#and the dishwashers didn't even get a cut of the tips at the place I was at!

[excusethequality]

"The poor dishwasher is always the last to clock out, soaking wet and exhausted."

As a former dishwasher I can confirm that that is correct.

it was too much i had to make my own post

line cook here. ACCURATE

if you don't get the hate, here's what you don't understand.

it takes up to 2 hours to close down the kitchen.

The last 60-90 minutes before closing time you do almost no cooking because the restaurant doesn't have many people in it and you've already cooked most of their diners.

So if someone walks in during, like, the last hour, the cook is in the middle of an industrial deep clean of the kitchen.

(these numbers can vary quite a bit from place to place but i have worked several restaurants with these actual times and the concept remains the same)

Say the place closes at 10. If you wait til the restaurant is already closed to start all your cleaning duties, you'll be there until at least midnight.

More than that your boss knows that on an average night you can start your clean up as soon as the last rush ends and get out of there around 10:45, even 10:15 on a slow night if you get lucky. That means there are plenty of restaurants where if you do take until midnight the manager is going to come up to you at some point that week and ask you what went wrong that night, and you'd better have an answer.

So this example restaurant closes at 10 pm. The dinner rush ends around 8:30, and shortly after that the cook is going to start getting every single dish possible over to the dishwasher because the dishwasher always gets hit hard and late, and the machine runs for 2 full minutes and only holds so many dishes, so the way that works out is if you wait an extra 30 minutes to give the dishwasher all your stuff it can mean adding like 60 minutes to the end of his shift. And you're gonna KEEP finding shit to send to the dishpit right up until you leave probably.

all these little square and rectangle containers in this cold table have to be pulled out and changed over into new containers, replaced by new full ones, or in some cases filled from larger containers in the back, which can result in even more empty containers to send to the dishwasher.

while it's all pulled apart to do this, you have to clean up all the spilled food and sauce and juices and stuff from the joints and ledges and shelves and drip trays

Once you get your line changed over in this way, and fully stocked, anytime someone orders something that makes use of a bunch of that stuff, you have to restock and re-clean it some. It might already be covered in plastic. Some of it might already be stuck in the back to make room to take apart your cutting board counter to clean. To cook a dish isn't TOO much of a problem at this point, but you're really hoping for zero orders because you still have so much other cleaning to do.

Meanwhile the salad bar and appetizer section and server station and everybody are all doing the same thing. Even the bartenders are stocking olives and lemons and sending back whisks and stir spoons and shakers and empty 4quart storage containers that used to hold the back-up lemons and olives and things. Every section is dumping their must-be-cleaneds to the dishpit as fast as possible because early and fast is the only thing they can do to to help that dishpit not absolutely drown into overtime.

The poor dishwasher is always the last to clock out, soaking wet and exhausted.

Around this time you probably scrub the flat top, which has turned black from cooked on grease and is still about 500 degrees. Line cooks are divided in opinion on water-based or oil based cleaning methods for this, but they all involve scrubbing with (usually) a brick of pumice stone using every ounce of your strength while you try not to burn yourself

you scrub it from fully blackened to gleaming silver and now if somebody orders something that needs the flat top to cook, you can either fuck up your cleaning job or fake it in a couple frying pans and pass that tiny fuck you down to your dishwasher (who usually understands, especially if you help them take the garbage out or clean your own floor drain later)

If there's deep fried stuff on the menu then the fryers have to be cleaned out, which includes straining the oil out into enormous and super-heavy pots full of oil so hot that if you spill on yourself then it's probably a hospital visit and if you slip and fall face first into it it'll be the last thing you ever do.

Then you gotta scrub out the fryer. Like you gotta take the (hot) screen out and reach your arm down into the weird rounded pipes and curved areas (so hot, burn you if you brush against them hot) and scrub off whatever is down there

Depending on your kitchen you might have to do up to four of these. Then you'll have to pour the (dangerously hot) oil back in

oh, and if you didn't dry the pipes and get ALL the water out of the trap and tank?

water reacts with hot oil in a sort of mentos and coke way that can send a tidal wave of oil past the open flame of the pilot light ...HUGE dangerous mess and/or burn down the kitchen if the oil lights up.

Unless! If the oil has been used too hard and needs to be changed, it's time to carry those open topped super heavy pots full of will-kill-you-hot oil and dump them in the barrel outside by the dumpsters so you can put room temp fresh oil in the fryers. whew!

The clean up is not just some light wiping down that can be easily interrupted, is what i'm saying.

You might have to do some kind of walk-in duty (moving around 50lb cases of lettuce and 50lb bags of onions to get to the stacks of five gallon buckets full of salad dressings and sauces to move so you can reach the giant metal pots and bus tubs full of prep and get it all organized and make sure it's all labeled and i have to stop now i'm having flashbacks)

THE POINT IS

by 15 or however many minutes to close, the line cook is doing an intense deep clean and probably has the whole stove taken apart to detail.

For some industrial stoves this means lifting off large cast iron plates that weigh like 20 lbs each and are still quite hot. Whatever metal burners are on there, you gotta take off and clean, you can see here the lines that indicate the large thick cast iron rectangles that sit on top of the burners to allow heavy pots to rest on. Those five (each has one front burner hole and one back burner hole, see?) have to be lifted off and cleaned with soap and a wire brush usually, and then the underneath area also has to be cleaned because a lot of shit falls through the burner holes on a busy night.

if you didn't do it when you did the flat top you have to do the grease trap (which can be like a full five minutes and is always disgusting).. You gotta clean out all the little gas jets in each burner with a wire or something so the burners all flame evenly, and sometimes you have to remove some of the natural gas piping that connects the burners to access where you have to clean.

you gotta clean out the bottom of the oven and the wire racks, and, oh gods, you gotta take down the filter vents from the hood fans above the stove.

See all the lined parts along the top of the wall?

those are hood vents, and as they pull air up they also pull a lot of grease and they have to be taken down and cleaned, then you gotta climb up there and scrub where they go before you put them back...

