#The Daily All Day Bistro

[whizzing-fizzbee]

The Pact

Sebastian Sallow x Female reader (MC)

Rating: Explicit 18+ (Minors DNI), all characters are adults Themes: friends to lovers, marriage pact, unspoken feelings, fluff, smut Word count: 6,429 Summary: You and your best friend, Sebastian Sallow, made a pact on your 18th birthday: the two of you would get married if you were both single at age 25. Now it's your 25th birthday and neither of you have a spouse.

Notes: Would like to note that under no circumstances do I believe that anyone living in the modern age of 2024 should have a marriage pact at age 25. But times and life expectancies were different back in the good ol' Hogwarts Legacy days, which is why I chose 25 for these two.

Part I is fluffy. Part II gets smutty. Both are on AO3 or below the cut.

Part I: The Pact

Sebastian Sallow glanced at his pocket watch. It was five after 7 p.m., and it wasn’t like you to be late. Most times, you were annoyingly punctual, if not fifteen minutes early.

Sebastian exhaled slowly and audibly, fidgeting in his seat as his eyes scanned the view outside the window for your familiar face. His fingers drummed anxiously atop the white tablecloth.

The bistro was a bit fancier than he preferred, but he wanted to do something nice for you. For all you cared, the two of you would eat cold sandwiches from a picnic basket somewhere quiet and secluded, but you agreed to meet him here for a change of pace. After all, it was a special occasion. It was your 25th birthday.

Your mirror was the reason you were late. You couldn’t tear yourself away from it, your gaze scrutinizing every miniscule detail of your reflection. Was your makeup too much? Was your hairstyle too simple? Did the dress you picked suit you? Were you trying too hard? Would Sebastian even notice?

Realizing you were going to be late, you took a deep breath, willing the air to somehow inflate your nerves and give you the confidence to survive the evening.

When you arrived at the restaurant an uncharacteristic twelve minutes late, you found Sebastian seated by the window, rifling through the day’s Daily Prophet.

“There you are,” you said cheerily, hoping your makeup hadn’t smeared and your hair was still in place after your apparition. It was a common greeting between the two of you, dating back to your Hogwarts days.

“There you are,” Sebastian replied per usual, folding the crinkled newspaper as he met your gaze. You could feel it sweeping over you as he took in your appearance. “You look stunning.”

Suddenly, you felt foolish for wearing blush. Sebastian’s compliments were more than enough to bring a tinge of rosy color to your cheeks.

“You look nice, too,” you answered as you eyed his outfit. Sebastian had become a sharp dresser over the years. Tonight, he wore a sleek pair of trousers that matched his vest, buttoned over a fresh white shirt and tie, though his hair maintained its signature tousled look.

Nice was the understatement of the century. Sebastian looked positively, devilishly handsome. Of course, he could wear a burlap sack and you’d find him attractive. You’d been a sucker for that boy’s freckles and brown eyes since you were fifteen.

But Sebastian’s boyish features faded a few years ago, his once round face morphing into a man’s. It had sharpened, becoming more defined with stubble that surfaced over his jawline if it went too long without a razorblade. He was clean-shaven tonight, though. You could smell his aftershave, an indication he had shaved just for you, or so you wanted to believe.

“Here, sit,” he said, rising to his feet to pull your chair out. He loomed over you now, his frame having reached at least six feet years ago.

You smoothed your dress out as you sat and Sebastian returned to his own chair, brandishing a bouquet of flowers he had brought for you. 

“For you,” he said simply.

You smiled at the vibrant bouquet, pausing to smell it before placing it delicately on the table.

“Thank you,” you said, offering him a smile. He gazed at you quietly for a split second and it made you want to squirm in your seat.

Instead, you shot him an inquisitive look, challenging him to speak, and in return, he flashed his signature smirk.

“So,” he said, leaning back in his chair, his long legs stretching beneath the table and his eyes still lingering on you. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” you said, crossing and uncrossing your legs. You shifted, tucking one leg behind the other as you willed yourself to remain poised.

You wondered if he was going to broach the subject, the topic that loomed over both of your heads. You hadn’t spoken of it in five years, and you weren’t certain Sebastian even remembered.

But you thought of it constantly, its weight omnipresent in your life and your choices, nagging every “What if?” in the back of your mind.

It began when you turned eighteen. You and Sebastian spent your birthday getting piss-drunk at the Three Broomsticks with a few of your friends. Once everyone else had returned to Hogwarts for the night, you and Sebastian remained seated at a tiny table by the pub’s fireplace, your drunken antics leaving you warm and giggly.

“I can’t believe we’re adults now,” you marveled after you lost count of how many shots of firewhiskey you had consumed.  

“Eighteen with our futures ahead of us and the world at our hands,” Sebastian declared dramatically, raising his glass to you. Before you could toast, he tipped back the drink and grinned at you.

“The future is so daunting,” you said, your tone turning serious as the liquor started to stir up your insecurities. “What if I can’t find a job, Seb?”

“You’ve had the Ministry eyeing you for its auror academy for months now,” Sebastian said. “You’re a shoo-in to become the best damn auror the wizarding world has ever seen.”

“But what if I’m no good at it?”

“You’re joking, right?” Sebastian snorted. “You literally saved wizardkind from a goblin rebellion. You take down poachers and Ashwinders on a regular basis. Plus you manage to keep Leander Prewett at bay, despite all of his abhorrent advances.”

“What if I don’t find someone who’ll want to marry me?”

“Then I suppose Prewett will have to do.”

“Sebastian!”

“Relax, I was only joking,” Sebastian chuckled. “What makes you think no one will marry you? You have half the boys in our year positively drooling over you and tripping over their own feet for your attention. And besides, you don’t need to get married to have a fulfilling life. You’re incredible on your own.”

“But I want to share my life with someone.”

Sebastian blinked at you. “I didn’t realize you were such a hopeless romantic,” he mused.

You shrugged, your eyes glassy from your drunken haze. “I just think love could be a beautiful thing, you know? And what about a family? I want a family of my own.”

Sebastian hummed in agreement, falling uncommonly quiet. “You’ll find love,” he finally said, his gaze resting beyond you, at something that didn’t exist over your shoulder. 

“But what if I don’t?” you whined, the alcohol replacing your usual composed demeanor with something far less sophisticated.

“You will,” Sebastian said confidently, his gaze returning to you with amusement. He studied you, his smirk softening as he recognized the concern in your eyes. “Tell you what,” he continued, leaning forward to emphasize his seriousness. “How about you and I make a pact? If neither of us is married by the time we’re both 25, we’ll get married to each other.”

It was your turn to blink at him as you processed his proposal. It wasn’t quite the marriage proposal you wanted from him, but it was likely the closest you’d get, at least from Sebastian.

“Really?” you asked stupidly.

“Sure,” Sebastian answered assuredly. “Why not? I doubt it’ll come to fruition considering what I said about all the potential suitors you already have, but it’d be good to have a back-up plan just in case. And despite your best dramatics, I know you don’t despise me as much as you pretend. Growing old with me wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”

Of course it wouldn’t. It was all you really wanted. But you didn’t want to be Sebastian’s back-up plan. You wanted to be his first and foremost plan, his top choice, his only consideration for a wife. 

But you didn’t dare share that detail with him. He was your best friend, your confidant, your kindred spirit. The two of you had been through so much together; the trauma, the laughs, the adventure – it was too much history to risk with romance. 

So instead of making any romantic proclamations, you kept your cool and merely shrugged. “All right,” you agreed. “You and I, married after 25.”

The two of you shook hands and laughed about the frivolity of your new vow. After that night, you only brought it up a few times on rare occasion, like on your birthday or after one of you endured a particularly nasty breakup with a romantic partner.

”Well, I suppose there’s always our pact,” Sebastian once told you after you and Amit Thakkar broke up the summer after you graduated Hogwarts. You sighed that time, saddened by your failed relationship, yet hopeful for the notion that you and Sebastian could still someday end up together.

But that was just a silly, drunken agreement with no real weight to it, right?

The last time the pact had been mentioned was your 20th birthday, which was dampened by another breakup, this time with a man named Maximilian Flint. He was a professional quidditch player on the Appleby Arrows’ reserve team roster. 

The two of you met at a Christmas party and hit it off, but distance quickly made it clear that you weren’t meant to last. You were living in London, traveling on occasion for work. Maximilian, Max as you called him, was always traveling with the team. So your relationship was short-lived, leaving Sebastian to remind you of your agreement again. But that was the final time he brought it up.  

Meanwhile, Sebastian seemed unbothered by expectations of marriage. You watched as he kept his connections much more casual, dating different women with no real romantic intent. You couldn’t help but wonder if Sebastian simply had no desire to ever get married, making your pact void of any real potential.

It wasn’t that you hadn’t had any more suitors since then. Adulthood had served you well, your body filling out nicely in your early twenties. You certainly weren’t starved for attention from men and had your fair share of dates, but even the most charming bachelors fell short.

It wasn’t them, it was you. Or maybe it was Sebastian.

Every time you found yourself in the arms of a new man, a potential husband who would be willing to love and care for you, your mind wandered to that stupid pact. You couldn’t help but romanticize it as if it were reality — you and Sebastian, happily ever after. Your daydreams drew you downward to dangerous depths where you envisioned a cozy home the two of you shared. He’d help you cook dinner before you both tucked your children in bed so that you could enjoy each other’s company privately.

It was a maddening fantasy that had managed to sabotage all of your romantic prospects, but you couldn’t help it. No man compared to Sebastian, no matter how many times you tried to convince yourself otherwise, and no matter how often you reminded yourself that the two of you were merely meant to be best friends.

Now, the two of you were seated at that bistro table five years later, still without spouses.

”You didn’t have to take me to such a nice place,” you said as a waiter served you champagne.

Sebastian flashed a grin and raised his glass to you, igniting a sense of deja vu that pulled you back to that night at the Three Broomsticks seven years ago. 

“It’s not everyday my favorite person turns 25,” he noted. You clinked your glass against his and drank, savoring the champagne’s sweetness. You wondered how much of it you could have before you were drunk enough to forget about the stupid pact. The answer, sadly, was unsurmountable.

Instead, you did your best to enjoy your meal and Sebastian’s company. You swapped work stories, Sebastian telling you of his latest curse breaking endeavors while you recounted a recent arrest during your work as an auror. 

When you thought your dinner was complete, Sebastian sat back and smirked over your shoulder. You frowned, turning to see what had stolen his attention when you spotted your waiter approaching with a small birthday cake.

”Sebastian,” you hissed as the cake was placed in front of you, its frosted letters spelling out Happy Birthday in purple cursive. “You didn’t need to do that.”

”Don’t be ridiculous,” Sebastian said, leaning over the table with his fork to steal a bite of cake. “You deserve a nice birthday.”

You smiled at him before taking a bite, enjoying the cake's sweetness until you noticed Sebastian watching you.

”You have icing on your lip,” he noted with a smirk.

Before you could reach for the napkin in your lap, Sebastian was reaching across the table again. He swiped at the rogue icing with his thumb before he relaxed back into his seat, licking his thumb clean.

You had to sit on your hands to keep from fidgeting too much.

Once Sebastian paid the bill, he became quiet, his eyes drifting toward the window as the two of you watched the passerby in comfortable silence. A young couple passed, holding hands and laughing, a sight that made you long for your own companionship.

It was sitting three feet away from you, but you didn’t realize how it was sneaking glances at you.

”So,” Sebastian finally said as he tossed his napkin on the table. “Ready for our next stop?”

”Next stop?” you repeated blankly.

Sebastian rose to his feet, his tall frame drawing the attention of other women in the room. You wanted to throw the remnants of your water goblet on them, but Sebastian extended a hand to you.

”Yes, doll, our next stop,” he said as you stood. His eyes gleamed and you prayed you wouldn’t lose your composure — not now, not when you’d nearly made it through the night. Or so you thought.

”Seb, you don’t have to-”

”Nothing but best for my lady.”

You were certain you were going to pass out right there in the middle of that quaint bistro. Instead, Sebastian led you outside into the cool night air.

”And just where are you taking me?” you demanded. “If we’re heading to your flat, I hope you took care of that niffler in the closet-”

”Eager to head back to my place already?” Sebastian teased.

