#Wine Tour New York City

[aceluxurywinetours]

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[bippiti]

catalyst clc16 x rockstar! reader

as you head to your next stop on your tour, you find your heartbeat quicken at the thought of someone. not your fans, journalists, no, him

an part 3! any feedback is appreciated and please like + rb!

tags @raevyng

previous part

if you want a visual guide for the band .

yourig charles_leclerc

-

you landed in nyc, stepping off the plane and texting

you

still on for tn?

charles

ofc :)

smiling, you got off your phone. as you walked into the airport, almost immediately you and your band mates were surrounded by fans. you pulled a sharpie out of your pocket, after being in this job for a while you start preparing to sign things wherever you go.

by the time you got into the car your hand ached. everyone was tired but there were plans for tonight, albeit different ones for everybody. sio was going out to meet with one of her friends that she met on holiday a few years back. they lived in New York City and were a designer with their own brand. she swiped through their insta, pausing every so often to show different pieces and the new collection they were planning on launching. it was really cool, you could tell she was excited about it. ludo was planning on visiting this italian place called ‘proprio come casa’. she had seen it all over tiktok, and being italian, she was excited to see if all the hype about it was true. edisa was going to go shopping and explore times square. she had been to nyc a couple times but hadn’t had the time to appreciate it fully. tonight was going to change that though. hae-won was planning on buying a new guitar pick, she had this tradition of buying one for each city she travelled too, but it had to be as unique as possible. no two picks in her collection looked similar. soon enough they were asking what your plans were over the small you told them that you were going to meet up with a certain f1 driver

“OH MY GODD” sio yelled excited as she began to ask you questions at 50mph. “where’re you going? what are you wearing? what are you gonna- actually never mind that’s so exciting!!”

everyone else showed their interest, albeit not as loudly as sio did. haewon leaned in, focusing in especially when what you were wearing came up. ludovica leaned back into her seat, eyes staring into yours with a knowing glint. idisa didn’t even need to speak, her eyes said it all.

you began rattling off all the details to them, listening intently as you spoke. when you got to your hotel, they helped you pick out an outfit.

(pick whichever one u like or make one up)

after getting together the seemingly perfect outfit, you waited for him to text. hearing a notification you grabbed your phone, getting ready to walk out the door

charles

im here, in the la ferrari

you walked outside and stopped in your tracks. the car he was in was you in car form. it was wine red, had the ferrari horse on it. stunning. it was literally perfect.

you smiled, stepping into the car.

“so, what’re we gonna do?”

“you’ll see” he said as he stepped on the gas

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Christmas (11) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten

A Christmas Pharol (ao3) - Merrydith

Summary: Dan Howell hates Christmas.

On the night of Christmas Eve (2014), Dan Howell is visited by an old coworker who claims she will show him the meaning of Christmas. They take a journey through his past, get a peek into who he is in the present and then glimpse the future Dan desperately wants. Dan learns to appreciate what the holiday means to him and accepts who he is in his heart.

all i want for christmas (is you) (ao3) - lestered (clonetrobed)

Summary: He finds himself huffing out a small, high-pitched laugh that he couldn’t even dream of passing off as part of his natural register. “Hah… yeah. Mhm. Nice. Morn… ing. Yup. Sure is.”

Dan’s smile falls a tiny bit, a hint of confusion flickering behind his eyes. Unfortunately, that’s an expression Phil is all too familiar with receiving.

AU where Dan is Phil's Christmas coworker crush, and awkward boys are awkward.

All I Want for Christmas (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan plans to spend the Christmas alone, Phil isn't going to let that happen.

All I Want For Christmas (ao3) - sleepyslag (galacticneighbor)

Summary: It's Christmas Eve 2009, and Dan's about to leave to spend Christmas with his family- until Phil goes into an unexpected heat.

All I Want for Christmas is You (ao3) - Emptylester (timelordangel)

Summary: In which Dan is the best present Phil could have asked for.

All I Want for Christmas is You (ao3) - Evening42

Summary: Phil plans to spend Christmas apart from Dan again with their respective families, however all Dan wants is to spend Christmas together.

All I Want for Christmas is You. (ao3) - scifi (orphan_account)

Summary: it’s almost christmas and all it takes is a cup of mulled wine for dan to realise he has been in love with phil all along

and a tiny horse in a christmas tree (ao3) - phegetarian

Summary: Daniel Howell is living a work-centric life in the city. What happens when he reluctantly agrees to go back to his hometown for Christmas and meets a new resident?

Christmas at the Lester's (ao3) - trashcanfromgallifrey

Summary: Inspired by Dan and Phil telling us about the pre-christmas visit at Phil’s parents<3

A quite fluffy fic that also goes into themes of finding safety in Phil’s family when they were closeted.

Christmas Catharsis (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: Dan runs into his ex (bully) while buying milk.

Christmas lights on rainy nights (ao3) - skygremlin

Summary: "I’m gonna see that fucking tree if I have to swim the rest of the goddamn way"

When Dan and Phil end up in New York in December, they decide to make the most of it and see some iconic Christmas decorations. They're trying their best to figure the city out, but the weather just isn't cooperating.

city of sin and minced pies (ao3) - dizzy

Summary: Dan and Phil try to finish watching the bake off finale, but Phil interrupts them for a very important reason.

December 2023 (ao3) - yikesola

Summary: December is filled with bonus podcasts he and Phil will be recording, amongst of course his regular podcasts due at their scheduled times, and then there’s all the holidays and all the while all the Everything. Dan’s tired just thinking about it. And before he can even open his mouth to complain he stops himself because he turns and sees Phil laying on the couch with his head in Dan’s lap, looking exhausted as well. He’s been run ragged at the print shop since the middle of November.

December Scare (ao3) - ShowMeHowToLie

Summary: In which Dan, finally home from the US tour, has an accident while preparing for Christmas at the phouse with Phil.

early morning tea (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Dan and Phil take a moment to relax and reflect in between the chaos of Gamingmas and family Christmas celebrations.

heaven is a seat beside you (on a northbound train) (ao3) - jonsaremembers

Summary: set at Christmas 2014

How Dan (Almost) Stole Christmas (ao3) - skygremlin

Summary: “It was a serious oversight, in stealing from the rich, that you couldn’t really tell if they were unbothered because the money never mattered, or unbothered because they had so much cash they were using it to insulate their walls.”

For thirty-three years Dan’s lived up in the hill districts outside Who-ville, watching the wealthy elites celebrate their Christmases in the valley with glitter and food and an unfathomable amount of expensive gifts while the rest of the world was left cold and hungry, completely ignored. Between the off-key choir concerts and the way he could feel the icy wind through his uninsulated walls on Crumpit Lane, he had enough of it. It’s time for Who-ville to see what Christmas is like for everyone else, even if that means taking it by force.

A How the Grinch Stole Christmas AU

It's quiet uptown (ao3) - Frog910

Summary: Dan is spending Christmas with the Lester's for the first time and is struggling with internalised homophobia.

Mini Christmas (ao3) - cosmic_angel_writes

Summary: Dan and Phil’s mini Christmas

2024

no matter how far away you roam (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Some things will never change, like Dan and Phil video calling each other from their family homes over Christmas.

Not in Nottingham (ao3) - ottertrashpalace

Summary: “You’re doing it again,” Phil mutters, after he takes an obliging sip.

“Hmm.”

“You need taking care of and you're taking care of me instead.”

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (ao3) - sleepyslag (galacticneighbor)

Summary: Five years ago, Dan Howell broke his best friend's heart to pursue a music career.

Five years ago, Phil Lester left Manchester to start over in the US.

Now, weeks before Christmas and in the middle of Dan's latest tour, the two of them meet again when Dan winds up stranded in a small town in Pennsylvania. With Dan's tour postponed until after the holidays and Phil's community center at risk of shutting down, can the two exes come together to save it, or will the demands of Dan's career tear them apart again?

santa baby (ao3) - ShiwiSins (IetjeSiobhan)

Summary: “Tell me,” Dan purrs, “have you been nice or naughty this year?”

Or: Dan dresses up in a sexy Santa outfit.

Silent Night (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Lawyer Dan Howell just wanted a white Christmas to himself up North to get away from it all.

A blizzard, an old church, and its overly-cheerful deacon might change that.

'tis the damn season (ao3) - pasteldanhowells

Summary: Dan is the coffee shop regular at the shop Phil just started working at. Phil quickly learns that Dan is a bit of a Grinch who refuses to try the shops' holiday drinks, or anything new really. Phil's determined to change Dan's mind about the holiday drinks.

traditions (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil can learn to be okay with leaving some holiday traditions in the past-as long as he can hold onto the one that's most important.

-

Set during the first Christmas at the phouse in 2022 and the spiritual successor to "meeting the parents".

Twinkling lights (ao3) - anyrandohuman

Summary: Legit just shameless festive smut

You and I, We don't wanna be like them (ao3) - phasamtasie

Summary: Phil tries to appear cool when Dan comes to visit him for the first time, but struggles to fall asleep without his favourite plushie. When he admits to his secret, Dan answers with a confession of his own that inspires Phil’s first christmas gift to Dan.

