#ALSO hi my own christmas got ... derailed a bit but i wish you all the best & calm holidays <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[j4degoyl]

ofc i'm thinking about will & christmas today & how much it changes over the years. they have a lot of happy memories of their childhood, the whole family celebrating together, their grandparents visiting & playing with will & jacob etc. & as so many things christmas too changes dramatically after their father is gone. I feel like Jacob won't even always come back from the M.irrorworld & if he does it usually ends in an argument between him & their mother, with will desperstely trying to mediate. until will's brother disappears to his room (or back through the mirror). from then on that holiday always leaves will with a bitter taste, it only mainfests that something is inevitably broken, that nothing will be the same again. eventually Clara and he celebrate together & he tries to enjoy it for her sake & at least to an extend he can.

[thelarryficrecplace]

Larry Fics Masterpost - Christmas Edition 2019

Merry Christmas people!! It’s this time of the year again! Following my previous masterpost, I’ve decided to make an updated one!

Here’s some more of my absolutely favourite Christmas fics:

Home for the Holly Days by LadyLondonderry:

Summary: Or, Louis’s participating in the Secret Santa exchange between all the Hogwarts professors stuck at school over the winter holidays, and the Sorting Hat may fancy itself a bit of a matchmaker.

Word count: 2,421

Do Not Falter (There's a Star Ahead) by LadyLondonderry:

Summary: It's Christmas Eve, and every single one of Louis' family members are crowded inside his little flat. Really, what more could he ask for on his birthday?

The present he never knew he wanted - in the form of an omega from his past - might just make this his most memorable Christmas.

Word count: 2,853

You Should Be Here With Me by dimpled_halo:

Summary: Louis is finishing the last touches of his outfit when the doorbell chimes downstairs. He freezes midway through buttoning his shirt. Again, if he’d known what was going to happen today he’d have brought a better outfit, but it’s whatever. He holds his breath, hearing as the door is opened and some murmurs Louis can’t quite make out. He doesn’t miss the deep rumble of Harry’s voice. Louis may not be able to understand what is being said from up here, but that deep voice is unmistakable. It sends shivers through his body.

Louis is home for the holidays and doesn't expect his mum to invite his ex and his family over for Christmas. All the feelings he's had bottled up since breaking up with Harry before going to uni come back in full force.

Word count: 3,000

Snowdrops and Mice Pops by OhHarold:

Summary: The boys are stuck at Hogwarts over Christmas incapable of taking the Hogwarts Express back to London. A botched together friends Christmas would have to do.

Word count: 3,300

Make The Yuletide Gay by hollytabatha:

Summary: Louis has a disdain for Christmas songs and ugly Christmas sweaters, but maybe spending a night with Harry will change that for good.

Word count: 3,411

One Week, Eight Hours by daggerinrose:

Summary: or: a production assistant with no experience in front of a camera interviews a rockstar with old shoes and a distasteful attitude.

Word count: 3,560

Unto You by LadyLondonderry:

Summary: Louis is a lamplighter celebrating the saturnalia season in his own way.Harry is heavily pregnant and new in the city.The holiday of Christmas is yet to be created.

Word count: 3,671

pull your-elf together by EmmyLouWho:

Summary: Or: Santa's Winter Wonderland is a great place to fall in love.

Word count: 3,947

Santa's Lap by larryatendoftheday:

Summary: A Christmas story about unexpected gifts, featuring Harry as a mall Santa and Louis as a great big brother.

Word count: 4,227

Is that a candy cane in your pocket? by kingsofeverything (FullOnLarrie):

Summary: Louis accuses Harry of shoplifting. Harry was definitely not shoplifting.

They work it out.

Word count: 4,868

i'll be yours for christmas by rina_a:

Summary: My family invited you to join our holiday meal as an obvious setup and i’m so sorry.

Word count: 4,874

since we've no place to go (let it snow) by midnights:

Summary: ft. harry flaunting his cooking skills, crying at classic christmas movies, and a dog named george bailey.

Word count: 4,759

Set Your Heart A-Whirl by QuickedWeen:

Summary: Harry comes home for his family's big Christmas party and learns something surprising about his past.

Word count: 4,975

In this light (I fell for you) by Larryfissure:

Summary: Christmas AU where Harry is going to perform his very first concert and Louis is his mute (and very supportive) boyfriend. Also lots of kittens, bad puns and boyfriends being cute.

Word count: 5,334

Sympathy For The Devil by taggiecb:

Summary: Or the one with Santa Harry and Satan Louis and a series of misspelled letters to Santa.

Word count: 5,412

I'll Wait Up For You, Dear by dimpled_halo:

Summary: After not being able to afford to go home for the holidays, Louis is resigned to spend Christmas alone. When he stumbles upon his neighbor, Harry, he realizes he might not be so lonely after all.

Word count: 5,753

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by haloeverlasting:

Summary: Or, Louis' heat is out, Harry's a terrible upstairs neighbor, and an empty Christmas tree is the perfect excuse to fall in love.

Word count: 7,477

You're Never Alone with a Moon this Bright by HelloAmHere:

Summary: Louis was a monster. But sometimes, even monsters get a Christmas.

Word count: 7,619

Rated R by cherrystreet:

Summary: Louis gifts Harry with a surprise sex tape, and it accidentally makes its way into Harry's family Christmas party. Ridiculousness ensues.

Word count: 7,635

A Story For the Ages by FallingLikeThis:

Summary:  He should have known it was coming. After seven months of pretending to have a boyfriend in order to keep his mum from meddling in his love life again, he should have realized he’d have to actually introduce her to someone eventually.

Word count: 7,706

Moon Wrapped in Gold Paper by larrymylove:

Summary: The first time Louis meets Harry, several things go very wrong.

Word count: 7,932

A Christmas Wish by Snowy38:

Summary: "So when are you going to tell him?"

Louis pursed his lips at his sister, his Skype video call relaying his thoughts on that subject perfectly.

"Next question," he mused.

Lottie rolled her eyes.

"It's your birthday in four days, Louis."

"What difference does that make?" He scoffed.

She shrugged.

"You can get drunk and confess how you feel and take it back afterwards if he doesn't feel the same."

That might work if Louis wasn't in love with Harry. But Lottie didn't know that and she didn't need to find out.

"Thanks Lots," he said anyway.

"Seriously Lou what's stopping you?"

Louis sighed.

"Fear mostly."

Word count: 8,780

Meet Me Underneath The Mistletoe by 4ureyesonly28:

Summary: Louis flies out to Chicago for business just before Christmas... His flight home is cancelled because of a snow storm and he ends up going to his colleague Niall's Christmas party where he meets the most gorgeous man he's ever seen. And if they end up under the mistletoe within less than an hour then that's nobody's business but theirs.

Word count: 8,831

There's really nothing better (than a beautiful boy in an ugly Christmas sweater) by we_are_the_same:

Summary: In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Louis takes on a few more shifts at his part time job to be able to buy Christmas presents for his family and friends. In comes Harry, who might be everything Louis had never asked for. Featuring ugly Christmas Sweaters, too many Christmas songs, and not enough snow.

Word count: 9,087

you've set my soul to dreaming by we_are_the_same:

Summary: Or: Thirty year old Harry Styles goes to bed single on Christmas Eve, only to wake up on Christmas morning with a husband in his bed and a son down the hall.

Word count: 9,279

Make The Yuletide Gay by flowercrownfemme:

Summary: A Christmas In Connecticut AU in which Louis is a mommy blogger, Harry is a pop star, and nobody's really what they seem. Featuring a lot of lying, tons of domesticity, some badly faked heterosexuality, and a few Christmas kisses.

Word count: 9,769

sidewalk angels echo hallelujah by nooelgallagher:

Summary: When Louis' dog goes missing 7 days before Christmas, he doesn't have much hope for a Christmas reunion. But miracles come in all shapes and sizes, and Harry just might take the form of his.

Word count: 9,978

Brighten My Northern Sky by twoshipstiedup:

Summary: Harry, Louis, a phone number and fate

Word count: 10,030

make my wish come true by flicker_album:

Summary: Or the one where Louis starts decorating for Christmas in November and Harry indulges him.

Word count: 10,137

The Clock Strikes Christmas by jacaranda_bloom:

Summary: OR the one where Louis needs someone to love, Harry needs a miracle, and sometimes, wishes really do come true.

Word count: 10,498

Candy Cane Eyes by larryent:

Summary: It’s the Christmas season in New York City. There are far too many mistletoes hanging in Harry's apartment building and there is a pair of mischievous candy cane blue eyes who is responsible.

Word count: 10,703

and marshmallows by BriaMaria:

Summary: The one where Harry has a personal attachment to Louis' house, and Louis can't stop picturing the beautiful stranger dancing in his kitchen.

Word count: 10,729

Take Your Time by Layne Faire (HisDarlin):

Summary: When Harry finds himself in the middle of a messy break-up with no place to live, Louis offers a spare room in his flat. Unbeknownst to Harry, Louis has been infatuated for years. Over the objections of their friends, who know the truth, Harry accepts. Can Louis survive Harry moving into his home…and closer to his heart? Will Harry see what's right in front of him?

Word count: 11,556

Maybe I'm Crazy To Suppose by twoshipstiedup:

Summary: A breakup before Christmas sends Harry back to a place he'd been avoiding for years.

One night with a stranger makes him want to stay.

Word count: 12,665

If the Fates Allow by afirethatcannotdie:

Summary: Louis yells at a stranger in a shop and a few days later, needs his help. Desperately. Then he discovers he’s kind of in love with him.

Word count: 13,039

The Christmas Lift by homosociallyyours:

Summary: Louis lies about having a boyfriend to avoid being set up on a blind date by an overzealous co-worker, but now he's in desperate need of a fake boyfriend for his office holiday party. He’s complaining about it on the phone to Liam when Harry, his unknown but hot neighbor, overhears him in the lift and offers to help.

It doesn't take long for Louis to realize he wishes things weren't quite so fake, but he's afraid it'll take a Christmas miracle to make anything happen.

Word count: 13,150

Christmas, Baby by nikogda:

Summary: Or, The one where the exact thing that Harry thinks is derailing his life plan might be exactly what he needs.

Word count: 13,191

Wrap me up in your Love by wickedarcher_08:

Summary: Or the one where Louis is pregnant and keeps getting interrupted in the most obscure ways every time he tries to tell Harry.

Word count: 13,223

to the light by fondleeds:

Summary: AU. Harry is a mermaid lost at sea and Louis is a boy determined to make his first Christmas a memorable one.

Word count: 13,304

Moments Stay When People Leave... by lovelarry10:

Summary: Harry gets lost in the memories of the best relationship he'd ever had, and then threw away, breaking two hearts. He makes a decision just before Christmas, and can only hope Louis feels the same...

Word count: 13,855

All I Want Is You (This Christmas) by Dont_Stop_Larry:

Summary: Harry broke up with Louis early in 2014. Louis is trying to figure out life without Harry. Being stuck together on a Christmas vacation might just mend everything.

Word count: 14,019

Come What May by sincewewereeighteen:

Summary: The one in which Harry and Louis have been separated for almost a year, but their kids ask Santa to bring them together again.

Word count: 14,049

Made From Love by lovelarry10:

Summary: It's almost Christmas, and amongst the preparations, Louis' realised something about his husband Harry.

Harry, however, seems to be oblivious.

Louis' determined to open Harry's eyes and make him realise the real magic that's happening this Christmas...

Word count: 14,690

This Winter's Day by QuickedWeen :

Summary: Louis is Harry's stablemaster, and when he falls ill and his mother turns to Harry to help her try and find someone he can settle down with, it's only natural that Harry suggests himself.

Word count: 14,871

The Lights Will Guide You Home by Dont_Stop_Larry:

Summary: The one where two oblivious men haven’t quite figured it out yet - but it may be too late for them.

Word count: 16,916

Christmas at the Holly Lodge by lululawrence:

Summary: Or the one where Louis is the owner of the Holly Lodge, Harry is an investment advisor, and maybe Christmas miracles really do exist.

Word count: 17,387

Make You Feel My Love by rainbowslovehl (Larrymateforlife):

Summary: Harry decides the best way to go about telling his best friend that he's in love with him is to catch him under a conveniently placed mistletoe but that's not what happens.

Word count: 17,442

My Only Wish by rainbowslovehl (Larrymateforlife):

Summary: Or an Secret Santa AU where Louis doesn’t know how it works and keeps giving Harry gifts and being not so obvious about his flirting.

