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miekasa · 4 years ago

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💉 in the case of erwintholomew, our most esteemed blonde dad

before the pandemic, they barely interacted. erwin was levi’s friend after all. although the rest of the gang had bonded with oc, erwin was less visible. he was polite of course, charming even! in uni days (erwin works in corporate now, so his major is business/econ/accounting whatever yall want!), every single history and literature professor fell in love with erwin. as did the barista at the school cafe, the friday night guard, the park street sweepers, and every member of the tai chi ladies club who practiced during weekends at the park where he made his morning run. he always greeted them and yelled “great form, keep it up, ladies!” when he passed by.

of course he tried to turn up the charm on oc (old habit). but. but. oc was just. unaffected. she treated him no differently from the others in his friend group. no swooning or giggling or bashful smiles. she didn’t even blush when he tried his smoulder while offering her some of his enhanced fruit smoothie (enhanced with spinach and kale). she laughed and declined, opting instead for a berry smoothie that she loaded with full-fat yogurt and honey. he was aghast. and levi said oc was a doctor? (levi might have been laughing silently in the background. hange was full-on cackling while moblit was trying to shush them.) he didn’t dwell on it much, it’s not like they saw each other a lot. but then the pandemic struck. being confined to one living complex meant he was lucky to see his friends still. they were at levi’s, watching a movie, when it happens.

oc walks through the door and hange yells “hiiiiii!” she waves at them tiredly. and starts stripping. at the door. in front of everyone. erwin’s blood pressure spikes. his face goes red. he’s staring with his mouth half open, thick brows knitted together. levi snaps his fingers to shake him out of it. moblit is tapping his shoulder more forcefully by the minute while hange has begun asking oc about her day. they’re talking amiably as if oc wasn’t by the door, in her underwear, spraying her things down with alcohol. she catches erwin’s staring and laughs out loud. by this time, moblit has hidden behind the couch and levi has buried his head in his hands from secondhand embarrassment. oc asks him if he’s never seen people in bikinis. “it not as if a bra and undies covers anything less!”. (erwin will later be relieved that she understood him and did not pin him for a creep). hange says erwin just doesn’t function like a regular human. he’s more of an intergalactic species with elements of dad-ness to him.

hange: he’s kind of like a DILF but also a dad!

moblit audibly groans in embarrassment. oc giggles and walks to the bathroom to shower like nothing happened. levi and hange both give erwin a slap, and that pulls him out of it.

levi: you’re redder than a hot cheeto, your elderly highness

erwin: what’s a DILF?

a few headcanons of their relationship:

he still gets flustered seeing oc strip down after work. he fainted once when hange began talking about oc’s bra and the little birds embroidered on her underwear (on her butt). oc sighs and just tells levi to elevate erwin’s legs and let him smell something pungent. moblit has a picture of him passed out. it’s printed and framed on hange’s shelf.

he almost popped a blood vessel when oc once asked him what was the difference between debit and debt and dividends.

oc: i’m a science nerd, erwin, i don’t know jack shit about business jargon!

erwin: these are accounting terms! they’re totally different!

oc: to-ma-to, to-mah-to?

erwin just really has to ask. really. because he’s erwin. “

erwin: do you ever think of a different line of work? i mean, it is a very scary virus and a pandemic

oc: erwin, i went through a decade of academia for this. still going through it. and i need to pay rent and put food on the table!

levi is rolling his eyes in the background because this little shit said that with her whole chest while she was literally living off peanut butter.

erwin is also stressed with oc’s eating habits with particular attention to nutrients and calorie count. he tried giving oc an organic diet plan, but oc sat him down and debunked every single thing about trendy diets. she also bugs him stop dieting. “diets are not foolproof! erwin, you are 250 lbs of healthy muscle! one burrito won’t hurt!”

they once had a romcom movie night. it was cheesy and fun and perfect for unwinding. until the sex scene happens.

oc: why do men just stick it in? where is the foreplay?

hange: mhmm the male gaze has ruined men, amazing how men ruin themselves

erwin, turning red: do people really talk about detailed sex so casually? i mean we’re in public?

levi: yes, erwin, grow up

moblit, whispering: it wasn’t even detailed, erwin, please

he does go to oc when he pulls a muscle or strains something. she tut-tuts while wrapping up a joint or icing and stretching his sore muscles and tells him to take it easy on the workouts. he’s also started sending fitness health articles to oc, and oc patiently confirms or debunks each one with sound medical and scientific basis.

he lets oc use his gym. she works out in a sports bra and cycling shorts because she says it means less laundry for her. oc usually just runs (speedwalks actually, and jesus, erwin is itching to turn up the speed) on his treadmill for 20 minutes. then she cycles for another 20 minutes and calls it a day. he tried to take on the role of her trainer and gave her a workout regimen. oc makes it to five sit-ups, ten burpees, and a single 1-minute plank before she falls flat, gasping like a fish out of water, and gives up. she’s flat out on his gym floor, but she tells erwin she appreciates him. erwin had to give her a piggy-back ride back to her apartment though.

levi:you died after five sit ups?

oc: shut uP, LEVI

whenever she uses his gym, she leaves him food. a slice of cake, donburi from the japanese place, a salad bowl, fajitas, some mochi, a parfait. not once has her gift of food been a part of his diet plan, but he eats them heartily. he hides when he eats the desserts, even if he’s roomie-free. he just feels like he’s cheating too much.

he never quite gets used to oc. she’s nice and wonderful, but she still manages to surprise him. a lot. to others, it may seem like oc enjoys pulling his leg (to hange’s endless delight), but in reality, she’s just trying to help him navigate and acclimatize to the ever-changing modern society and social norms. levi notices, of course, and it only makes him fall so much harder 😌

it’s fun to clown erwin within reason, really vibing with the modern au erwin on here 😌 but yeah, this is how i picture their interactions and dynamics 😭

THIS IS PERFECT OMFG BYE!! I love, love, love the idea of just... slightly socially aloof, but very professionally proficient Erwin trying to make friends with Levi's.... well not his s/o but his very obvious crush at least LMAOOO. I love it, I really, truly do anon, you continue to deliver 😌😌

OC: Erwin, I went through a decade of academia for this. Still going through it. And I need to pay rent and put food on the table!

Levi is rolling his eyes in the background because this little shit said that with her whole chest while she was literally living off peanut butter.

HELP LEVI IN THE BACKGROUND BECAUSE HE WOULD 😭😭 LITERALLY LIVING OFF OF PEANUT BUTTER BYEEE the amount of unconscious lies Levi could expose oc for... I get the feeling he's /this/ close to strapping her to the dining room chair and spoon feeding her himself

Levi: you’re redder than a hot cheeto, your elderly highness

Erwin: what’s a DILF?

HELP THIS IS MY FAVORITE EXCHANGE LMAOO. Levi clowning Erwin, Erwin being too confused too even respond to Levi's jab; he's still processing being called a DILF, and I just know that Levi isn't gonna be the one to explain it, but god forbid Hange does lmfaooo

OC makes it to five sit-ups, ten burpees, and a single 1-minute plank before she falls flat, gasping like a fish out of water, and gives up. she’s flat out on his gym floor, but she tells erwin she appreciates him. erwin had to give her a piggy-back ride back to her apartment though.

Levi: you died after five sit ups?

OC: shut uP, LEVI

Okay first of all, relatable, bye... something about the atmosphere of any gym, even if it were privately owned by a blonde businessman, makes it impossible for me to actually work out 😭😭 The fact that Erwin piggy-backed her back to her apartment is so cute please, I know they never quite get used to each other, but the friendship they have going on right now is so damn cute in an unconventional way, I adore it. Definitely an unexpected pair of friends and they don't... /quite/ work, but they also do. Incredible

Also not Levi coming for her, listen, not all of us are built like you, also you know damn well she's been living off of peanut butter sandwiches, OF COURSE she was gonna die after a few sit ups 🙄🙄 if you wanna help her improve, then start cheffing it up smh

#💉 anon #this kinda erwin is so cute omfg seriously #this whole au..... is so very delicious bye

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rainandhotchocolate · 4 years ago

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Blackout - Part 8

A/N ha I’m not even going to try and say something about consistent posting. I am tired but I am sorry :( pls forgive, I hope this chapter makes up for the time it took to write xx enjoy

Part 8

Sirius’s head pounded painfully as he turned over on the couch, nearly falling off. The other three boys were lying in different states of disarray across the room. James was lying on his stomach, hair splayed around his head like a halo. Remus was curled into a ball around a couch pillow and Peter had fallen across the armchair, head lolling to one side.

Sirius groaned as he sat upright, a wave of nausea hitting him painfully. He took three steadying breaths and tried again, pushing himself up with his forearms and stumbled into the kitchen, beginning to rummage through his pantry for a bottle of anti-nausea potion he’d been saving for just this moment. His balance swayed and he felt himself sliding sideways as he quickly grabbed the bottle and the edge of the cabinet swung back into the side of his head.

“FUCK,” He swore loudly, leaning against the countertop and closing his eyes as the pounding in his head became worse. Sucking in a breath he took a swig from the potion. It took affect almost immediately, his entire body relaxing.

“What the fuck is going on?” Remus’s sleepy, angry voice came from the living room.

“Nothing.” Sirius brought the potion back into the living room and handed it to Remus who drank deeply and placed it beside James’s head. He snored loudly and nearly hit the bottle over.

“How are you feeling?” Remus sat up, leaning against the fireplace.

“Oh, real peachy,” Sirius snorted, sitting back down on the couch. “It’s all a bit of a blur.”

“Mmm,” Remus hummed, looking down at his dirty fingernails.

“What?” Sirius narrowed his eyes.

“You really don’t remember anything?”

“No… why, what did I do?”

Remus grimaced, running a hand through his hair.

“You made some calls.”

“Oh please, be more vague.”

Remus rolled his eyes and took in a deep breath.

“You made some calls to Lily… and Y/N.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Do I want to know what I said?”

“Something along the lines of professing your undying love for Y/N whilst your face was in her fireplace.”

Sirius closed his eyes and placed a hand over his forehead.

“Fuck.”

There was a loud banging on Lily’s front door and she grumbled loudly as she stumbled down the stairs and opened the door.

‘What?” Lily huffed, raising an eyebrow at the four rugged boys looking staring at her from the front steps.

“Is Y/N here?” James asked, rubbing his eyes as if he couldn’t see her properly. Which was likely due to the lack of glasses.

“No, you realise it’s 11am on a Tuesday, right?”

“Ahh, work.” Remus nodded sagely. He leaned slowly against the doorframe.

“Would you like to come in?”

There was a chorus of “Yes please.”

The boys traipsed inside, heading straight for the kitchen where James began pulling out the eggs and bacon and passing them to Sirius who pulled out the pots and pans. Peter slumped on the table.

“Sleep well?” Remus gave Lily a kiss on the cheek and a very sleepy smile.

“I did, I’ve been sleeping in so much lately you guys actually woke me up.”

“Merlin, I expected to be interrupting your day off, sorry we woke you.”

“I really should be up and about anyway,” Lily waved him off and joined the boys in the kitchen. “So do any of you want to explain last night?”

She smiled around the kitchen as the boys avoided her gaze.

“No? So you all just let Sirius get so destroyed he decided to call me?”

“In all fairness it was Y/N he was trying to reach.”

“Not helping Peter,” Sirius groaned. “I wanted to come over and apologise. I feel awful.”

“I’d say that’s the hangover,” James snorted, narrowly avoiding a slap on the back from Sirius.

“They were welcoming me back into town.” Remus chimed in, “Though I mean, classic Sirius to make it all about him.”

Remus winked and Sirius groaned louder.

“I actually hate all of you.”

“Breakfast is served!”

James placed two plates of eggs, bacon, spinach and tomatoes on the table and began handing out plates for the rest of them to start eating. Once they had finished, Lily squeezed Sirius’s arm and nodded towards the living room where he followed her.

“Are you ok?”

“I really don’t need the first degree right now, Lily.” Sirius rolled his eyes and lay on the couch.

“I’m honestly asking.” Lily gave him a look that always made Sirius uncomfortable. It was the one she gave him when he was burning his parent’s letters in the Gryffindor fireplace.

Sirius huffed and stared up at the ceiling. It was a pale blue colour. Sirius wondered for a moment why they had bothered painting it.

“I know you might not want to talk about it, but you don’t need to apologise to her.”

