#So I think tomorrow I'll go buy a fresh one for them

[paladincecil]

A bird landed on the fence in my backyard earlier today and started yelling their little beak off because Socks was sitting by the backdoor xD

[thecuriousbeauty]

Traitor- The Present

Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Synopsis:y/n is a hard working painter, trying to make the ends meet. She lives with and takes care of her sick Uncle, the only one she has for a family. She has dreams to make it big, and when the desperation for money strikes, she has to make a choice. Walk away after listening to an incredible deal that would fix all her problems, or take up the deal. A top secret, risky deal, which involves meeting Harry Styles.A man once rumored to be a dangerous secret weapon of a leading mafia. artist!y/n x mafia!harry (he's also a doctor)

Word limit: 5,021

Warnings: Smut. Fingering, dirty talk, exhibitionism, choking, light degradation.

Author's note: Thank you so much for all your love on the last part. If you guys want me to add your names to my tag list, just drop me a message! Feedback is appreciated, and please re blog to support me. Happy reading:)

____________________________________________

"I swear there's no one on the planet that makes better sandwiches than you, Harry."

Harry and y/n were enjoying a picnic in the park, complete with ham and cheese sandwiches (cut in triangles, per her request), fruit salad, and cookies they had baked together the night before. Much to both of their delight, the park was nearly empty aside from a few toddlers playing in the jungle gym with their mothers.

Or so they thought.

"What are you doing tonight?", Harry asks her, enjoying the fresh air as he leaned against the tree, with his arm around y/n. Her back was towards his chest, and she was looking up at him.

"Oh I have to talk to a client, who wants to buy one of my paintings.", she lies. She had a meeting with Romania tonight.

"After that?", Harry drawls, kissing her neck.

"I promised Uncle Luke we would play pictionary today!", she says, as his lips hum against the pulse point of her neck.

"You can't get enough of me, can you?", she teases.

"No.", he agrees, stroking her hair between his fingers. "I would spend every minute of the day with you if I could."

"I would get bored.", y/n says playfully, and Harry growls, tightening his grip around her waist making her giggle. "I'll remember that the next time we're in bed.", he whispers in her ear, making her blush.

Then she saw them. Three men surrounded different areas of the park. All three of them were looking at them. y/n suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"Um, Harry?"

"Hm?"

"I think we should pack up and head home. I'll run late for my meeting with the client.", she says, squeezing his arm gently.

"Already?", he asks, pulling away from her neck and she nods. "I'll spend the night with you tomorrow, okay?"

His face turns into a cute pout, and she wonders how people in his past were intimidated by that face. "Okay. You'll have to make it up to me, baby."

"I will.", she promises, starting to pack everything up. They finished packing their snacks, took their picnic blanket, and y/n took Harry's hand tight in hers, keeping her eyes on the men as they walked to her car.

She drove away soon. "Why don't you drive Harry?", she asks.

"I don't like driving.", he simply says.

"Why is that? Did you have a really bad accident?", she hints.

"Uh...maybe, I don't know. I don't enjoy it. I like walking, and the hospital's close from my house.", he shrugs, looking outside the window. He looked so innocent to y/n.

She drops Harry, before leaving. She had a bad feeling, and she grabbed his hand before he could go. She had already scanned the place to see if the men had followed her, but they hadn't.

"Harry, be careful, yeah?", she says, worried.

"Yeah, why?", he strokes her cheek, noticing that something's bothering her.

"The world is not a good place.", she squeezes his hand. "Lock your doors, okay?"

"I will..are you sure you're okay?"

She smiles, bringing his hand to her lips to kiss it. "I'm okay. I'll see you tomorrow, Harry."

Harry nods, kissing her forehead. "Remember I'm here if you need to talk about something."

The guilt storm hits her hard again, and she nods. "Thank you. I gotta go now."

"Yeah. See you, sunshine."

She had to do it. She had to tell Romania that this has to stop. She got to the building, took the elevator, waited impatiently for it to open and Hans greets her at the door.

"Ah, in time today Miss y/l/n", he remarks, looking at his watch.

"I'm not always late.", y/n mumbles and he chuckles, stepping aside. "Come in."

Romania sat on the couch as usual, and y/n wonders if she gets up from there once in a while. Oliver was not standing, for a change. He was sitting on the seat next to the one that y/n usually occupies when she's here.

"Good evening, y/n.", Romania gives her a smile and Oliver ignores her, classic Oliver.

"Hi.", y/n nods, taking her seat.

"Anything stronger than water?", Hans asks her, cocking an eyebrow.

"No, just water. Thanks.", y/n says to him. She didn't want to drink with people who plot to kill other people who got into tragic accidents and lost their memory.

"So? What are your updates this week?", Romania asks her, keeping one of her lean legs over the other and looking at her with interest. Oliver turns her head to look at her, and Hans keeps her water in front of her before sitting on the table he usually leans on.

y/n got talking. She told them everything she found out and didn't. She told them about the ring as well.

"So he's still holding on to that.", Romania smiled. "That's a great break through, y/n."

"Was that Reagen's?", y/n guesses.

"Yes. She didn't know, but Harry was planning to propose to her after that night. After their last mission. Diamond ring, silver beading, wasn't it?"

y/n nods. Romania looks at Hans for confirmation who nodded. "That's the one."

"That means some part of him still isn't ready to let go of Reagen.", Romania says. "Or it was a slip of the mask. He wasn't expecting you to search his room and find the ring. He could easily lie to you, like he probably has numerous times now. Whatever is necessary to keep his identity secret."

"I really think you're wrong, Romania.", y/n says softly. "And I'm sorry that you all lost your friend, but he's no longer in there, if he ever was. The Harry I know is a kind person. He isn't capable of hurting anyone."

"You've fallen for him, haven't you?", Romania sighs. "You're in love and you've been sleeping with him."

Was it love? A fire ignited in her chest whenever she thought about him. Her whole body tingled when he touched her. She wanted to go home to him every day. Was that love? y/n didn't know. She hasn't been in love before.

"I heard he was good in bed.", Hans says, nodding. "Lot of girls wanted to get laid but he only ever had eyes for Reagen."

"He trusts you," Oliver says. "You've gained his trust, y/n. This week, you really have to destroy his walls and get him to remember everything. You don't understand. We need him. His life is in danger if keeps his act going on any longer."

"I-I'll take him somewhere safe, where no one can hurt him.", y/n whispers, then thought about how dumb that sounded.

Romania scoffed. "We have men everywhere, y/n. You have no idea how big we are. You're lucky it's just the three of us talking to you."

"I've seen guys following us, looking at us weirdly. Are they your men?"

"Maybe, maybe not.", Hans shrugs. "Can be enemies plotting his death. Too scared to come any closer to him. They were all terrified of Harry once they got to know he was our secret weapon."

"W-Why do people have to be so terrified of him?", she couldn't help but ask the same question she asked last meeting.

"He is not the man you think he is."Oliver spoke slowly, like he was warning her. "Take his fondness towards you as leverage and find out what we need. Do your job and let us worry about protecting him, okay?"

"You have time till seven days, and I have a plan.", Romania tells her. "Do it as I say, and you'll be done. You'll be free to do as you please, whether he remembers or not."

"B-But I can't just leave him-"

"That's your fault, getting romantically involved with him."

Yes. It was her fault. y/n nods, finishing the entire glass of water. "Tell me your plan."

"Road trip.", she says, clapping her hands together.

"That's your great plan?", y/n asks confused.

"Hans.", Romania said and Hans spread out a map on the table. "Reagen and Harry were smuggling gold from San Francisco to New Mexico, on road.", he says, pointing at the places on the map.

"From here.", y/n spoke softly, and they nodded. She lived outside the city, in a small town near San Francisco, but the nearest city to her is Dan Francisco. 

"It's a sixteen hour road trip. It'll take you two days if you cover 8 hours every day. Four days if you cover four hours every day. The choice is yours. But we need Harry here by the end of this week." Hans pointed to a place near the border. It wasn't Mexico yet.

"This was where the blast took place. Where Reagen died, and where Harry lost his memory. We want you to take him through the same route they took on their last journey together. We're confident Harry will remember something, if not everything."

"You want me to bring him to the same place he lost his past life..to see if the place brings back his memories?", y/n put it together.

"Precisely.", Romania nods. "Now what you want to do in those four days is not my concern. Get a room, go to a party, go to the beach, go to a movie. I don't care. But I need Harry's memories back. Traveling on this route, a route he has taken many times before, has to be the key."

It was a good plan if it works. "And if he remembers?"

"Leave the rest to us.", Oliver says, and y/n buries her head in her hands as she thinks. "Is there another option?"

"This is our best option y/n.", Hans speaks softly. "Our last hope. You can make it happen."

Just one more week and she can put all this behind her. Of course she knew that wasn't possible as she is now involved in Harry's life, but if at all he remembers, even a glimpse of who he used to be, no one can hurt him. They'll all be scared. Things might change between y/n and Harry, but at least he'd be safe, she thought. Yes, she had to make him remember.

"Road trip it is, then."

_____________________________________________________________

Harry sits on his bed, watching as y/n sorts through his wardrobe. "Do you have anything other than these formal shirts?", she asks, finding only more and more of single colored shirts.

"No. That's all I need.", Harry shrugs. "You don't like them?"

y/n turns to smile at him, and walks to him. "I love them, Harry. But for our trip, you definitely need more. I'm gonna take you shopping."

"I don't like shopping..", Harry mumbles, grabbing her hips and pulling her in between his legs. His thumbs draw circles on her skin that's exposed. y/n was wearing a crop top and shorts. "Can I not just love on you for the entire day?", he asks, kissing her neck and y/n feels his soft hair as she moves her hand to play with his hair.

"As much as I would love that..", y/n kisses his lips, making him smile. "You are in dire need of new clothes." She squeaks as Harry pulls her onto his lap. "We can have our fun later."

"The kind of fun we like?", he asks, moving her hair back to expose her neck, attaching his lips to her soft skin.

"Uh huh.", y/n sucks in a breath, twisting a curl around his finger. "Why can't your friend just drive the car back herself?", he asks.

y/n had made up a story to tell Harry about the road trip to Mexico. It had to be convincing. Romania gave her that story as well. She had to say that it was her friend's, and her cousin had driven to San Francisco last time he was here but he took the flight back, so the car was still with her. Now he needed it back, and he was too busy to come here himself.

"Cause she's busy. I owe her one.", y/n says, feeling horrible to lie to him, but she had no option. She would get him on the road, and try her best to make him recollect his memories. If he didn't remember, she would tell him the truth before the week ended. She wouldn't let him get killed. He might leave her when she tells him the truth but it's better than him dying. She could live with regret, but she couldn't, knowing that she helped someone with murder.

"And you need a trip. You've been working non stop, everyone needs a break.", y/n kisses his jaw, and Harry smiles, "I don't need breaks, I love work. The only reason I agreed is because of you."

"You can't say no to me, can you?", y/n pats his cheeks.

"You're cute.", he chuckles, before lifting her off his lap and standing on his feet. "Let's go."

y/n took Harry shopping, and he just stood there like one of the mannequins themselves, while y/n sorted through the clothes. He seemed to be enjoying looking at her, rather than the different collection of clothes.

"Here, try these on. There's the trial room.", y/n says as she places a pile of shirts onto Harry's hands.

"Um, okay." Harry walks to the trial rooms, and y/n chuckles to herself. He was so adorable and innocent. y/n even tried google searching about him, but she didn't find much. She wanted to know why people were scared of him. She wished she could talk to Reagen. She was the only person not afraid of him, and who was closest to him.

“How’s this?”

y/n gives Harry a once over, as he poses for her in a floral shirt.He hadn’t done all the buttons up, and she could see half of his butterfly tattoo.

 She bites her lip, nodding. “Get it.”

Harry looks around, before reaching a hand to tug her into the trial room. “Harry! What if people see?”

“There’s no one around, love.”, Harry pins her to the wall, trapping her with his large frame. “Are you getting worked up?”

“No..”, she lies, breathing heavily as he leans closer, his breath fanning over her face. “No?”, he smirks, pressing her lips onto her hers, and biting her bottom lip. She opens her mouth to let his tongue inside, and lets him explore her mouth. Harry’s knee comes in between her legs, separating them. One hand holds her hip while the other slips up her thigh, to her core. 

She clenches her thighs immediately, and he pinches her thigh. “Keep them open. Let me see for myself if you’re wet.”

She plays with the curls on the back of his head, and grips his shoulder as he parts her panties and runs a finger through her sleek wet folds. 

“Ah hah, looks like someone was lying.”

