#and the neglect on top of that... fun story i think she secretly does want to go on investigations with adam and jonah

[down-thedrain]

hc that sarah never got the chance to grow up. her parents overshadowed her by talking about how her brother was going to do “great things” that they neglected their other child, and she got to move on from her brother’s death when she was 6. inside she’s still this scared little kid, and she’s so rightfully mad at the world about what it took from her

hey anon. have you listened to superboy and the invisible girl from next to normal by chance. i think you'd like it

[sweet-croissants]

Julie and the Phantoms Character Appreciation

Part 1 - Alex

I’ve never seen a character like Alex. No I don’t mean I’ve never seen a gay character/ character with anxiety. I’ve never seen a character where it’s not their entire personality or a show handle it the way they do. They didn’t have his “combing out scene” be this huge dramatic moment, they didn’t stop the spin of the earth so they could “reveal the truth about his sexuality!” No, it’s was said in a way that you could have almost missed it if you weren’t paying attention and it was said so casually that I almost forgot how important the representation he symbolized was. It was normal. They didn’t wait till the the 7th season, or even the end of the season to say it, so there was no queer baiting and no hesitation to embrace who he was in the show. Finally, the guys don’t ever, not once, talk about it to him as if he is going to burst out into tears if they say a word wrong. They don’t treat him as if he’s fragile about it, and I get it for some people it’s a sensitive topic and should be talked about carefully, but they know how Alex doesn’t want to be treated as if he’s weak. (E9 when they are in the hug circle thing “I feel stronger....not that I was ever weak”) And because of this, they don’t treat him like it. Obviously they aren’t insensitive but they don’t act as if they are walking on a minefield. His anxiety is relatable too. It’s not over done, exaggerated, or enhanced so they can get the point across that he has it only to drop in 10 minutes later to never mention it again. And both his anxiety and him being gay I’d done in a way that little kids can understand I think that we think topics like these to hard or difficult for kids to understand, but the truth is they can. You just have to be blunt in a way. Boys can like boys, girls can be boys, you can be whoever you wanna be, and it’s okay to worry over things even if they seem like you shouldn’t because “they are simple”, it’s all okay and natural.

Part 2 - Reggie

Reggie makes me happy to see because it shows certain things about kids who’s parents are divorced and are neglected. At the very least he was emotionally neglected, but neglected non the less. And obviously, not all kids handle this the same way, and that’s why Reggie is so important to me. Reggie obviously rebelled, even a little by joining a rock band and I don’t think he took on all the responsibility to take care of himself. Reggies not dumb, he’s oblivious and half the time I think he’s not as oblivious as we think he is. And he’s only oblivious when he thinks he can get away with it, like when he asks where Luke is going on his birthday as if he doesn’t know what happened. He also does something I found I used to do when I was lonely in a room full of people, and that’s ask dumb questions. Yes, he must know the answer but it’s puts a little attention on himself, and you can guess that he didn’t get a lot of that from his parents. Even if it’s at his expense, he’s willing to dell included in what they are talking about. He still has his serious moments though, which are usually right after he realizes that he can’t just play dumb to get out of the situation. You can also see that it hurts him a lot when he gets played off as being the dumb one, but it’s probably what he thinks of as his only way to get people to listen to him (everyone treating him like he’s an idiot also probably hurts his confidence leading to this too). Another thing I’ve noticed is his attachment to Ray. He knows how amazing of a father Ray is because of how much he loves Julie and Carlos. This is why he respects Ray so much, because even though he’s going through his own thing with his wife’s death, he never forgets to be their for his kids and that’s probably something Reggie never had.

Part 3 - Luke

Like is kinda special. I’ve seen characters similar to him but something about him sets him apart from everyone else I’ve seen. I’ve seen character that are cute and don’t take advantage of it but instead are super nice, I’ve seen that before but the difference is how he does it. In the first episode, right after Julie kicks the out, he’s not even mad or angry with her. Maybe he’s upset, but not at her. He’s upset because he just found out he died and then lost what he considers his second home. So, he explains that to her, but he doesn’t argue it he just wants to tell her his side of the story. And when she explains hers, he’s sorry and apologetic for her bad day and you can tell he’s being genuine. Before it’s obvious he likes her, he helps her get back into her music program because he knows how important it is. He gives her a song that he wrote and talks her up when she doubts herself. You can also tell that he never stopped loving his mom, no matter how many times they fought. He knows that she cared about him, which is why they fought in the first place. His only fear, the reason he never truly apologized, was he was scared he finally blew it. That he had officially messed up and she would want to hear from him, that he couldn’t fix what had happened. One more thing, I’ve never seen a character as passionate about something as him. I’m sure that character exists, no doubt, but personally I’ve never seen it. He doesn’t care about the money, yeah it’s a bonus but not the main focus. The main focus is putting a smile on people, making a difference to people, to not be alone. The entire reason he’s mad at Bobby for stealing is music without credit is that no one, including his mom, got to know his dream was worth it. He died and time erased him.

