#B Easter 2 Monday

[cleansingreflections]

TRANSTAGLIAS MUTUALS BATTLE TO THE DEATH BRACKET TOURNAMENT 2023: EASTER+PASSOVER MADNESS EDITION

The first round will be 1 week long to make sure everyone has a fair chance, then every other subsequent round will be 1 day long because i'm impatient lol

ROUNDS:

Round one: Friday March 31st 1pm (UTC) - Friday April 7th 1pm (UTC)

Easter themed "BACK FROM THE DEAD" round: Saturday April 8th 1pm (UTC) - Sunday April 9th 1pm UTC

Round two: Sunday April 9th 2pm UTC - Monday April 10th 2pm UTC

Quarterfinals: Monday April 10th 3pm UTC - Tuesday April 11th 3pm UTC

Semifinals: Tuesday April 11th 4pm UTC - Wednesday April 12th 4pm UTC

Finals: Wednesday April 12th 5pm UTC - Thursday April 13th 5pm UTC

RULES:

* "back from the dead" round: all 16 people who lost the first round will fight in 2 polls of 8 people each, the two winners will be allowed to re-enter the competition in round two with a 3 way poll against the person who defeated them in the first round + a third contestant

* if two people tie they will merge into one contestant

* cheating, rigging and unethical alliances are ENCOURAGED

* the finals will include a poll to decide 3rd and 4th place

PRIZES:

* the winner will be awarded a drawing of a character/person of their choice by me

* second and third place will be awarded a redraw of their pfp made by me <3 couldn't think of anything else sorry

* the person who loses a round to the worst ratio and the person who gets the least total number of votes will be awarded a lineart only drawing of a character/person of their choice each

* the person who gets the most amount of votes in a single round who is not a finalist will be awarded the "Swept too close to the sun" title

* fourth place will be awarded the "Almost there" title on account of being the most winning loser

* the alliance with the biggest number of people that forms will be awarded the "Most Congeniality" title for creating the largest and strongest bond between warriors

YOU CAN NOW START YOUR PROPAGANDA

@fagdykefrank @peach-pot @rhinco @sofflepoffle @blorb0 @fitzkn @cappybaras @kaletalecowboy @frog3798 @polygondotcomvideoproducer @shin-to-buri @vang0bus @bigwiglesbrain @tingleshroom @raidenhaze @ropucha @gender-void-partially-stars @its-a-goof-em-up @archivistea @bennerazor @kazuhahas @jestergirlbosom @starswallowingsea @dykethevvitch @pdfbabe @probsnothawkeye @herua @ibetitdoes @basketofmooneggs @jonny-b-meowborn @snufkinniee

[a-wins-a-win]

mouse's attempted B;APO timeline

aka i was writing an irrelevant detail in a silly little fic and it occurred to me that oh wait i could actually think about this!!

credit where credit's due - i am using this timeline right here (from @hearmyvoicee) as a base, but i have some particular thoughts/interpretations of my own + felt like using 2001 dates! (bc why not, ya know? keep it basically of the time it opened) so this whole thing is mostly for my own reference, but if it makes sense to any of y'all as well? great <;3 [keeping it under the cut for my own sanity + yours]

.✨.

Sunday, January 7 [the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, or the closest Sunday to that date - in the case of 2001, that's the 7th]

Epiphany

Monday - Friday, January 8 - 12 [ i swear on my life someone mentioned to me once that it's generally accepted that You & I spans several days?? i cannot find who or where but someone tell me i'm not going insane ]

You & I

Friday, January 12 [the friday is entirely arbitrary, just seems the type of day you'd hold auditions - give it a week to stir interest, cast on friday, start up your rehearsals from the next monday onwards] [i have never been in theater though, so don't hold me to that]

Role Of A Lifetime

Auditions

Plain Jane Fatass

Thursday, February 22 [to me the phrase "we'll meet in Tanya's room on Friday night" implies that it's not yet Friday + in theory the song takes place during study hall, so an actual weekday? so to that end it could be any day monday-thursday, the specifics not mattering in particular, but i arbitrarily went with thursday so that Ivy’s birthday lines up right]

Wonderland

Friday, February 23

A Quiet Night At Home

Rolling

Best Kept Secret

Wednesday, February 28 [borrowing from the previous timeline for this one - the Lent + Ash Wednesday significance makes sense] [to that end, Ash Wednesday 2001 was in fact February 28th]

Confession

Portrait Of A Girl

Thursday, March 1 [in Wonderland they reference the fact that "Ivy's birthday's in a week", ergo wonderland date + 1 week]

Birthday, Bitch!

One Kiss

Are You There?

911! Emergency!

Friday, March 2 [peter mentions 911! Emergency as being "last night"]

Reputation Stain'd

Ever After

Saturday, March 10 [generally, the Spring Break week is from March 11 to March 17, so in my head it makes sense for them to be leaving for their spring break the day beforehand - ergo, March 10th]

Spring

One

✨ spring break / intermission ✨

Sunday, March 17 [the sunday makes sense in my head to mirror Epiphany]

Wedding Bells

Monday, March 19

In The Hallway

Monday, March 26 [ as claire says - "gone a week, i miss you already". so if classes started again on the 19th + 1 week is the 26th ]

Touch My Soul

See Me

Warning

[sidenote, easter 2001 was sunday april 15. to that end, to account for the Easter Monday holiday, likely they had the 16th off also]

Friday, May 18 [okay listen!! i know it crowds A LOT of act 2 together but!! the way sister chantelle says here "if you decide you want to get together one more time" implies to me that they aren't going to be having more Official rehearsal time before the play actually gets performed] [it all has to occur between monday may 14 & sunday may 20 for jason's "graduate next sunday" line to be technically correct] [rory's decided that they'll "meet back here. seven o'clock" - which i was always under the impression is the supposed to be rehearsal that sets up Promise] [Nadia's "call me tonight, or tomorrow, or whenever" to me implies that she won't see him tomorrow? so probably they don't have any classes or rehearsal the next day]["i know it's late" in Cross is such a little detail, but to me it just ties it all up]

Pilgrim's Hands

God Don't Make No Trash

All Grown Up

Promise

Once Upon A Time

Cross

Saturday, May 19 [saturday night seems a reasonable time to put on the show, right? like in order to make it accessible to family + friends outside of the school?]

Two Households

Bare

Queen Mab

A Glooming Peace

Tuesday, May 22 [a {catholic} person is buried between 2 and 7 days after their death, typically around 3. i always got the vibes that Absolution was supposed to take place on/around jason's funeral, ergo the play + 3 days]

Absolution

Sunday, May 27 [going with the assumption that they graduate on the last sunday in may, in 2001 that date was the 27th]

No Voice

.✨.

wanna make it super clear that i a) am australian and b) am not catholic and c) have never been to boarding school or in theater so a lot of dates were found via google search, and/or arbitrarily assigned weekdays

also also at the end of the day i'm not sure the specifics of the timeline super duper matter, it was mostly just for fun - but like. feel free to share ur thoughts!

[ongole]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Mon April 22nd, 2024 ... Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Year B

Reading 1

__________

Acts 11:1-18

The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea

heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God.

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem

the circumcised believers confronted him, saying,

'You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them."

Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying,

"I was at prayer in the city of Joppa

when in a trance I had a vision,

something resembling a large sheet coming down,

lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me.

Looking intently into it,

I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth,

the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.

I also heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.'

But I said, 'Certainly not, sir,

because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'

But a second time a voice from heaven answered,

'What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.'

This happened three times,

and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.

Just then three men appeared at the house where we were,

who had been sent to me from Caesarea.

The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.

These six brothers also went with me,

and we entered the man's house.

He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying,

'Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter,

who will speak words to you

by which you and all your household will be saved.'

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them

as it had upon us at the beginning,

and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,

'John baptized with water

but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us

when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,

who was I to be able to hinder God?"

When they heard this,

they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying,

"God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too."

Responsorial Psalm

______________

Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

R. (see 3a) Athirst is my soul for the living God.

or:

R. Alleluia.

As the hind longs for the running waters,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?

R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Send forth your light and your fidelity;

they shall lead me on

And bring me to your holy mountain,

to your dwelling-place.

R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Then will I go in to the altar of God,

the God of my gladness and joy;

Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,

O God, my God!

R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

_______

Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my sheep, and mine know me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

_________

Jn 10:1-10

Jesus said:

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate

but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.

But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,

as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has driven out all his own,

he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,

because they recognize his voice.

But they will not follow a stranger;

they will run away from him,

because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."

Although Jesus used this figure of speech,

they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,

I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers,

but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate.

Whoever enters through me will be saved,

and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;

I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

Good-News for Today

What is the “Good-news” for today? The “Good-news” is meant to remind us of the comfort, encouragement and most of all, God’s love for us.  Also, a challenge.  Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd”. The good shepherd tends his fold; calls them by name and “I lay down my life for the sheep”.  They know my voice, follow me and are not duped by strangers. Today, the comforting love is found in the intimate image of the relationship between the Good Shepherd, Jesus, and his fold and in Jesus’ relationship with his father.  We, all of us – children, women and men are invited to be in as trusting and faithful a relationship with Jesus as He is with His fold. This does not sound like much of a challenge. To be in a relationship as intimate as Jesus is with His Father, sounds much more challenging. We, like sheep, are not always discerning or faithful.  Jesus is the unconditionally loving and faithful one. As in all of the parables, Jesus is the focus. This reading from John is not about the sheep. Tt is about Jesus, about God, who says “I am…”.  An identity Jesus claims 7 times in John’s gospel alone.  This claim goes back as far as Moses when Yahweh, God,says “I am…”.  

Some of us are fortunate to have the experience of being loved and nurtured.  Jesus wants nothing more than to love and nurture me.  All of us! Jesus wants me, all of us, to know his voice and not be duped by false voices.  What could be more comforting than to be loved and wanted? Especially by God.

The challenge comes later in the chapter. Jesus says, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I must bring them also… So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” I have grown accustomed to those in my fold. My fold recognizes who “belongs” and who does not. “We” belong. “They” do not.

Is it possible for all to become one flock? What do we have in common? Above all else we all want to be acceptable, welcomed, respected and valued for our individuality and uniqueness. We all thirst to belong. We all do belong; just haven’t recognized each other yet. Jews, Christians, Muslims, refugees, immigrants, Africans, Asians, LGBTQ+, the proverbial Other, the cherished and the shunned, the feared, the rich, the poor, the marginalized, the prisoner – all of us want to and do belong to God’s one loved flock.  Some of us cannot verbalize this desire to belong to Jesus’ one flock.  Some of us can only express the pain of exclusion.  

What a wonderful overwhelming invitation to be in a personal, unique and intimate loving relationship with God, with Jesus!  

What would that look like – hard for me to begin to imagine. Just attempting fills me with joy, hope, encouragement and most of all of overwhelming Love.  I am loved and so are you.

