#and i did not want a free starbucks drink. and they were like ‘is there anything you do want’ and i was like no not really sorry

[gobbluthbutagirl]

it’s actually so sad how i used to be so funny and now i’m not even funny anymore. i need to have a job where they torture me again so i can become funny again. that was the one thing i had going for me!

[pencil-n-pen]

hii! i hope you are doing well. i love your overworked series so much. it's very relatable to me on what the circumstances the reader is in and all i do eat the series all up(munch munch) how about like a study date for them? that would be cute

Hello honey !! Thank you so much for this request, I was so excited to write it <3 Hope you enjoy!

STUDY OR DATE

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄ ౨ৎ ⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠄⠂

summary: you ask Leon to go on a study date with you at a coffee shop. Things don’t go as planned, but work out just fine in the end.

cw: i think this qualifies as a drabble not a oneshot it’s short :( but sweet :) sorry some angst slipped in there, one of Leon’s ex friends says some kind of mean things about you but Leon comes to your defense, honestly that’s it this is pretty fluffy

a/n: i just know leon absolutley slams those frou frou coffee drinks. i say this as a frou frou coffee drink enjoyer

no the Baby I'm Yours reference was not intentional

masterlist | previous (not actually a SERIES series, just takes place in the same universe)

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

It was you who proposed the idea of a study date.

"I think it might be nice," You'd said, staring at your shoes and shuffling in place as people file out of the last class of your day- the one you share with Leon. "I usually study by myself, but I think it would be good to... get out of my room, for a bit. Um. And then we could study together?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

This is one of his current favorite sentences. "Training you to stand your ground, princess. Nothing bad is gonna happen when you do."

You squeeze the strap of your backpack. "Telling...? But also asking, because I don't know if you're free."

"Even if I did have plans I would cancel them. Where were thinking of going?"

A burst of heat rises to your face. "That cafe? Near the east side of campus?"

He leans down, giving you a quick peck on the nose. "I think that's a great idea."

The walk to the cozy cafe isn't too long, but it is cold. You shamelessly use the winter chill as an excuse to cuddle up to Leon.

"As if you need one," He mumbles, squeezing you close to him.

When you arrive to the shop, the bell dinging signifying your entrance, Leon tugs at the backpack on your shoulder.

"Gimme that. I'll snag us a table that has outlets. Order something for me?"

You don’t have to look to know the hand in front of you has his credit card in it. And you know better than to refuse. He likes spending money on you, for whatever reason. You’re not complaining, really, it just eats at you a little bit. Just a little.

But it’s also really, really, really sweet. The kindness tends to override the guilt, in his case.

For yourself, you order exactly what you want- Leon has a second sense for when you order something that's for the sake of preserving money rather than what you actually want. You'd asked him once where his seemingly never-ending supply of money came from, but he'd just kissed you on the forehead and told you not to worry about it. You kind of still worry about it, but never enough for him to notice.

For Leon, you order exactly what he wants but will never admit to liking- an iced caramel macchiato. The way coffee shops like Starbucks make them, not the traditional way. More milk and sugar than coffee. It's funny watching him slug his way through black coffee with a splash of milk when you know for a fact the milky, sugary coffee drinks never last longer than about five minutes when they're in front of him.

The cafe isn't that crowded, so it doesn't take long for your drinks to be ready. You take them from the bar with a thanks, then slide into the table Leon snagged for you.

His eyes catch on the drink.

"What is that?"

"An iced caramel macchiato."

"And why, exactly, did you order that for me?"

"Because you like them."

"No I-"

"Don't even pretend."

He takes the drink with a grumble, but reaches across the table and squeezes your hand once, a quiet thank you.

You take a sip of your own drink, then take your supplies out of your backpack and get to work.

You work fairly quietly, Leon occasionally sliding random snacks he, apparently, just keeps with him across the table to you. At one point, he gets up and returns with a plate that has a few of the pastries you were eyeing earlier on it. How he even knew exactly which ones you wanted is a mystery to you.

An hour or so after he gets the pastries, the bell dings, signifying someone's entrance.

"No way! Leon, is that you?"

Leon's face twists into something sour and angry, and a small stab of apprehension slices through your chest as the voice is accompanied by approaching feet.

"Josh," Leon says evenly, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. "Haven't seen you in awhile. On purpose."

You turn, eyeing the man that's standing behind you, a few other guys standing a little ways behind him, all leering for a glance.

The Josh in question just laughs. "Oh, whatever Leon," His gaze catches on your face and his eyes widen.

"No way. Are you seriously here with the pretentious--"

"You mean my girlfriend?" Leon leans forward in his seat, his jaw set and his fists clenched where they rest on the table. "Be very careful about your next words."

Girlfriend?

Josh blinks. "I meant nothing by it, man. I'm just surprised to see you here with her, is all."

Leon looks absolutely murderous. "And why would that be?"

"Just because, you know. We always talked about how annoying her attitude was. And that rivalry thing you guys had."

"I remember ditching you guys when you started ragging on her, yeah. Fuck off, Josh."

Josh raises his hands. "Jeez, okay man. I was just surprised. You're seriously choosing that girl over us?"

"This woman, yes. We were never friends like that. Forgive me if I prefer being with someone who doesn't make me consider the legality of finishing a college degree in prison."

Josh seems upset by Leon's statement, but Leon holds his ground. He jerks his head towards the rest of the gaggle. "Go."

Josh scampers away, metaphorical tail between his legs.

Leon immediately turns to you, brows furrowed in concern and body un-tensing. "Are you okay? Did he upset you? Do I need to kill him?"

You blurt out the first and only thing you got from that entire exchange.

"I'm your girlfriend?"

He re-tenses.

"Do you... not want to be?"

"No!" You shout, a little too loudly, because Josh and his friends look back over, but the ensuing glare from you and Leon is enough for them to look away so quickly you think you hear Josh’s neck pop.

"No," you say quietly, "I um. I'd really like to be your girlfriend. I just. I didn't know what we were."

He gets that fond look in his eyes again. The one he gets before he says something sappy.

"Baby," He says, reaching across the table and grabbing your hand. "I"m yours. I mean that. I didn't formally ask you out because I figured you wanted to take things slow."

"I did. At first."

He smiles. "Then princess, my princess, may I please be your boyfriend?"

You can't help the giddy giggle the escapes your mouth. "Yes."

"Oh thank god," He says, wiping fake sweat off his brow. "It would've been awkward to have a heart attack and die in this cafe."

"That seems a bit extreme."

"Not really. Have you seen my girlfriend? Cardiac events are a normal reaction, I assure you."

You don't get much studying done for the rest of the day.

--

After that, there is a noticeable increase in study dates and date-dates. Leon is weirdly good at picking date spots and ideas.

The first time he introduces you as his girlfriend at a party, Ada shouts so loudly you think she might burst someone's eardrum. Your roommates all squeal with excitement when you tell them.

Chris, being Chris, says "Weren't you already dating?" when Leon tells him the news. That seems to be the general consensus.

You're on another study date right now, Leon's face doing that cute little scrunch thing when he's thinking about a math problem, and you set your pencil down just to stare at him.

He's your boyfriend.

You're his girlfriend.

He looks up at you, chewing on the end of his pencil. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No," You say, a little breathless. "M' just looking at my boyfriend."

He grins, leaning across the table to give you a kiss, soft and slow.

You're normally not one for PDA.

But maybe you'll allow it. For your boyfriend.

ᯓ✦

[thebearer]

autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place |carmen berzatto x reader|

prompt: target, halloween, carmen, and you. or a short, fluffy work about halloween shopping with target bc why not? 'tis the season.

contains: fluff. that's it lol. mentions to past family memories and some insecure carmen, but honestly just fluff!

“Oh, look at this one!” You coo, snatching the tiny ghost figurine off the shelf.  

“Cute.” Carmen muttered, one hand on the obnoxiously red cart, the other on your lower back. “Put it in.” He nodded towards the cart that was slowly starting to fill up. 

The speakers droned out some dull pop song, your coffee and his melting away in the drink carriers on the cart. Carmen didn’t usually prefer Starbucks, much more of a fan of the local coffee spot a block over from The Bear. They knew his regular, made it for him as soon as he walked in. No fuss, no forced conversation- just the way he liked it. 

But you liked Starbucks, well, in the right circumstance. You liked going to Target, you liked having a coffee to sip on while you “browsed”. Browsed, Carmen had grinned when you told him that. 

“You don’t just go out and browse sometimes? Look at things? Window shop to make yourself feel happier?” You’d asked him earlier in the car, head tilting to the side. 

“No, baby. I, uh, I don’t.” Carmen looked over at you, his hand still holding yours in the center console. “But maybe you’re onto somethin’.” 

Carmen’s lack of decorations was deemed a crime in your eyes, which inspired the trip. Halloween trinkets filling the cart, the sly smile you’d give him when you’d slip another one in, just like you were doing now. 

“It’s my treat.” You’d remind him, with a little wink. Carmen let you think that. Like he’d ever let you pay. And miss out on a chance to spoil you? No way. 

“Where’re you gonna put all this?” Carmen hummed, watching you situate the tiny ghost next to the plastic cauldron and iridescent ornaments- something you saw on TikTok that you were going to attempt to DIY. “My place isn’t that big.” 

“I’ll find a place, don’t worry.” You hum, sliding back in beside him, swiping your cup out of the basket. “You’ve got a bathroom, and the kitchen, and the bedroom-” 

“-Bedroom?” Carmen grinned lightly, his hand snaking to your waist while his free hand pushed the cart. “You gonna put this creepy shit in there?” 

“It’s not creepy.” You huff at him. “It’s cute, festive. Makes the place feel more… homey.” 

Carmen decided then, he’d let you put a full fucking skeleton in his room if it made you feel that way. He’d get rid of all his shit, didn’t need it anyways, so you’d have room for all your holiday stuff. Carmen’s heart fluttered at the thought of what Christmas would look like. Would you put up a tree? He hoped you would. He’d go and chop one down if he had to. Where in Chicago he’d find a tree? He wasn’t sure, but he’d find one for you. If it made you as happy as this did. 

