#Countertops Regina

[reginacountertops]

Website: https://floform.com/location/regina-countertops-showroom/

Address : 490 Henderson Dr, Regina, SK S4N 6E3, Canada

Phone : 306-721-2220

Floform Countertops | Regina Quartz, Porcelain, Granite, Solid Surface. If you are searching for countertops in Regina, we offer the best value for quality countertops. Get high quality Kitchen Countertops, Quartz Countertops, Granite Countertops, Butcher Block Countertops, Porcelain Countertops, Solid Surface Countertops, and Laminate Countertops from our local location in Regina Canada. We service a 50-mile radius of our showroom. For over 60 years, our skilled craftspeople have been helping homeowners select, fabricate, and install kitchen countertops with just the right balance of storage, style, and comfort. We’ll start with your vision and budget—and guide you every step of the way, so you and your family love your kitchen for years to come. FLOFORM has a proud history of quality craftsmanship dating back to 1961. The company was founded by brothers Harry, Frank and John Dyck in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Business mail: reginainhome@floform.com

[cbsltdca01]

Premium Custom Countertops Regina | Canadian Building Supplies

Looking for high-quality custom countertops Regina? Canadian Building Supplies offers a variety of durable and stylish options to elevate your kitchen. Our expert team ensures precision installation, bringing beauty and functionality to your space. 

Whether you prefer quartz, granite, or laminate, we have the perfect fit for your home. Choose custom countertops Regina designed to match your style and budget. Visit our website to explore our collection and transform your kitchen today!

[beyondgranite]

Beyond Granite & Quartz: Exploring the Hottest Countertop Trends in Regina Homes

Granite and quartz are popular choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops. They are durable, stylish, and come in many colours and patterns. This makes them a popular choice for homeowners in Regina and beyond. But, as interior design trends evolve, so do preferences for countertop materials. Homeowners want new options that are practical and stylish.

Today’s countertops do more than provide a work surface; they enhance the look and feel of a home. You can choose from many options. The variety is greater than ever. If you're thinking about a renovation, look past the classics. Check out the latest countertop trends in modern home design.

Granite & Quartz: The Classics That Still Shine

Before we look at new trends, we should consider why granite and quartz have been the top choices for many years. These materials add beauty and last a long time. They are also practical, making them great for kitchens and bathrooms.

Granite: A Natural Choice for Elegance and Strength

Granite is a natural stone that has been used for centuries in home design. It is well loved for its luxurious look, strength, and durability. Sealed granite countertops resist heat, scratches, and stains. This makes them great for busy kitchens. Every granite slab is unique. It has natural patterns and color changes that add character and charm to any space. Despite the introduction of newer materials, granite remains a top contender for homeowners.

Quartz: The Low-Maintenance Alternative

Quartz is different from granite. It is an engineered stone made from a mix of natural quartz crystals and resins. Quartz countertops are non-porous. This means they don’t need sealing and resist stains well. They are also available in a wide range of colours and designs, some of which mimic the look of natural stone. Quartz offers a modern, stylish look. Its durability makes it a smart choice for homeowners.

Granite and quartz will always have a role in home design. Many homeowners in Regina look for different materials to meet their needs. Let’s explore some of the exciting new countertop trends making their way into modern homes.

1. Concrete Countertops: Modern and Customisable

If you’re a homeowner who enjoys a modern, industrial look, concrete countertops might be just right for you. They offer a raw, edgy appeal while also being highly customizable.

Customization at its finest

One of the greatest advantages of concrete countertops is their versatility. Unlike natural stone, concrete can be tailored in terms of color, texture, and finish. Homeowners can pick from many shades. They can also add decorative touches like stones, glass, or metal for a unique look. This level of renovation makes any kitchen or bathroom beautiful.

Durability and Strength

Properly sealed concrete countertops resist stains and scratches. This makes them a smart choice for busy areas. They are also heat-resistant, which is a great feature for cooking enthusiasts. They need resealing now and then to keep their finish and stop moisture from getting in.

Unique and Handcrafted Appeal

Unlike factory-produced countertops, concrete countertops are typically handcrafted. This means that no two countertops are the same, adding a special and artistic touch to any home.

2. Butcher Block: Warm, Rustic, and Functional

Homeowners wanting to bring warmth and beauty to their kitchens. These wood countertops bring a cozy, farmhouse-inspired charm while also being highly functional.

Locally Sourced and Sustainable

Many homeowners in Regina are choosing butcher block countertops. These are made from hardwood sourced locally. This choice helps local businesses and makes home design more sustainable.

A Practical Work Surface

Butcher block countertops are great for food prep. They offer a natural surface for cutting and chopping. However, proper maintenance is key. Regular oiling is necessary to prevent water damage and ensure longevity.

Aging Gracefully

Unlike stone or concrete, butcher block countertops develop a patina over time. Natural wear and tear gives the surface character. This makes it a more appealing choice for rustic or vintage-style kitchens.

3. Recycled Glass: Eco-Friendly and Eye-Catching

As sustainability becomes a greater priority for homeowners. Recycled glass countertops are gaining popularity. These countertops are not only visually stunning but also environmentally friendly.

A Sustainable Choice

Recycled glass countertops are made from crushed glass embedded in resin or concrete. By repurposing discarded glass, these countertops help reduce waste and promote eco-friendly living.

Aesthetic Versatility

These countertops come in a wide range of colours and patterns. The glass pieces reflect light beautifully, creating a striking and dynamic effect. You can choose a bold and vibrant look or a subtle, neutral design. Either way, there’s a recycled glass countertop that fits your style.

Durability and Maintenance

Like quartz, recycled glass countertops do not absorb liquids and resist stains well. This makes them easy to clean and care for. They are a great option for eco-friendly homeowners who want style and durability.

4. Porcelain Slabs: The Low-Maintenance Powerhouse

One of the newest trends in countertops is the use of porcelain slabs. Porcelain countertops are gaining popularity among homeowners and designers. They are valued for their practicality and versatility.

Seamless, Large-Format Design

Porcelain slabs come in large sizes. This means fewer seams and a smoother appearance. This makes them particularly appealing for modern and minimalist kitchen designs.

Exceptional Durability

Porcelain is an extremely durable material. It is resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and UV rays, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Its non-porous surface ensures that it remains hygienic and easy to maintain.

Multipurpose Applications

Beyond countertops, porcelain slabs can also be used for backsplashes, walls, and even flooring. This allows homeowners to create a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout their homes.

Matching Countertops with Your Home Renovation

Picking the right countertop is key for a successful kitchen or bathroom renovation. Consider how your chosen material fits with the overall design. Think about cabinetry, lighting, and flooring, too. For a smooth renovation, Hybrid Reno focuses on complete home renovations in Regina. They make sure every part fits together perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Granite and quartz continue to be timeless choices. New materials, like concrete, butcher block, recycled glass, and porcelain slabs, offer great choices.

If you’re planning a renovation, keep in mind that countertops are only part of the whole picture. Collaborate with experts to make your vision a reality. They’ll ensure every detail, from flooring to fixtures, fits perfectly in your dream home.

Would you like to explore these stunning countertop options for your Regina home? Contact Regina Countertops today to find the perfect fit for your space!

[slvt4em1lyprenti2s]

heyy could you do a renee rapp or Regina george x reader? Any genre is ok! Thank you!

OFC ANON!

my masterlist!

Slow mornings

Summary: A slow morning, and just reader and Reneé being all domestic. Tooth rotting fluff!

Word count: 667 (SORRY ITS SHORT!!)

TW: kissing, I think that’s it?

Pairing: Reneé Rapp x fem!reader

A/N: Hey so I’m kind getting back into writing, going to try keep going with all my requests I get sent and try keep going with my emily series!! Hope you enjoy!

Reader pov:

The chilly autumn breeze floats through the windows and parts the curtains for a few seconds, the sun peaking through as it does so. My hands come up to my eyes to shield them from the golden sun beating down on me and Reneé through the thin gap.

I turn around after feeling her arms around me like usual, and burry myself into her chest, making myself at home. I let out a relaxed breath as I feel her stir. I attempt to stay still in hopes of not waking her but her eyelids pry themselves open anyway. Her blue eyes find my own and a tired smile graces her face.

