#Black Forest Cake ingredients

[sravaniskitchen]

Check out this easy and delicious Eggless Black Forest Cake recipe on Sravaniskitchen! Perfect for those who love baking without eggs. Visit the recipe here: https://sravaniskitchen.com/eggless-black-forest-cake-recipe/.

For more tasty recipes, explore Sravaniskitchen: https://sravaniskitchen.com/

[bvbygrl-writes]

Season of The Witch (3)

Pairing: Jacob Black x Witch!Reader x Edward Cullen

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: (Y/n) (L/n) is 19 and still trying to figure out the world. She isn't sure of a lot of things but she is sure of one: she's gonna have her cake and eat it too.

A/N: Edward's here!

Warnings: N/A but it will be 18+ at some point most likely. Minors and blanks dni. Also I didn't edit any of it so ignore any typos.

The morning sunlight streamed in gently through every window in your room. The sounds of birds and crickets singing in a chorus together were the first sounds you awoke to. The only way you knew last night wasn’t a dream was from the text on your phone from Jacob, letting you know he was looking forward to seeing you. You felt dizzy with delight, sending him a reply to know you were looking forward to seeing him too.

Stretching as you stand up, you walk over to the balcony, opening the doors as you step out into the unusually warm Fall air. Looking down, you see the progress your mom has made in such a short time in the yard. A pergola now sat near the edge, a beautiful outdoor dining table sat under it with string lights that had not yet been turned on. Directly below your window, she had began on a garden. Strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, and many different types of herbs were already in bloom, despite the season. Looking to your left, you saw her floating near the window to your dad’s office. She was finishing planting a few flowers in a planter box she had added. She smiled as she noticed you, flying over a bit as she perched her elbows on the railing of your balcony.

“Good morning, sweetie. I couldn’t sleep last night, I was too excited to start decorating! I have so many ideas blooming.” she gushed to you enthusiastically. You yawn, trying to rub the sleep from your eyes as you give her a soft smile.

“It looks amazing so far mom. Just be careful, it’s broad daylight. Anyone could walk by and see you flying and sprouting stuff from the ground.” you remind her. She rolls her eyes, waving you off.

“Already ahead of ya. I put a veil over the house so to anyone, it’ll just look like I’m on a ladder. Me and your dad had breakfast already since he had to be in for work early but I left you a plate in the kitchen!” your stomach grumbles at the mention of breakfast. “Also I left a list of potion supplies we’re growing low on, do you think you could head into the woods after you’re dressed and get them for me?” you nod lazily and she squeezes your hand gently before floating back over to the window, continuing her meticulous flower planting.

After you’ve gotten ready for the day, you head down to the kitchen. On the counter, there’s a plate of pancakes, fresh maple syrup, and a bowl of fruit. You see the list stuck to the fridge with a magnet. Taking your plate to the dining room, you begin looking the list over as you scarf down your breakfast. Everything should be easy enough to gather. 

Placing your plate into the dishwasher, you toss the list in your satchel before grabbing some twine and a basket near the back door. As you step out of it, you notice the entrance your mom must’ve made for you to the forest. The trees are braided around each other in a circular shape, flowers woven throughout.

There’s not a clear path as you go deeper but that doesn’t scare you. Waving your hand, a golden luminous line follows behind you so you can easily find your way back home. With your list floating near your head with a pen, you start to search for the first ingredient.

“Mugwort…mugwort…ah, there it is!” Taking out a pair of plant sheers, you cut a nice amount, your twine floating out of your bag to tie the bushel up before it floats back to your open bag. The enchanted pen crosses it out from the list. “Just eight more things to go.” you mutter to yourself. Hopefully the rest would be as easy to find.

With eight out of nine things gathered, you just needed the final one: water from a natural source. As you went further and further into the woods, you could hear running water. Turning left, you walked forward finally finding the source of the sound. There was a small creek running further than your eyes could see. Taking out a mason jug, you leaned down to the water filling it up. It was going well enough until you heard a noise. It was fast footsteps and from the sound of it, it was getting closer to you. Standing up with your half filled jar, you got prepared in a stance.

 An unnaturally fast blur was a few feet from you. Without a second thought, you shook your hands raising them above your head. Thick vines and roots began to raise, wrapping tightly around the creature which you now could identify as a…person? If you could even call him that. The man before you was gorgeous, his face looking as if it was chiseled from marble. But something was different about him. He was unusually pale, with eyes of gold and pretty pink lips. You watched as he struggled in the vines, an intense look on his face until his eyes met you. Your mouth was agape, eyes wide as you approached him.

“What…what are you? You’re clearly warm blooded but you’re definitely not human.” he said in an aggressive tone. Waving your hand, you released him from the vines. He wasted no time in approaching you, a mere inches away from you. Your head began to throb a bit. Was he…

“Are you trying to read my mind?” you questioned, scowling at him. Your mom had taught you how to block your thoughts from other occults but it always came at a cost. You got a small headache whenever you did so. His eyes widened, staggering back a bit.

“Yes but…how did you do that? I could get into your mind but, I was blocked from your thoughts.” he responded in amazement. He reached out, grabbing your face in both his hands, causing you to shudder. His hands were as cold as ice. The speed, his body temperature, the color of his eyes. It was all starting to make sense now. 

“Vampire?”

“Witch?”

You both said at the same time. You both step back from each other, scared of what the other may do, not knowing that neither of you were a threat. “I thought all witches went extinct during Salem.” he said. You scoffed, rolling your eyes.

“Clearly not. They did a number on us but many of us exist, although most are outside of America. But as you know, we’re not an enemy to none but a friend to all.” you explain. He steps closer to you, running a hand down your shoulder.

“Amazing.” he answers breathlessly. Looking up at him, you get an even better look at his features now. He truly is a sight to behold. Before you can say another word, he’s on the ground as a shirtless man you’re quite familiar with attacks him.

“Get away from her, bloodsucker!” Jacob shouts. Your eyes widen in shock. The two of them roll around on the ground, attacking each other. There are punches thrown left and right and Jacob is surprisingly holding his weight well. But you’re not sure if either one will live if they go on like this. And you know if Jacob gets any more angry, he might wolf out.

You blow air from your mouth, a big swarm of wind towards them. The both fly back from one another, landing on the ground with a thud. Even with the cuts on his body, Jacob still looks up at you with concern.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” he asks, standing up with a grunt as he rushes to your side. He grabs your face, looking it over for any signs of damage. You place your hand over his, causing him to look into your eyes. He relaxes at your touch some.

“I’m okay, Jacob honestly. I can hold my own quite well. Plus,” you look over at the vampire who’s now standing up, near you but far enough away that Jacob can’t touch him. “He’s no threat. I read into his mind a little, Edward is no threat.” Edward smiles at that, causing Jacob to growl, pulling you back flush into his chest. 

“Well that’s not fair. You can read mine but yours is off limits?” He asks. Jacob’s grip tightens on you some.

“You don’t deserve to know a single thought in her head.” He spits out, causing Edward to look up at him with a scowl. You could tell Jacob was slowly losing his composure. Releasing yourself from his grip, you grab his hand tugging him back towards the direction you came.

“Let’s just go, Jake. You were going to show me around, remember?” You ask, looking up at him. He looks down at you smiling, squeezing your hand some. You put his mind at ease, bringing him a sense of calm just from being near him. Looking back over your shoulder, you see Edward still watching you. “The name’s (Y/n) by the way.”

When you’re finally back to your house, you see a motorcycle parked in your driveway, a helmet hanging from the right handle. You look from the bike to Jacob. “This yours?” you ask him, walking around the bike as you inspect it.

“Yeah, I built it myself. I’m pretty good with things like that.” he shrugs, as if it’s no big deal. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls something out. Stepping towards you, he motions for you to turn around. You do so, lifting your hair as he places a necklace around your neck. It’s a gold necklace with a pendant of a wolf on it. You hold the charm in your hand, smiling. “I noticed the other day you like to wear a lot of necklaces so I made this one for you.”

“Wait, you made this? Jake this is amazing! Thank you, really, thank you.” you say, turning around to hug him. He instantly reciprocates it, his hands trailing up and down your back before kissing the top of your head.

“A special girl deserves a special gift. And you…are a special girl.” He whispers the last part, pulling back from you. You bite your lip nervously, rocking back and forth on the balls of your feet.

“I feel like since you know my…secret, it’s only right that I tell you I know yours too.” his eyes widen before he looks away, turning his attention to the ground. “It’s okay, I think it’s cool. I saw your tattoo and recognized the symbol from one of my occult history books. You know, witches and werewolves have worked alongside each other for centuries.” you tell him, grabbing his hand. He lets out a sigh of relief, massaging your hand in his.

“I grew up hearing legends about witches but I wasn’t aware they were still around. I guess it was written in the stars for us to get along so well.” he says, handing you the helmet as he mounts the bike. You put it on, strapping it in place before hopping on behind him. You wrap your arms around his middle, leaning against his back.

“I guess so.”

4

[itsscromp]

hi! could i request a peter parker & miles morales x reader with reader thinking of pete and miles as brothers? i’m in for some found family fluff

Peter Parker and Miles Morales x reader

OH MY... 💥💥💥💳💥💥💥💳💥💥💥💳 💥💥💥💳💥💥💥💳💥💥💥💳 YES !!!!. Word count:850

It's been 6 months since you became a spider person under Peter and Mile's guidance. Your life has never been this amazing, and you had these two amazing goofballs to thank.

Beyond that, you saw them beyond friendship, you saw them as... family, Brothers you never had. You would do absolutely anything for them.

Today was the anniversary when you started helping them so you decided to do something special for the both of them, Heading out as you then got cake ingredients and custom decorations. Heading back to your apartment beginning to bake the cake. Prepping an icing combination of red and white and black and red. The colours of their suits. Everything was going really well until you heard an explosion.

"Crap crap crap !!" Without thinking of the cake in the oven, you changed into your suit and swung to the location of the explosion, hopefully, it was just a gas leak, but your eyes went wide when you realised wasn't a gas leak. Some remaining symbiote minions were causing havoc in the streets, you needed to plant the sound bombs as quickly as possible.

You quickly planted the bombs as fast as you could and began to fight the symbiote minions, God why did they have to be so unpredictable, One was throwing venom bombs. Another had lighting speed, and then you had your hulking symbiote. You were quickly overwhelmed. You couldn't take a group of them like this. You were beginning to get consumed by the symbiotes until...

"Hey, don't start the party without us" a familiar voice said as he tossed a sound grenade at the symbiote group, quickly immobilizing them from the high range frequencies, scooping you out in the process.

"Thanks Pete" You said as you could see him smiling under his mask.

"I thought we got rid of all the nests ??" Miles joined in soon after, landing near you two.

"I thought so too, looks like we missed one. They destroyed the sound grenade too and it was my last one to destroy the nest." You sighed deeply annoyed.

"Hey, don't sweat it y/n, we have backups ready to go" Peter patted your back. Quickly crafting the grenades.

"You and I will distract them while Pete plants and guards the bombs ok y/n ??" Miles told you.

You nodded and you three jumped into action, fighting the symbiotes like a well-oiled machine. Y/n couldn't help but feel happy when you fought alongside them. They really were your brothers from another mother. Once after the bombs were set off, the nest was now destroyed and the people under venom's control were now free.

"Well done guys !!" You smiled as you fist bumped the two.

"Heck yeah, go team !!" Miles cheered.

"That was a piece of cake." Peter chimed in

"heck yeah, it was... cake... oh no !!!" You hurried back to your apartment.

"Y/n ??" Peter got worried and followed you, Miles followed suit as the three swung back to your apartment.

You could see smoke coming from the inside as you entered and coughed taking off your mask, Heading to the oven you opened it and more smoke filled your face.

"Woah woah what in the forest fire happened here ??" Peter tried to lighten up the situation as Miles opened up more windows to let the smoke out. "What happened, dude ??" Miles went and investigated what happened as you looked at your charcoal cake, With a massive face of disappointment.

"Hey... It's ok, I used to do this as well..." Peter tried to cheer you up

"No, it's not... This was meant to be special, This was meant to be for you guys." You sighed sadly.

"For us ??"

Miles then quickly put it together. "6 Months" He gently wrapped his arms around you.

"I'm sorry guys, I really wanted to surprise you..."

"Hey, come on. This is more than just a cake. This is about us, As a team. You pulled off so many things in 6 months y/n, We're really proud of how far you have come." Peter smiled taking off his mask.

As did Miles. "Exactly, We really care about you, man."

You couldn't help the happy tears rising as you brought the two into a bone-crushing hug. The two were a little shocked but never the less hugged you just as tight.

"You guys... You guys are like brothers to me" You softly said to them, causing their smiles to grow.

"We are like a found family cliche" Peter said causing you to giggle.

"But for real, We see you as family too y/n" Miles said as he broke the hug smiling at you.

Momentarily you were distracted as Peter got a grip on you and noogies your head.

"Peter !!" You laughed

"What, I'm not doing anything" He playfully smirked at you and kept going. With miles joining in on the fun and tickling your sides.

The whole afternoon was full of smiles and laughs. You couldn't be any happier to be anywhere else other than the company of your brothers.

Taglist: @callofdudes @fun-k-board

[tianasimstreehouse]

Black Forest Gateau

Perched atop a porcelain cake stand, this elegant creation of rich dark chocolate cake, layered with kirsch-infused cream and topped with fresh cherries, will be the centrepiece at any house party!

Category: Desserts

Ingredients: Flour or Sugar, Egg, Milk, Any Chocolate, Cherries

Skill Level: 5 (Gourmet)

Available sizes: Party

Dietary: Vegetarian-Safe

*REQUIRES the latest version of my TianaSims Cookbook to work* Download this here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tianasims-64612779

I'm slightly in love with this creation... I hope you all like it too! xx

DOWNLOAD (Patreon): https://www.patreon.com/posts/84756414?pr=true Milk and Cookies: Now! Sugar Cookies: 10th July Public: 17th July

[enchantedchocolatebars]

Kid Philip Week 2024 - Day 1 (Adventure!)

Super Cute Fighters!

