#KALE SALAD STOP

[1d1195]

A MOVIE 😭 Thank you Monica!!! 💕

Pucking Rookie II

Read Pucking Rookie here | ~8k words

From me: sloooooowwwwww burrrrrrrnnnnnnnn

Warnings: angsty, fluffy, douchey ex-boyfriend, a little violent

Summary: Harry is one of the most annoying people she's ever met. It's unfair he's talented, hot, and way nicer than her ex.

“So getting to the side of the ice before the puck is there is offsides?” Marc asked.

She nodded watching the Warriors center faceoff against the Bears on her TV screen. They were in the third period with only five minutes to go and the defenseman from the Bears was in the penalty box for a foul against the center. She thought it was a death sentence. “Correct.”

“They have that in other sports,” he sounded like a child remembering a fact from preschool. She smirked.

“Yes,” she laughed. “Are you sure you want to date this guy?”

“I want to date his dick,” Marc shrugged. She snorted and shook her head.

“Fair enough.”

Her phone lit with a message from Kael. He wanted to see her when she was in town with The Chargers. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but it would have been nice to get some of her stuff back. If he kept it.

“Are you speaking to Harry again?” Marc asked.

It was impossible to keep the smile from growing on her face. She rubbed a hand over her mouth to hide it. “Yeah...” she nodded. “It’s kind of hard not to talk to anyone on the team.”

“The fact you went a whole week without talking to that hot as hell man is beyond me. You’re a better woman than me.”

She snorted. They were coming down to the final two minutes and the goalie skated to the bench and another player glided across the ice. “So, when the team is down by a goal or two, they send the goalie off the ice so they can get another scorer in position. But it leaves the goal open. It’s risky.”

“You are seriously doing that team a disservice by not dating them,” he murmured. “If I was into women I wouldn’t let you out in public. You’re so perfect.”

She laughed. “I am not perfect.”

“Babe, you are stunning, you know hockey, and you make the best cookies I’ve ever tasted.”

“It’s not enough,” she told him sipping her water and standing up. But sure enough, The Warriors scored without their goalie in the next. She had to get to the rink for the night game. She smirked, wiggled eyebrows at Marc, and turned off her TV.

“You should bet money on these things.”

She put on her regular outfit for a night of taking pictures at the rink. Her hands had to be free (and yes, they would freeze) but she wore a thick sweatshirt below the jersey. It had Niall’s name on the back. She figured he was the least likely to make a big deal of wearing someone’s name on her back. She honestly hoped no one noticed that she picked it. She didn’t want to make it seem like she had a favorite on the team. Because she didn’t. And it definitely wasn’t Harry Styles.  

Truthfully, she stole Niall’s old jersey out of the bin in the locker room. It got ripped in a game where someone got a little too irritated with Niall’s good goal tending. There was a significant tear along the seam because Harry was the first one to get to Niall when the incident occurred. Harry accidentally tore at it while trying to get his hands on the opponent and wound up in the penalty box for two minutes because of it.

She spent part of the following evening sewing it carefully back together while watching a movie on Netflix.

Once her winter boots were on, she slipped her camera bag and press pass over her shoulder and neck respectively. She was ready for the evening. Marc walked her down to her car. They both waved at Michael who was pacing outside while smoking a cigarette. “Hey Sweetheart,” he called. Michael was about five years younger than her and way too grumpy for his own good. But he often perked up on her behalf. “Good luck to the team.”

“Thanks!” She smiled as if she had any responsibility for how well they did.

Marc made sure she got in the car safely and winced when her car took two turns to start because of the cold. Once assured her car would remain running, Marc went to Michael’s side and bummed a cigarette from him as she pulled out of the lot in front of the building. What a weird little family she was creating in a weird part of town.

Her car seemed angry that it was being asked to do its job, and she worried that one day it was going to die on her way there. If it did, she was nervous it would be a thing and Uncle Charlie would be pissed. She could see it now. But instead, she listened to her music, stopped to splurge for a coffee made by someone else, and headed to the rink.

At the very least, she was happier than she had been in a very long time. There was no weight around her worrying she wasn’t the perfect girlfriend, the perfect arm candy for her hockey boyfriend. She didn’t worry about looking weird or awkward. She felt more like herself behind the lens, at the rink, and at The Locker Room, and at her apartment with her new friends than she had in years.

Maybe she didn’t need any of her stuff back from Kael. If she never spoke to him again, then she would be okay.

*

“Niall you lucky motherfucker!” Asher yelled.

She wasn’t paying much attention as the boys finally arrived for their game. She was in the middle of a conversation with Uncle Charlie as she went over the pictures she was planning to submit to the news outlets, looking over the tiny screen in her hands. She showed off her non-athletic photography skills. This included the senior pictures she took of her cousin (Charlie’s daughter), and she told him which ones she thought were best. This naturally led to discussing the holidays. Her hope was he was willing to carpool to her parents’ house. It was selfish, mainly because she didn’t think her car would make it the three-hour drive out of the city. Not that she was going to tell him that.

But the boys interrupted before she could get that far. She turned, smiled brightly at her team of restless twenty-something-year-old puppies. She set her coffee on the ledge of the window of an office for one of the team assistants and gave the boys a proper wave. “Are you all ready for gameday?” She asked.

But no one was paying any attention to her greeting. Instead, their gazes were focused on the number on her body. The black-and-silver-lettering and logo was riveting it seemed even though it was on all their own jerseys as well.

So much for it not being a thing. “Sweetheart, I’m honored,” Niall chuckled. Were his cheeks pink in embarrassment? That was cute—he looked so nervous. Niall was adorable. She could see why Harry was so protective of him. In the time she had gotten to know him, she seriously didn’t know how someone so sweet and nice could be roped into a rough and tumble sport like hockey.

“What?” She asked curiously, hoping that if she acted confused, they wouldn’t make it a bigger deal than it needed to be.

It seemed there was little chance of such a thing. “You’re wearing my jersey,” his grin remained shy and so, so adorable.

Well, maybe she could use it to her advantage. “Well, don’t tell the others but you’re my favorite,” she winked.

But it wasn’t quiet and everyone heard it. The gasps and scoffs of disbelief echoed loudly as they entered the locker room to drop some of their stuff. First there would be game day entrance photos, the boys looking dressed in not quite formal but not so casual attire. The stuff that made hearts throb to look at them (and other organs throb if she was honest). They would pose as if they hadn’t already walked in, and no one would know except for them.

Niall turned a shade redder and headed in. “Don’t break my goalie,” Charlie warned.

“I would never break Niall!” She pouted petulantly at her uncle. “Why are they all up and arms about the jersey? It was free and I fixed it. Is it not allowed?”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, Sweetheart,” he chuckled. “It’s just a dumb hockey-guy thing,” he patted her on the back and headed into the locker room.

“Harry’s running late,” Lang said as he returned with just a duffle bag and an overpriced water bottle that was part of his sponsorship deal. “Hit some traffic or something. So, you might not get his game day entrance,” he told her with a shrug.

She nodded. “That’s fine,” she shrugged and snapped a picture of him while he wasn’t really focused, testing the lighting and frame once more now that she had a subject. “There’s enough of you guys to suffice as eye candy for the day we probably won’t need everyone’s picture.”

Lang laughed, covering his mouth. “Sweetheart, please say that in front of Harry while I’m around and you’re wearing that jersey,” he begged. She frowned unsure what he meant by that specifically. Instead, she shook her head and began ordering the captain and his teammates around to get the first part of her evening’s tasks done.

*

Harry showed up just as she took the last shot of the team walking into the locker room. He was pouring the last bit of his protein shake into his mouth while she examined her camera once more and sipped her coffee that she left on the ledge of the window. There was so much more activity back by the locker room as game time approached. There were team doctors, athletic trainers, assistants, and more milling around.

Harry hated being late. It messed with his pre-game rituals. But there wasn’t anything he could do about traffic. Plus, Hayden lived on the exact opposite side of the city. He really shouldn’t have bothered with trying to sneak a quick hook-up in before the game. But he needed something to take the edge off and nothing was working.

Granted the hook-up left him feeling unsatisfied as well. Although it wasn’t Hayden’s fault. She was lovely, truly. It was all Harry’s brain. Something was off and he couldn’t quite place it.

But one look at the pretty photographer wearing the number thirty-one on her body reminded him that he was much more aware of the issue than he was willing to admit. He blinked hoping his eyes were mistaken. But no, the name Horan was on her back.

“Rookie!” He called.

What the fuck was he going to say? It didn’t even make sense for him to be mad. She didn’t do anything wrong. God, Harry was an idiot. She was off limits. For all he knew she had one of everyone’s jersey and was going to rotate through.

It was probably not a good sign that she looked up when she heard that nickname, right? It wasn’t good to get used to knowing it was Harry calling her the moment she heard his teasing. But right then, Harry didn’t look teasing. His gaze was laser-focused on her torso (and not the way she would expect him to be focused on her chest). “Hi Harry,” she smiled, sweetly; hoping vehemently that this wasn’t about the jersey. “Do you want a game day photo?” She asked gently holding her camera up.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” He snapped.

This hoping thing ain’t shit. She thought. Glancing down at her outfit once more, she frowned. “I thought I looked cute,” she pouted.

Harry was all but half a foot in front of her. “You’re wearing Niall’s jersey.”

“It’s from the locker room, it was going to get thrown out, so I just sewed it,” she shrugged. “Is that not allowed? No one said anything.”

He seemed to bristle but settled at the same time. She really didn’t get what the big deal was. “S’fine,” he grumbled. “Y’do look cute. You always look cute,” he rolled his eyes and pushed the locker room door open with a little too much power. She shook her head and heard laughter from behind the door.

“Boys are weird,” she sighed and headed for the tunnel to get to the ice.

*

She texted Michael from her car when she got back to the apartment at one in the morning. It was dark, cold, and she had a weird feeling as she pulled into the small lot. He hurried out yawning as he did. He was wearing only shorts, a t-shirt, and slippers. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” she frowned and hurried to the front of the building. He waited patiently for her to lock her car.

“S’fine, Sweetheart,” he shrugged and yawned.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. She really needed to find a new place, so she didn’t have to bother them. But she swore she could feel someone’s eyes following her as she closed the entry door to her building. Michael headed down the first-floor hall to his place without another word. She stopped at her small little mailbox, locked on the inside. Only a slit in the wall from the outside to get in. It was all junk and bills. She didn’t give her address to anyone. Not even Uncle Charlie had her real address. She mentioned some apartment complex on the good side of town. But when pressed, she immediately diverted and asked if he would be okay with shipping her Amazon packages to his house. It did the trick, fortunately. Her parents didn’t think much of it either because they knew Charlie was keeping an eye on her.

It was all she could afford after not working much because of Kael and his weird obsession with making sure she played the proper part of picture-perfect hockey girlfriend. This was a sketchy part of town, and she knew it and didn’t like living here either. But what could she really do? Making friends with Michael and Marc was easy and she was lucky. So very lucky to have people keep an eye out for her when she got home late and felt like she was being followed.

