#and the fluffiest of the crispies

[didderd]

I've been waiting many months for this moment.

The Crispy Crew are done!!!

Info and stuff under the cut.

From left to right: Rice (nightmare Tourette's sans) Crack (horror Tourette's sans) Snaps (killer Tourette's sans) Pop (dust Tourette's sans) Marsh (cross Tourette's sans)

Ofc, the usual:

Draw them all you want, but please don't try and represent their Tourette's without some proper research on it.

Don't ship them with other sanses publicly. It would make me uncomfortable.

A teensy bit of lore:

Rice has been doing this since long before he ever met any of the others, but he dragged them all into it too. While their job is to keep balance in the multiverse, and keep Rice feed with negativity, they all share the hobby of studying and recording AUs. And since the war is over with Rice's brother, they have permission to study the AUs in his territory too, as long as they don't cause any problems. But they are surprisingly well-behaved when studying a place, and usually stay out of sight.

[alexturne]

a couple of questions for the fic ask 🥰

• if you could choose one of your fic universes to live in, which one would you choose and why?

• what's the fic that you keep finding yourself coming back to, out of all the ones you've written?

• what's one trope you could write a million different stories about, and what's one you'd never even consider?

• what's your favourite fic out of all the ones you've written?

Thanks bestie, you know I love getting to gush about my stories 😘

1. All of them have pretty standard 'worlds' but I'd LOVE to go visit Alex's beach from i've been saving all my summers for you. Also the old college town and Miles' bar from under these lights you look beautiful. All of those places just feel so warm and ambient, filled with the fluffiest nostalgia, worn edges, warm summers and crispy autumns, a warm blanket and a mug of hot chocolate, a refreshing ice cream dripping down your wrist on a gorgeous beach, white and warm sand as far as the eye can see, the splash of the ocean right at your door... I'd simply love it!

2. Hmm, I have to admit I reread my own stories quite often, for the simple reason that I write what I want to read 😂 And I'm always certain to be provided with exactly what I'm looking for when reading my own stories. Though I think I've reread i've been saving all my summers for you quite a lot. Also my two christmas fics because they're just short and sweet and warm, fluffy and not too heavy. Which is often what I'm looking for when I want to read fic. Also you're so pretty and i'm so shy because it's just so much fun and I really enjoy all of the banter between Matt and Alex 😍

3. A trope I could writer over and over again is the meet cute au, two people running into each other and becoming friends and then lovers through funny little circumstances. Thing going wrong through stupid misunderstandings and always a happy, soppy ending x💓Sitcoms! Aus of any kind really! Coffee shop, book shop, flower shop, gritty battle of the bands, looking for a roommate, all the aus!!!

The tropes I would probably stay clear off are probably the darker ones. Major character death of course, horror, torture, anything too dark and heavy isn't for me. I'm not good with horror in general, and I only read anything even remotely horror related if I trust the writer to guide me safely through. We've got some amazing horror writers in this fandom, and I've definitely had some incredible experiences reading their work. But it's not for me, writing it ❤️ Also I hate any kind of cheating with a passion, so you'll never see me touch it.

4. My favourite fic... I love them all for different reasons. Under these lights obviously comes to mind, because it's my longest and most popular story, and one I was so proud of. Still am. I'm so happy with how it turned out, the characters and their development, the setting, the entire world created around them. It just turned out exactly how I pictured it in my head.

But I also really love the element of surprise. It's one I keep finding myself reading, and it's one that I'm just so fond of. Again, I feel like I managed to execute my vision quite well, I had some good ideas about the scenes I wanted to include and I loved trying to write the plot happening only within a week, a specified timeframe. I love those characters, the way it progressed and I just enjoy it so much. Having it all be set in the snow, having a bigger ensemble to fit within the story, and having our two lovebirds work it out like they did was just such a joy. I had a lot of fun writing it. 🥰

Thanks for the lovely questions @yellowloid ❤️❤️

[cwritesfiction]

What if I put on my fluffiest socks and got a little shrimp crispy with an adult beverage. What then

[futurefoodie]

I am in love! I am so excited to try this recipe especially because I have the double basket air fryer at home. This will definitely be one to try on one of my free Saturdays.

Link:

[spinningorigins]

"Thin and crispy!" the recipe declares. And what do I get? The fluffiest goddamn cookies I've ever seen in my life. You could save yourself from drowning with these things. Flotation device confectioneries.

