#Bold Statement Travel Mug

[grannyandgrandpascreations]

Fuck Around and Find Out 20 ounce drinkware Tumbler

Shop 20-Ounce Fuck Around And Find Out tumbler. Two designs to chose from! This makes a great gift for Christmas, birthday gift or perfect gift for you! Keep your drinks cold or hot with uniquely designed tumbler! It is made of stainless steel and is double-wall insulated to keep your beverages hot or cold for hours! Nice slim style fits nicely in your hand and is the perfect size for your car cupholder. It comes with a straw and a spill-proof lid. This is a great gift for a great price!

- This tumbler has a premium polymer coating which makes the design colors bright, clear, and complete with a beautiful glossy finish.

- The completely skinny straight shape makes it really easy to handle and even fit into your car drink holders.

- Can be used with Hot and Cold drinks.

- Made using a sublimation printing process that can be more costly than other methods, but it lasts longer, and will not crack or peel over time.

Tumbler Care instructions: Hand wash only- Do not soak in water- Do not use any type of abrasive sponges - Avoiding extreme heat- Not placing in dishwasher as it can be exposed to high heat temperatures. - Never placing your tumbler into a microwave- Allow your tumbler, lid, and straw to air dry

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU!

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

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#grannygrandpascustomcreations

Shop 20-Ounce Fuck Around And Find Out tumbler. This makes a great gift for Christmas, birthday gift or perfect gift for you! Keep your drinks cold or hot with uniquely designed tumbler! It is made of stainless steel and is double-wall insulated to keep your beverages hot or cold for hours! Nice slim style fits nicely in your hand and is the perfect size for your car cupholder. It comes with a straw and a spill-proof lid. This is a great gift for a great price!

- This tumbler has a premium polymer coating which makes the design colors bright, clear, and complete with a beautiful glossy finish.

- The completely skinny straight shape makes it really easy to handle and even fit into your car drink holders.

- Can be used with Hot and Cold drinks.

- Made using a sublimation printing process that can be more costly than other methods, but it lasts longer, and will not crack or peel over time.

Tumbler Care instructions: Hand wash only- Do not soak in water- Do not use any type of abrasive sponges - Avoiding extreme heat- Not placing in dishwasher as it can be exposed to high heat temperatures. - Never placing your tumbler into a microwave- Allow your tumbler, lid, and straw to air dry

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU!

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

[radiant-reid]

Baby Spencer x hotch daughter first meeting maybe? I’d kind of like to think that maybe they had met before or liked each other. Like they go to the same coffee shop and meet there and talk. And he is finally worked up to courage to ask her out and just before he’s going to leave to meet her, she walks in and is introduced as hotch’s daughter.

"Rushing off to see your girlfriend?" Morgan asks with a smirk.

Spencer had thought he made a clean getaway when no one was in the bullpen but he made the mistake of putting his mug in the dishwasher instead of just leaving and Morgan snuck up on him.

"She's not my girlfriend." Spencer denies, blushing guiltily. Maybe one day, he thinks every time at the coffee shop.

"Man, we just got home from a week-long case, you haven't slept in 32 hours, but you're still going to get coffee with her." Morgan reminds him, chuckling slightly at how whipped his friend is.

"It's because I always see her on Sundays," Spencer replies shortly. wanting to get out of there.

Morgan pats him on the back. "Have fun then."

Before Spencer can reply, someone he knows walks through the door, someone he's definitely not expecting to see at the BAU. You.

He's surprised you're here, wondering how you found him, what you need.

And even more to his surprise, Morgan greets you with a hug. "Hey, sweetness, how are you?"

Spencer watches in shock as you hug Morgan back, definitely like you're very friendly with him. Does that mean you knew who Spencer was when you met? Is this some kind of sick, elaborate prank?

"Good." You reply, flashing a quick smile at Spencer that Morgan catches onto and frowns at. "Is he here?"

Morgan seems to know who you're talking about. "Yeah."

"I thought I'd come see him since someone missed our coffee shop date." Your bold wink following the statement has Spencer blushing like crazy. Then you're gone, walking away from the boys.

Morgan's eyebrows raise and he turns to look at Spencer. "That's coffee shop girl!?" He explains, even before you're out of earshot.

"Who is she?" Spencer asks back.

"Hotch's daughter, how did you not know that?" Morgan fills Spencer in on information that has him seriously alarmed.

He's been dating Hotch's daughter!? Jack's young enough that he assumed Hotch's other child was less than ten years older and away at boarding school or something, not an adult in DC that he's been unknowingly building a relationship with.

And his crush is far too big to let go of now.

Morgan's laughing next to him. "Oh, that's too good."

"What am I going to do?" Spencer repeats the question running through his head.

"Ask her out," Morgan says with a shrug. "It just means one day, Hotch will be your father-in-law."

That's a terrifying thought to Spencer, not marrying you but having Hotch related to him, even if it is just through marriage.

He stresses about what to do in the corridor rather than going home or sitting in the bullpen where he's within your line of sight. He's not sure whether it's going to be a good thing or not, but only a few minutes later, you come through the glass doors. Thankfully, you're without your father.

"Hey." You say awkwardly, coming to stand in front of him. "I hope you know I was joking with the coffee shop comment."

Spencer nods. "Did you know who I was?" He asks the question that's been burning in his mind. He's not sure which is the worse option.

"No." You assure him. "I didn't even consider it." Neither of you had spoken about your jobs much, and all Spencer had really said is that he travels for work often. "I'm sorry I never told you my last name."

"It's okay," Spencer shakes his head. "It's nice to see you."

You beam back. "It's nice to see you too."

"Do you want to get coffee?" He finally asks, unsure where the confidence came from. It's a big leap of faith, but he's relatively sure Hotch can't fire him over it. "If it's okay for me to ask you out romantically."

It definetly wasn't what you were expecting but you nod eagerly. "I'd love that."

[dragons-ire]

#5 Barbarous

Music

(death, decomposition)

Onfroix de Hernault watched the sun set from the balcony of his Shirogane estate. The local rice wines couldn’t quite replace the vintages that had lined the family wine cellar before the Calamity, but they were as good warmed for what passed for a chill in this part of the star as a stout mug of mulled red would have been for Coerthas’ bitterest of snows.

It was never bitter here -  at least not in climate. Cut off from the ruins of his homeland, he’d settled in well enough in exile in the Far East. It was all temporary, his supporters in the Tribunal assured him. The Church, the government and its policies - they’d all changed, to be certain, but not so much that they didn’t think the case would blow over in time, and he could return home to society.

Until then, he was enjoying the freedoms his wealth and prestige still afforded him abroad.

He finished his wine and rose to be dressed.Half a bell later, he was on the ferry into the city proper. And from there, he disappeared into the dark streets of the Sanjo Hanamachi district. His business associates in the country had opened the door just enough that the teahouse mothers knew him and knew he paid his bills even when he wasn’t here as someone else’s guest.

The hostess bowed at the door and led him into the banquet room, where the party was getting lively. Hours passed like minutes - the sake somehow smoother when a winsome geiko was pouring it   - until he found himself pleasantly inebriated, watching an elegant Hingan dance on the far side of the low table.

Until the hostess knelt beside him with a murmured apology, passing over a folded piece of paper from up her kimono sleeve.

Whatever was written there had him rising to give hasty apologies of his own, bowing a few times on his way out the door. He didn’t run back to the dock  - it was as unseemly here as it was at home - but his feet carried him back to the dock as swiftly as decorum permitted. 

The ferry became unexpectedly crowded, despite the late hour. The boatman just about to shove off when a pair of figures in heavy traveling gear stepped on to settle opposite him.

And they were off back to the residential district.

“Lovely night, isn’t it?” Clenching the paper in his fingers (a note in his steward’s handwriting mentioning trouble - a break in at the manse, the authorities summoned, searching and taking statements)  Onfroix looked across the boat at the pair.

In response, they maintained a silence that Onfroix, especially in his state, found more than a little rude. Turned their heads towards each other. One lifted two fingers of their right hand, the other two fingers of their left.

“I said.” Onfroix cleared his throat. “It’s a lovely night, isn’t it?”

“We heard you - .” A low, raspy voice emerged from the shadows of one traveling cloak

“-the first time.” The other, almost identical, added the words like punctuation.

“Much better.” Onfroix went on, making conversation to keep his nerves even. At least, he kept talking without much care for whether or not his conversational partners were responding or even paying attention.

“...you two don’t seem like locals, exactly, if I may be so bold. Where are you from? You know, you can’t be too careful in a place like this - why, just this evening, I heard there was a rash of crime in the foreigner’s district.  I’d be careful of running into the Seisekigumi out there if you don’t have business. I heard they’re questioning everyone! This sort of thing would never have happened in Ishgard, let me tell you….”

Onfroix’ voice trailed over the water and silence trailed behind it. When the ferry stopped, he stumbled out and down the dock, then turned behind him to check for the pair.

They paused from tipping the boatman to look his way.

He turned to hurry down the path towards his home on the beachfront.

The pair began to follow, slowly.

He turned a corner and looked back.

They were no longer visible.

The effects of the sake blurred his senses as he went, save the sound of his heart pounding in his chest. He turned at everything - the sound of a footstep with noone there behind it, a bit of debris tumbling off a roof to hit the pavement. 

It was fine, he reminded himself. Once he was home, it would be fine. He could take care of this mess, the officials. Hopefully before they went snooping too far…

He was almost to the stretch of private beach outside the estate when a flash of movement in the corner of his vision snapped his head back.

One of the figured from the boat landed from the roof ilms from his face. They tilted their head to one side as if in greeting.

With a startled sound, Onfroix stepped back and tumbled down the stairs.

A pair of hands steadied him at the bottom: the other one

“Help!” He cried out, raising his voice to anyone around. “Thief! Somebod-”

“Shut up.” A sharp knee to his midsection knocked the wind out of him.

They hauled him up - a strong hand on each arm and shook him as if to shake the struggle out. Pulled him a few fulms along the sand.

“Wait!” The protest came back. “I’m sure we can be reasonable, can’t we? If it’s coin you’re after, I’ve got - “

“We don’t want your fucking money.”  One or the other said.

“That’s not what we’re here for.” The other echoed, eerily on the first one’s heels.

“Then…” Onfroix jerked one arm to be rewarded with fingernails digging in through his shirt. The thoughts that had been racing since leaving the teahouse coalesced into a moment of clarity.

