#and free baked alaskas for all

[igotsnothing]

Summer 🍃 -15-

Beginning/Previous/Next

[rcmclachlan]

tease tidbit tuesday

I was tagged by @leashybebes and @beanarie. Thanks, y'all!

"Is this a bad time?" Tommy asks, voice low. "You're not, uh, on shift, are you?"  There was a time when Tommy knew Buck's schedule better than his own, mostly because they'd synced their Google calendars about three months in. It made scheduling date nights around their shifts easier; it took the guesswork out. Plus they had way too much fun giving the events dumb names, like Cross-Functional Alignment Strategy Session for a lunch date or Roundtable Performance Review on the days they went to the gym together. They'd once blocked a shared 48 off for a sex marathon and then nearly laughed themselves into traction when Tommy's teammate Nico asked how the Interdepartmental Alignment & Team Building Conference was. Nowadays Buck's schedule looks extremely boring without Tommy's neon green blocks filling it up, and the only events he has are his work shifts and reminders to pick up unsalted butter. "N-No, I'm home," Buck says, then glares at his oven. "I'm just… baking." "Oh yeah?" A soft hiss comes down over the line, and it takes Buck a second to recognize the sound of Tommy sucking air through his teeth. "What are you…?" "Chocolate croissants. Or, uh, I'm trying to. The butter's either too soft and it melts all over the oven or it's too hard and it just sort of sits in clumps. Making baked Alaska was easier than this. I-I've gone through stages of grief I didn't even know existed before tonight, and I'm coming to the conclusion that I might need to, like, sacrifice my KitchenAid to the baking gods for an assist." When Tommy laughs, the speaker crackles, and Buck holds his phone as tightly to his ear as he can so he can feel it deep inside the canal. It's loud. It hurts a little. "That's crazy talk," Tommy says breathlessly. "There's gotta be a perfectly good goat lying around for you to sacrifice instead. What about the lady in 291? You know she's got an entire barnyard menagerie in there." A grin erupts over Buck's face, so wide that the pull of it aches. "One of the maintenance guys knocked on her door when I was heading to work the other day. When she opened it, the biggest chicken I've ever seen came flying out. I thought the guy was going to shit." "I heard something mooing in there once." "You did not," Buck laughs, and then has the sudden urge to crawl into the oven and rip out the baking element tube with his bare hands.  It shouldn't be this easy. It should be stilted and awkward, and his hands should be sweating because every sentence is like pulling teeth, and every word out of his mouth should be a little absent because he's too focused on counting down the seconds until he's free of this.  But it is easy. It's effortless. It's like they're picking up right where they left off, and it wouldn't take anything to just pretend the last four months didn't happen and this conversation is what followed Tommy's dumb joke about spumoni. Maybe they can rewrite over the save point. Maybe they can just start the game over.

Tagging @liminalmemories21, @alchemistc, @firehose118, @geddyqueer, and @setmeatopthepyre

[boybandbaby]

Say You Wanna Marry Me (Evan Buckley x Fem!Reader)

word count: 1655

warnings: fem!reader, proposal, buck doubting himself

It had started as a fun joke between you and Buck after your first date. You witnessed a young couple’s proposal and saw how they were doted on by the wait staff. After salivating at the mouth over the free baked alaska they received, you and Buck decided faking a proposal for the treatment and free items would be fun.

You both promised to only try it once and to do it at a really expensive restaurant outside of town. On your second date, while strolling around town after a big meal, you and Buck stopped at a ring shop and purchased a ring for $50.

You were nervous your first time trying out the plan but Buck had been so sweet “proposing” that all nerves melted away. You both apparently played the part well as you had received a free cheesecake and bottle of champagne. From then on, anytime you went to a fancy restaurant on a date, Buck would whip out the ring and you’d say “yes” resulting in something free from the restaurant.

It had been 3 years since you officially started dating, you were celebrating together in a cozy Italian restaurant. The lights were dim with a candle and rose in the center of the table.

Buck had asked for a table with as much privacy as possible. He had been fidgeting and silent all night. You know he had recently been excited yet stressed about work as he was chosen as captain while Bobby went away for vacation for a week so you thought nothing of his behavior.

“Babe, are you okay? Your cheeks are flushed.” Even in the dim lighting, you could see the hues of pink and red on his cheeks, neck and ears.

“Yeah, it’s a little hot in here.” He pulls his collar from his neck and fans himself.

“Here,” you open your hand to him. “Give me your jacket.”

Buck shakes his head fiercely, “no! No, that’s okay. I just need water.” He blurts, hands shaking as he gulps down his icy beverage.

“Buck, you’re sweating.” You lean over and touch his forehead. “No fever. Do you want to head home for the night? We could take our food to go.”

“I think I just need some air.” He rasps out, his chest heaving as he tries to take small breaths in and out.

“Okay, let me tell the waiter we’ll be back.” You attempt to stand but he jumps up, knees knocking at the table. The metal utensils clink against the small plates of bread and oil, water and wine sloshes over the rim of the cups.

“Stay!” He yells, voice coming out in a crack. “Just stay here. I’ll be back, okay?” He wraps a hand around your head, kissing your forehead as he passes. You watch as he descends outside, pulling his phone out.

Buck: okay, I’m freaking out

Eddie: did you forget the ring?

Chim: Maddie says you need to take a deep breath and relax. You have nothing to worry about.

Bobby: Buck, y/n loves you and is going to say yes.

Buck: what if she says no? I feel like I’m suffocating in this restaurant

Hen: did you take her to that Italian spot I recommended? And did you wear the black or white button up?

Buck: yes and black but hello I’m having a meltdown

Eddie: where are you right now?

Chimney: are you texting at the table?

Bobby: Buck, give me a call

Buck quickly closes the group chat before dialing Bobby.

“Bobby! Do you think it’s too soon? What if she thinks it’s too soon and says no and then breaks up with me? I don’t think I can handle another heartbreak.”

“Buck, listen to me. Close your eyes and take a big deep breath of air. Slowly breathe out and relax. I’m sorry I can’t be there to give you a pep talk in person but you don��t need it. You’re doing the right thing.” Bobby smiles into the phone. “You’ve found your person and she’s definitely going to say yes, trust me.”

“But how do you know that? I mean everything has been so good. What if she doesn’t want to marry me?”

“I know with your track record you have the tendency to rush into things but you’ve thought a lot about this. Do you love her?”

“Yes, of course.” Buck says quickly.

“Does she love you?”

“I… I think so, yeah.” He stutters out.

“Then she’s going to say yes. Buck, the other shoe isn’t going to drop. Sometimes things may seem too good to be true but other times things are exactly as they should be. You’re going to be okay. You got this.”

“Okay, yeah, right. Thanks Cap.”

“Go get her, kid.”

Buck hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath, shoulders rising and falling. He checks his jacket pocket before heading back inside the restaurant.

Your eyes already are on him when he approaches, they haven’t left since he exited the restaurant.

“Sorry about that, just a small emergency.”

“Oh! Do we need to go?”

“No, I think we’re good now.”

“I ordered your favorite for you, hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He smiles and reaches his hand across the table. “I’m sorry about that.”

“No worries, babe. Everything okay now?”

“Everything’s great.” He sighs and brings your hand to his lips. He pulls his chair closer to yours and scoots himself against your side.

Your food comes out shortly and Buck asks for a menu to look at dessert. His arm is splayed on the back of the chair as you hold the menu. You’re both giggling behind the leather bound menu as you think about what dessert you want to try.

Buck is not paying much attention to the words on the cream colored sheets as his eyes flick back and forth to your smiling side profile.