You tripped over your own feet. Luckily, Sebastian still had a hold on you. He failed to conceal a laugh as he steadied you, clearly enjoying your frazzled state.

”If you must know,” Sebastian continued as he steered you toward a vacant ally, “We’re off to the Three Broomsticks.”

”The Three Broomsticks?” you laughed. “Why? We haven’t been there in years. We aren’t students anymore.”

Sebastian took hold of your arm and offered a grin. “Just thought we’d head there for old time’s sake. I’m feeling rather nostalgic tonight, aren’t you?”

You couldn’t decide if the lurch in your stomach was from your nerves or from Sebastian’s apparition. 

When you landed, the familiar smell of aged wood and butterbeer greeted you. 

“Come, sit,” Sebastian said with a gentle tug on your arm. You swallowed as you realized he was leading you to that same tiny table in the corner, near the fireplace. You took the same seat you’d held before, seven years ago, as Sebastian retreated to the bar to fetch your drinks. When he returned, he set a small glass down and grinned at you.

Firewhiskey.

”Sebastian,” you started as you eyed the liquid warily. “This is a bad idea.”

”Exactly.” You couldn’t help but snort as Sebastian lifted his own glass. “Cheers,” he continued as you clinked your glasses for the second time that night. “To old times and to our future.”

You nearly choked at his words. Our future? Was he referring to your pact? 

You downed your drink swiftly and made a face, evoking another laugh from Sebastian. He took the stool across from you and grinned.

”Are you trying to get me drunk again?” you accused.

”Of course not,” Sebastian answered. “I’m merely recreating old memories. Though you were certainly capable of drinking more back when you turned 18.”

“I had far fewer responsibilities when I was 18,” you pointed out. Sebastian hummed in response before another silence settled between you.

You wanted to bring it up. You wanted to mention it, even if it was just in jest. ‘Hey, remember that ridiculous pact we made?’ you could laugh. But instead, you remained quiet, the low hum of the conversations of other patrons inside the pub filling the space between you and Sebastian.

”So, how’s it feel being 25?” Sebastian finally asked. There was something about his gaze that unsettled you. He wasn’t looking at you with his trademark smirk or the glint of mischief that typically hid in his eyes, only detectable by those who really knew him.

“It feels… exactly the same as 24,” you laughed.

Sebastian nodded in understanding. “It’s rather anticlimactic, isn’t it?” he mused.

”That, it is.”

Sebastian smiled but you couldn't help but narrow your eyes at him. “If 25 feels the same as any other year, why have you gone out of your way to make tonight special for me?” you asked.

Sebastian shrugged, the gleam of the nearby fireplace flickering over his features. “Because your 25 is special,” he answered. “Now we’re both 25.”

You couldn’t form words. Your usual sharp wit and clever quips had abandoned you. Sebastian eyed you patiently, as if you contained some kind of answer to a riddle.

”Do you remember?” Sebastian continued. “The pact we made when we were 18?”

You were certain he could hear the way your heart seemed to be pounding in your skull, rattling your brain and leaving you void of any coherence.

”I do,” you managed.

”Well, we’re both 25 now.”

”We are.”

Sebastian was still studying you with patience, a jarring contrast from his usual unrest.

”Well, do you think you want to go through with it — the pact?”

”Huh?” You had never sounded so stupid in your life and it was starting to scare you. Sebastian also seemed slightly alarmed by your sudden stupor, because he leaned in closer.

”Look,” he said, his eyes searching you with a quiet desperation to be taken seriously. “I know it was just a stupid thing we said when we were young and drunk. But that doesn’t mean that it was irrelevant, at least not to me. I actually meant it. The offer still stands.” He paused to study your expression, as if to ensure you weren’t laughing at him or appalled by the topic. “But I also understand if you weren’t serious about it. It’s not like you don’t have a line of dates waiting to take you out, if you even want to be married, that is.”

”And what about you?” you managed, your voice much pitchier than usual. “You bring a different girl home every week.”

Sebastian appeared taken aback by such a harsh accusation. “Every week is quite an exaggeration,” he mumbled, his gaze falling to the tabletop as if he were ashamed. It made you feel horrible for passing judgment on your best friend. “But you’re right, I haven’t had many serious relationships. I guess I haven’t wanted any.”

”But you want to get married?” you asked incredulously.

”You didn’t let me finish,” Sebastian replied gently. His eyes drifted upward again to meet yours, softening your own gaze. “I haven’t wanted any serious relationships beyond the one I have with you.”

”But we’re-”

”Friends, I know,” Sebastian finished. “But I don’t want that to be the case. I want more.”

His words seemed to linger in the air above you, their weight threatening to crush you with a pastiche of emotions. They hovered, waiting for your response while Sebastian held his breath.

“How long have you wanted to be more than friends?” you finally asked. You silently scolded yourself for asking such a mundane question when you should be yanking Sebastian by the tie into the best kiss of his life.

“Since the day we became friends,” he answered.

The impact of his honesty made you inhale sharply, but the air didn’t seem to reach your lungs. 

”All this time?”

”Of course.”

Your head spun with a thousand more questions, each one overtaking the next as you tried to make sense of Sebastian’s confession. You couldn’t decide which emotion was the most prominent — the surprise, the elation, or the anger that the two of you had withheld yourselves from each other all along.

”Why did you make that pact then?” you finally asked. “Why didn’t you just tell me, then and there, that night seven years ago?”

”Because your future was just beginning,” Sebastian answered. “You had so much life to explore and I was just the moron who made a mess of what little family he had left. I was still figuring things out, and even though I knew I loved you, I didn’t think it was fair to hold you back from the life you deserved.”

��I deserved the truth, Sebastian,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper, a juxtaposition of hurt and happy. “I deserved to spend the past seven years with someone who made me happy.”

The revelation settled over Sebastian, who became still. He looked dumbfounded, and if you weren’t about to spill your best-kept secret, you probably would have teased him.

“You mean you actually wanted to be with me?”

”Don’t be so dense,” you breathed with a soft laugh. “Of course I did. Sebastian, you’ve met some of the men I’ve dated. None of them are like you.”

”I thought that was by design.”

”As utterly exhausting as you are, you’re the only person I’ve ever deemed worth my time and energy,” you said. “I wouldn’t have agreed to that stupid pact if I’d known it wasn’t the only chance I’d have at being with you.”

It was Sebastian’s turn to sort through his racing thoughts, but you were growing impatient. You didn’t even realize you were standing now, anxious to find out where the rest of your life was now headed, now that you and the only man you’d ever loved had just admitted you wasted the past ten years pining after one another.

”So all this time, we could have… just been together?” Sebastian said.

”Apparently.”

”Are we stupid?”

”Apparently. Did you plan this evening with hopes I’d agree to carry out the pact?” you asked.

”I mean, I thought there might be a chance,” Sebastian admitted. “I was fully prepared to make a case for myself.”

It was the tipping point. The strange scene, nostalgic yet new, would become the pivotal moment in your timeline when Sebastian Sallow would no longer be your best friend. It was exhilarating and terrifying, comforting and confusing, a perfect reflection of who you and Sebastian were as humans and as a pair.

Sebastian was still looking stunned as you finally came to your senses. 

“So can we continue to our next stop?” you asked.

Sebastian was confused, but rose to his feet when he realized you were preparing to leave the pub. “Next stop? Where’s that?”

”Depends,” you answered. “Did you get that niffler out of your flat?”

Part II: The Vow

The floating candles were fading, the last remaining drips of wax fighting to keep their flames alive. The music dipped to a low hum as the live band prepared to end its performance for the night.

The remaining guests bid their farewells with cheerful laughter and hugs, offering well wishes to you and your groom while you watched them leave with sadness.

You didn’t want the night to end — or so you thought.

But your sad goodbyes were quickly replaced with anticipation as you could feel your husband snaking his arms around your waist.

Your husband. The very word made you swell with pride. You waited over ten years for this moment and couldn’t believe it was a reality. Ten years of patiently waiting for that freckled brown-eyed boy to realize how much you loved him. Ten years of putting up with his chaos, of keeping his darkest secrets, all because you saw beyond his mistakes. Ten years of hoping and praying that boy would turn into a man who would return the unconditional love you carried for him since the day you dueled in Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Ten years of waiting on Sebastian Sallow to kindly remove his head from the sand and make you his wife.

Mission accomplished.

”That’s everyone,” Sebastian murmured in your ear. “The last of the guests. Just you and me now.”

”Thank heavens,” you hissed, wincing as you shifted your weight. “These shoes are killing me.”

”Let’s get you home so you can take them off,” Sebastian mumbled against the back of your neck, his lips pressing a series of kisses there. “That dress needs to come off, too.”

The wedding had been perfect. It was a beautiful garden display with your closest friends and family, all who sighed in relief that the the two people involved had finally squashed their stubborn resistance and ended up together.

”I was really starting to get worried you were going to end up with that bloke from the Ministry,” Ominis Gaunt told you. “The one with the hideous outfits.”

”And I was worried Sebastian was going to be a bachelor forever,” Anne Sallow added. “If I can’t have kids of my own, I’d at least like to be an aunt.”

Ten months ago, you and Sebastian finally figured it out. The two of you had spent the ten years you’d known each other waiting on the other person to say something, anything, to ensure that the feelings weren’t one-sided. 

That stupid marriage-after-25 pact you made was upheld though, even if it had become less of a pact and more of an absolution as a result of a decade of unspoken words and mutual pining.

”Finally,” Sebastian declared once he’d apparated the two of you home to your shared townhouse in London.

Though you had wasted ten years waiting on another to begin your relationship, you and Sebastian wasted no time in consummating your marriage.

Actually, you’d spent the past ten months making up for lost time and, “It’s a wonder you haven’t gotten pregnant yet,” as Anne so bluntly stated.

This night was no different.

Sebastian hooked an arm around your waist to pull you in for a kiss, his hands roaming from your sides to reach for the back of your dress.

”You looked beautiful tonight,” he told you for the hundredth time. You knew his words were sincere though, given the way Sebastian’s eyes had devoured you the entire evening, waiting impatiently to see beneath the dress you had only picked knowing damn well he’d be dying to remove it.

A sharp tug at the ribbons of the corset that laced up the back of your dress loosened the bodice, causing you to spill from it, exposing your bare chest.

Sebastian flashed his canines. 

He kissed you hard, his hands tugging the dress downward in frenzied motions until you could step out of it, leaving the beautiful garment in a heap. Those frantic hands found their way back to your waist, tracing the curves that led upward to your breasts.

Your breath caught as Sebastian kissed your neck, his own breath hot against your skin, trailing along your collarbone in a desperate attempt to put his mouth on every inch of you that he could manage.

Sebastian was far too overdressed for your liking, so you tugged at his tie, pulling him in to meet your lips before you helped him loosen the fabric. By the time the silky accessory slipped to the floor, you were working on the buttons at the front of Sebastian’s shirt, thoroughly annoyed that there seemed to be so damn many of them.

Three buttons in, you huffed your aggravation and Sebastian barked a laugh. “Go on, love,” he said. “It’s just a shirt.”

You weren’t seeking his permission, but his blessing was all the encouragement you needed to tear the shirt open. Its buttons popped and sailed across the room, scattering over the floor to be fetched another day.

Sebastian’s shirt sank to the floor and you practically dove for his belt buckle while he gazed downward in pure elation stoked by your eager actions. You didn’t care. Now was not the time for poise and composure. You’d spent the entire day indulging propriety, performing your part as the perfect blushing bride.

Now, you were ready for your role as Sebastian’s real wife.

You removed his belt swiftly, his suit trousers soon joining the rest of his clothes on the floor until your own panties were the only article of clothing between you.

Sebastian took it upon himself to remove them, hooking his thumbs into the sides to tug you closer for another kiss. His tongue hinted at the things he wanted to do to you as it pushed past the threshold of your lips, his thumbs working your panties downward until they fluttered to the floor.

“You’re a fucking vision,” Sebastian breathed, his fingers reaching between your thighs to drag over your folds. 

You sighed as his fingers worked at the tension that had mounted in your core, and ground your hips impatiently against Sebastian’s palm, which was pressed against your clit. 