Summary: Chibi Kid Philip, Chibi Cheek, and Chibi Pip go on a three-level pixelated adventure.

Story inspired by this commission art.

(IT'S DAY 1 OF KID PHILIP WEEK, Y'ALL! WHOOOOOOO!!! HYPE, HYPE, HYPE!)

Enjoy!

A black screen turns on after a 'ping' sound from a gaming console, and a start screen for a video game appears.

The screen's background is bubble gum pink and features white polka dots at the top and bottom, as well as scattered white and blue sparkles and a pixel pattern that matches the colors.

The game's title, 'Super Cute Fighters!', is elevated by a giant heart, star, skull, and rainbow.

Chibi Philip, Chibi Cheek, and Chibi Pip, the protagonist characters of the game, stand in the center happily, wielding their blood-stained weapons in the air.

The words 'Press A To Start' appear below the screen as the off-screen player hits the 'A' button, and the entire screen fades to black.

...

The screen transitions to the first level, which takes place in a forest where Philip, Cheek, and Pip are leisurely walking down a path with their weapons while collecting stars, which represent points.

Three hearts for lives are displayed at the top corner of the screen for each of them, along with full health bars.

During their stroll, the three stopped when they saw a skeleton enemy with a sword and shield blocking their path.

Cursors appear above Philip, Cheek, and Pip's heads, and the player selects Philip as he moves toward the skeleton.

Raising his wooden sword, Philip brings it down and strikes the skeleton, causing the screen to fade to black as the two are teleported to a minigame.

...

The minigame is titled 'Horsey Ring Toss', and the rules are pretty simple: toss the rings around the peg before time runs out.

The player with the most rings around their peg wins.

After a countdown of 3, 2, 1, this song starts playing, and the minigame commences.

Philip and the skeleton begin throwing their rings into their pegs, with both of them appearing committed to winning.

As soon as the timer reaches 0, a whistle is blown, and the two stop, which signifies the end of the game.

The screen displays the words 'Time's Up!'.

...

When the game goes to the results screen, Philip and the skeleton's rings around their pegs are tallied.

Philip is revealed to have more rings around his peg as the skeleton slumps in sadness at his loss, and Philip begins to cheer for himself.

The screen displays the words 'Philip Wins!'.

After the screen goes black, the two are back in the forest.

...

Suddenly, the skeleton blocking the protagonists' path begins to bloat and soon explodes, spewing out hearts, stars, rainbows, and blood.

After being rewarded with the stars from the skeleton, Philip, Cheek, and Pip celebrate with a victory dance and finish with a pose.

As they continue on their adventure, they move on to the next level.

...

The second level is a journey through a cave tunnel as the chibis continue to gather stars as they traverse the dreary trail.

Without warning, Philip, Cheek, and Pip encounter a group of skeleton foes with swords and shields standing in their way.

Cursors then appear above the trios' heads, and the player selects Cheek, who walks forward toward the set of skeletons.

Swinging his cute flail, the hamster strikes the entire group, and he, along with the skeletons, are teleported to a minigame.

...

This minigame is titled 'Cake Bakers', and the rules are to use the ingredients on the kitchen counter to bake the perfect cake.

The player who bakes the best-looking cake wins.

After a countdown of 3, 2, 1, this song starts playing, and the minigame begins.

The player assists Cheek in adding the correct ingredients for his cake to his bowl, while the skeletons place unappetizing ingredients in theirs.

After pouring their batter mixture into cake pans, Cheek and the skeletons' pans are promptly placed in the oven and proceed to bake.

The end of the game occurs when the timer reaches 0 and a whistle is blown.

The words 'Time's Up!' are displayed on the screen.

...

When the game goes to the results screen, Cheek and the skeletons are standing beside their cakes, which are covered with white cloths.

When the cloths are removed, Cheek is revealed to have a delicious strawberry shortcake, while the skeletons have a poisonous cake that quickly crumbles.

The skeletons' shoulders drop at the sight of their disaster of a cake, while Cheek cheers for himself.

The words 'Cheek Wins!' are displayed on the screen.

Once the screen goes black, Cheek and the skeletons are returned to the cave.

...

The skeleton foes experience a bloating sensation before exploding, with hearts, stars, rainbows, and blood spewing out of their bodies.

After obtaining the stars from the skeletons, Philip, Cheek, and Pip celebrate with a dance of triumph and finish with a pose.

The chibi trio then continues forward as they make their way to the final level.

...

The final level takes place in an underground lair that is fiery and belongs to a massive dragon.

The dragon, who is the final boss, is guarding a treasure chest with a possessive aura as this song plays.

Despite the dragon bellowing out a ferocious roar, the trio shows no fear toward the creature.

Cursors become visible above Philip, Cheek, and Pip's heads as the player selects Pip, who leaps high into the air with his axe.

As the kitten accelerates in mid-air, the screen displays the 'C', 'U', 'T', and 'E' buttons, which the player presses at the right times as Pip cutely poses with every click.

The dragon's head is split in half by Pip as he swings his axe down, causing it to cry out in agony.

When its lifeless body collapses, it is transformed into a bonanza of hearts, stars, rainbows, and blood.

After collecting the dragon's stars, the boys celebrate their victory by dancing and posing for a final time.

Upon the team approaching the locked treasure chest, it opens automatically, and a TV, pink gaming console, and a copy of 'Super Cute Fighters!' levitate out and sparkle.

As the chibis gazes at their desired prizes with excited faces, they sparkle, too.

Hearts, rainbows, and stars transition the scene to the ending screen.

...

Philip, Cheek, and Pip are playing 'Super Cute Fighters!' together on their brand-new gaming console.

The background of the ending screen is glittery bubble gum pink, and white pixelated letters spell out the words 'The End' above the chibi trio.

[thepacifistrouter]

Blue-Blue (A Shrimperini's human AU based one-shot)

Hello!

So, you read the title and here's the thing, watching some of @shrimperini 's Portal's Human AU (which I like a lot, is really good, by the way), I came up with this little story that… well, it involves Chelley (because I couldn't not involve that), but it's not the central point, as you'll can see.

Since this is not my AU, that means I don't know how things will go in the future or everything that is already planned for the story, maybe I'm not getting the personalities of the characters right, etc, etc, etc. So... I couldn't consider this a headcanon, just an idea I needed to get out of my head…

Still, I managed to sketch a couple of fanarts to illustrate a this a bit. I may do more in the future, since these only cover more or less the first half of the story, so... I don't know, we'll see… anyway, enough introduction, I hope you like it:

It was his break time while this experiment was being performed, after many other experiments and calculations, he was finally getting to something.

He always loved cakes, but not only for the taste and texture of a well-made cake or the beautiful appearance of a symmetrically decoration; no, there was also the whole process behind i! the fermentation of the cake so that it reaches the perfect point of sponginess, the texture of the cream, the shine and firmness of the chocolate, etc. All fascinating things, but, ever since he had tasted the Black Forest cake from THAT company-affiliated bakery, that damn perfect Black Forest cake, it had become more personal than ever, he needed to unlock its secrets, he needed to get something as go- NO- something better!! It had become a personal challenge.

The good thing was that, thanks to his intellect and his great ability for science, his bosses allowed him to do these types of experiments as long as it did not interfere with his work - child's play for him, sometimes he even did work at night just to be able to complete and test his formulas in peace, as was the case now, a formula to obtain the perfect maraschino cherries, so that the sweet would not overshadow the flavor of the fruit and so that it would balance well with the rest of the ingredients in flavor and texture, that it had a good duration, everything was noted and was tested thoroughly and-

EUREKA

He had done it! He finally had the formula he was looking for!!

He was so excited, he was over the moon with happiness and couldn't wait to try it that afternoon once work hours were over, when he could have the kitchen all to himself. For now, just to be sure, he needed to go there anyway to leave the sample there so he could be totally sure of his success once he returned and checked its properties were the exact same as when he left it.

He had to hurry, because he had to get back to work soon, but he knew he couldn't be too trusting in this place, so, once in the kitchen, he wrote a note "do not touch! specially YOU!! Arthur" to put it aside. He looked at the clock, he had to run, so, without wanting to crumple the paper, he left the notes with his formula on one side of the sample and left.

Unfortunately, his instinct was right, because once he came back… what he saw looked like a crime scene where the body had been taken away, but there were shards of glass.

There was cherry sauce on the table, and one red-stained paper, the warning note he had left, but the mathematical formula where all of his discovery was, that was gone.

He felt a small nuclear reaction beginning inside him and he could only contain it long enough to think, he knew he couldn't interrogate all the staff to find out who was responsible, so he rushed to the surveillance room, he knew he would find Rick there if he would hurry up and make him show him who had been in the kitchen, near his sample.

From the consistency of the spilled sauce, Arthur was able to roughly estimate how much time had passed since it was spilled (no more than 1 hour before he arrived), so they were able to check that time range, with Rick himself being the first to show, but he said that when he was there, that test tube was still intact and the tape proved that it had not been him.

They saw a few pass by, familiar faces, but the deduction was that the person responsible must be the last of them, precisely the one whom Arthur suspected the most, his brother. They saw him enter, leave the camera's view range, heard him read the warning note out loud and mutter (to which Rick laughed), shortly after they heard him called from outside by the CEO, which caused a sound of someone slipping and of breaking glass. Then, they saw him running, holding something that couldn't be seen on camera, but he had red stains on his shirt. It was all he needed to see.

Arthur felt like he wanted to explode, Rick was going to say something when they saw that on the screen that showed that same camera on live, the alleged person responsible for the crime entered along with his favorite test subject, they both were looking at the crime scene. He wasted no time and rushed back to the kitchen, followed by Rick who left Angus, who was passing by, covering him while he followed the blonde.

Without giving him time to do anything else, Arthur continued

"It had to be you, who else could've been!!? You and your bloody clumsiness!!"

Surprise and confusion debated in the gaze of the shorter of the two, while Rick's face and a couple of other curious appeared at the door.

"Artie?! wha- what are you talking about? what happened?! I… wait, you mean…" he said looking at the stains on the table "wait, that wasn't me…"

"Don't you dare deny it!! I saw it on the cameras, you were here, you slipped right next to this table didn't you??! You leaned on the table and threw it!"

"Well, yes… I mean no! I mean!!... yes I fell! but…b-but I didn't throw your experiment! I was very careful with that and!-"

"Don't tell me! And how do you explain this?!" He points out wet, pink spots on his shirt, clearly he had tried to wash it with little success.

"That's not… it's not what it looks like! I was holding a jar of jam when I tripped! I got nervous so I picked up everything as quickly as I could!! I admit, I didn't do the best job, to be honest... but-but I was in a hurry and-!!"

"SHUT UP!!" shouts the tallest of the two, making the other cringe "just shut up for once, I don't want to hear you!! Do you know how long it took me to get that formula?! All the effort and sweat, the calculations!!? What did I have to do?!! More than you could ever dream of and you had to ruin it!!! You always have to be the one who screws up only to be a coward later!! can't you just admit your guilt to your brother who always has to be dragging you along, even at work!!?"

Wheatley just looked at him in shock "But… but I didn't do it! I swear, I'm 100% sure I didn't… well, maybe a little less than 100, but…"

"And here it goes, seriously, can't you stop being a moron for just 5 minutes?" says Arthur with astonishment, "look, if you're not going to admit guilt, at least have the decency to apologize!! Can't you even understand something so simple?"

It was noticeable that the youngest of the two was upset, very upset by the anger, even when he seemed to have calmed down a little, it was only enough to stop screaming.

"It's late, so listen carefully, that sheet of paper that you took along with the rest of the tube was a very important formula with which I could recover what YOU ruined"

Wheatley was going to protest, but he wouldn't let him.

"I don't care if you have to go to the garbage incinerator to look for it, but I want that back, so maybe I could make up for at least some of your clumsiness," he said with a serious, almost defiant tone.

"But…"

"I want it back by tomorrow morning, I'll be waiting for you at my desk or, if not, at the very least, a VERY good apology or else...!" Arthur didn't finish the sentence, he didn't need to, he just walked. at a steady pace back to the door, where the small group of curious onlookers hid or pretended they hadn't been looking, with a few exceptions, including Craig and Rick.

"But… but Art-"

"Tomorrow morning at my desk," he repeated, interrupting, not shouting, but sharply.

There was silence, Wheatley was nervous, Arthur sounded so confident that it made him begin to doubt whether he had actually voted for that test tube and the sheet of paper along with the jar of jam. He knew how seriously his brother took these things, he was sure he had been careful not to get too close to the thing, but he preferred to be sure.

He glanced at Chell for a second, who he had brought over to show her something he had ordered that day and left in the refrigerator, but they both decided it was best to leave it for the day. He said goodbye to her and began to walk to the place where he had threw away the jar to see if he found anything.

"Maybe... I must remember it all wrong… maybe I did throw that and didn't notice it because of the hurry… he-he's the smart one after all… and he saw the camera record… yeah, I better go to make sure"

-----------------------o0o---------------------------

The very next day in the morning

Wheatley was walking to the offices, he was very nervous because he searched, he searched in different trash cans for that famous sheet covered with mathematical formulas and preserved cherry sauce, but he had no success, he did not find it, although he did find pieces of glass that looked like red test tubes with the smell of stale cherries and a broken jar of raspberry jam, just what he had no use for… still he looked for pieces of paper among them, again, without success, he only got a couple of small cuts on his hands from handling broken glass.

Defeated by the consequences of yesterday's crime, he only continued his way to the offices while playing with a pencil to manage his anxiety, after a walk through the medicine cabinet, he was ready to apologize, think of some way to make up for everything, he was still confused about what had happened the past day, but the tension managed to make him convince himself that he had mistakenly thrown his brother's work into the trash along with a jar of jam.

He reached the Arthur's sector offices door, took a deep breath before opening it, closing his eyes nervously (he knew he had to walk a bit before reaching his desk after all) and finally opened it and entered.

Arthur was clearly waiting for him with his best "I'm-still-as-angry-as-yesterday" expression, which made Wheatley quicken his pace a little, because of that and because he noticed several of the workers from other desks looking at him, the news (rumors) fly in the offices.