When he scoots just a step away and brings out the emerald green velvet box, kneeling beside the table to face you. You smile wide, used to this routine by now. Buck smiles and takes a deep breath, his eyes crinkling with nervous excitement.

“Y/n, I’ve loved you for a long time and I’m so grateful to have you as a partner. There’s so many things I can say about you. About us. I’ll keep it short for now. Will you do me the honor of becoming my partner forever?”

You’re giggling as you nod and stick your left hand out. He slips on the ring and you don’t notice it’s not the normal ring you use for this segment. You lean down to hug and kiss him as several patrons and staff clap.

It’s several minutes as the waiter offers a free dessert to celebrate your engagement. Buck is holding your hand, smiling wide as you pepper kisses on his cheek.

“Yay, our free dessert.” You shake in your chair as you see the tiramisu approaching.

“Guess we’ll have to retire this joke now, huh?” He rubs his thumb along the top of your hand.

“What do you mean?” You furrow your brows.

“I mean, we’re actually engaged now so you’ll already have a ring on.” He chuckles.

“What?” You whip your head to meet his eyes as the waiter sets the plate and two forks down.

Theres silence save for the clinking of the plate on the glass tabletop. Buck waits for the waiter to leave, thanks him before meeting your eyes.

“We’re engaged? I proposed?” Buck asks, now unsure if he dreamt the whole thing. He pulls the velvet box out and opens it, yeah not a dream. The rings gone, unless he lost it? “It’s a completely different ring! You didn’t notice?”

“No, I just assumed it was the ring we’ve always used! Buck, we’re engaged!” You gasp, eyes shooting down to your hand.

“Yeah… unless you don’t want to be. I mean I think this was a whole misunderstanding-“

“No! I mean yes! Yes, of course I’ll marry you!” You squish his cheeks as you press a kiss to his lips. You pull away to get a proper look at the ring. “Wow…” you quietly sigh. “It’s so pretty.”

Buck is sitting there completely confused and shocked at the turn of events. “Wait, so we are engaged right?”

“Yes! Oh my god! Is this why you were acting so weird?” You laugh. “I could see the sweat beads rolling off your forehead.”

“Okay, that’s a bit dramatic. I wasn’t acting weird, I was nervous. I was asking the prettiest person on the planet, the love of my life, to marry me.” He smiles.

“Well, I’m glad you did. I just can’t believe you thought I would think you were actually doing it when we’ve been doing this bit for almost three years.”

“I thought it would be sentimental!” He grumbles. “I thought it was a cute idea.” He folds his arms over his chest.

“It was! Just not the smartest idea.” You laugh and attempt to pull his arms from his chest. “Come on, eat this with me. It tastes soooo good now that we’re actually engaged.”

His fake pout turns to a small smile as he grabs the fork from the table. He grabs a small bite. “This does taste really good. Best dessert we’ve had so far.” He says with a mouthful.

After you eat, you head to the bathroom, Buck waits outside the door and pulls his phone out.

Buck: IM ENGAGED

Eddie: thank god I was itching for an update congrats bestie

Chimney: yay! Good luck to y/n

Bobby: I knew you could do it, kid

Bobby: Athena says congrats

Hen: BUCK THIS IS GREAT

Chimney: so let’s see the ring

Buck: I’ll send a pic when she’s out of the bathroom

Chimney: no a pic of yours

Eddie: ????

Hen: ????

Buck: what ring?

Buck: Chim??

[salty-autistic-writer]

Buck can’t bake anymore.

He’s sick of it. Sick of lemon loaf waiting forever on the kitchen counter and of Baked Alaska melting in his fridge.

The sweet relief of the moment changed into bitter memories that feel like ash in his mouth now.

He can’t bake anymore. So he turned back to pasta, pancakes and omelette. Back to pans and spices and knives. He serves his meals at the firehouse, wiping his hands on his apron, nervously waiting for reactions. Because it seems to be good. But he can never be sure it’s good enough. 

Will I ever be good enough for someone to stay? 

“It’s really good, Buck,” Hen assures him. Chimney nods, his mouth full of lasagna. Bobby helps himself to a second serving already. Eddie licks sauce from the corner of his mouth, grins, and calls Buck a chef. “Is there something you’re not telling us?” He asks teasingly. “Were you offered a position at a 5-star restaurant?”

And Buck laughs dutifully. But inside, he still feels that ache that never quite goes away. It’s better now. But it’s still there. Not good enough. Not enough. Not enough for something that lasts forever. Not ...

“This smells delicious,” a new voice adds quietly behind him.

Buck’s head perks up. His breath hitches and his heart seems to stop for a whole beat before restarting at a more frantic pace. No. It can’t be. He can’t be here, right? Just … like that? Now?!

He slowly turns his head. And there he is. Tommy. He’s real.

He’s standing there, wearing his turnouts, wringing his hands, blue eyes flickering back and forth. And the first thing Buck feels is rage. Because … what the hell? Here? Now? Like this? 

His first instinct is to yell. But he's frozen. Can’t decide what to say. Or do. He’s frozen. And after the initial shock, he has time to take Tommy in. Really take him in.

He looks ... drained. More gaunt than Buck has ever seen him. His hair is tousled and his posture expresses exhaustion. His eyes are redrimmed and his skin is a little too pale to pass as normal. In fact, Tommy looks like he's been through hell. Buck doesn't know what to think or feel. He just stares and Tommy fidgets and everyone around them is too quiet, the moment stretching until the silence roars in Buck's ears.

“Hey Tommy,” Chimney finally says, after swallowing a mouth full of lasagna, smiling after sharing a glance with Hen. “Are you … okay?”

So they can all see it too, Buck thinks. They can all see the numbness of terror in Tommy’s eyes. The too-thin line of his mouth. The ghostly paleness of his skin. They can all see it. Something happened. What happened? Or ... Is it the breakup? That angry part of Buck hopes it's the breakup. Hopes Tommy had his share of suffering, longing, wondering, breaking ... But he somehow feels like it's something different.

Tommy clears his throat. “I … I’m sorry. My phone is broken. I didn't want to intrude. But I drove by and I thought ..."

“Sit,” Buck says. Quietly. But sternly.

Tommy blinks. “I …”

“Sit. And eat.” Buck points at the free seat on the table. And - of course, it’s Tommy’s old place, he realises then. Sometimes it sends a chill down his back to think about the fact that he basically took Tommy’s place at the 118 only for them to meet years later. It could have been such a romantic fact. A string of fate connecting them through the 118. But … well. Tommy dumping him cut into that string like a knife.

Tommy is still hesitating. Looks like a deer in the headlights, a second away from turning away and running. Again. Just like he ran after he decided to end the relationship. Coward , Buck can’t help to think. That’s the angry part of him, he knows. The part that wants to punch walls, shatter glass and scream in Tommy’s face.

“You look like you could use some food,” Bobby says calmly. “Regain some energy,” Hen adds, matter-of-factly.

“It’s really good lasagna. You don’t want to miss it,” Chimney chimes in. “Especially not after a long shift.”

“I think I just heard your stomach growl, man,” Eddie says, pointing his fork at Tommy.

“Okay,” Tommy says, finally, his shoulders sagging with the relief of the decision.

He sits. Buck loads a massive lasagna heap on a plate and puts it in front of Tommy. After a moment and another subtle glance between Buck and Tommy, everyone starts talking again. They do their best to be a distraction. To make it seem like this is a normal thing. As if nothing happened. And Tommy eats. He finishes his plate. Then eats some more. He makes some small talk, smiles a few times, nods and even laughs one time about something Eddie tells him. But.