[traderchicken]

Kings rotisserie chicken

Introduction: A Feast Fit for a King! Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more? Well, look no further, because we've got kings rotisserie chicken the scoop on the delectable world of King's Rotisserie Chicken! If you're a fan of succulent, flavorful, and downright irresistible chicken, you're in for a treat.

In this article, we'll take you on a gastronomic journey through the kingdom of King's Rotisserie Chicken. From its humble beginnings to its mouthwatering menu, we'll uncover what makes this place a true haven for chicken lovers. Get ready to dive into the juicy details, savor the flavors, and satisfy your chicken cravings.

So, without further ado, let's embark on a flavorful adventure and explore the world of King's Rotisserie Chicken!

The King's Origins: A Humble Beginning Every great empire has a humble origin story, and King's Rotisserie Chicken is no exception. Founded by a passionate chef, this chicken kingdom started as a small family-run business with a vision to serve the tastiest rotisserie chicken in town. The chef, known as "The Chicken King," poured his heart and soul into perfecting his recipes. His dedication paid off, and today, King's Rotisserie Chicken reigns supreme in the world of poultry.

The Menu: A Royal Feast

The King's Signature Rotisserie Chicken Ah, the crown jewel of the menu – the King's Signature Rotisserie Chicken! This is where the magic happens. Each succulent piece of chicken is slow-cooked to perfection on the rotisserie, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor and juiciness. What sets it apart from the rest?

Marinated to Perfection: The chicken is marinated in a secret blend of herbs and spices, infusing it with an irresistible taste that's nothing short of regal. Rotisserie Perfection: Slow-roasted on the rotisserie, the chicken's skin becomes crispy, while the meat remains tender, creating a delightful contrast. Mouthwatering Aromas: As the chicken revolves, it releases tantalizing aromas that will make your mouth water even before your first bite.

Fit for a King Sides Every monarch needs their loyal subjects, and the King's Rotisserie Chicken menu features a range of sides that complement the star of the show:

Crispy Golden Fries: Golden and crispy, these fries are the perfect sidekick to the juicy rotisserie chicken. Dip them in a variety of sauces for an explosion of flavor.

Garden-Fresh Salad: Need a break from all the richness? The fresh, crisp salad is there to refresh your palate and provide a delightful contrast.

Buttery Cornbread: The fluffiest, buttery cornbread you'll ever taste! It's the perfect comfort food to accompany your chicken feast.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, garlicky, and utterly irresistible, these mashed potatoes are a royal delight.

The Royals of Flavor: Sauces Galore Dip, dunk, or slather your rotisserie chicken with a variety of mouthwatering sauces:

Zesty BBQ Sauce: For those who like a tangy kick to their chicken. Honey Mustard Bliss: A sweet and savory combination that's perfect for dipping. Spicy Buffalo Drizzle: If you're feeling adventurous and want a spicy twist, this sauce is your answer. Classic Gravy: Can't resist the classics? The rich and savory gravy has your back!

Royal Combinations Not sure what to choose? Opt for one of the King's Rotisserie Chicken Combos:

Regal Feast: A whole rotisserie chicken with your choice of sides and sauces. Perfect for sharing with friends and family!

Royal Platter: A half-chicken with a selection of sides and sauces. Ideal for an indulgent solo meal.

[foodsenses]

Honey Fried Chicken and Waffles

See on Scoop.it - foodSenses

Honey Fried Chicken and Waffles - Super crispy fried chicken, drizzled with a warm honey glaze, served with the fluffiest buttermilk waffles!

Read the full article at: damndelicious.net

[wucaro]

top ten bites of 2022

10. 2825 day aged Mole - pujol 

On the eve of our last night in Mexico City, Jason and I snagged a last minute (very difficult to get) reservation at the $$$$ restaurant Pujol. We had been laying in bed all day trying to regain our appetite from a bout of food poisoning and spent most of this meal running to the bathroom between courses. Our (hilarious) pain aside, it was a spectacular meal. This mole had been continuously cooking for over seven years and had such a depth of flavor (fermented fruit, chiles, and chocolate). The only reason I have it ranked lower on this list is because it was just a plate of sauce and would’ve tasted better on some chicken. 

9. Seafood Beef Stew - Lighthouse Tofu

I usually don’t order Korean stews and opt for a stir fry dish at Korean restaurants, but this stew really changed my mind. The seafood added such a depth of flavor and I loved all the side dishes. Maybe I was biased from not having good Korean food since I moved to DC but I’m still thinking about this meal (and the side of galbi). 

