#Stainless Steel Heat Plate For Browning

[communist-hatsunemiku]

i cook my dinners for an audience at least that's what i'd like to do lately it's me and my irrelevance garnished with hopeless love for you

i cut these onions 'til i cry sear my heart on every side golden brown and lightly fried i just don't know what i'm to do with this meal i made for two… unless i cook for you!

i made a home-cooked meal full of everything i feel and i send my love through the searing stainless steel i hope you feel the heat 'cause you're everything to me have this shrimp fried rice no more talking, lets just eat!

you cook your dinners with no elegance nothing pretty, just some food that might be why you're such a pessimist every day its plain white rice and chicken breast with protein powder, it's PETULANT!!!!!!!

sous vide it slowly for a day while the lonely hours away watch those colors turn to grey wouldn't your dinner feel complete with some savory and sweet? just come and cook with me!

i made a home-cooked meal full of everything i feel and i send my love through the searing stainless steel i hope you come and eat 'cause it's such a tasty treat have this shrimp fried rice grab a plate and take a seat!

OHHHHH SHRIMP MIKU IN THE PLACE TO BE YOU WANT A SHRIMP FAJITA OR A SHRIMP SCAMPI I GOT THIRTY NINE METHODS TO PREPARE SEAFOOD AND I'D MAKE UP A MILLION MORE FOR YOU YOU MAKE MY HEART BEAT WILD AND FREE NOW I'M SEEING COLORS THAT I CAN'T PERCEIVE BABY DON'T BACK DOWN, TAKE A CHANCE ON ME AND NO I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR SHELLFISH ALLERGY

I DON'T CARE YOU'RE GONNA EAT THIS FRIED RICE I MADE FOR YOU OR… OR THERE'S GONNA BE PROBLEMS YOU HEAR ME?

i made a home-cooked meal full of everything i feel and i send my love through the searing stainless steel i hope you feel the heat 'cause you're everything to me have this shrimp fried rice no more talking, lets just eat!

[z0urcherri]

🥟 Caramelized Onion Pierogi with Parmesan Sauce 20-25 minutes | Serves 1-2 3-6 pieces frozen pierogi (cheese or onion filling) 1-2 tbsp chopped onion 3-6 tsp grated Parmesan cheese Black pepper Milk 1-1/2 stick butter, cut up 1/4 cup softened room-temperature plain cream cheese

1. Spray a stainless steel skillet with cooking spray. Turn fire on to medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until browned, about 10-12 minutes. Lower heat if turning dark too quickly. Add a pat of butter to melt.

2. Add pierogi and cook, covered, 5-7 minutes on each side. Check doneness by pressing gently down on pierogi with the back of a utensil-it should give slightly. If still too firm, continue cooking until softened. If necessary, add an additional pat of butter.

3. Transfer cooked pierogi from skillet to paper-towel lined plate, and set fire to low. Add parmesan to skillet, stirring until melted, 2-3 minutes. Add cream cheese and pepper and stir until combined. Stir in as much milk as necessary to reach desired consistency, and heat until thickened. Pour sauce over pierogi and serve.

[roift]

pasta alla vodka

this was taught to me by a dear friend whose skill i aspire to one day match. we are both college students and have found this to be a quick, cheap, simple, and amazing dish every time. ive used it to impress friends, family, and my partner.

no real measurements. use your heart (and intuition).

ingredients:

- 1 yellow or white onion

- 1 8oz can or tube of tomato paste

- heavy cream or half & half

- vodka (white wine works in a pinch)

- fresh parmesan (not the pre-grated stuff)

- however many cloves of garlic your heart desires

- crushed red pepper flake

- fresh basil

- salt & pepper

- olive oil

- whatever kind of pasta you want, but my favorite for this recipe is penne. spaghetti works great too.

- reserved pasta water

- this recipe works best with a stainless steel or aluminum pan but a nonstick skillet will work just fine

directions:

the pasta

follow the instructions on the package for your chosen pasta.

remember to salt your pasta water like you would a well-seasoned soup.

DO NOT FORGET to drain some of the pasta water into a measuring cup!! you'll need it for the sauce.

the sauce should come together pretty quickly while the pasta cooks. ideally your pasta should be done cooking by the time you add the tomato paste to the sauce. i'd recommend throwing your pasta in to cook when you start dicing the onions for the sauce.

the sauce

dice your onion into small pieces

crush or mince your garlic

chiffonade (stack leaves into one big leaf like russian dolls and then roll into a bundle, then cut into strips) your basil

heat pan over medium heat

add about a tablespoon of olive oil and heat. you'll know it's hot enough when it starts sliding around the pan like water.

sauté onions until soft and translucent, add your garlic and red pepper flake once the onions are about halfway cooked.

season with salt and pepper. be generous.

once the garlic has a little color and has become fragrant, add in your tomato paste and stir it around the pan, incorporating the onions and garlic into it. it should form like a tomato-onion-garlic-blob.

allow this to cook and dry out a bit, letting it caramelize in the pan. if using a stainless steel or aluminum pan, look for brown bits of fond sticking to the bottom of the pan.

add your vodka, just enough to loosen up the tomato-blob into a more easily workable consistency.

immediately scrape up that brown fond in the bottom of the pan as soon as you add the vodka.

if you timed everything right, by now your pasta should be done and you should have some pasta water reserved. add pasta water until just before your desired sauce consistency.

add your heavy cream and half and half until you get your desired sauce consistency and stir until the sauce turns a beautiful iconic orange color.

grate in fresh parmesan cheese to emulsify into the sauce

add your pasta to the sauce

add about 3/4 of the chiffonade basil

stir to combine everything

serve in a bowl or on a plate (or just on the bare table, see if i care), grate extra parmesan cheese over top, then add a few cracks of black pepper if you feel like it. garnish with leftover strips of basil. enjoy.

[inverse-muses]

*Throws a 🔥 at you* "Talk about... food, I guess. Get as petty as you possibly can."

Cooking steaks on the grill is severely overrated. At the very least, cooking good steaks on the grill are overrated.

Now if you got some cheap sirloin steaks for a cook out that c'est la vie, have at'er, but for the love of god at least add some wood chips to enhance the flavor.

In the pan, either cast iron or stainless steel, is the absolute best way to go.

Here's a bonus: inverse-mun's steak guide:

Get yourself a good new york strip, ribeye, or any steak cut of choice. Works for sirloin too, doesn't always have to be a pricy cut ( though I do prefer sirloin for steak sandwiches, fajitas, or ramen )

Let that baby sit in the fridge for a couple of days after you get it, or even freeze it in a vaccuum seal bag if you can. Not necessary, but this ages the meat.

Take it out about an hour before you plan to cook it. Let it come up to room temp. Lets the meat relax before cooking.

Get a good steak seasoning. Ideally it should look like someone through salt, pepper, and some herbs in a bottle. It it looks too colorful, throw it out. Or just use salt, pepper, and garlic power. Sprinkle it on, pat it in.

Heat up some oil in a pan. Get it at a good medium-high heat. Oil should be just starting to smoke.

Put in your steak. Sear on one side and flip. Should be a nice, dark brown. Turn the heat down to medium, throw in some butter, rosemary (optional), and cracked garlic cloves ( not optional ).

As the butter melts, use a long-handled spoon to baste the steak in the juices; tilting the pan so that all the butter and juices collect on one side to make it easier.

Once the pan has cooled down enough that the butter isn't burning, cover it and let it cook for a little bit.

USE A MEAT THERMOMETER.

Check it ever so often until the internal temperature is 135F

Take the steak out, leave it rest on a plate for a couple of minutes. The heat will regulate throughout the steak and should leave you at ~145F which is PERFECT medium-rare.

While waiting for it to rest, throw some asparagus in the pan and cook it in the drippings.

There. You have a perfect steak.

[atplblog]

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[recipeclips]

Bill granger's ricotta pancakes recipe

Food and Wine: 4 servings. A reviewer said it too wet. Ingredients - HONEYCOMB BUTTER 1 cup honeycomb toffee pieces 1/2 cup unsalted butter (4 ounce), softened 1 Tbsp honey 1/4 tsp kosher salt Ingredients - HOTCAKES 1 2/3 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese (about 13 3/4 oz/ 152g) (such as Galbani) 1 cup whole milk 5 large eggs, separated 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 3/8 ounces / 390g) 1 1/4 tsp baking powder 1 tsp kosher salt Unsalted butter, for greasing griddle 2 large bananas, sliced 1 cup crushed honeycomb toffee Directions - Make the honeycomb butter Process toffee pieces in a food processor until very finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add butter, honey, and salt. Process until blended, about 30 seconds. Transfer butter mixture to a large sheet of plastic wrap, and roll into a 5-inch-long, about 1 1/2-inch-wide log. Chill at least 2 hours or up to 2 weeks. Directions - Make the hotcakes Whisk together ricotta, milk, and egg yolks in a medium bowl. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk ricotta mixture into flour mixture until combined. Beat egg whites at medium speed with a mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold beaten egg whites into ricotta mixture in 2 batches until just combined. Heat an electric griddle to 375°F or a large stainless steel skillet over medium-low. Lightly grease with butter. Working in batches, spoon 1/3 cup batter per pancake onto griddle. Cook until tops are speckled with bubbles and sides look set, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes; remove pancakes. Wipe griddle; repeat with remaining batter. To serve, divide hotcakes into 4 stacks; top each stack of hotcakes with 1/2 cup banana slices, 2 honeycomb butter slices, and 1/4 cup crushed honeycomb toffee.

Delicious.com.au : ? servings

INGREDIENTS 1 1/3 cups (320g) fresh ricotta, drained, crumbled 3/4 cup (180ml) milk 4 large eggs, at room temperature, separated 1 cup (150g) plain flour = APF 1 tsp baking powder Unsalted butter, to cook 2 bananas, sliced lengthways, to serve Whipped cream and runny honey, to serve HONEYCOMB BUTTER 250g unsalted butter, softened 60g honeycomb, finely crushed 2 tbs runny honey

METHOD 1.For the honeycomb butter, place all ingredients in a food processor and whiz until smooth. Shape into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours (see note). 2.Place ricotta, milk and egg yolks in a bowl and mix to combine. Sift the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a separate bowl. Add ricotta mixture and whisk until just combined. Place egg whites in a clean dry bowl and whisk to stiff peaks. In 2 batches, fold egg whites through ricotta mixture using a large metal spoon. 3.Lightly grease a large non-stick frypan with a small portion of butter. Working in batches (don’t cook more than 2-3 pancakes per batch) add 1/4 cup batter to the pan. Cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Repeat process until you have 16 pancakes total. 4.To assemble, stack pancakes on top of each other, layering with slices of honeycomb butter and banana as you go. Serve topped with whipped cream and honey drizzled over.

[cagemasterfantasy]

Laumberry Pie

Makes 4 5-inch pies

Ingredients: 2 Frozen piecrusts (for 1 double-crust pie), thawed according to the package directions until cooler than room temperature and pliable, 7 Cups mixed fresh blackberries and blueberries, rinsed and very gently dried with paper towels, 1/2 to 2/3 Cup granulated sugar (depending on the berries sweetness), 3 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch, 1/4 Teaspoon kosher salt, 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/3 Cup apple or Red currant jelly, 1 Cup fresh raspberries, rinsed and very gently dried with paper towels

On a floured work surface or sheet of parchment paper, roll out 1 of the piecrusts into an oval 14 inches long and 7 inches wide. Cut out 2 7-inch circles of dough and fit each into individual 5-inch pie plates. Fold under any overhanging dough to be even with the edge of the rim. Place your thumb and index finger on the folded edge of crust and press between them with the index finger of your other hand. Work your way around the crust in this manner to create a decorative wavy rim. Repeat with the second piecrust. Cover the dough-lined plates with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

With a rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350.

Place the partially frozen dough-lined plates on a rimmed baking sheet. Line the doughs with aluminum foil, and fill with pie weights, making sure there are enough to reach most of the way up the sides.

Bake the crusts until the edges are set and just beginning to turn golden, 25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. Carefully remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crusts are light golden brown and crisp, 12 minutes, again rotating the baking sheet halfway through (cover the edges of the crusts with foil if they begin to darken too much). Transfer the piecrusts to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.

Place 2 cups of the mixed blackberries and blueberries in a medium bowl and set aside.

In a food processor, puree the remaining 5 cups mixed blackberries and blueberries until broken down and smooth, 1 minute. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium nonreactive saucepan (such as stainless steel), scraping and pressing on the solids to extract as much puree as possible, and scraping the puree off the bottom of the strainer into the saucepan. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and salt and whisk to incorporate; then whisk that mixture into the berry puree. Taste and add the remaining sugar, if necessary.

Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the berry mixture to a strong simmer, stirring and scraping the pan bottom constantly. Cook until the mixture is thickened and pudding-like and bubbles start to break the surface, 20 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the lemon juice and vanilla and whisk to combine. Let the puree cool slightly.

Meanwhile in a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the apple juice until runny, stirring to smooth out lumps. Drizzle the melted jelly over the reserved blackberries and blueberries and toss gently to coat. Add the raspberries and toss very gently to coat and mix with the other berries.

Scrape 1/4 of the slightly cooked berry puree into each cooled piecrust, and top each with 3/4 cup of the glazed fresh berries. Loosely cover the pies with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled and the puree has set, 3 hours and up to 1 day, before serving.