But Buck sees what no one else sees. He sees behind the facade of facial expressions. And what he observes makes the worry nag at him with sharpening teeth. It’s the way the smile never reaches Tommy’s eyes. They remain distant. Clouded and numb. Something happened. Something bad. And of course, Tommy isn’t talking about it. But it was bad enough to have him come here. Just like that. So it has to be really bad.

Eventually, Tommy clears his throat and pushes his chair back. “Thank you for the food. It was really good. I should go home now.”

“I’m going to drive you,” Buck says. It’s a heartbeat decision. Almost surprising himself. But it’s the right thing to do. He can feel it.

Tommy looks startled. “You … you don’t have to.”

Buck sets his jaw. “I want to.”

“My truck …”

“You can pick it up tomorrow,” Buck says. “Not a problem.”

The others fell silent and are watching the conversation between them, not saying anything.

Tommy swallows, his discomfort clearly growing now that so many people are looking at him. He’s already pushed his hands into the pockets of his jacket. Buck knows why. Of course, he does. He knows Tommy is fidgeting with something, trying to calm his nerves. Oh. He knows this man so well, doesn’t he? But apparently not well enough. Not well enough to be with him forever, like he imagined. The rage curls around Buck’s heart again. “Alright,” Tommy finally says, giving in.

For the tevan advent calendar day 21: Trauma / PTSD

(Continue reading: AO3)

[peppermint-cardboard]

hey. hello my friend. i am grabbing you by the shoulders oh so gently. do not become hopeless. that is exactly what they want. blue state governments will give them hell over the next presidential term, and you can rest assured there will absolutely be people in our government fighting for democracy.

the thing we can all do that will have the most direct immediate impact and will lay the groundwork for cultures of help, creativity, and love is to get involved at the local community level.

i’m talking especially to my fellow teens here!!! may not be able to vote but that doesn’t mean we’re not able to help.

for my fellow Angelenos!

Hollywood Food Coalition - free food! you can sign up to volunteer and do meal prep (cooking), meal service (serving food), or help at their food bank. locations are on their website. thanksgiving is coming up and HFC will need volunteers!

My Friend’s Place - free aid for youth homelessness, especially queer youth homelessness. volunteering is for 18 years and older

Los Angeles LGBT Center - exactly what it sounds like. offers a wide range of wonderful services and opportunities for volunteering. also works with school GSAs!

Moonwater Farm - a community farm in Compton with great opportunities for education and sometimes paid fellowships

for people everywhere else! just some general recommendations:

The Trevor Project - queer youth services that have saved my ass a number of times. i don’t know if they call the police as part of their responses or not (offers a single-click-to-leave button in case of emergency)

TrevorSpace - a great queer youth-centered website and a very safe place for queer community and discussion

Debate Me, Bro - a great anarchist newsletter/advice column run by a friend of mine!

The Child And Its Enemies - anarchist child rights-focused podcast also run by that same friend of mine :)

Neocities - make a website! learn some HTML! it’s fun, it’s pretty simple, and it’s a way to get a message out if that’s what you want but it’s also just a great de-stresser

Queer Liberation Library - need i even elaborate on the importance of libraries and access to queer media over the coming few years? (offers a single-click-to-leave button in case of emergency)

American Civil Liberties Union - an activism and aid organization that gave the Republicans absolute hell last time and will continue to do so this time

Blackline (800-604-5841) - a crisis and help hotline prioritizing BI&POC and black queer people. will not call the police!

Trans Lifeline (US: 877-565-8860, Canada: 877-330-6366) - a helpline run by and for trans folks. has a quick escape button and will not call the police!

Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line (888-407-4515) - a warmline to chat with trained therapists and professionals. will not call the police!

StrongHearts Native Helpline (844-762-8483) - a domestic and sexual violence helpline prioritizing Native Americans and Alaska Natives. has a quick escape button and will not call the police!

Thrive Lifeline (313-662-8209) - a live crisis warmline prioritizing marginalized people. also offers text messaging! will not call the police!

LGBT National Health Center (888-843-4564) - exactly what it sounds like! warmlines for queer people if you need help. has a quick escape button and will not call the police!

Transfeminine Science - a fantastic resource for... transfeminine science. exactly what it says on the tin.

Planned Parenthood - an incredibly prolific and important organization that offers a very wide array of vastly important services. if you live in an at least semi-urban city in the U.S., Planned Parenthood probably has a clinic near you. you should find out if they do!!!

please feel free to add more resources if you know any!!

other recommendations: say hi to a neighbor. bake someone a pie. start a garden. treat homeless people like your neighbors (because they are). propose a community movie night. have a party in your apartment building. call a friend. text a friend. draw something. cook something good. go to a restaurant you like. buy some DVDs. get a new stuffed animal. compliment a stranger’s shirt. ask for a hug. offer someone a hug. listen to music. KEEP LIVING!!!!!!!!!

don't just survive, keep living <3

[harmonic-intervention]

You're killing me with chemistry - Chapter 3

Buck knows he’s bi. He knows what he wants. And what he wants, right now, is Tommy. Maybe his hand in marriage, because he’s getting desperate. Because, despite all of his attempts, and all of the positive responses from Tommy, for some reason, Tommy just … doesn’t act on anything.

Tommy knows Evan is straight. He asked both Howie and Hen about it, and he trusts their word on it. It doesn’t stop Evan from pulling him in, and making him fall head over heels for him anyway. Tommy knows better than to fall for a straight guy, he does, but … he can’t change it.

Everything would be easier if they just talked to each other, but where’s the fun in that?

Last chapter of my fic based off on this post by @disaster-j And what fun it was. I just wanted to thank everyone who was along for the ride, and of course, disaster-j for that wonderful prompt.

Word count: 21,834 - canon divergence, bi disaster!buck & oblivious!tommy, sexual content, fluff, some shenanigans

Excerpt:

Buck was in a hell of his own making.

Not that he could blame anyone but himself. He really should have backed off. Tommy had probably tried letting him down easy. And Buck should have read the room and accepted that friendship was all he’d get with Tommy. Only he’d wanted more, he’d wanted so much more, and now, he stood in front of a reality where he would have nothing.

But he couldn’t handle that. He didn’t think he could continue his life without Tommy in it. If nothing else, he would take friendship. If Tommy was still willing to offer Buck that after everything that had happened. 

Buck gave it a couple of days just so he could give Tommy space. It also gave him the opportunity to put his apology plan into motion. Whenever he had a moment free at home, he had his laptop open and tried his best to learn how to make baked Alaska.

Tommy had mentioned the dessert before when they were at a restaurant, and how much he loved it but rarely got to indulge in it. Buck hadn’t ever had it, and when he found out what it was, he felt a little in over his head, but he was determined to succeed. If nothing else, Tommy had a dessert he hadn’t had in a long time. 

Buck tried his best. He started off learning the sponge cake base, and if he did say so himself, he got that under control pretty quickly. He moved on to meringue and that was a whole lot harder. Mostly because there were so many different variants. French was apparently the easiest to make, but Italian was one that was apparently commonly used in baked Alaska. He tried his hand at several different variants.

The ice cream was almost the easiest part. When he started his attempts at assembling the different layers, he used store-bought ice cream, but he had an ice cream machine that he had used many times before. The hardest part was getting the layers right, it turned out.

In the end, after he had bombarded his friends with the results of his practice runs, he finally reached a point where he was happy with his creation. Where he felt like this was a worthy apology gift.

He had Eddie check in with Tommy to find out when he’d be home, and Eddie did the spy work with no complaints, seemingly guilty for what had transpired between Buck and Tommy as if any of that was his fault. He sent the answer to Buck via text, and wished him good luck, and so, Buck was off. 