His head lifted, twisting to one side and the other.

“Are you from the Tribunal?” He hissed. “I’ll have you know, I’ve been informed that the case is going to be thrown out within the - “

The two released their hands to pitch him to the sand. One boot to the side of his neck to keep him pinned. It was only then that he noticed the weapons they carried in the opposite hand. A light fieldsmans scythe. A lance in a silhouette so familiar it took him a moment to register, what he was seeing

The honor and tradition of it compared to the presently barbarous actions of its wielder.

The pair of them pushed back their hooded cloaks to afford Onfroix a glimpse of their faces. Pale with pale hair - almost the same person if you weren’t looking closely. If you were drunk. It it was dark.

“We’re not from the Tribunal.” One or the other spoke and the other one followed behind.

“They can’t help you.” 

“We know what you did.”

“We talked to those girls. They told us.”

“We found what you hid in your house.”

“Nothing will save you.”

“Wait….!!!!” Onfroix struggled drunkenly beneath the boot at his throat. 

Two pairs of eyes, brilliant gold in the moonlight, looked down at him.

He felt the scythe slice deep into his flesh before he felt the lance bury itself in his ribs.

Then he didn’t feel anything at all.

—

They found the corpse in the afternoon after a search. Logged with saltwater, gulls and beach crabs already descended to pull it apart. Made a feast of the chest cavity first, the soft tissues exposed for easy picking.

Hard to tell what happened.

Just an accident. A drunkard who passed out at low tide.

It could happen to anyone.

(feat. @witchespromise )

(@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast )

[spellbook-gayboy]

drabble 60 or 68 whichever you like! C:

68.

"Well, that's a bold statement." Ian murmured, raising his coffee cup to his lips for the fourth time that minute.

Mike looked behind himself, fixing his friend with a look that could only be described as 'miffed'. "What, bold as in we're usually prepared for this sort of thing?" He asked in a low tone, like he already knew what the answer was going to be.

"No, as in it's bold of you to assume that this team is ever prepared for any of the many insane situations we constantly finagle our way into." Ian replied. He went for another sip, only to realise that he'd completely emptied the chipped blue mug. He even tipped it out, frowning at the few dregs that fell out. "Bollocks. Okay, let's get this over with. What're we looking at?"

The two of them turned back to the threat at hand. "Oh, y'know, just Chronodile."

"Oh, not this dickhead again!" Ian groaned, tossing the mug behind himself absent-mindedly. "I know he's a time traveller and all, but surely even he knows to do the same bit twice. I mean, 'bank robbery in a sandstorm' tends to lose its appeal after a couple of goes around."

"Uh huh." Kid Thor rolled his shoulder, wincing at the stiffness in the joint. "You wanna go first? Pretty sure I pulled a muscle earlier."

The wizard grumbled, something about being 'paid too little for this shit', but eventually nodded. "Yeah, I'll hit him with some hellfire again. Worked last time. We're getting pizza after this, right? We better be."

"Yeah. Actually, y'know what?" He looked back over at Ian. "Take him down all by yourself, and I'll make it chili dogs. The greasy kind, from that lady's truck next to the building."

"You mean Alisha's Dogs?"

"Yeah, that kind. Plus, I'll pay for the extra cheese." Mike briefly raised his eyebrows, hoping to convince his co-worker into taking the brunt of the task.

Ian raised a finger slowly. "You, Michael Olsson, are perhaps the most manipulative bastard I have ever met. And considering the sheer amount of demons I know, that's saying something!" He dropped the point, huffing with an annoyed look on his face. "You've got yourself a deal. Give me ten minutes."

As the wizard threw himself at the villain, Mike simply leaned on his hammer, smirking to himself. "Heh. Works every time."

[vogue-art-studio]

Discover Vogue Art Studio's Curated Pinterest Boards: Your Guide to Fashion, Decor, and More

At Vogue Art Studio, we believe in offering stylish and functional products that reflect your personality. To help inspire your style and enhance your home, we've curated several Pinterest boards that showcase our top selections. Each board is designed to bring you the best in fashion, accessories, and home decor, whether you're dressing for a casual day out or hosting a special event. Here's a sneak peek into some of our most popular Pinterest boards:

Top Women's Hoodies for Cozy & Casual Outfits

Our Pinterest board, Top Women's Hoodies for Cozy & Casual Outfits, is dedicated to helping you stay comfortable without sacrificing style. From chic, trendy designs to timeless classics, we've curated a selection of women's hoodies perfect for lounging at home or running errands. Whether you're looking for a trendy design or a classic staple, this board offers the perfect blend of cozy and chic, ideal for every season.

Stylish Coffee Mugs for Every Coffee Lover

Calling all coffee enthusiasts! Our Stylish Coffee Mugs for Every Coffee Lover board features a variety of mugs that will brighten your mornings. Whether you prefer a minimalist design, a humorous quote, or a bold graphic print, we’ve got the perfect mug to suit your personality. These mugs aren’t just functional, they're conversation starters. Sip in style and make your coffee ritual an experience to look forward to every day.

Trendy Tote Bags for Every Occasion

Explore our Trendy Tote Bags for Every Occasion Pinterest board to find the perfect bag for work, play, or travel. From durable canvas totes to sleek, fashion-forward designs, we've covered all the bases. These bags are versatile enough for a day at the beach, a trip to the farmers market, or even as your go-to daily accessory. Discover the ideal combination of form and function, with room for all your essentials and more.

Trendy Women’s T-Shirts for Every Style

Find your next favourite t-shirt on our Trendy Women's T-Shirts for Every Style board. From bold, graphic tees to subtle, chic designs, this collection offers something for everyone. Whether you're pairing them with jeans, skirts, or shorts, these t-shirts are wardrobe staples that can easily be dressed up or down. Shop for your perfect fit and express your personal style with ease.

Trendy Women's Sweatshirts for Every Season

Stay warm and stylish with our curated Trendy Women's Sweatshirts for Every Season board. Designed to keep you warm in the cooler months, you'll find the perfect sweatshirt to suit your needs. These pieces offer both comfort and style, making them a must-have addition to any wardrobe.

Must-Have Men's T-Shirts: New Arrivals & Trends

Our Must-Have Men's T-Shirts: New Arrivals & Trends board is dedicated to keeping the men in your life stylish and comfortable. Featuring the latest trends in men's fashion, from casual everyday tees to statement pieces, this board highlights our top picks that are perfect for any occasion.

Elegant Napkins for Parties & Special Events

Planning a special event? Our Elegant Napkins for Parties & Special Events board offers a range of stylish napkins that will elevate your dining experience. From cocktail parties to weddings, these napkins are the perfect finishing touch to your table setting, combining elegance with practicality.

Why Shop at Vogue Art Studio?

At Vogue Art Studio, we offer a curated selection of apparel, accessories, and home decor designed to inspire. With our easy-to-use online store, you can shop from the comfort of your home and enjoy fast, reliable shipping. Plus, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, ensuring a seamless shopping experience. Discover unique products that combine style and functionality and elevate your everyday life with Vogue Art Studio.

[dinounicorn1]

Venom – The Last Dance Stanley Tumbler Cup: A Must-Have for Collectors!

Venom – The Last Dance Stanley Tumbler Cup: A Must-Have for Collectors!

If you’re a fan of the iconic Venom character, the Venom – The Last Dance Stanley Tumbler Cup is a perfect addition to your collection. This limited edition tumbler combines functionality with striking design, making it an essential piece of Venom merchandise.

Why Choose the Venom Stanley Cup?

The Venom Stanley cup not only showcases stunning graphics but also offers practicality. Its double-wall insulation ensures your drinks stay hot or cold for hours, making it an ideal Stanley tumbler for Venom fans. Whether you're at home, work, or on the go, this superhero-themed travel mug will keep you refreshed.

Key Features of the Venom Tumbler:

Exclusive Design: The Stanley cup Venom design features bold artwork inspired by the beloved comic book series, making it a standout piece for any Venom fan tumbler collection.

Durable Materials: Made from high-quality stainless steel, this Stanley stainless steel Venom cup is built to last, ensuring your collectible stays pristine.

Limited Edition: Don’t miss out on owning this limited edition Venom tumbler—a true treasure for any Venom collector's cup enthusiast.

The Perfect Gift for Venom Fans

Looking for a unique gift? The Venom-themed Stanley tumbler is an excellent choice for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions. Its eye-catching design and practical use make it a thoughtful present for anyone who loves comic book drinkware.

Specifications:

Material: Stainless Steel

Capacity: 20 oz

Design: Venom graphic tumbler with insulated features

Product Type: Venom-inspired drinkware

Conclusion: Elevate Your Drinkware Collection

Add the Venom – The Last Dance collectible to your collection today and enjoy your favorite beverages in style! This Venom-themed insulated cup is not just a tumbler; it’s a statement piece for any fan. Grab yours now and showcase your love for Venom with every sip!

View Product: https://dinounicorn.com/product/venom-the-last-dance-stanley-tumbler-cup/

Home Page: https://dinounicorn.com

[skogakust]

From Bland to Bold: Personalize Your Beach Bag and Make a Statement on the Sand

Beach days are a blissful escape, filled with sunshine, laughter, and the gentle rhythm of the waves. But what about your beach bag? Is it just another generic tote, blending into the crowd? It's time to elevate your beach experience with a bag that reflects your unique style and personality. Enter the world of personalized beach bags, where creativity meets practicality, transforming a simple accessory into a statement piece that's as individual as you are.

Beyond Basic: Elevate Your Beach Essentials with a Touch of Personalization

Gone are the days of boring, mass-produced beach bags. With the rise of customization options, you can create a bag that truly reflects your individual style and personality. Imagine a Waterproof Beach Bag adorned with your favorite quotes, vibrant patterns, or even a special photo of your favorite beach memory. This is where personalized beach bags come into play, transforming a simple accessory into a statement piece that adds a touch of personality to your beach day.

From Basic to Bespoke: Finding the Perfect Design for You

The world of personalized beach bags offers endless possibilities for creativity. You can choose from a variety of base styles, sizes, and materials, ensuring the perfect fit for your needs. Whether you prefer a classic tote bag, a sporty backpack, or a stylish cooler bag, you can add your personal touch with custom designs, logos, and even embroidery. Embrace bold colors, playful patterns, or minimalist designs to create a bag that truly reflects your individual style.