8. Fava Bean Dip and Pita Bread - Andros Taverna

This was the starter for my April 4 birthday meal and it set up a spectacular four courses. Andros Taverna puts pretty much all other dip/pita based cuisine to shame (topping Chicago’s Galit and really any Mediterranean restaurant from here to New York). The sauces had incredible flavor (I love dill) and the oven baked pita is some of the fluffiest, most flavorful bread I’ve ever tasted. My grandma used to cook a lot of fava beans in chinese dishes growing up so this dip in particular had something familiar and something new to it.

7. Rolled Lasagna - Ciccio Mio

I won’t deny that this pick might be slightly influenced by the scenery. Ciccio Mio has a stunning interior (highly recommend for date night) and my college roommate + I went right before a night at the ballet. This rolled lasagna is probably influenced by the Don Angie one but it’s much cheaper (at only $24 vs $60) and absolutely mindblowing. It’s a perfectly cooked pasta on the inside, crispy on top, and the sauce is full of basil flavor. Finish with an espresso and pavlova and it’s a perfect Chicago meal. 

6. Naem Khao salad - Thip Khao

The only DC meal to make it on this list this year, Thip Khao has been known for this salad for years now. It’s absolutely worth the hype and a perfect combination of textures and flavor. I love the lime, sour pork, and peanuts in this dish. Wrapped in lettuce? Perfection. I’ve honestly never had anything like it and am thankful everyday that I don’t have a nut allergy. 

5. suadero tacos with grilled mexican green onions - Tacos Tony 

This was the second taco we ate in Mexico City upon landing and it’s convinced me that al pastor tacos aren’t the best ones on the block. This taco was incredibly flavorful but the highlight was a whole sweet mexican green onion that had been grilled on top of the meat juices. It had a perfect char and tasted delicious on top of the taco. I’ve been buying them from the grocery store lately and charring them myself. I really love how traveling introduces you to new ways of cooking your daily meals. 

4. any slice of pizza - Jimmy’s Pizza

Everything after this is from Mexico City, but a slice of Jimmy’s Pizza is sneaking in at #4. My old coworker once said that his New York born and raised wife claimed Jimmy’s Pizza was better than any slice she had ever had in New York. That might be sacrilegious to say but this stuff has some secret drug in it. I’ve honestly just never tasted anything quite as addicting. I used to get tacos every Friday night in Chicago as a “end of work week” treat but I switched over to Jimmy’s Pizza after discovering it. 

3. pastor con queso taco - Taqueria Los Parados 

This was probably the source of our stomach clutching food poisoning. Would I eat it again if I had the chance? Probably. It’s cheese cooked with vegetables, al pastor, and mushrooms topped with the freshest green sauce and pico. Shoutout to Lena for randomly picking this off the menu, we ordered a second round. 

2. tuna ceviche - Paramo 

Cheers to Jason’s coworker Diego for suggesting this place. There were so many great drinks (one of my favorite sips of sangria ever) and dishes (boar uni taco? yes) but the tuna ceviche really topped my list. It was simple (tuna, cucumbers, avocado and onions on a tostada) but the fresh fish, bright sauce, and crunchy tostada really made it a perfect dish. (apologies for the dark pic)

1. snail ceviche - pujol

And topping the list at #1 is another seafood dish - this time at the famed Pujol (as mentioned in #10). This was the dish that shocked me most in the tasting menu. The snail is incredibly fresh and delicate, I drank all the sauce, and it tasted incredible on a taro chip. If it’s not obvious now, I love contrast in dishes (something with a softer texture + something crunchy, lots of acidity, some fattiness) and this dish executed that perfectly. 

honorable mentions: blanco colima’s lemon dessert, pho 75′s pho, chicken milanese torta from la esquina del chilaquiles, steak chilaquiles from el cardinal, every other pujol dish, oyster taco from mi tocaya, the octopus okonomiyaki from gaijin, seolleongtang from han bat. 

