#Custom Printed Muffin Boxes | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

writingsbychlo · 4 years ago

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starry night | chris beck

word count; 9241

summary; chris beck delivers flowers to you five times.

notes; this was originally called ‘candy cane lane’, but I changed it up a little.

warnings; none!

When Chris had started working in a flower shop, it was to pay his way through college. He was getting a degree in medicine and it wasn't cheap, and he needed a simple and easy way to make cash that wouldn't take too much out of him. He wasn’t big on anything social, and so working in a bar or restaurant didn’t seem like the best fit, and unfortunately for him, all the library jobs had been snapped up at the beginning of the year. Supermarkets were a no go, he hated the people that came through and how rude some of them could be, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to get a job in a coffee shop.

Working those machines might as well be rocket science.

The little flower store on the end of his campus road had been hiring, and eventually, he’d become desperate. It wasn’t his usual gig, he wasn’t sure how he felt about it, to begin with, but it offered decent money, reasonably flexible hours, and the boss actually let him study on shift when it was quiet, and so it actually gave him more free time than he had before getting a job.

Then, he’d started to warm up to it. It was always cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, keeping it temperate for the plants, and it always smelt good. He made friends with a man named Mark who came in every so often to buy new plants to study, he was becoming a botanist, and they bonded over the serene quietness of flower shops for studying and bad jokes.

Little old ladies pinched his cheeks, the tips were good, and it helped him clear his thoughts to be able to do menial tasks like spray the flowers with water every other hour to keep them wet enough, and to sit behind the cash registers. It was a simple Christmas present from said botanist friend that really inspired his passion, though. More of a gag gift, he was sure that was its intention, but he’d started to take it seriously. Chapter after chapter on the meanings of flowers, how to send hidden messages through plants, and something about the way of communicating in ways other than words had spoken to him.

After that, he’d been able to offer a service of sending messages through flowers. He’d become a more popular salesperson, and he’s shifts had increased, and he loved doing it. He loved the physical way that a message could be conveyed, beautiful explosions of colour to mean ‘I love you’ or ‘Happy Anniversary’, and so he’d started to invest his time in that. Nobody had been all that surprised when the older man who ran the shop had left it to him when he passed, not even Chris himself, and so he’d finished up his degree and started working at the flower shop full time.

Mark had taken on a part-time job there, as well as his internship in a clinical research lab, and they’d hired an extra hand at the register. It made him happy.

Less so, when he had an influx of orders overnight, and instead had to focus on building bouquets to be shipped instead of the garden expansion he was making, but happy nonetheless.

He was twenty-seven custom orders in, Mark already out running the standard bouquets for delivery, and he was stacking them by the garage door, wrapped in ribs and pretty vase-boxes, all ready to go. Licking the tip of his finger to flick the paper over, he let out a sigh, two sets of flowers on one page, his rows raising. It wasn’t unusual for there to be multiple sets on one order form, but as his eyes scanned over the list of preferences, scents and colours, as well as the messages they were wishing to convey, one of his brows rose up.

One request for the pretty set of pink roses and lilies that he’d loving crafted himself, a collection of flowers that signified an apology, and he was always happy to offer advice to any guys who came into the store to buy that set. It was usually a guy fresh to a relationship, messed something up by refusing to unfollow another girl on Instagram, or just saying the wrong thing in front of his friends, introducing a girl as his friend, that one always made him giggle. The second was curious, though, and it made his lips quirk up in a slight smirk at the insinuation of it. Red roses and tulips, a darker and more seductive bunch; new beginnings and early love, and he was willing to place his last dollar on it being an affair.

It felt even more sure when he noticed that the delivery address was that of an office block, and not a home address, a man’s name instead of a woman’s. In the personal notes section, there were no names, and so that was an option ruled out for getting to the bottom of the situation, but he wrote out gift cards, one with swirling writing for a heartfelt apology and the other with a sickly-sweet pick-up line and what he assumed to be an inside joke.

Curled ribbons and plastic wrapping, and the two bouquet were standing side by side for delivery, the van chugging as it was pulled back into the driveway, reversed up, and his blond-haired friend rounding the vehicle, looking utterly worn out, and it was only halfway through the day.

“You’d think it was Valentine’s Day, or something. This is crazy, it’s November!”

He took off his cap, running a hand over his hair and scratching lightly at his scalp, before placing the embroidered garment with the company logo back onto his head. “I’ve got something that’ll cheer you up!”

“Oh, yeah? Is it the rest of the day off?”

“Uh, no.” He deadpanned, his friend laughing as he came to stand by him, and he motioned towards the collection. “However, it is a rather exciting combination. These two-” He tapped at the boxes holding them firm at the base. “-are going to the same place.”

“And that is exciting why, exactly?”

“Because one is supposed to symbolise asking for forgiveness and all that, and the other symbolises new love and beginnings and all that. They’re being delivered to an office block, not a home address.” It took Mark a minute to process it, and Chris watched the gears turn in his friend’s head, before his jaw was dropping, and he let out a disbelieving laugh.

“Oh, and you think it’s a.. y’know.” He only nodded, and he began to load up the other orders into the van, a printout sheet of new addresses and order numbers on the tags, the delivery sheets loaded onto a clipboard to be signed for at each location. The empty van was once again teeming with bright flowers and artfully arranged bundles. Securing them all down and making sure they wouldn't tip over or get crushed during the ride there, he was confident they were ready to go, almost all of them set up, before he was staring at the two he’d recently made once again, his curiosity getting the better of him. “You want me to try and find out while I’m there?”

He almost agreed, it would have been so easy, a simple way to put his questions to rest, but he was invested in it now, and so he already knew what was coming. “No, I’ll deliver these ones myself.

Mark only nodded, slamming and locking the back of the van doors, double-checking the hatches for fresh air were open to stop them from wilting in transit, and then he was back up into the main cabin. The loud sounds of disco music exploding from the van radio as he started it back up, reversing from the driveway and setting off on his next round of deliveries.

Scooping up the first set in his arms, Chris patted down his pockets in search for his keys, finding them in his left side back pocket, unlocking his car with a click of a button, and setting the first batch on the passenger seat. The second soon followed, and he used the seatbelt to secure them in place, rolling the windows down as he set off, programming the address into his SatNav.

It was a short drive, twenty minutes maximum, even with traffic, the tall and shining office building one that he was vaguely familiar with towards the inside of the city, harsh rays of winter sun reflecting off of clean glass windows, all the way up to the top floor, and it was so tall that as he stared at it, he swore the building was swaying. With a bouquet in each arm and the clipboard tucked under one, he backed his way through the polished glass doors, a company insignia printed onto the glass, and he almost wanted to check his shoes for traces of at the appearance of the clean white lobby.

Large tiles of marble flooring, specks of grey flickering throughout them, and white leather couches along some of the walls on one side of the lobby, a waiting room. The other had various coffee and tea machines, recyclable cups and sugar packets, as well as a range of fruits and muffins, and he wanted to scoff a little at the ostentatious nature of it all. The desk was empty as he finally approached, though he could hear chatter in the background, behind reflective glass panels that he couldn’t see through, one-way glass he assumed, and as he balanced the bouquets up on the counter, an older woman, approaching her fifties he presumed, came out, a wide smile on her face as she brushed down the material of her skirt.

“My, my, aren’t those beautiful? Unfortunately, I don’t think they’re for me.”

“Well, ma’am, unless you’re a ‘Mr Robert McKinley’, I’d have to agree.” She chuckled, nodding her head as she looked at them before picking up the phone, and typing in an extension. Lifting it to her ear, she balanced it there against her shoulder, smiling at him once again.

“I’ll just have his assistant come down to collect them and sign for them for you, lovely.” He nodded his head, turning away to be polite as she chatted away on the phone for only a moment, confirming that there was a package to be sorted out, and he twisted back to look at her as she put the phone down. Manicured nails tapped at the desk for only as second, an awkward silence forming, and one of the elevators let out a small ‘dinging’ sound as it was clicked into use, the numbers on the screen above the floor counting down, coming all the way from the twenty-eighth floor. “Would you like a candy?”

He jumped a little, turning back to look at the woman who had now sat down a little distance from him, behind the computer at the desk, and she turned to him, raising up a bowl of neatly wrapped candies, and placing it up on the glass counter for him to reach. He didn’t, but she was staring at him expectantly, and so he plucked the first one from the bowl, offering her a simple nod of his head, and tucking it into the pocket on his shirt.

When a chime sounded throughout the lobby, the sound echoing off of every hard surface, Chris’ attention was drawn to the clicking of heels on the smooth stone flooring. A pretty blouse that looked like it cost more than his entire outfit and a fitted pencil skirt that was sitting just below your knees, your were a professional vision. Except, your hair was a little messy, and there was a wide grin on your face as you typed rapidly on your phone, not even needing to look up to do the walk, but your expression made you look much more approachable than the usual businesswoman.

You clicked off your phone only a few feet away from him, looking up as your gaze went straight to the flowers at his side instead of him, but it gave Chris the chance to take you in just for a moment, and fully observe you, Up close, you were even prettier, soft skin and pretty hair that shined under the lights, and whatever the shade of lipstick was that you were wearing was perfect, because it suited you like it had been made for you.

You reached out, straight past him for a second, and the receptionist gasped, reaching for the bowl of candy, but you were quicker, your hand scooping up a little collection of the sweets and pulling them back, a sound of victory sounding from you, and she mumbled under her breath playfully, rolling her eyes and threatening to start hiding the treats before she ran out, but you only chuckled, unwrapping one and placing it against your tongue, lips brushing your fingers as you turned to him, and he forced his eyes away from your mouth, a blush on his cheeks.

“Oh, wow. Check these out.” You turned to the receptionist, motioning to them, and she only nodded her head, the sounds of a printer firing up in the back room, and she disappeared to collect the sheets, leaving the pair of you alone. “For Mr McKinley?”

You leaned over the counter, snatching up a pen from the other side, and he only nodded, producing the collection sheet, and pointing out the spot that needed singing, the scraping of the pen on paper filling the silence as you signed in both boxes, handing it back to him and tucking the pen behind your ear. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Fire away.” You grinned, unwrapping another candy, leaving the wrapper on the glass alongside the other one, a cheeky move he was sure you’d get reprimanded for by the receptionist who kept a beautifully organised and clean desk and foyer.

“There are two bouquets here, both with flowers that have very different meanings. Can I ask why?”

You hummed, staring at him for a minute as you chewed slowly, before swallowing the sweet in your mouth and smirking slightly. “I’ll answer your question, but only if you answer mine first; what do the flowers mean?”

Chris grinned, unable to hold it in, because he loved getting to talk about his passions, especially when he could show off a little in front of a pretty lady, and he nodded his head. “Pink roses and lilies are an apology, but red roses with tulips are for new love.”

“And do you have any theories?”

“Just the one, but I’m waiting for it to be confirmed.” He chuckled a little at the devious look that flashed over your features as you pulled the red roses bundle toward you, nose pressed into them for a second as you inhaled deeply, a little sigh leaving you afterwards.

“I’m trusting you here, but you’re cute, so I’ll tell you.” Heat rushed to his cheeks, head ducking for just a second, before he was looking back up to catch your gaze, brows raised as he waited excitedly, leaning in to meet you as though a scandalous secret was about to be told, and he supposed that’s exactly what it was. “There’s another receptionist, and intern back in there, fresh out of college, just a year below me, and he’s definitely fucking her.” You tapped a finger against the red roses, before your gaze was flicking to the second bunch, still by his arm as he leaned on the counter. “However, a couple of days ago he had a lunch date scheduled with his wife, and he missed it. I couldn’t find him anywhere, and I couldn’t find the intern either. Not hard to connect the dots.”

“Oh, so he’s covering both of his bases?”

“For sure.” You grinned, backing up a little bit to grab the second bundle, and adjusting them in your arms for balance. “Angie had probably realised too, and dashed in there to tell the girl that she’s got flowers coming.”

You were making your way over to the elevators, and he followed after you, pressing the button to summon the lift, and it hummed to life behind closed metal doors. “You know, since we just became partners in crime, maybe I should get to know your name?”