[continue on ao3]

[misery-has-no-company-now]

May we have some wholesome NY hc’s :3

I’m curious as to what you can come up with when you’re not also torturing the baby :]

*looks up and freezes like a deer in headlights* uh-oh I've been caught - they've found out my secret and realised I don't have what I ask them for oops...

Jusssttttt kidding. Here you go though, I might have taken some hcs from you as well since I can no longer differentiate between what I come up with and what someone else came up with first unfortunately.

We have already established that he is a cat, right? So he curls up whenever he sits in positions that sort of confuse the others because how the hell does one even twist enough to be like that, let alone be comfortable in that position-

Alongside this, his brothers got hold of a laser pen and they love standing behind York and moving it all over the wall in front of him just to see his eyes unintentionally follow the laser point everywhere. One of them moves about the laser pen, the other records. It's always hilarious and they love keeping it as blackmail.

Speaking of blackmail, he has a lot of dirt on everyone; way more than they'll ever be able to get of him. This is for two main reasons. One : he's quiet - kind of like Alaska except that he's paying attention all the time to what people are saying. It doesn't help the others that he has sharp ears too, and can keep up with a conversation happening a couple of rooms away. Two : even though he himself is kind of closed off to most people, except his brothers and friends perhaps, other people find him easy to talk to. They feel able to express their true feelings and ideas that they would otherwise keep to themselves to New York, since they have the idea that NY wouldn't judge them. He won't if it is something serious, and that's the only time he doesn't keep it as a secret to hold over the other person when needed later in the future. The rest of the stuff, though? Straight to the blackmail folder. He even has a folder for this on his computer, with a document for each state and territory. Mass is unable to hack into this because NY also has secrets on him that he keeps on paper + NY sometimes sells the information he has on other states too, and Mass would love to get his hands on that too. [wasn't exactly a wholesome hc per se but it just came to me so yeah]

He is a family man. We've seen that in the videos as well. He's very devoted to his ma and grandparents, and likes to look over his brothers too. He's also exceptionally good at making them feel better when they're sick.

You're not taking care of yourself in front of him? Think again. You're going to get scolded and given a huge amount of food and water then forced to get some sleep. Yes, he is a hypocrite in this case. No, he doesn't care about it. He just wants others to be fine

His love language actually isn't just physical touch, since there are days it feels uncomfortable for him. It is also food. He can cook just fine, but that requires supervision from someone else (for reasons not mentioned here as I'm trying to keep this angst free) so he prefers baking instead. It's simple to do - just one instruction after the other, you don't have to think much about what you need to make, and it always smells and tastes good. He's amongst the best bakers in the statehouse; making delicious cakes and pastries all the time, and his bread is amazing too.

You know like how we say that Maine is sort of like Loui's dad or a much older brother to him because of how many people moved from Maine to Louisiana? Well, that but with New York and Florida. He's more of like an uncle than a brother, since the gap in their ages is a lot more than between ME and LA, but Florida is very close to him. He often goes to him for advice on certain matters and NY loves hanging out with him too, even if his pranks get a bit annoying for him. Also, whenever Florida is serious, it's usually only in a conversation with NY, since as I said before, despite being the typical NE state who glares all the time and is disgusted by what you said, New York can refrain from judging someone else - and that it exactly what Flo needs. In fact, NY is the one who convinced Mass to help Florida in his spelling, and himself aids Florida in reading the English language correctly too. In turn, Flo helps NY improve his Spanish too (so does Cali).

New York can speak a lot of languages, particularly because NYC is amongst the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. He isn't very fluent in all of them, but the number of languages that easily flow off his tongue is quite huge too. This also means that the other states find it easy to talk to him (and New Jersey because of the same reasons) since it's always easier for someone to open up when speaking in a language they are more connected to, because emotional reasons. Moreover, NY tends to fall back to speaking in Dutch whenever he is very sleepy (like usually if someone wakes him up [on accident ofc, no one would dare to on purpose] then he slips back into Dutch) and as you said, he has a Dutch accent when really tired and the others think it is so adorable.

It isn't just Florida who goes to him for advice. The others too come to him at times, mostly related to financial issues since he can explain such stuff well; like he did in that video where he was teaching some of them about how the stock market works and something which happened in it. He's a good teacher too, but unlike Mass he doesn't really want to become a professor or anything. Some states also get statehood advice from him, and he played a very active role in helping most of them in the transition from being a territory to a state of the union - like a lot of the other og13 did too.

Speaking of pranks, it's actually very hard to play one on him. He can hear you from far off, so your footsteps can give you away. Like with all the og13, sneaking up on him or surprise attacks are out of the question - for both your safety and his sake. And the ones you might have thought you could play on him? He can see right though it, since he can quickly realise what you're doing.

Whenever he is upset, the other states bring him into a group hug and it becomes a cuddle pile. They quite literally squash the sadness out of him. It works pretty often.

He also gives great hugs too (not just in the group ones). He can hold you so tightly you think he may not ever let go. His hugs are very comfortable and he usually likes receiving them too. He also hugs more often in the months when he is colder, in order to feel warmer. Whenever the west has wildfires, some of them often go to him to cool off.

In the west, I feel like he's pretty great friends with Cali, Nevada, and Alaska. Cali is obvious; he's taken that state under his wing. Nevada he gets along with because he's fun to hang out with. NY and NJ also look over him. Nevada can often be very money-oriented, and New York knows how to work with money, so they discuss financial affairs often too. Alaska and New York are historically close too, so they sometimes still hang out together - especially if they want to just sit there in the silence, but not exactly be left alone for the time being. They usually just watch the sunrise or sunset together depending on when Alaska woke up (since he sleeps a lot and New York doesn't sleep much). Also, Alaska often is set on New York by the others to get him to sleep. He just holds NY in a bear hug, shushes his protests, and falls asleep while cuddling him. New York can do nothing else except go to sleep too - which is why this is so effective.

He is adorable when sleepy. Well, I mean, he's always cute but when he isn't entirely awake he isn't giving his infamous death glare to the others, so his soft facial features are more seen and he looks so adorable it's actually not fair.

He isn't always in a mischievous mood, but when it is, he usually chooses to annoy his brothers. He can run away quickly, and has been known to climb the roof in a matter of seconds just to get away from their wrath lmao

Even if he was already sitting comfortably on the couch, the moment one of his brothers or friends gets there, he's switching to use their lap as a pillow. It's really sweet for the others.

Well, I'm not too sure if this was exactly wholesome NY hcs or just NY hcs but see - I didn't torture the baby! Anyway, this is all I can think of right now and I hope you like them. Feel free to add on!

[cinamun]

Ok, SimChopped Family Cookout Throwdown questions: 1.) Between Indya, Mercy, or Elise who would win in that cooking battle? 2.) What individually are their best level 10 dishes? And 3.) Which of the three would be able to take on Tiffany Derry or Kardea Brown and win it all? :) (If you ever post pics of this I would love to see it.)

Hey friend!! I did NOT forget about this but I had to get a pic of these three iconic leading ladies together (which was NOT easy because they be busy or whatever).

Anyway, shall we begin?

First of all, they are in Indya's kitchen because Elise is having her kitchen remodeled. Anyone familiar with even a CHAPTER of this story knows how serious Elise is about her kitchen, which is why the first question is a no-brainer:

1.) Between Indya, Mercy, or Elise who would win in that cooking battle? Elise, hands down. She's won as soon as she takes that real, homemade crust for her pie out of the oven. Elise's sweet potato pie is nectar from the GODS. When she's in the kitchen you are literally WATCHING GOD okay? I don't make the rules. Sis is a BEAST!!

