#Outside the Café A Porta

[vizuart]

[lemuseum]

[har-rison-s]

mask & seek: 15

batman x fem!reader

based on: Hello! May I request Battinson x SpiderWoman!Reader fic where she’s from the MCU but then she ends up in Battinson’s universe and meets him? Maybe he doesn’t trust her at first but once she saves him from something, he relents then begins to trust her and maybe then a relationship ensues??

author's note: hey all :) mask & seek is forreal back this time. i think this is my favourite series ever, sooooo.... i really want to like actually finish it. there's not a lot left honestly, but don't worry, no spoilers. i hope you guys are still tuning into this, i know it's been like..... more than a year since i published 14, and almost two years since i started mask & seek too.... wow. that's insane. so! bruce and y/n are so cute in this. happy reading <3

main masterlist

bruce wayne masterlist

part fourteen

word count: 4.7k

warnings: little bit of smut towards the end, it's pretty short, some anxieties, self-doubting

gif credit goes to author! (i know it's neil but i needed a sorta domestic bruce gif and there are none!!! i cannot find them!!)

“okay, here goes,” y/n mutters with a heavy heart and a chest that seems to have grown ten times its usual weight. she sticks the porta filter back into its place in the coffee machine and faces vanessa with a heavy sigh. everything is heavy as of now, most of all - her own heart. vanessa meets y/n’s dark eyes with her bright ones, “i... will be quitting this job soon.” y/n finally tells her. 

immediately she thinks her voice was too quiet, too unsure, too dark even, maybe? and maybe she uttered the words too fast. but really, no matter what voice she uses or how she says it, the news stay the same, and they still break vanessa’s heart. her eyes grow wide and her mouth hangs slightly agape. “what? you’re leaving?” she asks in nearly a whisper, shock and sadness all over her features. y/n can do nothing else but nod. “why? are you going somewhere? did something bad happen yesterday or something?”

“no, no, no, not at all,” y/n answers with a shake of her head. god, does she tell her the truth? it’s been a only a few days since that faithful night and morning that were followed by this decision being made, officially. it’s been hard for y/n to muster the courage to tell her co-workers, much less her boss, about leaving this job, but it’s also been killing her not to tell them. so here she is, choosing vanessa as the first person she tells. mainly because vanessa has become sort-of her best friend, and she trusts her the most, “i, uh... i got a really good job offer. it’s something completely different, but actually in the field or, value margin, that i wanna work in, and have wanted to for... a while. basically since i was a kid.”

“not a team of crazy scientists, i hope?” vanessa asks, now her face changing to doubt. it makes y/n laugh, and she does so while shaking her head. “okay, what is it, then? some genie came up to you and offered you three wishes, one of them being getting your childhood dream job?” vanessa gets more casual and closer again. y/n chuckles again.

“something similar to that,” y/n nods along, “only the genie is a man who happens to have very, you know, thick pockets,” y/n wiggles her eyebrows, and vanessa laughs, “he’s honestly the kind of man who’d fulfil more than three of my wishes, he’s made that quite clear.”

vanessa grows an ear-to-ear wide grin and gives y/n a wicked look. “is this about bruce wayne coming to visit you here those days back?” she asks and steps even closer to y/n, so their conversation would get more private in the café with nearly all full tables, “did you guys work it out? and how do you even know him? he’s a very hard man to catch outside his enormous house, much less to meet.”

now, bruce had predicted that this kind of question would come up for both of them, and that they couldn’t just dodge it. he also predicted that people would want a clear status of their relationship, to know how the business would really work and how it came to work at all. his and y/n’s conversation about it came to start on something like...

“i don’t want to be a faceless fling of yours in the eyes of the media and public,” y/n admits with a frown on her face, and bruce looks to her.

“well, you’d be the first one to have that title,” bruce faintly jokes. y/n gives him a curious look, still thinking that it sounds kind of impossible, “at least we’re the same age. they’ll take you somewhat seriously.”

“somewhat seriously?” she echoes, now turning to face him completely, one leg bent at the knee before her, on which she lazily splays her arm. bruce shakes his head.

“trust me, i know this so-called industry,” he clarifies, “the press love the old billionaires and their young fling-of-the-months.” bruce says and has a dark-humoured chuckle. it’s sad, really, that old men go after much more younger women, and that the press make all their money off it. bruce knows that. he’d never want to be that kind of man, and he’d never wish that fate upon any girl. “what do you want to be to the public?” bruce asks y/n as he looks to her again, his shoulders hunched forward.

she shrugs. “don’t want to lie about anything that i am, or what we are,” she says truthfully, “but then again – tell the truth, and they find a way to make up lies, anyway.” y/n chuckles and shrugs her shoulders, looking thoughtfully out of the window.

bruce wears a faint smile on his face. “how does being my wife sound to you?” he asks her in a soft tone. that question, though it’s just a casual one mentioning an option for their title, makes y/n look at bruce again. she smiles, too, her head tilted to the side as it’s resting on her knee now. 

“for the papers or... in actuality?” she clarifies. bruce smiles wider. he wouldn’t mind having her as his wife, though we all know that’s an understatement, but he needs her consent, of course. he already feels closest to her now, sitting with her in her apartment, and he felt close to her and with her when she was at his mansion. marriage is only a document, two rings and a ceremony. he doesn’t need that to know that he loves her, to have proof that they’ll want and belong to each other forever. 

so bruce shrugs for an answer. “whichever one you want.” he answers truthfully. it’s really all up to her. it’s her image to society, after all. and yes, of course, the medias and public change it to what they want it to be, but at the end of the day, she is the foundation of herself and how she is viewed. y/n smiles again, this time with a hum.

“neither, to be honest,” she answers and turns her gaze back to the window, “i’m not ready to be someone’s wife. not because i’d be scared of commitment or anything, no. i feel you and me have committed for quite some time now,” y/n says and they both chuckle, knowing it’s true, “no, it’s just that the word has so much meaning, so much... weight and unnecessary stigma around it, you know. like, you tell a person that you’re someone’s wife, and in their eyes you’re already pregnant, have two cars, a cul-de-sac and its garage full of washing machines, fridges and driers.” bruce laughs further. “plus, being a wife is just a legal paper and title. i could be your wife in my head, if i liked the title, without any legal, official papers.” bruce has quieted down, and just smiles now. it kills him to realise more and more, with each day and each new conversation with her, just how similar they are. they both see marriage the same way. “i wouldn’t say no if you proposed at any point in the future, though,” y/n clarifies and bruce chuckles again, like a school boy, “just making sure you heard me.”

“i hear you,” he confirms with a nod and that smile still on his face, “how double standard of me to not need to worry about my title. what if i wanted to be your husband or your fling of the month?” he suggests, and that makes y/n laugh loudly. she hops off the window sill, only wearing one of her huge thrifted sweaters and a pair of pajama shorts, and still giggling, tiptoes her way over to bruce, her thin socks touching the wooden floor of her apartment. he watches her all the way of doing so, and now that she’s comfortably sitting close next to him on the sofa, his eyes take on a more private gaze at her. she makes one of her beautiful smiles at him and breathes a short sigh. “what about you being my... girlfriend?” bruce now suggests, his voice a bit quieter. 

y/n’s smile grows even wider, and her mushed cheeks are complimented by a deep crimson blush. she smiles so wide her eyes are barely visible, but the small portion of them still visible shine with the few tears gathered in them. just pure happy tears, nothing else. she shrugs her shoulders and then moves closer to bruce. his body grows immediately aware of the proximity. “well, my only condition would be...” y/n starts to say, and sighs quickly again, “that you’ll be my boyfriend.” she says. and she thinks god, there must be more age appropriate terms for boyfriend and girlfriend for people their age, something between boyfriend and husband, and girlfriend and wife. partner seems too formal, as well. she feels too young saying saying boyfriend, and too old saying partner. but, she guesses, since they’re just playing with these terms, also the ones the medias like to use, there’s no harm in saying boyfriend and girlfriend.

bruce cracks a wide smile at that, something only y/n gets to see and even she rarely does, and his pale cheeks blush a rose pink for a moment, too. on the rare occasion y/n sees him blush, she always takes note of how the rose pink brings out the soft brown of his eyes, and the gentleness of his eyes altogether. they’re usually dark, filled with emotion to the brim, and encircled by that dark matter he uses. but his eyes are gentle, as is he. the light brown irises look up into y/n’s eyes with care and ease, and a smile still faintly displays itself on bruce’s lips, “i think that’s a good deal.” he says in a voice deep and soft. 

y/n smiles wide again and gets the closest to him that she can. legs entangled, y/n partly laying in his lap, faces close but hands still withdrawn from each other. “yeah?” she asks him in a faint whisper, and now her hand glides over the side of bruce’s face, like he’s often done to her, and she adores it. she only expects more of that in the future. 

his eyelids flicker as he looks up at her, and any expression except adoration and submission fades away from his features. bruce only gives her a nod in response and y/n smiles. the world goes completely quiet as she presses her lips down onto his. only their inhaling of breath can be heard as bruce encircles her waist with his arms and pulls her body impossibly closer to his own. y/n holds both sides of his face now, continuing to kiss him—still hoping she’s good at it—and draws in breaths through her nose because the event and sensation of kissing bruce is drawing out all air and suffocating her in the best way possible.

“we, uh...” y/n’s mind fogs a bit from that memory, but only pleasantly so, “we met through friends in the justice department.” she tells her, hoping it’ll be enough. she and bruce planned out a small cover story for them to use, involving an old friend of bruce’s in the justice department, who happens to be on vacation right now. 

“oh, you never told me you had friends there!” vanessa muses. “tell me exactly how you met, i need all the details.” 

y/n chuckles, and hopes the nervousness in her chuckle doesn’t appear too strong. “it’s nothing romantic, i promise,” she tells vanessa, “they visited me here on a closing shift after some dinner they’d had, and bruce happened to be with them.” y/n says, but she knows she’s gotta do better than that. funny, how her whole life here in gotham has been built on lies she’s told, and she’s suddenly nervous to lie. maybe it’s because she has to lie to vanessa. but she’s done that before, too. “he told me recently that i struck him in the first moment he saw me. i do remember how awkward he was when he tried to order a drink.” y/n says and makes a small laugh again, but this time it’s genuine because she knows how awkward bruce, in truth, can get sometimes.

“i don’t care what you say, to me that is romantic,” vanessa replies. y/n shakes her head. the reason why she hates to be lying right now could be that the circumstances of how they met are much better than this made-up story. much more special, “wish i could have been there to see it.” vanessa admits. y/n doesn’t like the light this cover story paints her in, either. rich business man falls for the woman serving him. in her eyes that feels very weird for some reason. maybe it’s her feminist character that finds it weird. 

but judging by vanessa’s face, the cover story and y/n’s acting are natural and convincing enough. y/n wishes she could spill the truth to vanessa, because god knows she trusts her, but she can’t tell her the truth. it would jepordise everything. “you would have got second-hand embarrassment, v,” y/n tells her and both women laugh. 

“so, what, are you gonna be working for wayne enterprises now?” vanessa clarifies.

“sort of,” y/n answers with a shrug, “you’ll see. but don’t tell anyone else yet. and don’t tell anyone outside of work, ever. they’ll be all over you, and i do want us to make our relationship public, not anyone else.”

“yeah, yeah, you and I both know how tabloids work around here,” vanessa answers, “even though i’d love to tell everyone, i promise you on sebbie’s life that i won’t tell a soul.” she promises y/n on her cat’s life and does a cross over her heart. y/n chuckles at the superstition element. “you’ll have to deal with them a lot, though. i’m sorry for that.” 