Part 4 - Julie

My love for Julie is astonishing. She’s a Hispanic girl, with gorgeous hair, and beautiful skin, and an amazing tooth gap. I almost fully expected it to be used as a thing she was bullied for, teased about, and made fun of for and when she fixes it, it shows that “she was always secretly beautiful/she could be beautiful all along” and all that junk. The fact that it’s not mentioned once is so wonderful because all people have flaws! People have tooth gaps, stretch marks, and different body types. No one is perfect and neither are their bodies. It also shows that Carrie, the “mean girl” of the show isn’t going to be like all the other mean girls in teen shows and it makes me appreciate her character more. It shows how they used to be friends and even thought Carrie can be mean, it’s never to the extent of making fun of what she looks like. One more thing with Carrie, Julie has never said a mean thing about her in the show. When Flynn makes the comment on the dance routine, she says “well it payed off” and she even complemented the song and choreography for All Eyes On Me. Not once has she said anything mean back and it shows how kind of a person she is. Even though Carrie humiliates her, she never has it in her to truly insult her back. Also, having a Hispanic girl as one of the main characters is wonderful! Representation is always heartwarming to see and this is no exception. They don’t try to shove it in your face in an unrealistic way, but it’s definitely in there consistently, it’s really nice. On top of all that, how she handles her mom‘s death is just as terrific. She’s right, playing music reminds her of her mom and that’s exactly why she should play music! It encourages others to know that it may hurt but it gets better. That there will come a point when smiles and joy filled where sadness and tears used to be when you think of those memories. She’s such a powerful person and it shows.

[squid-rp]

River Jones

Angry Blind Werewolf living off of a modest fortune that was shrewdly invested. Respects his alpha (is the most loyal but isn't going to say it openly without good reason), adored his mother and sisters, having to deal with his great-niece showing up out of the blue with her five-year old daughter and keeping them safe on top of everything else going on.

Looking for: His great-niece (just left a bad marriage, has some vague knowledge of the supernatural. Is probably just human, but I'm open).

Bo Brighton

A Regular Ol' Human Hunter in the Circle of Orion, Bo is a diamond in the rough from a midwestern town with a genius intellect who had the misfortune of falling in love with the girl next door when she broke through all his logic and theories of the world with a charming fairytale about falling stars. Vera ended up moving away when her parents divorced, but she and Bo exchanged letters all throughout the rest of their childhood and adolescence . While he didn't look like traditional hunter material in his late teens, Bo was scouted by a set of Hunters who crammed his genius brain chock full of lore of the supernatural and taught him how to fight for himself. He ended up joining the Circle of Orion right as letters from Vera stopped, leading him to wonder if the Supernatural was behind her disappearance.

He's too smart for his own good, tends to ramble, has piss poor social skills at times and has a bunch of knicks and cuts and burns from trying to cobble together some sort of new invention... or make the perfect soufflé (or both).

Looking for: Because I'm terrible, you know full and well that Vera's a GD supernatural. Whoever picks her up gets to pick what she is.

Sarina Corwin

Brackish Siren turned during an adolescent summer afternoon by the river gone terribly wrong. Sarina's sudden change of both diet and demeanor led to great tragedy, leaving her ostracized and out of touch and struggling to learn the ropes on her own. Years spent learning on her own and avoiding hunters has led her to Colorado, where she relishes helping bby supernaturals without a clue find their way in life, while also keeping them safe from hunters.

Looking for: Her concept is still formulating, so she doesn't really have any want ads at this time.

Neriah Hanlon

The Petal and Vine Shop has been a staple of Crow River since the town's inception, all operating out of a dreary-looking Victorian manor owned by the Hanlon family who seems to pass the business and the property from Mother to Daughter throughout the years. These days, the shop is owned by Neriah Hanlon, a Changeling who has secretly been running the shop the entire time. Neriah is something of a town darling -- always willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it, and who would literally give you the shirt off her back and knit you a whole closet if she felt you needed it. In truth, Neriah helps people forget when needed, and as a neutral agent, has probably offered her services to many of the factions within town provided that she gets proper payment of... a secret, a story, a little trinket that has some sentimental value -- anything with meaning.

And for anyone who would threaten her, she'd like to remind you that oleander is such a beautiful bloom, but can be so very poisonous.

Looking for: Still an evolving concept. I kind of want her to be a Mom friend to people, but who can also snap into being TERRIFYING if trifled with. Give her employees at her floral/tea shop/parlor. Give her people she's helped in the past. She's SUPER OLD, and has probably known some of these characters since they were knee high to a grasshopper.

