#again the experience gets mixed in a soup and i start to feel better

[max-iwtaco]

ideal way to have a breakdown is while listening to patricia taxxon

[whisperiin]

May I have hcs on Liv and Skk reader trying to teach Lucia how to cook?

I was reading Lucia Plume's Dancing Ripplet coating story event, where Lucia gave a reason why she's not a great cook. Like she has to scrounge up as much food as she can in her childhood, as little as food source is, so I imagine that she wouldn't have the opportunity to experiment with cooking or mixing with spices and such. So now that she's in a better position where it's possible, now she's got other people to rely on to teach her with cooking! ^^

THAT'S THE REASON????? i don't have plume and i think i was taking a break from the game at the time so i definitely missed that ... that's so......... cat screaming dot jpeg..........

this is such a cute request, and i hope i did it justice!! i think it's a little shorter than the rest of the stuff on this blog so far, but i hope you enjoy, anon ^w^

liv and the commandant teaching lucia how to cook

content warnings: none

➸ Any and all jokes about it aside, LIV thought it was really sweet of Lucia to come to her for help with her cooking, but she can't help but wonder if she's really the best teacher... And that, dear Commandant, is how you get involved: I would feel a lot more reassured if you could help me out, Commandant... But only if you're free, of course! Lucia also perks up a little when she sees you there too, clearing away any clutter from the kitchen before you begin. Regardless of whether you're any good at cooking or not, you'll definitely know if it tastes passable, right?

➸ It starts out with picking a recipe in the little cook book Liv brings along — something simple since you're just starting out, maybe soup or stew, or something else if you prefer? Liv clasps her hands together with a smile and says that maybe once you get the hang of things, Lucia, we can try other kinds of dishes!

➸ Dutifully, Liv lists out what ingredients you'll need while you help Lucia prepare them. Neither of them need much instruction for any slicing and cutting, but every so often Liv will give some other pieces of advice as you put everything together — It's a bit too salty, but that's fine, we can just do this... or, It feels like it's missing something... Maybe we should add some more of this? Lucia listens with rapt attention to anything you or Liv has to say; this is new territory to her, and your advice has her realising that maybe she's been a bit... overzealous in her previous cooking attempts.

➸ She's not dissuaded, though! When you have some downtime while waiting for the food to cook completely, she asks you and Liv for some extra advice. What does she do if it gets too dry? How would she know when it's finished? Once the timer you've set goes off, you help with putting everything onto plates and setting them onto the table (maybe if you're lucky, you'll happen to catch Lee?).

➸ Of course, your first taste is far from perfect, but considering her track record, it's a very good attempt. Lucia perks up as Liv echoes the sentiment — and if you're so inclined, maybe the two of you would want to help her again on the next day off? Her smile is bright as she suggests it: maybe sometime, she can treat everyone to a homecooked meal, too.

[atombonniebaby]

Atom Bonnie Baby's Rat Man Starter Pack

MacCadooldles:

The Playlist.

A mix of songs that I listen to when writing! Some remind me of Mac, some are songs I think he'd listen to, and some are HC and Fic specific!

Rat-Man Garbs:

DadCready Screens Masterlist:

Swings - Happy Tears - Bedtime Stories - Pulling Faces - Happy Tears 2 - Sleepy - Sanctuary - Protective - Duckie Boots - Sleepy 2 - New Dwellings - Off to the Beach - Mr Huggy

A MacCrady Profile

Name: Robert Joseph MacCready

Occupation: Gun for Hire

Experience: Gunner (don't hold it against him) Mayor (from 10-16) self proclaimed 'ruthless little bastard' (still applicable)

Nickname(s): RJ, Bobby-Joe, Mac, Sasshole, Mac n Cheesy, MacGreedy, MacSneezy, MacSleepy, MacWeepy, MacEaty, SnarkCready

Age: 22 years old (no really)

Height: 5'8'' (Short King)

Build: Scrawny (130 lbs.)

Eyes: Bright Blue (pwetty)

Hair: Light Brown, choppy (hella cute)

Features: All sharp edges and angles, rat-like (but in a sexy kinda way)

The best ways to annoy/piss him off:

-Trying to make him carry your junk.

-Leaving him in the dark about what is going on and not letting him have a say in important decisions

-Being irresponsible and not taking the situation seriously.

-Using chems in front of him, knowing he disapproves of them.

-Not taking proper care of yourself (i.e., not wearing armor, getting enough food and water, etc.)

Molerats (anything that looks, walks, or sounds like one)

Murdering Innocents and sadistic behavior.

Abuse of Power (this is probably the thing he hates the most)

What he likes:

Wit, sarcasm, and smart-assness (loves it!).

Making MacCready smile and laugh.

Playfulness (MacCready can't resist).

Cuddling and being held (He'd never admit it).

A good listener.

Surprising facts about MacCready:

His guilty pleasure is Sugar Bombs and Nuka Cola.

He started drinking when he was six years old.

He has a high level of intelligence and enjoys learning new things (he likes to spout out random facts)

Named all the dogs in Little Lamplight: Muttface, Pete, Hooligan, Ginger, Bandit, and Rex.

Headcanons!:

If there were one word he'd use to describe himself, it would be hardy. He's used to pushing himself to do whatever it takes to survive, even when doing things that others consider crazy. MacCready is sarcastic, stubborn, and guarded—he doesn't trust easily.

He affectionately refers to his rifle as 'Baby' (but only in private).

He is surprisingly insightful and observant, noticing details that others overlook.

MacCready's past has left scars on him emotionally and physically, and some days are worse than others.

When MacCready is ill, it the more clingy and needy he becomes.

Hates being cold, so bundling him in warm blankets helps make him feel better. Will accept hot soup (but NOT cave fungus)

Self-consciously hates how his knees knock together and his ribs poke under his shirt. (due to having rickets as a kid)

When genuinely happy, he's all toothy smiles until he thinks someone might notice, and then he reverts back to his usual stoic self. (doesn't like his teeth)

MacCready is always smoking, his cigarettes resting between his lips as he goes through one pack after another.

His guilty pleasures are Sugar Bombs and Nuka Cola. He loves sweet things but doesn't have time for much food.

His mind is full of cuss words.

He also has a habit of tapping his fingers against the side of his rifle whenever he's nervous.

MacCready and intimacy:

He misses physical intimacy and closeness and longs for that connection again but struggles to communicate it. Insecurity eats at MacCready; he feels guilty about moving on with his life and letting go of Lucy.

When MacCready does allow himself to get close to someone, the things that draw him to you aren't lost on him. How your presence brings him a sense of peace and makes him forget about all the problems in his life, if only for a while, how you make him smile when he wants nothing more than to cry, and how you somehow always manage to look at him with such kindness, even when he feels he doesn't deserve it.

MacCready finds sleep with a new partner extremely difficult. After losing Lucy the way he did, having trouble falling asleep is now a side effect of his traumatic experiences. He often wakes up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep, and if his companion stirs, he's instantly wide awake, unable to keep his eyes off them.

He tells himself it's because he's trying to protect them, but he knows deep down that part of him can't stop wondering what it would be like to lose another loved one in a heartbeat. To find himself alone yet again... and being alone scares the heck out of him.

MacCready can be very vulnerable at night, especially after a nightmare. When he comes back to his senses, it takes a moment for the memories to fade away. Once they do, he gets flustered and tries to push his nightmares out of his head. He doesn't want his partner to see him as weak and break down.

As MacCready starts trusting you, he eventually reveals his troubles. He's more willing to seek support rather than deal with everything alone. He may still shy away from physical contact or withdraw after the initial breakdown. Once MacCready starts opening up, he slowly becomes more comfortable, allowing you to show affection and comfort him.

An ongoing conflict with himself is his attraction to men, which he has repressed for many years, believing that acknowledging it would question his marriage to Lucy. In MacCready's eyes, you either like women or men and not both. So, the fact that he harbors these feelings of attraction to men makes him feel guilty, ashamed, and, most of all, confused about his identity.

[thestudentfarmer]

Hello hello,

This week the gardens starting to look super lovely! There's actually so much to look at I wasn't able to fit every picture in this post, but I'll be sharing more later this week on a few different posts with some things I've done this week towards the goal of being more eco friendly, self concious and getting more from what we have and providing best for my family.

To start the viewing, the sunflowers are starting to bloom :D the tallest is now close to or over 6 ft tall

And lots of lovely bees have been visiting. The girls are very friendly for the most part with respect to their space. They were all loading up on pollen :D 🐝🐝

Also many of the sunflowers have multiple heads, or have many branching smaller heads growing in along many of leaves.

Down below the velour beans are going stronger than I expected in honesty given the sunflower growth and the beans bushing growth. we've gotten 4 harvests now. Each harvest has been around 4-8 ounces.

Nasturtium, I feel okay with starting to harvest the greens soon. Maybe this week or next to make some pesto, breakfast food or salad add ins.

Some of the pumpkin/sunflower+bean row next to the broccoli/nasturtium.

I'm hoping the broccoli will be a little bigger soon so I can harvest some of the leaves for breakfast meals, stirfrys, soup and rice dishes.

The armenian cucumbers.

Sadly These aren't doing so great, I think where I planted isn't a good winter grow space for them. When I get more soil I'm going to try another spot that has more sun earlier and throughout the day instead of mostly shade. (In the summer/spring they did Great in whichever space.) Once I do I'll be pulling these and planting something else here. Not entirely sure what yet though.

2 cabbages I space filled with. Very excited to see them starting to pick up. 🥬

The eggplants, Very excited there's a full flower now and more flowers look like their coming in!

The carrots, a few small radish are still popping up here and there. So I feel like the cornstarch experiment worked but not as well as I'd hoped.

I would use the method again for carrot seeding, but would double the amount of seed in the mix. (I don't mind thinning, the greens and tiny carrots can be used for salad or chopped for omlettes)

2nd planting (direct seeded) of velour beans, and the few cabbages which survived the initial planting of the row. Somethings having a good munch, ive been checking for the suspects but no luck so far spotting them. I suspect heavily its cabbage loopers as they are a common pest of the area. (I am making chamomile tea to spray on them for now to test if it works.) next grow I may intercrop cabbage and sunflowers or borage. Or perhaps have some movable chamomile pots At the end of the beds to deter them.

This week I'm hoping to get some garden supplies for a few projects And to start breaking down some pallets to build some raised garden beds for a garden expansion.

I am late on starting my tomato and pepper seeds (mostly because I haven't sat down to figure what varieties we want to eat) but a late start is better than none. Thankfully the weather here allows for some tardiness with outdoor grows.

That's it for now 🌱

🌱🌻Happy Homesteading and Gardening🌻🌱

12 5 2023

[asena-graywolf]

Tooth Extraction

You had a new relationship with Kenji. It's only been two weeks since the two of you started dating

You were already close friends before you started dating.

You bought coffee at the corner coffee shop after school and then went to the nearby park. You drank your coffee and went for a walk.

Then you started getting closer. Kenji was the first to initiate the rapprochement. He slowly pulled you into his arms and hugged you.

You wrapped your arms around his waist. Your head was between his shoulder and neck. You could smell it and it made you dizzy. It had a light and fresh fragrance.

You then started stroking each other's faces and kissing each other on the cheek. After kissing your nose, Kenji moved closer to your lips and whispered to you.

“Y/n…do you love me?”

Your heartbeat was accelerating, and you could hear his heartbeat quickening at the same time as yours.

You answered “yes”

You kissed him on the cheek again, but his lip ended at the corner of yours, and your lips interlocked at the speed of light.

Afterwards

"I love you too" he said to you

You were a little embarrassed kissing. Your saliva was mixing. Kenji's lips were soft. You could kiss for hours.

Your hand went to her hair and you stroked her head as she kissed you

This is how you first got close and started dating. It had started to rain as you two were returning home. Fortunately, Kenji had an umbrella with him. As soon as Kenji opened the umbrella, you were right under the umbrella.

He drove you home and placed a gentle kiss on your lips before saying goodbye to you.

This is how you started dating. Now you were setting the day for your first date. Kenji thought it would be better if you agreed on this together. You would definitely talk about it. You wanted to remind your boyfriend one more time before deciding on the day. you texted him

“Kenji. When can we meet? We were going to set a date for our date together, remember?"

“Oh! No, of course I didn't. But I forgot to tell you something"

"What?"

“I had my wisdom teeth extracted. I can't speak right now. The effect of the anesthesia has just worn off. It hurts so much. So it's okay if we delay it to next week?"

“Oh it can't be. Get well soon. Lower or upper teeth?

"Lower. I had a risky surgery. The area where the tooth was extracted covers the nerves that start from the ears and converge in the jaw. There was a chance that my nerves would break. If it broke, I probably wouldn't be able to feel my lip for a lifetime or at most for 1 year.