“Ok,” You pulled him out of his thoughts, stopping the cart lightly. You plucked the bright orange bag up. “Did you know these are my absolute weakness?” Pumpkin shaped Reese’s, in their bright orange and purple glory. 

“Yeah?” Carmen grinned. “This is it, huh?” 

“Yes, in any shape too. But I prefer the pumpkin.” You went to set it back, Carmen’s hand grabbing the bag lightly and putting it in the cart. 

“‘M more of a Christmas Tree fan.” Carmen shrugged. “You know Cicero- uh, Jimmy-” You nodded, slipping back into his side. “He, uh, he used to bring a bag of these to Christmas every year when I was little. He’d always have to hide ‘em, ya know? My dad… My dad didn’t want us havin’ all that sugar before dinner. Jimmy would come in where all the kids were, toss ‘em to me or Mikey or Richie when he started hangin’ around. Tell us not to get caught, and Merry Christmas, and hide the evidence. We’d eat them before goin’ to Mass, and he did it every year until I got in high school.” 

You smiled softly, hand sliding down his back. “That’s sweet.” You hum, squeezing his hip lovingly. “You should get him some for Christmas this year. Return the favor.” 

“Yeah,” Carmen scoffed lightly. “Yeah, I think he’d like that.” 

A silence fell between the two of you, chatter from the surrounding people, the scratchy-screech of the cart. Carmen’s heart hammered, mind racing. Why the fuck did you tell her that? Fuckin’ ruined the moment. Stupid, fuckin’ stupid. 

“Hey, uh,” Carmen’s hands shook lightly, fingers drumming on the red plastic over the cart. “I-I didn’t mean to… ‘m sorry, I didn’t mean to say all that, ya know? Ruin the-the… I just, I dunno, you said that and-and I-” 

“-What?” You asked softly, brows creasing lightly. “What are you talking about? Say what?” 

“The, uh, the thing with Jimmy. I-I didn’t mean to make it awkward-” 

“Why is it awkward?” You pressed, setting down the candle you were smelling. “I thought it was sweet.” 

“Yeah? I-I just… I dunno why I said it, I’m sorry.” Carmen rambled, a hand falling over his face, hoping you couldn’t see the blush growing over his face. 

“Don’t be sorry, Carm. There’s nothin’ to be sorry about.” You shook your head, waving him off. “It’s a sweet story. I like that you told me that.” 

“Yeah?” Carmen asked softly. 

You nodded, smiling at him. “You know I do, bear.” The nickname rolls off your tongue so effortlessly, calmly- Carmen’s sure he’s going to melt into the floor. 

“Here,” You twist the lid off the next candle. “This one has caramel. You like that, right?” 

Carmen wasn’t sure how you remembered that. He’d mentioned it once, in passing, that he liked whatever you were burning at your apartment when he was over. It was caramel and coffee, you’d remembered, because you showed up at his house with the same candle the next day. A love present, you’d called it, pressing a kiss to his cheek. You didn’t want anything in return, no strings, just buying him something because you wanted to; because he liked it. It was still a new concept to Carmen, how you could love him without wanting anything other than love in return. 

Carmen ducked down, the brim of his hat bumping your wrist lightly. “Yeah, I like that one.” He nods. “Smells like that other one.” 

“Yeah? Not too pumpkinny?” You tilt your head to the side. 

“No.” Carmen laughs, breathy and light. “I don’t smell any pumpkin. Is there pumpkin?” 

“Caramel Pumpkin Latte.” You tilt the label towards him. “They’re saying it’s in there.” Carmen hummed lightly. “You calling them a liar?” You giggle playfully.  

“No, but I am sayin’ there’s not pumpkin in there.” Carmen snorted lightly, putting the candle in the cart anyways. “Not real pumpkin, anyways.”

“Maybe if this chef thing doesn’t work out, you could be a candle critic.” You tease, falling into slow steps beside him. “Be a candle blogger or something.” 

“Candle blogger?” Carmen repeats with an amused smile. “That’s not real.”  

You look at him, eyes wide in excitement. “Oh, Berzatto, am I about to blow your mind.” 

“No? Really?” Carmen laughed. “You’re fuckin’ with me?” 

“No! It’s a real thing, Carmen.” You laugh, pulling out your phone. “There was this woman that, like, went viral because she was going insane about Bath and Body Works not having her candle or something.” You giggle, typing slowly in the search bar. 

“That’s fuckin’ insane.” Carmen rolled his eyes. 

“Yeah.” You smirk. “Think she might’ve started a trend.” 

“Well, can’t do that then.” Carmen shrugged, loading the items on the small platform at the self checkout. “Don’t wanna go up against her, baby. She’s intense.” 

“Yeah, good call.” You grin, pocketing your phone, opening the bags while he scanned the ghost. “Guess you’ll have to stick to cooking.” 

“Guess so.” Carmen muttered, putting the plush pumpkins in the bag, reaching for his wallet. 

“Eh! No!” You click your tongue, eyes flashing at him. “I told you I was buying it.” You put a hand over the card slot, glaring at Carmen with a frown. 

“C’mon,” Carmen shook his head lightly, pushing your hand away lightly. “You got a number you wanna put in?” He nodded towards the screen. 

You pouted, pausing for a moment. “Yes.” You mutter, typing in your number quickly, pivoting your body in front of the card machine. 

“You gonna move?” Carmen looked at you, already reaching around to put his card in. 

“No, I told you it was my treat.” You mutter, twisting with your phone in your hand. One look at the screen, and you were tapping your phone against the screen. The ding chimed, your smug smile spreading across your lips when the receipt printed. 

Carmen was stunned, card still in his hand. “What- How did you-” 

“Gotta be quicker than that, Berzatto.” You grin, pressing a kiss to his cheek. 

Carmen looked down at his card in his hand, shoving it back into his wallet. Maybe Sugar was right, maybe he did need to actually learn how to use his phone. He grabbed the bags from you, swatting your hand away while you pushed the basket back. 

“Shoulda let me pay.” Carmen grumbled, walking beside you out the sliding doors. It had started to get chilly, leaves tinging with warm color and the temperature beginning to drop. “Stuff’s for me anyways.” 

“Yeah, but I wanted you to get it.” You bump your hip playfully with his. “Besides, I told you it was my treat.” 

Carmen didn’t respond, unlocking the trunk and putting the bags in carefully, but the frown didn’t fade. Brows still furrowed and lips still in a hard line. 

“Hey,” You call, stopping him before he could close the trunk. “I told you I wanted to buy it for you.” 

“Yeah,” Carmen’s brows furrowed. “But you shouldn’t’ve-” 

“-Carm.” You groan lightly. “I wanted to pay, ok? You always get me stuff. Let me get this for you, ok?” You say lightly, arms snaking around his shoulders, looping behind his neck. “Let me spoil you, bear. Lemme be your sugar mama.” 

Carmen snorts, lips curling in a grin lightly. “Shut up.” He mutters, your lips closing over his in a sweet kiss. 

You pulled apart, blushed and swooned in a Target parking lot. “You gotta put the stuff up anyways.” You tease, hands sliding down his toned arms, over his color block jacket. 

“Yeah?” Carmen snorts lightly, pulling the trunk shut. “You’re not gonna help me?” 

“I’ll be directing.” You declare, pinching his butt lightly, grinning at how he jumped and flushed. Sliding into the passenger side, you lean across the console to Carmen. “I’ll make sure the ambiance is there.” 

Carmen nodded, starting the car, eyes bright when they met yours. “Light the candle?” 

“Yes.” You laugh. “And I’ll pick out a movie.” 

Carmen snorted lightly, his free hand moving behind your head rest while he backed out. It made your tummy flip with excitement. “Yeah? Casper?”  

You give him a feigned unimpressed look. “You know I’m more of a Hocus Pocus girl.” 

“Right, my bad.” Carmen laughed, hand gripping your thigh lightly, thumb rubbing patterns over the material of your leggings. Your heart skipped. “Fine. As long as you open those Reese’s.” 

“Deal.” You grin, kissing his forearm gently. 

Hours later, wrappers piled on the coffee table, the candle burning in the kitchen, and the orange lights glowing from where Carmen string them over the TV stand in the living room. One Jack-O-Lantern fleece blanket thrown over both of your legs, your head on Carmen’s while the beginning credits of Beetlejuice played on the TV. Carmen decided right there that you were right. This was more homey. Felt… right and content. He wasn’t so sure it was the decorations, more likely it was the girl who picked them out.

[thatbitchery]

Pick me behavior sickens me more than actual sickness could sicken me I can not think of one thing more unladylike than auditioning for something as stupid as acceptance. Yes when you don't have status markers when you are ugly or poor or nameless sometimes you do have to lick the floor will your pride pay your bills? Help you survive? Even then I can not watch it. Go be ew far from eyes of mine.

Had a conversation with a pick me this morning and if flying and exams didn't already ruin my mood this 🚮did. It's hard enough to meet a fully black person let alone girl in these roads I walk so when I met an African even mixed it's like Jesus praise the Lord. I actually get excited so I see this girl and it passes we share the motherland and ugh. Finally. I've swam in snow for so long I thirst for chocolate so we go on and on about it and obviously at some point it hits the political marker? How? We've both been to the same countries mostly and we bond over it and I say well I'm not confined by 'rich' or 'poor' I just like what I like. I like private jets and I also like Starbucks I don't have a poverty mindset so I don't rank things by price Im self centered I rank them by me. I am my unit of measure so yes I like Starbucks even if it's poor people drinks. She goes yes but you know I no longer take it. I'm waiting for an actual reason like it's unhealthy or an actual tangible reason and this thing hits me with *Free Palestine*. I laugh say mama I can not give a single fuck about Palestine if you paid me to. She gives me the Oh so you're an Israeli supporter you- I say naw I don't give a single faaaaaaak about Israel or Ukraine or Russia or Afghanistan I genuinely do not care who is killing who for what I want Starbucks I'm getting Starbucks idk what "cancelled it" if it's my money I get what I want. This thing gives me a humanitarian speech and I just walk out mid because

Extremely unobservant of you to try guilt trip me do I looooooook like I have ANY morality in me lmao

If the cards were reversed? If they said in Kenya the women can not speak or study or- do you think Afghan women would care? The Democratic Republic of Congo has been on fire since God knows when how many #FreeCongo posts have you seen? Somalia had a clash the same time Russia and Ukraine were measuring nuclear prowess how many of them changed their Profile Picture to include a Somali flag? Sorry do you know what they do to black women there? African women? When I tell my mom Im travelling to ANY part of Asia I can feel her heart break because she watches the news and knows not only am I African with a very African second name I'm also dark skinned and that's anti negro land. They make their idols bleach to ghost level and get their daughters and sons nose jobs do you know what they see you like? IF THE CARDS WERE REVERSED do you think they'd do this for you. The pickmeism of the black community needs to be studied but it is so funny to me when I see it in dark skinned black women like you do know you're at the bottom of the food chain do you not?