I want to love in return.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the open, ongoing invitation to all to belong and participate in Jesus’ one flock.

Amen

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint Adalbert of Prague

(956 – April 23, 997)

Saint Adalbert of Prague’s Story

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus did not discourage Adalbert, who is now remembered with great honor in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Germany.

Born to a noble family in Bohemia, he received part of his education from Saint Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27, he was chosen as bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform forced him into exile eight years later.

In time, the people of Prague requested his return as their bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again after excommunicating those who violated the right of sanctuary by dragging a woman accused of adultery from a church and murdering her.

After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach the Good News to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred by pagan priests in that region. Adalbert’s body was immediately ransomed and buried in the Gniezno, Poland, cathedral. In the mid-11th century his relics were moved to Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague. His liturgical feast is celebrated on April 23.

Reflection

_________

Preaching the Good News can be dangerous work whether the audience is already baptized or not. Adalbert fearlessly preached Jesus’ gospel and received a martyr’s crown for his efforts. Similar zeal has created modern martyrs in many places, especially in Central and South America. Some of those martyrs grew up in areas once evangelized by Adalbert.

***

【Build your Faith in Christ Jesus on #dailyscripturereadingsgroup 📚: +256 751 540 524 .. Whatsapp】

[yhwhrulz]

Today's Daily Encounter Monday, April 1, 2024

The Greatest Love

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."1

Professor Bruce Riggins of McCormick Theological Seminary met a very dedicated Christian woman working with underprivileged people in London. He asked what it was that inspired her faith and action. She told him this story: she was a Jew fleeing the Gestapo in France during World War II. She knew she was close to being caught and wanted to give up. She was hiding in a home in France and a widow came and said it was time to flee. "It's no use," she said, "They'll find me anyway. They are so close." This Christian widow replied, "Yes, they will find someone here, but it's time for you to leave. Go with these people to safety. I will keep your identification and wait here."

She then understood the plan; the Gestapo would find the widow and think she was the fleeing Jew. When she asked why, the widow responded, "It's the least I can do, Christ has already done that and more for me." The widow was caught and imprisoned, allowing the Jewish lady to escape. Within six months she died in a concentration camp. The Jewish lady never forgot. She too became a follower of Jesus Christ and lived her life for others. She said she came to Christ through the greatest love a person can give – self-sacrifice.2

This is exactly how Jesus purchased salvation for us – He was caught in our sin so we could escape. He chose to die in our place so that we could have forgiveness through his blood and a personal relationship with Him. We can never repay what he has done for us, but we can live our lives in a way that honors Him. Jesus selflessly served others in love, so much that he gave his life. Let us, too, serve others faithfully and share the love and mercy we have received.

Suggested prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for Easter. Let us not forget your sacrifice and the forgiveness and unconditional love we have received because of it. I pray that I would honor and glorify you through the way I love and serve others. May others come to know you through the example I give. In Your name I pray, Amen.1. 1 John 3:16 (NLT). 2. www.sermoncentral.com

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by ACTS International, a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. Donations can be sent at: http://www.actscom.com

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When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2005-2023 ACTS International

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

1st April >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Easter Monday 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 2:14,22-33 God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to this

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:

I saw the Lord before me always,

for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.

So my heart was glad

and my tongue cried out with joy;

my body, too, will rest in the hope

that you will not abandon my soul to Hades

nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.

You have made known the way of life to me,

you will fill me with gladness through your presence.

‘Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11

R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you. or R/ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.’

R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you. or R/ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you. or R/ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

nor let your beloved know decay.

R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you. or R/ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

You will show me the path of life,

the fullness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand happiness for ever.

R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you. or R/ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;

and Christ, the undefiled,

hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:

combat strangely ended!

Life’s own Champion, slain,

yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary:

say what thou didst see

upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;

I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!

The angels there attesting;

shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:

he goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen

from the dead we know.

Victorious king, thy mercy show!

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 117:24

Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 28:8-15 Tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee: they will see me there

Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.

And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’

While they were on their way, some of the guard went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers with these instructions, ‘This is what you must say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.’ The soldiers took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[scrabblings]

NOLA Final Report

Well after a whirlwind trip, the eagle has landed back in North Carolina. I had to do a Home Alone-style dash through the Charlotte airport and got home at 1am. Jay was so excited to see me in the morning which melted my heart. I got him a New Orleans Bear that he's named NOB.

I was hoping for a clean sweep on Monday which could've gotten me 2nd place. But ended up 2-2 which put me in at 8th overall. I did win a "class" prize of $170 for being in the top 3 "B" class players (aside from those who placed in top 3). That was a fun result and I think I'm regaining some of my Scrabble magic back.

I won the first two games in the morning. Putting down OUTLEA(p)S and VENTURE. Also used a blank to play UM(i)AQ for 54 points. I'd rarely use a blank for a non-bingo, but if it scores 50+ points - I do it.

In the second game I played STRIPER, LIST(e)RS, and ROUGHEN. This was a tough win against a great player (the #1 seed) from Asheville, Bill Snoddy. Bill was a friend of my Scrabble hero, David Gibson. I was telling him I wanted to get a patch on my tile bag that reads, WWDGD? (what would David Gibson do). Gibson is the greatest Scrabble player of all time and was a very kind and generous mentor to players like me! He passed away in 2019 but his legend lives on. When players are doing so well they can't be caught, they are "gibsonized". Bill was saying he was playing a friendly with Gibson on Easter and thought he'd had him beat. But Gibson bingoed out with VERONICA - a cloth impressed with the image of Jesus' face. This reminded me of this grilled cheese sandwich that had the Virgin Mary's face in it. It went for $28,000 on ebay and I'm sure whoever bought it has regrets since it's now a moldy mess.

I lost the last two games. Probably un-winnable given the tiles that I got. Next time I'd try not to dig myself such a hole in the early part of the tournament to give myself a better shot of the top spot.

Next stop? We'll see. Gotta resume my normal routine for a bit and get back to Scrabble when time permits!

[luminofilmsofficial]

Film In a Week - for teens

An Experienced and Multi Award winning Director with 12 years film making under her belt, teaching  film at London college and university leads this course. She has made 30 short films will take you through your paces, giving you hands on experience of how to make a short film in a week and screen it 2 weeks later. 

Behind and in front of the camera experience, with other Heads of Department teaching you special effects makeup, set design, camera work, sound recording.

On day 5 we film the projects we have prepared. It's rotating learning with a taste of all departments or you can opt out of a department you don't want to be involved in.

There can only be 3 actors in the film so its not just an acting course, its about making a film. Students will vote on a period drama, horror or gritty drama script.

Finished film approx 8-10 minutes.

This is great for any aspiring film actors, those wanting to go to drama school, or film school or anyone who wants some fun while learning.

Get an imdb credit(essential credit for all film makers and actors) and screen at a local place to Sevenoaks/Orpington/Oxted where you can bring your friends and parents to watch. Great to add a link too on your cv's and college/uni applications.

Date is Easter Holidays - March 2024 Monday to Friday

Screening

Age is 15-20

Situated in Kent/SE London

List of b and b available if travelling from far away

Students will be required to bring a packed lunch,

Refreshments provided.

The location is 15 mins from Orpington, Sevenoaks and Oxted station. Uber and taxis available at the station

Plenty of parking for cars on site.

R5 bus which is hail and ride goes from Orpington to the venue in 25 minutes and included in a travel card.

[laresearchette]

Monday, March 06, 2023 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART II (Disney + Star) 9-1-1 (Global) 8:00pm THE VOICE (CTV2) 8:00pm SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP (Food Network Canada) 8:00pm PERRY MASON (HBO Canada) 9:00pm SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP EASTER (Food Network Canada) 10:00pm ROCK THE BLOCK (HGTV Canada) 10:00pm RAIN DOGS (HBO Canada) 10:00pm

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

CBC GEM BACKLASH: MISOGYNY IN THE DIGITAL AGE ROAD TO THE JUNOS: SHAELA MILLER ROAD TO THE JUNOS: D'ORJAY THE SINGING SHAMAN

CRAVE TV PERRY MASON (Season 2) RAIN DOGS

DISNEY + STAR HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART II (series)

NETFLIX CANADA RIDLEY JONES (Season 5)

CURLING (TSN) 9:00am: 2023 Tim Hortons Brier: Pool Play (TSN) 2:00pm: 2023 Tim Hortons Brier: Pool Play (TSN) 7:00pm: 2023 Tim Hortons Brier: Pool Play

MLB BASEBALL (SN) 1:00pm: Tigers vs. Red Sox

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 7:00pm: Celtics vs. Cavaliers (TSN3/TSN4) 9:00pm: Raptors vs. Nuggets

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 7:30pm: Oilers vs. Sabres (SN1) 7:30pm: Sharks vs. Jets (SNFlames) 8:30pm: Flames vs. Stars (TSN5) 9:00pm: Sens vs. Chicago (SNPacific) 10:30pm: Predators vs. Canucks (SN1) 10:30pm: Capitals vs. Kings

MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC) 8:00pm: Nearly exonerated, Ogden is implicated in the warden's murder; Murdoch delves into the death of a fraternity pledge.

SECRETS, LIES AND DNA TIES (Super Channel Fuse) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Chris wants to know who his real father is; Matt wants to know if his girlfriend is cheating on him.

PLAN B (CBC) 9:00pm: Despite working hard to make it perfect, Philip’s life still isn’t going according to plan.

HEAVY RESCUE: 401 (Discovery Canada) 10:00pm: Eric and Senior work to coax a semi back on the road.

[fanficwritersinterviewed]

MCM, Bunnywest & DiscontentedWinter

<<This post is a part of a longer conversation about fanfic writers, how they view fanfic, and their writing process. All views are the fanfic writers’ own, and whatever fanfic they choose to write is entirely their own decision. No judgement value will be placed on fic content. These conversations are meant to provide insight for other fanfic writers in whatever stage they are at in their writing life>>

Meet-Cute Monday

(with Bunnywest & DiscontentedWinter, @bunnywest & @thisdiscontentedwinter) 

AO3 Stats:

Pseud: Bunnywest Pronouns: she/her Current fandoms: Teen Wolf Current pairings: Steter (Stiles/Peter), Stargent (Stiles/Chris), Petopher (Peter/Chris) How many total fic: 178 How many fandoms: 1 Total word count: 1,658,496 Longest fic word count: 111,578 Shortest: 280 Highest kudo count: 5,034 Lowest: 106

Pseud: DiscontentedWinter Pronouns: she/her Current fandoms: Teen Wolf Current pairings: Sterek (Stiles/Derek), Steter (Stiles/Peter), Stetopher (Stiles/Peter/Chris) How many total fic: 86 How many fandoms: 2 Total word count: 1,484,562 Longest fic word count: 80,022 Shortest: 932 Highest kudo count: 18,673 Lowest: 97

What's the story behind your writing pseuds? DW: No story at all except I was on a Shakespeare kick at the time, and someone already had "WinterofDiscontent."

