#Appreciate y'all 1000 ^_^

[padabana]

whenever i get stressed about finals or any other life stuff I open my images folder and look at all the awesome Balloon SMP fanart people have made like I'm looking at a photo of my son in my wallet

[ruthplaysthesims]

1000 posts!

DAMN

[luimagines]

Okay, I can't pick just one, so here's like...5

In terms of single-post headcanons, I think that 'the boys as husbands' and 'the boys as dads' are top tier and I continuously go back to reread them because they're so domestic 💛💛, let them get their happily ever after they deserve it (except in Hyrule's case cause his hc were just sad).

In terms of multi-part scenarios (and I've said this before) my favorite is the 'you misunderstood a conversation' and 'you guys are soulmates'. The first one is because miscommunication my beloved💛, but I also think that you wrote those scenarios like you had bills due that night they were so good. I also frequently revisit it and I think it's the only one where wind's was actually my favorite, but legend's was also so fucking good I'm 50/50 on it still. Soulmate scenarios are self explanatory: I like soulmate au, you have soulmate au, stonks. It's the only one I listed that I don't really go back to as often, but it's so cute and I'm a weak person.

Honorable mention: prince! Sky scenarios you wrote, it has a really interesting story that kept me on the edge of my seat while also warming my heart (mainly cause it's Sky, how can he not?). Also the multi-part commission story (everyone pinky's commissions are open) Twilight my beloved 💛. Once again, I'm really weak for soulmate au, also you accidentally posting that part made me read the entire thing, where you promptly dropkicked my heart off the side of a cliff, I will be mailing you my medical bill. The story telling and suspense is really good and I encourage everyone to read it.

Bee!!! XD

I love the way you word things. Dropping kicking your heart off of a cliff? Writing like I had bills due? Where do you come up with this? XD

I have no idea where I was going with Prince! Sky so I'm glad that it's entertaining ^.^*

As well as all my other stuff, you know I love your reactions. <3

[anileesstupidlilblog]

Thank you so so much to everyone who got me to 1000 likes!!! <333 <333 <333

[shayberri789]

My friend is doing a quick survey about cashier's being allowed to use chair's at work. He's intending to present the results to his boss and hopefully convince them to let the cashiers use chairs. I know that people on here are very pro-chairs so I was hoping some of yall might consider filling this out?

It takes less than I minute, I just filled it in myself. You won't need any personal information it's entirely anonymous.

I'd appreciate it if yall could reblog this! I don't have a large following and not enough people will see this otherwise. Thanks!

Edit: thank you everyone!! My friend now has over 200 responses that's amazing! Keep sharing and filling it, since he won't be presenting it for a little while still, but I just wanted to let yall know that we are both very grateful to you all!

Edit two: Holy shit. In a week we jumped from 200 to over 1000. That's wild. Thank you guys so much. The survey is still open, I'll disable reblogs when it closes. We're kind of curious to see if it hits 2k responses. When I offered to post here, I did not expect to get even a third of the responses we have, and my friend and I are doing the digital equivalent of staring at each other in disbelief and pointing. What the fuck. Y'all are amazing

Edit 3: check the comments!

[leidensygdom]

i just saw someone complaining that the fandom they're in (one of the most popular fandoms right now- All I'm gonna say is that it is featured in the top 10 of the Ao3 list that came out the other day) is "already dying" and "people are moving on to other stuff" and that "there isn't enough content"

Which is kind of funny, kind of horrifying. I know there's a lot about the hype machine and people getting into the latest new thing for a month before moving on, but- What about being into this game that came out almost 30 years ago that wasn't even released in your continent. What about being terribly obsessed with a little guy from said game that is mostly acknowledged through memes nowadays. What about the height of the amount of fanart done of that character was a singular artist who decided to draw the lil guy for over 1000 days on twitter dot com. what are y'all even talking about

people NEED to be into weirdly obscure fandoms appreciating the odd fanart that pops every now and then!! Get into an old game with a limited release! Get into a really weird indie game that barely ever saw the light of the day! Get into a webcomic where you can know the other 4 fans by name! Being into a fandom that sees thousands of new fan content on a daily basis IS getting spoiled!! the hype machine is an horrifying concept! you can love a thing for years to come, you can create content for it and find other people who stay in the niche a decade later, it's fine! you'll be fine!