“Good morning” Her tired voice croaks, the sound bouncing off the walls, sending shivers down me. She could never not be gorgeous.

“Morning, love” I say back, tilting my head up to be more in her eyeline. She takes this opportunity to capture my lips in hers, moving against each other softly, gently pouring every ounce of love we could muster at this early hour into the kiss. She pulls back and cups my face in her hand, rubbing soothing circles over my cheek and smiling softly.

“I love you” The words tumble drowsily out my mouth before I could stop them. But her smiles grows fonder nonetheless.

“I love you too baby” The replies falls upon my ears as I place my head back in her chest, now enjoying the warmth of the sun on us rather than being annoyed it disrupted my sleep. Our legs tangle together and it’s hard to see where she starts and I end.

Her hands draw mindless patterns over my side as I begin to feel my eyes close again. I know I shouldn’t go back to sleep but who can resist when in my position? Safely tucked into your lover, the sun warming us gently, being totally lost in the other’s touch.

A blaring alarm rips through our tranquil state reminding us we do need to get up at some point. Reneé reaches over me and turns it off.

“C’mon baby, we need to get up” Her breath fans over my ear as she whispers to me. I reluctantly pull myself out of her embrace and watch her as she rolls over and sits upright on the edge of the bed, stretching slowly, waking weary limbs after a peaceful night.

I quickly follow suit as she slips into the darkness of the hallway and walks down to the kitchen. She puts on the kettle before turning her attention to me. Her hands find my waist and she pulls me so we’re flush against each other. Her nose brushes mine as we talk.

“What are we doing today, anything in particular?” She questions.

“Not that I’m aware of” I reply. A content hum leaves her lips, we haven’t had a day where both our schedules agree in a while so, finally having today is nice.

Reneé taps the backs of my thighs gently as she pressed me against the kitchen counter, signalling for me to jump. I do as she says and position myself on top of the marble countertop. She stands between my legs, sliding her hands up and down my thighs in a soothing manner. Her eyes lock with mine and we both lean in. We’re lost in yet another kiss, the world seems to dissolve whenever we’re together. Like it’s only us, and only ever been us. Nothing beats slow mornings. Lazy cuddles and kisses. The lack of words made up for in gentle lingering touches and the whispers of the autumn breeze.

[erikahenningsen]

11 - 12 : cadina 🎄

11. Christmas baking

12. Christmas market

"There's like eighty people in this line."

Cady shrugs. "We've got time."

"We can get hot chocolate somewhere else," Regina says, craning her neck to try to see the front of the line.

"No," Cady whines. "I saw this one on TikTok. There's a torched marshmallow on top."

"TikTok was a mistake," Regina mutters, then sighs and hitches her figure skates, the laces tied together, higher on her shoulder.

She supposes she did kind of ask for this by letting Cady make a list of the top three Christmas activities she wanted to do. After skating at Rockefeller Center, Cady dragged her to the Bryant Park holiday market. They could have just skated at the rink here, but Cady wanted to skate under the tree.

When they finally reach the front of the line, Cady watches with wide eyes as the person at the booth layers whipped cream on a cup of hot chocolate and then browns a huge marshmallow with a blowtorch. Regina reaches up and grabs a big handful of napkins, just in case.

"Happy now?" Regina asks as they move to a less busy part of the park.

Cady grins and takes a bite of the marshmallow. It sticks to her nose, her mouth ringed with chocolate. Regina briefly considers licking it off herself, then decides that's a little too obscene for a public park in broad daylight. She settles for swiping some of it from the corner of Cady's mouth with her thumb, then licking it off.

Cady stares at her, hot chocolate seemingly forgotten, cheeks pinking.

Regina smirks. "Finish that, and let's go home."

------

"It's the third thing on the list!" Cady insists. "You promised."

Regina braces her elbows on the kitchen countertop, relieving some of the pressure on her back. She doesn't know how she used to skate for hours every day as a kid. "Baby, I'm tired."

Cady pats a stool at the island. "Then sit here, and I'll bring everything over."

"Fine." Regina sits with a soft groan.

Cady assembles the cookie-making materials—not much, considering they're using the pre-made sugar cookie dough, these ones with reindeer on them. Cady tried to make cookies from scratch once, and it ended with the fire alarms going off on the entire third floor of their building and—most tragically—inedible cookies.

Cady spreads parchment paper on a baking sheet and carefully lays cookies in even rows. She opens the oven and slides them in, reaching for the time.

"Cady?" Regina asks.

"Yeah?"

"Baking works best when you turn on the oven."

Cady frowns in confusion for a moment before her eyes widen. "Oh, right!" She takes the cookies out and punches 350º on the oven.

Cady comes to stand behind Regina, wrapping her arms around her. It's something she can really only get away with when Regina's sitting without her face getting smushed against Regina's back.

"Gi?"

"Hm?"

Cady presses a kiss to the top of Regina's head. "Thanks for doing this stuff with me. Even if you did make me look bad in front of those kids at the rink."

"You asked me to do a spin. It's not my fault you fell at that exact same moment."

"Because you let go of my hand!"

"Well, I can't do both at the same time. I don't know what to tell you."

Cady giggles, and Regina can feel her exhale against her head. "I love you anyway."

Regina shrugs Cady off and turns, indignant. "You should. I didn't do anything to you."

Cady pouts a little. "You can say you love me, too."

Regina rolls her eyes, but she's only pretending to be annoyed. Even after all these years, hearing Cady say those three words to her feels like every wish she's ever made coming true.

"I love you, too, doofus," Regina says, pecking Cady on the nose as the oven dings. "Now let's try and bake these cookies without burning the building down."

"That was one time!"

[countrymusiclover]

23 - Always two-steps Ahead

Part 24

The Siphoning Princess

Tag list [ @mystrey101 @melvia-ito @kmc1989 @tallrock35 @onentaien-kwara @maximedallas @child-of-of-the-sunshine

Gold’s pov

Opening a cabinet in the back room of the shop I took out a small clear heart necklace that I had planned on giving to my daughter but that was the night her and her prince had me locked up by Cinderella. The necklace was supposed to have magic inside of it so she could siphon magic from an easier source nearby. The shop bell rang causing me to hide it away back in the cabinet and go see who had come in. With unfortunate luck I found it to be Regina who stomped over to me in her short black heels with a scowl. “Your Majesty. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Explain to me why I just saw David Nolan and Tessa Hunter having ice cream together. He's supposed to be with his wife Mary Margaret.”

Moving around the glass case I opened the cash register beginning to count the money inside while we talked. “Tessa is only nine years old and you currently have her mother sitting in jail. Perhaps Ms. Hunter asked him to watch her while Ms. Swan proves her innocence.”

“Well you know what I think. I think you had something to do with this. The reason she and David are so close. The reason she jumped inside a mine shaft and refused to call Graham her father. I want to know how and why you would do such a thing.”

Sending her a look I kept counting the money in front of me. “Are you telling me you're afraid of a little girl? What could she possibly do to you?”

“She’s their daughter. The sister of Emma Swan. And if she has magic then so can Tessa.” Regina slammed her hands up onto the countertop. “I will not let my curse get broken by your infuriating granddaughters.”

“I doubt the nine year old is much of a threat to your curse. Perhaps you should just take a deep breath and let the girl enjoy her life with her mother.” I lifted my gaze to hers with a light smirk playing on my lips enjoying how much it upsets her. The white elephant I had given baby Cecile was stronger than her dark curse.

The evil queen clutched her hands into fists stomping out of my shop without another word. “I don’t know what you’re planning, Gold. But none of the Charming’s will ever be together after this murder trial. I will get my vengeance once and for all!”

Emma and Jaide were talking about the case from what I could hear when walking into the police station to speak with my daughter. Emma was leaning against the couch shrugging her shoulders in defeat. “I keep looking for evidence that Regina is framing you but there isn’t any court worthy evidence.”

“Emma, trust me. I know Graham would never put sugar in his coffee. He did it that day before the trial. Someone else must have poisoned it and that’s why he had a heart attack.” My daughter explained the half truth of what happened. We knew that Regina crushed the huntsman heart hidden inside her pocket during the custody battle. Problem was no one would believe it as the truth.