More Than Just a Beach Bag: Versatility for Every Adventure

Personalized beach bags aren't limited to sandy shores. Their versatility makes them perfect for a range of activities, from weekend getaways to picnics in the park. Imagine packing your essentials for a day trip in a bag that showcases your love for adventure. Or, consider a personalized cooler bag for your next camping trip, keeping your drinks cold and your gear organized. The possibilities are unlimited, just like your trips!

Beyond the Beach: Finding the Right Gear for Your Adventures

A personalized beach bag is just the beginning! For those who crave the great outdoors, there's a world of personalized gear waiting to be discovered. Imagine a Best Dry Bag with your initials proudly displayed, ensuring your belongings stay dry during kayaking expeditions. Or perhaps a personalized Buy Online Camping Products like a water bottle or a travel mug, adding a touch of personalization to your camping essentials.

Making Memories with Personalized Style

Creating a personalized beach bag is more than just an aesthetic choice; it's a way to inject personality and individuality into your everyday adventures. By adding a unique touch to your gear, you're making a statement about your passions and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Companies like Skog Å Kust offer a range of customization options, empowering you to create a beach bag that's as individual as you are. So, go ahead, let your creativity flow, and make a splash with a personalized beach bag that reflects your unique style!

[grodd2024]

Top-Selling are Hoodies, T-Shirts, Hats, and Travel Mugs in Grodd 2024

As the Grodd 2024 campaign gains momentum, now is the perfect time to show your support for a stronger future. Our exclusive collection of top-selling merchandise, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and travel mugs, lets you proudly wear your commitment to the values of hustle over handouts and freedom over dependency. Each item in our collection is designed to not only express your support but also to inspire others to join the movement.

Hoodies: Comfort Meets Commitment

Our Grodd 2024 hoodies are crafted for comfort and durability, making them perfect for rallies, events, or everyday wear. With bold designs and the campaign's powerful message, these hoodies serve as a symbol of your dedication to the cause. Whether you're out in the streets or staying cozy at home, our hoodies make a statement.

T-Shirts: Wear Your Values

Our t-shirts are more than just apparel—they're a declaration of your belief in hard work and personal responsibility. Made from high-quality materials, these shirts are both stylish and comfortable, perfect for spreading the Grodd 2024 message wherever you go. Choose from a variety of designs that resonate with the campaign's core principles.

Hats: Cap Off Your Support

Top off your look with our Grodd 2024 hats, designed to keep you cool and shaded while making a bold statement. These hats are not only practical but also a great way to show your allegiance to a future built on strong leadership and unwavering values.

Travel Mugs: Fuel Your Passion

Stay energized on the go with our Grodd 2024 travel mugs. Perfect for coffee lovers and busy supporters, these mugs feature the campaign's emblem and are a constant reminder of the importance of staying engaged and motivated in the fight for a better future.

Join the Movement

Explore our collection today and wear your commitment to the Grodd 2024 campaign with pride. Each purchase not only supports the campaign but also helps spread the message of a stronger, more prosperous future built on the values of freedom and hard work. Together, we can make a difference—one hoodie, t-shirt, hat, or travel mug at a time.

[giftshopfestival]

Gifting with a Twist: Unique Coffee Mug Ideas

Are you tired of gifting the same old presents every Christmas? Looking to surprise your husband with something practical yet personal this year? Look no further than coffee mugs! They may seem simple, but the right mug can be an extraordinary gift. In this guide, we'll explore unique coffee mug ideas to make your husband's Christmas extra special.

Why Coffee Mugs Make Perfect Gifts

Practicality

Coffee mugs are a staple in any household. Whether your husband enjoys a strong espresso in the morning or a soothing herbal tea at night, a mug is an essential part of his daily routine. By gifting a high-quality mug, you're giving a present that will be used repeatedly.

Personalization

One of the best things about coffee mugs is the ability to personalize them. You can add a heartfelt message, a memorable photo, or a design that speaks to your husband's interests. This personal touch makes the gift more meaningful and memorable.

Affordability

Compared to other holiday gifts, coffee mugs are relatively inexpensive. You can even buy them in bulk to gift to multiple people without breaking the bank. This makes them an excellent option for those looking to give thoughtful gifts on a budget.

Versatility

Coffee mugs are suitable for everyone, regardless of age or gender. They're perfect for family members, friends, colleagues, or even as a Secret Santa gift. Their universal appeal makes them an easy and stress-free gifting option.

Types of Coffee Mugs to Consider

The Classic Coffee Mug

The classic coffee mug is a go-to gift for any occasion. You can choose from various sizes and designs to suit your husband's preferences. For added flair, consider a mug with a unique shape or an ergonomic handle for a comfortable grip.

The Travel Mug for On-the-Go Husbands

If your husband is always on the move, a travel mug is a practical and thoughtful gift. Look for options with spill-proof lids and insulation to keep his drink hot or cold. Some travel mugs even come with built-in stirrers or compartments for sugar and creamer, making them perfect for the busy professional.

The Insulated Mug for Outdoor Adventures

For husbands who love spending time outdoors, an insulated mug is a must-have. These mugs can keep drinks hot or cold for hours and are durable enough to withstand camping or hiking trips. Features like double-wall insulation and rugged exteriors make them perfect for any adventure.

The Latte Mug for Coffee Connoisseurs

Is your husband a latte lover? A latte mug would make a perfect gift. These mugs are taller and narrower than regular coffee mugs, making them ideal for lattes or other foamy drinks. Pair it with a milk frother or a bag of high-quality coffee beans for the ultimate gift set.

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for Husbands in 2023

"Best Husband Ever" Mug

Show your appreciation for your husband with this simple yet sweet design. It's a daily reminder of how much he means to you and makes every morning special.

Personalized Couple Photo Mug

Choose a favorite photo of the two of you and have it printed on a mug. Every time he takes a sip, he'll be reminded of happy memories and the bond you share.

"World's Best Husband" Mug

Why not boost his ego a bit with a bold statement mug? This design lets your husband know that he's truly the best in the world.

Funny Quote Mug

If your husband has a good sense of humor, consider getting him a mug with a funny quote or pun. It's sure to make him laugh every time he uses it.

Christmas Theme Mug

Get into the holiday spirit with a Christmas-themed mug. Featuring festive designs like Santa Claus, reindeer, or snowflakes, these mugs are perfect for the season.

"King of the Grill" Mug

Does your husband love to barbecue? He'll appreciate this mug with a fun design related to his favorite hobby. It's a great way to celebrate his grilling skills.

Travel-Themed Mug

Is your husband always planning your next adventure? Consider getting him a mug with a map design or a quote about traveling. It's a perfect gift for the wanderlust soul.

[specworksinc]

Elevate Your Brand with Custom Merchandise from SpecWorks

In a world where first impressions are everything, Custom Merchandise offers businesses a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact. At SpecWorks, we specialize in creating premium-quality Custom Hats, Custom Tote Bags, Custom Printed T-Shirts, and an extensive range of personalized products designed to elevate your brand identity.

The Value of Custom Merchandise:

When it comes to marketing and branding, Custom Merchandise goes beyond traditional methods. It serves as a tangible representation of your brand's values, personality, and message. Each item, from a Custom Hat to a Custom Coffee Mug, becomes a powerful tool for building connections with your audience and leaving a memorable impression.

Custom Hats: Style That Speaks Volumes

A Custom Hat is more than just an accessory; it's a statement. Whether you opt for a classic cap, a cozy beanie, or a trendy snapback, your logo boldly displayed makes a statement about your brand's identity. From sporting events to trade shows, these hats turn heads and spark conversations, ensuring your brand stays top of mind.

Custom Tote Bags: Carry Your Brand Everywhere

In an era of environmental consciousness, Custom Tote Bags are not just functional; they're a statement of sustainability. By offering customers a reusable tote with your logo, you're not just providing a bag; you're showcasing your commitment to the planet. Whether used for shopping, travel, or everyday errands, these bags become a symbol of your brand's values.

Custom Printed T-Shirts: Wear Your Brand with Pride

Few things are as versatile and universally loved as a Custom Printed T-Shirt. Whether for team uniforms, promotional giveaways, or event merchandise, these shirts turn wearers into brand ambassadors. The bold graphics and high-quality printing ensure your logo stands out, creating a lasting impression wherever it's worn.

Custom Fanny Packs: Fashion Meets Functionality

The resurgence of Custom Fanny Packs offers a fun and practical way to promote your brand. Ideal for festivals, outdoor adventures, or everyday use, these packs provide convenience while prominently displaying your logo. From bold colors to sleek designs, these packs are a hit with modern consumers who value both style and utility.

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Custom Golf Balls: Drive Brand Recognition

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There's something special about sipping morning coffee from a Custom Coffee Mug adorned with your logo. Whether in the office or at home, these mugs create moments of connection with your brand. Every sip is a reminder of your products or services, fostering loyalty and engagement with your audience.

Conclusion:

In a crowded marketplace, Custom Merchandise offers a beacon of distinction for businesses looking to make an impact. SpecWorks is your partner in creating premium Custom Hats, Custom Tote Bags, Custom Printed T-Shirts, and a wide array of personalized items that elevate your brand's visibility and message. Let us help you turn your logo into a powerful statement that resonates with your audience, leaving a lasting impression at every touchpoint. Contact SpecWorks today and discover the transformative power of personalized merchandise for your brand.

[holyarbitermaker]

Buy Vacuum Flasks Online: Unraveling the Secrets to Perfect Temperature Control

In a world where convenience is key, the importance of having a reliable and efficient vacuum flask cannot be overstated. Whether you're a busy professional on the go or an outdoor enthusiast, having the ability to enjoy your favorite beverages at the perfect temperature is a game-changer. With the rise of online shopping, Buy Vacuum Flask has never been easier, and one brand that stands out in the crowd is Promotions 247.

Promotions 247: Elevating Your Experience

At Promotions 247, we understand the significance of brand visibility and the impact of thoughtful promotional items. Our range of Promotional Vacuum Bottles is designed not only to keep your beverages at the ideal temperature but also to elevate your brand's visibility. With bold headlines and superior quality, our vacuum flasks are the perfect companions for your daily adventures.