And then there's the mopping and floor drains and...

Anyway, that's what the line cook is doing when you walk in fifteen minutes before closing and order something that needs to be cooked on that stove. They are doing an entire industrial cleaning of a professional kitchen.

In some restaurants maybe one or two of these jobs will be every other night or even only twice a week, but in many, possibly most kitchens, ALL of these things happen EVERY night. You don't want to leave any food mess that might attract insects or rodents for one thing, so a really good kitchen is as close to brand new as you can get it every night.

IF YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO ORDER SOMETHING ANYWAY, HERE IS WHAT TO DO

open with an apology and ask the server to go ask what the cook would prefer you to order.

Any good server will already know what the cook is hoping for and what will make their line cook go into the walk in and scream. If it's significantly less than an hour to close and they say some variant of "oh anything is fine" they are either telling the lie their boss wants them to say, or they actually do not know what their line cook wants, and you can either use human connection and a conspiratorial just-between-us tone to get them to drop the customer-is-always-right act, or get them to actually go ask the cook.

It might be as specific as "the lasagna is easiest on the kitchen" or it might be a simple guideline like "nothing that requires the flat top" or "any of the sautés are easy" but a good line cook will probably have a system for if they have to make a couple of the most popular items after they start their close, so the answer is likely to include something most people like and you should be good to order that.

but for the love of all that's holy, please only do so at great need. Leave that last 30-60 minutes to the truly desperate and the crew's duties.

[yuza-fantasies]

Me or The Bike: Ryuguji Ken

Pairing: Ryuguji Ken (Draken) x GN Reader

Word Count: 1314

Summary: Your boyfriend is obsessed with bikes and motorcycles. It got so bad that it seemed like he never had time for you anymore. Then, something happens that helps him see your side. 

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Clink clank. Clink clank. That's all you heard from the garage where your boyfriend, Ryuguji Ken, spent most of his time. Known as Draken by his gang members, he had a deep passion for bikes and motorcycles, spending countless hours fixing and modifying them. Initially, you didn't mind his obsession, but lately, it seemed like he had no time for you.

One evening, you decided to take matters into your own hands. You opened the door to the garage and stuck your head in, calling out to him softly, "Ken, dinner's ready."

Lost in his work, he didn't hear you at first. Finally, he looked up, his hands covered in oil, and responded, "Oh, hey Y/N." He walked over, leaning against the door frame, towering over you. "I was busy working. What do you want?"

You crossed your arms and looked up at him, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment. "How long are you going to be working on that? I said dinner was ready."

He pointed to the black motorcycle behind him that he was currently fixing. "This bike is going to be faster than Baji's and Mitsuya's. It's going to be so sick!"

Sighing, you retreated back inside the house, heading towards the dinner table. It was disheartening to realize that his bike had taken priority over spending time with you.

You began eating alone, as you had been doing for the past few days, with Draken refusing to leave his unfinished bike in the garage. Minutes later, he finally emerged from the garage, looking over at you eating without him. After washing his hands, he sat down in front of you to eat his dinner. He was about to take a bite when you interrupted him.

"Microwave it first. It's cold now," you said, without even looking at him, already busy shoving food into your mouth. The frustration was evident in your voice.

He got up and put his cold food in the microwave, heating it up before sitting back down. By the time he finished, you had already finished eating.

"Wash your bowl when you're done," you instructed, getting up from the table. "I'm gonna go take a shower."

He didn't even glance at you as you spoke, engrossed in his phone, looking for more materials for his bike. Draken nodded absently and started eating his dinner.

You let out another sigh, feeling the weight of the situation. Washing the dirty dishes, you pondered what to do. You understood his passion, but it was becoming increasingly frustrating for you.

"Babe, can I borrow some money?" Draken asked nonchalantly.

"What for?" you inquired, organizing the dishes in the dishwasher.

"Bike parts. There are some that I really need, and..."

You accidentally broke one of the plates as he was speaking. The sound of the shattered plate echoed through the kitchen, startling Draken. He turned around, concerned, and asked if you were okay. But the broken plate was only the tipping point.

"No! That's not the problem here!" you snapped, bending down to pick up the broken pieces, urging him to stay away.

"I can do this myself. Just go look at your bike stuff," you added, your voice filled with frustration and hurt.

Ignoring your request, he knelt down to help you. As you picked up the broken pieces, you accidentally cut your finger, causing you to retract your arm and examine the wound.

Draken noticed and immediately took your hand to inspect it. "You have a cut."

"Thanks, Captain Obvious. I see that," you replied, trying to pull your hand away, but his grip was firm.

"Let go of my hand. It's a small cut, I can take care of it."

Draken didn't say a word but helped you stand up. He turned on the sink faucet and gently placed your injured finger under the running water. Then he fetched the first aid kit and bandaged your finger.

"Go sit down. I'll finish the rest of this. It's my fault that it broke anyway," he said, gesturing toward the broken plate.

"Ken..." you started, looking at him, feeling a mix of emotions.

He met your gaze, and you could tell he wouldn't take no for an answer. Reluctantly, you sat in the chair he had occupied earlier, watching him clean up the mess.

After disposing of the broken pieces, he sat in a chair next to you, resuming his dinner. The silence in the room was palpable.

Finally, you mustered the courage to speak, but the words seemed to elude you.

Draken looked at you expectantly. "Sorry, I should be spending more time with you. I've been so focused on the bike and haven't spent any time with you."

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry," you replied, waving your hands dismissively. "It's what you like to do, and it's your hobby. I shouldn't get jealous over something as trivial as that."

"Wait, you're jealous over a bike?" Draken chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

Embarrassed, you blushed and realized how silly it sounded. "I didn't mean it like that..."

He burst into laughter, nearly falling out of his chair. Draken patted your head affectionately, saying, "I can't believe you were jealous over a bike! That's hilarious!"