Note: You'll need 4 5-inch pie plates.

Source: Flavors of the Multiverse

[pifindsfood]

Shepherd's Pie Two Ways (Standard and Gluten +Dairy Free at Bottom)

https://basicswithbabish.co/basicsepisodes/shepherdspie

https://blog.debbiemacomber.com/shepherds-pie/

Standard Pie

Serves: 2 for 2 meals

Ingredients

Mashed potatoes

3lbs Yukon Gold potatoes

1/4 cup unsalted butter

½ cup chives

Kosher salt

White pepper or regular pepper

SAVE YOUR STARCH WATER

2 egg yolks (optional)

For the stew

1/2 large onion, minced

4 medium carrots, minched

Rosemary sprigs

Thyme sprigs

3 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed)

1lb ground lamb (or ground beef, or pork and beef mix with pancetta)

Tomato paste

1-1 ½ Tbsp flour

1 cup bone broth

Worcestershire sauce or allium vinegar sauce (Acid League)

Peas (fresh or frozen)

1/2 puck frozen Red Wine Demi-Glace (optional)

Instructions

Mashed Potatoes

Start by peeling and cutting 3 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes in half (for faster pie, leave skin on). Put them in a large sauce pot and cover with salted, cold water. 

Boil for about 20 minutes, or until a paring knife cuts through with no resistance. Drain, reserving starch water, and place back in the warm pot. 

Place over medium-low heat, stir around and cook gently for about 1 minute. 

Kill the heat and add ½ cup chives (optional). Transfer to plastic bowl.

Using a masher, fork or potato ricer, mash everything together. Add kosher salt and white pepper to season. 

Optional that I have never tried: Add 2 egg yolks to the now-kind-of-cooled-down potatoes and giving it one more mix and mash.

Meat Stew and Peas

Start by finely mincing half a large onion and 3-4 medium carrots. Chop a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme and crush the garlic. 

In a lightly oiled and preheated stainless steel pan, place 1 pound of ground lamb (or ground beef if you prefer). Break it up in the pan until brown. Drain any excess fat, but leave 2-3 Tbsp in the pan.

Add the finely minced onion and saute for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent around the edges. Add the carrots and saute them for 2-3 minutes.

Make a hole in the middle of the pan and add the crushed garlic and tomato paste. 

Mix together and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped rosemary and thyme and stir.

To make the sauce, add 1 Tbsp flour to the mixture and mix until the raw flour smell is gone and a fond has formed on the bottom of the pot (about 2-3 minutes). 

Deglaze with 1 cup beef’s broth. Make sure to scrape up all the fond at the bottom while mixing. Add a few dashes of sauce. Optional: now is when you can add 1/2 puck of frozen demi-glace if you have it. See Bone Broth for the demi-glace recipe.

Cook and mix together until thick. When you drag a spoon through the mixture, it should leave a trail.  

In a separate pot, cook up some fresh peas. Frozen peas work just as fine and better, and do not need to be cooked. Set aside for pie assembly.

Shepherd’s Pie Assembly

Spoon the stew mixture onto a baking dish. Top with cooked peas. Lastly, top with the mashed potatoes. You can use a pastry bag or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.

Even out the potatoes with an offset spatula. Use a fork to rough it up to make sure there are enough nooks and crannies that will brown and get crispy. 

Set the pie plate on a sheet of parchment paper set in a rimmed baking sheet. Place in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. . You can also broil it the last 2-3 minutes for extra brown and crispy.

Gluten Free / Dairy Free Pie

Serves: 2 for 2 meals

Ingredients

Mashed potatoes

3lbs Yukon Gold potatoes

1/4 cup unsalted plant butter (coconut/cashew)

½ cup chives

Kosher salt

White pepper or regular pepper

SAVE YOUR STARCH WATER

Optional 1 egg yollk

Optional 1/4 cup cashew, roughly chopped

For the stew

1/2 large onion, minced

4 medium carrots, minched

Rosemary sprigs

Thyme sprigs

3 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed)

1lb ground lamb (or ground beef, or pork and beef mix with pancetta)

Tomato paste

1 ½-2 tsp tapioca flour and 1 tsp corn starch

1 cup bone broth

Worcestershire sauce or allium vinegar sauce (Acid League)

Peas (fresh or frozen)

1/2 puck frozen Red Wine Demi-Glace (optional)

Instructions

Mashed Potatoes

Start by peeling and cutting 3 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes in half (for faster pie, leave skin on). Put them in a large sauce pot and cover with salted, cold water. 

Boil for about 20 minutes, or until a paring knife cuts through with no resistance. Drain, reserving starch water, and place in plastic bowl. Let air dry for 5 minutes or so. 

Kill the heat and add ½ cup chives (optional). Transfer to plastic bowl.

Using a masher, fork or potato ricer, mash everything together. Add kosher salt and white pepper to season. 

Optional that I have never tried: Add 1 egg yolk to the now-kind-of-cooled-down potatoes and giving it one more mix and mash.

Meat Stew and Peas

Start by finely mincing half a large onion and 3-4 medium carrots. Chop a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme and crush the garlic. 

In a lightly oiled and preheated stainless steel pan, place 1 pound of ground lamb (or ground beef if you prefer). Break it up in the pan until brown. Drain any excess fat, but leave 2-3 Tbsp in the pan.

Add the finely minced onion and saute for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent around the edges. Add the carrots and saute them for 2-3 minutes.

Make a hole in the middle of the pan and add the crushed garlic and tomato paste. 

Mix together and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped rosemary and thyme and stir.

To make the sauce, add 0.5 tsp tapioca flour and 1 tsp corn starch to the mixture until mixture thickens appropriately and a fond has formed on the bottom of the pot (about 2-3 minutes). 

Deglaze with 1 cup beef’s broth. Make sure to scrape up all the fond at the bottom while mixing. Add a few dashes of sauce. Optional: now is when you can add 1/2 puck of frozen demi-glace if you have it. See Bone Broth for the demi-glace recipe.

Add remaining tapioca starch (1.5 tsp) to thicken mixture.

Cook and mix together until thick. When you drag a spoon through the mixture, it should leave a trail.  Turn off heat.

Add in chopped cashews, which will cook as the pie bakes later.

In a separate pot, cook up some fresh peas. Frozen peas work just as fine and better, and do not need to be cooked. Set aside for pie assembly.

Shepherd’s Pie Assembly

Spoon the stew mixture onto a baking dish. Top with cooked peas. Lastly, top with the mashed potatoes. You can use a spoon or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off to pipe it for a more even application.

Even out the potatoes with an offset spatula. Use a fork to rough it up to make sure there are enough nooks and crannies that will brown and get crispy. 

Set the pie plate on a sheet of parchment paper set in a rimmed baking sheet. Place in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. . You can also broil it the last 2-3 minutes for extra brown and crispy.

[microwave-of-doom]

Microwave Safety PSA

Since I have seen a lot of posts involving put non-microwave safe things in the microwave, I want to provide a general guide as to what is and is not safe to microwave.

this info comes from Whirlpool but can be applied to other brands. As always please check with your own microwave's manufacturer for more specific questions.

What can you microwave? 

Glass and ceramics

Glass and ceramic dishware are usually safe for microwave use, but there are exceptions like crystal and some handmade pottery. When it comes to glass or ceramic plates, bowls, cups, mugs, mixing bowls or bakeware, you should be in the clear as long as it doesn’t feature metallic paint or inlays.

Plastic, including Tupperware

While some plastic containers are safe for use in the microwave, there are a few you should avoid. Single-use plastics like those used for yogurt, cottage cheese and other foods should never be microwaved. The same rule applies to plastic to-go containers that don’t clearly state that it is microwave-safe. Similarly, do not use cracked, old or discolored plastic containers. Plastic containers meant for longer-term use, such as Tupperware, are generally best for microwave use.

Paper plates

Plain paper plates can be microwaved, but some disposable tableware are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Before you microwave a paper plate or bowl, be sure that it’s clearly marked as microwave-safe.

Paper towels

Most paper towels are microwave-safe. In fact, you can use a paper towel to cover some foods so they don’t spit during cooking or reheating. If you do use a paper towel while microwaving, it’s best to use shorter intervals so you can check both the food and the paper more frequently. Recycled paper towels, paper towels with printing, paper lids and brown paper bags should not be used as they pose a potential safety hazard.

Ziploc bags

According to Ziploc, their food storage bags are safe for defrosting or reheating foods in microwaves, “when label directions are followed.” If you prefer a different bag storage brand, confirm that they are microwave-safe and follow any and all directions. If you aren’t sure what type of bag you’re using or don’t have access to the directions, play it safe and keep the bag out of the microwave.

What can’t you put in the microwave?

Styrofoam

Some types of Styrofoam are safe to microwave, but they must be labeled as such. If you don’t see a microwave-safe label or aren’t sure what type of Styrofoam you’re using, it’s best to keep it out of the microwave.

Cardboard

If you can microwave paper plates and towels, can you do the same with cardboard? Both are paper products, after all. Unfortunately, cardboard can contain glues, waxes and other materials that can make it a safety hazard in the microwave. Some cardboard takeout boxes even have metal handles or fasteners that can cause sparks and present a fire hazard. Keep your microwave (and your family) safe by removing food from cardboard containers and placing them on microwaveable plates or in microwave-safe bowls.

Metals including stainless steel and aluminum foil

Anything made of or containing steel, iron, copper or other hard metals should never go in your microwave. Metal surfaces reflect microwaves, which increases the heat inside the appliance and could lead to a fire. If you’re storing leftovers in a metal container, remove the food and place it in a microwave-safe container instead. 

When it comes to aluminum foil, things can get tricky. Technically foil can be microwaved, but its surface needs to stay as flat as possible. Wrinkles or crumpled foil can cause “arcing”—that is, it can cause electric sparks to shoot across the surface of the foil, potentially damaging your microwave or causing a fire. In addition, food wrapped in aluminum foil may not cook or reheat properly in the microwave—the foil will reflect the radio waves instead. Each microwave is different, learn more about how a microwave works or consult your owner’s manual to determine if aluminum foil is safe. And when in doubt, avoid placing any kind of metal in your microwave.

[enamwebsolution]

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Ruti Maker for Your Kitchen

A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Ruti Maker for Your Kitchen

What is a Ruti Maker?

Rutis, also known as Indian flatbreads, are a staple in many households. They're delicious and versatile, but making them can be time-consuming and challenging. That's where a ruti maker comes into play. A ruti maker, also known as a chapati maker or flatbread maker, is a kitchen appliance designed to simplify the process of rolling and cooking rutis. This handy device is a game-changer for those who love homemade rutis but want to save time and effort in the kitchen.

Why Should You Consider Getting One?

If you're still rolling out rutis by hand and cooking them on a hot griddle, you might wonder why you should invest in a ruti maker. Well, the benefits are numerous. Ruti makers are efficient, consistent, and produce perfectly round and evenly cooked rutis every time. They also save you the hassle of standing over a hot stove for extended periods. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, a ruti maker can make your life easier and ensure that you serve delicious, restaurant-quality rutis to your family.

Understanding the Types of Ruti Makers

Ruti makers come in two main types: electric and manual. Let's explore the differences and considerations for choosing between the two.

Electric Ruti Makers

Electric ruti makers are the most popular choice. They come with heating elements that quickly cook the rutis on both sides. These machines are user-friendly and typically have temperature control features, ensuring that your rutis are perfectly cooked each time. Electric ruti makers are a must-have for those looking for convenience and efficiency in the kitchen.

Manual Ruti Makers

Manual ruti makers, on the other hand, require you to apply pressure manually to cook the rutis. They are a more traditional approach and may take a bit more practice to master. However, they are budget-friendly and ideal for those who prefer a hands-on cooking experience.

Considerations for Choosing Between the Two

When deciding between electric and manual ruti makers, think about your priorities. Electric ruti makers are a breeze to use but come at a higher price point. Manual ruti makers require some skill and effort but are budget-friendly. Your choice will depend on your cooking style and preferences.

Key Features to Look for in a Ruti Maker

To choose the perfect ruti maker for your kitchen, consider the following key features:

Heating Element Quality

The heating element is the heart of your ruti maker. Look for models with high-quality, non-stick heating plates that distribute heat evenly. This ensures that your rutis cook uniformly without sticking to the plates.

Non-Stick Surface

A non-stick surface is a must to prevent your rutis from sticking and tearing. It also makes cleaning a breeze. Look for ruti makers with durable and easy-to-clean non-stick coatings.

Size and Shape of Plates

The size and shape of the plates determine the size and shape of your rutis. Choose a ruti maker that matches your preferences, whether you prefer large, thin rutis or smaller, thicker ones.

Temperature Control

If you opt for an electric ruti maker, ensure it has adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to customize the cooking temperature for different types of flatbreads and achieve the desired level of browning.

Safety Features

Safety should always be a priority. Look for safety features like heat-resistant handles, power indicators, and automatic shut-off functions to prevent accidents in the kitchen.

Material and Build Quality

Stainless Steel vs. Non-Stick Coating

When it comes to the material, both stainless steel and non-stick coatings have their advantages. Stainless steel ruti makers are durable and long-lasting, while non-stick coatings are easier to clean and maintain.