Arthur stood up from his chair once he was close enough to him.

"Well? Do you have it?" Arthur asks, still upset. It was clear that he didn't have what he wanted, maybe he didn't notice it or maybe he just wanted him to say it himself, whatever it was, Wheatley simply responded with his head down.

"No… sorry, I-I looked for it everywhere, honestly, I swear! Even in the big containers before they were incinerated! but… I didn't find it anywhere…" said while start to play with the pencil again.

Arthur sighs. "Of course, what else could I expect?" he said pointedly. "So?"

"So…" Wheatley looked at him, he looked askance around him, some pretended to continue doing their thing, but most had turned to look, especially those who were nearby, among them Craig and Calvin, who had gone to pick up some documents there that morning. They were all so distracted that they didn't notice the front door opening again.

Wheatley took another deep breath and just spoke "I… I'm really, really so…"

"I'm so very sorry!!" Suddenly he is interrupted by a childish and energetic voice that was approaching to them, they both turn towards the source of the voice, it was little Chris arriving, running towards them with a note board in one hand and a test tube in the other.

"Mr. Arthur!! I- Hello Wheatley! What are you doing here?" The girl asked happily, distracted by her own curiosity, but given the urgency of what she wanted to say, she didn't get too distracted this time. "Oh, wait, this is very important! Mr. Arthur." She turns to look at the youngest of the brothers. " I'm so sorry!! Yesterday I went to the kitchen to get my dessert and accidentally hit your test tube! I'm really very sorry!" she said nervously, the expression of those around her was priceless.

Before anyone could react to this new revelation, she continued, crestfallen with guilt, "I had to throw away the tube because it was broken, but, don't worry! here!" She hands him the tube she was carrying with her and her chart of notes. "I managed to transfer the formula to a new sheet, I just had to follow it to make a new sample!" said the little genius happy and excited.

Arthur quickly grabbed both things, giving them a quick look once over. Everything was correct, everything there and as good as new "It can't be!! Is all here!! thank you, thank you, thank you!! I thought I had lost everything! I…" He stopped when his gaze passed over Wheatley, who was standing there, as expressionless as never before.

"It was the least I could do! Angus says that, if you don't fix your mistakes, you deserve punishment!!" She says childishly quoting the words of her big brother "Well, I must go, I'm running late!! See you at lunch!" She walks briskly back to the door "Hi Chell! Hi Rick!! What are you doing here??… ouh, answer me later, I'm late!" The little girl passes by the two who had just entered and she leaves.

There was dead silence in that office sector for a couple of seconds.

"…Ehem" Rick was the first to break the silence, as he takes a couple of steps towards the brothers "Well… I think someone got ahead of me, but, after another someone convinced me..." says while looking at Chell for a second "I came to say that you can hear a second sound of breaking glass a little later in the tape, but you can't see who it was, so we figured it could have been little Chris, but… we were a little late… sorry, I lost my hat this morning and I don't work without him" he says with his normal pride that borders on arrogance while touching his hat.

Another awkward silence, but a little shorter, this time broken by Arthur.

"Yes well, I… anyway… the important thing is that nothing important was lost in the end, and…"

Wheatley turned his head to look at him in such a way that he gave the impression that he could have turned his head 180° without problems. Still expressionless, he just said "and?" to his brother's surprise.

"And… and… well, in my defense, you can't blame me…" Arthur says, slowly regaining his confidence as he speaks. "Yeah, I mean, you do that sort of things all the time, don't you? A misunderstanding was waiting to happen!! So… let's better just forget all this happened and move on…"

They hear a small *crack!* sound in the older blonde's hand, the pencil he had been fiddling with earlier had broken under the pressure of his hand.

"…that's it?…that's all you're going to say?"

"Well… well I… what else could I say??" the younger one responds, trying to sound as confident as ever "There's work to do and we…"

"…You!-" Wheatley interrupts with a look that he didn't seem to be able to express everything he wanted to say, but he is interrupted by a loud voice from with the CEO's voice demanding that all workers return to work from the offices speakers.

"See?" Arthur said as if the speaker was agreeing with him, he knew that no one there could ignore that voice, specially not Wheatley, who was visibly upset, but still was going to just leave... but after a couple of steps, he turned to look at him, he simply had to say something "You… after- after all this, after everything that happened.... Really, that-that is all you have to say?? was this all just a joke for y- no! No, you're not one for jokes, right? No, this was more just a nuisance for you, right?!... like a.... like a fly that flies over an... an important something for you, ain't it?!! like one of your experiments… like the one you just did and is being interrupted by an annoying something, right?! well, you know what? you know what?? it's fine! is fine for me, you don't have to say anything!… morover, since you have nothing else to say, little less any important thing to say, you Mr Perfect! I will make us both happy, because I no longer want anything from you!!… from now on, as far as possible... I mean, we'll continue working in the same company …b-but the idea is still there!! I don't want to see you, I don't want to hear you, I don't want to talk to you!!! starting… starting once I leave these offices! So yeah, congrats! you'll get what you wanted, no more nuisance for you!! so excuse me, but I have to go back to work, have a good day, sir!!" With that said, Wheatley stomps toward the entrance, passing Chell.

"Let's go Chell, before the tests start" he said serious, but trying to sound friendly to her at least "Thank you anyway" it was difficult to distinguish if he sounded truly grateful or bothered.

"Oh come on Wheatley, don't be childish acting like that, you know I'm right…" Arthur said taking a couple of steps after him "What do you want to hear so much? I mean, well, okay, I think I know what it is" he said almost casually and almost reaching him "…but… but you know I'm still right about everything here!… okay, okay, fine, here you go, I'm s…"

He sees his brother turn sharply one last time towards him, with an unusual anger in his gaze, he had not seen him like that since he himself was 5 years old

"I don't want!- to hear it!!... Arthur…"

Said that sharply, he walked out the door and slammed it, giving way to the last dead silence of the day, this time everyone else simply continued with their things when they saw that everything interesting had already finished, so this time, the person who broke the silence was even more unexpected, the Aperture's number one test subject, and only said one word just before leaving too, a word that fell like a bucket of cold water on the blonde "...Moron".

Rick, who was the only other one who heard, laughed as he followed her out of the offices.

Arthur walked, first with his mouth open and then annoyed and grumbling back to his stall "how dare her call ME an moron?! It's inconceivable, it's unacceptable, it's…"

"Artie" Interrupts his friend who was an expert in space stuff, but who could be surprisingly responsible and mature, hardly predictable from someone as enthusiastic as him, "I know you're upset right now, but I think a little talk for you would be good today at lunch, okay? you need to take it all out"

The man in question only looked at him for a second and responded "… talk about what?… I have nothing to talk about." He turned to his computer, leaving his experiment on his desk and got to work. His friends just looked at eachother and desided to just also come back to work for the moment.

---------------------o0o-------------------------

A couple of days passed

Wheatley seemed to have taken his own words quite seriously, from the first day he seemed to actively try to avoid his brother, he stopped sitting with him at lunch, avoided looking at him if they ran into each other in an aisle, hopefully taking another one if possible, although that meant taking longer to get to his destination, looking for someone else to give him the documents with test results that he had to give Arthur from time to time during the week, and last but not least, he avoided talking to him as much as possible, not even indirectly, he sought to remain silent, do or look at something else, talk to someone else, etc.

Of course, the latter was especially noticeable to those who knew them, Arthur was usually the one who got the most of the talk from him or the few he sat with. Arthur's friends… well, actually only Calvin tried to ask him about it again, but

"And why would I care about any of this? This is just a tantrum, he'll get over it, you'll see how in a couple of days he'll be the same as always, I have no reason to worry."

"Heh, yeah, now you could take advantage of the peace and quiet around you for a change. You would increase your efficiency for a fact." Craig pointed out, he was super good with data, but he wasn't a great expert at these things.

"Yeah, see? Someone who understands, there's nothing to worry about here, might as well enjoy this" he replies with a little triumph smirk.

"*Sigh* If you're so sure…" Calvin knew, or at least sensed that things weren't that simple, but he also knew that at that moment he wasn't going to achieve much with him.

"Of course I am. Actually, I'm sure that if not now, he'll soon start having problems keeping this whole circus going, you'll see."

Unfortunately or fortunately, Arthur was right. Wheatley at the moment managed to maintain his position, talking to Chell at lunch when he could (avoiding talking about the subject as much as possible, although it was noticeable that it was on his mind, he glanced askance at where his brother was from time to time) and sometimes with the few who could stand him... temporarily. Basically, looking for ways to distract himself even with his work, but… his resources were limited since his lunch times did not always coincide with hers; In addition to the fact that he was used to talking to his brother, almost never getting any response from him, but at least he let him talk, so avoiding him was starting to become more and more difficult.

But he didn't want to thirst

This was something he really didn't want to give in to, or at least, not so easily, for once he knew it wasn't just a matter of pride, but he needed to make a functional strategy soon or everything would fall apart and he I didn't want that.

It had passed 5 days now

He was walking back to his room that afternoon, muttering to himself to relieve some of the anxiety of talking much less than usual. He wished he could last at least one more week (since he was having no results yet) so that it could be seen that he was serious, but the only way he could think of was to somehow change or extend his work hours, so that he would have a real, solid excuse not to see him or talk to him, but there was no way at that time, the schedules were fixed and no one would let him take someone else's because of his infamy.

He was beginning to seriously consider giving in when, suddenly, down the hall behind him, he heard a pair of youthful voices talking about tests. He turned to look and thus got the answer he was looking for. He looked at the clock in the hallway, if he hurried, he might still make it, so he ran back in his footsteps.

-------------------------o0o-------------------------

"Voluntary Evaluation of Volunteer Test Subjects?"

Calvin asked, repeating what Wheatley had just said.

They had found each other in the drinks machine.

"Yes, and it was all an idea from your server, being your server me, of course, computers joke there, it was my idea, and I start from today" the short one responded, taking a Blueberry soda can from the machine.

"So, you're going to be evaluating single and also double test subjects??"

"Yep... well, no, not exactly, to be honest, it's just those 2 who do tests voluntarily, just for fun, aparently and, you know, since they do tests at a different time than the rest, there was no one doing the comparative evaluation, so I offered my self and they gave me the pass! so now I'll just have a couple of extra hours of work, and is brilliant! the perfect excuse for-... uh, I mean, is not-is not an excuse! Pfff why would it be? I mean, this has absolutely nothing to do with Ar... rogance! Yeah! Arrogance, this is purely for scientific purposes..."

"Aalright, If that's the only reason, why you never showed any interest in cooperatives test before?" Said Calvin, taking an orange juice can from the machine.

"Uh!! Well... because... because... okay, heheheh, you cathed me there, there is one other reason... but is not what you think!! Is it because, well... those two are said to be as good as Chell when it comes to do tests, you know? I mean, can you imagine?? Uuh And, as you might guess, Chell is my favorite test subject, I mean, how couldn't? she is so... so..." he starts to blush while saying that, but he noticed that the guy with the orange juice noticed it "Ah! I mean, ehem she is so... my friend. Yes, she is a great friend!! and, to be honest I... I just wanted to check if what is said about them is true myself, that's all".

He takes a sip from his can

"Uhu.. sure... anyway, even that being true, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, the calculations for the cooperatives test evaluation are a little more complicated than the normal ones, not to mention the comparatives... are you sure you are not going too much out of your orbit?"

"Oh yeah, I considered that! I considered it and I'll be fine! Because I'll only be in this for 10 days" the blue-eyed man says with a shrug of his shoulder and a 'what-could-possibly-go-wrong' gaze.

"Trust me, I've got this under control, It'll just be a piece of cake".

"Okay, okay... but what about the things with-".

Wheatley sigh, interrupting him, he knew Calvin enough to know it, they were not super close, much less than that; actually he thought the space expert could be a little annoying some times, but, also noticed he could also be a mate (plus, they both were some of the few in Aperture who could handle a Chris's questions rant) and that, sometimes, like this very time, it would mean that he would not let the topic go, so the blonde decided to say something before leaving (deep down he appreciated the concern).

"Listen... I was serious that day, you were there and I just could bet, since uuh you are kinda friends with him and with Rick, aren't ya? yeah, then I could bet you already know what happened, so, as you might guess, I'm not steping back, I'm still not talking to him, I still don't want anything from him, except for one only thing and Mr. Perfect should know what it is, and if he is not coming to me with that only thing... then I have no reason to talk to him OR about him at all... got to go, see ya".

Wheatley takes another sip from his can and proceeds to walk away to his new temporary job.

---------------------o0o-------------------------

At first it wasn't so bad.

Wheatley's normal job involved doing different types of calculations and equations, evaluating the results of some specific Test Subjects and comparing the results of different days of those same Test Subjects. It could be difficult for him to deal with them, especially on heavy days (or weeks), but normally, he managed to solve them correctly and on time, with some errors, but easily fixed (why did you think they haven't fired him yet?), he was far, very far from be the best at his job, but at least he was good enough to stay there.

This new parallel position involved doing something similar, but with calculations and equations that were a little different and more complicated as it involved evaluating 2 people completing tests at the same time instead of just one. Luckily, they weren't something Wheatley didn't understand or that needed more than a quick refresher, but he did need a little more time to finish them.

So the first two days, things seemed to be going well enough in that sense, plus, the plan was working, since his schedules changed a little, he and Arthur practically did not see each other in any physical space and the only exception was easily avoidable. Unfortunately this also meant less time to spend with Chell, but at least they could still meet each other a little, always Wheatley's favorite part of the day.

On Arthur's side, well… he didn't seem to be having a particularly bad time, in fact, at first, when he wasn't asked about the subject, he seemed to enjoy this new absence. He always wished he could have a vacation from his brother's constant chatter, especially since he found out they would be working at the same place. He was always the kind of person who enjoyed silence the most, so he could concentrate on his work or his hobbies. This was just another good reason to let things continue as they were without trying anything. "I could get used to this" he thought.

From time to time he would look out of the corner of his eye in the direction where Wheatley was in the dining room, convincing himself that he wanted to see if his tantrum had passed, then he would quickly look ahead to continue doing his thing, to see and listen to people who had more intelligent things to say - or that might interest him - more often.