"Really? Unbelievable! But you said the anesthetic wore off. How is your situation now?”

"Thank god. I don't have any numbness in my lip. I just spat blood in the sink. My tooth still hurts. I'm going to take painkillers now. I can't even open my mouth, let alone speak."

"My dear. Will you get well soon? I already miss you so much"

"I miss you a lot too. As soon as you get better, I'll hug you tight on our first date"

“You can hug whatever you want. Now get some rest. Don’t wander around the house too much, your blood circulation will accelerate and your bleeding will increase.”

"You are right. I'm already in bed right now. I also keep ice so that my cheeks do not turn bruises.

“I'll tell you what. I can come and make you some soup tomorrow if you want. I guess there's no harm with play hooky for only one day. You’re worth it”

"You're not kidding, are you?"

“No, why would I joke? As your girlfriend, I want to take care of you Kenji"

“It would be nice if you came. If you come, I will have to communicate with you by writing in the notebook”

"No problem. Even if you can't talk, I understand you. See you tomorrow"

"See you later. I love you. Good night"

———————-———————-———————-———

Actually this based on my experience.

When i extracted my lower wisdom tooth,

i couldn’t talk for 3 days. I felt like myself i’m mute. It was too bad. :(

[acepalindrome]

I feel crummy and I just wanna project onto fluffy sickfic Steddy Hands. They can each have a turn being the sick one with their boyfriends trying to make it better with varying levels of success because they’re all different flavors of dumb goofus.

Stede tries really hard to put on a brave face when he’s sick because he doesn’t want to look pathetic around Real Pirates like Ed and Izzy, but he caves pretty quick if someone starts fussing over him. Oh, he doesn’t want to be a bother over a little cold…but since you’re offering, he actually would like that tea and an extra blanket and a hot water bottle please. He wasn’t going to say anything, but yes he does actually feel dreadful, thanks for asking. Some soup would be lovely.

Ed discovers that he really likes getting to take care of someone and make them feel better. It’s a new experience! There hasn’t been much room for tenderness in his old life, either giving or receiving, and he finds that he likes both! He doesn’t like to see Stede sick, but he likes when Stede needs something that Ed can give him.

Izzy has been taking care of Ed for years and feels pretty confident in knowing how to read Ed and figure out what he needs when he’s hurt or sick, but Stede is new territory and it makes him nervous. His love language is acts of service and it makes him antsy when he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do. He’s awkward and prickly about it, but he finally settles into being a grouchy mother hen with Stede. The fuck are you doing out of bed, you’ve got a fever you idiot. Finish taking your medicine. All of it, Bonnet, for fucks sake. I don’t care if it tastes bad! Fine, I mixed it with honey, now stop bitching about it.

Ed is the biggest dramatic baby when he’s sick. Oh, he’ll be big tough Blackbeard around the crew, but then the door to his quarters close and he’s whining about how he’s dying from tummy hurt. :( He tries to hold back a little with Stede post-reunion because he worries about being too clingy, but once he realizes that Stede wants to fuss over him, he gives in to wanting to being coddled and pampered.

Stede loves coddling Ed when he’s perfectly healthy, and he shifts into hyperdrive when Ed’s sick. Stede wasn’t a great father, but he was surprisingly good at looking after his kids when they were sick, so Ed gets to nap with his head in Stede’s lap and gets read stories when he’s stuck in bed and gets all the soft cooing sympathy. Oh my poor love, it’s so dreadful being sick isn’t it. Here, drink your tea and I’ll play with your hair, see if that makes you feel better.

Izzy insists that he doesn’t coddle Ed. He’s just keeping the man alive when he’s sick, that’s all. He’s gotta go fetch Ed’s special heavy blanket, he won’t sleep well otherwise and how’s he going to get better if he doesn’t sleep? He’s just fluffing Ed’s pillow to help prop him up in bed so he can breathe easier. Ed’s nightclothes are drenched in sweat and he’s too dizzy to stand up on his own, of course Izzy is going to help him change into clean clothes. He’s not being soft. Fuck off.

You know how wild animals tend to hide when they’re injured or sick? That’s what Izzy does. He’ll retreat to his quarters and lock himself up in there until he’s able to function again. He doesn’t like being seen when he’s weak and vulnerable. He expects to be mocked for it. He’s very, VERY gradually learning that it’s okay to be weak around Ed and Stede, that he’s safe and will be taken care of, but it’s a steep learning curve.

Ed has always known Izzy as someone who refuses to let anyone take care of him, so he’s always looked after Izzy indirectly. If Izzy’s sick, he’ll bring him a bucket to get sick into and leave him alone. He’ll make sure Izzy has his privacy and shut up anyone who’s having a laugh at Izzy for being sick (out of earshot from Izzy, of course, he doesn’t want Ed to have to defend him.) But after Stede, Ed starts to want to take care of Izzy more intimately too. Izzy is used to Ed leaving him alone to throw up, so the first time Ed stays and rubs his back and brushes the hair out of his face…it’s a lot. He’s not crying, his eyes just water when he pukes. Shut the fuck up.

Stede quickly realizes that Izzy won’t accept caretaking easily, so he has to get a bit more forceful. I’m one of your co-captains, and you will obey my orders, Israel. And I’m ordering you to put on those comfy pajamas I lay out for you and get into bed this instant. Over time Izzy gets more agreeable about letting Stede and Ed fuss, but for a long time he only lets them coddle him without a fight if he’s really sick, so everyone gets worried if Izzy goes to bed without any grumbling. Oh god, he didn’t bitch at all when I drew him a hot bath to clear his sinuses, is he dying???

[jenlikesdarylfanfic]

Fever Dream

I’m reposting this story from last year so I can finally create a master list that no one will read. 

Summary: Daryl takes care of reader. Based on my experience with Covid 19.

Pairing: Daryl x reader

Note: It's my first fic ever. My grammar and this story probably suck. But I'm writing fan fiction for therapeutic purposes so it stays.

—————————————————————————————

“Stay away, Daryl. I could get you sick.”

“Ya ain’t gettin me sick, girl.”

“You don’t know that. I’m staying in the guest room for now. Leave me be.”

Guest room. That was something she never even heard of growing up. That and play dates. God, what kind of place was Alexandria?

Daryl knew y/n was right. Denise told him so. Whatever this flu was, he couldn’t afford to get sick and spread it to others. He saw what happened at the prison. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t take care of y/n, though. He’d wait on her hand and foot until she got better.

Y/n asked Denise for a couple of surgical masks for her and Daryl to wear whenever he came into the room to bring her food or supplies. He felt silly wearing it but it was the only way he could be with his girl.

“Thanks babe. But I can’t eat anything, I’m too nauseous.” She sounded pained laying on her left side for some relief.

“Y/n, you haven’t eaten all day. You need to eat…or at least drink.”

“I don’t wanna,” she whined like a little kid.

Eventually she would take a sip here, a bite there, but not enough to sustain herself. Denise told Daryl that y/n could get dehydrated and he had to find a way to get fluids into her, else she might need an IV, which were few and far between. Water made her sick. ‘Too heavy,’ she said. In the real world he could get her a jello or even one of those Italian ice things. Things he never got to enjoy growing up. At least they could still make soup, but she wouldn’t touch it.

The next day he saw y/n he had a surprise for her, something she might actually eat. “Carol made these.”

“What?”

“Popsicles.”

“Huh?”

“Well we still have working freezers so Carol mixed some water with those lemon juice packets you found and froze it in the ice cube tray.” He handed her one on a stick and she smiled.

“I never thought I’d see a popsicle again.” She started to lick it and thought aloud, “I’m so glad we have Carol, at least I know she will take care of you when I’m gone.”

His expression changed from relief to anger, “Don’t you dare talk like that, y/n. You’re not going anywhere.”

She immediately regretted what she said. “I’m sorry, Daryl. I didn’t mean that this flu would kill me. I just meant in the future if something happened to me.” She looked down. He lifted her chin up to look at him. He just stared at her and said, “What I wouldn’t do right now to kiss you.” She smiled, relieved that he wasn’t upset with her.

That night, however, she took a turn for the worse. He heard a noise that woke him up but he couldn’t place it in his stupor. Sounded like banging and a door opening. He shot up and ran downstairs. He saw y/n outside in just her nightgown looking awful. “Y/n, what is it? Are you OK?”

She sounded out of it. “I’m so hot, I’m so hot, I can’t.”

He started to rub her back.

“No, don’t touch me, I’m so hot.” She started to cry. He ran and got a washcloth with cold water. He hated seeing her like this. He felt so damn helpless.

“Here.” They sat down on the porch steps and he placed the cloth on her forehead. “Just breathe, OK? Try to calm down.” It was chilly outside so he knew she’d feel better soon, but she just needed to calm down first. He knelt down in front of her. “Breathe, y/n. Just like me. In and out.” Eventually she calmed down and cooled off. He took his seat next to her. He started to rub her back again and this time she was thankful for his touch. She missed him too, and would’ve given anything to kiss him right then and there. She leaned on his shoulder, desperate to be close to him.

“When this is over, I’m gonna be all over you like white on rice.” They both laughed.

“I can’t wait, baby girl. God I can’t wait.” He brought her back in the house and back to bed.

Y/n woke up again a few hours later in another panic, so hot she couldn’t think straight. This time she called out for Daryl. “I’m right here, what’s wrong?”

“I’m so hot, I’m so hot. What do I do? Oh my god oh my god.” He grabbed her hand and lead her into the bathroom. He took her nightgown off and ran the cold water. She got in and let the cold water wash over her. She was crying again. Daryl took his clothes off and jumped in. He hugged her, disregarding her warnings about getting him sick. She cried into his chest but eventually cooled off. After her shower, he helped dry her off and get dressed again. He handed her another Tylenol to take for the fever. She went back to bed, and this time slept through the night.

The next morning y/n woke up feeling a little better and had another popsicle. “Thanks, babe. Sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to drive you crazy.”

“You could never drive me crazy. I just want you to be alright.”

“I wish my mom was here to take care of me. You know, as much as I hated my mom, she always took care of me. My dad too. You know one time I had such a bad migraine and I could only get comfortable laying in my parents bed? They left me there for the night and slept in my bed and on the couch.” She smiled at the memory. Normally she’d feel guilty telling Daryl a good memory, trying not to upset him because he didn’t have a shred of that growing up. But she stopped being sorry some time ago when she had enough of Daryl making her feel like the bad guy. He was taking it out on her too much that she just stopped talking all together about her past. But he realized that he can’t blame y/n for his problems and that he actually didn’t mind hearing her stories.

Y/n ate a little more that day, with her nausea letting up a bit. The day after that her fever disappeared. Daryl took her back to Denise for a check up.

“Fever’s down, all better.” With that y/n grabbed Daryl’s shirt and kissed him, with such fervor he almost toppled over onto her. She pulled away and Daryl looked like he had been slapped silly.

“Let’s go home, baby,” she said. “Looks like I have to take care of you now.” They ran out of the infirmary like 2 kids cutting class to make out under the bleachers.

[ninjakitty15]

Souper Heroes

Midgardians had to be the most fragile little dominant beings of the realms. It wasn’t enough that they had such short lifespans, they were also so easily breakable and susceptible to any pathogen that came their way. It was a wonder they somehow existed as species as long as they have, there were many that had bets they wouldn’t last beyond the Dark Ages and the Black Plague. On top of the many many many kinds of ailments a mortal could get on this meager realm, only some of them had cures or antidotes and of those cures not all of them worked one hundred percent of the time every time. Basically a mortal’s health was a gamble in and of itself. Loki was all for games and tricks but this kind of game he desperately needed a win for as he was almost all out of tricks for it.

It had started with a sore throat that his beloved and only Midgardian had already written off as just a tickle or scratch from talking too much at work. It was not just a sore throat though, that was for damn sure, as not much later than that came into the equation, a cough had started shortly after. A cough that couldn’t be written off as anything other than what it was, the beginning of many more symptoms Loki was struggling to keep track of. Honestly, how the helheim did these creatures last this long? It wasn’t more than a day after the first few signs appeared that they were bedridden which caused the already stressed god of tricks more distress as they were always so lively and animated about even the silliest things like the latest Netflix show to binge or a new podcast about true crime coming out. Now they were too sick to even keep their eyes open long enough to watch the next episode. 

“It’s just a flu and I already called in sick at work so you don’t need to worry too much about me. I just need soup and sleep and a fuckton of tissues...maybe a clear path to the bathroom too just to be safe.”