“Well, that was smooth.” You laughed, the doors opening up, and you stepped inside, placing one bouquet on the floor at your feet and holding onto the other. You caved, giving him your name as he placed his hand over the door to stop them from closing, ad he repeated the name to you, testing it on his tongue as he learnt it. He gave you his own in return when he asked, and when you said it back, his smile widened, already liking the way his name sounded coming for you.

You typed a code into the pad on the wall of the elevator, the screen flashing green as your programming was accepted, and he stepped back, grinning as you waved your fingers at him, the doors closing as you disappeared from view. He snatched up his clipboard on the way out, unable to contain the smile on his face.

Chris Beck hated making deliveries, but this one hadn't been so bad.

There was a genuine smile on his face as he stepped through the glass doors of the lobby, smaller and simpler bouquets this time, both matching and nothing special, but he’d tasked himself with delivering them personally because he’d recognised the name and address immediately, his encounter with the cute assistant he’d met only two weeks prior flashing through his mind as he’d insisted on delivering this order himself, Mark smirking and helping him gather the flowers as soon as he’d spilled all about you.

Now, he had two sets of pretty pink flowers in different shades, and a single red rose in a sleek plastic wrapping, all wraith ribbons wrapped around them were bundled in one arm, the other holding onto his clipboard, and the desk was once again empty as he approached. A bell, sleek and shining silver, and it was a new addition, definitely not present last time, and he eyes it suspiciously for a moment, before pressing a finger against the top lightly, just twice, a little ringing sounding out around the lobby.

A head of curly hair popped out from around the glass, much younger than the previous assistant, and wearing a much tighter skirt, and she grinned widely as she stepped forwards. He couldn’t deny that she was beautiful, fiery red hair and a wide smile, lips painted with red lipstick, and she seemed sweet, but far too intimidating for him to ever consider. Her heels were so tall that he wondered how she even walked in them, long and thin points creating the stilettos.

“Flowers?”

There was an eager tone to her voice, and he put the pieces of the puzzle together, assuming this to be the intern, his eyes flicking down to her name badge for a second, reading it as ‘Clara’. “For Mr McKinley. Is his assistant free tom come and sign for them?”

The woman paused, rolling her lips a little and nodding her head, a coy look on her features before sitting down in the chair and spinning in it to face the phone, lifting it up to her ear and dialling a short connection number. He didn’t seem to need to wait long, before she was summoning you, a ‘flower delivery’ to be claimed, and she was far too excited, only confirming his doubts that this was definitely the mistress. “She’ll be right down.”

“Fantastic.” He wasn’t sure she even processed his words, before her eyes were closing in on the flowers, and he ignored it, turning back to look at the elevator, waiting for the number on the twenty-eighth floor to light up, a number flashing over the screen. It paused on its descent this time, stopping at the eighteenth floor, and then again at the twelfth, and he assumed that somebody else had joined the journey for a short while.

When the doors finally opened, you weren’t built typing away this time, a grin on your face as your eyes swept over the entrance for him, and he waved his fingers again, straightening up from the desk.

“It’s my partner in crime, back again.”

“Missed you too much, just had to return.”

“Of course, you did, because I’m awesome.” You came to a stop before him, peering up at him through bright eyes, and he swallowed thickly, a little nervous but very excited, and he tried to remember any of what Mark had taught him, his friend being far better with the women than he was, and everything from the last-minute crash course he’d been given upon leaving the shop forty-five minutes ago seemed to have gone blank. “So, what really brings you here today?”

You gasped a little as he shifted to show you the collection, sliding the clipboard closer, and you were presented with a pen from him, floral patterning woven along the body, your thumb clicking it on to sign for them. When you passed it back, you shared a look with him, both of your glances flicking over to the intern who was still admiring the flowers, completely oblivious.

“Hey, Clara?” Her head snapped up, pale skin heating with colour as she flushed, and he suppressed a chuckle. “Mr McKinley is in meetings all afternoon, but he’ll want to approve these flowers. Can you put them in water, and I’ll call to have them sent up when he’s ready?”

She only nodded, more than happy to take a gift that she knew one of was for her into the back, hands reaching over to gather them all up. He almost missed it, watching as all of the flowers were taken, too busy watching the way you rolled your eyes at her when she looked away, fond but still a little cool, and he bit at the inside of his cheek to contain his amusement. It was just as she was leaving that his mind cleared, and he cleared his throat.

“Wait, wait, hold on!” She turned back, brows raised, and he reached over, letting her take a step forwards so that he could reach, plucking the single rose from where it was laying over the top of the two. “This, uh, this is actually for you.”

He presented it to you, your eyes widening a little, and you looked between him and the flower several times. His heart was in his throat, worry you were going to reject it, before you were giving him a different smile than he had seen yet, something softer and more endearing, and you plucked it from his hands, bringing it to your nose. “You’re just a big flirt, huh, Chris?” Your eyes fluttered for a moment, before you were looking back up to him through your lashes. “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem, honestly. I own the shop, the least I can do is give my partner in crime a pretty flower.”

You scoffed, but it was out of friendship and playfulness, not judgement or rejection, and silence fell between you both once again. The plastic in your hands wrinkled as you twirled it, wrapping the curled ribbon around your finger for a second, and letting it jump back into place when you let it go. “You busy? Got a packed store to run back to?”

Your question caught him off-guard, and he struggled to find words for a second, before clearing his throat and shaking his head. “No, uh, no. Clear day, actually. This was the last order.”

“So, you’re free for an hour or so?” Chris nodded his head, licking at his lips as he became a little nervous once again. “Well, why don’t I give you a tour? We’ve got some pretty cool stuff here, and I’ll fix you up with a drink from the coffee bar before you go.”

“This building has a coffee bar?”

“You bet it does.” You teased, turning on your heel as you took his question as acceptance, and he scooped up the clipboard, following after you as you made your way to the elevator, and this time when it opened, he stepped inside with you. As soon as the keypad lit up, prompting you to enter your four-digit authorisation code and make a floor selection, and you paused, finger hovering over the electronic selections. “What do you wanna’ see first, then?”

“You got an office?”

“I sure do.” You grinned, tapping for the twenty-eighth floor, and the machinery soon hummed into life, gears jerking smoothly into motion and soft music playing over the speakers in the background.

The ride was quiet, and he twisted his head as though the walls were interesting, just to take them in and hide the expression on his face as he watched you twirl the rose he’d given you between your fingers. There was a tag, one that he hadn't yet seen you read, and while all it contained was his number and a sign of his name, he was still a little nervous for your reaction to it, so he was glad to watch you place it onto your desk to be returned to later as you showed him around.

The building truly was impressive, large floor to ceiling glass windows on one wall of your office, staring out at the city below and giving a view so stunning and far that he could see all the way out to where the concrete faded away into greenery along the horizon, and he was a little taken aback by it all. Dipping the rose into a mug of water from the office kitchen, you promised to transfer it to a vase when you got home that evening, and you showed him all around.

Up and down on the elevator, proudly showing him every aspect of your workplace, and somewhere between the in-house gym and the coffee bar you’d boasted of in the staff food courts, you’d made him promise a tour of the flower shop sometime.

Way over an hour had passed in total, and he would’ve been more than happy to let that go on and on, for the rest of the day until the sun was setting, just to sit on the stools at the high tables at the coffee bar, getting refills on his coffee as he watched you drink herbals teas and chat about everything you got up to in the day, but your boss was paging you again to ask where you were, and he had his own job to return to at some point. You seemed hesitant at first, but had eventually divulged him with a guest security code for the elevator, logging him under your name, so that in future, he would be able to bring the flowers straight upstairs to you, and come and see you whenever he stopped by.

With a to-go cup in hand that had your number written on the cardboard holder, you’d escorted him all the way back to the lobby, pressing a friendly kiss to his cheek as he stepped between the doors, waving a little with what he knew was a goofy smile, waiting until he could no longer see you as the metal doors slid shut to reflect his image back at him, before he was bidding the two women at the reception desk a goodbye, and pretending not to know that they were eavesdropping, because he was floating far too high to care right now.

Chris hadn't been surprised at all when the next batch of flowers had come through, because you’d told him days prior that he could be expecting another batch of apology flowers to come through. Your work had been busy lately, you’d told him so yourself the few weeks that had slid past since you’d exchanged numbers had been filled with an abundance of texts.

Sharing texts had rapidly become phone calls in downtime, exchanging social media and sending one another dumb jokes and funny pictures throughout your workdays. He knew that your job had been getting harder lately, the run down to Christmas making everything a little more difficult, and that you’d been swept off of your feet because your boss had been, too. Eight-hour shifts had become twelve, day through to night, never seeing the light of a winter day unless it was through the windows of your office as you worked, and he had a sympathetic guilt twisting in his gut.

Two bouquets to make up for the lack of time that your boss had been able to spare for either of the women in his life and you’d looked positively exhausted as you came out of your office to greet him at the top of the elevator. You had a frown on your face that barely lifted into a smile as you saw him, even though he knew you were happy to catch sight of him. The usual shade of lipstick that projected boldness and power was gone, your face free of makeup entirely, and styled hair now just pulled up into a bun.

He wondered how long it had been since you’d had a full night’s sleep.

“Hey, sweetheart. How’re you feeling?” You only shook your head, sniffling a little as you suppressed a yawn, before taking one of the bouquets from his arms, and inspecting it carefully.

“These are beautiful.”

“I put a little extra ribbon on them, just for you.” He winked, and that had earned him a little chuckle, glancing at him over your shoulder as he followed you through to your office, and placing them down on the cabinet near the doorway to be distributed when your boss had a free second to look at them. Chris felt his own eyes widen in shock as he looked around, the stacks of paperwork littered around the surfaces were astonishing, and there was other mess scattered among that.

Stationary littered the desk, clearly trying to get everything sorted, and almost every draw in the room was half-open, your heels kicked off by the edge of the desk and there was a clear spot against one of the walls where you’d been sitting, a patch clear with papers spread out around you, wording and statements on them that made his head spin as he looked at them. Business definitely wasn’t his forte.

You rubbed a hand over your forehead, cursing a little as you tried to find a pen that wasn't a highlighter, and he didn’t miss the crack in your voice as you scoured the paper stacks. Leaning down to pick one up from the dropped pen pot on the floor, and offering it to you. A little sigh passed your lips, before you were taking it from him, clicking it into action and signing your name on both of the forms to confirm the delivery, a simple ritual of habit by this stage, as he knew that even if you didn’t he wasn’t risking any legal action from you.

You rubbed a hand over your forehead afterwards, rolling your shoulders and shaking yourself down as you tried to hit that reset button on your mood, but it wasn't working, it didn’t take a genius to see it, and so he reached out, placing a comforting squeeze to your forearm, fingers slipping a little lower to latch onto your wrist loosely.

“Okay, you’re a little overwhelmed in here, huh?” You let out a weak laugh, glancing around yourself and nodding. “It’s time for a break. Take your lunch break now, we’re getting out of here.”

“I can’t leave, I have too much to do. I’ll just get something from the food courts, a sandwich, maybe.” You slumped down into your desk chairs, the wheels on it carrying you backwards slightly, and he placed his hands on his hips, shaking his head at you.

“You have to go. It’s doctor’s orders.”

“Which doctor?” You scoffed, rolling your eyes at him, and he gasped a little, hands finding your own and pulling you to your feet, despite the whine that you let out.

“This doctor. I went to medical school, I get to give the orders. You, my dear, need one hour of rest and relaxation from your workplace, stat.” You started up at him for a second, seeming to weigh it out in your mind, but he wasn’t backing down, and he swore he saw that realisation click within your eyes, because you caved.

Slipping your heels on and grabbing your jacket from the back of the door, you logged your timeout of the building in the lobby with Angie, who cooed at you a little as she watched you go, a pitiful look on her face as she knew just how hard you were working too, before his hand was settling on your lower back.

A ten-minute walk, finding a table in a small pizzeria on the corner of a street, one that he’d been dying to try for months now, and a quick order, and you were slumping down tiredly against the table. The workload always increased at Christmas, sales shot through the roof, all the expansions of your company were filing for Christmas bonuses, parties, annual reports and then, of course, there were the usual rises and falls in statistics over the year that needed to be dealt with.