Genevieve Thorne (Née Durand)

Born to a prominent and well-respected family of New York old-money sorcerers, Genevieve was born out of a magically political union and was expected to do the same. While her magical talents were not neglected, Genevieve was always thought of as "less than" when it came to her older brother, even when she proved more capable, more ambitious, and more willing to learn and be more. When the time came, Genevieve ended up showing up to her marriage ceremony, only to end up murdering the groom and most of the wedding attendees (including her own family) with the help of a Vampire that she had fallen head over heels for. While the pair officially tied the knot later, they would refer to that instance as their true wedding.

Genevieve has arrived in Crow River arm-in-arm with her husband, and has made powerful friends to gain a foothold in the city (it does help that Ariana is rather charming and useful) and to gain knowledge. Genevieve's true goal is to find some magical way to render herself immortal while still retaining her magic. Lord only knows if she'll actually find it.... and god help everyone if she does.

Looking for: Her husband, namely. It might also be fun if someone were coming after her for that wedding fiasco.

Everly O'Reilly

A curious creature from her earliest days, Everly had a habit for constantly being underfoot and eavesdropping on everyone's business as a child, which didn't earn her a lot of friends, but did leave her with plenty of time to read and soak up as much knowledge as she could about random subjects during her childhood. As she grew older, Everly became less of a pest and more of an it-girl with an Instagram following to match. She was her school's prom queen, but also the Valedictorian, and she was a shoe in for going to school on a scholarship for journalism. Instead of taking that road, Everly decided to be her own boss and became a Podcaster for things dark and strange and twisted that most people would have balked at investigating. She gained a huge following and her work enabled her to travel the world...

Which is how she ended up in Crow River. Crow River was going to be a quick stop on the way to something greater, but Everly ended up seeing something she shouldn't have seen, and one moment she was snapping a photo... and the next there was darkness...

And then she was literally clawing her way out of the grave in the woods she had been tossed into, newly reborn as a Vara Vampire.

Looking for: She's got "her Yoda" as she likes to say, but I would like to figure out wtf Everly saw that she really shouldn't have, and if anyone needs an accidental Vara bby fledgling that they didn't mean to create, hit me up!

James J. Jamison

A few years ago, James would have said that he was the most unordinary of the unordinary folks. A supernerd to the max (complete with the comic book collection and fondness for dungeons and dragons), James grew up being ostracized by most of his peers because he was VERY HANDS FLAILING ANIMATED LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS THING I LOVE. Cue toilet swirlies in the bathroom during recess and lunch. James made friends with another nerd aficionado in elementary school, but said aficionado never learned a healthy way to heal from the psychological trauma of bullying and turned mean instead, quickly becoming a bully himself once he and James reached high school.

And everything would have been all hunky dory had James not pulled his best "What would Lara Croft do" moment and stood up to his ex-best friend, which ultimately earned him the beat down of his life, but earned him a sea of friends who respected him for what he did.

Flash forward a few years, and James was studying to be a graphic artist and was supporting himself in Portland, Oregon by being a pizza delivery driver...

The last thing he saw was the grill of his ex-best friend's car heading right for him... and the next... being cradled in someone's arms, the wet rain, and then... fire and smoke and ash and...

Confusion. James reawoke as a Phoenix and has been trying to piece things together ever since. Luckily, his parents put out a missing person's report for him and he was quickly picked up by a patrol car. After a few weeks of confusion and therapy, James decided to try and go back to his old life, even if he couldn't remember most of it...

But then a letter beckoned him to Crow River, and like Frodo leaving the Shire, James set off on his quest.

Looking For: I would love it forever if someone wanted to be the person inviting James to Crow River. Like, we can hash out that plot together, but I need it like breathing.

Levison Harding

I admittedly do not know too much about Levison beyond a vague concept of him being a native son of Crow River, and a werebear. He left some odd years ago to do things, and just came back after being captured by a group of individuals who hunted supernatural creatures to make a black market of parts for magical rituals, Vampire blood, etc. I think they originally captured Levison for vampire blood and didn't know he was a werebear until he broke out and murdered the lot of them, taking all of the captives with him in the process of escape.

Now seen as the leading figure for a group of Supernatural refugees, Levison has returned home to try and figure out what his next steps are for both himself and the small group of a misfit found family that he's become the head of.

Looking for: Give me the black market group that he's run afoul of now, and give me his found family. There are no alternatives.

Maira Joshi

Another prominent Crow River family, the Joshi's have been present in Colorado records as early as the late 1800's, and they gained a strange notoriety of mostly having daughters within the family. The current head of the family, Faria, hides her status as a seer in plain sight by offering psychic readings and "mediumship" skills to those who aren't in the know, and her abilities as a seer to those who do. Maira is the youngest of her granddaughters, and showed little affinity for magic and happily went along to become an elementary school nurse. She would have stayed that way had she not started having ominous visions all swirling around Crow River, prompting her to take a position in Crow River and move in with her increasingly ailing grandmother for further instruction. Maira -- by her grandmother's own description -- is a sweet and empathetic soul, more likely to slip into someone's dreams to drive away natural nightmares or induce states of calm on the panicked and suffering. Between her growing skills as a Seer and her knowledge of first aid, her true goal is to help where she can, and to stop the terrible future she occasionally still sees from coming to pass.