The Science of Temperature Control

The secret to the perfect temperature control lies in the technology behind the vacuum flasks. The double-wall insulation in Promotions 247's Vacuum Bottles creates a barrier that minimizes heat transfer, keeping your drinks hot or cold for extended periods. This insulation technology ensures that your morning coffee stays piping hot during that long commute or that refreshing iced tea remains chilled during a summer picnic.

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Promotions 247 takes pride in delivering products that not only meet but exceed expectations. Our vacuum flasks are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. The stainless steel construction not only adds a touch of elegance but also makes the bottles resistant to corrosion and impact, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Sleek and Stylish Design

Who says functionality can't be stylish? Promotions 247's Vacuum Bottles boast a sleek and modern design that makes a statement wherever you go. The attention to detail in the design is not just about aesthetics; it's about providing you with a bottle that complements your lifestyle.

Buy Now :-

Personalized Coffee Tumblers

Cheap Travel Mugs In Bulk

Personalised Water Bottles Australia

Convenience at Your Fingertips

The convenience of purchasing Promotions 247's Vacuum Bottles online adds another layer to the overall experience. With just a few clicks, you can explore our range, select the perfect size and color, and have it delivered to your doorstep. No more compromising on quality or settling for less – Promotions 247 brings you the best in temperature-controlled drinkware.

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When you choose Promotions 247, you're not just buying a vacuum flask; you're becoming part of a community that values quality, style, and innovation. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every product we offer, and our Vacuum Bottles are no exception.

In conclusion, the journey to perfect temperature control begins with the right vacuum flask, and Promotions 247 is here to provide you with a seamless experience. Elevate your brand's visibility, enjoy your favorite beverages at the perfect temperature, and make a statement with Promotions 247's range of Promotional Vacuum Bottles. Purchase online today and discover the secret to a new level of convenience and style.

[homedecor-shop-online]

Unique Showpieces for Your Living Room - Satguru’s

Introduction

The living room is considered the most important room in any house. It is a room where all family members gather after a busy day to relax and talk about their day. It is believed that a well-decorated space generates positive vibes, which are important to create that relaxing and comforting atmosphere.

Showpieces are a great way to bring charm and elegance to your living area while also expressing your originality and creating a focal point. Showpieces come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, ranging from sculptures and vases to decorative accents and artwork.

In this blog, we will delve into the realm of showpieces for the living room and suggest some showpieces from Satguru’s that can be an excellent addition to your living room.

Showpieces you can buy for your living room from Satguru’s

Satguru’s is a decor shop based in Mumbai that has an amazing collection of home decor items, including showpieces. They are one of the best home decor online shopping platforms in India that sell decor items at affordable rates. Here is a list of nine different showpieces that you can buy for your living room:

1. Love Bird on Branches: This love birds on branches in a round circle can be a cute addition to your living room. Birds are a symbol of love and freedom, and they can add a warm and modern feel to your living room.

2. Meditating Astronaut: This cute little thing can become your kids favourite decor item. Made from resin, this piece shows an astronaut meditating on the moon. Buy this NOW as it gets out of stock in the blink of an eye.

3. Modern Radha Krishna Sculpture: This sculpture is a modern spin on the classic Radha Krishna story that shows their lives intertwined with each other. This piece can be an ideal addition to your living room. It can also be the perfect wedding or housewarming gift.

4. Standing Namaste Monk: This piece is a sculpture of a little monk Buddha. This adorable piece can be placed on your coffee table or work table.

5. Sleeping cat: This one is special. This cat art piece is made with such precision that the cat looks alive. This piece will steal your heart if you are a cat lover. The sleeping cat looks adorable and has a feeling of calmness and relaxation. A great addition for your living room.

6. Saira World Map: This art piece is for travellers and wanderers. This beautiful world map will definitely add charm to your living room. Close your eyes, put your finger on the art piece, Bravo! You have found your next travel destination.

7. Semi Precious Rose Quartz Tree: Rose quartz is an excellent crystal for attracting your soulmate. It can make a lovely showpiece in the shape of this lovely tree. This can be a great addition in your living room.

8. Elephant Ear/Mouth/Eyes Closed: This piece portrays Gandhiji's principles of "hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil." Except instead of monkeys, there are three adorable elephants. Elephants are also admired for their wisdom and power; as a result, according to Vastu Shastra, having an elephant statue in your home or office is very auspicious.

9. White flower vase: This aesthetically appealing flower vase can be used to fill out the empty space in your living room. Additionally, you can put some flowers in this vase that will make your living room fragrant. You can place this on your table with coffee mug sets around the vase.

Conclusion

The addition of a showpiece in your living room gives your house more personality, flair, and charm. It is a good way to express yourself and make a bold statement. A well-thought-out and unique art piece can spark interest and complement your home's style.

Aside from show pieces, Satguru’s also sells home decor items like Indian art paintings, wall art, dinnerware, and God idols. They have both physical and online stores, and they ship their products throughout India. Visit their online store to learn more about their products.

[awhitehead17]

Batfam Alphabet: K - Kryptonian’s

Summary: After noticing how everyone is busy meeting up with someone who is either a Kryptonian or even a Kent that day, Dick notices how he’s the only one in the family that doesn’t have a Kryptonian partner.

Enjoy! :D

“C’mon Damian, let’s go! We’re going to be late!”

Dick pauses from where he’s walking through the foyer and looks up to find Tim shouting for their younger brother as he hurries down the stairs. When he reaches the bottom the teenager rushes to the door and throws it open and impatiently waits in the doorway as he checks his watch every few seconds.

Raising an eyebrow, Dick glances at the top of the stairs but doesn’t find any sign of Damian. He turns back to Tim. “What’s the rush?”

Tim blinks and stares at him for a moment like he’s just noticing Dick’s presence for the first time. With his eyes flicking to and fro Tim huffs in annoyance and taps his foot restlessly. “We’re meeting Conner and Jon at Amusement Mile but we’re running late because a certain someone can’t apparently keep track of the time!”

Dick frowns, suddenly feeling concerned for his brothers’ safety. “Is going there a wise idea?”

With a wave of his hand Tim dismisses his concern. “It’ll be fine. At the end of the day we’re all trained and it’s only a phone call away if anything does happen. Kon and Jon are there so if we do need an emergency evac we can get out of there quickly.”

Before Dick could respond a new voice joins the conversation.

“We have plenty of time Drake, don’t be so impatient.”

Both Dick and Tim look up to find Damian now descending down the stairs at a leisurely pace, obviously not in such a hurry as Tim is. Dick wonders if Damian is doing it purposely to annoy Tim or because they do have a lot of time to spare and Tim is just being overly-cautious.

“There’s nothing wrong with being a little early or even on time brat.” Tim snaps at him, glaring as Damian reaches the bottom of the staircase. “Now come on, we’re wasting time.”

Without even so much a goodbye Tim spins around and hurries out the door once Damian approaches. Damian tuts but follows behind Tim saying “Bye Grayson” as he passes Dick on the way out of the door.

It takes Dick a moment to react, his mind catching up with the fact that Damian and Tim are hanging out together, seemingly willingly with one other. He blinks and shouts after them, “don’t kill one another! Stay safe and remember to call if anything happens!”

Neither brother responds to him but Dick rationalises he’s done what he could, if something happens between them he is not to blame. Maybe he should message Conner to ask him to check in and to make sure they behave. The Kryptonian brothers get along unlike Tim and Damian so his caution is reasonable as them two together is certainly a questionable matter. In the end he decides against it, instead choosing to wait and see what the end result of the day looks like.

Eventually he shuts the front door and continues on his way with what he had been doing before the sudden distraction.

------

Dick’s route through the foyer is interrupted again not even an hour later, only this time because of the group of girls gathered there. Dick stops and stares at the scene unsure on how to proceed, should he make his way through them or go around them?

Steph, Cass, Barbara and even Kara are grouped together giggling about something. Seeing three of them together is rather normal but he is surprised to see Kara around.

Before Dick could decide on what action to take he’s spotted by Steph. The blonde waves enthusiastically at him. “Hey Dick! How are things? Don’t mind us we’re moving to the media room now.”

The other girls turn and face him. Cass and Kara give him a smile and a small wave in greeting while Barbara shoots him a bland look. He wouldn’t expect anything else from her.

As Dick is about to move he’s stopped short by Kara addressing him. She points up to the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. “Dick, is it true that you used to often climb up there and hang from it?”

Dick glances up and his mind is suddenly ambushed with fond memories of when he was a kid and used to do acrobatics from said chandelier. Alfred used to give him hell for it, particularly after he accidently broke one when he got a bit too bold trying a new move.

He smiles and looks back at Kara nodding. “Yeah, that’s true. More often than you would think believe it or not. I did it less frequently as I got older though.”

Kara snorts with amusement. “I can totally see Jon doing something like that, rao, even Conner would try something like that.”

“Considering who they’re friends with, that doesn’t surprise me.” Steph comments laughing. “Well lets get to it! See you later Dick!”

Steph takes off down the corridor towards the media room with a bounce in her step. Kara sends him one more smile and follows her, Cass comes up to him and stands on her tip toes to place a kiss on his cheek before following them and finally Barbara sends him a wistful smile before trailing behind the girls, clearly also remembering what he used to be like back then.

Once they disappear from view it takes Dick a moment to move, his mind thinking about what just happened. He didn’t even realise they were friends with Kara. He doesn’t even know how they know each other, then again he doesn’t follow every move the girls make, they’ve probably had cases that have crossed over a time or two. Shaking his head he lets it go and continues on with his day.

----

When Dick bumps into Bruce in the kitchen later on that day he feels like there’s a pattern forming.

He’s sat at the kitchen island minding his own business as he eats his lunch and mindlessly going through Facebook, Alfred is pottering about also minding his own business, when Bruce rushes in looking a little frazzled.

Dick watches mollified as Bruce darts about the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards left right and centre clearly looking for something which he doesn’t find straight away. As soon as he came in, Alfred simply stood to the side and allowed Bruce to freely search the place patiently waiting for the inevitable to happen.

After searching every cupboard and draw available Bruce turns to Alfred and before the man could say anything Alfred simply holds out his hand revealing a travel mug. Bruce suddenly looks so relieved and gratefully takes the mug out of the butler’s hand with a breathless “thank you”.

“You are a saint Alfred, there’s no way I’m going to be able to cope today without this.” Bruce determines already taking a sip of the mug’s contents.

Dick blinks, completely lost to what’s happening, especially when all Alfred does is nod as he had been expecting that reaction the entire time.