It was chaotic, to say the least.

Over a hot and freshly baked pizza, your selection of toppings, and a soda that made you wrinkle your nose from the fizziness within, you looked like there was a little more life within you when you’d been leaving.

You spilled it all to him, telling him every struggle you’d been facing, and while he didn't understand half of what you were saying, he was more than happy to just to listen. He couldn't offer much advice, or anything of the sort that might be helpful, but it seemed that just being able to talk to someone had made the day a little brighter.

The chill in the air and the biting winds had made you wrap your coat around yourself even tighter on the walk back to your work, but there was more of a pep in your step and a lighter tone to your voice, a little more chipper and slightly less drained as you began to make your way back across the carpark. His arm was sitting around your waist, keeping you pulled up to his side against the cold of the winter. Instead of guiding you over to the door, though, his first stop was his car, ensuring that you couldn't see what he had placed on the passenger seat until he was ready for you to see it.

Leaning yo back against the cold metal, he unlocked the car, making you promise to cover your eyes, and while making a few jokes about how you were sure this was how friendly guys would kidnap a girl, you did as he’d asked. You gasped a little at the rustling of fabric in the wind and under his hands, seeming to guess what it was before ever seeing the gift, because a wide smile spread over your features.

“Is that what I think it is?”

“Depends, what do you think it is?” He teased, making you wait a little longer, and you dragged your lower lip through your teeth, a hopefully look spreading over what half of your face he could actually see.

“Flowers, maybe?”

“Then you would be correct!” Your hand fell away from your eyes, taking a second to blink back into adjustment of the rays the winter sun gave off, before you were brightening up even further at the bundle he was holding in his hands.

Soft petals in different shades of yellow, some duller and some standing out to shine like the sun, but it was a stunning bunch all over, and he’d been sure to pick the freshest and best-looking plants from each pot as he built the bouquet especially for you before leaving for his delivery. He let you stare at them for a second, running a finger over some of the petals, sniffling the collection carefully, and admiring each individual plant, before finally looking back up to him, a brow raising as you waited for an explanation on the plants.

“I just thought yellow was a bright colour. Nothing particularly special about these ones, I wanted to cheer you up.”

He scratched nervously at the back of his neck, and you hummed happily, bringing them up to admire once again, before letting out a happy little sound from the back of your throat, one that made his cheeks flush with embarrassed warmth, bringing a pink tinge to the pale skin. “Don’t yellow roses mean friendship?”

His stomach dropped a little, but he swallowed thickly, and nodded. He was impressed that you knew that, a random fact to know, but he almost felt like he was being friend-zoned by the statement, even though he was the one who’d given you the flowers. It was only a few days ago that he’d realised he might have feelings that weren’t going away any time soon, the original fascination and infatuation was becoming something a little deeper, he often found himself thinking of you when he was at work and filling or orders, or at home cooking, or even letting his morning coffee. You seemed to be on his mind a lot nowadays, and he was beginning to regret the yellow rose choice, worried he’d sent the wrong message. How ironic.

“Well, I’m really glad you consider us friends, Chris. I think you’re great, and I hope we’re friends for a long time.”

He tried to contain his disappointment, nodding his head as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Walking you up to the front door, both of the receptionists made a point of fawning dramatically over the flowers in your arms as you signed back in, exactly an hour later and perfectly on time for the end of your lunch break, but with a lot more joy and a rejuvenation for the work you were doing, enough to carry you through the rest of your day.

Standing at the elevator and waiting for it to arrive, his cheeks were warm enough as it was, the attention you were getting front he not-so-discreet spying of the receptionists making him even more nervous, but if Angie and Clara were watching then that's their choice, because he didn’t have much left to lose, now.

Cupping your cheeks in his hands, he made sure that you were looking at him, a soft and shy smile on your lips as he thumbs smoothed over your skin, trying to reassure you without using words. “Chin up, sweetheart. You’re gonna’ be just fine, okay?”

“Okay, Chris.” You nodded your head, words whispered as you agreed with him, and when he pulled you a little closer, you tipped your head to meet him, his lips pressing to your forehead in a tender kiss, his heart leaping in his chest as you did. The elevator dinged, and he snapped away from you, both of you lingering for a moment longer, something unspoken laying between you, but it was broken as a colleague stepped out of the box, excusing himself as he squeezed past you, and the moment was over.

Waving goodbye, he wiggled his fingers in response to you, and he took a moment to himself to steady his racing heart once the doors had closed with you inside. He bid his farewell to the two women ogling him with wide eyes from behind the desk, trying not to let his nervousness show, to be confident like Mark had taught him to be, and it lasted all the way to the car, before he broke it with a ragged sigh and a little cheer to himself, immediately dialling his best friend on the car’s phone as he pulled out of the parking lot.

It was the kind eyes of Angie that met him as he stepped into the building, palms sweating a little and a shake to his breath, and the flowers in his arms were practically vibrating with nerves as he approached the front desk. Placing them down on the glass surface, she admired them quietly, taking a look at them all before he was being offered the candy dish that she usually had hidden, and he took a peppermint gratefully, red and green swirls along it through the clear wrapping, the festive theme of the late December days was shining through.

“Only the one bouquet this time?”

“They, uh, they aren’t for Mr McKinley.” He mumbled, unwrapping the hard sweet and shoving it wrapped into his pocket, placing the treat on his tongue and sucking on it lightly for something to do, sweetened mint flavours exploding over his senses.

“Oh, so these are a pretty bouquet for our lovely (Y/N), then?”

He could only nod, wondering absently whether or not sweat was beginning to physically show through his shirt, and just how fast his heart was going, because he felt like he was about to pass out. “I think she’s in a meeting right now, but I can get them sent up for her, if that works for you, my dear?”

“Can I just go and drop them off in her office? It’ll make a nice surprise for her to come back to.”

She considered it for a moment, mulling over the security risk and all other options, and he was ready to give up, before she eventually agreed. “Alright, but only if you tell me about the flowers. She’s been telling me all about the pretty bouquet you make with meanings, even showed me your website.”

“She did? She does?”

Pride flushed through his system at that knowledge, and Angie seemed to pick up on it, her face cracking in an even wider smile. “Yes, and they were all beautiful, but I don’t remember this set on there.”

“It’s new, I made it. It’s a personal one, I suppose.”

“It got a name, yet?” He mulled it over, staring down at the pretty bunch in his hands. Dark shades of blue and black, splashes of purple that were speckled with white, and he decided it resembled the night sky rather nicely.

“What do you think of ‘Starry Night’?”

“Very fitting.” She confirmed, and his heart managed to slow a little in his chest as at least one thing on his to-do list became sorted. “So, blue roses, but what are the rest?”

“They would be black pansies and gypsophila.” She hummed, continuing to fix him with that curious gaze, and he knew that wasn't going to cut it. “The blue roses are for mystery, and gaining the impossible. I dye them myself. Black pansies mean broken love, which, I guess isn’t totally suitable here, but combined with the gypsophila, it’s more like the chance of a new beginning, and not necessarily unrequited feelings.”

“You really like her, huh?”

“That obvious?” He grinned, knowing that his feelings may as well be lit up with a neon sign above his head. “You’ll get them to her after her meeting, then?”

“Of course, I will.” She took them over the desk, writing down a memo on her notepad so that she didn't forget, and he watched as the pretty bundle was carried away. “Did you leave a card, or do you want to write a note?”

“Just tell her to text me if she likes them?” She beamed, nodding her head, and he backed away, turning on his heel, a little disappointed that he didn’t get to give them to you himself, but simultaneously relieved at the fact, because he could feel his pulse racing right to the tips of his fingers with how intense it was.

You’d clearly had a busy day, because it wasn’t until Chris was shutting up shop that he finally felt his phone buzz, doing his last check over of all the systems and machines, when a text from you came in, diverting every ounce of attention that he had.

[stardust 🌌 ✨] so, do these flowers have a hidden meaning, or did you just put them together because they look good?

He grinned at his phone, shaking his head slightly as a laugh left his lips, and he leaned on the wall, fingers hovering over the keyboard as he thought out his response.

> a little bit of both.

It was a few minutes before you replied, this time, a photograph coming through, of you carrying your flower out of the building, setting off towards the elevators from your office, if he was depicting the background correctly.

[stardust 🌌 ✨] gonna tell me what it is, or do I have to google it?

He paused, not quite having got that far, and the relief of not having to explain his feelings or you before had drowned out the fact that he’d have to tell you at some point, and his heart was leaping into his throat.

He gave himself a minute, checking over the locks and windows to make sure everything was sealed up, setting the thermostat and setting the alarm, not yet activating it, but making sure that everything was done, right down to holding his keys for the main door in his hands. Locking up the building, he sealed down the metal guard, triple checking the padlock, and making his way to the car.

Engine on, heaters up, his lights being the last to flood the parking lot as he tried to man up, before finally bringing back up the unopened message, taking the notifications and opening his texts.

> long story short, I’m trying to ask you out. using flowers, because words normally fail me in times of importance.

He let out a slow breath, running a hand over his face and just hoping that it was acceptable, his phone buzzing before he’d even managed to start up the car property for his journey home. His hand hovered over where it was laying on the passenger seat, considering whether or not to pick it up, before forcing down his nerves and reaching for it.

[stardust 🌌 ✨] friday night work for you?

He stared at the message for a few seconds, confirming that they were real, and he wasn’t just making it up because it’s what he wanted to read, before letting out a loud and victorious set of cheers for only him to ever know about.

> I’ll pick you up from your work at 5.

Chris was sitting in one of the white leather chairs that had been scattered around the lobby, shifting slightly awkwardly, nerves getting the best of him. He knew you wouldn't stand him up, but as the clock ticked over past 5:10 PM, he worried a little that you were trying to find a way to let him down, having decided that you’d changed your mind on wanting to go out with him, and he tried to steady his nerves.

Brushing over the flowers in his hands, he adjusted his grip on them a little, not wanting the plastic to become damp with his sweaty palms, and swallowing thickly again. Finally, the elevator doors chimed, and he let out a nervous sigh, taking a deep breath and sliding his eyes shut as he calmed himself down, certain that his heart no longer had a rhythm and was just beating erratically and rapidly like the seismograph in a disaster movie.

Twisting his head a little, he let out a deep breath, watching as you came toward him, looking far more casual than he had ever seen you ever had before. Jeans and jumper, a striped scarf that looked suspiciously handmade in the sweetest of ways, and sneakers on your feet instead of heels, dropping your height down by a few inches, and he was so used to looking straight at you, never needing to look down, that it caught him a little by surprise.

“I’m sorry I’m late!” You looked a little flushed, sounded slightly out of breath, and he realised you must’ve been rushing, not stalling, and he felt a little calmer at that thought. Placing down the flowers on the chairs, he stood up properly, letting out a slow breath.

“Don’t worry about it. You look beautiful.”

“I thought I’d change, heels and pencil skirts are great for work, but not so comfy for a first date.” There was a bag on your arm, which he assumed your business-wear was stuffed in, and he gave himself a moment to take you in. He liked you better this way, you looked more like yourself, the version of you that he knew you to be from hours of late-night calls and texting, weeks of getting to know one another, both in-person and via messages, and the formal outfits he was so used to seeing you in were just a cover for the real you.

He realised he’d been staring too long, jumping slightly in his panic, before turning away and grabbing the bundle that he’d brought with him. “I brought you flowers. Not as special as normal guys, since I own the flower shop and it's not the first time, but I did create this bouquet design just for you.”

“I think it’s pretty special.” Your words were whispered, taking the bundle of flowers and bringing them into yourself to admire delicately, a combination of red and white roses, with green bells peppered throughout. “Okay, so, let me guess on this one.”

He only nodded his head, watching as you considered the bundle, licking over your lower lip and taking it hostage between your teeth as your thoughts whirled before his very eyes.

“White roses are innocence, right? Seems fitting for a first date. Red roses are romance, of course.” You smirked a little then, glancing up at him through your lashes, and he grinned, feeling totally at ease now that he was under your gaze. “What about the green ones?”

“Green bells. They’re for good luck.”