For a moment Loki felt relief, didn’t sound too serious, at least not serious enough to need serious medical attention. He seriously didn’t want to have to call Dr. Banner or even worse Dr. Strange to take care of his mortal, they were the most dangerous of the team yet claimed to be certified in helping heal people. Somehow he didn’t believe that was completely true. But then Loki realized something that could and would be a large drawback to not needing medical help...he had no idea what soup his partner needed and more importantly how to make it as his partner was the cook of the two of them. Oh sure Loki had tried time and time again to return the favor, first with magic which proved to be entirely a tangible illusion as while it often looked as marvelous and delicious as he remembered from his time in Asgard, it had all the flavors of typical British cuisine or pasta water. His partner, who had agreed to be nothing but honest with the god of lies had once said it was something Flanders would love at least. The Simpsons character, not the people in a certain region of Belgium. None the less, after binge watching the Simpsons with them, Loki decided magic definitely wasn’t the secret ingredient in his partner’s cooking. So he tried the old fashioned way after that experiment went wrong only to find it was even more complicated between cooking and baking. Baking was an exact science it seemed between what ingredients mix and react well together and how long or hot you’re baking the concoction. Cooking however was a whole different story as it was both a science and an art and Loki quickly found out he could only be one or the other but never both at the same time. 

Before he could even turn on the oventop however, he needed the right ingredients for the right food to make his partner feel better. Upon thorough research of many cookbooks and google searches, most of the ingredients were in fact quite simple to come by at any given grocery store, thank the Norns. Broth, vegetables, maybe some noodles and white meat (not babies, the other white meat his partner would always joke when meat was on the table). In the guise of a normal bloke in normal Midgardian clothes (a sharp, well fitted suit and pants of course, he was still a gentleman, not a Neanderthal in a hoodie and denim), he portaled to the nearest store and collected as many of the ingredients as he could find. All except of course a few small yet important ones he was absolutely certain couldn’t be replaced, substituted, or just left out. Honestly, what kind of grocery store doesn’t have ginger or turmeric? The answer was apparently most of them as there seemed to be a shortage since the last pandemic sucked the stores dry with so many people believing it was a super root that cured all flu like viruses. Spoiler alert, that did nothing. For some reason there was also a shortage in another important ingredient he desperately needed, green onions or was it scallions? Loki couldn’t understand why there was so many different names for literally the same food within the same bloody language, like why did the English call one veggie aubergines when Americans called it eggplants? Or what about turnips and rutabagas? No wonder they were always at war with each other when they can’t even agree on the same name for food, let alone land or other important ideals. 

Fed up with not finding all the ingredients within reasonable distance of their home and not feeling like shop hopping every bloody store he could find for them, he decided the best results had to be at the source where the damned food originated from. To Asia then! Thank the Norns for Allspeak or Loki’s already limited supply of patience would be stretched thinner than drum skins at trying to find where ginger and green onions were grown and plentiful. Allspeak and being a shapeshifter absolutely helped considering he would’ve stuck out like Thor in just about any other setting that wasn’t Asgard. Loki made note during his ingredient search to come back to China when he wasn’t on a mission of utmost importance to sightsee all the ancient sites, he especially felt compelled to study the many spots with dragons on or with them and how they were often associated with emperors, maybe the Chinese were onto something there. Alas he had an ailing lover to attend to and once he collected the right amount of the freshest plants he needed, he was on to India for the turmeric. India proved to be even more fascinating a country than China was, the culture, the architecture, the history, the colors but most importantly the spices which is what he was there for after all. He also picked up a few boxes of loose tea perfect for settling the stomach, soothing the sinuses, and boosting the immune system as apparently you can’t be too cautious with such fragile creatures.

Loki teleported back to his partner’s apartment as soon as he collected everything necessary to nurse them back to health and immediate went to work making them the soup and tea, the “locals” were especially kind enough to give him detailed instructions on how to make the perfect flu busting soup while helping him find the produce. In less than an hour’s time, everything was prepared and tasted to perfection before he hastily entered the darkened bedroom that his partner was resting in or had been as they were currently watching true crime on Netflix when he entered and Loki arched an eyebrow while listening to the narrator talked about the gory details of yet another unsolved murder of the 70′s. Upon hearing these murders were yet again also mostly children snatched right under their parents noses, Loki had to remind himself that while cops were still not the brightest tools in the crayon shed, their methods of solving crimes when they weren’t racially profiling people and actually doing their job had advanced since then. Loki glanced at his partner completely engrossed in the even more gruesome details like they didn’t know what would happen next considering it was an unsolved case. He cleared his throat right when pictures of the victims’ remains were shown on screen and held up his tray of lunch and snacks, his partner’s face lighting up at the sight of freshly prepared and delightfully scented food. 

“Whatcha got there?” his partner asked excitedly.

“A guaranteed cure to your ailment, my love,” Loki replied smoothly.

His partner eagerly took the tray to their lap and swallowed a spoonful of broth and produce hungrily as their stomach had been emptied repeatedly throughout the day and thus needed anything at this point to fill it. A low, appreciative moan escaped their mouth before they swallowed and took a sip of the tea as well, holding the mug under their nose to breathe in the herbal steam.

“I thought all the local grocery stores were still short on green onions,” the ailing mortal mused.

“Oh I assure you they still are, lucky for you I have other sources to work with,” Loki replied with a grin.

“Take a trip downtown to Little China, did you?” they guessed. “Thought you didn’t like that going into the city.”

Loki’s grin morphed into a quizzical scowl then. “I didn’t go there, you can be sure of that.” The China he went to definitely wouldn’t be considered little but now he was miffed he didn’t try there first.

“What about that Asian marketplace in Brighton? The one where you can get Ramen and bubble tea next to it? They somehow always have everything when other stores have shortages, you gotta take me there sometime and we can do a ramen date.”

Loki had to remind himself not to throw something, anything within his grasp at his lover as they were already in poor condition and he was too much a gentleman to kick a bitch when it’s already down. Two nearby places he could’ve gone in less time than it took sifting through people and markets trying to find the perfect recipe for his lover. “Perhaps when you’re better I’ll take to you my sources, for now eat your soup and rest up and perhaps watch something less...true and more settling to give your digestive system a chance. Honestly, how have your species survived this long, you’re like potted orchids, if you weren't so pretty to keep around I’d have defenestrated you into a snow bank.”

“Thank you for taking care of me and not breaking any windows or bones doing so, you’re the best boyfriend ever!”

“Should bloody well hope so, I’d go to the end this world and back for you.” Again.

“You really don’t have to do that though.” Clearly. Loki wished he had been told that before he already searched the world for a few damn plants and spices he could’ve easily gone a few towns over for.

“It’s too late for that,” muttered Loki. “Good night, don’t let the stomach bugs bite.” Next time this happened he was getting Campbell’s canned chicken noodle soup and calling it a day. Insufferable little orchids mortals were.

[thewolfseries]

What was the most stupid example of racism you experienced that left you too confused to realize that it was racist?

Okay. So. Real talk time. How about I take you down memory lane for me in real life? This is a very long answer ...

I was in kindergarten and all the class except myself and an Asian child (can't remember if it was a boy or girl) were white. My teacher, Ms. Chambers was teaching about different cultures and she called me up and the Asian boy (pretty sure the kid was a boy) and started pointing out all the ways we were different to the rest of the kids. Our hair, our skin, our eyes. She even made the comment about my stepfather not being my real father (which is how I found out by the way).

So I went home feeling a mix of confusion, embarrassment (who wants to be singled out?) and admittedly, curiosity and concern. Of course I was way too young to put words to those emotions and it was all one big soup. I can remember my mother being furious and going after Ms. Chambers head and nearly getting her job. My mother, to her credit, did not hide the truth from me and told me everything and explained it, including about my real father, whom I've never met and likely never will.

She explained how he was a migrant worker from Mexico, named Frank Roman Vasquez (spelling we aren't sure of) and that she and he had what I would later learn was an affair (he was engaged she wasn't and she told me in terms a kid could get, not blatantly). She told me I was half white and half Mexican and should be proud of both sides of myself, and fuck what everyone else thought. (She didn't use the word fuck but she was mad enough to at the teacher). My mother had always raised me to love everyone, no matter what, to see the good in people, not just their outside.

So I was about six when I experienced racism the first time and knew something about it was wrong and hurtful. I was confused as I was a kid and didn't understand why it mattered.

I learned that such things, as I grew older, with that experience shaping every interaction I had after that, especially when I still lived in east Tennessee and the majority of people were Christian, white low income folks (mostly good people but with undeniably cruel streak running through it all), that skin color and "breeding" as it was sometimes called, mattered to them, for what reasons only they know. I later learned that before I was born, my mother's friend tried to get her to abort me, stating that I would never have a life, I'd be a half-breed, a mutt and it would be better off to just get rid of me, get married and have a nice white baby. The friend that said that was extremely religious, very Christian (the woman thought women wearing pants and cutting their hair was slutty and that Power Rangers, Star Wars and anything else was literally the spawn of Satan).

Looking back, I always experienced racism, from friends, family, employees of stores I went to, all of it casual and just up front in your face, sometimes laced with pretty words, all because to them, if I didn't go out in the sun for too long, I was white enough to pass; they'd say horrible things about the migrant workers and the black men and women and kids that were around, the Asians and expect me to agree with them, to which I would never respond or would sometimes bite back so to speak but I never had the courage for years to tell them that I was part of the people and groups they hated. I just didn't know it at the time because I was too young and sadly, it was the norm. It was politely accepted by so many I never knew what it was until I was in my early teens. It probably accounts for a good unspoken chunk of my self-esteem issues.

As I got older I found my voice and I will never stay silent about it again out of fear. I took two years of Spanish in high school, learning from this amazing fire cracker of a little Panamanian woman who learned about my past and took a special interest in me, wanting to help me find the lost part of my history and culture that I'm still learning about. (love you, Senora Haefle).

And that's how I both learned about racism and was confused by it and later realized it was racist.

[st-louis]

a list of hockey podcasts

i spend... a lot of time reading about, listening to, and learning about hockey and i thought maybe you guys might be interested in the podcasts i follow. i don’t always listen to every episode of every show, but they’re things i have in my subscriptions and listen to frequently.

i’m going to end up having to put this under a cut because it’s getting really long.

general podcasts

the hockey pdocast - without a doubt my favorite general hockey podcast. dimitri filipovic is a stats guy who writes for eprinkside, and his analytic cast definitely shines through in the way he handles the topics. i like the variety of deep dives he does and i always feel like i come away from listening with better understanding of the topic because he doesn’t just talk stats, but gives you context for why those numbers might be the way they are, so if you’re trying to become more familiar with advanced stats this a great one to listen to. also his voice is just so soothing. absolutely my favorite car show.

the athletic hockey show - it’s frequent, long, and informative, but there are different hosts depending on the day and i definitely enjoy listening to some of them more than others (i like ian and hailey a lot, i enjoy the seans, craig and pierre know what they’re talking about but hoo boy i do not enjoy their episodes so much).

staff & graph - they are definitely leafs homers and some of their takes really annoy me especially because they purport to be analysis based and then like... will come out with something that’s not really an analysis so much as it’s, you’re a leafs fan and that’s your opinion, but for the most part i do enjoy it. doerrie is a former front office employee of the devils and she has a lot of very interesting inside knowledge and knowledge based on actually working closely with hockey teams. she still has connections so if you’re interested in ‘sources,’ she usually has good info and stories. again, usually come away feeling like i learned something.

soul on ice - kwame damon mason (film director and hockey fan), akil thomas (kings prospect), elijah roberts (formerly of the niagra ice dogs, currently playing college hockey) hang out and talk hockey and interview guests. they’re all really likeable dudes and have a lot of interviews with players of color and other interesting topics (taya currie!). a solid listen from both a fan and player perspective, for example it was cool to hear akil talking about his experiences during the covid season.

the cross-check nhl show - decent general hockey talk show. andrew berkshire is a habs writer and mary clarke is a general hockey writer but a flyers fan (a show made for me, haha). they’re likeable and have good opinions on social justice related issues within hockey. they cover major stories around the league, discuss their personal teams, and also do a little pop culture segment at the end that i usually skip.

hockey central - unfortunately this is like the epitome of a hockey man podcast (as in, it is literally all hockey men). they come from a variety of backgrounds, including players and coaches, and generally the actual hockey talk is good, even if they get on my nerves sometimes. if you want to know what the average player/former player is thinking this is a pretty good one. and they update a lot.