Word count: 17,918

An Aurora Grove Christmas by dandelionfairies:

Summary: Harry gets lost on his way to St. Louis. The roads are horrid because of the snow and he ends up spinning into a ditch. Lucky for him, he finds a cabin nearby, as well as a cute blue-eyed man who immediately helps him. Unfortunately, his car is stuck for the night, but at least he has a place to stay with Louis. With the snow continuing to fall and another storm front coming through, will he ever make it out of Aurora Grove? Does he even want to?

Word count: 17,930

Holiday Greetings (And Gay Happy Meetings) by 2tiedships2:

Summary: Or the one where Niall's dead car and and a foot of snow conspire to force Louis into spending time with an alpha he hates.... or does he?

Word count: 18,474

Part 2 here

This Winter Dream by hopeneverdies:

Summary: Louis Tomlinson is on his way home from New York City to spend Christmas with his family, but his trip is temporarily halted when his car breaks down in a small town upstate. A lonely barista, named Harry, offers him a place to stay for the night. It doesn't take long before Louis wants to offer something to Harry in return.

Word count: 19,065

Reindeer Games by Throwthemflowers:

Summary: Louis is a disgruntled elf and Harry is one of Santa’s reindeer. Featuring classic miscommunication, heaps of unrequited pining, gratuitous smut (with a bit of, shall we say, horseplay), a pinch of NYC holiday magic, and a sickening amount of Christmas Spirit.

Word count: 19,639

Six Weeks by LadyLondonderry:

Summary: When Harry takes the afternoon shift at the cafe, he meets a boy who drinks a lot of tea and never remembers his umbrella.

Word count: 20,023

All I Want For Christmas (Is Lou) by wickedarcher_08:

Summary: Or the one where Harry and Louis are each others Secret Santa

Word count: 20,550

So Put Your Hands In (The Holes of My Sweater) by Kat_rawr:

Summary: Harry and Louis go on a lot of not-dates.

Word count: 21,355

Better Not Pout, I'm Telling You Why by runaway_train:

Summary: The one where Harry still believes in Santa Claus and Louis doesn't want to be the one to burst his bubble.

Word count: 24,545

Lovin' you is a gift by messofgorgeouschaos:

Summary: With his 28th birthday approaching, Louis was looking forward to celebrating in New York City with an all-expenses paid trip. He just didn't expect to spend it with an escort when he suddenly finds himself single a few days before it. A Pretty Woman AU.

Word count: 25,462

Waited All Year To Be Near by lovelarry10:

Summary: Harry’s preparing for the holidays at home with his four children while Louis is deployed. All he wants is his husband home for Christmas. But Louis’ half a world away...

Word count: 27,399

Let It Snow by crescentmoonshine:

Summary: Four years, four disastrous Christmas parties, four disastrous attempts to get it right.

Word count: 27,858

Like Candy In My Veins by littlelouishiccups:

Summary: Basically the A/B/O, enemies to lovers, fake relationship, Christmas AU that nobody asked for.

Word count: 31,880

From the Start by Anonymous:

Summary: Louis has no idea that one act of kindness will cause his life to spiral out of control. But that's what happens when his new friend fake proposes to him and a video of it goes viral.

Word count: 32,185

Frosted Kisses by bromanceorromance:

Summary: Harry and Niall run a bakery called Sweet Cheeks. Louis is in line to become the next Santa Claus, but his best friend, Zayn, is the only one that knows. Louis wants Harry as soon as he sees him, but he's not ready to interrupt Harry's life with the "I'm the next Santa" news until it's almost too late.

Word count: 34,135

Latching Onto You by reminiscingintherain:

Summary: Or, the one where Louis wants to book Harry Styles to perform at his best friends' wedding.

Word count: 34,313

Find You Home by kingsofeverything (FullOnLarrie):

Summary: When Louis lies to his family and says he’ll bring his new boyfriend home for Christmas, his best friend and roommate Harry agrees to play the part. It’s that, or be left alone over the holidays.

What will happen? No one knows! Perhaps Santa will swoop in with a Christmas miracle.

Featuring lovesick idiots, kissing and cuddling, pies and Christmas clichés.

Word count: 35,388

Feels Like Christmas by lovelarry10:

Summary: Harry Styles has always loved Christmas - it’s his favourite holiday, but there’s always been something missing.

Louis Tomlinson has been running from his pain, and is determined to ignore the holidays once more, choosing to spend them in solitude.

When they meet - entirely by chance - it could be just what they both need this Christmas...

Word count: 49,630

the impossible now by stylinsoncity:

Summary: A wish on Christmas Eve sends Louis to an alternate dimension where Harry is a member of One Direction.

Word count: 64,839

[crystalninjaphoenix]

MerMay 2021 Day Twenty-Two Wish Upon a Stone

The sun was warm on Chase’s back, and the beach’s sand was moist, but not that wet. The waves lapped and covered his tail. “Mmmm...” he hummed, blinking sleepily. It was a very nice day. Shame that it was devoted to talking about such a grave matter.

“TridentCorp recently opened a branch in the local area,” Stacy was saying. She was sitting on a beach chair, laptop perched on her legs despite the risk of dropping it in the wet sand. “They run tours from it, but it’s also designated a research laboratory.”

“Do you think Dad’s friend might be there?” Muirin asked. He’d been idly digging a hole in the sand nearby, but recently gave up. In his hand was the talisman Marvin had given him and Sereia days ago, small and dark, and he was running his fingers along the carved symbols. Sereia sat nearby, a bulge in her pocket indicating she also had her talisman, and she was slowly eroding a trough in the sand with water.

“Possibly.” Stacy turned her laptop around so that the others could see the pictures of the research laboratory she found online. “That looks big enough, right?”

Chase scooted a bit closer. “I guess. It’d be like an aquarium, right, with water inside?”

“It says their research is about ‘the unusual creatures of the deep sea,’ so most likely,” Stacy says, turning the laptop back.

“Maybe we should go on one of their tours,” Sereia suggested. “See if there’s any clues.”

“Well, the tour isn’t of the laboratory,” Stacy explained. “It’s like a whale watch. Where you get on a boat and go out into the ocean to see things.”

“Isn’t that a cruise?” Chase asked.

“Well, they do those, too, but cruises are longer, and more about luxury. They describe these tours as being less than a day. And there’s no luxury or attractions or anything.”

“Oh that sounds boring,” Muirin commented.

“Clearly, some people like them,” Stacy said.

“Are there any other locations that could hide a merm?” Chase asked. “Or is it just the one? I-I don’t want to waste time.”

“Well, yes, there are a few.” Stacy used the touchpad to click around. “I think these ‘research laboratories’ are our best bet. The website says that’s where they keep ‘specimens’ for ‘examination.’” She frowned. “That sounds...bad. When you remember that Jack’s in there.”

Chase shifted uncomfortably. “Well...at least he’s asleep? And doesn’t know about it. I guess...that’s one positive of his condition.” Muirin suddenly sighed, and Chase looked over at him. “You alright, shelly?”

“Yeah.” Muirin rolled the talisman around in his hand. It was the perfect size and weight to hold and play with. “I was just thinking...I wish I learned more about Jack. We know a lot about all your other friends, and some of Mom’s, but not really him.”

Sereia nodded in agreement. “Yeah. It feels a bit weird. I mean, I guess maybe the idea of knowing your parents’ friends can be a little weird to other people, but like...you don’t really have family, so it’s like your friends are your family, so they’re our family. It’d be even more weird to not know our uncles that well.”

“Oh I have some family,” Chase said idly. “But I’m not too close with them. I guess that’s a merm thing, kids usually go do their own thing and make friends.”

“What?” Sereia looked up, vaguely distressed. “Does that mean we have to stop seeing you when we grow up?!”

“No, no, don’t worry,” Chase said reassuringly. “It’s not like you have to, and besides, you guys are human, too, with human traditions.”

Stacy chuckled a bit. “Well, I can’t exactly bring you to the annual family Christmas party, so clearly not all traditions apply.”

“Well the point is that you can do whatever you want.” Chase adjusted position, sitting up.

“Thanks, Dad,” Muirin said. “But anyway, I still feel bad for your Jack friend.”

“Yeah. I mean, sleeping all the time’s gotta suck,” Sereia said, idly reaching into her pocket to take out her talisman. “Like, you’ll miss so much. And it’s not safe, right? Because these bad guys were able to just walk in and take him.”

Muirin nodded slowly. “I wish...no, it’s dumb.”

“No, it’s okay, go ahead, Muirin,” Chase prompted.

“Well...I mean, is it weird to wish for this? That your friend would wake up?” Muirin asked, a bit embarrassed.

“No, of course not,” Stacy reassured him. “That just goes to show how much you care.”

“Then yes, I wish for that.”

“Yeah, I wish for that, too!” Sereia added. “Because it’s gotta be awf—”

Suddenly, the symbols on the kids’ talismans lit up. The glow from the symbols quickly spread to the entirety of the dark stone, turning them purple with light. They flashed brightly for a moment, and then faded.

“Whoa, what?!” Sereia gasped. “Did we just do magic?!” She looked at Chase and Stacy excitedly.

“Oh my...” Stacy just gaped.

“I-I think you did,” Chase whispered.

“But what did it do?!” Muirin looked around the beach, as if expecting to see something changed. “Nothing happened!”

“Maybe they just lit up, and that was the magic,” Chase suggested.

“Muir, this is so cool!” Sereia got to her feet and walked over to Muirin, grabbing him up in a hug. “We have magic!”

“We can also turn into fish people,” Muirin reminded her.

“Yeah, but like! This is new!” Sereia started chattering excitedly. “I wonder what we could do! I mean being a mermaid is cool, but all it really means is we can swim, which is cool but like also magic! You know? You can like—can we levitate stuff? Like the Force? That would be so helpful! Or! Or maybe we can heat stuff up, and we could always have hot soup! Or maybe...”

Stacy and Chase glanced at each other, and Stacy slowly shut her laptop. Seemed like the conversation had been sufficiently derailed.

Not in a bad way, though. This was an interesting development, after all. What had that magic done? Nothing had changed for any of them. And they’d have to figure out how it happened. Maybe it really was just a flash of light. Or maybe...it had done something more.

[side-effect-of-the-meds]

OMG I love your headcanons and writing. So so good. How about thoughts on Andrew recovering from say wisdom tooth removal or a appendectomy or something, but seeing as he's got a real high tolerance to drugs, the painkillers really aren't doing anything, and Neil (and or Kev, Aaron, Nicky, etc) gotta help take care of a grumpy in pain Andrew. Good feels good feels

So I answered a similar prompt earlier but, tbh, I didn’t like it very much so here’s a new one! Did it need to be Mandreil? No. Did I make it Mandreil anyway? Of course I did!

“Matt says that kisses help things heal faster,” Neil said. Andrew’s gaze snapped over to his junkie, curled up on the couch. The soft glow of the color shifting lights they’d strung on the Christmas tree illuminated the planes of his faces at random. None of their lot had been very fond of the holiday season but Nicky had insisted that they decorate the house anyway. Normally, the first word out of Andrew’s mouth would have been ‘no’ but, with Aaron’s trial only two months away, he’d thought it best to let Nicky distract himself with whatever nonsense he chose to so long as he wasn’t forced to participate. 

A lot of that nonsense had ended up involving Matt. When the team broke for the holidays, Andrew hadn’t expected to drive his lot back to Columbia only to find the familiar red truck parked in their driveway. Nicky had gone behind his back to invite Matt over for the first week of break. 

“He’s just helping with decorations,” Nicky insisted. Something you never do. Nicky hadn’t said that but Andrew had heard it loud and clear. Throwing his bag over his shoulder, he’d tried not to stomp his way up the stairs. To listen to Nicky tell it, Andrew had spent the whole week being the World’s Grumpiest Grinch. That was wholly untrue. Andrew had just been his usual silent self, steadfastly refusing to take part in their bullshit. Well… most of their bullshit. More than once, Neil had managed to coax Andrew out into the kitchen to help Matt bake. Despite it being all his idea, Neil rarely helped. He’d sat there, perched on the counter as Matt and Andrew had baked. Together they’d baked beautiful sugar cookies, several fig puddings, and a gingerbread exy court complete with sugar plexiglass and the Foxes set up for a scrimmage (they’d baked a gingerbread Wymack but Andrew had hidden it for he didn’t have the heart to let his monstrous family eat him). 

Matt had left three days ago and Andrew had expected peace to return to his home but his family seemed to have other plans. All of them kept bemoaning his departure. He’d expected that kind of behavior from Nicky but Kevin was a surprise. As it turned out, Matt was a bit of a history buff. He was probably the only person in the world who capable of maintaining a conversation with Kevin about something other than Exy for over an hour. Aaron seemed to miss Matt too, evidenced by the way he kept lingering by the couch every morning as though the man might suddenly appear. 