[sunlightmurdock]

The Odyssey | 0.7 | Bradley Bradshaw x Reader

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Masterlist

Doing things simply because you want to do them feels better than expected. Bradley wants this trip to work out.

Warnings: to lovers, power imbalance, professor / student relationship, age gap ( 22 / 33), will be smut, virgin reader, swearing, infidelity, them actually getting along for once?, kissing, wc: 3.3k

…

With Bradley busy with his research, Pasquale assumes the responsibility of leading the group. He’s much more lax than Bradley, his only instruction is to meet him in the lobby before nine-thirty and be prepared for a short walk.

It’s the first morning that you aren’t even a little bit late. You’ve been up since six with no chance of getting back to sleep. For a while, you had just laid on your back and stared out of the window at the street view. It’s always cooler in the mornings, it’s nice to leave the window open.

Even with the nice view, the breeze — you just can’t relax enough to try to get back to sleep. You’re uncomfortable to the point of practically squirming thinking of how you had behaved last night. It’s not even like you can really blame the wine. Well, you could, it was a lot. But you hadn’t felt drunk when you had kissed Bradley.

Simply, you had just wanted to kiss him. It’s hard to remember the last time you had done something just because you had wanted to.

Malcolm was your first kiss when you were fifteen. Those soft kisses in the passenger seat of his brand new car. Things with him really haven’t progressed much further since then.

Every now and then things will progress to some neck kissing, some hands under shirts — but it’s been eight years. Three weeks with Bradley and you’re practically throwing yourself at him.

His absence feels heavy as Pasquale takes all of you on a guided tour around the city. Especially when he walks you up those familiar steps and shows you the same viewpoint that you had sat on last night, with Bradley’s heavy arm around your shoulder.

It’s worsened by the fact that everyone around you is growing closer to each other. They have inside jokes. They’re affectionate. You’re borderline invisible. So, wandering along a little side road that Pasquale insists will lead somewhere important, it’s not surprising when you’re struck once again by the sudden desire to just do what you want.

What you want, at that exact moment in time, is ice-cream. A little bit after one, the sun’s almost at its highest point now and traipsing through the city in the heat just doesn’t sound like fun.

Bradley’s tutoring you now, you spend your free times reading all of the books that Pasquale could lend you. As you see it, being taken to see old buildings with people that don’t like you, is just a waste of time.

It turns out, it’s much more fun without them. It could have been an opportunity to think about who you are and what you’re doing, but that’s far too complicated for just today. Taking spoonfuls of caramel flavoured gelato, your Walkman is plucked from your bag and you’re listening to a mix that one of your friends had made you.

Taylor Dayne guides you through the city. You look up and around you, taking it all in. It’s probably the most relaxed that you’ve felt since Malcolm kissed you goodbye back in New York. The music plays loudly as you round a corner into another plaza. Licking a smidge of the gelato from your bottom lip, you slow slightly.

If Pasquale was here, he would probably be able to tell you which tourist trap you have stumbled across. But, he isn’t, so you walk forwards by yourself. Through the crowds of women, ditching the remnants of your dessert into a nearby trash can as you lean closer to read the sign.

La casa di Guilietta. Even with your lack of revision, you know what that means. A small smile plasters itself across your lips as the next tracks plays on. Robert DeNiro’s Waiting, Bananarama. Penny’s one request had been for you to bring her back a picture of a hunky Italian, maybe this is her idea of inspiring you to do so.

Walking under the stone archway, you cross through into the cobbled, crowded courtyard and look up at the stone balcony. Pushing your hands into the pockets of your blue gingham shorts, you come to a complete stop. It’s debated if Shakespeare ever even went to Italy, so he probably never saw this.

Now that you have, you can understand the inspiration.

Glancing down at the brown leather watch on your wrist, you have about an hour and a half left until you’re supposed to meet Bradley back at the hotel for the afternoon.

Looking back up, your attention is caught by a woman sitting on a bench. She can’t be much older than you. Her breath catches in her throat, wet tears rolling down onto the notebook in her lap as she sobs. It’s rude to stare, that was instilled into you at a very early age. But you can’t help but watch as she tears the page from the book and crosses to the wall by your right.

She tucks it between the bricks and brushes past you, trembling. Brows knitting, you walk forwards to examine the wall, littered with pages and notes. Touching a pink-tinted page with your index finger, you push it back just enough to read it. By some blind luck, the first one that you touch is written in English. Dear Juliet.

Emma details her relationship with a man called Marcus. A sixteen year long marriage, falling apart at the seams, and a lifetime of doubt. She details the heartbreak and hard work, the pain of just not knowing. The second that you read her sign off, you move on to another letter.

“I just wish I had a few more days here, the Capitolare is so impressive.” Bradley hums as he walks alongside Enzo, one of the treasurers of a nearby museum. He has been helping Bradley with his research through the morning, it’s because of him that Bradley had access to texts which aren’t supposed to be available anymore.

“I could get you in earlier tomorrow, since you can’t do this afternoon. Get you an extra couple of hours, if you don’t mind the early wake up time.” Enzo offers with a quick shrug.

“That would be…” Bradley catches a glimpse of blue to his left and turns his head, his voice starting to trail. White tennis shoes, brown leather shoulder bag, blue gingham shorts. Alone. “Sorry, can you give me a sec?”

Brows furrowed, your eyes scan the page as a Tears for Fears track plays in your ears. This letter is fresh. The name on it is Annabella. It starts off so happily. She’s married, she has a daughter, and she and her husband are so happy together. But it’s not enough. Your lips twist into a small frown as you read on.

Bradley reaches out and takes hold of your headphones, pulling them off of your ears and letting them fall to rest around your neck. Before he has even let go, you’re already gasping loudly and spinning towards him.

The interaction catches the attention of several of the women writing around you. Bradley drops his hands back down to his sides and looks to the wall behind you, then around at where he is.

“What are you doing here? — Where’s Pasquale?”

You look him up and down. It’s eye-level, but that’s not what causes you to stare at the loosely fastened half-Windsor knotted tie around Bradley’s neck. You didn’t even know he owned a tie.

“I don’t know. What are you doing here?” You flip the question, finally lifting your gaze to look him in the eye with your hands crossed behind your back.

“I had a meeting and I saw you here on your own. Did they ditch you?”

Your lips press together swiftly. It’s embarrassing that he knows they dislike you so much but, in a way, also endearing that he’s concerned enough to have come over and check. Quiet, you lean around him to see another smartly dressed man in a bespoke suit staring over at the two of you. As you lean in, Bradley inhales the scent and jasmine. He swallows as you pull back to look at him again.

Sleeves rolled up to his elbows, tie loosened, his hair fluffy and pushed back off of his forehead. No suit jacket, but he is wearing a belt. His shoes look like real leather. It’s a step above smart casual. He looks handsome. Grown up. Too old for you probably, when he finally dresses his age.

“No,” You answer him back, pushing you sunglasses up into your hair to look at him. “I was bored, so I left.”

Bradley stares at you, silent for a moment before he finally lifts his brows expectantly. “You what?”

“I just went for a walk.” You tell him calmly.

“On your own.” Bradley isn’t even asking you to confirm, he’s just mulling it over by himself. He looks around once more, giving a soft shake of his head. “You didn’t think that that might have been kind of dangerous?”

Leaning around him again, you peer through the archway curiously. The look on your face as you pull back tells him that you have no interest in entertaining this conversation. And, he’s right. “Your friend looks like he’s getting kind of impatient.”

“You can’t just wander off. Pasquale could be looking for you.” Bradley chides, his face twisting into a stern frown. You give another small shrug of your shoulders, crossing your arms over your chest. He narrows his eyes at you. “You’ve been here all afternoon?”

“For a while, yeah.” You answer calmly.

“You know how to get back to the hotel from here?” Bradley asks. There’s a brief pause as a smile starts to creep its way onto your lips.

“Sure…” You shrug once more. He shakes his head in disbelief. “I could figure it out.”

He opens his mouth, then promptly closes it again. You watch patiently as Bradley shoots a definitely impatient look towards his accomplice. He sighs. “Come on, troublemaker. Let’s go tell Pasquale you’re alive.

You gesture to the wall behind you. You didn’t get to the bottom of that letter. “Oh, actually, I was just—“

“Now.” Bradley interrupts, placing his hand on your shoulder and spinning you towards Enzo. He watches the dirty look you shoot back at him, relieved as you decide to start walking anyway.

You walk silently between them as Bradley has a conversation with Enzo on the way back to the hotel. They don’t bother to include you, you don’t bother to interrupt. Bradley watches as you lengthen your strides, wandering a few steps ahead of them, setting your headphones back over your ears.

“Girlfriend problems?” Enzo whispers, smiling softly as he looks over at Bradley.