“yeah, thanks,” y/n replies quietly, taking that vanessa has mentioned the thing she’s most afraid of. she guesses vanessa knows the character assassination women face in gotham if they’re on any tabloid or news banner. y/n is in for a big portion of that—people don’t take too kindly to women who work in the same company for their male partners or spouses. it’ll be even worse for y/n perhaps, because she’ll be getting a job at wayne enterprises because she’s in a relationship with bruce. there’s nothing wrong with it, and it was bruce’s idea. god knows what kind of speculations will spiral out of that fact...

y/n feels bruce’s tongue against her own as he brushes his hands underneath her sweater now, petting her waist gently. the image of his large calloused hands on her bare skin already entices y/n more, her sharply inhaling breath through her nose. it feels difficult to breathe now, her fingers digging into the skin of his face. bruce softly groans at the feeling, and an almost animalistic shiver sends his hands to the back of y/n’s thighs and pulls them closer to his crotch, positioning her legs on either side of his body. 

the pair nearly fall over from the impact, but y/n steadies them both with ease that her instincts provide, and they only interrupt their kissing with laughter over their slight clumsiness. she really has me feeling like a teenager, bruce thinks to himself before kissing her once more. they melt into each other so easily you’d think they were two pieces of butter on a hot pan. y/n is just about ready to eat him up, she feels this insatiable urge to touch him and kiss him all over, for as long as she has breath.

and when she’s reaching into his sweatpants and adjusting him up with her entrance, panties slid to the side, it’s almost like they sync up completely. the final transaction, the closest they can get, yet they still want more. they’re messy, panting, giggling, hands trembling as they hold onto each other and y/n rocks her hips on bruce’s length. he thinks this must be heaven – her on top of him, her chest in his face, her hands in his hair. he loves her on top of him, always did when she used to patch him up, clean his face, all those times. now their relationship has been turned around and this intimate position they’ve been in before has gained a different turn, too, one bruce was secretly thinking of beforehand.

“you’re so perfect,” he breathes against her skin, laying hot kisses across her chest, her sweater now pushed up, barely covering anything. y/n gasps at bruce’s lips on her breasts, mewls softly, and feels herself so close to release already. she pulls her sweater off over her head, it being in the way, and lets bruce pull her closer, smothering her chest with kisses, arms around her holding her securely. 

“fuck, i’m close, bruce,” she tells him in a heave of breath and bruce nods in response. it might be his familiarity with her body, and it might be her spidey-sense growing on him, but he could tell she was close before she uttered the words herself.

“i know, i’ve got you,” he tells her quietly and keeps his hands supportingly on her back. y/n looks into his eyes, her hand now on his cheek. 

“you f-feel so good inside me.” she whines and arches her back, hair messy in the air, complete surrender to her feelings. 

bruce feels himself twitch inside of her at the words, and he doesn’t resist the groan coming out from between his lips. he grips one of her thighs in his hand, one palm completely capable of covering it, and sees the bump he’s made in her, completely visible to him. “fuck,” he moans out and takes one of her hands in his, guiding it down to the bump, looking into y/n’s eyes as he does. y/n feels the phenomena there and gives him a tired smile, her cheeks sweaty and shining from it in the half-dark. 

“you’re so big, bruce, no wonder,” she compliments him and it makes them both chuckle quietly, though the praise once again goes straight to bruce’s hardness inside of her, “ah, fuck—” she starts to say, but can’t even finish her sentence, whatever it might have been, because her orgasm has taken hold of her and is washing through her entire body like an intense wave. bruce completely succumbs to her, feeling himself unloading inside of her, too, nearly in unison with her milking him in all his length. 

he tries to watch her face as she comes, not wanting to miss the sight of it, and he manages through his eyes filled with euphoria to catch the look of her. eyebrows scrunched, cheeks glistening with sweat, breasts on display for him, hair falling over her arched back. that is until she crumbles on top of him, her head resting on his shoulder and her hands gripping the back of the sofa. she pants heavily into his ear as he does the same, both of them grounding themselves back to reality. “you’re incredible, y/n,” bruce tells her and y/n smiles in response. 

she easily hops off him and finds her sweater on the floor and puts it on before sitting back down next to him. bruce stuffs himself back into his sweats and runs a hand through his hair. she turns her head to look at bruce and they smile at each other. “you’re not so bad yourself,” she tells him and kisses his lips gently. she circles her arms around his neck and they rest their foreheads together, “i could never get tired of this. physically, i mean. i think my stamina is through the roof,” y/n admits, making bruce chuckle, and she enjoys feeling the rumble of his laughter.

“i’ll try to keep up,” he promises and glances into her eyes, this time he’s made her laugh. with her he comes to realize how much he’s capable of. he can make her laugh, he can make her smile, he can make her blush, he can make her reach ecstasy-level orgasms. all of these are honours he holds dear to his heart, “i could never get tired of you.” he tells her quietly. 

“me, neither, of you,” y/n responds, then averts her eyes from bruce’s briefly, “what if i can’t take it? the press, the job? what if i’m not... good enough? classy enough?” she lets her anxieties wonder. it breaks bruce’s heart that she feels this way. 

“you’re more than good enough,” he assures her, “the press may want to say horrible things about you, and i know it’s easy to give into hate and... critique, but...” bruce shakes his head, “you’re the amazing spider-woman, without the suit and powers, too.” he makes a smile at her and y/n gives a weak one back. “you’re going to be so great at this, i already know it. and don’t be afraid to ask for help—me and alfred will be supporting you every step of the way.”

y/n sniffles quietly, but gives bruce a nod. she leans against the back of the sofa, letting go of bruce, and his skin misses her touch immediately. she rubs her eyes and sighs. “i’ve wanted to do something like this, be someone who can make a real change, all my life, since i was a little kid,” she tells him, “and everything that happened throughout growing up just made me want to do it more. and now you’ve given me this amazing opportunity to finally do something like it, and it scares me,” she turns her head to look at him again. bruce nods, understanding, and splays an arm over her frame, “i can never thank you enough for doing this for me. i’m really grateful for it. i’m just scared i won’t be any good at it.” 

“you will be,” bruce tells her, “i never expected this kind of... role would fall on me. i did know, of course, that i would have to follow in my father’s footsteps, and i was more than happy to, but doing it alone, especially when there’s so much pressure about it, and relentless work, never made me like it.” he shook his head. “i know i still want to help people, i always have, and being batman was my way of doing it, but... you’ve made me realize it’s never going to be enough. yes, i can make people fear me, but there’s always going to be someone not so afraid.” he makes a pause to clear his throat. “you remember that brothel we went to on our first night together?” he asks and y/n nods along. “we’re never gonna stop more of those being made by just... doing what we do on our night shifts. crime and corruption in gotham are like diseases. we gotta do more.” he says and y/n nods again. 

“i’m glad you see it now, too,” she tells him and runs a hand through his hair, “we will do more. but i can’t do it without you.” she says and makes a sad smile. bruce holds her moving hand in his and lays a kiss on the top of her palm. 

“you won’t,” he promises, “you won’t be alone. i’ll go to every interview, every event, anything with you.” so you won’t be alone, like i was, in this business. 

y/n chuckles. “really?”

“yeah, i promise,” bruce says with a smile and that’s what makes her believe him. she nods, “i’ll take care of you.” she presses their intertwined hands against his cheek.

“we’ll take care of each other,” she corrects him, and bruce nods, lips once again on her hand, “thank you for this. and for believing in me.” she makes a smile at him and curls herself closer to bruce. he nods at her. he’ll always believe in her. ever since that first night she took him to her apartment, he has put tremendous faith in her and she has always proved worth it. she has never disappointed him. she’s only ever surprised him and hurt him when she fled the manor that night. but never disappoint him. she should have ‘exceeds expectations’ written in her resume, in her passport. 

“always,” bruce says and kisses her lips. 

“uh, vanessa,” y/n calls for her attention again, and vanessa turns to her with welcoming eyes, “can you promise me that... you won’t say anything the press want you to say? no matter how much money they’re offering.” she requests shyly, hoping this won’t close vanessa off to her. but her friend-colleague nods. 

“of course,” she says, “i would never do that to you, man, come on,” she bumps y/n’s shoulder and they both laugh, “no amount of money could make me want to lie about you.”

“thanks so much. i’d never assume otherwise, you know, just had to make sure.” y/n says timidly and rubs her hands together. “i’ll hand in my resignation tomorrow. a month’s notice.” she tells her and vanessa nods with a smile, though she also sighs sadly.

“only a month with you left,” she says and makes a playful frown. y/n shakes her head, “it’s gonna be weird here without you.”

“i know,” y/n says in an aching voice, “it’s gonna be so strange not working here. but i’ll come here for coffee, i promise you that.”

vanessa smiles. “it’ll always be on the house,” she says and does a salute. it makes them both giggle again, but the bell ringing at the entrance door alerts them of a new customer and their laughter dies down a little. 

“that won’t go unnoticed, v,” y/n tells her as she takes her post behind the cash register. vanessa raises an eyebrow at her, “if i’m ever invited to a gala and i can take a plus one, it’s gonna be you.” y/n smiles at vanessa and she nearly bursts at the proposition.

“are you serious? but won’t mr wayne be your plus one?” she makes sure, but y/n shakes her head. 

“no, he gets his own invites. we could go as three, and i wouldn’t wanna go with anybody else, anyway,” she admits. 

“ah, just imagine – us getting ready together to go a gala! what a dream,” vanessa ties her apron around her waist again and passes y/n to stand behind the coffee machine, “your life’s definitely getting better.”

that statement sort of stops y/n in her tracks. her life is getting better, that’s true, she just hadn’t admitted that to herself yet. probably because she feels she doesn’t deserve it, isn’t worthy of such good circumstances. a great relationship, a job she’s wanted to do since she was a kid, a job in helping countless people in peril, poverty, hunger and everything else that’s eating gotham up from inside. but she doesn’t let herself enjoy it. well, truthfully, it hasn’t happened yet, and she’s already hesitant towards it.

being scared of the job is one thing – how good is she gonna be at it? how will everyone else at wayne enterprises like her? how will the media take her work? how will the people of gotham embrace her? but another thing is feeling like she doesn’t deserve it. she doesn’t come from upper class, she wasn’t born into money like bruce was. she comes from a different universe altogether. 

but shouldn’t an advocate for people who can’t defend or support themselves be someone exactly like them? maybe y/n should tell her story to the whole of gotham, about her hardships growing up, about her mother’s hardships – not the whole story in details, but just enough that would make people see that she’s just like them, no different, and wants to help. because she knows how she can help. she knows exactly what these people need because she’s been one of them. who better to protect and vouch for them than someone who comes from the same gutter? that would be a great article headline for the press, y/n thinks.

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[thtigerk]

Parece que vi um outsider pela orla da praia! de acordo com as pesquisas, KAZUYA KAJIYASHIKI é PROPRIETÁRIO DO MEOW CAFÉ  de VINTE E CINCO ANOS e os moradores costumam o confundir com MACKENYU ARATA. tem fama de ser DEDICADO por seu grupo, mas as más línguas dizem que é METÓDICO. de qualquer forma, não deixe que descubram que seus pais escondem que foi sequestrado de sua verdadeira família quando era bebê.

nome completo:  kazuya kajiyashiki. apelidos: kaz / kazu. altura: 1.80cm gênero/pronomes: ele/dele, homem cis. orientação sexual:  demissexual. nascimento:  18 de janeiro. nacionalidade: japonês. profissão: dono do meow café. hobbies: kyokushin, ginastica e polo aquático. pai de pet: dois gatos, fred e tom, da raça não tem o que comer em casa.

Personalidade.

Kaz costuma ser quieto no início, é bastante observador e prefere ter certeza de onde está pisando para, conforme se sentir confortável, passar a se abrir com as pessoas. Claro, isso é válido quando o assunto é se socializar com quem ele não conhece, afinal, quem já tem o selo de amizade garantido costuma conviver com um Kaz animado, sempre disposto a ajudar e um ótimo ouvinte. Além de muito brincalhão. Criado dentro de uma família muito tradicional, Kaz é um homem bem polido e metódico, tanto que dentro do ambiente de trabalho gosta de separar bem as coisas e sempre mantém tudo perfeitamente organizado, sempre visando pelo bem estar (em primeiro lugar) dos gatinhos que vivem na cafeteria. Para ele, essa rinha entre outsiders e originais é uma perda de tempo, no caso, as brigas desnecessárias e as fofocas que vivem circulando para aumentar a rinha entre os lados. Para ele, se todo mundo fosse maduro o suficiente, daria para resolver tudo com uma boa conversa. Claro que, visando o lado mais escravo da situação, ele defende os seus com unhas e dentes, afinal, ninguém é de ferro ou possuí toda a paciência do mundo para aguentar herdeiros mimados que se acham os donos de tudo só porque possuem alguns zeros a mais na conta bancária graças a família. Tirando esses pequenos detalhes que, infelizmente, fazem parte do dia a dia de qualquer morador de Venetta, Kaz é alguém bem fácil de lidar.

História.