[milkyst4rs]

BF headcannons

Diluc, Kaeya, Scaramouche, Xiao, Zhongli x GN reader

Fluffy floof☁️

Diluc

Though some might think otherwise, dating Diluc is SO FUN.

I feel like Diluc would like to tease his s/o a little? He wants to see you all smitten and flustered ya know?

Will get you tiny trinkets that reminds him of you. Bro doesn't care about the price ofc, he loves your reactions to his tiny gifts.

Diluc prefers to be the big spoon but won't mind if you wanna hug him too.

When y'all are in bed, he is the type to sling his large leg over yours so you can't go anywhere while y'all sleep.

Gets SOOOO happy when you come visit him at the tavern (he doesn't show his excitement tho cause he though like that💯🔥)

Is the biggest softie for you behind closed doors. He's just a little shy outside, don't worry.

Kaeya

SUCH a tease oml. He always does his "oh?~😏" whenever you speak.

He doesn't care if you both are in public or not, he will always try to make you flustered somehow.

Loves kissing you. Your soft lips on his just makes his heart go KDNDHDKWKHDISOW

Like Diluc, he also prefers to hold you while you both are sleeping. But he won't argue if you want to be the big spoon.

I feel like Kaeya is a light sleeper, so if he has trouble falling asleep he'll just admire your pretty face till he does close his eyes.

He loves tracing your features leaving small pecks afterward.

He knows he can trust you so he seeks you out for comfort when he is feeling down :(

Immediately feels 100% better after being in your embrace tho.

Scaramouche

Mega-tsundere 1000. Boss level.

Absolutely loves holding your hand. (Secretly though ofc)

Scaramouche is a big mean guy so he doesn't have time for romance!😡 (Except, he is extremely touch-starved so please PLEASE hug him)

Both of you are honestly shocked that you are still in the relationship and are loyal to him.

He slowly realises that you genuinely love him and are not trying to betray him or hurt him in anyway, so he warms up to you.

Likes kissing your forehead. Whenever he sees you, you are going to have a peck on the forehead 100%.

He finally can feel some form of happiness with you.

Xiao

Mega-tsundere 1000 boss level #2.

MY MAN IS SOOOO SHY

He probably has never gotten intimate with anyone ever before so he is a nervous wreck. Which leads to him panicking and resorting to throwing insults at you.

Obviously he doesn't mean it, he just doesn't know what to say when you kiss his cheek! You know he means well, so the "you have no respect for the adepti" insult goes in one ear and out the other.

Eventually warms up to you and tries to be romantic by bringing you flowers and such,(with the help of hu tao and friends^^).

Likes to watch the sunset with you on the roof of Wangshu Inn. His hand always finds its way to intertwine with yours.

He probably doesn't sleep so he keeps watch and makes sure you are safe irl and in dreamland.

Zhongli

Zhongli...what a gentleman.

Boyfriend material ON PAPER‼️

Helps carry your bags, showers with you, reads with you. He just loves being by your side.

He can sense that you truly love him so he lets himself go and his walls crumble for you.

Most people would be bored of Zhonglis constant talking, but not you no sir. He appreciates that you genuinely listen and add in your own sentences in his story telling.

Loves to pamper you!!!!! Making you delicious tea, date nights, skin care routines, you name it.

Both of you are probably named 'Liyue's #1 power couple' by locals who often see the two of you hand in hand walking by the pier.

His kisses are always soft and gentle, each one reminding you of how much he adores you and loves you <3

[myownwholewildworld]

well, i decided to bite the bullet on this one! thank you to the lovelies @almostfoxglove and @gothcsz for the tags, and a special thanks to @jolapeno for this beautiful 2024 tootathon event! i think it's a pretty common theme between us lot, but seems like tooting ourselves is not our forte - at least not mine! i had been lurking in the shadows for a long while, but july came around and i said, why the hell not? so basically i'm a baby in the fandom, learning from the very best. i've been writing for almost two decades now, but mostly in spanish and on different platforms. i found myself looking for a creative outlet this summer and transitioning out of my online rpg era (foroactivo/jcink, i won't miss you). i am so glad i did, cause i found a home here 🥹 anyway enough yapping!

i have written over 170k words this year (probs a lot more if i take into account my rpg shenanigans) and at one point i've been very attached to everything i've written, so it's really hard to pick some favourites, but here we go!