“What is going on?” He blurts out without meaning too. The two men turn and face him, Alfred looking passive and Bruce looking surprised at his presence. Has Dick become invisible or something? That’s the same reaction Tim had that morning in the foyer.

“Oh, afternoon Dick, I completely missed you sat there.” Bruce says looking a little sheepish, a look that isn’t common on the man though Dick’s seen it more than enough times at this point in his life. “I have a meeting with Clark and the rest of the League members. I’m running a bit behind schedule but not enough to not grab my coffee before heading off. I won’t be back until late, don’t wait for me before going out tonight.”

With that statement Bruce leaves the kitchen with the travel mug clutched tightly in his hands. Dick shoots Alfred a surprised look but the elderly man has already turned around and continued with his task.

Sighing Dick turns his attention back on his half eaten lunch and goes back to scrolling through his Facebook newsfeed. Quickly getting bored of it, he places his phone down and strikes up a conversation with Alfred, the man appears more than happy to converse with him as he works.

After a while Alfred breaks their conversation, sending Dick an apologetic look. “I’m sorry Master Dick but I’m going to have to excuse myself. I have a scheduled phone call to make in a few moments.”

Dick stares, caught off guard by the reason. “What? Who with?” After he says it he realises how bad and how patronizing it sounds. He immediately winces and apologises.

Alfred merely looks amused at his behaviour, thankfully not taking any offense to it. “If you have to know Master Dick, I have a call with Mrs Martha Kent. We’re going to be comparing recipes and giving some recommendations.”

“Okay…”

Alfred leaves the kitchen then, leaving Dick all by himself in the room as his mind reels back over the last hour or so to what’s happened. Is everyone busy today or something?

Finally finishing his lunch, Dick clears his mess up and wanders out of the kitchen trying to decide what to do for the rest of the day.

-----

The next thing to happen which adds to the odd feeling he’s been having throughout the day is when he bumps into Selina in the corridor of the bedrooms wing. He’s heading towards his own room when he notices Selina strutting her way towards him.

His eyes widen as he takes in her outfit. She’s wearing a low cut black blouse paired off with tight leather pants and high heels. She’s wearing a golden necklace with matching bracelets on her wrists and her face done up with perfect looking make-up. The shadowing around her eyes make them stand out along with the boldness of her lipstick which helps define her facial features.

Dick stops in his tracks and watches as she approaches. When she’s close enough she stops and sends him a smile.

“Hot date?” Dick asks with a grin. He can’t help but be curious on why she’s dressed up like that. Bruce isn’t around and there’s no party that he’s aware of happening. Unless she plans on crashing the meeting Bruce happens to be in, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened…

Her smiles turns more devious, “Not quite birdie,” she drawls out. She places her hands on her hips and cocks them to one side. “I’m meeting with Lois Lane. There’s a certain… get together we’re attending and I tend to make a statement.”

Dick’s eyes widen in surprise, he hadn’t been expecting that. He knows that Selina and Lois know one another, he’s seen them interact with each other enough times at gala’s both Bruce and Clark have attended too but he didn’t know they were that close.

After a couple beats he sends her an easy smile. “Well, I’m certain you’re going to make a statement alright.”

“Thank you kitten,” she replies patting his cheek softly, “now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get going.” She saunters past him, continuing down the hallway clearly ready to kick some ass. Selina is the personification of the saying ‘looks can be deceiving’.

“Have fun!” Dick calls out to her retreating form.

As he enters his room Dick is struck by a thought that even Selina is busy that day. It’s really starting to appear that he's the only one without any plans or even someone to meet up with. It suddenly makes him feel lonely, it’s an irrational feeling but he couldn’t help feel it temporarily, maybe it’s jealously of his family all currently hanging out with someone or each other. It’ll soon pass when everyone is back home and skulking around looking for stuff to do out of boredom.

----

Half an hour later and Dick knows he's had enough. It seems like the last straw has been drawn and how the universe has decided to rub salt into the wound.

Dick’s not even out of his bedroom doorway before he’s stopping short at the sight of two beings walking past him. He blinks and looks down the hallway with furrowed eyebrows and seconds later it registers who he’s seeing.

“Jason?”

His brother stops in the middle of the hallway and turns around to face him. He looks surprised for a moment before his expression goes back to neutral. “Oh, hey Dick.”

“What are you doing?” He questions his brother, his gaze slipping to Jason’s companion. Bizarro stands next to Jason, his eyes drifting between the two of them as he watches them interact with a frown.

Jason jerks a thumb over his shoulder. “We’re heading out now as we’re about to meet Artemis.”

Dick runs a hand over his face taking in the new information. “How long has Bizarro been here?”

His brother sends him perplexed look. “Uh, like all day? Did you not know that?”

“No. No I didn’t.”

“Oh,” Jason shrugs, not bothered by his answer, “well whatever. As I said we’re heading out now, so see ya! Say bye bye, Bizarro.”

“Bye bye.” Bizarro calls out to him with a wave of his hand.

Dick half heartedly waves back as he watches them disappear down the hallway. Once they were gone Dick slips back into his room and shuts the door behind him, completely forgetting the original reason why he had been leaving in the first place.

He goes over to his bed and flops down on it with a heavy sigh. Jason, even Jason, is busy and has company. How is it only him who isn’t doing anything? Usually it’s the other way around, where he’s always trying to find time in his schedule to meet up with his friends, family or to have some time for himself.

Burying his face into his pillow he sighs dejectedly, feeling sorry for himself. Dick frowns, maybe that’s not the right term, would jealously be more accurate or maybe loneliness is better suited. Whatever the word is for what he’s feeling, he knows it’s pretty much unwarranted. He should be happy that all of his siblings and extended family are out being sociable, they all have hectic and unpredictable lives, taking any free time a person has to spend it with those they care about is worth it.

Dick shouldn’t be annoyed with his family because he’s the one currently holed up in his bedroom sulking because he doesn’t have anyone to be with. It’s not their fault.

Something else he notices is how everyone seems to have their own Kryptonian, or by extension a Kent.

There's Bruce and Clark, though Bruce will deny their friendship at every opportunity. Tim and Conner, who are best friends (maybe more, Dick’s not quite sure). Damian and Jon, as much as the former is reluctant to admit how much he cares for the younger. Steph, Cass, Barbara and Kara who are all apparently friends. Selina and Lois. Alfred and Mrs Kent. Jason and Bizarro.

He’s the only one without a Kryptonian partner. While he’s worked with Clark a few times and has connected with him, after all Clark’s the one who inspired him to become Nightwing, it’s not the same thing.

After spewing in his thoughts for a while, Dick comes to a conclusion that sleep sounds like the best option right now. If he sleeps then he’s not thinking, and as a bonus at the same time his body is resting and extra rest never hurts anyone.

He shifts on his mattress, getting into a more comfortable position to sleep in, and buries his head further into his pillow. Closing his eyes he tries to force his body into unconsciousness. His eyes snap open only seconds later when his phone pings from it’s place on his bedside table.

Stuck between being excited for a message and dreading it, Dick reaches out and grabs the device. Rolling over onto his back he lifts his phone up in front of his face and reads the notification. Seeing who the message is from, a wide grin stretches across Dick’s face and any dread he had been feeling instantly disappears. It seems like the universe has finally decided to side with him (or that it’s had enough of him moping) because it’s a message from his long time old friend Wally West.

‘Hey man it’s been waaaayyyyyy too long. Are you free to hang out any time soon – we need to catch up bro.’

Dick agrees with the message, it has been too long since they last saw one another. From what Dick heard last is how Wally’s been busy helping out in Central City, his relationship with Linda is progressing smoothly, he’s been helping to train his cousin and how he’s been away on a mission with Jay. Dick had thought Wally was still away, hence why he hadn’t contacted him but obviously he’s wrong about that.

Dick types out a reply to his friend, feeling eager and excited to meet up. ‘I’m free right now if you are. C’mon over to the Manor when you can?’

It takes a few moments for Wally to respond. ‘Absolutely. Though will Bats have my ass if I just show up?’

Dick snorts, of all the things to be concerned about… ‘No. You’re fine. B’s in a meeting.’

‘Okay! I’ll be there in a flash ;D’

It’s stupid but Dick couldn’t help chuckle at the poor joke. No doubts on how Wally’s picked up that behaviour from Barry.

Feeling jittery, Dick rolls off his bed and begins making his way downstairs so he could greet Wally by the door. He doesn’t know what they’ll do other than talk to catch up and possibly raid the kitchen at the same time. Dick doesn’t mind what they do, at least he finally has someone to hang out with!

Just as Dick reaches the bottom of the stairs in the foyer, the doorbell rings alerting him of Wally’s arrival. Dick grins as he approaches the door and it only gets wider when he opens it to reveal his best friend standing there on the front porch.

“Wal-man! How’s it going dude!” He exclaims stepping towards the speedster.

Wally’s gaze snaps to him and an identical grin appears on his face. “Dick, it’s so good to see you man!”

They come together and embrace tightly with a few firm pats on the back. They part after a few beats and then take a moment to observe one another. Dick is pleased to find Wally appearing the same as he did when he last saw him, looking happy and healthy.

“So…” Wally trails off when the silence gets drawn out for too long.

“So.” Dick repeats promptly. Getting himself together, he continues to grin and throws an arm around his friend’s shoulders, using that leverage he guides Wally into the house. “We have a lot to catch up on.”

Wally’s own arm wraps around Dick’s back as they pass through the foyer. “That we do. I can’t even remember when the last time I saw you was.”

With his free hand Dick waves the comment away. “Doesn’t matter, we’re here now. Shall we grab some food and go to my room? I would suggest the media room but the girls are currently inhabiting it, have been all day, alternatively we could go to the conservatory or even outside since it’s dry and warm.”

Wally hums for a moment before answering. “Food is a definite must, you know me – hey has Alfred cooked recently, any chance we could steal some leftovers? And your room sounds fine, at least there’ll be less chance of us being disturbed by one of your millions of siblings.”

Dick rolls his eyes at the comment though he carries on smiling, some days it really does feel like he has a million. Will Bruce ever learn the meaning of ‘no more’?

“I have no idea what Alfred has in the kitchen so we shall see when we get there.” Dick says smiling.

The two of them fall into an easy stream of chatter as they begin catching up with what’s going on in their lives.