Durability and Longevity

Consider the long-term durability of your ruti maker. Investing in a high-quality, sturdy machine will ensure it serves you well for years to come.

Size and Portability

Choosing the Right Size for Your Kitchen

Ruti makers come in various sizes. Ensure you have enough counter space to accommodate the size of the machine you choose. Compact models are great for smaller kitchens.

Portability and Storage

If space is a concern, opt for a ruti maker that is easy to store when not in use. Some models have a vertical storage design to save space in your kitchen.

Ease of Use and Maintenance

User-Friendly Controls

Look for a ruti maker with simple and user-friendly controls. This system ought to offer a user-friendly and intuitive experience, ensuring that even novices can easily grasp and navigate its functions.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your ruti maker is essential to its longevity. Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, and always keep the plates and surfaces clean and free from food residue.

Price Range and Budget Considerations

Setting a Budget for Your Ruti Maker

Before you start shopping for a ruti maker, set a budget that aligns with your needs and preferences. Remember that higher-priced models often come with more advanced features.

Value for Money: What to Expect

While budget-friendly options are available, remember that investing a bit more in a quality ruti maker is likely to provide better value for money in terms of performance and durability.

Customer Reviews and Recommendations

The Importance of User Feedback

Before making your final decision, check out customer reviews and recommendations. Real user experiences can provide valuable insights into a particular ruti maker's performance and reliability.

Where to Find Reliable Reviews

Look for reviews on e-commerce websites, cooking forums, and even YouTube. Reliable sources can help you make an informed choice.

Brand and Warranty Considerations

Trusted Ruti Maker Brands

Choosing a reputable brand is a wise decision. Brands with a history of producing quality kitchen appliances are more likely to deliver reliable ruti makers.

Understanding Warranties and Customer Support

Check the warranty provided by the manufacturer and their customer support policies. An effective warranty serves as a reassuring safety net, offering peace of mind for unforeseen challenges and hiccups that may arise.

Summing Up Your Ruti Maker Selection

Choosing the perfect ruti maker for your kitchen can make a world of difference in your cooking routine. Whether you prioritize ease of use, budget-friendliness, or advanced features, there's a ruti maker out there that suits your requirements.

Preparing for Delicious Rutis at Home

With the right ruti maker in your kitchen, you're all set to enjoy the delicious taste and aroma of homemade rutis. Say goodbye to the traditional hassle and welcome a convenient way to make perfect flatbreads every time.

FAQs about Ruti Makers

Answering Common Questions from Readers

To address any lingering questions you may have, here are some frequently asked questions about ruti makers:

How do I clean my ruti maker?

Can I use a ruti maker for other flatbreads like tortillas or naan?

What's the ideal temperature for cooking rutis?

How long does a ruti maker take to heat up?

In conclusion, choosing the right ruti maker for your kitchen is a decision that can simplify your cooking routine and elevate your culinary skills. From the convenience of electric models to the traditional charm of manual ones, there's a ruti maker to suit every kitchen and cook. Remember to consider factors like heating element quality, material, and user-friendly features while staying within your budget. By doing so, you can find the perfect appliance to make mouthwatering rutis in no time. And if you're interested in the ruti maker price in BD, you'll also want to explore the available options and compare prices to make an informed choice. Happy ruti-making, and may your kitchen be filled with the delightful aroma of freshly cooked rutis!

[duconindustries]

Building an Outdoor Kitchen on a Budget: Tips and Tricks

Outdoor Kitchen Full Setup

Our outdoor kitchen designs boast a remarkable feature that sets them apart - the exquisite use of concrete stones. These different shades of concrete stones not only lend a vintage appeal to the outdoor kitchen but also offer exceptional durability and longevity.

Our outdoor kitchen designs are absolutely unique, and it's not just because they look good. These counters and modules are simple to install. Our designs emphasize economy and practicality, ensuring quick and simple installation so you can start using your outdoor kitchen right away.

By bringing the culinary process outside with an outdoor kitchen BBQ, you can relish grilling and preparing meals outside. Based on individual tastes, financial constraints, and architectural considerations, an outdoor kitchen BBQ can employ a variety of specialties and materials. Here are some typical components and specializations that you could discover in a barbecue grill outdoor cooking setup:

The grill is the focal point of any outdoor kitchen barbecue. It can be found in a variety of forms, including gas, charcoal, and electric, each of which offers distinctive cooking experiences and tastes. While your main grill is in use, a side burner offers an additional cooking surface for making sauces, sautéing veggies, or boiling water. Storage space must be adequate. Storage options for utensils, grilling equipment, condiments, and other kitchen necessities include cabinets, drawers, and shelves.

It is easier to prepare, plate, and serve meals when there is enough countertop space. Due to their longevity, materials like granite, concrete, or stainless steel are frequently used. Cleaning up and preparing food is made easier by having a sink with flowing water. You can wash your hands, utensils, and produce without having to go inside all the time.

Your outdoor kitchen might have elegant and natural-looking stone or tile surfaces. They are frequently used for flooring, backsplashes, and countertops. Concrete countertops and surfaces are customizable, durable, and can be molded into various shapes and sizes. They can be stained, polished, or textured to achieve the desired look.

There is a space where guests can sit and eat at a table are attached. For comfortable dining, there are chairs, benches, or bar stools available. Ambient lighting improves vision and fosters a friendly atmosphere. Thereby ensures proper lighting for meal preparation and cooking with task lighting.

There were Pergolas that offered some shade and had hooks for lights or plants. And Gazebo Provides complete shelter and weather protection. Also provides outlets for lighting, kitchen appliances, and other electrical requirements.

But more than just their aesthetic value, our outdoor kitchen ideas stand out. These counters and modules are simple to install. Our designs emphasize economy and practicality, ensuring quick and simple installation so you can start using your outdoor kitchen right away. Additionally, you can be confident that these strong, premium materials will remain fashionable for a very long time after they are installed, providing a lasting investment for years to come.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/blaze%20burners-56

Utilize our focal point, the Blaze Burner Grill, to embrace the art of grilling. With its outstanding heat distribution and precision control, it consistently produces perfectly browned steaks and delectable treats. Bring out your inner chef and impress family and friends with your culinary skills as you up your grilling game.

Grills with 3, 4, and 5 burners are offered.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/kamado%20grill-57

With the Kamado Grill, a culinary marvel that combines custom, innovation, and flavor to produce a genuinely remarkable outdoor cooking experience, you can unlock a world of unmatched grilling perfection. With our cast-iron top vent and thick-walled heat-resistant shell, you can enjoy the highest level of temperature control and flavor preservation.

These characteristics ensure exact control of cooking temperatures and efficiently contain smoke and moisture. The Kamado grill offers unmatched quality, enabling you to show off your daring cooking prowess even while traveling.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/flamefury%20charcoal%20grill-58

Our FlameFury charcoal grill is a need for fans of real charcoal-grilled flavor. Allow the flavorful smoke to permeate your preferred meat cuts while the crackling charcoal adds a tantalizing smokey fragrance that will whisk you away to BBQ heaven. Discover the joy of controlling the flames and developing flavors that will have everyone begging for more.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/roastmaster%20gas%20grill-59

A remarkable Gas Grill top made of stainless steel that will transform your grilling process. This grill is made of premium stainless steel and exudes toughness, efficiency, and good looks. With the RoastMaster Gas Grill, you can up your outdoor cooking game and discover a whole new level of grilling skill.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/gasfusion%20gas%20burner-60

The GasFusion Side Burner adds the ease of inside cooking to your outdoor kitchen with a stovetop-style burner. Even under the worst outside situations, its reliable functioning is ensured by its strong design and sturdy construction. This side burner's outstanding durability, created with premium materials and careful attention to detail, ensures that it will endure the test of time and serve as your reliable ally on innumerable outdoor cooking excursions. To suit your preferences, select from a variety of sizes and burners.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/breadbliss%20tandoor-61

A remarkable Gas Grill top made of stainless steel that will transform your grilling process. This grill is made of premium stainless steel and exudes toughness, efficiency, and good looks. With the RoastMaster Gas Grill, you can up your outdoor cooking game and discover a whole new level of grilling skill.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/grill%20tandoor%20beef-62

This extraordinary GrillTandoor, which is inspired by the extensive culinary traditions of the Tandoor, blends time-honored methods with cutting-edge technology to give your favorite meats unmatched flavors and succulence. The Grill Tandoor provides a real BBQ experience, delivering tender, juicy, and properly browned meat each and every time thanks to its sturdy design and accurate heat management. Launch a savory voyage with the Grill Tandoor, your entryway to scrumptious meat BBQ like no before, and unleash your inner BBQ master.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/rusticflow%20square-63

Not to be overlooked is the complementary washbasin, which is crucial for simple cleanup. The RusticFlow washbasin has a vintage-style concrete stone basin that provides an extra touch of elegance and was created to blend in smoothly with the rest of the outdoor kitchen. Experience the convenience of a dedicated washing station, which enables you to easily keep the kitchen organized and your hands clean. Select from a range of washbasin shapes (round, square, and others) to be equipped with taps and taps in various colors (black, silver), displaying a silver tap on a black Round RusticFlow washbasin.https://www.duconodl.com/areas/outdoor%20kitchen/rusticflow%20round-64

Don't undervalue the significance of the matching washbasin, RusticFlow, an essential element for hassle-free cleaning. This washbasin was carefully designed to blend in with the overall aesthetic of the outdoor kitchen. It features a concrete stone basin with a vintage feel, adding a further touch of refinement. Enjoy the ease of a dedicated washing station, which makes it easy to maintain spotless hands and a clean kitchen area. Select from a range of washbasin shapes (round, square, and others) to be equipped with taps and taps in various colors (black, and silver).

A black Round RusticFlow washbasin with a black tap is displayed.

[salanaii]

Korean traditional pressed cookies (Dasik: 다식)

Ingredients

Makes about 28 to 30 cookies

For omija dasik:

¼ cup glutinous rice flour

2 tablespoons dried omija

½ cup water

1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon honey

For green pea dasik:

¼ cup dried split green peas

2 tablespoons honey

For pine pollen dasik:

¼ cup pine pollen powder

2 tablespoons honey

For black sesame seed dasik:

¼ cup toasted (roasted) dried black sesame seeds (roasting instructions below)

1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Omija dasik:

Combine the dried omija and the water in a container and let it sit for 24 hours until the water turns red.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the glutinous rice flour. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it turns to light creamy and smells a little toasty and nutty. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small bowl.

Add the omija water and the honey. Mix it well with a small wooden spoon and then knead it by hand until it sticks into one lump of dough.

Divide the dough into 7 equal size portions and insert them into the top frame of the mold (you may need to do in batches if your mold holds less than 7). Gently and firmly press and smooth each cookie into the mold by hand.

Gently lift the bottom frame of the mold so that the cookies pop out the top.

Remove each cookie and set on a plate, patterned part up. Serve with tea.

Green pea dasik:

Wash the peas and drain the water. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the peas.

Cook the peas, stirring with a wooden spoon for about 5 minutes until light brown. Remove from the heat.

Transfer the peas into a spice grinder (or a coffee grinder) and grind into a fine powder.

Combine the ground peas and the honey in a small bowl and mix well with a small wooden spoon. Then knead it by hand until it all sticks into one lump of dough.

Divide the dough into 7 equal size portions and insert them into the top frame of the mold (you may need to do in batches if your mold holds less than 7). Gently and firmly press and smooth each cookie into the mold by hand.

Gently lift the bottom frame of the mold so that the cookies pop out the top.

Remove each cookie and set on a plate, patterned part up. Serve with tea.

Pine pollen dasik:

Combine the powder and the honey in a small bowl and mix well with a small wooden spoon. Then knead it by hand until it all sticks into one lump of dough.

Divide the dough into 7 equal size portions and insert them into the top frame of the mold (you may need to do in batches if your mold holds less than 7). Gently and firmly press and smooth each cookie into the mold by hand.

Gently lift the bottom frame of the mold so that the cookies pop out the top.

Remove each cookie and set on a plate, patterned part up. Serve with tea.

Black sesame seed dasik:

Wash the black sesame seeds in a strainer under running water. Drain well.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the sesame seeds. Cook the seeds, stirring with a wooden spoon for about 7 to 8 minutes until they turn crunchy and smell nutty.

Remove from the heat. Transfer the seeds into a spice grinder (or a coffee grinder) and grind into a fine powder and a little sticky.

Sift through a fine stainless-steel strainer to get a powder. Use a spoon to press as much of the powder through as you can. Discard the leftover stuff caught by the strainer.

Combine the sesame seeds powder and the honey in a small bowl. Mix it well with a small wooden spoon until it all sticks into one lump of dough. You don’t have to knead it.

Divide the dough into 7 equal size portions and insert them into the top frame of the mold (you may need to do in batches if your mold holds less than 7). Gently and firmly press and smooth each cookie into the mold by hand.

Gently lift the bottom frame of the mold so that the cookies pop out the top.

Remove each cookie and set on a plate, patterned part up. Serve with tea.

[toolshome-blog]

The 5 best pots and pans for cooking without oil

Cooking without oil and fat is possible with the right equipment. We have selected for you the best pans and pots on offer on Amazon.

If you are looking for quality pans to cook excellent dishes with low fat, here are the best offers we have found for you. 5 proposals with different prices, but all very valid. If you've been thinking about making a good investment in kitchen equipment for a long time, now is the right time. Take advantage of Black Friday !