So, when she turned to the stairwell behind the little mail room and saw the very angry hockey player outside the door of her building peering through the glass, she practically jumped back a foot and immediately and nearly screamed.

She clamped a hand over her mouth and pressed the other one to her heart, dropping her mail in the process. “What the fuck are you doing?!” She whisper-screamed opening the door.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Harry hissed stepping inside. He gathered up her mail handing it to her. He continued glaring as he took in the run-down place. “Do you live here?”

“Yes!”

“Rookie, this is not a safe area. Why are y’living here?”

“Because I can afford it? What kind of fucking question is that?”

Harry looked so good having just played a grueling game that included overtime and a shootout. His hair was still damp from his shower. His face glowing that way he managed to do in the dead of winter that was so unfair to her. He smelled good—too good. He wore a black hoodie, black pants, and black sneakers. Like he was trying to blend in with the night. The only not good-looking thing about him at the moment was the sour expression on his otherwise extremely pretty features. The furrow between his eyebrows looked angry. The green of his eyes appeared darker, almost black to match his clothes. His mouth was pressed in a flat line.

But even angry, Harry looked hot. He had been angry all evening. Since he set foot in the arena. He didn’t relax when they all went to The Locker Room either. He hardly spoke to Niall and barely acknowledged his good goal tending. “Does coach know you live here?”

She shook her head. “Harry, shut the fuck up. Why did you follow me home like a creep!?”

“Because s’one in the morning and y’said y’were exhausted and that your car was a piece of shit! I was making sure y’made it home. I didn’t know home was even scarier!”

“Hey babe, everything alright? Michael texted you would be on your way up and to keep an ear out.” Marc called as he approached them descending the stairs.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” she whispered and rubbed her temples.

“Holy shit,” Marc gaped.

“Harry, this is Marc,” she introduced the pair, but lacked any enthusiasm. “He’s my neighbor.”

Harry glared at him—even though he didn’t deserve it. “Hi,” he said curtly.

“I’m fine,” she told Marc. “Harry followed me home.”

“Great game today, man,” he looked awestruck; no longer concerned about her well-being at all and entirely concerned about the beautiful man in front of him. “That was a bogus penalty in the second period.”

“I said the same thing,” she nodded in agreement hoping it would remind Harry that she made her own little place here and he didn’t need to worry. That he was her friend.

Harry softened just a little. His shoulders untensed ever so slightly. “Thanks,” he nodded curtly, trying to remain polite to a fan when he wanted to shake the sweet photographer. “Rookie, show me your place,” he ordered.

“Michael and I keep an eye on her,” Marc offered sensing there was a deeper issue.

Harry eyed him up and down and then turned back to her. “Show me your place,” he repeated.

“No!”

“Jesus, babe, show the hot man your apartment!”

She pressed her fingers to her forehead and slid them down her nose and over her lips as she spoke. “Marc,” she sighed. “Go away.”

“Huge fan,” he held his hands up in surrender and made his way upstairs.

Harry was staring at her in disbelief. “You’re not living here.”

“Harry,” she sighed.

“I’ve had a shit day, Rookie. Don’t fucking test it,” he snapped and headed up the stairs figuring he would find it on his own because he would just know? She shook her head.

“Third floor,” she mumbled following behind him. He sighed with relief from ahead of her.

“Take that stupid fucking shirt off,” he said once the door was shut.

“Why are you so angry today?” She shed her camera carefully setting it on the small table. Then her badge. She dropped her keys on the table too. Quickly, before he could get angrier, she rid herself of the jersey and her hoodie.

Harry sighed again, relieved it seemed of what she didn’t know. Without broiling in irritation over his friend’s name all over the girl he had a massive crush on, he was able to focus a little more. Glancing around he inspected the small place. It was cute, adorable even. Just like her.

She bent to take her shoes off. “Do you want water or something? You’re so keyed up... Maybe you want a sedative?” She rolled her eyes at him.

He snorted. “Pass,” he continued looking around. “S’nice, really,” he murmured

“It is,” she agreed. “I don’t plan on staying here forever, but it’s what’s affordable right now. Not all of us make seven figures a year for their talent.”

He ignored her and wandered around the little rooms she had. On all of her walls were more photos she had clearly taken. It didn’t take much for him to figure out her style. It was natural and lovely. “S’cold in here.”

“Heat’s expensive,” she remarked. “Do you want some tea?” She asked.

He shook his head. “No, thank you, Rookie,” he mumbled relaxing more as he inhaled deeply. Everything was so intoxicatingly her in this room. It smelled so good. She smelled so good. “Is Marc in love with you?” He asked offhandedly.

“Not unless I identify as a man, which I don’t.”

He smirked, unable to hide the amusement. She was so funny, it was unfair. Beautiful, talented, kind, and funny. She was made in a lab and meant to tempt every one of Harry’s desires. “What ‘bout the guy that walked y’in?” He picked up the book that was on her coffee table and read the back of it, wondering what kind of books she was into and if she liked the same things as him. He set the book down carefully.

“Michael? No. He’s a baby.”

“He’s taller than you,” he murmured.

“He’s not in love with me. Well, actually, I do make him cookies. So maybe,” she shrugged.

He shook his head wishing he could focus on his own questions. But she was too quick and Harry was too tired.

On the wall of her living room was an array of small frames. Probably fifteen or so four by six photos that his mom would have put in a photo album. He recognized Charlie and Ray. A man he could only assume was Charlie’s brother and her dad as they looked like twins with different hair and eye coloring. Girls in their teens, a dog that never seemed to age even though the family around it did, and her gorgeous smile.

There was also a stupid fucking picture of Niall on her wall beside a team photo which made him want to yank it down and stomp on it like a psychopath.

Poor Niall did nothing to deserve Harry’s wrath. The team teased him the moment he went into the locker room telling him all about how she said Niall was his favorite. It wasn’t surprising. Niall was nice and sweet. He didn’t hook up with a bunch of girls nor did he go from city to city hoping to be entertained by a different girl. He was a nice guy. Probably the kind of guy she did deserve. Especially after whatever it was that Kael did to arguably ruin his life by losing her. He barely congratulated him on his saves in the game. Didn’t even buy him a drink at the bar either. To Niall’s credit, he didn’t take it too harshly. Merely smirked at him as he glared. Knowing it really had nothing to do with him at the heart of it.

But the picture of his best friend on her wall just made him grumpier all over again. It didn’t help that Harry was exhausted. He dreaded having to drive home this late. Especially when he was mad on top of everything else. But having seen where she lived, he was glad he followed her home. Didn’t care that it was creepy. It would have made him insane to know she wasn’t safe.

There wasn’t much he could do but turn his attention to her kitchen so he could avoid the stupid picture of his stupid friend who he didn’t like very much at present.

Right there on the fridge door was one of her family photos—clearly taken at a wedding or something. A quick glance showed she wasn’t in it which made him sad. How often was she left out of pictures because she was always the one taking them? Beside her family was the side-by-side duo picture of herself that he saw on her website. A photo of her parents’ dog next to that. A couple landscapes of the ocean and sun.

Right in the middle of all her photos was a picture of Harry.

He swore time stopped. All his anger towards Niall disappeared. Why was he on her fridge? It was the picture of when he scored a goal, from one of the first games she photographed this year. The one she sent him the first time she texted him. “Why’s this on the fridge?” He asked, straightening it alongside the others it. There was a magnet on the back and Harry felt his chest constrict a bit knowing he wasn’t on the wall, but he was in her house. She cared in some way enough to put him among her pictures of family and friends.

She shrugged. “I put all of my favorite pictures on the fridge,” she said it so simply. It wasn’t a big deal to her. The pictures belonged there and that was it. It just was.

His heart sincerely skipped a beat. Like if he were a cartoon, a graphic of a little heart monitor would appear in a cloud bubble, and it would show an irregular rhythm representing the way she made him feel. His gaze flickered to her briefly, but he was worried he would stare and never look away. He cleared his throat and looked toward her wall of photos. “What ‘bout the wall over there?”

“Those are nice pictures too, but I don’t really look at the wall much. It’s behind me when I sit on the couch, you know...? The fridge however,” she had a smile in her voice. “I love snacks and cooking and baking. So, I’m in the kitchen a lot. So, I like to look at my favorites.”

Harry felt softer. Relieved. Less mad and annoyed than he’d been in hours. Maybe even days if he was honest. Harry was one of her favorites. Even if she didn’t mean he was her favorite and merely the photo.

“Bunny?” He asked softly staring at the other half dozen or so of her favorites.

She didn’t miss a beat answering to the nickname that she didn’t really like. But she did really like the way it sounded when Harry said it. “Yeah?”

“Would y’ever wear my jersey?” His voice was quiet, he felt stupid for asking. The question wouldn’t leave his brain until he said it. Whatever the answer was, he had to ask it.

She frowned and sighed. Harry hated that. It seemed like a terrible question, and he was dreading her answer immediately. “I hate to say it, Harry, but I can’t afford a Styles jersey.”

He rolled his eyes. “Would y’wear it?”

“Of course I would, Harry. You’re my friend just like Niall is. And Asher, Callie, and Lang. I really only wore it because you guys were throwing it out.”

Harry rubbed a hand on the side of his face. He could live with that. “Alright.”

“Did I miss something?” She asked. But he knew how perceptive she was. She had to know how much it bothered him that she wore his friend’s name and number on her body today and not his. She had to know he had a crush on her. Even if he couldn’t do anything about it.

“Nope,” he shook his head not wanting to get into it further.

“Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink?” She asked again. “You seem really out of sorts...maybe you need something without alcohol?”

“Sure,” he sighed. She could give him whatever she wanted. She wouldn’t be able to tell, but he was relieved now. He didn’t need anything else. “Tea would be nice...” She nodded, gently nudging him out of the way to get a pitcher of water from her fridge. “Can I stay here?”

“You want to stay in my crappy little apartment? After you went on and on about how unsafe it is?” She questioned filling the kettle on her stove.

Fair point, Bunny. “M’exhausted, Rookie. I told you I had a bad day.”

“I see that,” she pouted and scanned him up and down. “Of course you can. You have to take my bed though; the couch is too small for you.”

He shook his head. “M’not kicking y’out of your bed when I barged in.”

“Well... it was... kind of nice that you made sure I got home safely. I’m glad it was you, but I was pretty nervous... so if it wasn’t you...” she shook her head and looked at her hands wringing them awkwardly. “I’m sorry you got stuck here,” she pouted.

More of him softened somehow. It seemed impossible that she could make him feel any softer. He was certain he never felt softer than when she said that his picture was one of her favorites. The way she spoke was so gentle.

“I fall asleep most nights on the sofa anyway,” she shrugged, unaware of the thoughts rolling through Harry’s head. She probably hadn’t a clue how she made him imagine her adorable body curled into the small sofa with a blanket around her. What it would be like for him to come home from a game and find her snuggled into a sweatshirt with his cologne on it, the TV playing the post-game highlights, and her hands tucked under her cheek. Did she snore? Harry ached to know.

God he was fucked. How did she walk into the arena and do that? Harry thought of nothing but hockey and hookups. Now he wondered if she snored at night.

