of the street is empty, except for a stance and hoodie I could spot thousand miles away, walking slowing while letting the rain drench his transparent umbrella. I run over to where Yuto is and stand in front of him, making him cutely jump and take a step back. Drench and out of breath I wipe a drip of rain from my cheek and exhale.

“I’m Y/N, would you mind drinking that coffee together? I’m pretty sure my sociology essay can wait.”

He smiles and leans the umbrella in a way we both get to be away from the storm and freezing drops of rain.

“I could use some distraction from all this studying too.”

We all have one. One special someone that you met once, whose personality matches yours completely. Someone with whom it just clicks. I’m not that spirituous I won’t say things like “We were meant to be” or “it was our destiny to be brought together today”. I’ll just say that my encounter with Yuto could be a sort of faithful coincidence.

When we went back inside the shop after I ran like a psychopath to him and litteraly asked a total stranger for coffee. My sociology essay quickly flew in the back of my mind while I was gathering my things to let Yuto sit in front of me by the window. He ordered 2 small sized macchiato, making sure it was because we already had too much coffee for today, and not because he was cheap. “I’m pretty sure that even this tiny cup could leave me with a stroke or an heartbeat of 200 bps!” I said to him as Muriel lowered our two cups in front of us, with a clearly visible smirk on her aging face. I grabbed my coffee with two hands and raised it to my lips in hopes my flushed cheeks would remain out of sight.

How long as it been? I check the time for the first time since Yuto and I reentered the café: its 9:30 pm. I let down my phone on the table and continued the conversation I had with Yuto while having in mind the approaching time of closure of the café.

“How come I’ve never seen you in school before? We litteraly have the same teacher in 3 different classes” I say, narrowing my eyes and tilting my head in confusion.

“This may sound like I’m a creep, which I’m surely not, but I’ve seen you quite a bit around here”

I open my eyes wider in surprise.

“I think we both like spending time in this café, it’s where I saw you for the first time. You were having an argument with the barista about if you should drop out or not!” he recalls with a giggle.

“Muriel was convinced having 3 essays due the same day was an easy task for “someone as studious as I am”, little does she know 101% of the time, I’m having a mental breakdown because of school and the only thing keeping me going is the anxiety of performances” I say looking to the side, rubbing the back of my neck. The pressure of this date took over me and made me talk shit, wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves for the bathroom and never come back.

“I like how genuine you are while talking to me, even though we’ve known each other for 3 hours.” He laughs

I have absolutely no idea if he did it on purpose, but I swear the way his leg touched mine under the table just a minute ago is too much of a coincidence to mean nothing.

After a couple of minute of being much too aware of the proximity of our legs, the powerful gaze I can barely maintain, those stupid smirks that make my heart skip about ten thousand beats and his broad shoulders keeping me from looking anywhere else, I excuse myself to the bathroom. I don’t need to pee or anything, I just need 2 minutes of rationalisation.

How come the sexiest fucking guy I’ve ever seen pops up in the café, asks me for a date, buys me macchiato and touches my leg? It can’t possibly be true, maybe your best friend paid him? Why would she, she’s too absorbed in her own relationships to think of something as stupid as this. Ok, it might be just a combination of welcomed coincidences and I shouldn’t try to find the “why” of all this. What should I do about the sexual tension that made me escape to the bathroom because it was too much to bear? Seriously I just can’t resist Yuto. A single gaze could make my knees waver and weak, good thing I was sitting down the whole time. I look at myself one last time and repeat “I can do this, it’s a once in a lifetime chance” multiple times in my head like a mantra. Pushing the door, I’m ready to confront the tension that’s between us head first.

“Muriel told me it’s closing time in 20 minutes, she still lets us finish the coffee she “prepared with all her love” and to be honest, I’m going to listen to her because her coffees are simply amazing” he said taking a long sip of the coffee mug that is completely invisible under his strong, slender and manly hand. We continue talking, and my tone becomes a flirtier than before, I slide the leg crossed over the other alongside Yuto’s long one with each joke, and continue the conversation as if nothing happened. I was enjoying it, knowing I could flirt with Yuto without the slight concerned, because I already made up my mind: I will not let this faithful meeting slip between my fingers. Yuto seemed on board too, he would sit further from his seat for me to have better access to his leg, and wouldn’t miss a chance to touch my hand while explaining his stories and such.

It wasn’t lustful acts, we simply have this special connection that made these sorts of interactions flow like water; and the two of us seem to enjoy the turn of events.

“We should go, Muriel has been eyeing me the door for the past minute and seems to have had a long day” I say, dejected by the fact I’ll have to part ways with Yuto, those hours really made my day 200% better.

“Thank you for today, I owe you a lot, you made me forget about my finals for a couple of hours and seriously, that’s all I’ve been asking for the past week”

“Who said we had to part ways?” he says taking his umbrella and backpack and pushing his chair back

“Eh?”

“I could show you my favourite place in town, my friends and I always go there to hang out when we want to be alone. It’s not that far away from here! And luck’s on our side, it stopped raining.”

Alone.

Alone. Why does he want to be alone? I surely don’t mind at all. But I’m wondering if his alone means the same thing as my alone. Too absorbed by my thoughts I completely forget about the person in front of me.

“I’m sorry I assumed you wanted to spend more time with me but it’s completely up to you! We can still part ways! For my money, I’d love to spend more time with you but if you don’t wish too its real-

“Let’s go” I smile while I grab my bag in one hand and Yuto’s hand in the other and left the café.

“You assumed right, I’d love to spend more time with you. Show me the place you were talking about, you’ve picked my curiosity.”

It really wasn’t far at all, we exited the building of the café and took the emergency stairs of the same building to reveal the rooftop. It wasn’t glamourous at all, let alone romantic. In fact, it was exciting, new and adventurous.

“Are we allowed to be here?”

He looks my way with a deadly smirk. “Nope!”

Both of us laugh, he helps my climb the last two steps of the stairs and get across the edges of the roofs. The shabyness of the place makes it even more interesting, there wasn’t much on the roof, only pebbles, two chairs and a coffee table in one corner of the roof and the vent which is about two meters tall in the very center of the place. What was the surprising thing about this place is how breathtaking it could be. Being in a place only few know about, having the prettiest view of the town and the starry night and how the moonlight could make Yuto’s honey skin glow.

I don’t know what got into me. Maybe it’s the thrill of being in a place we shouldn’t have been? Maybe it’s because I feel and unbearable attraction towards Yuto? Well right now it does not matter, as I am centimeters away from Yuto’s lips, one hand on the nap of his neck and this other caressing his cheeks. My boldness ignited something in him, as if he’s been restraining himself for a while, and I finally gave him access to everything he’s been thirsty for.

“Is this ok with you? Because I can’t bear it anymore” he said, whispering softly between my lips, still a breath away from each other.

Even without words, my answer to his question was as clear as water, I crashed my lips on his releasing the tension I’ve been feeling for hours now. At first, Yuto was still unsure of how to react to my advances, his kisses were soft, loving and his touch was shy. As my hands wander across his body, making their way on his godly built chest and down to the aim of his shirt, he became more eager and impatient. His kisses formed a trail from my lips to my cheeks, continuing its course to my ear.

“I can’t look away from you”

The whisper sent a shiver down my spine, leaving my knees weak and my core aching. He continued his trail to my neck, taking this opportunity to slide my hand under his shit, feeling his well-defined muscles over my fingertips.

Without realizing your back hit the cold and solid material of the vent leaving you defenseless against the dangerously sexy man in front of me. The sight is beautiful, making my aching core throb as Yuto placed his knee between my legs, leaving a better access to my sentitive spot, rubbing the place that’s been craving his touch.

At this point, Yuto began gaining more confidence, he knew what made you react the best, and used it against you, you were being controlled by his kisses, words and touch. His slender and big hands folded my breast has if he’s been doing this since forever, he knew exactly how to make me moan, and found the deepest pleasure when I did in his ears.

“Y/N, you are driving me crazy, I can’t control myself”

He was trying his best not to frighten you and to go gently despite his urge to make you feel amazingly good. You wanted to reassure him, make him know that he didn’t have to hold back, because I needed him as much as he needed me.

I locked eyes with him, panting, lips red and swollen from the make out session. When he felt my hand surrounding his and directing it towards the aim of my skirt, Yuto understood exactly what I wanted him to do and took the reins from here. He lifted my jeans skirt to reveal my long legs, and he immediately traced the curves of my thigh with his warm and needy fingertips.

The stoke of lighting I felt all over my body when he stroked my folds with his finger felt as though I was flying. The strokes began being quicker and stronger and I could barely stand still without the help of Yuto’s strong arm. I was panting hard into his neck, making his even hornier as he was. I felt my high coming in a rush and begged Yuto to go faster to finally reach my climax.

“.. Yuto… Don’t.. Stop please… I’m cuming” I whispered in his neck while kissing the depth of his long and slim neck.

As I was about to let out my pleasure, he withdrew his fingers and placed them on his softly parted flushed lips, before licking them and tasting my juice.

“You don’t deserve cuming with fingers, you deserve much better” He said, licking the last bit of my dignity left on his fingers and taking out a condom of his pocket.

“Is this still okay with you?” He said with a worried but hurried look in his eyes. Then again, you didn’t feel the need to reply with words, because unbuckling his pants speaks way louder than words. Pushing down his black holed pants, he revealed his throbbing cock that’s been screaming for release till you started teasing each other under the table.

You lower yourself to be facing Yuto’s member, but he stops you midway.

“I’m the one making you feel good tonight Y/N, I can wait”

He then again, crashed his lips on mine, hungrier than ever, wanting to make sure I’m completely drowned in him. Being mesmerized by his lips and tongue intertwined with mine, I can barely pay attention to what’s going on down there. Yuto brushes my inside some more with his skilled finger before carefully sliding my panties down to reveal my drenched and needy pussy.

“Yuto, I want you in me..”

He swallows

“Now”

Before I knew, he presses his cock against my entrance and enters my walls perfectly, leaving space only for pleasure and lust. He starts off slowly, making sure I wasn’t hurting and quickly became finding his own pace, which was fast. He pounded my core with such power I could feel my legs anymore, thy were slowly giving up on me, just like I gave up resisting to Yuto. He raised one of my leg up with his strong arms and continued his ascent to his own high, while I was busy building mine. Our lips were barely touching, but there was nothing sexier than him moaning and taking shaky breath against my lips. As quickly as it started, my high came like a wave, ignited by Yuto’s hot and throbbing cock releasing his load in me. Rested against the vent, and Yuto’s body covering mine, we both waited until our breath stabilized before looking at each other in the eyes, reflecting the brightness of the moonlight.

“I think I’ll need you phone number” Yuto states, clearly shoving his embarrassment.

I pecked his lips with a quick and caring kiss.

“I thought you’d never ask”

MASTERLIST

[ilvsyzj]

Chapter Ten: Settling In and First Day of Class.

12/1/2020, Tuesday, Week 1, Day 0- Continue:

      After Sebastian left. We went to our respected floors and rooms. Sky and my room was the largest one in the house. Because our room look over the lake in the forest. Sky and I put away our belongings. I noticed there was a little black board hanging above our desks. I took it down and wrote some rules for the both of us. Just 5 simple rules. Captain and Co-Captain Rules: 1) No PDA during the day, 2) No eating in the room, 3) Exercise 3 times a week, 4) Keep the room clean, and 5) Work hard. When Sky saw the rules he didn’t say anything but smile. Then I heard a small meow. 

Jazzy: You brought your cat? -surprise-

Sky: Mhm. I brought Toothless with me. Because I can’t leave the little guy at home alone. My family won’t take care of it while I’m here. -taking Toothless out of his cage-

Jazzy: -excited scream- How cute! :) 

Sky: -smiling-

Jazzy: How old is he? -excited-

Sky: 8 weeks. :)

Jazzy: Hi little one. :) What its name?

Sky: His name is Toothless. :)

Jazzy: Hi Toothless. :)

Toothless: -soft meow- 

Sky: -smiling- 

Jazzy: Can I hold him?

Sky: Mhm. -handing Toothless to Jazzy-

      When I hold Toothless in my arms. Toothless start purring loudly. A few minutes later Toothless fell asleep in my arms. That’s when Sky told me the truth. 

Sky: I actually read your blog and saw that you always want a black cat named Toothless. So, I decided to go to the Puppy and Kitten Adoption Center, and I adopted the little guy. Toothless is my gift to you. It’s an early birthday gift. -blushing- 

Jazzy: Thank you. I love it. :) Now, I’m going to have a hard time getting you a birthday gift. Let alone a Christmas gift. 

Sky: You’re my Christmas gift. -blushing-

Jazzy: -blushing- Are we allow to have pets in here?

Sky: Uh...I haven’t thought about that. Let me look in the handbook. 