2.) What individually are their best level 10 dishes? Aside from the pie as mentioned above (btw, Indya is coming in a strong second with her caramel upside down cake), Elise is a master of SoulFoodic Arts so her Roasted Chicken with Collard Greens and Cornbread is her best dish. As for Indya, she's coming with grilled steaks, grilled asparagus and twice baked potatoes. She's a beast in the kitchen AND on the grill (although between her and her husband, Darren would demolish her on the grill. All he needs is those Jesus sandals). Mercy is coming in with a Baked Alaska to take care of dessert. Its sweet and delectable with a hint of citrus that everyone goes WILD for!

3.) Which of the three would be able to take on Tiffany Derry or Kardea Brown and win it all? I'm gonna be honest friend, I have no idea who these two are. I don't watch TV at all but I used to love the great british baking show so that's the only reference i have LOL! I'm assuming those two are badass cooks and once again, we're handing the crown to Elise.

This was SO MUCH FUN and if I had more time I had a whole idea to have the three of them in the kitchen cooking but this save is in a state right now (prepping for new episodes) that I can't really make too many sudden movements. BUT! Thank you for the ask and please feel free to ALWAYS think of me when you're sending around super fun OC asks!

Honorable Mention:

Maple "Pip" Greenwood is cooking EVERYBODY under the table.

Rest in Pixel Paradise.

[fanficfish]

micronations and their parent countries: a hetalia ramble

so i was thinking about this and couldn't find shit so here goes my headcanons

well it feels more like i'm stating facts but there's some headcanons in here and def since I haven't read the latest episodes properly. I'll probably make a proper headcanon list later

First off- i imagine them as like. What happens when a group of people get ambitious, and suddenly this personification pops up like some weird ritual. This post sums it up. I mostly agree with it.

anyways

Austria: from my parenting post: he's a lot better at ot it now, or maybe he just decided that trying tobdo anything to Kugel is just too much work. He's...definitely one of those parents with the slightly-feral child, and okay so he did try to profit off the kid but he does that with everything including his own famous composer, his own landmarks, and everything in between. Look, the kid's (usually) fed, has endless art supplies, and as long as he doesn't do anything too destructive Austria lets him be. Actually he and Sweden might be in kahoots, considering that time both Ladonia and Kugelmugel planned to do some construction work....(Veneziano is just a little jealous Kugel doens't have no-pasta punishments)

Speaking of Sweden: total pushover. Ladonia knows this. Sealand is learning this. If your eyes are big enough you WILL get the reward. But he's also best dad, such a dad, had a closet of dad stuff, we all know this he's a family man (Finland is the babysitter bestie that ends up at Sweden's half the time because the man lives in an IKEA and it's a little bit chaotic he won't lie) (I imagine they did quite a lot of renovation work to make the IKEA liveable, but that does beg the question: how many living rooms does Sweden have and can you imagine trying to leave Sweden's after a night of drinking- actually maybe that's why, Sweden was trying to do a social experiment on drunk Denmark-)

but anyways yeah, Finland lets Sweden deal with the children. His kids, his problem. It works, and anyways between them they already have Aland and all those other bits of their countries to deal with. Finland's got his hands full. Sweden's def the dad teaching you how to fix all the problems yourself though, Ladonia and Sealand def know how to unclog a toilet and change a sink pipe. Probably have the most human-like family experience, excluding NikoNiko. A sense of normalcy if you will.

America is more like the cool older cousin. He's already got 50 states and too many territories, why not add a few micronations? He and Canada treat the micros like the rest of their states minus the boring legislature stuff- their micronations can run wild, just don't cause problems, pay your taxes, and they can run themselves it's probably fiiiiine. I mean, look at Alaska and Hawaii! They're doing fine! Uh, don't look at Florida, or look at Quebec wrong. Though unlike the states and provinces, the gaggle of North America micronations tend to submit more to their ruling country considering 1. America and Canada are very very very strong and 2. Why try to fight for independence when you can chill out and have them do most of the work for you? Their states and provinces they reside in kinda just don't care too much, but Nevada and California are also Just Like That anyways, no comment on the Aerican Empire's colonization of Mars though. America and Canada keep some awareness of their micronations but unlike China and Japan, who have all their provinces with them in one house, it's spread over like....70 hours total....so for the NA bros, just an occassional check-in is usually fine to them. The micronations end up being a bit free-reign from this but America and Canada tend to be a little occupied being superpowers. America did get Molossia that weird pet of his as an apology a long time ago, and Canada sends maple flavored cookies to his micronations whenever he does a baking stream with America.

Australia: Probably the strictest of the parent countries, somehow. Cracks down on Hutt River's missed taxes, insists on the Wy Driveway Issue, etc. He's a wilderness hellscape trooper, alright? New Zealand is the cool uncle that's tired of playing parent so he lets everything be.

England looks at Sealand like his annoying little brother, or that little cousin you have to keep an eye on. He's plenty guilty for the whole war thing, but is usually too busy fighting France or America or restoring castles or dealing with royals to keep tabs on a child at the standard he'd prefer, so he lets Sweden handle Sealand most of the time. Sealand's first instinct is to bother England though, so that's that. It's actually kind of sweet, once you get past England's default mode being being pissed off by something and Sealand mouthing off on purpose to be The Problem (for attention). And England, despite his threats, will never leave Sealand out in the rain on his doorstep. To the point he's canonically sat through weird phone conversations. He's just...not ready to be essentially a parent again, after America and having to let go of Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand...... (he is also very scared of his family tree if he thinks about micronations)

Japan is an old man. He's a socially Awkward baby deer who's somehow in charge of all these prefectures and now he has to deal with NikoNiko poping up every so often???? Screw that! (He does give NikoNiko his personal number though. The kid might have a living family and micronation friends to hang with and the prefectures to bother, but Japan's still a believer in raising them right, and his door's open no matter how...odd....the circumstances are)

Seborga just hangs with the rest of Italy's former city-states. I headcanon that when Veneziano and Romano became the two prominant personifications for Italy, the others backed off like with Germany's older brothers uniting to form Germany, except the two already existed. Most of them disappeared, but a few stuck around and surrpsiingly because Seborga couldn't decide if he should be his own country or not he got to stick around too! Italy V doesn't mind and neither does Italy R, so Seborga finds himself quite relaxed with two older brothers, he's disappointed he doesn't get to grow up but he's probably the most "normal" of the micros and honestly? The Italies treat him like he's a state, so he's fine where he is in life. At least he gets to see his brotheres frequently enough

actually it was probably like he woke up to find out everyone was one country now, and was like "cool whatever i'll do the paperwork later", few asleep, and later on he was like "oh shoot" but Italy had unified and at some point Seborga kinda just accepted he was a micronation when his people went "yo" since he never actually signed anything and the Italies were like "lol thats funny yeah that's fine whatever". Oh gosh, does that make Seborga technically adoptively realted to Austria and by extension Germany and wait does that Make Kugel technically Seborga's cousin-

wait omg that one episode where Seborga asks Austria about Kugel.

welp that's enough for one day

idk thats it for now i need to catch up on the new guys.

[batmanschmatman]

Hello!! 1, 4, 10, 18, and 22 for the End of the Year ask game please 😊

ONE Song of the Year: My Spotify Wrapped claims for me it was the Placebo cover of Running Up That Hill, which is admittedly on almost every single one of my playlists, but I think it was actually Meet Me in the Woods by Lord Huron, because I listened to it a billion times while writing my NaNo project.