“Harry stop..t-they’ll hear us..”, she whispers, fighting back a moan as he slips one finger inside her. She was wearing a skirt, so he had easy access. 

“You’ll just have to be quiet then, baby.”, he hums, adding another finger and pumping them in and out of her slowly, in a dangerously slow pace. “Should I let you cum? You lied to me.”

“Y-Yes, please..”, she whimpers, starting to ride his fingers because he wasn’t using them fast enough for her to get off. He pulled away his fingers immediately, and she whined in annoyance. 

“You’ll take what I give you, won’t you sweetheart?”, he questions, the hand holding her hip moving to her throat. “Fuck..yes..”, she answers, her eyes fluttering as she looks at his hand around her throat. “Please..”

“Please what? You want me to choke you?”

“Yes, a-and let me cum.”, she murmurs, and he cocks an eyebrow, pressing his fingers around her neck just enough to make her vision a little bit disoriented, but it felt so good. “Please.”, she quickly adds and he hums in satisfaction. “Get inside me.”

“You’ll get to cum only if you are a good girl and be quiet, okay? Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.”, she agrees, nodding her head and he releases her neck, turning her around. “If you make a sound, I’m gonna stuff these panties into your pretty little mouth, got it?”

“Uh huh..” Harry flips up her skirt and drags down her panties, before unbuckling his pants and getting his dick out of his boxers. She keeps her hands on the mirror covered wall, and he keeps his hand on her shoulder as he slips his hard cock into her pussy.

“Fuck, so tight around me. Such a perfect hole.”, he groans, and she gasps at the feeling of being full, before quickly remembering that she should be quiet. Harry fucks her deep and quick, making her bite her lip so hard she was sure it was bleeding. It felt so fucking good. 

“Feels good, baby? This what you wanted?”Harry's fingers dig into the flesh of her hip.

“So good.”, she hummed, and let out a small scream as he thrusts quickly, and it hit just the spot. She was struggling to keep standing. 

“What did I tell you?”Harry grabs her ass, squeezing one of her cheeks. “What would happen if you couldn’t be quiet?”

“Y-You’d stuff my panties in m-my mouth..oh god.,”, she moans, and he picks up her panties. “That’s right. Want to let the whole world know what a dirty little girl you are? Open your mouth.”

His fingers grabbed her jaw and squeezed, making her open her mouth and he stuffs her panties into her mouth, making her moan around it as he continues to fuck her. “That’s better. Do you still think you deserve to cum?”

She couldn’t answer with the panties in her mouth, and she didn’t think she would be able to even if she could have. She was seeing stars. But she managed a weak nod.

“Yeah? I don’t think so.``, Harry quickened his pace, feeling him getting close and she clenched around him. “Fuck yes, just like that.”, he groans. “B-Because I’m nice, I’ll let you cum. Let go, baby.”

It doesn’t take much longer for her to tip over the edge, and he has to hold her up to make sure she doesn’t fall on her knees. Her legs were shaking from the orgasm, and her head was floating. Harry groaned as he released as well, slowing down his strokes. He pressed his forehead to her shoulder, breathing as they came down from their highs. 

He takes the panties out of her mouth, and presses a kiss to her shoulder. “Can I pull out?”

She nods, and he does, slowly before turning her around and pushing all the cum dripping down her thighs inside her. She whines from sensitivity. “You’ll hold everything in, right love? I’ll take care of it when we get home after our little shopping trip.”

“I-I think we’re done shopping for the day..”, she sighs, head leaning on his chest and he chuckles, pulling her into his arms. He presses a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re so perfect.”

___________________________________________________

Two days later, y/n and Harry were ready for their trip. She had planned it all for four days, the last day would be the seventh day. The end of her four weeks.

"You can always call me anytime.", y/n tells Uncle Luke as she checks the house over and over again, to make sure he has everything. She had found a home nurse who would take care of him when she was gone.

"I'll be fine, y/n. I told you I don't need a nurse!", he says as y/n checks his medicine cabinet, making sure nothing needs a refill.

"I know you can take care of yourself, the nurse is so I don't freak out, okay?", she says, sitting down when her uncle grabs her wrist.

"I'll be good, I promise.", he says, smiling with the soft glint in his eyes. "But you haven't been on a trip since ages, y/n. I want you to have fun."

y/n smiles, squeezing his hand. "You used to love going to new places and outdoors. I wish you were little again so we could both go get ice cream, and I'd push you on the swing in the park.."

y/n leans forward to hug her uncle, closing her eyes in comfort as his arms wrap around her. "You remind me of Reena sometimes. She would be a beautiful smart girl like you right now, if she was alive."

"She would. I'm sure she's looking at you from up there.", y/n says to him, and Uncle Luke smiles at her. "My little girl. I'll see her some day."

"Yes, until then, you're stuck with me."

y/n gets him to laugh. "Seriously, have fun y/n, don't think about me, okay? I'll call every day, but don't spend too much time worrying about me."

"I'll try.", she nods.

"Guess you gotta go, Harry will be waiting for you.", he says, stroking her hair back.

"Yup. It's just four days, I can do this right?", she asks for assurance, and Uncle Luke nods, placing a kiss on her forehead. "You can. You know, while I was making tea yesterday, I put in salt instead of sugar?"

"Oh god. That must have tasted horrible."

"My point is, y/n, don't trust everything you see or hear. You can't even differentiate salt from sugar if you don't look carefully."

y/n's eyebrows creased, and she bit her lip, thinking about that statement. Did Uncle Luke mean something? He did throw around words like that often, but this seemed different.

"What do you mean, Uncle?", she asks, pulling back from the hug to look at him.

"What do I mean?", he asks, confused. "Wasn't I talking about Reena?"

y/n knew he had forgotten, and there was no point bringing it up again. He would only get sad about the fact that he forgot something he just said. y/n made sure she packed everything, and went to go pick Harry.

She waits for him in the car, and after half an hour of waiting, he finally comes out. She gets out of the car to help him load his bag into the trunk.

"I thought you were gonna bail on me. We're already two hours past the time we were supposed to leave. We have to-"

y/n stops talking as she turns to look at Harry. He had gotten a haircut, shaved his mustache and trimmed his beard. He looked so handsome, the haircut made his eyes stand out. His green eyes were shining bright. He immediately looked a few years younger. His skin glowed in the sunlight. He wore a black t shirt exposing his muscular arms, and displaying all his tattoos. He wore baggy jeans and sneakers with that.

"Enjoying the view? We're not even in Mexico, yet.", Harry smirks at her, his dimples popping.

She blushes, pushing on his shoulder. He looked incredibly hot. "Who are you? What did you do with Doctor Turner?"

"He's gone for vacation, won't be available for four days. I would recommend rescheduling the appointment if you had one.", he says, making her giggle and hug him. "You look great Harry."

"Thank you, and you always do, y/n. Sorry for the delay, I had some last minute packing left. I'm ready to go now. Oh! I didn't know it was convertible.", he says, looking at the car.

"Isn't it sick? I thought you'll like it.", y/n says, watching him go around and look at it.

"Interesting," he agrees. "It's safe, right?"

"Of course. I drive safely. Hop in, let's begin our trip!"

Harry smiles and kisses her before getting in. Harry asks her questions about where they'll be staying, and she tells him she booked a room in a hotel near the beach for the day.

y/n sang along to the music and Harry listened to her with a smile. She really was a sunshine in his life. They stopped for tea on the way, and for a break. It was a little hut-like place, overlooking the hills. It was the only spot she could find on the highway.

y/n clicked some pictures of Harry as he leaned against the car. He caught her, and brought a hand to his face. "Whyy?", he drawls.

"It's a beautiful view!", she says, smiling as she looks at the photos.

"Let me take yours then! Stand there.", he points to a tree, and snatches her phone out of her hands.

"Okay." y/n walks over and strikes a pose, making Harry grin as he clicks. She made a funny face for the next one, and Harry pinched her side playfully when she came back running to him.

"You're so pretty.", he mumbles, pressing a kiss to her head as she looks at the photos. She smiles, leaning her head on his shoulder and tilting her head up to meet his lips. "Thank you."

They hit the road again. Harry had come off a night shift the day before so he was tired. He yawns and leans his head on the window.

"Will you get sleepy and crash if I sleep?", he asks.

"No, I think I'll survive for a while. We have one and half hours more, get recharged.", she pats his knee.

He was too tired to protest, and he let his eyes close. y/n kept looking at him sideways when she could. Harry looked so peaceful. She wished she could keep him safe with her like this forever.

Harry woke up energetic before they got to their hotel. It was a small place, but the view from their room was beautiful. Palm trees stood tall along the beach, dancing to the tune of the breeze emanating from the waters of the sea. They missed the sunset, but the sky was still painted in hues.

They decided to freshen up and then take a walk on the beach side. y/n changed into a purple and pink blouse, paired with matching shorts and put on her sandals. Harry chose a simple white shirt and black shorts. Harry took her hand when they walked, making y/n's heart flutter. They had held hands before, but now they were away from everyone, in their own world and happy.

Then they sat down on the sand while looking at the calm waters. "Why San Francisco?", y/n asks Harry as she traces her thumb on the cross tattoo on his hand. "You didn't grow up here, did you?"

"I don't think so..", Harry murmurs. "I think I'm from London."

She knew he was British from his accent that was incredibly hot, but London was new information. "Then why did you move here?", she asks.

"I-I don't know..I've been here since the time I remember.", he whispers.

"Move back to London, Harry. Or Mexico, or somewhere.", she mumbles, making him look at her. "Leaving you and my life behind?"

"That's what's safe for you. You can get a job there too, build a beautiful house and fall in love with a beautiful girl. Build your life there, Harry. Be happy.", she whispers, kissing his cheek. She couldn't tell him anything more.

"I built my life here, y/n. I don't know if I can do it again. I'm content with what I have now. I don't think it's possible to fall in love again either."

"Again?", y/n lifts her head from his shoulder. Was he talking about Reagen?

He tucks some of her hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I'm in love with you, y/n."

She felt her ribs hurting from the butterflies fluttering from her stomach up to her ribs, pressing on them. Her heart beat so fast, she thought it would explode out of her chest. y/n stroked his cheek as he looked at her with those gorgeous eyes. Her own eyes filled with tears, so she closed them, not wanting him to see and pressed her lips onto his soft ones. Harry's hand moves to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as he kisses her passionately.

"I love you too, Harry.", y/n whispers back, and touches their foreheads together. It was tearing her apart, hurting him. She would be responsible for breaking his heart. She wanted to walk into the sea and scream, letting the waves of the sea drown her voice.

Will he think think that what they have between them is also an act, when he gets to know the truth? But this was all true. y/n couldn't deny it anymore. She was in love with this man. The man who came into her life unexpectedly, and now without whom she cannot imagine living without.

"I'm happy, y/n. As long as I have you, I'll always be happy.", Harry whispers, pressing a sweet kiss to her forehead.

[lov3rmir]

★ ° * . ` red lipstick smudge `

★ ° ` summary ` after buying a new brand of lipstick, you couldn't decide which you liked best. so you asked for assistance.. ★ ° .

★ * ` mail ` a little ooc alhaithem but not too much, got lazy at the end but i love this <3

AL-HAITHAM—

The acting grand sage was drowning in his work. The pile of paper seemingly never ending, it didn't help he haven't seen you in a while. al haitham missed your scent, the calming yet fresh scent you always wore. The more he thought of you, the more his desire to see you grows. Alas, his duties calls yet again.

You however, had a much more troublesome duty. You had bought two lipsticks, one of which nilou recommended you and another which you had waited for its restock. Now that you had saved up and could afford both, you didn't know what to wear first. It was a dilemma of utmost importance, but you had no one to help you with.

Nilou was busy with the rehearsals, candace was too far to just ask about a lipstick and dehya was off somewhere. You couldn't find the traveler either, nor kaveh. So you decided on your trust worthy lover, The Acting Grand Sage.

Saying hello to the guards, you showed them the permission slips alhaithem gave you if you wanted to visit. This was much easier than to have to go through a whole line. Knocking softly on the doors, his voice invited you in.

“ come in. ” here he was, buried in a pile of paperwork, you almost missed him if his strand of hair wasn't stickin out from his grave. “ busy aren't you? ”

You voice made him look up, for a moment he thought he thought he was imagining it. Maybe all those numbers and words formed his desire and there you stood. But he knew better, that blinding smile can never be mistaken for fake.

He smiled at you, “ what brings you here? ” he asks. You walk over to him showing him the two items who made your hair turn grey. “ I'm having trouble deciding. Can you help, oh Grand Sage? ”

“ Acting Grand Sage. There's a difference. ” he frowned, this made you chuckle, ” yes, yes. Can you help me? Acting Grand Sage? ” he huffed, nodding to you.