So girl goes around saying whatever and one of my friends call me after whatever tf one hour of flying is & I'm trying to deal with all the biological issues of being high altitude in this weather mentally preparing for my exam and I get as SOS and it's *Oh you're pro Israel?* And now I'm pissed because is Israel pro me? I'm pro Russia because Russia erased all my people's debt and I am self centered everyone else bomb each other idk. What does that have to do with me? Girl says YESSS I KNOW RIGHT. We schedule an anti 🚮 session because whew girls are weird out here and now I'm reeling on main because I can't gossip yet so y'all have to catch this stray.

It is a form of stupidity that even a sea cucumber can NOT fathom to be a pick me when you don't need to. And in my books you never need to. Sometimes I get it sometimes I see it I respect it but every single times it disgusts me. Have hundreds of years of femicide and misogyny taught you nothing? And the problem is you know you're not supposed to be a pick me for men (& STILL MOST OF YOU 🚮 ARE. DO NOT TEXT OR ASK ME ABOUT YOUR DEEEK CARRIER I DESPISE YOU BOTH) but when it comes to social settings COWARDS. ALL OF YOU.

Ladies I tell you this because I went through it I speak purely from experience listen to me. Listen to me carefully. Alexa play Mother by Meghan Trainor.

Do. Not. EVER. Turn against yourself in public, not even as a joke. ESPECIALLY not as a joke. It's acceptable if it's serious in a certain way but as a joke? When people make fun or you or yours you- YOU LAUGH??? YOU LET THEM LAUGH? 🤮🚮

IN PUBLIC, PROTECT YOU AND YOURS. 🔊🎤.

I don't like my people I don't I like that I'm African because it's Integral to me and it's not like everyone else is better actually wtf even is that ? But if don't like my people. I hate my culture I hate the mindset I hate the mentality etc when most people are talking shit about us mentally it's like BRUH I KNOW but uhm. Shut your mouth. As far as publicly I'm concerned AFRICA and it's people have never done anything wrong. You exist because we exist. We are the blueprint? Go wear sunscreen and shut the fuck up try to dance with rhythm and cut down on the BBL it looks embarrassing on you. Fillers too. You wanna be me so bad lmao. I HATEEEEE my family so much but you say ONE semi negative thing about them I dare you. No no. Go on. Run your mouth I run mine let's see. PUBLICLY I'm for mine and mines. I do not play pick me games we can NOT bond over hating something that's integral with me. I get along better with men and in a lot of ways I prefer male company ( and I'm a misandrist, so you see it) but Publicly all men are trash women are godesses queen mwah could never be wrong. I will defend a girl I want to unalive to men because I am a woman first THEN I'm a hater . Womanhood is INTEGRAL to me hating is a choice. If I make men feel they can run their mouth about women past me they will start disrespecting me because am I or am I not a woman? Exactly. I am black first then a hater second. Even a mixed person run your mouth go ownnn go on try me. When my people are talking trash about each other too I'll be all over that. I am my father's daughter first before I am the family disappointment so I will say whatever I want about him, you on the other hand. Who are you? Literally why even did you think you could?

If something is INTEGRAL to you, you protect it. In public. You DO not, NAUT. NAWT. Let people talk down on you or yours. Ever. And you do NOT, even as a joke, talk down on any part of yourself that's inseparable from you. I'll make fun of my career all day because it's a choice it's outside me idc about it. It's not a part of me I'm not loyal to it. If that thing is a part of you that's inborn you protect it with your blood .

I digress as one does, let's redirect my anger where it belongs.

It is pick me behavior to do for others what you know for a fact they would not do for you, especially when you know they would hurt you if they had the chance. It is this pickmeism that drives and keeps misogyny and the patriarchy going but we all know that. When in doubt, ask yourself- if this situation was reversed, what would they do? If it's not exactly what you are about to do for them, go home wash your hair and repent to your higher self for whatever that self sabotage was, and learn to mind your own business.

BMAC

[wonysugar]

it’s so over for me…. ch. 7

starbies~~ (half written)

a/n: I’M SO SORRY FOR BASICALLY POSTING THIS CHAPTER NOW😭i originally wanted to post it yesterday but thenvoekfke i passed out,,, so sorry. so uhm?? next chapter coming out later today<33 thank you

other, late a/n but uhm this was written wayy before the whole boycott situation.. so uhm don’t go to starbucks!! isofm!yn and isofm!ning are also boycotting as we speak so BE LIKE THEM! free palestine :]

running into ning today wasn’t something you had originally planned, since, you know, you barely even go to starbucks in the first place. today was just some sort of craving you randomly got while doing your assignments.

you approached her, laying gentle taps on her shoulder, causing her to turn around. her resting bitch face immediately turning into a wide grin upon seeing you. you were flattered, in a way. you never really doubted your guys’ friendship, but you didn’t except such an enthusiastic reaction from her.

“oh. my. god. y/n!!! it’s so great seeing you!” she exclaimed, grabbing you by the arm and jumping up and down which earned very intense stares from the other customers there with you, and despite not usually wanting to draw any attention, you didn’t really give a fuck about it, you still quietly greeted her back, wearing a bright smile.

she offered to pay for your drink, to which you hesitantly accepted, despite her being very financially stable for a college student. plus, you never really go to starbucks, so, after reluctantly accepting, you told her to get you whatever she thought was good. she proceeded to order some sort of thing that sounded like a cryptic harry potter spell, to which the barista apparently immediately understood.

you acquired your order minutes before she did, so you took the chance to settle at the closest table. it didn’t take long for her to sit down facing you, her hand holding a bag containing a chocolate chip cookie with her pinkie and somehow managing to grab ahold of some unknown drink. her other hand holding what seemed to be a… pumpkin spice latte..? you weren’t too experienced, but pretty much everyone knew what a pumpkin spice latte was.

“i didn’t peg you for a white girl, ning.” you said, jokingly squinting your eyes at her as she rolls hers.

“oh shut upp.. that one isn’t even for me,” she vaguely motions at the ‘forbidden’ drink, “aeri asked me to get it for her.” she clarified, your eyebrows unconsciously lifting themselves up. aeri, huh.

whatever, you didn’t care about her. you never did, so why were you so.. immediately uptight at the thought of her?? quickly, you switched the topic of the conversation and focused on talking about other things. the exams coming up, future hangout plans, both of your friend groups.

“oh yeah, i forgot to tell you, by the way, there was like this one private account on twitter that dmed me, and they were like?? asking to kiss me or whatever and it happened the same day you guys went apeshit and like.. apologized about it yesterday.” you quickly took a sip from your very good drink, kept note that ning had incredibly good taste, then carried on, “the apology in question was mostly just them being an ass, so. that was weird!” you giggled.

upon looking at her expression, you noticed that she didn’t seem to find it as humorous as you did. instead, she looked like she was trying to force out a fake giggle, but couldn’t.

“girl, you good?”

“no yeah. i am. i’m great, even.” she cleared her throat, taking comically large sips of her drink, basically finishing all of it in one go. what the fuck?

you stared at her dead-panned, you knew her, you knew that looking at her that way would eventually get her to say what’s on her mind.

and you were correct in thinking that!

“ughh okay don’t tell anyone i told you this and under no circumstances do you tell this to aeri but… okay so we-got-really-drunk-and-high-and-she’s-the-one-that-sent-you-those-messages-and-the-account-she-used-was-her-private-one—“

she then stared at you, apparently expectant of something. the only thing that you could do at that moment was pull out your phone and open up twitter.

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taglist : open

@yuki3000 @livelaughchoerry @frenchyypoo @ilovechanhee @beawolfbealionbeyou @jeindall777 @haerinfangs @rdfgfv @wygism @kimsgayness @mightymyo @havex00 @joonket @yerisdumbass @soon2berock @ddeulgiheree @kyaitosz @deong @haerinkisser @victio @imahallucination11 @wintersera @winteresss @pandafuriosa60 @astrojeezus @hyehae @manooffline @waevrs @baebeefyburrito

[drvirgus]

Protecting (my heart)

Idol! Minji X bodyguard! Reader

Description: getting a new job as NewJeans bodyguard isn't really something Y/n thought would happen to her. What exactly happens when she suddenly felt attracted to one of the NewJeans members? Can Y/n stay professional or are her feelings for Minji too much to handle?

Warnings: stalking; harassment; kys jokes; suggestive language; death threats; mention of abuse; mention of murder;

Chapter: Top or bottom? (Half-written)

Masterlist

———————————————————————————

Nervously, I stood in front of the door after ringing the bell, holding two cups of coffee in my hands—one from Starbucks and the other from the bakery down the street. My hands were starting to ache from the heat of the coffee burning them.

I looked up at Minji, who was smiling as she opened the door. "H-hey. Sorry. The coffee is hot," I quickly said, and Minji's eyes immediately moved to the coffee, which she took from me. I let out a relieved sigh.

Minji gestured for me to follow her, which I did after taking off my shoes. With the Starbucks cup in hand, I followed Minji into the living room and watched as she placed the coffee on the coffee table.

"So... I wasn't sure if you boycott Starbucks or uh... that's why I got one from Starbucks and the other from the bakery," I said, feeling embarrassed as I noticed my cheeks heating up. "You decide which one you want," I muttered quietly as an addition.