(SHE IS VERY SOFT Y'ALL.)

Looking for: Other Joshi seers? IDK, I'M JUST EXCITED.

[beyoncesdragon]

The disappointing Gender

Pairing:  Bestfriend!Ashton x Reader   

Warnings: shit ton of cursing, dont worry I love men, but women are just easier at times. Based on a real story, that shit really happened to me. 

Summary: Some men are just straight up trash. And what’s better than to vent about them to your willingly listening best friend Ashton. 

My Masterlist 🦋

(Gif credits: @ghostofmashton​)

“I don’t know exactly what goes through your mind when deciding to finally peel your limp body out of your comfy sheets, go through the usually long, self-esteem-damaging process of “getting ready”, find an outfit you would feel comfortable but not underdressed in and then leave for a party. Let me be honest, I mostly think: at least let it be worth all this. And then maybe something like; maybe I’ll meet someone. “Someone” carefully and fully on purpose undefined because you don’t want to get your hopes up and then be disappointed. But “someone” secretly being a guy, optionally a boyfriend even, but just maybe.

“However, now you are at that party, ready to meet new people and you take a look around. You see many people; some you think are pretty in your eyes some aren’t. But that’s okay, that’s only natural. So then after a time, when you have met a few girls you get along with, you spot the “someone”. And your friends somehow knew about him and all that bullshit and tell you the teeniest bit of bloody information alright? And he, on top of that, seems to be interested, keep that in mind.”

I stopped for a second, taking a gulp of my water. The few ice cubes clicked softly against the glass when I placed it back down.

“Alright. Now, you chat with him, all friendly funny business, you develop a sort of insider joke. It’s funny and you think wow, it isn’t all that difficult to talk to boys, amazing. Eventually, you also had a few, and I don’t want to say advantageously but it does help.”

A giggle fell from my bestfriends lips, but I decided to just keep going. “I will again be honest, I was a bit…inebriated if I may say so and if you would want to take me as an example. However, maybe you flirt for a while, and it really all goes well, so well that you would’ve started to become suspicious, since it was you after all. Continuing, because you’re bloody sloshed, you don’t suspect anything, even though if you would’ve just listened closely you could’ve totally heard fate snigger.”

I earned an amused hum from Ashton for that, picking up my glass again. “Further on, one of your new friends disappears with a guy and it’s okay for you but not for her friend whom you also are friends with now. That, because the other girl actually does have a guy eventually. But she isn’t sure. So you go get her, and you sit down with the girls outside to have a chat. Because it’s important that she still has a good night and so on. During that amount of time, you selflessly neglect your guy. Not that he is your guy in reality, but you secretly might have planned on making him your guy.” After a big gulp I placed my glass back down again, the ice now almost completely molten.

“Suddenly, that bloke walks out, raising a single hand at you as an obvious goodbye. And you sit here, startled and a bit dumbfounded because what the fuck is he leaving already. Quick note; it was hardly midnight, the clock stroke twelve maybe two minutes ago. So you get up, approach him and ask, why in the love of Jesus effing Christ he’s leaving already. His response; well. He hasn’t been blessed with the best of experience with women.”

And annoyed frown settled on my face. “I mean what kind of excuse is that? I haven’t only met them good guys either, but do you see me acting like an antisocial scaredy-cat? Nope sir, because I am not that superficial, and you shouldn’t be as well because I am not “women”. Also, have I mentioned that my friends told me, that he was total slag, like a fuckboy freshly bred. Best experience with women my fucking ass. However, back to my example; you then are still a bit startled because he slips that he has been cheated on and all that godforsaken crap. And in your woozy, naturally kind-hearted state you are in, you do feel sorry and possibly even apologise for being so bold. Also, because you don’t want him to think bad of you, he is very attractive after all and you have not given up your hopes just yet.”

A grin had now settled on Ash’s lips, as he leaned back with his drink, the attention still fully with me. “Then he says something like; but it was nice to meet you, and asks you to say your name again, and you do so. Naturally you do ask him the same thing…and you may have forgotten the name already.” I added with a frown, desperately trying to remember. “Something with F and it sounded French or such. Don’t know, not important anyways. Just like his existence.”

At that, Ashton laughed out loud, but wisely keeping quiet. “Yeah you just laugh��however, he then throws that horrid line; we’ll see each other again yeah?

At you, and you might think cool. But how for the love of fuck, since you don’t have anything except for a name. So the thing you do then is, you scrap all of your…I don’t know confidence from off the bottom of your rotten self and ask, if he wants to at least give you his snapchat.” Ash let out a whistle but I waved him off.