Best drinks

4. Mexican beer - i don’t remember the name it came in a yellow can but way better than the beer i’ve had before

3. Floral white sangria from Yunnan by Potomac

2. Sangria from Paramo

1. Belle’s punch from Succotash

[soulfragmnts]

The timer on the rice is going, the curry is bubbling on a slow simmer, and the pork is extra crispy out of the oil. Sukuna wipes down the counter while the synchrony persists, nodding to the heavy rock tune spilling out of the small speaker atop the fridge. He hums along to a few of the lyrics, engrossed in the chaos of the kitchen when Yuji’s voice rings above the guitar riff. He’s about to greet him like any other day–shout back over the music– but his brother breaks routine and Sukuna stiffens. Shit, was he supposed to know that Yuji was having a friend over today? His eyes dart to the pork– just enough for two. He can’t remember if the brat told him about it this morning, so he holds Yuji responsible for his lack of preparedness; his perfect memory would never fail, not when his little brother is around to blame. 

“In here,” Sukuna shouts back and fishes his phone from his apron to turn the volume down. At least he recognizes the name of Yuji’s friend, he’s been talking about her since the new semester started. He even tried to convince Sukuna to get a dog on account of Fushiguro having two of the “Largest, fluffiest, sweetest dogs ever. Seriously, Sukuna, they're this big–” Sukuna shut that shit down real fast. This apartment was just big enough for two of them, the most he’d tolerate was a goldfish. Still, it’s been a long time since Yuji brought any friends up, so Sukuna couldn’t help being curious about the girl who held his little brother’s esteem, especially because he was afraid that Yuji was starting to become like him; fortunate in all but friends. 

“Hey–” Sukuna’s brain hiccups when he looks up. He didn’t expect to see a kid clad in a boy’s uniform– isn’t Megumi a girl’s name? But more importantly, what’s up with that hair? “– ... Megumi, right? Hope you like curry.”

"no feud." yuji assures quickly. "i mean, no more than any other siblings i guess? but sukuna pretty much raised me so he's like my brother and my parent in one, y'know?" yuji flapped his free hand. it wasn't important.

soon enough he was pulling megumi into a short apartment block and dragging him along a open corridor, up a flight of stairs and along a second corridor. all the doors and walls were a dull shade of grey-blue that seemed a little too depressing for yuji's tastes but it was what they could afford and he didn't think that maintenance gave a fuck about residents opinions as long as the place was tidy and looked well kept.

"plus, do you think i haven't mentioned you to him either? sukuna loves that i have an actual friend and not just people i know vaguely in school. parental figures are weird." he scrunched his nose as he glanced over to megumi, digging around in his pocket for his key, then jammed it into the lock without care and unceremoniously shoved the door open. He grabbed two pairs of house slippers from behind the door and put a pair at megumi's feet before kicking off his own shoes and stuffing his feet into the slippers to step further into the apartment.

his voice raised for his brother's benefit, though really it was unnecessary, he just liked to do it because it seemed like the annoying little brotherly thing to do. "i'm back. i bought my friend megumi over!"

--- @soulfragmnts

[latias-eevee-hatori]

Christmas Display & Cookies 2017

[sobeautifullyobsessed]

14,000,604 - chapter 10

(Author’s Note:  this chapter ended up running so long that I decided I had to split it into two. What can I say? I couldn’t bring myself to deprive Stephen & Hope of a single moment of their way to goodbye.😢)

Departure time had come at last, but Stephen had done his all to soften the blow for Hope, and to gather a wealth of warm, beautiful recollections to dull the pain awaiting him. Neither he nor Hope had addressed his impending departure, and for most of the day they successfully avoided having it overshadow their dwindling hours together. Except for the quietly desperate urgency which colored their lovemaking as nightfall approached. How sweet and poignant those moments had been, as though the physical act was intended to cement the strength of the bond between them, in lieu of the growth that might have flourished if Time could be allowed to play out naturally. So soul deep and spirit sustaining that Stephen would bear the memories--and all the feelings evoked--not only in his mind and heart, but like a brand upon his skin and bones.

They had only left his quarters shortly before noon, and only because their need for sustenance (outside of one another) drove them to it. Barefoot and pajama-clad, he had never dared appear in such a casual manner in any public area of the Sanctum, as he had always maintained that his title and responsibilities precluded such a stunning breach of decorum. Hope was a sweet vision in his eyes, her hair still a-tumble from their play, wearing his Pink Floyd tee again, a pair of his boxer shorts, and was barefoot as well. She had giggled at his exaggerated caution as they tread the hallway to the stairs. Stephen gently shushed her a time or two, but soon gave up, melting into an indulgent grin as he accepted how unimportant it really was that any few still within the Sanctum would see them. They truly were a world unto their own in the time that they had left.