Minji chuckled, visibly amused, shaking her head. "Well... that's not exactly the point of boycotting if you still end up buying something," Minji said as she came closer to me. "But it's already bought," she added as she took the Starbucks cup from my hand and took a sip.

"Thank you, baby," she whispered with a smile on her face, giving me a brief kiss on the lips. My body relaxed automatically as I just nodded and watched her sit on the couch. With a smile on her face, she patted the spot next to her several times, and I immediately sat where she indicated.

Nervously, I rubbed my hands together as I looked around. This was now the third time I had entered this apartment, but it was the first time I was here in my free time. And, Minji was now my girlfriend...

"Are... uh... are the others not here?" I asked, prompting Minji to look at me immediately. Her eyebrows raised as she scrutinized my entire face. "Oh... they're probably in their rooms," Minji murmured, and I nodded in response.

Somehow... knowing that relaxed me.

"Ah, okay," I murmured softly. Minji watched me intently until she handed me the hot coffee, which I accepted and bowed slightly. Minji looked at me with wide eyes. Suddenly, the younger woman laughed, "Are you as nervous as I am?" she asked, her cheeks visibly flushed.

With wide eyes, I immediately looked at my girlfriend and started nodding frantically. "Yes, I'm pretty nervous," I replied, starting to laugh a bit. Minji laughed along with me, and you could almost feel the nervousness in the air.

Minji glanced away from me before looking back at me again. "Um... don't you want to... take off your jacket?" the taller woman said, tilting her head slightly to the side. My eyes immediately fell on the thin cardigan I was wearing over my sweater, and I laughed as well.

"Oh. Yeah. Of course," I said softly as I placed the coffee in my hand on the table and moved to take off the cardigan. My eyes met Minji's as I smiled again. "God, sorry... I guess I'm more nervous than I expected," I said with a light laugh, which seemed to relax Minji a bit, who was also nervous.

"How about... we have a drink?" my girlfriend asked with a small smile. I chuckled as I took my coffee back into my hand. "Honestly... no," I replied, which made Minji look at me questioningly.

"Even though I'm nervous, I'd like to experience my time here with you sober," I said as my hand rested on her thigh, and my eyes simply gazed into hers. "Don't you?" I asked, feeling a bit nervous as I started to smile lightly.

Minji huffed as she nodded her head. She placed her coffee on the table and made sure mine was next to hers. Almost immediately, she connected our lips, which made me exhale contentedly.

"Minji," I murmured softly between kisses as my hand wandered up her thigh. I noticed the idol tensing slightly, but despite that, her hand gripped my neck to pull me even closer to her.

A hum escaped my lips as I pulled away from her. I swallowed as I looked into her left eye and then her right. Our faces were only centimeters apart. I could feel her breath, now smelling of coffee, on my skin.

"I... like you so much," I whispered softly as my hand brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. With half-open eyes, I leaned in closer to her again. "I'm still a virgin!" the taller woman shouted in my face, causing me to flinch slightly.

Confused, I blinked several times. "What?" I asked, somewhat surprised by Minji's sudden revelation. Almost immediately, my eyes widened, and I recoiled. "Did... did I get too close? Oh God. I didn't mean to— I mean— uh," I said nervously, waving my hands defensively in the air.

Minji laughed at my reaction and seemingly also at my panicked expression. She held her hand up to her mouth as she gently tapped my arm, letting out a loud giggle.

"No, no. You did everything right. I just... thought you should know," Minji replied, now looking quite nervous herself. Her hands were on her legs as she started playing with her fingers, and she had already bitten her lip.

Smiling, I relaxed and placed my hands on hers. "Okay. Thank you for telling me," I said gently as I saw Minji looking at me. "We'll go at your pace, okay?" I added with a small smile as I noticed how red her ears had become.

I cleared my throat. "How about watching a movie?" I asked, clearly trying to change the subject. The younger woman understood, of course, and nodded her head. She immediately grabbed the remote.

"Yeah... let's watch a movie," the younger one said as she turned on the TV and quickly opened the Netflix app. I smiled and leaned back. "Minji?"

"Hm?"

"You can tell me anything. Every little thought. Even if it seems unimportant to you."

"Okay," Minji replied as her eyes briefly glanced at the ground, probably to hide her blush. But I noticed it with a smile on my face.

Minji is so darn cute.

———————————————————————————

[jxmieoleksiaks]

game on - joey daccord

Like a good procrastinator, had this idea in my head for weeks, wrote something else, and then switched it up at the last second. I am still nervous posting my writing, but, this was easy for me to write once I got started! This is the @wyattjohnston winter fic exchange fic for @kurlyteuvo ! I knew once I got the info that Joey would be perfect, and can say he is much cuter in person...aka being right at the glass for warmups lol. I do hope you enjoy it!

Words: 2618 Warnings: A little language gif: mine! Plot: Your best friend has an idea, and it ends up turning out way better than expected.

“I know they’re sponsored by Starbucks, but I love when some of the players come here after morning skate.” Your co-worker and best friend said after Adam Larrson walked out of the coffee shop. You both worked at the Sugar coffeehouse and bakery, almost just across the street from Climate Pledge Arena. You loved it, and you also loved using your work for free parking when there were events. 

“Right? I just wish more of them came in.” You laughed as the phone rang, probably another cake order for the manager. 

“I got free tickets tonight, I say we bring a couple cookies with our numbers on it.” She said.

Your eyes rolled, almost out of your head.

“Lys, you have got to be kidding me, that’s so freaking dumb.” 

“Oh come on! I made two of them, one for each of us, all it says is get kraken, in kraken colors and then in the cookie bags, has our number on it!”

“Yes, that’s clever but we’re adults, we’re not cute kids asking for a puck.”

“You never know until you try!!” Leah sing-songed.

You sighed. She was right, you never know. Plus there was always some discourse on if adults should get things, which they totally should, so you’d love to prove some brad’s, dad’s and chad’s wrong.

The coffee shop was now closed, and you quickly did your makeup in the bathroom. Nothing too major, but you did want to look your best.

“Wait, how are we even sneaking these in, no outside food?” You asked.

“Just trust me.” You shook your head at your best friend, something you did often, but just went with it. It was her crazy idea, so you usually just go along with it when she has something like this.

Somehow you two got the cookies into the arena and headed to your seats. You put your stuff down and went down to the ice. An old friend laughed at the idea of going down there to watch the players warm up, but it was fun to you. The wacky remixed music and getting good looks at your favorite players, you just loved to do it.

“Here, I got this too.” Leah said before she handed you a small piece of paper that said “cookie?”

“Did you stuff these in your bra or something? How did you do all this?!” You laughed, trying to fix the wrinkled sign.

“I’ll never tell, plus they’re not icky.”

You two watched the team warm up. You both held the signs and the cookies up to the glass. Leah’s were taken by Brandon Tanev, something she didn’t expect, but laughed and was excited her plan worked for her.

The warm ups were winding down and you still had yours, which, well..you expected. You were plain jane-ish, and knew you wouldn’t give it up.

“At least it worked for you..” You said to Leah before you heard a knock against the glass. You saw a grin under the goalie mask, and quickly threw the cookie over the glass. How you did it so perfectly you had no idea. It was Joey Daccord, and he grinned again before skating back to the tunnels.

“I told you!” Leah said, you both grinning, shocked her plan worked.

The next day, you worked the afternoon shift, pretty glad since you two went for drinks after to celebrate her plan working. You slept in until your alarm you set for pretty late, so you didn’t have time to scroll anything until you had a quiet moment at work. You clicked on twitter, and saw some people in the kraken twitter world get excited over something Joey posted. You decided to click on it, and your eyes almost popped out.

“Got this last night, would love to thank the girl who gave me this!” 

“No fucking way…” You said to yourself. You quickly replied to the tweet, with a picture of you and Leah with the cookies stating he grabbed yours, and thanked him for taking it.  You slid your phone back in your pocket as a small afternoon rush was starting.

Your shift was over and you looked at your phone again, seeing multiple likes on twitter, instagram and a random instagram dm request. Was this a weird spam account? Kraken fans saying how it was cool? Well, neither.

@jdac35: Hey! That cookie was a cool gift, plus it was so good too. Thank you! Interested in coming into another game? I’ll get you in, your friend too. The team does want cookies for everyone..sorry LOL.

You didn’t know what to think, but her freak idea happened and you quickly texted her, saying you two were going to another game, with cookies for the whole team.

The cookies were handed over to a security person before you two went and watched the game. You were told to come back by the locker room after the game. You laughed, thinking about the smelly locker room, but hoped you weren’t going in there.

The both of you got a cute little kraken fan pack, and a couple tickets for games the rest of the year, and some concert tickets too. It was the coolest little things, and it made you actually happy.

“I have to run to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” Leah said, before you were left in the locker room area.

“Hey.” You heard a friendly voice, and it ended up being Joey.

“Hi!” You exclaimed. “Thank you, for all of this, this was so cool, and was a weird thing my friend had, plus I didn’t think anyone was going to take mine.” You laughed.

“No problem, I loved them, and the social team thought it would be cool to have it to, but that’s not why I’m here.” he said, and you looked confused.  “I know, kind of like, thrown on you, but what if I invited you out? We’re going to a game place as a team, and I think it would be super fun, like air hockey, games, drinks, all those. Are you in?

“Really?” You asked, was this seriously all over the cookies?:

“I had to stop because I saw someone pretty, didn’t know she had a cookie with her.” He nervously laughed and you felt yourself blush.

“I..I would love that.” You smiled.

“I’ll DM you this weekend.” Joey smiled one more time before he walked away, and Leah came back.

“I think I have a date with Joey Daccord.” You said, as you and Leah walked out of the arena, a scream leaving her lips.

It was the day of the date, and you were actually pretty nervous. 

“I don’t think I can do this..” you texted Leah, as you were in the work bathroom getting ready. You hated you couldn’t run home and shower, but you were working around his schedule, and you understood that completely.

“Yes you can bitch…and I say that as a nice term. You got this. He’s cute, you’re cute and he seems down to earth, which you are too! Just do it. If he stinks at dating, at least he’s a good goalie.”  The text said.