Emma bent her head down running her fingers through her blonde curls. “It’s going to be hard to prove that the lab results were fake.”

“Leave it to me, Ms. Swan.” I spoke entering their conversation entering the room, eyeing my daughter standing inside the cell. Glancing at her daughter I asked. “Could I have a moment alone with my client, sheriff?”

Emma nodded walking into her office and shut the door. “Sure.”

“What are you going to do, papa? Regina will see you coming now that she knows you’re awake.” Jaide lightly gripped the green bars meeting my deep gaze.

“Don’t worry about me, lass. I’m always two steps ahead of everyone you know. I have something for you -“ Reaching inside my suit jacket I dangled the clear heart necklace before her eyes. “You’re mothers necklace. I found it in my shop. I know how you’re feeling right now and so I knew you would want an easy supply of magic.”

She blinked a couple of times. “How do you know it will work after the curse is broken? There’s no magic in this world.”

“Because I’m bringing it here. Magic my dear daughter.” Beginning to hand the object to her through the bars she pushes my hands away whispering to me.

“Keep it until then. I’ll come for it when I can truly go after the Evil Queen.”

The evil queen kicked open my shop door holding a rotten apple up to my eyes. “My tree is dying. Why?”

“Perhaps, it’s your fertilizer.”

She clearly wasn’t in the mood for jokes. “You think this is funny? Well, I’ll tell you what I think. I think it’s a sign of the curse weakening because of Emma. But do you care? No. You’re content to just sit back and do… Whatever it is you’re doing, while all my hard work burns.”

“That’s not all, is it? Come on. You might as well get everything off your chest.” Tilting my head to the side I hid the heart necklace inside my suit jacket so she didn’t see it. “Henry. Miss Swan wants him.”

She grumbled under her breath. “She’ll have that boy over my dead body.”

“The curse was meant to take away my daughter and Prince Charming’s happiness. Perhaps, you giving up Henry is just the price to keep the curse unbroken.” Pointing my index finger at her I walked over to a multi-colored globe.

She muttered. “ I think I’d rather just get rid of her.”

“Well, well. You’re going to have to be quite creative. We both know the repercussions in killing Miss Swan. The curse will be…” I blew some air out with a light chuckle declaring in unison with her.

“The curse will be broken.”

She rolled her eyes in my face. “That’s because you designed it that way. Undo it.”

Stepping towards her I slowly walked away and she followed my heels. “You know… Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. Magic… Well… Is in short supply around here and dwindling by the minute.”

She gasped sharply. “You want the curse broken. Why?”

“That’s not something I care to discuss.” Looking back briefly at the queen I responded.

“You’ve grown soft, Dark One. Your granddaughter's happiness is clouding your judgement. In the past you would always agree to help me.” She followed my movements as I began wiping the dust off the colored globe with my back facing her. “I want to strike a new deal. One where I can get rid of Emma without shattering the curse.”

“Unfortunately for you, a negotiation requires two interested parties, and I’m already planning a trip.”

Regina snapped in my face. “I should have killed the Charming baby before the curse was even cast -“

“Speak of killing Cecile again and I will make sure you die in cold blood, your majesty!” Shoving her against the nearest glass case I pushed my cane down against her throat cutting off her airway for a few minutes until she started gasping heavily for air.

She collapsed onto the floor catching her breath with me standing above her. “I’ll - I’ll give you anything.”

“You no longer have anything I want, dearie. But I will give you a piece of advice, free of charge. I’d plan a trip of your own. Because, once people waken up and remember who you are and what you did to them… They are going to be looking for blood.” Turning back around to her I dryly chuckled, spinning the globe with a push of my hand.

I knew my daughter would likely wish to seek revenge for what the Evil Queen had taken from her.

[wavesketcher-sq]

Your Mom's Hot #3 (ft gay panic + cowboy hats).

“How the fuck did you manage to convince the Mayor to come to my gay-as-shit cowgirl party?” 

Emma takes a sip of her ‘Ruby-Red Cocktail’ (Mulan’s creation) and grins, “She’s wearing my jeans.”

Ruby quirks a brow. “I noticed.”

They both look to the other end of the kitchen, where Regina’s startled eyes are bouncing between Mulan and Dorothy, both wearing glittery rainbow cowboy hats. Regina had flat out refused the black, very sparkly, one Dorothy had thrust upon her at the door. 

“Seriously though,” Ruby says, “How is she in my kitchen in your jeans?”

Emma shrugs, praying her bright red hat steals the colour away from her cheeks. 

Too late, Ruby can sniff out gay panic from a mile away. #JustWolfThings. “Fucking inevitable.”

“What!”

“That you’d move in and realise that this whole time you had a fat-fucking-gay crush.”

“What do you mean ‘this whole time’,” Emma hisses, because Regina has just walked over to the countertop to pour herself another drink.

“Like…this whole time. Since you came to town.”

Emma chokes on her cocktail; Regina glances at them.

“Pour yourself a fat one, Gina,” Ruby calls over the music, then to Emma, “I know, I know, you were mortal enemies but let’s be real, her Mayor ass had you from day one.”

Regina strides back to her Perch of Judgement in the kitchen corner; Emma contemplates her Mayor ass.

Read the full chapter here.

[daggzandarrowsnew]

Can you magic smoke yourself to Granny’s?

Regina frowned at the text from Emma, the tray of apple turnovers in her hand beginning to burn their way through the oven mitt she was wearing so she placed them on the countertop.

Care to explain?

Her heart thudded anxiously in her chest because tonight was her night with Henry. The first night she’d had with just him in a while after all of that business with Ingrid. Emma had wanted to keep him close having faced-off and reconciled with a woman she’d once almost called sister and had had to say goodbye to soon after. It was understandable but now things were calmer. The town was in no imminent danger and Regina missed her son.

Robin’s here…

Her frown deepened at that. Why the hell would she need to-

And Henry has just stormed over to his table looking quite angry.

“Oh…” Oh.

She threw her hands up without a second’s thought, the interior of Granny’s sharp in her mind as she felt the familiar tug of magical transportation and found herself beside the counter as the last vestiges of purple smoke dissipated.

“Leave her alone.”

She caught sight of Emma’s rather relieved wave from the booth a few over from where Henry is standing, Robin looking up at him in what she can only describe as mild shock because her boy had idolised him not so long ago.

“Henry, my boy. I-“

“I am not your boy,” he replied sharply and in a tone Regina remembered oh so many years ago when he’d shatter her heart with you’re not my mom. It cut deep. “And you need to leave my mom alone.”

Robin’s palms lifted - thank Merlin he was alone today - in surrender as he shook his head. “If I’ve bothered your mother, I’m very sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

And her heart sank because she just knew he’d heard them that night. She knew he’d been the creak in the hallway when she’d told Robin to stop what he was doing to her, afraid Henry wasn’t as asleep as she’d believed when the outlaw had shown up at her door one night and confessed he was struggling with not being near her anymore. When she’d ushered him inside to stop any prying eyes from seeing but found herself completely weak when he’d dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her hips, pressing his tear streaked face into her stomach and confessing his love for her.

Afterwards, when she’d been quite sure paranoia was getting the better of her and allowed Robin to finish ravishing her, when they’d lain beside one another sweaty and sated, she’d half expected him to tell her that he’d finally left his wife and chosen her. That he’d made a mistake in the name of honour and had come to his senses.

He didn’t though. I should go.

And for those next few days she’d been barely able to leave the house again, just like when he’d first chosen Marian. When, after all they’d been through, he’d gone back to his wife and Regina had been left alone once more.

Clearly Henry had known what was wrong and this time he couldn’t remain quiet.

“You don’t get to keep breaking her when she’s worked so hard to build herself up again. That’s not what good people do.” She watched as Robin swallowed at Henry’s suggestion, that he wasn’t good and it’s so ridiculous to compare Robin’s virtue to that of a former Evil Queen’s but her son truly has forgiven her, has wiped her slate clean.

“I’m sorry, Henry.” Robin replied ashamedly, dropping his gaze from the boy-turned-man before him and she knew Robin couldn’t bear for Henry to see him as anything other than honourable. He cared for her son, never has she doubted that. It was clearly hurting him to have ruined that. “I truly am. I will ensure that I cause your mother no more pain. I will stay away. And I’m sorry to have cause you such anger.”