“I don’t?” Sirius still stared up at the ceiling but felt himself zoning back into Lily’s voice.

“She’s not a complete idiot, it’s not like she didn’t know you were still in love with her.”

“Definitely helping, Lils.”

“I mean that she wasn’t more freaked out by it. But you do need to bloody talk to her.”

“What do you thi-!” Sirius sat up to face her, narrowing his eyes.

“You’re not talking to her, you’re trying to bring back your old version of Y/N. You need to just talk to her, like a friend.”

Sirius looked at her momentarily. Like a friend. As if they were ever friends.

“She just needs people to trust right now, ok?”

“Ok.”

Y/N arrived home around 7, finding James and Sirius lying on the floor of the living room and listening to a new muggle record, and Lily reading in the next room eating a large bowl of cereal.

“Welcome back,” Lily smiled up at her, placing a bookmark into the book and putting it on the table. “How was work?”

“Ok, I think. It’s weird getting my head around things I sort of know but sort of don’t. And I’m not really sure what they expect from me.”

“I’m sure they expect that you don’t know everything right after being in hospital,” Lily laughed, “Cereal?”

“Sure.” Y/N raised an eyebrow but joined her at the dining table all the same. “What are the boys listening to?”

“New joy division album, I picked it up this afternoon. Not too bad.”

Y/N just nodded her head, leaning back into the chair and watching through the doorway. Lily handed her a bowl of cereal and a spoon, returning to her book. The boys were humming along now, clearly having already listened to the record at least once over. Sirius’s face was soft and calm, hair surrounding his head in a halo of black curls. Y/N could see the glint of a gold earring in his right ear and felt up to where she had her own rounded gold earrings on.

“I think I’m going to head up to bed.” Y/N lifted up the bowl of cereal and turned to Lily.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Y/N took her bag and bowl upstairs and closed the door so she couldn’t hear the music anymore, just the soft wind blowing from outside the window in the guest room. She lay back on the bed, digging into the bowl of Rice Krispies Lily had given her and munching down as she stared at the wall in front of her. Lily had decorated their guest room with wallpaper that moved around as she watched it, the stars slowly moving around the room and circling the large full moon on the roof.

Y/N found herself drifting in and out of sleep, consistently waking up with a jolt and sitting up in the now pitch black room. Around what she thought must be 2 or 3am she decided to finally get up and stretch her legs. The house was quiet, calming. Y/N made her way down the stairs and into the living room where the large back doors looked out into the yard and the clear night sky. She pulled open the back door and sucked in a breath of fresh air, stepping out into the garden.

“Hello?” A voice called from around the side of the house and Y/N jumped, creeping forward to look around to the garden chairs James had set out over the summer. Sirius was leaning forward, similarly caught off guard by Y/N’s appearance.

“Oh, sorry I didn’t realise… I can go.” Y/N smiled awkwardly at him but he shook his head.

“No, it’s ok. I mean if you don’t mind me being here.”

“No, of course not.”

A silence fell over them. Sirius moved over to give some room for Y/N to sit and she joined him, leaning back and looking up at the stars. They said nothing to each other for a few moments, just the noise of the cool breeze and Sirius’s breathing breaking the silence.

Y/N could feel Sirius glancing at him every few moments and so she turned to him.

“Yes?”

“Sorry,” Sirius laughed, “I wasn’t sure whether or not I should offer you a cigarette.”

“Oh.” Y/N didn’t expect that. “Do I smoke?”

“No, I mean you smoked other things, but not cigarettes.” Sirius laughed, “But you sometimes liked one when you were stressed.”

“Right.” Y/N tried to remember the taste or smell, but all she could remember was watching Peter try one day at Hogwarts and coughing so much he began to gag.

“I’ll take that as a no, do you mind if I have one?”

“Go for it.” Y/N nodded her head towards him and he pulled out a packet and a lighter. He lit it and sucked in a breath, breathing out a spool of smoke into the air.

“How are you feeling after last night?” Y/N asked after a moment.

“Oh please, not you too.” Sirius placed his head in his hands, but Y/N laughed.

“I was very flattered, I promise.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Ok maybe a little embarrassed.”

“That’s more likely,” Sirius sat up and looked at her. Y/N was smiling at him. He felt his heart jump.

“Do you feel ok though? I am surprised you’re not more ill.”

“Peter has a knack for potions, he was feeding us anti-nausea all day.”

“Ahh, of course.” Y/N remembered Peter was found brewing a Polyjuice potion in his fourth year. A great potioneer, but not so great at hiding.

“So how was your first few days at work?” Sirius took another breath in from his cigarette, looking back towards the garden.

“Eh, ok. I don’t know, it all feels a bit weird, you know?” Y/N wasn’t sure he understood but he nodded sagely all the same.

“I think you just need to get back into the routine of it. You’ll figure out where you stand soon.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Sirius grinned, “I basically have a map to your future.”

“Oh really?” Y/N raised an eyebrow and felt herself relaxing into the chair, lifting a leg up and under herself.

“I can’t tell my secrets.” Sirius shook his head and pretended to lock his lips.

“You’re useless,” Y/N snorted, rolling her eyes at him.

They sat there talking for the next little while until Y/N began leaning more heavily against the chair and Sirius could see her eyes fluttering shut every few seconds.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Sirius put out his second cigarette and hooked an arm under her waist to lift her off the chair.

“Ok,” She mumbled, her head lolling slightly as she stumbled beside him, leaning into his arm, head against his chest. He brought her up to the guest room and into her bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders. She grabbed his arm as he turned to leave.

“Thanks.”

“For what?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Ok Y/N,” Sirius chuckled softly, “Good night.”

Taglist:

@averytruerayofsunshine @siriuslyjanhvi @blushingskywalker @blackpinkdolan @thebabblingbookworm @cherrie511 @imlukesnirvana @avengersassemblee @maraudersandco @sly-vixen-up2nogood @sirius-lysad @evyiione @minerva26love @aikeia @gollyderek @greatwombatblaze @songforhema @your-typical-giggle @myownviperroom @hermionie-is-my-queen @demiwitch527 siobhanhope delightfuldela nadinissavage fleurmoon treestarrrrrrrr @with1love1anu @findzelda @brighteyedmichelle a-dorky-book-keeper placeforcoolusername damalseer @approved-by-dentists @placeforcoolusername @eury-dice3 @bookscoffeeandracoons moonstarrnghtsky cherrycolakxsses kamilantya play-morezeppelin mknight080904

#rainandhotchocolate #sirius black x reader #sirius black x you #sirius black fanfiction #sirius black imagine #marauders x you #marauders imagine #marauders x reader

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kimberlyannharts · 5 years ago

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things are coming to a(n ugly robot) head in Go Go Power Rangers: Forever Rangers! Let’s get to it:

- this is already extremely sexy

- [thinks about the 1969 team] well..........you’re not WRONG

- UM EXCUSE ME? WHAT THE FUCK?

- [alpha-1 voice] IS THIS YOUR KING

- GO BABY GO KICK YOUR DEMENTED GRANDPA’S ASS

- with this and the justice league/pr crossover i appreciate boom’s undying attempt to make alpha-5 of all people badass

- idk how i feel about him looking buff here tho

- poor babe, he’s gonna die as he lived.......an ugly bastard

- DON’T TEASE ME LIKE THIS GUYS I’VE BEEN LET DOWN BY YOU BEFORE

- HEY NOW HEY creepy-looking robots and monsters can still be Friends. this is a post-Shape of Water world anything is possible

- fienna you’ve been saying that for the past....what. five issues? how well has that been working out for you

- aw shit

- fienna knows the chaotic energy of tommy oliver will be too great for rita to handle. either he’s gonna defect and make out with the pink ranger OR he’s gonna straight turn evil and eventually murder rita. either way, a lose/lose (for rita at least)

- that shit........HURTED

- that smoothie isn’t blue billy are you sure you should be drinking that (also i’m five years of age and spinach smoothie sounds super gross)

- you ever get emotional thinking about how much kim cares and keeps her heart on her sleeve and wants to believe that people can be better than they are???????????? yeah me too

- me, knowing full well they’re referring to kim/matt with this: WOW this is just like what happens with tomberly

- oh so he wanted to be a zaddy for r[is taken out by hasbro snipers once again]

- happy (late) father’s day! for real this is cute even if......zordon, you’re kind of a terrible dad, js. alpha is their real dad no i won’t take criticisms about this

trini being like “we CAN’T date while we’re RANGERS we’ll get DISTRACTED it’s a WEAKNESS kim TRIED BUT LOOK WHAT HAPPENED” is sad bc oh no breakup but at the same time a little hilarious because literally next month we’re gonna get:

- sorry trini but kim and tommy are too horny to listen to your logic and reasoning

- also tbh it’s really hard to buy the whole “we’re power rangers so we shouldn’t date!!!!!” when literally every season has some kind of romance between power rangers and it’s always fine. idk. i’m choosing to believe trini just finally realized she’s gay. happy pride month!

- [beyonce voice] ANGELA?????????????

- ANGELA’S HERE SHE’S ALIVE rip violet though. she’s not even in this issue. the prequel void got her before we could even blink

- okay i’m for real crying now THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGER SLAYERRRRRRR

- ngl this was......a lot more anticlimactic than i expected (i still thought certain dialogue in MMPR hinted that things were gonna end a LOT more badly than just a hug and an apology BUT it’s fine i guess. god knows kim shouldn’t have to deal with any more shit rn ALSO i’m kinda happy this prevents tomberly from being labelled as a rebound)

- okay trini’s favorite color being red did make me Feel a Thing. though i def prefer her spending her time and energy punching out anyone who insults her bro

- YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU

- (also tbh it’s a little funny we have 1:1 dialogue from green with evil after those asks speculating about green with evil in the comics the past few days)

- FRIENDSHIP AT FIRST BEAT-THE-SHIT-OUT-OF-EM

- i love them with my whole heart thanks for playing

#mmpr #mmpr comic spoilers #mmpr comic #text

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language-rxgers · 7 years ago

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Best Boyfriend You’ve Never Had (Bucky x Reader)- Part 6

Summary: You and Bucky share a moment that completely affects your mindset, Bucky tries a pumpkin spice latte for the first time, and an unexpected visitor from your past may spell some trouble for the future...

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Reader, OFC Trish, OFC Catherine, OMC Thomas, {OMC Brandon, OMC Jesse, OMC Ben, OMC Mike, OMC Max}- mentioned, OMC Ryan

Warnings: angst, self-doubt, conflicting thoughts, maybe a few swears

Word Count: 3343

A/N: This took so long, I am soo sorry! Please enjoy, lovelies!

Masterlist

Part 5 (Previous) / Part 7

*not my gif, credit goes to the rightful owner*

Drumroll.

The moment seemed to last forever, the drumroll just rolling and rolling and rolling. However, instead of the giddiness and anticipation you should have been feeling, you only felt the crushing pressure welling up in your chest, every expectation and thought that had flown through your mind when it came to Bucky now whirling around like a rampant flurry in your head. It was too much, too much pressure for it to be perfect, too much pressure for it to lead to more, too much pressure for you to meet all of his own expectations. It was just too much.

Almost as if an electric shock had sparked between the two of you, you and Bucky sprang apart in almost perfect unison, both panting hard. “I’m sorry, Bucky, it’s too much pressure,” you started, but Bucky spoke at the same time as you.

“This is too intense!” You both met each other’s eyes, suddenly breaking into chuckles of relief. “So I’m not crazy for feeling like my brain is about to explode from the pressure?” Bucky gave you an apologetic grin. You pushed your hair out of your face, shaking your head.

“No, that was insane. It was just too much, y’know?” Bucky nodded in agreement. You ran your hands over your face.

“How about this,” the brunette started. “What if we just do it really quickly? Like a quick peck or something to get rid of the pressure?” You barked out a laugh.

“Like ripping off a Band-Aid?”

“Like ripping off a Band-Aid,” he agreed. “And then the pressure of the first kiss is gone, ‘cause we already had one. Don’t get me wrong, doll, I really want to kiss ya, but I want it to be easy and without pressure. I want it to be great.” A deep flush spread through your cheeks.

“Well, you certainly are a dedicated fake boyfriend.” You whispered it more to remind yourself that it was all for show, but it still reached Bucky’s ears. He spread a smile across his cheeks.

“Only the best for my girl,” he replied. You shook your head to clear your thoughts.