     A few minutes later Sky found the answer. It turns out we are allow to have pets at HQ. Just as long as we keep our pets inside the house, and not let our pets roam around the grounds. Because there are dangerous wild animals running around grounds, that can attack, kill, and eat our pets. So Sky and I decided to keep Toothless in our room. Since he’s still so little we don’t want anything to happen to him. I put Toothless in his bed and he continue to sleep. Sky put some food and water in Toothless’ bowls. We left our room and went to the Common Room to eat dinner. Eating is the only time we got to know each other. I found out that everyone is so nice and respectful to each other. I didn’t sense any jealously from either of them. The pack does work. I felt like everyone aren’t each other’s soul mate. They act more like siblings. I feel that our team and the Healers are one big happy family. 

Rich: Do you guys have a cat in the house?

Sky: Jazzy and I do. Are you allergic?

Rich: No, I’m not allergic to cats or dogs. I love animals. I also brought a pet to the house. A small puppy. My parents gave to me as a going away present. My puppy is going to be in my room most of the time. I’m just letting everyone know incase you hear barking or loud shouting coming from my room. 

Sky: Good to know. Toothless is going to be in our room most of the time. Since he’s so little and I’m afraid that he might run out of the front door. 

Everyone: Mhm. 

Jazzy: Alright. Let’s clean up and go to bed early. We all have an early start. 

Everyone: Mhm. 

   So we all cleaned up. Did the dishes. And said goodnight to one another. Sky and I returned our rooms. Sky took a shower and I looked through my calendar for tomorrow. It turns out all of R.M.C. has classes together for Basic Training. We start at 9 am. I set my alarm for 7 am. After Sky came out of the bathroom I let him know about tomorrow. He agreed. We both got a text from the other members of R.M.C. and they have the same thought as I did. Which is good. Then it was my turn to take a shower. 20 minutes later I came out of the bathroom. That’s when I noticed that our room has one King size bed. I felt a little nervous. Sky could sense it and said that he will sleep on the sofa and I can have the bed. I shook my head and told him that we can share the bed. I don’t want him tossing and turning all night. I want him to be comfortable. So, we climb into bed. Said goodnight and Sky turned off the lights. 

-End of Day 0-

12/2/2020, Wednesday, Week 1, Day 1:

      The next morning at 7 am my alarm went off. I turned it off. As I start to wake up from my slumber. I noticed that Sky was hugging me. I smiled. I loved that he was hugging me, because I felt safe in his arms. Sky was awake when I rolled to face him. 

Sky: -smiling- Morning Princess. 

Jazzy: -smiling- Morning sweet Prince. 

Sky: -leaning in and kissed me on the cheek- Acceptable?

Jazzy: -nodding- Mhm. -kissing him on the cheek- 

    I rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom. 5 minutes later I came out and got dress. Sky went to the bathroom to get ready. I fed Toothless breakfast and I got my stuff ready for the day. When Sky came out of the bathroom, he too pack up his back pack. We said goodbye to Toothless and went to the Common Room. Everyone member of R.M.C. was already there. Eating breakfast. Mike was the one who made breakfast for everyone. It turns out that Mike woke up at 5 am to prep everything. I also found out that Mike will make breakfast for us and the Healers, Phil will make lunch for us and the Healers, and Simon will make dinner for us and the Healers. It turns out that Mike, Phil, and Simon loves to cook. What I was most surprise was that there was already a chore list, hung in the kitchen door way. I saw that Sky is responsible for taking out the trash every day, I was responsible for doing the dishes on Tuesdays. I hate doing the dishes, but I saw that there was a dish washer in the kitchen. I sigh a relief. The chore list was long, but all of us have a job to do for the next 6 weeks. I smiled. 

Sky: We are very responsible. Our parents taught us well from a young age that we have to clean after ourselves. By doing chores was taught to us at very young age. We don’t like it. But we have to do it because it’s part of life. 

Jazzy: You guys sure are full of surprises. :)

Mike: There’s more. :)

Jazzy: Surprises? 

Mike: Mhm. :)

Rich: For example, who ever doesn’t do their chores have to eat 1 sour VC mixed in a handful of Bean Boozled flavor jelly beans. :)

Jazzy: Yuck. 

Everyone: -laughing- 

     Today is Wednesday so it is Charlie’s turn to do the dishes. Without complaining Charlie collected all the dishes, rinsed the dishes, and put all the dishes into the dish washer. Then we went into the elevator. Our classes take place in the basement. A few minutes later we got out of the elevator. There was a sign that said, “R.M.C. Classes to the left. Healers Classes to the right” The girls wave goodbye to the R.M.C. members as we went our separate ways. When the R.M.C. members walked into class. I almost had a heart attack. My father was inside the room. I can’t believe that my father is going to teach us Basic Training. We took our seats as class began. 

Mr. Tam: Good morning. :)

R.M.C. Members: Morning. Counselor Tam. 

Mr. Tam: Today, I’m going hand out your class schedules, journals, and iPads. Use these iPads only for your courses. Nothing us. Because in the past the Elders had found inappropriate things on these iPads. The Elders had to block a lot of sites. Also, the punishment for any misuse of these iPads is spending a whole month assisting the King. 

R.M.C. Members: Understood. 

Mr. Tam: Good. 

    Mr. Tam handed out the class schedules, journals, and iPads. When I saw my class schedule I wasn’t surprise. Every day for the next 6 weeks class begins at 9 am and ends at 4 pm. This is what our class schedule looks like, Monday, 9 am - 12 pm, History. 12 pm - 1 pm, Lunch. 1 pm - 4 pm, Work Study. Tuesday, 9 am 12 pm, Spell Casting part 1. 12 pm - 1 pm, Lunch. 1 pm - 4 pm, Spell Casting part II. Wednesday, 9 am - 12 pm, Basic Physical Training. 12 pm - 1pm, Lunch. 1 pm - 4 pm, Work Study. Thursday, 9 am - 12 pm, Potion. 12 pm - 1 pm, Lunch. 1 pm - 4pm, Work Study. Friday, 9 am - 12 pm, Review. 12 pm - 1 pm, Lunch. 1 pm - 4 pm, Work Study. Saturday, 9 am - 12 pm, Clean Up part 1. 12 pm - 1 pm, Lunch. 1 pm - 4 pm, Clean Up part 2. Sunday is rest day. It’s going to be a very packed 6 weeks. 

Mr. Tam: Okay, lets go through your schedules. On Monday, you will have me as a professor until lunch time. Lunch and Work Study you’re all on your own. Each day you’ll have a different professors. The only time all 16 of you will have classes together is on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. As you all can see on Tuesdays there are two different lessons. One for the Elements and one for the Non-Elements. So use your time wisely. Any questions about your schedules?

R.M.C. Members: No Sir!

Mr. Tam: Okay. Moving on to journals. Open up your journals and you will see your assignments for each subjects. Sebastian will come and collect your journals on Fridays, at midnight. Be sure to finish all your assignments by Friday at midnight. No exception. For any unfinished assignments you will get a 0 on the assignment. Your History assignments are worth 10 points, Spell Casting assignments are worth 15 points, Non-Spell Casting assignments are worth 10 points, Work Study assignments are worth 5 points, Potions assignments are worth 20 points, Review assignments are worth 25 points, and Basic Physical Training are worth 30 points. For a total of 115 points for all assignments. There are mid-terms on week 3 which is worth 50 points and a final on week 6 which worth another 50 points. For your final grade you have to get a total of 215 points. At any point during these next 6 weeks any of you are below 215 points, for example, you only did 1 week of assignments and you have 100 points. Then you just put your journal in a drawl and totally forget about it for the next 5 weeks, and you get 2 points on both your mid-terms and finals. Your total points of 104. You will not move on to next training stage. You will repeat the Basic Training stage. If you don’t want to repeat your Basic Training and decide to leave R.M.C. then that’s fine with the Counsel and the King. We will not keep those who don’t want to do the work. Any questions about your journals?

R.M.C. Members: No Sir!

Mr. Tam: Okay. Moving on to iPads. Basically all your textbooks, review questions, assignment questions, practice quizzes, exams, mid-terms, and final questions are in the iPads. Don’t even try to go on the inappropriate sites because they are all blocked. Oh, one more thing about your assignments this is for all your classes, please write down the questions in black ink and your answers in blue ink. You’re to turn in your iPads every Saturday along with your journals. When you get your iPads and journals back on Sunday night, you’ll get a text alert on your phones with your grades. On your iPads there would be comments from your professors and Sebastian, that you all must read and sign. Each time you sign these Comment Pages you’ll get an extra 5 points. Don’t cheat the system. We will know if you did your assignments or not. Cheating the system will automatically get thrown out of any training stage you’re in. Once you get thrown out of a training stage you can’t get back into Royal Court. Not even if you beg the King. Once you’re out, you’re out for good. There’s no next time or second chances. Because there’s no second chances in real life when you’re in a war. Understand?

R.M.C. Members: Yes Sir! 

Mr. Tam: Good. Now, -looking at his watch- we still have plenty of time left. We will go into our first history lesson. Tap on your History app and flip to page 5.

    My father started our lesson. Chapter 1 of Mythical Kingdom was about how the King ancestors fought countless wars to get the freedom we have today. All these wars in the past were super bloody. A lot of mythical creatures and humans has died from these wars. I finally understand that my parents lived through dark times. In Mythical Kingdom there are 30 clans. Each of these 30 clans gets smaller each year because of these wars. Only recently that these 30 clans are getting back to normal. The bloody wars almost destroy the humans. There are humans living in Mythical Kingdom. We rarely see the humans because all the humans are homeless people. There are only 100 humans left and they are all humans. This problem hasn’t been taken care of. Because the past Kings never bother with this problem. The past Kings think that all humans are useless. The humans are only helpful are in wars and still they end up dead in less then 20 minutes. King You still didn’t do anything about the human population. King You said that the humans are beyond help. Why bothered. 

Mr. Tam: -looking at his watch- Okay we have 10 minutes left. Your assignment is to write one to two pages answering an question. You’ll find your question and further instructions on the Assignment app. Any questions?

R.M.C. Members: No Sir!

Mr. Tam: Okay. Class dismissed. 

    We packed up and left for lunch. Phil ran into the kitchen to start making lunch. 20 minutes later lunch was serve. While we were eating lunch we were talking about our morning. I on the other hand felt kind of sick after my history lesson. So I didn’t eat very much. But Phil made lunch on the blander and softer side of things. Because I almost puke during class. My father can describe things in gruel details. I thank Phil for the bland and soft lunch. Phil and some of R.M.C. members were feeling a little sick after our history lesson. So I wasn’t alone. After lunch Charlie collected the dishes, unload the dish washer, put the clean the dishes back on to the shelves, and load the dish washer. The Healers went back to the basement to continue their day lesson. While the R.M.C. members went to our Work Study. Which turns out to be in the Common Room. Basically, Work Study was a group study. It is the time for us to do our homework and study. 

    We all started our assignment. No one said a word. Well, Rich started to complain. He doesn’t like doing homework. Rich complained for a good 30 minutes until Mike and Phil told Rich, that if he completes homework early he doesn’t have do them on Fridays. Rich sigh and quit his complaining and did his work. The assignment was very easy to do. The question was If you can solve the human problem how would you do it and why. From the notes that I took and reading Chapter 1. I finished my assignment in 2 hours. I wrote 4 and half pages. I began doing End of Chapter 1 questions, even though it’s next Monday homework. But I like to get some of these homework done ahead of time. By 4 pm all of us were done with our first assignment. I on the hand finished 4 Mondays worth of assignments. Sky did the same thing. Simon went to kitchen to cook dinner. The Healers classes end at 4 pm as well. So while Simon was cooking dinner we went to our rooms to shower and take a break. 

     Sky and I make sure Toothless was okay. Which of course he was perfectly fine. I fed Toothless dinner while Sky took a shower. Through out the entire day, Sky was very good. Not once did he flirt with me. He was very focused on his work. I was also very proud of myself for doing the same thing. After Sky was done with his shower, it was my turn. Sky played with Toothless while he waited for me. 20 minutes later I came out dressed and refreshed. We went down to the Common Room to eat dinner. 2 hours later Charlie cleared up the table and Sky took out the trash. After everything was put away and cleared up we to sit in the Common Room. That’s when the biggest bombshell was dropped on to our laps. It turns out that Jeff and Brandy mated. 

Everyone: What?! -shocked-

Jeff: Yea. Brandy and I been together for a very long time. 

Brandy: Mhm. 

Jazzy: -confused-

Jeff: I imprinted on Brandy when she was born in 2005. She was 5 years old. 

Jazzy: Oh. 

Jeff: When I was 18 I bit Brandy. She was only 13. We couldn’t get married because her parents thought we were too young. Even though I bit her and she is my soul mate. We decided to wait until this year to hold a ceremony. We sign our marriage license last year. But I wanted all my boys to be there, and Brandy wants all her girls to be there. Plus, Brandy thought it would be cute that her bridemaids to have their other half to be her girls partners on our wedding day. But Sky was the only one single in our group. So we waited until he found his other half, then we will have our wedding. :)

Jazzy: -blushing- 

Sky: You two don’t have to wait for me. -blushing- 

Brandy and Jeff: We want to. :)

   We said our congratulations. The wedding was set on May 2, 2021. After that big news we decided to get a early rest. We all went to our rooms, Rich took his puppy out for one last time before turning in for the night. Sky and I checked on Toothless who was asleep when we returned to our room. We brushed our teeth and changed into our pjs. We got into bed and turn off the lights. We weren’t sleeping yet, but in the dark I decided to reward him. Since Sky was already hugging me, I rolled over to face him, nuzzle his neck gently, and that actually aroused him. He knew what I was about to do. He allowed me to do it. I start slowly kissing neck and I moved to his cheek. When I was on top of him I kissed him gently on the lips. Which aroused him even more. I knew he wanted more than just a gentle kiss. 