You thought about taking the monorail, but it was starting to rain. You got in your car and started to drive. You were feeling excited, but also nervous. Most of the girls these guys brought to any invent were tiny blondes, and you weren’t neither. You had convinced yourself it was a pity thing, like hey thanks for the cookies, let me take you to an event and never hear from them again.

You pulled into the parking lot, and walked up to the front door. You showed your license to the people at the door, since it was a closed event, and they let you in. You were freaking out in your head, seeing the whole team relaxed and laughing.

“Hey cookie girl made it!” Jamie yelled before taking a sip of beer.

“I guess thats my nickname..” you said to yourself, looking for Joey.

“Hey!” He grinned, and gave you a quick hug. He was in a casual outfit, like the other guys and smelled like musk and wood, which smelled heavenly. Like something you would get in an Ulta ad, where you could smell the scents they were advertising. You all ordered food first, and you ordered a drink to calm your nerves, and to relax a little.

Talking to him was easy. His easy going nature made your nerves disappear within seconds, and you two had a lot more common than you think. You had mentioned how one of your cousins had something to do with the Formula 1 race in Vegas and he lit up, giggling to yourself that you brought up something he loved. The social team mades sure everyone knew that.

He asked you about your work, getting a degree but never using it, as the coffeehouse became your favorite place to work, and were making a decent living, well that and checking for new jobs so often.

“Soooo, how do you feel about this man? Asking you on a date.” Brandon laughed. “Should I have invited your friend..” He said, finishing his beer.

“Nah, she had to work.” You laughed, while your mind was running. “I thought this was pity because I did a nice thing.” You said nervously. Joey looked over at you, but before he could say anything, Burky was telling everyone to get into the game room.

“What if I asked if I wanted you to come to another game?” Joey asked, as you were walking into the game room, sounds of video games and laughter was already filling the air.

“I would like that, but..you really don’t have to, this thank you was enough.” You said.

A blush crept on his face, as regret crept on yours. You had convinced yourself for days this was like a pity date, a hey, thanks for this cool thing that helped the team get some views, let me repay you with food.

“Oh..fuck did I lead onto that?” He asked, the air being sucked out of the room, as you walked over to a driving game.

“No…I did that because I convinced myself that’s what it was…” You sat on the little snowmobile thing, wanting to play the game you loved as a kid and feeling more embarrassed than before.

“Well, I’m sorry you talked yourself into that, because that’s not what this is at all. Did I find the cookie thing endearing? Yeah! None of us would say no to cookies, plus, it was from someone around my age, not a kid so I was curious. But when I got a look at you, you looked so beautiful to me, and call me cliche but I wanted to know you more. It was my idea to talk to social about the cookies, and me tweeting it is how I got you to say hey in the first place.” He said, a small smile on his face.

“Shit…I’m a moron arn’t I.” You said before letting out a laugh, almost a cry due to how embarrassed you were. “I’m not this clueless, I swear..I just thought it was, because hello? Too good to be true.” You covered your face with your hands.

“Not at all, I get that thought, and I’m totally sorry if someone’ws pulled that kind of shit on you before, that’s fucked up, but not at all. Here, let’s do this. Have fun today, play some games, and if we feel like another date could happen, we can make it work, if not, friends.” He said, as he hopped on the snowmobile game next to you.

“I thought I just fucked this up.” You removed your hands from your face and looked over at him.

“Nope, we can call it equally confused, and it cancels out.” He smiles as hes putting the game card in. “Wanna race?”

“Deal.” You smiled.

You played games with Joey, trying to do your own thing, and won a couple games of Mario Kart against Matty.

“I have an idea, lets play air hockey.” You laughed.

“I mean, we can but I don’t know if you’ll win.” Joey smirked before placing his card in the slot, playing for the game

“Perfect, but I think..we should make this a bet.” 

“Bet? How so?” Joey asked.

“If I win, you have to win me that giant hello kitty in the claw game. I may not be a kid but I have a soft spot for hello kitty.” You said.

“Deal, and if I win, you have to go on another date with me. We’ll call it second first date, since this was kind of a group thing.

“You’re on Daccord.” You said.

You didn’t know where this confidence came from. The alcohol was still running through your veins, but not that bad. You were ready.

The game was a little one sided, as expected, he was beating you 3-1, but you quickly came back. It was an air hockey goalie battle, neither of you were scoring. The score machine started blinking, knowing the last score won the game. You both have a funny, but serious looks on your faces. You quickly moved your paddle, btu it went though the goal on your side.

You playfully sighed, and it turned into a laugh. “Of course, why would the goalie lose at a type of hockey.” You said.

The event was coming to an end, and you and some of the ladies that were invited spoke to you, saying how you were so nice and they wanted to see you again hopefully.

“Here, I think you need something to remember this day by.” He said as he grabbed your hand, taking you to the photobooth. Your heart jumping at the fact he grabbed your hand.

You two took a couple of silly pictures, a cute one, and right before the last flash, he kissed your cheek. A blush rose on your face again, even if it was just something innocent.

Some of the guys were grabbing an uber, as they had more to drink, while Joey walked you to your car.

“So, I think since I won another date is in order…unless you don’t want to.” He said, not wanting to pressure you.

“I think it is too, I still have your instagram  DM so I can message you.” You smiled. “Thank you for inviting me, this was so..so much fun.” You grinned.

“You’re welcome! It was fun, and I’m glad you could make it.” Joey was standing next to you while you were leaning on your car.

He looked around, which confused you, but before you could say something, he placed a kiss on your lips. You kissed back softly, and you two slowly pulled apart.

“Yeah, second first date for sure.” You laughed before he gave you a hug and you two went your separate ways. You hopped into your car and connected it to apple car play, seeing 40 texts from Leah, who wasn’t working today, asking questions every 10 minutes. You decided to call her on the way home.

“SO?!” She yelled loudly, as you turned your volume down.

“Sorry, I don’t kiss and tell.” You giggled as she let out a scream. “ I’m getting his actual number, so a second date is going to happen.”

“You’re welcome” She said, for the millionth time since you two were at the game last week.

“Mhm mhm thank you. Whatever would I do without you.” You rolled your eyes playfully, when it was actually pretty true.

[roronoa-roro]

okay im the silly anon who asked abt req status 😞 and u shouldntve told me they were open 🙂

i see uve been posting some loverboy atsumu thingies and me personally. im eating that up… no hands, just smashing my mouth against the dish and all. so like my request will be some friends to lovers cheesy fluffy romance between msby tsumu and fem(gn is also okay, up to u) reader B(

i was thinking like maybe the reader could be one of those sports medicine physician whos familiar with the team or something but thats just me being self indulgent cuz im busting my skull open studyin in med school🦧 so like you could leave those things vague if im being too specific but yeah like u said i want an expressive loverboy atsumu CAUSE IVE BEEN SEEING TOO MANY ASSHOLE!CHEATER!HORRIBLE!ATSUMU FICS like DAMN what did that man do to you😭 ok sorry for the rant feel free to ignore this if its not a proper prompt bc im horrible at making requests <3

a/n: what da fack nonnie😱😱😱 pls let me wash ur eyes and brain cuz lover boy atsumu is the only atsumu that should legally exist no offense to toxic atsumu he kinda hot but he illegal so

p.s. it's been very long since this was in my drafts nonnie and I still feel like I rushed this a bit sobs ily<333

"You can stop laughing now." Atsumu huffs, cheeks puffed and tinted red with embarrassment.

You chortle some more at that, stomach already hurting with the way you were cackling moments ago. "You're a himbo, aren't you?" You ask midst snorts.

"A what?" He looks at you, like he's seriously offended.

"A himbo."

"Fuck, no." He scoffs, looking away. "It was just a slip of the tongue!"

You giggle, "Slip of the tongue doesn't explain you ordering chicken at Starbucks." It's true, Miya Atsumu, the blind date Rintaro set you up with is looking to seem a lot lot more interesting than you thought he would.

Atsumu takes a long sip of his drink, dramatically glaring at you. "Ya wanna know my first impression of ya?"

"Mhm," you nod, encouraging him to say it.

"Ya seem like a bully."

That makes you grin.

His glare intensifies at that. "Knew it. Ya like pulling legs, dontcha?"

"Only the legs of beach blond himbos." You send him a wink, truly enjoying teasing him.

"Hmpf. Such a shame yer a bully despite that pretty face." What he says dawns on him one second later. And it's comically obvious with the way he buries his face in his arms.

Oh you wouldn't let this slide in a million lives, "I'm pretty?" You tease.

"Yes." He huffs, "And you know it."

The way he says it so indignantly like a little boy makes you giggle even more. "Well, you're pretty too!" you state, sending him another wink.

Atsumu's ears turn red, "You could have said I'm handsome," he mutters, turning his gaze to the side.

"Mhmm, but I don't want to inflate your ego." you giggle, "You're adorable though, I'll give you that." It's good to give leeway to the poor guy now and then.

"Adorable?" he scoffs, "Don't make me laugh, I'm a beast in bed!" his chest puffs at his claim.

You have to bite your lips to hold back your laughter. How embarrassing is this man. "Bet you will moan if I were to call you a princess."

"What—" he chokes on his drink, face turning bright red as he hits his chest to alleviate the pain of the drink flowing into the wrong pipe. "You— you piece of shit." he screeches. "I'll definitely show you who will moan out loud."

You guffaw. This man tickled all your right spots. And you had a feeling he was a keeper. So why not give this blind date a second chance unlike your other blind dates?

Safe to say you never had another romantic interest for the rest of your life.

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

If you’re still doing it!

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

Hell yeah! I'll never turn it away!!

102 sentences!!!!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

---

“You’re going to be here so soon. And I’m going to give you the biggest hug in the world.”

“Okay,” Chris replies, voice thick with emotion. “Twenty-five minutes is too long.”

“Twenty-four now, maybe,” Eddie says. But he agrees entirely. 

“Still too long.” 

“I know, buddy. Believe me, I know.”

“Don’t hang up, okay?”

“I won’t,” Eddie promises. “I’ll stay on.”

“Okay.” 

“How was your flight?” Eddie asks, just to keep them talking. 

“Fine,” Christopher answers. “They ran out of orange juice and Tia wouldn’t let me have a coffee.” 