You sat where there was space on his desk, smiling and showing him the two different lipstick. “ I'm having second thoughts on which i should use first. Do you think you can help me? ” you tilted your head. Al-haitham stared at you becore taking one of the two you held. He kept staring at it for a good while, you started sweating.

“ turn around. ” you blinked. “ what? ”

“ i said turn around. I have an idea. ” you knew he didn't like repeating himself, so you did as told. “ i dont get why i need to turn around. ” he stayed silent. It wasn't until a moment later you taped you on the shoulder.

Turning around you were about to question him when you felt his lips on yours. They lstayed there for a while, al-haitham had your eyes covered by his hand. And you knew, he definitely felt the redness on his hands. You could feel the smirk he had.

Before long, he stood back. A smile on his face. “ this one suits you best. ” you didn't understand what he meant until he wiped some smudge off his lip. Realization struck you. He wore your lipstick. And he—

Your face heated up. Words failing to form a sentence, you nodded and toke the lipstick. Walking away in a daze. Al-haitham watched you stumble a few time before reaching the door. He called out “ Leave your schedule open tomorrow, I'll have a reservation ready. Wear the lipstick too. Unless you want me to hel— ”

“ NO! Thank you! See you tomorrow! ” you left in a hurry, your face now hotter than ever. Everyone gave you look but ignored you. This isn't the first time you came out of the Acting Grand Sage all flustered.

Al-haitham however, was in his desk. A new found determination to finish all his work before your date. The lipstick still present on his lips.

©— lov3rmir. 2023.

★— @elychee * @eenie-teenieweenie * @simplyxsinned ...★

[heartfullofleeches]

Hello hello my birthday is tomorrow I was wondering if I could perhaps ask for some birthday hcs with your yandere bee from the cafe? Like how darlings birthday would be celebrated?

[Hope these are to your liking. Writing these reminded me of how much I love Robbie/Honey they're such a trip. Happy birthday, Chief!]

"Happy birthday, Sunny! Congrats on another trip around the sun. I know it's pretty late, but open this one present and I'll let you go back to sleep - kay?"

• Honey is the type of bee to wake you up at the stroke of midnight - excitedly hugging their alarm clock until the second the day technically begins. Every minute should be celebrated in their eyes. They're also the type to start the celebration a few days early - paying for everything you buy that week (they do this anyway, but if you thank them they'll say "Don't thank me - it's for your birthday!), warning folks they'd better be extra nice to you because your "big day" is coming up, taking care of your half of the chores-

• Their first gift to you on your big day is a flower crown (fake flowers if you're allergic) It's a tradition in their family plus they just think you look so cute in one. If using real flowers they waste the time waiting for midnight by weaving the crown then so it's fresh as possible when they put it on you. They have a sash for you too, but they understand if you don't want it.

If it's also the first birthday you're spending together this is likely when Honey gifts you a key to your own apartment in their complex. [Mother gifted them the entire building on their 18th birthday] They could've given it to you before, but then you'd have less of a reason to spend in their home. The cameras they set up in your apartment make up for the nights you want to spend alone.

• It's either a fancy dinner and a homemade cake, or a homemade dinner and a fancy cake. Regardless, you'll be well taken care of as Honey loves cooking/baking in their spare time. It's a struggle for them to make plans - do they spoil you with a night out or make you something from the heart? They might ask for your preference on the matter as best as they can without spoiling too much.

"This totally isn't related to anything I'm doing - but if you had to choose, which would you like more? Me cooking your favorite meal or us going out? No wrong answers, this time!"

• Birthday Kisses - y'know that thing where people punch someone for every year they've been alive? Honey does that, but with smooches for you. They smother you with love all the time, but those kisses are special (mostly because they find it fun to try and sneak kisses)

• At the end of the day, your birthday is as big for them as it for you. It's the day their favorite person came into the world - their sunshine. How can they not spoil you rotten for pulling them out of the depressive state they've been in majority of their life? They're so lucky to have you - and will do anything to prove how much you mean to them.

[mcflymemes]

PROMPTS FROM THE SOPRANOS *  assorted dialogue from the television show, adjust as necessary

i find i have to be the sad clown: laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.

i went ahead and ordered some for the table.

when you're married, you'll understand the importance of fresh produce.

we've got guns here.

he just told you to shut the fuck up.

the things i take pleasure in, i can't do.

don't you ever say you hate life.

oh, poor you!

so what, no fucking ziti now?

you want compromise? how's this?

i'll keep this short and sweet.

you're weak. you're outta control. and you've become an embarrassment to yourself and everybody else.

sometimes it's important to give people the illusion of being in control.

are you in the mafia?

tomorrow i can be on time, but you'll be stupid forever.

let me tell you a couple of three things.

you're not gonna believe this.

a wrong decision is better than indecision.

i'm like king midas in reverse here. everything i touch turns to shit.

if you can quote the rules, then you can obey them.

we're soldiers. soldiers don't go to hell. it's war. soldiers kill other soldiers.

we're in a situation where everyone involved knows the stakes and if you are going to accept those stakes, you've got to do certain things.

there's an old italian saying: you fuck up once, you lose two teeth.

someday soon, you're gonna have families of your own and if you're lucky, you'll remember the little moments like this that were good.

hey, i don't even let anyone wag their finger in my face.

it's good to be in something from the ground floor.

those who want respect give respect.

is this a woman thing? you ask me how i'm feeling, i tell you how i'm feeling, and now you're going to torture me with it.

lately, i'm getting the feeling that i came in at the end. the best is over.

my father was in it. my uncle was in it.

maybe i was too lazy to think for myself.

buy land, 'cause god ain't making any more of it.

i don't care how close you are. in the end, your friends are gonna let you down.

family... they're the only ones you can depend on.

take your hat off.

teddy roosevelt once gave an entire speech with a bullet lodged in his chest. some things are just a matter of duty.

some people are so far behind in a race that they actually believe they're leading.

sometimes we're all hypocrites.

other people's definitions of you, sometimes they're more about making themselves feel better. you gotta define yourself.

people only see what you allow them to see.

death just shows the ultimate absurdity of life.

you know when i was depressed i said i didn't want to live? well, i'll tell you something. i didn't want to die.

that's why dinosaurs don't exist no more.

don't touch that! my program's coming on.

i wish the lord would take me now.

our existence on this earth is a puzzle.

i'm getting my wine in position to throw in your damn face.

[ghostfanwriter]

🎂🩷 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐭 🩷🎂

Part two →

🩷 Pairing: Single dad, young Joel Miller x Baker! Reader

🎂 Setting: No outbreak AU. Joel's in his mid-thirties, and reader's on her mid/late twenties.

🩷 Synopsis: Like a sending from heaven, Joel Miller comes in to buy a birthday cake in your bakery. Sure, late night renovations won't lead to anything, right?

🎂 Features: Flirting, Joel blushing, reader being on her knees for him already, the girls being the sweetest, Joel being a super hot, super stressed, dad.

🩷 Word Count: Around 2.3k.

🎂 About this: This is the introduction to how they've met. I keep coming hack to this story whenever Dirty Hands gets tricky, it's my little comfort baby.

🩷 Author's Note: I have no idea how much a cake costs in the US, so help a girl out and just leave it alone if it 's too - way too - off. Hope you like it 🩷

The clock shows 6:20pm, your bakery — supposedly — closes at 6:30pm.

You finish serving the last table — that seems to have no hurry to leave — and go back behind your counter, watching your step to avoid the missing tile behind your cakes' display.

It's almost closing time and all your prayers are concentrated on asking for this couple to leave as soon as possible, as you still have to clean, prepare your doughs for tomorrow and close everything before finally going home.

And after a whole day of working — mostly alone — on your bakery, all you want is to get some rest.

You're on your computer looking up flooring options, and your search is interrupted by a man walking in, his large frame stopping in front of your cakes and carefully looking at all of them, his eyes focused on the options.

"Hi, good evening!" You greet him, getting up, your smile widening as you take him in. Large shoulders, fluffy hair, big eyes, sculpted nose.

He's wearing a blue jacket, his sunglasses are, for some reason, still on his head, and he has his backpack on his back.

"Hey, good evening." He greets you, his voice deep and soft, his eyes still glued to the cakes on your display. Frowning when he sees a particularly pretty one.

"Can I help you?" You ask sweetly, and he looks up at you for the first time, smiling back at you, cursing himself for taking so long to look at you.

"I'm sorry, I was just looking at them, they're all so pretty." He says, embarrassed by how he didn't even aknowledge you when he entered your store.

"No it's fine, I'll take it as a compliment." You say, laughing.

"It's not like they're the only thing worth looking at here. But they sure catch your attention." He says, watching your face, and you feel your cheeks on fire, your eyes almost watering at how flustered the man's got you.

"Thank you." You manage to say, your voice slightly smaller, and he looks back at the cakes.

"What flavor is this pink one?" He asks, and you bend over the display to look at it.

"Hmm, that's a pink velvet! With a custard and fresh strawberries filing." You say, and he frowns. The cake is covered in white and pink frosting, decorated with fresh strawberries.

"Oof, that sounds amazing." He says, and you smile.

"It's one of my favorites." You admit.

"Well, then I'll take it, please." He says, laughing.

"Alright. Is it a gift?" You ask, reaching for the packagings, and he shakes his head.

"No, no. It's for me." He says, and you grab a regular box.

"Well, you do like cake then, huh?" You joke as you take the cake to pack it, and he laughs at it.

"I do, yeah. But this one's for my birthday." He says, laughing, and you smile at him.

"Oh, why didn't you just say it?" You ask. "Happy birthday! Did you know we have a special discount for people's birthdays?"

"Uh, you do? Well... but I don't really want to show you my ID. Don't like to think about the number there, you know?" He laughs, his pretty eyes scrunching at his own words.

"How about I take your word?" You suggest, and he smiles. "I mean, you're either telling me the truth or you really like cake. Or you're just hungry, I mean, your job looks like really heavy work." You say, mentioning his clothes, covered in concrete and paint.

"Those would be three checks. I do love cake, and I am starving because of work. But it is also my birthday." He says.

"Well, then you do deserve the discount." You say, closing the bag. "It'll be 22 dollars." You say.

"Alright." He says, reaching for his wallet on the front pocket of his worn out jeans. "Here." He hands you 30 dollars, and you grab his change.

"Here you go." You hand it to him.

"Oh, no. Keep the change, please." He says.

"No, c'mon. Birthday discount, remember?" You say, almost pouting.

"Here says the cake costs almost 35 dollars." He says, leaning to read the price tag on the display, scrunching his eyes so the numbers become clear. "You were generous enough with your discount." He adds, grabbing the bag.

"Because it's your birthday discount!" You say playfully, extending your arm further, and he pushes your hand away.

"I said keep it." He says firmly, making you flinch, your breathing getting stuck in your throat. "How about I take the discount and you take the change as a tip for you?" He suggests, and you smile. "Keep it." He insists, smiling.

"Thank you." You say, putting the change back, a shy and uncontrollable smile stuck on your face.

"Thank you." He says, looking at you, his eyes somehow even softer. "'Till next time." He says, and you take a deep breath as he turns around.

"Hey, sorry?" You call, and he turns back — a bit eagerly, you could swear —, looking at you, a smile on his lips.

"Yeah."

"You do work in construction, right?" You ask. "I mean, your clothes and all."

"Well, they don't let me lie." He jokes. "I'm a contractor. Was just working across the street." He explains.

"Do you work with renovations? Like, changing floorings, fixing drywalls, changing lights and custumized furniture?" You ask.

"I do, yeah. I have a company, actually. I work for myself." He says. "Although furniture isn't exactly my field. But I know some good people who do it, I can give you their number." He offers.

"Yeah, I'd love that." You say, and he puts the cake back on top of your counter, reaching for his wallet.

"Here." He hands you two cards. "This one's mine, this one's a guy that builds all sorts of furniture. Almost all kinds of materials, I work with him all the time, you can trust him." He says.

"Joel Miller?" You ask smiling, looking at him, his cheeks reddening when he hears you say his name.

It sounds so goddamn sweet on your lips.

"Yeah." He says. "You just give me a call and I come over to talk, see what you wanna do, no commitment."

"Sure! I just want to renovate the floorings, fix some broken stuff." You say. "I'll call you before the weekend so we can talk better." You promise.

"Great. Can't wait to hear from you." He says, grabbing his cake again. "See you." He says, turning around, and you wave goodbye, but he turns as soon as he reaches the door. "Will you call from this number?" He asks, pointing at the number printed on the bag.