Jazzy: I’ll give you more of a gentle kiss in the future. Let’s see you can last 6 week without flirting with me during the day. This kiss that I just gave you tonight was a reward.  :)

Sky: -made a pouty face- I want more. 

Jazzy: You’ll just have to wait and be patient. :)

Sky: -sigh softly-

Jazzy: I know its hard. But to those who wait will get the reward in the end. :)

Sky: You promise?

Jazzy: I promise. I would make it worth your while. :) 

Sky: Okay. :)

     I rolled off Sky. We said good night to each other. Sky rubbed my side softly until we both fell asleep. 

-End of Chapter Ten- 

[jewelslover]

Brother From Another Mother

Chapter 1: When He Visited

Recommended Song: Energetic by Wanna One

Summary:

An unexpected visit from a childhood friend.

Pairing: Jimin x Reader (Y/N)

Word Count: 3.2K

Length: 1/? | MASTERLIST |

Fluff, Comedy

AO3

“(Y/N)? I hope you’re almost ready, because we’re heading over to have dinner with the Parks in 15 minutes!” your mother yelled up to your room, effectively waking you up from a very pleasant nap. Rolling over in your bed, you tried to focus your eyes on the alarm clock resting on the bedside table. Making out a blurry image of the time, you sighed and looked at your ceiling. Why was your mom yelling at you? You didn’t remember breaking anything recently.

You groaned and sat up in bed, trying to regain full consciousness. You blinked at the disheveled reflection in your mirror before rubbing at bleary eyes. You took a moment to yawn before trying to recall what your mother had been yelling about. “Omma… did she..,” another yawn, “yell something about the Par..-?”

Your eyes blew wide in alarm. Glancing over at the calendar that hung on your wall, your alarm was validated. It was Sunday, and Sunday meant that you were meeting family friends for dinner. You probably had to be at their house soon too, and here you were in your room looking like the walking dead. You slowly looked back over at your clock... it was 5:45 pm.

You and your parents needed to leave at six.

“Crap, crap, crap,-” you repeated, scrambling out of bed to look for some proper clothes. You knew you shouldn’t have napped.

In a rush, you tried to tame your hair with a brush and attempt the awkward “hop n’ pull” into your pants at the same time. Probably not the wisest decision, but it was saving you time, and you hadn’t fallen on your face yet. You were suffering from a serious case of bedhead and gave up on the brush, tossing it onto your dresser and just ruffling your hair in a way you hoped looked at least halfway put together. After quickly swiping on some blush and mascara, miraculously surviving almost stabbing yourself in the eye with a mascara wand, you shrugged on the closest jacket to you, darting out of your room and into Busan’s cool autumn air.

You hopped down the concrete steps of your front porch and towards the grey vehicle idling in the driveway. “Sorry ‘bout the wait,” you called, “Let's get this show on the road folks!” You pulled open the car door and slid onto the sedan’s leather seats, guiltily smiling at your parents. Your dad smirked at you in the rear view mirror and started backing the car away from your house. You blew some rouge baby hairs out of your face and buckled up as he navigated out of the neighborhood roads.

Your family had known the Park’s since you were ten and had been going over to Sunday dinner since you were eleven. Dinner had started as a casual invite for food and socialization but had since then become an unspoken weekly tradition. Both families would usually provide food for the meal, but the hosting responsibility had been given to the Parks. It's not that your family was unwilling, but your house was pretty small and it’s dining room meant for two parents and their only child wasn't quite big enough to accommodate 6-7 people every week. More recently however, only five people had been attending.

The Parks had two sons, Jihyun and Jimin. Both of them lived out of house and only Jihyun visited somewhat regularly. Jihyun was gone to university and had been constantly weighed down with the stress of studies. Everyone understood what an undertaking it was and appreciated that he would try to come over whenever he had the time. Jimin on the other hand… Well, Park Jimin was a household name.

After about four years knowing him, he had moved to Seoul to pursue his dream of becoming a performer. Since then he had become a part of the world famous group Bangtan Sonyeondan or BTS as they were more commonly known. You almost never saw him anymore with the exception of TV and social media, and although you were happy for him, you missed your Oppa. The last time you had seen him face to face was the summer after he debuted, and even then he was so busy working that you barely saw him during the time he spent in Busan.

Not having the two funny brothers always around was nothing short of lonely sometimes. When you three were kids, not a day was spent without being together. Jihyun, being closer to your age, was the brother you were closest to. Looking back, your parents were probably annoyed by how much you and Jihyun would ask to be together. You would always get yourselves into trouble when you were little, and as you grew into young adults, well, it wasn’t much different. You laughed to yourself at the mischievous memories, watching beachside benches pass through the car window. Hm, that was where Jimin would always be.

While you and Jihyun would be down at the seaside, soaking each other's school uniforms in the waves (something your parents loved you for), Jimin would be grinning and keeping watch on you two from the boardwalk. Where Jihyun felt like best friend, Jimin felt like a big brother. He would always be there making sure you were protected while keeping his distance. Although, just because he kept his distance, didn't mean he was some kind of grumpy old grandpa. You and Jiyun definitely dragged him into all sorts of trouble if he didn’t beat you to it.

Though there was a rift between the three of you as children because of age, it was sealed as you all became older. You would do everything together, and when you weren’t out with your separate friends, you were with your little family. You were broken out of your fond reminiscing when your mother shook your knee from the passenger seat. “Jagi… we’re here. Come on,” she nodded towards your door and got out of the vehicle herself. You shook your head and unbuckled, scooting across the seat to unlock the door. Meeting your parents at the doorstep you waited for the door to open after your dad had knocked. When it did, you were greeting by a grinning face. “(Y/N!)”

“Jihyun-Oppa? What are you doing here? I thought you had testing!” You said as you ran up to the older boy, wrapping him in a hug. He laughed and hugged you back. Once you pulled back he led you in and welcomed your parents inside, politely bowing. You kicked off your shoes at the door and both of you went to sit down on the couch while your parents headed to the kitchen. You pulled you legs up to your chest and nestled into a comfy corner of pillows. “So… how’d you escape the prison they call Busan University?”

He laughed at your comparison and shook his head. “Turns out that testing is actually next weekend... I decided to welcome the free weekend and visit!”

You hit his shoulder. “Yah! Why didn’t you warn me, Jihyunie-pabo!” You raised you eyebrow and used your index finger to mimic a mustache. “You would’ve texted me if that were the case. What are you hiding kid?” He gave you a weird look and stuck out his tongue.

“As if I’d ever tell you detective,” He scoffed, tilting his head up and looking down his nose at you. “What makes you think I’m lying?”

You rolled your eyes. “Jihyun-ssi. I have known you and your tricks for 9 years. I can tell when you’re lying. Give it up boy.

He pouted and crossed his arms. “I’m squeaky clean until proven otherwise.”

You both stared each other down until the older boy cracked and let a small smile slip. You let your serious faces drop, and broke into a fit of giggles, smiling at eachother. You prodded his upper arm with your socked toe. “I missed you, Oppa. You don’t visit nearly enough.”

He sighed and shrugged, “Trust me, (Y/N). If I could I would. I use every chance I get to visit everyone.” You both gave each other sad smiles but quickly moved past it and on to happier matters. In fact, you had moved so far past the bittersweet moment that by the time his parents came in to get you, you were doubled over in laughter at his hilarious retelling of an awkward date.

Everyone made their way over to the table and sat down while you helped Misses Park with the food. Once everything had been transferred from the kitchen to the dining table you took your seats and dug in. As you started mixing some sauce, Mister Park called your attention. “So (Y/N), have any schools caught your eye yet?” He smiled across the table at you and you bit your bottom lip.

It was common knowledge that you had chosen to spend the year after secondary school at home, but the clock was counting down to choose a university. As much as you loved Busan, you didn’t love its school options. Still unsure as to what you wanted to do with your life, you always bristled when people asked about it. You cleared your throat and looked down at your food. “Ah- not yet no. I’m still… considering career options, Ahjussi,” you answered, stuffing a rice ball into your mouth before he could ask anymore questions. Jihyun kicked your leg underneath the table, having caught onto what you were avoiding. You shot him a quick stink eye before looking back across the table at the adults conversation.

Everyone was finishing up their meal while your father retold funny encounter he had with a street vender. About halfway through Jihyun paused eating and pointedly looking at his mother. “Oh, that reminds me. Omma, do you know if they left yet?”

You looked over at the boy, with stuffed cheeks and a confused look. “Sorry, ‘They’?” you managed through a mouthful of food.

His mother nodded and ignored your question. “Yes. I believe it was this morning. Don’t worry Jihyun, you won’t have to wait much longer.”

You swallowed your food and nudged the boy next to you. “Jihyun, who’s ‘They’?” you asked, but he had already resumed eating. He was looking away from you, seemingly enthralled by the vender story your father had resumed telling. You lowered your voice, “Yah. Don’t ignore me.” He turned back to you and was opening his mouth to say something, when the doorbell rang.

“I’LL GET IT!” You both yelled, hastily getting up from the table and running towards the front door. Using your socks to your advantage, you got a quick start and slid across the hardwood floors, making it before Jihyun. He was about to yell at you, but you stuck out your tongue and held a finger up to your lips, shushing him. “Who is it?” You called through the door, placing a hand on the knob. You stood on your tiptoes to look through the peephole, and were greeted by the sight of strawberry red hair and a familiar smile. “Is that-,” you looked back at Jihyun’s smirking face, “You knew he was coming didn’t you!”

“Squeaky clean until proven otherwise, (Y/N),” he quoted from earlier.

You opened the door faster than you ever had and beamed at the boy who now stood in front of you. “Jiminie-Oppa!” you shouted, and he opened his arms wide for a hug which you happily jumped into. It was comforting after such a long time.

“Is that really you, (Y/N)?” He smiled, holding you out from him to look you up and down. “You look so much older!”

You pouted and crossed your arms. “Well I would sure hope so! The last time you saw me I was 15!”

He laughed and turned away from you to wave at a van that you hadn’t noticed before. A boy with chocolate brown hair around your age nodded from the passenger window and gave a thumbs up to the driver. Another one with his hair tied back by a bandana leaned out in front of the previous, squishing him against the seat, and waved back as the van pulled away. “Annyeong, Jimin-Hyung! See you Tuesday!”

He laughed and nodded, watching the van roll down the street. It was faint but you could make out a loud “Yah! Taehyung! Get off!” You giggled and quirked an eyebrow at Jimin, “Hmm.”

“What?”

You crossed your arms. “How do I know that you’re actually Jimin and not an imposter?”

He scrunched up his nose and smiled. “What do you mean an imposter?”

“I’m just having trouble believing that THE Park Jimin appeared at our doorstep unexpectedly out of his insane schedule.” You shrugged and let your arms fall to your sides again, “I’ll have to conduct a test.”

His smile dropped and an apprehensive look took over. “What do you mean a te-?”

“Jihyun, come over here please,” you said, waving the younger brother over to you. “I’ll need you to keep track of my discoveries.”

The other boy came to your side, laughing into his fist. You deftly kicked him in the shin to shut him up and recomposed yourself, looking up at the strawberry in front of you. “Let’s see here,” you started, reaching up to ruffle his hair, “Hair has the right amount of fluffiness. Good, record that Jihyun-ssi.”

“Wha- How?” He raised an eyebrow and held his empty hands up, “It’s not like I have anything to record on.”

You sighed and took your hand from a giggling Jimin’s hair, moving it to be placed on Jihyun’s shoulders. “You have a brain. Just remember it, Jihyun.” I placed my hands on Jimin’s face and continued my inspection. “Cheeks have the correct squishy to sharp ratio. Smile is still just as blinding. Height… hm, it’s shorter than usual. Jihyun, we’ve been given a phony. This guy’s too short.”

“Yah!” Jimin shouted, his squishy/sharp cheeks turning the same shade as his hair.

You laughed and smiled up at him, “I’m just kidding Jiminie-Oppa. Come on, it’s your house, you don’t have to ask to be let in.” He made a face and ruffled your hair on his way in, kicking off his shoes in the designated corner. You and he both started walking into the kitchen when Jihyun cleared his throat. “Ahem, forgetting about someone?”

Jimin turned around and looked back at where the question had come from. Jihyun just stood there, with arms crossed and an expectant look on his face. Jimin shrugged and shook his head, “No… I don’t think so Jihyunie-ah.” Jihyun just gasped dramatically and turned his back on his hyung, stalking back to the kitchen. “Wait, Jihyun,” Jimin started in between laughs, “come back.”