Honestly, Andrew wasn’t 100% sure himself why he didn’t like having Matt around. Boyd had long since proved that he wasn’t a threat. Sure he was 6ft of pure muscle. He was as strong as a bull and hung like one too. In fact, he was probably strong enough that he could simply pick Andrew right up off the ground and… Andrew’s brain stalled as he momentarily lost his train of thought. Cursed with an eidetic memory, Andrew had never forgotten a single thing in his life. The fact that Matt had been capable of temporarily derailing him in such a manner was a concern. Setting those thoughts aside for the time being, Andrew made a mental note to examine them later. 

“So...can I kiss you?” Neil asked, drawing Andrew back to the conversation at hand. Sliding off the windowsill, Andrew wrapped the blanket tighter around himself. It trailed behind him anyway but he couldn’t be bothered to care. Neil unfurled and stretched himself across the couch, leaving space for Andrew between his legs. With more care than he usually allowed himself to show, Andrew climbed in. “You still haven’t given me an answer,” Neil prompted. 

Andrew had tried to speak not long after he’d woken in the dentist’s office only for blood to flood out of his mouth. Over the last two or three hours, he’d soaked through several lengths of gauze. Not wanting to disturb the freshly replaced cotton, Andrew gave him a short nod that Neil accepted. A little smile lit up his face brighter than all the bulbs in the room combined. Something in Andrew’s chest tightened as his stomach somersaulted. Stuffing all that down, he promised himself to evaluate that later too. 

Andrew reached out with one hand to cup the back of Neil’s neck and drew him close. Even after being together for nearly a year now, Neil was careful to leave space between their bodies. Andrew guided Neil forward until their foreheads were pressed together. Time seemed to slow as Neil’s parted lips ghosted a breath over Andrew’s. When Neil rubbed his nose against Andrew’s, all that breath evaporated from his lungs. Despite the jagged edges of the scarred skin stretched taut over his muscles, Neil Josten was impossibly soft and there was nothing Andrew wanted more than to sink into his arms. The very thought of being held by Neil made Andrew’s feel as though his whole head was filled with cotton.  

It was a strange desire that he’d spent countless hours picking apart both on his own and with Bee. She seemed quite pleased to hear that he’d begun to desire non-sexual physical contact. Now seemed as good a time as any to explore it. Trailing his hand down Neil’s arm, he caught hold of it by the elbow and tugged at it in silent question. As always, Neil went willingly pliant, allowing himself to be maneuvered however Andrew wanted him. 

“Are you sure this is alright?” Neil asked once Andrew had settled one of his arms around his waist. Andrew nodded. It wasn’t as sharp. He was far too distracted by the warm weight that had wrapped around him. Hugs weren’t something Andrew had ever really seen the appeal in but, nestled up against Neil, he finally understood. Distantly, he was aware of Neil’s fingers lightly tracing the shell of his ear. Feather light kisses were being planted across his face, starting at his temple and trailing down, down, down. 

Pain shot through Andrew as Neil brushed against his jaw. Shoving away with a muffled curse, he heard Neil doing the same. Surprise and anger flitted across Neil’s face, quickly replaced by alarm as he realized what had happened. Abandoning his blanket, Andrew made for the stairs. 

“I totally forgot,” Neil called as he followed him up. Flicking on the bathroom light, Andrew pulled the gauze out of his mouth. Blood oozed out. Neil stepped in a moment later, his eyes widening at the sight of the blood. “Was that because I-”

“No,” Andrew said. “It’s just not healing fast enough.” Concern washed over Neil’s face. It suddenly occurred to Andrew that maybe the fuzziness in his head was on account of blood loss. He doubted it but it was an easier thought to stomach than the notion that his cravings for Neil were intensifying. Who’s the junkie now? A voice in his head teased. Andrew promptly told it to go fuck itself onto a glass-shard covered pole. 

Rinsing out his mouth with warm water, he stuffed more cotton into his mouth. It hurt like all hell but there probably weren’t enough painkillers in the world to make him feel any better. Then again, even if there were, he wouldn’t take them. He took no pleasure in buzzing a thousand miles above the ground. Never in a million years would Andrew voluntarily subject himself to medication again. 

He left Neil to brush his teeth and headed to their room. By the time he’d changed and crawled into bed, Neil had returned. Andrew watched the muscles on Neil’s back flex and ripple as he pulled on a new shirt. 

“Scoot over,” Neil mumbled, crawling into bed. Andrew moved a fraction of an inch. “Asshole,” Neil said with a laugh and half-hearted shove. Laying himself down to face the door, Andrew was confronted by the fact that it would be impossible to do so without pressing his aching jaw into the pillow. His heartbeat sped up, fear welling up in him. “Drew?” Neil asked. “What’s wrong?” Andrew didn’t answer. He was just going to have to deal with it. The second his head touched the pillow, pain flared up and he jolted upright again. Understanding dawned on Neil’s face. “Yes or no?” he asked. Andrew narrowed his eyes at Neil, not knowing what he had planned. Then again, Neil often didn’t know what Andrew planned to have him do. That never stopped him from saying yes. 

It was always a leap of faith. It was time Andrew took one of his own. He nodded. Neil ordered him to turn over, so that he faced away from the door. Moments later, Andrew felt the warm press of a back on his own. 

“Sometimes, when the beds weren’t pushed up against the wall, Mom would make us sleep like this,” Neil explained. “It was so that we could watch all points of entry. It was also a reminder that we had each other’s backs. I know this isn’t going to be easy but, I’m here, Andrew. I gave you my back last year. Now, let me have yours.” Andrew turned his head only to find Neil doing the same. Reaching a hand out, Andrew caught Neil’s. He ghosted the knuckles against his lips in the closest thing to a kiss as he could manage. A smile broke out across Neil’s face. 

“Thank you.” It came out muffled and garbled by the cotton but Andrew knew Neil heard him. He knew he understood that it meant so much more. Letting his eyes fall closed, Andrew wished he could tell Neil all the things he deserved to hear but there were so many things other than the cotton in his mouth stopping him. One day, maybe his words would flow as freely as the blood in his mouth.

[th3okamid3monart]

Things I’m going to miss this Holidays

There are a couple of traditions we do in my family that I havent seen in other places and with one search on the internet I realize that most of the things we do are from my own country + some that we make up ourselves. 

So Im going to share them here because... Well, there’s a big-ass chance I wont be able to do them this Christmas nor New years. 

NOTE: When I say ‘my family’ in a lot of this, I mean ALL my family. Which means, all my grandparents, all my aunts, all my uncles, all my cousins, and, yes, EVEN my great grandaparents, cousins, uncles, aunts and more. Because we all know each other and we even make a party once a year for my dad’s side of the family 

Here I go:

Las Posadas

There’s this thing that we do at one of my grandparents’ house that involves singing a carol about the time Maria and Jose were looking for a place to stay to rest before travel far away for the birth of Jesus. It is a song which is singed by 2 groups, one that is inside and the other that’s outside. What we do is the following: One group goes inside a room in the house while the other stays outside the door, the group outside sings one part and the other sings the other. We go back and forward until we finish the song. It is pretty funny because no one sings well and its just like a bunch of grown ups practically screaming but we always end up chuckling. I used to think it was pointless and boring but that was because I was an edgy potato, after I enter University i began to enjoy more things and be happier. This is going to be the second time I wont be with my complete family for Christmas and now its all the family who wont be able to go to my grandparents house for a celebration. 

12 grapes, 12 wishes

In both sides of my family we usually fill up 12 grapes in a cup and give everyone 1 cup each. I dont remember what exactly the grapes meant or the story about the wishes but it’s supposedly like before it strikes 12 am on New Years, we have to eat our grapes while also wishing for something. I remember when I was younger I’d wish for peace on the world or that everything went well for everyone. I think I’m going to buy a bigger bag of grapes this year. 

Something that was funny was that everyone would just... Stuff their mouths with grapes, mostly my cousins and I, just to see how many we could fit. Not everyone wished for many things in the family because I think we all feel we had and have enough. If my family does this again on their own, I’m pretty certain their wishes would be to be able to meet with the family. 

Piñata

Every year since I was little, my grandparents buy a piñata to smash before or during Christmas. They find it such a good activity for cousins and even for my aunts, my mom and uncle. They literally havent stopped buying them, the oldest grandchild in that side of the family its in her 30s, but they still buy a piñata. I think its mostly for the youngest which are below 16, never the less, its still super funny and hilarious because we go from youngest to oldest. By the time it gets to my brother, its still intact, he only swings it once and its completely DESTROYED. We just have a lot of fun, and sometimes we make my mom or my aunts to hit it. My mom wasnt as cheery when I was a kid, but now she laughs more and when it comes to the piñata she laughs and enjoys her time even more. 

Games 

Like any gathering, all cousins bring up something we can do to entertain ourselves. At first they were toys my grandparents had for us, then it was videogames and now... Its board games. My bro is the one obsess with different boardgames and DnD and other card games. So, about 5 years ago he began bringing boardgames for all cousins to play along. We either talk with each other or try to destroy each other with any game there is. Videogames are fun but we all find it a drag to bring the console to the place, besides we usually get so busy with each others banter and weird conversations that we just forget about the videogames all together. 

At my other grandparents house it becomes W I L D. Last time someone brough a beer pong table and they all began to take shots with mezcal (I’m trying to not drink a lot of the time ever since I puked one time. If I drink its light things like wine and only one glass). Then my aunts play music and began to sing and everyone follows up, and... Well last time they began to dance.... And all my cousins were very embarassed and I was hella confused. Suffice to say, my dad’s side of the family are super freakishly energetic and wild, while my mom’s side is more of a geeky, nerdy vibe with a lot of meme stuff and political conversations at times (Oh yeah, we talk a lot of different political stuff, but guess what? It never derails into a fight. I note this due to always reading people’s talks ending with fights and stuff and that kinda weirds me out a bit at times) 

Dinners 

I don’t remember the time exactly, probably since I was 15 maybe, my dad and I turned into the designated ‘chefs’. Every year we’ve been deciding and preparing foods for each house. We make the main course while my aunts do the sides (although sometimes it becomes like 3 main courses with 2 sides). Im waaaaaaaaay into the cooking and I try to make it perfect each year. I kinda chillaxed a bit with some foods because it wasnt that big of a deal. Besides the main course, I also decide to make a dessert and sometimes they arent eaten because my families have some sugar regulations. They are stored and kept after Christmas because thats better than eating it all in one sitting and having sugar poisoning (AKA, high sugar that needs a fast Insuline injection afterwards). 

It is always fun to make food with my dad, and to make the famous Tamales from my grandma’s recipe. Last time i think we made around 400? Between green salsa chicken, red salsa beef and pork, and some that were like... its like an adobe, its with achiote and orange juice. It was very tasty. We usually make a lot and freeze them. THEY ARENT COOKED, they are raw and then frozen. Every time we take some out, we make them with vapor, takes around 2 hours and they are always tasty. I remember I made a batch all by myself, I made the feelings, I mixed the masa, and I assemble 100 by my own, the rest was thankfully made by my parents. And it was the best when I gave some to my grandma and she told me that they were super good. Of course, I made a couple mistakes, Im not perfect but she still enjoyed it with the salsa I made. Maybe I can still make some this year and give each family a batch. 

Aunt’s cookies

Every year, every god damn year... We all wait for one thing... It’s not the presents, its not the food... Its the cookies. The motherfucking cookies. My aunt has made this cookies since I was a kid, and we all fought to get a bunch of them. She has made choco chip with nuts cookies every year without missing. And they always end before Christmas even hits. She once gave me frozen batch so I can cook them at home and she told me ‘Dont tell anybody’. Of course I cannot not tell anyone since I live with my parents and siblings but when I made them I made sure to make them when my dad wasnt home. Not only because Im a gluttonous fuck but because my dad is diabetic and he shouldnt be eating anything like that. 

It used to be a battle royal between my cousins, now its a battle against my uncles cause they LOVE TO FUCKING HIDE THE BIG ASS CONTAINER. I swear, i only got 1 or 2 god damn cookies last time. 

Breakfast at...Lunch at...

After Christmas, we always go eat at my grandparents house. Always. And it’s, most of the time, Menudo. The most delicious food you can make with cow stomach. It’s my grandpa’s recipe and it’s always good. Meanwhile, we lunch at my grandma’s house the leftovers of yesterdays dinner which it varies if its turkey or pork but it always ends up as a torta. Delicious, leftover, tortas. 