Kazuya nasceu originalmente com o nome de Kenjiro Komatsu, filho de um poderoso chefe da Yakuza e, até então, seu primeiro e único herdeiro. A reviravolta em sua vida começa quando Kaz é sequestrado de sua família ainda na maternidade, um plano bolado pelo rival de seu pai, cujo filho foi morto uns anos atrás a mando do mesmo. Inicialmente era para o bebê ter o mesmo fim, afinal, um filho por outro filho, era essa a regra. Só que o responsável pelo sequestro não teve coragem e muito menos estômago para assassinar um recém-nascido e, desejando também largar aquela vida que sempre colocava ele e sua esposa em perigo, viu naquele feito a oportunidade perfeita para pegar tudo o que tinha e deixar o país. Para evitar que fosse procurado pelos seus, deixou uma carta alegando que o garoto estava morto e seus restos foram queimados, deixando junto do bilhete uma pequena jarra com cinzas para reforçar sua mentira. Para completar, alegou que um dos seguranças da família tinha o reconhecido e, para evitar problemas maiores, estava se retirando da cidade por um tempo.  

A ideia de adotar o menino não estava em seus planos, quando chegassem aos EUA, Kaz seria abandonado na porta de um orfanato e eles seguiram com a nova vida, mas a esposa de Kajiyashiki se opôs à decisão do marido. O bebê não tinha culpa dos problemas gerados entre as duas famílias, muito menos merecia ser abandonado daquela maneira em um país estranho, juntando isso ao desgosto que a mulher tinha do marido pela forma como o mesmo levava a vida e vivia com as mãos sujas de sangue, ela apelou para o divórcio. Ele poderia seguir a vida que quisesse na América, mas ela recomeçaria com a criança e a criaria como um filho que nunca pode ter. A briga durou dias, se estendeu por algumas semanas e nesse meio tempo Kaz permaneceu ali, sendo cuidado e amado pela única pessoa que teve um pingo de compaixão com sua situação. Kajiyashiki foi vencido pelo cansaço, era isso ou ele de fato perderia a mulher que sempre lutou para ter ao seu lado. No começo a relação com o garoto não era das melhores, mas buscava ao menos ter respeito já que amor era um sentimento forte demais para definir o que sentia. Kaz cresceu em meio aos costumes japoneses, mesmo convivendo longe de seu país de origem, o idioma natal foi aprendido e reforçado o uso dentro de casa. Inglês? Apenas do portão para fora. Por ter passado toda a sua vida metida com o que não prestava, Kajiyashiki era um bom lutador, sabia levar as pessoas pela lábia e, com o dinheiro que trouxe consigo, deu início a um pequeno estabelecimento. Kaz sempre esteve envolvido com artes marciais desde a infância, tanto que aprendeu Kyokushin, uma forma de karatê japonês, com seu pai, além de praticar ginástica e um pouco de polo aquático. Também sabe usar muito bem armas brancas, incluindo a famosa katana.

Em Venetta aprendeu desde cedo que a cidade era dividida entre aqueles que sempre batalharam para ter uma vida digna e aqueles que já nasciam com tudo de mão beijada. Sua criação o impediu de tomar lados, para ele ambos tinham seus defeitos e a forma como escolhiam resolver cada um deles era ridícula. Nunca teve muita paciência para briguinhas desnecessárias e sempre evitou qualquer tipo de conflito, mas já se mostrou bem presente na hora de defender os seus quando necessário. Especialmente na adolescência. Com a pequena cafeteria da família crescendo e ganhando reconhecimento conforme o tempo, Kaz sempre se dedicou em ajudar seus pais a progredir, tanto que o Meow Café atualmente está sob o seu comando e a ideia de acolher os gatinhos partiu de sua mãe quando, ainda pequeno, encontrou uma ninhada perdida próxima ao estabelecimento.

headcanons.

Sabe falar japonês e inglês fluente. Até arriscou espanhol, mas é uma negação.

Luta Kyokushin (uma forma de karatê japonês) desde os 3 anos de idade. Quando completou 7 anos entrou na ginastica e a prática do polo aquático começou na adolescência.

É amante e defensor dos animais, mesmo o café sendo voltado unicamente para gatos, Kaz ajuda algumas pequenas instituições voltadas para cachorros.

A relação com o pai melhorou muito com o passar dos anos, especialmente após ser treinado por ele. Hoje em dia são grudados e Kaz tem uma enorme admiração, respeito e amor pelo pai.

É e sempre será o queridinho de sua mãe.

Kaz tem dois gatos em casa e costuma leva-los consigo para o café durante o expediente para que não fiquem sozinhos durante o dia.

Foi obrigado a tirar sua habilitação, mas hoje em dia agradece por isso. E mesmo possuindo um carro, Kaz tem preferencia por motos.

Foi difícil fazer seus pais aceitarem que iria morar sozinho, no começo isso gerou brigas dentro de casa, mas estava tão determinado a ter o próprio canto, com suas próprias regras, que conseguiu alugar um apartamento quando completou 21 anos. A família ainda tenta convencê-lo a voltar para casa.

Não é de muitos relacionamentos, mas Kaz já foi quase noivo. O relacionamento durou quatro anos e terminou depois que descobriu uma traição.

Ele não sabe sobre o segredo dos seus pais e muito menos que foi sequestrado da sua verdadeira família.

[i-love-this-art]

Vilhelm Rosenstand / “Outside Café A Porta, at Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen” / 1882 / National Museum of Fine Arts, Stockholm

[addingamogustoart]

Outside the Café A Porta, Copenhagen by Vilhelm Rosenstand

[i12bent]

Vilhelm Rosenstand was a Danish painter, b. July 31, 1938 (d. 1915). He is best known for his history paintings and for battle scenes from the Danish war against Prussia in 1864 - a campaign he himself participated in…

Here we see a genre picture - Outside the Café A Porta, Copenhagen, 1882 (oil on canvas, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm)

[mayuamakura]

EN

Dear Brazil,

Of my many trips to South America, I’ve never had the occasion to visit you. Most were to the Andes Mountains, to observe the magnificent southern skies via an international consortium of high-tech telescopes. But I’ve nonetheless thought about you quite often.

As a native of the United States of America, I know what we casually think about you. In no particular order, you’ve got the world’s largest, and most important rain forest. You’ve got the world’s most massive river, every minute, draining into the Atlantic Ocean a volume of water that would fill a football stadium. And yes, we knew about your river and rain forest long before Amazon.com borrowed the name.

Want more? Nobody doesn’t love Brazil nuts. In fact, in the USA, we have to spring for the “premium” package to get them in our mixed nuts. And even those among us who barely follow soccer know of your famous football teams, fully expecting to see you in the final rounds of the World Cup every four years. We also know about your stunning beaches because they’ve appeared in song—“The Girl/Boy from Ipanema” among them. We know about your religious festivals, Mardi Gras especially, as we attempt to imitate the intensity and joy of those celebrations—in dance and in music—on our side of the hemisphere. We know about your coffee. And I, for one, love your flag. It’s got a slice of the night sky on it; no fewer than two-dozen stars, each retrace authentic constellations, the Southern Cross included.

So, if you asked any of us in the USA what we think when your name gets mentioned, we typically draw from that list.

You know what we don’t notice? Half the time we fly a regional jet between cities, on American Airlines and other carriers, we board an Embraer to do so. Sure, the safety card says Embraer on it. We might even find the name in small print somewhere on the fuselage. But hardly any of us knows that the airplane is designed and built in Brazil. You could boast “Brazilian Engineering” but you don’t. Why not? Germany has no hesitation embracing that claim. But, of course, they’ve earned it. Everyone knows the quality of German-engineered products, which happens to infuse their aerospace economy, the third largest in the world.

But wait. One of the greatest pioneers in early aviation was Brazilian. A brilliant and inventive engineer who was highly decorated in his time, Alberto Santos-Dumont guided the world’s transition from lighter-than-air to heavier-than-air transportation. The value of such cultural seeds, planted at the birth of an industry, may be incalculable. A century later, you have become a leader in biofuel technologies—a key step towards a green economy where our harmony with nature will determine whether we thrive, survive, or go extinct. You also have an ambitious space agency, and you are the sixth largest aerospace industry in the world. In Latin America, you are also a leader in IT. And in a country famous for its agriculture, nearly a third of your economy rides on the back of a tech-infused manufacturing sector.

So maybe it’s time the world knew more about this. Maybe it’s time Brazilians knew more about this. Maybe you are overdue for displaying products that declare: “Engineered in Brazil.”

Whatever else is, or is not, true in the world, tomorrow’s growth economies—even those that may be purely agricultural—will pivot on today’s investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In a democracy, these investments flow from a scientifically literate electorate that chooses enlightened leaders who know and understand the value of education, of exploration, and discovery. Without these perspectives, we’d all still be living in caves, with fellow dwellers grunting: “You can’t explore outside. First you must solve our cave problems.”

Lest anyone forget, the first (and only) South American astronaut, an aeronautical engineer, was Brazilian. And when did he launch? In 2006, the centennial year of Santos-Dumont’s first successful airplane. And what did he bring to space with him? The Brazilian Flag, and a jersey from your national football team.

Countries that struggle the most in the world tend to be those with low education levels and an absence of STEM in their culture. You have the resources and the legacy to lead all of Latin America, if not the world, in what a country of tomorrow should be—in what a country of tomorrow should aspire to.

If you embrace and bolster your STEM industries—and the entire tech sector—then the dreams of students in the educational pipeline will have no limit, as they enter a world where rockets are what fuel people’s ambitions as they exit the cave door.

Respectfully Submitted,

Neil deGrasse Tyson

United States of America

PT-BR

Caro Brasil,

Das minhas muitas viagens à América do Sul, nunca tive a oportunidade de visitar você. A maioria delas teve como destino a cordilheira dos Andes, com o objetivo de observar o magnífico céu do hemisfério sul através de telescópios de alta tecnologia de um consórcio internacional. Mas, mesmo assim, tenho pensado em você com bastante frequência.

Como nativo dos Estados Unidos da América, sei em que costumamos pensar quando se trata de você. Não seguindo uma ordem específica, você possui a maior e mais importante floresta tropical do mundo. Você abriga o maior rio do mundo, que, a cada minuto que passa, escoa para o oceano Atlântico um volume de água que daria para encher um estádio de futebol. E, sim, nós sabíamos da existência de seu rio e de sua floresta tropical muito antes de a Amazon.com pegar o nome emprestado.

Quer mais? Não há quem não goste de castanha-do-brasil. Na verdade, nos EUA, nós precisamos pagar pelo pacote “premium” para que elas venham incluídas em nossos mix de castanhas. E mesmo aqueles de nós que quase não acompanham futebol sabem da existência de seus times famosos, ficando na maior expectativa de ver você na final da Copa do Mundo a cada quatro anos. Também sabemos das suas praias deslumbrantes pelas músicas que as cantam—a “Garota de Ipanema” sendo uma delas. Sabemos de suas festas populares, principalmente o Carnaval, e tentamos imitar a intensidade e a alegria dessas celebrações—com dança e música—aqui no nosso hemisfério. Sabemos do seu café. E eu, particularmente, amo a sua bandeira. Há um pedaço do céu noturno estampado nela; mais de duas dezenas de estrelas retraçam constelações autênticas, incluindo o Cruzeiro do Sul.

Então, se você perguntasse a qualquer um de nós nos EUA o que vem à nossa cabeça quando seu nome é mencionado, normalmente selecionaríamos algo a partir dessa lista.

Você sabe do que nós não nos damos conta? Metade das vezes que embarcamos em voos domésticos, da American Airlines ou de outras companhias aéreas, viajamos num avião da Embraer. Tudo bem, o folheto com instruções de segurança traz impresso nele o nome Embraer. Nós podemos até achar Embraer escrito em letras miúdas em algum lugar da fuselagem. Mas quase nenhum de nós sabe que a aeronave é projetada e fabricada no Brasil. Você poderia alardear “Tecnologia Brasileira,” mas não o faz. Por que não? A Alemanha não hesita em se gabar da dela. Nada mais justo, claro. Todo mundo conhece a qualidade dos produtos fabricados na Alemanha, que, por sua vez, permeiam sua economia aeroespacial, a terceira maior do mundo.

Mas, espere. Um dos grandes pioneiros nos primórdios da aviação era brasileiro. Engenheiro brilhante e inventivo, altamente condecorado, Alberto Santos-Dumont liderou a transição mundial do transporte aéreo mais leve que o ar para o mais pesado que o ar. O valor de uma semente cultural como essa, plantada no nascimento de uma indústria, é incalculável. Um século depois, você se tornou líder em tecnologias de biocombustíveis—um passo fundamental em direção a uma economia verde onde nossa harmonia com a natureza vai determinar se iremos prosperar, sobreviver ou nos extinguir. Você também possui uma ambiciosa agência espacial, além de ser a sexta maior indústria aeroespacial do mundo. Na América Latina, você também é líder em Tecnologia da Informação. E num país famoso por sua agricultura, quase um terço de sua economia se apoia num setor produtivo impregnado de tecnologia.