per aspera ad astra (marcus acacius series) - this is one series i wasn't expecting to write as a fic this year as it was planned for something else, but here we are! i am just enjoying all the angst, it's like therapy lmao

the right kind of wrong (dbf!joel miller one shot) - look... the brain rot won and i gave in to the dbf trope. i loved writing it and seeing that other people enjoyed it too!

the way to a great wide somewhere (beast!din djarin one shot) - i just... idk 🫠 the moment i thought of this i knew i had to put it into words or i would quite literally die.

when the moon howls (javier peña one shot) - as i was rewatching narcos i had this itch i needed to scratch and the jolabrew + withcheese fall challenge gave me the perfect excuse to try my hand at writing Peña.

i regrettably have not been giffing as much as i would have liked to this year, but i promised myself i would pick this up in 2025 again! but here are my two favourite gifsets i've made.

tlou 1x03 - if you know me, you'll know that my favourite episode from tlou is 1x03 because i love bill and frank to fucking bits 😭 it broke me and it healed me in so many different ways.

pp press tour interview - when i watched this the first time i was like "yeah 1000% agree" because marcus acacius in that white armour is my fucking everything.

nothing of this would have happened if it wasn't for the people who stop by and read our stories, and for the writers who feed us amazing fics - writers and readers alike, god i love y'all. we all keep this amazing fandom alive. and i know there's been some rough lows this year, but here we still are!

i could go on and on tagging people who make me smile every fucking day but i'd be bound to miss someone and i could not forgive myself if i did that. so please, take this as my heartfelt thank you to every single one of you. i see you, i appreciate you, i love you. like for real.

some np tags for moots who might want to participate (and apologies if you already have!):

@joelmillerisapunk @joelslegalwhre @inept-the-magnificent @punkseyes @styleispunk @aurorawritestoescape @syd-djarin @katiexpunk @baronessvonglitter @orcasoul

[lavenderrvalleyy]

Now I know this is very veryyyyy late but...

Happy New Years!!!❤️🧡💛💚💙💜✨

Like I said, I'm late but I just want to let my mutuals know how much they made my 2024 so...

@numberonelittlechild hello and thank you for your appreciation of my posts and tagging me in really cool tumblr games! Your artwork is really cool and can't wait to see more from you in the future ^w^

@tv-peppino hiii I really love your artwork and au concepts, I also think your videos are really neat as well and also can't wait to see more of your stuff this year!

@marclef hey there, just wanted to thank you for all the wonderful artwork and concepts you've blessed my 2024 with your characters and our lovely lad, fake peppino! I also love your sona's design heh, very fun to draw!

@cyanityinsanity101 hi!! I love your artwork, Cy's design is super cool and creative, and an honor to draw <3 I also really enjoy your reposts as well, helps my 23-year old boomer brain keep up with funny memes and also just interesting in general! Here's to 1000 more years of Cy :D

@merwynpersonalhub HEYYYYY I drew Holly hehe X3 but also I love your cool artwork, your designs are lovely and I genuinely love all your characters. In general, you're a really cool person and I'm grateful to have you as a moot /gen 👍✨

@sisi-chan-draws Helloooo :3 just wanted to say thank you so much for being an amazing mutual and online friend, I hope you like this doodle of your sona 👉 👈 I hope you don't mind the only reference I had on hand was from our whiteboard RP from July >w< speaking of I hope this year brings us more chances to all hang out again bc I genuinely had an amazing time <3

@jav-animations YOUUUUUUU✨💕 oh my god, bestie you absolutely made not only my 2024 but my entire 2020s in general. Here's to an infinite more years of your incredible art, characters, universes and just you being the coolest person ever \ ( ^o^ ) /

@lavenderrvalleyy................................ wait a fucking minute you're not a mutual YOU'RE ME. Dude-- me-- get out of here smh--

Here's to a fresh start, and all the years to come!!! Love y'all, and wishing you the best for this year and the years to come <3

[chinzhilla]

my birthday is on sunday AND i just hit 1000 followers 🎉 so i wanted to celebrate with y'all!! i'm incredibly grateful for you guys and for your support through what's been a pretty tough year for me so far 🩷 so as my tiny way of saying thank you, my inbox is open for any and all requests using the following prompts!