“I’m not done yet. So you ask. And he just ignores your question somehow, can’t really remember how. The whole time he’s walking away from you backwards, I guess towards the busstation and you have to follow him like damn mongrel…however. You end up leaving it be and sprinting back to your friends telling them what happened. Because they “know” him, they know his Instagram, so you decide to follow him. But he is on private so you got to send a request. Done with a few clicks, in approximately ten seconds. So now he is gone, you feel disappointment bubbling up, because fuck.”

Ash nodded slowly, looking up at me since I got up impatiently from his couch. “Sounds fun?” he said in a more or less questioning manner and I shot him a dark look.

“Buzz off twat, the best part’s only coming.” Ash rose an eyebrow, leaning back expectantly again. “Next morning you go and check your Instagram, somehow curious if he accepted your request and what do you see? He fucking declined it! This bloody wanker skipped my music, stole my attention and wasted my fucking time, four hours of it!” Ashton broke out in a fit of laughter, nearly spilling his drink.

“Comedy at its finest, certificated gold. Platinum even. Oh Jesus Christ. And that all has obviously not happened to you, you just purposely told it like it did right?” I huffed annoyed, dropping down again. “Never, as if stuff like this would ever happen to me. I mean, I totally understand mankind, it’s just that you can’t fucking use any of them.” Ash giggled, a dopey grin on his face.

“Come again?” I rolled my eyes. “I said, that you can’t fucking use any of you gentlemen. Men are so disappointing, like get a grip on yourselves honestly.” Ash grinned, nudging me with his foot. “Haven’t you just said that he should stop being superficial because of one woman?” he teased and I gave him an angry glare.

“Cheating and just generally being international disappointments is something else. I slowly start to believe that you guys are just born with that twat-gene. It’s almost not your fault. It’s probably the Y-chromosome, would explain why women aren’t like you guys.” Ash shot me an amused grin.

“I don’t know if I would surprise you saying that the explanation why men and women aren’t the same accurately is rooted in our genes. To be specific, it’s even a matter of just those two chromosome, the X-chromosome and the Y-chromosome…” I groaned annoyed, aiming a pillow at his head. I missed, but the message was clear.

“Smart-alecky dimwit, get off my back. I need emotional support, because member belonging to your sex has wasted my time and, in addition to that, ruined your all’s reputation.” Ash just hummed amused.

“Is that so.” I nodded, pouting bolshie. “Then I suggest, you listen to Ariana Grande’s Thank u Next and some Beyoncé, maybe also Rihanna. They’ll support your idea of men being trash immediately I am sure.” I flipped him off immediately, even though he had brought up a good point.

“I am kidding sweetheart. I know men can be idiots, but so can you females.” I couldn’t help but throw him a derisive look “Yes, males and females can be difficult at times.” I mocked him and he just shot me a lopsided grin. “Now you get off my back, annoying brat. But you are over him?” I shrugged.

“I mean, I was never actively involved with him, so I guess?” he nodded softly. “Venting felt good?” I nodded quickly. “Always does. Thanks bud.” He smiled warmly at me. “Everything for my best friend. Mind if I quickly call Kaitlin…” as he saw my face he immediately rolled his eyes. “Oh your little girlfriend huh? Young Irwin’s a little whipped?” giving me the finger he got up and grabbed his phone. “Shut up. I’m right back you bitter prick.”

I laughed sitting up again. “I am not bitter, I am happy for you Ash. Furthermore, I don’t have any problems with taken people or relationships. The problems I have, start when selfish and inconsiderate assholes rub in the fact that they have someone, and start gushing about them. When I, as an admittedly slowly bitter, but independent single person, couldn’t give a shit or two.” Ash grinned at me, shaking his head slightly. “I love you, you madwoman. Also, I am sure you’ll find your guy and we can do all those disgustingly cute things best friends do when they both are in relationships.”

I scrunched my nose. “Like what? Double-dates? In this case, I’d rather stay single Irwin, and now get lost you need to call your babygirl or whatever. Our ice cream is melting and our friends-day is not over yet. So you better hurry your red-dyed, slicked back visage up.” I responded harshly but with a loving lilt to it.

“On my way, woman. Love you, don’t eat my ice cream.” I just huffed, waving him off quickly. “Love you too, you ashy bitch.” I then almost choked on my water when I saw his expression at my words. He grinned and shook his head, pressing his phone against his ear.  

[khoicesbyk]

The Nanny Affair

Chapter 12.) The Gala. Part 4.

Author’s Note: This little fanfic rewrite of chapter 12 was a challenge thrown down by a skilled writer/sister friend. I accept! (Contains MAJOR Spoilers! If you don’t like to be spoiled or haven’t read the chapter; do NOT continue!) (All Characters and some of the dialogues are property of Pixelberry. This is just a fun little fanfic rewrite of chapter 12.). One more thing: this was written entirely on my iPhone.