They worked side by side once more, building a breakfast feast of cheesy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and the fluffiest pancakes he had ever tasted (courtesy of Hope’s culinary flair)–-so easy with one another now that they barely needed to speak. Spontaneously breaking from time to time to steal kisses while the bacon sizzled, Hope laughed outright when Stephen stepped up behind her to nuzzle her neck. 

“That tickles,” she mock chided, at the brush of his whiskers against her soft skin, so that he spun her about to overwhelm her with a hot, deep kiss instead.

She had looped her arms about his neck while he held her fast, heedless of the smoke starting to rise from the frying pan. He broke their kiss in time to avoid setting off the fire detector with a wave of his hand, which moved the pan off of the burner and froze the smoke midair. Happily dazed, Hope fluttered open her eyes and beamed him a sappy smile.

“Burned the bacon,” he muttered, watching her lips, longing for a further taste.

“Can you fix it,” she pouted.

Stephen chuckled. “If I had the Time Stone with me, yeah, but it’s back in my room. We’ll just have to start a fresh batch…”

“Then you’d better stop distracting me, darling. Bacon is my favorite breakfast food, and I will not be denied an unhealthy portion today,” Hope winked, disentangling from his embrace and heading to the fridge for more.

He tucked the soiled pan into a small pocket dimension–which would cease to exist once he left this timeline–and remained on his best behavior until they finished eating. When Hope arose from her stool and insisted on tidying up, Stephen tutted, grinning as he whisked their dirty dishes, utensils, and cookware up into a little whirlwind above the sink, and then gently landed them in a perfectly sudsy pool of hot water. He tucked his hand quickly into his pocket, assuring himself that his sling ring still rested there. “Later, honey,” he hummed, pretty sure she could already read his intention in his eyes, “There’s a more pressing chore needs doing now.”

“Oh really,” she teased, watching as he stood up and pushed aside his own stool, before taking her by the waist.

“Yes, baby.” He tried to slow his eager breathing, his pajama bottoms beginning to tent as he stiffened at the thought of what came next. “And you’re the only one can see it’s done…properly…”

Hope blinked, started and over taken by this swift development. “Oh...oh my...” Giving a little yelp as he lifted her onto the marble topped island where they had just dined, she panted, “But...anyone left here could walk in on us...at any moment...”

“Oh, but they won’t,” he promised, stepping into the gap between her legs, smiling wickedly at the secret he was about to reveal. “Because I have a plan...”

“A...a plan,” she repeated, smiling her trust in him.

“Oh, yesssss.” Stephen bit his lip, anticipation flooding heat through his veins. He kept his eyes locked on hers while he placed his palms face out, touching his thumbs and forefingers together, and mimed a pushing action. A delicate tinkling sound filled the air and walls like multi-faceted crystals enclosed the little kitchen, extending all the way to the open archway.

Marveling at his magic, Hope whispered, “Get...out! What...how...”

“This is the Mirror Dimension, honey,” he explained, “We’re still exactly where we were, but now we’re undetectable.” With a suggestive quirk of his brow, Stephen planted his hands on her hips, sliding her closer. “Completely undetectable.” 

Her eyes had grown huge and she gasped softly before she placed her palms on his chest. “And you’re sure of this?”

“Absolutely.” He lowered his face to hers to tease her with a single, lingering kiss, before pulling away to add, “And it’s soundproof, Hope. Meaning we can be as loud as we want for however long we need to be.”

Her little gleeful laugh was a perfect reply. “Good. That’s really good, darling. Because the way your voice echoes in here?” She nibbled her lip and pulled his face close again, “It’s doing things to me right now, that...well...I can’t be held responsible for anything I might beg you to do.” With that, they melted together into a steamy, sumptuous kiss.

Soon enough, her shameless, heartfelt moans of satisfaction reverberated full force around them, though Stephen’s rough and greedy groans of pleasure o’ertopped hers--for he found a heady freedom in that sort of abandon, which he hadn’t enjoyed since his youth.

In the end, Hope hadn’t needed to beg for a thing, as her love-struck, lusting Sorcerer knew exactly what she needed.

                    _________________________________________

Outside, it was another beautiful spring day--if one did not consider how much of the City, and the world at large, remained in mourning. After luxuriating in a long, hot shower (and one another, beneath the water’s steady beat), Stephen and Hope ventured out for a stroll, thinking to grab some ice cream from one of the neighborhood bodegas. The sad few that were open, were low on stock of everything, and as most of them had been without power since the days after The Snap, all of the frozen and refrigerated items had been given away or thrown out. The individual suffering that Stephen witnessed all around him hit him hard, reinforcing his determination to see his mission through, though he wished with his whole soul that it wouldn’t have to be five long years until things would be restored to even an approximation of normal. They returned to Bleecker Street in contemplative silence, although en route he had come up with a witty plan to avert their disappointment.