Later in the evening, after Jimin had caught up to his younger brother and sarcastically apologized, the three of you spread out in the living room. You and Jimin took the couch and Jihyun was sprawled out on the floor, leaning back on his elbows. Somehow, over the course of the conversation, you had successfully flopped upside-down on the couch with your legs tossed over the back and head hanging off the front. Jimin used this circumstance to use your unprotected stomach as a convenient footrest, earning him a swift kick to the chest.

You all talked up a storm and caught up with what had been happening in each of your lives. Jimin loved hearing his brother’s university stories and laughed at your unfortunate secondary school experiences. “Wait, so he did that and thought it would work?” Jimin laughed after hearing about an awkward moment with a ‘guy’ friend of yours.

“Boys in secondary school are just generally stupid,” you said matter-of-factly, stretching your arms above your head and onto the floor.

“(Y/N)-ah, I’m only one year out of there. I find that offensive,” Jihyun pointed out from his spot on the floor.

“Sorry,” you replied with a sickly sweet smile. “Did I stutter?”

He sat up and swatted at you, but you blocked it with your stretched arms. “Yah! Don’t hit a woman!”

“But you’ve been hitting me ever since you got here!” he complained. You just gave him an upside-down smile and avoided another swat. This time you fully sat up and scooted behind Jimin, teasing Jihyun over his shoulder.

“I have protection now. You can’t touch me, villain.”

“Ah, ah, ah-,” Jimin began, shaking his head and getting up off the couch. “You’re not getting involved in this.” He already could predict what was gonna happen. He had been in the middle of you and Jihyun’s childhood feuds more than once. They used to end up with Jimin either calming you two down, or you two teaming up to attack him with whatever was nearest in proximity…

It was usually the latter.

“Hyung, you’re now considered a defensive measure that can be used by (Y/N)-ssi,” Jihyun grinned. “I’m afraid I’m gonna have to defeat you in order to get proper revenge.”

“Aniya, Aniya! I beg of your mercy!” Jimin grinned, already dashing out of the room.

“Get him!” you shouted, and both you and Jihyun grabbed the nearest pillow and ran after Jimin. You chased after each other with an arsenal of pillows and old stuffed animals, your socks becoming more and more of a liability on the wooden floors as you slipped and slid through the hallways. You were quick to learn that you needed to grab onto a doorframe if you were going to turn into a new room.

As you were planning a sneak attack from the bathroom, the boys cornered you causing you to trip back into the bathtub (the traitors), and your saving grace arrived in the form of your mother telling you it was time to go home. Although reluctantly, you climbed out of the tub with the help of the brothers and walked back to the front door. Grabbing your sneakers from the corner, you turned to Jihyun and gave him a high-five, reminding him to not die under the stress of university work. This earned sniggers from both brothers. Then you turned to Jimin and smiled before wrapping him in a bear hug. “Don’t be gone for too long next time, okay?” You said smiling up at him, before stuffing your face into his shirt and quietly mumbling, “Four years is too long, Oppa…”

You let him go, and he gave you a sad smile. “I’ll try not too, (Y/N)-ah.”

You smacked his arm and reprimanded him for his sad eyes. “Yah! Don’t give me that look or else i’m gonna cry, Jiminie-Pabo!” The three of you laughed, Jihyun not buying that you of all people were capable of tears, and you gave one final hug to both brothers before your family said their goodbyes and headed back to your car.

As you were driving back towards your house, you looked out at the sea past the boardwalk. The streetlights passed, re-lighting a stretch of the pavement every mile or so. You were still in minor shock that Jimin was able to visit. You reminded yourself to get Jihyun back for keeping it from you later. It was a comfort to see him, but you still felt his absence right after you left the Parks house. You knew when you’d see Jihyun again- probably in a few weeks or so- but with Jimin it wasn’t certain. You sighed and leaned against the car window, closing your eyes the rest of the way home.

You had really missed him.

[bienstockonnativ]

Week 2

Wow its been more then 2 weeks here (this is late, week 3 is coming soon)! While it does feel like we’ve been here a while, it is sort of strange that I’m not going home tomorrow or something. I’m not yet at the point where its really really weird though since I’ve been here up to a month before.

Anyways, this week classes were in full swing and are definitely a hand full! As I explained last time, we are in the mini master phase which means we basically have the same 3 classes every day (except the third one skips a day sometimes). I continue to despise my second class, modern jews, but the other two are great and super duper interesting. Especially since today in my first class we learned that Moses may actually be god (WHATTT), I know right. So here comes the summary!

Monday, Sept 11th

On Monday it was a full day of school. From 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. We have to  be down to shacharit for 7:00 on Mondays, not 7:15, so we can read torah. Which is absolute hell. I don’t think I’ve been on time once this week. I mean, not only is it just like normal prayer- it means nothing to me. I’ll tell you what’s really meaningful when we get to the weekend.

So after breakfast we pile on for our second day of school- I fell asleep in Modern Jews (obviously) and almost fell asleep in my favourite class! I stoped myself by getting up and standing for the rest of the class. I literally just got out of my sea and stood there with my notebook, constantly flicking my pen at my head to keep me awake.

After my morning classes we went to our first Jerusalem Course! Basically its a class that Nativ makes us take about the history of Jerusalem. There are two teachers and the 67 kids are split up among them by last name. One is David Keren, USY director of Israel Programs in the summer, and the other is Alexandra Benjamin who teaches on TRY and is really really cool. In Alexandra’s class we went through a (sort of) brief overview of the history of Jerusalem going from 1000 BCE all the way to today. I even made a fancy timeline that I was quite proud of. That first day we just took notes but goodness was there more to come.

That night I met with my Friend Tehilla from school who was in Jerusalem visiting from her Yeshiva in Modiin. Tehilla took me Nachlaot, an artsy hippie sketchy neighbourhood not far from where I live; there she took me tiowards the Shuk to a restaurant that her old family friends owns and runs. There I had a fish burrito where was a really nice change. Then later, while we were walking on Ben Yehudah we ran into Shira from Nativ as well as Samantha Charlat- all people we went to school with. So naturally we took a picture before Tehilla and I said bye and I walked back to Beit Nativ. That night I went to bed early (or relatively early)!

Tuesday, Sept 12th

Another day, another early as fuck wake up. And yes in case you were wondering, I was indeed late.

Today at school, my historical texts teacher (other wise known as chief mind blower) continued to do just that as he developed his thesis. I will attempt to explain it now although I will explain it wrong.

Basically- the covenant is a three pronged constantly changing and learning relationship interdependent upon each other to survive and thrive whilst attempting to understand why everything is here in the first place. Part of this is the idea that the covenant of the Jewish people, god and the land of Israel is a microcosm of the macrocosm that is the relationship between the world, humanity, and god. And then somehow the idea that god is both transcendental (above us and unknowable) and imminent (here with us) is crucial to developing that thesis.

Idk man I just go here.

Anyways its super nutty and I will understand it eventually.

On the complete opposite hand, my Modern Jews class continues to annoy the hell out of me with its sheer yuckyness- nuff said.

Today we didn’t have Jerusalem course, instead we had an academic orientation for the fall semester! Yay school! (ew) (but also yay). Linor, our academic advisor, otherwise known as lord of 80s clip art, showed us how that will work. Basically we can only take the 2000 series classes, only the ones taught in english, only the ones for freshman… so what you end up getting is a list of about 15 or 20 classes. I took a look a them later in the week but on Tuesday it was going in one ear and out the other.

We literally just started mini mester and now they want to talk about more school… the world we live in man.

So after a fit of questions about how the library works (which no one understands still), academic orientation was over and we could go home! Yay home!

So another thing about minimester- there are a fuck load of readings that everyone is supposed to do for class. How much of that anyone actually does is the real statistic. I try to do the mandatory ones… or at least some of them…. or maybe the first few lines.

Anyways readings exist so yay.

Later that day I was bored and didn’t want to work so I went off to Mamila- the richy sort of outdoor shopping mall that’s 10 minutes away from Beit Nativ. The important part is that I found the best Ice cream place (so far) called Golda’s, which is always the most important thing to do. I had chocolate (obviously). I walked over to the edge of the old city with my Ice cream and just had a moment of like omg I’m in a land full of Jews, eating random kosher amazing ice cream at a 2000 year old wall next to a 50 year old shopping mall.

After my ice cream venture I went to the adidas store to try and find some shorts that weren’t super long or super nice cause I have nothing like that. I was successful and found my way back to Beit Nativ in time for dinner. After Dinner we had our first Erev Nativ where we watched a documentary on 9/11. Honestly it was one of the most horrifying things I’ve seen in a long time. I mean I knew what 9/11 was but not to that extent. There was no narriation, just the entire sequence of events from the perspectives of dozens of people across the area. Through each hit, tower fall… everything.

It was pretty intense but the day wasn’t over yet. After that I ran upstairs to my computer so I could get some USY work done and then called Molly while I was waiting to start an IGB meeting at 1:15 AM- yup you read that right. And then I finally got to bed or like 3 or something. Waking up at 7 yay!

Wednesday, Sept 13

I am writing this quite a few days after everything happened so its hard to remember specifics but I’ll cover the major stuff.

One thing cool that happened was in Jerusalem course we traversed the City of David! For those of you who don’t know, the city of David is the oldest remnant of Jerusalem we have- built in c 1000 BCE, before the current old city. The original city existed right next to where the current old city is, covering a lot less land.

The reason why it was called City of David is because although he was not the founder, he built up the city significantly. He built a palace for himself and lay the groundwork for the second temple (which his son would build later).

Its a really neat archaeological site as it is one of the main proofs we have for a jewish state, how our claim to land existed much before 1948 with the establishment of modern Israel.

Fun fact though: We don’t actually have proof that david himself existed. We know there was a city, we know there was a palace, we know the palace had staff, even that some of them had indoor plumbing- but not that David (the city’s name sake) actually existed. 
Some say that the tanach is still right and we just haven’t found stuff yet while others think that because we haven’t found proof, he just doesn’t exist.

We also learned about King Hezikaiah, a descendent of David who fortified the city and redirected the water flow to protect from the imminent Assyrians. His tunnels are still in tact to this day, we walked through them! Also still in tact is the old spring where King Solomon was annointed as well as different areas of the palace that King David built.

We took a moment at the end of class to talk about the current political climate in the old city, how there are both Jewish and Palestinian homes right next to each other- Jews who moved in for religious reasons and Palestinians who also claim it their home.

Once Jerusalem course was over we all travelled back home, and of course after a long day and a lot of walking I collapsed on my bed. But soon after dinner, I went out with a few people to see my friends get ear piercings! Ahh! Jacquie got a thing right through the top of her ear while Zach got little studs in the normal area- they both looked really good but it scared the shit out of me! Piercings in a foreign country? Ahhhh.

I ran around with Jace to try to find a Pizza place, eventually finding our way to Chili Pizza nearby (not before we went to the other side of the area and back of course).

After pizza time we went back home and then I went to bed really late because I’m stupid.

Thursday, Sept 14th

Today we talked a lot about brutal sectarianism and how it can be the downfall of all of Judaism.

We went to the Robinson’s arch area archeological park to talk about life during the end of the second temple period. We learned about Herod the builder and premier of Israel while under Roman control. He fortified the second temple and made it and the city around it beautiful and grandiose.

Once we got to the park we took some time to get acquainted with the history of the site. The stones we were walking on were walked on by people 2000 years ago, the hole in the wall was a shop front etc… It was crazy.

Then we went to the other building to get a virtual tour of what the area would have looked like all that time ago. The guy there was fricken hilarious. He kept on making super dry jokes that no one in the room understood, when he went over the walls he was like “oop sorry about that folks…. coming in for landing shortly”. Of course most of my class didn’t get it but I was right in front laughing my ass off- so much so that he thought I was faking it.

When we left we said goodbye to our new friend and sat on the grass to chat about sectarianism. We learned how 2000 years ago there was tons of different groups in Judaism, kind of like today, that were hostile towards each other. We talked about the idea that their baseless hatred towards each other and self destruction within the community itself ended in a punishment by god- the destruction of the temple. And reflecting on that, we spoke about the sectarianism that Jews face today and ways we can deal with it so we can prevent disunity.

The idea of how to create Unity is something that I’ve explored a lot the past few weeks. In my class about Philosophy with Dr. Isaacs we talk about the existence of unity within differences. How the understanding that each of us is fundamentally different is the one unifying factor that brings humanity, jews included, all together.

Of course many people see this is as a contradictory argument but its an opinion that I’ve had for a while now and will continue to explore!

On the way out from the site there were a ton of soldiers doing their tours in the sites as a compulsory part of basic training- the IDF makes sure its soldiers have an ideological background to why they do what they do.

That night we went out which was a fun break from the intensity of school and the day and then played cards against humanity before bed!

Friday, Sept 15th

So on friday I slept in which was beautiful and then a bunch of us went out for lunch at Sam’s Bagels on Ben Yehuda. I had a pizza bagel (yum) and then went over to the TEVANAOT store to make the best purchase I’ve made so far: Teva Sandals- trust me they are worth it. I go purple and blue ones!