31 thoughts - jeff marek (also of the hockey central pod) and elliotte friedman talk hockey. if you’re looking for “insider” info this is one of those you’re gonna want to listen to. a bit wishy washy when it comes to stuff like the hawks scandals.

behind the gear - this is an interesting one, because they interview a lot of “lesser known” personalities but it’s always a pretty solid interview. again, i don’t listen to every interview but if there’s a guest that looks interesting, i’ll mark it for later. they have a bunch of interviews with nick and ryan suzuki so that was a personal interest of mine, haha.

puck soup - i almost never listen to this one because it’s too long (like episodes upwards of 100 minutes) and i really don’t like wyshynski as a person. but i do appreciate sean mcindoe. usually only tune in if there’s a topic i’m interested in.

6 degrees with mike mckenna - mike mckenna (former journeyman goalie and flyers goalie of the Eight Goalie Year and former vgk broadcast)’s interview / general hockey show. he’s very personable and a good interviewer.

the press zone - a show mostly focused on prospects, whether that’s in major juniors, the ahl, european leagues, etc. it’s a deeper dive into an area that a lot of the other shows don’t necessarily get to, so i appreciate it.

the hockey think tank - another ‘smaller’ podcast with some interesting and unexpected interviews. again, don’t listen to it all the time but it’s worth a shot if they have a topic you like.

the full 60 - craig custance’s solo show. another “insider.”

missin curfew - i usually only listen to this one if they have a guest i’m interested in because this is also a very bad example of hockey men hanging out and talking and you want to strangle them mostly. it’s two other dudes and kevin hayes’ older brother so you can pretty much expect exactly what you are getting from them.

the broadscast - wish there were more female hockey podcast hosts, but this one is a good one. i like the variety of guests that they have on. i don’t listen to it every episode but will tune in if there’s a topic i like.

flyers-related podcasts

broad street radio - i have such a hate/hate relationship with this one. it’s like the flyers podcast but i hate most of the hosts. i listen mostly for charlie o’connor, who is the only one who can reign in their terrible opinions.

flyers daily - daily news about the flyers, game recaps, and interviews with players. usually short and no-frills episodes, which i appreciate. myrtetus also plays goalie in beer league so he has a player’s perspective, at least, from that level.

flyers talk - nbc’s podcast with jordan hall, taryn hatcher, and joe fordyce. pretty basic talk show from a beat reporter, a former broadcast, and a guy named joe. again fairly no frills, do not always agree with them, but decent enough information.

everything but hockey - andrea helfrich, the most beautiful woman in the world’s, podcast. she does interviews with a lot of people who work with the team in some capacity (for example, nyree, the nutritionist) are associated with the team (she is great with interviewing wives and girlfriends), and the players themselves. she is super charming and good at talking to people so the episodes are usually fun to listen to.

snow the goalie - two flyers beat reporters i dislike but who nevertheless sometimes have The Info.

locked-on flyers - i haven’t actually listened to this much yet but i like locked-on habs a lot and i’m gonna have to give it a chance.

nasty knuckles - this is a podcast i absolutely suffer through. settlemyre is so fucking annoying and maybe the worst interviewer i’ve ever heard. however, if you are interested in the flyers, he has the goods. riley cote is also here. i have to get back to actually transcribing these again because really you don’t want to listen to them.

habs-related podcasts

le support athlétique - arpon and marc antoine from the athletic talk the habs. alternating episodes in french and english, which is frustrating when they are talking in french about something i want to listen to, but i think it’s cool that they provide for the entirety of the fanbase. they are fascinating to listen to, and obviously good friends. i enjoy their insights about the players and coaches.

eyes on the prize - one of my favorites. good hosts, great variety of topics, including interviews with european prospects that you don’t always hear from. it’s also an sbnation podcast but i like it so much better than i like bsh.

habs-statician - statistically-based habs analysis from a fan in toronto. dylan is a really thoughtful podcaster, and i appreciate listening to him very much. 

locked-on canadiens - another daily listen. laura and scott continue the theme of the habs podcasts i enjoy which is mostly that they are really reasonable about their view of the team. they criticize when players aren’t doing well, but not in a mean way, and they praise the players who are doing well. i like the daily analysis and breakdown of the news mixed in with sillier segments like who would play the habs in a movie.

habs tonight - former hab and flyer dale weise and a rotating cast of co-hosts discuss habs related topics. i was skeptical at first because i thought it might be gossipy, but it’s actually not that bad. the hockey talk from a former player is all like “wow, that makes so much sense” when you hear it (the episode where weise talks about joël bouchard, in the first negative thing i’d ever heard about him, is one that i am specifically thinking of here). he’s also good at interviewing his former teammates, you can tell they are at ease with him.

history in the making - national treasure marc dumont interviews habs prospects and other people associated with the team. he is so funny and charming and knowledgeable about hockey, it is always worth a listen.

habby hour - i don’t really enjoy these hosts but i will listen if they’re interviewing someone i’m interested in.

other teams-related podcasts that i listen to

steve dangle - i will admit i mostly started listening to this one as schadenfreude, but for the most part i enjoy it. i don’t really like the co-hosts but i do enjoy how absolutely fed up he is with the leafs. :) but on a more serious note, they do some good work, i was very impressed with their recent episode interviewing rick westhead about his work on the chicago coverups.

[mahizli]

Still Learning (There Is No Ignorance, There Is Knowledge)

Art by tallterror and second chapter of Threading The Way (Jedi June).

32 BBY.

“Thank you, Anakin.”

Master Ti’s voice was gentle, and Ani met her warm, brown eyes before he bowed, like Padawans were supposed to, like Obi-Wan had taught him at the very beginning of his stay here, almost a month ago.

“It’s okay.”

His voice sounded strange. Like there was not enough air in is lungs. And his heart was beating all fast, too. It felt like… like the day he had left Mum, and Ani did not want to go there in his head. Instead, he followed the other Initiates out of the door and into the corridor.

“Hello, Master Obi-Wan…”

It sounded like a song, all his fellow-Initiates greeting his Master who stood there, leaning against the corridor walls, waiting for him. But Ani didn’t join in, didn’t say a thing: he knew just how eager they were to catch a glimpse of him, the one who lost his Master, the one who killed a Sith and was training him, him whom Qui-Gon had called the Chosen One. They were still wary of him, and he had not made any real friend, save Senior Padawan Quinlan who was going to become a Knight very soon and was actually Obi-Wan’s friend. And Master Luminara and Master Kit, who were also Obi-Wan’s friends.

Ani loved spending time with Master Quinlan, because he knew Tatooine and understood things even Obi-Wan didn’t know. And he loved Master Luminara because she had been there, with him, when Obi-Wan had started bleeding from his nose, talking funny, and had fallen down in the training grounds. She and Master Quinlan had taken Obi-Wan to the Halls of Healing, and there, Master Vokara Che had told them the bond between him and Master Qui-Gon was still bleeding, because it had been broken and not closed, and because Obi-Wan had pushed everything tight behind his shields.

Master Che, Master Yoda and Master Billaba had brought Obi-Wan back into the Force and had closed the injury in Obi-Wan’s mind. And Master Quinlan, Master Luminara and Master Kit had tried to help him with the sadness inside, even though Obi-Wan was still missing Qui-Gon fiercely and would still go very silent whenever he was thinking of him.  

Ani watched his fellow-Initiates swarm through the corridor, and checked out his Master, because it had only been a week since Obi-Wan came back from the Halls, all thin and still somewhat shaky. A week since they had cleaned and tidied up Master Qui-Gon’s stuff, and Ani still had a hard time to believe how much steadier Obi-Wan felt in the Force now.

He was no longer pale, no longer looking like he would be gone any minute, vanishing like the images people saw when they got sun-sickness on Tatooine. Obi-Wan was better now, Ani could feel it through their bond, but he still grabbed the hem of Obi-Wan’s robe, just in case, rubbing his thumb against the rough fabric.

Hello there, Padawan.

Ani didn’t smile, because people were still around, and because he still felt weird from what he had just managed to do, during Master Ti’s class. But inside, it felt like something opening up, and when Obi-Wan started to walk them back to their quarters, Ani quietly slid his hand into his and squeezed.

“How was class, Anakin?”, Obi-Wan asked, once their doors slid shut.

Ani took off his boots, shrugging out of his bag.

“Okay, Master.”

Obi-Wan never asked many questions. He never pried, like some Initiates did. He just let it go, waiting for Ani to find him. And Ani wanted to tell him, about the way he had listened to him and accepted to tell Master Ti and the other Initiates about Tatooine, about why he hadn’t been taught to read and write, about the way slaves were forbidden to do some things and to enter some places.

But Ani also knew it would make Obi-Wan sad to talk about such stuff, and he didn’t want him to be sad anymore, he just wanted to hear him talk and marvel about the way he felt so smart and quick and witty through their bond.

And he never seemed to be bothered, when Anakin asked him questions, not even while he cooked, chopping off tubers, and cutting odd orange stuff that was called pumpkin to mix them together in some kind of soup that had a nice, sugary flower.

And so Ani got to know all about Obi-Wan’s day. About the subjects he was still studying, despite no longer being a Padawan, about the way he had trained with Master Luminara because they were both specialising in a form called Soresu. About the people in the Temple Obi-Wan had talked to, and that Ani still struggled to remember.

“I like that soup, Master. It’s nice.”

Obi-Wan smiled at him.

“It’s the nutmeg. I think you have a weak spot for spices, Padawan.”

Obi-Wan knew so many things. Ani didn’t have a clue what a nutmeg was, but Obi-Wan showed him the small, brown nut, and let him grind a bit of it into his soup – and it was delicious.

They talked some more, and then Ani was sent into the fresher to shower. He knew how to use the taps and the pressure now – it wasn’t complicated, actually, much less complicated than the ventilation system on the back of Watto’s shop, or the ignition of his old speeder. But Ani still tried to be quick, because it was no sonic – no carefully harvested water from a moisturizer, but water flowing like springs from the very faucets, and it still felt like such a waste.

Obi-Wan loved showers, though. He wasn’t long about it, but sometimes, Ani heard him hum quietly through the fresher’s door, and he always felt relaxed in the Force afterwards.  

That evening, Obi-Wan didn’t shower, though. He was sitting cross-legged on his bed, barefoot yet still wearing his leggings and tunics, and Ani crawled up next to him, looking at the green picture that hung across Obi-Wan’s desk. It was a landscape from Stewjon, Obi-Wan’s planet, and Obi-Wan had painted it some years ago, because his Master was very skilled at drawing, and had filled whole journals with his sketches.

“What are you doing, Master?”, he asked, his tooka-doll Spikes closely tucked to his chest.

Obi-Wan sighed, turning tired grey eyes towards him.

“I’m trying to make sense of an essay of a currently very famous yet completely unintelligible philosopher, Padawan.”

“Why?”

Ani lifted a very puzzled face towards his Master, and Obi-Wan smiled again, deftly carding his fingers through Ani’s loosened braid, undoing it before he started braiding it again for the night.

“Because he claims to be an expert about the topic I’m supposed to study, and write an essay about.”

“But why do they need you to write essays and to read boring stuff? You’re no Padawan anymore, Master. You’re one of the best Jedi ever – everybody keeps talking about you in the Temple.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes clouded for a moment, but when he lifted his face towards Anakin, his gaze was clear.

“Because the only thing I know, Padawan mine, is how little I do know and how much I have still to learn.”

Ani hung his head, letting Obi-Wan closing his braid, watching the way his Master’s knees melted with the rough fabric of the sheets.

“I know the feeling, Master”, he whispered.

I feel like that all the time.

Obi-Wan’s hand travelled from next to his cheek to his shoulder, and soon enough, Ani was pulled against his side, breathing in the smell of clean linen, of soap and Obi-Wan.

“I did it, Master. I told them. About the slaves, on Tatooine. About what it meant, to read ‘no slaves allowed’ or ‘keep out’. About the dangers out there. They didn’t ask any questions, though. I don’t think they understood much, anyway.”

Obi-Wan stayed silent, for a while, data-pad and reading forgotten.

“I am not sure one can truly understand, Padawan. I still struggle. And sometimes… sometimes I think about what you have been through, and I wish…”

His Master didn’t go on, words ending into something that was both a breath and a sigh. There was no need, though. Ani understood.

“But, Anakin… I think that the reason the Initiates stayed silent was… because they were in awe. Because they felt very ignorant, compared what you were forced to experience.”

Ani shrugged, face still buried into Obi-Wan’s side.

“I’m very proud of you, Padawan.”

Obi-Wan’s voice was even softer, and Ani wrapped his arms around his waist, wordlessly. For a while, he listened to the quiet way Obi-Wan was breathing, focusing on the way Obi-Wan’s belly was meeting his forearms, whenever he was drawing in air or letting out a sigh.

His Master had resumed reading, and it didn’t seem to make him happy, because there was a thin crease between his eyes Ani had learned to recognize. What was more, Valentine, Qui-Gon’s old plant, was hissing quietly on the windowsill, flowers turning an electric form of blue and getting all spiky. Ani closed his eyes and sent a soft Force-tendril towards her, trying to stop her hissing.