She carefully poured the hot water into a mug with The Charger’s logo on the outside and dipped the tea bag in and out a few times letting the water do its thing. She slid it across the small counter before she poured her own mug. They stood silently for a moment, sipping tea.

“I might have something of Kael’s for you to sleep in.”

“I’d rather die than sleep in that piece of shit’s clothes.”

She smirked around the edge of her mug and shook her head. “Are you cold?” She asked.

He shook his head. It was cold but he wasn’t cold. He would be fine with a few blankets. A warm body beside him would be good too, but he wasn’t sure he could convince her.

She put her mug in the sink and went to the bathroom without warning. After a few minutes, she returned. Her face was washed of makeup, her hair pulled back, and she wore a pair of sweatpants instead. She grabbed a pillow off her bed. “Normally I’d change your sheets, but... It’s too late. I hope you don’t mind.”

Wrapped up in sheets, blankets, and pillows that smelled like her? Fine by him. “S’fine, Rookie. Thank you.”

She grabbed more blankets from under her sofa cushion; a space for storage hiding in plain sight. She placed them at the end of her bed and then went to the sofa. “Make yourself at home,” she offered. “Night, Harry,” she yawned and settled into her pillow and blanket, nuzzling into the warmth just as he imagined, her hands tucked under her cheek.

“Night, Rookie,” he mumbled and climbed into her bed. He was practically asleep before he was fully settled.

*

It couldn’t have been more than a couple hours later—it was still very dark out. Her bed was warm, soft, and smelled so fucking good he thought he might sew himself into the sheets just so he never had to leave. But it was undeniably cold. Even in his hoodie and sweats.

He glanced across the room and could barely make out the shadow of his pretty crush curled into the sofa. She looked chilled and Harry felt so immensely guilty. He got out of bed, his feet nearly stinging on the cold floor. Without more thought he scooped her up. His arms looping around the back of her knees and the other around her waist. He tried to move her without jostling her too much. Her head fell toward him, pressing into his chest as he carried her back to the bed. He settled her under her sheets and blankets. He wanted nothing more than to cozy up to her, but he wasn’t going to ruin the progress he made that night. Instead, he slipped between the sheet and blanket, draped the pair of them in the other blankets.

She sighed loudly in her sleep. Like she was comfortable.

Harry didn’t think there was anyone cuter than her.

*

Harry woke up to her burrowed into his side. He didn’t dare move. If she wanted out, she would have to make the move. There wasn’t anything that would get Harry to remove himself from her warm body in the same bed as him. It was almost too warm, but well worth it.

“Jesus,” she whispered suddenly and scooched back in the bed. “Harry!” She hissed.

He smirked. “Good morning, Rookie,” he yawned. “Sleep well?”

“How did I get here?”

“Y’must have tucked yourself in with me,” he smiled.

She rolled her eyes, shook her head. “Shut up,” she mumbled.

“Y’jus’ looked cold,” he shrugged. “S’plenty of room.”

She sighed. “Well thanks, it was cozy,” her cheeks turned red. “Do you want something to eat?” She asked, immediately pivoting from their little late-night cuddle.

“Y’make breakfast too?”

“It’s actually my favorite meal...” she trailed off pushing the covers off. “I love going out to breakfast,” she got out of bed and grabbed a sweatshirt from her dresser. Harry sensed there was more to that, but as soon as he saw her sweatshirt, all previous thoughts left his mind.

Niall’s number and name on her body made him mad.

The words Glacier Wolves across the front in it’s hideous font was going to send him to an early grave.

“No,” he shook his head immediately. “Take it off.”

“You’re awfully bossy about my outfits, Harry,” she rolled her eyes. “It’s cold. I need a sweatshirt.”

Harry pulled the one he was wearing off. “Here.”

For a moment she eyed it. Harry couldn’t figure out her expression or the pause that lasted as she examined it. “Harry it’s like ten degrees out,” she pulled the hem down and walked toward her bathroom again.

He pouted, grumbling to himself as he put his clothing back on. “M’burning that,” he mumbled.

“I heard that!”

*

Harry left after breakfast. He didn’t bug her about her sweatshirt. But he did beg her to turn the heat on for a little bit. He helped her with dishes and not once did the conversation feel forced, awkward, or like there was a lull that lasted too long. He watched her take pictures of her food, then the way the light streamed in through the window, so it hit her coffee table just so. She adjusted her book to an open page and set a hot cup of tea beside it.

With a couple of snaps, Harry watched her while biting into his toast. “Can I see?” He asked.

“It’s nothing special. I just take random pictures sometimes for practice,” she explained.

He wiped his hand on his leg and held it out expectantly for the priceless equipment. It felt weird, awkward. Tentatively, she handed it to him. Not only had she captured the beauty of the early morning in her little place, she took another picture of Harry drinking tea in between bites.

He smiled. “Aw, Rookie, me?” He teased. She didn’t say anything, looked anywhere but him while her pink cheeks spoke for the emotions she was feeling. “M’not sure why but m’still really impressed,” he tabbed through the pictures she took on the little screen.

She must have faced the camera backwards because her pretty smiling face with the ice rink as back drop behind her illuminated the screen. Harry loved everything about the photo. It had her and his beloved hockey rink. “Can I have this one?” He asked.

“I was going to delete that,” she blushed. Harry frowned.

“No way, Rookie, y’look adorable. Let me have it, y’got me on your fridge.”

She looked away shyly, nodded silently. “I’ll text it to you.”

Harry was unbelievably talented and attractive. He could outthink his opponents on the ice and he was sweet enough to make sure she got home safe. Carried her to bed in the middle of the night to keep her warm.

It wasn’t fair that she couldn’t have him. Even if it was her own doing.

Around ten or so, Harry had to head out and she hated to admit it, but she really missed him almost the moment he left.

*

The following day she headed to practice taking pictures for the team’s social media posts. Ray and Charlie were at the center of the ice waiting for the team to file out of the locker room. She took a picture of her uncle and surrogate uncle. Then she setup for some detail shots while waiting. The score book and pen on the bench. A stick propped up behind the bench. She laid flat on the ice and got a shot of the coach’s shoes on the center of the ice.

“Hey Sweetheart!” Callie called from across the rink—first one on the ice. Ray threw a puck at him, and he shot it into the net. Charlie threw another and he pushed the puck back and forth near him. “Laying down on the job?”

She snorted, shook her head with a smile. “Come here!” He glided over and stopped in front of her without getting ice all over her and her equipment. “Put your stick flat on the ground,” she ordered. She reached out and touched the puck and pushed it in front of the slight bend at the end of his stick. “Take your helmet off, and your gloves.”

“You gonna tell me to take more of my uniform off, Sweetheart?” He teased but followed her directions.

“You wish.”

“I do wish, Sweetheart, I do.”

She shook her head while centering her view on the shot she wanted. “Don’t move.”

“Yes ma’am,” he sighed dreamily. He was enjoying her bossing him around too much and she couldn’t help but smile while she clicked the shutter taking several of the same photo.

“Okay, thank you,” she carefully maneuvered so she would flop awkwardly back on the ice. Callie immediately grabbed her camera and then took hold of her arm to help her up. Once righted, she brushed the ice off the front of her body. She was quite chilled from lying on the ground for so long. Plus her apartment was cold, naturally her car’s heater was chilly, and it felt like she never quite got out of the cold ever because of it.

“Can I see?” He said excitedly.

She turned the camera to show him. Her teeth chattered a little more than usual. Callie put an arm around her shoulders to add some warmth. He was tall and lean like most other hockey players. And undoubtedly attractive too. “You’re pushing it, Kian,” she shook her head but didn’t mind how warm he felt.

“No one calls me Kian except my mother, Sweetheart,” he reminded her. “You’re cold. Don’t read into it,” he took the camera from her and thumbed through the photos pressing the buttons beside the screen to view them. “Wow,” he murmured. “That’s so cool, Sweetheart. It looks really beautiful.”

She blushed with pride and ducked her face. “Thank you.”

“You know... I’m not sure what he did, but Kael is an idiot to lose you,” he affirmed clicking through more of the photos. “Can we take one?” He asked.

“Yeah, sure,” she turned the camera around and pointed where Callie needed to look. He squeezed around her a little tighter as she clicked the shutter. He immediately took the camera back and examined the photo. “Cute, Sweetheart,” he grinned and continued flipping through all her photos. Including the ones from her breakfast with Harry the day before. “Ooh... what’s this?” He cooed. “Did you and Styles have a sleepover?!” He gaped.

She took her camera back. “No,” she didn’t even blush. It wasn’t his business. She didn’t want Charlie to hear.

And she definitely didn’t want Harry to hear.

Harry slid onto the ice his eyes zeroing in on his teammate’s arm wrapped around her almost immediately. She felt a little awkward knowing that he seemed to be a bit territorial about her even though it wasn’t really within his right. He glowered at the puck that Charlie tossed to him, and it sailed almost immediately into the net from where he stood. “I can’t compete with him, Sweetheart,” Callie frowned. “Please tell me you don’t actually like Styles.”

“I like all of you, Kian,” she rolled her eyes, tearing her eyes away from his broody skating.

“But you like me most, right?” Asher appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

“She likes you least,” Lang said assuredly skating by just as quick. She laughed and shook her head.

“I like you all equally,” she promised.

“Bull shit, you can’t sell a twenty-way-tie!” Asher frowned.

She loved her little family away from her real one. This team made her feel more loved and appreciated than Kael ever did. It was eye-opening in so many ways. Was it just because she took pictures on the team? Would they behave this way if she was just a girlfriend? Or the coach’s niece without special treatment? She got special treatment from the other girlfriends and wives of the Glacier Wolves simply because she was Kael’s girlfriend.

At about the same time she started to feel drained by her relationship (the last six months before it ended), she overheard two of the significant others talking about her in the bathroom. While she was using the bathroom... They said Kael was an idiot to stay with her. She was a leech and nothing more. For three years she had been nothing but a good girlfriend. She attended every game, catered to Kael’s workout schedules, practice schedules. She monitored his calendar and made sure his stunning, penthouse apartment was cleaned. She hosted parties for his teammates. For three years post-graduation she didn’t take photography gigs, skipped family parties, and let her degree sit on a shelf unused to it’s full potential.

Maybe The Chargers boys were just being kind because she was the coach’s niece. Maybe her skill really was subpar. Wasn’t she really just a leech in a new way now? Her uncle got her this job and they didn’t really need her.

Kael fucked her up good. Made her feel worthless. He didn’t value her skill and made her believe she wasn’t good enough in any part of her life. “Hey Sweetheart?” Callie asked, giving her a squeeze, bringing her mind back to the present. “You good?”

She nodded. “Sorry, just daydreaming.”

“About me?!” Asher grinned. She smiled. At least for now, this family she had was sweet. She wanted to believe they valued her for her and savor it for however long she could.

*

While the boys practiced, she went to the locker room and tidied up, brought the dirty uniform hamper to the laundry room, and brought the clean laundry back. She took more detail shots without the boys around. It was fun to get them in the shots, like the ones she took with Callie. But ever-like puppies, it was easier to get pictures without them milling around eagerly. She took some really nice shots of their locker space. With the right lighting, it would look like they were ready for battle—she could see it in her head, and she couldn’t wait to get the shots of their numbers alongside equipment on her computer to play with the settings.