"Shut up! It's not my fault that you spent more time with it than me!" you retorted playfully.

He continued laughing, enjoying the lighthearted moment. Finally, he composed himself and smiled at you. "I'll try and spend more time with you from now on."

You looked up at him, your eyes searching for sincerity. "Ken, if you had to choose..."

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for you to continue.

"Me or the bike?"

Ruffling your hair, he smiled warmly. "Of course it's going to be you. It'll always be you. I can always get a new bike and fix it. On the other hand, I won't be able to find someone like you."

You removed his hand from your head, feeling a mix of relief and affection. "Are you sure? So let's say I take that bike sitting in the garage and put it up for sale. Would you be okay with that?"

"Absolutely not. I love you, but I need my bikes," he replied with a playful grin.

You laughed, realizing that his passion for motorcycles was an intrinsic part of who he was. "It was a joke, Ken. I know how much they mean to you. Just try and remember which is more important."

He pulled you onto his lap, enveloping you in his arms. Burrowing his face into the crook of your neck, he left a small kiss on your skin. "No promises."

You playfully slapped his arm. "Ken!"

"I'm joking, I'm joking. I'll spend more time with you. How about this? To make up for the broken plate, we go on a date tomorrow?" he suggested, his eyes sparkling.

"Yeah, that would be amazing!" you exclaimed, feeling a renewed sense of hope and excitement.

You kissed him on the tip of his nose, a gesture filled with love. "Now eat your food. It's probably cold again."

Returning to your chair, you watched as he continued eating, appreciating the newfound warmth and connection between you.

"Babe, have I ever told you that I like your cooking?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"No, you haven't," you replied, a playful smirk forming on your lips.

"Then why do you keep making shitty food? Let me make food for once!" he exclaimed, feigning indignation.

"Ryuguji Ken!" you exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

The sound of your laughter filled the room, and for the first time in a while, the clink clank of the garage seemed to fade into the background. As you shared a moment of joy and understanding, you knew that together you would navigate the challenges of balancing passion and love, creating a stronger bond than ever before.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rewrote this that was posted on my closed account.

[msmarvelwrites]

Eat It Up

Summary: Bucky imagines a family with you, whether you like it or not.

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Warnings: oof... Explicit sexual content, breeding kink, oral (f receiving), Dub-con, cum eating, cum sharing...

Word Count: 1.3k

Authors Note: Thank you to @sweeterthanthis & @the-iceni-bitch for all your help with beta and edits, I really lost myself in this one. This fic contains dub-con, and though it's tagged as a warning, this your friendly safe sex bestie here to remind you: consent is sexy, in real life we could make sure all people participating in the sex are comfortable, and condoms are for everyone. Wrap it up baby. Special thank you to @remmiesour for requesting “Bucky watching you with your niece” I’m sorry I made it kinky 😂 you know how I feel about kids 🤢

His heart hammered in his chest, watching your small hands as you spun your niece around the room. The smile blooming from your lips, lighting up the small apartment and washing over him like a warm bath. Bucky couldn't explain it, the way his cheeks flushed when you brought your little niece home. But since you did, he couldn't take his eyes off of you.

There may have been a moment when Bucky thought he wanted kids; maybe before the war, when things were simpler. But he wasn't the same man he was then. The idea of something so fragile in his hands made him shiver. He could never trust himself with such a delicate heart.

And yet, night after night, you trusted him with yours.

The way you let him in, giving yourself fully, even when he knew he didn't deserve it. So perhaps it was the prospect of starting a family that had him blushing… But the image of you, legs wide open for him, body shivering as he pumped you full of his seed. He couldn't shake the thought of you ripe with his child, tits throbbing and aching for his mouth.

Bucky throbbed at the vision of him later tonight. Holding you down as he stuffed you full, not letting you move until he was sure his come had soaked up into you.

He couldn't take it. And it was growing harder and harder to conceal the effect the daydream had on him. So the moment you sent your niece home, Bucky was on you. He had you on the counter top in seconds, your panties thrown across the kitchen with little care when they landed in the dishwasher.

“Buck, what has gotten into you?” You squealed, throwing your head back to accommodate his lips on your neck. Bucky growled against your skin, ripping your jeans opened as he began fumbling with his own belt.

“You're so good. So good, Doll. Fuck, I gotta’ feel you.” Bucky moaned, his lips melting with yours as he tasted you. You moaned into his mouth, the chaste kiss not nearly long enough as he found that sweet spot behind your ear and sucked.

You whimpered, spreading your legs wider to accommodate his broad form, hands eagerly pulling at the collar of his shirt.

You and Bucky had been at this game for months now, but this felt different. More urgent. But with his eyes lust blown and tongue sweeping across his bottom lip, how were you to deny him.

You suppressed a moan as he pulled himself from the confines of his jeans, his bulging red tip shimmering with precome.

“B-bucky. Do you have a- oh,” You were cut off by your sergeant’s cock piercing your lips and sinking deep inside, your walls fluttering around him. You gasped, hands steadying yourself on his soldier’s shoulders as all thoughts of contraceptive melted from your mind. How could you think of anything when Bucky was rolling his hips against you like that.

“Fuck, youre so tight, baby. So good to me.” Bucky hummed in your ear, thrusting deeper until his cock began to kiss your cervix, the pleasure mixed with pain pulling a gargled moan from your lips. “You want daddy to fuck your little cunt?”

His words halted you for a moment, pressing your palms against his chest and pushing him back a little to assess his face. You and Bucky definitely had your kinks, his vibranium arm being at the top of that list, but this was a new one.

“Daddy?”

“That's right baby.” Bucky growled, unaware you were even questioning him as he continued his assault, his eyes too focused on watching his cock disappear inside of your dripping core.

“Gonna’ fill you up so good.” He growled, the animosity in his tone causing you to shiver, a little overwhelmed by how violently he was dominating you, holding you down with a ferocity you seldom saw without asking for. “Not gonna’ stop until you're nice and stuffed. You like that, Doll?”