“What? — No, she’s a student.” Bradley breezes over the question in a way that surprises him. He hasn’t ever considered himself to be a very good liar. He usually tells the truth without caring who it will hurt. So, that was believable. He wouldn’t have guessed that Bradley left your room last night with his dick straining against his jeans.

“Then she has a crush on you.” Enzo replies with a chuckle.

It’s not a crush. You’re both attracted to each other, Bradley knows that as well as he knows that it’s not smart to feel that way. But a crush is something different. He’s not sure that you like him enough for it to be called a crush.

“Call it six for tomorrow morning? — I’ll meet you by the steps?” He changes the topic swiftly, knowing that Enzo’s a smart enough guy to pick up on that. He doesn’t really have another choice. Enzo shoots a quick look towards you, then looks back to Bradley with a smile, giving a curt nod of his head.

Bradley adjusts the leather strap of his bag against his shoulder, walking faster to catch up to you. Even with your headphones on, you don’t startle this time. He’s less abrupt about it, casually slipping his palm into yours and overtaking you.

Your lips quirk into a smile as he guides you towards the stairwell. Being thirty minutes early, you both know that means that Pasquale and the others aren’t back yet. You push the headphones back and let them rest around your neck as he slips his room key from his pocket.

The lock clicks open compliantly and Bradley takes a step back, motioning for you to go ahead. Dropping your bag onto Luke’s bed, you untangle yourself from the Walkman and its wire, then drop that down too. There’s a perfectly good desk and this room has three perfectly good chairs. Bradley closes the door behind him as you sit down on the edge of his bed.

He glances down at his watch. Your heartbeat picks up as he lifts his head and crosses to sit beside you. And then, he pulls open his satchel and pulls out a bundle of papers. Fuck, the exam. Truthfully, you hadn’t been expecting any real work to happen.

Your lips part as you stare down at the circled 73 scrawled on the front of the practice exam.

“Are you serious? — A C?”

Bradley lifts his gaze and smirks. Just like that, you’ve switched from batting your eyelashes to looking like you’re deciding whether or not to hit him. He can’t pretend he isn’t amused.

“It’s better than an F.” He points out, starting to loosen his tie as he leans one palm on the sheets behind him. You turn your head and squint, displeased with his answer clearly.

“Better than— you know what, I - I should just—“

Bradley catches your wrist as you stand up from the bed swiftly, letting the exam paper fall to the bed. He tugs you back towards him, catching your hips and guiding you between his knees. He studies your scowling face.

“You’re really not used to not being perfect at everything, are you, honey?” He muses. You push at his shoulders and move to step back, rolling your eyes at him. With minimal effort, Bradley squeezes at your hips and keeps you right there. “It’s alright. Just sit down, we’ll take a look.”

“I don’t want to take a look. It’s stupid.” You shake your head, shoving at his shoulders again. Bradley gives your hips a small tug, spreading his knees as he guides you down onto his thigh.

“It’s not stupid.” He tells you. You narrow your eyes at him as he smooths his hand softly along your back. His lips quirk up into a smile. His hand curls around the nape of your neck, making sure that you turn your head to look at him. “You’re not stupid. I was impressed.”

“Impressed by a C? — Bradley, stop it.” You sigh, pushing at his hands and trying to stand up again. It’s clear that you’re not going to stop trying to run away any time soon, and Bradley’s not done making his point.

His hands curl tight around you hips and you yelp as he lifts you and turns at the same time, dropping you down onto his bed and pinning you there. “You went from an F to a C in three weeks. That’s why I’m impressed. I’m not messing with you.”

Your eyes flicker between his face and the gold chain threatening to slip out from inside of his neat button-up. You exhale softly.

“I thought I did better.” You admit. Shame coats your features, you’re avoiding his gaze, your hands are pinned rigidly at your sides. Bradley sits up a little, giving you some leeway to move.

“So let’s talk about it.” Bradley says calmly. You stare back at him, finally looking him in the eye. He can tell that you want to get up and run. Leaning down, one of his hands comes to grip your hip as he kisses your lips slowly. He pulls back, and raises his brows expectantly.

“Okay.” You agree quietly.

He shoots you a quick smile, then stands up, grabbing the exam paper from the bed as you push yourself up. He sits at the end facing you as he quizzes you once again through the first page. For the first time, you don’t feel scrutinized by him.

“Alright, the Latin unseen translation is where you lost a lot of points, but uh — it’s alright. We can work on that.” Bradley scratches at the back of his neck as he studies the excerpt. You’re quiet, toying with your cuticles. He continues. “The information you’re given is that a farmer is entertaining three gods, incognito, in his cottage until Neptune inadvertently gives them away. Do you pay attention to this stuff at the top when you’re translating?”

You swallow. No, not really. Really, you had recognised a few of the words and assumed that you would be okay. “Of course I do.”

He looks up at you over the page, quiet like he’s giving you a moment to rescind your answer. “This isn’t going to work if you lie.”

“I’m not lying.” You rush defensively, crossing one knee over the other. Bradley exhales slowly and sets the pen down on the bed between the two of you. He raises his eyebrows. “I’m not!”

The door bursts open before you, and the moment is over. The two of you stare, side-by-side, as Luke is backed into the room with Robin’s tongue in his mouth. From Bradley’s vantage point, he can see her hand inside of his jeans

“Luke!”

Luke groans as Robin ribs her hand back. He pants, turning to face the man, wiping lipstick from his face. “Oh, hey, Bradley. I, uh — um, how did that meeting with Enzo go?”

You glance across. If Luke knows whatever the hell Bradley was up to today, you should probably know too. Luke isn’t even that good of a student and he knows. But, he does idolize Bradley.

“Robin has a room to herself now, you know.” You point out, trying to save them from the pain of getting lectured by Bradley any more than they already have.

“Who asked you?” Robin bites back.

Bradley stares at her. He presses his lips together in a line. In the years that he has been running this trip, he hasn’t ever had to babysit this much.

He pushes himself up and walks over to her, then brushes right past. Your eyes widen, craning your neck to watch as Bradley slams his fist into the door beside his. Robin and Luke stare on, confused as he walks along the hall doing the same until all of his students pour out into the hallway.

“Everyone come here, make sure you can hear me because I’m only going to say it once.”

From now on, if you make me treat you like children, I’ll treat you like children. The first one of you to upset someone here will deal with me. You’re going to start getting along like adults.

You fiddle awkwardly with the corner of the exam paper as he continues on, knowing that this is all your fault.

“Starting tonight. At eight, you’re going to meet me in the lobby and we’re going to get dinner together. You’re going to get along whether you like it or not. Understood?”

…

Tags: @thedroneranger @batdanceq @cassiemitchell @himbos-on-ice @wkndwlff @bradshawsbaby @damrlova @fudge13 @xoxabs88xox @mak-32 @sihtricswife @callsignvenus @callsign-joyride @harper1666 @krismdavis @sheisanangell @thecitysgraveyard @sugarcoated-lame @kmc1989 @cherrycola27

[bbiine]

SPILLED WINE REWARD ָ֢

SUMMARY: an accident involving wine, between Seokmin and Y/N, two ex-lovers, at New York Fashion Week, makes Seokmin want to reward you

PAIRING: idol!ex boyfriend!Seokmin x idol!ex girlfriend!fem!reader

WARNINGS: (probably) grammatical errors and a little of smut

GENDER: fluff and (a little) smut

BIBI'S NOTES: hey mes amours! It's my first time writing so if you have any feedback, pls don't hesitate to let me know! I want to warn you that English is not my native language, so forgive me for any mistakes!

Enjoy!

New York Fashion week used to be a major fashion event. Only people who were influential and important to fashion were able to be invited and honored with a presence in the big city.

The kpop industry was gaining more recognition and many more idols were going on to have worldwide careers. And Seokmin, or better known as Dokyeom or Dk, a member of a famous boy group called Seventeen, managed to be influential enough to be one of the guests.

He was sitting in the front row of the catwalk looking at all the new clothing collections and all that luxury, when his eyes met the eyes of an idol, it was Y/N, your ex-girlfriend, you were becoming famous in the Kpop industry and you finally had this opportunity to be present at such a big event. It had been a long time since you had broken up, not a single word had been exchanged.

Seokmin watched you with curious eyes, you were totally focused on the clothes and you looked different, your countenance was dazzling and mysterious at the same time. You hadn't realized that Seokmin had been looking at you since the beginning of the show; for him, the show didn't matter when he could simply observe your every detail and expression.

As he walked through the middle of a large, chic hall, full of people drinking their champagne and sporting their latest clothes after the big show, Seokmin tried to find the girl who had captured his attention. Until he saw the same pair of eyes that had always caught his attention: you were talking to a very influential person in fashion, but things didn't seem to be going well.

Seokmin approaches with a smile on his face

"Hello...Y/N right? Sorry to disturb your conversation, but can I talk to you for five minutes?" Seokmin smiles

When you realize who it is, your smile fades a little, after all you've been avoiding him. As soon as your eyes meet his, you remember all the past you've had and that night when you decided to give up on everything.