But after about an hour of that, she ran out of things to do. She sauntered back to the rink and watched from the bench. Ray and Charlie stood at the center dictating where they should go and what to do next. It was mesmerizing. The beauty and graceful agility these tall, lean, padded men exuded was incredible.

“Take a picture it will last longer!”

The team burst into laughter as Callie called out to her. She shook her head but certainly did just that.

“Hey Sweetheart,” Niall grinned coming over during another break. “Heard you had Harry over. Hope he wasn’t too much trouble.”

She smiled. “No, he was good,” she assured him. “It was nice he followed me home. To make sure I was safe.”

“Yeah, he’s decent like that. His sister Gemma made him a real gentleman,” he agreed. “He didn’t like you wearing my jersey,” he told her.

“I’m well aware.”

“I won’t say no if you wear it again.”

She laughed. “Will do.”

“Want to make him madder taking a picture?”

“Maybe tomorrow, Kian made him pretty mad today with that one already.”

“Who?” Niall furrowed his eyebrows. She shook her head and silently laughed. “Is that what the silent treatment was for?” Niall asked with a laugh and skated off to rejoin his team.

*

At the end of practice, she took shots of them leaving the ice, the empty net. In her head she had a series of photos. The sequence of a hockey game and maybe she would put it into motion one day. She sat on the bench looking at her camera screen and sifted through some of the multiples she didn’t need.

“Hey Rookie,” Harry said softly.

She looked up and smiled. “Hi, Harry.”

Dangling from his fingers were a pair of figure skates. All white, pink guards, pink anterior cushioning, and pink laces.

“I got you these.”

She blinked. “Why?”

“To practice.”

“Harry, I cannot accept that. I know how much ice skates cost. Those have to be close to 400 dollars.”

He shrugged. “That’s what a good pair cost.”

“Harry, I can’t even stand on the ice. Return them. I’m not taking a 400-dollar pair to ruin because I can’t even stand still while wearing them... And they’re practically giving me blisters from just looking at them. I don’t have the right socks..." Harry looked disappointed and he frowned. "But... that... that was very sweet of you,” she added. Because she hadn’t said thank you yet, and it was sweet. It was extremely thoughtful of him. “Thank you,” she added gratefully. “That was so nice of you.”

“Do you like Callie?” He blurted.

“Do you think I’m in love with every man I meet?” She countered.

“You two looked cozy,” he mumbled.

“I was cold,” she admitted. “He offered his jersey, but I didn’t want a repeat of the other night,” she quipped. Harry smirked and looked away from her. “I’m not dating hockey players, remember?” She grabbed her camera and bag ready to leave the rink.

“Yeah...” he sighed, rubbed the back of his head. “I know, Rookie.”

*

There was a knock on her door later that evening. She assumed it was Michael asking if she had baked anything after feeling a bit on the munchier side of life. It probably wasn’t Marc because he had a date with the hockey lover. But maybe it was an early night for them, so who knew.

Instead, Harry was there. A pair of skates dangling from his fingers once more. The guards were still pink, there were scuffs on the toes and heels. The interior was cushioning was a light brown. “They’re a good brand. Used, so they didn’t cost a lot. But full disclosure, they were the most expensive used pair I could find because m’not gonna let y’skirt on the quality because of the cost. They won’t hurt your feet with blisters being brand new.”

Harry, with used ice skates, was the last person she expected to see. There was a tug in her chest where her heart would have melted for Kael to do something as kind as that. But she couldn’t fall in love with Harry. It was just a bad idea. He was a celebrity. There were millions of women he could choose from.

“Have you had it with dragging me around the ice or something?” She asked.

He chuckled and shook his head. “No, but... I want t’help you, Rookie. Y’should know how t’skate. Think of the pictures y’could take even if y’jus’ learn t’skate a little,” he shrugged.

That tug in her chest felt an awful lot like Harry worming his way into the center of her universe. But she didn’t want to do that again. Not really. She didn’t want to dote on Harry the way she did only for it to backfire on her. She still had a lot of time, but she felt behind. Kael made it so she didn’t have tons of money. She ‘didn’t have to worry about it’ because he made plenty. But it wasn’t about money. It was about her independence and now she felt like she literally paid the price. “I got y’some socks too,” Harry added.

Goddammit.

She was going to fall in love with him.

--

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[blanketorghost]

Nah I refuse to believe Azul's cooking is MEDIOCRE that man has been cooking without fire for YEARS I know he would make a smashing ceviche

[thbstvrdthmtlbndndntn]

My boyfriend and I made dinner together for his parents since im staying with them for 9 days over the holidays and there were some hairy spots but we did really well together and I have to say. I freaked it

[kaleschmidt]

OHHHH I MIGHT EXPLODE ACTUALLY (THINKING ABT MAETHA LIVES AU)

[girlitfeelsgood]

I fucking love cabbage so much

[luveline]

oh my god Jade I love coworker James!!! can we please see Remus and Sirius actually catching them !:)))

thank you for requesting! fem, 1.3k

James Potter is eating his lunch in peace when you find him in the staff kitchen. It was nice to eat in silence —he won’t get any of that now. 

“Hi, lovely,” he says. 

“Stop,” you say instantly, pulling the fridge door open to extract your lunch. James watches the curve of your shoulder, your arm, even your leg as you bend to grab your Tupperware before straightening out. 

“What are you having?” 

“Can’t we eat in mutual, agreeable silence?” you ask. 

James thinks about it, but when you’re around he can’t seem to keep his mouth shut. “No, maybe tomorrow, though.” 

“Brilliant.” 

You sit down —in the chair next to his, he’d like to point out, and not the one opposite— and open your Tupperware. You have a salad with what looks like diced tofu, grilled and honeyed, salt and pepper cracked over dressed leaves of kale and lettuce. 

“That looks good.” 

“You’re so healthy, I thought I’d outdo you,” you say, popping your foldable fork from the Tupperware lid. 

“You’ve managed it.” James is eating chicken katsu in wraps with a chilli sauce, lettuce, and finely sliced tomato. For his afters, he has three bags of crisps and a tangerine he’s going to share with you, two slices to one.

For a little bit, you both chew and say nothing. After a few minutes he reaches under the table to hold your thigh. A few minutes more and you’re letting your leg fall against him, smiling around bites of salad. 

“Do you wanna come over tonight?” he asks. 

“Maybe you should come to mine?” you ask, a shade of timid. “I know you’ve never been, it’s not nice as yours is, but at least Sirius won’t walk in on us.” 

James wonders if that means what he thinks it does, or if you’re just sick of being kissed and then shot away from. If it means the first thing, he really needs to ask if you want to be his girlfriend. Like, today. He’s worried you’re gonna say no, but he doesn’t want you thinking that intimacy from him is casual, because it really won’t be. 

“We can get dinner first?” he suggests, feeling along your knee gently. 

“Where do you want to go?” 

“Where do you want to, pretty girl?” 

You shift ever so slightly in your chair. “I don’t know. Where’s somewhere nice? Or do you want casual, like, the Chinese buffet by the cinema? It’s quite nice in there.” 

“I wanna go wherever you fancy,” he says. He’s flirting, or not flirting but affectionate, his voice velveteen as he ducks his head. He wants to find your hand and kiss it. He loves kissing the tips of your fingers, but it’s a sure fire way to get you to lean away from him. He knows you like it, evidenced by your smile, and by your willingness to give him your hand again the next time. “Do you think we can just–” he shouldn’t ask here, should he? He does it anyhow. “I want it to be a date. Like, a proper, actual date we own up to.” 

“Like we tell everyone we went?” 

“Not right now, not if you don’t want to. Just between us then. It’s a real date.” 

Something moves in your neck. You bite your lip but let it fall back into place as you say, “Yeah, okay. A real date.” 

“Okay?” he asks. 

“Yeah, okay,” you repeat. “I’d really like to.” 

“You would?” he asks softly. 

You turn in your seat to check the door, before leaning into his lap, and pressing a quick, careful kiss to lips, just a little to the side and up, your mouth aligned to the corner of his and the skin beneath his nose. 

“So, somewhere nice, then,” you say as you sit in your seat properly. 

James hooks his ankle behind the leg of your chair and drags you as close as he can possibly get you without yanking you into his lap. “I genuinely don’t care where we go, I just wanna go with you.” He gestures for you to come back, his hand rising to your shoulder. “I could kiss you stupid right here, I hope you know.” 

“That’s not funny,” you say, laughing despite yourself. 

He wasn’t making a joke, but he supposes he’s coming on strong. “I could, but I won’t. I’m too nice and you probably taste like kale anyways, which would be a punishment for me I don’t deserve.”

“Not the most flavourful vegetable, is it?” 

He laughs softly against your lips. One second he’s not going to kiss you here, and the next it’s as though his body decided all on its own. He smiles too much to kiss you properly, but a kiss is a kiss. Kissing you is like electric and fireworks, and honey and sugar, and all manner of cliche things. It’s like a long day ending. It’s like your heart and his are the same, for just those few seconds together. 

“You don’t taste so bad,” he murmurs. 

“You could’ve let me have a drink first.” 

“Where’s the fun in that? Come on, kiss me again.” 

“No, no, ‘cos I don’t like that spicy sauce you put on your wraps and–”

He laughs again, you’re laughing just as loudly, tipping your head to the side as he wades in from the other. 

The kitchen door opens with a whack. You spring apart from one another guiltily, too little too late as the man in the door makes his shock known. 

“Where you just–” Sirius grins like a Cheshire Cat. “You were kissing! I knew it! I can’t–”

“Well you didn’t know it, did you?” Remus asks, giving Sirius a dirty look. “I’ve only tried to tell you ten times that I think there’s something going on with them, they’ve been holding hands. But no, Sirius Black knows everything about James Potter, like I didn’t grow up with you both too.” Remus gives his boyfriend a good glower and makes his way to the fridge.

You immediately fluster, bringing a hand to your eyes as though that might undo what’s been done. 

“We weren’t kissing,” James says. 

“No, then what were you doing, James?” Sirius asks. 

“She was checking my teeth for sesame seeds?” 

“With her tongue,” Sirius says smugly. 

“Sirius, don’t.” Remus pulls his vitamin water from the fridge and remembers himself. “Sorry, Y/N. I’m not trying to embarrass you, and neither is Sirius.” 

“Well, she has nothing to be embarrassed about,” James says, laying his hand on your arm. 

“We really weren’t kissing,” you insist. Then, sighing in defeat. “If anything, James was kissing me and I was letting him.” 

“Yes, because you so often just let me do things to you,” he says, stroking the crook of your elbow with his thumb.

“I knew it,” Sirius says happily, smirking like a fiend as Remus forces the vitamin water into his arms. 

“You did not.” 

“I was just trying to throw you off of the scent, Moony.” 

James meets your eyes, still wide with surprise. “I’m sorry. Uh… They won’t tell?” 

You tip your head. “Someone would’ve found out eventually, right?” 