Nervous-Pointless-Anxious-Enough.

Valentine’s projections in the Force were always really helpful with Obi-Wan, and Anakin sent back Okay-Got It-Thank You-Calm Down.

“Master… I think you should stop reading. I don’t think that feel-low-something is worth it.”

Obi-Wan’s eyebrows shot up, and he turned towards Ani.

“He’s making your head ache. And I think… I think anybody who writes stuff that is so hard to understand that even you don’t manage it, well… it’s not someone who cares about sharing what he knows.”

“Anakin, I’m not the standard by whom you should… I don’t think you… It’s not supposed to be difficult, it’s just that I…”

“Master, I don’t know much. I know I don’t. But… But I know you’re so smart that every teacher here loves you. There’s not one who’s hasn’t spoken about you, and I’ve only been here four weeks. So… I don’t think you should read that stuff. I think you should stick to those who want to share what they know, not just… show off or something.”

Obi-Wan stared at him for some seconds, and then his Master did something very unexpected. Ani watched Obi-Wan’s shoulders start to shake in silent laughter, until it broke out of Obi-Wan’s very signature, in quiet bubbles of amusement.

“Oh, I think that fellow really wanted to show off…”, his Master sighed. “I’m not sure I read anything that dense for… I don’t know, probably ever?”

Anakin started to giggle as well, watching Obi-Wan close the data-pad, leaning against his headboard, still laughing quietly.

“It was… I kept reading the same page over and over, wondering what in the Galaxy was wrong with me – it felt like… it felt like… Oh Anakin, you are so right – it is some incomprehensible, self-satisfied babble, and it is positively useless!”

Obi-Wan sounded both amused and amazed by his own defiance, and though Ani had no clue about what his Master truly meant, he could feel how relieved and lighter he felt through their bond.

“I’m not going to read that”, Obi-Wan whispered, eyes growing somewhat wide, and Ani couldn’t help hugging him again, because he looked like the way Kitster did, whenever Ani convinced him to do something he was afraid of yet kept dreaming about.

“I’m going to… I’m going to focus on ignorance and knowledge instead. About the way they are sometimes mistaken for the other. There are very knowledgeable people out there who still manage to stay very ignorant, Padawan. And there are others who think themselves ignorant and who are so wise they make the world a better place.”

His Master’s hands rubbed gentle circles into his back, and Ani hugged him tighter, feeling his heart swell because of Obi-Wan’s words.

“That’s wizard, Master”, he whispered – and then he lowered his head back on Obi-Wan’s chest, because it was warm and comfortable there, and because his Master was the best Master ever.

And on the windowsill, Valentine curled on herself, flowers in the hue of a soft, tender green, projecting soft contentment into the Force – and turning still once more.

[cloudy-leonhart]

Independent Together (PART 2)

[Authors Note: it kinda took me a bit of time to write the second part, I didn’t like the first time I wrote it so I remade it lol.]

[Summary: A month had passed by since the incident, the survey corps seemed so different since then, waking up in pain, Reader woke up just in time, as the survey corps comes back from an expedition.]

Pairings: Poly!Hanji, Poly!Miche, Poly!Erwin, Poly!Levi, Poly!Nanaba x Reader.

Theme: Angst/Fluff.

TW: Swearing, Reader was in a coma, for a bit.

Recommended Song: If The World Was Ending - JP Saxe, Julia Michaels.

part 1 here!

[gif rightfully belongs to owner.]

It’s been a month. One month, you were still asleep, one month since the incident, there wasn’t a day where one of your lovers weren’t by your side, Levi held your hand and fed you food, he doesn’t consider the mixed mush food much but he fed it to you anyway, so you didn’t starve in your sleep.

Erwin came to check on you late at night, he would do his work by your bedside, holding your hand in one hand and reading his work in the other. Whenever he had the free time, he would come and visit you, he did his best to make you comfortable, even if you didn’t know it.  

Nanaba and Mike used to go together until they decided they want time alone with you. Nanaba would come in every time they had meals, everyday, for a month, she had her meals with you and only you, while you laid healing, she told you stories about how amazing her day went, or how much she misses your hugs and your comforting kisses. 

Mike would come and see you whenever he can, he would bring flowers that would remind him what you smelled like, he holds your hand and places soft kisses on it, he stays quiet during the whole thing, sometimes sleeping beside you. He wonders when you’ll wake up all the time, he asks the nurses for any update, whether that’s you waking up or you moving for a millisecond in your sleep.

Hanji comes almost every fifteen minutes, the nurses have to kick them out sometimes, everyday like Nanaba, they would share stories about their discoveries, it can be something as small as a new flower, or a new habit of titans, Moblit did think it was a bit weird seeing Hanji being in your room rather than doing some of their crazy experiments. 

Although they have one thing in common and that’s wondering if you’ll ever wake up, no matter how many times Levi comes and feeds you or Nanaba washes you with a rag or just make sure you’re healthy, it seemed like you were never going to wake up, it scares all of them, they held their expedition as far as they could, knowing that the higher-ups would be angry at them, but they couldn’t help but be selfish for once. 

The sleepless nights with the whole group, Hanji would sleep in Levi’s quarters or Erwin’s because you weren’t there to cuddle with them anymore, Levi always grabs two teacups instead of one until he realizes that you didn’t brew tea like you did for him every morning and his mood is ruined after. Erwin can’t do his work properly without reminiscing how you would give him back hugs and snuggle your face into the crook of his neck.

Mike and Nanaba would always be together because Nanaba couldn’t spend twenty minutes away from you without crying. They were trying their best to be strong and set an example for their cadets, but with every day you were unconscious, the more they break, every cadet could see it and they too, felt bad about how restless their superiors looked.

---

It was another day, you’ve been stuck in a black abyss for what seems like forever, you couldn’t open your eyes, you couldn’t move your body. You listened in your little head while every one of your lovers talked to you. You tried hard to wake up and tell them you’re okay, but you gave up and let yourself rest, maybe if you let yourself rest you’ll be able to move as soon as your body’s got the energy.

So everyday for a month, you listened to the stories of Hanji and Nanaba, you listened to Levi’s scoldings, you listened to Erwin’s pleas for advice on what to do, you listened to Mike’s quiet smooches on your hand. 

You were a little bit curious on why any of your lovers were yet to come and visit you, it was uncomfortably silent, you were sure that breakfast was almost finished and Nanaba was yet to come and tell her about any stories, you felt your hand twitch, you realized your body was waking up and you tried your best, to get up as fast as you could. 

“ngh..” A sound came out from your mouth, a nurse who was on shift, taking care of you looked over to her side, to see you awake and coughing, she froze for a moment before helping you sit up, seeing you struggle to get up from the frigid mattress used by the infirmary. “Miss Reader! You..You’re awake?” The nurse exclaimed, her tone sounded like she was questioning. “What..What’s going on?” You squinted your eyes, the morning light stung your eyes as a headache pounded over and over again.

You covered your eyes as the nurse checked up on your status, seeing if anything looked out of the ordinary. “I’ll bring you some breakfast, please don’t leave your bed,” She took hold of a metal bowl, rags were in it, you assumed it was used to wash you, “You haven’t left bed in a month and I’m sure your legs won’t be able to carry you after not moving a while.”

You didn’t bother to nod at the nurses warning as you laid back down, your headache to overbearing and the light stung your eyes too much, you covered your eyes with your arm, wincing at the sound of the door slamming shut. 

You waited for a good thirty minutes, before a nurse came back in with a tray of food, you sat up painfully as the nurse placed the tray on your lap, greeting you goodbye and leaving the infirmary to give you privacy. You didn’t miss the tasteless soup, but the bread was edible.

You sat in your bed all morning, finishing your breakfast portion by portion, reading a book Levi left from his night shift, you were pretty bored without your lovers, you wonder how worried your lovers are, not knowing whether they’d see your happy smile again or even as such as a glance from your beautiful eyes.

A bunch of muffled hooves galloping broke you out of your thoughts, you looked out of your window, squinting for a few seconds, you recognized your lovers’ horses. You felt your heart quicken, you saw from the dirty fogged window, Hanji’s blurred face, you could tell that they seemed tired, they weren’t as bubbly as normal and that worried you.

You saw someone walk up to them, Levi you thought, his height was unfortunately the first detail you managed to identify about them. You watched as Levi helped Hanji down, you didn’t bother to continue watching as you wanted to feel your lovers’ arms around you again. You stood up from your bed, your long night-gown fell off the bed like a waterfall, following your actions, you felt your legs become wobbly, which you held onto the bedside table to stabilize yourself.

“Miss Reader! Please go back to bed, you’re still weak!” The nurse scolded, seeing you get up from bed, you looked over to the nurse with a pleading expression, “I know, just let me see them, I haven’t seen them in so long.” The nurse opened her mouth to protest before closing it and sighing, she reached a hand beside her, it emerged with a pair of crutches in her hands. “Let’s go, Miss Reader.” Her voice was motherly as she helped you on the crutches. 

You quickly grabbed the crutches, you felt way better shifting your weight from foot to foot while walking out of the infirmary, your nurse beside you to give your additional support just in case. You limped as fast as you could to the nearest exit that lead to the outside of the headquarters. 

You felt your heartbeat fasten with every step, you missed your lovers so much, you couldn’t fight with your excitement as you come closer and closer with the exit, you begged that they would bust into the building, as if a god answered your pleas, it opened, Eren showed himself, aside him Armin and Mikasa, who was mumbling a storm. Eren looked to the side of him to see you, frozen mid-limp. 

“Reader?” He said out loud, Mikasa and Armin looked over to where Eren gazed, “Oh my god!” the trio ran towards you as you braced yourself for the impact, you felt three pairs of arms hug your body, as you winced with how tight Mikasa’s hold on you was. “Reader, the superiors was so worried about you! We thought you’d never wake up,” Armin cried out, “It was so quiet without you.” Mikasa mumbled out, a worried tone in her voice.

“I’m awake now, right? I thought you’d be relieved since there would be no one to help Hanji capture Eren for their experiments.” You laughed, which turned into coughing as the trio still looked at you worriedly. “Oi, Eren, where the fuck are you, did you forget you had cleaning du-” A familiar voice called out, you turned your head towards the voice, your eyes made contact with the cold, steel-like blue-grey eyes you fell in love with. 

“Levi..” You called out, you felt tears start to form in your eyes as he just stood shocked, you were there, standing, you were blinking, breathing. You were alive. He felt overwhelmed, he felt like he couldn’t breathe, Hanji walked in after him, they looked confused as they just stared at Levi’s shocked expression. “Levi?-” Levi pushed through Hanji and stomped towards you, you felt yourself sweat out of worry, he stopped in front of you and lettng out staggered breaths, “I..was so..worried, idiot.” His voice was breathy, as he pulled you in his arms.

The sound of your crutches dropping to the floor made Hanji turn around, they too froze, they watched as you and Levi dropped to the floor with a thud. They felt themselves tear up with you, they couldn’t keep their emotions in, they yelled out, “Reader!!” They cried out, running towards you and Levi, joining into your hug. You laughed through your tears as you nuzzled yourself tighter into Levi’s and Hanji’s arms, you could smell their scents, Hanji smelt like oranges and peonies, a hint of cleaning products, probably from their lab.

Levi smelt like black tea and the smell of soap, you expected it as you scrunched up his shirt in your hand. You could feel Hanji’s tears dropping into your hair, you could feel levi’s hand tightening their grip around your hair. “We missed you so much,” Hanji’s voice was muffled, it was broken and hiccups accompanied their sentence. 

“Mike! Erwin! Nanaba!” Hanji yelled out as you stayed quiet, trying your best to enjoy the embrace Levi and Hanji’s providing you. “Hanji?! What’s wrong?” Erwin’s voice called out, worry laced in his voice, getting closer. “She’s awake! Reader’s awake!” Hanji’s voice broke into joyous sobs as they continued hugging you, you half-laughed as you pulled away from Levi’s neck. You felt your tears stream down your face.

You heard the loud running of the rest of your lovers, Nanaba burst in first, she stopped at the door, panting as their eyes made contact with your teary ones. “Holy..crap. You idiot!!” Nanaba yelled out, not bothering to keep her emotions in as she sobbed, running straight for you, Levi and Hanji backed to the side to not get caught into her tackle towards you.

You let out a yelp as you and Nanaba collided and fell to the ground. She sobbed in your shouders, holding your waist tightly. You held onto her back as she shed her tears onto your night-gown, you didn’t care though, you were just happy you could hold onto Nanaba once again. 