- 🎧 + song and/or pairing/character/etc for a lyric set - both components are preferred but if you only send one i'll pick the other! - 🌷 + 2 characters/pairings/shows/etc for a make-me-choose set - 🥭 + episode for an episode set like this - 🫶 for a set of a character/pairing (feel free to specify) i associate with you - non-mutuals welcome if you're cool with me digging through your blog! - 🧋 for any requests not included above - scenes, characters, whatever

anything on my navigation page or my mdl is fair game, whether or not i've giffed it before. if you're interested in something that's not on either of those, feel free to send it anyway and i'll let you know if it's something i can do! i just ask that you be patient with me as i am the slowest giffer known to man. otherwise no limits on requests or anything! go wild!! thank you all again for everything i'm hugging y'all so tight 🫂

ps: normally i would tag some mutuals below but tumblr is being testy about mentions lately so i'm just gonna use some tracking tags instead. obviously that means i can't include everyone, so reblogs are appreciated! 😘

[midnight-mourning]

1000 kudos/100 Follower Special!

wow so um, there’s a LOT of you now

👀👀👀

WHERE DID Y'ALL EVEN COME FROM LIKE?? HI!! 👋👋👋

AND ALSO

THIS???? CRAZY, incredibly appreciated <3 but also wild

anyway, I think that deserves celebrating! So, here’s a couple ideas I came up with for y’all to vote on, with the option of sharing other ideas in the comments, I’ll do the top two and save the others for the next milestone :)

If the 'other' option gets the most/second most votes, I'll do another poll with ideas that people suggested and we'll go from there. You can scroll down and click the read more if you'd like more info on each option! SO, having said all that:

Letting you guys make the call with this one! I have stuff prepped for all of it, just a matter of people voting since this is ME showing my appreciation to YOU. And again, next milestone will have the opportunity for the other choices :)

Also, this isn't just for followers/the moots either! Anyone is welcome to vote and participate if they'd like to 💙💙

Please also feel free to ask questions in the comments if that helps you with voting! Can't wait to see what you guys pick :D

I will expand on each option here for clarity in your decision making:

CS one-shot: I will write a one-shot (3,000-5,000 words prob) based in the CS universe. It will be canon to the fic but will never be mentioned/referenced in the fic itself so stand alone to read. It may be a future scene, may be based somewhere in the current timeline. Open to ideas on the POV and such (though I have some floating around that I can do ;))

Q&A/Ask the Cast: a classic, I know my ask box is open but here's also a clear chance to ask something that you've been really curious about! I won't share spoilers for the story, but everything else is on the table, including stuff about me, writing etc. Just no super personal questions is all! Additionally, you can ask the cast questions and answers will be in character, perhaps with a little doodle as well ^-^

Finished refs/busts for the cast of CS: I'll post the finished versions of the rough sketches I shared a few months ago, along with the remainder of the cast! This includes the rest of the engineering team, the division heads, the glamrocks, and the DCA! I also will include little blurbs for all the characters as well. This will probably happen eventually anyway BUT if you want them sooner rather than later this is you're chance if you're curious :)

Spooky Season one-shot: something halloween-related that again I'm open to ideas for! Would also be about 3,000-5,000 words in length, could be related to CS or not

Writing Requests: similar to the requests I did for reveal day, same rules apply (no nsfw, suggestive is fine, be specific if you want specific) but a little longer in length (500-1000 words)

Doodle requests: I provide you with a little drawing I made with tender love and care (would be lined, colored, shaded, etc.)

A peek into the drafts: I do in fact have a couple other fic ideas floating around in my brain that I simply haven't started so that I don't get bogged down/focus on CS. I would share those and a little bit of concept art

Other: explained above

[the-dumpster-fire-of-life]

Omg could we get the same as trh 2# gen but 2 twin girls ?? Same concept same age but just both of them are girls?? Like gossiping/ shit talking together, fighting over clothes and makeup etc!! 🤭🤭

(Hello! Sure I can and I hope you enjoy!)

Girl Dad Tom Kaulitz

You and your sister are going to be the death of Tom

Obviously, he very much so love you and your sister

But the amount of fights he has broken up is ridiculous

But somehow you guys always get along five minutes later because you got food

You and your sister love hanging out with Uncle Bill

Your uncle Bill would always take you guys from your dad when you were kids, dress you up and take you guys out

You guys got your love for partying, flirting, and fashion from Bill when you guys were younger

You and your sister can be absolutely ruthless at times

Shit talking and gossip is a given with you two

You guys always have shit to say, bust down your dad's door and jump on his bed and tell him everything

It could be just drama at school but your dad is paying attention and is like

"So Heather B-"

"No, dad! Heather M is the one who slept with Heather B's boyfriend!"