“Okay, let’s do this. We’ll do a quick kiss on the count of three. But maybe we just need to do more couple-y things, get into the swing of it first, before we can kiss more naturally. How about tomorrow we have a date-day. Go out in the city, get coffee, lunch, go shopping or something.”

Bucky nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Okay, here we go,” he placed his hands on your waist, taking a big breath and shimmying. You laughed.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting the ants outta my pants, let’s go.” You mouthed out an amused ‘okay’ at his initiative. “One,” he started.

“Two,” you continued.

“Three,” he finished, and the two of you swooped forward, meeting brilliantly with teeth on lips and noses knocking together. The two of you groaned in pain, hands flying to sore mouths. You felt shock shake through you. You’d expected something fleeting, too quick to remember, maybe a little chaste. This was worse than any first kiss you’d imagined with Bucky. “Oh, my God. That was the worst kiss I’ve ever given,” Bucky whispered. You chuckled. He composed himself again. “Retry.”

You shook your head in amusement, preparing yourself again.

“One, two, three.” You both leaned forward again, only to knock foreheads. “What the fuck?!” Bucky groaned out. “I’m sorry, doll, I swear that I can do better, I guess I’m just more nervous than I thought,” the blue-eyed soldier shook his head, an embarrassed smile gracing his lips. You put a hand on his arm.

“Don’t worry about it, Buck. I think you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. I’m nervous too.” You felt a surge of courage swell in your chest, and you took a leap. “Close your eyes.”

“What?”

“Just do it, Barnes.”

He chuckled, and his icy blue eyes disappeared under his long dark lashes as he closed his lids. You took a deep breath, placing a hand on his cheek and the other on his chest. Before you could talk yourself out of it, you leaned forward, closing your own eyes in the process.

Your lips met his in a gentle embrace, and in the moment you realized how long it had been since you’d kissed someone. You forgot how inexplicably wonderful it was, feeling soft lips moving against your own, sharing a breath, a thought, a moment frozen in time. You squeezed your eyes tighter shut before breaking away, feeling a rush of adrenaline shoot through your veins at your sudden boldness. Your lips still tingled with the feel of Bucky’s lips ghosted over yours, the slight scratch of his stubble and the press of his nose against your cheek. While the kiss had been unlike any you’d had before, the best part was immediately after, seeing Bucky’s lips slightly parted and eyes still closed in a daze. He was still leaning forward, and his hands were still on your waist, holding you as if he never wanted to let go.

You watched Bucky in anticipation, suddenly terrified that the kiss hadn’t been as beautiful for him as it had for you. “Wow…” he whispered. “I think you’re a lot better at this than I am, doll.” You breathed out a laugh, resting your head against his chest. “I definitely think that I’ll need some more practice.” You smacked his arm, laughing at your best friend as he circled his arms around you. “Okay,” he sighed. “I think this has been enough intensity for one day. What do you say we get settled in bed and watch a movie?” You smiled up at him.

“Sounds like a plan, Bucky-O-Boy.” As Bucky went to change in the bathroom across the hall, you replayed the kiss again in your head. You could feel yourself flushing, a giddy smile undying on your features as your fingers ghosted over your lips. Oh God, if you weren’t in deep before, you were six feet under by now.

“So, m’lady, where to on this fine day?” You hooked an arm with Bucky’s, strolling down the main streets of your hometown.

“Well, this is downtown from where I lived, so I didn’t come here too often growing up since it was such a hassle, but there is one café I always loved to visit when I was in this part of the city. They’ve got these unbelievable pastries, Bucky, you won’t believe it.” Your eyes took in the bustling downtown area around you as you spoke, feeling as though while it had obviously changed, the atmosphere was still as lively as ever. “And their hot chocolate is just to die for. Their coffee’s great too, but I’ve always personally been more of a chocolate fan. Anyways, we can go there for lunch- they had a really good tomato spinach panini sandwich when I still lived here, hopefully they still have them.” Bucky combed his gloved fingers through his hair, ruffling it a bit before tucking the loose strands behind his ear.

“That sounds great, doll. Lead me away.”

The café was still tucked in the small corner it had always been, between a bookstore and what had once been an antique store but was now a wedding dress shop, go figure. You snorted at the café’s new neighbour, walking up to the door. Bucky reached for the brass handle and pulled it open, jingling a bell inside. You thanked him as he stepped back and allowed you to enter first. When you first stepped in, your senses were comforted by the aroma of ground coffee beans and fresh baked pastries, the soft and calm chatter of patrons filling the atmosphere with a comforting separation from the busy streets outside. You and Bucky waited behind a short, stout woman who was ordering in front of you. Your eyes scanned the menu board above the counter, neat handwriting listing different beverages both hot and cold, sandwiches and desserts galore. Your attention was immediately drawn to their famous tomato spinach panini, which was now available with mozzarella cheese, which had you nearly salivating. You turned to Bucky, who was still expressively reading the menu, eyebrows shooting up in interest at certain options and furrowing at others.

He leaned towards you, frowning in confusion. “What’s a pumpkin spice latte?” He asked quietly, as if embarrassed that he didn’t know. You rubbed his arm absentmindedly as you explained.

“It’s a latte- espresso and steamed milk- that’s flavored with different spices that give it a fall-type pumpkin-y taste. Like cinnamon, nutmeg, so and so, and it’s topped with whipped cream and pumpkin purée. It’s a classic fall drink, everyone goes crazy for them because they’re seasonal. Unfortunately, it’s come to be branded a ‘white-girl drink’ which ruins the enjoyment of them because they’ve become so basic.”

Bucky pondered this information, shrugging. “I can be a basic white girl.” You burst out laughing, clutching your chest and stomach.

“Oh, you sweet smol bean, of course you can.” The till opened for you to order, and Bucky once again stepped back to let you order first. You smiled graciously and approached the counter, ordering a hot chocolate and tomato spinach panini with mozzarella cheese. Bucky then stepped up behind you.

“Hi, could I please have a pumpkin spice latte, a bacon tomato sandwich and a bear claw? Thank you.” You opened your wallet to pay when Bucky gasped dramatically and plucked the cash from your hand, shoving it back in your purse.

“What the hell are you doing? I’m treating my girl to lunch, that doesn’t really work very well when she thinks she’s gonna pay.” He took out his own wallet and handed the barista his money, dropping the change in the tips jar without a second thought. “Jeez, (Y/N), you’re gonna make me look bad here.”

You rolled your eyes, but you felt your heart flutter at his action- however minimal, it was very chivalrous. You found a table by the window and sat down, eagerly watching Bucky in anticipation. He raised an eyebrow at you. “What? Something on my face, doll? Because the last time I ate was at brunch this morning with your family, so if you’ve been letting me walk around like a jackass with syrup on my face all morning-“ you shook your head, laughing.

“No, I want to see your reaction when you try a PSL.” You made a goofy face as you used the slang ironically.

Bucky froze. “P-S-L?” He sounded out each letter, incredulous. “What the hell is that?”

“A pumpkin spice latte, dumbass. It’s what all the basic white girls call it, and if you’re gonna be basic, you gotta call it by its basic name.” The blue eyed soldier narrowed his eyes at you.

“Saying I’m getting a PSL sounds like I’m undergoing an invasive medical procedure. I’m drinking a pumpkin spice latte, not getting a lobotomy.” You pursed your lips and gestured for him to taste it. He rolled his eyes and brought the cup to his lips, sniffing it before taking a cautious sip. He smacked his lips tastefully a few times, as if tasting an aged wine, and then his faux-concentrating expression melted away into incredulity. “It’s like fall threw up in my mouth,” he said in disbelief, taking another sip. You laughed.

“So you like it?”

“Doll, I don’t even know, but I can’t stop drinking it.” You watched fondly as he took a deep sip, disregarding its hot temperature, and set it back down, revealing a frothy whipped cream moustache coating his upper lip and the tip of his nose. You chuckled, and his attention was turned to you. “What now?”

“Now you really do have something on your face, soldier,” you quipped. He groaned and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, removing most of the whipped cream save for the bit on his nose. You gestured to your own nose to show him where it still was, and he wiped just under it. You shook your head. “Here, may I?” He simply nodded, and you cupped the side of his face, swiping your thumb across the tip of his nose, wiping off the remaining whipped cream. You wiped off your thumb and took a sip of your hot chocolate before digging into your sandwich, completely oblivious to the adoring look in Bucky’s baby blue eyes.

Over the next week, you and Bucky went on outings every day, exploring different parts of the city. Bucky was never less than a gentleman, holding open doors, pulling out chairs, and always keeping an arm around you in the more questionable parts of town despite your familiarity with them. With each outing, you saw a different part of Bucky, like the cuts of a diamond, which all fit together perfectly to expose the man you now knew you loved. You couldn’t help it, no matter how hard you tried to convince yourself it was just the wedding messing with your brain. But that excuse didn’t work too well considering the trip had only confirmed the feelings you’d already had festering inside since the day you’d met the blue-eyed brunette. His face showed more expression and feeling than you’d ever seen as you showed him the parts of the city that reflected who you were, and you saw more and more of the bright-eyed, free-spirited boy Steve had known him as before the ice.

Every time you closed your eyes, you experienced that kiss you’d shared in your room over and over again, and every time, all you felt was a comforting warmth you’d never known before, spreading through your veins right down to your toes. You wanted to kiss him again, so bad, just to see if there really had been a spark or if you had imagined it after building it up so much in your mind. You hadn’t kissed since then, but every now and then Bucky would plant a soft kiss in your hair or on your cheek while around your family.

(just to keep up the ruse)

(don’t get any ideas, (y/n/n) this is all just for show for him)

In the week leading up to your sister’s wedding, you were busier than ever helping her prepare, which meant you rarely had Bucky to yourself after lunch and before 7 in the evening. But he had settled in quite nicely with your family, getting on well with your father and Thomas. The three of them were often off doing “man bonding or whatever,” as your father so endearingly called it. Usually playing darts or pool in the garage- your dad’s man cave, working on your father’s ancient motorcycle, or helping Thomas finish some of the errands Catherine had assigned him. Thomas’s groomsmen, whom you’d met at brunch at the beginning of your visit, consisted of his three brothers, cousin and best friend, and were all nice enough but rambunctious as ever when together.

Bucky seemed to be slightly more wary of this group, often sticking closer to your side when you were all together. You caught on after the first few times he had done this, and you had a good idea as to why. Thomas’ younger twin brothers, Brandon and Jesse, were still very much bachelors and were quite the pranksters. However, the eldest brother, Ben, was happily married and every inch the father-figure of the family, and Thomas’ best friend Max had been around since they were kids, so they were quite good at keeping the twins in line. The wild card was the cousin, Mike, who was not only the instigator of many of the twins’ shenanigans, but was a playboy to boot.

It was hard to miss the way Bucky’s metal arm found its way around your waist whenever Mike was around, the way he’d shuffle his vibranium digits to catch the light and remind Mike to back off when he was being a little too charming with you. You, of course, thought it was hilarious the way Mike’s eyes would shift from smug to uneasy whenever the dark haired soldier did this, but you also found it intriguing that Bucky was acting this way in the first place. Mike’s flirting was harmless; Thomas had assured you that while he was naturally inclined to playfully flirt, it wasn’t serious and he respected that you were with Bucky. You had to give Buck props though, he was really killing the whole ‘jealous boyfriend’ thing. Last week’s ‘dates’ had certainly paid off for getting the fake relationship down to a T. This thought occurred to you with a fleeting reminder of the impermanence of this arrangement.

At this point, you were in so deep with these impossibly consuming feelings for Bucky that you longed for the end of the wedding. It was torture to be so close to him with that glass wall still keeping him out of your reach, a cruel reminder that for him it was still all for show. It wasn’t fun and games for you anymore, but you knew it was your fault in the first place. You never should have let your feelings for him get this far. You should have nipped it in the bud and conditioned yourself to see him as only your friend from the beginning. Now, here you were, faking yet another laugh as your father recounted a childhood memory to your family around the dinner table, Bucky’s warm and calloused hand gripping yours on the table between your dinner plates. How could his touch burn agonizingly hot and be so freezing cold at the same time?