Então talvez seja a hora de o mundo saber mais a respeito disso. Talvez seja a hora de os brasileiros saberem mais sobre isso. Talvez esteja mais do que na hora de você exibir produtos que declarem: “Fabricado no Brasil.”

Seja o que mais for, ou não, verdade no mundo, as economias de crescimento do futuro—mesmo as que possam ser puramente agrícolas—vão girar em torno dos investimentos feitos hoje em ciência, tecnologia, engenharia e matemática. Numa democracia, esses investimentos fluem de um eleitorado letrado cientificamente, que elege líderes esclarecidos e que entendem o valor da educação, das pesquisas e das descobertas. Sem essas perspectivas, ainda estaríamos vivendo em cavernas, com alguns de nós resmungando: “Você não pode explorar o mundo exterior. Primeiro precisa resolver os problemas da nossa caverna.”

Para que ninguém se esqueça, o primeiro (e único) astronauta sul-americano foi um engenheiro aeronáutico brasileiro. E quando se deu o lançamento de sua missão? Em 2006, ano do centenário do primeiro avião bem-sucedido de Santos-Dumont. E o que ele levou para o espaço? Uma bandeira do Brasil e uma camisa da seleção brasileira de futebol.

Os países que mais passam por dificuldades no mundo tendem a ser aqueles com baixos níveis de instrução e com ausência de STEM em sua cultura. Você tem os recursos e o legado para liderar toda a América Latina, se não o mundo, no que um país do futuro deveria ser—no que um país do futuro deveria aspirar ser.

Se você abraçar e apoiar suas indústrias STEM—e o setor de tecnologia inteiro—então os sonhos dos alunos em toda a cadeia educacional não terão limites, conforme eles forem introduzidos num mundo em que foguetes são o que alimentam as ambições das pessoas que saem pela porta da caverna.

Atenciosamente,

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Estados Unidos da América

[aportatextiles]

I come from a long line of store owners/small businesses on both sides of my parents. My great, great, great grandfather Stephen a’Porta opened Cafe a’Porta in 1788 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The cafe continued throughout the years (the second picture is from the 1970s) and the building still says a’Porta on the outside. There is even a oil painting called “Outside the Café A Porta, Copenhagen” by Vilhelm Rosenstand, 1882. - My grandmother Florence a’Porta left Denmark after living through the Nazi occupation of Denmark, World War 2 and came to America for a better life. She spoke no English, took the boat from Denmark to New York then a train from New York to California, by herself. When I started my textile company in Chicago in 2011 I changed the spelling of our Danish family name for my business to APORTA as Americans have an easier time pronouncing it that way. - Lately I have been thinking about my ancestors and wondering how they would have managed their businesses during covid. Lately I have been thinking about all of the crazy white racists yelling at BIPOC to go back to their own country. My grandmother was an immigrant therefor I come from a line of immigrants. If you are white living in America, you are an immigrant. End of story. Having these conversations, especially with white communities are important and need to be continued. - APORTA Shop recognizes it sits on Salish and Kootenai territories, land which was taken from them by the Federal Government. It is important that this is know as there are Indigenous makers that sell their work in the store. One of the store’s goals moving forward is to continue this conversation of Native Rights, especially with the Native makers in the store and within our Montana community. - Did you know there are seven Native territories (reservations) in Montana? Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Fort Peck, Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy's, Blackfeet, Flathead. There are 12 Montana Native tribes in total today. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBx1X48ppna/?igshid=17x0kxaaae709

[btshodown]

Remember You (Pt. 3)

↳ You’re just trying to get by and stay the course, but Jin has other plans in mind for you. Maybe going to that party on Saturday wasn’t such a great idea after all.  

Pairing: Seokjin x Reader Genre/Warnings: Fuckboy!Jin Au, Angst || Mentions of violence Word Count: 6k+

➭ Round of applause for me finally putting this out. :’) I won’t talk too much, but yeah, this is gonna be a 4 parter. Had to shorten it or I’d never would have posted it. You might want to read Part 2 just to recap since its been a while. Let me know what you think! <3

“Did you hear about it? What happened between her and Jin?”

 “I heard he ran out crying half naked and she left with Yoongi in front of him.”

 “No way! She left with one of his friends even though he was crying for her to stay? I always thought she was a little too stuck up, but now I know she’s just a bitch.”

 “Yeah, I mean, how can anyone be so cold hearted as to leave someone like Kim Seokjin crying?”

 A heavy sigh escapes you as you try your hardest to ignore your morning girl employees’ gossip about what happened two days ago, on Saturday night. After waking up Sunday morning in Yoongi’s place, you left him a note saying thanks (he was still sleeping) and made your way home to get ready for your mid-shift that day. Now it was Monday, and you had just finished talking to your manager Seoyoon about your new schedule availability; which were more morning shifts. She did seem skeptical as to why the change, since you were always so sure of staying night shift to avoid waking up early, and you had a feeling she was privy to the rumors; but ultimately she gently agreed to the switch.

 Not only did this mean that you’d have to get your body back to a normal sleeping schedule, but you’d at least hardly ever work with Seokjin again. The only downside? You work with more of his friends since the mornings/afternoons were always the busiest customer wise and employee wise.

 It was now noon and your little café just finished its morning rush and lunches for the buildings surrounding them, meaning that it was slow with very little to do besides gossip (prime example a few feet away at the dessert case) or clean the store. Which is what you began to do, but you could feel your nerves begin to crawl under your skin as you watch Namjoon make his way to you the moment he clocks in. It’s clear what his intent is when he stands by you and pretends to get the espresso bar ready for any drinks, but you stubbornly ignore him and go back to cleaning the counter despite it being spotless.

 “So…Saturday.”

 You knew it. “I don’t want to talk about it Namjoon-ah.”

 He pauses in putting back the porta-filter for the shots, before recovering from your clipped tone to nervously pushing the shot glasses in a line. “I know, but I still want to talk to you about hyung.”

 “Why?” you let out a sigh and finally turn to look at him as you set the cleaning rag on the counter to cross your arms. “What is there to tell me about him that I didn’t already figure out?”

 “A lot, actually,” the younger, tall male besides you clears his throat to get rid of whatever nerves he had and looks you in the eyes, wanting to convey just how serious this was to him. “All I ask is that you wait for me after my shift is over so I can talk to you. There’s a lot about Jin-hyung you don’t know about.”

 You try your best to decipher his stare, wondering if he was being sincere about this or if it would turn out to be some cruel joke Seokjin had planned for you. No doubt he was angry for how you made him look a fool in front of all his guests and you wouldn’t put it past him to do something to embarrass you as retribution. But unfortunately, Namjoon’s stare didn’t show any malicious intent; only genuine sincerity for whatever it was he going to tell you about Jin.

 “Alright,” you say it in a sigh as you look away from him to grab the cleaning rag once more, going back to pretending you’re working. “I’ll wait for your shift to end then.”

 Namjoon grins, allowing you to see his famous dimples all the girls gush about, and rubs his neck in surprise of you accepting. “Perfect, you won’t regret it, I promise.”

 As you nod silently and make your way to clean the fridge in the back, you can’t help, but to feel something would go horribly wrong. Maybe not with you and Namjoon, but there was definitely something in the air that was making you uneasy.

 It was nearing six now and you were just about to lose your mind with all the possibilities of what Namjoon was about to tell you. He finished his shift a little while ago and he began leading you across the street to this boba shop you and Yoongi frequented often. Even entering the familiar store and ordering your favorite milk tea could not keep you from wiping the sweat off your palms on your jeans; part of you honestly wanted to just forget about this and run out the shop.

 He leads you to a table outside, even the fresh breeze passing by did little to calm your racing mind and the flipping in your stomach; sitting in front of you as he fidgeted with his drink. You take a rather large gulp of your tea to strengthen your resolve and hopefully come out of this unaffected. Hope being a very key word here.

 “Jin-hyung is going to kill me for telling you this,” Namjoon suddenly mutters – your heart spikes faster in anticipation as you unconsciously still your breath – and heaves out a determined sigh before meeting your eyes, “but this needs to be said and all of us are tired of him being too much of a coward.”

 Your brows scrunch together in confusion as you completely forget about your milk tea drink, your hands wringing together in nerves, “All of us?”

 He gives a slow nod as he thoughtfully takes a sip of his own drink and licks his lips, no doubt building the courage to spill whatever secret he and his friends had been holding. It was frustrating, trying to be patient with the young man in front of you when all you wanted was to reach over and shake him by the shoulders, demanding to know what information he had.

 “We all know about it, our group of friends. Jungkookie is still a bit new, but even he has heard about it all too,” he pauses again and looks away from you to stare at his hands clasped around the cup. “You do remember Jin-hyung from back at high school, right?”

 The sudden question has you blinking in puzzled silence as his eyes meet yours again, inquiring with a raised brow. What kind of question was that? Of course you remembered Kim Seokjin from high school! The better question was who didn’t? His fuckboy ways escaped no one back then and his parties were infamous throughout campus.

 “Who doesn’t?” you reply in a slight snort as you finally unclasp your hands to take a sip from your drink, your voice turning a bit distasteful at the memories. “Everyone who didn’t live under a rock knew who he was back then. I’m pretty sure there were rumors of him fucking all of the cheerleading squad and even some from the dance team. That’s not even counting all the parties he threw.”

 A grimace passes through Namjoon’s face as he listens to your harsh words, but no defense for his friend came out of his lips – how could he when what you said was partially true?

 “Okay, but do you remember him before that?”

 “What?”

 Your face said it all and a small flicker of smugness crosses Namjoon’s features at seeing your clueless expression. “Sure, you remember him from when he was most popular around the start of senior year; but do you remember him from before that?”

 Did you? There was no question that the younger man’s question had you pulling out blanks; was Seokjin ever anything else, but a player? Try as you might, you couldn’t quite bring up a mental picture of him from before senior year – and it made you realize that up until then, Kim Seokjin was never a name you knew.

 “No,” came your slow reply as your eyes don’t stray from Namjoon’s, demanding with your gaze alone for him to answer your question, “is there any reason for me to?”

 “Only if you cared enough to know why he suddenly turned out that way.”

 You suddenly realize why he and Seokjin were friends, how could you not when the young man in front of you was finally showing you his true cunning side? He was baiting you with his slick words and suddenly turned this conversation around so that it left you wanting to know just who Kim Seokjin really was when just a few hours earlier; you wanted nothing to do with him. As much as you wanted to feel bitter for this sudden turn-around, you could only let respect bubble inside you for Namjoon and cross your arms to stare at his cat eyed gaze.

 “Fine, you got me. Who was he before senior year and why the sudden change?”

A small, crooked smile adorns Namjoon’s lips as he rests his forearms on the table and leans in, a glint of triumph in his slanted eyes. “We’ll start from the beginning then. Do you remember Jaebeom, Park Jaebeom?”

 The moment he mentioned your old high school crush, you knew that whatever he was about to tell you was far from what you were imagining. That name hadn’t even crossed your mind in years; you couldn’t even fathom how it was relevant to Seokjin. Just what in the hell were they all hiding for all these years?

“Honestly hyung, you need to stop drinking, it’s getting ridiculous.”

 Yoongi stares exasperated at Jin’s drunken body slumped over his couch, frowning with irritated concern as he eyes all of the empty vodka bottles on his coffee table. Once upon a time Yoongi had been in this very situation, back when he could barely afford to pay his rent and finally giving in to his pride to let Jin help him financially until he found a better job at the café. It seemed like they switched positions and it was now his time to help his friend out of his destructive spiral.

 He just wished that he was better with his words.

 “Fuck off,” Jin slurs in a grumble as he reaches for another bottle, but scowls when it gets taken out of his grasp. “Give it back, s’mine.”

 Yoongi ignores his friend’s demands as he walks over to his liquor cabinet to put away the bottle, deciding that he wasn’t going to let this continue anymore. He knew why Jin suddenly began getting drunk every day; he was sure nearly everyone in the city knew why since word spread of your little argument on Saturday. If he was being honest with himself, part of him was also angry with his older friend for causing your tears that day. You had become a part of his close knit circle just as much as Jin and the other guys were, so seeing you so broken and having to hear your sobs in the night tore him apart.