“What’s your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor,” he asked, leading Hope to sit on one of the lower steps of the grand staircase.

“Karamel Sutra,” she replied immediately, “It would really hit the spot right now, too.”

“I think I can manage that,” he told her cryptically. “Feel free to browse the hall here, if you wish. I should be back in 10-15 minutes or so.” He brushed a kiss on the crown of her head, then turned and opened a portal, without a glance back.

He returned in less than ten minutes to find Hope in the same spot, elbows on her knees, chin resting in her hands, apparently alerted to his arrival by the telltale sizzle and the small orange circle that grew larger as he worked the portal open. Stephen was grinning ear to ear, carrying a paper bag with the Ben & Jerry’s logo on it.

“Give a girl a clue next time,” she razzed him, standing up to greet him back. “Just where did you go off to?”

Adopting the air of a venerable sage, he stroked his goatee a few times and then handed her the bag. “Their factory in Vermont. They run on alternate power sources, so I figured they might be doing some business, at least.”

”Whoa! Hunka-Chunka-Burnin’-Fudge--nice! And my Karamel Sutra!” She batted her eyes and offered a dramatic sigh, “You are my true hero, Stephen.”

“Ah, ‘tweren’t nothin;, ma’am,” he drawled, conjuring two silver spoons from thin air, before settling down on the stairs and patting the space beside him for her to join him. “Although, if I’d gone any later, we might have missed our favorites. They’ve been giving pints and quarts away, doing what they can to raise morale.”

For a moment, Hope’s smile faltered, betraying the sadness behind her carefree demeanor. Stephen just knew she was thinking about how little time remained before he had to leave her for real. The heartache he felt right now was just the start of so much more to come--but he would not trade a single moment of the precious time they had shared, even if it were to ease his own pain. He tapped his spoon to hers in a makeshift toast, so that her smile brightened--just for him--before they both dug in.

(to be continued - very soon)

Chapters 1-10 on AO3

tagging: @aeterna-auroral-avenger @strangelock221b @ben-c-group-therapy @ben-locked @d0ct0rstrangewife @humanbornarchangel @ravencatart @frowerssx2 @doctor-stephenstrange​ @groovyfluxie @starkiller-queen @letterstosherlock @emilyinnj4real​ @tsukuyomi011​ @puddlejumper72-blog-blog​ @yuuzuki​ @brokenlibrarygirl​ @adaline-hiero​ @immaculate-benediction-batch​

[crockettmarcel]

day 11 - warm

It was freezing out, the coldest day of the year so far according to the app on Ava’s phone, and she had no problem believing it. The walk from the hospital to her car wasn’t a long one, but by the time she’d sat down and put her seatbelt on, her fingers were numb. Sarah had told her to take gloves, but she was stubborn and had refused. She was paying for it now though, as she alternated between rubbing her hands together and holding them in front of one of the vents to try and get some feeling back.

They’d warmed up after a couple of minutes, and Ava began the short drive back home. The sky was darker than it had been even an hour ago, and heavy in the way that said snow was coming. She hoped it would be during the night, because neither she nor Sarah had work in the morning, and a day spent building snowmen in the park and drinking hot chocolate in bed was exactly what they both needed right now.

Their apartment was on the second floor, at the front of the block, and as Ava walked from her car to the door of the building, she could see Sarah’s silhouetted figure dancing in the kitchen. She hadn’t done much of that recently, not the way she used to, so seeing her looking like her old self was a good sign, and Ava couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as she made her way upstairs.

Her keys were buried in the bottom of her bag, as they so often were, and she struggled for a minute or so trying to find them before the door opened in front of her. Sarah was standing there in leggings and one of Ava’s baggy sweatshirts, her curls pulled up in a messy topknot, and she looked more at peace than she had for a long time.

     “I saw you pull up outside,” Sarah explained, before taking Ava’s coat and bag from her and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Ava nodded and returned the kiss, then allowed Sarah to lead her through to the kitchen. The whole apartment smelled of garlic, and something else Ava couldn’t quite put her finger on, and Carly Rae Jepsen was playing from the speaker on the countertop. It was unlike Sarah to be listening to something this upbeat, but with the way things were at the moment, she was doing whatever she could to bring her mood up. If that meant listening to LA Hallucinations on repeat while she chopped potatoes, then that was what she was going to do.