"Yeah, that's my professional number." You say, smiling.

"Alright. Just so when you call I know it's you." He says. "Make sure I won't miss it." He adds, smiling.

"Thank you." You smile back.

"Well, now I'll go. See ya." He says, this time actually leaving the store.

You watch as he gets into a black truck, and almost jumps when he looks at you, giving you a little wave — that you're eager to mimick — as he starts his car, driving away.

Your cheeks hurt as you can't control your smile. A beautiful, kind and funny man just walked in, bought a pink cake — with no problem with the color —, maybe flirted with you and now you have his number? And he said he'll make sure he won't miss your call?

God bless the couple that made you stay open for a little longer.

And just as you think of them, they come towards you to pay, thanking you for the food and complimenting your pastries. You thank them — although it's not just for the nice words — and close soon after they leave.

You put all the chairs up, clean the floors and go to the kitchen, where you prepare some of your dough for the next day.

Now you're even more excited to start the renovations around your bakery.

The next day you try to focus on your chores and not call him, and he spends the whole day rushing to his phone and sighing when he picks it up and sees it's not you.

The day after that you can't help it anymore, though.

Not only because you're dying to see the man again — and make sure he wasn't just a mirage your tired brain came up with to distract you from how tired you were that day —, but also because you couldn't stand anymore having to ditch loose flooring pieces, the broken doors of your balconies, the dying ceiling lights.

So you take a deep breath, almost shaking as you leave your mixer mixing your brownie batter and go to the open patio to call him.

His phone rings while he gives Ellie, his toddler, her breakfast — or tries to, anyway.

"Ellie, baby, c'mon, help daddy, your sister's gonna be late for school."

"No!" She laughed, amused with her dad's suffering. He lets his head fall down, defeated.

"Alright, then you're going to daycare with just apple juice on your tummy, because we really need to leave now." He says, and she cheers. "Sarah, honey, are you ready?" He asks his four-year old when she comes downstairs, and she nods enthusiastically.

"Yes, daddy! Can we go now? I don't wanna be late, Mrs. Roberts gives a star for who arrives early." She says. "And I haven't gotten one in over two days!" She says, frustrated.

"Did you brush your teeth?" He asks her while he starts washing the dishes.

"Yes! Of course I did." She says, her tone not even convincing herself.

"Let me check." He says, leaning down, and her eyes widen. "C'mon, come here." He calls, beckoning for her to come close to him, and she sighs.

"I'll go brush them now." She says, defeated. "But then we're leaving!" She yells the last part as she runs upstairs.

He finishes the dishes and cleans Ellie, removing her from her highchair. Just when he's about to take her to the bathroom to brush her teeth, his phone rings, and he sits Ellie on the table to see who's calling him.

He sees the unsaved number and remembers it faintly from your bakery bag, so he looks around, trying to see if he can find it.

"Ellie, don't move, alright, baby?" He tells her, who doesn't even aknowledge him, too busy playing with her toys.

He lets go of her and opens the cabinet where he keeps his plastic bags, looking for the pink one from your bakery. He finds it and sees the number is indeed yours.

"Fuck." He curses quietly. "Tommy!" He yells, calling for his brother. "Come here, I need to pick up the phone, quick." He screams, and Tommy shows up almost immediately.

"Hey." His brother says, clearly just out of bed.

"Watch Ellie, don't let Sarah come after me." He says, walking to his backyard.

He doesn't like his clients knowing how agitated and insane his personal life can be with two small kids and no one around to help. So he always tries to make work calls as quiet as he can.

"Hi!" He says, almost too excited as he picks up the phone, thanking God he made it in time.

"Hi! Joel?" You ask, and he smiles when he hears your voice.

"Yeah, it's me." He says, and you can almost hear the smile on his lips.

"Oh, hey. I'm from the bakery where you bought that pink cake?" You ask, and he takes a second to respond, trying to not make it obvious that he's spent the previous day running to his phone, hoping to hear from you.

"Oh, yeah, I remember! You said you wanted new floorings and furniture, right?" He asks, shooting Tommy a look when he grabs Sarah last minute so she doesn't go after him.

"Yeah, that's me!" You say, feeling awkward. Trying to remind yourself that it's just a professional call, and you don't have to be so nervous. "Could you come over? As soon as you can? I wanted to talk about the renovations." You say, and he nods, only after a second realizing that you can't see him, feeling stupid.

It's just a work call, for God's sake, chill out, Joel Miller.

"Sure, I can be over today, does that work for you? Maybe after you close, or maybe tomorrow before you're open?" He suggests, trying not to sound too eager.

As silly as it sounds, you can't help but think about how you're dressed, what your hair looks like. You stop in front of a window, checking yourself, and only when you make sure you won't die if he sees what you look like today, you can confirm.

"Today would be great! I'm closing at six-thirty, so you could come over at seven, if that's ok? So I can clean a bit before we can talk."

"Sounds great. I'll be there." He agrees.

"Alright, see you then." You say, your beating faster than it has in a long time.

"See ya." He says, running back inside.

"Sure that was a work call?" Tommy teases him, and Joel shoots him a look.

"Daddy, c'mon!" Sarah says, pulling his arm as soon as he closes the backdoor.

"Come here." He kneels down with one knee, holding her shoulders. "Let me check." He says, and she laughs as she blows his face, a tutti-frutti smell invading his nose. "Great, baby, thank you." He says, kissing the top of her head.

"Can we go now? I don't wanna be late." She asks, sounding almost sad.

"We're going, honey. Let's go." He says, picking Ellie and her backpack up, grabbing Tommy's shoulder. "Listen, I need you to go see the Gellers tonight, I have something else." He says, and his brother sighs.

"C'mon, man, not the fucking Gellers." He begs.

"Gellers. You. Tonight. 8pm. Don't mess it up, Tommy!" He yells, leaving the house. "Girls, say bye to uncle Tommy."

"Bye uncle Tommy!" They both say, waving him goodbye.

"Bye, girls! Be good, huh?" He says, and Joel closes the door.

...

Joel never missed having a mom for the girls. No matter how tired and overwhelmed he may get taking care of them by himself — mostly, at least. He could never risk adding someone to the equation and getting his girls hurt in the process.

"Daddy?" Sarah says when he comes back to the car after dropping Ellie at daycare.

"Yes, baby." He says sweetly, turning back to look at her.

"Your shirt's inside out." She says, laughing, and he looks down at himself. He grabs the steering wheel and dramatically drops his head on it, making her laugh even harder.

Having someone to share this life with would be nice, though.

Soo, what do you think?

Your thoughts are so, so important, please let me know if you liked it! I hope you did, can't wait to give you the rest of their story 🩷🫶🏻

My Masterlist 🩷

[themultifandomgal]

Hi. firstly, I love your writing style. secondly, I was wondering if you could write something about Chicago Fire (maybe Kelly or Matt) where the reader their S/O is a professional baker/chef and spoils the fire house rotten with food/sweets.

Kelly Severide- Baker

All my life I have been baking. I learn from my nan who used to look after me during school holidays while my parents had to work. My mom is a nurse and my dad is a police officer. This means I was very close to my nan until she passed away. I then decided to go to university to complete a course in hospitality and catering, then I progressed to a certificate in baking. Then finally I managed to buy property to have my own bakery, named after my nan.

At the end of the day I often have left over cakes, pastries, bread and other sweet treats. So instead of throwing them away I may give them to the homeless or anyone else who may be in need of a pick me up. But I alway make sure that there are some left over for firehouse 51, which is where my boyfriend Kelly Severide works.

I walk into the firehouse holding a box of cupcakes and some fresh bread.  Immediately I'm being greeted by my boyfriend and some of the firemen

"Evenin YN" capp nods towards me

"Good evening boys" I kiss Kelly on the cheek then he guides me to the kitchen where everyone else is "hey everyone. I've got some left overs if any of you are interested" I open the box lid up

"This is why your the best girlfriend Severide has ever had" Otis' eyes widen as he walks over to me and goes to take a cake. Kelly gives him a nudge as if to say 'watch it'

"Ah ah ah not so fast at least let me put them down first"

"They look delicious YN"

"When don't they?" Sylvie responds to Gabby .

Later that evening Kelly takes me home

"You know I don't think I've ever had cake as good as you make it. My mom was never much of a baker"

"When I bake it reminds me of my Nan. It's like she's there with me. I want our kids to have a childhood like mine where we bake in the kitchen and then go outside and play in the mud while we wait for every thing to cool"

"Our kids?" Kelly says wrapping his arm around my waist

"Yes. Don't tell me you haven't thought bout it"

"Of course I have, but I just wasn't expecting it to come out of your mouth so casually" there's a bit of a pause as I think how to respond, but Kelly beats me to it "you say you want our kids to bake a lot. So do you think you could teach me how to?"

"Of course!" I say with a wide smile "I'm not at the shop tomorrow if you want to come over?"

"Can't wait. I'll see you tomorrow then" Kelly kisses my check then walks away as I open up my front door.

The next dayKelly shows up and we start weighing out ingredients

"Now you need to add the eggs" I tell him who picks them up and goes to crack them on the side of the bowl "wait actually crack them in here" I put a spare bowl in front of Kelly "just in case of egg shells"

"Do you not trust me?" Kelly raises his eyebrows at me

"Honestly no. Now come on. We need three eggs, chop chop"

"Your bossy when your in the kitchen" he chuckles

"You want to make a cake or not?" I place my hands on my hips

"Ok ok I get it" Kelly attempts to crack an egg but it ends up going everywhere

"Good job I put a separate bowl down wasn't it?" I smile at Finn "watch and learn my love" I take the eggs from Kelly and crack them in the bowl with ease "ok you can stir, but..." I'm not able to tell him to be careful because flour ends up all over the both of us "go slowly"

"Never heard you say that before" I give Kelly an annoyed look "oh come on YN. It's me, did you really think that teaching me to make a cake would be smooth sailing?"

"No I guess not" I begin to smile.

A few days later I arrive at the fire house with Kelly who proudly places a cake down on the kitchen table

"She's don't it again! There's more cakes and biscuits!" Gabby yells which causes everyone to run over and grab something. Matt bites into one and scrunches his face up, but then tries to hide it

"Hmm, you tried a new.. recipe?" Otis asks coughing during his sentence. I giggle and shake my head

"No these were made by Kelly"

"Oh thank god" Matt breathes out "thought you'd lost your touch. No offence Severide but these are horrible"

"Oh come on they're not that bad... are they?" Kelly looks at me

"Don't worry love your still learning. If you guys have some ingredients I'll make some biscuits now while I'm here" I offer to which everyone replies with a yes.

[makeitmingi]

Cause Baby You're My Muse [Chapter 46]

Genre: Romance, Idol!AU, Music, Slight angst

Pairing: Mingi x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Producer!Reader, IdolLyricist!Mingi, IdolProducer!Hongjoong, Idol!Seonghwa, Idol!Yunho, Idol!Wooyoung, Idol!San, Idol!Yeosang, Idol!Jongho, cameo(s) by other celebrities

Summary: You always preferred producing underground, having an unknown face and governed by your own rules. But when you start freelancing for idol groups, you say goodbye to your lone wolf lifestyle as you learn to work with idol producers and lyricists.

Word count: 3.2K

After meeting with CEO Kim and the legal team at KQ, then going to th police station to give your statement, you entered your apartment with an exhausted sigh. You were tired and drained, you couldn't even unpack your luggage.

'I'll work from home for the next 3 days. - Indigo'

'I think that's a good idea. You should really rest, Indigo. You were working even when we were there. There's no need to rush back to work. - Eden'

You were grateful that Eden was there with you the entire time through everything today, supporting you and accompanying you since none of the Ateez boys were there. He truly cared for you, not just as a senior but as a friend as well.

'I'm home. Going to sleep after to take the day off just like I promised. - Baby'

You sent Mingi a text and left your phone to go shower since you wanted to sleep. Leaning against the wall of the shower, you thought about the events of the day.

Maybe you didn't want to sleep. After your shower, you unpacked your bags and unpacked the miscellaneous boxes from your move.

'We're having a short break now. I already miss you, I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well, baby. - Mings'

Getting changed into a fresh set of outing clothes, you check the train schedule on your phone before leaving the house. You've never taken this train to late before but you knew your heart needed it.

"One ticket, please." You went to the counter.

"Good evening, ahjumma." You greeted as you walked up the steps to the orphanage. She cast you a glance but gave an acknowledging nod. Digging around your bag, you took the envelope of money out and handed it to her. As she looked at the contents, you walked past her and headed inside.

"There's extra dinner in the kitchen." You heard her say as you removed your shoes to go in. Some children were watching a movie on the large projector but Haneul wasn't there.