We end up... SUPER CONSTIPATED because you eat menudo with bread, and you make tortas with bread, and we all eat bread and like... A LOT. Its hella good but well... THERE ARE CONCEQUENCES!! 

I think thats all, at least the most relevant parts. There’s also The Toast of El Bohemio, the stupidity and over eating i do for fun for some cousins, the conversations that go from super deep to stupidity with cousins, the music we play, the hugs... 

THE HUGS

When its the New Year, we scream out HAPPY NEW YEAR. And we proceed to hug each and everyone, one time I waited to see everyone and they all were very very happy. Its something I didnt realize before, but that was a happy thing all the time. Last year we event celebrated with other family, most of this reunions are compose with the nuclear family, but we arent shy about involving more family or friends. So last year not only included some family and their friends, we also included a 2 new members of the family: My newborn cousin and my cousin’s now husband. 

It was like.. One of the best beginnings... Which kind of... didnt prepared us for what this...sucky year. 

I’m sure we’ll make it ok... I sure hope so, I wanna see my grandparents again... I wanna see my baby cousin, he is babbling and has already learned to walk. The little dude doesnt have cousins to play with anymore, I wanna make sure he doesnt confuse me by his aunt ajjajajaja. I want to talk to my cousins, I want to hug them and scream with them and eat with them all. 

But maybe this year it wont happen, and I rather it not happening than loosing any of them. 

Right now I cant smell, and everything hurts, but it kinda helps ease things when i remember this and when I think they all are still kinda healthy. 

Maybe when it all passes we can make a march reunion, to celebrate my grandma’s birthday. In the meantime, I’m going to try to get better and wish for this Christmas to not suck now that It’s only my main family and I. 

Hope everyone is safe, I hope you can at least see your parents or siblings. I hope you dont get sick nor have to spend time at a hospital or anything. I hope all who are, get help and dont get worse. I hope you all get better. 

Hope you have Happy Holidays. 

[evak-elu-nicotino]

This is my first Nicotino fic, please be nice with me :)

Okay, so that was Martino’s life now. He actually got a boyfriend, a few weeks ago. How, he will never understand. How could Niccolò could ever be his, he actually didn’t get it. He couldn’t possibly wrap his brain around it. As weird as it is, life still goes on. A few months ago he thought he was straight…well, no. Not really. He just thought he was going to be locked in that closet forever. And coming out to himself was definitely the hardest part. Telling Gio was easier than admitting that he was feeling things for Niccolò, things he didn’t ever feel before. And even his crush on Gio last year couldn’t compare. So, yeah, he couldn’t lie to himself anymore. To anyone, for that matter. His parents both knew by now, his friends, the girls…It was all good. Especially if it meant that he could stare at Niccolò all day and not be scared to get caught looking at him. That guy was way too hot for him.

Speaking of which…The door to his bedroom sprang open and Niccolò came in, smile tugging at his lips. Martino’s mom was away for the weekend, she finally got around to get a train ticket and wanted to visit Aunt Cecina. So, naturally, Martino called Niccolò straight away, and they had plans for the whole weekend. Which mainly included kissing, making out…Marti’s favorite activity, to be honest. But his train of thoughts was derailed by Niccolò hoping on the bed and kissing him senseless, making Marti blush like a schoolgirl. Nico looked at him like Christmas came early, which kind of did, thanks to Mamma Rametta. They didn’t often get the whole apartment to themselves, since Niccolò’s mom was working from home these days. So yeah, Elisabetta Rametta’s weekend away to her sister’s house fell on point.

Marti stopped thinking about his mother and aunt, and took Nico’s face into his hands, eyes closed. They barely even kissed and he was getting worked up already, inevitable proof that Niccolò did things to him he couldn’t even imagine before crossing paths. “You’re thinking too loud”, Niccolò said, smiling, eyes closed as well. Marti just looked at him, breath catching in his throat. “How come you’re so beautiful and I get to kiss you, that’s something I will never understand”, he couldn’t help the words fall out of his lips. Blush spread across his cheeks as Niccolò opened his eyes, dark with something fonder than affection. “You’re not so bad yourself”, Nico smiled against Martino’s lips. His lips were on fire, just being so close to Niccolò. He breathed into his shoulder’s skin, nuzzling his nose against his boyfriend, smelling him in. How could someone affect him so much ? He thought, trying to calm himself down. Nico tilted his chin up, and looked at him, eyes curious. “Can I ask you something ?”, he said, acting as if his proximity wasn’t almost too much for Martino. He nodded, staring into his eyes. Nico kissed him, hard, long, and Marti willed himself to cool down. How come girls never affected him this way ? “Am I your first ?” Nico was leaving kisses on his skin, his earlobe, his neck, and Marti drew a sharp breath. That was definitely a spot he liked, and Niccolò seemed to catch on it. He latched on his skin, sucking, biting; and Marti was gone. He was panting by the time Nico reached his lips again, smiling, the little fucker. Marti opened his eyes to find his boyfriend taking his own shirt off. Shit. He gaped at him, mouth dry all of a sudden. Niccolò wasn’t kidding when he did say that he liked to work out. His toned abs, his arms, his stomach…Everything was tight and tanned, and Martino bit back a moan. He was gone for this boy, this gorgeous creature facing him. Niccolò laughed, and Marti stared at him, puzzled. “Did you forget my question ? Oh, and also, staring much ?” Marti smiled, caught red-handed. He took Nico by the waist, his hips aligned with this. He breathed in, cheeks red, the sight before him going straight to his dick. At this rate Nico would soon understand how much Marti was affected. “Yeah”, he simply said, not caring to elaborate. “Am I yours ?” Nico smirked. “You wish”, he laughed against Martino’s lips, kissing him again, making him short of breath. Oh wow. Kissing had never been this good.

[thots4daze]

HAPPY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL ! ! !                                                   IT’S A ME, Z !

i’ve been hella busy writing a whole bunch of stuffs for rps that i have joined and what not. but this little gem right here i have been working on tirelessly for the last week or so because i was being a lazy asshole and couldn’t narrow down all the ideas i had in mind for this~!

SO! This is my Secret Santa gift to the lovely and wonderfully talented @haikyuu-philia​ HEY BABY ! ! ! ! SURPRISE IT’S ME ! I hope you enjoy this fic I have composed for you.

Have a Merry Merry Christmas and holiday season and an even better start to your New Year ! ! !

FLUFF AND MORE FLUFF BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE EVER ADORABLE SUGAWARA KOUSHI

ENJOY LOVE !

It’s been a few years of you living abroad, studying hard and working even harder to make sure your life goals stay on track. Everything in life you have had a goal or plan and for the most part stick to it. Making sure to account for everything. The one thing that you never could have planned or accounted for came in the form of a sweet, literal angel on earth. With ashen silver locks, kind, warm eyes. Sugawara Koushi. A classmate of yours, and the first person to talk with you when you first enrolled into the university. Calm, polite and so, so very handsome how could you not enjoy speaking with the young man. Soon, casual conversations in class turned to walking to classes together, talking in  hushed tones with little inside jokes spoken to one another. Catching glances from across the room at the sorority and frat parties, tipping solo cups in each other’s directions. Linking arms and sharing umbrellas. Everything seemed so wholesome and perfect. And utterly unplanned. You found yourself falling harder and harder for your guardian angel. Something that was not part of your 5 year plan. Not to mention, with you being a shy person by nature - it was just surprising is all. But he, he’s the kind soul that he is, it was so easy for you to lose yourself in his presence, his words comforting and warm. He was able to pull you from your shell no matter the situation and after some time it became something that you looked for. Time together was spent hanging out with his friends or just the two of you. Enjoying the other’s company, reading, going to the local cafes and trying out some sort of new food of fad - snapshots taken to preserve the wonderful and fun moments. Suga had wanted to talk with you as soon as he saw your timid form stroll into his first class of his freshman semester. How could he not? You were cute and you looked out of place in the Japanese university, but never in a bad way - he would internally freak out and try to back track as if he spoke the words out loud and offended you. He would never, in a million years, want to do anything that would offend you. He never would want to see that smile fade from your face. Once he saw that radiant smile come from you, and at something he said, he was a goner and made himself his own personal goal to always make you smile like that whenever he could.

                                             - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Christmas time was upon you, and you had planned out your holiday trip - starting with purchasing gifts for your family and friends. One friend in particular; a amber eyed angel. You had decided to purchase a new watch for the guy, seeing as you may have been the cause of why his last watch is no longer operational. By complete accident of course. So, this was the perfect gift in your eyes. You may have also planned to announce your feelings for him too. But it would have to wait until after Christmas. You had plans to travel back home to see your family and your plans would not be derailed.

Or so you had hoped.

Again, the plans of your life had a wrench thrown in to knock you back a few steps. You mother had called you, you thinking it was to finalize the travel plans for the winter vacation. Instead it was her to tell you that they had received a nice bonus from your dad’s job and they were going to kick it on the beach and enjoy the warm weather this Christmas time.

“I’m sorry baby, but your father just surprised me with the news!” Your mother was apologetic but you could hear the excitement in her voice. You were happy for the two of them, they needed time away from it all. So you wished them a Merry Christmas and that you’d make plans to visit them in the new year.

Sighing you hung up and laid there on your apartment couch, wondering what you were gonna do. Christmas was in a few days and you had canceled any and all other plans with friends expecting to be on a plane heading home to see the family.

As you were contemplating on what you were going to do you received a text message from Sugawara. A giant grin gracing your features. You couldn’t help but to smile anytime you were with him or hell, even thought of the man. He was just too perfect.

Hey, Y/N what’re you doing tmro?

Nothing. You? Immediately you typed a reply and before you could second guess yourself hit the send button. The three little dots flashing at the bottom of the screen got your heart racing. His reply only made it beat quicker as a small blush coated your cheeks.

Perfect. Be ready by 6~

Yep. Definitely perfect.

                                            - - - - - - - - - - - -

Christmas Eve was upon you in a flash. You had spent as much time as possible making sure your outfit was in perfect condition. You were not going to mess up this night! Shyness be damned!

However, as 6 o'clock drew near you were beginning to get nervous. Anxious more like. Was this a date? No. It was just you going out. On Christmas eve, with a friend. Who happens to be a guy. Who also happens to be the guy you have a huge crush on. As you continued on down your list you felt you skin grow hotter by the second. Blushing furiously you shook your head to try and rid yourself of those embarrassing thoughts. Though, you wouldn’t mind being closer to Koushi than you are now.

Content sighs escaped your painted lips as you finished touching up your outfit, double checking that his gift was still wrapped nicely and snug in your purse. A giddy feeling began to take over and soon there was a knock at the door. There on the other side was Sugawara looking like a downright snack. Dark skinny fitted jeans with his dress boots, a colorful sweater blending blues and purples and pinks together beautifully brought out the sparkles in his eyes as he looked you over. The color rushed to your cheeks once more as you caught his gaze as it raked up and down your form - more than once. A feeling of pride but also second guessing your choice in attire. All negative thoughts were blown away when he opened his mouth, a large smile on his face,

“You look amazing.”

The smile that you graced him with nearly knocked him back just by the sheer genuineness of it. He loved that smile of yours and loved even more knowing that it was directed at him, because of him. Sugawara could die a happy man just from that alone. Though, he would be missing you terribly.

Extending his elbow for you to take he called out to you drawing you from your less than appropriate thoughts, “Well? Shall we go, m'lady?” You nodded your head and took his arm, making sure to grab your purse and keys, locking up before the two of you took off on your adventure. As the two of you walked and conversed he informed you that you would be sharing a nice, warm dinner before going out for some hot chocolate or coffee, “Lady’s choice of course,” he added with a wink and from there it would be up in the air.

“Do you think we could go look at the lights? I haven’t gotten the chance yet this year,” you asked tightening your small grip on his arm, leaning into his frame more and more, trying to bite back the shiver that was taking over your body. He seemed to have noticed and brought you in closer, holding you tight and squeezing your hand just a tad bit.

A beautiful smile lit up the evening as he looked down at you, “Whatever you want to do, Y/N. It’s Christmas Eve.”

                                            - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Dinner was fantastic, you didn’t expect anything less, but you also didn’t expect it to be as fancy as it was either. Much more elegant that the other times you two have gone out. As friends. Strictly as friends… but tonight, it felt so much different. Felt so… right. The two of you had taken your time in heading to the little cafe that became your unofficial place. The place you would go to after classes together, or met up with each other during weekends, and study dates and it was the first place he turned to when he was trying to find you and you weren’t at your apartment. It was just your spot. And it was always going to be.