Sarah had set out their meal on the kitchen table, instead of leaving it on the side so they could grab what they wanted and eat on the couch, and she’d even gone as far as to light some candles and open a bottle of red wine. (Technically she wasn’t supposed to drink with her antidepressants, but if they hadn’t stopped her from chugging half a bottle of vodka when she was seventeen, she wasn’t going to let them stop her from enjoying a glass of wine with her girlfriend at twenty-seven.)

Everything looked perfect, and Ava snaked her arms around Sarah’s waist as she told her exactly that. 

She’d started cooking properly during her suspension, and now that she was on medical leave she had even more time to indulge in her new hobby. It was relaxing (despite the meltdowns she’d had the few times things had gone wrong), and it managed to ground her more than any of the techniques she’d learnt in therapy. The repetitive motions - stirring a pot, dicing vegetables, sieving flour - were what helped most when she was stressed, and by the end, she had something to show for it.

     “I hope you like it. I found the recipe online, so I’m not sure if it will be okay, but-”

     “Shh. It smells and looks wonderful, my love. You’ve done a great job.” She pressed a kiss to Sarah’s temple, then sat down and took a sip of her wine. 

The food did look good - rosemary and garlic butter steak, with crispy little roast potatoes and grilled vegetables - and Ava was so proud of Sarah for it. She’d come a long way in the last couple of months, in almost every sense, and even though she still had a way to go, things were looking up again.

They talked while they ate, Ava updating Sarah on all the hospital drama she was missing out on (although she managed to avoid repeating the things some of the nurses had been saying about the crazy psychiatrist), and Sarah telling Ava about her day. She didn’t do much, save for her cooking and some mindfulness Dr Charles had insisted she try, but she always seemed to have funny stories about their neighbours, who, Ava had to admit, were some of the weirdest people she knew.

Once they’d finished eating, Sarah grabbed two spoons and a pint of chocolate ice cream from the freezer, and the couple made their way over to the couch. They had a collection of blankets and throws, and as soon as they’d sat down, Ava pulled the fluffiest one on top of them and snuggled up to Sarah. 

Neither of them was sure how long they stayed like that, cozy and safe under the warmth of the blanket, sharing Sarah’s favourite ice cream between them, but it didn’t matter. The only thing that was important was the two of them holding each other, content to just be together as the snow started to fall outside their window.

[its-fucking-tangerine]

Hello!! Thank you for tagging me @newtsixtyfive !! Rules: Tag 10 (or less) people you want to get to know better

Relationship status: Single, minor (Queer)

Favourite colour: The red that @gayries24 uses all the time, or that really deep dark green

Song stuck in my head: Whoreson Prison Blues sung by Joey Batey, as Jaskier in The Witcher

Three favourite songs [bonus?? misread the prompt accidentally]: Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths, You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison by My Chemical Romance, and Farewell Wanderlust by The Amazing Devil

Three favourite foods: Those really thick, crispy on the outside gooey on the inside chocolate chip cookies — Flaming Hot Cheetos [don’t murder me anyone they’re really good] — the warmest pav bhaji, with lemon squeezed into the pav bhaji, and the fluffiest warmest pav to go along with it that just warms you up as it goes down

Dream trip: Visiting famous graves around the world, Dante, Jane Austen etc.

Last thing I googled: Fast breathing [context: was told I breathe unnaturally fast. it freaked me out. still do not have an answer for that one.]

No pressure tags!: @dambit-like-gambit, @0dde11eth

Rules: Tag 10 (or less) people you want to get to know better.

Thank you for the tag :)) @foggiestdays

Relationship Status: QPR

Favorite color: Red, Black, Blue-grey.

Song stuck in my head: The Perfect Girl - Mareux.

Three favorite foods: Salmon with rice and sweet potatoes. Homemade gluten free chicken "nuggets", "macaroni" and cheese, and "fries". "Pizza".

Last song I listened to: 4 morant - NVBR.

Dream trip: To see the northern lights.

Last thing I googled: Pollen counts 💀.

No pressure tags: @anakin-skyhorror @blujaymi @wickedwaterwyvern @bennyschmenny

Apologies if you've already been tagged.