***Rated: Mature 18+. Contains sexual content, nudity and strong language.

***Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters.

***Characters: Sam Dalton (LI), Krystal Parker (MC), Mason, Mickey and Carter and Mr. and Mrs. Dalton (Side Characters).

Part 4 not only picks up where Part 3 left off but; it ends our story.

And I wrote this finale in one day! Yay me! 😁💃🏾👍🏾🙌🏾👏🏾

Current Word Count: 2,128 words.

It finally happened. Sam finally got Krystal right where he wanted her.

He’s been dying to fuck her, ever since the day she walked into his office. That damn interview. That’s what did it. That’s where it all started.

The black dress and jacket she wore that day; framed her delicious curves. The heels she wore that day, drove him insane. Her bright smile sends chills down his spine. Her brown eyes hypnotize him. He wanted to suck on her lips whenever she pouted. Her chocolate skin was incredibly soft. He’s not so secretly obsessed with her. Wherever he is; she HAS TO either be by his side or within close proximity to him; just for him to function properly.

She is this tall beautiful black woman. She had to be 5’9 or 5’10, he wasn’t exactly sure which.

And she loves his boys. Maybe even more than he does. She’s patient, loving, silly and caring with them. Even when they mess up or when their many “experiments” go HORRIBLY wrong; she never yells or gets angry. She simply shakes her head; then explains to them why they can’t do that again even though; there have been times that he just knew she’d quit; because they drove her past her breaking point. But no, she didn’t.

She tries to teach them as much as she can. He’s watched her and them stand in the driveway with the boy’s telescope; and gaze at the stars and point out constellations, or they’ll run around chasing and catching fireflies in mason jars. There have been days where he’s come back from the office; and the boys are curled up with her on the couch binging on whatever is on Disney+ and eating popcorn. She’ll smile, wave or throw the peace sign up and say, “pop a squat!”, beckoning him to sit with them and join in on the movie and popcorn.

He knew she wasn’t their mother; but he knew she definitely had that maternal feeling and instinct. She protected them. She nurtured them. She loved them. And that’s what he loves most about her.

Yes. You read that correctly. Loves. No, not likes; loves. To Sam Dalton; she’s everything he could’ve ever wanted in a woman. There’s just one problem. And no, it’s not his arranged engagement to Sofia.

It’s the fact that; he’s fallen in love with her. His feelings for her; weren’t something he was ready to acknowledge yet; much less confront. They terrify him like nothing else. Not because of her. But because of his wife Samina.

The last time he felt this way; was when she was alive. He locked his heart and feelings like that away, after she died. He just knew that he’d never love that way again. Hell; he convinced himself that he would never open his heart to another woman; the way he did with Samina. He convinced himself that, he would never be as vulnerable with another woman; the way he was with his wife.

Which made being engaged to Sofia, slightly more bearable.

There was no love involved. It was all business and vanity. She’s really just a means to an end for him. Harsh as that sounds; that’s the core reason why he agreed to her marriage proposal. He didn’t have to love her to be married to her. He certainly didn’t have to have sex with her. And he was fine with that. He was fine with never loving another woman ever again.

Until he met Krystal Parker. And everything he convinced himself that he’d never do again; went out the damn window. Because the minute she walked into his office and especially his life; he changed.

So why would an engaged billionaire businessman; be in an hotel suite fucking his nanny’s brains out? Answer: pure selfishness. He’s thinking that; if he gave into his lust for her then, whatever feelings of love that he’s developed for her and whatever she feels for him, will just simply go away and they can get back to some semblance of a normal life.

But he’s about to find out; that it’s not that simple nor easy.

So there he was; in a bed with her feet to the ceiling and him going deep inside her. His Krystal. His kitten. She belonged to him. And he confirmed it with every thrust of his hips, into her. Hearing her moans drove him insane. Because that’s what he wanted. He wanted to please her. He wanted to feel her vaginal muscles clenched around his throbbing dick; as he slammed into her again and again. He wanted her nails digging into his back. He wanted her cries of pleasure. And he wanted revenge for her nearly ruining him.

“That’s it kitten! Take it! Take this dick!”, he growled in her ear.

Jesus Christ! He felt good! He was hitting her G-spot with EVERY stroke. He started out slow, which she silently hated but; once they both got comfortable, it was on. He was 10X better than either one of her exes. And that’s saying something.

“Yesssssssssss! Fuuuuccccckkk yesssssssssss! Fuck me! Give it to me! Give it to me!”, she shouted back. When it came to GOOD sex, Krystal was not shy about being vocal about it.

Hearing her scream like that; made him shudder. She wanted him and it. And he was going to make extra sure that; she got both. This was going to be the biggest night of passion they’d both ever had.