"Oh, okay."

He just needs a minute give him time

You guys are very spoiled but he taught you guys manners and had you appreciate everything growing up

He buys you guys whatever you want but always has to buy two of the same because you guys fight over so much stuff

You and your sister remind him of him and Bill when they were younger

You and your sister do each others makeup and match sometimes hut you guys have your own style and personalities and Tom never forced you guys to dress the same

You guys were treated as little princess's growing up 1000%

You and your sister are very confident, don't care about confrontation or hate and will do absolutely anything for your family

Tom had a little bit of a rough time with you guys as he had y'all when he was younger but the band helped a lot

You guys were born into fame

Everyone knew you guys would be legit stars when you guys were younger

You guys take after your dad so much sometimes it scares him

You guys are the definition of twin maneaters

Always flirting and have flings and shit

You truly learned from your dad

You guys are always wrapped up in some scandal or news

You and your twin do not care and do whatever makes y'all happy

The younger Tokio Hotel fanbase is literally down bad for you guys

You guys like teasing them and like feeding into it so much because it's just fun

When you guys were younger Tom wanted to keep you guys private and have a relatively private life as he and Bill were stripped of that when younger

But he didn't get to a lot because paparazzi would follow you guys, photographed you guys and never left you alone

So that's how you and your twin started yelling at paparazzi and throwing things at them because they made your dad feel bad

Tom felt bad because he just wanted to give you guys normal lives but couldn't

But you guys love your dad and wouldn't give up your lives for anything

You guys were taken to photoshoots, meet and greets, concerts, on stage and everything anyone could ever want because Tom wanted to give you guys anything

You and your sister never dress boring

Even the simplest outfits have touches to them and send statements

You guys learned that from your Uncle Bill, obviously

You guys stole some old clothes from your dad and obviously wear them a lot

Even if your mom wasn't in your life your dad married Heidi

And Heidi took you guys in as her own and you guys loved her for that

Your lives with Tom as your dad couldn't be any better if you ask me

[littlemisspascal]

2023 & Me

Been thinking a lot these past few days about everything that's happened with me in 2023. Hard to believe it's coming to end--time seriously does fly 😮

There's been some heavy losses this year. Several family members passed away to illnesses and old age, including my grandfather who I had a strained relationship with to say the least. I also had a shocking family drama bomb dropped on me earlier this month that has had a huge ripple effect I'm still navigating, but fingers crossed things will find a way of working out for the best.

I had some severe mental health depression episodes throughout the year, made me reevaluate priorities and also doubt pretty much every choice I've ever made in life, but I do truly believe I'm entering 2024 in a positive mindset so that's something to be happy about :) I'mma try this crazy concept called self-love and not think the worst about me, myself, and I.

My writing took a hit this year. Word count wise, kudos wise, engagement wise--but I also made progress on several wips and even finished a few which is a big accomplishment for a snail writer like me 😊 I want to enter 2024 not feeling guilty for being self-indulgent or trying new kinds of writing styles. I also want to shake off the belief a low note count equals it was a bad fic/waste of time -- I don't believe that for anyone else, yet my brain always uses it as a weapon of insecurity against myself and enough is enough brain 😠 no more I say!

On a more positive note, I was fortunate enough to attend several conventions this year and improve my cosplay skills (2024 Ahsoka is gonna be my best look yet I just know it 😁). I got to meet total sweethearts Jon Bernthal and Charlie Cox, Steve Burns my childhood hero, the dear Jodi Benson, the gorgeous Rosario Dawson and beautiful Ming-Na Wen, and of course I can't ever forget Andrew Garfield 😱💗 And most importantly of all I did each these cons with my sister and made some lifelong memories! (Also bought a heckin lot of stickers. A heckin lot 🥰)

And then of course the crown jewel of 2023 1000% hands down was attending the United States Formula 1 Grand Prix. Good lord y'all it was one of the best weekends of my entire life! If you had asked me a couple years ago if I'd care about a sport--any sport--I'd have laughed in your face but there's just something so addictive and captivating about the world of F1 and its cast of characters. And having the luck of getting Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo's autographs on my dumb lil frog bucket hat was just *muffled screaming* I literally was a shaking mess lemme tell ya--just ask @beecastle and @undercoverpena who were there with me on my phone every step of the way 💜 thanks for putting up with my addiction y'all! Much much love to you both!!