And then, as she finally made her presence known, the telltale sound of her heels clicking across the floor as she made her way over to them, Henry shook his head and finished with, “I’m not angry…I’m really disappointed in you.”

Five Word Sentences

"I feel lost without you."

"What's your problem with me?"

"I don't see the problem."

"Not what I came for."

"I guess you are right."

"Did you lie to me?"

"Why did you do that?"

"I'm really disappointed in you."

"Can you please just go?"

"I miss you every day."

"This must be a mistake."

"Fine, I'll go with you."

"I don't feel so good."

"No need to be gentle."

"You have lied to me!"

"We don't know the truth."

"That just can't be right."

"I'm not happy without you."

"Have you ever loved me?"

"I'm always on your side."

"Not exactly what I expected."

"Find someone else to annoy."

"I don't miss you anymore."

"That's a very stupid idea."

"It gave me great joy."

"Let's just call it love."

"Kiss me or leave me."

"There is something between us."

"I don't actually believe you."

"You're not a good person."

[amcbrisce]

@forelsk3t

LOCATION: neon ink. FOR: andi zwart.

WHILE REGINA MAY NOT have many tattoos — she had developed quite the fascination with them since she was forced to adjust to yet another century. her body was art, wasn’t it? a select group of men and women had been given the chance to admire it, and that had been the most consistent feedback. what would be the harm in adorning it? with sunglasses that mimicked a cat’s-eye perched on the bridge of her nose and her usual determined strut, she adjusts the designer bag on her arm as she makes her way to the counter. of course, she can’t help but notice the way the chatter subsided as she entered. just how she liked it. effortless intimidation, all thanks to years of perfectly practiced confidence.

her sunglasses are removed with a flourish, revealing eyes as cold as ice -- before they're replaced by her usual borderline wicked smirk. " andromeda, is it? " a hand comes to rest against the countertop, maneuvering with the grace of a dancer. " i believe i'm your eleven o'clock. " after a moment's pause, she adjusts the bag on her arm. she had spent a significant amount of time analyzing who would best fit her standards. considering art like this would be permanently on her body, it made sense that she would have high standards.

[oldsalempost-blog]

The Old Salem Post

Our  Local Tamassee-Salem SC Area News each Monday except holidays                                          Contact: theoldsalempost@gmail.com                  Distributed to local businesses, town hall, library.                            Volume 8 Issue 7     Week of January 13, 2025                https://www.tumblr.com/settings/blog/oldsalempost-blog                         Lynne Martin Publishing                                                                                                                                                          

EDITOR: Sending you all a warm hello after the beautiful weekend snowfall! We were blessed! Lynne R Martin

TOWN of SALEM: 5 Park Avenue  Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM. Closed 12-1 for lunch.  864-944-2819 Town council meeting  Tues. Jan 21  6PM.                                                                                                   Salem Library:  5 Park Avenue Mon 10AM-6PM, Tues-Fri 9AM-5PM. Closed 12-1.  864-944-0912

Talley’s Valentines Card Project 2025:  Last Year Talley Luce delivered over 795 Valentine Cards to 8 Rest Homes. She is asking for your help once again. All you have to do is make a handmade card; however, if you would like, drop it off at Salem Town Hall before February 10th. You can also drop off: Socks, Body Lotion, Pens/Colored Pencils, Lip balm, Word Search Book, a single red rose (artificial) or come up with your own idea. Just a Single Handmade Card will brighten someone’s day!                                                                                                                       MOBILE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE thru the Clemson Rural Health comes twice each month  to Downtown Salem located across from the Fire Department, offering  primary and acute care  including chronic disease management.            Jan 7th and Jan 23rd 9AM-3PM. Walk-in or call  864-656-3076. 

Eagle Alumni 3rd Annual Reunion:  Sat, March 1, 2PM-5PM the Salem/Tamassee-Salem and Eagle Ridge alumni will reunite and visit their beloved school grounds.  Call your classmates to meet up for a reunion!  Call Judy Hines at 864– 557-0869 or Susan Hopkins at 864-247-4622 for more information.

Jottings from Miz Jeannie  by Jeannie Barnwell           Lazy Woman's Cure for Clutter!                                                  Have you eyed your heaps and piles of extraneous possessions?    Year after year do these piles expand along with the dread you experience when visitors snoop around your home?  I am the first born daughter of a mama who lived through the Great Depression.  She saved EVERYTHING. I admit to following my mama's example in the same manner that baby ducks gleefully model the behaviors of their mothers. (It's called imprinting.)   These are the trends for 2025:  Spotlessly cleaned countertops; Sparce selections of coordinated clothing hanging in the closet:  You get the picture.  I am delighted to share a surefire technique to de clutter.  GET A PUPPY.  This is my seventh COLLIE named STARLIGHT, and the most lovably destructive canine on planet Earth.  My normal response is to SAVE EVERYTHING to give to relatives or charities.  That is a lot of effort!  When guests are coming, I inevitably cram the bounty of give-aways under a bed or in a closet and forget about them.  NO MORE OF THAT!   Most of the time,  the  recipients of my generosity decline to accept my gifts, anyway.  STARLIGHT #7 has streamlined my de cluttering efforts! She is happy to indiscriminately chew up every  item that is not placed atop the mantel.   I've read tons of books on De-Cluttering.  The Get-A-Puppy Initiative is the only method that works for me!  Miz Jeannie LOVES YOU LOTS!!!                                                  (I write you a letter every week full of good advice: GET A PUPPY!)  MIZ JEANNIE                                            

ASHTON RECALLS by Ashton Hester                     REGINA EDNEY CROWNED "MISS LEGEND" IN 1984       (The following story was in the November 21, 1984 Keowee Courier). . .Regina Edney, a senior at Tamassee-Salem High School, was crowned Miss Legend at the recent 1984-85 Miss Legend beauty pageant held in the high school gym. . .Tammy Galloway was named Miss Senior, and Jamie Moore received the Miss Congeniality award, which was voted on by her fellow senior contestants. . .Other winners were as follows:. . .Miss Junior, Robin Herms; runner-up, Joan Campbell. . .Miss Sophomore, Kim Crowe; runner-up, Loretta Holcombe. . .Miss Freshman, Rhonda Revis; runner-up, Kelly Ray. . .Miss Junior High, Karen Collins; runner-up, Denise Crowe. . .Miss Upper Elementary, Nicole Tilson; runner-up, Katrina Moss. . .Miss Lower Elementary, Julie Smith; runner-up, Nicole Kelley. . .Little Miss Legend, Leesa Oliver; runner-up, Jessica DeMont. . .The master of ceremonies was Mr. Dennis Smith of Easley, who has served as master of ceremonies for the Miss South Carolina pageant and many city and county pageants. . .The pageant was sponsored by The Legend staff, Mrs. Martha K. LeCroy, Advisor.

JOCASSEE VALLEY BREWING COMPANY,(JVBC) & COFFEE SHOP* 13412 N Hwy 11  Hours:    Wed–Sat 9am-9pm & Sunday 2pm-7pm ( winter hours )  Events this week:  Wed: BLUE GRASS JAM  7PM. You may bring your own food.  Thurs: PALMETTO TRAIL TALK 6:00PM  You may bring your own food.  Fri: Food: BLUE RIDGE GRILL  Music: MARSHALL GOERS BLUES 6:30PM  Sat:  Food:  BLUE RIDGE GRILL   Music:   BIG EYES PARKER 6:30PM   Sun: 2pm-7pm   

EAGLES NEST ART CENTER                                                                Located 4 Eagle Lane, Salem SC 29676                                                                                                  2025 UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                     Oconee Mountain Opry, Saturday, January 18 at 7PM-  ENAC will host performers Finkelstien 3, Rachel Van Slyke, and Cody Gentry & Lauren Link.   You will enjoy the high energy bluegrass of Finkelstein 3 from Hendersonville and Shelby NC areas,   the beautiful sounds from Rachel Van Slyke, singer-songwriter who travels from Nashville to the west coast, and the Americana/Country music of Cody Gentry & Lauren Link.    Tickets $10 online or can be purchased at the door the day of the event.  Come early to enjoy homemade concessions, coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, and visit our Treasure Store.  Doors to the auditorium will open at 6:30PM for general admission.  Come and experience a real community of musicians in a wonderful old school auditorium. 