After that, I met Tehilla to hang out for a few hours before she had to go back to Modiin. We ran around Ben Yehuda a little and then finally settled on the park for a while before heading to Agron to chill with Yona Grossman who was also visiting.

We talked about prayer and the confusing feelings it gives us- mainly me. As I’ve said in previous Facebook posts, I have a really hards time connecting to traditional prayer. That doesn’t mean it never happens- Kabbalat Shabbats always give me the best feels and the occasional shacharit or musaf with the right leader does to; but most of the time, I feel nothing.

I know I’m not alone because many people have trouble with T’fillot in general. I want to connect to god and take time out of my life to do just that, but I don’t know if traditional prayer is the way to do that. I am a big fan of new things- things that may make us feel uncomfortable because of their newness but in the end are better for finding meaning in our lives.

That’s what its all about- finding meaning and connecting to something other then yourself. And whatever way one can do that is what one should do. The thing about Nativ is its very stuck in its ways and doesn’t necessarily like ideas like these. But that doesn’t mean it will always be that way :). I think the way Judaism is revolutionizing is going to make it so we will have to grapple with this idea of change in our tefillah structure- and I’ll be ready for it, hell I’ll help make it happen if I have to! I’m not worried at all…

Just another day in the life of being a person, and a jew.

Speaking of meaningful tefillot, that night was the beginning of open shabbat. That means that most of Nativ left base for shabbat for a variety of things. A lot of people went to Tel Aviv to party and do things like that while others went to visit family.

Myself and a good group of 25 or so people stayed here at base for shabbos so we could sleep. That night was magical.

First of all, myself as well as a few others went over to a new synagouge to try called Yakar. Now Yakar was the subject of the same facebook post I was talking about before. It was probably the best prayer experience I have ever had.

It wasn’t so extraordinary. It was just like any other Shabbat, at a random shul that I chose two seconds before Ieft… small moves brought me to this experience.

The Hazan and rabbi were so into the service, the tunes were all those that I knew, but the way that they sang the songs and said the words had so much meaning and were so beautiful. Not only that, everyone in the room was enveloped by the experience that I almost fell asleep. It was in such a meditative and immersive experience that I don’t think I can ever replicate again.

After that whole ordeal, we almost got lost getting home with our staff guide Odayiah- the only Israeli madricha so that’s pretty ironic. But we got home in time for dinner and had a nice meal.

That weekend I definitely got closer with Odayiah- I was never scared of her or anything, everyone else was, I just knew that I didn’t know her yet. So I took the time to make conversation and I’m so glad I did because she is super awesome. She’s being a madricha because she actually loves this shit, not only that but she is very learned in jewish practice while also maintaining a pluralistic and accepting attitude of everyone. Those are the kinds of people I really appreciate.

Later that night we had a hella lit tisch which in lay man’s terms means really amazing and great. Because there was so few of us we just kind of made a big circle and sang a ton of songs- Odayiah even taught us a new one. Her and my Madrich Ethan were the only staff staying around so it was deffinitley easier to make connections.

Also that night, we sang to the pedestrians from our window while playing cards. It didn’t work out so well… some creepy Israeli yeshiva boys got into Agron and visited us singing. Which was pretty strange, but they went away so it was fine in the end.

After that a bunch of us chilled in a room together where we attempted to deep talk but never got to it since everyone was so loud and all over the place. We did play bible toss though, which looking back was pretty disrespectful but also really fun. We took the new testament, through it from person to person and read random quotes in a preacher voice. Eventually it went out the window… anyways enough about that story.

Eventually I got back to my room for bed :)

Shabbat, Sept 16

Shabbat was super chill cause no one was at Agron. Most of us didn’t go to shul, including me; so I got to sleep in until noon before lunch.

After lunch we played Taboo and banana grams for a free hours which was where everyone realized I couldn’t spell and a multitude of jokes were invented. I’m just a funny person okay, don’t make fun of me :).

Anyways after games we had more praying and food and then shabbat ended! What a great shabbos amirite?

That night was the beginning of slichot that we were all required to go to. I did not feel like praying more so I just went to the great synagouge across the street which was pretty stupid and overwhelming.

So when I left, me and a bunch of other people walked over to the kotel and some time with that instead which was much much better. I probably have already talked about this but connecting to that wall may seem strange but it happens and every time I go its just amazing.

On our way back we stopped for pizza (where I learned a valuable lesson about not paying for people) and met a creepy drunk dude. He was asking us where we were from and doing weird things- but it was fine though, he wasn’t dangerous or anything.

Eventually we walked back and went to bed!

Sunday, Sept 17

So school (yuck) is back and kicking.

I’m not even going to summarize the 2 first classes. I will tell you however that in my philosophy class we were speaking about the blurriness between prophets and god and how its a necessary element to understand the covenant.

Don’t worry if you don’t get it, most people don’t. Let’s just say that Moses is pretty godly and some would say- god itself.

I know… let’s just move on.

In Jerusalem course it was Christian day! So we went to (the otherwise restricted) christian quarter of the old city to visit the Chruch of the holy sepulchre and talk all about that other fun religion. We learned all about Jesus’ last week on Earth, how he spent it in Jerusalem. We also learned about the historical context for the creation of Christianity by Paul of Tarsus and then Constantine as a legit religion in the 4th century CE, over 300 years after Jesus’ death.

We learned about St. Helena, Constantine’s mom, and how she built the city’s Christian landscape to be what it is today including the church (to some extent). Then we learned how  influence would affect the area for years to come- including how Jews were prevented from living there still under Christian rule- a ruling held by the Romans hundreds of years earlier.

The church itself is super strange- there are so many periods represented and it can be overwhelming sometimes but all in all its pretty spectacular. The same building has both 10th century mosaics and 2 thousand year old pillars.

That night I had an IEB meeting where I gave the board an overview of everything to come on the Israel side of things! (there is so much yay!!!)

Later, I hated Agron food so I ran over to get a Pizza from the nice place across the street with Zach. I ended up going again since Lauren needed someone to go with, and on that journey we struck up a convo with the guy serving us who was actually from Milan; it was funny cause both me and Lauren have Italian ancestry.

I also changed my sheets before bed and then saved another one of my friends from having to walk home alone from a bar.

All in a days work!

Monday, Sept 18th

Monday was a heavy counterpart day! Yay counterparts!!! I love talking to them and hearing their ideas, its just so much fun and a great way to spend down time as well.

School was pretty boring, but I did talk to my Philosophy teacher about what we can actually do to fulfil the covenant- to which he replied that he has no idea and that its really up to us. Ha lol.

After school we had a Rosh Hashanah seder meeting. I was part of the group that explained the different elements of the seder and ran it. Later on that when we get to the Rosh Hashanah recap. Anyways, after that little meeting we had a little birthday party for 3 different people- one from each track. I had some great conversations with then new friends like Erica, Mariah, Rayut etc which was lovely. And then chilled with Zach M, Jacquie, Odayiah and others.

Let me tell you, Odayiah is fricken hilarious. I have a bunch of amazing quotes from her from that experience- she literally completes my life that woman. The best one is “You know how to solve the Palestinian conflict, take all the Palestinians, put them into Gaza and saw it off of Israel” “They’re just so close, so we’ll just push them towards America and they’ll blow them up”, But Odayah, you can’t just blow up millions of people! “Trump will find a way”. 
Just a preview of the hilariousness. You’re welcome.

Today, we were also introduced to STD. Otherwise known as Shayna Tziona Dinkelberger (thanks Emily), our kinder toy that I received as a gift for getting a question right in the weekly email (thanks Ethan).

Tuesday, Sept 19th

Last day before Rosh Hashanah prep!!!

School was school… I slept in Modern Jews again and philosophy was cool. I did have to write up a paragraph to validate how horrible I am at Hebrew, just something to switch up the day I guess.

At jerusalem class that day we travelled to the tower of David and learned all about Muslim influence in Jerusalem. Did you know that Islam’s claim to land is actually based on many more years of history then the Jews. All that means it that both our claims to that land is legit. Also, both the Torah and Quarran don’t reference Jerusalem- only vague references to the place that would later be known as Jerusalem; al quds (or far place) for them and shalom for us.

I just thought that was an interesting tidbit.

Anyways, the tower of david was named that by muslims and had nothing to do with Jews which is pretty funny. We saw a beautiful view and learning all about what Jerusalem means for Muslims.

later that day I bought my own Personal machzorim for the high holidays with much pressure from the Madrichim and then we had erev nativ! At erev nativ this week we had Jerusalem U come and give us a lecture/discussion about the conflict. And by the conflict I mean THE conflict.

I thought the presentation was sort of flawed.. He was quite abrasave and painted the conflict very black and white where as it isn’t that easy to explain. I did appreciate his attempt though. I may or may not join the subsequent sessions.

We also had a Rosh Hashanah seder committee meeting where I was assigned the apple and its significance. More on that with the Rosh Hashanah post.

Also that day was some more USY calls, yay counterparts!!!!!

__

Alright friends, I know its a week late but that’s been my Tumblr post for my second week on Nativ in Jerusalem. Its been a crazy ride and Rosh Hashanah was pretty insane so more on that in the next few days. I promise I’ll get to it before too many more days pass!!!

It can be really really hard sometimes to be living here without parents or best best friends but I’m slowly getting used to it. Week 2 was a lot about getting more comfortable on Nativ, at the house and making new friends in the process.

Next week will be all about meaning, getting those deeper relationships and the dawn of starting to try new things.

Nativ! You’re a blessing and an issue but we’re gonna make it work!!!!

**#sorrynotsorry about the spelling errors, in the words of Zach Sieff “you type fast”**

[mavengers]

Date Night

Okay so this isn’t the fic I’ve been writing but I whipped up this one to put out until I can finish the other one. This one’s just pure fluff (kinda leads into smut but not too far, you’ll see.) BUT THANK YOU. Obviously the past couple months have been difficult for me (just by reading Sleeping Bags, you can tell I was dealing with some pretty heavy stuff), but THANK YOU for not giving up on me and continuing to give my fics some love and send me some love. Your words do not fall on deaf ears, this one is for you guys, from the bottom of my heart. 

Bucky Barnes x reader

Warnings: pure fluff, the warnings will give the story away but I promise its nothing bad!!! Pls trust me!!!

Word count: 2.3k

April 6, 2017, 9:17 pm.

“Captain Rogers, is there anything I can help you with?” The officer asked politely, coming around the desk to stand next to him. Steve looked at you and Bucky, the two of you soaked and looking guilty as ever.

“Yeah, I’m here to bail these two idiots out.”

 *23 Hours Earlier*

April 5, 2017. 10:29 pm.

“Y/N, we’re stuck in a rut.” You stopped short as you walked from the kitchen and into the common room, your hands busy with two glasses of wine and balancing a bowl of popcorn between your teeth. Bucky couldn’t help but smile as he stood up, picking the popcorn bowl from your mouth as you pouted.

“What do you mean?” He placed the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table beside you and took the two wine glasses, putting those next to the food before pulling you down on the couch with him. You sat on his lap, waiting for him to elaborate.

“This is the eighth time we’ve ‘netflix-ed and chilled’ this month.” Your pout grew more prominent.

“I thought you loved cuddling and watching movies with me.”

“I do, but doll, I don’t think we’ve actually gone on a proper date since your cousin got married last August, and we hardly stayed after they handed out the cake.”

“What are you trying to say, Buck?” Your eyebrows raised up in question as you twisted in his lap to straddle him, looking up at him with doe-eyes. His hands slid up your thighs to settle loosely on your hips.

“I’m just saying that maybe we should actually go out; a night on the town. Just us.” You lifted your left eyebrow, pushing his hands off you and spinning in his lap to slide off. You grabbed both wine glasses as you turned back towards him to briefly press a kiss to his cheek.

“Alright, Sergeant. You can plan tomorrow night. Show me how you stole the ladies’ heart in the 1940s.” You walked off to bed, sipping at one of the glasses.

Bucky grinned to himself, knowing that tomorrow night, he was going to give you a night you surely would never forget.

The next morning, you woke up to the all-too-blinding sun warming up your exposed skin. Groaning, you turned over in bed, ready to bury yourself in your boyfriend’s side to stave off the morning. Except there was no warm, muscular body next to you. Only cold sheets and a pillow with a pink sticky-note on it. Sitting up in bed, you plucked the note from the pillow.

Rise and shine, gorgeous. Breakfast’s waiting in the kitchen.

-Bucky

You hated to admit it- because admitting it would mean Bucky was right- but your heart fluttered in your chest. Slipping out of bed and into a pair of navy blue sweatpants and a white tee, you wondered what his idea of “breakfast” would mean today.

To say you were stunned was an understatement. Laid out on the kitchen table, where the rest of your team was also eating breakfast from the huge buffet, were chocolate chip pancakes, a giant bowl of strawberries and cool-whip, a pot of coffee, applewood bacon, and eggs, sunny side up. “Morning, Y/N.” Steve said, taking a sip of his coffee. You took your seat next to him, almost cautiously.