 But as much as his anger for Jin grew, so did his guilt for harboring his own dark secret from him. He wanted to confess to Jin, he really did, he just didn’t know how to.

 “What does it matter if I drink so’more! Y/n already hates me so there’s n’point in quitting,” despite the raw bitterness and vehemence in his tone, Jin looked pitiful as he rolled his neck against the couch, looking up at his ceiling.

 The black haired male in front of him scowls as he feels the final strings of his patience snapping and stomps over to his blonde haired friend to grab fistfuls of his t-shirt. “Can you hear yourself? You sound so pathetic! Honestly, you can only blame yourself for how things turned out hyung and you need to realize that so that you can get off your ass. Do something about it!”

 Seokjin lets out a grunt of anger and sloppily smacks Yoongi’s hands off of his shirt, glaring back at his friend as he stumbles up onto his feet to tower over him. “Dun talk to me like that, you brat! ‘Specially when you took her side over mine!”

 “I’m taking her side because you’re the one in the wrong!” Yoongi knew that yelling back wouldn’t solve anything and arguing with a drunken Jin was useless, but he just couldn’t hold back anymore. All the guilt, the anger, and the frustration were boiling over; there was no way he was able to rein it in any longer.

 The drunken male scrunches his face into a grimace of remorse, before it slipped back into a frown as he messily pushes his friend back; refusing to admit to his mistake. “If yer were really my friend, you’d be on m’side no matter what! ‘Sides, I didn’t do shit! She was justa fuck!”

 A loud crack echoes in the room as skin met skin, interrupting Jin before he could say more as he lets out a yelp of pain and falls back on the couch. He lets out a groan of agony as he spits out blood onto his cushion, tainting the cream color with splotches of crimson caused by Yoongi’s fist. But before anything else could happen, Yoongi angrily grabs onto Seokjin’s shirt and drags him back onto his feet; his black eyes narrowed into furious slits.

 “Don’t you dare talk about y/n like that,” he hisses out venomously through his teeth, ignoring the pain pulsing all over his knuckles. “She’s not one of your fucking play things to throw away once you’ve gotten your fucking dick wet.”

 The older boy lets out a growl of anger once his world stopped spinning and without a second thought, he throws his own fist at Yoongi’s cheek. Another crack of skin is heard, followed by a string of curses and the heavy thud of both male’s bodies hitting the wood floor. Despite being drunk, Seokjin was able to hold his own against his friend as they grunted angrily and threw in more punches and elbows; both trying their hardest to render the other immobile. In the end, the older male manages to pin Yoongi underneath him and makes sure to keep a tight grip on his shirt as he plants himself on his stomach, his breath coming out in heavy pants.

 “You fucking dick,” he slurs out in a labored breath as his eyes narrow into a glare, “I can’t believe you fucking punched me! Over a damn girl you didn’t even know existed until I told you about her! Wassit worth it you brat? Hitting me over someone you barely know?!”

 Yoongi swallows down the copper he felt was left on his tongue before answering his older friend, much too incensed to feel any residual fear left in him to speak the truth. “I know her hell of a lot better than you do. In mind and body.”

 Jin pauses, feeling the liquor in his system very slowly begin to fade away as he loosens his hold on Yoongi’s shirt in his confusion, but a cold dread slowly began to wrap around his heart. “What?”

 “Y/n and I had sex, Jin. More than just once. We were friends with benefits for nearly a year now and you know what? She felt fucking amazing every single time.”

 The moment Jin let go of Yoongi’s shirt and he saw the broken expression on his friends face, he knew he fucked up; but just as an apology was on his tongue, Jin’s expression contorts into fury as his fist connects with his cheek again. Yoongi stays silent though, feeling the guilt and anger churn inside him as he lets the older male shake him in rage.

 “What the fuck,” Seokjin’s soft reply is filled with emotion before he tightens his grip on Yoongi’s shirt, feeling his head spin as his voice rises. “What the fuck! You out of everyone fucking knows exactly how I feel and you’re telling me you were fucking her?! This whole damn time?! You fucking piece of shit!”

 All is quiet, save for Jin’s furious, ragged breaths as he waits for his friend’s response, but none comes as Yoongi openly avoids his gaze. The act only makes his blood boil as his fingers latch onto his bruised jaw, relishing in Yoongi’s hiss of pain as he forces him to look at his face.

 “Tell me why,” Jin grits out venomously, feeling himself sober up from just his fury alone, but with the sobriety also came the onslaught of emotions he was running away from and the blonde felt his heart seizing up. He suddenly didn’t want to look at the male beneath him anymore. “You know what, fuck your damn excuse. Get the fuck out of my house!”

 Yoongi didn’t offer an apology – he couldn’t bring himself to say the two words because he knew they wouldn’t matter, not now – and instead pushes Jin off of him to comply with the demand given. Seokjin stumbles onto his feet and begins walking over to his kitchen, but pauses to stare at the younger male, feeling the acid of betrayal scorch every nerve ending until he swore he felt it reach his lungs.

 “I should have let you fucking become homeless.”

 Yoongi pauses at the door, feeling his heart tear open at the statement and the pure hatred that it was delivered in – he suddenly had an epiphany in that moment, of how you didn’t need to be in love to feel heartbreak. He wasn’t sure if his friendship was salvageable, nor if he even deserved to try to salvage it really; so with his guilt constricting his heart and lungs, he silently closes the door behind him.

 With a wince at feeling the air hit his bruised face, he takes out his phone and taps onto one of his contacts he had on speed dial; slowly making his way to his apartment as he places his phone onto his ear. Once he hears the familiar voice from the other line, he lets out a shaky breath and stuffs his free hand into his jean pocket.

 “I fucked up…badly.”

You weren’t sure whether to be happy for the interruption or to be angry with whoever decided to call Namjoon right now. Granted, he didn’t tell you much past him retelling how Seokjin was before senior year – he was in drama and choir of all things! It made your mind spin with all the possible outcomes that lead to Jin turning into the man he is today. How was it conceivable that a drama and choir student transformed into one of the most infamous fuckboy’s in all of the school in under a year?

 And how did your embarrassing old crush fit into all of this?

 “Fuck, are you serious hyung? How did it get so bad?”

 Hearing the younger boy’s distressed tone brought you back to the present as you glance up to see him stand from his chair; half-drunk boba tea forgotten. Seeing his brows furrowed as he rakes a hand through his brown locks brings a sense of dread into your stomach, washing over like the calm before the storm.

 Namjoon stays quiet a few beats, presumably listening to the story the other man was retelling him before speaking worriedly. “Where are you now?”

 Just as you were going to ask the brunette what was happening, the familiar chime of your ringtone catches your attention; it was a ringtone you had specifically assigned to someone and the fact that he was calling you now made you nibble on your lip apprehensively.

 “Hello? Seokjin?”

 You feel Namjoon’s gaze sharply cut into you the moment his name enters the air – it made your hand tremble as you nervously listen to the heavy panting on the other end of the line, waiting for a response.

 “Since when have you and Yoongi been fucking y/n!”

 Your breath lodges itself inside your throat as your blood turns to ice in your veins, your mind wondering on how he could have possibly found that out – Yoongi and you were very discrete when it came to your agreement of helping each other out. It honestly was such a stupid decision that came up when you couldn’t sate the carnal hunger you felt all those months ago; not minding if Yoongi took care of it at the time, anything to just tame the burn. Surprisingly, he caved in very easily and it wasn’t until after the first time that he sheepishly confided that he had been thinking about it – college was kicking his ass and he had needed a stress reliever, but no time to go through the process of picking someone. From then on, your hanging out usually consisted of food, sex and then binge watching shows. Nothing more and nothing less; neither of you were worried about catching feelings.

 But that was neither here nor there, and it took a second for the ice in your veins to quickly melt and get replaced with a fire that rapidly scorched your chest.

 “That’s none of your fucking business, Seokjin,” you hiss into your phone as you try your best to not break the damn thing from the fury you felt. “Who I decide to sleep with is none of your concern, especially when you fuck anything with a vagina and a heartbeat.”

 You ignore the choke you hear beside you, completely forgetting about your coworker in favor for waiting for a response through the other line, but all you get as an answer is the soft slur of a curse being muttered. The fury you felt before doubles and the heat you feel incinerating your chest is almost too much to bear – he was drunk, again, and worse now, you figured out who was talking to Namjoon. The beginnings of a headache began to pound away at your temples and it only fueled your body to move on its own as you grab your bag, before power walking toward Yoongi’s apartment.

 “Ah! N-Noona wait!”

 Ignoring the scuffs of a chair and heavy footsteps, you talk into your phone again and let your anger slash through the line in hopes that it would somehow hurt the drunk man on the other side. “I can’t believe you Kim Seokjin! You’re such a hypocrite and a liar! I swear to you that if you hurt Yoongi because of this, I’ll personally go over your house and return the damage. I don’t even know why you’re so angry about this, ugh!” By the end of your rant, you couldn’t contain the grunt of pure frustration and swung your arm out, narrowly missing Namjoon who had long put away his phone.

 “Of course you don’t,” you hear him scoff out softly, “you would never know why unless I stamped the answer onto your forehead. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother talking to you when you’re just as stupid as you were in high school. Nothing has changed.”

 You stumble over a crack in the cement from the shock and hurt his words dug onto your heart, but you swallow down the hurt and instead let your anger coat your tongue. “I’m surprised you even remember me from high school considering you were always shit faced. Besides, who ever told you that I even wanted you to talk to me? I had been fine and happy until you decided that somehow I needed your poor excuse of a friendship in my life.”

 You hear a loud exhale of air through the receiver, along with the shift of clothes as he presumably moved. “Whatever. Go fuck the rest of my friends for all I care.” With that, you hear nothing as the line goes dead.

 Feeling the warm touch of someone’s hand enclosing around your wrist makes you realize that Namjoon was still beside you and that you had been staring down at the screen of your phone, frozen for too long. You try your best to swallow the growing lump in your throat, along with the tell-tale burn of tears gathering around your eyes and let out a shuddering breath. You should not be letting him make you feel this way, as if you’re the one in the wrong and implying that you were the kind of person to stoop so low as to go around sleeping with a circle of his friends as payback.

 Maybe Jin was right, you were stupid because for the life of you, you couldn’t figure out just why he was so angry about it all and why you even cared.

 “Hey,” Namjoon’s voice is soft and you know that he can tell you were affected before you could compose yourself, “hey noona, look at me. You okay? What happened?”

 You avoid his gaze as you try your best to discretely wipe your eyes and clear your throat, hoping he won’t notice the waver in your voice. “I’m fine, Namjoon-ah. Don’t worry, Seokjin is just…he’s an idiot that doesn’t deserve my time of day.”

 You can tell that he’s not convinced by the slight furrow of his brows as he lets go of your wrist, but you simply put your phone back into your purse before resuming your walk to Yoongi’s apartment. It wasn’t terribly far – 3 blocks at most – so getting there wouldn’t be a huge hassle; especially now that Jin had called you just had to get some answers.

 “Anyway,” you inhale deeply before letting it out and giving Namjoon a glance, “I’m going to check on Yoongi, you coming with?”

 He only nods and lets out a soft “yeah,” silently walking beside you as you guys make your way to Yoongi’s. You know Namjoon has questions about your phone call, but you’re grateful for his silence anyway; besides, he’d hear everything by the time you got to your destination.

 “Here, leave this against your face for 15 minutes.” You hand over the make-shift ice pack you made for Yoongi, using a Ziploc bag and wrapping it in a small hand towel. Your teeth latch onto your bottom lip to nibble on as you hear your friend let out a soft hiss of pain as the compress touches his jaw. There was no way you could deny that Seokjin did a number on him; the bruise was so dark now and stood out so angrily against his pale skin.

 “I can’t believe you guys got into a fist fight…,” Namjoon mumbles out as he gives the male next to him a critical eye, but then that stare turns to you as soon as you take a seat on the coffee table in front of Yoongi.

 He didn’t need to say anything for you to know the question that was burning on his tongue; you simply return his gaze, urging him silently to ask whatever he wanted to. Yoongi remains quiet throughout the drawn out silence, partially due to the pain and mainly to do with the fact that he just felt tired. You knew him long enough to know that this whole fight was tearing him apart from the inside and it made the guilt churn in your stomach uncomfortably. While you held no wrong here for the decisions you made with your friend, there was something about it that made Yoongi feel like this and you were going to find out no matter what.