You could only nod your head, unsure of what exactly had gotten into him but not really able to object. His grip on your hips was unwavering as his cock began to throb inside of you. He was close, you could feel it.

“That’s it, taking me so well. That’s it, gonna’ make such a good mommy, aren't ya?”

“Y-you’re not w-wearing a- fuck,” You whined, desperate to remind Bucky of how dangerous a situation you both were in. You weren't exactly sure how the serum would have affected his ability to… procreate- but you weren't exactly eager to find out. “Bucky- please. Pull out, I can't-”

With a roar, Bucky came undone. His hips bucked deep inside of you as you felt his come leak down your legs. You gasped, unable to hold back your distress as he slipped from your used hole, his warm spend leaking between your legs.

“Fuck.” Your eyes blew open wide, stomach fluttering as panic and confusion washed over you. Hands still gripping his shoulder, you pant, trying to bring yourself back down from your high and make sense of Bucky’s pure disregard. “What the hell is wrong with you!?”

Bucky only responded with a lazy grin on his swollen lips, urging you to push him back a few paces. You could feel your anger bubbling, tears bringing your eyes as you let out a frustrated sob. You weren't sure if it was his direct defiance or how close you were to orgasm before he ruined your chances, but you were close to storming out.

But before you had a chance, Bucky was on his knees before you, tongue feverishly dipping between your sloppy folds. He looked up at you, eyes wide as he lapped at your core, a mixture of yourself and his cum coating his lips.

You had to physically suppress the shiver that the grotesque image struck within you. Hands, gripping the edge of the countertop, you whined, desperate for more.

“I’m so sorry, Doll.” He hummed against your inner thigh, tongue darting back inside of you ate his spend from your cunt. With his nose brushing against your swollen clit, you get out a hushed whimper, your legs tangling around his shoulders.

“I’ll fix it.” he promises as he mercilessly continues to consume you.

Your fingers lock into the short hair on the back of his neck as he doubles down his efforts, index finger slipping into your core as he lapped at the mess he had made. You could feel the coil building in your stomach, the vision of Bucky between your legs, tongue coated in his pleasure into it all became too much.

Toes curling and body vibrating your legs snap against Bucky’s head, but he doesn't stop until you're screaming his name like a prayer. With a final broken sob, you fall apart, your own orgasm spilling against his tongue as he laps you up, eager and desperate to make you his.

Your heart fluttered in your chest, hammering so hard you swear he could hear it. And it was quite possible he could with the cruel smirk playing on his swollen lips. You didn't understand it, the way your body buzzed with adrenaline, body trembling with fear and something swirling in your belly that you couldn't quite place.

“Come here, sweet girl.” Buck hummed, your ecstasy coating his swollen lips. You shook your head, a shaky breath tumbling from your mouth as Bucky grabbed your jaw, his cool metal fingers forcing your lips apart.

“Next time you're going to sit with me deep inside of you. But tonight you’re gonna’ swallow every last drop.” Before you could stop, the salty tang of his spend hit your tongue, choking you as it seeped down your throat. “That’s a good girl. You wanted this, remember?”

You could only nod your head, the mixture of yourself and him coating your lips as tears welled in your eyes. Though you didn't recognize the dark stranger looming over your used form, you couldn't help but tremble, eager for ‘next time.’

[maroonmorons]

Eddie falls asleep on the couch while chilling with buck at Eddie's place he wakes to buck gently shaking him to go to bed. Buck went ahead and cleaned while letting him rest and Eddie's like wow. They're not even together yet but that's real sweet buck didn't have to do that. Idk maybe he like sleepily mumbles God I could kiss you while going to his room still out of it as buck's like what and thinks he didn't mean it only he did and he's not ashamed to admit it buck's the best thing to happen

haven’t felt this way in a while [buck/eddie, G, 1.5k]

Buck waves a hand in front of Eddie’s face halfheartedly.

“Eds,” he whispers.

There’s no response.

Or, there could be a response.

Buck can’t quite tell if Eddie is snoring very quietly or ifhe’s developing some sort of cold.

Hopefully it’s the former.

Buck half turns on the sofa, careful to distribute hisweight slowly.

“I think he’s out cold, Superman.”

Christopher giggles, quick to muffle the sound in his hands.

“Looks like it’s just you and me,” Buck continues in atheatrical whisper.

He rubs his hands together and grins at his favorite childin the world.

“Whatever shall we do with ourselves?”

Christopher takes the question very seriously, his eyebrowsinching closer together as he thinks it over.

“We could each eat an extra cookie!”

It’s Buck’s turn to smother his laughter at the suggestion.

Leave it to Christopher to suggest extra snacks while hisfather is asleep.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” Buck leans even closer towhisper. “If we clean up our dishes – I’ll split an extra cookie with you.”

“Okay,” Christopher agrees immediately, as if it’s anamazing offer.

Maybe to an amazing kid it is.

They make quick work of the dishes with Buck rinsing them inthe sink and Chris loading them into the washer. Then, they carefully split achocolate chip cookie.

Eddie sleeps through the entire ordeal.

“Okay, Little Man,” Buck says, bending over to get onChristopher’s level. “You go brush your teeth and pick out some pajamas. I’llbe in to help you in a minute, okay?”

Christopher nods.

“What about bed time?” he checks.

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna let your dad sleep on the couchall night. Lazy Bones can at least come say goodnight to you.”

Christopher giggles again, quickly checking to make sure hehadn’t woken up Eddie.

As Buck puts soap in the dishwasher and starts it up he listensto the careful way Christopher’s crutches tap down the hallway.

He can’t help but smile to himself. His chest issuspiciously close to bursting with affection.

More than anything – he wants this every single night.

He wants to help Chris ‘sneak’ around when Eddie dozes off.He wants to tell Chris stories and clean up more than one set of dishes.

He wants in ways that he can’t fully verbalize. Not even tohimself.

To keep the thoughts at bay, Buck grabs the dishrag and runssome warm water over it.