"Hey there. Do you know where Haneul is?" You asked one of the older looking children.

"Her room." He replied. You went upstairs, leaning against the door as you saw Haneul on her bed, drawing with her crayons.

"Baby." You called out.

"Unnie!" Haneul yelled and jumped off the bed, running towards you. You scooped her up in your arms, spinning around while she laughed. You needed this, you needed to see her.

"You're home. I missed you." She giggled as you set her back down. You hugged her properly.

"I missed you too, baby. So much." You whispered. Haneul was a constant in your life, your touch of normalcy. With everything happening, the threats keeping you away from her, you felt yourself losing that normalcy.

"Did you buy me any presents?" Haneul asked. You pulled away, placing a hand on her head. Of course, she was only a kid, all she thought about were gifts.

"I got you this." You got the stuffed giraffe out for her.

"This is like princess oppa!" She giggled, hugging the giraffe to her chest. You forgot she called Mingi 'big princess'.

"I miss princess oppa and bear oppa." She pouted, shoulders deflating as she remembered the boys. You smiled softly and reached out to stroke her hair.

"He misses you too. All the oppas do." You comforted.

You sat on Haneul's small bed with her perched in your lap. You listened intently as she excitedly showed you all the drawings that she did, including the ones that she wanted to give to boys when she saw them again. She also told you all the things that she has been doing in school.

"You won first place?! That's my girl!" You smiled excitedly as she showed you the ribbon she won during her school's sports meet. Your praise only made her smile grow.

"I want to show oppas!" She jumped up and down.

"You do? I'm sure they will be happy." The time difference wasn't major so you texted the boys if they were available for a quick video call with her.

'For the little bear, we are always available. - Jongho'

'Aww look at the maknae. The kiddo's got you wrapped around her finger. - Wooyoung'

'As if you aren't a sucker for her. - Jongho'

You dialled Jongho's number and it only took a few rings for him to pick up. All the boys tried to squeeze close to him to see the screen but Jongho, not one for skinship, squirmed uncomfortably. He pushed them away.

"But I can't see!" San whined. You sighed and handed the phone to Haneul. She waved shyly to them.

"I won a ribbon! Because... I ran very super fast!" She excitedly showed them.

"WOWWWWW!" The chorus of loud awes and praises were heard on the other end. You couldn't help but laugh as Haneul soaked up all the love from the 8 boys.

"That's amazing! What a pretty ribbon." Yeosang had his face right in front to see the ribbon properly.

"Good job, little bear. I'll give you a prize when I get back to Korea." Jongho promised. Haneul's eyes lit up as she looked at you.

"Jongho, you don't have to..."

"I know I don't have to. But I want to, Indigo. She deserves a present for doing well." Jongho chuckled. You prompted Haneul to say thank you to him.

"Yay, present! Thank you, bear oppa! I love you the most!" Haneul opened pandora's box with that one innocent statement. Because the other 7 protested loudly, all competitively trying to offer presents and bribes to the 5 year old. You face palmed, shaking your head as they tried to be the one Haneul loves the most.

"Okay, I'm taking this back. You're all being too loud, you're scaring the poor girl." You frowned, scolding them. Haneul curiously peeked over the top of the screen before crawling back into your lap.

"We're both princesses right? So we're best friends." Mingi was still trying despite what you said.

"Look who suddenly likes the princess nickname." You rolled your eyes. Yunho snickered, he was the originator after all.

"I love all the oppas." She scratched her head.

"You can love whoever you want, baby. If you want to love bear oppa the most, you can too. Or you can not love any of them." You told her, kissing her temple.

"Hey!"

"Don't encourage her!" More protests came from the boys after hearing what you said. Since you selfishly wanted to spend more time with Haneul before bed time, you hung up with the boys, promising Mingi to call him later.

"But I can't go home with you today?" Haneul pouted as she held onto your sleeve.

"I'm sorry, baby. Not today. Soon, I promise." You shook your head.

"Okay but next time, can we stay with the oppas?" She asked hopefully. It made you soft seeing how much Haneul really adored being with the boys.

"Only if they're not busy." You lightly pinched her cheek. She nodded and pinky promised with you.

"Let's sit together before I go, alright?" You held your hand out. She slipped her hand into yours and followed you out.

You didn't want to leave her just yet so while the other kids were put to bed, you sat in the kitchen with Haneul in your lap as you ate the food that ahjumma left you for dinner. Haneul was more than willing to stay up with you. She hugged the stuffed giraffe, deciding to name it 'Mingming', named after Mingi.

"Are you hungry? Want some?" You held a spoon out to Haneul. She shook her head. You wanted to eat slowly but you knew ahjumma was waiting for you to leave to lock up the place.

"I already brushed my teeth." She said, frowning slightly as she focused on fiddling with Mingming.

"As you should." You patted her head.

"I'm full." You moved Haneul off your lap as you gathered the dishes and brought them to the sink to wash. As you washed the dishes, you felt Haneul lean against your leg.

"You need something, baby?" You stopped to look down at her.

"No, I just want to be with you." She replied, kicking her feet around. You hummed and finished doing the dishes, putting them on the drying rack.

"I'll tuck you in before I go." You said to Haneul. She pouted, unhappy that you were leaving. But she didn't say anything, obediently holding your hand as you walked back upstairs with her. You tucked her under the covers, making sure she was hugging her toys.

"I love you so much." You whispered and kissed your forehead. She held onto your hand.

"Please don't go..." She said sadly.

"I'll take you home with me soon, hmm? I promise. But I'll be here until you fall asleep." You gave her another kiss. Sitting at the edge of the bed, you patted her back.

You watched Haneul try to fight off the sleep but she was too tired, eventually falling asleep.

"Goodnight, baby. I love you more than you know." You said softly. Casting her one last glance, you left the orphanage.

"Sorry for keeping you up, ahjumma. I'll be on my way now, goodnight." You bowed to the lady who was watching television. Quickly, you wore your shoes and left.

"It's never been this hard..." You sighed and looked up to stop your tears from falling. Taking a deep breath, you wore your mask and pulled your hoodie up before making your way to the train station to take the late night train home. You listened to music to try and distract yourself.

'Hey, Indigo. Are you free to talk now? - Jongho'

'Jongho. Yes, I am. I'm on the train, coming back from Haneul... Honestly, I could use the distraction. - Indigo'

'Are you alright? - Jongho'

'I am, don't worry. Today just felt a little harder leaving her than usual. I guess I haven't seen her in such a long time that I wished I had more time to spend with her. - Indigo'

'I understand, that's normal. It's harder that you can't bring her to stay with you like you usually do. - Jongho'

'It is all for her safety. I'd rather her be angry with me than to selfishly put her in harm's way. - Indigo'

'Speaking of, I wanted to ask how the progress of the meeting with the authorities and the KQ legal team went. If you don't mind me asking. - Jongho'

'I don't mind at all. So I went to KQ first, I met with them and the CEO, they walked me through the process. Pressing charges for assault and harrassment against Seyoon. Just in case Seyoon wants to take the case to court and fight it, what the plan is. - Indigo'

'Alright. - Jongho'

'And I'll have to be there is Seyoon decides to press charges against Mingi for assault too. After that, Eden followed me to the police station to give my statement. - Indigo'

'I don't mean to scare you, Indigo. But... do you think Seyoon has to do with the threats you've been receiving? - Jongho'

'I... I never thought about that. - Indigo'

'It's just a speculation. Since he tried de-masking you. Did he make any pass or mention being suspicious about you and Mingi hyung at all? - Jongho'

'No. Yes, de-masking me was one thing. But he seemed like he was just a bad case of toxic narcissim in the way he wanted me to accept his apology and then apologise to him. - Indigo'

'I see. Let's hope this was an isolated incident then. I'm glad that you agreed to pressing charges against Seyoon and that he is rightfully dealt with by the authorities. But at the same time, that means the person sending death threats is still out there and they are working in our company. - Jongho'

'I'll be okay, Jongho. - Indigo'

'I hate this. It feels like we're sitting around and waiting for things to worsen before we're able to take action. - Jongho'

'This is your safety at stake. I'm sure Seonghwa hyung feels the same way as me. - Jongho'

'But we don't exactly have a choice, I barely know the KQ staff enough to suspect anyone. There haven't been any clues that point to a particular person. - Indigo'

'That's true. We'll discuss this more when we get back. Have a safe trip home. And let us know when you arrive home. - Jongho'

'I will. Thanks, Jongho. - Indigo'

Thankfully, the online back and forth between you and Jongho took up most of the long train ride. From the train station, you took a short bus ride back home. Since you had dinner, you didn't need to try and find an open restaurant to get food.

'I'm finally home. You've all worked hard with the last day of filming. Sleep early and have a safe flight tomorrow, boys. I'll see you guys at the office building. - Indigo'

'Thank you! ^^ - Yunho'

'I miss my bed, this hotel bed isn't good. I think I'll sleep for 2 days when I get home. - Yeosang'

'Yes, we've all worked hard. I love filming and performing but I can't wait to see you again tomorrow. I miss you too much :( - Wooyoung'

'Hey, that's for me to say to her. - Mings'

You chuckled as you went to take a quick shower and do another load of laundry from the trip. After your shower, you sat at your work desk. You wondered if you should call Mingi, he might be packing or asleep since their flight home was rather early. But your question was answered when Mingi called you.

"Hi, baby." Mingi smiled. You propped the phone up in the small phone stand Seonghwa got you. You smiled softly, waving to him. Looks like he also just got out of the shower.

"Are you all packed?" You asked, eyes going between Mingi's face and your monitor screen.

"Mhmm, more or less... It's late, baby. You've had a long day and you're still working?" Mingi raised an eyebrow.

"I couldn't sleep so I thought I might as well catch up on some work. Plus with everything that's going on, work takes my mind off things." You shrugged.

"Alright. But try to get some sleep later, please?" Mingi

"I will. You should sleep too, you have an early flight, Mings." You chuckled. He let out a loud groan.

"Ugh... Nevermind, I'll sleep on the plane. I'd rather stay up to talk to you." He grabbed a pillow to prop the phone up as he got comfortable under the covers. You chewed on your bottom lip, you wanted to be there with Mingi now, warm under the covers.

"I wish you were here, Mings." You sighed.

"I wish I was there with you too, baby. But we'll see each other soon. And we live in the same building so it'll be easier for me to go to you." He chuckled.

"Do you feel better seeing Haneul?" He asked.

"I did. I think I've been away from her for too long... It was nice to just spend time with her again, even if it was for a short amount of time." You smiled at the thought of Haneul.

"That's good. You've been working so hard, baby. I'm glad you have Haneul there to make you feel better." Mingi smiled.

"I have you and Haneul. And the other Ateez boys too." You smiled softly.

"That's right, baby. We'll all always be here. You're never alone." Mingi said. He didn't notice how your smile faltered slightly as you were looking up at your computer screen. After chatting with Mingi, you hung up, wanting him to get some sleep before the flight. Of course he refused.

"I told you I can sleep on the plane. I want to talk to you and spend time with you now." Mingi argued.

"But you still have to look somewhat awake when all the media take pictures and videos of you, Mings. I'll see you tomorrow when you come home." You chuckled.

"I like the sound of that." He grinned. You raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

'Wherever you are, that's my home." He explained.

"Cheeseball." You rolled your eyes. Mingi laughed and leaned forward, as if giving you a kiss. You smiled softly, really wishing he was here to give you a real one.

"Promise me you'll go to sleep in a bit?" He gave you a look. You nodded, holding your pinky up as a pinky promise to him.

"I love you, baby. Goodnight." With a triumphant smile, Mingi bid you goodbye and hung up.

You continued working after that, only stopping when you were done with a section of beat. But you did want to stick to your promise with Mingi and sleep so you got up and turned the system off. When you left your studio to make yourself a coffee, you saw the sun rising.

"Sunrise already?" You scratched your head before checking the time on your phone. When you work, you really do lose track of time. You made a coffee and brought it to your bedroom.

It was around 10 am when your doorbell rang. It was unusual since no one really comes to visit you without you knowing.

"Coming." You yawned, going to the door. You checked the peephole and grew surprised.

"Omonim! What brings you here? Let me help you." You scrambled to help Mingi's mother carry some of her bags into your house. She had 3 big bags with her.

"Sorry for popping by out of the blue. Were you sleeping?" She asked.

"Just snoozing." You lied. You went to grab a hair tie from your room to put your hair up into a bun. Mrs Song began unpacking the bags that she had brought, it was all food items.

"I'll be sure to hand them over to Mingi when he comes home." You bowed gratefully.