You looked up from Nanaba’s neck, you glanced at Mike and Erwin who let out a sigh of relief as they kneeled right in front of you and Nanaba, you chuckled softly, pulling Mike to the hug and urging Erwin to join.

“I’m sorry for leaving you guys for so long, you look miserable without me.” You laughed out, as they laughed with you. Armin pulled Mikasa and Eren away to give you guys a moment to reconnect and just be with each other. Erwin and Mike helped you up as Levi grabbed you crutches and held onto it. Your lovers led you to a bench and sat you down as they bombarded you with thoughts of worry and love, happiness. 

“You don’t know how lonely we were without you, Reader.” Erwin sighed out, holding your hand tightly as you chuckled weakly, “lonely? I would’ve swore Hanji would’ve been able to bug you as much I did.” Hanji whined at the mention of their name, the vets knew they were supposed to be in their offices doing their work, but you were awake! How could they just greet you and go?

Nanaba let out louder and happier cries as she hugged you tighter, you smiled and patted her head, “There, there, Nanaba. I’m here now so stop crying, or you’re going to dehydrate yourself.” You scolded with a playful tone as you ran your fingers through her hair.

“We’re just,” Nanaba let out a sniffle, “we’re just really happy to see you awake again, it was so agonizing when you weren’t here to respond to me and Hanji’s stories, or when Erwin would—“ a hand covered Nanaba’s mouth, “Okay, that’s enough. I think Reader gets the point.” Erwin tried to save himself from embarrassment.

In which you did honour, by not telling them you heard all of them in your sleep.

“You better bet your ass, you’re never leaving our sights again after this.” Levi called out, leaning against the wall. You sighed softly before putting a smile on, “Reasonable.”

“We’re happy to see you awake and up again, Reader. We love you so much.” Mike kissed the top of your head, getting a slight whiff of your hair, which surprisingly smelled fine even though you haven’t taken a proper shower in a month.

You felt your cheeks heat up a small bit, you held onto Nanaba’s hand as she argued about how disgusting it was for Erwin to put his hand on her mouth, just after an expedition.

You leaned your hair onto Hanji’s shoulder before finally letting your eyes rest a bit, just enjoying your reunion with your lovers once more, finally you mumbled out,

“I love you guys too.”

[defectiveconantoy]

Memories (ShinRan)

Fandom: Detective Conan

Pairing: ShinRan

Rating: T

Genres: Angst, Comfort

Words: 1,535

Author’s Notes: Remember my old WIP? I changed the title and finished drafting it right before @shinranweek was announced. 😅 The story is angst-ish mixed with confort. Enjoy!

“What a gloomy day!” Ran stares at the living room window with a frown on her face before returning to the couch. Shinichi, on the other hand, is fine with staying at home. He calmly stares at the television screen and says, “I wouldn’t worry. There’s always tomorrow. We can go to the park again, like we did yesterday. And remember, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to stay. We have time.” That reassured Ran.

The Kudo mansion is quiet this Saturday afternoon, except for the rain lightly tapping on the windows and the sound of soup boiling in the background. Its smell of broth and fresh green onions linger around the living room and near the couch where she and Shinichi were located. Ran constantly switches her attention between the living room and kitchen while Shinichi sits and absentmindedly watches television.

Ran is spending the weekend over at Shinichi’s house. His parents are away for the week, and her father, Kogoro, left town for a case. During her visits, Ran’s favorite activity is to cook warm, homemade meals for an eager and hungry Shinichi, a tradition that first started during his Conan days. Today’s dish is miso soup, the perfect fix for the rainy weather. Good thing the meal sounds good because mothing good is on television right now. Bored, Shinichi daydreams, drifting to flashbacks of the past year’s chaos.

Calling it all chaos is an understatement. Might as well call it having your body and spirit stretched, compressed, stomped on, and slapped around. Being Conan was not easy. It was like one’s soul was screaming but nothing came out because its lips were sealed shut. He wished to tell Ran everything, to run free and stop living a double life and pretending he was not really Kudo Shinichi. The dangerous situation was an imaginary brick wall between him and Ran. He looked forward to finally breaking it and no longer seeing her hurting and waiting.

The Black Organization’s attack on him was a flash of lightning that ruined years of work achieved during his lifetime. Never will he forget the humiliation endured from being knocked down, bloodied, pulled by the hair, and forced to swallow that wretched pill. The poison’s few minutes of piercing, bone melting pain were followed by missed opportunities. Being Conan was a unique experience, but he can’t deny how his new life caused him to temporarily sacrifice his old one. To this day, he struggles to adjust but still manages to move on, in spite of slipping the occasional ah le le and Ran-neechan.

He next thinks about the moment he received the permanent APTX 4869 antidote. Days after receiving the pill, he recalls lying on a couch near Haibara Ai, who observed and documented his reaction to the drug. “Good news, Kudo-kun! Looks like the antidote is working as expected. Your vitals look fine. No heart problems or side effects. Everything looks great. Come back to visit me one week from now.” “Tch! You’d see me anyway. I live right next door,” Shinichi joked back.

At first, he was scared the drug was a fluke and would turn him back into Conan. Luckily, it ended well because he experienced the heart pounding and drastic bone growth without the shrinking afterwards. The worst after-effect was becoming Haibara’s test subject for a few days before her trying the antidote on herself. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make. After all, the first step in facing the Organization and gaining power over them was becoming himself again.

Back to reality. Shinichi shifts his attention back to the television screen and sighs. “Commercials are currently on. Still nothing good! How stupid!” The rain briefly stopped, but the clouds remain present. The house is a bit dark during these daytime hours. Ran is now in the kitchen stirring the soup.

Ran. Shinichi now blushes after he remembers telling her the truth a few weeks ago. He returned to the Mouri residence to pick up Conan’s (or his) belongings. They spoke alone in her bedroom, with her doing most of the talking. And boy, did he feel guilty! The memories hurt. He feels embarassed now while deep in his thoughts as he did then. He lied to her about his identity and used that front to stay at her home, take a bath with her, and unintentionally tune in on secrets she would never tell him as Shinichi.

Their conversation was actually quite a relief. Ran was more upset by him frequently running away to solve cases than over his massive lie. Shinichi felt grateful for her not breaking up with him, though their argument was settled under one condition: she keeps a very close eye on him. At least he finally gets to spend more time with her as himself this time.

He also owes Ran his life after the Black Organization’s defeat. Shinichi initially refused to get her involved. She instead was persistent and unwilling to listen. Never will she make the mistake of letting him run into danger alone again. His fast reflexes and her karate skills helped them escape a deadly kidnapping.

All this thinking makes Shinichi dose off and take a nap. In his sleep, he envisions Ran and himself strapped together, roped by their arms and waists and their backs turned away from one another. Ran lets out a soft cry, “Shinichi. I don’t want to die.” “Don’t say that,” he whispers. “Look, I have a plan. What we will do is —ah!” Gin appears out of nowhere, interrupting his speech before point a gun to his chest and forcing the poison on him again. He shoots and runs away before Shinichi could fight for Ran and himself. His vision is now blurred, and Ran is nowhere to be felt. He whimpers, and right when he becomes concerned about his body shrinking again, he wakes up sweating and screaming.

“Shinichi!” Concerned, Ran immediately darts towards the living room and sits on the edge of the couch. Shinichi’s eyes widened. He jitters, pants, and looks around in all directions before throwing himself at Ran with a tight embrace. She silently smiles and begins stroking his back. “Shhh! There! It’s okay. It’s okay,” Ran whispers before kissing his hair. He moves up and rests his face against her left shoulder. She eventually presses his back as a cue to change positions. “Hmm...please don’t leave,” Shinichi whispers. Ran responds, “Of course not! I just want to adjust myself.” “Oh!”

They settle down. Shinichi turns the TV off and begins talking: “Ran, I just had a nightmare about us. The Black Organization kidnapped us. Gin shot me and left me for dead once more. I couldn’t hear you, and I swore I was going to turn into Conan again. My first encounter with the Organization left me scared for my life. Scared for you too. Scared they would hurt you. I’m sorry again for everything. If I could take back this past year, I would. I betrayed you. I’d stop myself from leaving you behind back in Tropical Land. Back when I was Conan-kun, I wished you knew everything, but it would hurt you. I was also told not to tell you. Agasa-hakase and Haibara —”

“Ai-chan?”

“Yeah, her,” Shinichi continued. She even aimed a gun at me at the hospital after you donated blood to treat my gunshot wound. Or so I thought. It was a fake gun concealing a small bouquet of flowers. She scared me into not telling you about the Organization or Conan-kun’s true identity. I don’t blame her. That girl was really scared. She would panic any time she sensed their presence. Honestly, I was scared too, only better at hiding it. I didn’t want you to ever see me suffering and turning into Conan or get suspicious, discover everything on your own, and get yourself into deep trouble. Sorry again for getting you into this mess.”

“Don’t apologize,” Ran started. “I trust you. I knew you were hurting but couldn’t tell me for some some reason. I waited for the day you’d return and tell me everything face-to-face. When you first left, I’d sometimes think you were out fooling around with other women. But that’s not you. You were pretty close to me before that incident. You, the Deduction Freak, always talking to me about Holmes or the case of the day. Still, you changed since leaving. I sensed it though our phone calls and in Conan-kun.”

He remarked, “Conan was a new experience. I think it provided opportunities. I met the Shonen Tantei-dan, Hattori, Haibara, Akai-san, and so on. I also gained the courage to confess my feelings to you. Anyway, it’s nice to be back. I missed you.”

“I missed you too. I’m glad you’re back. Well, the miso soup is almost ready. Want to help me prepare the table?”

Shinichi replies with a grin, “Sure, Ran-neechan!”

“Here we go again! You can’t get away with your Conan-kun act this time.”

“Haha! I kid, I kid,” Shinichi joked. He smiled in Ran’s direction. “Let’s do this. I’m hungry!”

[sunnysviolin]

I would sell my soul for you to keep posting Runaway AU and I don't even have to, but it's... tempting...

Hhhhhh don’t know how I feel about this one nonnie!! It feels kind of.. just there? But we are getting closer to the end of Runaway AU. Well the end of the intitial set up of it, but I can always write more in this universe if people like it! There’s probably one more part to Runaway AU the background story, and then it would just be like if people enjoy the universe. For now take some whoelsome Basil and Aubrey content. They’re the characters I feel shakiest writing, but here it is As always Runaway AU is under a read more because it has certain triggers. TW: Homelessness TW: Child Neglect TW: Running Away

Contrary to what Aubrey thought….someone did notice when things started changing for her. 

Basil noticed when Aubrey stopped turning in her work on time. He had noticed her wearing the same three or four outfits mixed up into a bunch of combinations. He noticed how faded and slightly dirty her clothes had gotten, how the patches on them had steadily increased. 

He noticed her sleeping more often during lunch or study hall, and how she stopped breaking away from him on their walk home to go back to her own house. She ate ravenously whenever he invited her over for dinner, and she never skipped breakfast at school, even eating when he knew she didn’t like the options. 

But it was asking for a job that was truly damning. 

Aubrey’s mother had always forbidden her from working, and made sure Aubrey had at least some pocket money. It was a thing that had continued even after her father had left. Basil didn’t really like Aubrey’s mother, but he thought he understood her pretty well. She couldn’t give Aubrey what either of them really wanted, but she made sure that Aubrey had enough money so that no one could question if she was caring enough for her daughter. 

It was the same thing his parents did in a way. Getting a job for Basil was a step towards independence, a healing experience where he could earn his own living and feel accomplished. Somehow he doubted that’s why Aubrey was asking for one. 

All the same, he gave her the job. Because he loved her, because she was one of his best friends, and because he was starting to think she might need some more help than she was saying. 

He let her bring in Maribelle to work, doting on the little creature with snacks and pets when he had the chance. He gave her a raise even though it annoyed his boss, and he waited for her to talk to him. She didn’t. She just kept going, getting more and more rundown with every day, more and more weary each time he saw her. He knew intimately what it was like to be holding onto a secret and letting it kill you. So that night when he saw her in the park on his walk home from work, he followed her. 

Which leads Basil back to now, staring wide eyed as Aubrey lost her normal cool demeanor and displayed all of her pain for him to see but not understand. Aubrey stared at him from where she sat on the dock. She still wasn’t wearing a coat, her torn jacket wrapped around her bunny in her lap instead of herself. Basil shivered at the thought of how cold she must be. 

He walks over slow and careful, not wanting to spook her. He doesn’t know what’s going on, or what Aubrey needs, but Basil knows what he needs and that’s to help her however he can. 

“I’m fine,” She says completely unprompted, sounding the exact opposite of fine. Basil bites his tongue before he can disagree with Aubrey. After years of knowing her, he’s learned very well that Aubrey will take any chance she can to win a fight. Basil doesn’t want to have a fight right now, he just wants to get her somewhere warm. 