B: I honestly can't remember the exact origin, I think it was back in the days of IIRC and triviachat. I was Ladywest because I'm from western Australia, and then it was Easter so I made it Bunnywest and it just sort of stuck.

DW:That's super cute. I should have made up a super cute story!

How long have you been reading and writing fanfic? B:Ooooh, I wanna say ten years reading? My kid sent me a link to a Stucky fic when I was recovering from surgery, because she knew I'd love it, and also it was T rated so it didn't weird her out too much sharing it. I've been writing since May 2017. There was a really great bit of fanart and I commented that it would be great if there was a story and they said "you could write it," and at first I was "Haha, no," but then the idea wormed into my brain.

I legitimately thought I'd write this 400 word thing and be done, and then people started commenting and asking for more, and I'm a whore for validation. Who knew? So I kept going. And the more I wrote, the more I found my stress levels dropping, and the more fun Peter Hale was to play with. I literally write to empty the brain pan of bullshit. If I go too long without writing now, I have weird stress dreams. And I do so love the endorphin rush of posting at bedtime and waking up to fifty something comments.

DW: I was always aware fanfic was a thing, but Sterek was definitely my gateway drug. In about 2014, a bunch of people I knew on Goodreads started recommending Sterek fanfic, and I was hooked from that moment. In late 2014 a BNF (Big Name Fan) writer wrote a post about how fanfic shouldn't be put on Goodreads, which led to a lot of fic writers demanding GR remove their fics, under the mistaken idea fics were being hosted there, not just linked. And a lot of fans on GR were very upset when their reviews all disappeared without warning. They were also upset to be told that they weren't "real" fans. So I decided to write a Sterek fic for them, which they could talk about on GR and I wouldn't demand it get taken down. I thought that it'd be just that group that would read it, mostly, but suddenly I had an inbox full of comments. So I kept writing more, whenever I had the time between my professional writing projects.

What’s your meet-cute story? DW: I think we'd maybe commented on a few of each other's fics? But then our mutual fandom friend introduced us, and all three of us decided at one point to write a fic together.

B: Our actual meet-cute was Daisy's elephants. Winter posted about her dog's obsession with a particular stuffed toy that she disemboweled on the reg, and lamented that she only had a couple left in her stash. My local reject shop had a shit ton so I sent them to her, and in return she sent me some of her books. We haven't actually met, I think I should point out.

DW: No. We had plans for this month, but... pandemic and closed borders.

Which came first for you: original content writing or fanfic writing? DW: Original writing. I've been writing original characters for as long as I can remember, and I was published first before I posted fanfic anywhere. We wrote our first fanfic collab in September 2019. At some point Bunny said something about how writing a novel was harder, or different, and I bullied her into writing one with me to prove that it wasn't. I mean, it's a bit different, but if you can turn out 50k fanfics in a few weeks, there is nothing stopping you from writing a novel. I eased her in with self publishing, then, in case she thought that was a fluke, with our next series I submitted it to a publisher and it got accepted!

B: Oh fanfic for me. I wanna say we wrote [our first novel] in April 2020 because we both had two weeks off? Winter bullied...lovingly cajoled... me into attempting it just to prove to me I could.

DW: And I was right!

Wow! So this is very much a pandemic collaboration. Because I checked out your self publishing and there was so much, I assumed it must have been over a long time. B: Oh Winter is a machine. She has, I wanna say, fifty odd books? But it’s hard to keep count, only because she keeps releasing more. I have to keep reminding myself that she's the Spiders Georg of writing and three books in a year is perfectly respectable.

DW: Ha! Nah, there are people out there who are writing a lot faster than me!

So I’m absolutely fascinated by the fact the two of you self publish and write fanfic at the same time. I think there is this assumption in writing that fanfic is a nice little stepping stone and then one day you’ll become A Writer. And when you’re A Writer you will have no need for writing fanfiction. B: There absolutely is that assumption that 'real writers' graduate from fanfic. Winter did it backwards because she's just Like That.

DW: For me, fanfic takes the pressure off. I have work writing, and I have fun writing. Fanfic is fun writing, and I reward myself with it when I've got the work writing out of the way. After wrangling characters and plotlines all day, it's fun to go back to fanfic and just let it go in any crazy direction it wants--my fanfics have the tendency to do that!

Also, with fanfic I can write and post a chapter in a day, and tomorrow there will be a bunch of excited comments, which gives me the motivation to jump back in. With original writing, I don't get that immediate and enthusiastic feedback, so sometimes it feels like a lot more of a slog. I'm sure I could write twice as fast if I had a cheer squad for my original writing! So, I'm always going to need fanfic, I think. Not as a stepping stone, but as a fun place to play.

B: This. Case in point: we have two completed books right now that won't be published till the middle of next year, which is a LONG time to wait for validation for that one joke you're really proud of. But fanfic? Write today, post today, feedback immediately!

How has the fanfic community fueled your writing? DW: It's the enthusiasm. It's an incredible feeling when people leave comments about how excited they are to see where this story is going, or where they think it might be. And sometimes reading the comments section just makes me laugh, because I might be in the middle of a fairly shitty day, but a keysmash comment with a flailing Kermit gif? I love making people happy with my fics, or even making them yell at me because of an evil cliffhanger. That enthusiasm is wonderful, and always gives me a push.

B: The rush of getting comments definitely keeps me going-- whether it's the excited flailing for the next chapter with a hundred theories as to what's going to happen, or a simple “IM DED”-- I love it all

DW: Same! It's accountability, too, though not in a formal sense. You want to finish because you don't want to leave anyone hanging!

B: Basically, fanfic is stress relief and original works, while still fun to write, carry slightly more responsibility to turn out, y'know, not shit.

DW: This! Lol!

[joysmercer]

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 7: A Timeline

Season 6 Finale: Wednesday, 5/8 to Wednesday, 5/15/2019

E1 (“MANHUNTER”): Thursday, 6/6/2019

E2 (“CAPTAIN KIM”): Friday, 6/7 to Monday, 6/10/2019

E3 (“PIMENTO”): Tuesday, 6/18 to Thursday, 6/20/2019 + Thursday, 6/27/2019

E4 (“THE JIMMY JAB GAMES II”): Friday, 6/21/2019

E5 (“DEBBIE”): Saturday, 6/22 to Sunday, 6/23/2019

E6 (“TRYING”): Monday, 6/24/19 to late January 2020  

E7 (“DING DONG”): Day 1 to Day 3, mid-March 2020

E8 (“THE TAKEBACK”):  Friday, 3/27 to Monday, 3/30/2020

E9 (“DILLMAN”): around 4/10/2020

E11 (“VALLOWEASTER”): Thursday, 10/31/2019 +  Friday, 2/14/2020 + Sunday, 4/12/2020 to Monday, 4/13/2020

E10 (“ADMIRAL PERALTA”): mid-May 2020 + around 6/17/2020 + Friday, 6/26 to Saturday, 6/27/2020

E12 (“RANSOM”): Day 1 to Day 3, mid-August 2020

E13 (“LIGHTS OUT”): Day 1, around 10/20/2020

explanations for the dates are under the cut!

Things to keep in mind:

The B/C-plots, for the most part, are not included in the calculation of the times here, because they rarely have the same number of days as the A-plot. 

I didn’t take weekends into consideration unless otherwise noted. There is a weekend squad, but we know that the regular detectives also sometimes work weekends (enough so that on more than one occasion, Holt has rewarded them with “weekends off”).

Time-stamps within the episode are used as guidelines, but not always as the rule, unless there is a specific number of days given.

7x01-early 7x06 all have to happen in June so that they can start The Amy Way in July. Please refer to 7x06 for the explanation for the dates on these episodes.

Season 6 Finale: 5/8-5/15/2019 

Has to start and end on a Wednesday; two or more weeks must pass until 7x02.

7x01:  6/6/2019

As per Amy's period in Trying, it has to be at the beginning of the month. 

Continuity: Since patrol cops spend “6 months on the same beat,” which Holt is still doing in December, assume that when Debbie says it’s his “first week on the job,” she means his current beat.

Continuity: her period technically is supposed to start somewhere between 6/2 and 6/7. Assume when she says it’s “late,” she means by just a few days. After all, for the July calendar to be accurate, it can’t be late by more than a week.

7x02: 6/7-6/10/2019

Day 1 – cold open // Day 2 – they meet Cpt. Kim // Day 3 – Party // Day 4 – last scene

Kim got an “email from two weeks ago” from Wunch. Cold-open is on 6/7, a Friday (because Rosa has the weekend off and, therefore, wouldn’t be there to meet Wunch on Day 2 of the episode). The timestamp on the last scene—Day 4—says that it's a Monday. 

7x03: 6/18-6/27/2019

Day 1, 6/18 - cold open

Day 2, 6/19 - visit Pimento’s doctor; Pimento spends the night at Charles’s

Day 3, 6/20 - HR seminar + Pimento in hospital

Day 10: “One Week Later” from Day 3.

Per the cold-open, Amy is ovulating during this episode. Also, Jimmy Jabs are on 6/21.

Continuity: The Masked Singer finale/premiere dates don’t make sense. But the contestant they mentioned didn’t even exist in season 1 of TMS, so it’s excusable.

Continuity: The last scene takes place during “Trying.” Roll with it.

7x04: 6/21/2019

14 days since Rosa last took a vacation—7x02—and a Friday because Amy skips a seminar that was probably wasn’t scheduled for a weekend.

Continuity: Rosa and Jocelyn had apparently been dating “a year” at this point. It was probably shorter than that.

Continuity: This episode most likely takes place before Trying: Jake mentions Amy being more, erm, adventurous now that they’re trying to conceive, and that doesn’t really fit in with the overly-scheduled sex UD-ing that was happening from July 2019 and onwards. Plus, the stress/potential injury that such a competition would bring definitely doesn’t fit in with The Amy Way.

7x05: 6/22-6/23/2019

Debbie steals the cocaine at end of 7x04; assume 7x05 is the day after. The final scene is the day after the rest of the episode.

Continuity: They mention Debbie’s journals from “this year,” and specify that they were written on “August 21.” Assume this means August 2018.

7x06: 6/24/19 - late January 2020  

On the calendars in the war room, “Menstruation” lasts about five days and starts around the 4th of every month; “Ovulation” starts around the 15th of every month and lasts about a week. Amy presumably took a pregnancy test at the very end of every month—not only were these scenes always followed by calendar flips, but she would have to take the tests at least two weeks after ovulation but before she got her period.

The calendar invites/The Jake Way happen in June—so Amy still has to be ovulating at the start of the episode—because they start The Amy Way in July. 

The Amy Way fails for the last time in December. The pregnancy test she takes before Hitchcock announces that his girlfriend is pregnant was late December (around 12/30). The next test she would take—the last scene in the episode—would be late January (around 1/30).

Assuming it isn’t a false positive (which is unlikely, considering her doctor would have double-checked this before putting her on fertility medication), the earliest she can get pregnant would be mid-February.