“You don’t drink coffee! Chris, do you drink coffee?”

“You can’t drink coffee, Chris, you’re seven years old.” He hears Buck say. Eddie can’t help but chuckle. 

“Buck!” Chris complains. “I’m double that. And I don’t drink coffee all the time.”

“What does that mean?” Eddie asks. 

“Well, there was a Starbucks across the street from my school in El Paso.”

Oh, Jesus.

He hopes Chris bought so many pricy, ridiculous drinks on his parents’ card that it became a fucking financial burden. That habit will have to stop. Especially considering Eddie is currently without income. 

“Mm, so is it the coffee or the sugar?” Eddie asks.

“Sugar, probably.” 

“Tell me about school.” Eddie asks. “How is being in eighth grade?” 

A milestone type year that Eddie has already missed half of.

“Well, I don’t know.” Chris says. “The school is way different than Durand. So I’ll be happy to go back.”

“Oh yeah?” 

Eddie walks out of his bedroom and towards the front door while Christopher keeps talking about school. Risking the discomfort of the sun and being recognized by old neighbors, Eddie moves to sit on the front stoop. He doesn’t want to waste a second once Christopher arrives. He doesn’t want to waste any time, ever again. 

🩸🩸🩸

The moment Buck’s Jeep pulls into the driveway, Eddie is there. Chris barely has time to take off his seatbelt and open the passenger side door, before Eddie is pulling him out of the car, into his arms. He’s shaking. Chris is crying. Eddie is terrified that he’ll hold him so tight he won’t be able to breathe. 

“I love you,” he tells Chris, over and over. Like he can make up for all the days he said it only to a silent void. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

My baby boy. My son. I will never, ever let anyone take you from me again. 

“I love you, too, Dad.” Chris murmurs into Eddie’s shirt. “I missed you.”

“You’re so tall,” Eddie complains after hugging him for what feels like minutes. “You weren’t supposed to grow this much!”

“You and Buck both said that!” Christopher protests. “It wasn’t that much!”

Eddie takes a second to look away from his son, at Buck, who is standing with Christopher’s bags, watching them. He’s crying. He’s crying and he doesn’t even have the free hands to wipe his eyes. Eddie lets go of Chris with one hand and extends his arm out to Buck. Buck inhales sharply. He puts the bags down and takes two long strides towards them. He brushes right past Eddie’s hand and opens his big arms, engulfing Eddie and Christopher in one, big embrace. 

“You’re both home,” he exhales. 

“And we’re not going anywhere,” Eddie says quietly. 

After a second, Christopher - sandwiched between Eddie and Buck - shimmies a little. Buck takes a step back, away from them, releasing him. Chris pulls away from Eddie, too.

“Where were you?” He asks. “Where did you go? What were you doing? It was so long, Dad.”

Eddie’s stomach twists. No one has actually just outright asked him. Christopher has been sheltered from the worst of the Hemodhampirosis outbreaks, from what Eddie understands. He doesn’t quite understand. He can’t read between the lines. 

“Chris…” Buck hesitates. “That’s a lot, bud.”

“I need to know.” Chris pleads, not taking his eyes off Eddie. “I have so many questions.”

Eddie sighs. 

“I’ll answer all of them. Okay? Anything you need.”

[iambellarose1816]

Relief

A Fraphne one-shot

She was a nervous wreck. A total nervous wreck as she stood there waiting for something to pop out and get her. She was alone too. No one knew why she would just leave the house to go to the park when she knew not to ever leave the house alone.

She didn't even know why she wanted to take the risk, but she did anyway. "I thought I'd find you here." She looked up to see her boyfriend standing next to the bench with her favorite Starbucks drink in hand. She was relieved to see his face.

"Freddie." She muttered. He smiled and sat next to her. "Hey Daph, your mom was scared when she called me on the phone, said you walked out of the house without telling her where you were going. When she told me that I knew exactly where you were going to be."

Her heart warmed at his words. He knew her better than she knew herself. "Wow, Freddie. I'm sorry." She said, her sadness emitting. She couldn't hide anything from him, he knew her inside and out. "Why are you sorry? And why are you so sad?" He brought her into his arms and she buried her face in his chest.

"That I worried everyone for no reason. And I'm sad because of what happened a few days ago." Fred laughed softly and kissed his girl's head. "That is such a stupid excuse, Daph. You didn't mean to throw water on that girl's face."

Daphne looked at him and smiled. "She deserved it, she was looking at you like she was on a date with you." Fred laughed loudly this time and kissed her head. "I love you, but you are insane for real."

Daphne laughed along with him. "I love you too, and fyi I am not getting any less insane from now on."

"I don't want you to stop, Daphne Anne Blake." The relief she felt was great. She finally felt free and less sad. She knew that she chose the right man and the right man alone. Fred Jones was it for her.

[bumblepony]

Okay, it's getting colder here and I need warm thoughts. I demand you share with me three Tommy/Maria autumnal headcanons.

(I demand politely with hat in hand). xx

Oh this is a lovely one and strangely enough one I've thought about. I'm actually going to give you six as a bonus. Three Canon verse HC and Three no apocalypse verse HC.

No Apocalypse Verse

1. Tommy is a huge apple cider fan—all things apple cider, the drink, the donuts, the scent. If it's fall, it's apple cider. Maria is a Pumpkin Spice girl. Fall is all things PS all the time. There are wars in the T/M household on what is better. Tommy once spent a week on the couch when he changed out all the candles in the house to apple-scented candles when Maria wasn't looking. Maria once had to buy Tommy two jugs of apple cider when she changed his Starbucks order to a PSL on the app instead of an apple cider macchiato as a joke.

2. They love fall foliage tours. They've been up to the Adirondack every year to take the train ride that goes through the mountains. They are major leaf peepers, and it drives Joel crazy because every year, they try to get him and Tess to go. Joel could care less about the turning of the leaves, and Tess could care less too, honestly, but she loves to fuck with Joel, so she'll set them up to go just to drive him crazy.

3. Once they have their first son Mateo, who just so happens to have been born in the fall, (which was not in any way orchestrated by Maria keeping meticulous track of her cycles so she could make sure when the best moment for conception would be) they do a photoshoot of him in a pumpkin each year. Then, when they have their daughter Tilly (also born in the fall, hmmm, Tommy's starting to ask questions), the tradition continues. By the time little Solana is born also in the fall (okay Maria this is gettin' ridiculous darlin' how did I not notice you were doin' this.) It's a whole thing: baby, toddler, and kid in a pumpkin. It's getting harder and harder to find big enough pumpkins. When the kids are all grown up, they get together to do a joke photoshoot of a reenactment of their first group photo as kids for Tommy and Maria's anniversary gift. Tommy laughs so hard he snots whiskey out of his nose. Maria laughs too but she also gets Teary-Eyed at seeing all her babies so grown up. It goes on the living room wall in a place of honor and never comes down.

Canon Verse

1. Maria is the one doing all the fall activities in Jackson, she loves it, it's one of her favorite times of year. When Tommy comes along he wholeheartedly throws himself in as well. It's actually how they end up falling in love. One late night while Tommy is helping her get the sting lights up for the fall dance, he turns them on and she looks so beautiful in the glowing bulbs that he can't help but tell her and then fate is set.

2. Tommy hates Halloween, always has. Part of it could be the time he snuck down to watch the Halloween movie from the stairs when he was 8 years old, and his big brother, at 13, was watching the movie with his then-friend Shawna, who he very much wanted to be his girlfriend in hopes that she would cuddle close to him during the jump scares. She did, and they were blissfully together for a whole week; Joel even got his first French kiss from it. But all Tommy got was nightmares about Micheal Meyers trying to break into his house on Halloween to kill him and his family. So yeah, Tommy doesn't like Halloween. But every year, he sucks it up and puts on the brave Uncle Tommy face and the goofiest of costumes to make first Sarah happy and then Ellie 20 years later. Because that's what good uncles do. Maria knows, though, and she does everything she can to try and make the holiday as stress-free as she can for him. They have no decorations inside the house, and what they do have outside is the bare minimum, and it's all silly, not scary.

3. Tommy and Maria still love the fall foliage. Their favorite thing to do is to sit outside on their porch in Jackson, Tommy siping his hot apple cider and Maria siping her PS coffee that she makes herself, and they watch the seasons change. Both of them are secretly happy that their little community ended up in a part of the US that has the change of the seasons. On beautiful fall days, Tommy likes to take Maria outside of Jackson into the woods with all the leaves, and they pile them up and dance in them. Ellie lets them borrow her walkmen so they can each put one headphone in one ear each and listen to the music as they sway together.

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

128 of 2025

Did your parents live in a different country before you were born?

No, but they live in another country now.

Do you have a preferred coffee brand?

Douwe Egberts, yea that Dutch brand. Starbucks is cool, too.

What’s something you’ve experienced that very few others have?

A stroke.

Do you have to wear an identification badge at your job?

Yup. They're also designated to let us pass the security gates. The funniest thing is that there are no names on them - just a photo and a number.

Have you ever dated someone who was terrible with money? If so, how did it affect the relationship?

No, but my mum was terrible with money when we were younger and I still remember it.

How often do you paint your nails?

Never. Just did it once for lolz. The looks people were giving me, priceless.

Do you know anyone who’s related to a current or former world leader?

World leader? Doesn't every country have their own leaders?

Do you do your own taxes, or do you hire a professional?

Neither. Our labour union does it for free.

What is something you don’t have any natural talent for?

Verbal expression.

Did you watch this year’s Eurovision?

Nope, I don't give a shit. It's all become strictly political eons ago. Talent doesn't matter anymore. I don't want to be a part of this bullshit.

Have there been any periods in your life that could be described as being chaotic?

My whole life is chaotic okay. But it was more messed up when I was a teenager.

What was the last thing you purchased used?

I'm afraid I don't get the grammar of this question.

Has anyone ever told you that you get too competitive over minor things?

No, but I know I can be anyway.

Do you have hair on your toes?

Meh. More there than on my stomach lol.

Do you usually befriend your coworkers, or do you prefer to keep work separate from your personal life?