FOUR Movie of the Year: The Boy and the Heron, both because it was great and also it was the only good theater experience I had all year that wasn't a rerelease like Titanic and The Lion King lol, people at our home theater are very poorly behaved. ;;

TEN Something that Made You Cry This Year: LOL WELL I lost my job a couple weeks ago and that has been some VERY MIXED EMOTIONS including a lot of hysterical crying. It was an extremely toxic work place I was trying to get out of anyway (museum board full of old white men who hated me, boss is/was an alcoholic mean girl - no exaggeration, has driven home drunk from work lunches with her kid in the car and been blackout throwing up in her office after work events - who had a toady work bff who also hated me, no health insurance, making $26/hr despite having an MA and living somewhere where rents start at $2,000 a month) but my boss basically reamed me out right before Thanksgiving telling me I was the worst person ever, had a bunch of provably false claims about how bad an employee I was (never meeting deadlines, making other people do my work for me, never attending events or suggesting ideas for programs, all bullshit I had ample evidence to refute) and told me I could either quit now and be paid through February or be on like mega probation indefinitely, so I came back from the holiday like alright I quit, they're like cool actually this is a budgetary thing and not at all personal, we're SO SORRY this didn't work out also we can only afford to pay you through mid January, so now I'm unemployed applying to a million jobs and scared about money but also I'm free??? So there's been a lot of on and off weeping/grieving and it's kinda ruined the holidays for me lol. But also hopefully it'll pivot to a much better paying and stable job somewhere closer to home, so fingers crossed.

Don't get into the museum field, folks, it sucks here.

EIGHTEEN A Memorable Meal This Year: For Valentine's Day, @heystovepipeboys and I made a bunch of recipes from Last Dinner on the Titanic, which was SUPER FUN. I love historic cooking/baking and have had the cookbook forever, but had never made anything from it before and everything was INCREDIBLE. We made cream of barley soup, chicken Lyonnaise, chateau potatoes and asparagus, and then got eclairs from a bakery near us and the Harney & Sons Titanic tea blend, which is supposed to be similar to the special blend they served on the ship. We listened to period music the whole time we cooked and then we went to see Titanic in theaters for its anniversary rerelease.

TWENTY TWO Favorite Place You Visited This Year: hmmm very tough call. My parents very generously took the fam on a Disney cruise to Alaska this summer which was a childhood dream of mine, and wifey and I had an awesome trip to Old Sturbridge Village in MA for their Halloween event, which was probably the best Halloween themed thing I've ever done. They set up the museum with a bunch of themed performances by a bunch of traveling circus performers who are Definitely Not Vampires and everything was really spooky and fun. Would super recommend if anyone is looking for fun Halloween things to do in New England next year.

Thank you for the ask!! Hope you are enjoying a relaxing end to this weird year.

[casspurrjoybell-25]

November - Chapter 27

*Warning Adult Content*

- Cooper -

As Cooper lay in his bunk, he turned on the satellite phone and read through the texts between and Oliver and himself.

He was almost halfway through his fishing job and reading Oliver's texts had become a routine for him.

I hiked to Marymere Falls today.

Our first hike together.

I thought of you the entire time and as soon as you're back we need to go on a hiking date. :)

We can relive our experience and maybe this time I can get to the top of Mount Storm King.

Annabelle and I baked confetti cupcakes today and frosted them with buttercream icing.

And topped them with sprinkles.

You would have loved them.

She promises that the three of us can make them again when you're back.

I love you and miss you.

"Thinking about you and your sexy ass.

I miss it so much.

I want to grab it and squeeze it and then fuck you through the bed.

I miss your bear hugs and all your cuddles in the morning.

I even miss your beard tickling my face and waking me up.

The next one was heartbreaking and most of the time Cooper skipped it.

But today he felt like torturing himself, so he read it.

Oliver had sent it five days ago, shortly after two in the morning.

I can't sleep.

I miss you so much.

The bed's too big without you and I want to feel your body pressed against mine and your arms around me.

I miss your smile and your big booming laugh and your eyes and your lips.

I'm counting down the days until you're back.

I love you more than I thought it was ever possible to love someone.

I miss you I miss you I miss you.

I can't wait until you're back home.

I love you so much.

Cooper had cried the first time he read it.

His heart ached and he could feel how much Oliver missed him because he missed him the same way.

Cooper loved deep sea fishing, being out on the ocean and all the hard work and the thrill of a great catch and he knew he didn't ever want to give it up but he had to admit it was damn hard to be away from the man he loved.

Oliver buying the satellite phone had made a big difference though.

Cooper worked long hours and had little free time but they texted all the time and he made a point to call Oliver every few days.

They couldn't talk for hours like Cooper wanted to but it helped to hear Oliver's voice and talk to him in real time.

Cooper got up from his bunk and made his way up to the deck for their call.

Sometimes it was a challenge to find a quiet place to talk where he wasn't in the way but he didn't let anything keep him from calling Oliver.

Oliver answered almost immediately.

"Hey, Coop."

"Hey, love. It's good to hear your voice," Cooper replied.

‘I would give anything for a hug from Oliver right now.’

"It's good to hear yours. I miss you. How's the weather? Are you getting enough sleep?"

Oliver always had a lot of questions about how Cooper was doing and how the job was going.

Cooper’s answers didn't vary much, so he spent most of their calls asking him what was going on back home.

Oliver had a lot more to report and Cooper enjoyed listening to him talk and letting the sound of his lover’s voice wash over him.

"You've got a short break coming up, right?" Oliver asked, after filling Cooper in on his family and a hike he'd gone on a couple days ago.

"Yep. We'll be at Dutch Harbor in Alaska for two days."

"What are you going to do? I'm sure you've probably been there before but are you going to go see anything while you're there?"

Cooper laughed.

"I'll be sleeping and eating. That's what a lot of us do. I'm looking forward to being in a real bed and having access to a nicer shower and different food."

"Are you going to have enough time to talk to me?" Oliver asked, a teasing tone to his voice.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll keep talking to you until I fall asleep on the phone."

"Okay. Text me the days and times you'll be there so I can clear my schedule. I'm really looking forward to talking to you for hours instead of minutes."

"Me too. I love you and miss you."

"I love you too. And I miss you more than I can say."

Cooper didn't want this to devolve into sadness, so he tried to end the call on a cheerful note.

"I'll be counting down the days until my break. Love you. Bye, Oliver."

Cooper hung up and leaned against the railing, staring up at the sky.

He didn't want to lose Oliver.

It seemed like everything was going well and being able to talk to him regularly made all the difference in the world but he couldn't shake his doubts.

The last man Cooper dated didn't make it past a month and a half into his four month fishing job.

When they had pulled into the harbor for a break two months after setting out, Cooper had turned on his cell phone to find a text from him ending their relationship.

It had been sent a couple weeks prior.

It sucked, especially having to deal with the heartbreak while he was working and far away from his family.

‘If Oliver broke up with me and went back to California, I don't think I'd survive it. Even though I'd only known him for six months, he was my best friend. He was my everything.’

Cooper hoped this wouldn't be too much for Oliver.

He hoped he'd still be there when he got back.

- Oliver -

It was a grey, overcast morning in Alaska but it was beautiful.

The rolling hills and mountains rising from the ocean were a vibrant green and contrasted perfectly with the blue of the water.

It was chilly, so Oliver pulled his jacket tighter around himself as he watched the flurry of activity on Cooper's fishing vessel.

Oliver knew the guys had to be coming off the vessel soon.

He also knew Cooper wanted to spend his two day break sleeping but Oliver hoped he'd be happy to see him instead.

When Cooper told Oliver where the vessel would be for their break, he immediately booked a plane ticket out there.

Flying to Alaska wasn't cheap or easy but Oliver would do anything if it meant he could surprise Cooper and see him in person after two months apart.

Oliver finally spotted some men leaving the vessel and his heart started to race when he saw Cooper.

Oliver pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called him.

It warmed his heart when he saw the smile on Cooper’s face as he saw who was calling him.