Right? As in, we would’ve kept going, we’re going to keep dating, and eventually more than that? James will have to buy you a very big bouquet of flowers tonight, lest you not believe him. 

“I’m afraid so. At least that’s out of the way,” he says. 

You bring his hand to your chin. You don’t kiss it, but the action alone has butterflies like hornets bouncing around his stomach. Massive bouquet, he thinks. 

—

more coworker James

[jockdumboy]

How to get dumb bro

alright bro so like u wanna get dumb? like real dumb? like meathead jock vibes? aight bro here’s how u do it. it’s easy af.

step 1: dont think too much

thinking is for nerds bro. u dont need that. just focus on, idk, liftin weights n stuff. if u start thinkin too hard, just like stop, u kno? do pushups instead or flex in the mirror.

step 2: big words r stupid

like why say “confident” when u can just say “yeah bro i’m cool.” keep it simple. smart words make ur brain tired.

step 3: eat gym food only

chicken, rice, protein shakes. thas all u need bro. oh and eggs. lotsa eggs. smart ppl probly eat salads n kale but nah bro we don’t need that green stuff.

step 4: don’t read

books? nah bro. they’re boring. unless it’s got like pics of huge dudes flexin or sick cars, u don’t need it.

step 5: watch movies with muscles

u don’t need no complicated stuff like, idk, “dramas.” just watch action movies where dudes blow stuff up. think fast & furious or like… rocky.

step 6: be confident always even if ur wrong

doesn’t matter if ur wrong bro. just say it loud n proud.

• nerd: “how tall is the eiffel tower?”

• u: “uhhhh like 10 feet or sumthin idk.”

then flex. flexing makes u right.

step 7: workout instead of talkin

if someone tries to ask u smart stuff like “what’s the capital of canada” or somethin, just be like “idk bro but check my biceps” and hit em with a bicep curl right there.

step 8: dont sleep on naps

brains thinkin all day? nah bro. sleep. sleep is like a reset for ur brain. wake up, eat, lift, repeat.

yea bro that’s it. u don’t need smarts when u got gains. just be chill, flex a lot, and say “idk bro” to anything hard. keep it simple. keep it swole.

[fishfooddude]

I Hate New York.

Part 3 of the Would you still love me if I was a worm? series

MDNI 18+

The Bear Masterlist

Directory

Part 2

“So she’s keeping the baby… and you’re moving in together… in New York?” Natalie asked slowly, trying to make sense of the info dump Carmy had given everyone at The Bear during family service that evening. Carmy nodded; he’d had this stupid love-struck smile plastered on his face since you had your conversation a few weeks ago. 

“Yeah, she got this big promotion. I’m proud of her and wanna be with her and my kid, so we’re going to New York next week,” Carmy confirmed. Natalie wanted to be happy for you and Carmy, but she had this gut feeling that something would happen. She didn’t know how to explain it, but since becoming a mother herself, she could just sense when something would go down. 

“I’m just- I’m just worried, Carmy. You two are moving fast. I just want to ensure you’re sure you want this.” Carmy shook his head at Natalie’s words. Ever since the two of you had decided to keep the baby and move in together- in New York, everyone seemed to share the opinion of the two of you moving ‘too quickly.’

“Sugar, I’m happy. Like- really happy. I never thought I’d have this… I love Y/N, and I know we haven’t been together all that long, but this feels right.” Carmy explained as he leaned against the wall of Natalie’s kitchen. She sighed in reply, but before she could say anything, cries came from the baby monitor. “Saved by the cryin’ baby.”

Natalie laughed, “Well, since you’re so ready to be a Dad, why don’t you go check on your niece?”

~

“Okay, here we have oven-roasted sweet potatoes with sauteed corn and squash. Then there's a kale salad with pumpkin seeds and lentils-” 

“Carmy, I swear to god. You need to stop making me eat all these damn vegetables,” you whined as you slumped back on the couch. You heard him chuckle from the kitchen before joining you. Carmy squeezed your knee and stomped your feet as you pushed your hands through your hair. Carmy heartily laughed and leaned over to gently kiss your ever-growing baby bump. 

“My love, I want that baby to come out all happy and healthy. You’re doin’ all the work in growin’ the baby and keepin’ her all safe and cozy- feeding you everything that little girl needs to be all nice and healthy is all I can do.” Carmy cooed as he rubbed soft, slow circles against your bump and lovingly gazed up at you. You laughed and pushed his hair out of his face.

“Let me eat a freakin’ donut. And some hot chips.” you groaned, “I am a hard-workin’ lady, and I can’t have a damn glass of wine or go to the Coral Omakase dinner my boss is throwing… don’t make me eat more vegetables.” Carmy laughed at your explanation and rested his cheek on your bump. You glared at him and pouted, “Are you really going to deny your pregnant girlfriend a donut? …And maybe some Sour Patch Kids…” 

“I just want you and our baby girl to be healthy. All the books-”

“Carmy, I just want one donut.” you pleaded, giving him your best puppy dog expression. 

Carmy groaned and moved to bury his face in your cleavage. “She’s gonna be able to do that too, huh? That look? She’s gonna have me wrapped around her little finger.”

You laughed and glanced at the clock, “I gotta go, babe. Thank you for making me lunch- even if it’s 90% vegetables.” Carmy rolled his eyes as he helped you get up from the couch. “Only a couple more weeks until you don’t have to help me up from the couch.” 

“Well, in six weeks, I’ll be helpin’ ya with other stuff.” Carmy added before kissing your cheek, “Have a good day, and make sure you drink enough water.”

“You got it, Dr. Berzatto, my unofficial OBGYN.” you saluted and gave him a short side hug. Carmy laughed, and you walked out of the living room. He watched as you grabbed your bag from the floor and your lunch box from the counter. “I love you. See you tonight.” you smiled as you exited the apartment.

“Bye, baby,” Carmy called as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. He rocked on his heels before walking into the kitchen to do the dishes. Carmy had a routine since the two of you moved to New York. He did what he could for The Bear, mostly ordering and menu ideas. It never felt like enough, but Carmy couldn’t work at a New York restaurant again with the baby on the way. He was anxious enough about his impending paternity to ever work in a New York kitchen again; the idea of it made his ulcers flair up.

Carmy spent his days reading books about pregnancy and parenting. He became a regular at the local bookshop and library, getting his hands on everything he could. Being a Dad was unknown territory to him, and he didn’t have many fond memories of his father. He remembered overhearing his mom and dad fighting before his dad left and inevitably got arrested. Uncle Jimmy and Mikey were the closet things he’d had to a father figure, and with Mikey being gone, Uncle Jimmy was the best he could, and there was still a certain level of difficulty for the emotional side of ‘father figuring’ that Jimmy couldn’t fulfill for Carmy. 

Carmy refused to let that cycle continue. Although he didn’t always understand his emotions, he was trying to do better for his daughter. That afternoon, after doing the laundry, he decided to tackle the last few things he needed to do in the nursery.

Soft pastel yellow walls were still bare, furniture needed to be assembled, and things needed to be organized. Walking into the nursery always brought a wave of peace over Carmy. Sweet stuffed animals sat on a shelf by the window with a collection of children's books and a basket of other baby needs. The box containing the crib leaned against the wall, along with a collection of paintings Carmy had done but hadn’t hung yet. In the corner was a vintage rocking chair the two of you had found at a flea market when you’d first moved. Carmy stood in the center of the room and couldn’t help but smile. 

~

“Hey, I’m home,” you called as you entered the apartment that evening. “Carm?” you called when you saw he wasn’t in the living room or kitchen. You walked down the hall and saw the nursery door was askew. “Carm?” you asked as you nudged the door open. 

“Oh my god.” you gasped as you saw the completed nursery before you, “You- Carmy.”

He looked over his shoulder and shot you a smile, “Hi, baby.” 

“You finished the nursery?” 

He nodded in response, “You like it, baby? I can change-”

“Carmy, I love it.” you cut him off as you fully entered the nursery. As you looked around the room, noticing all the small details, you’d absentmindedly started rubbing your bump. Carmy smiled and got up from the floor, placing his hands over yours after closing the small gap between you. You smiled up at him, “Thank you, Carmy.”

Carmy shrugged, “I just wanna be a good dad.”

“You are.” you smiled as you tip-toed up to kiss his nose. Carmy chuckled and shifted his hands from yours and around your sides to rest on your lower back. He laced his fingers together before pulling you as close as your bump allowed. 

“I just wanna be different.” Carmy sighed, “My Dad wasn’t around much… people haven’t been the most supportive of all this, but I wanna be good for her.” Carmy put his chin on your shoulder as he spoke. “I want her to feel safe and loved… wanted.”

You wrapped your arms around Carmy’s neck as he spoke, “She will, Carm. She will.”

~~

“You’re gorgeous.” Carmy complimented as he leaned against the bathroom doorframe. You rolled your eyes and continued curling your hair. He clicked his tongue and entered the bathroom, “Hey, you are.” 

You giggled as Carmy hopped onto the bathroom counter and leaned against the mirror with his arms folded across his chest as he lovingly watched you. “You’re just sayin’ that. I’m freakin’ huge.” 

“Yeah. With MY baby…” Carmy smirked as his eyes roamed your body. You felt a blush coming over your face as you shook your head. He chuckled and watched you finish your hair. As you unplugged your curling wand, he hopped down from the counter and came up behind you. You smiled at him in the mirror as he rested his chin on your shoulder and rubbed your bump through your oversized t-shirt. “Pregnant with my baby…” he muttered as he turned his head to nip at your neck. 

“Carmy…” you giggled, “I gotta go to work…”

“Be late…” he snickered as he trailed kisses up your neck to the pulse point below your ear. You bit your lip at the feeling of his teeth graze over the sensitive skin. “Let me take care of you… you’re so fuckin’ sensitive; I’ll make you cum fast.”

You leaned against Carmy’s body and let your head fall to the side, giving him more access to your neck. Carmy left a trail of gentle, wet kisses on your neck before turning you in his arms and kissing your lips. A whiny moan escaped your throat as Carmy’s hands traveled down your back. He took the opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth as his hands slid over your butt and hooked under your thighs. You squealed as Carmy lifted you onto the bathroom counter. He chuckled and broke the kiss, leaving you desperate for more, “You are incredible.” he smiled, running a thumb over his cheekbone.

Carmy looked at you as he moved his hands to your knees and slowly spread them as he lustfully gazed into your eyes, making you melt. His hands traveled up your thighs toward your hips. As he hooked his thumbs in the band of your sleep shorts, you felt a tingle surge through your body. You leaned back on your palms and lifted your hips, making it easier for Carmy to pull them down. After dropping the shorts on the floor, Carmy’s hands were back on your hips. He gently pulled you to the edge of the counter, giving him easier access to your exposed pussy. You felt your cheek get hot as he sank to his knees. 

“What baby? You nervous?” he chuckled as he stared up at you. You shook your head and bit your lip, “Then what is it?” he asked as he softly kissed your inner thigh. Your body jolted at the sudden sensation, making Carmy smirk against your skin before placing another kiss higher than the last. 