 “So uh,” Namjoon coughs awkwardly into his long sleeve, averting his gaze between yourself and the black haired male in front of you, “you and Yoongi-hyung have been, uh, y’know…”

 “Fucking?” At his poor attempt to hide his choke, you let a small smile grace your lips as a small chuckle falls out of you before you could stop it.

 “Yeah,” he clears his throat once more before regarding your bruised friend with something akin to disappointment, “and I’m guessing you let that slip past Jin-hyung and that’s how the fight started?”

 Yoongi lets out a sigh and simply nods his head, finally meeting Namjoon’s eyes; the guilt was easily palpable in his gaze. “I couldn’t hide it anymore and I guess with everything that he said it just…it got me angry so I told him because I wanted to hurt him.”

 “Okay, that’s where I’m confused and a little angry,” you quickly interject before the tall male diagonally across from you could say more. Your tone and pursed lips said it all and with their shared look of guilt, it only fueled the irritation pricking your skin. “Yoongi and I did nothing wrong and quite frankly, it was no one’s business, lest of all Jin’s, on what we were doing. So I don’t understand why you’re making it seem as if Yoongi hurt Jin.”

 The silence stretches on as you wait for either male to answer your question, letting the air become stifling as both avoid your gaze. Just as you were about to cry out in frustration for them to tell you something, Yoongi finally speaks.

 “Because Seokjin-hyung likes you y/n.”

 The room becomes quiet yet again as you listen to his words before a laugh escapes your mouth in disbelief; surely he was joking right? There was that the notorious playboy liked you of all people. Your heart and mind just wouldn’t let you believe something that could easily shatter you if it turned out to be a lie, but you choke on your laughter as you see their grim faces.

 “You…this is a joke right?”

 You look over to Namjoon as he shakes his head and picks at his nails, not able to look you in the eyes. “This is what I was trying to tell you earlier. Jin-hyung has liked you since high school, since before he became the asshole he is now.”

 “But you had never really paid him much attention,” Yoongi continues as your brain slowly short circuits, giving you a rueful smile at your blank stare, “and he would always get so jealous whenever you’d gush about Jaebeom. He’d bitch all the time about how he was a jerk and he never knew why you would fawn over someone like that, but not give him the time of day.”

 At this, your younger coworker heaves a sigh and rolls his eyes, leaning back into the couch to give Yoongi an exasperated stare, presumably remembering the past. “Remember that time when he went on nearly an hour rant about how Jaebeom’s hairstyle made him look like a douche?”

 “Don’t remind me,” the black haired male grumbles, absentmindedly rubbing at his bruised, cold jaw before removing the ice pack altogether, “I can almost hear his bitching all over again.”

 “Wait, hold on,” you finally find your voice as your brow knits in irritation, gaining the gazes of the two men before you, “are you seriously trying to tell me that it’s my fault Jin turned out to be a fuckboy? Just because I liked someone else that wasn’t him?”

 The simmering anger was clear as day on your face and it made Namjoon wince, because honestly, you had the right to take offense to what they just told you. By no means were you at fault for the actions Jin took, those were all his mistakes alone.

 “We’re not blaming you, moron,” Yoongi grumbles as he pokes your cheek and leans in closer to you, eyes serious. “Jin’s an idiot and got so jealous that once Jaebeom graduated, he came up with the stupid idea of becoming just like him. He figured that if he turned into the guy you liked, you’d finally pay attention to him.”

 Your tongue feels like sandpaper in your mouth and you try in vain to comprehend just what the hell Seokjin was thinking back then. The idea itself was ludicrous and judging by both male’s stares, they knew it too; but there was a lingering, unwanted ache in your chest. You knew it wasn’t your fault that Seokjin turned out this way, letting his envy transform him into something he wasn’t, but just the thought of a young, dorky Jin turning into a fuckboy just to gain your attention…it made your heart twinge. Were you wrong for feeling sympathetic?

 “Hey,” your friend nudges you after your pregnant silence, letting his hand squeeze your knee to gain your attention, “you feeling alright? Or did the hamster in your head fall off the wheel?”

 It took you a moment to catch his playful taunt, but after a few seconds you’re quick to smack his arm with a poorly disguised laugh. You knew he was only teasing you to release some of the tension in the room and your small smile let him know you appreciated it. Honestly, it was a lot to process and at this point in time, it left you wondering what your next course of action should be.

 “My hamster is up and running, thank you,” your tone is dry, but as the seconds tick by, you’re dragged back into your thoughts.

 Namjoon interrupts you before you could get very far though. “So…what are you gonna do?”

 “I don’t know,” you reply in a mixture of a sigh as you rub your eyes in frustration. “I honestly don’t want to do anything. I appreciate you guys telling me this, but I would rather have Jin himself tell me all this.”

 Yoongi shrugs and leans back on his couch, crossing his arms loosely as he side eyes you. “As much as I agree with you Y/N, Jin-hyung is honestly too much of a little bitch to ever fess up.”

 Both Namjoon and you hide laughs, letting out a strangled noise as you give each other a smile. You shouldn’t have found your friend’s words amusing, but honestly, he knew Jin better than you did and the tall male across from you couldn’t find the words to protest them either. Plus, despite the new information, you were still very much upset with the male in question.

 “In all seriousness though…,” Namjoon starts off slow, almost as if hesitant to bring out your anger, “I know Jin-hyung hurt you, but I would recommend talking to him if he doesn’t speak up first.” At your grunt of dissatisfaction, the male is quick to continue in a stutter. “N-Not saying you have to, but just that I know how he is and even though he makes himself to be obnoxiously confident, he’s really bad at expressing himself.”

 The room turns silent again, but only for a few seconds before you let out a combination of a sigh and a whine. “Whatever, I’ll think about it okay? But can we please not talk about this anymore and just order some take-out? I kinda haven’t eaten since the morning and I’m starving.”

 Your coworkers give each other a glance, but ultimately seem to come to a silent agreement to let the conversation of Seokjin go. You knew that sooner or later you would have to confront Kim Seokjin and get answers for everything he’s done, but for today, your heart was still raw from the hurtful words he threw at you. And with the glances the males gave you as the night progressed, they also knew that you were pushing back your tears and putting on a brave face of laughter and teasing.

 So for tonight, you would let yourself enjoy the company of Yoongi and your new blossoming friendship with Namjoon; ignoring the dull throb in your heart as you did so. Then when you were alone in the comfort of your room later, you would let yourself drown in your emotions to figure out just what the hell you discovered today. Because with the small snippet of Jin’s back story, it began to slowly change your opinion of who you thought he was. There was so much more to Jin that you had yet to learn and you stupidly wanted him to teach you; just not right this instant.

 Right now, you just wanted to stuff your face with pizza and worry about everything else later.

[vizuart]

Vilhelm Rosenstand - Outside the Café A Porta, Copenhagen (1882)

[mscoyditch]

"Outside the Café A Porta, Copenhagen". Vilhelm Rosenstand. Danish. 1838-1915.

>Ars est celare artem

[mindtraptotravel]

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Rome

A SHORT BREAK IN ROME

Ahh,'' Roma.

It ought to really be composed in most individual's fate they will go for the Eternal town in the least one time within the course of their life, to go through the love, both the foundation and also the charisma that's the funding of Italy. Even a quick break in Rome can look to be a compromise, in fact, a good couple time is sufficient to see a superb piece of existence very different to your particular presence. To sit down ponder life's puzzles while appreciating affogato at a piazza, or even to throw jewels at the Fontana di Trevi and need to get a come back into the enchanting location, are minutes which warrant producing the travel to get a brief rest in Rome.

Lodging alternatives differ from miniature hole-in-the-wall overnighters to expansive hotels you won't ever need to depart from, to proceed holiday. Based upon the right time of season you decide to choose your short break in Rome, you'll save substantial amounts of funds, or you also might be at a disadvantage. Likewise intending in progress may function nicely, whereas some times, eleventh-hour discounts are affordable.

If you're Catholic, Jewish or Buddhist, quitting from the Vatican the two motivates and humbles; should maybe not to your own spiritual importance, subsequently to marvel in the historic character. Researching the Coliseumyou are going to see about the glorious gladiators who struggled for glory and fame. In the roads, you'll exude random fleets of both Fiats and Ferraris, even though assessing out the fashionistas who appear to loiter at each corner see and be viewed. A good quick break in Rome will transplant enormous fascination in your heart.

Quite a few traveling agents may organize weekend itineraries for one who will encircle most of the total must-visits of all Rome. It's true that you might need to produce such as a textbook vacationer and stick to the well-worn avenues of countless who've gone , nevertheless if time is of their character, you undoubtedly don't desire to squander it upon analyzing map novels, requesting guidelines in an unknown terminology and mastering the challenging way just how never to take good advantage of. Even a quick break in Rome is often exhausting and thrilling as some other last-minute bus excursion throughout all of Europe.

In case you are prepared to reserve your own brief break in Rome, stop by our official site for several of the information you're going to want, and also some fantastic discounts and"Insider" secrets and techniques about traveling into the endless city.

The most trick to earning the maximum of the brief fracture in Rome will be always to package lighting and plan beforehand and become nicely rested until you will arrive. And also become ready to slumber hardly any as often there is something to watch at amazing Roma, night or day, summer or winter, rain or shine.

TOUR OF ROME

Even in the event that you may spend a week in Rome, you won't be capable of seeing all of it. For travelers on the move, although, here's really a lightning-fast excursion of Rome.

Morning -- Catch a cappuccino and a croissant in the café from the Prati area, that can be appropriate by Vatican Metropolis. Right after your rapid breakfast, then get consistent in the Vatican Museum. It opens in 8:45AM, nevertheless, you're going to wish to become consistent from 8:00 in order to steer clear of that the throngs of holidaymakers which will undoubtedly become. Start outside by moving for the outside courtyard to respect the early figurines of Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere. The statue of Laocoon, that will be not exactly 2, 000 years of age, has been hailed among the absolute most astonishing figurines of its own time. Next move throughout the magnificent rooms painted by Raphael and end upward by Getting dismissed from the Sistine Chapel and terrified from Michelangelo's Final Judgment.

Afternoon-- This big fortification was used by Popes throughout days of warfare and also plenty of fortifications have been manufactured by stripping off and melt parts of their Pantheon. Cross the Tiber and mind South-east throughout Piazza Navona. Catch a fast lunch in Baffeto's, that functions the very optimal/optimally pizza in the city, then head farther east before you hit on the Pantheon. Veer west and soon you reach through Del Corso, among the absolute most well-known shopping roads in Rome. Fight the audiences while you go north over the avenue and get at most of the ridiculously costly Italian identify brands.

Nighttime -- Kick the bus into your Trastevere area, among the Absolute Most vibrant Aspects of Rome. Wander across the scenic roads and soon you discover a cafe which is for your own liking. You'll find lots of restaurants within this spot, and also the meals are commonly better and cheaper compared to someone of those additional regions you will see in Rome. After having a yummy dinner, then bite some gelato and increase the local Gianicolo Hill to delight in a magnificent night perspective of this Eternal town.

ADVANTAGE OF BOOKING IN CENTRAL ROME

A suggestion you need to find out after making your booking is always to request a corner place. Corner chairs tend to be greater, quieter and do have more light and windows compared to conventional rooms, plus so they usually do not price tag more. Generally, ask whether the lodge is renovating: whether it's, ask an area off in your renovation job. You may even inquire concerning the positioning of these lifts restaurants eating places and pubs at the resort and all origins of frustrating sound.

Pesto along with the marinara sauce, ravioli along with risotto, cannoli and tiramisu are all found on an identical menu. Still another benefit of all Rome's layout and cosmopolitan character is really you may uncover very fantastic restaurants Down Town using food items from around the entire world: Rome is your very best possibility to seek out several kinds of cuisine.

The everlasting metropolis was not built every day as well as to adapt its own tourists, it has been enlarging together with an increase of lodges, starting hours for both museums as well as several other sights, especially during vacations and the summertime.

Rome center delivers also some fabulous chances for fans of their performing arts. All of the significant actors go to Rome along with the metropolis has customarily become the popular location for theatre creation in Italy. The scenery favorably burgeons in the summer season every time an overwhelming scope of performances is staged across town in many different indoor and outside places.

Rome can be a sort of culinary melting kettle for regional styles that are distinctive.