As they chat Dick thinks to himself, why was he so bothered that his family members all have their own Kryptonian when he has his own speedster? A couple of them also have a speedster but not everyone so Dick can hold onto this, at least that’s what he’s rationalising to himself. Thinking back on it, Dick realises that it’s stupid, why should he be concerned about it at all? He's now with his best friend, that’s what matters and that’s exactly what he's going to focus on.

[jostepherjoestar]

return from Sicily 🖤

sfw // gn reader // so much pining like whew 

Hello everyone, it is i, Cozy, back to give you a lil snack between schoolwork. This was fully self indulgent, to a worrying degree, so my apologies for that. But please enjoy, it was a fun little writing exercise since it’s been a while!💖✨

A distant car door shut, the sound muffled by the thick brick walls that separated you from the sparsely populated street where La Squadra Esecuzioni has been residing for a little while now. It’s not an uncommon sound, not at all actually. You’ve lost count of how many times you’ve woken up to heavy car doors slamming in the middle of the night, men of disputable morals stepping out and going about their even more so morally disputable business. But instead of filling you with annoyance that you’d have to lull yourself back to sleep again, this faint slam meant the return of your capo!

He’d been off on his very first holiday since joining Passione. Perhaps it was even the first in his life, the past never really presenting such opportunities unfortunately. 10 days. 10 whole days since the looming figure that brought a sense of calm and comfort to your shared homebase had left to start his travels to Sicily. And God had you missed him. You thought your crush on him had been manageable, maybe it would even dim by not seeing him for a while.

But oh no. It got worse. It got so much worse.

You hadn’t realised it before, but living so close with your teammates had conditioned you. You saw them every single day, for worse or for better. And that also included Risotto. Sometimes he’d be too busy to come out of his office but you were always sure to pay him a quick visit. Just to check up on him, you told yourself. You’d shoot him a warm smile that always received a small nod in return from the tired form pouring over his work.

A rush of excited energy barreled through your body, trying to suppress the need to wait at the front door like an overzealous golden retriever. You put down your phone and exhaled deeply, mentally preparing yourself as to not let on how much you’ve missed seeing him around.

You heard the familiar sound of the front door unlocking and got up from the living room couch you’d been lounging on as casually as possible. Casually making your way to the entrance to casually welcome back your colleague. Casual.

Risotto looked...magnificent. His skin had darkened under the Sicilian sun and given him a nice tan that evenly spread over his figure. He was wearing a simple black shirt that clung to the right places, adorning his chiseled chest and barely holding onto his built biceps. His hat was nowhere in sight and his silver locks poked out in different directions, clearly not bothered to tame them for his drive home.

Your quick once-over cut short over the sound of your own voice. “You’re back! Did you have fun? I missed you-” To your own surprise the words left you all too soon. In an attempt to fix the slip up you hurriedly continued. “We all missed you, I mean…” you trailed off. Risotto’s lips quirked up into an amused smirk, showing off his dimple that rarely appeared. He looked a lot more relaxed than before he left.

“Oh? We?” he said, making it a point to lean to his side to direct his gaze to the empty apartment behind you. No one else had been home. You felt heat rise to your cheeks and the desperate need to run and never return. Why was this already so hard?

You nervously chuckled and wrung your hands together, casting your eyes down at Risotto’s bag that had been put near the messy shoe rack Formaggio promised to clean up while your capo was gone. Sensing you weren’t going to rebuttal his comment, he continued. “It was nice. But I did miss you all, too.” The baritone of voice only stoked the fires burning under your skin.

He had missed you. Your mind swatted away the unnecessary word that followed his statement indicating that he’d also missed your teammates. You really needed to get a grip on your feelings.

You looked up again, feeling a bit braver to face your capo. “You look at ease, it really did you good, huh?” you softly hummed. His eyes held kindness in return, no matter how dark and spooky they were to some, they held no sharp edge whenever they landed on you.

As soon as you both stepped further into the apartment you heard him let out a deep sigh. It wasn’t of displeasure, no, those were way deeper and mostly kept for difficult meetings. He was breathing in the familiar smell of home. One that strangely enough had become the one he most associated with you. Walking behind you towards his room with his bag gripped tightly, his hand clutching the straps even harder turning his knuckles white.

He’d missed you too. So much. His trip was fun and relaxing and he could finally spend time by himself after being surrounded by people 24/7. But with every stroll past the beach, every dinner spent by himself- calmly sipping a glass of deep red wine, he wished you were there to spend it with him. To hold your hand and gently sway it as the sea breeze washed away the stress work had caused to settle onto you both. To rest on the beach together, lazing on a towel while the sun beamed down and a comfortable silence that rested between you.

Risotto was thankful for the holiday he never thought he’d have while working for Passione, but even more thankful to be back home. Where you were.

You had kindly opened the door for him, that cute smile resting on your lips as you let him pass by. The room smelled fresh and sweet like the breeze outside, the wind fluttering the curtains. “I changed your sheets and opened the window for you. Thought you wouldn’t mind it.” you shyly said as he set down his bag and huffed down on the edge of his bed. Idly caressing the light sheets in appreciation. He offered you a quick smile in return, instantly making that heat rise back to your cheeks.

“I’ll let you get settled.” You were glad he was back home safe, maybe you’d rest easier now and maybe your feelings would reach a more manageable level again. But before you could get far, not even a step further towards the hallway, you felt a big hand grasp your wrist. It felt warm and calloused, one that has worked hard and endured too much. You bounced back but steadied yourself to face Risotto who had cleared his throat and swiftly let go of your wrist. Bold move there, he warned himself.

“Sorry, I- I got you something.” he grumbled out the apology, brow creased as he dipped down to reach for something in his bag.

“Here.” He handed you a strangely shaped crumpled newspaper, cursing himself for not wrapping it in something a bit nicer. It was much heavier than your average weekly publication so you held it steadier, gently trying to unwrap whatever was hiding inside. Excitement was still bubbling inside, but a sense of ease that only Risotto supplied had nestled its way into you.

Risotto took over the discarded newspaper to let you admire the gift, trying his best to hide his excited stare, eager to know if you’d liked it. In your hands rested a ceramic mug, it looked handmade and the uneven strokes of shiny blue coloured glaze gave it a rustic touch. Lemons and leaves decorated the sides, making you turn it over a couple times to fully admire the handiwork. You were so enamoured by the gift you’d forgotten to let him know your thoughts.

“For your collection…” he trailed off, getting a bit nervous at his choice and doubting if you’d liked it. He knew you had a particular taste in mugs that were allowed into your hallowed collection. (not to be touched by your other teammates of course)

“I love it Ris. Really, it’s absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much.” You really did love it, your heart could barely take how much you did. Clutching the mug in your hand, you reached over and hugged him. He had barely processed the relief of you liking his gift to be hit with your form clinging to his torso. Carefully, he placed a single hand around your middle, not wanting to make you feel uncomfortable as he reciprocated. “Thank you.” you quietly let out while giving him a curt squeeze.

His arm eased you down  to sit next to him on the edge of the bed, feeling his very own surge of warmth ghost over his cheeks. His hand remained on your side, comfortably resting there, feeling right at home. You didn’t mind, not in the slightest. You were just so happy he’d returned and even brought you a thoughtful gift.

“Maybe next time I could show you around the shop I got it from. They have lots more to choose from.” he urged himself on, hearing his own heartbeat reach new speeds at the suggestion and its implications. A next time, but with you by his side.

You held onto the mug for dear life, clasping your fingers even tighter around the sides in case you’d drop it and shatter it like your chances with Risotto. Your mind raced, his suggestion having caused a mild short circuit of all functions. After a trained breath you find the strength to reply. “I’d like that very much. Just be sure to keep Ghiaccio away from the fragile stuff.” you chuckled nervously. A heavenly sound to the smitten capo.

“The rest of the team- as much as I like them- are uhm… not invited.” The smile that danced on his lips and the glint in his eyes made your heart flutter all over as you looked up at him.

A holiday? Just the two of you?

“Oh. Oh.”

You can’t seem to tear your eyes away from his as the thought settles between you. His hand on your hip hadn’t moved, only growing warmer and now finally urging you to scootch a little closer. His soft touch lingering on the small of your back now, closing in the distance and letting your hands rest on his chest as he moved to your inviting lips.

You felt like you’d burst any second, steadying your breath seemingly the hardest task you’ve had to face yet. But then your lips met, softer than any you’d felt before and easing over yours like it was the greatest privilege ever granted. A warm palm cupping your cheek, only deepening the finalisation of your mutual holiday plans. Everything you’d both been wishing to let out finally coming together, moving along your lips with a deep need and hunger that got its chance to grasp at a godly buffet.

With disbelief you both let go- regrettably so, softly gasping for air. If you wanted to go on a holiday together, you would still need to be breathing to get there. As you shared the lingering moment of closeness, appreciating the warmth and love of each other’s gazes, your hearing picked up on scuffling in the hallway.

Mortified you snapped your attention to Melone in the doorway collecting what looked like money from a passing Formaggio and Prosciutto. “Told you they’d do it after he got back.” he smuggly grinned, counting his winnings as you heard Risotto let out a small chuckle under his breath. Earning him a playful jab to his side from you.

“Melone, I won’t kill you if we split the winnings. We have a holiday to save for.” you grumbled.

[whisperingrockers]

Uhhhh Julia getting sick and Carmen looking after her, my small gay heart craves it 🥺🥺

THIS ENDED UP LONGER THAN I WANTED but...I do it for the people. Also trying out the present tense thing. Not sold, but it’s nice remembering I know how to do it.

“Ah-achoo!” 

“Bless you.” 

Julia snaps upright on her couch, blanket falling to the side as she hurriedly looks around her apartment- which she thought was empty until right this very moment- and spots the unfocused figure of what she can only assume is a casually dressed Carmen leaning against her living room entryway. 

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you, Jules.” The familiar voice lilts into apologetic laughter as Julia blearily fumbles for her glasses. 

“A bold statement to make after breaking and entering, Ms. Sandiego.” Carmen’s jovial expression falters, but she covers it quickly enough. It’s always been difficult to read the red rogue, but as their tenuous work relationship has bloomed into something more akin to a tenuous friendship, Julia finds herself wishing she could understand all the tells, all the curled lips, all the cocked brows and sidelong glances. Recently there’s been this expression that the agent still can’t pin- it���s there now, as Carmen watches Julia pick her comforter up off the floor and hurriedly shove the dirtied tissues strewn across the coffee table into an already full rubbish bin. 