Women Encouraging Women, Saturday, February 1, 1PM-4PM    A woman’s afternoon retreat.  Invite your friends, sister, mother, and anyone you think would enjoy an encouraging and uplifting afternoon filled with worship, sharing stories of faith, craft and fellowship time with refreshments followed by our wonderful speaker, minister, friend, and former teacher, Martha Loftis Watson.    No admission fee but donations are welcomed.                                                                                                                        2025 Ongoing Events                                  Treasure Store open every Saturday 9AM-12PM   To donate call 864-557-2462.                                                                                                                                Eagles Nest Senior Exercise Program:  Join friends to exercise at the Eagles Nest Art Center!  Classes  each Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30AM –10:30AM geared for beginners and 55 plus.  Cost $2.50  each class you attend.    For information call 864-280-1258                                              Name a Seat Opportunities:  Call Darlene 864-710-8758                                                                                                                     YOUNG APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS– Cost is $50 each month.  3rd grade through adult.   Call 864-280-1258       OPUS TRUST  ARTIFACTS at ENAC:  OPUS Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to saving open land, farm land, historic sites and history.  Come visit a new item on display courtesy of Eugene Rochester.  The Tripod vintage camera took pictures all over our county since the 1940s.  Open prior to ENAC events and for appointments.                                                                                 CHURCH NEWS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Bethel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA),  580 Bethel Church Rd Walhalla, 29691. Worship at 10:30 a.m.  Message: January 19 Mel Davis, Paul Chudzik will give the message on January 26.                                                                                                      Community Women’s Monday Bible Study at 10am in the Fellowship Hall of  Salem Methodist Church.                                                                                                                Church Prayer Group  11:15 - 12:00 noon following Bible Study on Monday mornings at Salem Methodist Church.   ALL are welcome even if you don't attend Salem Methodist Church.  Prayer is a blessing from God for everyone. Blessings,  Sandy Steblin  

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS     Talk of the Town Beauty Salon and American Defense Manufacturing Company, downtown Salem, 174 E Main St.: Firearms, Ammo, Fishing Supplies, Gifts, Antiques and More: Tu, Th-Sat  8am-5pm                                                                                                                                       

Dawn’s Hair Design:   324 Palomino Farm Dr. Salem SC 864-710-7380                                                                                                 Hair on Main - 150 Hinkle Circle, Salem 864-944-2244                                                                                                                     Habanero’s Mexican Grill  8211 N Hwy 11 Tamassee Open Sunday-Saturday 11am-supper time...           PAT’S CASH AND CARRY:  Best Hot dog in the Upstate and more!  Ice Cream! 944-1445. Mon-Sat 11-7                                                                                                                            Mister and Missy’s Hair Salon: located beside the Tamassee DAR Thrift Store:   864-944-8732

Quik Stop– Gas station  downtown Salem. Great biscuits and sandwiches on the go.

Sisters Restaurant: Call  944-8100  Open Wed – Sat  breakfast and lunch.    Sunday Brunch                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               TAMMY’s BEAUTY NOOK:  864-638 –6581   335 Burnt Tanyard Road

PRIORITY ONE GRADING: Septic tanks, Water lines, Land clearing and more. Call 864-903-3458

Whatsoever is good...think on this!  LRM       

[coregeomatics]

Weighing the Advantages and Drawbacks of Purchasing a New Build vs. an Existing Home

When deciding whether to buy a newly constructed home or an existing property, prospective homeowners face a significant decision that involves weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each option. Both new builds and existing homes have their unique advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on personal preferences, financial goals, and long-term plans.

Advantages of Buying a New Build

Modern Amenities and Customization Options

One of the primary appeals of purchasing a new build is the opportunity to select modern amenities and customize various aspects of the home. From energy-efficient appliances to smart home technology, new builds often incorporate cutting-edge features that may not be present in older homes. Buyers can work with builders to choose everything from flooring to countertops, making the home uniquely suited to their tastes and needs.

Energy Efficiency and Lower Maintenance Costs

Newly constructed homes are generally built to meet current building codes and energy standards, which often results in greater energy efficiency. Features such as better insulation, energy-efficient windows, and advanced HVAC systems can reduce utility costs and make the home more environmentally friendly. Additionally, since everything in the home is brand new, maintenance costs are typically lower in the early years compared to an existing home. There’s less likelihood of needing to replace major systems like the roof, plumbing, or electrical wiring anytime soon.

Drawbacks of Buying a New Build

Higher Initial Costs

While a new home may come with lower maintenance and energy costs, the initial purchase price can be higher than that of an existing home. Buyers often pay a premium for customization and modern amenities. Furthermore, new homes are often located in developing areas, which may mean longer commutes or fewer established community services like schools and grocery stores.

Landscaping and Outdoor Features

In new developments, landscaping may not be fully mature or complete. Buyers might need to invest time and money into planting trees, shrubs, and gardens, and in some cases, fencing and driveways might not be included. If outdoor space is important to you, this is a consideration when opting for a new build.

Advantages of Buying an Existing Home

Established Neighborhoods and Amenities

Existing homes are often located in well-established neighborhoods with mature trees, local amenities, and a sense of community. In many cases, buyers can benefit from living in areas with excellent schools, convenient shopping, and access to public transportation.

Character and Charm

Older homes often have unique architectural features and charm that can be hard to replicate in a new build. From crown molding to hardwood floors, many existing homes offer character that appeals to buyers seeking a home with history and personality.

Drawbacks of Buying an Existing Home

Higher Maintenance Costs

While existing homes may have lower initial purchase prices, they often come with higher ongoing maintenance costs. Older homes may require updates to plumbing, electrical systems, or roofing, and appliances or heating systems might need replacing sooner than in a new build. Ensuring that you get a detailed residential land survey in Regina or any city before purchasing is essential to avoid surprises down the road.

Less Energy Efficiency

Existing homes are typically less energy-efficient than new builds. Older windows, outdated insulation, and aging HVAC systems can result in higher energy costs. Buyers may need to invest in upgrades to make the home more efficient.

Whether you choose a new build or an existing home, understanding the pros and cons is crucial to making the right decision. For buyers looking into residential land survey services, Regina offers comprehensive solutions to ensure that your property purchase goes smoothly, whether it's for a new or existing home. Having a reliable residential land survey in Regina can also help address boundary issues and clarify property lines before making a final decision.

For more information about Alberta Geomatics Surveying Services and Residential Land Survey Okanagan Valley please visit:- CORE Geomatics

[cbsltdca01]

Your Ultimate Kitchen Supply Store in Regina: Canadian Building Supplies

At Canadian Building Supplies, we believe that your kitchen should be as glamorous as it is functional. As the leading kitchen supply store in Regina, we offer everything you need to upgrade your kitchen, from stylish cabinets to beautifully finished custom countertops. Whether you’re looking to match your countertops with your cabinets or find the perfect accessories to complete your space, our store has it all. 

Transform your cooking space with top-quality materials and designs that bring both practicality and style to your home. Visit Canadian Building Supplies, the trusted kitchen supply store Regina, and discover the perfect solutions for your dream kitchen.

[daggzandarrowsnew]

8:34pm

Halloween Thriller vibes - no established ship yet. Open to a continuation. Set during season 2.

At precisely 8:34pm on Tuesday evening, Emma is standing beside her son at the dining room table with one hand resting on the surface for balance as she talks him through his English homework. It’s not her strongest subject but she gets by and Henry, though grateful for her help, sometimes misses his other mother’s vast knowledge. Not realising how much the blonde also wishes she had the mayor’s strength for academia.

At precisely 8:34pm on Tuesday evening, Snow and Charming are making their way into the kitchen area as quietly as possible having just put Neal down for the night. Charming begins fixing them both a soothing cup of tea whilst Snow warms them both a slice of apple pie. She’ll never admit it out loud but it’s a recipe she learned a very long time ago from her stepmother. Back when life was far less complicated for an eleven year-old desperate for approval from a woman she admired.