He wipes down all the counters and rinses out the rag,putting more hot water on it before tip toeing into the living room.

The coffee table gets the same treatment as the counters andthen he heads back to the kitchen. He rinses the rag again, rings it out andsprays the residue from the day down the drain.

Next, he empties the trash and ties the bag tight. He setsit by the door to take on his way out.

The light in the bathroom is out already as he makes his waydown the hall so he peeks into Christopher’s room, unsurprised to see the boyalready sitting on his bed.

He’s picked out tonight’s book and it sends a bittersweetpang through Buck to see it.

He’ll stay for story time but it still aches a bit, to be avisitor.

Again, he shoves the thoughts aside.

He helps Christopher into his pajamas and puts him in bed.Christopher’s dirty clothes go in his hamper shaped like a shark and his crutchesget leaned carefully between his bed and his nightstand so he can reach them inthe morning.

“Alright, I’m gonna go get your dad,” Buck tells him.

He can’t help bending down to press a kiss to the top ofChristopher’s head.

“Okay, Bucky.”

The urge to wake Eddie with a kiss to the top of his headclaws its way up Buck’s chest until it settles at the base of his throat with apowerful grip.

If only he wasn’t too terrified to try and take that leap.

Sure, he and Eddie had both been single for some time nowbut that didn’t mean anything.

You couldn’t just say to someone ‘hey you should date myfriend, he’s gay/bi/pan/whatever’ not without being an asshole at least.

The point is – just because people could work in theory didn’tmean it would work.

Buck knows more than most people how much of a tangled messlife can become.

So instead, Buck walks around the couch and tosses himselfdown on it hard enough to bounce.

Eddie snorts himself awake, jerking upright and blinkingrapidly.

“Bu-what?”

“You fell asleep,” Buck informs him. “Christopher is alreadyin bed and waiting very patiently for story time.”

Eddie rubs at his right eye before looking to the coffee table.His eyebrows move up in obvious surprise.

“You cleaned up?”

“Of course. Chris and I did it together. The dishwasher isrunning and I’ll take the trash on my way out.”

“You didn’t have to do that, man.”

“Well, you were hardly going to do it while you slept,” Buckteases. “Come on, story time.”

He pushes off the couch, corralling his thoughts once again.

Buck plants himself in the chair that he can hardly fit into wait for Eddie. He shares another smile with Christopher as Eddie’sfootsteps pad down the hall.

“Who took my chair?” Eddie questions.

“You were too slow.”

Christopher giggles and Eddie rolls his eyes.

He crouches down next to the foot of the bed, picking up thebook Christopher had selected.

“Ready, mijo?”

“Mmhm,” Christopher murmurs before yawning.

Buck leans his elbow on the armrest of the chair that’scurrently cutting into his left hip. He cups his chin in his hand and sighs quietlyto himself.

As Eddie and Buck make their way out of Christopher’s room,it’s time to be quiet for another Diaz boy and Buck doesn’t mind in the least.

He doesn’t miss his huge empty loft. He doesn’t miss thefact that he can leave on whatever lights he wants, or play his music loudly,or leave dirty dishes wherever.

This is a home. Eddie and Chris are his home. Atleast, he wants them to be.

“Sorry for falling asleep on you,” Eddie says.

“Nah, you’re good.”

Buck wants to drag his feet. He wants to procrastinateputting on his shoes and gathering his keys.

“Why don’t you just crash here? We have the space.”

It’s enough to stall Buck for a second.

“No,” he decides out loud. “I should get going.”

Eddie doesn’t protest.

He obviously can’t hear Buck’s thoughts.

Ask me to stay – just one more time. Ask me like you meanit and I’ll stay. I’ll stay forever.

“Alright,” Eddie agrees. He sighs. “Thanks again forcleaning up. I could honestly kiss you.”

Buck snorts.

“Sounds like you need to get back to sleep.”

“I feel better than I did,” Eddie has to pause to yawn,which does a lot to dismantle his argument, “probably couldn’t make it throughanother movie though.”

“Well, you should get some rest. You must be pretty tired tothink about kissing me for doing some dishes.”

Buck should just leave it alone. But it’s like a scab – he can’thelp but pick at it.

“I don’t have to be tired to think about kissing you.”

What.

“Um…is this some housewife joke I’m missing?”

Eddie scratches at his jaw.

“I guess it could be? Like – you make my life better. Thehouse feels fuller, brighter when you’re here. I think you’re actually thesecond best thing to ever happen to me. Does that make you a housewife?”

Buck feels like Eddie’s just presented him with a thirtyfive page dissertation on the difference between miosis and mitosis. He can’tthink of a single word to say.

“Eddie…”

Yup. His name is a good start.

“I…what?” Buck finally manages.

“Sorry,” Eddie says after a stilted beat of silence. “Doesthat sound like I’m coming onto you? I’m definitely not coming onto you. Unless…youwant me to?”

Buck blinks at him dumbly.

Has he been asleep on the couch this whole time? Is this hisdream?

“Buck?”

Say something.

“Did I break you?” Eddie questions.

Dear God. Say something. Anything.

“You…like guys?” Buck asks.

Three whole words. And they make sense in context.Amazing.

Eddie lifts and drops a shoulder quickly.

“I like you.”

“Like… Like like me like me?”

He’s reasonably sure that still makes sense, but it also feelslike his brain is currently rolling down a hill.

But Eddie nods. His cheeks are stained pink.

Holy. Shit.

“How long?”

“Why?” Eddie questions, rubbing at the back of his neck andlooking away.

“Because I need to know how stupid we both are. For science.”

“Both of us?”

Eddie takes half a step forward then, his hand droppingaway.

His heart is firmly in his throat but Buck nods.

“Months. It’s been months,” Eddie admits in a rush.

Buck can’t stop himself – he takes two steps forward. There’sbarely anything left between them. Just a few inches of air that feels like it’sfull of static energy.