The wedding was in two days, and all you could think about as you watched the blue eyed soldier take a sip of his water was how wonderful those lips had felt on your own last week. You chastised yourself. Why couldn’t you just let it go? It had been nothing but practice for Bucky, an exercise to really nail this fake relationship front. It was probably a distant memory in his mind by now, but for you it was the only thought in your head. You cleared your throat quietly as you took another bite of the lasagna you had helped your mother make that evening.

Your brain hurt

(two more days)

nearly as much as your heart, but you shoved it down and kept up your smile.

The doorbell rang as you all started cleaning up after dinner, and you sprang up from your seat to go answer it. “Oh, I think that’s Thomas’s friend from college, he said he’d be stopping by to say hi tonight,” Catherine called from the kitchen.

You unlocked the door and pulled it open, only to have the wind knocked out of you at who stood on the front porch. The bright hazel eyes, light freckles dancing across a soft-sculpted nose. It took you a moment to process the sight before you, having been certain you’d never see him again after the incident all those years ago.

“Ryan?” You breathed out. The man’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, full lips forming a hint of a smile.

“(Y/N), I didn’t expect to see you here. Thomas didn’t mention you were in town…” He let out a soft, hesitant laugh, almost apologetic, as if he were still apprehensive around you after all those years. “You look really beautiful. Well, you still do, you always did.”

You had no idea how to react to this. Here, standing in front of you, was the last man you had ever considered yourself to love.

(look how well that turned out)

The man who, right now, deserved a door in the face, if not more. But you steeled your expression, straightening your shoulders.

“Hi, Ryan. It’s been a while. Yeah, I flew in last week. It is my sister’s wedding after all. I didn’t know you knew Thomas.”

Ryan nodded, a few strands of light brown hair falling against his forehead. “Yeah, we went to college together. What a small world.”

What a small world indeed.

Part 5 / Part 7

Tags- if you’d like to be added, please let me know!

@chaosinacoffeecup @satans-knitting-club @starkxpotts @bexboo616 @learisa @socialheartbreak @la-meneur-louve @burningbiatch @agentsinstorybrooke @colonel--sarge @farfromjustordinary @yo-yo-bro-bro @friendlyneighborhoodnazgul @the-instrumental-mortal @crazy4thewinbros @palaiasaurus64

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes angst #bucky fluff #bucky x reader fake boyfriend #Marvel Avengers #steve rogers #bucky barnes #natasha romanoff #clint barton #tony stark #wanda maximoff #sam wilson #bruce banner #thor odinson #fake boyfriend au #fake relationship au #bucky barnes wedding au

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the-east-wind-shall-come · 7 years ago

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The Traitor’s War - Chapter 5

Context (previous chapters): part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4

The gates of the great Muspellian fortress separate with a loud, grating noise as Surtr leads his army in. I follow behind him, cautiously, my heroes Ike and Lyn at my side. Laegjarn sweeps down in front of us, and dismounts her wyvern as a certain pink-haired girl runs out from inside the fortress.

“Laegjarn!” shouts Laevateinn desperately at the sight of her sister.

“Laevateinn!” responds the older sister, running up to meet her. “You’re all right!”

I smile and watch the happy reunion of the sisters. We’ve just arrived at a base in the kingdom of Muspell, not far from the border. We’ve returned to Muspell for only a few days, just to gather supplies and prepare ourselves for advancing the tides of war in our favor.

Laevateinn hugs her sister tightly, but then she spots me. “You...what is she doing here?” she asks her sister, after taking a step back.

Laegjarn smiles. “Don’t worry. The summoner is on our side now. She helped me escape.”

I nod, and smile at Laevateinn, who continues to glare at me with a searing gaze. “I understand...if you say so, at least. Tread carefully, Alethia...for I will be watching your every move!”

I try to laugh her statement off, but a small shiver runs down my spine. “Of course, Laevateinn! I have already sworn to your father to aid your kingdom.”

“Hmmph,” she responds, and crosses her arms.

“Enough of that now, we have important matters to attend to,” declares Surtr. “Come Alethia, enter with us into the mightiest fortification near our borders.”

He motions with his hand, then marches into the stronghold. I follow, silently.

Laegjarn shows me and my loyal heroes about the castle. The walls of each room glow red, and torches lit every hallway. It reminds me a lot of a place I’ve seen before, perhaps on television…

“If you turn left here, you should be able to find the baths quite quickly. The mess hall is a bit further down this corridor, and your rooms are on the next floor,” Laegjarn speaks, quickly giving us the rundown of our new location.

As I stare in awe about my new surroundings, something else still lingers on my mind. “Laegjarn?” I interrupt.

She turns and raises an eyebrow at me. “Sorry, Alethia? Am I speaking too quickly?”

I smile and shake my head. “No, it’s not that...I was just curious...you said your father carries the blood of the Flame Dragon?”

“Yes,” she replies with a smile, and a flicker of emotion passes through her gaze. “The Flame Dragon founded our nation. His blood runs through my father’s veins. It flows through mine and Laevateinn’s as well, to an extent. Why do you ask?” she says, suspicion arousing in her voice again.

“Ah, I see. I was just curious,” I reply, hesitantly. So that’s why Surtr’s flesh...is magma?

We walk in silence, but a certain tension seems to build in the air. I need to be careful what I ask her...I can’t afford to cause Laegjarn any more doubt.

A soft rumbling noise breaks the silence. I smile, as I know for a fact that it is Ike’s stomach. Nobody says anything, and the moment grows even more awkward.

I decide not to press Laegjarn further upon the subject of her lineage. I look behind me at Lyndis, and she nods curtly at me.

“Let’s continue on, Laegjarn! It’s been a while since we’ve all eaten. Ike wants some meat!”

“Hey now, don’t put it like that,” he says, stepping forward to walk in line with me. “Can’t help it if I am hungrier than the average grown man...lembas doesn’t cut it well, you know?”

I laugh.

A few steps later, we arrive at the mess hall. It’s a great room, lit with many red chandeliers of flames above our heads. An extremely long table stretches from one end of the room to the other. Surtr sits at its head, and beckons to us.

“Welcome, my guest...as a token of your cooperation, please enjoy the fine dishes of our kingdom!”

We take a seat near him, Laevateinn and Laegjarn on one side of him, while I sit on his left side with my two heroes. Several high ranking officers join us, as more and more Muspellians fill the seats.

Servants in black clothing come bearing trays of delicious, grilled dishes. I have never seen more meat in my life! From beef kababs to whole roasted lambs, the tables are filled with platters of cooked delicacies. I try a piece of red chicken, piping hot from the grill. I smile in delight as I taste the familiar spicy flavors.

“Reminds me a lot of the food I eat from my world...it’s delicious!” I say to Laegjarn with a smile.

She laughs. “Our food is unparalleled among the realms...the food in Askr was truly insufferable, wasn’t it?”

I nod vigorously. “I need spices in my food, and I appreciate how you actually use them here!”

But only meat, you ask, dear reader? Hell no. There were stir fried carrots, sauteed spinach, roasted bell peppers, among other vegetables. Several types of veggie and meat curries were passed about, along with a great bowl of rice. A plate of naan slices were also circulated. This place didn’t serve your textbook medieval roasted meat and cheese, this place embraced every spice and pepper in the world with open arms.

“Mmm”, I whisper gleefully to Ike, “They certainly put the Fire in Fire Emblem here, don’t they?”

He shakes his head at my terrible joke, and continues to savor the fried chicken drumstick in his hand. “I’m just glad we’ve gotten to take a break from eating lembas,” he says to me.

“Truly,” Lyn says, “The food here is wonderful! It’s a shame your culture isn’t spread beyond these parts!”

Laevateinn’s face darkens, and Laegjarn frowns. Surtr looks at Lyn, and I stiffen.

“Hey --- is this a Naga pepper?” I say loudly, in an attempt to divert their attention to another topic.

In my hand, I hold what seems to be a perfect copy of the ghost peppers from my world. The famed Naga Morich my mother told me about, the hottest pepper of her home country.

But...if there is no India or Bangladesh in this world…then where did these peppers come from?

Lyndis bursts out laughing. “Of course it is a Naga pepper! We have those in Elibe as well. Legend says, that they contain the same amount of heat as a dragons’ breath. It’s no surprise that these peppers would be cultivated here!” she says with a smile towards Surtr and Laegjarn.

I suddenly feel really bad for putting my dearest friends, Lyn and Ike, through this, but I continue smiling. “Dragon’s breath, huh? That’s pretty cool! You must love to eat these! A hundred Naga peppers probably isn’t enough to satisfy someone as powerful as you!” I exclaim to Surtr.

“Ha. I sense you are aiming to flatter me, but you are not wrong. Peppers and spices are a way of life, here, as you see through our cuisine.”

We continue to eat an chat through the rest of our meal. When we’re finished, Surtr motions for the servants to take our dishes away. I notice their clothing as one draws near...quite familiar, I’d say. Her dress style reminds me of the enemy clerics we’d fought when in Askr.

“Now that you are all finished, we shall now commence the war council.” Surtr declares.

A meeting?

The Generals, commanders, and soldiers turn to face Surtr. I guess Surtr has caught me off guard...I didn’t expect there to be a meeting tonight. Nonetheless, I smile, and give him by best attention.

“As you all know, Laegjarn has returned and recruited Askr’s summoner, Alethia. She can provide us with valuable information on our enemy’s next movements, so we can pinpoint their weakness in order to rout their forces at once. Tell us Alethia, where do you think are they going now?” Surtr asks, turning his head to look straight at me.

“They are currently heading to complete the Rite of Frost,” I say in a clear voice. Suddenly, I feel a cool sensation against my leg. I lift up the Breidablik, and it begins glowing a blue color instead of the yellow tinge it recently picked up.

“Your weapon…” Surtr comments, narrowing his eyes.

I set it on the table, and hide away my hands. The gun glows brighter and brighter, until it makes the sound of a crack.

I hear a familiar voice chanting, as a cool breeze brings about her whispers,

Nifl, god of ice, hear me... It is your child, Fjorm, who bows in prayer... As an offering, I bring you my flesh. As the vessel, I bring you a divine weapon... One that has come a great distance and has the power to rule all worlds. I beg you, hear my prayer. We seek the strength to tame the savage flame. We seek to quench the unquenchable, to kill the undying. Fill this vessel with your power…

A gust of icy wind blows in, and the gun freezes solid with a shing. I place a finger on the weapon carefully. It’s cool to the touch.

Surtr stands up, his eyes blazing. “The Rite! They have completed it!”

He glares at me, flames fuming from his eyes and the spaces between his armor. “Take them to the dungeon!”

Ike and Lyn stand up and draw their weapons, while Laegjarn tries to calm her father. “Father, I don’t think-”

“Enough! Lock them up, now!” He yells, and snatches the Breidablik from my grasp.

I jump back, startled, as Muspellian soldiers surround us.

“Wait-!” I try to say, but we are swarmed by the Muspellian soldiers and soon imprisoned before anymore words can escape my mouth.

Chapter 6

#the traitor's war #feh #fanfic #fanfiction #my writing #surtr #muspell #fjorm #laegjarn #laevateinn #ike #lyn #lyndis #short piece this week sorry #next week's one will be longer #also idk why I write so much about food lol

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northcountryschool · 5 years ago

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April 17, 2020

Photo: Chickens in the barnyard.

At North Country School the belief that nature is our master teacher is woven into all that we do. It is the thread that connects us to the majestic wild spaces that surround our 220-acre campus, to the seeds we sow each spring that become our food, and to the barnyard creatures that we care for together on our farm. The children who attend North Country School and Camp Treetops form a deep understanding of the life cycles of our natural world, and the lessons learned through that understanding are carried with them their entire lives. Observing the cycles of the natural world—the changing of the seasons, the sprouting of a seed, the growth of a seedling, the laying and hatching of an egg—can bring calm, appreciation, and reflection to our current lives where those peaceful moments may be in shorter supply. During a time when much of our community is scattered around the globe, we take solace in the fact that our current and past students and campers bring that connection to nature with them. We hope that, wherever you are, you can take a moment with your loved ones to observe and enjoy the outdoors. Know that we on the North Country School campus will be doing the same.

Please keep sending us your photos, and we will add them to our NCS at Home: Spring 2020 photo library. Email photos to [email protected].

Note: Our campus is closed to all students for the remainder of the school year, with the exception of the international students who remained here during spring break, rather than returning to their home countries during the early stages of the outbreak. These 18 students, along with our houseparents and faculty, are staying on campus and enjoying outdoor adventures in the contiguous wilderness during this time. They have been and will continue to take appropriate safety and prevention measures.