It was an ordinary Wednesday night when you decided to end it all. You'd known each other since you were 16, when you were just a trainee, and for as long as you can remember, you'd been in love with him. But the more time passed, the more you felt the pressure of being an idol, you simply didn't have a romantic life with Seokmin, you couldn't go out or have dinner together because everyone would know about your relationship and your company didn't want that. It had been three years since you were in this relationship and it seemed to only put pressure on you, your life revolved around hiding the relationship from the two of you.

Seokmin snaps two fingers in front of you making you wake up from all the thoughts and memories you had with him

"Long time, Y/N" He smiled

"What do you want to talk to me about?" You crossed your arms

"Well, you tour abroad and you can't speak English properly? You didn't seem to understand anything in that conversation"

"Of course I understood, I was just confused because she was talking too fast" you walk to a private corner while picking up a glass of wine

Seokmin accompanies you, he was curious about what had happened to you since the break-up

"How's life?" He leans against the wall and stares at you

"Are you really going to do that? You don't have to try to talk to me, after all, the last time we saw each other you hated me." You sip some wine, trying to forget how much that night hurt you.

"I didn't even remember that, I'm not holding any grudges... if it's all right for you, then it's all right for me" He gives you the same smile and waits for your reaction

"Then we're even" You give a forced smile

Just then, a waiter walked by with a tray of wine glasses. Seokmin reached out to take one, but a sudden stumble caused the glass to slip out of his hands, spilling the red liquid in his direction. Your dress is stained red, leaving you embarrassed and Seokmin ashamed

You look at him angrily

"Seokmin, look what you've done!" You grab a cloth and try to wipe it off, but it only makes matters worse

Seokmin looks totally embarrassed and worried

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to" he tries to help you, taking a cloth and trying to wipe it off

The stain was right on your stomach and a little close to your breasts, as you felt his touch after so long, your cheeks turned a little red and you tried to hide it with your anger

"Don't touch me Seokmin" you pulled away from him, walking into the great hall, inside you found a room where you took out your cell phone and called your manager, so you could get another dress.

Meanwhile Seokmin was trying to find where you were, after all he wanted to apologize and didn't want things to turn out this way.

You were standing with your arms folded with your back to the door waiting for your manager, after all he said he was close by. the door opens and you say

"Quick, open my dress, this smell of wine is bothering me" you say without looking to the door

you feel hands running down your back as open your dress, that feeling was familiar to you, and then you hear the voice of the person who caused all this

"I'm sorry Y/N... let me make it up to you..."

You turn around quickly with red cheeks and see that it's Seokmin

"What are you doing here? Do you want to cause more trouble?" You say trying not to give in, but it was difficult, all the old feelings were coming back.

He laughs a little and faces you "You know I didn't mean it... let me apologize the way I know how" He stares at you, waiting for your reaction as he gently brings your lips closer.

Your legs freeze and you just can't say anything, you wanted it, you wanted to feel Seokmin's lips again. By now you were totally surrendered to him.

When your eyes close and you feel Seokmin's lips, that familiar sensation takes over your whole body, you feel like you're home after a long time.

There was no hesitation when their lips finally met, a passion they had both been holding in for so long was finally released. Seokmin's hands were roaming all over your body, sending all kinds of impure thoughts to your brain. Your lips were in perfect sync, as were your tongues, which were also present in the kiss.

When you both finally ran out of air, Seokmin pulled away and whispered in a hoarse voice with his eyes closed

"I want you...like I've always wanted since I was 16" he opened his eyes and faced her "come back to me Y/N...come home"

That was the pinnacle for you, after those words you could no longer hold in all that passion that had been stored up for so long, you brought your lips together again, causing Seokmin to pull you in, closing any kind of space between the two of you.

His hands were still on her body, and they went to her open zipper, pulling the stained dress down completely. "At least the accident did some good," he said, totally mesmerized by your body in just your underwear. You roll your eyes and laugh softly, "My God, how could I have stayed away from you for so long?" He stares at you with that smile as his kisses trail down to your neck, low moans coming from your mouth as Seokmin leaves marks on your neck.

"This is so wrong, but it feels so right," you whisper. There was no doubt about your feelings for each other and you could no longer resist the physical attraction

In one swift movement, Seokmin picks you up and places you on a random table in the room. In the meantime, his mouth never left your neck, making you continue to moan and driving him crazy "One day you're going to kill me with pleasure Y/N" he said between kisses

"Don't worry, I'm already doing it now" you let out a smile and your hands go down to Seokmin's blouse.

As your hands slowly move down to Seokmin's dress shirt, the intensity of the moment intensifies. The fabric of the shirt ripples with every movement of your touch. His fingers slide between the buttons of Seokmin's shirt, teasing him with each stroke. Soon, the shirt begins to move lower and lower, revealing more and more of Seokmin's muscular frame underneath.

you can feel your own heart pounding and the heat rising through your skin. Perhaps Seokmin's claim that you were already "killing him with pleasure" was right all along.

He stopped kissing her neck and faced her as he slowly descended, looking into her eyes. He was at the height of her legs, while his hands caressed her thighs as he slowly spread her legs apart.

"For you I keep my legs open and forget everything" you said in a sensual and provocative way

Seokmin's smile widened and he left a kiss on the inside of her thigh

"I know, but maybe you can't keep them open for long," he says, teasing you even more

His kisses move upwards until they almost reach the middle of your leg, and then your phone rings, taking all the focus away from you.

You pick it up and your eyes go wide and you quickly get up from the table, looking for your dress and leaving Seokmin at a loss.

The call is ended and you say "My manager is here, he's looking for me, quick, get out of here" you say desperately and put on your stained dress

He gives you a mischievous smile "well, looks like we'll have an audience to see what I'm going to do to you" he approaches you again and you push him towards the door "stop Seokmin, no one can catch us here"

He laughs and then opens the door saying "Fine, fine but...I'm not done with you yet"

@bbiine, 2023

[transbookoftheday]

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other—except they're definitely not.

Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It's in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

[petersoftparker]

Is it fate?

Dark!Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings: Dubious Consent

When you first moved to New York, you didn’t really feel optimistic. It was hard to make friends when you are an adult, and even harder moving to a huge city where you don’t know anyone. You were pleasantly surprised though when you managed to hit it off with your tour guide on orientation day. You felt almost giddy every time he stopped leading the group, and caught your eye to make a joke. The tour ended quickly, but before you could overthink he called out to you. You had to pinch yourself when he offered to show you a few secret spots on campus, but you quickly agreed. The two of you exchanged numbers, before he let you know that he had another tour that he had to get to but that he would text you later to plan the hangout. It wasn’t until late that night when you got the text, inviting you to a party that he was throwing to start off the new semester. You shot him back a text agreeing.

When you walked into his room later that night, you realized you were the only one there. Seeing your confused look, he explained “My buddy got tipped off that the RA is making visits to the dorms, but I thought we could just hang out instead? Here let me get you a drink, wine okay?” 

“Oh, okay. Yeah, wine is good thanks.” 

The two of you sat on the edge of his bed, slowly sipping the drink while starting to get to know each other. 

Peter chose light topics for conversation, which over-time successfully worked to relax you.

You eventually finished your glass of wine, which Peter took to refill. When he sat back down, it was closer than before. Peter could tell that the action went unnoticed by you, so he decided to push the limits even more. He wanted to make the most of the night of course.

He casually snaked his arm around your waist to rest his hand on your inner right thigh.

You froze, before trying to subtly shift over. You were quickly stopped by his grip tightening on you. You looked up at him wide eyed, but all he did was smile continuing the conversation. “Yeah, I definitely think you and Harry would get along. He is kind of stand-offish at first, but once he’s on your side he will be a total sweetheart to you.” 

“Oh.” You mumbled in response. Your face felt hot, as he softened his grip when you didn’t attempt to move away a second time. He rewarded you with sweet words “You’re so pretty angel. Can’t believe fate made us cross paths.” 

He cupped your face with his free hand, drawing you into a heated kiss. You gasped into his mouth, feeling his hand travel down to rest on your underwear and squeeze. He groaned in response, not even thinking anymore just following his instincts. 

You could feel his index finger hook into the band of your underwear, before ripping it in one quick motion. He shoved the ripped underwear into his back pocket, before pulling away to stop kissing you for the moment. He set both hands on your hips, lifting you to sit on his lap. Your hands shot to his shoulders to hold in surprise, before gasping out “Oh my god wait-”. 

“Let me try something, will make you feel so good princess” Peter gritted out. Peter then reached down to unbuckle his pants. 

After you stuttered out for him to wait once more, he visibly became annoyed at the repeated interruptions. Webs shot out of his wrist, covering your mouth completely. 

It was at this moment where you realized how intense this whole situation really was, and who Peter really was. You had seen news articles about Spider-Man before, but you thought he was truly a hero. 

You tried to speak behind the gag, but all that came out was muffled noises. 

Peter pretended to know what you were going to say and answered “Don’t worry, the webs will only dissolve in an hour. We have time.”