"Hand them to Mingi? Silly girl, these are for you! I know you've been busy with moving and work so these food should just make sure that you don't go hungry. All you have to do is heat it up. I'm restocking your kimchi and side dishes stash too." She chuckled. You helped her put the cold stuff into the fridge.

"Really? Thank you so much for doing this, omonim. You didn't need to." You bowed repeatedly, not expecting her to do this for you at all. You were touched.

"I know but I wanted to. We're family, (y/n) ah." She smiled softly. You wrapped your arms around her to hug her tightly.

"I'll put these away. In the mean time, can I get you a coffee? Tea?" You offered.

"Coffee would do." She said. You nodded and brewed her a coffee. She sat on the bar stool with her coffee, watching you put all the food she brought into the fridge, ensuring things were neat and tidy.

"It's nice to talk like this without Mingi hovering over your shoulder. The way he sticks to you remind me of how he used to stick to me." She giggled.

"He's protective. And I'm thankful that he cares more about me than I do of my own self." You chuckled.

"We all care about you, (y/n) ah." She reached over to hold your hand.

~

Series Masterlist

[shieldofiron]

Meals on Wheels

(Harringrove, just a flirty little drabble for @disabledbillyandsteveweek day 2 prompt-Family)

Steve thought it was maybe the stupidest thing he’d ever thought of. He and Robin had been having a sleepover and somehow the subject got around to tattoos.

“I would get a pin up girl but that might be tacky,” Robin sighed.

“As far as I’m concerned, the tackier the better,” Steve rolled up to his countertop and poured another glass of wine.

“Oh yeah, what are you getting? A nail bat?”

“Only if it says ‘who wants to get nailed,’” Steve snarled.

“What about a tramp stamp?” Robin took the glass of wine and sipped it. “Eat me.”

Steve thew a saucy look over his shoulder, dripping with king Steve charm, “Please. Look at me. It would say meals on wheels.”

Robin giggled, “Yeah, as long as we’re getting tattoos of wishful thinking I should get one on my hand that says, ‘Pussy destroyer.’”

“‘M just in a dry spell.”

“Yeah, okay,” Robin rolled her eyes, “Would you actually get ‘Meals on Wheels?’”

“Eat fast, eat fresh,” Steve quipped. “I’ll do it if you do, Madam Pussy Destroyer.”

Robin giggled loopily, “You know I did see an article about a tattoo parlor that specializes in sensory safe tattoos.”

“What’cha mean?” Steve wasn’t drunk, but he was a little tipsy on their good fortune in securing a wheelchair accessible apartment this close to the city center. Sure, a lot of rent had to come from their was Starcourt hush money, after Steve been paralyzed and a flayed Jonathan Byers has saved the world, but they he still found it and so Steve was happy to fork over the cash. The location was ideal, even if the city noise sometimes wrecked havoc on Robin’s sensory issues so they’d installed some extra sound proofing. But he wasn’t sure how a tattoo parlor was a part of that.

“It’s super cool, the owner has OCD so he made it so each room is private and soundproofed. They don’t play loud music, and offer headphones if the buzzing is too much, though you can bring your own movies. I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but some of those places are just too loud and busy,” Robin sighed.

“So you’ve always wanted to be a pussy destroyer?”

“No, shut up,” she blushed. “A Lilly, for my grandma.”

“Well maybe tomorrow we can go check it out.

“I wouldn’t want to do it alone.” She bit her lip. “I wouldn’t have the guts.”

Steve shrugged, “ok, you convinced me. It’s tramp stamp time.”

“No, you’re not serious,” Robin giggled.

“You’re my family. If you bleed, I bleed. You tramp stamp, I tramp stamp,” Steve said, only laughing when Robin did.

But then the next morning, his head pounding, he didn’t have too many defenses when Robin had looked at him with those puppy dog eyes and said she’d called and made them an appointment. She’d even brought in his motorized wheelchair and said that she’d buy bagels on the way.

But he was regretting it when they were finally there, and Steve was contemplating actually getting something permanently inked into his skin.

He wasn't sure if he was cool enough for this. He definitely wasn't cool enough for the artist that came in and introduced themselves to Robin. Their name was Eddie and they were practically covered in tattoos, wearing some cool unpronounceable band name t-shirt that they'd sewn to a mini tutu skirt to make a dress. They took Robin back to her room after they went over her sketch, a lilly painted with pale watercolor shades.

Robin squeezed his hand, "You're not gonna chicken out on me, right? I booked the only two person room they have so if you don't show up, I will know."

"I'm not chickening out," Steve laughed, "Though I hope your grandma isn't watching from heaven, because she'll probably see my ass."

Robin snorts, "She definitely saw your ass this morning when I helped you out of the shower. She was a tough old bird, a little of your pale ass won't scare her."

Steve snorted, "I'll see you in a moment."

Steve was starting to feel a little nervous. Honestly after Starcourt, he hadn't been interested in hiding his sexuality at all. Life seemed too short, he might as well unapologetically be himself, bi and disabled and ADHD and slutty and everything that was himself. But maybe the double entendre tramp stamp was a little too out there.

And then... he'd come in.

"Hi, Steve, right?" The guy was stunning, with long blonde curls streaked with blue piled up into a big bun on the top of his head. He offered a large, warm hand and Steve almost melted when they shook.

"Yeah, hi."

"I'm Billy, I'm the owner," Billy smiled, and Steve swore that he could see a cartoon smile, like Billy was an anime prince. An anime prince that had a giant seratonin tattoo that was splattered with that looked like watercolor. "I hope you don't mind that I use some hand sanitizer. I'm working on my handshake thing, but..."

"It's fine, ah... do you mind if I have some too?" Steve held out his hand.

Billy squirted Steve out a little of their fancy hand sanitizer.

"So I have to be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when we got the call for a wheelchair themed tramp stamp that said meals on wheels," Billy licked along his lower lip, "But now that I'm seeing you it makes more sense."

Steve could feel himself turning red, "It was kind of a joke-"

"I mean," Billy leaned in, "You do look good enough to eat."

Steve shivered, blush spreading up to his hairline.

Billy straightened, "God, sorry. Sorry, that was so inappropriate-"

"It's fine."

"No, really, I can see if Heather is free to take over the appointment, except that-" Billy bit his lip, "I think I'll still have to be the one to help you onto the table. Maybe if Eddie and Heather work together... God, not that you're like... too big or... shit... I'm sorry."

Steve laughed, "Really, it's fine."

"You're not too big, you're like... perfect," Billy ran a hand down his face, "Sorry. I'm sorry. Chrissy should know she can't give me the pretty guys, I clearly can't handle it."

Steve glanced up, giving him that King Steve sparkle right back, and seeing the way it made Billy's eyes go wide and nervous.

Steve pressed on the joystick to his chair with one finger, running a hand along the tip flirtatiously.

Billy's eyes darted to his hand, and then back to his face.

"I think you can handle me," Steve said smugly, "Don't you wanna try?”

Steve left that day with a bit of a sore ass, though the sensation was soothed a lot by the business card that had Billy's personal number scrawled on the back.

"I can't believe the meals on wheels tattoo got you a date," Robin rolled her eyes as she attached Steve's chair to the floor of his van, tightening the straps down with a shake of her head.

"What can I say," Steve shrugged, "Billy looks like a hungry boy to me."

Robin gagged, "You are my family. But never, ever, say that again."

@intothedysphoria thanks for answering my question on this one.

[orlaogden]

Mchart week: The Road Trip

They are both unusually quiet in the morning. As if they are afraid to break the peaceful silence and ruin everything, so they let their bodies speak for their tongues. Kurt fries bacon and eggs, Diane warms up bagels and makes coffee.

A light brush of hands, short timid smiles. She adverts her eyes, and he feels a sudden pang in the chest. His arms snake around her waist, he just can't help it, his lips kiss the side of her head above the right ear. Despite the short glimpse of sadness he felt radiating from her just a moment ago, she leans in his embrace readily, caresses his back, kisses his shoulder. They're bathing in morning sunlight, in the warmth of their embrace and in the smell of the coffee.

"Kurt. Let's get away from the city for a while?" Diane blurts out.

"You mean, go to the country?"

"No... Go on a trip. Spend some time in nature." She knows he would love it. She knows that she will enjoy it too and they need it.

Kurt's eyebrows go up. Diane and nature: a beautiful combination but a rare one.

"Why?"

"To make a room," she pauses and finds his left hand with hers. "To clear more space for... love. Just be simply Diane and Kurt for a while."

Kurt is almost ready to laugh. He thinks that he is always himself and that being in love with her is his default state of being. But he gets it, so he just squeezes her hand and kisses her cheek instead.

"Do you have something particular in mind?"

"Nope. We can make arrangements today and go tomorrow."

"It's a deal then." He smiles into her hair.

The silence between them sparks with anticipation of something exciting as they eat.

***

Eventually they decide to go to Starved Rock. It's not too far from Chicago and it's beautiful.

Kurt's driving the car. Lyle Lovett doesn't provoke a sudden wave of longing anymore. The car doesn't reek of incense. Everything falls right into place. They're not going to meditate, they're going to walk and see the waterfalls, although Diane doesn't even mind watching him fishing for the whole day, breathing in the fresh air and the closeness of the most important person in her life she missed so much and desperately tried to forget in the fear of no future.

"You know what. We should try an axe throwing next."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. I'll show you my moves." She adds with a cheeky smile. 

"I always thought it's a pity that you had got over it before we could try it together." 

"Maybe you'll find that the axes are actually hotter than guns."

"I know for sure that you'd  look hot as hell with an axe. As for the technical side… Maybe I am a simple guy, but I like complicated things, you know."

"Oh, I know. You wouldn't marry me if you haven't." Diane sighs. "There are actually so many things we haven't tried doing together…"

The majority of the trip they discuss their plans for future activities they want to try, building a bridge to their life together in DC. Diane thinks that maybe her cowboy is not an artsy person but he sure knows how to have fun and make her feel warm inside. 

The playful talk only dies out when they stop at a parking lot near a gas station to buy some coffee. Somehow coffee gets forgotten pretty quick as they indulge in a not exactly silent make out session.

***

“There is something humbling about the ancient rocks. We try to be important, be heroes, make a difference, while they’re just standing here and will outlive us all…”

“You’ll be able to make a difference again when you’re back in a courtroom. Real difference for real people.” 

And you will feel better, his tender green eyes tell her. She already feels better. The earth, the rustle of leaves, water and his steady presence ground her. Baby steps are not so frustrating anymore. Finally she knows what she needs to do: go back to what she does best. Leading a law firm, fighting for clients she actually cares about. Finally she doesn’t feel so painfully alone.

She looks down at the calm water surface and muses. 

This is crazy how you start to think that a person you have mutual interests with understands you on a truly deep level, seeking his advice because you feel like drowning, only to realize later that he doesn't know you at all. And it makes sense, because he really doesn't.

And this is crazy how a person, you have so little in common with on a surface level, gets you better than anyone else in the world. It doesn't make sense at all, but it feels so right when you don't overthink it.

***

"Ouch!" Diane stumbles and almost falls but Kurt's strong hand supports her in time.  

"Are you alright, hon?" he asks gently caressing her side. Diane takes a deep breath trying to not lean too much onto him.

"I think I've twisted my ankle. I'll be alright in a minute."

"You need to sit down and rest for a bit…" Kurt looks around trying to find something suitable. Sadly, they are out in the wild and there are no benches. "What do you think about this nice looking rock?" 

Kurt helps Diane to reach the big flat rock he spotted and sit down. Then he takes three steps back, checks her out affectionately and pulls the smartphone out of his pocket. 

"You look like a princess who got lost in the woods."

"Yeah, seventy years old princess in leather pants", Diane answers sarcastically. 

"Princess SexyPantsass", Kurt says lightheartedly and gets a perfect shot of her laughing. This will be a nice addition to his growing collections of Diane's photos. 

When Kurt helps Diane to stand up again, his stomach grumbles loudly. 

"I think we should head to the picnic area. Maybe this place has a dark history, but I don't want my galant knight to starve!"

***

Kurt gives Diane a plate with a hot aromatic grilled cheese sandwich and two sausages on the side while she spoonfeeds him a pasta salad she made this morning. He feeds her grapes. She wipes her hands with a napkin and pats his knee. They clunk two beers and toast their trip. The silence they've immersed into now is comforting in all its cozyness. 

A gust of wind ruffles Kurt's hair, and Diane's fingertips tingle. He is relaxed, almost serene. He looks at her with such tenderness that her lips start tingling too. She brushes breadcrumbs from his mustache, lightly touching the upper lip with her pinkie. He smiles and kisses her fingers. She can't restrain herself anymore. One hand goes up his cheek and disappears in the thick silver hair. The other hand goes up his chest, then his neck. And they are kissing, and kissing, and kissing. Bottles fall clinking against each other. Diane silently prays for the bottles to be empty, but when they end the kiss she looks only at him. 