At precisely 8:34pm on Tuesday evening, Granny is tapping at Ruby’s barely concealed rear with a menu, asking her to ‘please not flirt with every man who walks in here,’ before turning to find an empty whiskey glass resting atop the diner counter, just a red smudge of lipstick left by the brooding brunette who’d left without goodbye. Not that the older woman is altogether surprised. She simply swipes the glass from the countertop and heads into the back, her mind already drifting to tomorrow’s specials.

At precisely 8:34pm on Tuesday evening as she heads back from Granny’s diner, Regina is thinking about her son. Specifically the plans she has for them tomorrow night when he stays over for the first time in months. She has a selection of his favourite movies stacked on the coffee table and ready to go and her pantry is stocked full of ingredients. There’s flour and sugar and eggs, chocolate chips and strawberries, pretzels and marshmallows - everything she could think of to make up his favourite snacks.

So consumed is she in the thoughts of finally spending time with Henry again that she misses the clinking of a bottle as it’s kicked against a wall and the low mewl of a cat bathed quite suddenly in the dark shadow of danger. So consumed is she in her sheer excitement for tomorrow that she misses the sound of footsteps coming from the alley to her right. She misses them right up until she is faced with a face that instantly has her stopping in her tracks with a scowl.

“And what the hell do you-“

At precisely 8:36pm, as Emma scratches her head in confusion as Henry continues tackling his homework, and as Snow and Charming make their way over to the sofa to cuddle and feed one another apple pie, and as Granny pops her head out from the kitchen to warn Ruby once more about chatting up patrons, Regina Mills feels a sharp prick in her neck before she is quickly and quietly bundled into the open van she’d missed as she made her way home. And her last thought before everything goes black is if anyone will even think to notice she’s gone.

[imaseawitch]

Regina Spentor sang The Calculation like at least 10 years ago but she absolutely nailed TikTok. Those home renovation girlies wouldn't even bleed if they laid their hearts out on their granite countertops.

[radio-charlie]

Do you wanna be the Regina George to my Patrick Bateman. Our penthouse suite will have so many marble countertops for your nose to bleed on

[bratshaws]

goodness gracious 48. brb x oc

a/n: glad to say im happier with this chapter :)

check out the fic's playlist made by the sweet @wiipes !!

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: FLUFF, Bradley being horny but it's not smut is just a dab of suggestive really

chapters:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30/31/32/33/34/35/36/37/38/39/40/41/42/43/44

45/46/47

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist!!)

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @shrimping-for-all @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix

@lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 

@lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2 @emilybradshaw @j-6o @louisahale @leobabbyyy @kulicny @winter-run

-

“So,” he begins watching Beatrice place the ornaments on her tree, which wasn’t that big it barely reached his chest, “Your aunt Martha and your father are twins.” she nods, smiling, ripping a box of christmas balls open and turning the small tree around to expose the other side, “And they are the oldest.”

“Yes, then you get my uncle Roberto, then my uncle Elia, my aunt Yvette and my aunt Regina, who’s the Bitch Trio’s mother.” she scoffs, shaking her head, “And my mom has my aunts Fabrizzia, Fernanda, Maria and my uncles Luis and Marcelo. So both sides have a lot of siblings.”

Rooster arched his eyebrows with wonder, trying to figure out how the hell was her childhood like since she had so many aunts and uncles. He doesn’t know how the subject of her family showed up, maybe it was because she was talking about how Christmas was the time they’d all spend together. He knew some people had a lot of relatives, but honestly, he never met one until Beatrice. 

“That’s…a whole lot of people.” she nods while laughing, still arranging her ornaments and thanking him when he hands her another box, “Were they at the wedding? Your mother’s siblings I mean.”

“Some of them were.” Beatrice explains, “Some lived out of state and couldn’t come. They all know my paternal family from childhood, my parents grew up in the same street.” she smiles, adjusting herself on her knees so she’d get a higher branch “And my dad’s move, if you want to call it that, was during a basketball game against the girls from the neighborhood was to steal the ball from my mom’s hand. They started dating soon after.” 

Bradley smiles seeing how her voice softened when speaking about her parents, he knows the feeling, he does get the same way talking about his own, “That’s really sweet.” he doesn’t know much about how his parents met, he didn’t ask his mother especially since it’d bring back painful memories, but Mav always said it was very sweet no matter what. So he accepted that instead of questioning her about it. “And they’ve been together ever since.”

“They have. I mean, they are both sixty-five so…” she counts on her fingers, muttering the numbers to herself, “Forty-eight years? If you count the time they started dating.” 

“That’s a long time.”

“It is, my dad always said he knew they’d get married.” she smiles, shrugging her shoulders, “I always thought it was very romantic.” but before she could complete her sentence, she winced in pain, one of her hands touching her womb with a frown, “Ah, damn it.”

Rooster straightened immediately, “What’s wrong? Everything okay?”

“Yeah,I’m on my period.” she groaned, slowly pushing herself to her feet so she could walk to the kitchen, “My period cramps can be really strong sometimes. I’ll be fine, it’s just a matter of getting something warm.” 

Ah, that explains why she was so tired yesterday when he came over and just fell asleep the second they got back from the Hard Deck. Bradley followed her into the kitchen, frowning when she just held her middle and pressed her forehead on the sink’s cool countertop, “What do you need? I can get it for you.”

“No,no, it’s okay.” she says quickly, “I can do it.”

But he wasn’t convinced, he just stepped closer to her, “Bea,” she groaned again, biting her lower lip, “Maybe you should lie down, I can make you some tea or whatever is it you need.” his girlfriend makes an annoyed noise “How bad is it?”

“It’s like a baby t-rex chewing my insides, Rooster.” her tone was a bit snappy, but he knew she wasn’t mad at him, she then whimpered, turning her body towards him and hugging his middle to which he reciprocated with his arms around her shoulders, “Having a uterus really sucks.” he chuffed out a soft laugh, biting his lip when she glowered up at him with her eyebrows low and lips furled down into a scowl, “Don’t laugh at my demise.”

He held his hands up defensively, “Sorry, sorry, you are right. I shouldn’t do that.” he then leaned down to pick her up by the back of her legs, which immediately wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck, Beatrice sighing in relief when he did, “You okay?”

“You are very warm.” comes her muffled voice from his shoulder, pressing herself even tighter against him, “It helps.” well, if it helped he already knew what to do. He took the two of them to her living room and settled onto the couch, still holding her in his arms. Jolene’s sleeping form peeks one eye open when she feels movement in her favored furniture, but relaxes when she sees it’s her two favorite humans who sat down.

He wasn’t the type of guy who wouldn’t understand how painful these things are. His mother raised him to know, respect and understand what a period was. Rooster grew up knowing more than half the guys of his class just because his mother made sure it was something everyone should know. He knew some women had stronger flows to the point they had to go to the hospital, but he wasn’t sure if that was Beatrice’s case, she just seemed to be in a lot of pain but not enough that it was dangerous.

And if he could be her own heating pad, he wasn’t complaining.

Every now and again she’d moan out a soft complaint and hold herself closer to him, curling onto a ball against his chest as the cramps pulsated through her body but then she’d relax and sigh heavily, warming his skin when she did so. Bradley just kissed the top of her head, rubbed her lower back in slow circles knowing it could be helpful “That’s nice.” she mutters, turning her head to look at him from his shoulder.

He smiles, facing her with his hand still moving, “Good, I’m trying my best.” He says, “Is it helping?” she pauses a minute to think, her face scrunching in pain briefly but she nods, “Do you need me to do anything else?” 

“No, just stay here.” she murmurs,tucking her arms between his chest and hers, breathing in his cologne deeply and easing out the breath through her lips “That’s good enough.”

“You sure?”

“Roos, I can’t really understand what you are asking me because I’m trying not to die. So please just, just stay there.”

Bradley couldn’t help the soft chuckle that made its way past his lips, but he kept his hands on her either way. He doesn’t know how long they stay there, just sitting on the couch listening to the sounds from outside and Jolene’s quiet breathing next to them. But Beatrice eventually relaxed completely, rubbing her face with both hands and breathing hard against her palms, dragging them down her face so her eyes could blink up at him, bleary and a bit unfocused.