[brizzlefromtheblock]

It’s been a while!

Life is crazy and busy and always changing, but I’ve been able to write again.

If any of you follow me still from my One Direction days, you know writing was my jam. This summer, I was hit with the bug once more and was able to write to full length novels between June and August.

My novel, First Crush, is available for free right now on Kindle Unlimited. If any of you want to give it a read, here’s the link and the synopsis:

Willow Thompson is the top sales rep for New York's largest wine import company, Cin Cin. Reeling from a bad breakup, Willow finds escape hiding in her work: building wine portfolios and jumping from state to state, country to country. She's never in the same place for more than three days, and she likes it that way.

When her boss pulls the rug out from under her and tasks her to help design his new tasting room in the city, Willow is furious. Not only is she unable to bury her head in the sand to nurse her heartache, she needs to take the lead designer on a tour through New York wine country.

Wes MacFadden knows nothing about wine, but he and his brother sure as hell know how to design a killer space. When they botch their sales pitch for Cin Cin's tasting room, Wes is stuck hitting the road with a perfect stranger. Not one to back away from a challenge, Wes agrees but there's a catch: his designs will only be approved only if he can convince Willow he knows what he's doing.

As their time together intensifies, Wes finds himself dying to prove that he's not only the right man for the job-- but the right man for her.

If you take the time to read it, I’ll be forever grateful.

[daimonclub]

Christmas Markets in England

London Christmas markets Christmas markets in England, the best wonderful Christmas markets in London, and in Bath, Bristol, Chester, Winchester, York, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester The festive period is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate than with a trip to a Christmas market in England? Christmas markets in England mean sparkling lights, gorgeous presents, carol-singers, ice rinks, and mugs of mulled wine, making the winter holiday season a delightful time of year. Every big city has a Christmas Market when the time is right. England’s Christmas Markets are fun, they’re festive and the fragrance of mulled wine on the airwaves keeps the punters coming. Best Christmas markets in London The locations below annually host some of the top Christmas markets in London, which usually stay open until the New Year. Christmas by the River at London Bridge City Christmas By The River at London Bridge City is set against stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, offering wooden huts packed with original presents, handmade crafts and plenty of delicious snacks. Indulge in mouthwatering food from an array of pop-up stalls and admire one of London's most iconic skyline views with a steaming cup of mulled wine. Selfridges Christmas Market The Selfridges Christmas Market returns to Edwards Mews again this Christmas. Enjoy sizzling street food from vendors curated by the founder of Street Feast, Dominic Cools-Lartigue, including waffles dripping with chocolate, Filipino treats and pie and mash. This outdoor market brings fairground rides for kids and adults, personalised wreaths made in front of you and heaps of stalls selling Christmas goodies. Winter Wonderland Christmas market The annual Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is situated in one of the city’s most spectacular parks. You’ll find over 100 illuminated wooden chalets decorated in Bavarian style selling handicrafts and fantastic gifts from around the world, including handmade crafts and beautiful pieces of jewellery. You can also enjoy traditional German street food and mulled wine. Winter Follow the lights to Hyde Park and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland, one of the biggest Christmas markets in London. You can also get your skates on at the UK's biggest outdoor ice rink, see London sparkle from the Giant Observation Wheel, or sit back and enjoy one of Winter Wonderland's top Christmas shows.

Winterville Christmas Market Leicester Square Christmas market Experience festive fun with Christmas in Leicester Square, which gives the home of blockbuster film premieres a yuletide makeover. Browse the traditional market filled with a wonderful array of crafts and tempting treats. Afterwards, head to the Belgian spiegeltent to enjoy a brilliant lineup of comedy, cabaret and magic shows. Southbank Centre Winter Market See the South Bank's riverside transformed into a wintry wonderland, where global cuisine and an artisan Christmas market come together in one sparkling location for Southbank Centre's Winter Festival. Amble past the traditional wooden chalets lining the banks of the Thames and pick up gorgeous stocking fillers from the Winter Market. Or, tuck into cheese-based food, cocktails and mulled wine surrounded by the glow of neon artworks, as part of the Winter Lights display. Eccleston Yards Christmas Market Explore the buzzy open-air mall which makes up this stunning courtyard. Browse stalls filled with trinkets and unique gifts at Eccleston Yards Christmas Market, which brings festive cheer, new traders and live music to this open space during the countdown to Christmas. Treat the special people in your life to London vouchers for top spots or browse luxury Christmas gifts and experiences in the city. Borough Market Tour the historical arches of Borough Market, decked out with lights, decorations and twinkling ornaments, as you source the finest seasonal foods while listening to choirs and buskers singing jolly tunes. Indulge in An Evening of Cheese (15 Dec), or pick up foodie tips and tricks during three days of Festive Kitchen demonstrations (7-9 Dec). From 16 Nov Greenwich Christmas market Tick items off your Christmas shopping list while browsing Greenwich Market's 150 stalls and shops, selling a range of stocking fillers, fashion items, crafts and original artworks. Make sure to also wander around the ancient maritime neighbourhood of Greenwich, which is decked out with lights and festive goodies. Plus, watch as brightly coloured lanterns parade through the area during the Christmas lights switch on.

Christmas markets in England Christmas under the Canopy at King's Cross Get hands-on at craft workshops at Christmas under the Canopy, a covered market found in King's Cross. Following your creative work, browse the array of stalls to find live jazz, carol singers, food tastings, mulled wine and masterclasses at Canopy Market, which welcomes a number of independent, ethical and sustainable vendors. Kingston Christmas Market Venture over to picturesque Kingston upon Thames, where you can search the riverside town's Ancient Market Place for unique Christmas gifts at the Kingston Christmas Market. The cosy cabins are packed with a range of handmade arts and crafts, beautiful decorations and stocking fillers. Afterwards, enjoy seasonal entertainment while tucking into some specialist street food. Other Best Christmas Markets in England Manchester Christmas Markets Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market Leeds Christkindelmarkt Bath Christmas Market York’s St Nicholas Christmas Fair Bristol Christmas Market Chester Christmas Market Winchester Christmas Market Manchester Christmas Markets Manchester is home to some of the best Christmas markets in the country and is known as one of the best markets in Europe. There are more than nine of them scattered throughout the city centre, which makes it a true paradise for Christmas enthusiasts! You’ll find a diverse range of food and drink stalls at all of them, each offering a unique experience. The largest market is in Albert Square, which features a German village packed with food and drink stalls. If you’re visiting Manchester in December, it’s a must do!

Manchester Christmas market Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market In Birmingham, you can find the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside of Germany. Anyone looking for some Christmas gifts will find beautiful decorations and handcrafted items to choose from, but the real reason to go is for the fab food and drink. Victoria Square is filled with the most delicious smell of Christmas as stalls sell traditional German food. You can sample authentic bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzels, and hot chestnuts. You can even get half-metre sausages, if that sounds good to you – and if you’re thirsty there are four pint jugs of beer or sweet little mugs of flavoured gluhwein too. Leeds Christkindelmarkt Leeds Chrsitkindelmarkt is one of the oldest German Christmas markets in England. Throughout the square are wooden stalls selling beautiful toys, jewellery, crafts, decorations, and other items. A jingling carousel ride with lively music and vibrant coloured lights creates a festive mood throughout the entire Christmas village. The fairground style rides for children and its ‘Breakfast with Santa’ experience are among its most popular attractions. This is a ticketed event that happens on Saturday and Sunday. The Bavarian style restaurant Alp Chalet is in the centre of Millennium Square, and during Christmas, families and kids are invited to enjoy a Christmas breakfast with Santa in traditional German style. Bath Christmas Market Bath hosts one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in England every year. During the winter months, Bath isn’t only wonderful due to its gorgeous architecture, but even more beautiful thanks to its festive atmosphere, and the excellent Bath Christmas Market. A day out in Bath is always a good idea, particularly in winter when it’s definitely one of the best festive days out in the Cotswolds. “With over 130 twinkling chalets, soak up the sights and scents of Christmas as you meander through the cobbled streets surrounded by some of the South West’s most talented crafters. Enjoy a festive experience like no other, surrounded by some of Britain’s iconic architecture. Christmas Markets with stalls are spread all over Bath, on its streets and in small squares surrounding Bath Cathedral.