“Well, I don’t think you’ll need any luck, you’ve pretty much already got me wrapped around your little finger, Chris Beck.” You adjusted the flowers in your arms, taking his hand with your other one, and lacing your fingers together, and he squeezed back in security as heat flooded over his face in a warm blush. “However, I do think it’s sweet, so I’ll accept it.”

“I wanted to do something Christmassy for you, but I didn’t want to go with any of the typical ones. Holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, they didn’t feel unique enough.”

“I don’t know, I think mistletoe can be good.” You leaned in a little, his brows raising slightly as your wide smile dimmed down, the humour of the moment changing, and his free hand found your waist, fingers playing with yours on the other, and he pulled you a little closer, taking the hint that you were laying down.

“Maybe just this once.” He teased, nose bumping against your own, and he could still taste the sweet honey on your breath from the herbal teas you were always concocting, warm breath shared between you. As your head twisted to close the gap, he became acutely aware of the lingering feeling of not being alone, the both of you jumping and snapping apart a little when the loud crashing of a mug on the floor sounded out loudly.

Two sets of voices cursing followed it, Angie’s and Clara’s heads both ducking down behind the desk as they looked at the mess on the floor, and his jaw dropped as he released the two had been watching on eagerly this whole time, and he’d been so wrapped up in you that he hadn't realised there’d been an audience all along.

He would’ve been embarrassed, had it not been for the way your face pressed into his shoulder as you tried to contain your laughs, and he found the amusement in it too, his arm slipping around your waist as he matched your laugher, shaking his head as he watched the two women try and clear up the split coffee and smashed mug.

“Hey, ladies, I’ll see you Monday!”

The popped back up, sheepish looks on their faces as they nodded, and he gave them both a little wave, letting you tug him along by the hand that was still connected to your own, towards the open doorway of the building, a chill rolling in. As you stepped out, a chill took over, and his hand slipped from yours to sliding around your waist instead, pulling you closer to him, and you guided him over to where your car was parked, and he was more than happy to simply follow.

“So, what do you have planned?”

“I thought something a little more relaxed would be fun. How do you feel about a tree lighting ceremony, and some street food?” You curled into him a little more, a happy sigh leaving you.

“Sounds perfect to me.”

Unlocking the car, he let you go, long enough to put your back in the trunk and lay your flowers out on the front seat, locking it back up as you deemed yourself ready to go. “Ready to go?”

“Yes, but just one thing, first. Something I’ve been waiting weeks for.”

His brows raised, lips parting to ask you waist it was, but your hand latched onto the front of his shirt, tugging him forward as you leaned up, and he groaned a little, a soft sound but vibrating through him as your mouth closed over his, soft and warm, lips pressing together, and a shock ran along his entire body. His hand slipped to your waist, one cupping your cheek as he pulled you a little closer, pressing you back into the car as your bodies came flush up together, and he felt like his legs were going to give out underneath him as you sighed out against his mouth, a breathy moan carried with it.

Twisting his head to the side, he barely pulled back for breath before he was diving right back into you, more confident and passionate this time with his movements. He took control, feeling the way you sagged into his hands as he did, lips working with yours in an intimate dance of their own making, slow and teasing movements, before finally he was pulling away, just far enough to press his forehead to your own as the two of you panted lightly, trying to catch your breath.

“Worth the wait?” He mused, feeling your breathless giggle wash over his lips, before you were leaning up just enough to peck his lips once more, and his lips were still pouted, chasing after you as you backed away for a second, before he was licking over them and cracking his eyes open to look at the adoring expression on your face.

“Definitely worth the wait.”

#chris beck #chris beck x reader #chris beck/reader #chris beck the martian #sebastian stan chris beck #sebastian stan the martian #sebastian stan #Seb Stan #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan/reader #12 Days of AUmas

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pizzaboxesusa · 5 years ago

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#Custom Paper Cups #Muffin Boxes #Custom Printed Paper Cups #Wholesale Wine Boxes #Custom Pastry Boxes

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raitrolling · 3 years ago

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Present Day, Present Time

[Easy Reading Version on Toyhou.se]

-- alluringMisdirection [AM] began trolling autonomousMachinations [AM] --

AM: Oh shlt slnce when was lt your bday??

AM: All g tho, l got a place ln mlnd ;)

AM: Obvlously lt’s gonna be a secret, so don’t even bother asklng! Surprlse partles are the best partles, y’know. And lt’s gotta be good for the blg 1-0!

AM: So you better get hype- or, as hype as whatever’s posslble for you 8)

-- alluringMisdirection [AM] ceased trolling autonomousMachinations [AM] --

Callan stood in the homewares section of one of Block 136’s many low-end department stores, hands on his hips and tapping his foot in mild irritation. Predictably, he’d be caught off-guard by Gerrel’s mentioning of his wriggling day coming up. He didn’t forget, of course, he just- Wait, did Gerrel ever mention it before? They’ve known each other for a while and Callan had definitely made him put his wriggling day into his stupidly busy schedule, but he legitimately cannot recall if the redblood had brought up his own before. Huh. Well, whatever, Callan’s going to say that’s Gerrel’s problem to work out, because right now he’s got his own problem. What the hell kind of present does someone with no hobbies want? Most of the time when it comes to presents, Callan would simply grab whatever silly novelty he could find in the clearance sections - A hat with a funny saying on it, some desktop USB gadget, all those stocking stuffer toys made specifically for office 12th Perigees party gifts, the impulse buy bottle openers and fidget spinners at the registers, - it didn’t matter what the gift was, if it was a gift from him then clearly it was the most important! But this time it’s different. It’s not just a gift for someone’s 10th wriggling day, but the wriggling day of someone who it wouldn’t be inaccurate to call Callan’s best friend (who would’ve thought? Of all people!). A real pro at gift-giving too, the photo book he gave last Quadrants’ Day had touched Callan’s heart far greater than any novelty chocolate or humorous greeting card ever could. So now he’s obligated to be thoughtful. Ugh, thinking.

He acknowledges that the logical gift would be something practical, Gerrel does seem to like things that are useful and would make him more productive. With how much he goes on about ‘healthy eating’ and ‘cooking your own meals’, he’d probably be over the moon if he unwrapped one of those air fryer things people keep talking about. But as Callan stared the boxes of kitchen appliances down, he couldn’t help but think one thing...

An air fryer is fucking boring.

Yes, sure, it’s the perfect gift for someone like him. He’d appreciate it! He’d appreciate it a lot more than the corner store chocolates he received from the greenblood for Quadrants’ Day, or the reindeer antler hat from 12th Perigees. He’d probably get a lot of use out of it too, if what the recipe books conveniently placed next to the display says is true. You can cook chicken, vegetables, brownies and muffins, fish and chips, mozzarella sticks… But, it may be a gift from Callan, but it’s not a gift from Callan. There’s no pizzaz, no style, nothing that screams “This is a gift from the one and only Callan Ranpoe, the best troll you’ve ever known! Accept no substitutes!''. It’s a gift someone would buy for a hivewarming party, or something his rich boss would slip in with the weekly wages just to remind everyone of how much money he has. Not a gift from someone known for their sense of humour and great taste in, well, everything.

Callan’s train of thought is interrupted by an employee asking if he needs a hand. Some tired-looking brownblood who knows that if they don’t ask every customer who has spent more than thirty seconds standing on one spot this question their boss will have them thrown out on the streets. He dismisses the employee with a wave of his hand, who only responds by parroting that the tea towels and oven mitts have a two-for-one deal tonight only.

Two-for-one… That’s it! Cheap and more fun than some boring appliance!

Not wanting to make it seem like he was inspired by the employee’s suggestion, Callan continues to mull about the appliances section pretending to be interested in the breadmakers and slow cookers before stealthily slipping over to the kitchen accessories section. Sure enough, the tea towels and oven mitts are already looking more to the greenblood’s liking. There’s the towels with funny cooking-related puns (Haha, “Let’s give them something to taco ‘bout”! It’s funny because it’s got tacos on it!), towels covered in cute animal prints (and a very un-cute one covered in horses. Sorry Gerrel, but you truly have the worst lusus), and towels covered in sayings one would find on a Facebook Minions group (which unfortunately, would probably appeal to the redblood’s sense of humour more than anything else…). There’s oven mitts shaped like crab claws and dinosaur heads, some pop culture-themed mitts with references that’d definitely fly over his head, and one that just says the word ‘butter’ repeated on every inch of the fabric. Callan starts picking a couple off the rack, already congratulating himself on his head about how genius this gift is.

But… As he stares down at the dinosaur oven mitt and the tea towels with food puns, the gift still didn’t feel right. There should probably be something… More? To this? If the last present idea was thoughtful but lacks ‘Callan vibes’, then this idea is more Him but less thoughtful or really, wanted. Who wants tea towels for their wriggling day? That’s like giving someone socks and underwear. Callan sighs, dumping the chosen items onto the shelf below instead of hanging them back onto the rack. Putting in the effort for a perfect gift sucks.

Why is this so important? Why does a gift need to be thoughtful, personal, and most importantly, something that would make him think of Callan every time? Maybe it’s to make every moment as memorable as possible to combat the reality that all of Callan’s relationships are fleeting at best. Gerrel seems to be able to recognise him through his psiionics, most likely because altering one’s voice, speech patterns, and quirks in their posture and body language are difficult without specific training that Callan doesn’t have. But a friendship cannot be perpetuated on vaguely familiar quirks alone. What if one night Callan decides he wants to cut his hair? Change the way he dresses- hell, just happens to wear a waistcoat with his symbol printed on the opposite side? Doesn’t tie the bow around his neck correctly? Gerrel would fail to recognise him, and they’d be back at square one. And that’s not to mention the major elephant in the room being Callan’s stints as the prolific Phantom Thief. That wouldn’t be something he could just shrug off and accept, especially when his boss has been one of the thief’s major targets. He doesn’t come across as someone who would be angry to find out about this secret, but… He’s very honest and loyal. It would make sense for him to dob Callan into his boss, someone who values working as much as he does would definitely put his own job over anything else.

But then again… He’s selfless, in that way that makes Callan almost feel bad at letting him take over all the chores in his hive when he probably could do them himself if he could be bothered. Almost. Thank god he doesn’t have to wash dishes any more, and the food Gerrel cooks is way better than anything he could ever make even if he put his mind to it. So maybe he wouldn’t do that. Of course he wouldn’t do that! Even if it doesn’t last, he’s Callan’s friend now. And maybe they might continue to be friends, and- If the greenblood’s ego allows it- Gerrel could learn the truth of his psiionics, and try to work with it. Just as he works with every other eccentricity that makes up Callan’s personality.

… Nothing in this long moment of introspection has given him any more ideas for the perfect 10th wriggling day gift. Goddammit.

The brownblood continues floating around the aisles, keeping an eye on Callan in the way one would monitor a known shoplifter or rowdy group of teenagers. Now’s probably the best chance to get that advice they’re paid to give out.

“Hey,” Callan addresses the employee with a nod, “Got any ideas for a 10th wriggling day gift? I need one for a guy who’s into like, cooking and shit. Practical, but fun, y’know?”

The brownblood silently casts their eyes over to the appliances, and settles on the most expensive item they can spot.

“Air fryer.”

Of course.

Once again, we’re back to square one. This is going to take more than an hour’s worth of thinking, which is well more than Callan has ever done in his life. But, that’s fine. He’s got time, and it’s for someone worth spending time on. And there’s still the entirety of the department store to meander about like what everyone else does at this time of night. Maybe he could look into finding some outfits so Gerrel can be at least half as stylish as him, maybe some instructional books on building projects that would normally bore Callan to death because they lack funny pictures, maybe some crafts to make something (he can paint a mean self-portrait, so a portrait of someone else wouldn’t be that much more difficult)...

Now, if only Gerrel didn’t steal his other non-kitchen appliance idea of putting together a photo book already, that could’ve been perfect. Who wouldn’t want their own collection of Official Callan selfies?