Cooking without fat

To cook without adding fat it is important to have the right equipment for different types of cooking. The grill and plate, for example, are perfect for vegetables, meat and fish. The wok is ideal for browning and sautéing stews and vegetables while keeping everything crispy and tasty. The oven is good for everything and with the non-stick trays and parchment paper you can not add even a drop of oil. Finally, the non-stick pots and pans allow you to cook anything without it sticking to the bottom and without adding fat. We want to tell you about these in this article. Here are 5 proposals found for you on offer on Amazon.

Le Creuset Signature is the most iconic lidded cast iron saucepan there is. The one you see in the picture is 26 cm in diameter, but there are different sizes and also different colors. We think this cherry red is crazy, don't you think? It is a beautiful object to look at, certainly one of the most beautiful pans on the market and also very valid from the point of view of fat-free cooking. With this casserole you can roast and braise meat and vegetables and prepare stews and soups. You can also use it to bake bread as if it were a small oven. It is suitable for all heat sources, including induction and oven, and has large handles for a firm grip even during transport. You can find it on Amazon for €170.33. It's really a beautiful gift to give and to get yourself.

Also from Le Creuset is the three-layer non-stick pan in stainless steel, compatible with all heat sources, including induction. It is made up of three layers: stainless steel, aluminum and chromed steel and has a PFOA-free non-stick coating for cooking fat-free meat, vegetables and fish dishes. It is ovenproof up to 220° and suitable for all cooking temperatures from 120° to 200°. This pan also has a significant price, but we assure you that it is always worth investing in an item like this in the kitchen, also because it will last a long time. You can find it on Amazon for €81.14.

KitchenAid offers an aluminum non-stick frying pan, suitable for all types of hobs and even for the oven. With a diameter of 28 cm, it is the ideal frying pan for everyday cooking. The non-stick coating is 3-layer for easy cooking and quick cleanup. The forged base is extra thick for fast heating and perfect results. You can cook anything with virtually no fat and nothing will stick to the bottom. Seeing is believing. On Amazon it is on offer for €35.16

Now let's move on to the cheaper proposals with the GreenChef non-stick ceramic pan. It is suitable for all hobs, induction, gas, glass-ceramic, electric, and even in the oven up to 160°. It has an ergonomic athermic handle and a non-stick ceramic coating. It is the classic frying pan to be used every day, super non-stick and perfect for any type of cooking. On Amazon it is on offer for €32.70.

The GreenPan non-stick ceramic frying pan is, like the others, suitable for all types of cookers and also for the oven up to 180°. It is smaller, in fact it measures 20 cm in diameter. The ceramic coating does not contain PFAS, PFOA, lead or cadmium and does not give off toxic fumes even when overheated. The patented magnetic induction technology of the bottom ensures that the pan does not warp or scratch over time. On Amazon you can find it on offer at € 24.34.

[atplblog]

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[havethetimeofyourstyles]

in which a new relationship sparks up in the restaurant. 

a/n: hi loves! i’m back with a new story, and this is for nat’s @harrystylescherry​ playlist fic challenge! the song i chose is ‘say it’ by maggie rogers, which is one of my absolute favorite songs! hope you all like it, please reblog and leave feedback!

WORD COUNT: 13.8k words of waiter!harry x waitress!yn 

WARNINGS: angst and some smut 

COME INTO MY INBOX AND LETS TALK ABOUT ‘SAY IT’ i’d love to know your thoughts!

pls rb to share <3

It was eleven in the morning when Harry walked through the back door of ‘Spring,’ ready to start his long day of being on his feet while waiting tables. 

He walked to the staff’s lounge that held their lockers and a bench before looking around to see if anyone else was in the locker room; he turned the dial of his lock pad to open his blue locker. His coworkers would always tease him about being so secretive when he knows that no one would actually steal from him, but better to be safe than sorry, and he couldn’t imagine how awkward that would be confronting one of his coworkers if they actually had stolen from him. 

He put his white canvas tote bag that was printed in a brown text that said ‘Celestial Natural Foods’—a store in Hawaii—in his locker and hanging it on one out of the two hooks before grabbing his black waist apron and tying it around his waist. 

The restaurant’s attire was a simple white or black button down with black trousers. The manager of the restaurant, Irene, told the staff that they could choose either color shirt whenever they pleased. As for jewelry, she didn’t mind when her waiters and waitresses wore jewelry, as long as it wasn’t interfering with how they held the plates of food, causing them to drop it. Harry was glad to hear that Irene allowed jewelry because his rings and necklaces made him Harry. Twisting his rings and fixing his necklaces, he took a quick glance at the small mirror that was stuck on the inside of the door with a magnet, and combed his hair back with his hands before closing his locker shut and locking it. 

He washed his hands at the sink next to the locker room, and he smiled at the commotion and noise from behind him that came from the kitchen crew. They were prepping for the dinner hour, chopping up various vegetables, making the restaurant’s famous dressing and sauces, and baking the side dishes that usually took a while in the oven. 

“Hey, Harry!” Jet, one of the sous chefs, greeted as he looked up at Harry with a big smile as he continued chopping up cabbage like the professional chef that he was. 

Harry chuckled, amazed at his knife skills. “Hey, Jet. How are you today?” He leaned against the stainless steel countertop as he talked to Jet through the open space of the shelves, where the food rested under the heated and dim light when it was ready to be served. 

“I’m doing great! How was your three day vacation?” 

“It was okay. It went by fast, but I missed it here anyways,” Harry responded with a smile. Jet laughed, nodding. 

“Well, we missed you too. Anyways, Irene told me to tell you that she’s looking for you.” Harry squinted his eyes slightly, not knowing whether Irene looking for him was a good or bad thing, and Jet seemed to notice what he was thinking. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure it’s nothing bad.” 

Harry nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. Jet was his closest friend at Spring, ever since Harry started working as a waiter three years ago. He desperately needed a job because being his own boss and freelancing as a photographer could be difficult sometimes; and building up a client list when he first started out was even harder. But three years later, he was able to get his name around through his clients, and he earned enough where he could technically quit his job at Spring and focused purely on photography; however, Harry liked the restaurant too much to just quit—he liked serving people, believe it or not. His charms go a long way for respectful and kind customers, and of course, a great tip. Most of his friends always worked here as well, as he didn’t have quite a lot of friends since he moved from London, but his coworkers had become his very own friends, and he loved them too much to leave. 

“Thanks, I’ll see you when we open!” Harry said as Jet waved to him, watching him walk around the counter to find Irene who was talking to a woman he’s never seen before. 

He’s always loved walking through the restaurant because it had such a friendly and open vibe with white painted walls, trees planted in a line in the middle of the floor, and a big glass ceiling for a solarium ambience. His favorite part was that there were no walls to separate the dining area from the kitchen, so customers could see straight through the kitchen and watch the chefs work on their food with just a turn of their heads. 

“Ah, there he is,” Irene said once Harry was close enough. “I’m glad you’re early.” 

“Irene, I’m always early, what do you mean?” Harry breathed out a chuckle. 

“I know you are. I’m just glad you’re extra early today because I need you to train this lovely woman next to me.” Irene stepped out of the way to reveal you to the waiter that was going to train you today. 

Harry looked at you, and immediately, his breath was caught in his throat. The light that was provided through the glass ceiling cast down at you, giving you a glow that was ethereal, and he mentally thanked the interior designer of the restaurant from so many years ago for insisting on putting a glass ceiling instead of a regular, covered one. There you were, standing in the open light as you flashed him a smile that almost made him collapse due to how weak his knees were, and he physically had to place a hand on the brown wooden table next to him to keep himself up. You were stunning, to say the least. 

“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you offered him a hand, smiling softly at him. He shook your hand, feeling the softness of your small hand and how it contrasted to his large and somewhat rough hand. 

“I’m Harry. It’s lovely to meet you.” He smiled, two dimples indenting his cheeks. You noticed that his left dimple was more prominent than his right, but either way, you thought he was a gorgeous man. 

Yours and Harry’s eyes had lingered a bit longer, and once you had caught yourself staring, you forced yourself to take your eyes off him, even though it was difficult to. And that’s when you knew it was going to be a slight problem working around him. 

“Now that introductions are out of the way,” Irene interrupted. She turned towards Harry. “Harry, this is our newest addition to our waiting staff. You’ve been here long enough and it seems like you’re here everyday, so I’m going to leave her with you to train.” Once she was down, Irene turned towards you. “Y/N, you’re going to train with Harry for the rest of the week. It’s usually two weeks that are required for training, but since you’ve had waiting experience before, I’ll knock it down to one, and by the end of the week, we’ll see how you’re doing and where you are with everything. Sounds good?” 

You nodded excitedly, giving her a bright smile before she clapped her hands and said ‘great.’ Harry looked at you the entire time, and he just knew that you were the type of person that could light up a room with your beautiful and bright smile. 

Irene turned towards Harry once more. “Show her the ropes, introduce her to people, and just make her comfortable, yeah?” Harry nodded, teasingly saluting at his boss as he earned a laugh from her. 

Irene left, leaving the two of you, but your attention was preoccupied with the restaurant as you eagerly looked around, getting familiar with the place you’d hoped to be stable at for a while. 

Harry cleared his throat, to which you immediately looked at him. He gave you a smile before he said, “So, ready for your first day?” 

“Ready!” You exclaimed, tone a bit too excited, making you slightly embarrassed, so you curled your lips into your mouth and looked around the restaurant again to hide your slight embarrassment. 

Harry giggled. “Don’t look around too much—you might get tired of this place before you even start,” he teased, completely forgetting how shy and embarrassed you looked. 

“I think I’m gonna like it here,” you confessed immediately, feeling a certain comfort once you walked into the restaurant. Hell, the moment you researched the restaurant, you loved the place. 

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Harry led you around the counter where customers could watch the chefs in action as they cooked their meals. “This is where you could get all the supplies needed—napkins, extra plates, utensils, place mats, everything should be here. If not, then it’ll usually be in the kitchen, right over here.” He walked over to the kitchen where there were more supplies under the table, and pointed below the table. “Here’s more if the ones behind the counter run out, and if they do run out and you just so happen to be there, please make sure to refill it.” You nodded understandingly. 

Harry walked you through the steps of how the system of the restaurants worked as he imputed a demo order into the system on the touchable screen. There were five order screens, one in each corner of the restaurant, one behind the counter, and one in the kitchen; there shouldn’t be any collision or anyone waiting for one of the severs to finish with the screen because there were only about four to five servers working every shift considering it was a small restaurant. Harry then walked you along on where to pick up the order as every dish had its receipt with the order printed on the paper along with the table number. He told you that the table numbers are in order of how the tables are set up—number one starts with the countertops since it’s closest to the entrance, following along the walls, and the tables in the middle were numbered last. 

You liked how easy their routine and system was that you were sure you’d have it down by the end of the week. Harry made sure to introduce you to the staff that you two passed by as he led you throughout the restaurant; he made you feel comfortable right from the bat, making sure to make a few jokes here and there that certainly released some tension in your shoulders from nerves. You were grateful that he made you laugh--you were worried that you wouldn’t like your coworkers or they would be mean and snarky because you’re the newbie, but with Harry, it seemed like you two were getting along quite well; he was polite, helpful, and kind. 

“So, that’s pretty much it.” He looked at the time on his Apple Watch, reading a quarter to six in the evening, 15 minutes until Spring opened for dinner. “Do you have any questions?” 

You tried thinking of anything that you could ask, but your mind seemed to have collected all the information Harry had told you and retained it quite well. “No, nothing I can think of at the moment.” 

“Great. For now, do you mind checking the placemats and the table decor for me?” You nodded helpfully. “And then if you have any remaining time left, just chill out and take a breather for a second, and then come find me when we open.” 

“Okay. Sounds good.” You smiled at him sweetly, making him smile back before he walked away and towards the kitchen. 

You headed towards the dining room, making sure the woven placements were symmetrical and even; you also straightened out the utensils that made their way out of line or off the tablemats. You did this for the rest of the ten minutes you had of peace before you made your way through the restaurant to find Harry. 

The entire time you were in the dining room, Harry was in the locker room, mindlessly on his phone to waste time. He was lucky that he didn’t have to do anything before the restaurant opened, so he had some spare time to relax for a bit. He tried cooling down to get the pink flush that painted his cheeks off, but that’s what happened when he was around you; immediately, you had already had this effect on him, making him blush and nervous around you, and he didn’t know what it was. Maybe it was the way you brightly smiled at him, practically gleaming; or the way you laughed at his jokes, which even he could admit are a bit corny and bad—a very dad-like joke, but you still laughed. 

Whatever it was, he knew that he was fucked. 

Dinner time was a rush. Spring was busy and full; the reservation booklet was booked with no space to cater to walk-ins. 

You were shadowing Harry as you followed him around like a lost puppy, watching him interact with the customers, occasionally pulling out his charm so he would get a big tip. You couldn’t imagine if you were a customer and Harry was your server because your face would heat up instantly, and it would be difficult to contain a smile on your face. He had such a natural charm to him, making him naturally flirty as he flashed customers his smile and laughing at their horribly made jokes. 