“I haven’t-” You paused your sentence with a soft whine as Carmy pushed your thighs farther apart and kissed higher. “I haven’t shaved in a while…” 

Carmy shook his head as his lips finally reached your center, “I don’t care, baby.” he spoke softly. Before you could protest, he kissed your lips, making you twitch. Carmy inhaled your scent as he slowly ran his tongue up the length of your core, flicking his tongue when he reached your clit. You moaned softly and struggled to look over your bump to watch as Carmy devoured your core.

~

“Carmy!” you gasped, sitting up suddenly in bed that evening. He shifted half-asleep, mumbling something you couldn’t quite make out. “Carmy!” you urged, smacking his shoulder, causing him to shoot up.

“Is the baby coming?” he scrambled to find the switch on his bedside table as he spoke. As light filled the room, he saw you protectively holding your bump. “Baby? What’s wrong?” he worried.

“Somethings wrong…”

[asexualsinner]

More Ghoul Headcanons: Kitchen Edition

Mountain

Hides his snacks on the top shelf to avoid the others stealing them

Has to use a recipe when cooking

Likes hearty meals like stews

Is an excellent shadow, will assist any of the other ghouls or Copia when asked.

Likes to just be in the kitchen

Is the embodiment of a pioneer woman mom

Loves to bake

CanNOT handle spice

Thinks cayenne is spicy

Favorite food is chili and drink is tea

Favorite snacks are fig newtons (yes he knows that they're made with wasps, he thinks it's funny)

Carries epi pens on him for the others

Rain

Is obsessed with making smoothies

Isn't allowed to use the stove after using water on a grease fire

Nearly burned half the abbey down

It's fine, he prefers salads anyway

Do not trust this ghoul with a knife he will find a way to hurt himself by accident

Is just a disaster when in the kitchen

Favorite food is smoked salmon thanks to Dew

Fancy ✨bitch✨ that puts mint and fruits in his water

Is the only ghoul to like Kale

Has a high spice tolerance

Takes forever to do the dishes bc he'll play in the water instead

Dew/Sodo

Favorite snacks are seaweed sheets and Takis

His taste buds went "weird" after his transition

He can't decide what he likes anymore, spicy? Fish? So he decided on both. Sometimes neither

Loves to smoke foods, begs Mountain for dried wood flavors for it

Dew learning to smoke properly was heavy trial and error, some things were edible some were very much not

His favorite changes weekly, but ATM it's smoked veggies and tofu

Is a big garbage ghoul, will throw everything together on a plate and eat it

Drinks coffee but doesn't like energy drinks

Has moderate spice tolerance

Will try anything once

Surprisingly one of the better cooks in the pack

Is lactose intolerant. No this doesn't stop him. Why would it?

Doesn't need a recipe, cooks from memory or guesswork

Has everything labeled and dated

Swiss

NO spice tolerance

Tries to compete with Dew, Cumulus and Rain and it never ends well

Loves comfort food!!! Give this ghoul Macncheese or pierogies and he's happy

Can follow boxed instructions or strict recipes but tries to "improve" them

Survives off of Redbull

Doesn't know the difference between a chef's knife and a paring knife

Thinks bc he's a multi ghoul he can pull pans out of the oven without mitts - has been treated for burns multiple times

Hates doing the dishes

His go to snacks are gummy worms or jerky

Will eat expired food thinking it'll be fine - it never is

Is a 3am fridge raider

Phantom/Aeon

Loves pancakes, absolute favorite food though is fettuccine Alfredo. Has to be fettuccine noodles, spaghetti isn't the same

Has texture issues with food

Absolutely hates ground meats, the texture is bad

Has a sweet tooth

Is a surprisingly decent cook, can manage without recipes

Baking is beyond him

Mistook baking soda for sugar once and Mountain banned him from baking ever again

Doesn't like eggs

Is allergic to peanut butter

Favorite snacks are Oreos or rice crackers

Enjoys cranberry juice

Can't have caffeine - gives him headaches

Aether

One of the better cooks in the pack

Is one of the only ones that can finish the dishes without distractions

Is allergic to citrus fruits

Has an app on his phone to scan packages for ingredients

Will practically drink soy sauce he loves it so much

Favorite snack is cucumbers and Italian dressing

Prefers strawberry jam over grape jelly

Doesn't like seafood

Favorite food is deer chili - shares this with Mountain

Wears gloves when cooking to avoid cross contamination

Cumulus

SPICE QUEEN

Has done every spice challenge possible, downs it like it's nothing

Like Swiss, can read box instructions but don't trust her past that

Has burnt frozen pizza before

Favorite snacks are tortillas and ghost pepper salsa

Eats jalapenos like candy

Needless to say she terrifies others

Favorite food is homemade ramen - she begs the others to make it for her

Package ramen isn't the same

Likes to do the dishes and help out in the kitchen

Does need a step stool however

Favorite drink is hazelnut coffee

Aurora

Junk food junkie

Favorite snacks are Skittles and kettle cooked potato chips

Prefers vitamin water over regular water

Likes to make quick easy meals like grilled cheese etc

Eats at the oddest times, breakfast is 2pm and dinner has been at 4am for her

Leaves her dishes in the sink like a gremlin

Has been banned from eating in the living room

Gets easily distracted while cooking

If she puts her mind to it, can make really elaborate dishes for the pack

However she makes a huge mess of the kitchen when doing so

Cirrus

Can identify spices/ingredients after tasting things once

Is also lactose intolerant, takes lactaid frequently

Loves Korean BBQ

Likes differing temperatures (cold food that's spicy, mints, etc)

Loves blackberries and celery

Is a very good cook, can make most things after trying them once

Her favorite drink is bubble tea

Has medium spice tolerance, like spicy flavor rather than the heat

Would rather dry and put away the dishes than wash them

Has a massive sweet tooth like phantom

[munchymuchy]

Don’t rib the kish

..Gggrrrruuoowww..

Here you are in a tiny bathroom stall sitting on the toilet but you weren’t using the bathroom you were gonna be used as a bathroom. Your front view was filled with the most famous ass in wrestling and that was rikishi. His ass blocked your whole view of everything, his stomach gurgling like a volcano made the situation scarier. The only thing you were hoping in that moment that he didn’t pull his thong down, thankfully he still had it on and between those fat cheeks of his.

He looks back at you with a smug look on his face. Seeing that you’re looking very nervous but also curios on what’s gonna happen. “Don’t worry little dude this gonna be breeze…just remember this is what happens if ya hide food that’s mine hgnn”. Yep, This whole situation your in came from you hiding his food from him as a rib. You started to open your mouth to yell weight but a gust of wind filled it instead.

Frrt!?

Broootttt!

FrrrbbbBbTtRtRt!!?

Brorott!

It sounded like his farts weren’t gonna stop and the sounded of you coughing really made him giggle. This was basically him doing his pre-match ritual to you as a “get back” to your rib, “man his farts are rank, what’d this dude eat” you thought to yourself as you covered your nose and turned your face. However his gargantuan ass was a mere inch from your face making it harder to get away from the blast zone.

“Whew..that feels good been holding these in for a while. Had a pretty big bean salad before you wanted to go and try and rib me. Gonna have plenty of fuel for a while” Rikishi said wiggle his ass side to side making small poots come out more.

“Fuck cough cough.. i won’t hide your food, I won’t rib you anymore Jesus” He continued to wiggle his booty and turned his head to look at you. “Uh uh uuh, face your punishment. No point in trying to get away from this ass”

BBbbrrbrbtbrbrtbtbtbtbtb??!

Sprtrtrbrtrbrbtbrtttt?!!

These farts he was releasing now sounded wet, veerrrryyy wet. It even took rikishi by surprise by their squelchy sound and the rotten smell. Kishi started to do a fanning motion near his butt and playful tease you. “Damn that stinks, smells like straight shit.” He could tell it look like you were gonna pass out so before you could do that he pushed his butt right into your face. This caused you to snap in a more alert state when your nose was attacked by old fart smell along with man musk.

“Hang in there bud, imma let you go in one second” with that being said he started to move his hips side to side for good ol stinkface. Your nose was deep in his clothed crack and your mouth was half way open to get a somewhat taste of his ass. It tasted salty almost like a cracker but also bitter like kale or something. It felt like forever until he got off, your head practically popped out of his ass in a cartoonish manner.

Rikishi grabbed your face to face him. You felt so tired and your whole body smelled awful inside and out. “God dayum you smell just like ass! But hey at least you know not to rib me anymore right?” He said squeezing your face tighter making you nod in agreement. “Good~….now get outta here all this farting made my bowels full unless you wanna stay for that too?” He said with a voice filled with anticipation. You quickly get up and rush out, you really didn’t wanna stay in there while he pooped since you already know what his farts smelt like. Fresh air was the only thing on your mind…..but you could feel yourselves wanting more after getting out…more of that chunky ass.

[wet-and-wedgied]

Spencer’s Spicy Salad

Spencer rolled up from underneath the customer’s truck as the clock struck the time for lunch. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, leaving behind a bit of grease and jumped up to his feet. Spencer was a tall young mechanic who had been left in charge of his boss’s shop for the day. A fit man college student with short curly brown hair, strong arms and defined chest he cut an figure even in his simple mechanic’s get up: a tight white shirt and a pair of well worn grey overalls.

He grabbed a rag and wiped off the excess grease off his hands as he popped into the break room, a tiny little alcove with a water cooler and mini-fridge, putting out the salad he had grabbed earlier before work. It was some kind of spicy Mexican salad he had seen on his feed at some local place and had decided to try it out. It was supposed to be really good for the digestive track and a delicious meal for those looking to stay fit.

Spencer propped his leg up and chowed down. It was way spicer than he had thought, the kale in it practically soaked in some creamy dressing that while delicious kept burning his tongue. Spencer kept refilling his water bottle and chugging the whole thing in order to cool off. Still it was delicious. And filling too. Spencer patted his full stomach satisfied as he tossed the bowl and finished up his lunch and went back to working in the truck.

Spencer was finishing tightened the last bolts in place underneath the truck and he felt his stomach flip. Still on the board on his back, he lifted a leg and ripped a hot fat fart.

PPOPPPFFFBBBRT!

Spencer laughed, patting his stomach as some pressure was lessened, and blew out two more farts

PPFFFERRT

BBRRTFFRRRT!

Spencer slid out from underneath the truck and was greeted with the rancid smell of his own ass. “Damn, I reck. But I really needed that!”

“Well I hope you got it all out of your system then,” said Spencer’s boss. Spencer looked up to see his boss, a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair, holding his nose and fanning the air.

“sir!” Spencer flushed, scrambling to his feet. “My bad. Sorry, I thought you said you’d be gone today.”

“I am, I am, just checking in is all. Making sure you haven’t burned down the place.”

“no sir—” PPfffpppertRRT!

Spencer covered his rear as another fart ripped out him. His stomachgurgled and flipped again. His boss increased his fanning. “Geez. Light a match in here and you just might. What did you eat, son?”

Spencer opened his mouth to respond but was waved off.

“Nevermind, is the truck ready, they should be coming to pick it up soon. I want to make sure you got this on your own, eh.” His boss smirk and tapped Spencer in the stomach and Spencer tense feeling his guts bubble and gurgle protest.