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

It took another couple hours and some trips to a few nearby shops, but finally the search for the perfect present was over. Callan stood at the kitchen table, putting together the finishing touches on the now-wrapped gift’s presentation. The homewares idea was thrown out the window in favour of something just as practical, but in a way that feels more personal. A blazer sits folded on the table (Callan made sure to not unfold it after the cashier slipped it into the shopping bag, there’s no way he’d ever be able to get it right), in a similar style to the one usually worn by Gerrel albeit with gold buttons and a green trim on the collar and cuffs. A voucher to get his symbol printed on the jacket has also been slipped into the breast pocket. It felt right to give something with his hue, it’s a common sign of friendship between a higherblood and a lowblood. He may not have a particularly intimidating shade of blue or purple, but it’s still an indication of protecting a friend. And, it’s something picked out by Callan himself so clearly it’s peak fashion.

There was an attempt at tying up the gift in a bow - one of the spare green neckties identical to the one he wore, to be precise - but there was certainly little effort into making it look perfect. The bow was uneven and sat nowhere close to the centre, and Callan couldn’t figure out how to do that fancy criss-cross tie most presents are wrapped in. Not that the presentation mattered to him, and he’s sure that’s the level of effort Gerrel would expect from him. He probably doesn’t expect much from the greenblood, honestly, so perhaps this modicum of effort will make this gift even more special.

#drabble #callan ranpoe #the prince and the pauper #apologies to anyone attempting to read this on mobile cuz its fuckign Long #anyways heres a drabble about callan attempting to put Effort into something for once #brought to you by my own experiences working in retail

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the-custom-packaging-boxes · 6 years ago

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#printing press #Muffin Packaging #Muffin boxes Wholesale #Custom Muffin Boxes #Custom Cupcake boxes #Custom Macaron Boxes #Custom Packaging Boxes

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sierracolorstheworldofwords · 4 years ago

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Am anon who wanted to request Dark and Eric x reader dnfjfjfjfj y/n getting overwhelmed by how much they love the two and just wanting express that love but not being sure how?? (Take as long as you need to write it no pressure cncncn)

ANON I WROTE IT AND I HOPE YOU LIKE IT! IT IS SWEET FLUFF and I really like how it turned how but yee I hope it is okay, especially the ending anyway here’s the story! :D

Love was an overwhelming, pink tsunami that dragged you out to sea in its foamy claws and swallowed you whole. It left you trapped in an underwater world filled with butterflies that swirled into your stomach and nestled there. You were shocked by heart shaped eels and they sent jolts of electricity down your spine. Love is torture, sometimes, people say, but all the people who’ve said that forget what it’s like to be in love. It doesn’t feel like torture, and it never should. When those eels electrocuted you it felt like your whole body was laughing, and when those underwater butterflies emerged from the deep, it felt like they left playful kisses inside you.

People have said love is torture because it’s so overwhelming, so joyful, and for the first time in your life, you felt it.

You wanted to show Eric and Dark that, wanted them to see how you felt-- how they made you feel, like you were full of blooming flowers and sunshine. You wanted them to know-- but how could you? There were so many things they did for you! Dark would always give you roses, and candy, or he’d give you sweets he brought from the bakery, or just little tiny antiques he’d thought you like. Eric was much simpler, he cooked breakfast for you, or cleaned the house when you were feeling down, and sometimes, he’d just go outside for a while and come back with a hand full of wildflowers. What gifts could you buy, or make, or find to compare to those?

There was always psychical affection, but when it came to them, it seemed that for every kiss you gave them, they’d come back for a thousand more! What could you do for them? Where would you even start? Maybe with kisses and hugs? Or flowers? Or maybe you could go to the bakery and get their favorite? Or.. you huffed in frustration, before throwing your phone onto the mattress you sat on and flopping down onto it. What could you do? The anniversary was a week away, and you didn’t know what to do. Dark had a restaurant reserved already, and all of you were supposed to go out to lunch on the anniversary, and Eric said he was making a special morning breakfast-- you were responsible for dinner.

What could you even do? You sighed, before deciding to google some ideas for dinner. You picked up your phone, turned it on, and then went online. There wasn’t much, nothing was enough! You groaned, before deciding to go to your gallery, thinking that maybe you had some recipes saved there, but instead, you found..a lot of pictures and videos of you, Eric and Dark. You thought for a moment, a foggy image of an idea starting to form-- you needed to save those photos to a hard drive, but you kept forgetting! Maybe you could do that, no wait! You should print them instead! Duh! It would make a great anniversary present, and you could always figure dinner out later, anyway!

Getting up, you grabbed your wallet and keys before heading to a local store, which luckily had a machine where you could print photos on your phone. You went out the door, to the car, and drove. Once you were there, you entered the building, taking in the white tile and the stocked shelves, before noticing the craft aisle. You..you could make a scrapbook-- no, scrapbooks! Why didn’t you think of it sooner? Eric and Dark would each have their own! You rushed over, grabbing an orange photo album and a black one, before loading up on stickers, colorful paper, paint, markers and glitter glue. You put that all in the small cart before going to print your photos (which..cost a lot, surprisingly) you then went around the store,buying a polaroid camera and two boxes of film. Then, you paid and went home, stashing the supplies under your bed.

The week passed by in a blur of late nights, coffee and energy drinks, cutting up construction paper, kitten stickers, glitter glue, paint stained clothes, and ink stained hands, but the day arrived, and by that time, the albums were done. You also ordered a projector, which also conveniently arrived on time.

You awoke on the special day to the smell of bacon.

Unwrapping yourself from Dark’s arms, almost rushing out of the room, before you realized you forgot your polaroid camera. You grabbed it and adjusted the settings, making sure it wouldn’t flash by taking a picture of Dark sleeping. You then went to the kitchen, where Eric was calmly making breakfast and brewing coffee, even making homemade muffins as he hummed through the kitchen, flipping pancakes. He saw you and smiled.

“G-good morning!” You gave him a sleepy smile, “Good morning Eric.”

He turned his back towards the stove, where you took a quick picture, you then turned away, hid the camera in the big shirt you wore, and then let the picture develop, before managing to hide the pictures you took underneath the coffee table, where the scrapbooks lay. You then scurried to the table, sitting at the comfy loveseat you three often used.

Dark then came into the kitchen, his hair a mess, “Good morning..” You chuckled, “Good morning sleepy head.” “G-good morning Dark!” Said Eric, turning off the stove and getting the muffins out of the oven, he then served three big plates for all of you, stacked with pancakes, eggs, and bacon. After that, he grabbed three cups of coffee before sitting in the middle of the both of you, receiving kisses on his cheeks as he did.

“Thank you for breakfast!” You cooed, giving him another kiss on the cheek, before reaching over for the syrup on the table, and pouring it all over your pancakes. “Thank you for breakfast, darling.” Said Dark softly, before giving him another kiss on the cheek you managed to somehow snap a photo of the two before hiding your camera again.

After that, you all were so full that you just.. Ended up going to bed and watching movies till lunch time came, Eric was in the middle again, and cuddling next to Dark, who was petting his hair gently. After the third movie, you noticed that.. They were both asleep. You smiled, before taking the camera out again and taking a quick picture. You then snuck out of the bed, going to hide the picture you took once more.

You all got dressed in fancy clothing before going into Dark’s car, and driving to the place.

When you arrived, you were greeted with the sight of a fancy building surrounded by trees, the outside looked like a mansion, and you could see the multiple chairs and fancy tables inside. Dark took both of your hands and led you down the path, going to a waiter and saying his name, after that, you all were taken to a private section of the restaurant and then sat down at an exquisite table next to a window, where you could see a view of a beautiful garden. After ordering a fancy version of your favorite meal, Dark ordered a steak and fries, while Eric ordered chicken fried steak topped off with gravy and with potatoes.

The three of you ate in relative peace, talking and chatting, going over memories. After the meal was done, Dark whispered something in the waiter’s ear, they then left, going to get something. After a few minutes, they came back with two huge bouquets of roses and two boxes of chocolate. You were given a box and bouquet, while Eric was given the same. You both smiled at Dark and thanked him, which caused him to smile as well.

After the roses, you all ordered dessert and chatted more, laughing-- your boys smiling, you managed to take a few secret pictures, since you took a handbag with you, you got the pictures and hid them once more, along with the camera. Then, once the deserts were eaten, you all went home. You felt nervous as you did, but you hid it the best you could, talking and chatting with them as you did.. You hoped they would like dinner.. You just decided to order from their favorite restaurants, and then also order a custom cake from a local bakery, which was also going to be delivered.

You immediately got to work setting up the bedroom by telling Dark and Eric you were going to take a quick nap, which was a lie. Instead, you decorated the ceiling with string lights, fixed the bed up, and hung a sheet on one wall, using bluetooth to connect the projector to your phone. By the time you were done sprucing the room up, the doorbell rang. You rushed to answer it, wallet in hand, as you gave the deliverers their money, taking the four bags. You got French cuisine for Dark and some good ol southern food for Eric, while also getting your favorite and a pizza too. Just in case nobody wanted the other food. Five minutes after that, the cake came. It was chocolate, and wonderfully decadent. You even had the top decorated in gold, with happy one year anniversary-- here’s to making more memories! Scrolled on top.

You set up all the food in the bedroom and put the cake on the desk. You then made sure the projector was working. After everything was set up to your liking, you lead Dark and Eric into the bedroom, told them to put on their pajamas, and then went to go get your scrapbook. You scrambled to peek underneath the coffee table, getting the scrapbooks and grabbing your handbag, you fished out all the pictures and camera before rushing off to the bedroom.

You came inside to the sight of Eric and Dark wearing matching pajamas, you smiled at how adorable they looked.

“Don’t look at these until I’m done changing!” You said, placing their gifts on the bed before going into the same pajamas they were wearing. Once you were done, you grabbed the scrapbooks, and sat in the middle of them, before giving them each of their scrapbooks, Eric’s was a soft orange, covered with cute stickers of kittens, puppies, and other baby animals, along with flowers, you then gave Dark his, a dark black book, covered with cute little kitten stickers and roses as well.

They looked at you in surprise, and you smiled shyly, your cheeks heating up as they opened their photo albums.

Eric gasped softly, “I-it’s the selfie we took on our f-first date together! And look! It’s us at the p-park! And at d-disney land!”

Dark looked at his, and you glanced at him, noticing the smile on his face, as he pointed at a photo of him with a dog filter on, “I thought I told you to delete that.” You smirked, “And I thought I told you I wouldn’t delete it!”

You all laughed and smiled at the colorful, lovingly made, albums, pointing and laughing at memories as you did. Pictures of Eric and You in messy clothes, covered in flour, brought up the memory of you and him trying to make Dark a homemade cake. Another photo had Dark and Eric cuddling on the couch, another was at the beach, of you and Dark playing in the water-- there were so many, many memories. All of them happy. You held the photos from today in your hands, Eric smiling at the stove, Dark kissing his cheek, the food you ate this morning and at lunch, the garden outside the restaurant..you had so many happy memories.

“Darling, these..are wonderful!” Dark whispered, rubbing his finger over a picture of you and him, which was surrounded by the date (thank goodness for your phone, or you wouldn’t have remembered it) and the occasion, all written in beautiful cursive. The page was also filled with stickers and glitter, and pieces of construction paper cut into hearts.

Eric meanwhile, was looking at the scrapbook with tears in his eyes, before sobbing out, “I-I love it!” and giving you a hug. You had put so much work into it and he loved it! You scribbled lyrics from his favorite song, and even the lyrics of the first song you danced to together! He couldn’t help but cry! You even put baby duck stickers! He loved baby ducks!

You hugged him back, smiling and almost crying yourself, feeling so, so happy!

You sniffed, and then turned to the projector on the floor, before turning it on and going to your gallery, where all your videos were. You selected one, playing a home movie. It was of all of you, having a mini sleepover together, laughing and giggling as you started a pillow fight with Eric.

The next video played, featuring you snickering in the background as you caught Dark and Eric kissing, and teased them. Dark ran after you, which caused you to shriek. The next one was of you and Eric pranking Dark, mostly you, though. You tickled his nose and put whipped cream on his hand as he slept. He ended up with whipped cream all over his face. Videos of all three of you played, happy memories, wonderful memories-- full of giggles and kisses, laughter and cuddles, pull of pure pink waves of love, the happiest moments.