"Now I'm starved for something else", Kurt breathlessly murmurs in her ear, sending a tingling sensation down her spine. Diane is half turned on, half hyper-aware that they're in a public space. 

"I'm afraid we have to starve for this much longer, my love", she whispers, moving away from him. The look on his face when she says the last two words almost makes her cry. 

“Thank you for coming back to me.” She literally breathes the sentence out. Her guilty look adds: Despite me hurting your feelings again and again.

It is both an apology for how she had left things and gratitude for him finally being here for her, not on the phone with a despicable organization, not somewhere else.

“Thank you for choosing us again.” Kurt answers simply, his voice is breaking in the middle. 

Her brows form two slanting lines, her lips tremble. As though they both could go a different way. They almost did, but no, she couldn't, they couldn’t.

She just hugs him then. If she could melt into his soft flannel shirt, she would. His hands clutch so tightly on her back as if he is afraid she would disappear. 

The next moment an angry kid passes them muttering something about "gross adults". They break their embrace and laugh, probably making the kid even angrier. The unexpressed thought makes them laugh even louder. 

On the way back to the car they see a double rainbow. 

"Everything is gonna be alright", Diane thinks. Kurt opens a car door for her. Going back home doesn't seem so depressing anymore. 

_______________

The song in the edit: Love Will Keep Us Alive by Scorpions. 

Thank you @rexlockhart for organizing such a wonderful fandom event! 💗💗💗

[agirlandherquill]

Written In Smoke - The Letter Stained In Ink

this week's letter comes to you fresh off the high of finishing reading a book, which i'll be sure to ramble about a little later on so bear with me, a few things have happened this week so here goes!

A Glimpse Through Time - little bits about me and what I’ve been up to this week

the past few days at least have been a lot, a good lot don't get me wrong, but a lot, now here's what I've been up to

A great chunk of my Saturday afternoon comprised of watching F1 (slipping in another fact about me, i'm a big fan), watching the practice, then an F2 sprint and then the F1 Qualifying for the big race - and i'm so freaking happy because my two favourite drivers are in the top 3 positions for tomorrow (you can tell this is written mere minutes after watching the madness) - it's also pretty cool because the track for the UK's race isn't all that far from me, and I'm hoping to grab tickets for next season

While I was watching the incredible chaos of F1, I was also reading, bit more on that below, but the universe must love me because the race finished the same moment that I read the final sentence of my book - talk about timing

I BOOKED MY TRIP TO BATH - I'm so so excited to go and see the Jane Austen Centre and Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, issue is I have just over a week to read 4 more Jane Austen books (I've only read persuasion and pride and prejudice, both twice) and Frankenstein (this is my motivation to finally read it haha), but it'll be doable for sure

This absolute genius was 3 hours late (cough, attempting to renew at 2am, cough) returning library books, but the people at the library were so sweet and got rid of the 15p charge and renewed them for me instead - first, and hopefully only time I'm late with library books fingers crossed

Books - This week's been a bit more productive writing-wise, so I only had time to read one book this week, and I finished it today (saturday, incase I take too long to write the rest of this week's entry and send it off tomorrow instead, and let's be honest, it's likely) - You, by Caroline Kepnes, and I've seen the show many, many times, and the book was just as addictive, I'm thinking of reading the rest but that might be a plan for the future since my bookshelves and kindle library are begging me to read the books i own and have yet to read rather than buying more - I did however grab a copy of P.S I Love You in a charity shop and I can't believe it, it literally looks NEW, so I'm going to look forward to reading and watching the movie at some point - I'm also halfway through Love, Theoretically and I am OBSESSED, that and Love Hypothesis were the only books I was planning on reading by the author but now I'm not so sure, they're so GOOD

Shows/Movies - My. Lady. Jane. SPEECHLESS (as of writing this I'm only on episode 5, but I'm hoping to finish it this weekend) and I can't wait to devour the book when the tie-in edition comes out (this is one I NEED in paperback, sorry bookshelves), I also watched Empire Strikes Back this week and can I just say I'm more of a Leia and Han fan than I expected to be - they're so good

Music - us. by Gracie Abrams (this is one of very few of her songs that I know but it is so good to write with, on loop, or it was for the scene I was writing, but that's just what it's like being a writer I suppose, music changes with each scene and some songs fit better than most), Chlorine by TOP - my friends introduced me to them and this is probably my favourite song of theirs, and that's it for this little segment they're the two main songs I can think of

oh and I can include a slightly major adulting achievement - I voted for the first time this week, it was a strange, strange feeling but it happened - I'm not big on politics, not at all, so I won't say too much about it but the thought of crossing a box to decide a country's future is really funny to me, I could not tell you why, but it makes me laugh

Spills From The Ink-Pot - writing, writing, and more writing

this is England, it may be July but the skies sure do know how to pour - which means more time indoors for me writing (I do love writing outside, when it's not too cold, but the rain's brought a little bit of an anti-summer chill, shocker, so this week's been more of an indoors-y one for me)

The current draft of Ruin's Reprisal took a bit of a hammering, as did my keyboard - in the last 3 days alone I've written 6,000 (ish) words, which is a lot for me recently, and it's only going to be more still throughout the rest of this weekend - people ask me why I have a keyboard cover on my laptop, this is why, I hate the thought of wearing down the keys and leaving fingerprints on my screen when I shut my laptop- and with a keyboard cover none of that happens, and my keyboard survives just a little longer (pray for the poor thing, I know I am) - at the time of almost publishing this letter I'm now sitting at 12,000 words written by the end of the weekend (whoops)

Current Word Count is sitting at 212,525, but that's with me having edited up to halfway through Part Two, it's by no means a set number given the amount of chapters I still have to go through, but it's progress (and i love progress)

I'm thinking of making a checklist in these letters to encourage myself to do more writing things in the next week, so here's next week's goals:

Come up with Part Titles - I have Chapter ones, why not for Parts too?

I want to finish Part Two by next week - that's 5 chapters away, possibly doable?

Slightly bigger goal than just next week - I want to write a short story, or a story, maybe not so short, but I want to write start to finish over the summer (maybe it'll be a novella?), it's a challenge I'm setting for myself alongside writing Ruin's Reprisal, and it starts with the little snippet I released earlier this week - writing on a clueless whim becomes an actual, surprisingly good thing, who knew?

I have plenty to show you this time around dear reader, so here's a few snippets for you to sink your teeth into:

She grabbed his hand and pressed it over her bleeding thigh. “Do it. Heal me.” Fenley frowned. “Edeva-” “There’s no time. They’ll find us. I need you to do it.” His brows furrowed, he watched her carefully. “You’ll reject it, won’t you?” He’s figured it out, or he thinks he has. Either way, it doesn’t matter. “This Exilza will survive.” Fenley’s jaw tightened. “I’ll hurt you.” His eyes swept up from her leg to her face. She caught his stare, and she held it. “Then hurt me. I know you’ll make it right.” “…But I can’t.” She watched his throat bob up and down. He’s not willing to hurt me more before he heals me. Her fingers twitched by her sides. It’s going to take drastic measures to make him do it.  She reached up and slung her arm over his shoulders, drawing him in close, Fenley grunted in shock, she used his distraction to grab one of the knives from his coat, he jerked back, his mouth hanging open as she buried the blade in her thigh, close to her wound, and buried her face in his chest to muffle a cry of pain. She breathed deeply and braced herself to rip out his knife. She pressed it into his hands.  “Until I bleed out, my life is yours. Decide.”

This was not hunting, this was not defence, this was murder through and through.  Edeva had taken a life, and now the epithet hanging over her name was true. I am a murderer. Vanquisher. Slaughterer. Monster. She sank to her knees, clutching her head, as the names began to swirl, over and over until they blurred, becoming a perpetual scream in her mind, she could think, still she could not breathe, she could not move. The ground shook, the Oksa were coming for her. She did not look, she did not lift her chin from her chest, she remained still on her knees, succumbing to her fate, her punishment for what she had done. I deserve it. I took a life of theirs and they’ll take this life of mine. The darkness crept in, it took over her, numbing the world until all she could see was the dark, shrouding her like a cloak. Her heart stuttered in her chest. This was not death, this was Shael. “Edeva.” Fenley’s whisper forced her to lift her head. He was on his knees too, one hand on her shoulder. “What are you doing?” “Accepting.” She hadn’t the strength to say more, or the strength to look him in the eye, but he stopped her, he made her, his fingers grasped the hair at the nape of her neck and pulled back sharply enough to force her to meet his gaze. “There is nothing to accept and I will not see you give up, I will not see you submit, not to them. I will not stand around watch your neck break - I won’t,” His jaw clenched. “I won’t, and you won’t either.” The hand on her shoulder pushed roughly and she fell, she fell from the ethereal cloak of Shael and back to the world, back to the fighting. Where Oksa had been there were now smoking remains, such smoke wasn’t normal, and she realised it wasn’t. It was shadow. Whatever Fenley had done she was glad she hadn’t seen it, but he had done it to help her, to save her, to help her save herself - for just a little longer.  Something glinted to her right, it was her sword, sticking out of the dirt. Fenley. He wants me to fight. He wanted her to do the impossible. “I can’t.” She closed her eyes, her fingers curling in on themselves as her hand hung limply by her side. Vitaires do not fall. We stand. We stay standing.  Her Mama’s words had never been so loud in her mind. They were true, they were everything she needed, much like Fenley’s push. I am Edeva Vitarie and I will stand. She took her first breath, then another, I. Will. Stand.

and this next snippet comes from the short story i'm writing (alas yet to be given a title): “It isn’t very often someone gets away with saying no to me.” She startled at his voice. She turned to see him squatting atop a large bin, crammed against a wall, overflowing with rubbish, none of it seemed to bother him as he prowled over its lid and crept down to her level. Her fingers stilled against her laces. “Have I?” “Not quite.” “I should warn you I’m expected somewhere.” “This won’t take long, I came only to give you this.” She flinched at an envelope hitting her lap, she hadn’t felt him move, let alone seen it.  “If I open it, will it kill me?” “That envelope contains ink and paper, nothing more.” “Nothing less, either.” She mused, slipping the envelope into her coat. “Your stationery is what most would die for.” “Really? I thought I was using the cheaper stuff.” “Rich, are we?”  His laugh almost tempted one of hers. “Not quite. Save your questions for another night, I trust we’ll have one.” He sounds more self assured than the corporate suits that rule the city, is such a thing possible? She stood, laces tied, envelope secure, and hugged herself. The chill of the night had never been so clear to her as it was now.  “If I tell you no, again, will you seek me out?” “You sought me first, I only thought to return the favour.” Is that… A touch of defence? How interesting.  “Very well, I-” “I thought I’d lost you for a minute there, everything all right?” The Assistant’s voice cut through the alley, she turned around, putting on a reassuring smile. “I needed to tie my laces that’s all.” She took a few steps toward him, only glancing back as they went to turn back onto the street. The alley was empty, he was gone.  His letter seemed to weigh more in her pocket before, she placed a hand over it to steady it, and herself. My refusal paid off, he’s more interested than ever before. The more interest, the more willing he is to tell his story. He wanted another night, she sought out plenty more - and she would have them. She had him hooked, and she knew it. 

good grief this week's one is LATE (apologies dear reader, these past few days have been busy ones) but here you go! this week's letter is all typed up, compiled and heading your way!

~ A Girl and Her Quill

Tag List! (if you want to be notified when a WIS post comes out, interact with this post :) )

@lead-to-code @catwingsathena @nothoughtsjustmhaandotherthings @thestorywitch @lunaeuphternal

@theaistired @frostedlemonwriter

[runwayrunway]

Making a new year post while it's still technically old year in my timezone because I am, simply put, sleepy.

2023 has been a year. In terms of things that I have actually accomplished this year, Runway Runway is definitely the most significant, the one I'm proudest of, and the one I'm most excited to bring into 2024. I know that the new year is largely an arbitrary distinction (I literally have to go to work tomorrow morning like any other day) but I find it helpful to allow myself to buy into the idea of it being some sort of fresh start on the condition I don't fool myself into thinking it makes the last year go away. 2023 was a pretty bad year for me in a lot of ways, and for some reason it's always December specifically that doesn't let me catch a break, but the saving grace of it is that tomorrow it won't be December anymore.