"Hey, babe," he answered.

"Perfect timing. I'm literally walking off the ship and was about to call you. How'd you know I'd be able to answer?"

Oliver smiled.

"Because I can see you."

Cooper stopped in his tracks and his head shot up.

Oliver waved and when Cooper spotted him, the young man could see the shock on his boyfriend’s face.

Cooper’s phone slipped out of his hand and onto the ground.

He quickly bents to pick it up and then raced off the ship and jogged over to Oliver, barreling into him hard enough that he almost knocked him over.

But Oliver didn't fall because Cooper’s arms were around him, pulling him into his large frame.

Oliver took a deep breath, taking in the scent of Cooper’s hair and then the large man squeezed him and lifted his boyfriend off the ground.

Oliver didn't even care that Cooper was squeezing him hard enough that he suddenly couldn't breathe.

When Cooper finally put Oliver down, he was grinning, his smile wider than the young man had ever seen it before.

"What are you doing here?" Cooper asked, slightly shaking his head.

"I can't believe you're actually here. Am I dreaming? This is the best surprise ever."

"I missed you so much that I wanted to see your face in person."

Cooper continued to look amazed.

"How did you pull this off? You have to take two flights from Seattle and it's not cheap."

Oliver leaned forward and kissed the tip of Cooper’s nose.

"It was an adventure. And like I mentioned before, my boyfriend doesn't let me pay any rent so I have a lot of money sitting around."

Cooper pulled Oliver in again, kissing him hard.

Oliver slid his fingers into Cooper’s overgrown beard so he could cup the sides of his face.

The young man was so happy to see his boyfriend and feel his large arms wrapped  around him and his solid frame against his.

It was worth every second of the day of travel and the money he spent to get here.

They separated when they heard a nearby voice.

"Cooper, is this your boy?"

A few of the men who had been making their way off the vessel were standing near them.

Oliver wasn't sure how friendly they'd be about two men kissing but he didn't have to worry.

Cooper put his arm around the younger man’s slender waist.

"Yep, this is Oliver. He flew out here to surprise me. Can you believe that?"

One of the men smiled and offered his hand.

"I'm Jack. It's good to finally put a face to a name."

Oliver shook his hand and smiled back and Cooper introduced him to the rest of the guys.

"We're not going to see you at all for the next two days, are we?" Jack asked.

Cooper grinned.

"Nope. See you all again, when we're about to leave.”

After the guys walked away, Oliver turned to Cooper.

"You must be ready for a decent meal. Do you want to go get breakfast?"

"Only if the breakfast is you."

Oliver laughed.

"Hotel room it is, then."

Oliver had rented a car and as they made the short drive over to the hotel, Cooper's hand never left his boyfriend’s thigh."

I can't believe you're here," Cooper murmured.

"I'm still in shock."

"I didn't want to go another two months without seeing you."

Cooper squeezed my thigh.

"I hope you're planning on showing me just how much you've missed me."

"Oh, I definitely am. As soon as we get to our hotel room."

Cooper's booming laugh filled the car.

"I'm all for that but I need to take a shower first."

"But I like the way you smell after you've been working."

"Trust me, I need a proper shower. It's not like logging where I smell like sweat, dirt and pine needles. I smell like sweat, ocean water and fish. You're not going to like it. And I need to clean up anyway for what I want to do with you."

"Okay," Oliver laughed.

"We'll start in the shower.

[thefeathereddragon]

I wish we could opt out of the reward events entirely. Reaper event helped bug my game out so bad it was unplayable. The festive event just reminds me of how much i hate the holidays whether i follow the prompts or not. If anything i wish all these free things were locked behind relevant gameplay. Like how City Living came with some items you can only find/unlock by going to the flea market, i wish Seasons had been like “you can only get certain items by interacting with father winter/easter bunny/reaper/etc”.

Aside from my personal feelings, it would have been neat to have gotten gingerbread house aesthetics/costume, ice sculptures, mud and snow men (look ok the South doesnt get snow we get cold ass rain and ice lmao) ((damn now that i think about it why cant the kids make mud pies??)), icicles that could potentially murk a Sim, an option to dress up our trees with lights, a baked Alaska, and more yard decorations that could work for Halloween/spooky season also.

[paperbagnotes]

Oil and metal

He smells like my father

He didn’t purpose to me this time; didn’t repeat it over and over like he always-

just stated what he wanted if we were to marry, about his “family”s future.

I care for him deeply

But I am not his to keep

He fell asleep on his belly. I on my back.

I’ve never had sex like that-

Connected to someone without feeling a connection

Disagreeing with how he lives his life and reminding me what I’m aspiring to do & be

I like who I am around him, I love how he thinks of me, constantly calling me pretty, gorgeous or stunning..

“Perfect”

The pain from the one not thinking I am

But thinking another is

Is enough to drive me into his arms again, bury my face in his neck, my hands in his hair, standing silently there together,

I could learn to love? I do know how much he loves me.. even if I know he is not for me

Years of knowing one another so much time has passed from our first date until last night

Why did we finally have sex? Why did I want it?

Quick lived and empty feeling, it didn’t feel like making love, did I fake it?

A man who’s priority isn’t my ecstasy. Just being with me. Completely satisfied with that alone,

Why is this not enough for me to feel at home? Is it because it seems so boring?

Because it’s just not what I want for me..

Because I know I would get sick of his behavior, how his pride outshines the rest, that he doesn’t appear happy, actions unhealthy

I care for him very deeply but I kind of feel nothing; I feel like I’m going to cry for many reasons but it’s not because I’m leaving him.

His arm feel nice around me. And he dries me off after the shower.

He is so handsome..

But I don’t see or feel the same anymore

He touches me and I have to give into physically feeling, shut off my brain from thinking

If his touch feels good I go with it. It’s never felt bad..

But ik it’s not for me. It feels empty. It feels wrong -that I am the evil one

Leading him on - letting him have hope I might be the one.

I’ve pushed the trigger on the gun

I tell him we can just have fun

I act distant and nonchalant

Let him feel my friendship

This makes it worse for him

Valuing the meaning of friends more than fucking

It’s alien to me

He feels like Alaska

Like if I had never left

Never sought out anything more,

not believing in anything else but what this upbringing brought me

I could see myself with him. I could see myself living a whole other life with different goals. Fall into the same rhythm as my sister has

I’d bake bread and I wouldn’t be scared to carry babies in my belly

I’d grow a garden and do the laundry

I’d be content making art in my backyard

Annoying him in the garage

I had fantasies (all dirty)

But I know they were just my imagination running free with me

He is not who I was dreaming of even if back then when we met those fantasies held his voice and his face.

He is not him

That man’s actions and behaviors I was seeking they are just not his

I love him

I do

I love you

Sunshine I’ll always have a soft spot for you

But idk what I feel anymore

Idk if I even feel anything

You know who’s pull over me is now fully consuming

I won’t be bothered if nothing or anything continues

With him I am content to have more, for it to always just feel this way or be empty

I no longer have any desire to find out what have you

I’m okay

He had got the best of me before today

And I guess something inside of me just broke right then

A fracture crack to eventually break the whole thing

He had been absent minded of me & I got angry, tried to access control I didn’t have

And now I hold it all, he’s even nervous

Calling me perfect

Kissing my head and holding on tightly

Thinks I’m the best thing

Saying he “doesn’t want to leave” me..

I want him to be happy.

I am still caught in love with,

My heart belonging to someone else’s

💔

🖤

[petyupp]

Best Dog Cafes in the United States

Dog cafes are designed in a way to cater to the needs of dogs as well as humans. From dog-friendly menus to playing areas, dog cafes have it all!