Bath Christmas Market It’s possible to find independent producers selling their products on many stalls. It’s a great place to find all kinds of handcrafted gifts and decorations, as well as some of the best food and mulled wine. Festive streetlights are strung on the town’s most iconic buildings and streets. A major feature of Bath Christmas Market is the Victorian merry-go-round, suitable for children and adults on the horses or in carriages. York’s St Nicholas Christmas Fair York’s Christmas Market is one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in England. Wooden, alpine-style chalets border York’s pedestrianised city streets, selling locally manufactured crafts, art, food, and drink. Shoppers can enjoy a range of tantalising free samples to try as well as one-of-a-kind presents to purchase. A big, decorated Christmas tree, live entertainment, and beautiful night time illuminations help to create a bright festive mood. Thor’s Tipi, a massive canvas tipi specially created for the Christmas season, is the show-stopper at the Christmas market. Foot-sore customers can relax on soft blankets in front of a roaring log fire and sip mulled wine or creamy hot chocolate and soak up the atmosphere. York Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas days out in Yorkshire! Bristol Christmas Market Bristol Christmas Market in England is more about spending time to appreciate the ambiance and allowing yourself the opportunity to relax or see friends. The Bristol Christmas Market takes place in Broadmead, the city’s Shopping Quarter. It’s a compact but well structured market with a well-planned assortment of booths offering something unique, ensuring you’ll discover the ideal one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. The bar at the heart of the market attracts families with a singing reindeer at the entrance, and while they do serve alcoholic drinks, you can also get a reasonably priced hot chocolate to keep you warm while listening to your favourite festive tunes and watching the frantic last-minute shoppers running past. “Located in the very heart of Bristol City Centre, the Christmas market is home to over 50 unique stalls, as well as entertainment from the likes of Santa and reindeer visits in December. Visitors can enjoy heated seating, delicious drinks and live music in our Jäger Barn Bar, and also try their hand at the much-loved sport of curling for some competitive fun.“

Christmas markets in the UK Chester Christmas Market This mediaeval city in northwest England is notable for its Roman fortifications and walls, as well as Tudor-style timber houses. Then there’s the magical Chester Christmas Market. This is one of the greatest English Christmas markets to visit if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional. Over 70 traditional wooden chalets are situated on the city’s Town Hall Square, with the magnificent Chester Cathedral as a backdrop. Visiting makes for a great day out in Cheshire. Pick up some mulled wine or a tasty hog roast bap after browsing the stalls for handmade crafts, clothing, jewellery, and local produce. Stop by the Real Ale Bar for a Christmas drink or a local cask ale and take a photo in front of the spectacular Christmas tree to really make your Chester Christmas Market experience. Winchester Christmas Market What better way to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit than at Winchester Cathedral? The monumental Gothic cathedral, in the centre of Britain’s former capital city, towers imposingly over the quaint English Christmas Market, which promises tidings of joy. Winchester has one of the best Christmas Markets in Hampshire, if not England. Follow your nose to stalls touting fine food and drink. Mulled wine in hand, then follow your ears to join the gathered crowd singing along with the carolling choir. And, full of golden festive spirit, mooch around the stalls and support local craftspeople and traders whilst you do your Christmas shopping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4jsR5PXidU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAJYkO3G8VU Read also our other posts on Christmas  ; Christmas markets in America ; Christmas markets in Italy and Germany ; Christmas quotes ; 60 great Christmas quotes ; Christmas tree origin and quotes ;  Christmas short stories ; Ella Gray A Christmas short story ; Traditional Christmas Carols ; Christmas jokes ; Christmas cracker jokes ; Funny Christmas Stories ; Amusing Christmas stories ; Christmas food ; Christmas thoughts ; Christmas story ; Christmas in Italy ; Christmas holidays ; Christmas songs ; Christmas poems ; An Essay on Christmas by Chesterton ; Read the full article

[trav3lingwanderer]

Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸

Dates: September 24-27, 2024

Stayed at: The Hats hostel in C. Imperial, 9, Centro, 28012 in Madrid, Spain

Total price of hostel: $127.37

LODGING

My stay at The Hat hostel went beyond my expectations. I picked this hostel because it is in a central location, and the reviews were fairly positive. I booked a mixed 4-bed dorm as soon as I arrived to Madrid, and my roommates were all quiet and considerate. I hope I was too... The room is pretty small, more narrow than wide and there are outlets on the sides of each bunk; bedding provided. The view from my room was to the front of the hostel and we would have the window/door open for fresh air, keep in mind Madrid's kinda loud, but it was so worth it. Not all rooms are facing the street, btw.

The hostel has 5 floors with a rooftop (where you can order food), and a -1 (basement/cave area) floor. The -1 floor is where the kitchen is, and is where the nightly sangria making class is held. The host (who also hosts the pub crawl) was so friendly and informative, infectious energy. In the elevators and on various parts of the hostel there is information on activities hosted by the hostel. There is a daily walking tour, and a nightly pub crawl (great ways to meet other travelers). There is a bar in the lobby. The hostel also has private rooms and bathrooms, too. It was never extremely loud out in the hallways during my stay, everyone was respectful (I was on the 2nd floor).

GETTING AROUND

Walking, walking and more walking. This city is so pedestrian friendly. The metros are great, too. I only used the metro to and from the airport, buses are constantly running although I did not get on the bus, either. Spanish is necessary however most of the locals I came across spoke english in some way shape or form. Even when I'd talk in spanish they'd reply in english sometimes.

FOOD

At the hostel there is breakfast for an extra fee each morning, although I did not participate in that.

Lots of pizza and tapa options, restaurants with seating outside is normal. The price of food/a meal is reasonable, and I mostly ate small meals. I ate a potato omelet, with wine and a side of bread which was delicious, 8/10, also had pizza, dumplings, ice cream, cinnamon rolls, empanadas, churros and horchata (not all on the same day). I drank a lot of wine LOL.

WHAT DID I DO?

My first night, I went to a pub crawl hosted by the hostel. Before that though, the hostel hosted a sangria making class I participated in. The pub crawl consists of going to 4 different bar clubs, 1 shot is included in the price, and we ended the night at the club. Price: 20 EUR

•Visited many book stores

•walked around (bring your tennis shoes)

• Spanish meetup event

•open mic night event at Generator Madrid hostel

•free walking tour

OVERALL ENERGY

Overall, it was my first time in Europe and I was surprised at how different Spain is from latin america aside from... religion and language. I realized just how indigenous and african influenced latin america is, and just how little I knew about Spain aside from it colonizing latin america. Madrid reminded me so much of New York, but cleaner/organized (I say this as a born and raised New Yorker). I injoyed learning about Madrid history especially in terms of the symbology of the cats and the bear clawing up the tree. The city is bustling with tourists and locals alike so it was hard to get an in depth read of it, there is an underground feel to it though if that makes sense-- as if the real part of the city happens underneath what we see.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Long Fic Titles (8+ Words) (6) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five

5 times Dani wants to say “I love you” to Fi, and 1 time she actually does (ao3) - noxhsw

Summary: 5+1 themed sappy 2009 scenemo Dan and Phil yuri. Because why not.

a cat's not just for phantober. this is forever (ao3) - purpurussy

Summary: Fluffy oneshot based on the "cat" prompt for phantober!

ain't gotta tell me (it's just in my nature) (ao3) - lesbaurinkos (pluginbaby)

Summary: It’s really, really fucking nice, looking in the mirror and seeing something that feels right for the first time since uni, probably. Since the stint when she’d chopped her hair off her first year just to get scared and grow it back out, brushed it off on YouTube as a tomboy phase and run back away from the thing that she thinks she’s always sort of known. The thing that’s prickled under her skin every time she’s put on a dress for an event, makeup for a video, and pretended it’s who she is.

She’s been sick of pretending for a long time now.

(or: fi gets The Chop™)

and you're back again, only different than before (ao3) - dancingroses

Summary: dan used to disappear at odd hours without his phone, leaving phil to sit around anxiously waiting for him to come home. things have been better since wad. when dan takes a morning to himself to process the reality of the terrible influence tour, phil is forced to confront just how much this little habit of dan's used to affect him.

As The World Caves In (it’s you that I lie with) (ao3) - amzingmati

Summary: Doomed au inspired by the song As The World Caves In.

A short au for the phanniversary :)

I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means (ao3) - skygremlin

Summary: Dan and Phil have a death pact. Or so Phil thinks, sending out a tweet after they finish going over their wills with a lawyer.

i had sworn to myself i'm content with loneliness (‘cause none of it was ever worth the risk) (ao3) - misbhvdan

Summary: Soft guitar strings are playing from the shitty laptop speaker. Dani recognises the song immediately. She’s been listening to it on her iPod daily for over a month, thinking of Fiona every time like the lovesick puppy she is.

There’s no voiceover in the video, just the girl cutting her own hair into Fiona’s desired haircut with a frankly ridiculous music choice in the background.

Who puts a fucking love song in the background of a hair tutorial?

- Dani gives Fiona a haircut.

if you weren't mine (i'd be jealous of your love) (ao3) - phook

Summary: dan and phil reminisce.

everything’s still romantic after fifteen years.

in your high heel boots and your painted-on jeans (ao3) - jonsaremembers

Summary: After a fight, Dan drowns his sorrows in bourbon.

Perfect like a picture, even when they look through the grains (ao3) - skygremlin

Summary: Dan and Phil having a cozy night in with red wine, taking photos for a holiday card and taking videos for each other.

please i've been on my knees (change the prophecy) (ao3) - theend1snear

Summary: Phil thought that the universe must have been playing some kind of trick on him, because why couldn't he love Dan back?