“Morning, Steve,” you picked a pancake on to your plate and Nat poured you a cup of coffee, Wanda adding the cream and sugar. “Where’s Bucky?”

“Told us not to tell you.” Sam said, trying his best not to smile.

“Back in our day,” everyone at the table groaned upon hearing the dreaded phrase come from Steve, but he continued. “We didn’t see the girl until the night of the date.” You furrowed your brows.

“So he’s just going to hide around the compound all day until he takes me to dinner?” You jumped when hands came around to shield your eyes.

“I don’t have to hide because you’ll be out with Nat and Wanda all day.” You smiled brightly, trying to twist in your seat to follow his voice and kiss him. But his palms held your head in place until you were basically just doing torso twists on the bar stool. He pulled your head back until you could’ve been looking at the ceiling, and he placed a kiss on your forehead. “Enjoy breakfast, baby girl. I’ll see you soon.” His hands left your face but before you could turn to look at him for the first time today, Steve’s hand shot out to cover one eye, and Nat’s hand shot out to cover the other one.

After breakfast, you got dressed. You pulled on a pair of your favorite jeans, a black tank top, and slipped on a pair of vans. Nat and Wanda insisted that you didn’t do your makeup or your hair, so getting dressed was all you got the chance to do before a red glow was nearly pushing you out the front door of the compound. “Not fair, Wanda, maybe I had to pee.” You said, once you reached the parking lot where they were waiting for you in Sam’s jeep. She laughed as you climbed in.

“Buckle up,” Nat said from the driver’s seat, smirking. “You all know how I drive.”

The three of you nearly fell through the front door after hours of shopping. Each of you had at least eight bags from various stores at the mall. Wanda helped you pick out your outfit for your date- a short red wrap dress with a plunging neckline with a pair of classic tan heels. But Nat was the one to drag you into Victoria’s Secret. Originally, you had only planned to buy one set of lingerie. Originally.

That wasn’t the case when you couldn’t decide what you looked better in- the black, the white, the baby pink, or the royal blue.

Then the rest of your trip was spent at random stores that just seemed to call out to you.

Tony’s credit card took quite the hit, to say the least.

It was around 5 pm when you got home, which according to Steve, meant you had two hours to get ready.

And then that meant that you rushed to shave almost every hair that wasn’t on your head off your body while Nat and Wanda eagerly waited to help get you dressed and do your hair and makeup.

Once you were dressed in the dress, Wanda began curling your hair in big, relaxed, perfectly tousled curls, while Nat did your makeup. “Stop moving or I’ll get eyeliner in your eye.” She warned, but you couldn’t help it. You had been dating Bucky for almost two years now, and you’ve never felt this much pressure about a date. Things between the two of you had always been fairly relaxed. The dates that you guys had actually gone on had been trips to Wrigley Field for baseball games or dinner at a crowded pub a couple blocks over. And you’ve never let Bucky plan the whole date- you had no idea what was up his sleeve for tonight, but you had no choice but to relax when you were pushed to stand in front of a mirror.

How is it possible to look classy and downright hot at the same time?

“You’re gonna give the old man a heart attack, Y/N.” Clint said, as you stepped into the common room. And by stepped you mean that Natasha and Wanda had nearly thrown you down the stairs for everyone else to admire their handiwork. Sam whistled as he walked in a circle around you. Steve’s eyes were everywhere except you.

“Problem, Steven?” You asked, smirking. Steve finally looked at you, almost pouting.

“Yeah, I’m finally realizing I’m old. I can’t help but want to tell you to change.” You laughed loudly, Clint and Sam quietly joining in as they snickered from their spots against the wall. They all quieted down when footsteps took everyone’s attention to the stairs. It was as if the air had been sucked out of your lungs, you felt your heart stop.

Bucky was coming down the stairs, dressed in a dark blue suit with a black button up underneath. He hadn’t touched the stubble on his cheeks and upper lip that you adored, but his hair.

HIS.

HAIR.

It was shorter, and pushed back. It had just enough volume that it didn’t look completely slicked back, which you appreciated. You couldn’t even describe it. He just looked so sexy. And you had only seen him with this hair once before:

World War 2. The pictures that him and Steve had shown you. The pictures from the museum.

But never in a million years did you think you’d ever see it on him again. He smirked as he realized your mouth was parted open in a gasp and that you just couldn’t tear your eyes away from him. He approached you, but you couldn’t move for the life of you. “Doll, you’re going to catch flies.” Taking his middle and ring finger, he lifted them to your chin, effectively putting your lips back together. He grasped your hand in his, walking towards the door with you trailing behind him. You quickly turned your head back to Wanda and Nat, giving them a look that silently told them that you were grateful for your purchases at Victoria’s Secret.

“Did you grab the car keys?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“You told me to plan the date based on how I dated in the 1940s.” He said, stopping and pulling you to him by your hips. You tipped your head up to him, relishing in the feeling of his hard chest pressing against yours.

“And that doesn’t include a car?” You asked as he gently pressed his lips to yours.

“Walking leaves more room for conversation.”

And so you did walk. You two walked to the restaurant, laughing and talking the whole way. He told you about life in the 1940s and how different dating back then was. When you asked him if he preferred dating back then than dating now, he told you no because dating now meant he got to be with you. He told you that despite anything Steve had told you about his dating experience back then, Steve knew how to flirt when he saw a girl he was interested in enough. Before you knew it, Bucky was holding the door open for you at the fanciest restaurant in New York.

You talked some more, laughed some more, and definitely drank maybe too much champagne over dinner, but honestly, you didn’t have a care in the world. It felt like you two were the only people in there. You were absolutely transfixed on Bucky and Bucky only.

And Bucky couldn’t take his eyes off you, nor did he want to. It was as if you had made everything else fade away into insignificance. All he wanted in that moment was for you to never lose that smile that only he could ever bring to your lips- the smile that reached your eyes and practically lit up the world around you. Your smile could move mountains, he was convinced.

You gasped as you stepped out of the restaurant, sputtering water out of your mouth. It was pouring. Bucky was next to come out of the restaurant, ready to ask why you were soaked when he stepped out of the protection of the awning. You couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction. “So maybe a car was a good idea.” He said. You shook your head, smiling at him as you pushed some of his hair from his forehead. You grabbed his hand, and began the trek home. You loved the rain, and you loved tonight- maybe this wasn’t the perfect scenario to anyone else, but to you- you couldn’t have imagined a better one.

As you passed by nightclubs and bars down the avenue, you realized that instead of blaring loud, energetic music, they had slowed it down to music that you recognized Bucky had shown you. You stopped short and turned to Bucky.

“Dance with me.”

“Doll, its pouring rain. If I don’t get you home soon enough, you’ll catch a cold.”

“And have you take care of me? I don’t see a problem with that,” he smiled and yours got brighter, if that was even possible. “Please, Bucky.” You pouted at him and you watched giddily as he took his bottom lip between his teeth, giving in to you. You giggled as he lifted his arm and yours to spin you in his grip and dip you. Pulling you back up, he continued to dance slowly outside the bar with you, in the pouring rain, and you wouldn’t have had it any other way. You bit your lip as he looked down at you, eyes full of adoration, and you couldn’t help but slide your hand up from his chest to the back of his neck, pulling his lips to yours.

Once his lips were on yours, it was as if neither of you could stop yourselves. His hands slid down to your hips as he led the both of you into a nearby alleyway. His arms caged you in against the brick wall of a building and one of your legs slid up to wrap around the back of his knee, urging him closer to you until your body was touching his anywhere you could get the contact. His hands slid down from your hips until they reached your thigh, and he began urging your dress up around your waist as your hands went to his belt buckle. Right as things were about to escalate, a loud booming voice reminded you where you were and what you were about to do.

“Hey! You two!”

[sogimagines]

Welcome to London {Joe Sugg X Reader Imagine}

Warnings: smut. 

A/N: Hope you enjoy, my lovelies. xoxo - Grace

Y/N’s POV

My parents weren’t too keen on me moving half way across the world to go to school in London, but here I was, bewildered at the new city and the opportunity to completely change my life. Growing up in a small town in Kansas has its upsides, but it wasn’t the place I wanted to make my life. London had been my dream city for as long as I could remember, and I was finally here.

I couldn’t contain my giddiness as I unlock my apartment door. Most of my larger belongings, such as my couch and bed, had already been shipped out and were waiting to be put in their proper places, but the rest of my belongings wouldn’t make it for a few more days. Luckily, I had a small suitcase packed that I could live out of for awhile. I walk across the apartment to look out the balcony door. The view was absolutely breathtaking; all the beautiful city lights could be seen as it was around 9 PM. I was completely awake, considering it would be around mid-afternoon back home. After texting my mother, I heard my stomach growl, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten a full meal in about 12 hours. Deciding to stick with something familiar, I search for the nearest McDonald's.

After filling my belly, I decide to make a must-needed stop at a Tesco to pick up some groceries. I grab a trolley and begin filling it with the necessities: bread, eggs, etc. By the time I get back to the apartment, it’s nearly 11 PM. I take this time to explore the apartment since I hadn’t gotten the chance to yet. I make my way down the hallway and peek into each room. What would be my new office was empty except for the desk that had been shipped out earlier. Across the hall is my bedroom. I’m delighted to find my queen size bed already set up, with the bag of sheets and blankets sitting next to it. Diving onto the bed, I couldn’t contain my giggles and excitement. After making my bed, I pull out my laptop to watch a few movies and hopefully lull myself to sleep so I could adjust to the time change. After watching three movies, I fall asleep to the ending soundtrack of The Breakfast Club and my excited thoughts of what was to come.

When I wake up, the sun is already shining through my window. I look at my phone to see that it’s 11 AM and I have a missed call from my mother. I text her back, letting her know I’m safe and loving London so far. At about noon, I force myself out of bed, determined to get rid of this jet lag. After fixing myself a peanut butter sandwich, I step out on the balcony to enjoy the crisp autumn air. Less than an hour later, I was pulled out of my daydreams by the sound of a nearby voice. Looking to my left, I see a boy standing on the neighboring balcony. He hadn’t seen me yet, but he continued to talk, even though he was the only one out there.

“Look at this view, isn’t it beautiful?” I heard him ask. I assume maybe he had noticed I was sitting on the other balcony and was asking me, so I answered, “Yes, it’s absolutely breathtaking.”

He seemed utterly shocked to have received an answer. I giggled as he searches around him for the unknown voice. When he spots me, I wave towards him sheepishly.

“Hi there,” I say awkwardly.

“Oh hello, you nearly gave me a heart attack… I wasn’t expecting anyone to be out here,” he replies, his face turning a little red.

“Then who were you talking to?” I ask suspiciously.

“Oh, I was starting my vlog; I’m a YouTuber,” he answers, holding up his little black camera.

“Oh, that’s cool,” you reply, not really knowing what else to say.

“Yeah… I’m Joe by the way, Joe Sugg.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Joe. I’m Y/F/N.”

Joe and I continue to talk a bit more. Apparently the apartment he was in actually belongs to his friend, Caspar. I tell him that I’m just moving into my apartment, and he offers to help me move my things once they arrive. I thank him, grateful that he had offered because I was starting to wonder how I would do it on my own. While we were in the middle of our conversation, another boy steps out onto his balcony.

“Ah, Caspar, this is your new neighbor, Y/N,” Joe says to him.

“Hi,” I wave once again.  

“Hello, Y/N. It’s nice to meet you. I hope you’re okay with constant loud parties next door,” he says with a dorky smile.

“Really?” I ask, my smile dropping.

“No I’m just kidding, but if we ever do have a party here, you’re welcome to join,” he replies with a wink.

I laugh at his straightforwardness and reply, “We’ll see…”

“I like her; she doesn’t completely reject my flirting,” Caspar says.

“Don’t get your hopes up, mate; she said maybe, not yes.” Joe chuckles.

“Well boys, it’s been a pleasure meeting you, but I think I’m going to go explore the city, so I’ll see you around,” I say.

“Wait! Before you go, let me give you my number in case you need anything,” Joe says.

I type his contact into my phone and say goodbye once again. Who would’ve thought I’d make my first London friends without even leaving my apartment?

Joe’s POV

“Caspar, you lucky bloke! I wish I could have a neighbor that gorgeous,” I say once we return inside.

Caspar merely chuckles and starts chanting “someone’s got a crush.”

“I do not! Shut up, she might hear you,” I whisper yell at him as I hit his arm.

He just continues to chuckle at me in my flustered state. To be honest, I maybe did have a little crush on Y/N, but I mean, she’s absolutely beautiful. Hopefully I’ll be able to get to know her a bit better…

Later that evening, I was still around Caspar’s flat with a few of the other boys when I got an unfamiliar call. Assuming it was a prank call, I answered it in one of my goofy voices.

“What do you want?” I say in my Peter Griffin voice.

“Oh, I think I have the wrong number… I was looking for a Joe Sugg” a girl replies, sounding a bit flustered.