With his right hand on the headboard; he snaked his left into her hair and pulled back gently. Doing so, once again exposed her neck to him. He couldn’t keep his lips off her skin. He HAD TO taste her. And to be honest; she loved it even more than he did. He dragged his tongue across her neck; which caused the fire inside her to burn hotter. Every stroke made her dizzy yet; always left her craving more. She needed him. She wanted him. She craved him. He turned this poor girl out and didn’t even realize it.

He realized that he wouldn’t last long; well at least not in this position anyway. So; he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned back, which pulled her into his lap. He wanted her to ride him. Because; why not? Before she knew it; she was straddling his lap with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Her riding on top; was a dream come true for the both of them. For him; he had unlimited access to her nipples, which he felt that he’d been neglecting and it meant leaving more handprints on her ass. And for her; what woman doesn’t like to ride a man’s dick? Being able to bounce up and down on him; was a pleasure was more than anything she could’ve ever imagined.

Between feeling him crashing into her, his mouth all over her breasts and his hands full of her ass; she was in heaven as the heat between them continued to rise.

“God you feel so good!”, he hissed against her skin. He was drunk off her. Her smile. Her skin. Her scent. And she was so close. Her body was hot and every time he touched her; she shivered. Not to mention; her orgasm was about to break her in half.

“Sam! I’m so close!”, she told him in between shaky breaths.

“Good! That means I can do one more thing to you…Shit! Before I make you pass out!”, he responds. He wasn’t too far behind her in terms of being close.

He wanted their combined climax to be as hot as it was about to be epic. So, what does he do? Simple! He switches to one last position. The one he loved best: doggystyle!

Sam figured that if he was gonna go out; might as well go out with a bang! Besides; having her on all fours is what wet dreams are made of. And there she was, face down, ass up and desperate for him.

“I am going to thoroughly enjoy this!”, he whispers in her ear.

“You know you talk too much, right?”, she snapped back.

“Ooh…kitten likes being feisty, I see”, he says.

“No…kitten has a bite! And if you don’t hurry up…”, she hissed.

After leaving a small kiss on the back of her right shoulder, he lines himself up with her very hot entrance, he closes his eyes and dives in so to speak. With his left hand planted firmly between the crease of her hips and the right one holding her wrists behind her back; Sam was indeed about to thoroughly enjoy her.

“Fuck! Yesssssssssss…”, he hissed.

In order to really savor the moment; he went slow at first. Which she absolutely hated.

“Sam please don’t go slow!”, she begged. But, with her wrists restrained behind her back…there wasn’t much she could do to make him go faster. This was like a game to him. And he was going to play it his way.

“Now, now kitten! I told you, I am going to thoroughly enjoy this and I meant that! Now you’ll get what you want. I promise. You know that I would never leave you unsatisfied.”, he replies as he continued his slow stroke.

She cried out in both desperation and protest but eventually after him not doing what she wanted; she gave in. That’s when he knew he truly had her. He wanted her submission and now that he had it; he could give her what she wanted.

When she felt his speed start to increase; she let out a groan of contentment.

“Does my kitten like that? Does it feel good?”, he asked her.

“Yesssssssssss…”, she moaned.

“Good! Very good! I told you, you’d get what you want kitten.”, he said as he let her wrists go and anchored his hand to her shoulder, “now I think it’s time to end this, don’t you?”

“Sam…finish me please!”, she begged.

He could tell she was getting tired. Exactly what he wanted. You see, when it came to sex Sam loves mind games. But even he was getting tired.

“Your wish is my command, kitten”, he whispered in her ear.

As his speed continued to increase; Krystal was going crazy. Not only was he giving her the best fuck she’d ever had in her life but; he was continuously hitting her G-spot with precision. She wasn’t going to last much longer.

“There! Right there! Ohhh God! Don’t stop! Don’t stop! Don’t stop!”, she cried out.

“Yeah! That’s it! Keep saying that you want it kitten!”, he replied.

The sound of their bodies coming together; gave way to the richest form of pleasure that either one of them had ever had. Her shrieks soon turned into screams; once he started rotating his hips with each thrust in.

“Ohhh God yesssssssssss! Do it again! Do it again! Yes! Yes! Yes!”, she screamed.

That’s all he needed to hear her say; before he started to truly pound her. She was truly at his mercy. She was getting dangerously closer and closer to her edge but; couldn’t seem to go over it.

“That’s it kitten! Cum for me! Let it all out! Cum just for me!”, he whispered encouragingly in her ear.

That was it. That’s what did it for her.

“Oh God…I…I…Yes! I’m about to—“, was all she could say; before her body took over, she shuddered, stars burst in her eyes and her juices began flowing like a waterfall.

And that, was all she wrote for him as well.

“That’s it! Oh fuck I’m about to cum! It’s all for you kitten! Just for you!”, he said before he plunged deep inside her and let out a roar that was both primal and carnal.