Well, many of my workmates are my friends outside work. Some are not. That's life.

What was the very first thing you ever saved up to buy with your own money?

Digital camera.

Describe your favorite Christmas ornament.

I don't really care about Christmas ornaments that much anymore, but I used to be obsessed with that particular star-shaped pink and blue balls when I was a kid. I would always take them out of the tree.

What is something you frequently forget?

The daily tasks. I need to have reminders everywhere and that's why I use a planner. My short-term memory is terrible, I'm telling you.

If I looked in your fridge right now, what would I find?

Lots of veggies waiting to be cooked as a soup.

How do you feel about your body?

*insert vomiting emoji here*

Who is someone you would like to get to know better?

That little train guy. Oh my.

If you had to move to a new city, where would you move?

I'd go back to my hometown. It's not even a city, but well, yeah.

Have you ever traveled on a double-decker train?

Many times, three different types and gotta tell you better thing, I build double-decker trains for living. Yes all the new trains in my country have been made by me and my workmates.

What’s your opinion on assisted suicide?

Is it different from euthanasia in any way? I have mixed feelings about it and I feel I'm not the best person to be asked this question.

At what point do you consider a relationship to be ‘long-term?’

Over two years, typically.

What jobs did your parents have when you were growing up?

Dad was a national railways worker and mum worked in chocolate company and then sparkling drinks-making factory.

Do they still have these jobs? Or different jobs? Or have they retired?

No, they're both retired.

Do you own any winter sports equipment?

Nope. I only have indoors sport equipment at all.

Do you have a cell contract plan, or are you on a pre-paid plan?

Contract on both numbers, one is a family plan that all three of us use in one bill. Are pre-paid plans even still in use, by the way?

Do you have any recurring dreams?

A lot. Trains, certain places (typically abandoned), railways, train stations, things like that. It's like an alternative reality.

[xoxiu]

first love of late spring - ot7 x reader

chapter three table of contents masterlist join the taglist discord

summary: falling, falling, falling- that's what you shouldn't be doing as a young intern at hybe. falling in love with your supervisor is frowned upon, especially all seven of them. you'll never learn, will you? guess you’ll just have to be their dark secret.

tags/warnings: intern!reader, poly relationships, stockholm syndrome, age regression, spanking, drug use, sugar daddy au, dubcon, body dysmorphia

taglist: @frieschan

The first few weeks of your internship seemed to fly by. Your coworkers were extremely nice and helpful, and maybe a bit too friendly for your introverted nature. Work itself wasn’t too hard, just a lot of busy work and whatever the higher-ups didn’t want to do. 

“Hey, y/n, we need you to do a coffee run.”

Anything and everything no one else wanted to do, in reality. 

Grabbing your jacket and headphones, you exited the building with music blasting. Thankfully, a café was just a short 5 minutes away. You double-checked the order on your phone when you noticed a frappuccino and some cake pops. That stopped you right in your tracks- they wanted Starbucks, not just a random coffee shop. 

Bring up your navigation app on your phone, you found that the nearest Starbucks was a 30-minute walk away. You didn’t like it, so you rummaged around in your pants pockets trying to find enough change the take a bus at least from Starbucks back to the office. Alas, you only had ₩1,100 for a ride back. Time to walk the rather long and cold walk to Starbucks. 

Mentally you made a note to yourself to put more won on your T-Money card. 

The coffee was needed in recording studio A. You quickly walked to the room, trying to balance a bag full of nine coffees. Because you didn’t know the passcode to the door, you managed to free up one hand to knock. One of the producers opened the door, saw the coffee, and ushered you inside.  He took the bags from you and placed them on a small table. 

“Finally! It felt like hours,” a man sitting at the sound mixer said, giving you a less-than-friendly look. You smiled out of awkwardness and gave out many apologies. 

“It’s fine, the shop may have been busy,” Namjoon said, turning to look at you with a smile, “You did well.”

Blushing, you tried to excuse yourself, having done your job, until a hand reached out to stop you. 

“No, no. You deserve a break. Producer-nim, cut the music. We want a coffee break.” Jungkook removed his hand from your arm. 

“Alright, reconvene in twenty minutes.” The two producers grabbed their coffees and left the room. 

“Sit down, I don’t think you’ve met everyone yet.” Namjoon pointed to one of the now empty rolling chairs, and you timidly went to take a seat. You tried your best to shrink in on yourself, intimidated by the presence of literal legends. 

It was Hoseok that began distributing the coffee and treats amongst the other members. He looked up at you confused, and you began to panic, wondering what you got wrong with the order. 

“I’m sorry-”

“Why didn’t you get yourself anything?” Hoseok asked. You looked at him with a blank stare, your mouth slightly opened. That was not what you expected him to comment on. 

“Well, I-”

“Let’s go get you something to drink. Do you like Starbucks?” Taehyung said, standing up to leave. “Oh, no. You look scared.”

“No wonder she looks scared- she doesn’t even know you and your offering to get her a drink!” Seokjin pulled Taehyung back down onto the couch. 

“But she’s y/n, hyung. Jungkookie told us about her.” 

The room grew quiet as Taehyung spoke. Everyone was tight-lipped and stiff, especially Jungkook. You looked over at him- his head was in his hands but you could see the redness radiating from his face. 

The thought of them talking about you amongst themselves made you feel a mess of emotions. On one hand, you were honored the be the topic of their conversation, but on the other hand, you wondered just what they were talking about. What was so remarkable about you that Jungkook couldn’t help but speak about you to the other members? 

“I- uh- it’s fine, really. I’m fine.” You tried to stand up, but a heavy hand pushed you back down. You were too flustered to really notice who it was. 

“I’m sure you know who we are at this point, but just for formalities, I’m Kim Seokjin.” Seokjin pointed to the blond next to Namjoon. 

“He’s Min Yoongi.” Yoongi gave you a small wave. 

“And He’s Kim Taehyung. You’re y/n, yes?”

“Yes, sir. But I really should-” Jimin was the one to cut you off this time. 

“You’re going to be our social media manager soon, let us treat you to a drink.” Jimin’s smile felt hypnotic, but you were too much into fight or flight mode.

‘Social media manager’ caught you off guard, however. 

“I-I think you’re mistaken, sir. I’m just a general BigHit social media intern. I’m not your manager.” 

Once again the room fell into an awkward silence. You looked around at everyone staring at each other with wide eyes and mouths slightly agape. 

“Once again, one of the kids has spoken the quiet part out loud,” Yoongi said in between sips of coffee. 

“I, uh, specifically requested you to be our manager once your internship ends,” Namjoon said, staring down at his feet. He looked up at you after a beat. “You’re young and fresh out of college. I would think you know more about social media and what’s trending than a middle-aged woman.”

You stared at the leader, not believing what you just heard. In your head, you believed you were nowhere near ready for a managerial position, especially in a sector so vital. 

“Anyways, let’s take one of the vans to Starbucks. I’ll drive.” Seokjin stood up as the rest followed. 

You sat in between Taehyung and Jimin in the far back seat of the black van, an overly expensive Pink Drink in your hands. Seokjin had gone on and on about the additions he makes whenever he gets a Pink Drink, including cold foam, peach juice, and raspberry syrup. It totaled nearly ₩12,000, which Seokjin happily paid for. 

“It’s worth it, trust me.”

It was fun to be around the members- they truly acted like brothers. They laughed loudly, messed around with each other, and even included you in the controlled chaos. You quickly found yourself relaxed and smiling around them. 

“y/n, did you graduate from university in Seoul?” Namjoon asked you, turning around to face you. 

“No, I graduated from Chonnam Univeristy in Gwangju.”

“Gwangju!” Hoseok yelled, looking back at you with a wide smile. “Are you from there?”

“Kind of. I grew up in a farming village on Gwangjuho Lake.”

“Oh really?” Taehyung said, “A farm girl.”

You let out a chuckle. “I spent more time on the internet than in the fields, though.”

It’s true that the internet basically raised you as a child. Once your parents got a computer, you would spend day and night on the internet playing games. As you grew into your preteen years, social media gained popularity, and you hopped on immediately. Your parents never monitored what you did, leading you down very scary paths online. However, it did end up with you making the internet basically your career. 

A ringing came from Namjoon’s phone, and he answered it immediately. The producers were back in the studio, wondering where they were to finish recording. The eight of you went back to the HYBE building to continue work. 

Two months had passed, and you hadn’t seen BTS around since. They were busy preparing for a comeback and tour, and you were busy working on TXT’s current comeback. Schedules never seemed to align for all of you. 

Your boss called you into his office early Friday morning. You knew your work had been satisfactory, but this meeting hadn’t been planned, so you weren’t sure exactly why he needed to see you. He sounded urgent, too. Not his typical carefree nature. 

Knocking on the door, you waited until you heard a faint ‘come in’ from the other side of the door before entering. Your boss motioned for you to take a seat, but no greeting was given, making you even more on edge. 

“y/n, you’ve done amazing work the past three months. I know your internship doesn’t officially end until May, but we feel like there won’t be enough work for you in your current position here for the next two months.”

Not knowing what to say, you simply hung your head and nodded. You were being fired. There was nothing you really could have done- no matter how well you did your work, you couldn’t have prevented there just being no work available. You stood up to excuse yourself when your boss began talking again. 

“We’d like to offer you a full-time job earlier than expected. You’d manage BTS’ social media accounts for their comeback, tour, and whatever comes after.” 

You looked up at your boss in disbelief- Namjoon had been right all those months ago. The boss had a shit-eating grin on his face- he knew he tried to initially make you believe you were fired, only to be offered a real, paying job. 

“No more analytics nonsense- you just take the photos and videos and upload them. Create good content.” 

You were dismissed from the office after being given all of next week off. Giddy, you did a small happy dance outside of his office. 

[pbandjesse]

I'm sitting at a beautiful wedding. It's been a long but really nice day. My feet hurt a lot but I think it's from the texture of my socks? Unsure. I'm still very unsure about what shoes to wear to work these events. I like a tappy sounding shoe because it makes me feel powerful but then my feet hurt so bad I think I'm going to die. Fashion is so hard.