7x07: lasts about a week and ends mid-March 2020.

Has to be after 2/14 but before 4/12, based on Holt’s uniform changes in Valloweaster. 

It’s very likely that Amy’s just a few weeks pregnant here since she wasn’t suspicious at all until her doctor brought it up; if the hormones messed up her cycle a bit and she got pregnant mid to late-February, she was 3-4 weeks pregnant in this episode and wouldn’t have noticed until taking the test.

Continuity: I’m assuming that the “Ebola Doctor” was Craig Spencer. He contracted the virus in 2014, so “six years ago” makes sense.

7x08: 3/27-3/30/2020.

Since it’s Holt’s first day back, this episode is relatively soon after 7x07, but with a week or two in between to account for paperwork and official promotion procedures. 

Day 1: Friday (The bachelor’s party is over the weekend)

Day 2: Saturday (heist)

Judy’s friends were clearly arrested at nighttime, and that + the change of clothing indicates that Jake and the Judy’s had to have come home the next day.

Day 3: Sunday (Jake comes home)

Day 4: Monday (last scene)

Continuity: The screen on the computer that one of Judy’s men hacks into says “Last Login: March 27 2015.″ Since this episode obviously takes place in 2020, just ignore that.

7x09: ~4/10/2020

Earlier than June—Terry’s kids are still in school (Spring Semester). Also probably(?) a Friday, since Terry’s kids have a concert and it’s unlikely they’ll have one in the middle of the week.

The Friday before Easter (7x11) is April 10.

7x10: Mid-May 2020 (cold open), ~6/17/2020, 6/26/2020-6/27/2020

Cold-Open: pregnancy reveal and end of 1st trimester. 

Day 2: Jake tells his father that they’re having a sex-reveal party “Next Friday,” indicating two Fridays after this day. Therefore, this conversation happened around June 17, 2020 (The Wednesday that is approximately 18 weeks from mid-February).

Day 3: Friday, Day of the party (June 26)

Day 4: Amy finds out; day after Day 3 (June 27)

Continuity: The entirety of 7x11 takes place before this one.

7x11: 10/31/19, 2/14/20, and 4/12-4/13/2020

7x12: Day 1-Day 3, Mid-8/2020

Day 1: Cold Open

Day 2: find cheddar

Day 3: B- and C-plots end

Shakespeare in the Park is usually held in Prospect Park over the summer. Halfway between 7x10 and 7x13 is the end of August; I made it mid-August so it’s still technically “Summer.”

Continuity: Amy’s only 6 months pregnant in this episode and her baby shower is the weekend after. However, in season 5, Gina also had her baby shower at around 5/6 months, so this isn’t unusual for these characters. Plus, this is Amy we’re talking about—she probably had a registry ready to go within days of finding out about the pregnancy. 

7x13: Day 1, late-10/2020. 

The elevator expiry is listed as 12/20/2020 and it was inspected “4 months ago.” elevators in New York are inspected every 6 months, which means that the last inspection was 6/20/2020 and it is now (mid to late-)October. 

Later in the month (10/20/2020* or later) matches up with Amy getting pregnant in mid-February: her due-date would be mid-November, and it makes sense for her to start maternity leave about 3 weeks beforehand. 

Continuity: Amy going on leave so early explains why she didn’t have a maternity bag stashed somewhere in the precinct—we all know that she would have had one had she been working right up to her due date. Also, although Amy’s FOMOW would make her want to stay at the precinct right up until she gave birth, if her doctor recommended her to take rest earlier (which is likely, given how stressful/strenuous her job is…), she would have followed those orders properly.

Thank you to @feeisamarshmallow​ for talking through this with me!

* baby Mac could definitely be either a Libra or a Scorpio :)

[collectorscorner]

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[caps-lockdown]

3 AM

Hello lovelies here is my entry for @justkendings 1K challenge! If ya’ll couldn’t tell I’m trying to branch out and try some writing challenges this year.

Prompts were “Dude. It’s 3 in the morning.” and “I don’t suppose you’ve got a blowtorch around here?”

Thoughts are in italics. It’s also my first time writing a complete AU so be kind. Alright here we go!

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader Modern Neighbor AU

Words: 6,310 HOLY CRIPES THIS GOT AWAY FROM ME

Warnings: Swear words, booze and tons of fluff. Some crude humor. Tony, Bucky, and Sam being impatient and grumpy.

Summary: You’re a Nanny by day and a diner waitress by night. Steve is a first responder who gets off late. You both live in the same apartment building. Insert cavity inducing meet cute here.

It’s in Y/N Y/L/N format. I own nothing but my mistakes/no beta.

A/N: I imagined this like an episode of Friends, so I took a couple of lines from the show as little Easter Eggs, lemme know if you find them. And also know I don’t own friends but I’m super obsessed and what can I say? No one told me life was gonna be this way.

Enjoy!

Saturday, 3 AM

You were certain you were going to fall asleep standing up. The elevator creaked to a stop on the 23rd floor of your apartment building and you zombie dragged your body down the hall. 1-A and screaming kids? Nope. Five-B complete with another wannabe Broadway superstar warming up their vocals to Britney Spears? You live in New York city. There’s one on every floor. You looked across the hallway when you reached your door at 3-C where 7-D sat. You’ve lived here for almost two years and have never met the inhabitants of the two bedroom across from your two bedroom. Not that you had tons of time. You were a Nanny during the day most days, and on nights like tonight you worked at a Diner.

Almost there. You could hear the siren call of your bed, a tired smile at the thought of a hot shower for your screaming feet spreading across your face as you lazily jammed your key ring into the door. You glanced at your wrist watch.

2:50 AM

Your shift at the diner aptly named “The Night Owl” had run a tad bit on the long side tonight, a gaggle of high school theater kids flooding your tables at the tail end of your shift. They were riding the high of their opening night of “Footloose”, demanding cheese fries, milkshakes, and whatever amount of Marge’s meatloaf was remaining from the day. You brushed off a piece of the aforementioned dinner special from your apron, slowly pushing the door open. Not that your attempt to be quiet did any good, the tell tale squeaking of the ancient hinges announcing your nearly KO’d arrival.

Sam was in the living room in less than a minute after you shut the door, a slightly grumpy look on his face.

“Long night?”

“Almost thirty teenagers Sam,” You fell into the overstuffed recliner, reaching to take off your sneakers when there was a soft knock at your door. “Shit, I hope I didn’t wake the neighbors.”

“Relax Y/N, I got this.” Sam walked his own groggy body to the door, looking into the peephole before shaking his head and opening the door with another loud squeak.

You leaned to catch a sight of the person, your heart momentarily stopping as your gaze fell upon the most perfect looking man you had ever seen. Please let him be a neighbor.

Blonde hair sat messily atop his head, still slightly damp from a shower that you no doubt wished you could have been a fly on a wall for. If the tight blue t-shirt that was one flex away from ripping off this walking Adonis was any indication, you would have happily offered to hold the loofa for him too.

“I am so sorry to bother you at this hour. I live right across the hall, in 7-D and I was wondering if I could borrow a cup and a half of sugar from you?”

Sam stared at him, his face void of any emotion. “Sugar? Seriously?”

“Yea you see it’s a coworker, a friend really, birthday tomorrow and I said I would make a cake for him, but ah…I forgot to buy sugar before my shift. I’m a first responder and so when I got off work everything was closed. So you see I heard your door open and thought if I could ask you before you went to bed then I had a decent chance.”

Sam’s face remained stoic. “Dude. It’s 3 in the morning.”

“Actually it’s 2:58,” You replied coolly, pulling your roommate back and replacing him. “A cup and a half of sugar is no problem at all. Give us two shakes, k?”

“Thank you SO much,” The tall drink of water gushed, you giving him a small and peppy “No problem!” before making your way to your kitchen. You always managed to keep extra essentials in the pantry, your fingers easily finding your spare bag of sugar, taking note of the half full open one. “Go back to bed Sam, I’ll handle it.”

“Be careful Y/N, I’ve seen this horror movie before.” Sam warned with a wary look at the man before walking into his room and shutting the door with a THUD.

You handed the full bag of sugar to the man, enjoying the warmth from his hands as they brushed yours. “Sorry about him, it’s way past his bedtime.”

“Your boyfriend was right to be grumpy. It’s stupid early.” You chuckled, “What? Did I say something funny?”

“Sam isn’t my boyfriend, he’s my roommate. Truth be told most of the time I want to kill him. I imagine that would be multiplied ten-fold if we were actually dating.”

“I understand.” He shuffled his slipper clad feet on the floor for a moment before snapping his eyes to yours. “Uh thanks for the…the sugar. I only needed…”

“We have plenty, and I hate measuring things at 3 in the morning.”

“Actually it’s, “He checked his cell phone, “3:14”

Cheeky. “Then you better get to baking that cake then huh?” You smiled at his flustered appearance when he hastily nodded,

“Right, thanks again!”He turned to walk into his own open doorway. A dark haired man with a goatee you hadn’t noticed before stood in a gold and red bathrobe, trying to get a look at you around his brick shithouse built dwelling mate. Probably his partner. Damn it all. You shut the door with a defeated sigh. Figures.

The door to Steve and Tony’s apartment had the terrible habit of slamming shut, the hinges like its neighbor shot but in different ways. This morning was no different. SLAM

Steve nodded to his roommate after throwing the lock.

“Who’s the babe?” Tony asked, mischief floating in his eyes as Steve fought the urge to roll his own into the back of his head.

“Obviously our neighbor Tony. She was kind enough to lend me some sugar to bake Bucky’s cake.” He held up the bag for emphasis. “See?”

“Well shit Steve if you just wanted some sugar all you had to do was ask…” Steve fake gagged as he walked past his roommate, the older man throwing his hand to his chest in mock hurt. “What I just don’t do it for you anymore? You gotta go get your sugar from other women now? Am I not enough?!”

“There is too much to unpack there Ton, so please, for the love of everything holy, just go to bed.”

“Fine. But don’t expect me to wait up for your cheatin ass!”Steve pinched the bridge of his nose as Tony swayed his hips back into his room, “Next time ya see her, get her number for me?”

“Fat chance asshole, I saw her first.” Steve waved off his roommate sticking out his tongue before Tony shut the door, shaking his head and redirecting his focus to the task at hand.

It was going to be a long morning.

Saturday, 1 PM

“RISE AND SHINE YOU BEAUTIFUL MESS!”

You groaned, rubbing the sleep from your eyes as you sat up in the living room. How had you fallen asleep on the couch? And when did you fall asleep on the couch? You reached for the outstretched coffee cup Sam handed you, the hot green tea sloshing in its container as you brought it to your mouth. “I see you watched the season finale of QVC. Worth the hype?”

Your middle finger was met with a pained expression, “Oh Y/N, that is obscenely un-ladylike. What would your poor mother think?”