The last one was of you, talking to the camera, “Happy anniversary, you guys-- I-I um, just wanna thank you for making this the best year of my life,” both video you and real you teared up as it played, “I’ve never been so happy before,even when times got hard, and we got into arguments.. I was still happy, because I had you. I want to thank you for that. Here’s to another year-- no, another ten years! Happy anniversary, Dark and Eric, I love you.” Then, you brought a hand to your lips and blew a kiss to the camera, which caused them to chuckle, teary eyed.

Then, the video cut off, and they both looked at you, Eric was crying while Dark tried to hide it. They both hugged you, giving you a kiss on the cheek.

“I lo-love you so much!” Eric sobbed, “I love you both so much.” A few tears slipped out of Dark’s cheeks as he hugged the both of you, “I love you both so much.”

You smiled, looking at the both of them, “And I love the both of you. Happy anniversary!” “Happy anniversary!” They said, before giving you a kiss on the cheek.

Dark sniffed, crossing his arms, “Enough of this sappy stuff. Let’s eat.”

You and Eric giggled, cuddling close to him and opening up the food before digging in. You put on a movie as the three of you cuddled, gorging on food as you did. After dinner was done, you opened the cake up, and you three each got a slice, when everything was done, you all were too sleepy to put it up. Dark ended up snapping his fingers, and everything disappeared into the fridge, he also turned off the projector. You all cuddled close together in the cozy blankets, exchanging kisses and going over memories until you fell asleep in their arms, the happiest person in the world.

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yourfriendslimey · 4 years ago

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Clouds of Cream

Pt. 1

Summary- While taking a day to run weekly errands, you take the time to stop at your local cafe where a certain handsome barista happens to work...

Pairing: Mark Tuan x Reader

Genre: Fluff

author’s note: This part is mostly to establish base story, also later parts will contain sexual themes; however, i COULD also produce watered down versions for those of you who enjoy the story but don’t care for those kinds of things. lemme know. Anyways, enjoy <3

WC: 2342

Part. 1- I Never Got Your Name…

Your eyes pried themselves open as the morning sun snuck into your studio apartment. With a heavy arm, you reached over to the tiny bedside table and grabbed your phone. 8:00 a.m…. You groaned, tossed your phone onto the table and pulled the blanket over your face. It was Saturday, your day off work, so you could in theory sleep in. However, you knew if you didn’t get up now then the To-Do list tacked to the cork board above your desk would go unattended. Plus… You thought, sitting up haggardly…I could stop at the café while I’m out…

You had gone to Downtown Brews for the first time a few months ago with a close friend who swore up and down it had THE best coffee. He was right. Now you were all but addicted. The roasts were divine, and the pastries were nothing to scoff at. And often by chance, you were helped by the same barista who, if you dared to say so, was not too hard on the eyes. The barista…You felt guilty not knowing his name by now. Even though you saw him every time you walked through those doors, you never managed to read his nametag. You were always too…distracted.

You let your feet hang off the bed for a few moments while your mind began to wander. As you stood and made your way to your tiny bathroom, you wondered if he even really noticed you. Of course, he recognized your face. You were there all the time. At the counter, he would give a casual smile and in his cool tone say “Hey, y/n, nice to see you again? The usual?” They took names for orders, so yeah, he knew that too. He knew your regular order because it was well... your regular order. But that didn’t mean he really saw you. The café had a lot of regulars, he probably knew a few orders and names by heart. While brushing your teeth you became even more lost in thought… You leaned close the bathroom mirror, analyzing your face. It was still puffy, showing the aftermath of a late night’s sleep. You frowned a little. Maybe he has a girlfriend. Maybe you just weren’t his type. You fed into your dismay while taking a longer than usual shower.

With fresh breath and a newly showered body, you walked to your closet and pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans, an oversized t-shirt with your college mascot on the front, and a grey dad-hat. You might as well be comfortable while running around all day. You grabbed your backpack and tossed in your phone charger, wallet, and keys. You quickly snatched the list from the board and hurried out the front door before the demon that was procrastination could set in.

You groaned as you walked to the end of the hall, anticipating the journey you had to make down the stairs. The elevator was down and had been for months now. The landlord kept telling you someone would be in to fix it next month, but it seemed like next month never came. Instead, you frustratedly stomped down the stairs, each time cursing past you for wanting to live on the third floor.

The building you lived in was nowhere near fancy. But it was home at least. Unlike the buildings uptown, the lobby wasn’t big and beautiful with potted plants and delicate light fixtures. It was more of an extra wide hallway. The walls presented a sickly grey-green on the upper half, the bottom being slowly warping wood paneling. A large portion of the space was dedicated to old metal mailboxes and contained ceiling lights hanging on their last legs; more than half of them flickering or entirely dead. You decided to check your mail later. You never really got anything anyway.

Outside, you were met with a clear sky and smiling summer sun. A warm breeze danced through the branches and the sweet smell of mature flowers blessed your nose. You felt more energized by the perfection of the day and with newfound eagerness, began your walk to the café. You breathed easily, taking in your surroundings. It was around 9:00 a.m. now and most of the city was already awake. Busy men and women walked as fast as their legs could carry them. Some to their respective jobs and others you presumed, to use the day the same as you; going off to clear a long list of errands. The start of summer vacation also meant children with time to kill. Kids ran up and down the sidewalk, getting what you deemed an early start to their day’s mischief. A couple walked hand in hand, giggling and smiling. You could overhear them mention something about grabbing lunch later and maybe seeing a movie. Seeming them happy together sent you into a vivid daydream.

You saw the barista’s warm smile and kind eyes. You confidently sauntered up to the counter, cool as ice. You flashed a cheeky smile that caught him off-guard. “Hey there, what’ll it be?” he said with a fully flushed face. You leaned in real close and looked him in the eyes. With a stolen velvet tongue, you said “A tall, dark, and handsome…”

The cheesiness of the line snapped you out of your trance with a quiet laugh. Before you knew it, you found yourself standing in front of Downtown Brews. It sat gingerly on the corner, beckoning you inside. The coffee cup logo printed on the glass door a sight for sore eyes Through the large window you noticed that almost every seat was full. No big deal since you just wanted to grab something to eat while you walked. You pulled open the door, a small bell jingling overhead. You placed yourself at the end of the line, grateful that it wasn’t too long. The early morning rush had pretty much passed already. You scanned the peaceful scene. Even though it was full, the loudest noises were the clinking of mugs and forks. It was always like this no matter the time of day.

Downtown Brews had that affect on people. The café created a sanctuary away from the loudness of the city. It had a minimalistic look. Plain golden-brown wooden floors, beautifully simple wooden tables and chairs, and small hanging lights that seemed to float in the room. On each table was a centerpiece containing small purple wildflowers in cute white vases that looked like fine china. The walls were mostly windows, save for the left wall that made contact with that of the bookstore next door and the gray brick wall behind the counter. It was decorated with shelves lined with mugs, glasses, and more white vases with various plants and flowers scattered about. You noticed that every week, there was at least one new one. The owner of the place must have had a real love for flora.

You stood for what felt like ages, listening to some poor young intern order complicated coffees and various treats for what seemed to be an entire office. You anxiously switched your weight from one foot to the other, wondering if maybe today you would order something new. And then you saw him. The man who made your face hot and your head cloudy. He was always here when you were, not that you were going to complain about it. He looked so suave in his uniform. The white shirt, black slacks, and black apron on his waist seemed custom made for his slender frame. How could such simple clothes look so good on someone? Your hands felt clammy and your chest went tight. You hated and adored this feeling all at the same time. Taking a few quiet deep breaths, you set your sights back on the menu, busying your mind with deciding about what to order for breakfast.

You studied him as he switched places with another staff member and prepared his customer’s order. The café had a lovely practice. Whoever took your order would also prepare it. This allowed for a more personal experience that resulted in fewer messed up orders. The baristas took turns instinctually; based off who was the least busy.

You gawked at him, transfixed on his form. You watched as he grabbed a few pastries from the glass case in front of him, slid them into a small toaster oven and began fixing the drinks. Every movement was smooth and graceful. He was like an angel. His face was lit up with a precious smile as he handed over the massive order and with a nod chirped “Here you are! You coworkers better say thank you for this. Hope you have a good day.” The intern gave a rushed “Yes, thank you, you too,” and fixed her gaze on the cardboard trays of drinks stacked onto boxes of patisserie. She shuffled away with a sense of urgency you’d never seen.

The barista’s skin was almost glowing. It looked soft and flawless, almost like it had been airbrushed. But it was all too real. You heart began to race as the last person between you and the counter wandered off. You shook your head lightly, trying to snap yourself back to the now.

“Can I help who’s next, please?” the honey voice flooded your ears.

You nearly stumbled up to the register, eyes barely leaving the chalkboard menu hanging above. Even though you weren’t really looking, you could still feel the warmth of his smile. You met his eyes. “Hey y/n. How’s it going? Medium iced coffee with vanilla creamer, three sugars, and cocoa powder on top, right?” You felt the heat rising in your face.

“Hey, uh yeah. I mean, no.” Your voice was almost imprisoned in your throat, impulse taking over.

“Oh, did I get I get it wrong?” he let out a small chuckle and ran a hand through his beautiful hazelnut curls, “Sorry about that, guess I must be a bit tired if I’m forgetting-“

You didn’t mean to, but you cut him off “Not at all. I just wanna switch it up a bit. Today I think I’ll have a medium iced cold brew with sweet cream and caramel this time. And could I also have a cranberry muffin, please?” you smiled shyly, embarrassed knowing that you were obviously flustered.

He smiled wide and clasped his hands together. “Well I see we’re mixingg things up now,” he giggled quietly while punching your order into the automated screen, “Gotta keep me on my toes somehow.” Damn that smile- you took off your backpack and quickly pulled out your wallet. “Is that for here or to go?” He peered up at you, eyes doe-like. “To go, please.” You choked a little and could have sworn you saw a bit of disappointment in his eyes but passed it off. He told you the total and you handed him the cash. “Alrighty, I’ll have everything ready in about ten minutes.” You nodded and gave a small hum as he gave you your change.

You stepped off to the side and let your eyes follow him as he skillfully crafted your drink. His smile was replaced with a stern look as he focused on his task. You wondered if your mouth was watering from the aroma of coffee and hot muffin awaiting you or something else. Suddenly, it hit you that once again you avoided looking at his name tag. You instinctively avoided looking at one part of him too long. As a child mom had taught you it was rude to stare, and that sentiment stuck with you even now. You chastised yourself. It felt as though after you missed it the first time, it felt impolite to check now. But it was ruder to just not know. You always wanted to ask, but avoided it, thinking he would think you were a moron since he clearly has a nametag on. You silently huffed in frustration and made attempts to get a better look. However, you couldn’t get a clear view. If it wasn’t a machine in your way, it was one of the other baristas, or he was simply moving too much or he was turned away from you. Though you couldn’t deny that you enjoyed looking at his back almost as much as his front.

“Y/n, your order’s ready.” His smile had returned as he stepped up to the pickup area.

He held out a small brown paper bag and your drink. “Here you go. Have a good day, and I’ll see you soon.” His face was warm, his smile genuine. You beamed at him and gently took your things Your heart fluttered. Without even thinking, the words flew from your lips. “I’m sorry, I know I come here all the time, but um…” he leaned forward, placing his hands on the counter, “well I don’ actually know your name and i keep forgetting to ask…And it feels rude to not know since you’re such a good server.” He chuckled, raised an eyebrow and smirked. He shook his head lightly and let it drop to the side. “Tsk tsk tsk. And I thought we were friends.” His smile melted your heart. He stood tall and folded is arms.

You apologized again, telling him you knew he had a nametag on but you always forgot to look and began to ramble about feeling nervous to ask and the whole thing. He gently cut you off. “Don’t worry about it. It’s Mark. And now that you know, you better not forget.” He pointed a playfully stern finger at you. The name rang in your head. This man who occupied so much headspace finally had a name. A beautiful one. At least to you. You grinned, “I won’t, I promise. I’ll see you later, Mark.” You turned to leave and as you did, you were certain his smile had grown bigger and his cheeks pinker.

Mark....