His brown eyes soften once they meet gazes, tucking a few strands of brown hair behind her ear, “Hey, gorgeous.” she smiles sweetly, leaning into his palm when he cups her cheek, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m better, thank you.” comes her quiet reply as she gives him an apologetic look, “I’m sorry for snapping at you.” it wasn’t even that bad, he thought, but she thought she probably hurt his feelings by lashing out because of the pain.

“Bea, it’s okay. You are in pain and you don’t know how to deal with it.” he shrugs, “So you have some anger because of it. That’s fine?” she makes a quiet noise, furrowing her eyebrows with a look that clearly meant if he was really sure. Bradley tsks, leaning his lower back deeper into the couch and unwrapping her legs from his waist so she could sit sideways on his lap, “It’s fine, Bea. I promise, you didn’t hurt my feelings.”

Beatrice chews her lower lip, dropping her temple on his collarbone as she sighs, “Okay…if you are sure.”

“I’m more than sure.” he chuckles, kissing the top of her head, “You’d need to do a lot more for me to get upset at you. This isn’t something you plan, baby. You can’t plan when it’ll hurt a lot to the point you’ll get too angry and will tell someone to fuck off.” Beatrice giggles gently when he says it, making his chest swell with relief “So, you don’t have to worry. Okay?”

“Okay…” she replies, pressing her cheek to his collarbones, smiling sweetly as she plays with the buttons of his Hawaiian shirt, “You are so understanding.” she comments casually, “Not a lot of guys are.”

He purses his lips, rubbing his thumb on the outer side of her denim covered thigh,” Well, not a lot of guys were raised with a mom like mine.” he laughs, “She set me up for what I’d encounter when I got older, so, “ he finishes his explanation with a shrug, “It’s easier to understand.”

Beatrice looks up at him with hearts in her eyes, her cheeks reddening with a little smile forming over her lips as she stares at his face, not being able to contain how her chest warmed up whenever he spoke. How the hell did she get so lucky? Beatrice leans up to kiss his chin, right on top of the tiny scars he had there, making her way up to his lips, humming happily when they touched, “I still appreciate it.” she says sweetly, “It means a lot to me.”

He knew what she meant, he knew that the reason why she appreciated it so much was because she had a shitty ex who wouldn’t help her out. She never voiced it, but he knew - especially considering what he managed to find out about him- what that piece of shit had done to her before. 

Speaking of which, he also explained to Shells that the red truck had nothing to do with Eric. She was very surprised and confused, as he was when he found out about it, but said that even if it wasn’t related to Eric it was still weird he was trying to win Beatrice over. Of course she used a more colorful language when referring to his antics, repeating she wanted to beat him up and that it was part of their deal.

He hoped that Eric wouldn't show up for a while,Damon said he’d be in the Bahamas or whatever was that he left, as long as he stayed away from Beatrice he’d be fine with it. 

He helped her finish decorating her house, always close to her in case she felt too much pain or just needed a pause. He actually had a lot of fun and since he was taller than she was he could reach areas she had issues with, like above her doors and the windows on the loft.

Beatrice’s soft gasp and clasped hands as she looked around made his heart flutter with affection, she looked so happy, the complete opposite from a few minutes ago and even if she was in pain she didn’t seem to care, “Gosh, it looks!! So good Roos!” she claps her hands excitedly, “Oh I’m so, so happy! Thank you for helping me!”

Bradley just smiles, approaching her from behind to hug her waist, kissing her cheekbone with a soft smack “Anytime, gorgeous. I’m happy I could help.” she’s gently touching her Christmas tree, watching the transparent ornament with the rooster inside move after she nudged it. She leans into his embrace when he drops his chin to her shoulder, moving some hair out of the way so he could kiss her lavender scented neck.

“You did more than you know.” she smiles, turning her head to meet his lips halfway, pulling back when he tries to deepen it, stepping away from his grasp so she could walk back to the kitchen, “Stop looking at my ass.” she calls without turning back, but her boyfriend indeed was looking without any remorse.

“It’s not my fault it’s so nice.” he tries to explain, leaning on the kitchen’s door frame with his hands in his pockets, biting his lower lip with his eyes following her movements around the kitchen, “And just out there for me to look.” Beatrice’s eyes narrow in his direction but her smile is still present as she warms water in her electric kettle, grabbing a tea bag from the cabinet. 

Beatrice shakes her head amusedly, smiling more when his arms return around her waist and he watches with interest as she prepares her tea, “You are terrible.” she says softly, “But I guess that’s why I love you.”

He grins, pressing a kiss to the side of her head, then another to her cheek, “I thought it was because of my breathtaking good looks.” oh he’d never let that live down would he? Beatrice laughs quietly, trying to ignore him the best she could but he was never one to be easily ignored, no matter what, “Or was it something else?”

“I think…I don’t know,” she shrugs, “You are really handsome, and musically talented…but I don’t know, I really liked how you were with your friends I guess. I really liked your smile the first time I saw it.” Beatrice’s cheeks return to it’s usual crimson color as she remembers the scene of him showing up and hugging Payback with a laugh leaving his lips, “And I don’t know, everything else that came after…I really like your hands too.”

“My hands?” she nods, grabbing the said limbs from around her to hold them up, running her fingers on the back of his hands, following the tendons until it reached his wrists. 

“They are very nice.” she says, still drawing random lines on his skin, “And I l-like how um…” she placed her hand on top of his, the size comparison was enough to make her whole body shudder “H-How….. big…..they are.” she said the word so silently he almost didn’t hear her. But he did and he couldn’t help the smirk forming over his lips.

The said big hands returned to her waist, following the tapered part down the flare of her hips, squeezing the meaty part there enough to make her squeak, “Do you?” Beatrice nods mutely, chewing her lower lip with her face red, “That’s news to me.” but he wasn’t mad about it, not at all, this new information could be very useful in the future even more than it already was. The brunette just busies herself in pouring the hot water inside her mug instead of her boyfriend’s known teasing nature. “What else is it that you like about me? I’m so curious now.”

Bea scoffs with a grin, rolling her eyes, “You already know I like everything else about you.”

“Yes, but be specific.” he smiles, “If you could.”

She looks towards him over her shoulder, squinting her eyes playfully at his boyish smirk and amused face, sighing in defeat, “Well…I like your eyes too. And…your neck.” her green irises drop to the column of his throat that was never hidden from her hungry eyes “I really like your neck.”

He was reminded of their first time when she bit his trapezius, the perfect indentations of her teeth were deep on his skin. Clearly not enough to break it, but the bruise stayed there for a good month before it disappeared for real and God it was such a nice souvenir to have when he was gone. Bradley makes a sound deep in his throat, pressing little kisses to her jawline, “Hmm, yeah,I remember it.” he chuckles, nosing the curve of her neck “Anythin’ else? I’m all ears.”

“You are a menace no matter where I look at ,Bradley.” she giggles softly, earning a laugh from him as well and another series of quick kisses to her jawline.

“Do you want to know what’s my favorite part about you?”

“My ass?”

“That too, but,” he taps her ass cheek gently, “I really love your eyes.” The said eyes turn to look at him, long thick lashes fluttering when she blinks, “Yeah, “he whistles low, “Look at those emeralds.” Beatrice gasps out a laugh, repeating the word as if she couldn’t believe it, her cheeks turning into a deeper shade of red than before. “I meant it when I said all you had to do was look at me and I was a goner.”

Beatrice’s gaze mellowed when he spoke, her heart fluttering with butterflies like always, “...yeah I remember.” she whispers, thumbing her mug’s ring over and over as she looks down at her tea, “No one…ever called them that, you know? Emeralds. They always said they were pretty or…” she shrugs “I don’t know it’s…it’s really nice to hear.”

Bradley’s smile softens and he hugs her closer to his chest, closing his eyes as he buries his nose on her neck, “I have a lot of these saved, just for you gorgeous.” he mutters against her skin. He meant that too, if he could tell her all the compliments he had saved up for her he’d never stop talking. Beatrice was sweet, so incredibly sweet and it hurt him to know she hasn’t been complimented or shown that sort of affection before, he knows sometimes she feels awkward when receiving them, her blush is stronger and she tries to play it off but she needs to hear how truthfully beautiful she is.