“Oh, is this Y/N? Sorry, I thought it was a prank call so I answered in my Peter Griffin voice,” I answered sincerely.

“Ah, it was a great impression.”

“Thank you. So, what did you need?”

“Oh right, so, I was out walking around the city, and, well you see, I think I might of gotten a little lost?”

“Oh my god, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, I just don’t know where I am or how to get back to my flat.”

“Hey, don’t worry, I’ll try and find you. Look around, is there anything that might give you a clue as to where you’re at?”

“Um… there’s a place called ‘Nando’s’ across the street—“

“--oh, I know where that’s at. I’m on my way now.”

“Thank you so much, Joe.”

“It’s not a problem, Y/N. I’ll see you soon.”

Y/N’s POV

About ten minutes after I called Joe, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around, engulfing Joe in a hug, so happy to see him.

“Oh my gosh! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was beginning to think I would be lost forever,” I say as I cling to Joe.

“Like I said, it’s not a problem, Y/N,” he says as he pulls out of the hug, although I wish he hadn’t.

“How about this; since you came to my rescue, let me buy you dinner tonight?” I ask.

“But what kind of a gentleman would I be if I let the lady pay for dinner?”

“Well then, how else am I supposed to repay you for helping me?”

“I’m sure you’ll find some way.”

“Fine… you win this one, but I will find a way to make it up to you.”

“Don’t worry about it, love. Shall we go in and eat?”

“We shall.”

After stuffing our bellies with Nando’s, Joe and I venture back out into the chilly evening air. Joe must have noticed me shiver because he offers me his jacket, which I gladly accept. As we walk down the sidewalks of London, we get to know each other better, and before I know it, we’ve arrived at my apartment building.

“Would you like to come over to Caspar’s flat for a bit to meet the rest of the boys?” he asks as we take the lift to my floor.

“I’d love to, considering I have nothing to do at my own place,” I reply.

“Great, but I have to warn you, the boys can be a bit overwhelming…” he trails off as he opens Caspar’s door.

The second we walked in, Caspar greets us. “Joe! New neighbor girl!”

“Hi Caspar,” I giggle.

“Guys, this is Y/N, Caspar’s new neighbor. Y/N, this is Oli, Jack, Conor, Mikey, and Josh,” Joe introduces me to everyone.

We all exchanged greetings as Joe leads me over to the couch to sit down next to him.

“So how did you meet these two wankers?” I think it was Jack who asked.

“Well, I was just sitting out on my balcony earlier today, enjoying the view, when Joe came out on his balcony and started talking to himself,” I giggle. The boys erupt in laughter at that as Joe’s face reddens.

“That’s not quite how I remember it happening, but whatever,” Joe replies.

It was now around 9:30 PM and Caspar brings out a few drinks.

“You’re legal, right, Y/N?” Josh asks.

“Yes I’m legal, I’m 24,” I reply, “25 in December.”

“What do you say we hit the clubs soon?” Conor asks.

“You up for it, Y/N?” Joe asks.

“Hell yes, but I need to go change first,” I answer.

“Well then go get ready, so we can partayyy!” Caspar yells.

I giggle and head over to my apartment hoping I have an outfit for the club in my suitcase. Luckily, I packed my little black dress in case of emergencies.

About thirty minutes later, I hear a knock on my door as I’m doing my finishing touches.

“Hurry up, Y/N!” I hear the boys shout.

“I’m almost done, just be patient,” I shout back.

When I open the door, I look up to see all the boys staring at me with their mouths open.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I say with a smirk.

Right after I say this I hear a camera click. I look over to Conor who has an innocent look on his face.

“You said to take a picture…” he replied.

We all busted up laughing and headed to the club. I stood in between Joe and Caspar, enjoying their company as we walked. We arrive at the club a few moments later, and Joe offered to go get me a drink.

“Stop buying my stuff, it’s not fair, I want to be nice, too,” I say to him with a pouty face.

“Sorry, love, I’m just a nice person I guess.”

“Well, nice guy, come dance with me,” I say, pulling him to the dance floor. He laughs as I pulled him through the chaotic crowd.

We dance the night away and by the time we got back to Caspar’s, it’s around 1 AM and we were all quite drunk. We mutually decided that everyone would stay there so we wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of calling an uber at this ungodly hour. We figure out the sleeping arrangements among Caspar’s flat and my flat. Caspar would share his bed with Josh; Jack and Conor would share Caspar’s guest bed; Oli would take Caspar’s couch; Mikey would take my couch; and Joe could crash with me. Joe protested at first, saying he would sleep on the floor, but I assured him it was fine. I honestly would rather have a cuddle buddy than sleep alone.  

By the time we got everyone situated, it was nearly 2 AM. I stumbled into my room with Joe in tow. Reaching into my suitcase, I pulled out an old t-shirt to sleep in.

“Close your eyes, I’m just going to change in here really quick,” I tell Joe. When I don’t hear a response, I turn around to see Joe already in the bed with his eyes closed. I quickly stripped out of my dress to put the t-shirt on, when I heard Joe’s voice.

“Mm, I like what I see,” I hear him say.

I turn around after I pulled the shirt over my head to see him staring at me.

“Hey! I told you to close your eyes,” I whisper yell at him.

He just chuckles at me and says “sorry, I just couldn’t resist.”

“It’s not very nice,”

“Hey, come here. I’m sorry, I won’t do it ever again.”

I chuckle at our drunken states as he pulls me down onto the bed in his arms.

“You’re funny, you know that?” I giggle.

“You’re cute, you know that?” he replies.

“You’re adorable.”

“You’re gorgeous.”

“Okay, but seriously, thank you, Joe. I had so much fun tonight,” I say as I kiss his cheek.

“The pleasure is mine, love,” he says as he leans in. Our lips meet and I can’t help but smile.

“Goodnight, Joe.”

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

I wake up the next morning in a blissful state, cuddled up to Joe’s side. Hangovers don’t typically affect me like they do others, so I don’t really dread waking up the day after a fun night. I struggle as I climb out of Joe’s arms to get to my bathroom. Once I’m done in there, I walk out  to the living room to see Mikey passed out. I tiptoe out the door and into Caspar’s apartment to see Oli sitting on the couch on his phone.

“Hey, Oli,” I smile.

“Hey Y/N, how are you doing?”

“Good, just figured the boys would want some breakfast when they wake up so I thought I’d come over here and start cooking.”

“Oh Y/N, you’re so kind, you don’t have to go to the trouble.”

“It’s fine, honestly, I love cooking.”

“At least let me help you.”

By the time we’re done cooking, we have enough cheesy eggs, bacon, and pancakes to feed an army. Caspar, Josh, Conor, and Mikey eventually followed the smell of food into the kitchen, but Jack and Joe were still passed out.

“Can’t we just eat without them?” Conor asks.

“Nope, but we can have some fun waking them up,” I reply, “you guys go wake Jack, I’ve got Joe, okay?”

We split up and I walk back into my apartment to wake Joe. I walk in my room and see Joe sprawled out on my bed, still passed out. I quickly take a picture of him, because he looks adorable cuddled up in the blankets. After saying his name a few times, I realize I’m going to have to step it up a notch if I want to wake him up. I step up on the bed and start jumping up and down around him, shouting his name. It definitely wakes him up but he catches me off guard by hooking my foot and pulling me down into his arms.

“It’s too early,” he whines.

“Aw, is the poor baby sleepy?” I ask.

“Yes, now let me sleep.”

“Fine then, I’ll just let the boys eat your food.”

“What food?” he asks, seeming interested.

“I made breakfast.”

“Fine, I’ll get up, but only because there’s food.”

I smile and pull his arm until we reach Caspar’s flat.

We eat breakfast and hang out at Caspar’s for a few more hours until I get a text from my moving company that the truck with my things will arrive that evening.

“Oh my gosh, yay! My stuff is going to be here tonight!” I yell.

“That’s great! I’ll be here to help,” Joe says.

"I’ll help, too,” Caspar adds.                

By the time the moving truck gets here, it’s 5 PM. We unload everything and pile it into the lift. By 7 PM, we have everything upstairs, and now I just had to organize and put things away which I kindly tell the boys I can handle. Caspar leaves, but Joe insists on staying, telling me he can order us a pizza and find things to help me with. At 9 PM, we’re nearly finished when Joe asks to stay the night again.

“It’s getting late and I’m already here; do you mind if I stay crash here again?”

“It’s perfectly fine, Joe. I think I’m done with unpacking for the night though. Do you want to watch a movie?”

“Sounds great, love.”

We get comfortable in my bed with the computer settled in between us. We can’t decide on a movie to watch, so instead we just binge watch a couple of episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. The whole time, Joe and I would subconsciously scoot closer together. It got to the point where I was sat in-between his legs with his arms wrapped tightly around me. After the third episode ends, I look back at Joe.

“Do you want to do something else? I’m kinda bored of watching TV, but I’m not very tired.”

“Yeah, me too. What do you have in mind?”

“We could play a game,” you suggest.

“Sure, how about truth or dare?”

“Ooh, I love that game”

“Okay, truth or dare?” he asks.

“I didn’t say you could go first... but truth.”

“Hm, what was your first thought when you met me?”

“Well at first, I thought you were some psycho dude who talks to himself, but after I got to know you, I realized how sweet and adorable you are.”

“Aw, you think I’m adorable,” he replies with a little smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, truth or dare, Sugg?”

“Dare.”

“I dare you to go out on the balcony and scream ‘Jaspar is real.’”

“Oh blimey, I shouldn’t have ever told you about that ship,” he whines.

“Hey, a dare is a dare.”

“Fine,” he grumbles as we get up and he follows me out to the balcony.

“Hurry up, it’s cold out here.”

He glares at me, and then as fast as he can, he screams the phrase so it comes out as gibberish.

“Hey that’s not fair!”

“Oh and why is that? I did the dare,” he replies smugly.

I glare at him and chase him inside when he tries to run. When I follow him around the corner, her surprises me by turning around and picking me up to spin me around.

“Put me down!” I yell.

“Make me,” he replies with a smirk as he carries me back to my  room.

“Truth or dare, love?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Dare.”

He throws me on the bed and starts to crawl up towards my face.

“I dare you to kiss me,” he says simply.

I grab his face and fill the empty space between us. He pulls my head closer to deepen the kiss. Before it gets too heated, he pulls away, and says, “Your turn.”

“Truth or dare?” I say, nearly out of breath.

“Dare,” he growls lowly.

I look into his eyes, barely above a whisper, “Fuck me.”

Not even a second passes before his lips are attacking mine again. He pulls away momentarily to remove his shirt. I marvel at the newly exposed skin as he slips his hands under my shirt to remove mine as well. His hands reach for my breasts as he reattaches our lips. I let out a small moan as he begins to kiss down my jaw, down to the valley between my breasts,  lower and lower until he was kneeling between my legs.  He slowly runs his hands up and down my legs and peels back my leggings and underwear.

“My god, you’re perfect,” he says as he kisses around my hips and thighs.

“Please, Joe… do something,” I plead.

“What do you want me to do, love?” he asks as he leans down and blows across my sensitive skin.

I shiver at the sudden rush of cool air on my soaked core. “Anything, please, Joe; I need you.”

With that, he immediately attaches his lips to my clit and begins to suck. I gasp at the sensation and reach down for his hair to pull him closer. He moans on me and I feel the vibrations throughout my body. I’m so close to my high but before I can reach it, Joe pulls away.

“Hey!” I shout as he crawls off the bed to remove the rest of his clothing.

“Shh, baby… as much as I’d love for you to cum on my mouth, right now I just want you to cum with me inside you.”

He crawls back up my body, showering me in sloppy kisses along the way. I let out a moan when he reaches a certain spot on my neck. He notices and sucks a deep purple mark there.  I whimper at the loss of contact when he stands up on his knees to put on the condom. When I see his member, I gulp. He wasn’t necessarily thick, but he was long.

“You ready, love?” he asks as he situates my hips on the bed.

“God, yes!”

He slowly slides into me to let me adjust to his length. Once I’m comfortable, he just barely pulls out of me and slams back in with full force. I let out a shriek as I clench around him.

“Fuck, Y/N, you feel so good… so tight.”

He pounds into me repeatedly and the pain soon turns to pleasure.

“Oh fuck, Joe,” I moan.  

He surprises me when he flips us over, so I’m now straddling him.

“Ride me, baby,” he says with a smirk.

I mimic his smirk as I roll my hips on him at a slow, torturing pace.

“God, you’re going to be the death of me, Y/N,” he says as he plants his feet flat on the mattress.

My gasp turns into a loud moan as he thrusts up into me, gripping my ass to hold me in place. His thrusts continue and he hits that certain spot inside of me and I let out a shriek.

“Fuck, Joe, I’m gonna come!” I yelp. He pushes me over the edge when he reaches down with his thumb to rub tight circles on my clit. We both moan out as we climax together. I collapse onto his chest trying to catch my breath.

“God, Y/N, that was amazing,” he says as he pulls me off his hips to lie beside him.

“Mhm,” I mumble tiredly as I cuddle into his side, still shaking a bit from the aftershocks of my climax.