“We’re both idiots,” he announces happily.

Eddie takes Buck’s face in both hands and kisses himsoundly.

“Absolute idiots,” Buck breathes when they part.

“Shut up,” Eddie laughs.

He doesn’t give Buck a choice though. Instead, he kisses himagain.

[katedrakeohd]

Author's note: This is a continuation of Wacky Drabbles #5 no prompt just dinner conversation...

Just Desserts

Drake and Kate emerge from the laundry room a few minutes later. Wearing his damp bluejeans, Drake feels uncomfortable but at least he's dressed. Kate takes his hand and tugs, when he hesitates she whispers to him. “I promise to make it up to you later, now come on let's get this dinner over with.”

Drake whispers back with a grin, “I hope you're talking about dessert.”

Kate winks at him, “Yes, and I don’t mean apple pie.”

As they walk into the kitchen, Lorraine glances up from the plate she's loading up with pasta for herself. “What's that about pie? Not until you eat dinner first. You know the rules.”

Kate grins up at Drake and rolls her eyes. “You heard the Lady, no dessert until you've finished dinner.”

Drake winks back at her as he grabs his plate. “Well then it's a good thing I'm hungry.”

Stepping in behind Kate in line at the counter, Drake purposely stands a little too close. Kate sucks in a breath as she feels her body react involuntarily to his breath on the back of her neck. She's glad her blouse has long sleeves to hide the goosebumps rising on her skin. Glancing over her shoulder at him, she throws a little shade to tease him.

“Back it up buddy, besides you still smell like goose.”

Drake takes a step back raising his eyebrows, trading her shade for snark. “Ouch. Fine next time I'll just let the honking goose ruin everyone's evening.”

Carol laughs, “No..no. Believe me I'm very grateful for your help with shutting him up.”

After scooping spaghetti and meatballs onto his plate, Drake grins as he sits down across the table from Kate. “See? My partner in Clem's rescue appreciates me, goose smell or not.”

Lorraine shakes her head, “Ok everyone let's all behave and enjoy our dinner.”

Kate quirks an eyebrow at Drake from across the table, he smirks back at her as she puts salad into her bowl. Let the games begin.

They all eat in silence for a few minutes and then Lorraine speaks up, “Oh Carol, didn't you bring wine home to go with dinner?”

When Carol gets up from the table to retrieve the two bottles of wine from the counter, Drake and Kate exchange a look across the table.

They've held onto their secret long enough. Kate drops a hint, “I suppose we do have something to celebrate. Drake isn't much of a wine drinker, but he's welcome to have a glass for me.”

Everyone turns to look at Lorraine when she drops her fork, “Katherine, since when do you not drink wi-…Oh my goodness, you're not serious?”

Kate nods, her eyes shining with happiness. “We are.”

Carol opens the bottle of white wine with a pop of the cork. “So you've already been to the Doctor?”

Lorraine holds out her wine glass for Carol to fill. Drake holds his out as well as he answers. “No, but we have an appointment scheduled for when we go back to Valtoria.”

“Valtoria? I thought your country was called Cordonia.” Lorraine says looking over to Drake.

“Oh it is. Valtoria is the name of our Duchy.” Kate answers for him.

Lorraine twirls spaghetti around her fork. “I still can't believe my little Kath- ..Kate is a Duchess. You've come a long way from the girl I knew, making mud pies in the backyard, all pigtails and missing her front teeth.”

Carol chuckles from the other end of the table, “And I can't believe Lorraine is going to be a grandmother.”

Lorraine frowns at Carol, “Oh hush you, not that I doubt that Kate's pregnant, but I choose to live in denial until I see baby pictures. I'm too young to be a grandmother.”

Drake spears a meatball with his fork, “That's what my Mom said wh- ..”

Lorraine interrupts him, “Hold on a minute. You told his Mother first?”

“I thought you were in denial Mom. No we haven't told her yet. His sister surprised her with a little boy of her own.” Kate chuckles.

Drake, who has his mouthful, nods in agreement. Pointing his fork at Kate.

“Ok well, as long as you told me about your baby first, that's all that matters.” Lorraine says, picking up her wine glass.

Carol turns the conversation off of babies for a moment, “So Kate, where did you first meet your dashing Duke?”

Glancing across the table at her husband, Kate wonders which part to answer first. The Duke part or the Drake part.

Drake answers for her, “Actually we met in New York city, at my best friend's bachelor party. We walked into Kate's bar, and after that all matter of chaos happened.”

Kate nearly chokes on her spaghetti. “If you mean me returning to Cordonia with you guys, well you can blame Maxwell for that.”

Drake picks up his wine glass, giving Kate a wink before bringing it to his lips. “Neither I nor Cordonia were ready for the likes of Kate.”

“I literally came in like a wrecking ball.” Kate laughs. “Breaking and stealing hearts as I went.”

Chasing the pasta around her plate, Lorraine nods. “I believe it. Kate's a firecracker when she wants to be.”

“As for the Duke part, I met him at the altar. He married a Duchess to gain his title.” Kate says.

Carol raises her eyebrows, “And how did you become a Duchess?”

“By turning down a King's proposal.” Drake answers, “He kind of gave her the Duchy as a consolation prize.”

“So you could have been Queen?” Lorraine asks incredulously.

Kate looks across the table at Drake, “I didn't want to be Queen, because I was in love with someone else.”

“Sucks to be him, but it was definitely a win win for me.” Drake says, looking up from his plate to give Kate a smoldering glance, his eyes dark.

Kate feels the heat rush to her cheeks and to her core simultaneously, ok now I'm ready for dessert. Sitting back in her chair, Kate pretends to stifle a yawn behind her napkin. “I'm so sorry. I guess I'm still on Cordonian time.”

Drake looks back down with a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. Picking up his glass of wine he tips it back and finishes it. Laying his utensils across his plate, he looks over to Lorraine with a satisfied smile. “Thank-you for dinner it was quite delicious. I miss sitting down with family like this. Between our weeks in Texas with my Mom on her ranch and this night with your hospitality we've been spoiled during our time in the U.S.”