With warm cups in hand, you decided that now was the time to go view the lights in the park and in the market. Shop keepers went all out during the Christmas time, making sure to decorate and put lights up around the shops - inside and out. It lights up the night like only Christmas can and it was something you always made time for during the holiday season. Who was Suga to deny you your tradition?

So there you two were, warm cups in one hand while the others were preoccupied with one another. Holding hands, lightly squeezing the other to make sure they were still there. So as to not float away. The feeling of his hand in yours, it sent jolts of excitement and warmth and courage course through you. You didn’t want the feeling to fade. If only you knew that he was feeling the same; drawing from you all the emotions he wished he could tell you without being afraid or nervous or anxious. He would settle with just this for now if that’s what he could get.

The center of the market was fast approaching and with that it meant that more shops were going to have more decorations and lights meaning that it was going to be very bright and very magical. The perfect spot to give him his gift you thought to yourself, a fire burning in you to shake away all nervousness. And with this new found power within you, you began to tug and pull him along at a faster speed, him calling out with a chuckle to get your attention, “Whoa! Y/N!”

You stopped abruptly nearly causing Sugawara to run into you. Almost. Thankfully his reflexes from volleyball had helped him with his balance and he caught himself before causing any damage to your perfect frame. Once he was able to regain his posture you were spinning around to face him. Lights from every angle casting light across your features and he audibly sucked in a breath. He didn’t even notice that you had let go of his hands and were holding a small, neatly wrapped package in front of you. Sugawara Koushi was so captured by your beauty and the moment that his body acted on it’s own accord. Soon he found himself edging closer to your frame, tilting your chin up ever so slightly. His breath mixed with yours between your bodies in the cold air.

Hands came up, in what seemed like slow motion, to grip your upper arms lightly, but enough to know they were there. Suga’s face was inching closer and closer to your own. It all happened so fast, but so slow at the same time. You couldn’t react to him fast enough and soon you found his lips pressed against your own. Chapped and warm but also soft and you could taste the caramel from his coffee from earlier. It all came together in a very Koushi fashion and you couldn’t stop the smile that took root on your face, even as you two stood there in the middle of the pathway, lips locked together.

It was over as fast as it took place, with Sugawara pulling away first, a dark blush tinting his cheeks. If you hadn’t known any better you would have just thought that it was from the cold. “I-I’m sorry, Y/N, but I couldn’t help myself. You’re so cute and wonderful and kind and I’ve liked you for a long time now. And just now with the lights and tonight’s been a great night I just needed to take the plunge, ya know? And-,” he didn’t get to finish his rambling as you cut him off connecting your lips to his once more.

This time it was longer and deeper and much more fulfilling. Fresh, light snow falling gently down onto your intertwined bodies. Pulling away your breaths mixed between the two of you. “I really like you too,” but it was his turn to interrupt you, “What about your plans and goals. I know how much your future means to you and-”

“Koushi~,” you cooed, “Just shut up and kiss me.”

Blinking in surprise. Where did this take control Y/N come from? He didn’t mind it in the slightest. It was refreshing actually. So he didn’t even try to resist the laugh that sprung from him. With foreheads touching, his hands wrapped around your body he pulled you as close to him possible. “I think I can manage that.”

Christmas Eve. A time that is spent with friends and family. A time to celebrate and live and love. Your time spent with Sugawara Koushi was always welcomed. It was time well spent in the company of warmth and genuineness care and just… home. Every other time you spent together was nice. Good. Friendly. But this, this time, it was different. Everything about tonight was. But it wasn’t a bad different. And it definitely wasn’t according to plan. But fuck the plans. You two were happy, and that’s all that mattered.

[n0ttinghamshad0w]

It's not like I'm falling in love, I just want you to do me no good And you look like you could

ROBIN OLIVER HUNT (Name at birth: Robin Huang; Alias: Robert Oliver Gardner)

Birthday: March 12 1990 (Pisces) Hogwarts House (Primary):  Gryffindor Hogwarts House (Secondary): Slytherin Myers-Briggs: ENFP Enneagram: Type 8 Height:  5’9

Overview:

Mother:

1.       Unknown—Linda Huang, still alive, forced to give up her child by her conservative parents who did not want her raising a child out of wedlock, has not tried to make contact with her son.

2.       Mother Florence—the head nun at Nottingham Orphanage, firm, but kind; strict, but genuinely wanted the best for the children; had a soft spot for Robin, since he’d been there for like all his life.

3.       Barbara Economides—Robin’s first foster mom, had six kids of her own, but room in her heart for a dozen more

Father:

1.       Unknown—Ernesto Rosetti

2.       George Economides—Robin’s first foster dad, loving and hard-working man, who unfortunately did not have a very hard-working cardiovascular system. Died of a heart attack when Robin was ~12

Mother’s Occupation: he doesn’t care about his birth mom, but Barbara owned a bakery

Father’s Occupation: he doesn’t care about his birth dad, but George owned a bakery

Family Finances: well, none of the homes he was in were great financially

Birth Order: only child as far as he’s concerned

Siblings: N/A--(Stefan, Petros, Elek, Idola, Eileen, Karena...the Economides kids)

Other Close Family: None

Best Friend: Joan Woode (28)

Other Friends: Tuck Frere (26), Martin Maddon (18), Fakhir Azhar (27)

Enemies: all those who neglect/abuse their children

Pets: none, would love a bird or a fox tho

Home Life During Childhood: He was in an orphanage till he was nine, and it was not a bad orphanage at all, just massively under-funded. At nine, he was placed in a foster home, a large Greek family, and he was very well-loved and well-taken care of, but the father dropped dead of a heart attack when Robin was 12 and the Economides family had to move and they couldn’t take care of Robin. He shuffled through like four other foster homes, at least one of which he was badly abused in, till at seventeen, he just didn’t come home one day and the family never reported it and that was that.

Town or City Name(s): Nottingham, England

What Did His Bedroom Look Like: Never had a steady room, or one of his own. Always shared with someone else, always a small bed.

Any Sports or Clubs: Nah, he was the type of kid who hung out under bridges and threw stuff.

Favorite Toy or Game: Had a toy archery kit back at the Economides house

Schooling: left school at seventeen

Favorite Subject: History and English, loved old stories of Robin Hood

Popular or Loner: loner---’cept he was real popular with the “troubled” kids, the freak in freaks and geeks

Important Experiences or Events: When George died, the abuse at the other foster homes

Health Problems: None

Culture: English?? He’s actually Italian and Chinese, but wouldn’t know at all. Considers himself Greek, if anything

Religion and beliefs: The only time in his life when he was religious was when he lived with the Economides family and went to church on the reg, since then, he’s convinced that if a God does exist, he’s a shitty God and only people can really help each other

Your Character’s Character:

Bad Habits: smoking, drinking, commitment issues, def has ghosted girls before...oh yeah, uh, stealing things??? He’s also a pickpocket

Good Habits: very good with children, when he wants to be he’s very kindhearted, very charismatic, very charming, good sweet-talker

Best Characteristic: intense--has his set of beliefs and morals and will stick by them

Worst Characteristic: intense--to the point where he isolates himself

Worst Memory: The moment the Economides family left him at the social services office (also George’s death lbr)

Best Memory: His first Christmas with the Economides family

Proud of: the money he’s been able to give back to the orphanage

Embarrassed by: his lack of formal education

Driving Style: erratically, I don’t think he has a license but he definitely knows how to drive--does not get into accidents, but is hella reckless

Strong Points: passionate, believes in a cause, dedicated friend, charming, charismatic, quick-learner, good with his hands

Temperament: sanguine

Attitude: passionate, intense

Weakness: has a very specific mission, keeps people at a distance unless you’ve proved yourself to him, you can know him but never really know him

Fears: man, uh, not being able to make a difference

Phobias: abandonment issues~~~

Secrets: the fact that he’s a master thief

Regrets: not finishing secondary, not being like a better person or whatever

Feels Vulnerable When: talking about his past

Pet Peeves: tourists (but they make good bait), people who hate on people who use subtitles, americans, mac copmputers

Conflicts: his very idealistic moral code vs reality, his very idealistic moral code and mission vs caring about his own life/needs

Motivation: justice for children

Short Term Goals and Hopes: find Tuck’s family, steal from Tuck’s family, find Martin, find enough money to get Fakhir a good lawyer

Long Term Goals and Hopes: well shit, making a difference in the lives of people somehow

Sexuality: heterosexual, but could be convinced to fuck a bloke

Exercise Routine: just generally active, runs a fair bit, likes to play sports with friends

Day or Night Person — Night

Introvert or Extrovert — Extrovert

Optimist or Pessimist — Optimist

Likes and Styles:

Music: alt-rock, classic rock, rock in general, also some punk

Books: he likes old stories and folktales (ie; Robin Hood whom he modeled himself after), but does have a soft spot for some high fantasy books (he’s a big fan of Lloyd Alexander’s work--wait, I guess that doesn’t exist since The Black Cauldron is disney but IM SURE HE HAD SOME SORTA EQUIVALENT...The Beige Cauldron) and adventure novels

Magazines: GQ probs let’s be real. Never bought one, always knicked ‘em out of newstands. ALso probably playboy……...Recently has been into tech mags.

Foods: Greek food---reminds him of his time with the Economides family. Loves him a good lamb gyro with a big side of chips.

Drinks: Whiskey--straight up. Not a huge tea drinker, but likes a strong Turkish coffee. Also Gin and Tonics

Animals: Foxes and birds of prey. Tbh, kinda hates that the name the orphanage gave him is ROBIN for crying out loud it sounds so fuckin’ wimpy

Sports: big football fan, also into rugby, probably out of all my characters the one who follows sports the most jeez

Social Issues: def def a huge proponent for children’s rights, especially within the foster system; that’s his biggest thing, but he’s also really for Magick-Rights and against the pressing xenophobia and nationalism that’s rising in a lot of Western European nations

Favorite Saying: Faint heart never won fair lady; As you wish

Color: Dark forest green

Clothing: enough to maintain his image as a #rebel, but def does not invest toooo much in fashion. Lots of cool jackets, mostly darker colors

Jewelry: nah, mate that’s excessive (has this pendent that Barbara gave him that used to be George’s but that’s it)

Games: loves dominoes a lot actually

Websites: uhh reddit probably

TV Shows: probs into Game of Thrones and #epic period dramas

Movies: his absolute favorite movie is The Princess Bride, he loves good action flicks with a dash of epic romance--something with a real hero. Also probs a Star Wars fan. V for Vendetta

Greatest Want: to make a difference in the world, to make sure no child is ever hurt

Greatest Need: to let people in

Where and How Does Your Character Live Now:

Home: small studio apartment in Benbow

Household furnishings: sparse, probs just sleeps on a mattress let’s be real, has a hot plate and a mini fridge, uses a crate for a coffee table

Favorite Possession: his trusty pocket knife, one of the first things he bought with his own money

Most Cherished Possession: necklace that Barbara Economides gave to him that used to belong to George, it is a Greek Cross

Married Before: Nope.

Significant Other Before: the only serious one was this rather posh girl when he was 21. She ended up getting pregnant, but got an abortion and the relationship sorta derailed after that.

Children: nah

Relationship with Family: lol

Car: n/a

Career: no “career”--has worked service jobs and manual labor, was a bartender for a bit but quit bc of the Fakhir thing

Dream Career: god, he doesn’t know--maybe a social worker, tbh, or owning some sort of afterschool program for kids

Dream Life: he wouldn’t tell you, but being married to a beautiful girl, having a buncha kids, adopting a bunch too

Love Life: a string of one-night stands and brief dramatic love affairs that ended like smoke in the night

Hobbies : knife-throwing, wood-carving

Guilty Pleasure : women?

Sports or Clubs: not at the moment

Talents or Skills : wood-carving, bartending, bit of an amateur hacker, decent dancer and football player, decent at like climbing things lol, lock-picking, stealth talents

Intelligence Level: Never did well in school, but is quite very streetsmart and can read people very well, knowledgable on random things, courtsey of Tuck 

Finances: not as bad as you’d think, but still def the poorest out of my characters. He’s the type of dude who gives everything he gets back--always drops in coins for street musicians, always

[finn-nelson-for-the-win]

After over a week, I'm back with another update!

Hello there, lovelies! Hopefully the anticipation wasn’t too bad...But alas! Here I am, back again with the next chapter. Admittedly, this chapter took much longer than anticipated for me to write and even though I knew exactly what was going to happen, I still struggled to find the right way to convey it for maximum impact...idk, I've also been finding it a little tricky to find time to write with all the random stuff I've had going on in real life lately. 😬

Anyways...I hope you enjoy this because I'm not sure when the next time I will post will be...and as always, I love hearing what you guys have to say and seeing all the love you guys show to my writing...it's a large reason as to why I even make an effort to post my writings anymore, so thanks! 😘 All my previous chapters can be found right here, if you wish to get caught up.