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readandwritesilver · 3 years ago

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one time last year i was trying to buy a blueberry muffin at the tims by my house but i was short a dime and the lady passed me the bag and went "you'll remember to make sure you have enough next time, yeah?" and another time when i was like 12/13 scrawny as hell no taller than 5"0 i was waiting for my dad at the bus stop in his old neighbourhood (which Wasn't Great) late at night cold as hell in the middle of feburary and a woman i'd never met came up to me, asked if i was waiting alone, and when i said yes without thinking told me she'd wait with me and then did. once i was coming home at like nine at night and the busses had been diverted because of construction and, on a packed bus that had moved a foot and a half in eight minutes, i accidentally made eye contact with someone i'd never met and likely will never meet again and rather than look away they gave me an exasperated sort of look that i returned. i went to go get photos printed last fall and when the woman that works there realized the size i'd chosen would pixelate them she reprocessed my order for me so they'd be the right size while i was in another part of the mall completely unware. at another photo centre, this one in a walmart, the guy noticed the plant i had in my hand and told me for several minutes about the two of the same kind he had at home and how finnicky they are and then delicately wrapped it up in several layers of newspaper because it was winter and it wouldn't be good for it to have gotten cold, and the plant died but it lasted several months longer than it would have without what he told me about their distaste for sunlight (or if it had gotten extended exposure to the cold january air as i made my way home). when i was nine and my mum lost her bus pass that she definitely couldn't afford to replace by accidentally putting it into the change box with a seventy or so youth fare tickets for her students, she got it back because the person customer service connected her to personally made sure it was recovered, something they technically weren't supposed to do. people are good, i think. the world is good. the world is kind.

#ben talks

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jemch · 3 years ago

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How It’s Made Index（S11~S20）

How It’s Made是由 Discovery Channel 制作一款王牌节目，又被翻译为制造的原理或造物小百科，本片从2001年推出至今，涵盖了几乎所有的制造技术，非常适合机械专业和对此感兴趣的同学。希望大家享受这趟制造的艺术之旅！

第十一季推出时间为2008-09-10至2008-12-03

S11E01 Binoculars; Sparklers; Rubber Boots; Circular Saw Blades 望远镜，焰火，长统水靴，圆锯锯片

本集看点：光学镜头的精密组装制程，AR镀膜制程；

S11E02 Anatomical Models; Jukeboxes; Tortilla Chips; Spark Plugs 解剖学模型，自动点唱机，墨西哥玉米片，火花塞

S11E03 Pencils; Metal Recycling; Coffee 铅笔，金属回收，咖啡

S11E04 Javelins; Cuckoo Clocks; Hearts of Palm; Windshield Wipers 标枪，布谷鸟钟，棕榈芯，雨刷

S11E05 Technical Glass; Washing Machines; Playing Cards; Crossbows 工业玻璃，洗衣机，扑克牌，弩

本集看点：玻璃镜片的模具加工制程；

S11E06 Cine Cameras; Glass Christmas Ornaments; Giant Tires 电影摄影机，圣诞节玻璃装饰品，巨型轮胎

S11E07 Microphones; Hot Tubs; Artificial Turf; Beer Steins 麦克风，按摩缸，人工草坪，啤酒杯

S11E08 Hot Rods; Decorative Eggs; Fire Hose Nozzles; Baseballs 改装车，装饰蛋，灭火水龙带喷嘴，棒球

S11E09 Accordions; Pineapples; Artificial Joints 手风琴，菠萝，人工关节

S11E10 Giant Valves; Sardines; Barographs; Disposable Diapers 巨型阀门，沙丁鱼罐头，气压计，一次性尿片

S11E11 Heated Skate Blades; Gliders; Hand Bells; Fire Hoses 加热式冰靴，滑翔机，手摇铃铛，灭火水龙带

S11E12 Induction Cooktops; Truck Scales; Tetra Pak Containers; Harmonicas 电磁炉，车重地衡，利乐包装盒，口琴

S11E13 Baseball Gloves; Medical Electrodes; Stetson Hats 棒球手套，医疗电极，牛仔帽

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:d779bce9b74c0b6e06c209442fe6d2bd0577fd92&dn

第十二季推出时间为2008-09-10至2008-12-03

S12E01 Pneumatic Impact Wrenches; Cultured Marble Sinks; Plantain Chips; NASCAR Stock Cars 气动扳手，人造大理石水池，炸香蕉片，纳斯卡赛车

S12E02 Jaws of Life; Artificial Christmas Trees; Soda Crackers; Ratchets 救生钳，人造圣诞树，苏打饼干，棘轮扳手

S12E03 Thermometers; Produce Scales; Aircraft Painting; Luxury Chocolates 温度计，挂秤，飞机机身彩绘，高档巧克力

S12E04 Carburetors; Air Conditioners; Sugar 气化器，空调机，糖

S12E05 Combination Wrenches; Deli Meats; Golf Carts; Airships 组合扳手，香肠，高尔夫球车，飞艇

S12E06 Carbon Fibre Car Parts; Hand Dryers; Recycled Polyester Yarn; Fleece 碳纤维汽车零件，手烘干机，回收聚酯制丝线，羊毛布料

S12E07 Police Badges; Muffins; Car Washes; Pressure Gauges 警徽，松饼，洗车房，压力表

S12E08 Metal Detectors; Rum; Tiffany Reproductions; Aircraft Engines 金属探测器，兰姆酒，蒂凡尼灯具，飞机引擎

S12E09 Riding Mowers; Popcorn; Adjustable Beds; Cultured Diamonds 乘骑式割草机，爆米花，可调床垫，人造钻石

S12E10 Airstream Trailers; Horseradish; Industrial Steam Boilers; Deodorant 流线型拖车，辣根，工业蒸汽锅炉，防臭剂

S12E11 Screwdrivers; Compact Track Loaders; Physician Scales; Carbon Fibre Bats 螺丝刀，链带式装卸机，体重秤，碳纤维棒球棒

S12E12 Escalators; Kevlar Canoes; Goat Cheese; Disc Music Boxes 自动扶梯，凯夫拉尔独木舟，羊奶酪，碟式音乐盒

S12E13 Motorcycle Engines; Glass Enamel Sculptures; Hand-Made Paper; Vaulting Poles 摩托车引擎，玻璃搪瓷雕刻，手工纸，撑竿

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:f97da4fb8bfc1cf29bb923ad6dd2eaff6b522c9d&dn

第十三季推出时间为2009-05-01至2009-07-24

S13E01 Hammers; Swiss Cheese; Roller Skates; Coloured Pencils 锤��，瑞士奶酪，旱冰鞋，彩色铅笔

S13E02 Carbon Fiber Bicycles; Blood Products; Forged Chandeliers; Ballpoint Pens 碳纤维自行车，血液制品，锻造吊灯，圆珠笔

本集看点：如何用碳纤维制作自行车支架；

S13E03 Swiss Army Knives; Player Piano Rolls; Oil Tankers; Racing Wheels 瑞士军刀，钢琴演奏器，油轮，赛车轮毂

本集看点：真瑞士军刀！

S13E04 Bowling Balls; Barber Poles; Felt; Radar Guns 保龄球，旋转彩柱，毛毡，雷达测速枪

S13E05 Pipe Fittings; Music Boxes; Pepper Mills; Hot Rod Steering Columns 铜管件，圆柱音乐盒，胡椒磨，汽车方向柱

S13E06 Gears; Leather Watchbands; Vitrelle Dishes; Kitchen Shears 齿轮，真皮表带，抗摔玻璃碗碟，厨用剪刀

本集看点：齿轮插齿和滚齿制程；

S13E07 Pressure Cookers; Mechanical Singing Birds; Oceanographic Buoys; Tank Trailers 高压锅，唱歌机械鸟，浮标，不锈钢罐拖车

S13E08 Aluminum Boats; Alpine Horns; Luxury Watches 铝壳船，高山牛角，豪华手表

S13E09 ATVs; Alpine Skis; Laser Cutters; Marble Sculptures 全地形车，高山滑雪板，激光切割机，大理石雕塑

S13E10 Socket Sets; Leather Shoes; Aluminum Water Bottles; Bike Chains 套筒扳手，皮鞋，铝制水瓶，自行车链条

S13E11 Carved Wood Sculptures; Flatware; Cow Bells; Fountain Pens 木雕，餐具，牛铃，钢笔

S13E12 Olive Oil; Lift Trucks; Seamless Rolled Rings; Ski Boots 橄榄油，叉车，无缝环件，滑雪靴

S13E13 Cookware; Inlaid Boxes; High-Efficiency Water Heaters; Vespa Scooters 专业炊具，豪华镶嵌盒，高效率热水器，电动车

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:b164e21986d83657baf215347cf40ae2c33ed64a&dn

第十四季推出时间为2009-09-18至2010-01-08

S14E01 Mini GP Motorcycles; Fig Cookies; Tool Boxes; Pipe Bends 迷你锦标赛摩托车，无花果曲奇饼，工具箱，弯头

S14E02 Revolver Replicas; Arc Trainers; Oil Furnaces; Vegetable Peelers; Pizza Cutters 西部左轮手枪复制品，健身椭圆机，废油燃烧器，削皮器和薄饼切削刀

S14E03 Metal Golf Clubs; Waffles; Custom Wires and Cables Train Wheels; 金属高尔夫球杆，华夫烘饼，订制线缆，火车轮子

本集看点：热锻成型工艺；

S14E04 Sails; Walnuts; Wheel Immobilizers; Honeycomb Structural Panels 风帆，核桃，轮胎防盗器，蜂窝结构板

S14E05 Surfboards; Stickers; Sandwich Cookies; Concrete Roofing Tiles 冲浪板，贴纸，夹芯饼干，混凝土瓦

S14E06 Ski Goggles; Tower Cranes; Porcelain Figurines; Diesel Engines 滑雪风镜，塔吊，瓷小雕像，柴油引擎

本集看点：塔吊是如何长高的；

S14E07 Stuffed Olives; Astrolabes; Western Saddles 酿水榄，星盘，西部马鞍

S14E08 Custom Running Shoes; Axes; Racing Karts; Animatronics 订制跑鞋，斧头，卡丁车，电子动画

S14E09 Headphones; Diving Regulators; Reflector Light Bulbs 耳机，潜水呼吸调节器，聚光灯泡

S14E10 Fly Fishing Reels; House Paint; Weaving Looms; Ice Makers 飞钓卷筒，房屋涂料，编织机，制冰机

S14E11 Graphite Pencil Leads; Clarinets; Special Effects; 石墨铅笔芯，单簧管，特技效果

S14E12 Air Boats; Onions; 3D Metal Printing; Curved Cabinet Doors 空气船，洋葱，三维金属打印，弧形木柜门

本集看点：金属的3D打印制程；

S14E13 Retractable Ballpoint Pens; Solar Salt; Tubas; 圆珠笔，日晒盐，大号

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:5101c33367df80cb2ba1566fc8f467dbcde21af5&dn

第十五季推出时间为2010-04-02至2010-06-18

S15E01 Kelp Caviar; Luxury Sailboats; Dental Crowns; High-Performance Engines 海带鱼子酱，豪华帆船，人造牙冠，发动机

S15E02 Leather Briefcases; Crop Dusters; Corn Whiskey; Drag Racing Clutches 真皮公文包，喷洒农药飞机，玉米威士忌，直线竞速赛车离合器

S15E03 Train Rails; Desalinated Water; Racing Wheelchairs; Parquetry 火车钢轨，淡化水，竞速轮椅，拼花木地板

S15E04 Flight Simulators; Bookbinding; Greenhouse Tomatoes; Hurricane-Proof Shutters 飞行模拟器，传统装订，温室西红柿，防风百叶窗

S15E05 Worcestershire Sauce; Lawn Bowls; Radio-Controlled Model Jets; 辣酱油，草地滚球，遥控模型喷气机

S15E06 Pipes; Rock Climbing Gear; Leather Bike Saddles; Luxury Sports Cars 烟斗，攀岩丝扣锁，自行车座，豪华跑车

S15E07 Replica Foods; Traffic Cone Dispensers; Rocking Horses; London Taxis 食品模型，交通安全锥，摇马，伦敦出租车