For half of the night, you simply followed him around, watched the paths he took when he got the customers’ food and his overall routine of things. With every table he got assigned to, he made sure to introduce you to the party, always glancing over at you once he said your name as you greeted the customers with a bright smile. Harry nearly had to stop every time he glanced over at you as it seemed like your beauty always distracted him. 

You helped him with dealing with the plates, beverages, and getting extra necessities such as cheese, hot sauce, or extra utensils and plates for the table. 

Once the restaurant died down a bit, you and Harry were able to walk a bit slower, relaxing each time a party leaves. When there was about an hour and a half left of your shift and till the restaurant closes, Harry asked you if you’d like to take orders, saying it’ll be best if he observed how you would talk and serve the customers, and you excitedly said ‘yes.’ Harry was only assigned to five to six tables during his shift, and since it was near closing time, there were only two that had just arrived. 

Harry politely introduced himself, telling the parties that you were new and shadowing him, but you were going to take over for the rest of their stay at Spring. He watched you kindly talk to them, occasionally making small talk as you laughed with them; you talked about your favorite items on the menu, along with your favorite selection of wine. This time, Harry helped you with your tasks that you had done before you two switched off, and he immediately admitted to himself that the two of you made such a great team. It was only your first day here, and he already saw how naturally the both of you moved around one another, along with communicating so well with each other. 

You were bidding the last party in the restaurant goodbye with a wave and telling them to enjoy the rest of their evening before you grabbed the mason jar that held the bill, along with the tips. You walked over to the kitchen where Irene was counting all the money and placed the mason jar besides her, giving her a smile before walking over to the locker room. 

Harry was sitting on the bench with his phone in his hands, and looked up once you entered the room. 

“How was your first day?” He smiled. 

“It was actually really great. The energy here is amazing.” 

“Well, I’m glad. You’re a natural, and it helps both of us that you already have restaurant experience.” Harry completely put his phone away into his tote bag, giving you his attention, which you really admired. Some people would make small talk and quickly end the conversation to go back on their phones. “Where did you work before, if you don’t mind me asking?” 

“I actually moved here from NorCal—San Francisco—just two weeks ago. But I worked at one of the restaurants at Pier 49. The restaurant was pretty small and we weren’t as busy as it was here, only on the weekends we would get a bit busy. So, this is definitely completely different than being outside and smelling the fresh ocean a few feet away,” you explained, chuckling. 

“Wow, SF, that’s quite the trip. But we’re glad to have you. I think you’re fitting right in.” 

“Thank you. I already like it here.” Harry gave you a warm smile, grateful that you had a great first day, and that Spring gave you a good first impression for you to stay. 

The two of you chatted a bit, talking about the customers you had and laughing at the jokes they made or the conversations they talked about. It was kind-hearted and fun, and a conversation that made you feel light; it wasn’t anything serious. It ended when it was time for closing, cleaning up and making sure everything was in order for tomorrow afternoon’s shift. 

Irene handed the staff their tips for the night, which you amounted for $120 for a Sunday night. It wasn’t bad for your first night of tips, and you knew you would be working a lot more since this was your only job and you weren’t doing anything else. 

As everyone walked outside into the staff parking lot, everyone said their goodbyes to one another, spreading apart and walking out to their vehicles. 

Once you opened your car door, Harry called out for you from the opposite side of where you parked. 

“Yeah?” You raised your brows. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He offered a smile before getting into his car and starting it, but he waited until you were safely inside of your car and out of the parking garage, and then he would leave. 

He couldn’t help but notice the smile that appeared onto your face before you got inside your car, and he couldn’t help but think about how incredibly beautiful you are. 

The entire week went on just like your first day. You were getting more comfortable with the flow of the restaurant, and where everything was. You continued shadowing Harry, but some days, he would let you serve your customers for the entire shift. 

Now that it was Friday evening, you couldn’t wait to relax the next day. You had told Irene that you were available all days of the week, and since you were new and still needed to complete training, she scheduled you for Sunday to Friday, getting Saturday off, which you appreciated. When you told yourself that you were able to work all day, you didn’t realize how exhausting and tiring that was until it came down to the end of the week as your feet ached, telling you to sit down for at least an entire day. 

Once it was closing time, you were finally able to catch a breath as you cleaned up part of the dining room. Chatter and laughter was heard from the kitchen quite loud as it echoed against the walls; you smiled, enjoying the sound of laughter, especially when it came from people you knew. 

As you were mindlessly wiping down tables, Harry walked up to you with two cocktails in his hands, smiling as he handed you one. You raised your brows, hesitant to take it from him as you wondered if it was allowed to drink since you were technically still on the clock. 

“Irene made them for us, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he said as if he read your mind. You breathed out a chuckle, taking a glass before thanking him and clinking your glass with his before taking a sip of the cold tequila drink. You sighed in relief, and Harry giggled. “Do you have any plans for tonight? I know it’s almost midnight, but I mean…you could still.” He felt his ears heat up, feeling a tad bit nervous when he was around you. 

“No, I don’t. I don’t really have any friends in SoCal, but I can't wait to go home and sleep.” 

“O-Oh okay, I was just gonna ask if you’d like to stay for a bit longer.” 

“Here? For what?” You asked curiously. 

“Well, the lot of us get together after night shifts to do a mini celebration at the end of the long and busy week. We only do it Fridays since that’s when most of us are working all together,” he said referring to the bunch laughing and talking in the kitchen. You did notice now that you had been working with the same group of people, and partially that was because you only mostly worked night shifts and so did the rest. “We usually stay for an hour—drink, eat, talk. It made us closer, actually, so I’d thought you might like to join since you’re new,” he invited.

You didn’t take long to think of an answer—to weigh out your choices of wanting to go to bed at a somewhat reasonable time or stay an extra hour and hang out with your coworkers. 

“I’d actually really love that, thank you,” you accepted his invitation with a sweet smile, making Harry’s heart pound just a tad bit harder against his chest. 

“Great! Well, come on into the kitchen when you’re done. The chefs are cooking up some food,” he said before he walked away, leaving you to finish up your tasks for the night, which didn’t take you any more than ten minutes to finish up. 

You walked into the kitchen and Harry immediately handed you a plate that you gladly took. Jet excitedly waved to you to go over to the stove so he could serve you. 

“Allergic to anything?” He asked to make sure you weren’t going into the emergency room tonight. 

“Uh, shellfish when it’s consumed. I’m okay to be around it, though.”

“Oh shit, this would not be good for you.” His eyes widened as he immediately dropped the large silver serving spoon of the lobster risotto; it looked absolutely delicious. “Good thing I’m prepared. Do you like spaghetti and meatballs?” 

“Love.”

“Great!” He started plating your plate with the food before handing it back to you with an ‘enjoy!’ as you thanked him. 

Once everyone was satisfied, you all headed out to the dining table, settling on a large rectangle table comfortably. There were about twelve of you, and it seemed like everyone had assigned seats since they immediately went straight to their spot and placed their table or drink in front of it. 

You were a bit lost, not knowing where to sit, and the only person you’re reasonably close to was Harry, but it seemed like he was a bit preoccupied chatting with Quinn, another chef. 

“Y/N! Sit next to me, yeah?” Ivy, one of the waitresses called out for you. You smiled, thankful she was the one to ask you, and you gladly took a seat next to her. 

Harry took the seat in front of Ivy, diagonal from you, and he really wished he was the one sitting next to you. 

“Damn, I really should get a large circle table for all of us so we could see each other’s faces,” Irene suggested, and the group agreed, but everyone wondered where it would be placed since the restaurant had no space for another large table. 

Everyone broke out into their own conversations, chatting with one another freely and as loud as they wanted. 

“How was your first week here, Y/N?” Ivy asked. 

“It was great! I really love this place.” Harry looked at you as you talked with Ivy. He really could get lost just looking at your beauty, and sometimes, he would have to knock himself out of his glare to prevent him from getting caught. He was just so captivated by you, and it didn’t take a lot of effort for him to be so drawn to you. 

Ivy had definitely noticed Harry’s stare from the corner of her eye, and admittingly, she got jealous because she’s had a small crush on Harry ever since she started working at Spring four months ago. But it wasn’t like she was going to do anything about it because it seemed like he didn’t take interest in her, so she wasn’t going to force it. However, it didn’t slip past her that you occasionally glanced over at Harry as well—briefly averting your eyes towards him once he took a sip of his water or someone had pulled him out of his attention on you to make conversation. 

Gently pulling you by the arm, Ivy leaned over to whisper into your ear. “Harry’s totally crushing on you.” 

You pulled back, shocked. “What?” You mouthed. 

“He can’t stop looking at you—it’s so obvious.” You simply chuckled, shaking your head slightly as your cheeks felt warm, not from the alcohol or how close everyone was sitting, but because you couldn’t even believe that Harry would have a crush on you. Sure, you two had spent the entirety of your shifts together, but you didn’t think that he would have a crush on you. 

You tried not to think of Ivy’s words for the rest of the night, and you tried even harder to not look at Harry to catch it he was staring at you. Your thoughts seemed to make you more drunk when you were trying to sober up to drive back home. You only had three cocktails, which was quite mindless of you to be drinking when you had to drive home, but you simply wanted to have fun because you deserved it, and you were comfortable and making friends. And everyone seemed to be drinking as well as they were getting a ride from the more responsible ones who were driving and leaving their car in the parking garage during the night. 

Once everyone was all out of their social battery with their plates and glasses empty, you all started to clean up, helping one another to make the process of going home quicke; there were two people washing the dishes and two people drying as the rest put those dishes away and cleaned the table. 

Just like every single night, everyone said their goodbyes in the parking lot before going to their cars to head home for a good night's rest. 

You were sober, but you didn’t feel safe enough to drive, and you don’t know if that’s the alcohol or the thoughts of Harry making you dizzy. So, instead of walking to your car, you took out your phone and opened the Uber app, knowing you’d be able to get a ride home quickly since it was past midnight on a Friday night. 

“Hey, whatcha doing?” Harry asked, walking up to you once he noticed that you weren’t going to your car. He made it a habit to watch you get inside your car and leave the parking garage safely because anything could happen in the few minutes if he left before you. 

“I’m calling an Uber. I don’t wanna drive back…” you replied before looking down at your phone again.

“Oh, I could drive you home, if you’d like?” He offered politely. 

“Really? You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist. I would feel better knowing that I was the one that got you home safely.” The corners of your lips couldn’t help but turn up into a smile as your heart fluttered against your ribcage. 

“That’s really sweet, Harry, I’d like that,” you accepted. Harry grinned, leading you to his car as you followed; he walked over to the passenger seat, opening the door for you, which easily almost made your knees buckle in. How is he such a gentleman and so incredibly kind? You wondered, thinking about how rare it was to meet a man without anything leading to more than a conversation. 

You thanked him before getting into his car; his car was very clean and he had a Saturn air freshener that hung on his rearview mirror, admitting a fresh lemon scent throughout his vehicle. Harry got in, handing you his phone to play some music and to enter your address before starting the car and driving out of the parking garage. You played Daniel Caesar, which you thought was the perfect kind of music for a night drive since your place was fifteen minutes away from the restaurant. The two of you sang along to ‘Hold Me Down’ as he watched you from the corner of his eye, adorably swaying in your seat to the song as you muttered the lyrics. 

The sunroof cover was open, giving you an orange glow every time the car passed by a lamppost. Unconsciously, you both looked at one another every time the car stopped at a red light, both smiling at one another. You were thankful that it was dark out as it hid your big smile from how much you were giddy just looking at Harry. 

Once the navigation told him that your place was on the right, he parked against the curb in front of your apartment complex. You unbuckled your seatbelt before turning towards him in your seat as he turned towards you as well. 

“Thank you for the ride, Harry. It was really kind of you to offer.” 

“Not a problem. Don’t be hesitant to ask again. I rarely drink when we have our after-hours dinners, so you’re free to drink all you want and I’ll be glad to take you home,” he told you, and you smiled, nodding your head. 

“I’ll keep that in mind. It’s just been a while since I drank and hung out with friends,” you explained. 

“No worries. I’m glad you had fun, I assumed?” 

“Yeah, lots of fun! I really like it there, and you made it bearable and fun as well as my trainer,” you admitted. Harry felt his cheeks slightly redden, and just as you were thinking, he was grateful it was dark out. 

He cleared his throat. “Well, I’m glad. You’ll be on your own now. No need for me anymore since you’ve pretty much gotten everything done so quickly,” he chuckled, a dimple indenting his left cheek, making you hold in your breath. 

“Can I still ask you for help if I need you?” You asked innocently, leaning your elbow against the middle console as you rested your chin against your fist. Harry pursed in his lips as his mind focused on the last three words that slipped out of your mouth--I need you. It was merely an innocent question relating to work that he shouldn’t think too much about, but he couldn’t help it. 

“Of course. I’m always gonna be here if you need me,” he responded, keeping it friendly. At that, you smiled, nodding your head in acceptance. You gathered your belongings that rested at your feet before turning to face him again. Leaning forward, Harry thought you were leaning in to kiss him, which he wouldn’t mind whatsoever, but that dream was crushed when you wrapped your arm around his shoulder, giving him a hug. He hugged you back, placing his hand against your back and slightly rubbing his hand up and down, hoping you couldn’t feel his heart hammering against his chest at the feel of your upper body slightly pressed against him. 