Making Up for Lost Time

I can’t believe I’m about the say this, but…I can’t wait to go to work tomorrow. 

It was Christmas day—the day in which families near and far gather to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate—and Rae could not be unhappier.

There surely must have been a time when Rae felt differently about Christmas. Perhaps when she was a child and was still basking in the naivety of youth; however, for the last few years Rae has found this holiday to feel like more of a burden and be emotionally draining to the point that she has lost the childlike sense of wonder that used to be synonymous with Christmas time when she was younger.

Rae had been awakened before the sun had even fully risen by loud crashing and the unmistakable scent of charred food that could only mean one thing: Rae’s mother was trying to cook. Trying, but certainly not succeeding.

“Wait! Stop what you’re doing, right now! Get the coffee started to brew and I’ll take over from here. Please mum, before you burn the house down, I beg of you!” Rae called from the room she had slept in to her mother in the kitchen as she tied her plush dressing gown around her waist and slid her feet into her favorite pair of slippers before rushing to the kitchen.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Rachel! It isn’t that bad…” Rae’s mum took a glance at the disheveled stack of what appeared to be pancakes that were simultaneously burned on the outside and completely raw inside, “On second thought…perhaps I will just get the coffee started. Can you take over for me here?”

“By ‘take over’, you mean ‘start completely from scratch because these ones are inedible’, right?” Rae joked, gently nudging her mum with her hip as her mum grabbed the coffee from the cabinet above their stove.

The rest of the family awoke on their own accord and grabbed their breakfast before returning to their respective rooms to eat on their own, as even during the holidays, Rae’s family could not adhere to the formalities of spending time together as a family.

The rest of the day proceeded in much of the same fashion: Rae confined to the kitchen as she was the only member of the family who was willing and able to take the lead on cooking Christmas dinner, while the rest of her family came and went as they pleased.

By the end of the night when the gifts had been exchanged and opened, dinner had been eaten, and the dishes had been cleaned, everyone was ready to go to bed for the night; however, Rae still had to travel back to her apartment in the city, as she had work early the following morning.

And by the time Rae had returned to her apartment and was able to climb into the comforting warmth of her bed, it was already the early hours of morning, and as Rae tossed and turned trying to get some sleep, she could already see the earliest signs of the sunrise on the horizon.

***

The first three and a half hours of Rae’s shift at work were downright torturous. The café down the street from Rae’s work was closed for Christmas weekend, so Rae begrudgingly had to forego the cup of coffee she had been looking forward to getting on her way to work. When Rae arrived at work, she was looking forward to the warm, coziness of an office building with the heater running to help warm her up from her walk to work that morning; however, she quickly realized upon arriving at work that the heating system was not functioning correctly and there was no one available to fix the heating system until Tuesday, due to the holiday. 

Ugh, fucking Christmas ruins everything…

Mondays at work were generally pretty quiet and today was no exception. Most of Rae’s coworkers had taken off work today to spend another day with their families, but Rae was more than happy to return to the city for work opposed to spending any additional time with her family.

When Rae’s scheduled break time finally came, Rae was thankful for the fifteen minutes to walk around outside and warm up a bit, as the sun was shining and it felt warm on her skin through her clothes despite the chill in the air.

When Rae had a few minutes left in her break, she returned to the break room and purchased an energy drink from the vending machine. She took a few long drinks from the can before setting it into the office refrigerator for her to finish after she got off of work.

Rae sat back down in her desk chair when she returned from break and got back to work responding to customers when after a while she sensed—rather than saw—someone walk up and sit down in the seat beside her.

“Hey stranger,” she greeted with a smirk as she quickly finished typing the message she had started, sent it, and turned in her desk chair to meet the familiar, warm dark brown eyes of the person who had taken a seat at the empty desk beside her.

Note to self: “Hey stranger” as a greeting holds the same meaning and creates the same sexual tension as “make me” during a squabble…

“Rae…” Finn’s eyes lit up when he said her name and they locked eyes, derailing his train of thought and making him forget what else he intended to say to Rae in that moment.

“It’s been a really long time since I’ve seen you, Finnley! We really missed you…”

“I missed you, Mae…like a lot!” Finn chuckled and blushed lightly as he turned his head away to avoid making direct eye contact with Rae. 

I told him “we” missed him, but Finn just openly admitted to missing me in particular! No fucking way!

“So where have you been for the last couple weeks?” Rae asked as she picked up another customer conversation in an attempt at nonchalance.

“I was traveling a bit…with my band—”

Wait, did Finn just say...

“With your band? You’re in a band..?” Rae asked, her eyebrows furrowing as in confusion as she was fairly sure that she had misheard what Finn said. 

Fucking hell, as if this bloke needed to get any more attractive!

“Yeah, I’m in a punk band…” 

Of course you are.

“And I play the bass.”

“Of course you fucking do!” Rae rolled her eyes as she said this, which caused Finn to laugh and grin at Rae and she quickly realized that she had said her last thought aloud.

"What's that supposed to mean, Mae? What's wrong with me being in a band and playing bass?" 

Well…shit.

"It's just I always find myself...drawn to guys—I mean people—that are in bands...so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you're musically inclined as well"

"You say the weirdest things sometimes," Finn was still chuckling before he smiled at Rae and looked at her with his dark brown eyes full of sincerity, "but I love that about you. I like talking to you, and in case you haven't noticed, I don't really like talking to anyone."

"Well...I like talking to you too, and I'm very selective about who I talk to." Rae replied, her cheeks still tinged slightly pinker than they would usually be.

"So I guess I'm one lucky guy, huh?" Finn smirked and winked at Rae but did not turn his desk chair away from her even as she returned her eyes to her computer screen to continue assisting customers.

"I, uh...I really missed you Rae...like probably too much," Finn chuckled nervously before continuing. "How was your Christmas? What gifts did you get? Don't spare me the details! I haven’t been able to see ya or talk to ya in weeks and I want to know all about it, girl!”

"My Christmas was okay,” Rae began shifting nervously about being the center of attention as Finn remained focused on her, not even making an attempt to seem like he was actually working, “I spent the day with my family and I did a lot of cooking. And for presents I mostly just got some new clothes, some proper baking equipment so I can bake more often and work on my decorating skills, and a new record player.”

“That’s great, Rae! I’m so glad to hear that you got some nice gifts. And it’s so fucking cool that you got a record player! Did you get any records or do you already have some?” Finn asked, his eyes shining with a child-like happiness as he dove into yet another discussion about music with Rae that he has missed dearly in the weeks he has been gone.

“Yeah, I got a few records…Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Offspring, and The Ramones…most of them are just the Greatest Hits compilations, but yeah…I’m really excited to give’em a spin!”

“That’s a great start to a collection, Rae! I have a few records of my own that I think you might like, so just let me know if you ever wanna borrow some or, erm, hang out and listen to music together or whatever…” Finn broke eye contact for the first time during their conversation and looked down at his lap as he bounced his left leg rapidly and began biting the skin around his thumb nail.

“I’d love that, Finn! Thank you!” Rae added in a reassuring tone that made Finn smile and eased some of his tension and concerns.

“And you said you also got some new baking equipment or something?”

“Uh, yeah! I got a standing mixer and some new baking pans and trays, and some interchangeable decorating tips and stencils. I only had the basics at my apartment before this, so I’m happy that now I can learn new techniques and hone my decorating skills some more.”

Finn smiled as he noticed the light that came into Rae’s eyes when she was talking about something that she loves and truly enjoys. She noticed him grinning at her and tilted her head to the side in confusion. 

What did I say to make Finn look at me like that?

“You really love cooking and baking, huh?” Finn asked with genuine curiosity.

“I suppose so. I think it’s fun and a good way to relax…and I’ve had a number of people tell me I’m quite good at it, so I might as well enjoy cooking, right?” Rae replied, trying to downplay her passion for cooking and come across as casual as possible.

“I know you can bake—fuck, as if I could ever forget the cupcakes you made—but you seem like you’re a really good cook just in general.” Rae shrugged and blushed a bit at his flattery, but Finn was not content with her humbly brushing off the compliment.

“I’m serious, Rae! You could totally compete in those cooking show competitions! You know, like Chopped or Iron Chef or something like that…You would most likely win too!”

“Okay Finnley, I think you’re giving me a little bit too much credit for someone who has only ever tasted one thing I’ve cooked…”

“Perhaps you’re right…maybe you should cook me a romantic dinner one of these days and then I can truly be the judge of your talents.” Finn wiggled his eyebrows and winked at Rae, which made her blush and chuckle nervously. 

Finn is just joking, surely. He can’t be seriously about us having dinner together, obviously…but why does the look in his eyes give the impression that he meant what he said..?

Finn noticed Rae’s silence as she over-analyzed what he had said and wrongly interpreted it, assuming that his attempt at flirting had made her uncomfortable, so he quickly tried to get the conversation back on track. 

“No, but seriously. I don’t think I’m giving you too much credit, Rae…that one cupcake was more than enough to convince me. I just…I-I know that you’re amazing at everything you set your mind to and I can see the passion in your eyes when you talk about cooking.” Finn looked at Rae and smiled when the intensity of his stare cause her to look away before he continued.

“So even if you don’t believe it yet yourself, I know you have the talent and passion and I look forward to the day that I see you on TV and can brag to everyone I know that I was lucky enough to taste your cupcakes. And I’m gonna be so proud of you, girl!”

Rae was at a loss for words and was not entirely sure how to react to the unwavering confidence and belief Finn has in her abilities as a chef.

She tuned slightly in her chair to say something but her train of thought was completely derailed when she saw that Finn was still smiling at her, but he was paying extra attention to her facial features to get a better reading of her reaction.

Holy shit…is it possible that Finn could have gotten MORE fit in the two weeks since I saw him last? He’s so hot I could probably forgo the oven and bake cookies directly on this beautiful bloke in front of me!

Rae chuckled, which caused Finn to quirk an eyebrow up in confusion, and she shook the humorous thought of baking cookies directly on Finn’s naked torso from her mind before finally responding.

“Thank you, Finn. I don’t think I’ve ever known someone with so much faith in me or my cooking abilities…so I really appreciate that,” Rae cleared her throat before continuing, “Anyways! Enough about me and my life these last few weeks…you were off traveling with your fucking punk band! That’s amazing! How was that? What all did you do? Don’t spare me the details either.”

“Yeah, it was pretty great…at first…the first few shows we did were really good and we had a good sized crowd that listened to us even though we were only the opening act. But after about a week, all of us were missing our girlfriends and the people we had waiting for us here at home…And you never really know how much of a twat some of your friends are until you travel and share hotels with them non-stop for a week!”

Rae laughed and turned slightly to face Finn more directly as he continued with his story.

“Our last show was supposed to be on Christmas Eve—so I wasn’t going to be back with my family for Christmas—but we had our van broken into and stolen from the parking lot of our hotel one night, so we had to cancel the rest of our shows because all our equipment and a lot of our stuff was inside the van that was taken…”

“Holy shit, Finn! Are you serious? I am so sorry to hear that.” Rae met Finn’s gaze and his grimace turned into some semblance of a genuine smile when he saw the sincerity and overwhelming sympathy in Rae’s eyes.

“Yeah…it was pretty shitty…but this meant we were able to head home four days early and spend Christmas with our loved ones, so that was a blessing in disguise, I suppose.” Finn replied as he shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s a good way to look at it Finn! What did you and your family do for Christmas?”

“Nothing too interesting. It were just me, my dad, my stepmom, and my two sisters. I got some new clothes as well, a really nice blanket, and a popcorn popper from my family…I just felt really guilty that I didn’t have gifts to give them in return.”

Rae tilted her head to one side and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, waiting for Finn to go on. Finn proceeded to tell Rae that the day before their van was stolen, him and his band mates had spent their free day visiting the shops around the town they were in to get the last of their Christmas gifts for family, friends, and significant others.

“Well, ya see, all the gifts I gotten for people were in the back of the van that got stolen…” As the understanding sunk in, Rae gasped and gave Finn an apologetic look as he continued telling the story.

“I was gutted to see that everything I had was taken because some of the gifts had sentimental value and special meaning—they weren’t just bought from a store—so it’ll be nearly impossible for me to replace all the gifts, but I am gonna try. Do you think people will be upset that I couldn’t give them a gift?” Finn broke eye contact, shifting his gaze to examine his fingernails that he had bitten down significantly while coping with recent stressful events. 