“So tense, you are,” Sebastian mewed, removing his hand from your body to gently suck on his fingers.

Before you could form a response, he scooped you up to carry you to the bedroom. You squealed as one arm supported your back, the other supporting your weight beneath your thighs. He smirked at you as he felt the slickness that had settled between them.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” Sebastian groaned as he entered your bedroom. He tossed you on the bed and loomed over you as he decided which sinful act he wanted to perform first.

He licked his lips and reached for your ankles, tugging you toward the edge of the bed. 

“Can’t wait to see if you taste even better as my bride,” he said as he settled between your knees. He planted a trail of kisses up your thighs, over your hip bones to your bellybutton, invoking a pitiful whimper from you.

You could feel him smirk against your skin, undoubtedly planning how he could use his tongue to orchestrate your demise.    Sebastian hooked his arms around your legs, his fingers pressing into the flesh of your thighs as he prepared himself to feast on you.

A sharp inhale passed through your lips the moment his mouth made contact with you, his tongue gliding over your folds.

”Shit,” you heard him hiss. “You taste so fucking sweet.”

His tongue darted patterns across you, dragging deep sensations below your skin. Your fingers tangled tighter in his hair as you willed your body to produce the response you were both working for.

Sebastian grunted, a telltale sign that his own needs were making him impatient. His cock stirred and he couldn’t help but grip himself as he continued to taste you.

”Oh god,” you groaned as you could feel the familiar sensation of a climax surfacing. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

Sebastian would have to be hit with an Unforgivable Curse before he dared to stop. Instead, his fingertips pressed into your thighs as his tongue applied more pressure, maintaining the pace he knew you liked.

The reward of his sinful act surged forth, your body rippling with pleasure as you moaned, your fingernails digging into Sebastian’s skull at the peak of your orgasm. When it subsided, Sebastian left you panting as he straightened up, one hand still supporting his shaft.

He smirked downward at you as he admired the aftermath of his work. He always did this after such an act, his gaze gleaming with pride, lips wet, his tousled hair making him the epitome of sin incarnate.

Most times after Sebastian’s tongue had worked you into a breathless, fucked out frenzy, he was ready to seal the deal and take you until he was finished himself. Other times, you were eager to return the favor and he’d allow it if he felt he had the willpower.

So as he stood over you, his eyes drinking in the erotic vision that was his wife in a post-orgasm haze, you rolled yourself over to lie on your stomach, facing him so that he could bring himself to your waiting mouth.

You reached for him and he hissed as your fingers enclosed around him, a thumb tracing gentle circles around his tip. He twitched slightly, the sensation forcing a grunt from him.

You smirked, your eyes raised upward as they met his while you took him in your mouth, the velvet of his skin gliding against your lips.

”Fuck, I love you,” Sebastian breathed. You hummed in response, the vibration from your lips drawing a groan from Sebastian. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he said as your head bobbed, your cheeks sucked inward tightly around his shaft.

His eyes roamed your form, presented in such a pretty way for him, laid out so that he could see your backside. He reached for you, gently squeezing as you focused on using your mouth.

Sebastian’s tip hit the back of your throat and he groaned at the sensation of the soft flesh. He didn’t know what he did to deserve this, but he silently thanked every higher power for forgiving his past sins enough to present him with you.

”Come here,” he suddenly growled, pulling his cock from your mouth. You whined in protest but knew you were in for the ultimate honor.

Sebastian had you by the legs and rolled you to your back again, pulling you toward the edge of the bed once more. This time, he stood between your thighs, his bedroom eyes dark with desire as he held his cock in one hand, ready to take you.

When he guided himself inside you, you moaned until he was fully engulfed. Sebastian clenched his jaw at the sensation, unsure how long he would last thanks to the wetness that was already pooling around him. But he had told himself that morning, before he got to watch you saunter down the aisle to him, that he was going to do everything in his power to make you happy. And that included satiating your every need in the bedroom, until your legs shook and your voice became hoarse.

Sebastian made a silent vow to get at least two more good orgasms out of you tonight. You deserved it. You were his wife.

The room filled with the sounds of Sebastian’s body slapping against yours, a rhythmic beat punctuated with your occasional moans. Sebastian leaned forward to leave kisses on your neck, one hand cupping your breast as the other supported his weight.

”Going to come for me?” he panted.

”Yes,” you breathed. You used your own legs to lift your hips, meeting Sebastian’s in a desperate act to ensure another orgasm.

It didn’t take long to achieve your goal. Sebastian had been here before. He was familiar with your wants and needs, the rhythms you liked and the way you secretly were turned on when he whispered absolute filth in your ear.

He fucked you harder, so hard that your cunt started to spasm before your lips could form his name. You cried out so loud you were certain the neighbors would come knocking, but Sebastian would hex them if they dared to interrupt.

The bedsheets became soaked beneath you, your gasps replacing the fervid sounds of sex as you caught your breath. Sebastian, still inside you, nuzzled your neck as he allowed you to recollect yourself.

Now, it was his turn. You knew that and you wanted it. So you sat up, indicating it was time to switch places. Sebastian obliged without a word, settling onto his back as you straddled him.

Though he’d seen you in this position countless times, Sebastian never failed to admire the sight. This time, he took extra care to savor the moment that was his absolute goddess of a wife mounted on top of him.

You held your breath as you slowly lowered your hips, impaling yourself on Sebastian. 

“Fuck fuck fuck,” he said through gritted teeth as your cunt swallowed his shaft until your full weight had him completely inside you.

You rocked slightly, seeking the familiar friction and angle you knew would privilege you with a third orgasm if Sebastian could hold out that long. Lifting your hips and slamming back downward, you quickly found the spot, moaning Sebastian’s name to express your gratitude for his cock that seemed to be made with you in mind.

”You take me so fucking well,” Sebastian said as he watched you ride him, your hips lifting and bucking. His gaze flickered from your breasts to the spot where the two of you were connected, and he reached to press his thumb against your clit.

”Sebastian!” you wheezed as the sensation caught you off guard. You were met with a smirk, which you didn’t see because your eyes squeezed shut to focus on the absolute ecstasy forming within your core.

”You’re soaked,” you heard Sebastian say, but you chose to ignore him as you rocked backward, the tip of his cock pressing against the most sensitive part of you.

Heaven couldn’t help you in that moment, and Hell wouldn’t know what to do with you. You choked out a moan as your cunt contracted, desperate to milk out another orgasm. You could feel the tension teetering you right to the edge as your core tingled with warning.

”Fuck, Sebastian!” you gasped as you earned your final orgasm, your walls fluttering around your husband’s cock. A guttural moan escaped your lips as you rode it out, the contractions setting Sebastian’s own climax in motion.

”Fuck!” he grunted as he spilled himself inside you in quick bursts. His hands gripped your hips and his eyes were clamped shut as his body responded to the intensity. ”My god,” he managed when the feeling finally subsided, leaving you both panting.

Once you finally managed the energy to roll yourself off of him, you cuddled up to Sebastian, resting your head on his chest. Your exhaustion left you euphoric as the reality of your evening settled in. You were a wife now, and your husband was the one and only man you had ever wanted to spend these kinds of moments with.

Ten years had finally led you and Sebastian to this point, and you were so glad that stupid pact had been replaced by your vows.

[thehomophobe]

How To Fluster Them 😳

A Guide To See How To Fluster Your Cybernetic Sweetheart. These guides are in no particular order so choose whichever you like.

Freddy 🐻: 

1. Surprise gifts: Gifts from fans are always appreciated; they put their heart into it when crafting little crochet plushies or keychains or drawings of him. But when you create something; even if it's a crappy looking drawing, Freddy would blush at the sight. Notice how it says surprise gifts, so you must catch the android completely off guard when you gift him. Those are the perfect fluster moments.

2. Second-Hand Embarrassment: Freddy doesn't know too much about humans and human behavior despite being an A.I. But even with that said, he still learning social cues and human nature so don't chastise him over it. However, if you notify him about anything that seemed a little offputting, Freddy would become flustered over it. A simple, yet quiet, apology may present a sense of childlike guilt like a five-year-old apology for saying something out of pocket, but inside he is a little anxious. Try to calm him down by holding his hand or his shoulder and rub it affectionately.

 Chica 🐔:

1. Catch Her (In the act of doing anything): Caught her eating out of your trash again? Or maybe wearing your clothes? Perhaps sleeping with one of your plushies? Whatever silly little thing she did, if you catch her off guard or mention it while casually cuddling together, that'll surely ruffle her feathers...

Er...metaphorically...

2. Surprise Gifts: Just like Freddy, if you surprise her with a gift, you'll definitely fluster her. Honestly, she'll be easier fluster with a gift than Freddy. Recommend surprising her with food from a restaurant or a bistro that she always wanted to go to.

Monty 🐊:

1. Flirting (Back): He flirts with you on a daily basis, to the point where you can't tell when he is or isn't flirting. But once you respond back--twice as hard---you won him over. He'll be a blushing mess, god damn where'd you get that from? (Him obviously)

2. Physical Affection: Run your fingertips across any part of his body, Under his chin, up his arms, across his chest. He's so down bad for you. A hum facsimile to a purr would emitted from him. But if you wanted maximum domesticity, crawl into his lap and kiss him anywhere. We recommend anywhere on the face to get the best fluster.

Roxy 🐺:

1. Words of Affirmation/Genuine Compliments: Compliments are key; give her one, but make it candid and sincere. She's gonna be thinking about what you said all day. All week depending on what you said. We recommend not making any sexual compliments though, they won't hit as hard as heartfelt ones.

2. Physical Affection: Massage her. You'll get a blush from her, even if you can't particularity see it. Comb through her hair, no please do it. We recommend that hair-grooming can result in flustring. Only do this for about 10-30 seconds, be prepared for her snapping at you to back off.

Sun ☀:

1. Words of Affirmation/Genuine Compliments: While not as starved for plaudits as Roxanne, be complimented on his talents would definitely result in flustering. Would recommend compliments on: acrobatics, artistic ability/creativity, singing voice, appearance (i.e. calling him handsome, cute and/or adorable), how good he is with small children. These all resulted in 100% flusteredness.

2. Physical Affection: Holding hands, brushing shoulders, bumping hips, any sense of gentle touches trigger blush for the android. An small interview with Sun noted that you make him feel "all sparking and buzzing on the inside" similar to freshly lit fireworks. Would recommend cradling his face for ultimate fluster and completely domesticity.

Moon 🌑: 

1. Words of Affirmation/Genuine Compliments: Mainly the same as his brother, yet somewhat easier to fluster as many of our research has resulted in. It appears complimenting his looks and singing voice result in 92% flusteredness. The 8% being snootiness/agitation. A smaller interview with the android had stated you give him the butterflies in his stomach when this is done. We highly recommend it.

2. Physical Affection: Once again like his brother, holding hands, cuddles, and cradling his face all result in blushing. You make him feel weak. In a good way. In a staticky, heart melting way. Just hold him close like how he holds you close. If he tries to look away keep your eye contact, tell him his eyes are beautiful and refocus his vision.

[humansofnewyork]

“None of the decisions I made led me to fame or wealth, but they have led to really rich relationships. I just kept leaning into the people I cared about. I chose a job that allowed me to work remotely for thirty years. It allowed me to be home a lot with my wife and three daughters. Never missed a game. Never missed a school play. I picked them up from school every day at 3:30, unless I was traveling. I wasn’t a road warrior or anything. I only travelled a handful of days every month. And whenever I had to catch an early morning train to meet a client out of town, I’d be doing this calculus: I have to do this now, so that we can be together later. They were always my first priority. And they still are. We don’t get to see each other as much. But I get this warmth every day when they ping me and tell me they’re doing something. And it goes both ways. I gave a speech for work the other day. It went really well. And they were all excited to hear about it; high fives and cheers all around. This morning I had a little time between meetings. I was sitting at a little bistro, and I had a little virtual lunch with my daughter who lives in Paris. She was making dinner there. And we had a little chat. No other description necessary, right? It was wonderful. I just feel incredibly lucky that I get to do those things, and that they still want to do it. They still want to spend time with me. Maybe because they trust me. I try to be supportive and non-judgmental. But I think it’s mainly because I was so involved with their daily lives: all those plays, all those practices, all those trips home from school. That’s a lot of conversations. It really accumulates over the years. I really got to know them. They’re my friends.”