AND THE FRIGGIN FACT SOMEONE GOT A PHOTO OF ME AND DANNY TOGETHER 🥺😭😭 NEVER BE OVER IT NOPE

There are so many people on here that made 2023 a bright and kind and fun one for me---@oonajaeadira @something-tofightfor @wheresarizona @trinkets01 @kyberblade @sofasoap @grogusmum @writeforfandoms @psychedelic-ink @kteague @prolix-yuy @wildemaven @the-blind-assassin-12 @practicalghost @gnpwdrnwhiskey @bishtrouille @nothoughtsjustmeds @kirsteng42 @miraclesabound @radiowallet @harriedandharassed @hopeamarsu and dozens dozens dozens more!

Thank you to everyone who's liked, reblogged, commented on my blog + sent me messages! I appreciate and love you all so much more than words can ever express 💜💗💙🧡

2024---let's bring it on! 🥳

[bigbellybelle]

IM TEN AWAY FROM 1000 FOLLOWERS WHAT THE FUCK

Anyone wanna see anything for 1000? Should I put up an about me? Should I like do anything even?? Either way I appreciate the support from y'all!!!

[bennwazzhere]

Shanks and Beckman headcannons cuz I suck and won't stfu about them

WARNING!!!! There will be nsfw stuff soooo 👀

Shanks

Shanks 100% has a breeding kink like come on😭

Also to add to that (this may be gross to many people) maybe a piss fetish 👀👀 *oh no😭*

Whenever I talk to my best friend abt him I always tell her that his cock is a VERY UNREALISTIC size (aka 12 flaccid 24 hard like come on now crispyy)

but to be realistic, I'll have to say ehhhh 6 to 8???? Maybe????? 😭

Ok WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE HAIR aka the ✨ᏢႮᏴᎬՏ✨. it makes a triangle up to his lowest ab/belly button. (I'll reblog this and show y'all cuz I'll draw it😭)

IT'S RED. It's slightly darker than his head hair tho.

Cut or Uncut ? Cut. 1000% like, I've seen art of the opposite but idgaf😭 he's cut, and that's final.

Beckman

I feel like Beckman would have the same kink and fetish as Shanks would (don't know why but he just does😭) but he would be much more gentle than his Captain

Again I made him have an unrealistic sized cock cuz I am stupid or sum shit but y'know(8 flaccid 16 hard GOD I'M RETARDED 😭)

but again, realism, slightly bigger than Shanks' 7-9 Ig idfk neither of them are probably realistic anyways 😭

✨P͜͡U͜͡B͜͡E͜͡ T͜͡I͜͡M͜͡E͜͡!͜͡!͜͡ ✨(gross😭) wild and grey same thing when he was younger, just it was black

His ass does NOT keep up with that shit😭

Oh god.... The last headcannon.... cut or uncut. Uncut. YOU CAN'T DISAGREE LOOK AT HIM LIKE, WHAT.

that would be so hot to see (for both of them tbh) hell, I've drawn so many pictures of this headcannon that it's not even funny.

(btw DM me if u want to see my favorite one of Benn😏 and don't mind my goofy ass art style plz I'm begging you😭)

Likes and reblogs are HIGHLY appreciated!!!!!

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.77 Un-Invite

Good thing Sophia and I weren't fancy sims, because I could have thought of a dozen better ways to celebrate our engagement than eating at a casual restaurant down the street from my mama's house to escape her being extra. She would have been thrilled to dog sit for a few extra hours if we had decided to make a big splash and go fancy. However, it didn't make sense for us to leave town, so we opted to go to Viviana's...the same Viviana's where I first sorta kinda met Yasmine. I didn't tell Sophia she worked there because I didn't want to dampen the evening, but I definitely walked inside, cautiously looking around and hoping she was off that day. But there was nothing to fear, even if she showed. We had already handled our business. If she wanted to be messy, that would be on her. Still, I hoped she wasn't working.

Sophia, on the other hand, had no reason to suspect a surprise appearance and was grinning from ear to ear.

"This is such a nice restaurant!"

"Yeah, I like it too. This became our place when we moved here."

"I love how it's so trendy and modern, but I still feel comfortable being here dressed like this."