You pulled away, giving him a shy smile. “I’ll see you on Sunday. Drive safe, okay?” 

“Always do. Sleep well.” He bid you goodbye as you got out of his car, walking over to the entrance of your apartment complex. You turned around before you opened the door, waving at him before heading inside. 

Harry drove off to his place, the opposite direction of your apartment, passing Spring. He could’ve honestly been home already in the comfort of his bed, but he didn’t mind taking you home at all. That only meant he got to spend a bit of more time together, but he noticed that with every passing second, minute, and hour, he felt himself falling for you just a bit more. 

You’ve been at Spring for almost a month, and you couldn’t believe how fast the days went by. The more you worked, the more you started to feel a place at home with the restaurant. It was welcoming and fun, and all the credit was due to the people that you surrounded yourself with. You felt a difference in your attitude, your mood, and you liked the change that it brought you--you felt happy. 

Being in San Francisco your entire life was great up until it wasn’t. It was a toxic place for you simply because of the people that you were surrounded with. You noticed that you were always on fight-or-flight mode, ready for someone to make one comment at you so you could snap at them. You hated being and thinking like that, so the best thing you did for yourself was to move away from the toxicity of your hometown, and you were glad that you did. 

It was another usual Friday evening, after hours at Spring as you sat in your usual seat next to Ivy as the two of you and Harry were laughing about a story Ivy was telling about her ex-boyfriend in college. 

Harry looked over at you, heart swooning as he watched you laugh, wiping your under eyes from the tears that had slipped out. It was a beautiful sight, he’d say; you had such a beautiful smile and contagious laugh that he loved hearing, whether it’d be from the kitchen as he was in the dining room or in the locker room—wherever it was, he always smiled to himself when he heard it. 

The two of you had gotten quite close, making the work environment bearable and fun. When you would be in the same area at the same time, you had this thing where you would bump his hip with yours lightly, and he would bump yours right back—of course, when there weren’t any food or drink handling. There would always be light conversations within those hip bumps, comfortably getting to know one another, whether it would be asking quick-fire questions or a random story about one another’s lives that would come to mind. It wasn’t an ordinary setting or time to get to know each other, but it made things fun because the two of you would come up with more questions to come up with the next time he bumped into you. It was nice having a thing with you, he thought. 

There would be moments during those little meetings when your fingers would brush delicately against his, sending shivers to his body. It was simply overwhelming in the best way possible. 

Everyone called it a night, doing the nightly routine of tidying and cleaning everything up. Despite the long shift and being on your feet, you still had quite a bit of energy that you would like to use up so you could get a night’s rest. You looked at your friends, seeing if anyone was up for a late night adventure just based off of their posture and how often they yawned, and it seemed like everyone was exhausted, for obvious reasons. But you’d ask one person before you decide to go alone. 

Once everything was clean and ready for the Saturday’s brunch, everyone walked out of the restaurant, walking over to their cars. 

“Hey, Harry?” You called out, making him instantly turn around at the sound of your voice. 

“Yeah, love?” The pet name had merely slipped out, and you felt your face getting warm, shyly smiling. 

“Uh, you could totally say no and I would completely understand why because it’s Friday night, and we had a long shift, and you must be tired-”

“Y/N?” You stopped talking, raising your brows. “Breath, yeah? Take your time,” he interrupted the rambling that you hadn’t known you were doing. 

Nodding, you took a deep breath. You didn’t know why you were nervous, but every time you were around Harry, he just made you feel a certain swarm of butterflies entering your stomach. 

“I’m not as tired as I thought, and I wanna end tonight with some sweets. So, would you like to come with me to get some dessert? Again, you could say no.” 

Harry smiled. “I’d love to,” he replied with no second thought. 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, of course. Plus, we could finally talk properly. Hate always walking away from our unfinished conversations.” He breathed out a chuckle, running his clad ring hand through his curls. 

“Great! Oh, uh, do you mind if we take your car? I took an Uber here, but I’ll compensate with buying you cookies and paying for your gas,” you suggested, keeping your excitement at bay. 

“No worries, c’mon. But I might take you up on the cookie offer.” He smiled, opening your door for you, which never failed to make you swoon. 

As he started the car, warming up the engine and turning the heater on, you two debated on where to go. You suggested going to Insomnia Cookies in Santa Monica, which was a twenty minute drive from Downtown LA, and it closed at two In the morning, but only if he was down to drive the opposite direction of where you two lived. And luckily, he didn’t mind the drive because he was always down for a late night drive and adventure, especially if it was with you. 

The car speakers played Frank Ocean, he merged on the 101, tapping his fingers along with the beat against the steering wheel. You subtly studied him as he drove, just as you did when you would glance at him across the restaurant. He always mindlessly curled his pink lips into his mouth, a habit that he, assumingly, had for years. You noticed how he would always play with his rings; his thumb would reach over to his other fingers to play with the heavy, metal rings; not helping that your mind would instantly go to what else his hands could do, especially to you, to your body, but you had to immediately snap yourself out of your thoughts to prevent them from going any further. Not to mention, the way his eyes always lit up; they had a natural gleam to them, making them incredibly irresistible to not look in his green eyes. 

He was captivating in all the right ways, and you felt yourself falling for him quite quickly, making that fear inside of you light up, inflaming your body with anxiousness. 

Your thoughts soon vanished when Harry pulled into a parking space in front of your destination, and he turned off the car. He turned to look at you, giving you a small smile before getting out. You decided to buy Harry anything he’d like, which he got the same six pack of cookies as you. 

Harry suggested eating in his car, which you agreed. Although the cold in SoCal wasn’t the same coldness as it was in NorCal, you didn’t want to stand around and freeze. The two of you make light conversation, talking about social media and enjoying the warmth of the fresh baked cookies. You then realized that you hadn’t followed him on Instagram, so you asked for his username, which was just his first and last name. 

“Your pictures are amazing,” you complimented.

“Stalking me already?” He teased. A smirk on his face present, making you roll your eyes as you didn’t know if you wanted to slap or kiss the smirk off—always wanting to go for the latter. “But thank you. I, uh, I actually took those myself.” Your eyes brightened. The photographs posted on his Instagram were mostly portraits of beautiful people, some of them were landscapes of a field or the mountains, but most of them were portraits. You knew very little about photography, thanks to the ‘Beginning of Photography 1’ class that you took in college, but you could see the depth of the picture and the way they’re taken; the emotion was clearly there, making you feel intensity through the picture. 

“Wow, you’re really talented, Harry.”

He blushed, looking down at his lap for a moment before looking back up at you again. “Thank you so much. I’m a freelance photographer.”

“Do you plan on leaving Spring to focus solely on photography?” You asked curiously. He softly smiled; he could hear the genuine tone in your voice, and he really appreciated that. 

“I’m not sure. I’ll have an appointment, maybe, three or four times a month? But the restaurant brings in more money, especially the tips,” he explained. 

You nodded. “Well, for what it’s worth, you’re extremely talented, and one day, you’ll be at the place you want to be. Everything will work out.” Harry smiled in appreciation of your words, not saying anything else. 

Taking another bite of his cookie, he changed the subject. “So, do you miss any of your friends in SF?” 

You raised your brows, not expecting that question, but you answered honestly. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t. A month before moving here,” you began to open up vulnerably; you hadn’t spoken to anyone about this. “I got out of a long relationship—quite toxic, honestly,” you said, looking at him. He had this look on his face that was so comforting, not a word coming out of his mouth, asking for details; it didn’t tell you that he was nosy or pressing you to tell him more. It simply told you that he was there to listen, whenever you were ready to tell him, and you really appreciated that. 

You hadn’t realized how hard it was talking about your past relationship because it had been all bottled up until now.  A deep breath came out of your mouth, and Harry immediately realized that it must’ve been a hard subject to speak about. Unexpected to you, he reached over to grab your hand, holding it gently as his thumb caressed your skin. He hoped he masked his nervousness well, making the smallest physical touch with you when, really, his pulse was hammering against his veins, heart pounding through his chest as his breathing began to feel erratic, but outside he remained cool, calm, and collected as if the touch didn’t drive him insane. 

You tried not letting Harry’s thumb, caressing the back of your hand, affect your ability to speak a coherent sentence, so you continued. “Uh, my ex was cheating on me with someone in our friend group. He told me not to worry about her, but you know how that goes when you hear that phrase. It was with a girl that I used to date—my first relationship, actually. The worst part of it was when I found out, I took him back when he promised he wouldn’t do it again and claimed that he loved me, and then I took him back again, and again and again.” 

Harry inhaled deeply, trying to not let the hand holding yours squeeze tightly so the blood circulation cuts off because he felt angry. He was so mad because how could anyone do that to you? Sweet, kind, and lovely you? 

“When I told him I couldn’t handle it anymore—all the lies, cheating, and betrayal—I broke up with him. Our friend group turned against me, completely ignored me. Now that I think about it, I noticed they started to be cold and rude towards me once they started sneaking around, and I have no clue why because I didn’t do anything to them. Guess they were just covering up for them because everyone knew except me, and I just felt so stupid because I was so clueless to think he ever loved me to forgive him so many times.” 

You started to sniffle as the bad memories that you lived through for the few months of the betrayal started to come up again. You were doing a good job not thinking about it when you started working at the restaurant, and you didn’t plan on telling Harry tonight, but you trusted him to let go of all the agony that you bottled up inside your mind. 

“Hey, come here,” he said, opening his arms up. You gladly rested your head against his shoulders, wishing the middle console wasn’t there so you could press your body against his. He hands rubbed your back just as it did when you first hugged him, and to say that you hadn’t been craving for his touch was a complete lie. “You’re not stupid whatsoever. I understand why you did what you did, but that doesn’t make you stupid. It makes them stupid for betraying your trust and forgiveness over and over again. You’re not in the wrong here nor was it your fault, love.” 

You nodded against his shoulder, and you felt him place the side of his face against the top of your head, cuddling up to you, which immediately put a smile on your face. Harry’s comfort had immediately made you feel better—it made you feel safe. You hadn’t felt so comfortable in someone else’s arms in a very long time, and considering that you’ve only known him for a month, you’d say it’s quite unbelievable how comfortable you are in his hold, especially opening up to him like you did. 

Pulling back from his hold, you looked up at him, giving him a smile. The weight on your shoulders suddenly felt lighter once you opened the bottle and poured out the contents in it. Talking to Harry was refreshing, a fresh breath of air, and you inhaled the crisp oxygen gratefully, knowing that being vulnerable and opening up had changed your friendship. 

It was Sunday evening, and you were cleaning up to prepare for closing. It had been a long day, even though you only worked for four hours; it just seemed that you were running around more than usual. 

But you were glad that the day was over, and you could take a long nice shower to end your night. Throughout cleaning, your coworkers had said goodbye, leaving through the back door, which you found odd because everyone usually heads out at the same time, but you didn’t think too much of it. 

Once you were done in the dining room, you looked around, finding the restaurant completely empty, but everything seemed to be in order, so you headed over to the locker room. 

When you rounded around the counter top and into the kitchen, Harry jumped up from his crouched position, startling you as you took a step back, gasping with your hand over your heart. 

“Holy shit, you scared me,” you said breathlessly. 

Harry chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, I thought you still knew I was here.” 

“I thought I was completely alone, and hiding behind the counter doesn’t help.” You and Harry laughed. You hadn’t noticed the two plates of food and wine glasses that were filled with sparkling soda sitting next to him on the stainless steel counter, and you wondered for a moment if that was for you and him. “What’s that for?” 

“For us, if you’d like. I made it quickly once everything was slow and we were starting to close,” he said shyly, rubbing his tattooed forearm. 

Your brows raised, eyes widening slightly. “You made this? For us?”

“Yeah. Today marks one month being here, so I decided to make dinner to celebrate.” You were quite speechless at the thought; it was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful that Harry went through that trouble of making a meal to celebrate a somewhat significant date. Tears started to well up in your eyes, making the man in front of you blurry. “Oh, wait, no. Please don’t cry. You could definitely take this to-go, if you want! I know you’re probably tired, but-”

Harry was cut off by your arms wrapping around his shoulders. He was taken back at first from the impact of your body crashing against his, but once he regained his balance, he immediately wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you tightly. 

Your scent was impeccable—quite alluring for running around for a few hours. He knew he smelled like food, the smoke from garlic and onions sautéing, and vegetables cooking. He buried his head into your shoulder, holding you close. This had been the first time you two were ever hugging outside of the comfort and safety of his car—no middle console to interfere, no awkwardness in trying to figure out how to give a proper hug in a confined space. He enjoyed it a lot—the way your body was pressed up against his. It made him happy, it made him feel safe. 

The intimate moment lasted for a few minutes, simply just hugging one another in relief in the kitchen, swaying slightly as complete silence surrounded the two of you. 

Once you were satisfied (although you think you would never be satisfied enough if you’re not in his arms), you pulled away, coming face-to-face with him. Your cheeks were slightly damped from the few tears that had fallen out, but weirdly, it gave you a natural and happy glow, and you were feeling exactly that. 

“Harry, thank you so much. This is the sweetest and most thoughtful thing someone has ever done for me.” You looked up at him through your wet lashes, warmly smiling at him. 