“You spent weeks in Texas? And you give me a day?” Lorraine asks, her tone harsh.

Kate tips her head back and closes her eyes, wishing she had a glass of wine of her own right about now. When was she going to stop questioning everything we’ve done as if we were hiding things from her. She's so darn hung up on everyone's business. No wonder I couldn't wait to get out on my own after Dad left.

Drake can't help but notice Kate's frustration with her Mom's defensive nature. He glances at Carol, who just rolls her eyes at him. Time to shut down this dinner and move on. Folding his arms across his chest he turns back toward Lorraine with a stern frown.

“Yes, we were in Texas for my sister's wedding. Between the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the cattle sale and the wedding planning it took longer than we expected. Things weren't exactly under our control. This time around Kate and I were chosen to attend an Environmental Summit in Seattle as diplomats representing our country, and it was only a three day trip. We chose to spend our last day with you because Kate wanted to catch you up on the significant changes in her life. We're sorry we couldn't invite you to our wedding, Lorraine. Our engagement only lasted a month and with assassins threatening us from all sides it wasn't exactly a stress free time. We were lucky to survive the whole thing, so get off your fucking high horse and give us a break.”

Lorraine goes pale, eyes wide in shock at being put in her place. Carol raises her eyebrows, sucking in a breath. She speaks up, attempting to cut the sudden tension in the room.

“Alrighty then, shall we have pie?”

After everyone gets up from the table, bringing their dishes to the counter, Lorraine gently pulls Kate aside into the hallway.

With her eyes cast low she whispers. “I'm sorry Katherine. Please forgive me.”

Pulling her Mom into a hug, Kate whispers back. “I forgive you. I'm sorry for excluding you from such a big chapter of my life. I won't do it again.”

“I'm going to be a grandmother. I really am proud of you, you know that right?” Lorraine whispers, her eyes wet with happy tears.

Stepping back, Kate wipes tears of her own, nodding. “I know.”

“Please tell Drake I'm sorry. Since your father left I…” her face falls, unable to finish her sentence, she looks down at the floor.

“It's ok Mom, I understand.” Kate reaches out and rubs her arms, giving her a smile of encouragement. “Now come on let's get some pie before Drake and Carol eat it all.”

Lorraine chuckles, wiping her eyes again. “Just give me a moment to compose myself, Ok? I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes.”

Kate pulls her Mom into another hug, and then lets her go. “Ok.”

Lorraine turns down the hall and disappears into the powder room, and Kate sucks in a deep breath and returns to the kitchen.

Drake looks up from helping Carol load the dishwasher when Kate comes back in the room. Kate walks over and steps into his arms. Drake mumbles into her hair by her ear. “I..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to break your Mom.”

Kate steps back, slapping him on the arm. “Ow! I said I was sorry.” Drake rubs at his arm. “Don't forget that Bertrand shot me during the bachelor party.”

Carol laughs as she closes the dishwasher. “Oh my goodness you two are something else.”

Kate slips her arms around Drake's waist, he wraps his arms around her again and kisses her on top of the head. Kate chuckles as she closes her eyes and rests her cheek against his shoulder. “Oh you have no idea.”

Lorraine quietly steps into the kitchen, she clears her throat to get everyone's attention. “Um, it's getting late. So why don't we change for bed and then we'll take pie into the living room and relax a little before we retire for the night.”

Kate and Drake exchange a glance. “We don't have a change of clothes, our luggage is back in Seattle.” Kate replies.

“I’m sure we can find some sort of sleepwear for you Kate, but for Drake probably not.” Lorraine says apologetically.

Drake shrugs, “I don't usually wear pyjamas anyway.”

“You'll want your clothes laundered for tomorrow though, because you know, Clem.” Kate says.

“If you'd like, we could do the same for your clothes too Kate if you’d like.” Carol offers.

Kate looks down at her clothes, her blouse was dry clean only, but her skirt and undergarments were certainly washable. “Ok, I'll get my clothes washed too.”

Lorraine claps her hands, “Oh splendid! Alright then. I'll let you two have the master bedroom for the night. Drake you know where the laundry room is, Kate come with me and we'll find you something comfy to lounge in.”

Drake's mouth drops open as Kate, Lorraine and Carol leave him alone and go get changed for bed.

Continues here

..

Tagging:

Wacky Drabblers: @jessiembruno @brightpinkpeppercorn @jovialyouthmusic @sirbeepsalot @bobasheebaby @burnsoslow @emceesynonymroll @bbrandy2002

@qween-corgis @jlpplays1

[imaginationkonoha]

Naruto and Hinata's Wedding (part 1)

This is long fic, and it's not necessarily about Naruto or Hinata, but about what happened behind the scenes of their marriage. Stories don't count, come with me to a new world of possibilities.

I was lying on a hill, watching the clouds pass slowly, reflecting on my life. My parents died fighting Kyuubi 17 years ago, I was a year my aunt, and at seven was already living alone. I sat among the flowers, looked down, seeing how beautiful the village looked in the spring. Everything was so perfect. I was happy, right? 17 years old graduated as a leaf row jounning with a beautiful house and friends. Was everything in order so why was I questioning myself so much? I took a deep breath and decided to go home. I went down the hill, meeting Naruto, Hinata and Neji. The first two were already holding hands and I smiled to learn that within two months the two would get married. Sakura had even told me that she thought the reason for the sudden marriage was a baby, but I ignored it, it was none of my business. All but were getting married or dating, I think that was my problem. Ino and Sai got together, Sakura stayed with Sasuke after all, Rock Lee found a wonderful girl in another village and now they both live here, Gaara was still Gaara. I always doubted that Neji and Tenten had anything other than Shikamaru and Temari that confirmed me. It was complicated.