He waits for her to take a sip from her tea then set the mug back down, “Alright, now.” he picks her up bridal style without warning, making Bea squeak out a yelp of surprise, holding herself up by hugging his neck, “Grab your mug,” he leans close enough for her to get it while still smiling, “And we are going to watch some more Drag Race, how’s that?”

“Sounds perfect.”

-

Beatrice was surprised when she saw Evelyn’s tall frame walking inside the Hard Deck, casually, hands in her jacket’s pockets as she strolled in with her face in a neutral mask, “Ev?” the other woman smiles, lifting her hand in a greeting, “Well, that’s a surprise! What are you doing here?”

Evelyn settles herself on the stool in front of the bar with a soft sigh, then interlaces her fingers on the bartop, “Was in the neighborhood.” she says, giving Penny a nod as a greeting. Beatrice stares at her while she’s wiping a glass, then back to where Rooster and the others were sitting, Jake hasn’t noticed her yet - if he did he played it off really well.

“Yeah?” the brunette smiles, grabbing a water bottle for her friend who immediately opened it to take a sip,”It’s just you’ve been coming…a lot, you know? Shells told me you’ve showed up…um a lot more than you usually would, which was…never.” her friend just sipped her water in response, not answering. Beatrice could see it, even if Evelyn didn’t, that the sudden interest of her coming to the Hard Deck had anything to do with the atmosphere or how she was ‘in the neighborhood’ as she said.

It was all about Jake and herself. And Beatrice’s romantic little heart couldn’t handle how happy she was for her friend. She hoped really hard that whatever this thing with Jake that was currently being developed worked, because he really seems to like her and Evelyn, even in her cool façade, seemed to like him too even if it was a little bit.

“Actually, there’s a reason I came here.” Evelyn says when Shells approaches the bar top, setting the tray down so Beatrice could place the glasses, “We wanna go to the Shootout tomorrow.”

Shootout was a paintball arena close to Northride and one of their favorite pastimes during the weekends if the volleyball practices weren’t available. It was probably the wildes, craziest fun any of them had together, not to mention that the Shootdown was close to The Den so that meant they’d always leave and have a snack before going back to the dorms.

And they would be open until nine pm during weekends.

“Oh, I’m in!”Shells says with a huge smile, bouncing on the spot, “Are you kidding me? How long has it been since we went to Shootout?”

“They were expanding the arena during our final year,” Beatrice adds, “It seems super fun.Is everyone going?” Evelyn nods and Bea looks back at Shells with a little smile, “I’m in too. I’ll just have to talk to Roos about it.”

Shells looks back at the officers, jutting her thumb in their direction, “They could join us,” she suggests, ‘Hey the more the fucking merrier, right? Plus it’ll be amazing to have so many people in a team.”

Beatrice hasn’t considered it, but thinking about it it really seems like a cool idea, she turned her head towards Evelyn to check her reaction and her friend just seemed…neutral. No anger nor surprise, just a neutral cool façade as she took in the news and then she nodded. Wow, she must really be liking Jake because she wouldn’t say yes otherwise. Bea bites her lower lip, letting Shells know she’d tell them she had to take their drinks there anyway.

Once she walks out from behind the bar, Rooster immediately perks up, “Hi,” he coos as she walks past him, his body leaning closer as he holds on the pool cue, trying to follow her with his head, “Aren’t you a sight to sore eyes?”

Beatrice just gives him an eyeroll before giving everyone else their drinks, completely ignoring his antics the best she could, “Evelyn is here,” Jake’s head immediately turned to the bar counter where she was, sipping her water and talking to Penny, “She invited us to go to the Shootout, are any of you interested?”

It was Fanboy who answered, his eyes widening, “Wait, the paintball arena?!” Beatrice nods, smiling at the pilot’s enthusiasm, “I’ve always wanted to go there!” Soon enough it’s a cacophony of supportive answers and positive reactions, they all were game to join. Beatrice sent Shells a smile and a nod, to which the blonde pumped her fist in the air with triumph.

“I’ll let you guys know what time we plan on going,” she says grinning, “It’ll be a lot of fun.”

When the brunette turned to Bradley, who was still looking at her with his eyes low and mouth curved into a little smirk, putting the cue away to follow her back to the bar, “Those pants should be illegal.” she hears him say, quiet enough that only they could hear and Beatrice rolls her eyes again, setting the tray down the bar top.

“If they were that means I’d never wear them again, is that what you want?” she asks casually, but seeing how he just dropped his eyes down the length of her legs she already got her answer. She chuckles, walking around the bar as Rooster sits down in the usual stool he always chose when he wanted to be closer to Beatrice, Shells and Evelyn talking not too far from them.

“So, when were you going to tell me,” he begins, leaning on a hand, “That you liked paintball?”

Beatrice laughs, fixing the bun on top of her head with a shrug, “Oh,I don’t know, I guess it slipped my mind, you know?” he hums, not believing, “I mean, it’ll be fun, we all will have a lot of fun there. And then we can go to The Den, you guys will love it there. It’s the food joint I told you about, it’s right in front of our college.”

Bradley arches his eyebrows, “Really? I didn’t know that.” he was curious now, he had only seen her college’s colors at the game, and the obvious hyena mascot, but he had never seen the actual college itself. Plus, Beatrice seemed very excited, why wouldn’t he be excited too, “So…” he looks around the bar conspicuously, leaning on his forearms, “Shall we make another prize ticket, gorgeous? I could be wrong but I don’t think you’ve used yours yet.”

His girlfriend stilled momentarily but she bit back her smile the best she could, “I’m saving it up.” she explains with a shrug, “Plus what if I win again? Would it be fair to have two tickets in my power?”

He chuckles, dragging his eyes down her body with a soft whistle leaving his lips, “Maybe I’ll win this time.” he says, shrugging, “Make it a bit interesting you know?...but I won’t use it now, I know you are,” he makes a gesture with his hands, referring to her obvious cramps “But I can save it up, just like you are.”

Beatrice’s eyes soften and her smile widens, “You are too sweet, thank you Roos.” he smiles back, his cheeks flushing just the tiniest bit,”But…I’ll think about it, you know? We'll see how it goes tomorrow.” she explains while filling a glass and handing it to Penny who walks out from behind the counter leaving her and Shells to take care of it.

He leans on a fist, following Beatrice with his eyes as she moves about, “It’s just because I still have that idea,” he taps his temple, “Deep within you know? Can’t get it out of my head…I can give you a hint if you’d like, maybe it’ll make you think that winning isn’t that important–”

“Bradley Bradshaw,” she says quietly, feigning offense, “You will not bribe me with whatever it is you are planning, we’ll have to do this the old way, following the rules.”

Evelyn and Shells watch the scene from the other side of the bar, smiling at the interaction with the blonde shaking her head, “God, they are disgusting.” she chuckles, “...but she looks so happy.”

“She does.” Evelyn smiles, her eyes traveling from the couple to a known Texan pilot who was already looking her way, which makes the black haired woman snatch her eyes back in a panic. But Shells sees it and she just smirks down at her.

“You know, you can come up with a lot of excuses as to why you are suddenly interested in coming to this Navy bar,” Shells begins, grabbing another water bottle for Evelyn, “But I know that you know that I know, that it’s because of Hangman.”

Evelyn freezes up, her brown eyes narrowing menacingly towards her friend who looked like the cat who just ate the canary. She parts her lips but nothing comes out, which makes Shells look so infuriatingly pleased that Evelyn feels even more annoyed, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh, come on Simpson, admit it,” she grins, leaning on a fist, “You like him.” Evelyn’s eyes widened again, panic returning as she stares up at the blonde woman, the hold on the water bottle so tight the plastic creaks under her grasp, “Or better yet, let’s make it interesting…we’ll both be in the same team tomorrow but the first one that reaches twenty hit points against the opposite team gets to snatch an answer from the other.”

“What would I even know about you?” Evelyn asks, narrowing her eyes when Shells shrugs.

“I don’t know, I have some skeletons in my closet that not even my aunt knows about.” she holds out her hand wiggling her fingers, “Come on Simpson, is that fear in your eyes? Huh?” Evelyn looks from her hand to her face, jaw moving as she considers it before she sighs heavily and clasps it tightly, holding it for a few seconds then letting it go.

“Deal.” Evelyn mutters, “Best of three rounds?”

Shells smirk only widens, “Best of three.”