“Jules...stop.” One moment she’s against the wall, the next she’s placing a hand on Julia’s shoulder to push her gently- but firmly- back onto the couch. “No cleaning- you need to relax. I brought soup.” Her other hand casually lifts a plastic bag with the label of her favorite local Vietnamese eatery. 

“How did you-” The agent’s eyes shift briefly to the point of unusual physical contact. As soon as she’s seated again the hand is gone, and the warmth along with it. 

“It’s the closest place with a decent rating. I went in, told them I was ordering for Julia, and they asked if she wanted ‘the usual.’” She shrugs before setting the bag on the coffee table expectantly. “Hopefully you don’t have a doppelganger who orders pho gà on a bi-weekly basis.”

“I...don’t.” Hopefully. 

“Good.” Carmen throws her another well-meaning grin and turns on her heel, wandering further into her apartment, towards the kitchen. 

Julia carefully removes the plastic travel container from its bag, unsure if she should ask her uninvited house guest where she’s going. The bathroom is the first door on her left. Or the water glasses are above the oven, second cabinet to the right. Snacks? She doesn’t even know what sort of food Carmen enjoys, which is honestly inexcusable now because Carmen has her preferences down to the i’s and the t’s. With a satisfying pop, Julia pries the lid off and takes a small, cautious sip of her soup, the hot broth a stream of relief for her sore throat and clogged sinus. Maybe she’ll forgo the noodles and accoutrements and just drink this straight. Wait. There’s a thief in her apartment- she should probably try to stay focused on that. 

“Genmaicha should do the trick.” Carmen returns with two piping hot cups of tea, which catches Julia by surprise. The kettle hadn’t even gone off, or, at the very least, she hadn’t heard it. The cup is set on the table next to the unopened to-go box of pho noodles, and Julia looks at it with all the wonder of a child who’s just had a coin pulled out from behind their ear. 

“And here I’m supposed to believe you’ve never once set foot in my apartment.” It’s an accusatory statement, but the severity of it is undercut by a sniffle and a sneeze, and more soup sipping. 

“Well…” Carmen shrugs, a lopsided grin pulling at her lips. “You’re an organized person. I figured your cups would be near your plates- above the cuttery, which is to the right of the oven- and your tea couldn’t be far, so....” 

“Top corner cabinet on the right…” Julia’s finishes. Is her system really that predictable? Is she really that predictable? 

“Give yourself some credit; you had so many teas I had a hard time choosing.” Carmen cracks another smile, but it’s softer this time, a piece of that unusual new expression of hers- the one Julia’s still trying to puzzle out, even in her addled state. 

It just doesn’t make sense...when did this change occur, and how had Julia missed it? At what point had she accrued so much favor with Carmen that the thief would actively go out of her way to do something so...nice for her? As she recalls, the last time they bumped into each other out on the field hadn’t been anything out of the ordinary; a brief conversation on their plan of action, Julia had shared some trivial bit of information that ACME had on one of VILE’s newest agents, and then Carmen promptly gave her much clearer intel on the severity and threat the new asset actually posed to every ACME agents’ physical well being. Carmen had told her to be safe, mouth pulled into an unusually serious frown. So, before then? When Julia had set her nose after the woman in the cat mask had broken it- not that Carmen had needed her help, but as usual Julia had just sort of...acted on instinct. 

“Um.” 

Maybe it had been before even that. There was that one time Carmen had pulled her into a getaway vehicle and Devineaux thought she’d been kidnapped. Julia had been so surprised to be in the back seat- in fact, she’d laughed when she realized that Carmen never actually did any of the getaway driving during her capers. A woman of action who can do almost anything being unable to drive well under pressure- she can’t help but smile at the memory.

“Earth to Jules?” 

“Hm?” Julia blinks, realizing with a somewhat muted feeling of embarrassment that she’s been staring very intently at Carmen during her internal game of ‘spot the difference.’ 

“Got something on your mind?” 

“Yes.” Julia glances towards- uh, ah, yes, her soup, suddenly very interested in the container. She traces her pointer finger around its rim. “As is often the case these days, you are on my mind, Ms. Sandiego.” 

In her periphery Julia swears she sees Carmen’s eyes widen just a fraction. “Not anything you’re losing sleep over, I hope.” 

Julia turns to Carmen, incredulous. “Excuse me?” 

“Not anything you’re losing sleep over.” Carmen repeats, seemingly oblivious to her own advances as a small frown forms near the lip of her tea mug. “I hope?” 

“...goodness, no.” Stuffy laughter bubbles out of her before she can stop it. So Carmen can’t drive and she doesn’t realize how forward half of the things that come out of her own mouth sound. Incredible. Truly, this woman is the 8th wonder of the world- Carmen Sandiego, listed just below the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. “Sorry, I...it’s nothing.” 

“You can’t say I’m on your mind and then not tell me what’s up, Jules.” It’s...endearing, how clearly confused the usually unflappable thief is. 

“It’s really nothing.” Her guest isn’t at all satisfied with that answer, but Julia can’t bring herself to ask just what Carmen thinks of her- or their relationship. “Thank you for the soup...and the company.” 

“No problem, Jules.” 

[jennygirl2014]

White~ Part Two

Summary: The conversation continues now that he’s dropped the bomb on you.  You both attempt to take an easy trip down memory lane, but old memories bring back old feelings.

Warnings: adult themes, mentions of loss of virginity.

              The waitress was nice enough to relocate the two of you two a different table with a clean and dry tablecloth.  You both sat there silently for the longest time, letting the weight of his news linger and settle.  You stirred your coffee after adding the cream and sugar to your liking, and you listened to the silver spoon clink against the sides of the mug as you gazed out the window, at the dark and snowy void.  James, or Mace as he had said, was busy looking over his menu. You had always known him as James. Even when you were younger, and his friends called him Jim, or his parents called him Jimmy, you had always called him James.  This was the same person in front of you that you had seen countless of times before. So why did he suddenly feel like a stranger?  The name? The news? Your own dissonance?

“You know I was going to order food earlier, but I figured I’d wait.” He spoke up without taking his eyes off of the menu, “I had a feeling you would be late.” You turned to him but didn’t answer, “You’re always late.” He chuckled to himself.  “Been that way forever.”

“I guess you think you know me pretty well.”

He scoffed, “I know I do.” It was a true statement.  “I knew you were going to be late, because I don’t think I’ve ever seen you on time for anything outside of your usual obligations.”

“The weather held me up a bit.” You lied, or tried to.

“I knew you would put two creams and three sugars in your coffee, because you like it sweet.” He glanced up and smirked again, “You always had a sweet tooth.”

“How long have you known that you were leaving?” you changed the subject suddenly.  You watched him fold up his menu and set it back down on the table.

“About a year.” His tone had changed, suddenly he wasn’t being playful anymore.

“When do you leave?”

“A month.” He replied. It took him this long to reach out to you?  

Of course, you couldn’t be mad.  You had made it so he couldn’t contact you many years ago.  You changed your cell number, you made all of your social media accounts private after deleting him, you had even moved away for college.  You were just about to ask another question when the waitress returned.  James ordered himself a steak, rare, with a side of fries and a side salad.  You would have guessed that would be his order, that typical manly act. And then he offhandedly added on a beer, pushing away his coffee.  You knew him just as well as he knew you.  This was him getting comfortable.  The coffee was formal, to keep him alert and on his toes with what he was going to say.  The beer was to relax, maybe to help him get out whatever was on his mind.  And in his mind, the rest of this encounter was going to be casual.  You weren’t sure if you were ready for that. When the waitress turned to you, you realized you hadn’t even looked at the menu.  

“She’ll have the chicken parm, less sauce on the noodles, and a side salad with vinaigrette.” He spoke up for you.  Your eyes darted to him, wide in the witness of his audacity.  “You want a glass of wine or anything?” he asked, raising his brows, illustrating that it was an honest question.  

“Just some water, please.” You turned to the waitress, suddenly just accepting the order he had placed for you.  The funny thing was, he remembered how you would have ordered it after all of these years. There may have been other things on the menu, but you just went along with it.  Just like the old days. Too much like the old days.  

The waitress nodded and walked off with the menus, leaving you alone with your old flame again.  He leaned forward with his arms on the table and looked at you, really looked at you, and smiled.  You suddenly felt defenseless, wondering what was going on in his mind.  You started to feel uncomfortable under his gaze and started looking around, at the windows, at the other tables, anywhere but back at him. How could you even bring yourself to look at him when he had just dropped such a bomb on you?

“You look great.” He broke the ice, again.  Your eyes shifted back to him, and then down at the white tablecloth.  You swallowed hard, battling over feeling offended or giving in to the little flutter of your heart.  “Really, you do.” He pressed the matter further.  Typical James, always bold.

“I’m engaged.” You finally admitted it to him.  You were hoping it would stop him from trying to flirt any further, but also maybe to set boundaries for yourself.  Your boundaries always seemed to slip when it came to him.

“I know.” He replied simply, “I heard.”

“From who?” you were a little shocked.

“You printed an announcement in the paper back home,” he answered as he reached for his beer, lifting it to his lips but pausing, “People talk.  Especially in that town.” He finally took a pull from the bottle.

“So, who told you?”

“It’s not important, is it?”

“Kind of.”

“Did you not want me to know?” he fired a question right back at you.  You scoffed and crossed your arms.

“It’s not about that, I wouldn’t have told you myself if I didn’t want you to know.”

“Okay, fair enough.” He ended the debate there.  Or so you thought, “What’s his name?”

“I thought you said you knew about the announcement.”

“I did, but I forgot the guy’s name.” he chuckled. You hesitated.

“Doug.”

“Doug,” he repeated the name, “Is he good to you?”

“Very much.” You looked him square in the eyes.

“Good, I’d hate to have to kick his ass.” He tried to joke some more, but you just clenched your jaw in response, not amused with him. “When’s the wedding?”

“May.” You gave another short answer. You watched as his eyes slowly fell back down to the table.

“Was I not going to get an invite?” he tried to joke.

“James…” you didn’t even know how to respond to that.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding.” He showed a small smile, “Besides, I’m leaving next month.”

There was a moment of silence.