[sjsmith56]

Snowfall, Part 4 - Encounter

Summary: Over the next 10 days Bucky and Leia develop a routine that allows them to live normally. A fire alarm at the apartment building sets the stage for a showdown.

Length: 4.2 K

Characters: Bucky, Leia, Burnham, purse snatcher, stalker.

Warnings: Emotional turmoil, realization that the stalker is determined.

Author notes: FBI profiles are rarely static as new evidence can cause the authorities to redo them several times. Even then, too much emphasis may be placed on certain facets of the profile sending them looking in the wrong places.

<<Part 3

In the 10 days since the last letter was received and Leia revealed her little brother's tragic death, the FBI team redid the profile of the suspected stalker.  With the new information about the other half-siblings, at first expected to identify the stalker, it now pointed towards someone who knew Leia's real identity, someone with a clear sense of superiority, and was possibly related, but unconfirmed at this time.  It sent the investigation in a different direction that felt like a waiting game to Bucky and Leia.

The three known half-siblings, one older brother, one younger brother and one younger sister were under surveillance as their backgrounds were being checked but so far there was no indication they were involved.  All were married, with children, were gainfully employed, and well regarded in their communities.  None of them seemed to know about the others or about Leia; none of them belonged to an ancestry website or had registered with an agency that found birth parents.  Although their original birth registrations listed Leia's father as their biological father, two of the three were legally adopted at a young age by their mother's eventual husband and their official birth records changed to reflect that.  The third, whose mother was with Leia's father at the time of her brother's death, had initially drawn the most suspicion but a sample of his handwriting didn't match the stalker's handwriting at all. 

That left the possibility that the stalker was an as yet undiscovered half-sibling, his or her birth father either unspecified or named as someone else on the birth registration.  A DNA sample from Leia was prepared for comparison with ancestry websites that used such evidence to determine familial relationships, but that process took time.  It was frustrating but there was little recourse.

With an early winter fully ensconced in the Tri-state area, Bucky and Leia were committed to their burgeoning love affair.  Living together in the apartment was still in its honeymoon phase for the couple.  Their daily routine involved breakfast together, often cooked by Bucky, then Leia would write for a few hours, using the notes she placed in her phone app during the day.  Bucky would read, or lay on the couch with wireless headphones on, listening to 30s and 40s music; Alpine often curled up on his chest.  Lunch was usually undertaken at a small cozy bistro with windows steamy from the interior warmth colliding against the cold panes of glass that looked out on the wintry street.  They spent one afternoon shopping; with Bucky trying to get some Christmas presents for Sam and his family.  He even managed to get Leia a present by convincing Pepper Stark to pick up a necklace that she admired, relaying the amount to her via a money app.   The other afternoons were spent seeing several attractions that New York had to offer: the Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Art, and the main branch of the New York Public Library.  It was all new to Leia, and Bucky loved seeing the city through her eyes.

Dinner was something they worked on together, or had takeout food delivered to them, courtesy of the food delivery service that had been previously vetted.  So far, their handful of evenings together had been quiet, watching a movie on TV, or listening to music together, sometimes dancing in the living room with the coffee table pushed out of the way.  That activity had led to early evenings in bed, exploring the physical relationship that had developed quickly between them and showed no signs of burning out.

When they were out, they were always aware of one or more of the FBI agents tailing them, without them being intrusive.  With Bucky wearing an earpiece that kept him in constant communication with the team, it helped to quickly identify and discount various individuals who seemed to give Leia too much attention.  It also proved invaluable on the day that someone snatched Leia's purse.  As they were on a crowded street, a person jostled her, causing her to be pushed away from Bucky.  He saw a flash of a box cutter, pulled her towards him and away from the potential weapon, then watched with disbelief as a man slashed through the shoulder strap of her purse, sliding it off and running through the crowds back in the direction they came, straight towards two of the FBI agents.

"Purse snatcher," he signalled to the other three, unwilling to leave her alone.  "Grey hoodie, black jeans, 6 feet tall, 180 lbs."

"Got him," replied Burnham.  "Not today buddy."

Seconds later the guy was down on the pavement, flat on his back, as pedestrians stepped around him while Burnham and DaSilva held their guns on him.  Bucky and Leia joined them moments later, and waited for the police, already called by Schultz.  As they waited, Bucky scanned the crowded sidewalk, ever vigilant, sensing something that didn't seem right about this crime of opportunity.  A man, wearing a navy-blue winter coat and a black beanie deliberately turned away from the scene, then looked back and smirked at the super soldier before turning away again.  It was a very deliberate movement from a bystander, and he couldn't ignore it.

"Stay here," he ordered Leia.  "I'll be right back."

Burnham immediately stood next to her, nodding at Bucky that he had her.  Wading through the mass of people on the crowded sidewalk, Bucky kept the person in sight, as he was led away from the scene.  Approaching a stairwell down into the subway, the person dropped out of sight and Bucky hurried towards the stairs, running down them.  With people streaming past him, he climbed on top of the gate to look at those already inside the paid area.  Just as he spotted the man, a transit officer challenged Bucky to get down. 

"I'm on a case," he answered, keeping his eyes on the suspect.

"Don't care, get off the gate."

With a huff, Bucky jumped down and went back up the stairs.  He stopped at the top and looked around again as that sense came back to him.  Scanning the busy intersection carefully, he noticed something at the other entrance to the subway station, set diagonally across the large crossing space.  The man was at the top of the stairs, watching Bucky intently.  He must have jumped across the tracks below and gone up the stairs that led from the other platform.  For a moment, the super soldier considered running across, but it would have caused a disruption in traffic that could have led to an accident.  It occurred immediately to him that the man wanted just that, creating a diversion that would keep Bucky occupied.  Without taking his eyes off of him, he pulled his phone out, then held it up as if he was going to take a picture.  The man disappeared down the stairs, suddenly camera shy.  It didn't matter.  Bucky saw enough of him to commit his appearance to memory.  As he made his way back to the others, he wondered if the man was testing their response to any physical action taken against Leia.  The more he thought about it, the more he realized he was right.

"Damn, it was a setup," he thought, straining to see them as he got closer to the scene. 

When he did finally get them in view, with Leia seeming to be lit by the sun’s reflection from a pane of glass, the would-be purse snatcher was leaning sullenly against a building.  Without hesitation, Bucky picked him up by the neck raising him above their heads, his intent clearly evident.

"Who paid you to steal her purse?"

"Can't breathe," stammered the man, his hands on Bucky's hand, frantically trying to pry it off.  "Stop, please."

"Bucky," said Burnham, quietly, leaning in close.  "You're attracting attention.  Put him down."

Breathing heavily, he loosened his grip, lowering his hand so the man was standing on the sidewalk but still kept his hand resting on the thief's throat.  Then he leaned forward, until his mouth was at the man's ear.

"I could snap your neck and walk away with a clear conscience."  He could feel the fear his words brought out of the man.  "Answer yes or no."  The man nodded.  "You were paid to steal her purse." Yes. "It was a man in a navy-blue coat and black beanie." Yes.  "Have you ever seen him before today?" No. "Now you're going to answer with words.  How did he know you were a thief?"

The purse thief turned his head to look at Bucky, who had pulled back slightly.  What the man saw must have frightened him even more because he nodded his head.

"I picked his pocket a couple of hours ago.  Just as I was opening his wallet, he put something in my back and said to keep walking until we made it to an alleyway.  He said not to look at him while he took his wallet back.  I thought he was going to kill me.  Instead, he offered me a grand to steal her purse; gave me the money right there and showed me a picture of her on his phone.  That red coat stands out so she would be an easy mark, and he said she often walks with a big guy, you.  He had a picture of you, too.  That's all I know, mister.  It's the honest truth.  Please don't kill me."

"You still have the money?"

"Yeah, yeah, in my wallet," said the guy, reaching towards his pocket but stopped by Burnham who patted him down from the side and took the wallet himself, putting a glove on first.

"Fingerprints," said Burnham, holding the wallet up.  Bucky nodded.  "Good thinking."

At the police station a short time later, while the thief was being processed, they were in an office with the station's captain, who was made aware of the stalker.

"It was a setup," scowled Bucky.  "He was testing us, led me to the subway trying to get me onto the platform.  I didn't take the bait and came up the stairs.  He was across the intersection at the top of the other entrance, watching me, almost daring me to come get him.  Tall, pale skin, blue eyes.  No hair visible as he wore a beanie.  He knows Leia has a security detail, and his next move will likely be to separate her from us."

"Did you see enough of him to talk to a sketch artist?" asked the station captain.  Bucky nodded.  "Okay, get that done and we'll put out a notice on him.  Let us take it from here."  Bucky glared at him.  "Look, I have no doubt that you can handle it.  Hell, I know what you and Captain America did for the city with the Flag Smashers, but you have no authority here."

"Actually, he does," said Burnham.  "He's on secondment with the FBI.  Since the stalker originally sent letters to Ms. Dunn in another state, that makes it federal jurisdiction.  I'm not trying to overstep any boundaries, Captain.  We did call you in to take the thief into custody, but Sergeant Barnes is more than capable of handling himself in this case.  We cooperate and maybe together we can get this guy."

Reluctantly, he agreed, and the sketch artist came in to get Bucky's description of the man in the beanie.  Leia sat next to him, knowing her presence helped him, and hoping that what they produced would show her a face she knew.  When the artist applied the finishing touches he showed the picture to her, but she shook her head. 

"No, there's no resemblance to my dad and I don't recognize him.  If he's from my original hometown, I wouldn't have known him as an adult and I saw so many people at the farmer's market where I lived when I was trying to sell the book myself, that they all just blurred together after a while.  I mean I didn't even recognize that Edward guy and I posed for a picture with him."

She was disappointed and sat back in the chair, feeling like they had wasted everyone's time.  The artist excused herself, while Bucky took Leia's hand.

"It's alright," he smiled.  "It's been a tough day but at least I know the face now."  She smiled, then leaned towards him for a kiss.  Just as they touched lips, he pulled back.  "You wouldn't have known him as an adult because you left your hometown when you were 12 years old.  What if you only knew him as a kid, maybe a friend or a classmate, of either yourself or your brother?"  He stood up, pulling her up with him.  "They can make someone in a picture look younger using a computer program now, can't they?"

"Yeah."  She realized what he was implying.  "They can make that sketch look like a kid.  There must be yearbooks from when I was in school.  We can compare the de-aged sketch to the yearbooks, so we get a name, right?"

With a smile, Bucky placed both hands on her cheeks, and kissed her intensely before looking at her with admiration.

"Right."

Sharing their insight with Burnham and the police captain produced a flurry of activity as the school district in Leia's hometown was contacted.  They did have a selection of yearbooks from the various schools and would make them available by the following day.  As the sketch was scanned and fed into the computer program that could render it at different ages, Bucky and Leia waited.

"Do you really think he's going to try again?" she asked.  "He must know that with you seeing him, you'll find out who he is."

"Yeah, but maybe that's what he wants.  I think this started out as a way to threaten you.  Since this most recent incident I get the feeling that he's playing with us.  He didn't seem afraid of me, that's for sure."

Burnham came in then, carrying several sheets of paper.

"Here they are," he said.  "The suspect as he might have looked at 6 years of age, 10 years of age and 15 years of age."

Leia took them and looked at the top image, the teenage one.  She shook her head, then looked at the 10-year-old and 6-year-old side by side.  She could feel her heart in her throat as she saw the face of a boy she hadn't seen since Mikey died.

"He lived next door to us," she said, recalling her neighbour.  "Mitchell Morrison.  Everyone called him Itchy because he had eczema and was always scratching his skin.  The really mean kids would say it was cooties or lice.  I didn't like him because he was always staring at me through the fence.  It gave me the creeps.  He liked Mikey, even though he was younger.  They played with Lego a lot.  He can't be my brother.  My dad didn't pay attention to him at all." 

She dropped the sheets and sobbed.  Bucky looked up at Burnham, who picked up the sheets and left, leaving him to comfort her.  Taking her hands in his, he kissed them, then pulled her up to stand as he hugged her. 