“Finn, of course not!” Rae finished the message she was typing before reaching her left hand over to gently squeeze his hands where they rested on the desk beside her before continuing, “This wasn’t your fault at all, so anyone should be able to understand why you weren’t able to give them a gift. It means enough that you tried and that you are trying to make it up to them, I honestly don’t even think you should concern yourself with what other people will think. If you have the right people in your life, they will be more than understanding of the situation…”

Rae studied Finn’s face, which was now turned slightly away from her as he stared at the ground, and the panic began to set in as she began to second-guess what she had just said to him. Finn then looked up at Rae from under his thick eyebrows and a grin spread slowly across his face when their eyes met.

“I’m not sure how, but I had a feeling you’d say something like that, Rae,” Finn finally replied, chuckling nervously as he ran his fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, “I like that mentality.”

Rae and Finn fell into a comfortable silence for the remaining hour of her shift, as she kept responding to customers and Finn began assisting the first customers of his shift despite being logged into his computer for a few hours.

When the clocks on the wall nearest to them chimed, signaling the new hour, Rae logged off of her computer and stood from her desk chair to leave.

“Okay, I’m leaving for the day. It was really nice to see ya today, Finn…” 

Don’t you say it, Rae…Don’t you dare fucking say it!

“I, uh…I really missed you while you were gone too, Finn.” 

Fuck…you said it.

Rae hurried out of the building, not willing to wait for Finn’s response to her admitting that she had missed him, as she was sure that his reaction would not be a good one.

***

As she walked along the perimeter of the building toward the seating area in which a number of shaded stone tables served as the designated “smoking area” near their office complex, Rae took a seat at one of the tables that was in direct sunlight in an attempt to recover some of the warmth she had been lacking inside the building for the last few hours.

Rae was sitting at this table for a few minutes, drinking the remainder of her energy drink and scrolling through her social media accounts when she noticed someone walking quickly towards the table she was sitting at.

“Fancy seeing you here! Why are you sitting out here alone?”

Rae looked up to see Finn standing in front of the table she was sitting at and she could clearly tell that he was debating if he should take a seat as well or not.

“Hiya Finn…I haven’t seen you in ages!” Rae joked before continuing, “I was really cold, so I wanted to warm up a bit before walking home so I’m sitting here in the sun…and I wanted to finish drinking my energy drink…”

“Well…I can think of a few things we could do that could warm ya up…” Finn replied with a smirk as he sat down at the opposite side of the table facing Rae, which caused her to blush a deep red color.

“So…uh…what are you doing out here, Finn?”

“I’m on my break. Normally I like to walk laps around the building to get my blood pumping a bit or I’ll go get some food or coffee, but while I was walking today I saw you sitting here and well…”

“Oh! I’m sorry I’m ruining your break time. I can leave if ya want—”

“No! I mean…you don’t have to leave on my account. I want to sit and talk to you for a bit while I’m on break, if that’s alright with you. We still have a lot of making up for lost time to do, girl!”

“Okay…so what do ya wanna talk about, Finnley?”

“Uhm…do you wanna hear about a couple of my New Year’s resolutions?” Rae nodded and took another sip of her energy drink, giving Finn an encouraging smile as she waited for him to speak.

“Well…I want to start going to the gym more often. To get a bit healthier and build some muscles, you know? And…uh…I really want to stop smoking.”

“That’s great Finn! I’m happy to hear you’re making some choices to put your health first in this upcoming year.”

“Yeah…I mean, I don’t like that I smoke and I know a lot of people that matter to me that don’t like when the people around them smoke, so I’m willing to make those changes for them and for myself.”

Rae took another drink of her energy drink and watched in curiosity as Finn rolled an acorn back and forth on top of the table before he looked up to meet her eyes.

“What about you, Rae? Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?”

“Uh, not really. I don’t think they’re very effective—for me at least—and I almost never accomplish them, so I rarely make resolutions…I do, however, like to assess what the year that is ending meant for me and what I want the next year to bring…in general terms, at least.”

“So what do you want the year 2017 to bring you?”

“Well in 2016, I experienced a lot of high highs and low lows…and…well, I don’t really know how to say this without ranting about the intricacies of my screwed up life, but…”

“Rae, I understand if you don’t wanna tell me, but I just want to let you know you can tell me anything. I won’t judge you and even if I can’t help, I can promise you that I will try my fucking best to help however I can….I want you to trust me, Rae.”

Rae was caught off-guard by his sincerity as she searched his eyes for any indication that he did not mean what he was saying.

“Okay…well, I’ve had a rough few years. And by that, I suppose I mean that the last six years of my life have been very difficult and almost always seemed to be getting worse with each passing year…but even just the small changes I’ve made in my life in the last few months I think are small steps towards where I want to be…So I want 2017 to help me realize who are my true friends and help me surround myself with people that genuinely care for me and want me to be happy. I also want to keep working towards loving myself and embracing who I am at this point in my life, and yeah…I guess my new year’s resolution for 2017 would just be to be happy.” 

She took a deep breath and before she could psych herself out of saying what was on the tip of her tongue, Rae added “And I'm not entirely sure why, but I do trust you Finn…” 

As soon as the words left her lips, she immediately looked down at her hands on top of the stone table and busied herself with examining her long, polished red fingernails. 

“Oh, Rae…I’m so glad you felt comfortable telling me that and you don't know how happy I am to hear that you trust me,” he paused briefly and stared at her with a gentle smile until she looked up to meet his eyes and he continued, “I want you to be happy, girl. I know that you especially deserve to be happy because you’re world-class…and no, Rae, I’m not just saying that to be nice. I mean it. And I want to do whatever I can as your coworker and close mate and…well, whatever you want me to be, to help you be happy.” 

How did I get lucky enough to know such a fit boy that also has a heart of gold? I must have won the lottery or stepped into a parallel universe because this sort of shit never happens to Rae Earl…

Rae and Finn kept talking about everything and anything, just enjoying the pleasantly warm afternoon weather and each other’s company when Finn happened to glance at his phone to check the time.

“Shit…my break ended a while ago. I should probably head back to work now…I suppose. So...what your plans for the rest of the day, Rae?” Finn asked as he begrudgingly stood from the table and gave Rae a shy smile.

“My plans…for the rest of today? Well I was just gonna go back to my apartment…but I think maybe I’ll go to the Secret Garden instead.”

“Wait…Did you say, uh, ‘secret garden’…?”

“Yeah! It’s this little garden on campus where I’ve been growing some plants and vegetables for the last couple months…it’s well-hidden and almost no one knows about it, so it’s my secret garden. I like going there to just relax, or listen to music and think from time to time…”

“Oh, that’s so cool, Rae! And that sounds like a lot of fun…I wish I could come along so you could show me around your secret garden and I can just keep hanging out with you…but instead I have to go back to work.” 

Wait a second! Did Finn just openly admit how much he wants to keep hanging out with me and have me show him around my garden?

Every sexual innuendo Rae's friends have been making for the last few month since Rae took this gardening class came to mind and she tried to contain the giggle and ignore the blush that was creeping into her cheeks at the memory of Chloe’s advice to try to find a nice bloke who wanted to explore Rae's “lady garden”. 

FOCUS RAE! Finn Nelson just told you how much he'd rather spend time with you than go back to work...and he's clearly interested in exploring your secret garden, which could be literal or figurative and mean something sexual...in either case, I'm not complaining, but you have to say something! And DON’T FUCK IT UP, RAE!

“Uhm...well, I wish we could keep chatting and hanging out too, but you've already missed two weeks of work and what kind of influence would I be on you if I was the reason you ditch work less than halfway through your first day back?”

“I don't care...being with you is worth getting in trouble for missing work…” Finn replied almost immediately.

“Well I'm flattered you think that, Finn, but I just couldn't do that in good conscience. But…” Rae paused for dramatic effect and to ensure that she had Finn’s undivided attention, “I'd be more than happy to give you a personal tour of my garden another time, okay? So just consider this a rain check yeah?”

“Yeah, okay! I just hope it's soon...I'm excited to see this ‘secret garden’ of yours and experience it first-hand…” Finn added with a wink and his signature crooked smirk. 

Yup...that’s most definitely a euphemism…

 “I look forward to seeing you again very soon, Rae!”

“Yeah, for sure. Enjoy the rest of your shift at work, Finnley!”

He was already walking away quickly as she said this, since his fifteen minute break was going on nearly thirty minutes now and he couldn't risk being any later than he already was, but he turned back to face Rae where she still sat at the stone table before sighing longingly and adding, “Without you there, girl? It's impossible for me to enjoy work anymore when you're not around me...take care, love!” And he quickly turned and kept walking until he was out of Rae's line of sight. 

Holy shit...I have so much new information and stories to share with the girls now that Finn is back in town and back in my life!

Rae sighed dreamily and as she walked to her Uni campus and into the secret garden to tend to her plants. 

This handsome dickhead gives me heart palpitations in the best ways possible…

And as she watered her bush of luscious red roses that were just beginning to bloom, she could not wipe the dopey lovesick grin from her face as her favorite cover of Can't Help Falling in Love crooned from her Bluetooth speakers.

@eveerez @tinakegg @hey1tskat1e @bitchesbecrazy89 @kneekeyta @milllott @protectfinnnelson @arathewallflower @jackiewalsh2013 @pink-royaute @i-dream-of-emus @lurkernolonger @bitchy-broken

A/N: Hey there! I'm back again lol. So I'm at a point where I can take this story in two very different directions, but I have not decided which just yet. I want to do right by you all, the readers, but I also want to stay true to myself and gain some form of catharsis because I have literally been detailing some of my most recent relationship drama under the guise of MMFD fanfic for like 10? chapters now...so we'll just have to wait and see where the story takes me...in the meantime: I'm always here to answer your questions, gossip about MMFD and other MMFD fanfics, and get to know you guys, so...let's be friends, yeah? 😘😁😁😘

[pixelatedlenses]

Hi! I'm a recently accepted JET and I found your blog. I'm trying to research what it's like to be at school. I think people post a lot of the good stories online but have you had any bad days?

Hey there, anon. Good morning from Fukushima City! I saw this ask on my tablet when I woke up, and wanted to reply to it as quick as I could. Unfortunately, I got caught up in cleaning, and am returning to this in the afternoon but fear not: here is ar eply!

I’ll agree: I often talk, primarily, about my positive life experience here, and while I think that the realism of living daily life in a foreign country is important, it does mean that I don’t reveal my bad days often.

So I don’t forget to say this, most of my issues have not come from JTEs. I am very blessed and thankful to have a whole cadre of JTEs at my base and  visit schools that genuiely want me to hep introduce American English and American culture through my experiences in the classroom. The treat me as an equal, and help me understand what students need when I ask, and work with me, never against me. I really valuae that, and wish that everyone had my JTEs: they’re great people and have helped me evolve into a better ALT. I also hve two great supervisors: one last year and one this year, both of whom are wonderful, caring, and want the best for me. They’ve helped me to doctors, with documents, classes and so much more. Trust me when I say they’re both getting some nice Christmas gifts as the beginning of a lot of thanks.

Truly, I’ve got some great peple.

Now, let’s get into the meat of this.

Now, as you’ve pointed out, not every day is good.

Outright, thee worst days are days when I can’t connect: that happened mostly during Winter. Living in a valley basin, the nights are so long, the weather intense at times, and the school super cold. Coupled with a lack of a car and a dependence on public transportation, I often found myself sulking at my desk from January until late March. They weren’t necessarily because of students, but because of Winter depression. There’s a lot of little days like that, when my own personal emoions bleed out into work. I think that’s one of the risks of living abroad: you have to battle yourself.

The worst days at school though? Days when you think the students hate you. And you will, I think, at some point, because you will forget how it was to emote as a teenager when you’re mad or sad or hurt, when your own life is slipping into work, when no plans or lessons or activities are going how you planned, evne when you accounted for flexibility. you’ll forget that there is a why, just for an instant, and then you’ll snap back into yourself and think, “Let’s confront this and find out the why.”

It’s days when the kids are all battling weariness and just won’t listen, because that’s simultaneously the same day a teacher pops in to watch you.

It’s days when you feel like no one actually wants to learn, and that frustrates you, and you cry at your desk and feel so utterly embarrassed. You’ll go shopping to help, eat a really bad dinner of all junk, and cry yourself to sleep again, wondering if things are worth it, and if recontracting was ever a good idea. That’s the lowest you’ll hit.

I think it’s only right to admit that you will have low points. It’ll be culture shock, it’ll be homesickness, it’ll be very, very human.