“You’re welcome. Shall we eat?” You nodded, and he unwrapped his arms from around your waist, letting you go, which he wished he hadn’t. He grabbed the two heavy plates that were filled with honey garlic chicken with sautéed spinach and mushroom on a bed of rice, and you grabbed the glasses, reaching over to place them onto the countertop before the two of you walked around to sit on the high stools. 

The two of you ate in comfortable silence, and you thanked and complimented him for the lovely meal. There was light conversation, asking questions about each other’s childhood. Listening to Harry talk about his life in England was so fascinating to you, and you wished that you had grown up with him because he seemed like such a fun and kind kid to play with. You learned that his sister and mom were back home in London, and they visited every six months, and he would occasionally go back home as well, if the bills weren’t stacking up and he was good with money. His words and mind seemed to get the best of him, slipping out about how much they would love you and that he’ll invite you to lunch whenever they visit to meet them; and he hoped he didn’t freak you out. You simply blushed, nodding your head, and not saying anything else. 

The more you talked to him, the more you found yourself staring at him as you listened to what he had to say. You’d come to terms a few weeks ago that you really liked his eyes—how green they were, and how they stare into you, giving you his full attention. You liked his hands, his hair, his nose, his cheeks, and most of all, you liked his lips. You couldn’t blame alcohol for these thoughts because Harry replaced wine with sparkling soda, so these were completely sober thoughts racing your mind. His lips were something you glanced at often, trying not to glare at them too much as he talked as you didn’t want to get caught for admiring them. They were so pink, and he occasionally bit them and curled them into his mouth, making them pinker. You liked when he would take his fingers and pinch his bottom lip, a habit that he seemed to form throughout his life. You suddenly wanted to kiss him—really, really bad. 

You shook off the thought immediately, being completely sidetracked with your infatuation with Harry. Was it an infatuation? No, you knew the feelings you felt for him felt much stronger than a simple admiration for your coworker. 

Once the talking had died down and the plates were empty, you and Harry decided to clean up. You quickly took both of your plates, beating Harry to the sink to wash the dishes. He chuckled as he watched you fast walk towards the sink; he soon followed with the glasses, placing them carefully into the sink. He decided to dry the dishes, finding the dish rag on your right side. So, he leaned over, placing his left hand on your waist, chest slightly pressed against your back as he grabbed the rag. You turned your head to the right, dropping your shoulder to turn more of your body towards him. He was close and it made you feel flushed; you felt your  cheeks heating up once he looked down at you, faces inches away from each other. 

You turned back around, quickly placing the last dish on the counter before you turned off the water. Harry was still close in proximity, not making any effort to move away from you. Turning around, your back was now pressed up against the edge of the sink. Harry rested his hands against the edge, trapping you with his arms. Your breath began to deepen, heart beating quite harshly against your chest as Harry looked into your eyes, briefly glancing at your lips, and slowly trailing them back up into your eyes. He brought one hand to graze the side of your face gently, skin prickling with goosebumps. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he complimented honestly. 

“Thank you, you are too.” 

“I mean it. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. Listen, I-I really like you, and we haven’t known each other for long but I just…can’t get enough of you,” You smiled, averting your eyes to his lips before looking back up; your cheeks and neck felt incredibly warm from his confession. Bodily, you placed your hands on his waist, pulling him towards you to close the gap between you two; Harry smirked at your action, liking the way your bodies were pressed up against each other. 

“Are you gonna do anything about it?” You raised your brows curiously. 

“What would you like me to do?” His hands were rubbing up and down your back soothingly. 

“Hmm…a few things actually,” you muttered—more to yourself but Harry definitely heard from how close you two physically were. Your fingertips were mindlessly drawing circles on his lower back where his slightly wrinkled white shirt was tucked into his black jeans. 

“Care to share?” 

You took a deep breath, looking him in the eyes that captivated you quite clearly. “Want you to kiss me.” 

The corner of his lip turned up as he curled his lips into his mouth. “Can I please? Been wanting to for so long.” 

“Tell me.” Harry raised his brows. “Tell me how long you’ve been wanting to kiss me.” 

He curled his lips into his mouth, looking down at your soft lips before back up at your eyes. “Ever since I saw you for the first time. So, please let me kiss you. Do you want me to?” 

Harry quite literally took your breath away, breath stuck in your throat before you cleared it. Nodding your head quite eagerly, you softly said, “Yeah, want you to.” 

With that, he trailed his hands from your waist, up your spine, to your shoulders, and up to your face where he placed his hands on both sides, gently holding your face delicately as if it were a piece of art that was crafted for months, years; he didn’t want to drop or break the precious masterpiece that he cradled with his hands. 

His thumb caressed your soft cheek, giving your lips one last look before he leaned in and connected your lips with his. You sighed deeply once you felt his soft lips touch yours, and your shoulder visibly relaxed, letting go of everyone that may have held you back. 

You wrapped your arms tightly around his neck, pulling him in closer. A spark ran through your body as your lips molded together so perfectly in sync, making the firework inside of you pop into a beautiful and magical scene. 

Whimpering against his mouth, you suddenly wanted more of him; he was, in all ways, addicting. You unconsciously lifted your right leg, bringing it up to his hip, making Harry press himself against your core, holding your thigh. He started to feel himself harden inside of his pants from the way you’re kissing him, the way your hands gripped his hair, and the way your tongue effortlessly swiveled against his. 

You pulled away from his lips quite breathlessly, lips swollen. “Want you.” 

“Me too—want you so bad.” He leaned forward to kiss you again, and once he did, you pulled away, only leaving him with a small kiss to his lips. Harry pouted, making you chuckle. 

“That was the best kiss I’ve ever had,” you confessed. 

Harry smirked. “Well, I’ll be glad to do it again.” 

“Wanna get out of here? C-Can we go to yours?” You asked shyly. 

“Yeah?” You nodded. “You sure?” 

“Absolutely positive.” 

Harry gave you a smile and another kiss before he backed away, grabbing your hand to lead you to the locker room where the two of you grabbed your belongings from your lockers. Quickly after, you two were out the door of Spring; Harry locked up, and walked you two over to his car where he, yet again, opened the passenger door for you. 

The entire ten minute drive to his apartment, his hand never left yours. It delicately sat on your thigh with your hand on top of his, palm against the back of his hand as your fingers intertwined with his. Harry found it difficult to drive properly because all he ever wanted to do was either kiss you or look at you, and since it was just a bit after midnight, he hit all the green lights, so there was continuous driving and less kissing and looking. But that just made it quicker for him to get to his place. 

His apartment was on the second floor, which didn’t take long to get to, but catching up to Harry’s long strides as he practically dragged you up the stairs—no patience to wait for the elevator—was tiring you out. 

Once his front door closed, he immediately pushed you up against it, cradling your face in his hands as he kissed you feverishly. You practically could feel him smiling into the kiss, happy to have his lips on yours, and it completely tied your stomach into knots as the familiar flutter you felt in your chest made itself present. 

You’d come to realize, in the kitchen, that kissing Harry was everything you ever imagined. His soft lips molding and connecting with yours so perfectly made all of your dreams and realities come true. He just had a way with how he worked his lips as well as where to put his hands. But you were eager to find out what else he could do. 

Harry was the one to pull away first, which he even surprised himself with, but he led you to his bedroom, which you were too excited about. He closed his bedroom door, taking your lips in with his again, backing you up against his bed as he gently placed you on top of it, hovering over you. 

His lips trailed to your cheek, your jaw, and down to your neck where he lightly nibbled and sucked on your soft skin. You felt him lick your skin, soothing out the small love bite that he left on your skin before he pulled his head from your neck. 

“You sure you want to do this? I’d be happy just kissing you.” 

You smiled. “I’m sure, wanna touch you. You’re sure too?” You asked consent from him as well, making his cock twitch in his pants. 

“Very sure, love. You have no idea.” He sat on his knees as you laid below him, and he’s sure he’s never seen someone look so beautiful as you do; he was completely enthralled by your beauty. “Can I take this off?” He referred to your shirt, playing with the buttons on the front. You nodded, biting your lip. 

He leaned his weight on one side of you, placing one arm behind your head as you rested against it. He took your mouth in with his as his other hand began unbuttoning your white shirt, impressively with one hand. Once he got to the bottom, he sat up again, as did you to take off your shirt and your sports bra. You didn’t wear anything sexy to work because you wanted to be comfortable while waiting tables. 

Harry looked at your bare torso, licking his lips before he wrapped his lips around your nipple, sucking and licking the pebbled bud before switching to the other. His lips then placed small kisses down your body and to the hem of your pants, where he looked up to see you flushed from just his kisses. 

“Harry…” you whined. 

“What is it, beautiful?” He smirked. 

“Please, take it off.” 

“I’m getting there, love, don’t worry.” A breathy chuckle came out of his mouth before he unbuttoned your trousers. Your hips raised off the bed, and he swiftly took them off, leaving you in your nude seamless underwear. “Fuck, you’re so stunning, Y/N, I swear.” You looked at him and smiled; you were clearly at loss for words because of how Harry was looking at you. He wasn’t looking at you with complete admiration, like he was so lost in his daze of his sight. And that thought made you even more aroused. 

He gave you another kiss to your stomach before taking off your underwear, situating himself in between your legs, lying on his stomach. Harry looked up once more to find you staring at him, eager to watch what he’s about to do; he placed a kiss to your inner thighs, gently nibbling on your flesh, making you squirm. 

“Harry, please. Need to feel you,” you pleaded, brows crinkling. 

“Tell me what you need,” he teased, earning an impatient scoff from you, but Harry chuckled at your frustration. 

“Need your mouth on me. Please, want you to eat me out already.” 

Now, who was he to deny that request? So, that’s what he did—he slowly licked your clit multiple times before licking into your hole, collecting your arousal on his tongue. He used your wetness to lubricate your clit, completely assaulting your sensitive bud. Your back arched as the sensations ran through your body, hands gripping the sheets below you tightly that they practically wrinkled. Harry moaned against your clit, making you buck your hips into his face. 

“Fuck, Harry…” you dragged out, throwing your head back into the pillows. 

For a few minutes, Harry continued devouring your taste, not stopping until you came all over his mouth and you were completely shocked by his will to not stop until you’ve had your orgasm from his tongue. 

He replaced his tongue with his fingers, slowly entering your wet hole as he fingered you. You moaned louder; the tips of his fingers curling up to meet the softness of your upper walls. His unoccupied thumb rubbed your clit in slow circles, something that he noticed you really liked based on your hips thrusting upwards and your hand gripping his hair harder that it felt like you were going to rip out his locks. 

“So pretty, love. So wet for me.” The simplicity of his words had made you feel the familiar bubble in your lower stomach, and you wanted to release it so bad. 

“Harry, I’m gonna…cum,” you groaned out, biting your lips. 

He continued his pace on your clit, but added a tad bit more pressure, causing you to jolt a little. His fingers that were inside of you repeatedly brushed your g-spot, making you close your legs, but Harry pried them open, encouraging you to release. 

“C’mon, baby. Want you—need you to cum for me. Can you do that? Can you give me what I want?” 

“Mhm,” you nodded, mouth ajar as your voice was hitched in your throat. A few more thrust and rubs from his fingers, and you hit your high, releasing around his long fingers as he slowed his movements, riding out your orgasm while praising you for your peak. 

“That’s it. There you go.” One of his hands rubbed your stomach, calming you down while the other hand gently played and cupped your pussy as you unconsciously and slightly thrusted your hips into his hand. 

Once you had relaxed, you opened your eyes; Harry was kissing up your body before he kissed your lips so sweetly. 

“Hmm, you’re so good at that.” He smiled, kissing your neck as he started to rut his hips on your thigh. You felt his hard on through his pants, and you knew that wasn’t comfortable whatsoever. 

“Can I touch you?” You asked. He pulled his head from your neck, facing you as he was about to say it was completely fine if you didn’t, but you spoke up first. “That can’t be comfortable, and I wanna touch you—if you’d let me.” You were looking at him with innocent eyes, even though he knew what you were about to do was going against anything innocent. Plus, the way you were looking at him only made him more aroused.

“Course, let me just get out of these.” He got off the bed, but stayed closed; he was about to unbutton his shirt, but you stopped him quickly, replacing his hands with yours. Harry dropped his arms to his side once your lips were attached to his neck, giving him a small hickey on the underside of his jaw. The feel of just your lips on his skin made him bite his lips as a chill ran through him. You sat on your knees and started unbuttoning his white shirt, and with every button you undid, you gave him a kiss to every bit of his skin that was left exposed until you reached the hem of his pants. 

You looked up at him on all fours, and he watched you press another kiss to his tattooed torso. “Mind if I take these off?” You toyed with the hem of his pants. 

“No, please, don’t mind at all.” You smiled, looking back at his bulge, which outlined through the fabric of his pants. You palmed him, making him hiss through his teeth. He hadn’t felt another person’s touch in so long, so your lips and touch felt overwhelming in the best way. 

You unbuttoned his pants, which he was fast to get out of, leaving him in his black briefs. You positioned yourself to lay flat on your stomach, thankful that Harry’s bed was the perfect height to where you don’t have to strain your neck to suck on him. Kissing down his happy trail, you left a prominent love bite in between his tattooed leaves that were so perfectly inked on his lower abdomen. You then kissed his hard length through his briefs, making Harry breathe heavily. He’s never felt so teased in his life, but you were making it all worth it because nobody had ever made him feel so aroused. 