CREATIVITY AND CONNECTION

Top: Jack teaches 6th-grade English class. Middle: Gavi teaches 4th- and 5th-grade math class. Bottom: Gavi’s math lesson.

This week our teachers, like so many educators around the globe, continued to think of new and creative ways to engage with students. 6th-grade humanities teacher Jack introduced his class to a fun vocabulary game using the educational website Quizzizz, while 4th- and 5th-grade math teacher Gavi taught her class a fractions lesson using a tablet as a whiteboard, which allowed her to work through equations alongside the class in real-time.

Top: Cocona meets an Olympian on Zoom. Middle: 9th-grade English class poem. Bottom: Meredith teaches 9th-grade English class.

Japanese teacher Meredith and school nurse Shannon worked together this week to connect a US Olympian to several of our on-campus students. Four of our Japanese students, along with several other on-campus students, had the opportunity to talk over Zoom with Chris Kinney—a bobsledder on the US Olympic team whose grandmother is Japanese and who has worked in Japan. Chris competed in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and will be competing in Beijing in 2022. The students were able to ask Chris questions in both Japanese and English, and learned about what life looks like for an Olympic athlete.

Meredith’s 9th-grade English class has been studying poetry over the past two weeks, examining the different ways writers throughout history have used poetic writing to translate the human experience, and applying that concept to the challenges of our own time. This past week, the class read the poem “To Prisoners” by Gwendolyn Brooks, and watched a video of other writers and former prisoners discussing the work and its impact on their own lives. The class has also been working on their own poems about their experiences in nature. Below, find an excerpt from 9th-grader David’s untitled villanelle poem:

Then, I thought in the dark

I pictured myself, under an ice shelf, just by myself

I think, I reflect, I want to restart

Can't see trails, but I followed my heart

The light, it shines, in myself,

I came, I saw, I came, I saw the art

I think, I reflect, I want to restart

A PLACE TO PLAY

Top: Rebecca roasts a marshmallow. Middle: Roasting marshmallows. Bottom: Nurse Jess and her son, Wyatt, in a running race.

While life on the NCS campus may look different in many ways, students and adults are still getting in plenty of outdoor playtime. This past week, the students living in Cascade House made homemade marshmallows, and then roasted those marshmallows over a campfire by one of our lean-tos. Nurse Jess and her son, Wyatt, also took the time for a fun outside activity, participating in a “race around your house 5k” at the suggestion of Wyatt’s local elementary school.

Top: Badminton with stage lighting. Middle 1: Participating in the Saturday Night Activity from home. Photo Credit- Jane Mellow. Middle 2: Student Ella and her brother, Pete, participate in Harry Potter LARPing. Bottom: A clue from the Harry Potter LARPing activity.

Our students and adults put their creative spin on play this week, adding fun and surprising elements to more traditional activities. During out-time this week, the students living in Mountain House played badminton under colorful stage lighting in The Walter Breeman Performing Arts Center, which added an extra layer of drama to the competition. This week’s Saturday Night Activity brought our on- and off-campus community together to participate in a bridge-building competition using unconventional materials. Students, teachers, and alumni used spaghetti, string, tape, and a marshmallow to build their structures, with the students of Cascade House declared the ultimate winners of the competition. Our on-campus community also spent this past Saturday participating in a Harry Potter live action role playing quest organized by teachers Courtney and Melissa and farm intern Bri. Students and teachers were divided into Hogwarts Houses and given clues to locate and decipher at various spots around campus. Students traveled around our campus trails, exploring outbuildings and participating in battles in order to complete their magical adventure.

NCS AT HOME

Top: 9th-grader Bladen hikes Hurricane Mountain. Middle: 7th-grader Olivia does work from home. Bottom: Olivia participates in the NCS rainbow hunt activity.

Though the majority of our students are in their respective homes around the globe, we have been thrilled to see that they are still engaging in NCS skills and interests with their families. We have loved hearing from our long-distance community members as they explore the outdoors, cook, and engage in creative work. This week we received updates from 9th-grade day student Bladen, who hiked to the summit of nearby Hurricane Mountain with his mother, and from 7th-grader Olivia, who did some schoolwork beside a pond and participated in the NCS Find a Rainbow Challenge with her family.

Top: 7th-grader JT completes school work from home. Middle: 7th-grader Colton bakes the “What’s Cooking?” blueberry muffin recipe. Bottom: Sisters Dominica and Kalina bake a berry pie.

This week we also received updates from 7th-grader JT, who has been participating in his online classes from his local home as well as making progress on his fiber arts knitting projects. 7th-grader Colton and sisters Dominica and Kalina have been practicing their Edible Schoolyard skills with their families, with Colton baking the blueberry muffins featured on the “What’s Cooking at NCS/CTT” blog, and Dominica and Kalina cooking up a pot of egg drop soup and baking a colorful berry pie.

FARM AND GARDEN

Top: Farm intern Nick harvests greens from the aeroponics room. Middle: Garlic sprouting in the field. Bottom: Spinach in the greenhouse.

Our barns and growing spaces have been busy with activity this week, with new green growth in the fields and the exciting start to harvesting in our aeroponics room. Farm interns Nick and Bri cut the first arugula, spinach, and mizuna greens from our aeroponic towers this week, and the delicious greens—which are grown without soil—were enjoyed in meals prepared by our kitchen staff.

Out in the fields, we saw the first bright green garlic shoots pushing through their mulched beds. The garlic was planted last fall by our 7th-grade Edible Schoolyard students, and welcoming the resilient crop after many months covered by snow and ice was an optimistic sign of good things on the horizon, as well as a warm reminder of the many hands that made light work of planting that crop. In the greenhouses we continued to harvest vibrant spinach greens, and look forward to the upcoming weeks when a bounty of herbs, greens, vegetables, and flowers will be filling the greenhouses and outdoor garden beds.

Top: Noni cares for the horses. Middle 1: Goats in the horse barn. Middle 2: Undyed spun wool. Bottom: Dyed wool hanging in the fiber arts studio.

Down at the barn, art teachers Noni and Katie have been helping Barn Manager Erica care for our many creatures, prepare our ewes for the upcoming lambing season, and ready our wool for use. Noni spent some time in the pasture with our horses, lending a hand with some necessary grooming as the herd sheds their thick winter coats. Meanwhile, our goats paid a social call to the horse barn, enjoying a snack of hay in the foyer. Erica and Noni also worked on skirting, or cleaning, our wool fleeces this week, as well as preparing our spun yarn for use in the fiber arts program. The spun scanes of yarn were brought to the art studio for dyeing and drying, and will soon be ready to be turned into students’ and campers’ future weaving and knitting projects.

We hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy, and that your communities are caring for and supporting one another. We will continue to update you about our community throughout this time, and encourage you all to reach out to us as well.

CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY:

Mondays: Check our Facebook page every Monday for a video from our School Counselor, Lauren, on tips for getting through this challenging time.

Tuesdays: Creature Query- Barn Manager Erica Burns will be answering questions about the animals on our farm using fun and educational videos. This week Erica taught us how to prepare our sheep’s wool for spinning. Check it out on our Facebook page.

Wednesdays: What’s Cooking at NCS and Camp Treetops?- Edible Schoolyard instructor Elie Rabinowitz, along with other community members, will provide simple recipes and cooking resources you can use to prepare delicious meals at home with your families. This week Garden Manager Tess will share a garden-fresh spinach and feta frittata recipe, and next week Head of Kitchen Paulette will show us how to make sticky buns. Check out all of the recipes on Facebook and on Tumblr.

Thursdays: Birding with Jack- 6th-grade English teacher Jack Kiernan will offer the NCS community an opportunity to connect through the world of birds by providing the resources to become familiar with birds that our community is seeing around the globe. If you are out for a walk or sitting at home, looking out the window, take a moment to log the birds you see with the NCS eBird account. Jack will provide videos and information about birds being logged, as well as birds he is seeing on his daily birding adventures! Check it out on our Facebook page and on Tumblr.

Fridays: Check our Facebook page every Friday for a video featuring a Japanese mini-lesson by teacher Meredith Hanson. This week Meredith talked about forest bathing, a Japanese practice of calmly being in nature.

Saturdays: The NCS Saturday Night Activity- Every Saturday at 8 p.m., NCS teacher Larry Robjent, along with other NCS faculty, will be hosting fun activities similar to those typically held on campus with students. Participate live from home with your own families. Last week, Larry and English teacher Melissa Orzechowski built bridges using 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of string, one yard of tape, and one marshmallow. This week, Larry and a guest host will run a reverse auction.

For more information about the #ThisWeekAtNCS blog, contact Becca Miller at [email protected].

For general school information, call 518-523-9329 or visit our website: www.northcountryschool.org

#ThisWeekAtNCS

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devils-lawboy · 7 years ago

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all the luxury asks

omg i love u i love talking abt myself but im puttin this under a readmore bc not everyone loves reading abt myself

bubble bath: do you have any routines before bedtime? like skin care, etc. what are they? yea i usually shower before bed + wash my face. i have a couple of topical acne treatments that i use and then i moisturize w either shea moisture anti-aging moisturizer (mostly cos thats the only shea moisture product they had at walgreens lol) or aveeno sensitive skin moisturizer dependin on how dry my skin's feelin :-)

champagne: what topic could you talk about for hours? uhhhh gender for sure, its like all i talk abt when im drunk its pretty funny... bullet journaling, sad indie music, astronomy...

crushed velvet: have you ever used your charm to get something you want? um i mean if sex counts......... i can't think of anything else tho rip

diamonds: how do you feel about excessively spending money? i dont like it but like i still do it bc i like Things... then i go to buy groceries and im like "shit i shouldnt spend all this money" its kind of irresponsible but whatever

faux fur: describe your wardrobe. gay athleisure from target/old navy with a few goodwill sweaters and a lot of denim button-ups mixed in. i own a few dresses but i only like one of them

glitter: describe someone special to you. one of my best friends ever who's actually on here but doesnt use her name so im not gonna do that... she's like 12 but she's also one of the most mature ppl i know in that she like.. gets shit done and its really impressive. she's absolutely gorgeous!!!!! she's one of the best chefs ive ever met. she's been there for me through some rough shit and i'm so grateful and i cant wait to see her when i get home!!!!!! basically i love her with all my heart.

gold: describe what you would call the most perfect meal. ok so like... pasta. light,clean. roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, spinach. maybe some chicken? a glass of wine for sure. i wanna feel full but not greasy after im done. then i'd go for a walk and eat some nondairy ice cream by a lake

jazz: name a song that resonates with you and your emotions. explain the reason why. ok um.... lately "self control" by frank ocean. its a really beautiful song and it sort of makes me cry bc im kind of the one w/ no self control and im a little sad but it's just so good

lace: what is something in your life completely different from last year? im out to basically all of my friends!!!!!!! as opposed to last year when i'd only come out to my bf (now ex) and he was like "mmmm ok but im still gonna see you as your assigned gender." so that's a really nice change :-)

lingerie: do you consider yourself a promiscuous person? maybe relative to me a few years ago but like i really havent hooked up w/ very many people? and im pretty cautious with my hookups too lol

lipstick: do you enjoy talking to strangers? yeah generally!!!

pearls: what's something about your personality that surprises others? ppl are usually surprised at the fact that i was homeschooled through p much my entire grade school career.

penthouse: what would you consider your dream home? describe it. i think maybe an apartment? honestly the cliche tumblr apartment would be nice; not a lot of stuff, some pink art on the walls, big windows w a view of a park or a lake or smthn?

perfume: if you could make your own signature fragrance, what would it smell like? something masculine for sure. woodsy, crisp, fresh.

robe: how do you prepare for an evening alone with a loved one/date? um i'll usually shower + shave, do my makeup, pick out some cute undies, and listen to some cute sappy love songs while i wait to meet up w/ them

roses: If it had to be winter, autumn, spring or summer for the rest of your life, which would you choose? summer!! i wanna move somewhere out west where it's warm all the time

satin: what is your most favorite article of clothing? im gonna tell u my fave outfit lately; it's these sportsy track pants that are super soft and cozy, a black cropped tank top, denim jacket, platform sneakers, sunglasses. it makes me feel rly cool and gay :-)

sheet mask: what's your favorite lazy activity? i just got into stardew valley and i love it so much!!!!!!!!

silk: do you have more inner or outer beauty? wow that got deep but probs outer tbqh

silver: do you have any obscure hobbies? what are they? i play interactive fiction! i think thats probs the most obscure tho.

sparkling water: what are your top three songs for the summer? "postcard radio" by froth, "supercut" by lorde, and "all my heroes" by bleachers

wine: what kind of drunk are you (happy/affectionate, angry, sad, fun/wild)? if you don't drink, what kind do you think you WOULD be? omg im a gay affectionate drunk i get so complimentary and i just want to hold ppls hands and give them hugs and tell them they are cute and i love them

#ask thingy #TY TY #Anonymous

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worldcakecakecake · 8 years ago

Text

Throwing Cellphones

Feliciano gets himself a sugar daddy

Next update will be available for Monday, April 17th

Chapter 12

That night, Feliciano made them a ricotta and arugula roulade, little pizzas they could take in one bite, Tuscan bean soup, polenta, and for dessert, a coffee semifreddo for the adults and pistachio for Luzia. For most of them, it had been a long time since they had eaten a home cooked meal like this, one that brought them smiles, festive conversation and loud hollers of laughter that even Ludwig joined into.