Still, he couldn't help but notice the first two days in which he was not in sight all day, especially since it was strictly prohibited to eating in the work spaces. He even thought that perhaps he might be sick, but the answer came on the third day in the morning, along with Angus and Calvin, who brought the subject up in conversation. Basically, he could know about this extension of working hours.

"…Fact, he won't last" said his friend with the violet tie at his side.

"If you say it because of the extra work, I think that idiot could use it, a little hard work from time to time doesn't hurt anyone, I tell you, that builds character and endurance!" Says Angus, who had met them for breakfast.

"Heh, you haven't seen how he gets when his usual job gets tough. And I said it because evaluating that type of test involves more complicated variables, I'm sure he won't be able to take it and will end up giving up, so, it's better for you to take advantage of the little time of peace that's left for you, Arthur" says Craig, nudging Arthur friendly.

"Heh, yeah, you're right…" responds the man in question with some indifference "I doubt he'll make it until the week… Maybe then he'll stop acting like a child..."

"Yeah, some people just doesn't know how to react to things" Said the red headman, causing giggles from the others around (except Arthur) while they start walking out the kitchen "What's so funny?!"

"Nothing, Mr. Walking Supernova" Calvin responded, smiling a little mockingly.

"What do you mean with-!" before Angus finished his sentence, Craig speaks up.

"Fact, you would go crazy if something like that happened with your little sister."

"Uh! but-but that's different! Chris is adorable and would never be like that, and I'll tear you to pieces if you even suggest at it again!!… Besides, if through some crazy thing in life something like that happened, it would be because I did something bad enough for her to get mad at me like that in the first place."

"Of course, because you couldn't be mad at her, the big angry fluffy bear" Craig says mockingly.

"But I can get mad at you, so shut up!!"

Arthur, for his part, seemed to be paying little or no attention to the discussion, he was just walking, Calvin saw him thoughtful, he had noticed it, and although the others had not said it, he was sure that he was not the only one. Lately he had been acting more …cold, even for him, evem although at first he seemed to enjoy the whole thing a little, what he called "having less annoying noises around", he also seemed to be a little bored, but if you asked him, he would say he was just concentrated on his projects.

They continued walking until they each reached his work area.

---------------------o0o------------------------

About 3 more days passed and the consequences of Wheatley's new responsibilities began to become noticeable. The complexity of the new calculations effectively made him take longer times to finish them and, therefore, gave him even less time to make comparisons, so he began to need to stay more and more time at his desk to be able to finish the daily reports. Of course, that meant having less and less free time and, therefore, starting to spend more time alone.

Luckily Chell came to see him at his desk sometimes, which was a great little relief, when it could, cause she sometimes found him too concentrate, murmuring, trying to complete the notes and calculations. And when she managed to find him after having managed to finish, it was noticeable that he was increasingly tired.

((This drawing made by Shrimperini was part of the inspiration to make this idea, so I leave it here, since I think it fits the context))

She found him nodding off the night of the third day, so she asked him about it, if maybe it wasn't better to stop there, he said that he was fine, that he could handle this and that they wouldn't let him stop there even if he asked anyway, orders from the CEO, who agreed to let him do that job, but he wasn't stop until the 10 days were complete or else. Something told Chell that he wasn't lying about that, knowing that woman, it was possible that she did it on purpose, just because this would be something he could (or more like would) fail at within that time frame.

She knew, she knew well why he had agreed to this deal, even tho had originally been his idea, she knew that this motivation was still in his head, because the times they managed to spend together, he tried to ask indirectly (being so good with indirects as always) about his brother. They were questions that she didn't like to answer, because they always involved him pretending, annoyed, that he didn't care, so they quickly diverted the topic, usually something about the cooperative tests and how those brothers were really good, but he still thought Chell was the best.

On the fourth day, he found him asleep on his desk, with his notes half written. This had to stop.

But, something told Chell that she couldn't just force them to talk to each other…or force them to stop this. Well, maybe with Wheatley she could, but that wasn't the idea either.

Arthur, on his side, did not seem to show much change in his attitude, or at least not to anyone who did not know him. To begin with, it was undoubtedly strange so much silence around him for so much time in a row, which at first seemed like a blessing, in fact he still thought it was, but in addition, it began to be… perhaps too silent once a week pass, he even started to feel a little uncomfortable. Listening to Calvin's rants about space never felt so relieving, even when he usually preferred to ignore them and think about something else, after all, space related science never caught his attention much; for him, the moon was just a big empty rock.

Plus, even though he was able to make progress faster and more often, almost no one asked him questions or commented on non-work related stuff, and if they did… they weren't bad comments at all, but… they felt so short.

They were all details, he thought, that he would forget, after all, there was no logical reason for this to happen. When his orange friend tried to make one last attempt to ask him about it, if he wasn't at least aware about not knowing anything about his brother in 4 days, he simply responded that he should be more concerned that, for the last few days (about 5) the formulas for his cake projects were not working as well as he expected or as they should when it came time to try them, something was always not good enough, the texture was not soft enough or the flavor was not sweet enough. That was, he said, without a doubt, a major concern. "Besides, if he has any problem with this new job… well, it was his decision to get into it, he should be able to solve it on his own, there's no reason for me to get involved. They're just a couple more little formulas, they're things I do in my free time, jee!". It was also strange to hear such long sentences from him.

Calvin finally gave up on trying to ask about it, he knew there would be no point. But this had to stop.

Luckily, as he walked back to his sector, he ran into the perfect person in the hallway to helpt him figure out how, especially since he suspected she might be looking for the same thing.

---------------------o0o------------------------

2 days left until the deadline

Luckily, Wheatley was free that day, the bad news were that he still had work to do, so he would use a lot of that time trying to get some of that work done and organize the paperwork. At least he was able to sleep a little better the last night and, best of all, he was able to spend that afternoon having dinner with Chell, it was an hour later than normal for most, so the place would be empty (friendly dinner yet, don't get excited… okay, do it, but not too much), he was happy about this, especially since she was the one who invited him, they even walked to the dining room together, but he couldn't express it as much as he normally would, he was still very tired for the work. They saw Calvin at the drink machine on their way, who seemed to have something important to do, cause leaved almost as soon as they passed by. Wheatley didn't give it much importance, he was a little distracted looking at gray eyes that were looking at him.

But the astrophysicist did not address anything related to his work or space this time. No, this time his destination was the kitchen, where he knew he would find Arthur looking for a couple of ingredients for his next experiment. He wasn't wrong. He wanted to convince him to accompany him because he needed to show him something very important; At first he received a refusal "Right now, if it's not something related to cakes, then I'm not interested", he managed to convince him by telling him that, in fact, it was related to cakes. Carrying him by the arm, almost dragging him, also helped.

His destination was the camera room, where Rick was supposed to be, but they saw him leaving to let them in (it wasn't difficult for Chell to convince him to collaborate). He also closed the door once they entered.

"Wot- what the heck is going on here, why did you bring me here??!"

Calvin manipulated a couple of monitors so that one of them showed a specific camera.

"Oh nothing, we just wanted you to watch something you might needed to watch"

Once he achieved what he was looking for, he made the blonde sit down. They heard a female voice coming from the monitor at first "come on, tell me, you can trust me" she said, but Arthur wasn't looking at it.

"I have no time for this, you kn-!" he refuted, but was interrupted

"And we are not leaving until you watch this" said Calvin, he was smiling, but Arthur knew he was serious, so he looked at the monitor reluctantly "it better be really important or...". He heard a familiar sigh come out of the monitor, followed by a voice that, miraculously, he had not heard for a week. It must have been because of that, or at least that's what he wanted to believe, that he abruptly interrupted himself to pay more attention to what the screen was showing.

"Well, I guess... I think you're right... and is true, I'm not really that mad at him anymore, I mean, I still am, at least a bit, you know, because of what happened and everything, but.... I think... Yeah, I think I'm more sad than mad at him."

Said Wheatley, looking down, he looked so tired, with dark circles in the eyes.

"Sad?" Said the girl in front of him.

"Yeah... uh I-I mean, I know I'm not exactly Arthur's favorite person in the world, to be honest, I do know that, but still! I don't think I'm asking for too much! Am I? And is not like he struggles to say other kind of things - like he doesn't mind calling me m... like must of the people here call me... or-or point out when I make a mistake, either with words or with glance or... well, you get the general idea" he takes a bite from a sandwich he was eating.

"But, you know? those are nothing! Nothing I can't handle, really, I can! Even that last one! For real!... or... at least I could... you know, before knowing the truth... I know how important those cake stuff are for him, it's been like that since ever! Is just something that makes him happy and... plus-plus he looked so sure about what happened and... a-anyway, I'm digressing - point is, I could have take that one too!! but, when it comes the time, the one time when he makes a mistake, the one time he was wrong with something , and by something I mean me! he is just... unable to actually apologies with me!" He takes a sip from a juice glass he was drinking with the sandwich, Chell was eating a salad, listening all he was saying and just, staring at him, as she use to.

"And yeah, I know he was about to say sorry, but that didn't count! you heard him there, the way he was talking, all self-confident, and arrogant and all treating-me-like-a-child! he didn't was actually sorry, that wasn't going to be a real apology! but that's all I want! because is not like he is too nervous or ashamed to talk to me because of what happened or anything, I know him, he is not like that!!... I just wanted one honest apology... or... at least... I don't know, something from him that make me see that he cares" He clinks his glass on the table, anyone would be wondering if there was something more than juice in that glass, but the truth was it was just juice, luckily it didn't spill much. At that point, Arthur was just whatching, without trying to get out of the room anymore or anything.

"...Is all I honestly wanted, not even asking for us to become the bloody Mario Brothers! or be like Angus and the little Chris or the test-for-fun sibblings!... uh, Atlas and Paige, I meant Atlas and Paige, a little local reference there. Back to the idea I was trying to say, I'm not looking for us to become best friends or super united or stuff like that, that'd be... uuh... just... it'd be weird, yeah, that's the word I was looking for; cause, we are so different, like, I don't think we have anything in common... uuh, besides the bad eyesight and being blonde, of course, you know... genetics" He says while lowering the pace and tone of his voice, he gives a small yawn, then continues one more time.

"No... I don't look for that, I'm not asking for that, but yet... now, I have starting wondering... after all these days, that maybe... just maybe... I am, indeed, asking for too much..." His voice begins to take on a sad, almost sobbing tone "be-because, I mean, after all this week that pass... after everything, I bet... I bet... he hadn't even ask for me, hadn't he? he didn't miss having me around or anything... right? probably being happier than ever and I just made him a favor by doing this while I'm all... all tired and doing this bloody jobs for nothing and- no, you know what? Not for nothing, all was for a bloody misunderstanding with cakes!" A small awkward silence passed as they both finished their plate, silent broken by Wheatley himself, who continued speaking one last time in the same, but sadder tone.

"Yeah… I always knew- I've always known that I'm not my brother's favorite person, probably not even in the top 5 of important people in his life… but" he clenches his fist a little, seeming to be trying to hold back a tear "but I never ever thought he hate… no, no hate, hate is perhaps a too strong word, too much of a term for our context, I don't want to thi… I-I mean, I don't think he hates me, but! Uuh, I do can say that …I never... not even considered… that cakes would be more important to my brother than... me…"

Wheatley stops talking, takes off his glasses so he can rub his eyes a little with his arm, and then yawn once more. Chell holds his hand comfortingly, she knew that he needed.

"Sorry, I just… I just got crumbs in my eye."

Arthur stands up from his seat, he didn't need to see anymore. He also realized that Calvin was no longer there, but he was fine, after all, what he was looking for had already happened. He opens the door to leave, Rick was waiting for him outside, so he can re-enter the room to his work, and he puts a hand on Arthur's shoulder and says in an imposing tone "Use the information you just received wisely, boy…" the young blonde stared at him for a second, then Rick smiles with exciting

"Omg! I always wanted to say that!!" The guard with the hat said excitedly, releasing Arthur and re-entering the room, leaving the blue-eyed man irritated, but at least now free to continue his way. He wanted to continue what he was doing, so he tried to motivate himself to go back to the kitchen where he was interrupted, but, mean while, he was still thinking about what he had just seen, he couldn't just not do it, especially because of that last part.

"Is that really the impression I gave him?" He thought "The impression I give him right now? That's absurd! He's not… I'm not…" he couldn't even finish the sentences in his thoughts because memories of what happened came to him. Of that day and that last week that happened.

He reached the kitchen, started picking up the things he had gone to get automatically, mostly out of habit, but something didn't feel right, something didn't feel right at all, so he stopped as he opened one of the tall furnitures.

It was a complex situation for him, on the one hand, he didn't want Wheatley to think that, this time he couldn't convince himself that it was something he didn't care about, there were things that needed to be repaired, but, it was also true that this words, and even less apologies, weren't his thing at all. He was someone who hardly made mistakes, for him, praises from authority figures was the normal; for him, receiving apologies from others less successful and intelligent than him, those who did make mistakes was the normal. The simple idea of ​​him being the one to apologize was difficult enough, but for it to be with someone like his brother, who was capable of tripping over his own feet two or three times in a day or more, was… it was almost unthinkable, unbearable! Not to mention that he never had the gift of words, especially for such… emotional situations… but… it was fair, right? Independent of everything else or what he thought of his older brother, trying to be as objective as he liked to be, didn't he deserve it? After everything, didn't Wheatley deserve to at least to try? Was he willing? It was a decision that could involve everything returning to the way it was or staying as it is, or maybe there are just changes that are not visible to the naked eye.

He looked at the cabinet for a few seconds, it was full of different ingredients that he was allowed to use and store there, half of that cabinet were things that he kept there to have on hand for his pastry projects.

There were things that needed to be repaired, and he had made a decision; he knew that he did not have the conventional resources to accomplish the task, but, at least he could try with his own resources. It would take some time, so he just hoped he wasn't too late. He took some things from the cabinet and left

---------------------o0o------------------------

Afternoon of the last day, time and deadline.