“Well she’s been dead seventeen years Sam, so I imagine not a thing.” You smiled tightlipped at your roommate who shook his head.

“Ya always gotta play the dead mom card?”

“Hmm that depends,” You spoke to the screen in front of you, “You gonna keep wearing too tight tee shirts and pants in a last ditch effort to get a girlfriend?”

“You wound me my lady. You cut me so deep just now.”

“Whatever, don’t you have work?” Your eyebrow raised when he shook his head.

“Nah foreman gave us the weekend off since we’re ahead of schedule. Don’t you got the kids today? Or the Owl?”

“Nope I don’t got either til Monday. I’m taking the kids to the Zoo when they get back from their family reunion.” You chuckled into your cup, “I’ve actually missed the little fuckers.”

“Well you have been their nanny for the last three years. What’re ya gonna do when they’re grown?”

“Sidney isn’t even in middle school yet Sam cut me a break. I got another four years, easy.”

 “Well what should we do with our new free time?”

“How about we go to the park? Grab some lunch, enjoy the sunshine. Tonight we can binge Golden Girls and drink way too much wine and order take out? My treat?” Sam seemed to ponder for a minute before nodding,

“For once you actually know what you want so who am I to say no?” You threw a pillow at him from the couch which he dodged with ease.

“Gotta be faster than…”

The second pillow didn’t miss as you squealed and ran to your room to get ready.

~~Meanwhile in 7-D~~

“No…too corny…no….not corny enough…”

Steve rubbed the back of his neck, a pile of sticky notes in a crumbled heap next to his desk. Writing a simple thank you note to your neighbor shouldn’t be this hard. It wouldn’t be, if you hadn’t been so incredibly attractive that he forgot to human. He never even introduced himself! He didn’t even ask your name! Tony said to cut himself some slack because it had been so early but Steve’s ma would hang him out to dry if she knew he had been knocking on some beautiful woman’s door at 3am.

He needed a nap.

The cake was baked and already frosted, sitting pretty ready for the big night tonight. He had used some of the sugar to make a nice coffee butter cream to ice the dark chocolate cake. Steve was super thankful you had given him the whole bag, or else Bucky would have gotten an unfrosted, sad cake. That would have definitely demoted him from “Best friend status”.

As if on cue his phone vibrated with a text message from his now a year older friend in a group chat for tonight.

Get some sleep old man, we got a long night tonight. –B

Yea yea I’m goin, sucks I have to sleep during this beautiful day though –S

This weather is freaking weird. Nearly sixty in MARCH? –B

Yea and global warming isn’t real. >.> –T

On that note I’m passing out, still on for 7?-S

Yep-B

Correct, sleep well boo thang! See you soon! Have sweet dreams of me! XoXo-T

How can I when you’re a living nightmare?-S

Steve rubbed his eyes, slapping his last written sticky note on the new bag of sugar before going to his room and passing out for a few hours.

Saturday, 6:30 PM

You and Sam had a lovely time walking central park, stopping at your favorite pizza place for lunch and just spending time catching up. You’ve been best friends since high school, and with both of you being on such odd hours most days it had become pretty difficult to enjoy the moments in between. The two of you were laughing your asses off as you made your way to your door, six bottles of wine swinging in bags at your sides.

Tonight was going to be exactly what you both needed.

Sam looked down when you nearly tripped over a block on something outside your door, “What the hell?”

You lowered yours to the floor, where a new bag of sugar sat, along with an attached sticky note. Thanks again for the sugar, Sugar.  The cake is sure to be a big hit. -Steve

You beamed as Sam reached down to pick it off the floor. “Looks like 7-D has got a sweet spot for you.”

“Oh Sam shaddup.” You groaned, shutting the door behind him. “He’s just being nice.”

“Yea sure, you gonna ask mister Sweet tooth out?”

“We both know I never will Sam, I’m too nervous about that kind of thing.” A defeated sigh left you as you sat back down on the couch and began setting up for the evening, “’sides, I think he’s batting for the same team. A very handsome man was waiting for him this morning.”

“Oh honey I’m sorry but there is a chance he’s like a screen door in a hurricane?” You tilted your head in confusion when he grinned, “Swings both ways? He assumed we were dating, so why should you assume they are?”

“Because they’d be the cutest couple in the whole damn building?” You laughed bitterly, setting the remote down on the table while the opening credits started playing. “Now will you call out for Thai already? All the wine shopping made me a starving Marvin.”

“You got it dude!” Sam agreed, hopping over the couch with a loud “WOOHOO” and landing next to you, picking up one of the many take out menus on the coffee table. “Usual spot or we looking to be adventurous this evening?”

“I so don’t have the strength for new tonight Sam, you know what I like.”

Sam saluted you before pulling out his phone, you turning down the volume as he ordered food.

Yea, exactly what you needed.

Sunday, 3 AM

“Sam….Sammy….” You whined, holding the broken corkscrew in a tipsy sadness. This was my favorite wine opener.

“Aww man, that was my favorite wine opener!” Sam echoed your thoughts, both of you giving your old friend a moment of silence before you ceremoniously dropped it into the trashcan.

“Our only wine opener.” You said with a sigh. Sam followed suit.

“What now? We still have two bottles to go through!”

Your eyes widened at your bright idea, rushing for the door as fast as your wine-soaked body could carry you and throwing the door open. You winced at the loud creak, hoping one day you’d remember to WD-40 the hinges. Your smile dropped when no one answered the door across the hall, turning back to Sam with a disappointed shrug. “No one home. I guess we’ll have to quit while we’re ahead.”

“That’s quittin talk!” Sam slurred, using the doorframe as a post, drifting off into thought as to how you could obtain a new corkscrew at this hour.

That’s when you heard it. An obnoxious laugh flooding the hall from the elevator, followed by loud, fumbling footsteps and a lot of cuss words.

“Jesus…Bucky…You’re such a damn lightweight anymore…What…what happened to you?” You recognized the brunette from earlier this morning, the blond god helping him hold up a dark haired man as they made their way towards their door. “Oh great and now the hot girl in 3-C is standing outside our door and we look like shit. Thanks Barnes.”

You took in their scraped and slightly bloodied appearance with a shocked expression, Sam wrinkling his nose at the smell of blood. “You guys look terrible. Rough night?”

The other half of 7-D winced when you stared at him, “We’ve been in worse scraps than this. But yeah, wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.” He gave you a soft, split lip smile. “What can I do for you beautiful?”

Your face burned up at the compliment, although you were positive the wine wasn’t helping matters. “Do….dddo you have a corkscrew? Ours broke.” You stammered, and followed it with a “What happened to you three?”

“Oh you know how birthdays parties and booze go.” Steve gave massive side eye to the man in the middle, “Someone didn’t want to share his cake I made him, sadly the rest is history.”

The drunk man in question had the good sense to look somewhat guilty as he sloppily threw his head up to look at the man, “JAMES DOESN’T SHARE FOOD!” He affirmed in a loud voice before dragging his gaze to you, his eyes widening in surprise. “Damn you…you weren’kidding Steve….she IS a babe.” The man attempted to wink at you with a black eye, you shaking your head at the absurdity of it all. “My….my name’s James but everyonecallsme Bucky. But you….you can callmewhatever you want sweets….”

“Alright Pal, let’s get your dumbass inside.” Steve gritted out with a clenched jaw as you darted out of the way. “And we got a couple corkscrews, so you can borrow one, no problem.”

“I got a screw she can have…” Tony muttered, barely missing 7-D’s free arm, letting go of Barnes in the process. He landed face first on the floor with a wham.

”YoU….YOu…ASShole!” Bucky spat angrily into the floor, trying in vain to pick himself up, “What…whatthefuck did I EVER do to you?!”

Tony scoffed, “Please, you want the short list or the long list?”

Laughter bubbled out of you and Sam while the blond quickly went into the kitchen and dug through drawers. He was back in a flash, holding out a wine opener that looked…

“That’s the same one we had!” You laughed, taking it from him while running your fingers over his as he released it with a small shudder. “You’re a life saver Steve!”

“I do what I can,” He replied with a chuckle.

“Hereally is a… lifesaver sweet thang.” Bucky said and you looked down to see he had managed to roll himself over in his inebriated state, staring at the two of you with a dreamy expression, “You two….wouldmakegreatlooking babies.”

“And I think that’s our cue.” Sam said with a tight lipped smile. “Thanks again dude, we’ll get this back to you ASAP.” You didn’t hold back your disappointment when the blond nodded.

“Take your time, and don’t mention it.” He looked at you, blue eyes making you want to drown in them, “Have a good night 3-C.”

“You…you too Steve.” You managed to get out before being dragged out of the doorway by your roommate. You stared at him when he shut the door and threw the lock, walking over to the unopened bottle with newfound purpose. “What the hell was that about?” You jumped slightly when the door across the hall slammed shut.

“They were making me nervous Y/N, I don’t like the way they all talked to you.”

“Steve isn’t like the others Sam, you need to stop being so overprotective.”

“That Bucky dude was one sentence away from getting a second black eye.”

“You’re a big baby. Now get to pouring that wine! I gotta see what Dorothy was going to say to Blanche!”

“Yes ma’am.” Sam rolled his eyes before uncorking the bottle. “Anything else ma’am?”

You had already hit resume on the t.v, grabbing a handful of stale popcorn and throwing most of it in your mouth, making a face at the pieces that fell to the floor. You wasted no time snatching the glass from him before the two of you sat on the couch, continuing your binge.

~~Meanwhile~~

“You NEED to ask her out Stevie!” Tony whined, holding the ice pack to his head. Steve shook his head, throwing Bucky a bag of frozen peas. Which he didn’t catch. Steve should have figured as much.

“I don’t NEED to do anything Tony. So shaddup already.” He warned, Bucky cocking his head in confusion.

“Why not? You said she ain’t dating her roomie right?”

“Doesn’t mean she ain’t seeing anyone else.” He admonished, getting really tired of his friends poking their noses into his personal life. Again

“What do you have to lose if she is? She’s insanely hot dude, at least get on a first name basis with her!”

He still hadn’t gotten your name. Shit.

“Alright mister Casanova, and just how do you suggest I do that?”

“Go ask to borrow something.” Bucky suggested, a little more sober than he had been a couple hours ago. Which wasn’t much, but any progress is progress.

Steve pulled a face, “You’re an idiot.”

“But I’m your idiot.” He smiled brightly, standing to stretch and accidentally knocking off the hideous “Better latte than never” coffee mug Steve had been too nice to throw away. He had gotten it as a gift, the eyesore coming from a female patient whose life he had saved a couple years ago. It was a nice thought, but the bright green and hot pink polka dots weren’t really his thing. “Oh no! Whatever shall we do!”

“You dick!” Tony glared, pointing to the shards of ceramic that littered the cheap hardwood floors, “We haven’t bought a new dustpan yet!”

Bucky tapped his temple, pointing to the door. “Looks like you’ll have to ask the hot neighbor.”