“no problem sir,” Spencer said.

“perfect, Ah look here they come now.”

Spencer turned to see a handsome man a few years older than Spencer with a bright smile and two twin teen boys glued to their phones coming in. “Hey, everything ready? We’re looking forward to going camping!” The truck owner said with high optimism. The two boys each rolled their eyes.

“You’re excited Uncle Daniel,” one of the boys groaned.

“Like a dork,” said the other. “You like being alone in the woods cause it doesn’t sound as bad as being alone in the real world.” The twins high-fived, neither looking up from their phones.

The truck owner— Daniel’s smile flattened but he push onward. “You two really don’t let up, huh. Sorry, is the truck ready? Then we’ll get out of your hair.”

“No worries,” Spencer’s boss said, “Spencer here will take care of you.”

“Right!” Spencer said offering a hand to Daniel. “Spencer. Sorry, you already know that. Um, yes, your truck is ready.”

“Wonderful that is great news.” Daniel took Spencer’s hand, giving it a firm handshake as their eyes.

“I really like camping,” Spencer blurted out. Daniel’s lips curled into a smooth grin.

“really? We’ll maybe we—“

“Ew, Uncle Daniel stop flirting with the mechanic dude,” whined one of the teens.

Spencer felt a flush on his cheeks— only for it to be replaced with a far more intense feeling in his stomach. Any butterflies he felt seemed to be carrying megaton warheads, dropping them in his intestines. An ominous gurgle went through him and Spencer clutched his abdomen. The pressure on his guts was intense. Fuuuck… he needed to shit.

“you okay?” Asked Daniel.

“yeah, yeah,” Spencer said hastily. “I just need you sign some paperwork and I’ll go grab your keys. Spencer hurried out of the garage and into the office, a series of small hot farts squeaking out of him as he went. He hurried over to the papers and

PPPPPFFFFBBBFFRRRTPPPBBBBT!!!

Spencer gasped as a massive fart erupted out of him as he bent to grab the clipboard sign the paperwork on it. He held his stomach. Fuck that spicy salad was messing with his guts. His stomach broiled like an Icelandic mud volcano. Spencer clinched his cheeks. Ahhh. Don’t think about mud volcanoes. He looked to the board where they hung the keys and then to down the hall where the bathroom was. He desperately wanted ti make a mad dash to the bathroom and absolutely destroy the toilet. But his boss and that hit uncle were waiting for him. He groaned. Shit. He could hold it for a few minutes. He grabbed the keys and speed walked back the garage. As he step through the door the water cookie gurgled and suddenly the pressure seemed to shift from. His rear, the pressure subsiding on his packed colon, but only to fall squarely onto his bladder. Spencer tensed as he paused in the garage, pressing his legs together as a lake of hot piss sloshed in his bladder, all those bottles of water lapping against the dam inside him. A dam that desperately wanted to burst.

“Spencer, you okay?”

Spencer looked up to see his boss and Daniel both looking at him. He gave them both a nervous smile.

“I-I’m fine.” Spencer said, and straightened. He forced his legs apart and focused on not pissing himself. He could hold it. He could hold it. He could hold it. Spencer repeated the thought in his head as he half walked half shuffle over to Daniel. “Here you go— Ahh!” A leak squirted out of Spencer, dribbles of hot piss splashing into his soft boxers. Spencer bent, his knees pressed together. He held back a whimper as he bounced from foot to foot, his bladder aching. Oh man he didn’t have drunk so much water.

“Are you sure you are okay dude?” Daniel asked.

“He looks like he is doing the pee dance,” snickered one of Daniel’s nephews.

Another leak squirted out of Spencer at the sound of the word ‘pee’. “Ahh!” Spencer cried out as he gave in and wedged his hand between his crotch, desperately holding onto his crotch. Spencer bit his lip and held the truck key’s for Daniel to take, but he was frozen in place.

PPpFfrtt

Spencer gasped as he farted, hot and stenching. His stomach gurgled and he temporarily lost his control on his bladder. Hot piss sprayed out of his cock and into his boxers.

“nNoooOO—Ahh!” Spencer cried out and moaned as he tried and failed to regain control. The dam gates had opened and now the flood came bursting through! Spencer stood frozen as his body let go and he began soaking his boxers, peeing his pants, a dark wet patch blooming at the crotch of his overalls and then spread fast as rivulets of urine ran down his legs and soaked through the fabric. Spencer’s eyes fluttered as he pee, flooding his overalls, sending hot push gushing through the material and over his hand, still desperately gripping his leaking crotch even as Spencer formed a puddle beneath him.

PSsssssSSHH

“oh man! The mechanic is pissing his pants!” Said on the of nephews.

“Dude is soaking them too!” Said the other, holding up his phone to record.

Spencer was helpless as his bladder emptied itself in his boxers and overalls. But that wasn’t the worse part. As his bladder gushed out, his stomach gurgle and shit that had filled him slammed against his rear. His guys bubbled and Spencer knew he wasn’t able to keep control over his bowels.

PPFFFFBBRRT

PPBBBBRFFFFERRTTT

BBBTRRFFF

Spencer bent as he was hit with a series of wet “oh no!” Spencer dropped the keys in Daniel’s hand and turned trying the run back inside, but only made it a few steps before a massive cramp bent him over.

PPPRRRRBFFFF!!!

“Come on, no, no, no,” Spencer said panicking as he fumbled with the clasp on his overalls. If he could at least get out of them, but the clasp was stuck and then it was too late. “No-AaggAAAHHH!”

Spencer moaned as he lost complete control of his bowels, a torrent of hot diarrhea exploding into his already soaked boxers and overalls. It was a volcanic mudslide, thick and soft as it blasted out of him. A massive bugle was instantly forming in his overalls, staining the back as he had the front.

BLLKOOPOOOPPPPFFFT

SPLKTPPPFFFFT

“oh my god!” Spencer’s boss cover his nose as Spencer relentless farted as wave after wave of hot recking shit erupted out of him . The liquid shit overflowed his boxers as he emptied his bowls, diarrhea slide down his legs and splattering against the garage floor. Spencer was helpless as he evacuated the hot muddy brown sewage.

PLSSPPOFFFRRT

PPBBBRRTTPPFFFTSSSTK

Spencer, defeated as another wave hit him, feel to his knees, landing in puddle of his own piss as more diarrhea filled his overalls. The foul stench filled the entirety of the garage, as Spencer could only sit in his disgrace.

“oh man,” snicker one of the twins. “This is going to get a shitload of views!”

Spencer groaned as a final fart marked the end of him shitting and soiling himself. He was never trying spicy salad again

[pinkchampagne]

♡ 365 Soft ♡

Pink Champagne's Personal Development Plan

updated december 6, 2024

this is my version of 75 Hard, modified for a realistic approach to long-term personal development and self-improvement. though i was inspired by the structure of 75 Hard, this isn't a short-term challenge. i've organized this plan as a lifestyle blueprint that can be continued for longer than 75 days.

unlike a crash diet or a challenge intended to be started and stopped over and over again, this set of guidelines can be easily implemented into one's life, and here’s why:

i will not lie and say i don't care about physical appearance, but the focus of this strategy is to feel better and improve overall health. my plan explicitly outlines which foods to gravitate towards and which to cut back on. there are no bad foods; this is just what works for me.

crash diets and workout challenges might produce the superficial results you want, but implementing a health strategy that focuses on the big picture is more beneficial in the long run. i’m easing into it, allowing cheat days, and not setting a 75-day timeline. give yourself grace and celebrate your wins.

i love the basic concept and structure of 75 Hard, however, progress pictures are generally most helpful for those who are trying to improve their physical appearance. since this is a long-term plan prioritizing health over appearance, i replaced this section with one on consistency in general, focusing on routines and habits. i also added a self care section because that’s extremely important to me. i will continue updating this post.

with healthy habits comes a healthy body and mind. take care of yourself and you will reap the benefits, mentally and physically.

🫧 DIET

alcohol:

weekends only

never alone

water between drinks

no shots/shooters/bombs etc.

5 drink limit

be mindful of who you're with; do they encourage good habits/behavior?

cut back on the following significantly:

sugar

dairy

carbs

red meat

processed foods

caffeine

exceptions: feta, parmesan, greek yogurt, kefir, mayo, bacon, honey, matcha, celcius

notes:

begin taking marine collagen and chlorophyll for skin and hygiene

increase fruits and veggies: romaine lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers are my focus right now.

increase protein intake: chickpeas, peanut butter, eggs, black beans.

honorable mentions: oats, blueberries, avocado, sweet potato, carrots, broccoli, spinach, kale, white meat, kombucha

🫧 WATER

100 oz a day. i'm purchasing a brita faucet filter and a new water bottle to encourage this goal.

🫧 WORKOUT ROUTINE

mondays, wednesdays, fridays:

30 donkey kicks, each side

30 fire hydrants, each side

3x

tuesdays & thursdays:

30 second plank

30 second side plank, each side

30 crunches

3x

notes:

sometimes i do my ab workout on saturday or sunday as well to get a third one in.

i plan on working cardio and physical therapy exercises into this routine eventually.

i’m thinking of purchasing a home pilates reformer!

🫧 SELF CARE

skin

wash face twice a day + use zit stickers

rhassoul clay/charcoal/honey face masks

sheet masks

actually use my quartz roller

ice roller, gua sha, steamer

red light therapy!!

body

exfoliating body scrub

first aid beauty kp bump eraser for legs

glycolic acid for legs + under arms

pumice stones for feet

misc.

continue getting hair cut every month and a half

be more consistent with brow waxing

get rid of old clothes + build new wardrobe

🫧 KNOWLEDGE AND GROWTH

daily podcast playlist

personal development podcasts & youtube - listen to at least one ep/vid a day

date yourself instead podcast – lyss boss

hail yes podcast

hailey gamba on youtube

thewizardliz on youtube

tam kaur youtube + self obsessed podcast

books - 30 minutes a day

freedom is a constant struggle - angela davis

a people's history of the united states - howard zinn

i'm taking book and podcast recs!

🫧 CONSISTENCY

follow budget

follow morning, evening, bedtime, and weekend routines

meal prep for weekday lunches: couscous salad with chickpeas, feta, sundried tomatoes and white wine vinegar + lemon juice dressing

create & post content every day ♡

[pleaseeeimjustagirl]

🎀30 Day Glow Up Challenge🎀 - day thirteen

♡ Mindset : I deal with seasonal depression and even though I am on anti depressants I’ve made it a habit to walk for 10 minutes in the morning or afternoon today I waited a little to late and I felt myself getting sad. I was going to procrastinate but when I was watching one of my fav lifestyle YouTubers she motivated me to get up and go for my walk. As I walked I read a book and thought about my day and the progress I am making in my glow up journey.

♡ Health : I went grocery shopping yesterday and I bought a sweet cranberry kale salad kit. I loveee this salad kit I usually get it from Costco but I purchased it from ShopRite it was so good I had it for dinner with my rotisserie chicken and I added two serving sizes of feta such a bomb salad. I’ve been creating a Pinterest board for meal ideas and healthy meal plans.