He doesn’t end up saying anything, nothing feels right for the magnitude of this situation. As he sits, Basil unzips his coat and shrugs it off of his shoulders, passing it to Aubrey who looks down at it and then back at him. She doesn’t put it on, and it sits heavy between them. 

“I’m fine,” She repeats again, rubbing at her cheeks to stem the tears. Aubrey does so in a brutal manner, wiping under her eyes fiercely in a way that makes Basil wince. Aubrey doesn’t know how to treat anything gently, not even herself. Her harsh motion doesn’t stop the tears from coming. 

Basil looks out at the pond. Even in the dark of the night the water reflects an almost there glow. He remembers the shock of the freezing water hitting his back when she pushed him in, how the water slipped into his lungs fast and fatal. 

In a way, Basil is eternally grateful for that shove. Yes it was frightening, and yes, he almost died, but if he hadn’t almost died then, he doesn’t think he would be alive today. He knows Aubrey still feels bad about what she did, but Basil doesn’t. He knows what it’s like to make a mistake. She forgave his, so how could he not forgive hers?

“I’m-”  A rough sob tears out of her throat, ugly and painful, cutting off Aubrey’s continued lie. Basil still doesn’t speak as she goes back to crying. He just continues to look out at the water, putting a single hand on her knee. Aubrey always got embarrassed by crying, it was kinder to look away. 

He sits and plays witness to her for another moment, before pulling himself back into standing. He wraps his coat around her shoulders, and helps her up. They walk back to his house without speaking, one not knowing what to say and one unable to speak through her tears. 

He unlocks the door and sits Aubrey down in one of the wicker chairs of the kitchen table. She is nearly blue with cold so the first thing he does is grab one of the many thick quilts that they have in the linen closet. Basil unconsciously chooses a deep purple patchwork with pink accents, a favorite of his late grandmother. She had put particular care into making this quilt special, and Basil subconsciously brings it out when he needs her the most. 

Polly is asleep, having gone to bed early with a headache. She had texted him while he was at work explaining, leaving a dinner of homemade vegetable soup on the stove to heat. Basil doesn’t want to wake her if he doesn’t have to, but he might have to. Aubrey is past the point of shaking cold, and she is still crying. 

Basil is nervous but he pushes past his anxieties and focuses on Aubrey. Aubrey needs him, and he can be there for her. He wraps the blanket tight around her, gently opening her arms so he can grab Maribelle from her. 

This gets Aubrey to finally react, pulling her arms back so she can clutch the tiny creature back against her chest. Basil worries his lip and tries again, finally talking to his friend in a soft gentle voice.

“Can I take her from you, Aubrey? I’m a lot warmer, and I- I promise I’ll keep her safe. You’re both safe now,”

He adds that last bit as almost an afterthought, just another thing to say to try and make Aubrey feel better. Basil was never good with words, but somehow he thinks he said the right thing. 

Aubrey takes a shaking breath and nods, letting him take her bunny. Maribelle immediately snuggles into his warmth her ears two tiny icicles on his chest. He idly pets at her, scratching the place between her ears that makes her happy, and then he turns to the stove. 

He isn’t very good at things like this, but he knows a couple things. He needs to get Aubrey warm, he needs to feed her, and he needs to get her to tell him what’s happening. As he lights the stove and heats up their dinner, Basil begins to wonder how exactly he is going to do that.

[eebiedoo]

EASY WEEKDAY RAMEN

Just an easy weekday lunch on the cheap without compromising flavor or satisfaction. I learned most everything I know from the “way of ramen” channel on YouTube so check them out.

THE FIVE COMPONENTS:

Really good ramen has five basic components. Broth, noodles, aromatic oil, tare (seasonings like mirin and soy sauce), and toppings. Let’s take a look at some options I feel fit the cheap and easy vibe of this recipe.

The soup: at home I just use the packet from instant ramen, my favorites being Sapporo ichiban beef, and nissin’s tonkotsu from their raoh line.

I also like to add umami using a ground mushroom mix from Trader Joe’s, since I don’t like the texture of mushrooms. You could also use dried shiitake too.

NOODLES: again we turn to instant ramen for the noodles. They’re quick, and palatable enough for me, though I avoid maruchan where possible. I like to boil them separately from the soup usually, but lately I’ve gotten lazy and boil them together to save on dishes. You could also make your own noodles but beware, chefs mean it when they say it takes ten years to master making noodles.

OIL: This part seems to get overlooked a lot but it’s a big part of enjoying the bowl 🍲 I like to use about a clove of minced garlic and an equal amount of ginger paste. Fry in a quarter cup of vegetable oil for a minute or until the garlic and ginger are nicely browned and remove from the heat. To make this quicker and spicier you can also use chili oil instead.

TARE: traditional ramen gets all of its bolder flavors from the tare, but we’ve already got a lot going on here, so we’ll keep it simple. A table spin of soy sauce and a dash each of mirin and Worcestershire sauce. If you’re making this ahead of time you can also cook the tare on the stove with garlic and ginger to increase the flavor and mellow out the soy sauce.

TOPPINGS: everybody’s favorite part of ramen am I right? Now I presume you’ve seen naruto before and if not let me explain that he likes ramen with a soft boiled egg, extra chashu pork and pickled bamboo shoot (menma).

I don’t really care to make chashu and can’t seem to find it at my local grocer, so I go for lunch meats. Particularly sliced roast Beef if I’m making a beef broth. Here’s some other tasty toppings

Blanched spinach

Water chestnuts (sliced)

Sliced green/spring onion

Sliced and grilled leek

Small nori (dried seaweed) sheets

Bean sprouts (boiled is best)

Crispy bacon

I’ve also heard good things about corn and butter on miso ramen.

SERVING: we’re not done yet. Many chefs advocate serving in a warmed bowl. I made this easy by microwaving my bowls for 30 sec. adjust according to your dishes and microwave. From here we start with about a tablespoon of your aromatic oil, then a tablespoon of tare. As about two cups of soup, and then noodles. Pull your noodles from one end of the bowl across to form a visible patty in the middle of your showy like me. Finally add your desired toppings. I like a couple pieces of nori, roast beef, pickled bamboo shoots, and green onion.

And there you have it. Ideally this should have only taken two pots and a can opener for dishes, so it’s great for serving a crowd. And now that we’ve come to the end, do me a favor, experiment for yourself and tell me how it goes. See if you can make miso ramen work, because I can’t seem to get close to restaurant quality miso.

TLDR: add cheap toppings and umami boosters to your instant ramen to make it taste better.

[jackfrostsander]

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday little Robin! Happy birthday to you!

Also available on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33374809

Friday August 20th, 2021

08:43

Robbe slowly woke up… With his eyes still closed his hand looked for the warmth of Sander’s body next to him… “San???” Robbe jumped up as his hand had felt nothing but cold bedsheets. There was no trace of Sander in his bed except for his intoxicating smell that still emanated from the bedsheets. Robbe jumped out of bed, took the first shirt he could find from the floor – Sander’s lightning bolt t-shirt – and went to check the bathroom… Nope, nobody there… Maybe Sander woke up before him and is already having breakfast downstairs?

As Robbe ran into the living room he got the surprise of his life… A large banner hang across the room saying “Happy 18th birthday!”.

As Robbe walked in Sander and his mum started to sing together:

“Long will he live… Long will he live… Long will he live in the gloria! In the gloria! In the gloria! Hieperdepiep hooray!”

Robbe ran towards Sander and jumped into his arms like a hyperexcited little child. Sander nearly lost his balance… But before he even got his feet steady again Robbe was already showering him in kisses. Sander allowed him to indulge and so for the next several minutes they did nothing but exchange kisses and ‘I love you’s’.

Eventually Robbe remembered that his mum was standing there patiently waiting to wish her son a happy birthday too so he reluctantly let go of Sander’s comforting embrace. Robbe turned towards his mother. “Happy birthday Robbe! No mum could be prouder of her son” Charlotte said. “I love you mum” Robbe replied before hugging her. She gave him three birthday kisses and then pulled back while her hands retrieved a gift from behind her back. She gave the box, wrapped in orange gift wrap, to Robbe who eagerly opened it. Inside he found a box of his favourite cookies. “Thanks mum!” Robbe said. “I have something else…” Charlotte added, “But I couldn’t wrap it… I bought you a licence for the video editing software you need for university…”. “Mum… You didn’t need to… OMG, Thank you so much…” Robbe said before hugging her again. The software was not cheap and since the breakup with his dad she had to pay everything from a single income and that meant that it wasn’t always easy… So, as happy as Robbe was with his present, he also was feeling somewhat guilty that his mum had spent so much money on his gift.

“First gift of the day” Sander said while handing a drawing over to Robbe. It depicted Robbe spray painting the garbage truck. A memory of the first time Sander had seen him and had instantly fallen for him… “It’s amazing San! Thank you!” Robbe exclaimed before pulling his boyfriend in for a kiss. “Oooo wait… I am not done yet…” Sander said as he handed Robbe a long rectangular box that was wrapped in Sander's favourite Bowie gift wrap paper. "For me?" Robbe asked surprised. "For who else..." Sander teased. "Thank you San!" Robbe exclaimed as he started to unwrap the box. Inside he found a plain cardboard box. Robbe burned with curiosity for what was hidden inside this box. He opened the box and... "A skateboard!" Robbe blurted out in joy. "Check the bottom side" Sander instructed. Robbe turned the deck over and... Most skateboards have some kind of art decoration on the bottom but this one... This one had been spray painted by his artist... "Sander..." Robbe said with an open mouth as he admired the work of his talented boyfriend. Robbe put the board down, turned towards Sander and pulled his lover in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around Sander's neck while his lips never departed those of Sander. He could spend the whole day like this... Just being with Sander... Feeling his skin against his own... Feeling those soft lips and warm tongue... Inhaling Sander's mesmerizing smell... Oh, he didn't need anything more to have a perfect birthday...

Then Sander took Robbe to the kitchen where a pile of freshly baked pancakes was waiting for them… There was butter, jam, different sugars, chocolate topping, and whipped cream as complements to the pancakes. Robbe was instantly salivating at the delicious smell. How lucky was he that his boyfriend could cook… Because he didn’t get much further than instant noodles… But Sander could make all sorts of things. Not just croques but also spaghetti with homemade bolognaise sauce, steak frites, witloof with ham in cheese sauce,… and the fresh soup he made for Robbe when he was in bed with a cold. Sander nursed him for days until Robbe felt better again. For sure, Sander’s fresh soup and honey-spiked warm tea had helped to clear his airways.

“Are there any croques with cardamon?” Robbe teased his boyfriend. Sander made a disgusted face upon being remembered of Robbe’s little experiment at the sea earlier this summer… Sander had told him that they would taste awful but Robbe had stubbornly ignored his boyfriend’s advice. When the croque was ready it really did taste badly but Robbe forced himself to take several bites to avoid having to agree with Sander…

Robbe grabbed a pancake from the pile and added whipped cream and chocolate topping to it. Next, he rolled it up into a delicious sweet bite-sized roll from which he took a bite. Hmmmm, heaven… He wanted to share his creation with his boyfriend so he turned towards Sander and fed him another bite from the rolled up pancake. Sander closed his eyes as he enjoyed the food liking the chocolate sauce from his lips with his tongue… Robbe nearly combusted at seeing Sander act like this. He wasn’t sure if it was intentional on Sander’s behalf or if he was oblivious to the effect that his actions had on his boyfriend… Well… knowing Sander he probably was well aware of the fact that he was a massive tease by licking his lips like this…

Robbe couldn’t control himself and before Sander had opened his eyes Robbe’s lips were pressed against his. He tasted the chocolate/whipped cream/pancake taste from Sander’s lips mixed with the black coffee that his boyfriend must have had earlier today… This kiss quickly deepened and Robbe nearly forgot that he was in his mum’s kitchen… Luckily he remembered where he was before things got too far… He pulled back and looked deeply into those emerald eyes of his perfect boyfriend. How lucky he was… He could stare into those eyes all day and not grow tired off it. He was mesmerised by his boyfriend’s beauty… He started to caress Sander’s cheek while whispering “I love you soooo much”. And Sander melted into a puddle in front of him…

11:03

"Come" Sander instructed while extending his hand in Robbe's direction. "Where are we going?" Robbe demanded to know. "Surprise... Come" Sander repeated. Robbe smiled softly. The unpredictable nature of Sander was one of the things he loved the most. He loved the cute and special surprises that Sander regularly planned for him. He knew that with Sander by his side life would never be boring. So, he enthusiastically grabbed Sander's extended hand and allowed himself to be pulled out of his mum's home on the way to whatever adventure Sander had in stall for him...