Stand clear of the closing doors (The next stop is: 28th Street) (ao3) - skygremlin

Summary: Dan and Phil are in New York on tour and agreed to meet a friend across the city, so having taken lots of trains around the world like the grown adults they are, they get on the subway. Except when the conductor calls out the next stop at 28th Street, they realize they've made a big mistake.

The altar is my hips, even if it's a false god (we'd still worship this love) (ao3) - philsslit

Summary: As she watches Dani dance around in that incredibly short skirt she is filled with a mixture of love and lust. She can't take her eyes off of her.

or

dan and phil are lesbians. featuring sister daniel. and strap. that's it that's the fic.

the chill of his breath, the work of his hands (ao3) - Celeste (artificialmac)

Summary: “You can’t die before me,” he rushes out, wincing internally as the words leave his lips.

Or: Dan gets in his head after filming with the Sims 4 Life and Death pack.

the world is my oyster and i’m the only girl (ao3) - cutekai

Summary: it all starts with a piece of fabric

What if we kissed in the backrooms door (ao3) - The_local_trash_bag

Summary: Dan and Phil are lost in the backrooms. They don’t know when they’ll get out but at least they have each other to keep them sane.

what would you do (if they never found us out) (ao3) - weuspronouns

Summary: It's Vidcon 2015 and Phil checks out after two drinks. Despite it going against their every rule, a tipsy Dan decides to visit his hotel room anyway.

when people that said it was raining all the time (i see sunshine cause i know that you are mine) (ao3) - Atlantis_51

Summary: Phil waits in the cold. He waits until his fingers ache from the breeze that rushes through them. He waits until the crowd dwindles down and he’s left all alone standing alongside the train tracks. He waits until the call aboard the last train rumbles through the high walls of Manchester Train Station. He even waits a little longer, just in case.

// Dan doesn't show up at the train station on that fateful Oct 19th, 2009.

when the train came it was so big and powerful (ao3) - r1caner

Summary: It is 2009, and things are going to change. Dan thinks so, anyway.

a dnp fic for the 15th 19th of october.

When you see me, will you say I've changed? (ao3) - skygremlin

Summary: Dan has an identity crisis while touring We’re All Doomed and spontaneously moves to New York City to feel like he’s doing something good and productive with his life, running a bodega in Crown Heights alongside his new companion, a chaotic orange cat named Clint.

It’s a story about New York, and the quirks of owning a stray orange cat.

It’s also a story about trust and community, and handling the dissonance between the people and places we call home.

When you're in the mirror, you're just looking at me (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: A morning, in a hotel during the tour. Dan thinks about tours past and present.

-

brat and it's the same but it's about dnp so it's not

you can drive me down to florida and fuck me for days (ao3) - cutekai

Summary: codependency unlike no other

you should’ve raised a baby girl (i should’ve been a better son) (ao3) - thislifedoesnotexist

Summary: Fiona has had a best friend, and she’s had a crush, and Dan is both and neither and something new and transcendent altogether.

(2009 and it’s the same but they’re transfem so it’s not)

[bullet-prooflove]

Please could I have “one of us gets too drunk and calls about a hundred times” with Matthew Kelller. Thank you!

References to: My Girl (NSFW) and One More Night

Keller’s determined to quit you.

He makes the decision after he spends the fourth night in a row tangled up in your sheets, your naked body draped over his chest like a weighted blanket. He’s getting too comfortable in New York, starting to settle. He thinks about asking you to run away with him but that would mean admitting that he’s caught feelings and that’s not something he’s willing to do.

So he sells the Degas, he’s been holding onto and disappears.

He doesn’t say goodbye, he cuts that tie the same way he has every other in his life, leaving both the city and you in his rearview.

He fucks his way through Europe, touring the world’s most beautiful cities. Every night he takes home someone new and every morning he wakes up with that emptiness in his chest, because they’re not you, they’ll never be you.

It’s in Barcelona that he finally gives into his impulses. He’s lost count of the amount of times he’s thought about calling you. He’s longed to hear your voice since the day he left but he’s always been firm with himself, disciplined.

You don’t need her, he tells himself again and again. She’s nothing to you.

He’s half drunk on a bottle of Merlot that he knows you would have loved, when he finally dials your bumber. You don’t pick up the phone and he doesn’t expect you to. He listens to the sound of your voicemail before he hangs up and hits redial because he just needs to hear your voice again. He wonders if you’re ghosting him, if you’re out with someone else, someone who deserves your time, your attention.

He falls asleep with an empty wine bottle cradled to his chest and the sound of you in his ear.

His mouth is dry when he wakes up, his head pounding. The phone is still clasped in his hand and when he checks the screen he can see he has one missed call, and voicemail.

He holds the phone to his ear, his fingertips massaging the space between his eyes as he listens to your message.

Matty, you say. You made your choice.

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@kmc1989

[mobscene-london]

THE DATES SO FAR:

Travel to Costa Brava in Spain and explore the historical Tossa de Mar before having dinner aboard a catamaran ride around the coast at sunset.

A day in Heraklion, Crete, to explore the beaches, local architecture, and museums.

A visit to San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily, to embrace the beautiful beaches. An afternoon spent climbing the face of Monte Monaco, before winding down with a relaxing dinner in the town, with plenty of local wine to share.

Head to Tromsø, Norway, to go ice swimming in the Norwegian Sea. Warm up in a wood fire sauna, before heading into the city for a cosy dinner, and a night of great cocktails at the Magic Ice Bar.

Edinburgh, Scotland. A trip to the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, filled with optical wonders and playful illusions, followed by a walking tour to the historic Edinburgh Castle. The trip will conclude with a night in a cosy log cabin surrounded by the beauty of the Scottish landscape.

A trip to Amsterdam to visit the art museums on the Museumplein, followed by dinner and live music.

A night out in Moscow. Italian food and French Champagne at Mario's, followed by a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre. Finish things off with a late-night stroll to St. Basil's to take in the architectural beauty of the city.

Brunch date along the beaches of Tenerife, before joining the festivities of Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

A weekend getaway to the small island of Malta, where they can submerge themselves in the culture, food, and scenery, far away from the busy life of London and all its drama.

An apartment in Central Paris, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, with prosecco upon arrival. A day of leisure, followed by dinner at the Sphére, located on Rue La Boétie.

Spend some time exploring Wine Factory N1 in Tbilisi. After plenty of wine tasting and bar hopping, an evening dining at the opulent Biltmore Hotel awaits; beautiful views over the city as the perfect accompaniment.

A pamper filled day at the luxurious Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland, before toning it down with a beer and brewery crawl through the country's capital. End the night camping in one of Reykjavik's Geodomes.

The night consists of great food and live music. A chance to dress up and step into another world. Dinner at the Story Restaurant in London, followed by Abel Selaocoe and Britten Sinfonia at the Barbican Centre.

A trip to New York to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and do a food tour of the city together.

Private Island Living off the coast of Greece. A small Island villa just for two. Peace, quiet, and no nosey neighbours.

ADDED THURSDAY:

Enjoy a long-weekend away to Ibiza where you will experience both sides of the Island; nights out in the best clubs with the greatest DJs and the nights in watching sunsets by the beach, most luxurious dinners. A date with the best of both worlds.

Get tipsy together on a weekend away at Amalfi Coast. Stay in five-star Hotel Santa Caterina, with its far-reaching views along the coast, a luxurious beach club and two restaurants, for a four-day ‘Luxury Amalfi Coast Wine Experience’.

Arrive in San Sebastián just when the locals get started for the night, around 9pm. Choose from a number of Michelin star restaurants and spend the rest of the night drinking and enjoying the company. Wake up the next day for a walk along the golden beaches and explore more of the food the city has to offer.

Take a hike around the Isle of Skye and maybe a dip in the small water ways if you're brave enough. See the beauty that Scotland has to offer. The night will end at a cottage for 2 with a chef catered meal and an overnight stay.

During the day, enjoy a walking tour of Haga Old Town in Gothenburg, Sweden and a small boat tour of some of the archipelago. End the night with dinner at family owned Familjen where the mood is cosy and the food is all local.

A long weekend in Monaco. Enjoy the comfort of the iconic Café de Paris, spending the afternoon pampered in its spa before heading to an opera. Michelin restaurants, beach sunsets, and ultimate luxury mark a perfect weekend.

Austria. Visit the lakeside alpine village of Hallstatt in the Alps and enjoy a picnic lunch via boat ride. Attend an Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class in the afternoon before venturing to Salzburg to tour Hohensalzburg Fortress. Dine at the restaurant atop and attend a night-time concert there while taking in the balcony view of the historic town of Salzach below, including the river and mountains.

A weekend in Positano, along Italy's soaring Amalfi Coast. This includes a private boat tour to the island of Capri.