Even though I hoped we would not run into Yasmine, I knew she would turn up; I felt it in my bones. I buried my head in the menu and must have read it 17 times because I didn't want to see it coming. But eventually, I heard her voice.

"Welcome to Vi...oh..."

Sophia looked up, and I saw that flash of surprise that hit her face. It morphed into confusion, then suspicion. Yasmine looked more embarrassed, but still ready to hold her own if Sophia wanted to take her there. They glared at each other for what felt like an eternity. I had no idea what went on in either of their heads, but if I could have backed away slowly, I would have. They were like two cats circling and sizing up each other. Who would strike first? Of course, I didn't expect a fight to break out, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. At the club that night, Sophia surprised me when she casually interrupted us. I never thought of her as territorial. To be honest, I thought it was kinda hot. But she wasn't a nasty woman, and we were in Yasmine's workplace, so I knew they'd eventually snap out of it. And they did.

"Umm..." Yasmine hesitated and fidgeted with the notepad in her hand. "I can go get someone else if you-"

"Don't be silly," Sophia said, brushing her off. "We're all adults here."

I exhaled. Yasmine smiled sheepishly and nodded.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, we are. I'd like a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup but..."

She explained exactly how she wanted the sandwich to be: grilled long enough to be very crispy and brown, but not so much that it's hard and scratches the roof of her mouth. Yasmine got a kick out of that, and I did too. I watched her in amazement, not about the sandwich, but how gracefully she handled awkward situations. Mama was 1000% spot on when she said I chose well.

I ordered bangers and mash, and we both got a Sunset Valley. After Yasmine repeated everything back to us, including Sophia's highly specific notes, she surprised us both.

"That's a nice ring," she said with a beautiful smile.

She didn't smile much, but when she did, it was a nice treat. Was I still allowed to say that?

"Thank you so much," Sophia said.

"Congratulations," she said. "You don't mess around, huh?"

"I knew she was the one. Why wait? But thanks, Yasmine. I really appreciate that."

"I hope it's okay to say this," she began.

Everything in me tensed up again.

"You're so lucky. I never really had a shot, but when I thought I did, I wasted it. I wish y'all the best."

I exhaled. I think Sophia did, too.

"That's so kind of you to say," she said. "Thank you."

"I'll be back in a bit," Yasmine said and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Well, that was nice of her," Sophia said.

"It was."

"She can't come to the wedding, though."

I chuckled.

"I wouldn't dare ask you that. Speaking of the wedding...are looking you looking to have a huge shindig?" I asked.

"Not really. But I don't want it to be so small that we have to labor over whom to un-invite. We should invite whoever we want."

"I was thinking the same thing, though I don't have many to invite."

I thought about Dub. We had only known each other for about 24 hours, but he was already one of my closest friends. He had a secured spot on my guest list, and I tacked on a plus one in case he and Maia had some serious talks on the train. I wanted to meet her.

"What about you?" she asked. "Do you have a dream wedding?"

"Nah, not really. I don't care where it is or what we do, as long as you, my parents, and my sister are there. Oh, and a huge cake. Gotta have a nice cake."

"I mean, is it really a wedding without a nice cake?"

I chuckled. She and I were always on the same page, and it was beautiful.

"Exactly."

"I would love a beach wedding," she said. "That's my only real preference."

"Then a beach wedding it is."

I took a moment to comb through my thoughts really consider if I'd been looking forward to anything in particular, especially since I was allowed to have an opinion, heh. Mama was right about one thing. I was a simple and adaptable guy, so I honestly didn't have any must-haves or deal breakers.

"Do you think we'll have time to do all the pre-ceremony stuff, like the parties and dinners?" I asked.

"Listen," she said in a sweet yet firm tone, "I know you're a dutiful son, but this is our wedding. If you want to do all those things, we'll make time!"

A different server arrived with our food, and Sophia celebrated her perfectly grilled sandwich. As we were both starving, we seized the opportunity to get a few bites in before continuing our conversation.

"Speaking of time," she began, "your mom asked one question I'd been considering. How would you feel about starting our family right away?"

"I wouldn't mind that."

She smiled and seemed very relieved.

"I'm glad... Time to tell your friends in the purple box goodbye!"

I quickly swallowed my food before I choked to death from laughing at her. Forget surviving our relationship. I needed to survive the engagement!

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