Wheatley was walking down the hallway towards his boss's office, he was carrying a folder with several documents, all of them had to be delivered at that very moment and he was trying to finish filling out one of the sheets on the way. He should be feeling relieved that all that extra work was finally over, but he couldn't yet.

First because he knew that they had given him a kind of indirect ultimatum, he needed to deliver everything without errors or else… he didn't even want to think about what they would do to him, especially HER. He therefore had to go over each of the equations several times, finding errors and correcting them, which made him fall further behind with the other documents. At that moment he only needed to finish filling out the most important one, which came on a pink sheet of paper. He couldn't afford to stop, since they had given him a specific time to deliver, so he was going in such a hurry that he did not pay the slightest attention to what was happening or to those who passed around him in the hallways.

He was already close to it, so he put the document in the folder at his side and quickened his pace even more. After this, all that was left was to show the results to the siblings, but luckily, that was always the easiest part and it could be the next day, by then everything would be calmer.

But now he was anxious (and stressed) to finally finish this, he hadn't even had breakfast that morning. Not to mention that he hadn't been able to think too much about what he would do once it was finished, he didn't seem to have accomplished anything with this idea, but he didn't want to have to think about that right at that moment or he would get distracted.

Finally he arrives at the office of the CEO, Ms. Gladys, a truly brilliant, but terrifying woman who clearly didn't liked him much and made little effort to hide it, so he was very nervous. He stood as firm as he could, took a breath, and was about to knock on the door when it opened just before.

There she was, waiting for him. She didn't even let him in, she just asked him to give her the main file to review right there and, apart from it, the folder with the others.

"And I know I don't have to remind you… oh, wait, someone like you definitely needs to be reminded, so I will, if I find a single mistake in that file, I assure you there will be consequences, big bad consequences for you. I hope I made myself clear, because if not, I'll make sure of it by making the consequences bigger. Now give them to me."

Wheatley, who managed to be more nervous than before by those encouraging words, grabbed the file to take out the document, hoping, he really hoped he hadn't made any miscalculations, he finished it so hastily that it was more than possible that he had. But it was worst, because he realize that there was no pink sheet of paper between them. It must have fallen in the hallway in his haste to get there. The malicious smile his boss gave when she noticed that he was taking a while to find what he was looking for only made things even worst.

But before either of them could say anything about it.

"I think this is yours," said a familiar voice behind Wheatley, who turned quickly to see who it was because of the fright, "I told you to be more careful… here."

Wheatley was surprised to see his brother or to have his speak to him and even more of see the pink file in his hand. Gladys took the sheet of paper, which was undoubtedly his (it was crumpled) before he could and looked it over right there, very thoroughly. They both watched as her expression changed slightly to becoming more and more annoyed, she even gave them both a suspicious look, which especially scared one of them, while the other seemed more or less as calm as ever, anyway. Their boss's response was unexpected. "It's all right…*sigh*, fine, just give me the rest of the folder and go, now".

Wheatley, still in shock, managed to give her the rest of the documents while the CEO closed the door to her office in his face. At least that served to wake him up. Both brothers remained silent for a few seconds looking at the door, then they looked at each other, Wheatley noticed that he was carrying a small, neat cardboard box with handles. Surprisingly, it wasn't the short one who broke the silence this time.

"Oi…it's a little late…shall we get a cup of tea?" It was undoubtedly a question that caught Wheatley off guard, he was not expecting it at all, in fact he expected him to just walk away and that's it. Maybe that's why he didn't even try to question it and just nodded and walked to the dining room (Arthur used Low Guard, it was super effective!).

---------------------o0o------------------------

There was almost no one around in the place, so there were only the two of them at the table, with a cup of tea each, at first neither of them said anything because, strangely enough, neither of them knew what to say.

Arthur sighed and decided to break the silence a second time "Listen Wheatley, I'm going to tell you something and I want you to listen to it well, because I'm not going to repeat it, undertand?! This is not easy…okay, ehem... Wheatley I… I… for what happened that time… I'm sorry... I'm really sorry." It was something that clearly was difficult for him to say, so Wheatley did not interrupt him, but the surprise on his face was noticeable, it even seemed that he thought perhaps Arthur was sick, which made the matter more awkward, but he still continued.

"I was very unfair to you and… well I… at first I really thought it was fine because I thought it was you, okay?! Everything seemed so… and you… and...- aaagh! this is not working! this apologizing thing It's not my thing! I'm not the one who should be apologizing for making such a stupid mistake! I'm not one who does that kind of things!!… but..." for a moment he began to despair as he said all that, it was something he also needed to get off his chest "… but I did… this time I did...I was unfair to you, in several ways; you didn't deserve to be treated like that, not even for cakes, even less for pride and, well… I know that maybe it doesn't make up for much… or I don't know, the truth is I don't know much about these things, but… ehem... here… just don't get used to it!... and again... I'm sorry"

He puts the box that he had brought with him for a while between them, it was one of those boxes for moving rectangular cakes, and opens it. To Wheatley's surprise, it was not a square Black Forest Cake, it was a Chocolate Battenberg Cake, his favorite.

He looked at the cake, then looked at Arthur who had looked away, as if he was running out of words and he didn't know what to say and didn't want to try either. Luckily it wasn't necessary, it was a gesture that spoke for itself. To begin with, Wheatley knew that although it was not his favorite cake, his brother was much more into making his own cakes than buying them, it was a matter of personal pride, the only ones he bought were always from his favorite bakery and that store did not sell this cake.

Arthur managed to say one only thing more "…well?"

Wheatley's look was a curious mix of surprise, excitement, and disbelief, it was as if he didn't know whether to smile or not as he tried to process everything. Finally, he sobbed a little and smiled at him "I… I really don't know what to say, to be honest, I didn't expect something like this at all! I even thought that… well… a lot of things... nasty things, actually. I really thought that you… uh, well, you know what? you know what? Never mind, never mind now! I was wrong about those things and… god, I never thought it could feel so good to be wrong! There should be some kind of achievement for that in life!! hehe, I-I can't believe it! I... just.... thank you... Artie... is really- it was really all I wanted to hear... plus a surprise!" He wanted to hug him, but neither of them were big on hugs, especially not between them, so he stayed where he was. He knew that this wouldn't make them suddenly friends by any means, things wouldn't change much, they would probably stay more or less the same as before, but at least this made clear some things that were needed to be known between them.

"Now let's see, we have to try this before the tea gets cold, that would be a shame as well as rude for the tea and the cake!" The eldest says excitedly, taking a bite without wasting any more time, it was funny how someone could managed to be gangly and have manners at the same time, a fascinating phenomenon to some extent. Wheatley seemed surprised once he took that bite, in a good way.

"…You…you used nan's recipe! omg! so fluffy and soft <3 <3 <3"

His smile while eating was priceless

"Uh… yeah" his little brother responds with some surprise "… it's the only recipe I had on hand, I didn't have time to do a comparative research of recipes as normal… but how did you know??"

"Huh, no one else could achieve this texture, it's one of nans's super powers, like they all always know what to do when something hurts without having any medical studies, as if they have a… kind of… pre-integrated medicine chip or something! or how they always manage to make the coats so warm, but they still always itch as hell!! is like, you know, one of those… uh, mysteries of life and science" He says taking another bite "I can't believe you managed to replicate it so well, Mr Perfect, this is tremendous! you must be very proud, you should!… and don't look at me with that face"

Arthur had that 'you're a child' look, but he almost looked like he wanted to smile this time.

"Come on, if you don't believe me, try it"

"No, no, I'm fine, is yours and-"

"It can't be, Artie, I'm so disappointed! don't you know? It's a very important rule, a chef must always taste his creations!! And! And- in this case, you would be the chef and the cake is your creation anyway, so it's your responsibility! So, unless you put something like... uh like poison in this thing or you don't think you actuallt did a good job, it's your responsibility, so come on!"

He brings the cake a little closer to him. Arthur gives up because he was curious to try the results of this cake anyway, considering the circumstances in which he made it, he was afraid to find something disappointing again compared to his previous creations, as it had been happening that week and he was a perfectionist. He took a bite and, to his surprise, it was good, without a doubt he had measured up. It wasn't perfect, tho, but there was something with it, he couldn't explain what or why, but there it was.

"Heh, see? It's good right? You're not fooling me. I told you! you should be proud, you absolutely should!" He says taking a sip of his tea "now, come on and help me finish it"

None of them noticed that there were 2 persons looking at them from the entrance door, a woman and a man, who just smile at the scene and, knowing that thing would probably go back to normal soon, they decided to leave them alone, their job there was done.

Arthur just sighed and toke another bite, he did want to keep eating it anyway so maybe he could be able to descipher that something he cound't understand. For now, he would just allow himself to enjoy that unperfect something for this one time, that unperfect something that, somehow, made the cake this cake sweeter than ever.

Aaand that was it, thanks for those who did read it till the end, it was longer than I was expecting o.ou

Hope you also liked it, specially Shrimps, if she read this. I don't know if I got the characterizations well, I hope I did at least well enough, I'm accepting any correction.

Thanks again to everyone who read this, but now, I have to do a few stuff before my next plushing, so.... well, see you next time

Bye!!

[lalulutres]

Celebrate with style! this Enchanted Forest Blackberry Velvet Delight is a true masterpiece, combining deep velvet textures with the tartness of fresh blackberries. 🖤🍇🎉

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon fine salt

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tablespoons black food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup prepared plain hot coffee

1 cup blackberry preserves

Fresh blackberries for garnish

Edible glitter (red and black)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

In another large bowl, gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Then add the coffee and stir until smooth.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack. Once cool, remove from pans and layer with blackberry preserves. Cover the cake with a thin layer of preserves and arrange fresh blackberries on top. Sprinkle with edible glitter.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Kcal: 520 kcal per serving

Servings: 8 servings

#cake

[magia-region]

Magian Teddiursa, the Bear Cub Pokémon

Water/Normal type

Teddiursa like to live near sources of water where they can hunt their favorite food: fish. 

They are excellent and strong swimmers. They also regularly climb trees to feed, escape enemies and hibernate.

Based on the North American black bear 

Magian Ursaring, the Black Bear Pokémon

Water/Normal type

It typically lives in largely forested areas, but will leave their home in search of food. They are sometimes attracted to human communities due to the immediate availability of food. 

Ursaring tend to be territorial and non-gregarious in nature. 

Magian Ursaluna, the Black Bear Pokémon

Water/Ground Type

Ursaluna’s fur is caked in hardened mud that it uses as a shield against hunters. Arrows can get stuck in it, as well as any potential prey. 

Ursaluna mud is an ingredient in making super strong glue. 

Based a little on Mor’du from Brave

And the shinies! They’re back to being brown bears, but with green paws in reference to the regular Teddiursa line’s shinies.

[forkfulofflavor]

Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies Ingredients: Cherry Filling: 300 g (10 1/2 oz) halved, pitted cherries (fresh or frozen) 50 g ( 1/4 cup) caster or granulated sugar 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 8 g (1 tbsp) cornstarch (US) or cornflour (UK) Flourless Brownie Cookies: 150 g (5 1/4 oz) dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa), chopped 70 g ( 1/2 stick + 1 tbsp) unsalted butter 150 g ( 3/4 cup) caster or granulated sugar 2 large eggs (US) or medium (UK), room temperature 30 g ( 1/3 cup) Dutch processed cocoa powder 1/4 tsp salt Vanilla Whipped Cream: 230 g (1 cup) double or heavy cream, cold 30-40 g ( 1/4- 1/3 cup) powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or 2 tsp vanilla extract Directions: Cherry Filling: In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until cherries soften and release juices. Spoon out some juices and mix with cornstarch to make a slurry, ensuring there are no lumps. Return the slurry to the saucepan, stirring frequently. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Test the thickness of the filling by placing some on a plate in the fridge. If the consistency is satisfactory, allow it to cool completely in a cold water bath. For thicker filling, sieve the cherries, cook the liquid further, then recombine and chill. Flourless Brownie Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth and glossy, then set aside to cool slightly. In a mixer, whisk sugar and eggs until pale, fluffy, and tripled in volume. Pour the chocolate mixture into the whisked eggs and mix until combined. Sift in cocoa powder and salt, and whisk until smooth. Chill the batter in the fridge for 6-8 minutes. Scoop 16 cookies using a 2 tablespoon scoop onto the lined sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes until glossy and cracked. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Vanilla Whipped Cream: Whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to soft peaks. Place in a piping bag with a star nozzle. Assembling the Black Forest Cookies: Turn one cooled cookie upside down and pipe a layer of whipped cream. Spoon cherry filling over the cream, then top with another cookie. Optional: Serve without the top cookie for a balanced flavor profile, or include it for a more chocolatey experience. Serve with a fork. Storage: Keep assembled cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Prep Time: 25 minutes | Baking Time: 8-9 minutes | Total Time: 40-45 minutes Kcal: 280 kcal per sandwich cookie | Servings: 8 sandwich cookies Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies are a sophisticated, decadent dessert inspired by the classic Black Forest cake. These flourless brownie cookies are rich, fudgy, and perfectly complemented by a layer of tart cherry filling and fluffy vanilla whipped cream. Each bite offers a balance of intense chocolate, creamy sweetness, and a hint of cherry tartness, creating a luxurious treat that’s both indulgent and satisfying. Whether served as a sandwich cookie or with a single layer for a balanced flavor experience, these cookies make an elegant addition to any dessert table. They’re ideal for gatherings or special occasions and can be enjoyed with a fork for an elevated dessert experience. Store any extras in the fridge and savor them over the next few days – they’re sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them!

[dailyscug]

Prev pastry anon

Artificer is black forest cake w cherries in there , hunter is red velvet, saint would be matcha , gourmand would be a cinnamon bun , spearmaster is an ube roll

WRONG! hunter is the mold. artificer burnt in the oven. spearmaster is full of ingredients you've never heard of -gourm

[solsticethebatearedfox]

Bad Kids Food + Cooking Headcanons

Adaine

Before moving in to Mordred, she couldn't cook for shit. Her family had unseeing servants and stuff and it was assumed she would never need to know.

Eventually Jawbone, Lydia and Sandra Lynn teach her. She begins to love it - it feels similar to ritual spellcasting for her.