Finally, your fingers gripped the hem of his briefs and tugged them down so his cock could departure from the strained material. He was big, and you knew that from when he was driving to his place earlier as his cock was pushing against his pants, making you excited and eager. But seeing it right in front of you made you salivate. 

“Holy shit, you’re so big.” All he did was smirk at your words, knowing that fact quite clearly. You grabbed a hold of him as you held his dick upwards before you licked the underside from base to tip. Harry breathed in through his nose once he felt the smallest bit of contact from your mouth. 

Your mouth began to work on his tip, sucking and licking up the precum that had spilled out of his tip before you started to take more and more of him in your mouth. It was Harry’s turn to fill the room with his raspy and deep moan, and the noise he was making was triggering your arousal. Harry had a full view of your mouth on him as well as a great view of your entire backside, not missing the way he noticed how you started to subtly move your hips into the sheets. 

As you sucked on him, taking him further into your mouth, Harry dragged his fingers from your shoulders, down your spine, and to your ass that was out in the open with no shame whatsoever. His hands kneaded your flesh before slapping on cheek, which made you moan around him. 

“Like that?” He went back to his standing position, leaning back a tad bit to get a good look at you. “Tell me, do you like that?” You looked up at him, making direct eye contact with him as your cheeks hollowed and you sucked hard around him before letting out a ‘mhm.’ Your mouth was working wonders on him while your hand was fondling and playing with his balls, making him throw his head back and accidentally bucking his hips up into your mouth, hitting the back of your throat. “Fuck, sorry, baby.” He moved your hair to check up on you, but all you did was place your hands on his ass and pulled him towards you until your nose touched his pubic bone. Harry let out a throaty moan, and your hands pushed and pulled his lower body until he understood what you were doing. 

So, he took control, holding your head steady before he slowly started to thrust into your mouth; the tip of his cock brushed against the back of your throat. There was a string of spit that was dangling from your mouth and connecting to his balls—a sight so filthy but helped him get right on the edge. 

“I’m gonna cum. Love your mouth so much. So beautiful for me, so perfect.” Harry’s hips began to jerk sloppily, indicating that he was close. With just a few more thrusts into your perfect mouth, he spilled down your throat as he stopped thrusting, keeping you halfway on him. A series of curses and your name came from his lips as he shut his eyes. You took every drop that he offered, trying to swallow every bit of content as best as you could, but some of it had spilled out of your mouth due to how much he overfilled your mouth with his cum. 

Harry seemed to be in the middle of calming down from his intense orgasm, so you took the time to clean up. Pulling back, you wiped your mouth and licked your fingers as well as cleaning his cock with your mouth. What you didn’t notice was that Harry was watching you the entire time; he lowered his head, neck straining from looking up too much, and saw you eagerly cleaning and licking every last drop that had fallen from your pretty lips. The sight was enough to make him hard again if he wasn’t too spent. 

He collapsed on his bed next to you, his head was next to your ass, to which he pressed a small kiss to your hip in gratitude. You moved to lay your head on his stomach, looking at him and giving him a small smile. 

“Come here. What are you looking at me like that for?” He reached out for you, and you moved again, resting your elbow next to his head before giving him a kiss. The kiss didn’t deepen any further, just molding your lips with one another as he tasted himself on your tongue. 

“Nothing. You seemed to have enjoyed yourself.” 

“Very much did, thank you. Did you? You could be honest with me.” 

You giggled. “Honestly…I had a really great time. You made me feel really good. The best I’ve felt in a really long time,” you told him honestly, and Harry smiled at that. 

“Do you want to stay the night? I’m always in a cuddly mood after anything sexual—well, I’m always in a cuddly mood, period.” You laughed, nodding your head before kissing his cheek. 

“I’d love to. Can I use your restroom, and do you have a spare toothbrush?” 

Harry nodded, getting off the bed before leading you to his bathroom where he gave you a toothbrush and some of his face wash. He left you to do your business and told you that he would have a change of clothes. 

Once you were done, you walked out of his bathroom, still naked, and was met with Harry in a pair of gray briefs and a change of his clothes in his hands, handing them to you. He gave you a kiss to your forehead before going off to the bathroom and leaving you to change. 

You replayed the evening in your mind over and over again as you changed—you really enjoyed his company and him as a person. Harry was a more than nice guy, who seemed to like you for whatever reason, and you liked him too. Maybe a bit too much, and you felt like you liked him more than you projected—dare, you say that you were falling in love. But you couldn’t let yourself feel that way; you were beating yourself up for it. In all honesty, you were scared, so you had a habit of not portraying the entirety of your feelings out on the table so people could perceive it. 

Your mind was racing with so many thoughts in your head, repeating and spitting out every insecurity that your previous ‘friends’ had told you in the past—calling you a slut and how you couldn’t keep anyone around because they both ended up cheating on you. Your head was telling you Harry would do the same, and as hard as you were trying to deny that because Harry was the kindest person you’ve ever met, it was all you could hear. You couldn’t do this, no, you couldn’t feel like this, you thought. You felt like you needed to protect yourself before you were in too deep. 

Without even knowing, you were frantically grabbing your clothes and shoes that were all thrown across Harry’s floor. Your heart was racing, mind telling you to ‘leave’ and that ‘nobody is going to love you,’ so that’s what you were doing, leaving. 

You made it out of his bedroom, so close to the front door until you realized you had forgotten your purse. Turning around to go back, you were met with Harry leaning against the frame of the hallway entry, holding your purse in his hands. 

“Not planning on saying goodbye?” His voice sounded defeated, the complete opposite as to what it was prior. He looked down at his feet, not even able to make eye contact with you when he was always keen on making direct eye contact when talking to someone, but seeing you walk out his bedroom door when you were supposed to be waiting for him in his bed to cuddle was heartbreaking. 

“Harry…”

“That’s all it was to you, I’m guessing? You know you could’ve said no to staying the night, I would’ve understood. But to say yes after we’ve been intimate, and getting my hopes up? I-I thought you liked me, that’s all, and I’m stupid for falling for it,” he ended with a scoff. He felt extremely vulnerable; he laid his feelings out on the table, let you see his body, and it seemed like you just picked and chose your cards straight from the deck to only have Harry fold. 

“No, that’s not it-”

“Then please tell me what it is before I drive myself into the wall thinking what I’ve done wrong!” He raised his voice—not too loud where it startled you, but enough to where he simply let out his frustrations. 

“I like you, Harry, I do. But we can’t be together.” You didn’t know how to put it into words, so that was the best you could come up with. 

“And why’s that?” He furrowed his brows, walking towards you, but keeping a safe distance. “Give me a good reason why, and I’ll let you go—I’ll leave you alone. We’ll simply be coworkers who don’t talk to each other. I’ll-”

“I’m scared, okay! I’m scared because I cannot fall in love with you, even though I’m already in too deep. I’ve done it once and i-it hurt me.” You were on the verge of bawling, maintaining your emotions. “I-I cannot feel this way so soon—fresh out of a relationship…I’ve only known you for, what? A month? We barely even know each other, Harry-”

“See, now, that’s where you’re wrong. You think I don’t know you, but I bet that you know I know you quite well. Probably more than all of your bitchy friends back home who you’ve known for years.” You stayed silent, not knowing how to respond, but he was right, he did know you better than anyone you knew back in SF. “If I didn’t know you then I wouldn’t know that your favorite thing to eat while you were growing up was chocolate croissants. Your favorite color often switches every few days, but some of them are, and specifically: maroon, evergreen, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and beige. You love watching kids cooking competitions in your free time and often root for the one who is doing miserably and knows who won’t make it to the next round. You’re learning how to bake, which is what you said that you’ve always wanted to learn out to make proper pastries, and based on what you bring to work for us to try, you’re on the right path to being a baker.” 

“I’m…” you were at a loss for words, tears lining your eyes. All of the questions and playful conversation you and Harry had during work had come around in his words; it showed that Harry really listened, and when he did, he didn’t forget every detail you’ve told him. Your heart felt like it was in your stomach, making your stomach flutter in giddiness and shock. 

“I could go on, honestly, but it would be an entire list of things that I’ve remembered about you.” Harry softly smiled down at his feet. “All I’m saying is this: I like to think I know the basics of you, and I still have a lot to learn about you. But don’t run away from me, please. If you want to and you don’t want anything to do with me, that’s fine, but I can’t let you walk out without trying not to stop you.” He sighed, completely putting himself out there as he was practically begging you to stay. “I really like you, Y/N, I mean it. I don’t care if we’ve only known each other for a month. I don’t care that you just got out of a relationship. I mean if you’re still in love with him or have a bit of interest in him still, then that’s different-”

“I don’t,” you interrupted, shaking your head no. It was the truth; you hadn’t felt love for your ex in a really long time, and you simply stayed with him and kept forgiving him just because it was comfortable. 

“Okay…” 

“It’s just…I don’t want people to think I’m some kind of person who moves on from relationships so quickly. I-I mean, I didn’t come here just to find myself in another relationship, y’know?” Your tone was concerning, like all of your worries were piling up into one big stack that made your head hurt from thinking too much. 

“No one’s gonna think that—I don’t think that. Besides, it isn’t any of their business.” Harry walked even closer to you, inches away as his hands grazed your upper arms. “Let me ask you something, does this feel right? Being with me?” You nodded with no hesitation. “Say it,” he instructed, wanting to hear the words come out of your mouth. 

“This feels right.” 

Harry smiled at you comfortingly. “Okay, then let it be right.” 

“I’m scared,” you admitted, looking down. He lifted your chin up with the soft touch of his fingertips, goosebumps littered your skin with just his simple touch. 

“Me too, but I’m doing surprisingly well at hiding it. We’ll go slow, okay? No pressure into labeling; let’s just go with the flow, alright?” He suggested, and you softly muttered an ‘okay,’ reaching up to wrap your arms around his shoulders, giving him a warm and grateful hug. 

“I’m so sorry-” you said into his shoulder, but he quickly cut you off. 

“No need to be sorry, I understand.” His understanding makes you even more soft as you hugged him tighter; a few tears slipped your eyes, streaming down Harry’s shoulder. 

After a moment, the two of you pulled away, feeling so much relief from the hug and conversation. 

“Is your offer on staying the night still up?” You asked hesitantly.

He smiled. “Yeah, it always is. C’mon.” He took you by the hand, leading you to his room and into his bed—not for the actions of pleasure, but for a nice and comforting cuddle. 

You situated yourself on his chest, comfortably trailing your fingers up and down his skin as his arm was wrapped around your shoulder. 

Lifting your head up to meet his face, he smiled at you before you gave him a sweet kiss to his lips. It didn’t lead to anything, it didn’t even deepen; just the feel of his soft, pink lips on yours was enough to make you feel bliss. 

You pulled away. “Slow?” Harry chuckled, nodding his head. 

“Slow.” 

Your face warmed up as you smiled, cheeks aching; you positioned yourself back onto his chest for the night, taking up all of his space on the bed when your side was completely empty as you held him close. Even though you’ve only known him for a month, you felt yourself falling; because ultimately, it felt right. 

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[cagemasterfantasy]

Plate-of-Gold

Serves 4 as an appetizer

Ingredients: Sweet and Sour sauce: 1/3 Cup apricot or peach jam or orange marmalade, 1/3 cup ketchup, 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon light or dark brown sugar, 2 Teaspoons soy sauce, 1/2 Teaspoon chile-garlic sauce (Optional), Kosher salt

Tempura: About 1 1/2 quarts canola or other high-smoke-point oil for frying, 2/3 Cup cake flour, 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, Kosher salt, 2/3 Cup plus 1 Tablespoon sparkling water, cold, 8 Ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, very large cups halved, cold, 1 Sweet potato, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices, cold, 1 Yellow onion, trimmed, halved pole to pole, and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slivers, cold

Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the jam, stirring, until mostly fluid, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, chile-garlic sauce (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon salt and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking, to blend the flavors, 1 minute. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, if necessary.

Make the Tempura: Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with a double layer of paper towels and set aside. Clip a deep-fry or candy thermometer to the side of a heavy 5-quart Dutch oven, add the oil, and warm over medium-high heat to 390. Preheat the oven to 200. Place a wire rack on a second large rimmed baking sheet and set aside.

Meanwhile fill a large bowl about 1/3 full with ice and about 1 1/2 cups water. In a medium (preferably stainless-steel) bowl that will fit in the larger bowl, whisk together the cake and all-purpose flours and 3/4 teaspoon salt; set this bowl in the bowl with the ice water to chill the flour mixture. When the oil reaches 390, add the sparkling water to the flour mixture and stir just until the wet and dry are incorporated, but still a little lumpy; do not overmix.

Working with about 8 pieces at a time, use tongs or chopsticks to dip them in the batter to coat thoroughly. Allow any excess batter to drip off, then slip them into the oil and fry until slightly puffed and pale gold, adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain 390 stirring to prevent sticking, and turning the pieces over in the oil once or twice to promote even frying, 5 to 6 minutes for each batch. With a spider skimmer, slotted spoon, or long tongs, transfer the tempura to the paper towel lined baking sheet to drain for 30 seconds. Sprinkle lightly with salt and place on the wire rack set on the baking sheet and put in the oven to keep warm. Allow the oil to recover to 390 and fry the remaining batches. Serve with the sweet and sour sauce.