“How long will you be gone?” you inquired.

“Few years.” He answered with a small shrug, “There’s a lot of variables, hard to nail it down exactly.”

There was more silence.

“Are you scared?” you couldn’t help but ask.  He drew in a deep breath and sighed, looking out the window.

“Not really.  If anything, I’m excited.” He may have been fibbing.

“Can’t wait to be a hero?” you quirked an eyebrow at him, knowing his ego and how it dictated him. He laughed a bit.

“Can’t wait to make a difference.”

“That’s it?” you weren’t buying it, “You’re saving mankind.  You seem to be taking it rather lightly.” You pressed him further, and he shrugged a shoulder again. The small smirk on your lips vanished as you realized there was more going on in his head.  But it was a gamble on whether or not he would share anything further. “What’s really going on?” he didn’t answer, but he reached up and scratched his chin, perhaps delaying.  “You called me here for a reason.”

“I just…” he paused, “I didn’t want to leave with things…not being how I imagined it.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I tell you, will you charge me?” he tried to joke more, another defense mechanism of his.  You both chuckled.

“It’s on the house.” You tried to match his level of humor.  

“Well,” he rubbed his hands together and looked away from you, “I made sure to make things the best they could be with my family and friends, and I’ve got my will in place,” your heart sped up a bit when he mentioned a will, “But I’m just thinking about all of the things I didn’t get to do.”

“Do…do you think…you’re not going to make it back?” you weren’t sure how to ask him.  He only shrugged again.  “Why do you think that?”

“A lot can happen. A lot of things can go wrong.” He paused, “But I think it’s just, you know, having to make a will and make those plans, but that’s standard procedure.  I mean, everyone who goes to space does those things.”

Did they?  There was no way you would know for sure really.

“I guess… what I really mean is, if something were to happen, there are things I never got to do.”

“Like what?”

“Things I never thought about until recently.  I don’t know, like…I never travelled, I wish I had gone to more sporting events…” he trailed off.

“Well, even if you did travel the world, you’d basically be seeing a lot of white anyway.” You chuckled, “And there aren’t a lot of sporting events now with everything.”

“Yeah, I know, I know.” He nodded. “Just little things like that.” And then he paused, “I never settled down or started a family.”

It just so happened that you had taken a sip of your water and ended up almost choking on it.  You tried to hide how badly you had been caught off guard and downplay your coughing, but he still got concerned.  “You okay?” he asked.  You nodded and cleared your throat before taking another sip.  You could feel the heat rising on your collar from his admission.  “You sure?”

“Just wasn’t expecting that answer from you.” You certainly weren’t about to tell him why.

“Why?  Do I not seem like the kind of guy that wants kids?” he questioned.  You willed yourself to stay cool, to not let your face go hot or your hands to shake. Did he know?  

“I just…I guess I never got that vibe from you.” You spoke honestly.  

“Time changes a person.” He spoke some words of wisdom, and you nodded slowly in agreement. “I guess I just started to think about what it would be like if I didn’t make it back and I didn’t have a family.  Like if I didn’t leave a legacy of some kind.”

“And what if you did? Did you think about how much it would hurt them to deal with the aftermath of your death?” you questioned him, almost offended at his lack of thought.  If he died, people would be hurt.  You would be hurt.  Even if you wanted to hide it.  You became frazzled and reached for your water again, “It’s not even worth talking about honestly, because you’re going to be fine.” You reassured him, mostly to get off of the topic.  You gulped down some water and looked at him as you set the glass down, and the smile he was wearing was warm and genuine.  It lit you up from the inside out.

“You’d miss me?” of course he picked up on it, but you didn’t answer, instead you chewed your lip a bit, “I mean, I get it…we have history.”

How dare he.

“History?” the word came out of your lips with enough angst for him to feel it on the other side of the table, and he sat back, maybe sensing your reaction.  

Before you could speak again, the waitress reappeared with a basket of breadsticks for the table, and to politely let the two of you know that your food would be ready soon.  You both thanked her, and she excused herself again.  You started to grind your teeth, happy that the woman’s presence had interrupted your irritated reaction, but also not wanting to let it slide.  The man sitting in front of you had been such a large part of your life, and you were not about to let him downplay it.

“History?” you repeated, in a more hushed tone.

“Relationship.” He corrected himself.  

“Sure,” you huffed, “I mean… I don’t even know what to call it.  We never really were official or gave each other titles or anything.” Now you were trying to downplay it, and you weren’t quite sure why.  Maybe you were trying to distance yourself from the memories that were coming back.

“No, we never called each other boyfriend or girlfriend, but you were my girl.  Everybody knew that.” The timbre of his voice resonated in your head and in your chest, and you looked away from him, not being able to bear it at that moment.

“James,” you started slowly, “It was so long ago.  We were kids. It’s okay to look back at it and say we were confused…or maybe we just didn’t know what we were doing…”

“Confused?” then he sounded offended, and his face scrunched up at the word that had thoughtlessly slipped from your lips.  “No, there was no confusion.  Not on my part.  I know we were kids but I knew how I felt about you.”

“Mace,” you addressed him by his new nickname, and it felt foreign, “Do you not remember how it all started?” he huffed in response and shook his head, “Need I remind you of how it all played out?” he knew you were about to take him to task over it.  

“We were in middle school. My friend dared me to kiss you after class.  I knew you were going to say ‘no’, so I just grabbed your face and sort of smashed my lips onto yours.” He started chuckling fondly at the memory, “I had no idea what I was doing.  And you hit me across the face for it.” He shuffled in his seat a bit and smiled wider, “And then we ended up in detention together for it.  I remember you telling me how mad your parents were that their perfect little girl got detention, and that it was all my fault.”

“You’re remembering it wrong.” you informed him after swallowing the lump in your throat.

“Am I?”

“It started way before that. You bullied me and tortured me and teased me relentlessly for years.” You set him straight, and he narrowed his eyes as he inspected you, “Yes!  You did! In elementary school you grabbed me by my pigtails and pulled me down into a mud puddle. And before that you used to call me names and tease me.  Don’t you remember your mom dragging you to my house to force you to apologize?”

“I do remember that.” He sounded pained as he admitted it. “But I never really considered that part of our courtship.”

“Courtship?  Oh God…” you groaned as you rubbed your temples.

“My mom used to always tell me that I was being mean to you because I liked you.  And I didn’t believe her until that first day of eighth grade. You came in to the classroom and you just looked so different.  The pigtails were gone, you weren’t wearing some dress like you always did, and you just looked like you started to grow up.” He smiled again as he recalled that day, “I remembering thinking ‘wow she got hot’.” The sarcastic laughter that broke from deep within your chest caught you both off guard, and you slapped your hand over your mouth to keep from drawing attention to yourself.  What a ridiculous thing to say.

“That’s so stupid.” You finally managed to speak.

“It’s true!”

“But let’s not forget you bragging to your friends in high school about how you were going to bed the bible thumping chick from your science class.” You made sure each word was laced with the disgust you were feeling just from recalling that event.  “We had already started… whatever we were doing at the time.  And you humiliated me by saying that.  I dare you to try and tell me you don’t remember that, or that it was part of some type of courtship.” He stayed silent for a moment before responding.

“Look, I was young and stupid.  I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just showing off.” He held out his hands in defense, “I’m truly sorry about that.” You scoffed and shook your head, turning away from him.  “Hey,” he reached out and touched your hand, “I really am sorry about that.  I shouldn’t have done that.” You kept your eyes off on the distance outside the large window.

That familiar prickling feeling started to nag at you, and your eyes were threatening to start watering up, which surprised you.  How on earth was something that had happened years ago, something you had moved on from, bothering you so much in that moment?  Suddenly there were flashbacks of high school bullying from other girls, whispering rumors about you and calling you a slut behind your back, but loud enough for you to still hear it.  At a slumber party, some girls had taken it upon themselves to stuff your bag full of condoms, and you cried by yourself in the bathroom while waiting for your mother to come pick you up.  You had never dreamed of being that kind of girl, and you felt like you had let your parents down, or the other people who went to church with you and listened to the words your father preached every Sunday morning.  There was a strong sense of pride you felt as the pastor’s daughter, and you had been determined to save yourself until marriage.

But that didn’t happen.

              For years you struggled with yourself, there was a tremendous internal battle you were facing in the silence of your own mind, in the silence of your own secrets.  That chastity bracelet your father had given you on your thirteenth birthday meant nothing after James Mace had charmed you right out of your pink, frilly panties.  The guilt and rage you felt after the fact was enough to drown you, and you swore you would never do it again.  Hell, you even went to the river for your father to baptize you and declare you a virgin again.  But deep down, you knew the damage had already been done, it wasn’t like your innocence had really healed.  And that’s probably what made it easier for you to do it again, and again, and again, until you lost track of how many times you had given yourself to him.  

              Your father had always preached that sin was an easy thing to do, because sin was tempting and often times sweet to the tongue, but did anyone truly have any idea how hard it was?  You couldn’t deny yourself from James, not ever.  You had wanted him as badly as he had wanted you.  You made the grown-up decision to be entangled with him, to give yourself to him.  And then he had disappeared one day, he was just gone, vanished right into thin air, and you felt like he had walked away with the prize of your very soul.  Now here he was again, bringing up ancient history in a way that seemed so innocent and charming that it might as well had been harmless.  He could bring up distant memories and joke all he wanted, but he ripped your heart out and ran off with it.  You couldn’t even begin to count the tears you had spilled over him.  And now here you two were, sitting in front of each other, trying to pretend like everything was fine.  

The dam that was holding your patience in tact and sparing him your anger began to crack and crumble. You turned back to him with a look of fire in your eyes, and not even the tears brimming were going to douse it.

“Are you mad at me?” he questioned, innocently.

“Of course, I am.” The honestly of your answer was apparent in your tone, “But I’m madder at myself. Because after all of that, after everything you put me through in school and that disgusting thing you had said to your friends…I still gave you my virginity.” You drew in a quick breath, “And my parents never forgave me.  I never forgave myself.  I felt so used. You would sweet talk me into something one minute and have me crying the next.”

There was a moment of silence between the two of you, and you swore you saw shock and hurt behind the cerulean in his eyes.  You abruptly got out of your seat and started rushing to the bathroom, needing to collect yourself before uttering even another word to him.  Your sanity was slipping away at the painful past you were hoping to never live through again.

Next part here.