After the Nightmare Forest, she starts cooking and baking with Aelwyn. They make a mean black forest cake together. It's great bonding time

Kristen

Is better with camp food than regular food - made it at church camps a lot

Also had to cook for her siblings constantly (we stan parentification :/) but for the most part it was chicken nuggets and microwaved corn kernels and whatever - easy, processed meals

However, her mother insisted she know how to cook because when she had a husband and children it would be her job. So she would often make roast meals and big servings of chicken corn soup to freeze for the week

To this day she hates cooking - it brings back bad memories and feelings.

Fig

Much like Kristen, better at camp food (ie. ranger meals that Sandra Lynn taught her)

She kinda knows how to forage and hunt but not as well as Sandra Lynn would like

She loves baking but has little patience

Her decorating skills are non-existent but she tries

Fabian

My man can't cook for shit, like at all. He can't even make a sandwich. Cathilda tried to teach him but his parents would often intervene so he never had the patience to learn.

Riz

Riz would be a good cook if he knew how. Unfortunately Sklonda didn't have the time to teach him or the money to buy ingredients for him to learn. She did what she could - he at least knows sandwichs and pasta and rice and very basic staples - but he couldn't tell you how to cook steak

After the Nightmare Forest, Sandra Lynn teaches him how to forage and hunt. He takes to it far better than Fig (he has more patience for it)

Gorgug

Other than Adaine after season two, Gorgug is the best chef of the bad kids. Ain't no way Digby & Wilma were letting him not know how to cook.

He likes baking too, but mainly does things like slow cooker stews and pulled pork sliders with homemade curly fries.

He enjoys seeing the delight on his friends' faces when he makes them food

Honorary Bad Kids

Ragh is in the same boat as Adaine - didn't learn until after Jawbone was in his life. After he worked through his issues, Ragh got really close to Lydia via learning how to cook. Now he often cooks with Gorgug, making BBQ dinners together for their families

Ayda doesn't know how to cook. Past iterations might have but this one doesn't. She has Garthy after all. But she does enjoy baking with Fig or Adaine (and sometimes even helping Gorgug or Ragh)

Tracker knows how to cook, Jawbone taught her. She learnt how to cook on a tight budget, and how to forage and hunt. She and Sandra Lynn bonded over that

Aelwyn is the same as Adaine, never knew until after the Nightmare Forest. She gets really into it, especially baking, making perfect macarons and puff pastry. It's escapism, but she doesn't always have the spoons (it takes a lot outta her)

[helloescapist]

Wisteria Bound Promises | Shinobu Kocho

Word Count: 5682

Setting: Shinobu Kocho x fem!reader (memory loss)

Content Warning(s): suggestive themes, mention of gore, angst

Summary: a mission leaves the couple at a bridge of their relationship; stripped of all memories of demons, of slayers, of... her, Shinobu must face a decision she was never prepared for. To know whether her love is strong enough to let you go.

Anon, I hope you see this, and I was able to fulfill your request. I gave it my all, and I hope it makes your day <3

[image is not mine]

Shards of glass decorated the forest ground, littered throughout the duff. The distant memory, her words playful at the time echoing in her ears. A time when she had praised the beauty and practicality of your unique breathing style.

Glass Breathing, but now the sight of fallen stars shattered amongst rocks, fragmented against bark, and splintered amongst the grass devastated her. The Insect Pillar’s footsteps could not carry her fast enough, her caution lost amongst the carnage. Neither worried of the cuts that marred her uniform, or concerned at the digs of shards against the pads of her sandals.  The desperate squawks of your crow guiding her forward, his consistent divots as he ushered her along as ever loyal as his partner. Her partner. The distinct scent of metallic seared her nose, tints of ferric that claimed her senses. The shiver of the hair at her backs, and the lump that gathered at her throat. Familiar. Far too familiar, reminiscent of her medical instruments. The sickening fragrance that had begun to mix with the flesh, the coiling of hairs, and cauterized skin, flayed, and open to the night air. Wounds exposed, caked with traces of pebbles, and dirt. Debris from the scuffle painted across your flesh. Rubble that gathered in clumps adhered by gore. The dim sunlight that trickled through the trees revealing the feebleness of your skin, bare in the light. Displayed by the shredded fabric gatherings of your uniform, the under cloth once white stained. Thick patches remaining vibrant, and red, while other areas had begun to darken. Brown. Black. The chemical process, Shinobu knew all too well how long such exposure required. Her adrenaline causing her body to tremble, swayed under the thoughts that ran rampant. She needed to act. No. She needed to remain calm. she should hold you. No, it’s dangerous to move your body without knowing the depth of your wounds. Her insides screamed, her eyes falling to the slump of your back. Curved unnaturally against a bolder, as though you were nothing more than a doll tossed to the side. Your blade at your side, the touch of your fingers still in grasped. Dropped it. You had released it from your hold after you had vanquished your opponent. Good, good girl, you had prioritized conserving your strength.  The tremble of her body, willed herself to remain in control despite the tears that quivered. The twitch of her eyes as she begged them not to fall, a struggle she could not win. The weight of her cries far too heavy for her eyelashes to contain. The shake of her hand as her fingers found your pulse. The quiver of her back and how Shinobu’s sob had caught the nearby kakushi off guard; betrayed by her movements. Barely allowing herself to absorb the information. Head. Blood. So much blood. Clot. Clotting? Pulse. Alive. Alive. Breathing. Slow. So slow. Move. Move. Eyelashes closed. Open. Open. OPEN.

Kocho’s fingers gathered at her eyes. The touch of calloused hands, the faint aroma of wisteria mixed with poisonous ingredients met the cleanliness of clothes and linen. Every time she closed her eyes, she was caught there. A shadow amongst the tress, lifeless and hollow, daring not to breath. The sight of your body, the plague of a battle—she should have been there. You needed her. Awash by her duties, diluted into prioritizing the care of mizunoto that had come in the night before, she should have assessed the situation better. Inquired more details from your crow Yugure before you had departed. You had assured her that you would be fine. You promised. You lied. She would always protect you. Shinobu lied. The ache of her stomach, and the gnawing whispers that tore at her soul as she leaned against your bedding. The way her heart had plummeted when Yugure had returned without you; the ruffle of the fowl’s feathers. The anguished cries, and tremble of his caterpillar charm you had crafted for him, she had deserted her task. If Aoi had not stepped in without hesitation, her patient very likely would have bled out, but she hadn’t even considered the repercussions. Shinobu had only had one thing in mind.

[YN].

                Her fingers traced amongst the bandages of your cheek. The roll of your bangs that mostly hid the dressings, swaddled amongst blankets, you had rested. Long eyelashes that dusted over your cheeks, the faint of twitch of your eyes at her touch. The girls had worked overtime to ensure all of your wounds had been properly tended for; Shinobu herself had remained steadfast at your bedside as you slept. A duty she had assigned herself not only as the proprietor of the Butterfly Estate, but as your lover. Not that she felt as though she deserved such a title. I let this happen to you. The Insect Hashira’s heart heavy, reprimanded herself for fidgeting with a sleeping patient regardless of the intimate nature of your relationship. She knew better. You were stable, she understood that. Kocho was well versed in the nature of your wounds, comprehended that you were well on the mend even if you had not awakened to her yet. Rest was necessary, but still, she could not prevent the way her hand failed her. Performed an obvious coup as it caressed the soft structure of your cheek. Danced across your features, tucked the strand of hair behind your ear. Rejoiced in the flutter of your eyelashes. Slow, steady. Listless at first, and how it proved singing from her core. The smile drawn to her face, leaned to your side. Pressed her forehead against your own. To fill the life that had returned to your body, to savor the soft way you would whisper her name. The way you would reassure her you were okay. Greet her with your usual giggle, and tease of how she had once again fretted over your care. Yes, yes, the giggle she yearned for—had emerged a warped scream.

                And Shinobu’s world had once again, been torn asunder.

Y-You hadn’t meant to scream. Truly you didn’t, or at least, you think you didn’t. Your eyes followed the room in a daze. The small wrinkle of your brow that grew. As you attempted to absorb your surroundings. The walls were mute in hues, lacquered wood trims and floors that met in noticeable care, a flower vase that had been well tended to. Small decorations that had been meticulously placed. Their placement well considered and practical in usage. Some items appeared to be newer. Recent additions that had been implemented, or at least you had considered them to be. The paint fresher, or more modern than that of the furniture of the room. A dresser filled with trinkets, and fresh clothing set to one side, and an end table on the other. Another floral arrangement awaited viewing, alongside an--- the woman with purple hair had explained it was an IV. Tubes that connected to your arm through small needles. Your eyes tracing the lines, curious. The small part of you wishing to yank on it, having never interacted with such medical devices before, but the petite woman who had adjusted it strongly discouraged it. Her touch significantly less delicate than the woman who you had awoken to, tugging over cloth. Her pigtails swaying as she did so. The cutesy butterfly embellishments catching your attention, the blue of her eyes averted. Unwilling to meet your gaze. A common occurrence from the staff you had concluded.

White bedding, stark and ready for cleaning at a moment’s notice had bundled you tight, pinioning you to the bed. An onslaught of pillows, and metal framing, far more modern than the humble abound you were accustomed to, or at least, you felt as though everything had felt unfamiliar. The unease in your stomach, and small prick of Suni’s care--- ah no wait, Aoi. Her name is Aoi.

                The purple woman—Kanao. No, wait, that wasn’t her name. You could feel the frustration begin to bubble in your head. The small pulse of a headache that had threatened to blossom. Your eyebrows drawn forward wrinkling your brow. “You were clearly told not to force memories,” the haughty young lady instructed. Her hands falling to her hips as she attempted to stare you down. Yet, when you attempted to meet her gaze, her eyes once again drifted your own. Once again evading contact, successfully dodging you in a way that made you uncomfortable, “Lady Kocho’s orders for your treatment are on the end table, be careful getting up. Your balance is still a bit off after your fall,” she sighed. Discomfort. Did you perhaps, make Suni--- no Aoi uncomfortable? “I-I’ll be back in a bit with dinner, we’re having your favorite yakitor—I’ll bring dinner back later,” she fumbled. The anxious of her voice quick as she gathered her supplies and dispersed from the room before affording you the opportunity to inquire... How does she know I like yakitori? It had been like this since you woke up. A series of oddities, over familiarity that you could not explain, and for those who were more trained in their conduct, it felt as though there was a bridge between you and your care providers.

                The Lady Kocho had explained upon waking up that she had been attempting to check your fever. Although your environment certainly seemed similar to a medical ward, something… didn’t feel right in the distance she had put between the two of you, following your startled response. You had felt certain, she had said something to you when you were waking up, a small feminine voice that you had heard in your slumber, but no matter how hard you had tried to recall, the small numb of a headache—ah that’s right, the female physician had expressed that concentrating would only spur a migraine. What else had she said?

Before you had screamed, flustered her distance, her forehead had been pressed against your own, tender and gentle. She had expressed, it had been intended to ensure you hadn’t contacted a fever in your slumber. Though, the methods had seemed a little unusual, everything about the interaction had felt off kilter. Your name, she had called you by your name with such heavy affection that it had startled you. The level of fondness had hinted at a deep level of intimacy—but that couldn’t be right, you had never met the woman before, and upon inquiring how she had known you, a smile had tugged her face. As though it had been meticulously forced upon her features, pinned to place with sewing needles, and the way she creased her eyes in the smile. It felt off, ah but to be fair, perhaps you would feel insulted if your patient did not remember you after so much effort. Either way, the evidence of a tremble of her lip had been erased, replaced with a well-practiced smile. Forced. Poised. Distant. Distant? Any evidence of sentiment had been absorbed by the mask she bore as the Lady Kana—no no, Kocho had begun to inquire a series of medical response. Inquiries of your name, of your age, the region you had been born and raised in. All, fairly odd questions, as though some part of her expected you to slip up in your response. No, prayed you would not know the answers, but that’s ridiculous. For all the care she had put into your recovery, what sort of doctor would hope their patient has no memories at all? It was somewhere between your responses, correct for what it was worth, recounting simple childhood recollections, and beginning to inquiry where you were that the young nurse, Kiyo had entered the room. Ah no, wait, Aoi. Her name is Aoi. She hadn’t uttered a word upon entering the room. Rather her yes fell to the physician, and then back to you. Absorbing the same information as you had, and upon your inquiry as to where exactly you were, the Lady Kocho had not flinched. Her smile rather, seemed more strained. Tugged tighter, nearly as tight as a shamisen string that threatened to snap under the weight of its instrument, and yet regardless of how gentle her voice remained. How steadily she explained that you were at a local hospital, the nurse behind her—her eyebrows had trembled. Her eyes flashed to her superior, her eyebrow noticeably furrowed. Lips pursed, as though she had bit into a sour pear not quite in season. The purse of her lips, overlooked by the Lady  Naho, Kocho, who approached your next question. “How did I get here?”

Aoi’s fingers grasped her tray as the Lady Kocho explained that you had taken quite the tumble on your journey. Sent on an errand from your family that had led you to the region, you had stopped by prior to your fall and requested assistance with your directions, thus why the residents of the hospital seemed familiar with your name. Aoi’s blue eyes falling to the Lady’s back, as though she could see something you could not, your attention pulled to the jumble of writings your care provider offered you. Instructions, scribbled in her hand writing the small floral scent that touched your nose from the parchment; small notes of residents you would find upon your recovery. Verbal cues, and with that, she had departed. Separated from herself, only stopping for a moment to lean into the nurse Aoi before bidding you farewell. The very paper you now held pressed between unsure fingers, your only thoughts wondering why it was the scent had felt so comforting.