"Do you want to go?" he asked.  "I don't think they need us any longer."

She nodded and stayed in the room as Bucky stepped out to tell the three agents he was taking Leia home.  When he returned, he helped her on with her coat, making sure her scarf covered her throat, then helping her button it up and doing up the belt.  He frowned at the plastic bag they gave her to transfer her belongings into instead of her purse as it was now evidence.

"I'll get you a new one," he said, as he opened the door for her.

"You don't have to," she answered.  "I have others at home."

Burnham was waiting for them in the hallway.

"I was going to hail a taxi," said Bucky. 

"Nope, not after what happened today," said the FBI agent.  "I'm driving you, as usual."

He was emphatic on the need for them to keep to the protocol, and Bucky wasn't inclined to argue with him.  If Morrison was the stalker, he got too close today.  If he wasn't the stalker, then they needed to know why he targeted Leia and Bucky.  The FBI agents would do their part now, using the resources of the agency in cooperation with the local police to find the man.  Bucky's job hadn't changed; to be Leia's personal bodyguard.

"We're going to find him," said Burnham, once they were on their way.  "Once we confirm his identity and get it out to all law enforcement agencies, he won't be able to hide anymore." 

"I still don't think I'm related to him." 

He looked at Leia through the rear-view mirror. 

"Profiles are at most 80% accurate, so we may have got that wrong, but it was based on that most recent letter when he referred to your brothers.  You just provided more information that added to the profile of the suspect Morrison.  It's a process and I think there's much more to explore there."

She squeezed Bucky's hand as she kept looking out the window, still bothered that the man who wrote those filthy letters to her was someone she had known as a child.  Mikey's death changed her by exposing her to deep emotions that found their way into her writing.  It had changed Morrison into someone dangerous.  The same incident created two different outcomes. 

By the time they got to the building, it was dark, and Leia had a headache.  She waited for Bucky at the security door, as he unlocked it with his set of keys.  When they got to the apartment door, he suggested ordering a pizza for dinner.

"I'm not really hungry," she answered.  "I've got a headache and just want to have a bath and go to bed."

He rubbed her back, smiling grimly at her, wishing he could do more to soothe her on this roller coaster day.  Taking her coat, he hung it up, then listened as she went into the bedroom, coming out moments later in her robe.  As the water started running, he poured some cool water for her and got her some painkillers.  Knocking on the door, he entered on her say so, handing her the pills and water, while she sat on the toilet seat, waiting for the tub to fill.

"I'm going to eat some of the leftovers," he said quietly.  "Let you have some quiet time."

"You can join me after."  She looked up smiling but without any warmth behind her eyes.  "I'm sorry I'm so quiet.  They seem so sure they're going to find him, but I think he's smarter than they know, and it has me worried."

He bent down on one knee, taking her hands in his and kissing them.

"No matter what, he has to go through me," he murmured.  "I'll admit that even with my skills, there's a chance that he could take you.  If that happens, I won't let you go without a fight.  Believe that and believe that I will find you if I have to tear the city apart to do it." 

She caressed his face.  "How would you find me?"

He took her hand and flattened it on his chest.  "By what I feel for you here.  Everything about you is deep in my heart and my head.  I know the scent of your hair and body, I can recognize the beating of your heart in a room full of others, and that connection we have is something I can't even begin to explain. I think you were right that we are kindred souls.  We were meant to find each other and be together.  I believe that with all my heart."

After a soft kiss to her lips he stood up, stopping at the door to look back at her.  When he returned in 10 minutes, he was only in his briefs, pulling them down quickly and entering the bathtub behind Leia.  She turned the hot water on to warm up the water, then leaned back against him.  It felt good to feel him gently massage her shoulders, and she rolled her head to give him more access to her neck.

"That’s good," she murmured.  "You know just where to apply the right pressure."

"Beginners luck," he answered.  "It will be alright, Leia." 

She felt his kiss on her head and closed her eyes, allowing her body to relax.  When the water became too cold to stay in, Bucky dried her off first, then himself, and followed her into the bedroom.  As she sat on the bed, yawning with how tired she was, he helped her on with some flannel pyjamas, then spooned behind her after turning out the lights.  Alpine joined them and within moments he could hear the rhythmic breathing indicating she was asleep.  More than anything, Leia needed that.

The sound of the building's fire alarm jolted Bucky awake, and he sat up, listening for a second, before going to the door of the apartment.  He couldn't smell any smoke but when he looked out the peephole, he could see their neighbours filing towards the stairwell.  One of them was knocking on everyone's door to make sure they were awake, confirming the fire department were on their way.  With a sigh, he opened the door and announced they were getting ready.  Leia had the bedroom light on, stuffing her purse contents that she brought from the police station into another purse.

"There was a fire alarm the day after I moved in," she said.  "It was a false alarm, but you never know in these taller buildings, right?"

Pulling sweatpants on over her pyjama bottoms, and an oversized sweatshirt over the top, she quickly put some socks on and went out to the entryway to put her boots on.  Bucky put his jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt on then his jacket and boots.  He helped Leia on with her red coat, making sure it was buttoned up properly, with the scarf protecting her neck. 

"Alpine," he remembered.  "I better take her in the cat carrier."

That took another few minutes to get her into it and they were among the last to leave their floor, although there was a steady stream of people in the stairwells from the floors above them.  On the way down they came across an elderly woman who was having trouble with the stairs.  Handing Alpine to Leia, Bucky stopped and offered to carry her.  She was quite impressed at how easily he lifted her into his arms, complimenting him often on his gallantry.  A city bus was already outside the building when they got down there, for the elderly and those with kids to sit in.  With the light snow that was falling it was appreciated to have someplace to shelter.  Bucky deposited her inside then came back out to where Leia waited with the cat carrier.  Someone else yelled that they needed help with an elderly resident and Bucky rushed over to help.  He placed them inside the bus, then came out to Alpine, still in her cat carrier, and Leia's purse on top, sitting on the snowy ground.  Leia was no where to be seen.

"Excuse me," he said to a man standing nearby.  "Do you know where the woman who was holding the cat went?  I left her here just a moment ago."

He looked at the cat carrier then looked around.  "There was a guy talking to her," he said, "but I don't see him either.  I think he needed help."

A cold feeling of dread settled in Bucky's belly.  "Could you just watch the cat while I look for her?" 

The man agreed and Bucky started to explore the scene, making his way past several fire trucks that responded to the alarm.  As he searched, all sorts of dark thoughts filled his mind.  It can't be him.  How would he know where we lived? I promised to protect her.  Half a block away he saw something dark on the ground and approached it, gingerly picking it up with his left hand.  The black beanie was proof that it was Morrison.  Kneeling down to catch his breath, he noticed dark spots on the snow.  Taking his phone out, he turned on his flashlight and shone it on the spots, revealing them to be blood.  Sitting down hard on the cold wet snowy road, he couldn't breathe for a moment then he looked at the phone and called Burnham.

"He has her.  Fire alarm at the apartment building.  I was helping someone, just for a moment, and when I came back, she was gone.  I found his beanie and there's blood nearby."

Dropping the phone, he sat there devastated at having failed at the one thing he promised to do.  He almost lost it to the despair he was feeling, then something in him hardened and he knew what had to be done next.  He promised Leia he would tear apart the city to find her.  When a police vehicle left the fire scene and came closer then pulled up near him, he handed the beanie to the officer.  They could investigate the scene.  Time was wasting.  He had to find Leia.

Part 5>>

Series Masterlist

Please support the author by reblogging.

[theresattrpgforthat]

My wife's looking for a TTRPG where you run a store. I don't know why she wants this but as her husband I must deliver, hit me up please noble ttrpg purveyors

THEME: Running A Store

Hello! I have quite a few games that I’ve recommended in the past for this, so I’m going to direct you to a few of those first. I have a Markets and Trade rec post that you might want to check out, for example, as well as a post about Tavern Games. There will also be a considerably sizeable list at the end of this post.

Now, let’s see what else we can find. Most of these look like they’re specifically for running a cafe, if not for some kind of food service. That being said, the goals for each of these games are very different!

You Want Fries with That?, by Matthew Landrum

Welcome to our company! We’re sure you will find working at our restaurant rewarding and fulfilling as you deliver meaningful dining experiences, develop marketable employee skills, and enrich company value.  Just trust in the guidance of the General Manager, and remember, we’re all family here! 

In You Want Fries with That? each player takes the role of an employee in a fast-food restaurant, scrambling to meet customer needs and find meagre satisfaction in their work.

This is a cutthroat game of struggling to keep up with customer orders in a fast-food environment. Play happens over a number of rounds, in which players will cover for each-other’s weaknesses, strategically take breaks to conserve your stamina (and your enthusiasm), and battle against wage theft, angry managers, and rapid promotions.

If you want a chance for your characters to interact with each-other and role-play, you’ll want a different game than this. But if you want a survival game that takes place in a hostile environment, consider this one!

Twenty (Stories Tall), by kumada1.

On good days, when the weather is clear, you can see the end of the world from your window. You work in a little coffee shop in the Inner Circle. It's one of many coffee shops and kiosks in the city of Abject, and if there were other cities left in existence, they would probably think the people of Abject have a bit of a coffee problem. There is no food scarcity, no one starves in order for coffee beans to be grown, but the volume of beans produced here is truly extraordinary, and they are ground, brewed, and consumed daily at hundreds of quaint little bistros across the city.

Your shop, with its little bites to eat and its trendy décor, is no different from the others but for one important factor---you.

Ever since you came of working age, there's been a power stirring in your blood. Sometimes, when you get too bored, or too angry, or otherwise too emotional, you grow. You grow from Small to Medium, Medium to Large, Large to Twenty. And at Twenty (stories tall), you're big enough to go toe-to-toe with the monsters that would destroy your city.

Twenty is a 50 page tabletop roleplaying game about fighting monsters and working in food service. Twenty uses things you could find in a coffee shop instead of dice, and it regards relationships as hit points. It's suitable for oneshot or campaign play, and it comes with a starter adventure.

The theme of running a shop is definitely here, but the target of your character abilities look to be aimed more at fighting giant monsters. It’s also a game that encourages you to think about the stresses and horrors of customer service. If you like a game that’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, then this is the game for you!

Whistling Wolf Cafe: Multiplayer Edition, by Lucky Newt Games.

Thank you for joining us at Whistling Wolf Café! Our motto is “You might not always get what you want, but you’ll always get what you need.” Serving customers by giving them what they need to feel better instead of what they prefer can be tricky, but I trust that your amazing tea-brewing skills will win them over. 

There’s a small shop next door with things that might help you, and people looking for a bit of work. Just be sure you use your own tips to purchase them or the owner will be, well, not so happy. Also, I hate to say it, but the more bad reviews you get, the worse it looks for both of us. So do what you can to avoid that.

Whistling Wolf Café is a café sim game for 2-4 players. You are a master brewer who is more focused on what a customer might need rather than what they want, and that can complicate things. All you need per player is a deck of playing cards, a handful of six-sided dice, and something to take notes with. Between a shared Shop and a few different items, player interaction is built into the game.

If you like games that are about taking care of other people, this game might be up your alley. It looks like there’s also a balance component - how many customers can you serve, and how well can you brew your tea? The descriptions for the tea and food offered in the cafe look absolutely scrumptious. Definitely worth checking out!

Coffee & Chaos, by CobblePath Games.

Coffee & Chaos is a comedy tabletop roleplaying game about running a cafe, bar, restaurant or other establishment as everything goes very, very wrong around you.

Coffee & Chaos allows characters to retain all of their quirks from any other games they might be in. Your druid can still wildshape, your street samurai still has their cyber-arm. But when taken out of their element the focus is on how they use those skills and abilities to solve problems (or accidentally make things worse).

I like the idea of transporting your already-created characters into a new setting, and Coffee and Chaos certainly does this. Your character will have three approaches to problems: Knives (direct approaches), Forks (creative approaches), and Spoons (considered approaches). Coffee and Chaos is designed for comedy more than realism. The goal for this game is fun stories more than anything else.

Games I’ve Recommended in the Past

Poutine, by the Kinematic Cafe.