Steve checked his phone. 4:30 AM “No way, it’s too fucking early.”

“They still might be up.” Bucky shrugged, padding his way to the door and opening it with a dramatic flourish. He cupped his ear, leaning into the hallway. Steve heard your giggle fit from the other side of the hall, small smile creeping its way over his lips. How Fortuitous. “Could I be anymore right?”

“Alright you win this round.” Steve wiped his face with his arm, careful to avoid his split lip as he walked into the hall, but not before hip checking Bucky. “Jesus I hope she doesn’t think I’m a creep.”

He lightly knocked, hearing a small yelp on the other side followed by a gruff “I swear if it’s 7-D again I’m gonna…”

“Lay off him Sam, he’s hot and has been nothing but sweet. You rather it be the bitchy land…”

Steve jumped back when you pulled the door open, having a bit of difficulty with the new amount of wine you’ve consumed and hanging onto it as the SQQQQUUUUUEAAAK made you wince. You really needed to get that fixed. “Steve, hi…your ears burning? We were just talking about you!”

Apparently you couldn’t whisper when you were drunk. Steve found it adorable.

“No I uh, didn’t hear a thing. I got a weird question.”

“I got a weird answer.” You deadpanned, right before erupting into a fit of giggles. “Shoot”

“You got a dustpan? Bucky broke a mug and we haven’t had a chance to get a new one since the stove incident a few months back.”

You stared at him, eyes wide. “How do you leave a dustpan on a stove?”

“Hangover Breakfast.”

“Ah. Say no more. You wanna step in for a sec?”

“Uh yea, sure.” Steve stepped into your space and immediately felt like he was home. All of the décor on the walls, the perfectly coordinated knick knacks. Hell even your curtains matched.  It was an elegant take on pastels and spring themes. A lovely antique bird cage with flowers hung in the window. Stunning shades of blues and purples covered the furniture and windows, offsetting the gray colors of the couch, chair and tables. “Your space is amazing.”

“Thanks, it’s all Y/N and her HGTV obsession. Thankfully it’s all seasonal.” Sam laughed, emptying his glass. “You want a glass of wine while you wait? She usually doesn’t take long but we’ve had quite a bit to drink and right now I’d bet money she forgot which closet it’s in. We only have the one but her drunk brain sucks ass.” As if on cue the two men twisted their heads at the sound of you clamoring through the small closet.

“Nah I’ll pass. I’ve had more than enough for tonight. Thanks though.”

“I FOUND IT!” You emerged from the depths of Narnia, hair a mess and shirt rumpled holding a bright pink dustpan. The guys won’t him live that down, he could already hear them now. As if reading his thoughts you offered an apologetic smile, “Sorry bout the color.”

“It’s fine, you’re an absolute angel. Thank you.”

“Hey anytime, you’re quitelovelytolookat.” You got out in one long breath, eyes wide as you hoped he didn’t catch all of that. Wine made your sober thoughts flow out of your mouth a lot easier, which was always embarrassing.

“You’re quite attractive too Y/N.” Your eyes remained wide as you stared in panic.

“How did you…”

“Easy there no need to freak out, I’m not a stalker.” Steve chuckled, throwing his now dustpan clad hands in defense. “Sam told me. Like two minutes ago.” You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, Sam rolling his eyes. This was so cute he wanted to puke. “Well I should get back to the guys before they figure out a way to burn the building down.”

“Right…” You gave a half smile, careful to get a good eyeful of his perfect ass as he left. The door shut with a loud creak. “He’s really cute Sam.” Sam made a face when his door slammed.

“Then do what NORMAL people do and, “He gripped your shoulders, giggles falling out of you as he gently shook you with every word, “Ask. Him out!”

“I barely know him Sam.”

“That what dates are for. Although with your track record you might as well just ask to borrow something after an hour. “

And with Sam’s brilliant idea lodged in your head you decided to do just that.

5:30 AM

Crreeeeeak

Your slightly less than sober self tiptoed into the hall, attempting to listen to the guys arguing over movies before knocking on the door. Steve answered the door in record time.

“Whatcha need Sweetheart?”

“You got any extra bags of popcorn? We’re out.”

“Sure thing, hang on.” You accepted the bags gratefully. “Anything else?”

“Favorite color?”

“Blue.”

“Blue….ok bye!”

“Bye”

Slam

Creeeeeeeak

6:30 AM

Slam

Knock

Your turn to open the door with a Creeeeeak

“Yes?”

“You got an iron?” Steve asked sheepishly, Tony, being slightly annoyed at the interruption of movie time poked his head into the hall.

“Why do you need an Iron? We have an Iron! I’m the Iron Man in this apartment!”

“She might have one not covered in cheese grease.” Steve said pointedly, Bucky looking guilty from opposite of Tony.

“That happened one time months ago! I bet it still works fine!” You gave the men a sympathetic glance.

Steve looked pleadingly at you. “Please.” You nodded, walking past a slightly irked and sleepy Sam to dig through the closet, returning promptly with an iron. “Thanks Doll, what’s your favorite movie?”

“Casablanca. You?”

“Pride and prejudice…” Your heart melted for .5 seconds before he quickly added “And Zombies.”

“Gotcha. Well, have a good morning. “

“Yea you too Y/N.”

Creeeeaaaak

Slam

7:30 AM

Creeeeeak

Knock Knock

Steve rubbed at his eyes before perking up at the sight of you in pjs, sleepy look on your own face as well.

“I don’t suppose you’ve got a blowtorch around here?” You asked casually.

Steve looked stunned. “Uh….One, should I be concerned for Sam’s well being?” You quickly shook your head. “Alright…Two, why do you need a blowtorch?”

“Crème Brulee” You laughed at his reaction, his eyebrows so far into his hairline they almost got lost into his hair. An exaggeration on your part but it was still definitely a sight. “Relax, I’m mostly sober. Just hungry.”

“There is no way your custard could have set by now.”

He noticed how you looked impressed before shrugging as if it were nothing, “It has when you own a blast chiller. Being employed by two world renowned chefs has its perks.”

“I guess. Hang on.” You managed to catch a glimpse of Tony and Bucky partially glaring at you from the living room.

“I’m not keeping you guys up am I?”

“Only meant to go to bed four hours ago.” Tony snapped before grinning, “But if you come in and cuddle with me til I fall asleep I’ll consider us even.” He winked and you felt slightly self conscious for standing in a doorway in a tank top and shorts.  

“Tony, go to bed. No one is keeping you out here.” Steve tossed across his shoulder before handing you the handheld heat device. “One blowtorch. “

“Thanks Steve. Want me to bring you some?” You asked innocently, cradling the blowtorch like a newborn. Bucky cleared his throat. “I think Tony and I deserve some for putting up with you two all night.” You gave a deep sigh before nodding slowly.

“Done. I did plan on bringing you some anyway, for being so nice to me. And like a belated birthday present.” Bucky’s eyes almost bulged out of his head, whipping it over to Steve at such a speed you thought it would pop off and get carried out of the window.

“If you don’t marry her I call dibs.” You held up a finger before heading back to your apartment, the door being left open for the simple fact that Sam had threatened to smother you. His hangover was coming in hot, and he was always so cranky when he had one. You put the finishing touches on the small ramekins, using the blowtorch with skilled hands. The parents of the kids you sat most of the week had taught you a thing or two after all. You carefully set them on a tray and along with a French press of fresh coffee, bridged the gap between your two doors once more.

You set the tray down on the coffee table in front of three sets of hungry eyes. “I hope you like it!” You said cheerfully, taking a minute to soak in the childlike wonder that graced the three men’s faces. They took no time digging into the confection, Bucky and Tony making nearly identical moans at their first spoonful.

“I take back all the bad things I was thinking about you.” Tony got out before moaning again, “This stuff should be illegal.” You shook your head, slowly backtracking through the door.

“I’m glad, but I should be trying to sleep now. I hope you all have a goodnight…I mean morning.” You rushed back to your apartment with a loud crrreeeeeaaaak.

“She’s perfect.” Steve gushed after nearly inhaling his dessert.

“If only you had remembered to ask her out.” Tony muffled out, going to town on licking the inside of the small bowl as if there were any stray pieces of burnt sugar remaining. “Now it looks like I’m going to have to. Really have to twist my arm.”

Steve looked at your closed door in disappointment. “Shit.”

8:00 AM

Slam

Steve raised his hand, waiting a moment to knock. He’d been an annoying asshole all night to his roommates, not to mention yours. He should just call it a night but he desperately needed to ask you out before he lost his nerve. And before Tony had a chance to. He lightly rapped on the door, holding his breath while the door creaked open. But you didn’t answer.

One extremely pissed off and extremely hungover Sam Wilson did.

“Someone better be dying 7-D.”

“Oh uh no…sorry I was uh…” Steve trailed off, looking for a way to cover his ass from the obvious wrath coming his way. “Spit it out I don’t have all day.” Sam warned, tapping his foot impatiently.

“DoyouhaveablenderIcouldborrow?” Steve shot out, the mumbled jumbled mess making Sam quirk a brow, crossing his arms.

“Come again?”

“Sorry, “ Steve cleared his throat before starting again, “Do you have a blender I can borrow? For Bloody Marys? The guys are gonna have a wicked hangover and I thought I’d be nice and make them when they wake up.”

“A blender seems like the exact opposite of what they need with a hangover  but what the hell. If it gets you out of my hair.“ Sam sighed, rubbing his eyes, “Hang on.” It took Sam ten seconds to retrieve the contraption and all of its matching parts. Steve would have been impressed, if he hadn’t felt so bad.

“One blender. Now let me die in peace.”

“Thanks…?” “Sam. Sam Wilson.”

“Sam.” Steve tried the name on for size with a wide smile. “Nice name.”

“Don’t push your luck Steve, Y/N may have fallen for that pretty boy crap but I sure as shit won’t.”

“I don’t suppose you two will want a Bloody Mary later?”

The door was already closing, Sam speaking into the shrinking crack with indifference. “Not unless it’s made out of sleep. Goodnight 7-D”

Steve thought his was the only door in the hallway that could slam.

Sunday, 3PM

“Y/N we need more toilet paper!” Sam called from the closet next to the bathroom, you hastily scribbling the words down on a post it note before grabbing your keys.

“I’m on it! If you think of anything else, text me!” You rushed out the door, not noticing you had forgotten to grab your apartment keys on the counter. You always carried two separate key rings, in the highly likely scenario of someone trying to mug you. Sam looked at them, wheels beginning to turn.

~~In 7-D~~

“I’m going out to get some celery!” Steve called, grabbing his keys and slipping on some worn sneakers, “If you need anything just message me!” Slam

“Today’s the day I change the locks.” Tony said confidently, retreating to his room briefly to grab the new set. He had been waiting for both of them to be home, but with the way Steve had been with Y/N all night he had a score to settle. Groaning at the sound of the trash man outside he pressed the once frozen bag of carrots to his head, walking out and past a comatose Bucky on the couch. Tony glared. Asshole can sleep through anything.