Thankfully, those moments are overwhelmed by a feeling of being part of something bigger, but they do happen. In fact, one of my visit schools hosted primarily boys: out of the single class -it was a satellite campus- there were 28 boys out of the 34 students. And let me tell you, outside the day I played The Proclaimer’s 500 Miles, I often dredded visiting because I felt worthless save to a few students who really wanted to get o know me and practice language in a genuine way. 

In fact, here’s some of my great hits:

Students just flat out not listening, then getting mad when I wouldn’t help them with the assignment because I was instructed to let them work alone by the JTE

Boys making fun of other boys who liked English

Always the inappropriate comments, especially when they derailed things

Having only 30 minutes of class instead of 50 because the students wouldn’t calm down

Boys making very inappropriate comments about my body when I asked questions about the lesson; for a while, it made me stop wearing skirts or dresses until I got angry and seemed to settle things

Students making fun of my Japanese when I tried to give a goodbye speech to them. It resulted in my crying, very publicly, in front of them. Awkward laughter did ensue, which meant more tears.

The day I left and went back up the cliffside that led to the station to lead me home, I wondered hard if I’d ever done a good job. Certainly, I had friends with the staff, but I didn’t feel like I was every liked by any of the 34 students under my study. It was a horrible feeling.

Until this March.

I actually ended up visiting their original school on the coast of Fukushima. I was invited by the staff to celebrate ths chool closing, and decidedhey gave me a shikishi board, a card often present at graduation. It was half in English, half in Japanese with furigana because they remembered I have trouble with kanji since I’m still learning. The overwhelming message?

Thank you for being our teacher. We love you and miss you. We appreciate you.

(I definitely cried. Snot and all, cried my heart out, especially since some wrote that and making the shikishi board was completely the students idea.)

I realized that honestly, I wasn’t the issue, and that often, an ALT is not the reason for a student disliking English or school in general: they disiked school and English before you. You’re just a new object of dislike..Certainly ,that doesn’t excuse 3rd Year Students acting the way they do, but it gives -and gave- me a reason to help understnad that all-important why.

And the why is that you cna’t take a lot to heart. Students are human.

Bad days almost always have a silver lining, I’ve found: there’s something more happening in the picture. your students are students, but they are also -especially in SHS- becoming adults. Though the age of legal adulthood here is 20, that doens’t meant that becoming 18 doesn’t change things. They’ll be loosed into the world soon, into a world where they’re expected to meet certain expectations. 

And just like I was at 18, they won’t want to conform to social values completely. They’ll try to change the world, make it their own, work with others to realize happiness, and move ahead from public schooling into work or higher academia. 

But you know what they’ll remember as they grow up and try to change their world? 

You and the encounter that you had. 

They’ll maybe think of that first or second or third foreigner they personally met, and maybe, they’ll share culture a bit more as they do grow into adults. They’ll remember you and not necessarily the bad days, because memory is like that sometimes, and they’ll think of a shikishi board for you possibly, or of finding you online.

That’s beauty of being a student’s next step in life, to be honest.

so yeah it’s not always good, but good always exists in my job. I think that’s a very honest thing to admit. Certainly, I’l have bad days coming uo: days when my desk is a mess of marking, days when I have no breaks and my ankles aches, days when I don’t feel present. But I’ll think about the shikishi and the students and give it my best and take care of myself always.

I’d say, easily, my job is 95% happiness. I feel worthwhile, feel like I can see a path ahead of me, and feel valued. The 5% comes in with the things above, and when I’m tired: when I feel a bit overwhelmed by a desk covered with marking -too much that I might have taken on- and when I don’t have breaks because I decided to accept more. Know your limits to mitigate frustration later: it’s so key when you’re dealing with the added stress of always acclimating to another country. 

And hey: always remember that when ou need a moment, talking and communicating that is best. Most JTEs will instantly understand and even try to help you: they’re human too, and want your best. 

p.s.: don’t ever take work home. That keeps tons of bad days from happening!

Sorry for the long message, but I just got going. Thanks so much for your question. Please feel free to visit again!

[josephkitchen0]

Some Pretty Things Happened

December 6 Reminded that life can change in an instant, I feel particularly keen to take pictures of what I see and love, and enjoy, and it helps me, now, to look at pictures (before and after)... to remember, to appreciate anew, to let go, but quietly, with a thankful heart. So, I look at Maria in her Witch Thursday hat, the one her friend painted for her for her birthday, and though it is bittersweet, because I love every happy memory of Jet Puff, our family car, and I am sad it's gone, I am glad I have this photograph, this normal, happy moment. And after the hospital, and the tests, and all of the scary and surreal events of the night, I finally did go upstairs to my dear, familiar bed, and Cairo came and did what a sweet pet will... he stayed close beside me, warm, and comforting, and I felt at home, which meant the beginning of healing. All of these pictures are moments in December when I saw something beautiful, wanted to hold on to scenes when I felt something joyful. I was a quiet observer, or was aware of what I could not do, or how much of what was happening was an altered, or interrupted event... I don't know how to explain it, but even the good in these moments makes me recall what was also difficult, or disappointing, painful, or muddled. Still, I am glad that we took as much of our time and intentions as we could, and made the very best of it we could. (I am not convinced that was a good sentence, but...) December 9 The first Monday morning when Maria would go into school, and Max, too. When the day should have been routine, and I might have baked treats for her to share with classmates, or helped her choose a fun holiday outfit. I walked into her quiet room and sat on her bed, and felt the most profound relief and thankfulness... just to be there, to see her sleeping, to wake her, and do all I could to give her a nice start to her day. I really am so lucky, I thought. I really do love to be here, to be a mother, to have this home, and family, and to have a community to support me, us. I wanted to keep her home, to slip into family time and all of the happiness of the holidays, but I was thankful, too, that she would have her school and friends, the classes she loves, and all that she needs in her own abilities, and confidence to get through her day. I think this is one of the prettiest Christmas trees we have ever had. The first week we left it alone, and just adored its plain, piney boughs. Then William and Alex put lights on it... white lights, this year, because I wanted their calm, and soft glow. And that's as far as we got. Just the lights, then an ornament from Kim, then tiny gifts, but we never brought out our ornaments, or an angel or star. And while it wasn't a disappointment, I was aware that we were just a bit overwhelmed, and simple suited us better. December 10 These pictures... this was the first really happy laughing, I had. And so silly. Cairo was after my tiny tree I put on that cupboard, and he was biting it and knocking it over. So! I sprayed it with an essential oil mosquito repellent, because I read "mint" on the bottle and he hates mint. Well, after I sprayed, he was worse! He tore the tree down, and went for the things on the wall, and then! Then he started chewing the carpeting! I was aghast. Alex, asked about the spray and I told him, and he laughed, reminding me that the natural repellent, so effective at discouraging mosquitos, was mostly catmint! Poor Cairo was high as kite! Muddled, muddled me. This was such a beautiful sunrise, and I was happily awake, having had my first night of sleep since the accident. It was a visit from friend and therapist, Mahshid, that relieved some of my pain, emotional and physical. Her wisdom is still serving me well. December 11 December 12 My Mom came all the way from Oregon, the very next day after the thing. And Hans, my brother, drove her from the airport. By the end of her first week, we had a bit of a routine, that I miss. We would take Maria to school, then walk. Walking was not much more than making an errand, the market, or pharmacy, or a shop, and we would stop for soup, or tea, to take pictures. Our outings perked me up, and tired me, in a good way. I felt quiet and slow, and she kept pace with me. At home she was wrestling with laundry, and getting hot meals on the table, matching socks, answering Chango's requests. She bought me a heating pad, one of Mahshid's brilliant prescriptions. Everyone should have a heating pad. Cairo is a heating pad, too. And I appreciated his warm company. Finally, I had to give up on the little tree, but chamomile came back at Trader Joe's and I could have cried from happiness! And Jennifer sent gifts, which she suggested I open early... a brilliant suggestion! December 14 Every year I am full of best intentions and plans for Christmas, for gifts, cards, gestures, thanks, decorating, and playing. I never quite achieve the height of perfection I imagine and hope for... this year was nearly a bust, on my part. Thankfully, I had the sense to let mail order and shipping help me, and I relied heavily on assurances that 'no one expected me to do everything, or anything, this year,' which was kind. But I missed feeling capable of doing better. I was sad not to have a chance to do a better version of my best. I know I sent someone a heating pad, because everyone should have a heating pad. Sometimes I took pictures of... of maybe kind of odd scenes, but they seemed so precious to me, so poignant. It's difficult not to find beauty in odd places when you are lucky to be alive, or simply concussed. December 16 They never complained. It doesn't surprise me. They are happy, easy, content with simple pleasures. But still. They missed a lot. We had plans. And besides the very special things we missed, our regular routines and peace of home were derailed, and disrupted, and I wouldn't have blamed them or thought any less of them if they made a little protest, or whine. But they were all comfort and joy, gratitude, and resilience. I am not boasting or wearing rose-tinted glasses. I sometimes feel I say too little about what a joy our children are, and in this instance I want to really acknowledge how much easier they made things for me, how thankful I am for them. December 17 December 18 December 19 When this box of homemade cookies from Laura and Gary came in the post, it was a moment that felt like Now, it's really Christmas! Their cookies, so prettily decorated, so delicious, too, are a welcome tradition. Last year, we wished we could have been in Wisconsin. We wished for a last Christmas in the house on Park Street, with Grandma Nancy. And this year... this year we simply missed everything and everyone we love in Wisconsin. December 20 When I was showing signs of rallying, when the government was about to shut down... my Mom had to make a choice about getting home. I wish we had taken more pictures. Yeah, see... this seems like a lot of pictures, for some, I suppose. But I was keenly aware that I was not taking as many as I usually do, that I didn't have the mental vigor to organize family pictures, or more... what are those called? Natural? Spontaneous? Darn word... Anyway, suddenly my Mom was flying home, which was good, because she was going to be with Dad, and could hopefully recover. And I just wish I had more pictures. What is that word? Candid. Ugh. Is this concussion, or just being 52 years old? Let's call it concussion. Because I am not in the mood to imagine that I am mentally doddering, yet. I had to analyze many things that were on the calendar or planned for, and consider what I was up for, capable of managing, or consider how we could make them manageable. Like school. My last day of school was the very next morning after the thing, and missing my final was way sadder to me, more unbearable, than I could stand, so with Alex's company and assistance I went to school. I was slow and felt strange and... no matter, I felt empowered, and triumphant and glad to have made it. But then shock wore off and pain crept up and up, and things made me very tired, or simply run out of anything like energy or sense... and we started crossing things off the to-do list. Of all the big and fun happy holiday events, my favorite tradition is probably celebrating Solstice. I always feel as though it's our gift to our friends, our thank you to them, and such fun to gather and observe the fortune of friends, light, merriment. But I wasn't sure it was such a good idea this year, which was too depressing to accept. Finally, William, Alex, Maria and Max, looked me in the eye, assuredly and calmly, and said, Don't worry. We will get everything ready, and it will be an easy and happy party, that you will love, and will not want to miss. And it was. They rallied. They cleaned, cooked, prepped, and hosted. Ruth came early, to bring apple crisp, and yellow roses. I had made the theme about our heritage, everyone's heritages, the recipes and traditions we have from our immigrant or Native ancestors, and it was a potluck. Everyone shared food, recipes, snacks, anything that comes from family, from love. I loved the stories. I loved the whole night. Maria and Amira... last day of school, first night of winter break! Kay and Max~ With Swedish snacks, like Wasa crackers and herring! Avram, Sanjana, Coram, and Cathan, with Indian spicy snacks! Spencer and Ido... Leslie, Simon, and Bex, too. They brought Turkish delight, and Hummus! And robots! December 21 I wish I had taken more pictures. It was a full house, and spread out into the front yard, too. I went to bed late, and happily tired. December 22 Next time I will blog about Christmas Eve and Day, and a birthday... and more memories, more moments that make me smile, thankful, heartened. I know I mixed in mention of that event, the accident, but that's how it's been. It's part of the story, sadly, but I mean to deal with it by speaking of it, and acknowledging that it happened and it caused things. It helps me feel some power over what happened... I've noticed that other hard things that I've kept to myself, or tried to cope with by hiding, suppressing or minimizing don't go away, or get better, but just kind of linger, ache, resurface in unexpected or mixed up ways. So... new approach is to talk, speak, voice, express, write, cry, laugh, deal with it. And then look at all of the good, and celebrate, and triumph! And heating pads. Everyone should have a heating pad. Some Pretty Things Happened was originally posted by All About Chickens