S15E08 Miniature Furniture; Garden Steam Locomotives; Hovercraft; Folding Bicycles 迷你家具，庭院蒸汽机车，气垫船，折迭自行车

S15E09 Crosscut Saws; Haggis; Collectible Firearms; 横割锯，肉馅羊肚，收藏枪支

S15E10 Alligator Bags; Lockers; Bench Planes; Deployable Flight Recorders 鳄鱼手袋，储物柜，木工台刨，飞行纪录仪

S15E11 Grapples; Flavorings; Dog Sleds; Athletic Shoes 抓斗，调味品，狗雪撬，运动鞋

S15E12 Retractile Cords; Wood Frame Sports Cars; Sushi 伸缩绳，木结构跑车，寿司

S15E13 Leather Wallets; French Horns; Soy Sauce; Children's Ride-On Cars 真皮钱包，圆号，酱油，儿童骑乘汽车

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:f6b32d4b2d935fa1a9af9d02b026367bca667ce5&dn

第十六季推出时间为2010-10-01至 2010-12-24

S16E01 Millefiori Glass Paperweights; Road Salt; Nutcrackers; Car Doors 千花玻璃纸镇，道路除冰盐，胡桃夹子，汽车门

S16E02 Straight Razors; Black Pudding; Steering Wheels; Inorganic Pigments 直剃须刀，黑香肠，方向盘，无机颜料

S16E03 Cast Iron Cookware; Biodiesel; Clothing Hangers; Stone Wool Insulation 铸铁炊具，生物柴油，衣架，石棉

本集看点：连续铸造制程；

S16E04 Needles & Pins; Architectural Mouldings; Locomotives; Clothespins 针，建筑木线条，机车，衣夹

本集看点：针尖的抛光制程，针孔的冲压制程；

S16E05 Filigree Glass; Fish Food; Motor Homes 掐丝玻璃，鱼饲料，房车

S16E06 Surgical Instruments; Ketchup; Double-Decker Buses; Walking Sticks 手术器械，番茄酱，手杖

S16E07 Audio Tubes; Light Bars; Model Aircraft; Snare Drums 音频真空管，灯条，木制模型飞机，金属小鼓

S16E08 Kitchen Accessories; Central Vacuums; Paper-Maché Animals; Hydraulic Cylinders 厨房配件，中央吸尘器，纸型动物，液压缸

S16E09 Liquor Jugs; Deli Meats; NASCAR Engines 粘土酒壶，家禽熟肉制品，NASCAR发动机

S16E10 Digital Dentistry; Nail Clippers; Poster Restoration; Canola Oil 数字牙科，海报恢复，菜籽油

S16E11 Dial Thermometers; Hummus; Spent Fuel Containers; Straw Sombreros 温度计，豆泥，燃料容器，秸秆宽边帽

S16E12 Tequila; Water Beds; Flip Flops; Silver 龙舌兰酒，水床，人字拖，银子

S16E13 Composite Propane Cylinders; Salsa; Water-pumping Windmills; Dragsters 复合丙烷缸，辣调味汁，��水风车，高速赛车

本集看点：玻璃纤维制作的罐子；

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:4fc2ea711b18dc3079a0cdb65688b59f2cf1317f&dn

第十七季推出时间为2011-04-08至 2011-06-24

S17E01 Decorative Sombreros; Salad Dressings; Cap Guns; Regenerative Medicine 装饰戴草帽，沙拉酱和腌泡汁，帽枪，再生医学

S17E02 Cheese Graters; Hot Sauce; Silver Jewelery; Traditional Mexican Chairs 芝士刨，辣酱，银首饰，传统墨西哥椅

S17E03 Game calls; Mayonnaise; Traditional Razor Blades; Butterfly Safety Razors 哨，蛋黄酱，传统剃须刀片，蝴蝶安全剃刀

S17E04 Corn Tortillas; Crankshafts & Camshafts; Bush Planes; Aluminum Bike Wheels 玉米饼，曲轴和凸轮轴，布什飞机，铝自行车轮

S17E05 Folding Kayaks; Pi?atas; Garbage Trucks; Ceramic Composite Brake Discs 折叠皮艇，彩罐，垃圾车，陶瓷复合刹车盘

S17E06 Rolled Wafers; Wood Pellets; Class & Championship Rings; 威化饼，木颗粒，总冠军戒指

S17E07 Speed skates; synthetic rubber; cocoa beans; and bulk chocolate 速度溜冰鞋，可可豆，散装巧克力

S17E08 Custom Steering Wheels; Aerospace Fuel Lines; Apple Pies; Household Radiators 定做方向盘，苹果馅饼，家用散热器

S17E09 Whips; automated pizza makers; incense cones; and scale turbine engines 鞭子，自动比萨饼机，香锥，喷气发动机模型

S17E10 Heather gems; instant film; beet sugar; electric roadsters 希瑟宝石，即时胶片，甜菜糖，电动跑车

S17E11 Underwater robots; lasagne; band saws; and ski trekking poles 水下机器人，烤宽面条，带锯床，登山杖

S17E12 Laminated Wood Beams; Sport Utility Vehicles; Veggie Burgers; Wood-boring Augers 木质横梁，运动型多功能车，素食汉堡，钻木螺旋钻

S17E13 Turbochargers; enchiladas; and watches; 涡轮增压器，辣酱玉米饼馅，手表

本集看点：中空的铸造零件是如何制作的；

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:153c8f17185e424a1da8805f16bf13cd9f9d70ad&dn

第十八季推出时间为2011-09-14至 2011-12-06

S18E01 Patterned Glass Panels; Road Cases; Stop-Frame Animation 压花玻璃面板，公路应急箱，定格动画

S18E02 Industrial Wire Ropes; Living Walls; Large Format Cameras; Gemstones 工业钢丝绳，生活墙，大画幅相机，宝石

S18E03 Chocolate Coins; Floor Heating System; Pedal Cars; Latex Swords 巧克力金币，地板采暖系统，踏板汽车，乳胶剑

S18E04 Farmed Caviar; Intake Manifolds; Motorcycle Jackets; Forged Spades 养殖鱼子酱，进气管，机车夹克，铲子和铁锹

S18E05 Wax Figures; Awnings; Sandwich Crackers; Pewter Tankards 蜡像，遮阳篷，三明治饼干，锡制酒杯

S18E06 Cufflinks; Blueberry Turnovers; Dashboards; Pottery 袖扣，蓝莓饼，仪表板，陶器

S18E07 Fish Replicas; Siren Systems; Pre-Packaged Sandwiches; Candlesticks 鱼模型，警报器系统，预包装三明治，烛台

S18E08 Pipe Cleaners; Blue Stilton Cheese; Smart Electric Meters; Telescopes 管道清洁剂，蓝斯蒂尔顿奶酪，智能电表，望远镜

S18E09 Rally Cars; Pork Pies; Floating Fountains; Artificial Stone Ornaments 拉力赛车，猪肉馅饼，浮动喷泉，人造石饰品

S18E10 Tapioca Pudding; Snow Plows; Paddle Boats; Fibre Cement Siding 木薯布丁，除雪车，桨船，纤维水泥墙板

S18E11 Pharmaceutical Blister Packs; Deli Slicers; Oysters; Weathervanes 药品泡罩包装，德利切片机，牡蛎，风向标

S18E12 Top & Bowler Hats; Solar Water Heaters; Sticky Buns; Electrostatic Speakers 圆顶礼帽，太阳能热水器，粘小奶油甜面包，静电式扬声器

S18E13 Turntables; Steam Engines; Playground Equipment; Teflon Pans 唱盘，蒸汽机，运动场设备，不粘锅

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:2689e5e93e88a4f1c599bf77f90d3227cebfa7d8&dn

第十九季推出时间为2012-04-19至 2012-06-24

S19E01 Garden Forks; English Toffee; Paint Chip Cards; Bundt Pans 花园艺叉,英式太妃糖，油漆色卡，蛋糕模具

S19E02 Pewter Flasks; Potato Salad; Hydrogen Fuel Cells; Engineered Wood Siding 锡制酒瓶，马铃薯沙拉，氢燃料电池组，工程木板墙

S19E03 Canvas Wall Tents; Peace Pipes; Shredded Wheat Cereal; Cannons 帆布帐篷，印第安式烟斗，块状麦片，加农炮

S19E04 Robotic Hunting Decoys; Canned Tomatoes; Scoreboards; Lassos 捕猎诱饵，罐装番茄酱，电子计分板，捕牛套索

S19E05 Turf Grass; Beef Jerky; Wood Chippers; Bowling Pins 草坪，长条牛肉干，木片切削机，保龄球球瓶

S19E06 Multi-Tools; Jojoba Oil; Marionettes 多用途工具刀，荷荷芭油，提线木偶

S19E07 Fish Decoys; Film Digitization; Cylinder Stoves; Concrete Light Poles 鱼饵，影片数字化存储，筒形火炉，混凝土灯杆

S19E08 Bamboo Bicycles; Chainsaw Art; Breath Mints; Manual Motorcycle Transmissions 竹制自行车，木雕，薄荷糖，变速箱总成

S19E09 Dinnerware; Air Brake Tanks; Frosted Cereal; Fossils 陶瓷餐具，气刹储气罐，麦片，化石

S19E10 Clay; Pitted Prunes; Spurs; Polyurethane Tires 黏土，话梅，马靴，轮胎

S19E11 Tasers; Canned Soup; Jaw Harps; Diving Boards 泰瑟枪，汤品罐头，口弓，跳水板

S19E12 Space Pens; Reef Aquariums; Metal Caskets; Composite Bike Wheels 太空笔，水族馆，金属棺材，复合自行车轮子

S19E13 Navajo Rugs; Crude Oil; Kaleidoscopes; Titanium Dental Implants 纳瓦霍地毯，原油，万花筒，钛牙科植入物

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:91bb1169cf63a02a4394608268efd8de9703bdcb&dn

第二十季推出时间为2012-10-25至 2013-01-10

S20E01 Native Healing Drums;Raisins;Stereoscopic Viewers;Ribbon Microphones 印地安疗愈鼓，葡萄干，立体图片观赏器，铝带式麦克风

S20E02 Horse Bits; Oat Cereal; Turquoise Jewelry; Electric Scooters 马衔，燕麦片，土耳其玉首饰，电动滑板车

S20E03 Stagecoaches;Road Reflectors;Fire Baked Pottery;Custom Motorcycle Tanks 驿马车，反光道钉，火烤陶器，订制摩托车油箱

S20E04 Replica Clay Pipes;Drinking Fountains;Orange Liqueur;Compound Bows 复刻陶瓷烟斗，饮水机，柳橙甜酒，复合弓

S20E05 Tissues;Travel Trailers;Slippers;Motorcycle Helmets 面纸，旅行拖车，拖鞋，摩托车安全帽

S20E06 U-Locks; Tepees; Croissants; Rolling Luggage U型锁，圆锥帐篷，可颂面包，滚轮行李箱

S20E07 Prams;Factory-Built Homes;Wood Flutes;Bicycle Tires 婴儿车，组合式房屋，木笛，单车轮胎

S20E08 Thinning Shears;Wagon Wheels;Toaster Pastries;Violin Bows 打薄剪，马车轮，果酱夹心饼，小提琴弓

S20E09 1000th Item: Cycling Shoes;Yurts;Marine Plywood;Oil & Encaustic Paint 自行车卡鞋地，蒙古包，船用合板，油彩和蜡彩

S20E10 Nail Nippers; Jade Putters; Ice Cider; Water Skis 指甲钳，玉石推杆，苹果冰酒，滑水板

S20E11 Paper Fans; Walnut Oil; Copper 纸扇，胡桃油，铜

S20E12 Cast Iron Tubs; Hopi Kachina Dolls; Mine Truck Engine; Memory Cards 铸铁浴缸，霍皮族娃娃，矿场卡车引擎重建，记忆卡

S20E13 Gut Strings;Absinthe;Belt Buckles;Lever Locks 肠弦，苦艾酒，皮带头，杆锁

本季资源链接：

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:3b16e409e27f9101e3d9b5ba17cf000344174c58&dn

#how it's made

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