He was counting on it.

4:15pm

You were extremely concerned when you reached the apartment building and realized you forgotten your keys, temporary panic set in before you remembered two things.

One, Sam was still home.

And two, he was a light sleeper.

You practically sprinted down the hall, paying no mind to the tall blond that was slapped against his own door in defeat, random items along either side of the doorway. As you neared your own door you noticed a small pile of items had migrated outside as well, a bright orange sticky note attached to the oak door.

“They’ve locked us out.” Steve said with a groan, bag holding celery and coffee hitting the ground with an unimpressed thud. “They’re punishing us for this morning.”

“No way!” You bit out, knocking on the door angrily, “Wilma! Open this retched door if you ever want to take a shit again!” You looked down at the ground, finally acknowledging the objects. “What the hell is all of this?”

“It the things we borrowed from each other last night.” Came the blonde’s response, you recognizing the bright pink dust pan, French press, and Iron. Among other things he had asked for in the early hours.

“When did you borrow my blender?” You asked pointedly, noticing how Steve’s face turned a slight pink.

“This morning. I got Sam.” You mouth made a perfect O shape, taking the sticky note off the door. What he said-Sam

“This note makes no sense.” You whispered, scratching the crown of your head, looking up to Steve to see his blush deepen. “What’s this about?”

“Uh….here.” He handed you his own crumpled up note.

You can come in when you’ve grown a pair and asked her out –Tony

“Oh.” You stared at the note, shifting your weight from foot to foot while your hallway partner studied your face as if it was the first time meeting you. He jumped in surprise when you looked up again at him with a beaming smile, “Well how about lunch?”

“You’re not hungover?” He asked curiously, you scoffed.

“Please, I’m no rookie.”

“Lunch sounds great Y/N,” Steve beamed his own mega watt smile your way and held out his arm, “You ever been to Kay’s?”

“I looove Kay’s!” You gushed, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the hall, but not before yelling loudly. “IT’S A DATE! NOW YOU GUYS CAN PUT OUR STUFF BACK!”

The three men were happy to do it, thankful for some more peace and quiet. Even if only temporarily.

Six Months Later, 3 AM

Crreeeeaaaak

“God damnit.”

Your eyes shot open to the sound of your apartment door opening, waiting for the infernal door to scream in protest before it was shut. But that never came. Instead the sound of power tools and more cussing filled the air for a few moments before the sound of rattling metal and plastic containers flooded your ears. Curious, you threw on some slippers and opened your door, walking into the living room.

Your heart fluttered at the sight of Steve Rogers replacing your door hinges.

“Good morning handsome.” You called, walking up behind him and wrapping your arms around his solid middle, “You’re busy this morning. Long shift?”

“Nothing major, “ Steve moved so his arm came to rest around your side, “figured it was time we got this fixed. Especially since I live here now.”

“My hero,” You snarked, “whatever would I do without you?”

He snickered, “Probably kill Sam by now.”

“Yup.” You grinned when he let out a loud bark of laughter, “And now it’s just another thing you can hold over him when you see him and Tony this afternoon for brunch.”

“Copy that. Their apartment or ours this time?”He questioned, itching to get his hands on you.

“Theirs. So we have plenty of tim..”  He gripped you tight and cut you off with a kiss, you responding immediately. Steve sighed and picked you up effortlessly while you wrapped your legs around him. He pushed the door shut and tossed the lock over with ease, walking both of you back to your room.

Both doors closed with a soft click.

The end.

Tagging: @kaytizzle @giggleberts @cuffski @pies-wands-and-more

[myheroacademiashorts]

Easter Gift

Pairing: Tamaki Amajiki x Reader

Rating: Fluffier than a bunny’s tail

Words: 2,826 (THE ENDING, IM SORRY IM SO BAD AT WRITING ENDINGS TO FICS, FORGIVE ME)

A (Belated) Easter fic for Tamaki, as well as my first fic with this soft boi. Hope you enjoy!

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

Tamaki Amajiki hated crowds, that much was painfully obvious. But another thing he hated was giving someone a gift with a crowd.

Nejire tugged on his arm, grin on her lips as she led him closer to the classroom’s doorway. The hallways of U.A. had been decorated in pastel colors and paper eggs for the last week, everyone’s excitement sky-high for Easter. However, after the holiday, the decor had been stripped away and tossed in the trash. From the corner of his eye, Tamaki could see a stray, forgotten plastic egg on the ground. “Oh, stop worrying!” Nejire huffed, yanking on the boy a bit more forcefully but to no avail. “It’s just a little gift, she’s going to love it!”

He gulped, Adam's apple bobbing nervously as he slid his gaze downwards. It wasn’t exactly a little gift, in his mind; the basket was heavy in his hand, and it wasn’t because of the chocolates. “Y-you don’t think she’ll f-find it w-weird?” Tamaki murmured, more to himself than to Nejire. Mirio clapped him on the back, and he suddenly remembered his second friend being there. The blonde was all smiles. “Nonsense! She’s gonna love it!” His voice was a little booming, causing the shy man to shrink back and glance inside of the room fearfully.

“Sh! S-she might h-hear you!” Tamaki whimpered, and he was at least grateful that your attention seemed to be elsewhere.

What he didn’t know, however, is that you had seen him standing outside of the room for a few minutes, now, one of your friends elbowing you with a grin. “Looks like you-know-who is out there. Wonder why?” She teased, and with a furious blush growing on your cheeks you glanced towards him. He was as handsome as always, face red and eyes downcast to a colorful basket in his hands. Was that for you? You didn’t want to dwell on the thought, in case it was really for someone else, shoved yourself up from your chair. He didn’t seem to notice you approaching him, but Nejire and Mirio sure did as they both offered you polite smiles.

“Hi!” Your voice made the poor boy jump, and he spun to you with comically wide eyes. The basket originally dangling from his hands was suddenly hugged to his chest, then shoved behind his back and away from your - and your classmates’ - prying eyes. He met your gaze. “Y-Y/N!” His deep voice shook, and somehow his blush turned an even deeper shade. “H-Hi! I-I’m Tamaki, I mean y-you already k-knew that b-but just in case y-you f-forgot, or m-maybe didn’t r-remember. I m-mean, I hope y-you remember me, because I r-remember you… O-oh, that sounds w-weird, doesn’t it? I’m s-sorry.” Tamaki wished he had Mirio’s quirk at that moment, so he could phase through the floor and away from the terribly awkward blabber that he couldn’t stop falling from his lips.

You giggled, attempting to use one hand to smother down the noise as you used the other to close the classroom door. You could hear some of your classmates groan at the loss of drama during their free period. “I remember! Is there anything I can help you with, Tamaki-kun?” You smiled sweetly at him, and he looked as if he were on the verge of fainting. When he didn’t answer, Nejire took the reins.

“Hi, Y/N! Tamaki here just needed some help with…?” She shot a helpless glance in Mirio’s direction, and he piped up instantly. “... With some papers! For our teacher! Nejire and I are busy, so do you mind?” The lie was obvious, but you didn’t mind. Plus, it would be good to spend a bit more time with Tamaki.

You looked at the fairy-like boy, your smile growing. “I’d be happy to! Lead the way, Tamaki-kun!” Mirio leaned closer to the boy, whispering something in his ear with a devious grin before plucking the hidden basket from him and rushing down the hallway. Nejire offered you a wave. “Thanks, Y/N! See you later!” She said, before skipping after her blonde friend with a hum.

You looked back to Tamaki, who stood frozen as he stared at the spot his friends had just stood moments before. Then, his dark eyes moved to you. “Y-yeah… The papers.” He murmured, and cleared his throat. “F-Follow me, Y/N-chan.” You nearly squealed at how adorable he was being, that blush never leaving his pale cheeks as he slid his attention to the hallways and began walking, hands tucked into his pockets. You walked alongside him patiently, hands swinging at your sides. Meanwhile, Tamaki was in a state of shock; what was he supposed to do? Should he try talking to you? What if you already thought he was weird, and you were only helping him so he’d leave you alone? You were his first high school crush, and he may have already ruined it. Maybe he should just-

“So, how have you been in the last week?” Your voice floated, soft and patient, and Tamaki pulled himself from his anxious thoughts. You kept your eyes mostly in front of you, with a few side glances at the dark-haired male beside you. He wished he could stare at you forever. You looked beautiful, especially with the way the sun was streaming through the window just right to show off the glow of your hair, and the brightness of your E/C gaze. Not to mention the way you’d smile at him, so bright and full of life in his direction, just as you were doing right now-

He dropped his gaze, and you fought down the giggle that threatened to erupt from you. “S-sorry, wh-what was the q-question?” Tamaki cursed the stutter that held within his voice.

“How was your week? I haven’t seen you since the presentation last Monday.”

Ah. The presentation. It was hard to believe that just one week ago, Tamaki had met you for the first time in his life as he and his friends went to your class to give a presentation on becoming Pro-Heroes. You were a second year in the 2-B Hero course, and after almost spilling an opened carton of coffee on him when running into the room late, you’ve been on the boy’s mind. He had frozen as you stopped yourself just in time in front of him, using your free hand on his shoulder to balance yourself before looking up at him and giving him a smile more blinding than the suns. Maybe even more blinding than All Might’s himself, in his opinion. Either way, you had made an impression on him, whether he liked it or not. He didn’t want to call it love at first sight, but if he had to…

“I’ve b-been good! What a-about you, Y-Y/N?” He blushed, your first name foreign on his tongue. You forced everyone you met to call you by your first name, originally being from a country where it had been normal to do so, yet it still made Tamaki hesitate. He couldn’t even imagine you saying his first name without fainting on the spot.

You perked up as the question was redirected to you. “Me? I’ve been great! I loved the decorations from Easter. Did you celebrate?”

“N-no, did y-you?” The stutters were killing Tamaki, yet you found them heartwarming.

“Only with my classmates in the dorm, but it was fun! We ate a bunch of candy, watched some movies… I even baked some cookies! Do you like cookies and sweets?” You kept redirecting the conversation to him, wanting to hear more of his deep voice.

Food. Tamaki knew about food, considering his quirk. He allowed his shoulders to relax slightly. “C-cookies? Yeah, they’re good… N-not very good f-for quirk use, b-but I still like them. C-candy, too.”

You were glowing, ready to fire a few dozen questions at him, before he halted in front of a door and cleared his throat. “H-here.” He muttered, and you deflated slightly. But you could still talk to him while carrying something, right? He pulled the door open for you, but almost just as quickly slammed it shut, pressing his back against it with a pale face. “Tamaki?” You prompted, one hand hovering over his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Wrong? Nothing’s wrong!” Mirio’s voice came from the wall, and you looked up to see his face poking out. Only his face, and you squeaked in surprise. He laughed. “Sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you!” He disappeared and instead yanked open the classroom door, grinning at you as he stepped out. You sometimes forgot how his quirk worked, as well as how creepy it could be depending on how he used it.