Today was also just a very long day. Not bad at all, but long. I tried my best to get lots of rest before hand but I slept horribly last night. So I am a bit tired. I was tossing and turning all night. I couldn't get comfortable. I was either to cold in front of the fan or to hot when I turned it away from myself. So it was not a very restful sleep.

I had set my alarm for 930 but by 9 I couldn't even doze properly. James would come and lay with me but I was still to hot and did not feel comfortable at all. I did like being held but also. Man why can't I regulate my temperature.

James would make the bed when I got up. And then went and made me an omelette. They made biscuits for us again. I would take a longer then normal shower and washed my hair and it helped me feel a little more normal. I wasn't sure about my outfit. I like this knit skirt and tank top but I don't feel comfortable having my shoulders out at work normally. So I also brought a wrap shirt. And it's a very good outfit and I felt really cute.

I went downstairs to eat breakfast with James. It was just a quiet morning together. I cut and painted my nails. They were such a nice length but they kept bending backwards and hurting me so it was time. I tried to make them pretty.

Eventually I would go upstairs to lay in bed. And James would come join me and we watched our own videos next to each other. I didn't want to be leaned on because I was feeling kind of bad. I did wait until after breakfast to take my vitamins and while I didn't throw up I did not feel amazing. Laying still was the best thing I could do.

At noon we went downstairs and started getting ready to go. James was going to go kayaking and get groceries and wait for me at the museum for when I got there.

And I was going to art with a heart. First BAS class of the season. I was really looking forward to it. And it would be really nice to see returners and meet new people. And it was nice seeing Mary Ellen and Naomi. We had fun.

The project was an accordion book about your favorite things. And it was a really popular project. Lots of free drawing. While the teens like it I think the adults liked it a lot more. I did feel bad when a parent in the teens class kept apologizing that her son couldn't draw things, just scribbles. And I was like no!! He is happy and having a good time it doesn't matter what he actually makes. Next week we are going to try her leaving for the hour and Naomi or me sitting with him instead. He has an AAC device so he can communicate which is such a huge thing. Mary Ellen told us today her daughter, who is also mostly nonverbal, recently learned how to text and so now she can actually talk to her and I am just beyond happy for them. Like she's almost my age and she's actually able to tell her mom all of her thoughts. That has to feel amazing.

The class was fun though. It's nice when everyone is just focused but then I don't 100% know what to do with myself. So I chatted with Naomi and Mary Ellen and some parents. During the adult class too. I told a few people that I'm pregnant and that I may not be available for their winter and spring classes but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I hope I can do the winter one because it's in February but we'll see!!

We finished up right before 3. And once we locked down the building I was off. Heading the museum. Where James promised me a chocolate bar and a pink drink from Starbucks. Love my husband so much.

It has been a really nice night. Even if my feet hurt. I was surprised that Kelly was here! She's the Manager for the catering tonight, which has been excellent. And Jesse would hang out until 530 which was nice of him. Just made sure everything was good to go before he headed home. And I feel pretty good about everything. It's just practice. And this is a really easy wedding. 80 people. Lovely lovely couple. And since Kelly worked here for years she knows everything and I don't have to worry about to much.

The bride was absolutely beautiful. A pretty princess in a green gown. Just beautiful. And all their guests have been really nice. Her dad looks like Manny Patinkin, which is lovely because they are playing The Princess Bride in the movie theater all night. So sweet. We couldn't figure out how to make it auto repeat the film so I have had to go check on it a few times. We are on its 3rd viewing now.

I stayed outside to help direct guests to the wedding. Held the stragglers until the bride walked down the aisle. And it was a beautiful ceremony. Mo, the security guard, was like how can their vows be ten minutes. And I'm like you couldn't tell your lady why you love her for ten minutes? Weak.

The appetizers were great. I know I'm not really supposed to eat soft cheese but the brie with green apple and hot honey on French bread was so stinking good. I also had two fried green tomatoes with balsamic and some fried cauliflower with buffalo sauce. The actual vegan dinner option, ratatouille, was not my thing. I tried it but I just did not like it. Ah well. I brought an apple and yogurt so I wasn't hungry.

It's been a nice night though. I did a little knitting. A little chatting with catering. I made a print for the couple to take home and they were so surprised and grateful and that was really nice. I struggled to get it to print right too so I was really glad it worked out in the end.

The groom just came by and he gave me one of the comic books he made! He was like this is so lame but I made this to give to people I don't get to see much and I was like that's not lame at all!! I think it is really cool! I'll make sure to tag him on Instagram.

The party has another hour. I hope to finish this one knit panel. I am so very behind on that blanket. But that's okay. I will get it done eventually.

Tomorrow is me and James's two year wedding anniversary. And we are hoping to go to DC. I hope I am feeling okay enough to do that. I would love to just spend the day with my husband. I love them so much.

I hope you all are feeling great. I love you all. Goodnight!!

[conflictandscotchblog]

When It Was Just Called Joe

We used to live in simpler times when you could waltz into a diner, drop a quarter on the counter, and say...

“Coffee, please.”

Or, “Give me a cup of Mud.”

Or, “Cup of Joe.”

Even in the old movies, when a group of people worked late into the night, or early in the morning, someone would eventually say (usually to an underling), “Go get black coffee and sandwiches.”

Nobody alters that request for gluten-free bread, or almond milk.

You got coffee and sandwiches.

Then there is my brother. At his house, he asks me if I want coffee, and I say yes, he asks me how I want it.

“I’ll take cream and sugar.”

His reply?

“Oh,” he’d mock, “so you don’t like coffee?”

But now, how times have changed.

The other day, while on a walk with my friend and her dog, we stopped at Starbucks.

Let me make something clear, normally I would never go into a Starbucks. The only exception is when I’m with my friend and her dog. Her dog is such a sweet girl, so on hot days we would go into Starbucks to cool off, and get a treat for her dog.

Her treat?

A Puppuccino (whipped cream in a cup).

I ordered something I never ordered before, a Chocolate Cream Cold Brew (cream on top, coffee on bottom). It looked good on the menu.

Editors Note: What follows may not be accurate since I don’t speak Starbucks.

After taking my order, the barista (and when did that happen? Do you need a degree from Starbucks University to make drinks?) asked my friend what she would like to drink.

“I would like an iced decaf, sugar-free, vanilla soy latte, please.”

The barista replied, “Sorry, but the Starbucks Corporation does not do decaf iced lattes.”

My friend responded she had one last time she was here.

“I’m sorry,” the barista replied, “perhaps you had an Iced Americano, because the Starbucks Corporation does not do decaf iced lattes.”

This back-and-forth continued for longer than expected. It went on so long that a blind man, whom we helped earlier in the day find a Dunkin’ Donuts (about two blocks away), walked by with his iced coffee in hand (probably a decaf) going in the opposite direction.

It shouldn’t have been that difficult. My friend listed exactly what she ordered before. Meanwhile, the barista spouted the steps necessary to create a cold fusion nuclear reaction.

Plus, once when said, ‘Starbucks Corporation’, I swear I heard Starfleet Command come out of his mouth.

Eventually, I walked away. Later, in a conversation with my friend, she thought I walked away because she made a scene. I told her I walked away because I started to laugh.

“Oh,” she was surprised, “I thought it was because of the diner incident.”

We once had a diner incident.

Months before, while having dinner at a diner, my friend’s order did not come out correctly. I suggested she just eat it the way it was. Our waiter was definitely an asshole with an attitude, and god knows what he might do to her food if returned. She looked at me, called me a name I won’t repeat here, and made the waiter correct her order.

I’m not one for confrontations, but this time it was just that I didn’t want to laugh in their faces.

From what I could hear over my stifled laughter, the barista explained the difference between espresso and brewed. Decaf coffee and iced with milk, Americano, espresso with water and milk, and every other possible combination to fulfill her order.

Starfleet would be proud.

Eventually, they landed on a compromise (not sure what it was), but he assured her if she did not like it, he would make something else.

We took our table, then worried, that with these unknown drinks, we won’t be able to tell them apart.

“Well,” I said, “I got a Grande, and you got a medium, they should not be the same size.”

Spoiler alert: They were the same size.

Although, mine looked distinctly different, with cream on top.

Mine was delicious, however hers, not so much.

Not sure what the barista did, but by the look on her face on the first sip, he missed his mark.

She walked back to the counter, drink in hand.

Before she handed the coffee back to him, she said, “I am never coming back here again.”

She didn’t mean she wasn’t coming back because he was a bad employee. No, she meant it in the way you say, ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ when you break up with someone.

Apparently, (I think) he added water and milk to a brewed decaf espresso, and poured over ice.

He made her another drink. Although not what she wanted when we walked in (what felt like hours ago), she kept it.

I had my own problems. A two-toned coffee sat in front of me.

Do I mix it?

Do I just drink it, as is?

Went back to the counter to ask the young woman barista, what I should do.

“Well,” she said, “that is my favorite coffee, and I just drink it, let the cream settle to the bottom.”

Where have you been all my life? Finally, someone taught me how to drink fancy coffee.

Refreshed, and thoroughly confused, we finished our drinks, and left.

I’m not sure of our return to this particular Starbucks. However, when we do, I fully expect the barista, upon seeing us at the front door, turns into a full-blown version of the Soup Nazi, and shouts:

“No coffee for you!”

[theravenmuse]

Happy pride month!!!

🩷❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Given that I write gay porn all year round, absolutely nothing about my content will be changing! I have, however, made a slight edit to my profile pic in celebration of the season and in solidarity with the thousands of brands who will do the same without actually giving you any gay porn. If you would like to support someone who gives you gay porn and is actually part of the lgbtqa+ community (I’m ace), subscribe to my Patreon! It’s probably less per month than you’d spend on a single cup of whatever slightly coffee flavoured drink you’d get at Starbucks. Did I mention it’s gay porn? Does Starbucks give you gay porn? No, I didn’t think so.

Call for writing prompt submissions will be going out sometime this week, so get in if you want in on that.

There is also a free membership option that has a few goodies you won’t find anywhere else, like an absolutely unhinged fic where the bookshop was flooded with spunk and my prose were flooded with far too many euphemisms. Very unsanitary on both counts.