“-It was only a small cut, yet Gilbert here still decided to lay bed-ridden, going on with wills and last words. It was only from a tree branch! Luzia once fell down a hill and she still insisted she could go to school fine,” Elizabeta told, annoyed, yet with laughter. If even the tears, the pain, the simplicity of those memories, they were still moments with her family she held dear and reminded her of their whimsicality and strength.

“I didn’t exaggerate that bad!”

“Gilbert, you called me in the middle of the night to make sure I took care of Elizabeta and Luzia for if ‘you never woke up the next morning’,” Ludwig added.

Elizabeta rolled her eyes, “if that were the case, you should know, dear, that Luzia and I can take good care of ourselves.”

“Still, I wanted to make sure you two have someone extra to watch over you if anything.”

“Relax, Gilbert, you’re here and fine, we shouldn’t waste our time together on such bleak subjects- Feliciano dear, you don’t have to do this!” Yekaterina interrupted Feliciano, who was beginning to pick up the plates in the table to clean in the kitchen.

“They’re so many, I should really start with it to not keep everyone up so late. I cooked all of this, it should only be fair.”

“Definitely not! Sit back on your chair! Ludwig and I will deal with the cleaning later,” Elizabeta commanded and assured, and Ludwig nodded gladly.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive, now sit and tell us more about yourself!” The insisting in her voice was enough to make Feliciano nervous, fidgeting where he placed his hands.

“What can I say? I already told you guys about how it was like studying in Florence."

“I’m curious about your family. Tell us more about them,” Yekaterina wondered.

“I only have my grandfather and my brother. Nonno is retired, but he still shows up at excavations and museum exhibitions insisting to help and offer his knowledge however he can.”

“You did mention once he was a Roman history fanatic.”

“Has a masters on it and everything. I grew up hearing all kinds of stories about emperors, soldiers, gladiators and gods.”

“His home shows it enough. He has ancient Roman flags, scrolls and paintings hanging in the walls, as well as busts and statues he got off the black market. He managed to get one that used to belong to…who was it again?” Ludwig questioned.

“Are you talking about the one he has in the living room? Right by the stair case?”

“Yes, that very one!”

“We think it used to belong to Tiberius, but he’s still researching that well, but I really hope so, it would be fascinating to have something like that in the house.” The smile Feliciano held was sincere, loving to these kinds of topics.

“That’s amazing, but Ludwig…how did you know about that statue in his grandfather’s home?” Yekaterina questioned, and that’s when both froze realizing their mistake. It was the very question Gilbert and Luzia held, heavy stares on Ludwig waiting for him to explain, while Elizabeta only smirked upon her drinking glass.

“Um…” Ludwig searched for an excuse on the surface of the table, refusing to look them all in the eye and reveal himself.

Feliciano fidgeted, tapping his fingers on the table, biting his lip, hoping whatever he said next could be enough. “My grandfather is helping the company choose a good location for the base. He doesn’t want it placed in any important grounds that might hold ancient artifacts,” he said hoping it could be a good start.

“They were consulting for grounds?” Yekaterina asked, not remembering reading something like that in any of the reports.

“Yes…long before. Augusto just didn’t want to be written down, said he didn’t want anything to do with it. He let me stay in his home the first few times I went, which is how I met Feliciano.” They nodded impressed, believing it, but it only made Elizabeta’s grin stronger, having to hold a napkin to her mouth so the rest wouldn’t see.

“I assume you were interested in the internship after your grandfather talked and gave that help, not to mention having Ludwig there."

“Yes…Ludwig was very nice to give me a chance. I still thank him dearly for it.”

“He is such a sweetheart, isn’t he?” Yekaterina rubbed his hands dearly and Ludwig accepted it with the same caresses, smiling, hoping she wouldn’t feel or notice his slight trembling. Feliciano, having seen this, gripped harshly on the table, having to force himself to settle looking at some of the empty glasses, offering to pour more wine.

“And you have a brother, was he given this chance as well?”

“He’s not interested. He’s more into the culinary world, dreams of opening his own restaurant with his boyfriend, but for now he settles taking waiter jobs and cooking at small pizzerias. I learned a lot of recipes from him. He’s more talented than any of you could imagine. If you ever visit my home, I might convince him to come and cook as well. You have to try his spinach and ricotta pasta, and his pizzas, and eggplant parmigiana, and lamb, and macaroons.” He made everyone drool with the image, earning groans and roll of eyes.

“Feli! You stuffed us enough! I shouldn’t be thinking about having more food,” Gilbert complained.

Feliciano laughed. "Sorry about that.”

“What about your parents? I haven’t heard you mention them.”

Silence settled heavily after the cough and clanging Elizabeta and Ludwig did, being the ones who knew, hoping it could distract enough to forget, knowing how the topic affected Feliciano, especially when it was Ludwig’s wife who was asking this. Feliciano knew she meant no wrong, she just didn’t know, and with a tired sigh, he decided to tell her.

“I rather not meet my father ever again. He could be feasting in whatever part of the world he’s in right now indifferent to the two sons he left behind. I don’t care, I will never forgive what he did.” He hoped she understood enough, his case wasn’t the only one and it was pretty common to hear. “My mother, she died when I was still a child…from depression.” He didn’t want to give more detail, it still hurt, it still gave him a strong pang that even gave the rest of the table an eerie silence.

“I…I’m so sorry, Feliciano, I…I shouldn’t have-” Yekaterina tried to apologize, wanting to reach a hand and offer him any kind of comfort, but he was too far away from her seating.

“It’s all right, it’s like I always say…”

“She’s in heaven singing with the angels,” Ludwig filled in, and both smiled to each other, one that could reveal, that showed too much love. They quickly had to shut it before anyone noticed.

Feliciano nodded, his smile bringing back the cheery atmosphere of the table. "And that is enough for me.”

Surprisingly nobody questioned how Ludwig knew, they just assumed he heard it enough after spending time with him at Augusto’s home.

“That’s nice then…how about a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend?…I don’t judge.” Gilbert as noisy as ever, smirking quite curious.

Elizabeta wanted to stop him, but at the same time, she was curious as to what Feliciano would say, especially when this secret lover of his was sitting right at the table, frigid and even coughing as he tried to hide his nervousness, afraid that the answer could be seen clearly on him.

“Ooohhh, I want to hear this.” Yekaterina placed her elbows on the table, trying to lean close, begging to know.

“I..um…I don’t think I should-”

“Please! You have to tell us!” Luzia joined along.

“We’re all good friends here,” Gilbert tried to ease as well.

Elizabeta wanted to laugh, but ever so playful, she only tried to keep herself as still as she could and uttered: “Go on!”

Oh, she was really enjoying this. Feliciano couldn’t help the glare he sent her, but she only shrugged, it didn’t do anything to her and the table still awaited for Feliciano to spill it all. With a heavy sigh, Feliciano decided to start, trying not to detail, trying not to look into his direction, hoping nobody would guess, that nobody would know that the person of his heavy undying affections was right there beside them.

“Yes I um… have a boyfriend.” No judging eyes, no sneers, no insults, they remained the same, wishing for only more words about this man.

Feliciano liked this trusting air that didn’t mind his sexuality.

“He’s…gorgeous, tall and really strong…but he’s so gentle and kind with me. He’s a sweetheart and his own charm is just enough to have me soaring until all I can think is about him and the way he makes me fall harder each and every day.” There was such a dream-like tone in his voice, obvious to all that he was lost to his memory, to whatever place they could be alone together to share the heights of their love. They each breathed, in that contagious romance, Ludwig trying so hard not to smile so big and cover whatever traces of strong red were growing.

“Where’s he from?” Yekaterina wondered.

“What’s his name?” Luzia exploded to know.

“I…rather not say.” Oh but how much he really wanted to, how much he wanted to tell it to the world, but the circumstances were not the appropriate ones.

“Is he rich at least?” Gilbert wondered as well.

“I was going to ask that myself. You’re always posting all these expensive brands in your Instagram, and then the places you travel to and stay in, I doubt you could afford them yourself in your position,” Yekaterina questioned and Feliciano realized that maybe it wasn’t the best idea to give her his accounts to follow.

“Well…yeah, he works at a large company,”

“What kind?”

Why were they so insisting upon this?

“Um…uh…” he looked around the table hoping for ideas, his eyes falling upon the pieces of sausages he used for the small pizzas. “He owns a salami company.”

Gilbert found it hilarious, the kind of outbursts that had the others laughing, even Elizabeta who couldn’t even drink with the hard chuckles she gave. Only Ludwig remained as still, sending Feliciano a glare when everyone else was too busy laughing.

Really? Was this the best you could come up with? He seemed to tell Feliciano, who only shrugged and smiled, joining along in the laughter.

“I can’t imagine the dirty jokes that go on between you two,” Gilbert uttered after he had relaxed.

“Plenty and dirty all right.” And he winked to Ludwig’s side, who panicked, afraid someone had noticed.

“And this is where I interrupt and remind you all that we have Luzia in the table,” Elizabeta interjected, beginning to pick up plates. “Come on, Ludwig, help me in the kitchen.”

While they dealt with the cleaning, the rest stood and headed to the living room to continue on other topics, at one point Feliciano having to explain why it was that he didn’t post pictures about his boyfriend in his Instagram.

“He doesn’t want that much attention,” he excused and luckily they didn’t question any more after it.

While it was fun to be with them, Feliciano kept sending curious gazes to the kitchen door, wishing for Ludwig, hoping for a chance to see him, to do something with him before they had to leave for the night.

Bless that they had Elizabeta.

“Feliciano, I need to check on something, do you mind helping Ludwig with the dishes?”

Whatever chance was enough. He excused himself and headed over, Elizabeta leaving the door open for him.

“I’ll watch the door for you,” she whispered lastly before she headed out.

There was such a stillness in the kitchen, a dimming light, contrasting with the glowing and the lively conversation in the other room. Ludwig continued with his dish cleaning unaware, back to Feliciano, the running water and the clangs enough to hide any other sound of Feliciano’s slow approach. Ludwig was currently working on the large pot Feliciano used for the soup, holding it by the handles, ready, Feliciano then joining his own hands to touch.

“I’ll take care of that," he smiled, easily taking it away from him.

Ludwig tended to lose himself in any grip the moment he stared at Feliciano, this close, alone, stilled to nothing while Feliciano began his cleaning, smirking up to him from time to time.

“Can I-Can I still help you?” Ludwig wondered.

“Of course you can.” Feliciano handed him the tray he used for the roulade baking and Ludwig gladly continued as he was.

As they went through different plates and utensils, Feliciano kept teasing Ludwig by pushing him with his hips, and Ludwig answered by doing the same. They would throw bubbles at each other, landing on their noses, which they nuzzled away. Sometimes they would reach for the same thing and they let themselves last in that hand holding, until a sudden sound from outside the kitchen pulled them away, afraid that someone would come in even with Elizabeta watching.

Once done and with their hands dried, like magnets they came into their arms, embracing and letting their hands reach faces, necks, hips, expanses of back and shoulders. They stared into their eyes, going on with how much they missed each other, plotting ways they could escape through the back and loose themselves in the city, at night with less eyes to watch them. They swayed, they neared, kissing, igniting, making this small moment and space as much theirs as they could.