Sweaters by Hedgehog, by Haunted Oak Press

Spirited Cafe, by A Couple of Drakes.

A Diner at the End, by Bammax Games.

Merchant, by Hella Big Claws.

Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop, by lostwaysclub.

[mosneakers]

Erwin's sleep is abruptly cut short by the jarring ring of his burner phone, 11 minutes before his alarm was set to go off. He groggily checks the missed call. Erwin: Collect call from Strangerville Police Department? Who the hell is Abigail Dune? A total of five other entrusted sims have the number to this particular phone. Not recognizing the name, he chalks it up to a wrong number.

Another call from the police department infiltrates Erwin's day, this time while he's running the Curio shop.

Erwin: What? Christina Brooks? This can't be a coincidence...

Erwin's eyes shift to a sloppily-jotted note-to-self written on a sticky note that reads "RULE: Corie Tyko date at bistro-keep eyes on prize". A cryptic reminder he kept shoved in his belt bag, warning him to avoid any glances across the street, where the two were clearly enchanted by each other's company. He crumples the note up and shoves it back in his belt bag, accepting his defeat. He watches as they giggle between passionate, sensual kisses. Tycho's holding her in his arms, her limbs are wrapped around him, he kisses her so deeply, that her little sun hat falls right off her head. Erwin smiles briefly. He would've died to be in those shoes... a few years ago. He can't believe that's the same Tycho that would chastise anyone who even thought about showing any public displays of affection, just a few years ago. He misses that Tycho. Erwin decides to close the shop early today.

Erwin: Well... the calls aren't related to them, at least.

Erwin returns to the Old Penelope Bunker, passing by his roommates on the way in, all outside living their regular lives. He receives the usual enthusiastic welcome from Astro. Although Erwin despises his daily swim, he find comfort in the routine. However, his moment of solace is stolen by yet another phone call.

Erwin: They called again, Astro. This time it's from an Amber Bennett. I've never heard that name before. Why are so many different inmates trying to reach me, and how did they even get my number? Only a select few have this number. It's not adding up.

Paranoia begins to take hold of Erwin. He meticulously checks every corner of the bathroom for hidden cameras or microphones before stepping into the shower. His mind races. He knows that answering the next call could be risky, but uncertainty pushes him to the brink.

Unable to bear the anticipation, Erwin leaps out of the shower, vigorously patting himself dry with a towel and wrapping it around his waist. He checks his phone for any missed calls... nothing.

He voices his thoughts out loud.

Erwin: I'm getting multiple phone calls from the Strangerville jail. Inmates at the Strangerville Police Department are allowed one phone call a day, so this explains why all the calls are from different sims. Someone is trying reach me, and they're using inmates as messengers. Clever.

Astro: [Cocks head and whines] Erwin: I know, boy. Everyone in Strangerville with this number has been accounted for. Coni was with Rorie in the kiddie pool, Sunglo and Cecilia were doing repairs outside. And Tyke... well he's clearly lost in the clouds chasing an angel. It ain't them.

Erwin: .. So did someone get my number? If so... how? And WHO? Wait... What if they're... not in Strangerville? The only person I haven't heard from today is... OH NO.

Erwin rushes to frantically get his clothes on.

Erwin: ROBIN IS IN JAIL

[glamrpevents]

Located in Palm Desert, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa offers a luxurious retreat for Coachella attendees. Surrounded by lush greenery and set against the backdrop of the desert landscape, this resort combines modern elegance with desert charm. Guests can enjoy stylish accommodations, gourmet dining options, and rejuvenating spa experiences. With its idyllic setting and upscale offerings, it's the ideal destination for festival-goers looking for relaxation and indulgence.

In addition to its unparalleled amenities, the resort also features world-class recreational facilities, including championship golf courses, tennis courts, and sparkling pools. Guests can bask in the desert sun, partake in exhilarating outdoor activities, or simply unwind in the lap of luxury.

Elevate your experience with spa suite retreat. Discover the romantic Couples Revive complete with side by side massages, a mineral laden bubble bath and champagne or indulge in the luxurious Sanctuary Suite which includes a private entrance, treatment rooms, courtyard and whirlpool and a private butler.

Designed by course architect Ted Robinson, Desert Springs Golf Club features two championship golf courses - the Palm and the Valley - that welcome players of all levels. Test your skills on the challenging fairways while taking in the beauty of our resort's Palm Springs locale.

Savor innovative cuisine made from the freshest local ingredients at the Rockwood Grill. This popular Palm Desert restaurant offers amazing water views from its patio, serving breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Explore a myriad of other culinary delights awaiting you at the resort:

Mikado Japanese Steakhouse

Step into Mikado Japanese Steakhouse while at our Palm Desert resort and experience authentic Japanese cuisine in a sophisticated setting. Every morsel is memorable and prepared with fresh, locally grown ingredients.

Aquifer65 and The Sushi Bar

Aquifer65 and The Sushi Bar welcomes restaurant patrons daily with delectable small plates of tantalizing Japanese fare, as well as tempting craft cocktails. Sushi Bar opens at 4pm daily.

“T&T” Time & Temperature Innovation Kitchen (private events only)

Come into “T&T” Time & Temperature Innovation Kitchen for an ever-changing five-course tasting menu designed by our restaurant chefs, who mix and mingle offering their insights on each course. Available for private events only.

Oasis Poolside Bar & Grill

Casual American cuisine served for lunchtime dining at Oasis Poolside Bar & Grill. Enjoy beverages at 10:00am daily with the Kitchen opening at 11:00am Daily.

Blue Star Lounge.

Enjoy California bar bites and cocktails at Blue Star Lounge. This lively bar and lounge open for lunch and dinner and features an inviting indoor lounge and charming outdoor patio with fire pits. Live entertainment Fridays & Saturdays.

Starbucks®

Begin your day with rich coffee and a delectable pastry at our recently remodeled Starbucks®. It's also a great spot to refuel with freshly made sandwiches and snacks before heading into meetings or out to explore Palm Desert.

The Spa Bistro

The Spa Bistro features delicious, healthy cuisine, including salads, smoothies, sandwiches and sushi, as well as tempting offerings of champagne and wine to toast to a beautiful day in Palm Desert. Savor every bite and sip inside or beside the spa pool.

Fisherman's Landing restaurant.

Indulge on freshly-caught seafood and local produce, as well as decadent desserts at the award-winning Fisherman's Landing restaurant.

Our In-Room Dining

Enjoy classic American comfort food without leaving your room. Our In-Room Dining menu offers a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

ROOMMATES: (2 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE SUITES)

Bedroom 1: 1 King

Bedroom 2: 2 Queen(s)

Sofa bed

Rollaway beds not permitted

Cribs permitted: 1

ROOMMATES:

Hailey Baldwin • Sebastian Stan • Justin Bieber

Tom Holland • Zendaya Coleman • Mason Gooding

Taylor Swift • Travis Kelce • Jake Gyllenhaal

Sabrina Carpenter • Rudy Pankow • Barry Keoghan

Niall Horan • Liam Payne • Kylie Jenner

Sydney Sweeney • Jacob Elordi • Luke Hemmings

Nick Jonas • Romee Strijd • Chris Evans

Zayn Malik • Perrie Edwards •

Gigi Hadid • Ryan Gosling • Joe Jonas

Blake Lively • Ryan Reynolds • Aaron Tveit

Shawn Mendes • Barbara Palvin • Madison Beer

Drew Starkey • Madison Bailey • Odessa A'zion

Madelyn Cline • Aaron Johnson • Ella Purnell

Dua Lipa • Callum Turner • Anwar Hadid

Bella Hadid • Abel Tesfaye • Selena Gomez

Chris Hemsworth • Candice Swanepoel •

Joe Keery • Camila Morrone • Renee Rapp

Dylan O'Brien • Hailee Steinfeld • Cindy Kimberly

Hayley Williams • Glenn Powell • Ana de Armas

Margot Robbie • Pedro Pascal • Melissa Barrera

Louis Tomlinson • Danielle Campbell • Danna Paola

Jennifer Lawrence • Charles Melton • Alexa Demie

Florence Pugh • Andrew Garfield • Anya-Taylor Joy

Kendall Jenner • Harry Styles • Theo James

Henry Cavill • Kim Kardashian • Sophie Turner

Nicholas Galitzine • Taylor Zakhar Perez • Jessica Alexander

Jeremy Allen White • Dove Cameron • Addison Timlin

Elsa Hosk • Damiano David • Alexander Skarsgård

Joseph Quinn • Suki Waterhouse • Jade Thirlwall

Ashton Irwin • Olivia Rodrigo • Kaia Gerber

Ariana Grande • Jack Martin • Kelsea Ballerini

Michael Clifford • Lily Rose Depp • Cara Delevingne

[izekiellookscool]

Introductory Post <3

Hi! My name is Izekiel!

[he/him/his] [Trans FTM] [Bisexual] [🇵🇭]

DNI: Basic DNI criteria, proshippers, TERFs, anti-neopronouns, anti-xenogenders, AI and NFT bros

Don't forget your daily click!

Some things about me:

Im an artist, I do a lot of stuff but I mostly do traditional drawings and a bit of digital

tom hiddleston and david tennant's bf (real)(confirmed)

awkward and doesnt know how to keep a conversation going (will also not initiate)

I am active, I just dont interact much huhu

Shows: Good Omens, Doctor Who, Loki, Bluey, My Little Pony, Impractical Jokers

Games: Ensemble Stars, Cookie Run Kingdom, Stardew Valley, Pokemon, Animal Jam, Dress to Impress

Music: Taylor Swift, My Chemical Romance, Ricky Montgomery, Custard, Lemon Demon, Green Day, Queen

Misc: Sherlock and Co, Bistro Huddy, Danny Gonzalez, Kurtis Conner, Drew Gooden

Hobbies: Drawing, painting, kandi, video editing, playing video games, listening to music, collecting stickers, crocheting, writing

Links:

Artfol

Youtube

Artfight

Instagram

Pinterest

Tag directory:

mga gawa ni izekiel - all my art

mga reklamo ni izekiel - text posts of me complaining

mga reblog ni izekiel - all of my reblogs

mga iniisip ni izekiel - thoughts, rambles

[notsocheezy]

Brain Curd #115

Brain Curds are lightly edited flash fiction - practically first drafts - posted daily (haven't missed one yet!) and sometimes written with the express intention of being terrible… but, you know, in an endearing way. Please like and reblog if you enjoy - the notes keep me going!

The towering, camel-like creature walks the desert, day-in and day-out. Those unfamiliar with the location are easily frightened by it, and for good reason: if it were so inclined, it could step on a person and break their spine like a toothpick.

But all the locals know it would never do such a thing. The Wandering Cafe has always been a gentle creature.

That name, though - “The Wandering Cafe” - how would a cryptid earn such a name? It wasn't always called that, of course. The ancients referred to it (roughly translated) as God's Cafeteria. That was before the creature started charging admission.

As long as monetary commerce had existed, The Wandering Cafe has roamed the desert and lowered its head for any customer who might come by it. A cursory glance into its gaping mouth shows a welcoming entryway, with vines and cobblestone leading to a heavy oak door. A familiar (or quite brave) guest enters thusly, and is treated to ambiance unmatched by any other restaurant.

Though one might expect the belly of a large mammal to be undecorated, warm, and loud, The Wandering Cafe never was so distasteful. The marble floors are clean, the tables are polished to a clean shine, and the climate is always perfect, as the Cafe was the first ever place to install air conditioning. Guests over the millennia have left behind gifts and offerings to adorn the walls, creating a famously cozy atmosphere.

But none of this would matter if not for the legendary menu, or lack thereof. The Wandering Cafe knows exactly what each guest wishes to eat, even if they themselves don't. Rumor has it that a guest was once served a plate of estrogen tablets, which was an interesting way to crack an egg. But typically, the Cafe offers gourmet fare rivaling even the most renowned bistros in the world, personalized to each palette, for the small price of four gold coins, transported out of pockets and saddlebags on entry.

There always has been a mystery to The Wandering Cafe, of course. Who exactly is cooking the food? Waitstaff are sworn to secrecy and no one has ever seen a chef enter or exit the premises. Researchers theorize the food is magical in origin, but wizards have been unable to reproduce the process in laboratory conditions.