“Are you okay?” he asks concerned.

“Yes, god yes! That was one of the best orgasms I’ve ever had,” I answer.  

 After we calmed down a bit, we cleaned ourselves up and lied down under the covers. Joe pulled me close and began tracing circles on my back.

“Y/N, I really like you and I kinda wanna see where this could go… what do you think?” he asks nervously.

“I like you too, Joe, and I’d love to see where this goes,” I reply. He smiles down at me and pecks my lips one last time.  

“Goodnight, love,” he says, barely above a whisper.

“Goodnight, Joe.”

[ladystylestores]

The Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary • The Blonde Abroad

Rhea of Rhea’s Travels traveled around the North and South Islands of New Zealand for 9 weeks—hitting all of the best spots, while traveling via camper van. She’s here today to share the ultimate New Zealand road trip itinerary!

New Zealand is a beautiful country located in the South Pacific famous for its varied landscape of breathtaking mountains, lakes, glaciers, and beaches.

I’ve been living in New Zealand for a while and recently spent two months traveling up and down the country. Therefore, I can tell you exactly what makes the ultimate itinerary for a New Zealand road trip.

From what to pack to what to budget, along with an itinerary for both the North Island and the South Island—here’s the ultimate New Zealand road trip itinerary!

The Best  Time to Visit

When it comes to New Zealand there isn’t a bad time to visit. If you’re wanting hot, dry weather then December to February is the time to visit. This will give you the longest days in terms of sunlight but be aware this is also the most popular time to visit so things can be more expensive.

A less populous time that still offers good weather is during springtime—between September and November.

The best months to ski at resorts like Cardrona and Coronet Peak is July through to August. Another great time to visit is November to December for lupin season where the lupins decorate areas such as Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook.

What to Pack

New Zealand is known to experience four seasons in a day so packing can be tricky. I’ve experienced all seasons here and these are my packing tips.

First things first, you’ll need an NZeTA electronic visitor visa if you’re visiting for less than 3 months.

I’d recommend buying your toiletries in New Zealand to save room in your suitcase. The cost is similar to the UK/US except for sunscreen, so buy that back home.

Road Trip Essentials:

Electronics (camera, chargers, adaptors)

Reusable water bottle

Day/evening bag

Hiking backpack

Eye mask + earplugs

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  Clothing For All Seasons:

When it comes to autumn and winter, you’ll want to pack some additional add-ons, including a warm waterproof coat, gloves, scarf, woolly hat, and layers for top/bottom. Likewise for spring and summer—include pieces in your luggage to accommodate for warmer weather!

  Helpful Tip:

Plugs: The plugs in New Zealand are type I. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hairdryers and hot tools.

What to Budget for a New Zealand Road Trip

New Zealand is not a cheap travel destination even on the tightest budget but don’t let this put you off.

The approximate cost on a tight budget is $80NZD per day meaning you’d cook almost all of your meals, travel by cheap transport, stay in hostels and splurge on a few activities.

Here are my tips to save money here:

Cook as much as you can — A meal out can easily cost you $30 so buy groceries at the cheapest store (PAK’nSAVE) and cook at your accommodation. If you do eat out, fast food chains are the cheapest.

Stay in hostels — (use Hostelworld) or private rooms in Airbnbs. Costs for a dorm bed are $20-30NZD a night. If you’re traveling in a pair it can be cheaper to split a private hostel dorm/Airbnb room.

Take advantage of free activities — such as hikes, museums, and botanic gardens.

When it comes to transport — Use public transport such as Intercity to travel around. Travel between the North and South islands using Bluebridge ferries on foot, taking a vehicle across is expensive.

Visit out of peak season  — it’s much cheaper, for example, to hire a campervan in winter than it is in summer. If you’re traveling by campervan use the app Rankers Campers NZ which has an offline map and navigator to find nearby facilities/campsites.

The drive to Glenorchy.

Tips for Driving in New Zealand

Driving here is pretty special due to the stunning views but there are a lot of accidents caused by tourists. There are definitely helpful tips to keep in mind when driving in New Zealand.

First off, always drive on the left!

Go slowly where appropriate, there are a lot of tight windy roads so don’t take these too fast or wide. If there are cars behind you pull over safely to let them pass. New Zealand has lots of pull-in points for this reason. Follow the give-way signs where appropriate. The bigger arrow gives priority to that side of the road.

Make sure to take extra care in the winter months due to ice.

Lastly, park your car/camper facing the direction you are traveling. You can be fined for parking your car facing the opposite way.

10-Day North Island Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland

You’ll likely fly into New Zealand’s largest airport in Auckland just a 25-minute drive to the city center. I’d recommend getting an Uber for ease or a shuttle to save money. You can find all the airport transfer details here.

Now the fun begins! I’d recommend spending no more than a day in Auckland, it’s a nice city but there are glaciers, volcanoes and beautiful beaches to explore. Auckland highlights include a visit to the Sky Tower, Albert Park, Domain Wintergardens, and Mount Eden Summit.

Day 2: Paihia & the Bay of Islands

Leave Auckland early and head north to Paihia. Spend a few hours on Paihia Beach and take a boat trip to explore the Bay of Islands. Great Sights offer a great boat tour where you can see dolphins and head through the famous hole in the rock.

Day 3: Cape Reinga

Head north again to the most northern point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. Here you can see the famous lighthouse and watch the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.

Take a 20-minute drive south-west to the Giant Sand Dunes and hire toboggans to surf down the dunes.

Day 4: Drive towards Cathedral Cove

It’s an 8-hour drive to Cathedral Cove so stop for rest breaks or stay overnight at the halfway point. Popular spots to stop include 90-Mile Beach, Kai Iwi Lakes, Muriwai Beach, Te Henga Walkway, Bethells Beach, and Piha.

Cathedral Cove

Day 5: Cathedral Cove

Cathedral Cove is one of my favorite beaches in New Zealand, with its soft white sand and clear blue water, the buzz of a few hours here is unbeatable. It’s a popular spot so if you’re hoping to beat the crowds get here for sunrise.

I recommend taking a kayaking tour for a unique way to reach the beach.

Other sights nearby include Shakespeare Cliff Lookout and Hot Water Beach where you can rent a spade and soak in the thermal water.

  Day 6: Hobbiton

Begin the 2.5-hour drive to Hobbiton and stop by the breathtaking Owharoa Falls for a rest stop.

Spend the afternoon in Middle-earth enjoying a guided walking tour of Hobbiton. This is a must-do whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or not. It’s spectacular to see the detail that went into this set.

Make sure you book ahead as this is one of the most popular tourist activities in New Zealand.

  Day 7: Waitomo

Next head to Waitomo, just an hour away, and head to the underground caves where you can see glow worms. I spent 5 hours doing the Black Abyss Tour where you abseil, zipline, climb, and tube through the caves. If confined spaces aren’t your thing, you can take a 45-minute boat ride through the caves to see the glowworms this way.

If you’re looking for a place to stay and relax overnight I highly recommend Waitomo Hilltop Glamping.

Day 8: Rotorua

Two hours east is the popular town of Rotorua. There’s a lot to see here but my top picks are Redwoods Treewalk, Polynesian Spa, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and an evening at the Tamaki Maori Village (voted one of the best things to do in New Zealand).

If you want to hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, I recommend staying nearby the night before at either the National Park Village or Taupo. If you drive through Taupo make a quick stop at Huka Falls.

Day 9: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Tongariro Alpine Crossing is known as New Zealand’s best day hike and for featuring serving as the location of Modor in The Lord of the Rings—making it a must-do for any hiker.

This 19.4km hike features a volcanic landscape with emerald lakes and takes between 6-8 hours to complete so I recommended you start early to avoid hiking in the dark. You’ll be tired after this hike so take the evening to relax your feet.

Day 10: Wellington

It’s a 4-hour drive to Wellington but I’d recommend stopping to see the capital which is also my favorite city in New Zealand. Wellington has a bit of everything; the beach, harbor, parks and great places to eat. Take the cable car or hike to Mount Victoria Lookout to see views over the city.

Visit Cuba Street to explore shops, restaurants, and cafes (try Midnight Espresso for coffee, 1154 Pastaria for lunch, and Olive for dinner) and take a tour of Weta Workshop to see how the props and costumes from your favorite movies are made.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

10-Day South Island Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to the South Island

There are two ways to get to the South Island. The pricier option is to fly from Wellington to Christchurch which takes an hour or to save money, take the ferry from Wellington to Picton in 3 hours.

If you’re short on time, I’d recommend flying to Christchurch. Spend the day at Riverside Market, the Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon and Quake City to learn about the Christchurch earthquakes.

Day 2: Tekapo

Rent a car/camper and drive to Tekapo stopping at viewpoints around the lake. Enjoy a soak at Tekapo Springs or hike 90 minutes to the Astro Cafe for a delicious meal with stunning views of Lake Tekapo.

Around 10 PM head to the Church of the Good Shepherd to see the incredible night sky.

If there’s one thing you can’t miss—it’s Mount Cook. And the drive there is gorgeous, too!

Day 3: Lake Pukaki

Enjoy the short drive to Lake Pukaki stopping at viewpoints around the lake. Here’s the time to pick up groceries and top up your fuel for the next two days.

Then it’s time to drive to Mount Cook, my favorite place in New Zealand. Places to stay if you’re on a budget include Glentanner Holiday Park and YHA Aoraki Mt Cook Backpacker Accommodation or a more luxury option is Aoraki Court/Mt Cook Village.

Try and get an early night as I’d recommend getting up early to hike the following morning.

  Day 4: Mount Cook

There are many hikes to choose from (see here) but my top recommendation is Hooker Valley, an easy 3-hour return hike that offers stunning views throughout. Be aware, if you’re scared of heights and bridges, there are three on this hike.

Day 5: Queenstown

Queenstown, otherwise known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, is full of activities. I’d recommend skydiving with NZone or bungy jumping with Aj Hackett.

If extreme sports aren’t your thing, visit Skyline Queenstown and take a ride on the gondola where you can enjoy luging or a drink whilst you take in the views.

Foodwise, try Bespoke Kitchen for delicious healthy food, Fergburger for an extreme burger, and Cookie Time for the best milkshake of your life.

Other notable activities include a trip to Onsen Hot Pools and hiking the Ben Lomond track.

Drive to Glenorchy.

Day 6: Glenorchy

The road from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most beautiful drives in New Zealand. Take your time and enjoy stopping off at Bob’s Cove and Bennets Bluff Lookout. Grab a coffee at The Trading Post and take a photo of the world-famous shed by Glenorchy Wharf.

I’d recommend spending the night in Queenstown or Te Anau for a trip to Milford Sound the next morning.

Milford Sound

Day 7: Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a breathtaking fiord famous for its waterfalls and Mitre Peak. Being one of the wettest places in the world, make sure you pack waterproofs.

If you’re driving yourself there is a car park at $10 an hour (payable by card only). Otherwise, there are several tour operators (see here) who offer day trips to Milford from Queenstown and Te Anau. Tours often include a boat cruise to explore deeper into the fiord.

  Day 8: Wanaka

An hour’s drive from Queenstown, Wanaka is a beautiful town famous for the Wanaka Tree, Lavender Fields, and the infamous Roys Peak day hike.

This hike is not for the faint-hearted, it’s a 6-hour return climb but the views are worth it. Take enough water and snacks and wear the appropriate clothing. You won’t be disappointed!

Day 9: Mount Aspiring National Park

An hour north of Wanaka is the stunning Mount Aspiring National Park. Walk the 1.5-hour return Blue Pools Track and stop at Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls. Head to Franz Josef to stay overnight and make sure you stop at Lake Matheson along the way.

View from the Helicopter!

Day 10: Franz Josef/Fox Glacier

The final day of your New Zealand road trip should be at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. These West coast towns are famous for their heli hikes and heli landings. Try a Heli Hike with The Helicopter Line or Franz Josef Glacier, and Glacier Helicopters for a heli landing. It won’t be cheap but it’ll be worth it!

If you’re on a budget, head on a hike such as Alex Knob Track (8-hour return) or Roberts Point Track (the 5-hour). Both offer spectacular views of the glaciers but make sure you wrap up warm.

Other Recommendations

North Island:

Mount Taranaki — I was disappointed to miss this stratovolcano; head here for an unforgettable sunrise/sunset

South Island:

Roys Peak

Helpful Tips

Kia Ora means hello in the native Maori language

Hiking is often referred to as tramping

There’s no expectation to tip

There are strict laws about what you can bring in to the country. You can see all of the prohibited items here to avoid a fine at the airport

If you look under 25 you’ll need your passport for ID when purchasing alcohol

iSite’s are in every town/city and are full of information on things to do in the area

Overall

New Zealand is an incredible place to travel and there is so much to see and do. You might spend quite a bit of time driving to see the best bits but it’s worth it. Whatever you do here, I’m sure you’ll have the best time.

You can see more in-depth posts on my blog about where to skydive in New Zealand, visiting Hobbiton, hiking Tongariro Alpine Crossing, glamping in Waitomo, and visiting Onsen Hot Pools.

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