There was a slight knock, Elizabeta peeking in. “Ludwig, Yekaterina wants to talk to you, it’s about leaving, she still has some work to do for tomorrow,” she whispered, hoping it wasn’t destroying their moment.

She saw, even with their hands wrapped strongly around each other, how Ludwig departed with a broken sigh, his near breaths to Feliciano’s lips hoping he could pull them back to his, hoping they didn’t have to stop.

“I’ll…be right out.”

Elizabeta felt big fault for the dread in his voice, one that settled in the air around them. She nodded and closed the door, leaving them once again.

They shared in one last longing kiss, gripping harshly to try and get a strong feeling to last them this night without each other if even being in the same city.

Ludwig departed, raising one of Feliciano’s hands to his lips, laying a long kiss, skin and fingers caressing, extending their moment. It was something he barely did, but it was so sweet, a show of adoration that Feliciano couldn’t help but want it to be shown to the rest of his body. Suddenly he let go, in one sudden burst of laughter from the outside, dashing back towards it, leaving Feliciano behind holding dearly to the hand that he had kissed so feverishly, putting them to his lips, his cheek, his neck, still wishing he had more.

Feliciano didn’t had to go to the gallery till the end of the week, which meant he had some free days to just lay around and do nothing, but Elizabeta and Luzia would not permit that. The next three days they used to explore the city that Feliciano really hadn’t had the chance to see the last time he came (Being destroyed by finding out Ludwig was getting married and wanting to leave as soon as possible). They visited squares, churches, city hall, clock towers, restaurants (they managed dinner at an Italian place one night), palaces, residencies, and of course, shops. He took his pictures, some having Elizabeta and Luzia joining, creating countless of hits in his Instagram.

After this real excursion, Munich made its way to Feliciano’s heart and he just couldn’t spend it being closed up in Gilbert and Elizabeta’s home when he wanted to spend it meeting more, dreaming of what it would be like to live here with Ludwig.

He reached his fourth day and still he hadn’t had a chance to see his lover since they day he arrived, work and mostly not trying to create suspicion. But on this day he wanted to take his chance, he wanted to do something, and as he headed out with Elizabeta visiting new places, he concocted and plotted, but nothing seemed really definite.

Yekaterina surprisingly joined them that day, watching shows, visiting other galleries, as well as a park where they chattered and admired the last of the green and flourishing colors. Autumn would soon approach and leave things differently.

They stopped for lunch at an outdoor café, sharing in drinks and chats about clothes and castles. It really was fun to spend time with Yekaterina, but it made it rather heavy to think about ways to see Ludwig secretly and it only worsened when she received her next call.

“Hello,” she answered very sweetly, pushing some strands of her short hair behind her ear, a clear sign of loving intentions for the person on the other side. She nodded, she answered with simple remarks, managing even pet names.

It was Ludwig, both Elizabeta and Feliciano knew, causing a breaking, a harden grip on the hand on his thigh, maintaining his eyes elsewhere, hoping to be distracted by the design of a building and not break down and cry right there. But no matter, he couldn’t avoid the way she laughed, her endearments, the utter devotion in her tone, and he didn’t have to look at her to know she had a glow in her eyes and an enchanted smile. She couldn’t act this way alone, Ludwig must be telling her something, sweet romancing words that should be only for him. He didn’t care if she was his wife, that she should be receiving this as justly as any lover should, but after the many times Ludwig told him he really didn’t harbor feelings like that for her and that she herself was showing the same signs, this felt like a harsh betrayal, a stabbing of reality, a breaking of dreams that he knew would never be his. It was becoming harder and harder to hold himself, biting harshly his lips to not dare let tears fall down his cheeks.

She finally hung up, with a clear blush full of emotion.

“Who was that?” Elizabeta questioned with a smirk, recognizing the signs, although she knew…although it would break Feliciano, but she wanted to set a connection of trust between them and hopefully…she would admit it was something else.

“Oh…” she faltered for a moment, but quickly admitted, “it was Ludwig, he wants to have dinner at a restaurant outside the city tonight.”

A harsher grip, a bitter bite, holding himself from shouting ‘lying cheater’.

“Ooohhh, dinner outside the city? Ludwig being his rare romantic self,” Elizabeta teased.

“He has his moments, and well,” she blushed, playing with her hair, not sure if she should say this. Elizabeta leaned hoping to hear it, Feliciano close to dashing off away from this. “We’re staying at a beautiful village home for the night, he reserved it just for us."

“Aaahh, there’s more to the night it seems,” Elizabeta winked and Feliciano’s mind came up with new curse words he couldn’t wait to shout.

“Yes, I can’t wait,” she bounced with the excitement, beginning to pick her things. “I’m sorry, but Ludwig and I have to start preparing, I have to head back home instantly. I’m sorry I can’t stay, but I hope we can do something before you leave, Feliciano," she smiled in expectations, while it was becoming harder for Feliciano to try and reply with one just as content.

“Have…fun,” he still wished, slumped and greyed, something that Yekaterina did not fail to miss.

“Feliciano…are you all right?” She asked with clear concern.

“I-I am, just… a little queasy from the drink.”

“I thought you ordered it without alcohol?”

“Ma-maybe it was the fruits."

“Be careful! Elizabeta, please give him something when you get home."

“I will.”

Yekaterina gave her usual goodbyes and ran off with a small skip in her step, down the streets alone with a goal to her home, to her husband, to the beloved that in the end was not meant to be Feliciano’s.

Elizabeta saw clearly his dejection, the collapse in his figure, the still grip on the mantel of the table. “Feliciano…I’m so sorry,” she tried to comfort, moving close a hand to lay on his shoulder.

“Let’s just go,” he suddenly commanded, the breaking starting in his voice. He refused to look at her, picking his things, laying the money on the table and moving on ahead without even waiting.

“Feliciano! Feliciano!” She kept calling to make him stop, but he still went on, remaining his gaze forward, refusing to pay attention to anything, the calls, the people he occasionally bumped into, the rushing cars and the crossing signals. If he dared move his look, to Elizabeta, to the sky, to anything that might spark a reminder, he would break down, right in the streets, to a mess, to an embarrassment that Elizabeta would even have to carry. He miraculously made it to the home, and as soon as Elizabeta closed the door behind them, as Feliciano made sure that Gilbert and Luzia were not in the house, he threw his bags harshly to the floor, finally letting the storm of his tears fall down his face.

“Sodding fucker!” Feliciano started with a shout. Elizabeta was so surprised that she let herself be halted, all her own things falling to the floor with a loud thud. “Pig! Tramp! No wonder he hasn’t been able to see me the last four days! He’s been busy planning that getaway with her! With me here! When we should be seeing each other instead! But no! In the end, he realized the mistake he made!” He continued to shout, somehow managing full words with the tears, the whimpering, even the shaking as he paced the room.

“Feliciano, Feliciano, calm down, something is off, I really don’t think he would suddenly make something for her. He hasn’t done anything like that the entire time they’ve been together,” Elizabeta tried to calm him down, coming close, hoping for a chance to lay her hands on him, trying to stop his pace, to make him think, to quench this sudden rare anger.

“He never had anything for me! He was just confused! And now he realized and he’s going to just toss me aside like garbage!” He kicked a near wall, making a framed canvas shake.

He had sudden flashbacks of his last breakup, for that was the feeling, that’s how used he felt, and to feel it again, with someone he thought he could trust to never use him like that, someone he truly thought could be different, perhaps the one he had been waiting for, the love of his life.

“Feliciano, no!” Elizabeta began to take a more scolding tone, her hold on him becoming harsher. “He loves you, he truly loves you, he wouldn’t do something like that, especially with you here in Munich. Why don’t you call him and ask him yourself, maybe it’s all a misunderstanding.” Feliciano refused to believe how that could be possible. Even still, with his continuing anguish, tears pouring, he picked his phone, searching the number, wishing he could destroy the hearts he had around his name in his contact list. He instantly set the call, his fury like blazing fire that Elizabeta was starting to fear, moving away, giving him the chance to speak as he wanted.

“Liebling,” Ludwig dared answer so sweetly. It almost felt like he was mocking him.

“Sei uno sporco maiale e un pezzo di merda, Ludwig Beilschmidt!” He shouted to him, his Italian taking over after he was too mad and broken to think in another language. He continued with harsh venom, in sparks of fire, with the ever passion that was expected of his maternal language. “Schifoso bugiardo! Maniaco, stronzo, bastardo, cretino! Come hai potuto? Torna a scopare quella troia e spero che tu bruci all'inferno.” His voice grew harsher with each word, a swing, a punch, a hit that stilled Ludwig more into paralysis, eyes widened, not believing the words that were coming out from this sweet and sugared mouth he had gotten to know well. Elizabeta stood just as astonished, having to look around to realize she was not in some weird dream, that she actually heard Feliciano utter all those words.

“Um…excuse me, but do I have the right number? Lovino, is this you?” Ludwig questioned.

“It’s me, Ludwig!”

“Feliciano? Okay, my Italian is not that good, but I’ve been enough times with your brother to understand half of that. What’s going on? Did something happen?” He tried not to panic, ready to deal with the situation as calmly and orderly as he could and should.

“Stop pretending! I know what you’re planning, I know what you’re going to do tonight!” His tears became harsher, he gripped harder on the phone, Elizabeta worried that he would throw it to pieces against the wall.

“Feliciano…I really don’t understand, please explain this better.” Ludwig tossed aside any work he had, standing, pacing and not standing to hear those tears, especially after he was the one who caused them…somehow.

“I was there, Ludwig! I was there when you called her! I heard how you made her laugh, I saw her turn red, I saw her glow and how she alighted with your promise! You can’t hide something like that from me! How can you do this after you said you only loved me! After you said you really had nothing with her! How could you lie to both of us like this you dirty piece of-”

“Feliciano!” Ludwig had no other choice then to shout, halting Feliciano before he finished this sudden firing rampage. It worked like a spell, bringing an abrupt silence for Ludwig to think, for both to take their breaths and come forward to this clearly.

“Are you talking about Yekaterina?” He reciprocated Feliciano’s blaze with his own commanding inferno, which left Feliciano just as astounded as Ludwig had been with his sudden harsh cursing, rage and tears.

“Ye-yes,” he answered with clear shake.

“Feliciano…I really don’t know what you’re talking about then. I haven’t called her all day.”

“But-but, she said it was you, and that, you were planning this…romantic getaway outside the city,”

“…What? No! I have no such time for that! The company has been really busy with a stack of experiments our Brazilian base has asked for. It’s a miracle I’ve somehow managed to eat.” He picked up some papers being reminded of the still great amounts of conclusions, numbers and elements he had to read through before he could make one part of the reports.

“Shouldn’t…shouldn’t Yekaterina be as busy?”

“Her labs already finished their job. She asked for some days off, something about going to visit her sister outside the city.”

“Her sister?”

“Yeah, she’s leaving tonight to see her…not exactly a romantic getaway, I really don’t get how you got this idea that I was the one who called her.” As Ludwig read on, Feliciano was hit with realization, brightening away any doubt, making conclusions easier, granting him breaths, a cheerful color and angelic kindness that everyone recognized him as.

“So…you’re not going anywhere tonight?”

“No, Yekaterina is though. She won’t be home for the next two days,”

“Oh…” Ludwig knew that tone, the one in which Feliciano was twirling a finger in one of his many curls, smiling with ideas, ones that usually ended with Ludwig having unforgettable days and nights. The heat of his fury disappeared just like that, Feliciano filling his head with all kinds of dreams and expectations. Sure, Ludwig questioned it slightly, but when he could just hear him smiling, surely glowing, he forgot it all, joining in the same daze they suddenly grew together.

“So um…” he tapped his fingers on his desk, suddenly nervous when a chance was finally there and they should be quick to grasp it. “Do you want to…um…”

“Do something?” Feliciano weakly suggested.

“Yes, um…” there had to be something romantic they could do in the city without revealing the truth of their relationship.

Ludwig kept on stuttering and becoming nervous, one Feliciano found so adorable he giggled with his ever pureness.

“How about I leave it a surprise?” Feliciano teased, taking control of the situation as easy as that.

“What? But um…sure, yeah, surprise, okay.” He was kind of disappointed that he didn’t take control, but if Feliciano was the one with the idea, he should just comply and see what it could be.

“So…when and where do I see you?”