Sunset watching on a private yacht off the Greek Islands in quiet and private location, followed by luxurious but relaxed dinner and champagne. (edited to be in-keeping with geographical constrictions. Send a follow up date acknowledging this if you wish to change it. ♥)

Jetset to Finland, spend the morning exploring the snowy forest on horseback, try your hand at ice fishing before enjoying lunch prepared over an open fire. Experience the excitement of an overnight husky or reindeer safari to chase down the northern lights and return to the lodge the next afternoon to wind down in one of the glass house igloos of Kakslauttanen resort and enjoy the spectacular sights with a warm hot chocolate and a decadent five course dessert degustation.

[mariacallous]

The afternoon Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, eight days after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and well into a year of axis-tilting events, @DifficultPatty posted a question on X, thirsty for an answer: “Which wine pairs best with unprecedented times?”

“All of them,” replied one user.

“Apocalypse IPA,” said another. “It’s a real thing.”

Also real are the times we continually find ourselves. All devastation and disquiet. That’s the vibe of late, anyway. New historical benchmarks sprout with wild surprise on what feels like a weekly basis, and a collective mood has developed across social media that we live in a constant state of “unprecedented times.”

The phrase, now a fixture of the zeitgeist, initially shot into pop discourse around 2015 during Trump’s first presidential campaign, a campaign, you’ll remember, that fed on a specific American lust for political agitprop. Not long after, as the spread of Covid-19 reengineered work and home life, the phrase further lodged itself into our shared vocabulary, recast as a convenient descriptor for an increasingly inconvenient future. It has since become shorthand for the continuous spiral of everyday reality.

A study conducted in 2020 by The New York Times and research firm Sentieo found that the phrase saw a 70,830 percent increase in usage in corporate presentations from the previous year (outpacing du jour expressions like “new normal” and “you’re on mute”). In an article published by MIT, titled “Surviving and thriving in unprecedented times,” Christa Babcock, a CEO and alum on the business school, advised entrepreneurs to embrace the difficulty in front of them: “Expect that things will not return to the way they were and be thrilled about it.”

Only, for the rest of us, the constant, uncomfortable change was the problem.

The phrase was gaining traction offline and on. “Only difference between millennials and gen z is how many ‘unprecedented times’ u live thru before climate change swallows ur house,” @bocxtop tweeted in February 2022 when X was still called Twitter. That same year, 19 students were gunned down at an elementary school in rural Texas and California was hit with record unemployment. In grocery stores across the country, food prices steadily climbed as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Today, the phrase has magnified beyond actual meaning, a cheap emblem of our erratic cultural mood. It is uniformly used to describe just about every fresh hell that emerges, from the US election and the conflict in Gaza to the escalating dangers of climate catastrophe. Living through “unprecedented times” is the new normal on social media.

Congestion pricing in New York City? “More unprecedented times is all,” Jared of @TransitTalks said on TikTok. Also unprecedented: giant spiders, a canceled Tenacious D tour, relationship break-ups, and the unraveling social unrest in the UK.

This era of apparent precedent-setting is not only defined by bad news, of course. The phrase has no particular allegiance to disaster or personal woe. It applies wholesale. Lil Jon’s performance at the Democratic National Convention? Simone Biles winning the most Olympic gymnastic gold medals? Green energy growth in Kansas? Astounding and uncommon occurrences but also, that’s right, unprecedented ones.

“I’m ready to go a month without something unprecedented,” @midwestsidegunn said recently on TikTok. “Bring back boring. I’m ready to be bored.”

That’s unlikely, given the domino effect caused by Biden’s departure from the race in July, portrayed just as you might expect. It only spawned more unprecedentedness: the genuine possibility of a Black and South Asian woman president, and a reenergized Democratic Party that just weeks ago was on life support. A callback to a politics of hope from the Obama era, Kamalamania has again ignited the promise of what for so long felt like an impossibility.

“You know, the story of my life and the history of our country is that progress is possible, but not guaranteed,” former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said at the DNC this week. Along with Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Warren, women who were also well acquainted with overcoming the impossible, Clinton spoke to the urgency of now, and the weight of the moment before America. Democracy is under an extraordinary threat, she said, portions of the country already warped by the unreality of Trumpian politics, but it can be defended, reborn even.

By Thursday night, Harris had solidified the nomination. Millions of people watched from their homes, TV screens aglow with a message of hope, believing that this next turn into unprecedented times, far from their last, would bring a steadiness long dissolved by a power-indulgent MAGA movement.

The future, a friend recently reminded me, is a litany of unprecedented moments: ache and anguish persist, but so do awe and amazement. Rather than bemoan the fact that “the cold reality of the status quo has set in,” as one X user colored the Harris-Walz ticket, Andrew Drummer celebrated. This time, there was reason to rejoice.

“Fucking great! Things as usual would be a welcomed reprieve for a little bit,” Drummer replied. “I’m done with living at the end of times in unprecedented situations. We welcome precedented times!”

[countrymiceinparis]

Paris was never part of our travel plans as Donna and Morgan visited here about 10 years ago. The WW2 beaches in Normandy were however given Bruce’s recommendation from their visit. After researching a few options to travel there, this Viking cruise popped up nicely packaged for us. We start and stop in Paris, a couple stops each way along the Seine with the focus being an 11 hours day on the beaches. Much more about that later.

First, the iconic tower with a small country mouse in the foreground. See her? Looks a bit like Madeline don’t you think?

I always wondered how a seemingly simple steel structure managed to keep interest over 130 years. Gustave Eiffel was a bridge designer who had previously created the Statue of Liberty for New York harbour. He designed and built this temporary attraction for the 1889 World’s Fair.

As we were under the tower booking our elevator ride, we were finally able to grasp the enormity of the structure. Each of the large 4 piers house elevators with 3 levels of viewing and restaurants/shops.

This view from the ground might give you ou a hint of the special nature of the tower that was supposed to be torn down 20 years after the fair.

Constructed mostly of small straight pieces of steel and riveted together, every viewpoint reveals pure artistry.

The following shot was the clincher for me.

This view down from the first observation level revealed what I see as birds wings (at the top of the photo) with the tail extending down to the base of the pier. Too much red wine maybe? Each angle has a new reveal of the brilliance of the geometry. The human ants on the ground give you a sense of scale.

At the time of construction the local artistic community wanted it torn down since they saw it as a blight on the community. Since then it outdraws even the Mona Lisa.

The open nature of the structure with exposed workings and wheels gave Madeline pause for thought (not really😂)

Many Olympic events are well positioned in the old City with the massive beach volleyball stadium seen from above. Canada’s Women play in the finals today!!!! Tune in.

Of course what is a visit to Paris without a local Seine tour.

Reconstruction of Notre Dame is proceeding very quickly after herculean efforts.

After miles of walking and thousands of stairs, Madeleine was out of gas but did not cry

But soon after, bright and pumped for dinner

And a late evening rocking chair session on the bow. Rest up Madeline, tomorrow is Day 2 in Paris.

[wonderjourneys]

The 11 Best Spots of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is unique. In many ways. Compared to New York (aka New Amsterdam) and Tokyo it is compact and smaller. But it has so much more to offer. The Eleven Best Spots if you Travel to Amsterdam:

1. The Canals: a canal cruise is one of those "must do's" 2. Museum Plein: with Van Gogh and Rembrandt, and the famous instagram house on Weteringschans 3. Brouwersgracht: once voted the most beautiful area 4. Zuiderkerk: with the instagramable church 5. Nine Streets: quaint, small local shops 6. Central Station: the views on the basilica and houses 7. Prinsengracht: the longest canal, with lots of historic spots 8. Begijnhof: a hidden courtyard in the city center 9. Magere Brug: skinny bridge with views over the river Amstel 10. Keizersgracht: the famous corner of bridges 11. Dam Square: as a starting point to walk the center.

Amsterdam - the top 11 spots on your Amsterdam Travel.

Amsterdam is wonderful in all four seasons really.

This is Amsterdam on summer vibes. Amsterdam in a summer vibe. We took an Amsterdam Bike Tour - which was only about 20 euros for 24 hours of renting a bike - and toured and walked the city. There are so many Amsterdam attractions, like an amsterdam canal cruise which a sure recommend. And renting a bike gets you around the entire city very easily. We traveled by train.

First went to an art exhibition at Westergasfabriek, and then took a bike tour of Amsterdam from the beautiful Brouwersgracht over Prinsengracht to Rijksmuseum. Rijksmuseum is located on Museum-Square, and has the famous Rembrandt Night Watch painting. Other museums are: Van Gogh, Moco Museum, Stedelijk Museum. Across the Rijksmuseum is the Instagramable Weterinschans.

The Amsterdam live in summer has that relaxed, lounge, chill lofi feel to it. Boats drift by on the canals with people sipping wine. A Dutch cloud floats over in a big blue sky. Amsterdam is the Old one to New Amsterdam - now known as New York. Back in the Dutch Golden Age the ships sailed the entire world, from the warehouses you see in this video.

Things to do in Amsterdam: rent a bike, do the canal cruise, see the Dutch masters in the museums, shop in the Jordaan & Nine Streets. But overal: just wander and let luck guide your feet. “Meet me in Amsterdam” in this tour of the capital of The Netherlands. Amsterdam 4k