"What's up Y / N-chan, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked excitedly and I smiled, even as the fox sealed inside, I was never afraid of him and was always his friend. Neji looked at the camera in my hands, I had a hobby, I loved taking pictures, but it was something I didn't share.

"Just thinking and taking some pictures," I said with a shrug. Hinata looked at me with bright eyes

“Could you do a rehearsal of ours?” She asked so excitedly that I had to pity deny it.

"My job is not that good," I said, scratching the back of my neck.

"For oneesan, you're perfect in the photos," declared Naruto and I wanted to kill him right there.

"I bet it will be beautiful too," Neji added and I gave them a smile.

"Well, I can think of some ideas, if you want to discuss, we can go to my house Hinata" I said and she agreed, giving her boyfriend a kiss and a hug on Neji. "You won't go, it's gonna be a girls time"

Before they could both complain, the brunette pulled me laughing. I really liked the woman, lost count of how many times I told her if she says now Naruto and how many times I hit that idiot's head for running after Sakura who clearly was an idiot who didn't want him. After much trying, fate made them stay together.

And I was glad that, as Naruto's best friend, I always wanted the best. I arrived at my house, opened my computer and we started researching some things.

"My wedding is going to have a dance and I want everyone dancing." She talked excited and I smiled, her animation was cute.

"Cool, this dance will be both of you and this one with the guests." I spoke showing some pictures.

"We can do some rehearsals at the tip, hill and even in the forest" I kept showing some examples and even places that I had already photographed.

"Your photos are great, I didn't know you had that talent"

"I love hiding things from people"

“Like you hid from me who kissed Naruto?” He asked laughing and I widened my eyes.

"Hinata, we were kids and were jealous of people who had boyfriends," I said quickly and she burst out laughing.

"I know everything, you told me that drunk, without any context, so I asked Naruto who explained things to me"

"I need to stop drinking so much, these days I woke up in my underwear lying on my porch," I grumbled and she laughed harder. I got up to make our food since the day was already night. My friend accompanied me, I looked at my fridge and decided to make a basic spaghetti.

"Do you cut the tomatoes?" I asked putting them on the table, took the onion and began to chop. In the middle of the onion I was already in tears. I heard the bell and Hinata went to open since it was probably her boyfriend, which was very strange Naruto knock on the door, he would just open since sometimes he sleeps here. Neji was the first to come in the moment I put the onions on the fire, he came towards me with a worried look.

“Are you ok?” He asked placing his hand on my shoulder. I smiled at him and confirmed, I thought his behavior was cute.

"It was just the onions, I'm really always caught by them" I answered the question he should be asking himself. I wiped my eye with my dirty hand and cursed myself automatically. How was I so injured? Neji laughed and wet the cloth beside me to help me.

"You guys are cute together" Naruto started, Hinata hit him. I saw Neji is slightly embarrassed and I felt bad for him.

"Naruto, if you continuing to disturb us, I will tell Hinata all the nonsense you did in childhood, and when I say everything I talk about all the things dattebayo!" I roared and he widened his eyes making us laugh. After Neji helped me, I put the noodles to cool while making the sauce. I glanced over at my office where I saw the lovers embracing, giving each other cute smiles. I smiled at the scene but needed someone to help me.

"Neji-chan" I called him and he looked at me, waiting for me to finish my sentence. "Could you cut those spring onions there? And some parsley?"

"Sure, small or medium?"

"Small" I answered and he agreed.

"Have you decided where the wedding photos will be?"

"In a lot of places, I actually need to see what I need to bring because besides the lenses, there will be places I need to carry light." I spoke thinking with my hand on my chin, one of the caves I showed Hinata was this case, however much it was day, the light was not enough for the picture to look good.

"I help you take things, I'm always here to help you"

I looked surprised at the man now in front of me, Neji was chosen as Jounning before any of our group, his skills are exceptional. I smiled at his willingness to help me, he handed me the extra cut and I added it to the sauce, asked him to get the pasta and it helped me pouring slowly. Less than 10 minutes, our food was ready. It smelled so good that I wanted to eat before I even turned off the pan.

"You call the lovebirds," I said and he scowled.

"We eat, when they feel hungry, they will come." He answered by making me laugh, it turned out that we didn't have to call, as they both came by the smell of the food.

"Sorry for leaving y/n-san," said Hinata with red cheeks.

"I don't care, Neji was a better company than you," I said, showing her tongue to her who laughed. How mature I was. We sat at my table and appreciated it. I ate calmly, savoring the divine sauce.

"I love your noodles so much," Naruto said with his mouth full and I glared at him. "Seriously oneechan, your noodles are the best ever," he continued and I laughed.

"I agree with him, it's even better than my clan chief's," said Hinata with her mouth full as well.

"then Naruto is changing you" I said in a crying voice and Neji laughed as they both looked at me with a straight face. We finished eating and I gathered things to wash.

"I will wash y/n-san" Hinata said and I denied it.

"You can date, I know you're out of time because of Naruto's studies" my friend looked at me and smiled, just like my idiot brother.

They both came back to the room and I felt like that aunt who is hiding her niece's dating. I laughed at my thought and realized that Neji was looking at me.

"I'll help you," he said and went to the edge of the sink. He started washing the dishes and me drying them. We commented a few things, Neji was a very nice guy, we always got along but there was a day that Tenten went crazy and I decided to walk away, not to cause any problems for them.

"You could pin my hair, it's falling on my face." He said and I looked, as he was without the bandana, really had a strand on his face. I grabbed a clothespin I'd tossed into the closet and pinned his hair back in a ponytail.

"I hate the fact that your hair is more hydrated than mine," I said, returning to my dishwasher position.

"I really only pass some creams I buy, no big deal."

"This is even worse Neji, you don't even have to work hard," I said and he laughed, patted him with my cloth lightly. I missed him at those times, and even on missions. We finished the dishes quickly and went into the living room, finding the most ridiculous couple in the world.

"So good that you came back, we need to talk to you both" Hinata said making me frown, what the hell were those two wanting from us?