Since you're able to picture, you can not walk anyplace in Rome without having to step onto a few levels of Roman archaeological continues to be. It's frequently annoying for those who live there: they are able to do nothing below or above the earth without needing to end and attentively think of what's actually being lost as well as located.

The subject Trastevere was inhabited with the working class and 1970 was stuffed with fresh motels, tour excursions along with sidewalk distributors. The initial people of the field belong to your blended ancestry, chiefly Jewish, Greek and Roman and also for years that they certainly were famous for talking their dialect within a speech more demanding than that spoken in central Rome.

Trastevere stays certainly one of Rome's most vibrant quarters, even although supposing it's a little cluttered plus it will understand being a" town in a town".

The lodges in fundamental Rome make it possible for individuals to conserve cash when cruising as people are able to pay every one of the significant monuments few hours using a pleasing promenade.

Actually, when you've reserved a resort close to the Spanish actions you may observe how Rome is entered by Porta del Popolo constructed at the Renaissance time period from the architect Vignola in your layouts of Michelangelo.

The following guide is the intention to spell out what we want for fundamental Rome along with the huge benefits to book a resort inside this region.

For fundamental Rome, we imply specifical districts such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Trastevere.

[offtheisland]

Luxembourg and France!

Hallo!

It’s been a while since I’ve written a post, so here’s a long one to make up for it! Since it is currently fall break (Herbstferien) in North Rhine Westphalia, AFS offered some students in the area the opportunity to travel to Luxembourg and surrounding areas for a few days. I was fortunate enough to be able to go along, and it was such a lovely trip! I met AFS students from around the globe, saw some AFS-CBYX friends from Hamburg, and also had the opportunity to spend a few days getting to know my Betreuerin (AFS liaison/mentor), because she came on the trip as well.

The trip started early Sunday morning, when we got on a bus from Duisburg and drove for four hours to Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg. We checked into our hostel and went straight downstairs to eat lunch...I had the biggest bowl of mussels I’ve ever seen, plus a salad, French fries, and a dessert (it was only 10€ for everything!). After lunch, we went out exploring the city for a few hours and bought a few snacks at Monoprix, a famous French grocery store. The cashier who rang me up spoke five languages–Luxemburgish, French, German, English, and Portuguese. Shortly after, we went to bed because we were so tired! I only knew one of my roommates, she was at language camp in Hamburg with me, so it was really nice to see her again! The other two were from Norway and Finland, which I thought was so cool!

↑ A view of Luxembourg from the bridge that was near our hostel.

Monday morning, we woke up early to visit Metz in France. It was my first time in France, and I was so happy to be able to add another country to the list of places that I’ve been! This entire trip was also a great opportunity to practice my French. We saw the Cathedral of St. Stephen and also just walked around the city–along the river and through winding old streets that were quintessential “Old Europe”. At one point, myself and another girl branched off from our larger group and walked by ourselves for a bit...and we discovered a park with a statue of Marquis de Lafayette in it. He left from Metz when he came across the Atlantic to help the American colonies fight for independence. As we are both Hamilton fans, we had a miniature jam session next to the statue performing Guns and Ships from the musical. (We also made sure to check that nobody else was around so we wouldn’t disturb any peace, in case you were concerned about that.)

↑ The Cathedral of St. Stephen from the outside...

↑ ...and a tiny corner of the inside. I just really liked the lighting in this picture.

For lunch, we went to a French restaurant, where I ordered quiche for myself and also ordered everyone else’s meal, because they did not speak French. It was nice to feel useful with a language, for once! Since coming to Germany I’ve had very few moments where I was better at the necessary language than someone else was. We had crêpes for dessert, because when in France...

After lunch, we still had plenty of time before we had to go back, so we went to a pharmacy (because French pharmacies are supposedly the best) and a few other stores. We also went to the cutest little café and had coffee and hot chocolate! I felt very French, even though I know there is more to a culture than its cafés. Just before leaving the café, I played a piece on the piano in the corner. Normally I would never do something like that, but I figured, “Why not?” and I am really glad I did.

↑ Another bridge view! Specifically, a bridge view in Metz.

Tuesday was Halloween! Only the Americans in the group really knew what it was all about, but it was fun nonetheless. In the morning we visited the Bock casemates, which at one point were actually used to defend the city from invaders. People lived inside and everything! Now, they are a UNESCO World Heritage site. They were a little spooky, especially in the dark corners!

↑ Inside the casemates, and a view from one of the “windows” of the casemates. They were partially carved out of rocks that were already there, partially constructed with stones from elsewhere. During World War II, they served as bomb shelters.

After that, we walked around the entire city of Luxembourg...inside the cathedral, past various historic buildings, and even through the luxury shopping district.(Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world, so naturally they have a few streets worth of designer boutiques.) We didn’t buy anything, only window shopped, but it was still really fun! And before going back to the hostel for the evening, we went to a bookstore. They sold books in Luxemburgish, French, German, and English. If one lived in Luxembourg, it would be so easy to learn so many languages! I bought a French to English dictionary, and the cashier spoke to me in both French and German. This is normal for Luxembourg though, I have no idea how their brains don’t get mixed up! Mine certainly was.

As it was freezing cold and all of the stores were closed, a few of us decided to have a night in, so we watched Hocus Pocus (a classic Halloween movie!) and ate chocolate before going to bed. It was a pretty successful Halloween overall.

Wednesday was the last day of our trip, so after packing up and eating breakfast, we left the hostel and headed to Trier, the oldest city in Germany, that has been around since Roman times. We passed under the Porta Nigra, a giant Roman gate that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as a few other Roman monuments while walking along the designated “tourist route”. (I figured that was the best way to see as many monuments as possible in the least amount of time!) Even the parts of the city that were not leftover from Roman times were very old, and just as beautiful! The town really looked as though it had come from a story book.

↑ The Porta Nigra.

↑ View from the town square in Trier.

↑ Yep, this is real. It was a palace for one of the old rulers of the region, but now it’s just a historic site. The garden had statues and hedge mazes and everything! It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.

Our last stop before heading back to the bus and driving home was the cathedral, where All Saint’s Day Mass was going on. I was a bit disappointed that we wouldn’t be allowed to walk around because of the service, but it turned out that we were allowed to stand in the back corner and observe. That ended up being better, because the organ was playing and the choir was singing for Mass! I was completely floored by the sound of it all, the acoustics were unbelievable. A great way to end a wonderful trip!

Thanks for reading this (very long) post, tschüss!

[topfygad]

3 Day Itinerary to Verona and Lake Garda

Of all the destinations in Italy, Verona and Lake Garda are often overlooked. I didn’t regret at all choosing these cities for my visit. Through this itinerary, you can enjoy the best of Verona and Lake Garda in just 3 days!

The view of Monte Baldo from San Felice in Lake Garda

About Verona & Lake Garda

When choosing cities to visit in Italy, Verona may not be most people’s top choice. Relatively close to other bigger cities like Milan and Venice, small enough to be explored within a short period, this city would be perfect to be included in your next Italian bucketlist. The city has all the historical venues, romantic places, and serves as a gateway to an even more wonderful destination, Lake Garda.

Despite being the biggest lake in Italy, it is still less famous and touristy than its neighbor, Lake Como. This doesn’t mean that this lake is any less beautiful. There are several towns surrounding this lake, Sirmione, Salo, Riva—to name a few. Upon your visit, you can pick to stay at one of these towns.

About This Itinerary

This itinerary was inspired by my visit to this area last September. Obviously, the great thing about visiting on the shoulder season is that it’s less crowded and expensive, but we can still enjoy the wonderful weather. In Verona, it was still very humid and hot especially during the day. While in Lake Garda, the temperature was mostly great and sunny even though it gets misty in the morning and night.

You can easily swap out the days between exploring Verona and Lake Garda, whether you prefer to visit Verona at the beginning or at the end of your 3-day stay. This itinerary will focus on the south-western part of Lake Garda (Gardone Riviera to Peschiera).

How to get to and around Verona & Lake Garda

Verona is a very accessible city. You can come either by plane, train or bus from other cities in or outside of Europe.

Verona Porta Nuova train station

By Plane

There are several non-European flights coming into Verona Villafranca Airport, such as from Egypt, Tunisia, and Israel. Other than that, most of the flights are coming from within Europe.

From the airport, you can take Bus 199 to Verona Stazione FS then continue to the city center. There is no direct transit from the airport to Lake Garda, so you will need to take Bus 199 first.

By Train

The train from all over Italy and other countries will stop at Verona Porta Nuova. The train station is located comfortably in the city center, so you can continue on foot or by short bus ride.

If you plan to continue directly to Lake Garda, you can buy a train ticket (Trenitalia/Trenord) to Peschiera or Desenzano, which is on the south of the lake.

Scenic drive from Verona to Lake Garda

By Bus

The main bus station is Verona Stazione FS which is just outside Verona Porta Nuova, you can check the bus schedules and routes here.

By Car

If you want to do a road trip from another European city, Verona & Lake Garda are just north of the A4 and west of the A22 autostrada. Prepare the money for the autostrada.

This is also the most convenient way to explore Lake Garda, but expect heavier traffic and more crowded parking areas during summer months.

Verona and Lake Garda Itinerary

Day 1

Breakfast around Piazza Bra

The best way to enter Verona in style is through I Portoni della Bra, which will lead you to Piazza Bra. This arc is relatively a new one because in ancient time, the entrance to Verona is through Porta Borsari.

I Portoni della Bra

In this piazza you will find some notable buildings around the area, namely Arena di Verona and Palazzo Barbieri. You will also find a lot of restaurants, cafes, and gelato shops, but the one right on the piazza is very expensive. You can walk around the smaller streets and see a café that you like. My recommendation is Caffè Dersut a short walk to via Roma. After a cup of coffee and a brioche, enjoy the morning sun a bit more before heading towards other sites.

Arena di Verona

This looks like a smaller version of the Colosseum, but nothing less impressive. This amphitheater is also still very well preserved. Nowadays, the arena is used for concerts, opera performances and orchestra-philharmonic that attract visitors from around the world. If you happen to be in Verona in June 2020, make sure you come to the Opera Festival.

Right in front of the Arena, there is a statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of united Italy who assumes nickname of Padre de la Patria (Father of the Fatherland). There is also Palazzo Barbieri on the other side, which is now a city hall building. This part of town is usually very crowded, so always watch your belongings.

Juliet’s Balcony

Casa di Giulietta

Only a short (confusing) walk from the Arena, you will find the other main attraction of this city. Juliet’s House is always overcrowded with tourists . Inside, you will find Juliet’s statue and the famous balcony. On the entrance, the wall is plastered with love letters from people all over the world who pours out their feeling in writing to (fictional) Juliet.

If you’re confused how can one send a letter to a fictional person, you’re not alone. The letters are actually handled by “Secretaries of Juliet” from Club di Giulietta, which is funded by the township of Verona. You can actually sign up to be one or book with them to read archive of these letters.

The crowd at Piazza delle Erbe

Lunch around Piazza delle Erbe

After wrestling your way in and out of Juliet’s House, it would be nice to have a good lunch. Next Piazza to visit is only few minutes away. This Piazza was a forum back in ancient Roman days and now people still gather here around the square.

I would recommend Sapore Pizza. Even though I don’t really like typical thick northern Italian pizza, I found the pizza delicious and very affordable. You can also have some dessert, go get a gelato! Gelateria Imperio would be my go-to gelato place at the piazza.

Stroll around Centro Storico and enjoy Adige River view

Enjoy your chilly treat and continue walking around. On the north of the Piazza there is Torre dei Lamberti, where you can climb the tower (either by stairs or elevator) and enjoy bird’s eye view of Verona. If you walk towards the north, you will end up at Verona Cathedral and Ponte Pietra, which are great places to see as well.

Aside from being very pedestrian-friendly, the narrow streets of Verona to are very picturesque. Why don’t you stop a bit and take some pictures?

Adige River in Verona

Getting to Lake Garda from Verona

You have finished exploring the whole Verona city center in just a day! Next you can choose to drive or take train/bus to Lake Garda and enjoy the sunset on the way, or you can stay in Verona for the night and head there in the morning.

Day 2

Exploring Gardone Riviera

After having breakfast, we can explore the western part of the lake. The must-visit attraction is this impressive lakeside estate called Vittoriale degli Italiani.

The Italian writer Gabriele d’Annunzio once lived in one of the buildings in this estate. The estate comprises a villa, an amphitheater, a cruiser, and a boathouse. During your visit, you will learn about the history of this estate and be given an amazing view of the lake. You can book your ticket in advance on their site, it costs EUR8 for the non-guided tour.