Conspiracy theorists, on the other hand, do not trust The Wandering Cafe. They allege that there’s a reason regular customers tend to die gruesome deaths. Never on the premises, mind you - and there’s never been direct evidence to suggest the Cafe was responsible. But it does cause this critic to wonder: why do horrible things happen to those who repeatedly patronize The Wandering Cafe? And why do the bodies vanish overnight?

For my first visit, I was served an exquisite Thai yellow curry, better than any I’ve ever tasted. Your mileage can and will vary, but you won’t be disappointed. I’ll be making another trip here - how could I resist?

[themamabair]

Haven’t been on here much lately, I’ve been so overwhelmed with life.

I quit cannabis a week ago. I’ve been a daily smoker for ten years. It’s not been as hard as I thought in terms of cravings, but the habit of using it as a way to relax, to escape - that’s been hard. Emotionally it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. I feel disregulated and off, but I also feel like I’m coming back to who I truly am, who I was before I started smoking. It’s nice to know that I’m still me underneath all the haze.

At the same time, Dave has quit alcohol to try and be healthier as well. He is feeling the same as me, just a bit off and sad at the change in habit. We both know our quitting is for the best, and the first two weeks will be the hardest, and I am hopeful and mostly confident we can make it through.

I called in sick to work until Thursday. I can’t smell or taste and I’m coughing a bunch. Bair is coughing too but seems to be okay otherwise. Toddlerhood is really hard, both for the kid and for the parents. The constant whining and screeching is really starting to wear me down, and I dropped him off with my father-in-law for a couple hours today just so I could get a break. And I got a bunch of things done, so that was really nice.

We’re not doing anything for Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Last weekend we dropped Bair off at my dad’s and stayed at the nicest hotel in our city, and went to a very lovely dinner at the fancy French bistro in town. It was very connecting and we had a wonderful time. I don’t feel sad that we aren’t celebrating Valentine’s Day proper, but I did get him a card from me and Bair just because I love giving cards.

That’s it really. I hope without cannabis I will be more clearheaded and motivated, with a stronger work ethic. It’s already happening I think; right after we put Bair down I put away my laundry, did the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen, all before sitting down to watch my sports. I’m proud of that.

[averagebistrohuddyfan]

Tossing this out here: would anyone like to do a bistro huddy rp with me?

Requirements:

- you have to be over 18

- daily replies (even if we arent roleplaying all day I need a reply at least once a day unless its like you’re sick or something else is going on yk?)

- you have to be okay with/good at communicating ooc

Things I would like:

- you being okay with doing smut

Info on me:

- i use an oc for my plots

- i am willing to double up (two plots at once with two diff pairings) but I will not do roleplays that are only canon/canon I will lose interest very quick

- i am free 98% of the time so I reply very quick and try to do medium or long replies (anything but one liners)

- i roleplay on discord

If u are interested message me or comment on this post! Thanks

[cozfics]

A Perfect Outing (Xion x Reader)

Request: So i took super long with the request and my inbox ate it... But it was basically asking for Xion with a GN reader and they live with the rest of the sea salt trio (Plus Isa).

Word count:1.8k

Pairing: Xion x GN reader(Romantic), Isa Lea and Roxas x reader (Platonic)

CW:a little talk about trauma

Notes:Wow, i am terrible at schedules. also unless asked otherwise the reader will always be GN AFAB because I myself am GN AFAB.

The alarm clock clattered unceremoniously to the floor. You groaned, pulling the blankets over your head to take a moment to mentally prepare yourself to get out of bed. It was a daily tradition. Well minus knocking the poor alarm clock to the floor. You really hoped it wasn’t broken. That would suck. Okay, okay enough stalling. If you take too much longer someone will come in to check on you and you have a 50/50 chance they’d be gentle when waking you up. You didn’t feel like having ice cubes shoved down your shirt again. Or yanked out of bed. You dramatically flung your blanket towards the foot of your bed and used the momentum to sit yourself up. You swung your feet over the side of the bed. You stood up and quickly got dressed and headed to go get breakfast.

At the table sat your girlfriend Xion, Lea, and Isa. You and Xion had confessed your feelings for each other last year. At least you weren't the last one awake. Breakfast today seemed to be omelets, hash browns, and gravy. It looked delicious. There was already a plate waiting for you on the table. So you settled into your spot and began to tear into the meal.

“Thank you, Isa, this is delicious!” You smiled at the grumpy adult.

“Hey!” Lea huffed. “How do you know Isa made them? What if I made them?”

“Then the house would be burnt down, wouldn’t it?” Roxas responded, walking over to his spot at the table next to you. His hair was still messed up from his sleep the night before, He still looked tired. And it didn’t surprise you. You had the middle room. Often nights you could hear Roxas up until the odd hours of the night. Or, on the odd occasion he fell asleep before you, you could sometimes hear him sleep talking through the wall. You couldn’t make out what he was saying, but you could guess what his nightmares were about.

Xion would play music when she couldn’t sleep. That’s how you knew she had a bad night. You guess that she thought if she hid the sounds of her breakdowns, then you wouldn’t know. But it was clear when she would emerge from her room, eyes puffy and face streaked with tears that she’d aggressively wiped away.

Isa would isolate on his bad days. There would be days you wouldn’t see him at all. The only one whom Isa would allow to see him was Lea. Lea told us it was because Isa felt guilty for how he treated us back then. Especially Xion. Finally, there was Lea, Lea tried to hide his bad days from us. He would act overly cheerful. Like he was scared to show us he was affected by the organization too. you mean you got it. We all tried to keep our scars hidden from each other. We all had issues from the organization.

You had bad days too. You’d stay in bed on those days. Bundled in blankets, away from the world.

You didn’t call attention to Roxas’s state. No one else did either. “So, I was thinking for our day out, we could go out in town later? Hit the bistro for lunch and maybe hit the movies? Me and Xion could go shopping while you guys do something else?” You recommended, It was a nice day, and that sounded like a fun way to decompress. And it seemed that everyone felt the same way. A chorus of agreements sounded out from around the table.

Roxas grinned. “Don’t think I don't realize you’re stalling our struggle tournament training.” He teased, tossing a light punch on your shoulder.

“Prove it.” You said, sticking your tongue out at him before turning your attention back towards eating your breakfast. Soon you were finished eating and you paused to look at the chore chart. Made by Isa, to make it ‘fair’. It was made all the way back when you had all moved in together. This week was your turn to do the dishes. So you gathered them all and washed them. Finally, you could go out to town and start your day.

Xion walked beside you, matching your steps while you chatted about anything and everything that came to mind. Your hand found its way into hers.

“So, wanna go shopping first? I think Roxas Is gonna hang out with Hayner and his friends. He’s pretty stocked up.” You asked, resting your head against her shoulder. “I could personally use some more tents. Never enough potions.”

Xion took a small moment to think the suggestion over. “Alright. We could also buy some snacks to take to the movies.”

“Shit. You’re a genius” You whispered, grinning widely. “Come on!” you tugged her along

Xion let out a squeak and laughed as you dragged her along to the first few shops. You two stopped in a few different shops. Some sold clothes with you and Xion showing off outfits, (Honestly, you felt Xion could pull off anything she wore. Damn you were down hard). Some sold candy and sweets, which you and Xion excitedly loaded up on for the movies, and for late-night snacking sessions. Others just sold the odd accessories that you and Xion showed off to each other, giggling about the price or absurdity of some of them.

You swung your and Xion's arms happily, humming and skipping. “Alright, ready to head on over to the movies? They should be starting the next one soon.” You asked Xion, resting your head on her shoulder.

“Yeah, sure. I’m sure that’d be a welcome break for our wallets.” She joked, pulling you slightly closer.

“You weren’t complaining when we were buying.” You shot back, moving up to kiss her cheek. You began to lead the way towards the movies. “You think the boys will be there yet?”

“Absolutely no clue. Though I'm guessing by now Isa will be craving an excuse to go somewhere he has an excuse to be quiet. So it’s incredibly possible”

The two of you continued on as a comfortable silence settled over you. Xion had begun to sway your hands back and forth. The sun warmed your backs. It was very peaceful. This was the best kind of day. Everyone was in a good mood and even the weather seemed to cooperate. The little corner the movie screen was hidden in was starting to come into view and you could easily make out the blue and red of your friends' hair. There was no getting lost in a crowd when their hair stood out like beacons amongst the mostly natural tones of twilight town. You and Xion let go of the other's hands and quickly jogged to catch up to the boys, waving to them.

Lea whipped around and grinned. “There they are. Hey Isa, found the two lovebirds!” He announced with a smirk, gesturing towards us.

The title definitely made you blush, and when you glanced at Xion you saw her cheeks sporting a similar red. “What movie are they playing?” You questioned.

“Looks like they’re gearing up for another Adventures of Mickey movie. I overheard them saying it should start in about 3 minutes. Didn’t think you were going to make it.” Roxas answered, head poking out from around the corner. “Come on guys. I already chose our spots.”

So with Roxas’s urging the four of you headed into the movie area. You crammed on a bench together, it was a tight fit but no one complained. The movie wasn’t one you had seen before, so it held the whole group's attention. And if you saw Xion tapping her toes in excitement or Roxas leaning forward in his seat, you’d never tell. Even Isa seemed interested in the movie, in his own ‘I show no emotions’ way. The movie wasn’t the best one you had seen, and it felt rather predictable, but man it was hard not to match the energy in the room.

When the movie finished the theater was filled with the sound of the projector shutting down and groups of people eagerly chatting about what they just watched and plans for after the movie. Your friend group was no different.

“So what was next?”

“Dinner at the bistro” Isa answered, standing up and stretching. A loud pop sounded from his back.

“Old man-” You quickly had to duck to dodge his swipe at you. You stuck your tongue out at him as the group started forward, spilling out of the tiny entrance. You headed towards the Bistro, listening in on the others' conversations. They were all basically talking about the upcoming struggle season. Who they thought would win, new strategies they’d like to try, and trash-talking each other in general. Though you had to try not to laugh at some of the trash talk Roxas was throwing at Isa. As if Roxas didn’t just barely reach Isa’s shoulders.

Nothing really noteworthy happened during dinner. You showed up, waited around for a minute then you were seated. You each ate in relative silence before heading home.

As you plopped on the couch and prepared to get settled in playing a game Roxas came up to you holding a struggle bat. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what he was about to ask you. You stood up and stretched. Sure why not.

Roxas led you to the backyard, trying to be a show-off and toss his bat between his hands. You grinned and shook your head at him. You picked up your struggle bat.

It didn’t take long for you to get into it. You two knew each other incredibly well from your time in the organization. You'd swing at his legs and he’d already be in the air by the time you got near him. He’d aim for your chest and you’d have leapt back by then. You just knew each other's fighting style a little too well. It was a game of endurance at that point.

It took a solid hour and a half of no progress being made in either direction before you slipped up. All it took was an uneven patch of land and you were on your ass with Roxas’s bat smacking you in the shoulder. You yelped in surprise. “Alright, alright I’ll get you back next time.”

“Yeah, well next time better be later, cus it’s getting late” Roxas walked past, ruffling your hair as you rolled your eyes.

“You’re just saying that because you know you only won cus I fell!” You huffed, getting up to follow him inside. Xion was seated on the couch, playing Mario Kart. You plopped next to her.

“Can I play with?” You asked. Xion nodded and got you ready for the next round. You both played, winning some and losing some up until about midnight. Eventually, after a yawn that shook your whole being, you and Xion decided to go to bed. And you fell asleep easily, knowing they’d be waiting for you tomorrow.

[lupismaris]

top 5 best meals you've ever had (so far) - seriously the way you talk about foods/restaurants in your area has me intrigued

Oh Lords okay we're going to stick SPECIFICALLY to meals in my area (Baltimore) and recent meals because if i were to bring in places I've traveled and go back past years the list would go on forever lmao

In no particular order-

Cosima- for my birthday last year we went to our local favorite Sicilian restaurant and had mussels with spicy Italian sausage and broth, a pizza to share with scallops/bacon/chili oil, I had the duck breast with yam puree and cranberry confit, and they brought us a limoncello tiramisu for dessert. The drink parings were an Italian golden ale and an amaro Manhattan.