Once outside Robbe wanted to grab their bikes but Sander stopped him. "Let's walk" Sander suggested. Robbe gave Sander a quick rub on his back before interlocking his hand in Sander's. And so, hand in hand they walked across town... Stopping regularly to take some artistic pictures or inspect some street art...

12:19

Robbe's stomach growled. "Getting hungry?" Sander inquired. "Fainting" Robbe replied. "Well, that's perfect on schedule..." Sander replied earning him a confused look from Robbe. "We're nearly at the restaurant where I reserved a table for us..." Sander clarified. "Not at the hospital, I hope?" Robbe jokingly asked. Sander was confused for a moment until he noticed that they were indeed walking past the hospital. Sander snorted. "Nope, something much better than under-seasoned bland potato puree they serve in hospitals..." Sander replied with a smirk.

Not even a minute later they arrived at Sander's chosen restaurant. Robbe had expected to eat some burgers and fries or pizza... Or maybe a steak frites at a brasserie... However, that was clearly not what Sander had in mind for today… "A one Michelin star restaurant!?" Robbe exclaimed in disbelief. "From the best dessert chef of Belgium" Sander added. "But... That's too expensive..." Robbe said. "Nothing is too expensive for you..." Sander replied before pulling Robbe towards the entrance gate of the restaurant.

"Good afternoon young gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?" the maître d' asked. "Yes, on the name of IJzermans-Driesen" Sander replied. "Ok, let me show you your table" the maître d' said as he guided the two boys to a lovely table at the terrace outside of the restaurant. It was the ideal weather to eat outside. Not too cold and also not oppressively warm… Just the perfect mild Belgian summer weather with a slight breeze. Only rain could be a problem according to the weather forecast but so far it had remained dry and the sky looked clear...

The maître d' handed the boys the menu cards and asked if he could already bring an aperitif. "Two glasses of champagne" Sander immediately replied. "Champagne?" Robbe said in disbelief. "It's your birthday sweetie" Sander said. Robbe's worries about Sander's spending become even worse when he opened up the menu card. "Any idea what you would like?" Sander asked. "Maybe just the brioche wagyu" Robbe suggested. "Sweetie, its fine. Ignore the prices..." Sander said, "What do you think of the tacos as a starter?". "Tacos... That's sounds nice" Robbe said. "Ok, and what do you think about sea bass for a main?" Sander suggested. Robbe quickly checked Sander's suggestion... 49.50 euro for the bass... Robbe felt so uncomfortable to have Sander spend that much money on him... Sander must have noticed... "Sweetie... You only once become 18... Just relax and enjoy... Sometimes one just should stop thinking about things and just enjoy the special moments..." Sander said. Robbe smiled. "You're special enough..." Robbe said, "I don't need fancy food... Just having you by my side...". "You're such a romantic..." Sander teased.

13:55

After a mind-blowing starter and an exquisite main dish the boys were waiting for dessert when... The chef of the restaurant, Robbe recognized him from his TV-show that his mother watches, walks out with two plates and comes over to them. He places a desert plate in front of Robbe with in chocolate glace "Happy 18th birthday" piped on it. "Happy birthday young man" the chef says, "I hope you have enjoyed your lunch?". "It was outstanding! A true delight for the palate!" Robbe complimented the chef. "Thank you. Enjoy your desert and the rest of your birthday" the chef said before returning to the kitchen.

14:22

After an astonishing gastronomic lunch the boys decided to use the restrooms before leaving the restaurant. As they walked in Robbe observed that they were alone there so in an impulse he changed plans and pushed Sander against the wall… Before his head could hit the wall Robbe inserted his hand. He pushed his body impossibly close to Sander’s and they started to kiss passionately… Robbe moaned… His body burning with desire… No matter how close their bodies were it would never be close enough for Robbe… Sander… Sander… Sander… was the only thing Robbe could think about. He was in a public space… He shouldn’t take things too far… But trying to constrain himself was soooo difficult… It felt like his whole body was screaming for Sander… He was slowly losing the battle that was going on in his mind… Until… Footsteps… Someone was approaching the door… Robbe quickly withdrew and went to the sink to wash his hands while Sander went to use the restroom…

21:15

"Come" Sander said as he pulled Robbe towards what looked like an abandoned factory. "San, what are you doing?" Robbe objected as Sander pulled him past the fence. He had no intention of getting arrested for trespassing on his birthday... But Sander didn’t seem to care. "Come..." Sander instructed again. He pulled Robbe towards the door and opened the door…

“Surprise!” dozens of voices shouted. Everyone was there… The broerrrs, his parents, Sander’s parents, his aunt, his grandparents, Zoë, Senne, Milan, Yasmina,… “Third surprise” Sander beamed.

The old factory was in fact a party venue and it had been completely decorated… All his family and friends were standing around cocktail tables covered in black spandex. The sealing was covered in various coloured spots, party lasers and mirror balls. There was a bar, dance floor and music installation. Hanging on the wall in front of him was “18” spelled out in silver Mylar balloons surrounded by floating black and white balloons. But nothing could have prepared Robbe, and also most of the people present, for what was coming next…

21:21

Suddenly, Sander got down on his one knee. In the background Bowie’s Wedding song started to play… “Robbe IJzermans… My angel… The love of my life… My soulmate… The sun who illuminates my existence… Would you do me the honour of becoming my husband?” Sander asked while he presented Robbe with a flat silver, satin-finish, comfort-fit, 7 mm wide engagement ring that had a lightning bolt engraved in it. It was a truly stunning ring, clearly chosen by someone with impeccable artistic taste…

Robbe was speechless… This wasn’t happening… Did Sander really just asked him to marry him??? Robbe’s heart skipped a beat or two and his brain went into a mild epileptic seizure as he was trying to comprehend what was happening… “Marry… you…” Robbe finally stuttered in a questioning tone. “Yes, I want to marry you” Sander replied.

Robbe was silent for another brief moment before he spoke: “On one condition…”. This must have taken Sander by surprise as he instantly gave Robbe a confused look. Robbe bended down and whispered in his ear: “I am not marrying nude”. Sander snorted at Robbe’s joke but also blushed a bit when he remembered the conversation from almost 2 years ago... “Condition accepted!” Sander loudly proclaimed as he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and started to kiss him. Both boys were in tears now. Happy tears.

The beginning of their relationship had been a bit chaotic and Robbe struggled with his internalized homophobia and Sander with the demons in his head and the doubts about if Robbe would stay with him when all aspects of him got revealed… However, it didn’t took Robbe more than two months after first meeting Sander to be completely convinced that this was the boy he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Sander made him feel things that he didn’t even know one could feel… And those feelings have never changed… Every time Sander touches or kisses him still feels as special as that first time… Every single time Robbe gets butterflies in his stomach, chills though his spine, and Chernobyl in his head… A never ending honeymoon phase…

Their family and friends started to applaud. After making out for a few minutes the awkward position started to become uncomfortable enough to force them to stop kissing and get up. Sander quickly placed the ring on Robbe’s finger before pulling him in for more kisses.

After a few minutes of pure bliss… Making out with Sander… The boys finally broke apart ready to accept the birthday and engagement wishes from their family and friends. But first, Sander snapped a picture of his fiancée’s hand with the ring and uploaded it on his Instagram. As caption he added a fragment from Bowie’s wedding song:

I believe in magic

Angel for life

Robbe got a message from his mum. It was several pics that she had taken of Sander proposing to him. Robbe quickly looked through the pics and decided upon the best one. He was going to upload this on his Instagram to show the world that Sander was his. Robbe isn’t the boasting type of person but he can’t help to feel soooo lucky and proud to say that Sander is his and the whole world can know it. Sander is his… Even after all this time this thought was almost surreal to Robbe. Why did the universe grant him such happiness? “Nowhere as happy as we are…” Robbe remembered Sander’s words. How true this statement was…

"But where will we live?" Robbe asked Sander. "You and Sander can keep living with me... If you want at least... Until after you finish university and have the means to find a place of your own..." Charlotte interrupted. "I have the best mum and boyfriend in the whole world!" Robbe exclaimed while jumping around his mum's neck like the baby koala he is. "Fiancée" Sander corrected him earning him a playful push from Robbe back.

In the meantime Sander’s parents had walked towards them… “Happy birthday Robbe and welcome in the family” Isabelle said. “Thank you” Robbe said as he hugged Sander’s mum. “You’re the best son-in-law that any mother could imagine… And know that you and Sander can always count on us if you need our help” she said. Robbe smiled: “Thank you so much”. He felt Sander’s father’s hand on his shoulder so he let loose of Isabelle and turned toward him. “Happy birthday Robbe!” Charles said. “Thank you” Robbe said with a smile. “We have something for you that you will soon need…” Charles said as he handed over a box. Robbe opened the box and found… “A Nikon Z6 II!!!” Robbe exclaimed. Sander’s parents were quite well-to-do but that was exuberant even by their standards… “I… I… can’t…” Robbe stuttered. “We’ve only got one future son-in-law… And you deserve it Robbe. You really do. Look at Sander. We’ve never seen him this happy in his whole life. And I know you will make all of us proud with your movies” Charles said. Robbe blinked away a tear. Not only did he have the best boyfriend but also the best parents-in-law that anyone could wish for… Indeed, Sander’s parents had always been there for him and Sander… From the first day they had welcomed him with open arms.

Suddenly his dad showed up and grabbing him by the shoulder he lead Robbe a meter or two away from Sander and his parents. “Happy birthday son and congratulations with your engagement” Louis said. “Thanks dad!” Robbe replied. His dad took a little box from his pocket and gave it to him. Robbe unwrapped it… “A new phone!” Robbe exclaimed. “Your current one is quite beaten up… So, I think you can use this…” his dad explained. “Yes! Thank you dad!” Robbe smiled. Robbe was about to turn around when his dad hold him by the shoulder. “You know… I mean… You’re still young… You don’t have to rush into things…” Louis started. “Dad, what are you saying?” Robbe asked in a slight fierce tone as he didn’t like where his dad was going. “Your mum and I also got married at young age…” Louis added. Robbe didn’t like this conversation at all. He would like to tell his dad what he thinks about the fact that he cheated on his mum and then left her. But this was a happy day and he was not going to let his dad ruin it. So, he just turned around without saying something. “Robbe…” his dad yelled but Robbe decided to ignore him.

He didn’t get far before Sander appeared next to him. He must have noticed that Robbe was irritated after that short talk with his dad. His boyfriend is so observant. “Nothing, I am fine San” Robbe replied. Sander clearly didn’t believe it as he gave Robbe a ‘tell me what’s wrong’ look. “Just my dad… He’s annoying again… But I am not going to let him ruin the happy mood” Robbe said. He gave Sander a smile to let him know that he was truly fine. Sander didn’t seem fully reassured yet so Robbe added: “Nowhere as happy as we are”. This sentence had since become one of the reoccurring lines that they used to profess their love to each other…

Robbe and Sander spend the next half an hour going around to everyone to receive Robbe’s birthday wishes and presents and their engagement wishes. Zoë gave him a new beanie. Jens gave him two presents. One from himself and one in name of Jana who was back in New York. And then there was Noor… She had given him a lightning bolt earing. Robbe seriously doubted he would get the opportunity to wear it as his boyfriend would probably steal it… After all, Sander got his right ear pierced recently…

22:02

“DJ Sobbe!” Jens yelled. “Sobbe! Sobbe! Sobbe!” everyone started to chant as the boys made their way to the music installation. Robbe grabbed the mic and yelled: “Who’s in for a partyyyyy!” while Sander got the first song playing. Moyo came over and handed the lovers two beers. “Cheers!” Robbe said as he clinked his bottle against Moyo’s. “The first broerrr to get married…” Moyo said, “I am focking proud of you!”. Robbe beamed.

02:18

The party had ended about twenty minutes ago and Robbe at first thought that Sander was walking him home but he soon noticed that they were heading in a different direction… Now, they were walking down the ‘Keizersstraat’. “Could it be?” Robbe started to wonder. And of course… They halted in front of THEIR hotel. “Penthouse suite for the night? Large bed and nobody to interrupt us…” Sander asked. “Sander…” Robbe said in disbelief. There didn’t seem to come an end to the surprises that Sander had in stall for him… “Shall we repeat that night?” Sander asked. Robbe beamed. “I promise I won’t run away this time” he added. “You better don’t or I shackle you to the bed…” Robbe teased. “Ooooo… I like your thinking…” Sander replied with a smirk. Most often Sander tended to dominate in bed but he also loved to occasionally give complete control to Robbe… “Be careful what you wish for…” Robbe continued to tease.