Hours turned into days, and days faded to weeks, and in little time, two months had passed since your accident, and despite all the small hints that Shinobu had left around the estate, your memory had yet to return. Her attempts ranged from the typical touch of your favorite meals continually made by Aoi to beloved kimonos custom crafted for your figure alone. Each endeavor growing a little more and more less restrained. Ridiculous, she understood that. Kocho was more than aware that to force memories on a recuperating amnesia patient was—not advised. Yet, she had gone so far as even encouraging the small trio of medical students to guide you through walks in the Butterfly Mansion’s garden. To her credit, the fresh air would beneficial. When Shinobu had concluded that your condition was just limited to your memories, she had implemented routine as she would for any patient--- no really, she was sticking to her duty… sort of. During meals with the residents of the medical facility, she would often make small talk, drop small fragments praying that something may trigger your memories. Allowed herself to be lulled by false hope that something had ticked when you had requested to work in her office, filing paperwork at the minimum. It was after all, how your relationship had found its footing. The close proximities, long hours, yes, she had thought perhaps there was something there, and yet as the weeks languidly passed little progress had been made. The time between excruciating for her heart. Her empty bed as vacant as her core. Aimless. Meaningless. While she struggled to maintain her composure, told herself that in time, your memory would return, and this would all be a bad dream. The passage of time was beginning to wear on her, and she had begun to wonder if perhaps, you may never retrieve your memories. No part of you had a recollection of the Demon Slayer Corps, nor the selection process, let alone the monsters that wandered in the dark, or of her.

Hues of purple glanced over ponds, the garden a light in the faint of the morning. The wisteria hanging in bunches, gently swayed by the gentle breeze that met the day. Fragrant, and warm. Safe guarded from the world, enchanting as the moonlight, and all of the stars. As though a piece of the heavens had fallen to the earth, tucked away in a remote location upon the grounds of the Butterfly Estate. Well-practiced, callous hands that worked deftly to extract wisteria essence. The beauty of the blossoms as lethal as the wielder. Amethyst eyes that captivated the petals, the absence of the smile she had forced as a façade. Lost amongst a grove of wisteria, Shinobu had never felt inclined to reveal the depth of her rage. Nor the spite in which she withdrew lethal dose after potent toxin. Administered in batches, collected into test tubes secured at her hip. Focused, and lost amongst the isolated blooms, it offered the rare opportunity for Kocho to breathe. To slip the smile from her lips, to allow the scowl that etched into her heart the day her sister had passed. The early hours only securing her privacy, the snap of branch that drew her attention as quick as her blade.

                Your cheeks burned under her gaze. The faintest shade of a blush that threatened its way down your neck, across your cheeks. A delicate hue of red that would shame any rouge that a merchant would dare to vend, and the delicate tremble as your eyes averted from her own. Shy, as the bite of your lip. One hair securing wisteria blooms that cascaded from the trees, kissed your hair in ways she had longed to, the other hand grasped at your chest. Clutched, trembled, before eyes that lit with the morning sun. Determination seizing your confidence, urging you towards her side.

The memory of your confession shattered the glass between her hands. Revealed scrapes over faded nail marks that had been embedded in the palm of her hand. The result of her own self infliction—every time she had become aware that she had been erased from your memories, she had found herself clinching her fist since that first day. Wounds that had been reopened multiple times, the restraint of her growing frustration. When you had been woken from a nap, and she had to withdraw the hand that thoughtlessly reached for stroke your head. Over meals in which Shinobu had considered offering an extra serving from her own plate, when you had correctly called Aoi by the correct name. When you had called her Kanao. Nails that had torn into her flesh, and the forced smile that disguised her growing rage. Demons. Demons had done this to you. The small glitter of glass that flickered in the light, The quiver of her lip, the shiver that traveled down her spine. Blood that escaped the newly emerged wound, all hushed whispers of the night a monster had stolen her place within your heart. Drawing only the clench of her teeth, scrapped against each other as she quivered.

                The startle gasp that drifted through your lips, dropping your task at hand, and rushing dutifully to her side. The light touch she had known in so many other ways that dusted across her wound. The soft voice that had reassured her dead of night, eased her from nightmares, and embraced her in love now offered soft reassurance as you delicately cleaned her wound. The worry of drawn eyebrows, a face you would often pull when work had kept her in the long hours of the night, often from the corner of her desk where you would set yourself up with a book. The occasional glance over the pages, that small wrinkle of your brow. Now peeking up at her once again, the tremble of her heart. To thread her fingers through your hair. To whisper assurance back, to kiss the scars that had formed at your cheek after your assault, the wound never likely to heal. The only physical evidence of your encounter that had remained. The press of your breast against her desk, eliciting distant memories of pinned encounters against the lacquered wood. To hear your desperate cry, to witness the tremble of your breast, to elicit the moans only she had known—the naïve way you regarded her as you wound fabric over her palm. Completely unaware of how desperately the Insect Pillar longed to embrace you. To hear you call her name—to declare her love for you in body, heart, and soul. To back you to the bookshelf. To encase your wrist with in her small hands, to pin you to the book bindings. To reach on her tippy toes, and claim your lips as her own. To have your body respond to her as it had so many times before—no, no the clueless gaze in which you regarded her was not one that she was familiar with. Innocent of the thoughts that lurked beneath her mind, you were an angel still, but one that knew only of the light of day, and nothing of the horrors of the night.

                Her eyes catching at the tender flick of your wrist before drifting to the parchment that had gathered on her desk. Bitterness ebbing her stomach. Swallowed in her throat, and betrayed her voice. “[YN], are you perhaps—ready to return to your family?”

Your eyes fell to the packages that had been carefully wrapped. The Lady Kocho had taken great care to ensure that you would have everything you would need for your voyage home. A variety of colors, clothes more expensive than you could comprehend. A lavish gift that felt.. out of place. The depths of your heart uneasy at the journey to come. Whispered uncertainties that you could not quite grasp onto, urged you to remain under the care of the medical ward. You had wondered if it was that you were anxious to leave their care after such an unexpected trauma. Perhaps you were filled with a fear that such things would happen again, with no assistance. Reprimanded your heart for how it begged to remain under their company, to sleep just one more night—they had more than sacrificed for your sake. Welcomed you into their home, and allowed you to parade as though you were one of them. Patiently accepted your blunders, and mistaken identities. Embraced your uncertainty, and nurtured you to health. Only one scar remained from the incident, you had guessed that it had been some sort of rock that had caught you in your descent down the mountain.

                Your eyes wandering across the room, uncertain and anxious as you did so. For all the short time you had spent there, it had captivated a place in your heart. To witness workers cloaked in black, Aoi had explained they were… movers. Their outfits a unique uniform by their employer, to bare witness to them one by one heave box out of the room you had called your own for a short period left an unnamed ache within your heart.

                “{LN], the horse is ready,” Aoi’s voice whispered. Her blue eyes trained to the ground. Only briefly peeking at you through her parted bangs. A hefty burden laid upon her shoulders, invisible to your sight despite the obvious weight. I did this to her. To all of them, your stay had impeded on their lives. Despite the way your heart ached for her, to know your presence had burdened them so. Heavy feet that echoed down the wooden hallway, reluctant with each step. Willed yourself to press forward. Reluctance at the sight of the gate that drifted into view. All too aware of the tears that fell between the young trio’s eyelashes. The sobs audible, and near controllable despite Aoi’s reprimand. Strained words that insisted that your departure was hard on all of them, unaware of the weight her words carried. Or the way they had carved into your core. The tremble of your brows, unwilling to glance back at the little girls, knowing all to well that your reluctance would only manifest their unease. Mournful of your departure. The mover willing to assist you in heaving you upon the carriage with the horses. The ease that your body adjusted to the beast a surprise, tucked the neglected letter into your breast pocket, and swallowed the lump that had formed in your throat. “P-please tell the Lady Kocho, thank you for her care.”

                Aoi’s eyes fell. An obvious wrinkle of her nose manifesting—you had come to recognize her annoyance. Understood that the young lady was by all rights, rather well-mannered in her behaviors. She was likely frustrated that Sh—Lady Kocho had been unable to send you off properly. The small part of you worried of the lecture she would push on her master, as a bitter smile found your features. You would miss this. But what was there to miss? This was only a moment together. you had no right to claim such for yourself. “Here.” A bundle of fabric, weaved of purple hues and the softest tint of floral fragrance before she turned her back on you. Quick on her feet, ushering the young girls away. Insisting that work was to be done, chores to tend to as you departed. A forced smile that found your face. The warm scent of floral notes, and antiseptic poised against the fabric. The tears that threatened to roll. It smells like her. The press of silk against your nostrils as you breathed in the familiar scent. Long hours assisting her in the past weeks had offered you a lot of opportunities to engage with it, and regardless of how hard you tried to resist it. You could not help but admit, that the smell in all of its unusualness was comforting. Longed to savor the scent for as long as you could, in a way that you could not place. The yearning of your heart to see the medic just one more time.

                The shrill had drawn you from your thoughts, well, obsession? The Lady Kocho had warned you that your thoughts may be askew for some time to come, you hadn’t considered it would wander to something so… Deviant. Obsidian feathers well maintained and manicured. The delicate click of a charm against a claws; fluffed and demanding. A crow hovered close to you. Its insistence to be heard drawing your eyes to the small charm at its neck. A small note clutched against its talons. Gestures that did not feel as though were your own, yet came naturally to you as you reached out for the little bird. The comfort its weight against your arm provided, the toss of its beak as though it were appraising your reaction.  Why? The carefully folded parchment, and ribbon secured at its ankle drawing your eyes, met once again as he fluttered his wings. Puckered his chest out in assistance. The unintentional way your hand drew against the gathering over feathers at his shoulder blades. The way he leaned into your touch as though you had done this countless times before. His ankle stretched out with one more craw demanding your attention. “A-ah, Mr. Bird, is this for me?” His feathers wrinkled; the hint of agitation evident on the bird’s features as his insistence squalled. As though you had in some way offended his honor. “I, uh, thank you?”

                The handwriting familiar. One you had known since childhood. Your mother, sweet and affectionate in her praise. You needed this, you told yourself, for what heartbreak you could not understand, but it was not the words you had expected to read across the page. You heart yearned for reassurance that nothing had changed in your absence, that your family awaited your return in good health.

                Instead, she wrote of a bond. One made of promises, and sweet nothings. Of flustered confessions of her daughter—you hade made. The countless letters recounting her stay at the Butterfly Estate leaving her at a loss as to why it was you wished to return after all this time. Reassurance that if you had had a spat with S-Shinobu that running away was not the answer. Love was so rare these days, and should not be abandoned so easily.

                Love? Love. You could feel the click of your thoughts. The unease that skated over the page, over and over again. You had not written letters, none that you could recall during your admittance. No, no of course you hadn’t. You had not a—crow? Mail carrier. Peeking at the bird that was shamelessly studying you, the small peek of purple bug of a charm. Blown glass. Glass. You found yourself fumbling against the note, careless in your regards to it as you scuffled to unravel the lavish silk cloth that you had been gifted as a parting token from your physician. The pounding of your heart, guided in a way that you could not explain. The tremble of your fingers. The quiver of your soul—Desperately snagged at the harness of your mount. Stumbled across as the words fell from your lips, “I-I’m sorry Yugure. I- I promise I’ll make this up to you.” Negligent of the fluster of kakushi that carried your luggage. Flung yourself from the mount, allowed the wind to catch on the folds of your kimono revealing your legs to the day light in a rather inappropriate way. Your sudden departure erupting into chaos amongst the kakushi, dazed, and confused, and arguing as your feet carried you forward. Tumbled over rocks, your weeks passed as a book keeper leaving you a little out of breath and sore. Struggling to breathe as you pressed forward, guided by your heart, and the clutch of a wisteria hairpin clutched against your breast.

Her fingers busied themselves with the blooms. Trembled as they appraised each petal. Shinobu had diluted herself. Convinced herself that she should busy herself with work. While you had been effectively retired from your position, erased from the books, and thankfully unaware of the darkness of the world, she would punish every creature in the night. Her rage had reached new heights. Tumbled as the veins that threatened to burst upon her forehead. Quivered beneath her fingers. Focus, she told herself time and time again. Kocho had made the right call—she knew that she had. To, to be able to gift her lover with a life free of burden. Of responsibilities. Of happiness, and one that would never know the horrors of humanity, yes she had made the right call. She knew she had. Logically, the Insect Hashira was confident she had made the right call. Regardless of the way her heart screamed at her, or the distance that the other residents of the mansion had expressed towards her. Hurt. Lonely. Mourning the loss of the household. Your spot—your spot would be empty at dinner. Gritted her teeth once more--- demons had taken you from her. Snapped off yet another bloom, determined to concoct a far more potent elixer. One that would damn any bastard creature within distance upon her setting it off. She would go for carnage. To eradicate any demon that dared to breath within her reach. To at least ensure that the world you would know moving forward was safe.

                The snapping of branches, toyed with her mind. Shinobu relentlessly attempting to draw her attention to the branches beneath her fingers. A trick of the mind, one that had caused her more self-harm. Gritted her teeth, trembled her shoulders. Snap of a branch, if only, she swallowed the vile that seared her throat. Willed herself to breathe, the hot tears that kissed the corners of her lips, betrayed her rage. Revealed her shattered heart to the morning air. The wisteria that dangled, little reminescent of scars that painted across her soul, the sob that escaped her lips, and the nails that dug into her palm. The steady fall to her decent. Her fall from grace, from self restraint. No longer capable of living the life her sister had prayed for her, Shinobu’s only chance at content to follow her hatred into the dark. Turning her back from the light. From you.

                “Y-You.” Broke the silence of her thoughts. Shattered her breathing. Trembled her soul. A trick? No, no. The fingers that met her own, encouraged them to uncurl. Wary of the mar of flesh between them. The press of a nose against her back, leaned over her petite figure. The familiar embrace of arms that captivated her, and drew her back against your breast. Tucked into your hold, the warmth of wisteria that greeted your nose, and the telling quiver against her form. Her mind drowning in confusion, of self-doubt, and hopeless prayer. Grasping for gods that had ignored her pleas, now daring to answer a lost worshiper. “You promised me,” murmured over broken sobs. Promise? Promise. A vow amongst wisterias that fateful day when you had relinquished your heart, divulged your loyalty to her. Pledged devotion, whispered affections, with no anticipation of returned sentiments. Rather, you had come to her that day, broken and shattered. Her mask had slipped from her face, revealed the depths of her self-loathing, her drive, her hatred. Betrayed herself to you, revealed parts that she wished never to be viewed in the light of day, nor expected to be accepted by another. Only admitted by the break of your heart, the fear that one day Shinobu would succumb to her hatred. Promise. She- she had promised to remain. To persevere. To return home. At all costs. To live. “D-Don’t break your promise.” The small crack of your voice, threatening to shatter her heart all over again.