A wide range of services are provided to dogs in these dog cafes. Best dog cafes in the united states not only have tasty treats for dogs but they also provide grooming services. A dog cafe is not a regular dog-friendly coffee shop. Dogs are allowed in a dog-friendly coffee shop with their human allies but such coffee shops may not necessarily have a menu tailored for dogs, while on the other hand, dog cafes are specially designed for dogs. Some best dog cafes in the United States are mentioned below. 

Amazing Dog Cafes in the United States 

If you are planning an outing with your dog, there are many great dog cafes in the United States you should check out. We are naming a few so that you can check them out: 

Do you want freshly baked grain-free treats for your dog? The Barkery & Brew is one of the most appropriate choices for you. Situated in California, this dog cafe is all set to provide your dog with a healthy and tasty meal. Not just pets, but pet owners can also enjoy a cold brew coffee or a cold brew hibiscus tea over here.

Do you know about one of the most popular mobile dog cafes in the Alabama state of the USA? Of Course, we are talking about Paws and Latte! Here you can have both dog-friendly and human-friendly menus and then you can decide what you and your dog want to have. Going out with their human friends is what do dogs like the most. 

Paws and Pints Cafe is not a regular dog-friendly coffee shop. Located in Alaska, this dog cafe is very helpful in combining the community of dog owners. The environment of this cafe is very hygienic so you don’t have to worry about your dog’s health.

Woof and Whiskers Cafe situated in Connecticut is one of the very few dog cafes that not only provides natural dog food but also full grooming services to the pets. Self-service pet wash is also available in this very rare dog cafe. 

The Wagging Tail Cafe situated in Delaware, Georgia is the ultimate destination for gourmet treats for your furry friends. Even humans can enjoy delicious treats in this cafe with their canine allies. You can have both a quick coffee and a great time with your dog. These factors are what differentiate best dog friendly coffee shops from Dog Cafe. 

Do you know about the Canine Cafe in Iowa that is specifically designed for pets? This cafe has beautiful outdoor area settings where your dog can play without any restrictions. Your dog will get comfortable in no time in this cafe.  

White Dog Cafe situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is not an ordinary dog cafe as it has a historical significance. The original restaurant used to spread awareness about animal protection by showcasing white dogs on its premises. The restaurant was opened in 4 more locations after 2009. 

You should visit the above-mentioned cafes at least once with your dog. These are some of the best dog cafes in the United States. Delicious treats are waiting for your dog in these cafes. If you want to stay at home and still order some delicious treats and other pet supplies for your dog, check out Petyupp’s website.

[travelingtheusa]

CANADA - BRITISH COLUMBIA

2023 Jun 25 (Sun) – Today was a very looooong day.  We left Sikanni at 8:00 a.m.  The drive was 240 miles.  It took us and our 3 three rigs six hours to arrive at Toad River Lodge.  The scenery along the way was fantastic.  The group spotted 7 bears (we only saw 2) and 2 caribou.  Someone else reported seeing stone sheep and big horn sheep during their drive.

      After we inspected the campsites (I think there are 21 in the campground), we assigned spaces then greeted each group as they came in.  The fifth and last group arrived around 5 p.m.  During the drive, we stopped in Tetsa River to buy cinnamon buns.

      We went to dinner in the café with Johnny & Linda.  The food was OK but expensive.   Afterward, we held a travel meeting in a tent site area.  Everyone is very upbeat and excited about the trip.

2023 Jun 24 (Sat) – It was a decent drive today – about 150 miles.  We left Dawson Creek at 9 a.m. with 3 rigs and drove 3-1/2 hours to Sikanni River Campground.  Sikanni (pronounced SICK-A-NEE) is a small way station along the Alaska Highway.  The campground (if you could call it that) was a dirt field with back-ins along the tree line and some pull-thrus on the side.  Most folks had 30 amp electric.  Three of us had 15 amp service; just enough to power the refrigerator.

2023 Jun 23 (Fri) – Today was a free day.  Everyone was free to go off and do what they wanted.  Paul and I worked on the next few stops.  Beth pointed out a discrepancy in the itinerary. Apparently, we scheduled both the optional jeep tour of Denali National Park for the same day as the Husky Homestead Tour.  My heart was in my throat as I contacted the Husky Homestead folks and asked for a change.  Luckily, they were able to reschedule us for the next day and more luckily, we had nothing planned for that day.  Whew!

      At 6 p.m. we met back in Sudeten Hall for a travel meeting.  The group is coming together nicely.  There are good friendships being formed and the comradery is high. 

2023 Jun 22 (Thu) – At 9 a.m. we all met at the Walter Wright Pioneer Village for a self-guided tour of the village.  We broke everyone up into groups, the same arrangement as when they drove here.  Our five groups headed off in their different directions and seemed to enjoy the nostalgia.

       At 11:30 a.m. we gathered in Sudeten Hall for lunch catered by the Meat Doctor.  There was pulled pork, beef brisket, baked potato, cole slaw, strawberry cake, beverages and coffee.  Everything was delicious.

       A representative from the visitor center – Melissa – came in and gave a presentation to the group about the Alaska Highway and Dawson Creek.  After her hour-long slide show, she gave everyone a certificate attesting to the fact they were at Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway.

       We then all grabbed our jackets and sent to the Mile 0 Marker to take a group picture.  Paul took many individual shots as well.  Then Paul & I walked to the visitor center to pick up some post cards for the grandsons.  The docent told me where the post office was so we walked three block down main street to buy some stamps.  The post card stamps are the same as their first class stamps.  We walked back up main street, then returned to the campground.

     At 5 p.m., several people gathered for happy hour.  Joe brought out the dice to play a yard game.  It was fun.

2023 Jun 21 (Wed) - We left Whitecourt in Alberta at 8 a.m., leading 3 RVs.  The weather was clear (no rain, yay!) and the scenery was very nice.  The roads were long and straight with lots of trees.  The drive was over six hours.  We stopped in Beaver Lodge for lunch and took a picture with a giant beaver sculpture.

      Once we arrived, we figured out where everyone would go and set out the parking crew.  The last rig came in around 4 p.m.  It made for a very long day.  A small group gathered to socialize outside our rig around 6 p.m.  At 9, we came inside.  There was a one hour time change today which made for a longer day.  We are bushed!

[maverick-bennett]

“I’ll make sure to save some to bring you all some leftovers. We can swap, I’ll give you some of our cheap easy meals and you can give us some of your family’s fancy home cooked stuff” Maverick posed, mainly kidding, though he would never turn away the free food. He knew he should learn how to make more things, if not for himself then for his daughter, but he had never claimed to have a talent in the kitchen. At the news that he wouldn’t need to be seeing the rest of her family on Thanksgiving, Maverick nodded. “Yeah, sure, Charlotte and I can come by. I’d have to run it by her first, she’s very particular about who we spend our time with. Need to make sure she approves of you before I commit to plans” he said, sarcastic as always. “I would have chocolate silk pie in prison all the time, they served that with the filet mignon and baked Alaska” he continued his sarcasm, knowing the meals he’d eaten over the past 8 years were all very simple. “No, I’ve never had chocolate silk pie. Never heard of it before, actually” he added, finally the honest part of the statement. @jaslenexclairmont

"That's not a bad dinner, hell, I think my girls might even prefer that to the whole get up my parent's are planning on having," she laughed with a shake of her head, "Just me and the girls, you can come over after I leave my parent's or Ray's, it's not been decided where it is yet," at least they'd make up their mind, "I'll take extra left overs if you're truly opposed to your rotisserie chicken and box mac and cheese dinner. Lenny makes a killer dessert too if you like chocolate silk pie." @maverick-bennett