Mirio looked at Tamaki with a wink. “Just had to grab something! Gotta run!” Tamaki didn’t have a chance to reply, and before Mirio ran off, he made sure to purposefully shove both of you into the room, closing the door behind him as he escaped down the hallway. Originally, you had thought Tamaki didn’t want to enter because of Mirio, but it was only after you had glanced around the room that you discovered the real reason.

The Easter decorations that had been scattered around the school decorated the small classroom, including the handmade posters that many classes had made and one large metal rabbit, courtesy of the Support department and their scraps. Tamaki audibly gasped, and twirled around to hide his face against the wall as you continued to explore the room. “Wow, this is so pretty!” You gasped, grabbing at one of the paper eggs that dangled from the ceiling. “I wonder why it’s all here…”

You heard him mutter something, but decided not to push him as your attention was drawn to a basket eerily similar to the one Tamaki had been carrying a few minutes before. “Oh, your basket!” Your exclamation made him freeze, then zig-zag past the desks and towards the forbidden basket. He didn’t even get close enough to it as you reached out for it, hand wrapping around the handle as you peered inside of it curiously. At that moment, Tamaki wished he had fainted, but unfortunately he wasn’t given the courtesy.

You furrowed your eyebrows as you registered the contents, then looked at Tamaki slowly. “Was this… For me?” The question was hesitant, but it was obvious that the basket was meant for you by the notecard with your name scrawled across the front of it.

“Youdon’thavetoopenitifyoudon’twanttoI’msorry.” His sentence came out in a rush, only one breath to say it as he now hid his expression behind his hands, peeking through his fingers to watch your reaction. You laughed.

“Why wouldn’t I want to open it?” You began to tear through it, and didn’t wait as Tamaki let out a strangled noise at every object you pulled out. The first was a carton of the coffee drink you had almost spilled on him a week ago, which seemed normal enough, yet everything after was something you liked. It made you happy, sure, but how did he know you liked orange-flavored chocolate and a certain brand of pens? You held the unanswered question in your eyes, as long as both items, as you glanced at Tamaki. “How did you?...”

“Your f-friend.” His voice was muffled from his hands, and he even closed his eyes. God, this felt so embarrassing, he thought to himself, but forced the words out. “T-The one with t-the curly h-hair. Mirio and Nejire h-helped me t-too.”

You nodded, clutching the items to your chest for a moment before setting them aside. There was also an intricate notebook, one that looked too expensive to write in, let alone buy, and you gingerly set it with the other items on a spare desk. Only two items left, one being a small box and the second being a note. You took the latter first. “Dear Y/N,” You began to read it aloud, and Tamaki squeaked, sinking his face further into his palms. You glanced at him, giving him a chance to stop you, before continuing. “After meeting you last week, I can’t seem to get you off of my mind. I was hoping you’d be interested in a… a date, with yours truly. XOXO, Tamaki…” You looked back to the boy with wide eyes, a bright blush on your cheeks. “Tamaki, did you write this?”

He furiously shook his head, face still hidden. “M-Mirio and Nejire d-did. T-they wouldn’t let m-me read it b-before they put it i-in the basket. I-I’m sorry, you can just i-ignore it-”

You surged forward, note falling from your hand as you wrapped your hands around his wrists. “Tamaki, look at me.” When he didn’t budge, you tugged. “Tamaki? Please?”

He finally lowered his hands, but only enough for his dark eyes to peek out as he kept the rest of his face below that hidden. “Do you really want to go on a date, or…?” You felt a bit bad for putting him on the spot, but you needed to know that this was what Tamaki really wanted; not what his friends wanted. He nodded his head and squeezed his eyes shut. There was a faint tremble from his body, and you did the only thing you could think of to stop his worrying.

You pulled his hands away from his face and kissed him.

It was a peck, really, so quick and light that he might’ve completely missed it, if it hadn’t been for his eyes snapping open right when you leaned in. His breath hitched in his throat, but his trembling stopped as you pressed your lips to his own before pulling back. At this point, both of you were red in the face. “I- Did you-” Tamaki scrambled for the right words, still trying to process what had happened, as you released an airy laugh.

“That means yes, silly. I’d love to go on a date with you, if you’re still up for it.” And as soon as the words had left your lips, he fainted.

He was lucky you were so close to him, and with a grunt you caught him before he hit his head on the ground. Luckily, he came around a few seconds later, waking up with his head in your lap as the two of you were on the floor. “Are you okay, Tamaki?” He asked, and shyly he nodded, ready to hide his face once more but you stopped him. He bolted up instead, scrambling to his feet and offering you his hand after, which you gladly accepted. It was a bit awkward, but you didn’t mind; you had a small crush on him as well, so didn’t mind.

Tamaki moved to the basket, removing the box and turning to you once more. “H-here.” He said, voice low as he held out the item, and you gently took it from him with a smile. “I-if you don’t like i-it, y-you don’t need t-to wear it! So-”

“Tamaki, I’m sure whatever it is, I’ll love it.”

He clammed up, hands frozen at his sides as he watched you pull the top off from the giftbox, watching your eyes light up with a mix of amusement and glee. It was a necklace, small but detailed in design as an octopus pendant dangled from a thin chain. You untangled it from the box. “Help me put it on?” You asked, and despite his nerves, Tamaki immediately stepped forward to comply. His fingers were warm, brushing against your neck as you handed him the jewelry and turned for him to latch it. His breathing was shaky, just as his hands were, and he fumbled with the latch for a moment before successfully letting the necklace fall against your collarbone.

“How do I look?” You asked, spinning around and showing off the newly acquired piece of jewelry. Tamaki’s eyes lingered on the pendant for a beat, before he lifted his gaze to you boldly. “B-beautiful.” He stuttered, but it still made a deep blush spread over your face. You two were barely a foot away from one another, and while you were debating on reaching up to place a more substantial kiss to the man’s lips, his two friends clambered through the open door.

“GOOD JOB, TAMAKI!” Nejire squealed, breaking you from your thoughts as she bolted to you first, yanking you into a bone-crushing huge. Mirio followed close behind, offering a high five to his dark-haired friend. “Congrats! And you two have already had your first kiss, eh?”

For the second time that day, Tamaki Amajiki fainted. Not that he minded too much, because just before he allowed the darkness to take over once more, he remembered that you two had a date to plan. And just that little fact made all of the difference. And maybe, just maybe, he’d be the one to kiss you.

He couldn’t wait.

[assenavlp]

Mini-Take - 1

I know I tend to go on a bit, so for the short-attention-span crowd, I'm introducing my first🔥V's Mini-Take🔥™!

Carrot cake seems to be enjoying a renaissance at the moment (this year's banana bread?) so I just have to clarify and nip this nonsense in the bud: Pineapple and Coconut Do Not Belong in Carrot Cake The only acceptable add-ins are raisins, and walnuts or pecans. That is all. No elaboration or justification needed. It's "carrot cake", not a f*cking hot mess cake. If you add pineapple and/or coconut you are a d*mned heathen and a philistine. So-called Hawaiian pizza is bad enough, and I know I have my own countrymen to blame for that one, but this is a far more egregious sin, in my always humble opinion! It can not be allowed to be given a pass! If you're okay with it, and still insist on adding these things, then fine, but for the love of all things holy, call it something else. For f*ck's sake. Hummingbird Cake is taken (at least they had the decency to change the name, straight away, when they f*cked up a perfectly good banana cake), so how about Starling Cake? Yeah, I like that. Naming this abomination for an invasive species sounds about right to me. 😈🥕🥕🥕 Happy Easter Monday, y'all! 😉

April 5, 2021

-

Mini-Take - 2

I just realised it's been way too long since I've done a Hot Take for all y'all, so in honour of tonight's dinner, which was glorious, here's a little 🔥 Mini Take 🔥 ...and it's gonna be a controversial one at that, so buckle up:

# 8 - Samin Nosrat's buttermilk roast chicken is totally basic.

Beyond overrated.

Boring and humdrum.

Yeah, that's what I said, b*tch. ZzzZzzzz

Sure, it's moist and tender, I'll give you that, but it's bland, and brining ruins the texture of the skin. It doesn't crisp up the way it should in a good roast chicken. You can see it in the photos, too; the odd way it browns. And then it tasted exactly the way it seemed it might. Bleh. And that's all I have to say about that.

Since a picture is worth a thousand more words, here's my traditional roast chicken.

Perfectly seasoned, crispy-skinned, and moist, to boot. Salt, herbs and spices, and butter, roasted atop a layer of seasoned potatoes and veg w/ olive oil. 325F for 90 minutes (for 3 1/2 lbs). Baste a couple of times, and then when it's done, collect the juices and make gravy. No day long prep time. No wasting of plastic bags. No waste of buttermilk or excessive amounts of salt. Perfection. Don't even try to object.

April 27, 2021 

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

1st April >> Mass Readings (USA)

Easter Monday 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)

First Reading

Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22–33

God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

“You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. For David says of him:

I saw the Lord ever before me,

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;

my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,

because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,

nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.

You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence.

My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 16:1–2a, 5, 7–8, 9–10, 11

R/ Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;

I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you it is who hold fast my lot.

R/ Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or

R/ Alleluia.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;

even in the night my heart exhorts me.

I set the LORD ever before me;

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R/ Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence;

because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R/ Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or

R/ Alleluia.

You will show me the path to life,

fullness of joys in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

R/ Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Sequence

Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems;

Christ, who only is sinless,

Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:

The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring

What you saw, wayfaring.

“The tomb of Christ, who is living,

The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

bright angels attesting,

The shroud and napkin resting.

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;

to Galilee he goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.

Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

Amen. Alleluia

Gospel Acclamation

Psalm 118:24

Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 28:8–15

Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[brotherseph]

The Work Of The Holy Spirit

May 10, 2021, Monday Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter (White) CYCLE B - YEAR I Lectionary: 291

Reading I Acts 16:11-15

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.

Responsorial Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R.    (see 4a)  The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Sing to the LORD a new song     of praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in their maker,     let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R.    The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance,     let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD loves his people,     and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R.    The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Let the faithful exult in glory;     let them sing for joy upon their couches. Let the high praises of God be in their throats.     This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.

R.    The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 15:26b, 27a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL Jn 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:  “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”

REFLECTION:

Jesus is telling us these things “that our faith may not be shaken”. The Holy Spirit has come to strengthen our conviction, to keep us secure and at peace. “And all shall be well”.

We are to be his witnesses. Not necessarily by striking words. Remember the thought attributed to St Francis of Assisi, that we are to preach by our lives, only occasionally in words.

PRAYER:

To testify and bear witness to something, I must have personal experience, so that I can say: ‘This is true, and I know it.’ Lord, I have not been with you from the beginning. I am one of those who did not see and yet believed. Show me yourself, strengthen your spirit in me, so that my life and my words may testify to you.