Lamb tajine - i made this myself in the traditional clay tajine my bf got me for Christmas. We take half a leg of lamb, dice and marinade it in olive oil and Ras Al hanut, then brown it in a skillet. Once that's browned you add yams, beets, onions, figs, carrots, about two cups of beef broth, and a cup of red wine. Let it simmer for ten minutes then carefully ladle it into the warmed tajine, which should have been brought to temp in the oven. It cooks at 300° for about three hours or so, occasionally adding water if it gets too dry. It's excellent with pita and saffron rice.

Petit Louis - after i got out of my recent cancer treatment and isolation we went for dinner to my favorite french place here in Baltimore. It's a classic bistro style place with dusty mirrors and red leather seats and wine bottles on the wall. Their best deal is the prix fixe lunch they do from 11-2pm but i can't get away with it all the time. We shared the Pâte de campagne, had a glass of wine each to pair with our main courses, and i got the roast lamb, which was some of the best I've had in a while. And yes i treated myself to a pot of chocolate mousse and a glass of Armagnac for dessert.

Neopol Smokery - this is the smokery/deli I've been talking about a lot recently they have a store front set up in an open market and visit a few farmers markets where you can get their prepared salmon filets, pies, grav lox, and more. The smokery in the market however makes some of the best sandwiches I've had and they also have smoked mussels, duck confit, salmon plates, all kind of daily rotating offerings for lunch and dinner and the staff are phenomenal, everything you want out of the old school deli you become a regular at.

Mason's Lobster Rolls- look. I do not live in New England. I know that. Our lobster will not compare. These are however the only lobster rolls i will eat outside of New England. They do them every still, CT/Bar Harbor/RI, and have a few soup options as well. It's pricey as good seafood usually is, but it's filling and delicious so i tend not to mind as a treat. Also fantastic crew running the show.

Honorable mentions

Wet City Brewing - great drinks, great brisket poutine, excellent vibes. Highly recommended for hanging out and getting some food after a long day though parking will be a headache.

Di Pasquale's - old school Italian deli and market that is so old school Al Capone once did their book keeping as a teenager. Yes it's actually true the owner has the old employee registers from his grandfather hung up on the back wall of the new store. The sandwiches are stunning, the arancini are authentic, the cannoli are worth getting two. Tied with Pastore's for my favorite Italian deli (the latter is closer to work).

Clark Burger - great burgers, great poutine, next to a vintage 1920s movie theater that routinely shows golden age classics alongside new films. My favorite local burger joint.

[franchiseavs]

SCF Hospitalities: Your gateway to a thriving food franchise opportunity

The Indian food industry is booming, offering immense opportunities for growth and success.

At the forefront of this dynamic sector is SCF Hospitalities India Pvt. Ltd., a trusted name known for its exceptional dining experiences and robust franchise models.

With a presence across India and a diverse portfolio of successful brands, SCF Hospitalities is redefining the food service industry.

SCF Hospitalities is a proven business model, strong brand presence, and unwavering commitment to quality.

A Diverse Brand Portfolio

SCF Hospitalities provides an opportunity for franchisees to associate with five different brands, each catering to different tastes and preferences:

- Nawabi Kukkad: Authentic Mughlai and Nawabi cuisine.

- SS Combo Kitchen: Affordable combo meals for all-day dining.

- Twilight Bistro & Bar: A premium lounge and bar experience.

- Rameshwaram Cafe: Traditional South Indian delicacies.

- Urban Desi Chaat: Innovative street food with a modern twist.

Flexible Business Models

Whether you’re an investor or a hands-on entrepreneur, SCF Hospitalities offers business models tailored to your needs:

- FOFO (Franchise-Owned, Franchise-Operated): Own and operate with comprehensive training and support.

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[alexesguerra]

Romance the Every Day: Inspired Ideas for a Year of Little Luxuries Romance the Every Day: Inspired Ideas for a Year of Little Luxuries Contributor(s): Kasprzak, Andrea (Author) Publisher: Chronicle Books ISBN: 1797228587 Physical Info: 0.6" H x 6.7" L x 5.1" W (0.55 lbs) 120 pages Andrea Kasprzak grew up in the forests of West Michigan, where she cultivated a passion for the moon and fantastical storytelling. Kasprzak worked in lifestyle journalism for many years before returning to her first love: writing books about romance and magic. She is the author of Imagination Transforms Everything and Experiments in Dreaming. She lives in Michigan. Visit her at andreakasprzak.com. Light up your life with 52 practical ideas for romanticizing everyday moments. Between the pulls of work, family, friends, and the unrelenting speed at which our world churns, it can be hard to find pockets of joy. Romance the Every Day aims to make the far-more-frequent ordinary moments of our lives a bit sweeter with 52 thoughtful and accessible ideas--one for every week of the year. Ranging from the simple and sublime topic of "Cake" to the adventuresome pull of "Road Trips," and illustrated with charming watercolor artwork throughout, this guide is full of small and easy-to-implement tweaks that can transform a daily routine into something magical. Inside, you'll find inspiration such as: Arranging fresh bedside flowers or leaving a chocolate on your pillow for a delicious surprise to come home to after work. Lighting a candle and putting on a favorite playlist to accompany you while tackling a daunting sink full of dishes. Settling in at a bistro table to pretend you're in Paris with a baguette and coffee. Writing yourself a love note on the bathroom mirror. Setting off on a long drive with a cinematic playlist. . . . and so much more! Romantic living is not dependent on financial wealth or social status. It is focused on senses, aesthetics, maximizing your resources, and observing the poetry of the present. The perfect gift for someone you love or self-purchase to honor the love in your heart, Romance the Every Day is for anyone seeking to add a bit of optimistic (and delightfully romantic) texture to their life. ROMANTICIZE YOUR LIFE: Life can be tough. Learning to romanticize the little moments is a great way to mitigate the daily stressors that can bog us down. ASPIRATIONAL & APPROACHABLE: The prompts in this inspiring book aren't high-cost or high-effort and are designed to be easily added into busy schedules. This is a realistic self-care book that flows beautifully with the pace of our world. A VALENTINE'S GIFT FOR ALL: Romantic or platonic, the gift of finding joy keeps on giving. With a lovely design and attractive price, Romance the Every Day is the perfect Valentine's Day purchase for a partner, friend, parent, sibling, best friend, or anyone who can use a little more romance in their lives. Perfect for: Self-care enthusiasts Anyone with an interest in healing, mindfulness, or wellness Readers seeking practical tips and tricks to elevate daily life in a positive and cost-effective way Gift-giving for Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, birthday, anniversary, or any special occasion Fans of mind/body/spirit and self-help books like Everyday Radiance, Build the Life You Want, and Good Vibes, Good Life

[rabbitcruiser]

National Mousse Day

National Mousse Day is celebrated on November 30 every year, and we can’t wait to whip up some lovey-dovey sweetness for our near and dear ones. If you’re fond of decadent desserts, you should definitely get the most out of this food holiday. Did you know that the word ‘mousse’ is derived from French? In Old French, it means ‘froth’ or ‘foam’. As the name suggests, this appetizer is made by beating egg whites and cream until they turn light and fluffy like foam. Although it is more popularly served as a dessert, mousse can also be prepared as a savory. Depending on the type of mousse, its consistency can vary from thick and creamy to light and airy. Originally prepared in France, mousse found its way into the United States only in the late 19th century. And aren’t we all glad that it did?

History of National Mousse Day

When someone says ‘mousse’, don’t you often imagine it as a chocolaty delight? We know — almost always! Surprisingly, mousse was first concocted as a savory dish in 18th century France. It was only in the latter half of the 19th century that fruit mousses became a thing. The French would add whipped cream into fruit, coffee, or liqueurs, or pour the cream on top in the shape of a pyramid. They called this ‘crème en mousse,’ which means ‘cream in a foam’. Present-day recipes of mousse have branched out from this bygone tradition. If you are not a fan of whipped cream, you may consider replacing it with some viciously whisked egg whites.

The most popular version of mousse today, chocolate mousse, wasn’t always so popular. In fact, it really got into the public eye in the U.S. in the 1930s. This was the time when chocolate pudding was being introduced into American food culture. You could say that the chocolate mousse drew its inspiration from pudding.

Mousses are ideally served cold, while sweet mousses are sometimes served frozen. The best thing about mousse is that it conveniently lends itself to both savory and sweet recipes. From a thick salmon mousse as a starter to smooth raspberry mousse or the classic chocolate mousse for dessert, there is practically no limit to the flavors that a mousse can embrace. Whereas it also works as a filling in pastries and parfaits, a savory mousse goes well with cheese and fruit platters, turning them into good-looking appetizers.

In many restaurants today, savory mousses are prepared using foie gras, shellfish, avocado, poultry, vegetables, cheese, and other ingredients. Commonly dished out as a light entrée or an appetizer, mousses are often stabilized by adding gelatin to them.

National Mousse Day timeline

1892 The Mousse is Documented

The first-ever documented record of chocolate mousse comes from a Food Exposition held at Madison Square Garden, N.Y.C.

1897 First Recipe Appears in Print

The Boston Daily Globe publishes one of the first recipes for chocolate mousse, in its  'Housekeeper’s Column.'

Late 19th century Fruit Desserts Make an Entry

The first sweet mousses make their entry into America, and they are fruit mousses topped with whipped cream.

1930s Mousse Introduced

Chocolate pudding — the predecessor of chocolate mousse — is introduced into American food culture.

National Mousse Day FAQs

Is there a separate holiday to celebrate chocolate mousse?

Yes! While National Mousse day celebrates all kinds of mousses, we have a day designated only for chocolate mousse. We celebrate it on April 3.

Is vegan mousse a thing?

Very much. With a lot of people turning vegan, restaurants are trying to incorporate vegan mousses into their menus. Some of the commonly known substitutes for whipped egg whites are avocados, cashew nut paste, and chickpea brine.

What are some of the best places to try mousse in New York?

While there are innumerable places in New York that serve mousse, the best ones include Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe in East Village, Ferrara Bakery on 195 Grand St., Carlo’s Bake Shop on 625 8th Ave, and Dulce Vida Latin Bistro on 1219 Lexington Ave.

National Mousse Day Activities

Try a new mousse recipe

Go out for a moussey dinner

Shout out on social media

National Mousse Day is the perfect occasion to try your hands at baking, and whip up a unique mousse recipe. We place our bets on salted caramel mousse, pumpkin mousse, and blue cheese mousse. Go on, let your friends and family oooh with your baking skills!

On a food holiday, what could be a better way of celebrating it than going out for a sumptuous dinner with your loved ones? We’d suggest you opt for a mousse parlor and try out interesting mousse dishes.

This National Mousse Day, raise a toast to the makers of mousse, for bringing this delicious treat into our lives. Create an appreciation post on social media to let the world know of this amazing food holiday.

5 Important Facts About Mousse

Thanks to electric mixers

What a fish!

Largest mousse in the world

Why foamy?

Hot or cold?

The invention of electric mixers led to the widespread popularity of mousse — it is assumed that the first mixer with an electric motor was invented by Rufus Eastman in 1885.

Fish mousse, paired with bread and butter, used to be a much sought-after meal in America — although it has lost its popularity in recent times, fish mousse is still served as a party dip, by esteemed mousse aficionados.

Aventura Mall in Miami set a  Guinness World Record for the largest chocolate mousse, by preparing a mousse weighing about 496 pounds.

Eggs and cream when beaten to perfection form air bubbles that give mousse its light and airy texture.

Mousse can be frozen to make ice cream, as well as served hot.

Why We Love National Mousse Day

A divine dish

Versatile

Meetups and hangouts

Isn’t it wonderful to have a day designated to appreciate the beauty of mousse? You can’t deny that a scoop of creamy mousse has the power to brighten an otherwise mundane day.  And we absolutely love that about mousse!

Whether you’re craving a dessert or a savory appetizer, mousse can always bend itself to suit your taste buds. Basically, it can make everyone happy.

Mousse Day gives us the opportunity to invite our friends over for a bake-over (like a sleepover) and hang out with them at our favorite dessert parlor. Isn’t that lovely?

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