Boat trip around Lake Garda

Picnic, Sunbathing and Boat Trip

If you have not had enough amazing view of the lake, drive south a little bit to San Felice. There are various beaches along the lake but this one is definitely my favorite. You can stop by the supermarket to buy picnic supplies, lay down a mat or towel by the lake and enjoy the sun! This beach is especially hectic during the summer months.

Want to take it up a notch? There is Garda Boat Rental along the beach where you can rent a boat for half a day (4 hours) and go around the lake a little bit. The afternoon is best as the morning mist is gone, you can enjoy the view of Monte Baldo on the other side and the castle at Isola del Garda. The small boat can take up to 7 passengers and only costs around EUR120 on shoulder to low season!

You can find affordable lakefront restaurants in some parts of Lake Garda

Dinner at Desenzano

After a great day by the water, it’s time for amazing dinner. Most of the restaurants around Lake Garda are expensive, especially ones in front of the lake. I would recommend Santa, it is one of the more affordable restaurants in front of the lake. It has an amazing view, awesome food, friendly and quick service despite being a busy night there.

As Lake Garda is more catered towards families and honeymooners, there is barely any nightlife here. So enjoy some restful night before more adventure on the next day.

Day 3

Rocca Scaligera & Grotte di Catullo

In the morning, we drive to Sirmione, which is the peninsula in the south of Lake Garda. There are plenty of attractions in Sirmione, but there are two that you shouldn’t miss. The first one is Rocca Scaligera (Scaligero Castle), a fortified port that was built in 13th century by the Scaliger Family of Verona, which is said to be the most well-conserved in the country. If you look at Lake Garda pictures on Instagram, there are plenty of drone shots because the panoramic view of this place is incredible. If you decide to enter, there is a museum that houses medieval artifacts inside.

Scaligero Castle of Sirmione

The second site is called Grotte di Catullo. You should visit this site If you enjoyed or wanted to visit Pompeii. Surrounded by olive groves, this ancient Roman villa was constructed in 1st century AD and still well-preserved until this day. Enjoy the amazing view of Lake Garda from the ruins of the villa, which also has a museum in it. This site also serves as the set for Call Me By Your Name movie.

The ticket price is EUR14 for the castle, ruins & museum combo. It opens for longer hours during summer, even though the museum only opens until 2pm. These places are closed every Monday, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.

Winery tour around Sirmione

Lake Garda region is the northernmost Mediterranean climate in Italy, so it is mild enough to cultivate grapes, olives and citrus trees. Make sure you do a wine tasting or winery tour during your visit. The area is known for its Bardolino, a light red and Chiaretto Rosato, an even lighter and refreshing white.

There are so many wineries and tour operators offering winery tour, pick one that suits your preference, including whether you would like to be picked up at your accommodation, whether you would like the one that includes food, etc. My only advise would be, don’t drink and drive!

Wine Tasting around Lake Garda

The price for a tasting could range pretty significantly between one winery and the other, as well as the tasting menu. I would recommend Onepiò, they offer from light wine tasting (three kinds of wine and breadsticks) all the way to platinum wine tasting (eight kinds of wine and variants of Italian chocolate).

Dinner & going back to Verona

If you still want to get dinner around Lake Garda, there are plenty of good restaurants in Sirmione and Peschiera. I discovered Pasta Salame in Peschiera, a restaurant with a simple menu that is less touristy, very affordable and tastes really good. If you still have room for dessert, make sure to try their tiramisu.

How to Travel to Verona & Lake Garda on a Budget

Lake Garda has been known as the summer destination for the elites, even in medieval times. With some tweaks and planning (and a lot of research) you will be able to stay in these cities without spending too much.

Accommodation Verona & Lake Garda

When picking a place to stay in Verona, pick accommodation right in the city center (Cittadella, Citta Antica) so you will be able to walk to all the important attractions.

To pick a place to stay in Lake Garda, that would depend on the mode of transportation you have. If you depend on public transportation, I would advise staying closer to the lakeside so you can walk to the lake without spending too much on bus ticket. If you rent a car, you can stay a bit further from the lakeside for cheaper, nicer accommodation.

Finding cheap and awesome accommodations around Lake Garda is not too difficult

We stayed at a wonderful villa in Puegnago, with free breakfast, bathtub, huge pool and amazing (farther) view of the lake for only EUR120 per night. In comparison, similar place in Desenzano costs at least EUR205 per night. If you want more simple room, you could definitely get one for a lot cheaper.

Food in Verona & Lake Garda

If you’re not too fussy about food, there are plenty of food stalls that offers delicious sliced pizza and panini for a really low price. Just take the food and eat at a park or back at your accommodation. If you want some pasta, you should try to find places where they offer a more simple menu and most locals go. You can also buy supplies at the supermarket (the local ones are called “Alimentari”) and wine bottles for a really cheap price before visiting an attraction.

Attractions in Verona & Lake Garda

Most of the attractions in Verona are free. The views in both Lake Garda and Verona are amazing, so you don’t really have to pay for anything. The attractions I mentioned above are totally worth it for a small amount of money, but you can totally skip them and still having a good time!

When to Visit Verona & Lake Garda

As you have guessed, visiting during the summer months will make everything more expensive. I highly suggest visiting in May, September or October. In winter months the region gets cold and in Lake Garda, it may get foggy. But if you love winter sports, you can go high altitude skiing on Monte Baldo or go for a thermal bath in Sirmione.

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This post was originally published in October 2019

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[portugalnet]

what are the most important/beautiful things to visit in lisboa?

OH BOY

ok so it REALLY REALLY DEPENDS on what you like but the GENERAL MUST SEES for me are (and i’m only mentioning things/places IN LISBON - sintra isn’t lisbon, i know sometimes it’s sold/advertised as it is but it isn’t and while it’s 100% worth it it’ll take you like 1h to get there so you have to dedicate a whole day to it):

first of all: most museums are open on sundays and closed on mondays, don’t open until 10h, and have their last entry about 1h/30min before the museum closes. plan accordingly. but the nice thing about lisbon is that if you’re here on a monday there’s still plenty of things to see.

the whole downtown/chiado/bairro alto area. like. that’s vague i know but you just have to walk around and enjoy the day tbh. if you don’t want to suffer i recommend starting in principe real (the very top) and make your way down to the downtown area (a lot of people go the other way around and like RIP honestly). IF YOU HAVE THE TIME principe real is just a neat place to start, as you start going down there’s a gorgeous viewpoint, you can then visit the church (and museum) of são roque, and then you can get yourself inside bairro alto and explore its streets (art, shops, you’ll find a bit of everything there - unless you’re going at night then you’ll only find bars lmao). in chiado there are a bunch of churches you can visit for free if you’re into that. right next to chiado you have the church/ruins of carmo (you’ll hear and read convent of carmo but it’s not the convent it’s just the church turned museum - the convent is occupied by GNR) which is a must see for me tbh. also in chiado you have the iconic brasileira café, and the chiado museum (contemporary - again depends on what you like and dislike). in the downtown area there’s an archaeological center if you like those things (more info here - also fun fact if you go inside H&M, on the ground floor, and look down the floor is made of glass and you’ll se roman ruins). the lift of santa justa is neat, the arch of rua augusta are neat as well (you can see both but you don’t necessarily have to visit them). if you want to learn more about the history of lisbon,  Lisboa Story Centre (in commerce square/praça do comercio) is p neat. AROUND HERE YOU ALSO HAVE: rua cor de rosa/pink streett (near cais do sodré - just a neat street, at night it’s usually filled with people bc it has a lot of bars), the historical ginginha place (near rossio -  ginjinha is a sweet liqueur), lisbon jewish memorial (in rossio), adamastor viewpoint (on the edge of bairro alto - gorgeous and p much almost everyone’s fav, someone will likely try to sell u drugs here just say no and keep doing ur thing it has happened to almost all of us)

st george’s castle - the whole castle hill tbh. marybe follow the "cerca velha" pedestrian route which personally is one of my favourites. ANYWAY  my advice for you is to walk there. i know it seems like a lot (esp in this heat) but if you take your time and don’t rush, maybe make a stop (there’s plenty of viewpoints), it’s really not that bad and on your way up you’ll get to visit Sé/the cathedral, viewpoints, the ruins of the roman theater (there’s a museum too - the ruins are free but the museum isn’t). here i’ll even write u a  thing - i recommend going up the following streets: rua santo antónio da sé (you can visit st anthony’s church first - not really mandatory but he’s p important to lisbon so? yeah? - and then the cathedral), rua augusto rosa, rua da saudade (roman theater + museum - museum not really hella important but it’s still interesting) all the way up to st george’s castle, (and now you start going down) rua do chão da freira, travessa do funil, largo do contador mor, travessa de santa luzia (viewpoint + church), largo das portas do sol (viewpoint - there’s some museum here as well but they’re not… important… altho i do suggest the decorative arts museum which is one a lot of people ignore  &  it’s gorgeous. NOW, you can call it a day here or you can keep going. chill at the viewpoint for a while, get some food and drinks, and then go down to alfama (historical neighborhood - there’s a  staircase in the viewpoint in a street called rua norberto de araújo wher you’ll find this aka the story of lisbon) you’ll end up close to the river and 5 minutes from commerce square/praça do comercio. depending on what do you and skip/don’t skip, this is a tour that can take half day to a whole day. i once did the whole thing in 4hrs but i really do recommend taking your time especially in this heat!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEARBY: you have the fado museum (which also has a restaurant).

listen…. u gotta dedicate a day or an afternoon to belém. u just gotta do it. my recommendations for belém are: the monastery of st jerome (u don’t have to pay to go inside the church and like u can just visit the church but…. the monastery is totally worth it imo), the archeological museum (if you like those things), the naval museum (listen i didn’t think much of this museum but it’s…. it’s incredible), the national coach museum, pasteis de belém (not a museum - it’s where u buy delicious tartlets from heaven. there’s going to be a line bc there’s ALWAYS  line but the ppl who work there move fast just HAVE THE MONEY IN HAND), the tropical & botanical gardens (not really mandatory but a+ if u like gardens), and if you’re up to it ajuda’s palace which is nearby (you can walk there) and a personal fav. you need to visit the tower of belém but you don’t NEED to go inside - you can, awesome, it’s great, i love it, but if the line is huge or you’re on a budget you can see it from the outside that’s it’s still fucking outstanding and incredible. same goes to the monument to the navigators/monument to the discoveries/padrão dos descobrimentos. if you like contemporary art (or just want to chill bc the view is nice and there’s cafés) def visit CCB (cultural center - big white building, u won’t miss it - it houses the berardo museum which has works by ppl u might know such as picasso, dali, and warhol). tips for visiting belém are: lunch hours are the best for visiting the monastery - there are HUGE lines in the mornings (esp during the weekends and fridays) and at about 3pm they start getting huge again. either go early (10am) or around noon. ALSO ANOTHER TIP: YOU CAN BUY COMBINED TICKETS IN A MUSEUM TO VISIT OTHER MUSEUMS!!!!!!!  i can’t promise you you’ll be able to skip lines bc sometimes it’s just fucking impossible and it’s no one’s fault (especially not the museum workers!) but if you have combines tickets YOU CAN ASK IF YOU CAN SKIP. i can’t remember all the combinations off the top of my head but just go to a museum/monument and ask about the combined tickets! if you want to visit several things it’ll save you money. ALSO NEARBY BUT NOT NECESSARILY IMPORTANT IT DEPENDS ON YOUR TASTE ETC:  if you like art def visit the ancient art museum - several buses that go to belém (and from belém to lisbon) stop right in front of it. a cool place to chill is LX factory -  several buses that go to belém (and from belém to lisbon) stop right in front of it.

OTHER THINGS: Gulbenkian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you have the time DO VISIT THE GULBENKIAN MUSEUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s gorgeous. it has a nice space for you to relax. it’s worth it. 10/10 heaven on earth 100% recommend and would take a bullet for. the national tile museum is hella nice but again it depends on what you want to do and the time you have available. the orient museum is also a personal fav but like… i don’t know if it’s for everyone? but yeah. you also have the whole estrela area - there’s the royal basilica and you have the house of writer and poet fernando pessoa nearby. 

there are other things you can visit, obviously, but i think i covered the basics and what’s most important. if you like something in particular or have a particular interest let me know so i can share things in specific!