♡ Self Care : when I went on my walk I decided to stop by dollar tree to look for a new journal. I want to start Quran journaling. I didn’t find any good journals sadly but I did pick up a foot mask I’ll be using that tomorrow. I needed that for a fact.

♡ Experience : I loveeee Pinterest so much like I have so many different boards and pins that I love so much and there are so many amazing creators on Pinterest who also have Tumblr pages. So I’ve been working on my Pinterest page for this blog and I can’t wait to share my Pinterest page once everything is done and uploaded.

Sorry I missed yesterdays upload I was a little overwhelmed posting everyday and needed a break. Tell me how you’re doing babes I would love to know my inbox and requests are open<33333

[4urvalidation]

A CASE OF LIMERENCE | Chapter Two

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

A/N: This was supposed to be a lot longer but I've decided to split it in two because it got too long and well... proof reading is a bitch and it's way too late for me to try and be literate. That being said: hope y'all enjoy this!! Lmk your thoughts, I'd love to hear them 💖

A hotel. 

Rose had sent her to a fucking hotel. 

Three and a half stars. Breakfast included. And just enough to last Leni for the entire summer. 

An avalanche of emotions coarse through her body as she throws herself on the perfectly made queen sized bed. The room is okay. It could be worse and just because she hasn’t decided what to tell her Mom yet, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. (It will be once she catches wind of the slowly crumbling chaos, but until then Leni will enjoy her time here. And continental breakfast.)

Her stomach rumbles at the thought of fresh omelets and honey covered crepes, but when she reaches over to her phone, the smashed screen makes her lose her entire appetite. The look in Rafe’s eyes; his fingers curled into fists; red knuckles and calloused skin… 

Leni shudders. 

She needs to text Sarah. She needs to text all of her girls.

She needs to have them all gathered there on their table, surrounded by mimosas, avocado toasts and truffle fries. She needs to hold each and every one of them for approximately twenty seconds and then talk about the horrible night she had. 

About all the horrible nights she’s had ever since Simon dumped her back in May. 

About the hole in her chest and the never ending heartache and how she wakes every single day vowing to block his stupid ass, but never goes through with it. 

Maybe tomorrow. 

Yes. Definitely tomorrow. 

Her girls will give her all the courage she needs and afterwards, Leni will finally be able to breathe again. Open Instagram without the fear of stumbling upon his story and seeing him stand there with a pretty girl around his arm. 

A much cooler, smarter, hotter pretty girl around his arm. 

Leni twists. 

The pillows are too hard and the covers are too heavy. 

Her mind is racing a million miles per hour. Every thought is more daunting than the other and she wants to fall asleep; she is desperate to fall asleep, but each time she closes her eyes all she can see is those haunting blues staring back at her. 

When she wakes - startled, skin covered in light sweat - it’s bright outside. The soft North Carolina sun dances around her hotel room,calming her raging heartbeat. She slips from under the covers, looking for her phone. 

“Shit.” She completely forgot to charge it. 

She also forgot to set up an alarm. 

So now she’s running late.

Very late. 

Quickly, quickly she takes the coldest of showers and applies the lightest of make-up. Puts on the first thing she can reach for from her suitcase and once again apologizes to Tess and Polly for being so fucking late. 

When she arrives at the country club the drinks have already been ordered: two iced lattes and a pitcher of ice cold water. 

“Ohmigod hi!” Polly jumps from her seat and straight into Leni’s arms. She smells like lavender oil and vanilla and her hair is no longer a damaged shade of blonde and she’s so so happy to see Leni, she simply can’t stop herself from bouncing like an excited puppy. 

Tess on the other hand is as stoic as usual. With an enviable elegance, she stands from her seat and gives Leni a short, but hard embrace. Then, she insists they all order the avocado toast with kale salad. At least some things haven’t changed.

“So, how are things with that hot boyfriend of yours?” Polly wiggles her brows, grin widening. 

“Oh, we broke up. (“NO!”) Yeah. In May, but… it’s okay. It’s not like it was going to last anyways.” Quoting Simon makes Leni’s throat sting. She swallows. Takes a sip from her matcha. Swallows some more. “What about you? What I’ve missed?” 

Her question breaks open a dam Leni had no intentions of even thinking of. As if on queue Tess and Polly begin their diatribes on all things related to the last two summers she regretfully missed out on. 

“Okay so,” Polly begins, “Sarah and Topper broke up, but this was like ages ago (“So many ages ago”, Tess rolls her eyes.) And then Sarah started hanging out with Kie Carrera - you remember Kie Carrera, right? Her parents own The Wreck… anyways, so - she and Kie start hanging out and last thing we know is she and this guy John B (“Who mind you, isn’t even hot like if you are gonna go for a Pogue at least go for a hot one”) No, Tess, he’s cute.” Polly pouts. Tess shakes her head. “Yes. He is. Maybe with a decent haircut - y’know, nevermind. SO - Sarah and John B, they are together and her dad HATES it (“HATES him”) So much drama. Sarah comes to us and she’s like hey guys can you like cover for me and we were like Sarah no you’re literally fucking a Pogue like (“Topper’s our friend.”) Topper’s our friend. Like, you broke his heart. Like, girl you did that. Next thing we know (“They break up”) THEY BREAK UP! And Topper and Sarah are back together again! (“But there’s a catch.”) She is still actually with John B!” 

“Wait - and how do you know all of this?” 

“Well, they tried running away to Mexico (“Allegedly”) yes - allegedly - they tried to run away to Mexico or something, but they got caught in a storm and everyone thought they had died for like six weeks and then her Dad - Ohmigod Tess!” Polly yelps, her eyes no longer fixed on Leni, but somewhere far, far behind her shoulder. “It’s Rafe! Rafe’s here.” 

“Holy shit.” She hears Tess say under her breath and suddenly all sounds begin to dissipate. The tingling in her fingertips returns and her heart - Jesus Christ her heart is going to jump straight out of her chest. “I didn’t know he got out of rehab.” 

“He was in rehab?” Leni hears herself say coarsely, 

“Yeah… I mean he kinda had to. Fuck he looks good.”

“Hey - how’s my hair?” Polly is sitting pin straight, her boobs practically pooling out of her shirt. “Does it look good? Should I go talk to him?” 

“Please don’t embarrass yourself.” Tess says with a grimace and then turns to Leni, “She and Rafe were hooking for a week after his dad died.”

“He was coked out of his fucking mind but my god - best.sex.ever.” 

All three have now turned to look at him as he saunters among the busy tables and towards the one where Topper, Kelce and a couple more guys Leni doesn’t know the names of are sat at. He’s in a suit again, except this one is light blue - the exact color of his eyes and just when she’s about to look away, Rafe’s gaze falls straight on her. 

Leni swallows and turns her head around so violently, she practically gets whiplash. 

“I’m so jealous you got to spend all those summers with him.” Her eyes meet Polly’s. The knot in her stomach twists. 

“Yeah… Tess, what do you mean he had to go to rehab?” She doesn’t mean to ask the question. To be honest, she doesn’t really care for the answer, but her curiosity gets the best of her. 

“Well from what I’ve heard, his dad left him the company and wouldn’t let him run it or something unless he got clean. (“And boy did he get clean. I wanna sit on his head”)”Polly…” Tess rolls her eyes. “Anyways, it just proves how fucked up this whole thing is. Rafe can barely read and yet there he is, CE-fucking-O.” 

“Don’t be mean. Rafe can read. He can read a lot of things.” 

“Except your texts.”

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

[bidisasterevankinard]

As a person who has hard relationship with body image and had (still struggle but definitely less than before) with food I decided to make this post to everyone who might need it. This helps me to stay healthy and not go crazy with food again:

No food is your enemy. Yes, fast food is not an enemy too. Yes, bread is not an enemy either. What about sugar? NOT. AN. ENEMY. Any food is energy and nutrients you need to live. YOU NEED TO EAT. Stop looking at the food as enemy. It's the first step you need to do to create good relationship with food

Carbs and fats are essential for living good healthy life. DO NOT TAKE CARBS AND FATS FROM YOURSELF

Stop trying to lose weight by any diet. It won't work in long term. "Lose weight in ten days by drinking water and eating apples" would yes help you lose weight for those ten days but in next ten days you will have it back and good thing if not with more. Why? Bc you will be back to eat like you did, but your body now in big stress bc it needs to create more fat for the day you decide to stress it more with no food again

You need to be healthy, not slim. You can be healthy in the weight you rn

Eat what you like and want. You want pizza with double cheese? Go take it. Enjoy every bite and live this good moment. Always eat with enjoyment. You don't like the food you eat or maybe it's texture? Stop. DO NOT EAT IT NO MATTER HOW "HEALTHY" IT MIGHT BE OR IF OTHER PEOPLE THINK IT'S TASTY

Never let other people dictate what and when you should eat. You want chocolate before dinner? Eat it. You are not hungry rn? Do not eat then

Do not overeat. You feel that you pretty full even tho there's still food on your plate or/and on the table? Stop that moment. You can eat more than you're hungry again. And if someone tells you you should eat more look at 5.

Always be in the moment of enjoying food. Don't look at any screen. Imagine there's only you and the food you're eating exist in that moment. It will help not to overeat and to really enjoy all the taste of food

Add more fruits and vegetables in your every day life. Start easy. Do not make yourself eat only kale or salad if you don't want to, but try to eat at least one spoon of salad with your sandwich for example. Find the recipes with fruits and vegetables to try. There's so many ways to find the way to make your vegs really tasty. You just need to put some work into finding it. To make the process interesting just imagine yourself as scientist and your work is to find the best way to eat carrot, for example, so you need to make some experiments. Ofc some of them would be not good ones, but don't stop

Try new recipes/food at least once a month. Try to add some new good food, especially if your everyday list of food is pretty small

[ricoydelicioso]

Winter Crunch Mason Jar Salad

Stop beating yourself up after a holiday weekend—this fresh, nourishing salad is here to balance it all out!

Comment “CRUNCH” for the recipe! SAVE this post for easy, feel-good, meal prep lunches all week long.

Packed with crunchy Brussels sprouts, juicy pomegranate seeds, sweet apples, almonds, and chickpeas, this salad has all the textures and flavors you crave. It’s satisfying, protein- and fiber-packed, seasonal, and perfect for meal prep during this busy season!

YOU’LL NEED:

-1/3 c sliced almonds or pepitas -1/4 c pepitas -1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced -1 medium apple, diced -8 oz thinly sliced Tuscan kale -6 oz Brussels sprouts, super thinly sliced -1/2 c pomegranate seeds -4 oz crumbled feta or goat cheese -1 1/2 c diced cooked chicken -1/2 c crispy chickpeas

For the Dressing:

-3 T extra virgin olive oil -2 T apple cider vinegar -1 T Dijon mustard -1 T pure maple syrup -1/4 tsp kosher salt -1/8 tsp black pepper

Toast the almonds and pepitas. Whisk or shake together the dressing ingredients and portion into jars (or eyeball it and stir the dressing at teh bottom). Layer on the rest of the ingredients, adding the apple first and kale last. Store for up to 3 days. DEVOUR!