“A Surprise,” Feliciano winked, “I have to go, ciao ciao, don’t overwork yourself, caro.” Swiftly the call was over and still Ludwig stood in his place perplexed, wondering and ordering what exactly just occurred. It was the same dilemma Elizabeta found herself in.

“What the hell….just happened?” She was still freaked but demanding to know, but not before going to the kitchen and picking them both something to drink, to settle any lingering of irritation and doubt.

“If it wasn’t Ludwig, then…who called her? A sister couldn’t have possibly made her react that way, besides, I swore I heard a man on the other line,” Feliciano wondered.

“And to lie and say it was Ludwig…do you think…?” Both their eyes met, for the same idea dropped on their minds, connecting, eyes widening and mouths falling aghast.

The first thing they did was laugh, mostly because Feliciano felt great relief, one that Elizabeta felt for her dear friend, understanding what he had been feeling throughout this.

Feliciano, ever since he found out about Ludwig’s marriage, had live with an ever present guilt knowing that he had taken from a woman the man that she loved. Memories of what happened to his mother repeated in his mind. He made up images of what Yekaterina would do if she found out, of breaking her and bringing doom to a lovely being as her. But now…it was as Ludwig had been saying all this time, there was nothing between them, and knowing that, brought to Feliciano a great freedom to his emotion, a release of a weight that brought him bliss, brought him to breathe and to alight in a whole new shine.

Ludwig was his, truly his and nobody else’s.

“Seems like Ludwig isn’t the only one with a secret lover, huh?” Elizabeta pointed, clinking their glasses of water as a toast.

“Yes!” He whispered victoriously, but Elizabeta could tell a brimming of emotion that wanted to dance with the news.

Feliciano suddenly remembered. “Elizabeta, do you have spare keys to Ludwig’s home?”

“Gilbert might. Let’s wait till he comes back with Luzia.”

He did, and Feliciano secretly took them once he knew their location.

< previous chapter next chapter >

#throwing cellphones #gerita #gerita fanfiction #gerita fanfic #gerita fic

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lenaglittleus · 8 years ago

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Green Shakshuka

Inspired by my recent trip to Israel, this green shakshuka is packed full of leafy greens, fresh herbs and the garlicky poached eggs we all love in Shakshuka. The perfect recipe to change up your breakfast routine.

I feel like I’m still coming off of that post-Israel high. I feel bad for anyone who asks me about my trip because I will literally go on for 3 hours about how amazing it was. When I say that it was one of the best trips of my life, I’m being totally serious. We’re a month out and I’m STILL gushing about it.

Fortunately, I can relive all of the Vibe Israel memories by recreating my favorite dishes at home. The list is pretty long at this point: halva, babka, falafel, hummus, roasted beets, tahini everything!, and of course everything that encompasses an Israeli breakfast.

Because if you want the true Israel experience, you must go head first into an Israeli breakfast.

Anyone who has been to Israel will tell you that what they miss most are the breakfasts. Truly no one in the world does it like them. There’s bread and eggs and salads of every sort. There’s fruit and baked goods and of course, SHAKSHUKA.

Now I’ve professed my undying love of Shakshuka on the blog before. It’s my go-to savory breakfast dish and what I whip out when I want to impress guests. Mainly because it looks fancy, but it’s actually super easy.

Well, let’s just say my mind was blown when Israeli’s introduced me to a whole new egg concept, Green Shakshuka!

Top right is my green shakshuka!

So what is green shakshuka? Essentially, it’s sautéed greens and herbs topped with eggs and yogurt. Instead of poaching the eggs in tomato sauce, you poach them in the cooked greens/herbs mixture.

As you guys know, I’m a total veggie freak so I literally swoon at any meal that is bright green. And then I tasted it, and holy cow my mind was blown. Ask Sarah, I was literally tweaking out at the breakfast table.

The version I had in Israel was made with Mangold leaves, but I had a super hard time finding them here. So instead I used kale and beet leaves. You can use whatever greens and herbs you have. That’s what makes it so magical, it’s easily customized!

So next time you’re looking to impress your breakfast guests or share some Israeli knowledge, try making this green shakshuka. I promise everyone will love it!

P.S. Not at all intentional, but fitting that this would go up on St. Patrick’s Day. Go Green!

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Green Shakshuka

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 40 mins

Serves: 3 servings

Serving size: 2 eggs each

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil or butter

1/2 large yellow onion, sliced

3 garlic cloves, chopped

6 cups packed greens – spinach, kale, chard, collard etc…

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1/2 cup chopped dill (or fresh herbs of choice i.e. oregano, basil, cilantro)

juice, 1/2 lemon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

5-6 eggs (will depend on size of pan)

optional: red pepper flakes for heat, yogurt for topping, feta or goat cheese for crumbling on top

Instructions

In a cast iron skillet add oil or butter over medium heat.

Add onion and sauté until translucent (about 3 mins).

Add in garlic and cook for one more minute.

One handful at a time add in greens and herbs. They should slowly wilt. It will seem like a lot but once wilted will decrease by a lot.

Squeeze lemon over greens and top with salt and pepper.

Bring to a simmer.

Create 5-6 wells for eggs.

Crack eggs directly into pan and cover with a top or sheet of tinfoil.

Cook for about 8-12 minutes depending on how well done you like your eggs. Check after 8 mins to see how things are cooking.

Top with red pepper flakes, yogurt or cheese.

Serve immediately.

3.5.3226

Curious what else I ate in Israel? Be sure to check out my video where I recap everything we ate in Israel!

Have you ever tried green shakshuka? Which country makes your favorite breakfast?

The post Green Shakshuka appeared first on The Healthy Maven.

from News About Health http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHealthyMaven/~3/42yQltIdlxU/green-shakshuka.html

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kitajchuks-blog · 8 years ago

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Stop 11: Athens, Greece

We made it to Athens but not one of our bag… more on that later. Although cold, we found our hostel easily and they are amazing. Due to the delays in Istanbul they (without charge) moved our reservation back a day. Same number of days just pushed it out. Once we arrived, they upgraded our room for free, told us to rest, then they would help us with our baggage.

We took a nap, forced ourselves to wake up for dinner, then tried to adjust to the time change. We went to a local spot for dinner which was yummy. Plus wine! We chilled, I won at Skip-bo (finally), and we hit the hay.

Day 1: Well, with no clothes or jackets and a day of constant rain we didn’t do much but continue to call the airline for our baggage. Our hostel has a cheap breakfast menu that is pretty good. We then drank wine and chilled - had an Indiana Jones marathon. It was kind of nice to have a chill day but there is so much here I want to see, eat, and drink… ah!

When there were breaks we would make it out for food and of course wine. There is a market across the street from our hostel where we buy cheap delicious wine and snacks. After the first visit, I figured (1) we need to learn some Greek and (2) we have to make friends with the wine guy. Therefore, I asked the guy how to say thank you in Greek. He told us and I told him I was going to practice and come back and say it. There was no way I could have repeated it then and there without butchering it. The next day when we bought some wine I said “efcharisto”. He nodded, smiled, and said very good. Always have to make friends with the wine guy.

Day 2: We were hoping that our luggage would show up first thing (since there is a flight to/from every couple of hours) but no. Instead the airline stopped taking our calls. We gave them some time thinking they must be helping people but by afternoon we made the decision to head to the airport and check things out. To save some money, B went alone.

Although they were a lot nicer today, he had no luck. Then, as he is on a bus back, the hostel got the call that our bags would be delivered that night before 9pm. Thank god! We would finally have clothes warm enough to go out and see this amazing city! We could not have been happier! Plus we were running out of clean clothes. We had already done some undies and shirts in the sink... it was time for the rest of our clothes.

Day 3: We finally made it out and we walked all over! B was a little too excited here to see stuff. He was like a kid on a sugar high. We would be somewhere and he would be thinking of what else we could see in the area. I had to remind he we hadn’t seen what was right in front of us yet. It was cute how excited he was.

We started with Acropolis because how could you not. We got up there and they had a deal for a ticket to all 7 sites. So, we hit the BK Athens tour.

Acropolis is cool with lots to see; Theatre of Dionysus, Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, etc. Plus a great view of the city!

We were then off to the Roman Agora…

Then the Ancient Agora...

And then had to take a break for lunch. What we thought was something small we could share turned out to be a bigger services but at a great price.

We then headed towards another site when two Jamaican men started talking to us. I knew it was a scam but was in a pretty good mood (wine). I also knew that we only had about 5 euros so they weren’t going to get much from us. They chatted us up and were super friendly. They smoothly first bump you and as your wrist is out there they put a bracelet on it while telling you all about some concert that night. It was too funny to care and we basically were waiting for the money ask. Which came but again they didn’t get much and we got a kick out of the experience. However, if it is a scam. So, if you don’t want to pay for the bracelet then take it off, give it back, be firm and walk away.

Then it was off to Hadrian’s Library…

Then tried to go to the Temple of Zeus but the sites start to close around 2:45pm. We also found out the pass we got was for 5 days so B took a huge sign of relief and we grabbed some wine and chilled.

When we got back to the hostel we had some bunk makes. David (Vancouver) and Seva (New Jersey) we chatted it up and decided Seva would join us tomorrow for the rest of BK’s tour.

Day 4: To kick off the 2nd half of the tour we walked to The Temple of Zeus. I can only imagine how amazing these structures were before the destruction.

We then walked over to the Panathenaic Stadium which held the 1896 Olympic games. My heart skipped a beat as I have an obsession with the Olympics and we are in the motherland of Olympics. eeeeek!

It was then off to wander the National Garden. It was beautiful and we saw some solider’s practicing their march. We then stumbled upon some animals. First was a bird area, saw a black swan for the first time.

While admiring the birds their were two wild dogs that we thought were playing until they went at it doggy style then not so doggy style… nature. Across from the birds were some goats and bunnies. We walked out of the park and off to Syntagma Square.

Syntagma Square is our main metro area but also close to the Parliament building and the unknown soldier. The guards have to coolest outfits so I had to take a picture with one. Yes, I am a tourist and proud of it. However, after being in Asia I was use to posing with a peace sign. That was until a guard with a gun said hands down. My hands went down faster than a flash. Yes sir with a gun.

It was then off to Socrates Prison. B has been itching to climb since we left. I’m honestly surprised it has taken him so long to climb something. Especially, since their have been other opportunities. But as you can see when we got here it was time to scratch the itch.

We then found a souvlaki place for lunch. Best street food and cheap! Only way to grab and go.

We chilled out in the afternoon then headed up to the St. Isidore Church to see the best sunset in Athens. And it did not disappoint!

Day 5: The last stop on B’s tour was Aristotle’s Lyceum. Which was cool to be at but like most of the sites here... not much left. Just imagine it in its hay day!

On the way back to the metro (which is near the Parliament building) we stumbled upon a march. It was pretty cool but we had no idea what it was for other than it was a Sunday...

Then it was off to the (modern) Olympic Stadium! I am obsessed with the Olympics and every city we visit we have to go to the Stadium even though they are all pretty much abandoned.

Day 6: We headed out for breakfast. The hostel has a good breakfast but you need to mix it up every once in a while. So, we went to a place not to far away and got omelets. Which were massive!

I hate sending food back. If I can pick around it I would rather do so then send food back (although I only feel this way outside of the US - I don’t know why). I am already a need customer with the lactose intolerant thing but I am also allergic to red bell peppers. So, B ordered an omelet with peppers and I with bacon but they both showed up with peppers. After 3 weeks of tummy issues, I just couldn’t risk it and sent it back. It was no big deal but I hate doing it.... then they came over to us with two treats as an apology for messing up my order. One was spanakopita (pastry with feta and spinach) which B loved and the second was a sweet pastry covered in Nutella which I LOVED (and can’t stop thinking about). It was super nice of them, we ate all of it, and fell into a food coma.

We chilled out and then it hit. It was B’s turn for tummy issues so we spent the day in. Which was good for me because we needed to plan our next stop and deal with some other issues.

And then off we go to Sparta, Greece!

Random Notes:

• Wine! Finally their is great wine available (and cheap) in my life again!!

• Rollerskating is still in style here. Love that!

• Pretty much everyone is happy all the time. But how can you not be with great food and wine?

• There are orange trees and olive trees everywhere!! And the fresh orange juice is to die for!

• I thought Venice had a lot of graffiti. Athens puts Venice to shame. It all looks pretty new too.

#travel #traveling #greece #athens #backpacking

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