                Her body relaxed, allowing you to weave yourself into her pores. To clutch her in the way that she adored. To embrace her. To accept her. To love her. Snuggled into your embraced. The tears that fell from her cheeks as authentic as the smile that had formed across her small lips. Delicate and encompassed in all of the words she could not adequately express, nor the sentiments she could appropriately articulate. The buckle of her knees beneath her weight, supported only by your hold. The tears she had contained all this time, the love that she had feared that escaped her grasp returned to her, and to her alone. The gentle way you held her fast against you, whispered the words she desperately missed. Prayed to hear once more. The ache of her heart, wishes granted by mercy. Craved against her skin, the delicate touch that belonged to her lover returned once more. To press against you. To be held by you. You.

I am yours. And yours alone

A love that promises to return to the light of day beneath wisteria.

Original Request: here

[pearlypairings]

Hi babe happy birthday!! For the cute birthday scenarios, how about hellcheer and one baking a surprise cake for the other?

eddie x chrissy || fun, fluff, goofy mistakes || 959 words

A/N: you've been so patient rosey, to be last but not least :) hope you enjoy the fluffy cake disaster that only a ADHD/distracted Eddie could make enjoyable <3 thank you for this one! ending on a high note:)

previous prompt

A scoop of powdery white mystery rested lazily atop the magazine cut-out on the counter. Eddie couldn’t remember if he’d scooped the flour or the baking powder and smelling it gave him no further clue. He slipped the recipe out from underneath to reexamine the ingredient list. “Son,” Uncle Wayne mused, approaching from the trailer’s quaint living space to haunt over the haphazard piles of ingredients and bowls and spoons. “Wouldn’t everyone be happier if you just bought the damn thing? Leave baking to the professionals. I can’t remember a Munson ever baking a cake, not even Great Grandma Gin.”

“Exactly, Chrissy won’t expect it.” Eddie picked up the scoop and poured it confidently (still wondering how bad the mess-up would be if he switched ingredients on accident) into the big mixing bowl amidst other dry ingredients. “You know how she is, always one step ahead. I never get to really surprise her. It’s about time that I give her a real shock.” Wayne shook his head, peering into the metal bowl with skepticism before taking stock of the cracked egg shells and milk carton close by. “Your girl is more likely to get the shock of food poisoning, but don’t mind me. I’ve just got her health more on my mind than your grand ideas.” “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll be sure not to save you a slice after your shift.” Eddie waved him away, his eyes glued to the numbers on the recipe instructions. With a shrug, he tossed the rest of the ingredients into the bowl and took their trusty, chipped wooden spoon off the sidelines. Sure, the recipe called for a mixer, but a little elbow grease and their lucky spoon had to wind up with the same outcome. His uncle stayed away from the kitchen while Eddie finished up. He’d had to borrow a cake pan from little Red and her mom down the way and promised to return it the way he found it—washed with maybe a few extra burnt bits stuck on the bottom. The Munson’s oven was more of a holding bay than an operational cooking appliance, so he cleared out the old frying pans and boxes of cereal too big for the cabinets before he clicked it on and set it to the proper temperature of 375 degrees…or was it supposed to be 325? Whatever, it’s hot enough at least. At any rate, the batter was to the brim of the pan when he slid it onto the rack like a brain surgeon who’d pivoted his career to expert baker. He saluted the oven, fully trusting it would honor its commitment to cooking the hell out of Chrissy’s cake. When enough time had passed (vibes were essential to this part, he thought a timer was a bit much), the dingy dishtowels were his gauntlets—primed and prepared to face the flaming hot metal inside.

Upon first glance, there may have been some spillage over the sides when it rose; he forgot about the whole “cake rising” part. And shit, sure, the edges looked darker (a rich toasty black-brown) than he expected, but the frosting would solve all of that, he assured himself as he placed the pan on the stovetop to cool. That much he remembered from little Red’s mother’s parting advice. By the time he’d finished swirling the last swatch of frosting, Chrissy would be here any minute. Wayne had already left for his shift at the plant and for that miracle, he was glad. Eddie would have never heard the end of his digs while they waited for her arrival, if he had seen the cake. Hell, his uncle probably would have gone out and bought a replacement cake for her. His disaster of a birthday cake had more potholes than the Forest Hills trailer park and more cracks than old Harry’s truck windshield. The only thing holding it up was his overabundance of frosting gluing pieces together and poorly filling the divots, lumps, and bumps across the top. A whole army of swirly, wax candles didn’t help his case much, but those were the finishing touches he needed for the surprise to feel complete. There were a couple of taps on the trailer door, and her familiar voice greeted him affectionately beyond the screen. Chrissy let herself in, wearing the prettiest white blouse he’d ever seen, probably a well-deserved birthday splurge from the mall. He called her over to the kitchen, stepping out to showcase his Frankenstein creation. “What are you doing in the—” Chrissy’s eyes froze on the deflated, over-iced cake. Her soft features exploded in glorious shock, and with a squeal, she rushed the last few steps and jumped into his arms. “That’s mine, right? You made that for me?” “I did, pretty girl.” He kissed her, hoping he still tasted like vanilla from all the frosting he’d been sampling. “Surprised?” “I can’t wait to try it!” She nodded, nuzzling into his neck and squeezing her arms tighter around him.  “Let’s light the candles first.” Eddie touched her feet back down onto the floor, looking between her pretty smile and the funky cake. He pulled open the drawer to get his lighter, shuffling a few items around to find the shiny black box while his back was turned. “You might wanna wish for a better tasting cake, just as a warning.” And before he had time to react, Chrissy had scooped a healthy finger-full of icing and slathered it down Eddie’s nose with a devious cackle. She retreated without hesitation, ducking behind Uncle Wayne’s favorite chair and hiding from the fistful of cake he carried behind his back. Her laugh was uncontrollable. Eddie had the biggest grin on his face. Sometimes cakes were really sweet. Sometimes cakes were made for throwing. Sometimes surprises went sideways in the best way. He wanted to record that laugh forever.

[gemini-sensei]

Moon x Goth!Housewife!Reader Headcanons

Chubby!Fem!Reader ○ Fluff

Based off of this ask: Moon x chubby!reader fluff, reader is gothic but domestic and is always cooking or baking for moon when they’re home from school, just moon fluff is on my mind rn 🥺 like reader wants to be a house wife because she loves to take care of moon?

🦇Straight out of high school, Moon and Reader move in together. She gets a little condo that's in walking distance of their university and everything they could possibly need, including a cute little café that she'll love to visit in the mornings.

🦇Morning walks to the café with Reader, hand in hand as they talk about what their plans are for the day. When they have to go to classes, Reader walks her there and they share a sweet little kiss before parting ways. If they don't have classes though, Moon'll leave early in the mornings to get coffee and bring it home to her sweet girlfriend.

🦇Reader goes to the grocery ever so often after walking Moon to campus on days she herself doesn't have class so that she can pick up ingredients for her next great baked good. She loves to bake something up as a little surprise for Moon when she gets back, and even though it becomes a norm for them, Moon loves to see what Reader has made for her.

🦇The gothic cakes and cookies are so pretty to Moon. Absolutely in love with all of it. She loves to take pictures of them and post them online for everyone to see because she's so happy. She's so proud and wants everyone to see that that's her girlfriend's work.

🦇Their place is decorated in a mix of their styles, with sink-into-the-cushions soft chairs and hanging macrame plant hangers alongside the dark and spooky shelves with equally dark and spooky knick knacks on them. There's a lampshade covered in bats sitting beside wicker coasters; their coat rack is light colors and black; art prints on the wall from a resale store of monstera leaves hanging beside a creepy forest painting.

🦇Moon is going to school for environmental health and wellness, so she's always bringing home assigned readings and taking lots of notes, writing in her textbooks. Her books end up all over the place, on tables, under tables, in the kitchen, on the bed, everywhere. They have bookshelves, but they do not end up there.

🦇Little get together thay they host. Moon let's Reader handle to food and drinks, getting to use her gothic serving bowls and skull glasses. She gets so excited to see her girlfriend get so excited to just use that kitchenware and show it off to guests. Moon leaves the menu up to her as well, especially the sweet treats.

🦇Those little parties they have are so much fun. Moon makes sure of it. She curates the playlist and puts up some decorations if need be. She's opening the door and greeting guests with her big, pretty smile. She'll invite old friends and new ones - no matter where she met them, whether it's from the café or her classes.

🦇Nights alone together, Reader likes to make Moon a whole dinner. She loves to set up their little table with everything they have to set a table. On especially romantic nights, black candles and super romantic meals. Moon loves it and is always awestruck with what Reader makes for them. She feels like a queen when Reader serves her dinner and they share a nice meal together. Then dessert, which is always amazing.

🦇Sharing late nights in bed where they make out and cuddle. Holding each other and looking into each other's eyes, sharing sweet nothings until they fall asleep. So sweet, so lovely. They love sharing a bed and a place together.

[tianasimstreehouse]

Recipes Masterlist - Ongoing: Prepped Ingredients Masterlist

Please check below for updated recipes (now with the option to cook with the Prepped Ingredients of the Chef Hustle pack). I also took the opportunity to correct some categorisations, fix a few other bits and bobs, and add in some new recipe interactions of my own 🥰

(In black are the recipes that are still on my list to update):

Breakfast Banana Pancakes Blueberry Pancakes Waffles & Berry Waffles Tomatoes on Toast Greek Yoghurt Honey Crumpets

Desserts Lemon Poppyseed Cake Little Clouds Cake Stork & Baby Cake Black Forest Gateau Ice Cream Cake Strawberries & Cream Swiss Roll Lemon Tart Chocolate Tart Raspberry Tartlets Kiwi Tartlets Peach Pie Pecan Pie

To be updated... Pizza Margherita Spaghetti with Meatballs Lasagne Chicken Fajitas Beef Fajitas Shrimp and Grits Meatloaf Egg Salad Sandwiches U.F.O Jam Sandwiches Cucumber Gazpacho Swiss Cheese Roasted Chestnuts

[hellparkri]

Wendy

Two years later...

-Thanks for the help, Stan. I have to go now; it's getting pretty dark- said the girl in pink. Her name was Wendy Testaburger. She was saying goodbye to her best friend after working together on a school project.

-Thanks to you, Wen. By the way, the guys and I are planning a small party. Kyle and Kenny will be there. So, I don't know if you want to come- said Stan nonchalantly.

-Oh, Stan, it sounds nice, but knowing your parties, they probably end up with a goat on the roof and banana peels all over the floor. You almost killed me with those peels!- Wendy joked.

-Oh Wendy! My dearest friend! A banana peel would never hurt anyone. Besides, you'd have to have the intelligence of a towel to die slipping on a simple banana peel. I challenge you to tell me a case of someone who has...-

However, Wendy interrupted him and said:

-Stan... You know very well that I like you, I value you, and I care a lot about you, but... I think you should seriously consider eating other things besides bananas, or at least clean up all the peels you leave when you eat them- Wendy said in a carefree and mocking tone, but deep down she wished her friend were a little more... "organized." For God's sake, it was a miracle no one had died yet from Stan's nonsense!

-I'll do it the day you stop fighting with Cartman- Stan replied.

-Oh, well- she looked at Stan pretending to be sad. -Just promise me that now you will lock the door and everything will be fine. But I suppose I'll never live long enough to see your bed made properly.-sighed the black-haired girl. She wished Stan would stop being so distracted and disorganized. He had even forgotten what day his own birthday was! -Well...- Wendy said while looking at her watch- it was already seven in the evening. If she continued talking with Stan, it would get even later. It was better to hurry and get home soon.

-Is something wrong?- Stan saw how his friend looked at her watch with concern.

-Yes, look, don't tell anyone. Do you remember my friend Red, right?-

-Uh huh,- replied Stan without seeming to pay much attention. "He really needed to sleep" said Wendy in her mind as she looked at his friend.

-Well, I have a very close friend, Red McArthur. I don't know if you know her,- Wendy replied.

-Yes, yes, the redhead who sits with you,- replied Stan, now paying a little more attention to what his friend was saying.

-Well, her anniversary with Kevin is in a few days, so she, her sister Esther, and I are planning to make her a nice gift. I'll be in charge of buying the ingredients for a cake we're making for her. But well,-Wendy shrugged and gently scratched her neck, embarrassed. -I was supposed to buy them today, but I got a little too distracted and look at the time, I have to go now.-

-Oh, don't worry, Wendy. You know, I think you should start considering going back to...-

-Oh, well, goodbye Stan! Take care!-

The girl said goodbye to the black-haired boy and started walking back home. The path was quite wet due to the rainy season they were in. Wendy had taken a narrow path surrounded by trees and bushes bathed in absolute darkness. The only sound Wendy could hear was the noise of her shoes hitting the small puddles of water all over the street. The sky was completely dark, not even the stars were visible, only a large and long black blanket with the faint illumination of the moon visible in the sky. Wendy shrugged and kept walking, now a little regretful for not having asked for at least a small ride from her friend. Then she felt a peculiar tingling in her right pocket: it was her phone. Wendy took out her phone and looked at the screen; she had a few messages from her friend Red McArthur.

-What does she want now?-

Wendy was about to read those messages when she heard something quickly move through the bushes. The black-haired girl turned around, surprised, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. That sound seemed to have disappeared into the darkness of the forest. Whatever it was, it was no longer near Wendy. Maybe it was a wild animal! Or Cartman! The black-haired girl looked at where the sound came from: it was a long chain of bushes leading into the dark forest. Wendy walked towards the bushes with curiosity. The night made everything harder to see. The girl looked at the forest for a few seconds, trying to discern what had moved, but she didn't notice anything. "Damn Wendy, what are you doing with your life?" she said to herself in her mind. She shook her head one last time and left the place, completely forgetting about her friend's messages.