Obviously, do not expect a post tomorrow. Probably not next week either because the fifth is my birthday and if I know myself I'll be making a sincere attempt to enjoy it by any means necessary. But my current estimate is that on Monday the 15th I'll be releasing a British Airways post, and from there I will probably continue with weekly Monday installments until I've caught my breath a bit and can increase the frequency. I have quite a few airlines I've been excited to review for probably months now, and I don't see myself getting less excited about any of them. And hopefully, now that I'm no longer going to be flattened by the experience of working winter holidays in a store which gets the majority of its revenue from people buying gifts for their family, I'll have a lot more time to look at pictures of airplanes.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who has followed this blog, read my posts, liked them, reblogged them, replied to them, sent asks, requested airlines, submitted pictures, and in any way given me incentive to write a self-indulgent blog which makes me very happy. Happy new year, and I hope you'll stick around to see me get to 1% the age of Finnair.

The only extant airline turning 100 in 2024 is Tajik Air, by the way, so expect to see that one at some point.

[gaiahypothesims]

276

Evelyn- <snickering> Omg, the ghost particles!! And then we ate the worst food from a chip shop because it was near the dry cleaners.

Isidore- Oh yes, I remember he talked about the rain ruining that sweater for so long.

Ashley- There's another one, that isn't a wardrobe review...

Isidore- Oh please, I've never seen these!

*******************************************************Home Video

Jonah- <sarcastically> Oh my god! I almost had a nibble. Only three hours in.

Evelyn- Stop it! I'm trying to take a video on how beautiful it is out here.

Jonah- You know that we live right ON the ocean? I don't know why we had to fly out to the mainland so that we can go camping and fishing at a lake, which if I might remind you, you don't even like to do normally.

Evelyn- You be quiet! We're having fun.

Jonah- Give me the phone and I'll film YOU having fun. Just pass it over.

<fumbling>

Evelyn- I'm trying! Just lean over and grab it!

Jonah- This dinghy is going to capsize! Why didn't you book us a proper boat?

<sounds of fumbling a thunk and then darkness>

Evelyn- Because this is fun Jonah! Ah I dropped it! Its wet down there. Do you think its broken?

Jonah- I got it. No its fine. Look there you are. So beautiful, so grimy and frustrated with how boring fishing is.

<Focuses on Evelyn looking cranky>

Evelyn- You know my Dad helped feed his family by fishing!

Jonah- Mmhmm, well I can help feed my family by buying us some lunch, preferably at a restaurant, preferably one that has a dress code.

Evelyn- If we can catch a fish then we can eat THAT for lunch. That's fresh, lake to table. I'll be that runs at least a few hundred in one of your restaurants. Besides I have an emergency lunch packed! Its hot dogs...

Jonah- Wieners... I think you mean wieners. God knows I know how much you love wieners Evelyn, but... this is too much. I feel sea sick.

Evelyn- We live on a fucking boat Jonah!

Jonah- <fake outrage> Ev! Language. My virgin ears... I think its safe to say all the fish have been scared off. Can we go back? If you're interested in wieners I brought a footlong sausage.

Evelyn- <angry sigh then mumbles> Vienna sausage maybe.

Jonah- <in background lauging> What did you say?

Evelyn- <shrill> You heard me! Turn that off! You ruined my video! Jonah I said stop, turn it off. I'm mad at you!

Jonah- <laughing harder> Don't be mad! We can stay out and fish. We can stay out all day and fish until we've caught them all. I brought us hats and sunscreen. We can fish until tomorrow.

Evelyn- Turn it off! I don't want you to film me anymore! I don't want there to be evidence of what I'm about to do to you!

Jonah- <snickering> Ooooh sounds sexy!

Evelyn- <yelling> SHUT IT OFF!

<Jonah laughing so hard until he snorts>

<video abruptly stops>

************************************************************************

<Evelyn, Isidore, and Ashley laughing uproariously>

[cookinguptales]

4, 12, 18, and 43 for the ask game :)

4. which cryptid being do you believe in?

Hmm. I wouldn't say there are any I full-heartedly believe in, but I believe that there are definitely animals out there that we don't understand yet. I think cryptozoology is kind of delightful because most conspiracy theories are just bigotry wearing a funny hat, but the heart of cryptozoology is usually that we are just overwhelmed by the sheer breadth and beauty of life in this world. We're always discovering new species, and there's so much hope in cryptozoology. Like the next one we find is going to be really, really cool. I hope one or two of them do turn out to be real, even if most of them are probably just fake stories or a real animal that looked weird for a minute.

I think, while I don't believe in Nessie specifically, I can buy that there's undersea life that is gonna rock our fucking worlds when we find it.

12. what kind of day is it?

It's... a healing day, maybe. I've had a pretty shitty month, if I'm being honest with you, but I feel like today I'm doing my best to forgive myself for not fulfilling the potential of what it could have been. I've been in pain and I've been sick and it's okay to miss things because of that. I can try again tomorrow. I'll be okay. And in the meantime, my friends are very nice to me.

18. what hair products do you use?

mmmm okay look my one vanity is going to get my hair done every couple months. I do not know what Brent puts in my hair, but I always come out looking fresh to fucking death. I don't even tell him what color to make it anymore. I just wander in and start talking about greek mythology and three hours later I'm blue again. he usually makes it more teal in the summer and more purple in the winter, but I just leave that shit up to him these days.

and the nicest thing about having bright blue hair, bar none, is the fact that I can get away with doing absolutely nothing to it. I wash it with drugstore shampoo (usually herbal essences color me happy) and use the matching conditioner to get the knots out and that's. it.

sometimes I brush it. sometimes I don't even brush it. sometimes I just put it back in a bun or a ponytail and people still tell me how much they love my hair.

it is the perfect solution for a lazy/disabled person.

43. what's your take on spicy foods?

I gave spicy foods a bad rap for many years, tbh. I realized about a decade ago, though, that it isn't that I don't like spicy foods; I just don't like vinegar. so I never enjoyed a lot of the vinegar-based hot sauces, but I'll enjoy like. thai curry or hatch chile burgers or whatever.

I don't have the best spice tolerance, but I like some. for a long time, I always thought I was a stereotypically weak-stomached white person with indian food because I always got sick even when I ate mild stuff like samosas. (which are my favorite.)

the actual truth is that I'm fucking allergic to mangoes, and amchur (dried green mango powder) is in a lot of indian spice mixes. so I wasn't having stomach problems because of the spice levels, I was having stomach problems because I was microdosing an allergen.

samosas are actually one of the worst offenders. ;;

so anyway, I guess spicy foods are fine. but vinegar and mangoes can get fucked.

[nancypullen]

Thursday

Howdy do. It's Thursday here in Dullsville and I've decided to go full steam ahead with fall decor. Why not? Just gonna' do what makes me happy and maybe Mother Nature will see it and usher in some true autumn weather. We've had some really pleasant days lately, it was actually FIFTY degrees on Tuesday morning! I think our high today is 76 which is just fine with me. A little rain wouldn't hurt, but I feel like that's asking too much. I'll just be content that the brutal summer heat seems to have moved on. So....FALL! Remember the candlesticks I was going to paint and distress? I'm building a centerpiece around them, not sure where it's headed yet but I like the before and after.

That's the dollar store pumpkin I covered with napkins, and the little $1 pumpkin stack got some fresh paint. Easy and cheap! Tonight I'm headed to The Foundry for a mosaic class. I've taken these mosaic classes a couple of times before, it's pretty straight forward - you're basically just paying to use the supplies. She always has boxes of tile, glass, china, and of course the nippers to cut it all. The instructor is super sweet, so it'll be fun to create and chat. Tonight's class will make a 14x5 house number or welcome sign. This is the example given.

I plan to make a house number with a Halloween vibe. Our house number is 504, so I can make the 5 and 4 with black tiles and make the 0 an orange pumpkin. We'll see if that works. I've never been able to get to the grouting stage in class. I always have a big plan and not enough time. I'm keeping it simple for this project, so maybe tonight is the night I finish!

Tomorrow I'm scheduled for a COVID shot at 10am. I also have a 1pm plant pick up at the arboretum. Every spring and fall they have a big native plant sale and I always buy a couple of things to support them. This fall I'm just getting some rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) and some blue mistflower.

It's supposed to attract bees and butterflies, crossing my fingers but not counting on it. In a quest to lure more wildlife to our yard we added yet another bird feeder. This one clamps onto the railing of the back porch and allows us to watch the birdies from the sofa. The cats are loving it too. It's been nice enough to have windows and doors open lately, so Phoebe is on duty.

Of course, the squirrels found it right away. They never miss a snack. I zoomed in with my phone to snap that from the living room.

This one too - Phoebe had him in her crosshairs.

I think a birdfeeder is better than tv. The sounds are certainly more enjoyable. The new feeder is covered in finches every day now and with the windows open it's lovely to hear their chatter. They sound like they're terrible gossips. A Caroline Wren entertained us yesterday afternoon, they have such pretty songs. Yep, that's who I am now, a crazy cat lady who looks forward to meeting new birds. I own it. I've been reading about people who develop relationships with crows, trading trinkets and stuff like that, and I've never wanted anything more in my life. When I drive between Denton and Easton (which I have to do for just about anything) and I see a crow near a corn field I want to roll down my window and scream, "Come to my house, I'll give you stuff!" Crows remember faces (so do hummingbirds!) so maybe one will land in the backyard soon and recognize me from the road. This is all normal to think about, right? Alright, time for me to go beat my hair into submission, then throw something together for Mickey to eat while I go glue mosaic tiles to a board in hopes of having a little fun. The class is 5:30 to 7:30 and I'm usually the only person who stays to help clean up, so I may be out until 8 o'clock!

Sending out tons of love, take what you need and pass it on. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[maya-matlin]

Happy 'perfect excuse to eat too much chocolate for those of us who are single' day! How do you see each of these Degrassi couples (some of whom are only endgame in our imagination, but whatever!) celebrating Valentine's Day:

Sellie (maybe a creepy horror movie marathon lol)

Zaya (something involving music?!)

Drianca

Jonnor (you know romantic, self-described "cheesy" Jenna would be TOTALLY into Valentine's Day, and Connor would try to make it rally special in his own endearingly awkward way!)

Paige and...whoever we're shipping her with these days. I just think Paige would be having a "fabulous" Valentine's Day :)

Right?? Sadly, I don't have any chocolate. Life is unfair. Hopefully I can get some tomorrow.

Fun, I'll do my best to answer.

1.) Sellie.. they don't strike me as particularly romantic people. Whatever they did would be very low key. Probably a romantic dinner at home followed by watching a movie both of them like. Nothing overly romantic, of course. Or, maybe a little bit of dancing if they're in that sort of mood? Sean definitely surprises Ellie with flowers or something she secretly likes, though. Also, in my mind, Sean and Ellie have at least one kid by now. So they probably arranged for Marco, Jay/Manny, or some other trustworthy person to babysit until the next morning.

2.) So first things first, this was Zaya's first Valentine's Day as an engaged couple. Don't ask me why I've decided that, but in my mind they got engaged on New Year's Day after coming home early from a party. They'd talked about marriage and both were on the same page regarding feeling ready to take the next step. Maya also made it clear she doesn't want a public proposal, so that means no ring hidden in champagne glasses or proposals in flashing lights. So Zig decided to surprise Maya with lit candles and flower petals (orchids - Maya's favorite) at their apartment. He 100% ripped these up personally because he didn't know you could buy fresh flower petals. For Valentine's Day, I definitely see them doing something music related. Both did their best to get the night off work so they could spend the holiday together. I imagine they listened to live music and possibly spent some time at the beach before heading home to finish the night together.

3.) Drew and Bianca are definitely the going out type. Bianca wants to dance and what Bianca wants, Bianca gets. Drew's just along for the ride, but he also enjoys partying on occasion. Of course, then they'd slip away and have a private, more intimate moment elsewhere. Maybe dessert at a café or something.

4.) You're absolutely right. Jenna would LOVE Valentine's Day, and Connor would do his best to go bigger and more romantic every year. I feel like they'd have Valentine's dates involving things like hot air balloon rides, stargazing, seeing Broadway shows, etc. It's never the same thing. Connor plans these things out at least a year in advance. For some reason, I feel like they went on a romantic getaway to someplace like Madrid this year.

5.) Paige is kind of difficult because she seems sort of generic. She wants the cliché things everyone wants. Treat her to a good meal, gift her nice jewelry and maybe bring some flowers, chocolates and possibly stuffed animals, and she's a happy woman. But at the same time, Paige can be romantic and would love to be completely swept off her feet in some way. If her partner, whether it be Spinner, Alex, or someone else (and I lean towards it being someone else) surprised her with something totally unique yet sweet, she'd be very happy.