He shivered while holding her in place as he emptied himself inside her. All she could hear was their combined ragged breathing. They were both sweaty, exhausted and completely satisfied. He laid with his back to hers and within minutes he was fast asleep.

What’s done was done. But she couldn’t pretend that; she wasn’t effected by that night she spent with him. This went way too far. And she was responsible for it. She couldn’t erase the memory of their night together. But; she does have to face a VERY HARD reality; at the end of the day: he’s still engaged to be married to someone else.

“What the hell am I supposed to do now?”, was the question her brain kept asking as she silently cried herself to sleep.

Because as much she tried to tell herself that she wouldn’t fall in love with one Sam Dalton…that’s exactly what happened.

She had fallen madly in love with him.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my humble rewrite of The Nanny Affair Chapter 12. And I sincerely hope; that it’s inspired you to get out there and write your story or stories! Stay tuned for other stories from yours truly!

@txemrn @choicesficwriterscreations

😘

K.

[gadgetgirl71]

Top Ten Tuesday 16 March 2021

Welcome to this weeks Top Ten Tuesday. Originally created by The Broke & The Bookish, which is now hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week it features a book or literary themed category. This weeks prompt is:

Books On My Spring 2021 TBR

Girl in the Walls (ARC)

Synopsis: Girl in the Walls is a story of overcoming grief, of unconventional friendships and learning that we shouldn’t always fear what we don’t understand. It is about understanding the difference between a house and a home and what it means to lose both. She doesn’t exist. She can’t exist. Elise knows every inch of the house. She knows which boards will creak. She knows where the gaps are in the walls. She knows which parts can take her in, hide her away. It’s home, after all. The home her parents made for her. And home is where you stay, no matter what. Eddie is a teenager now, almost a grown-up. He must no longer believe in the girl he sometimes sees our of the corner of his eye. He needs her to disappear. But when his fierce older brother senses her, too, they are faced with the question of how to get rid of someone they aren’t sure even exists. And, if they cast her out, what other threats might they invite into their home?

Pages: 323, Publication Date: 18 March 2021

The Best Things (ARC)

Synopsis: Warm, funny, life-affirming and true, The Best Things is the joyous debut novel from much-loved comedian, writer, actor and presenter Mel Giedroyc.

It’s the story of a family who lose everything, only to find themselves, and each other, along the way.

Sally and Frank Parker have it all.

Then one day, because of Frank, they don’t.

As the bailiffs move in and the money runs out, Sally realises that she and her children don’t have a clue about how to survive.

Or do they?

The Parkers are about to discover that the best things in life aren’t things at all.

Pages: 432, Publication Date: 1 April 2021

The Dictionary of Lost Words (ARC)

Synopsis: In 1901, the word ‘Bondmaid’ was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it.

Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly curious, she spends her childhood in the ‘Scriptorium’, a garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of dedicated lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Esme’s place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day a slip of paper containing the word ‘bondmaid’ flutters to the floor. Esme rescues the slip and stashes it in an old wooden case that belongs to her friend, Lizzie, a young servant in the big house. Esme begins to collect other words from the Scriptorium that are misplaced, discarded or have been neglected by the dictionary men. They help her make sense of the world.

Over time, Esme realises that some words are considered more important than others, and that words and meanings relating to women’s experiences often go unrecorded. While she dedicates her life to the Oxford English Dictionary, secretly, she begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words.

Set when the women’s suffrage movement was at its height and the Great War loomed, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. It’s a delightful, lyrical and deeply thought-provoking celebration of words, and the power of language to shape the world and our experience of it.

Pages: 384, Publication Date: 8 April 2021

The Summer Job (ARC)

Synopsis: Have you ever imagined running away from your life?

Well Birdy Finch didn’t just imagine it. She did it. Which might’ve been an error. And the life she’s run into? Her best friend, Heather’s.

The only problem is, she hasn’t told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems…

Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)?

And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she’s ever actually liked (but who thinks she’s someone else)?

A snort-out-loud romcom for fans of The Flatshare.

Pages: 352, Publication Date: 15 April 2021

Cunning Woman (ARC)

Synopsis: Lee is a magnetic new voice in historical fiction and CUNNING WOMEN is sure to be loved by fans of The Essex Serpent and The Mercies.

Spring of 1620 in a Lancashire fishing community and the memory of the slaughter at Pendle is tight around the neck of Sarah Haworth. A birthmark reveals that Sarah, like her mother, is a witch. Torn between yearning for an ordinary life and desire to discover what dark power she might possess, Sarah’s one hope is that her young sister Annie will be spared this fate.

The Haworth family eke out a meagre existence in the old plague village adjoining a God-fearing community presided over by a seedy magistrate. A society built upon looking the other way, the villagers’ godliness is merely a veneer. But the Haworth women, with their salves and poultices, are judged the real threat to morality.

When Sarah meets lonely farmer’s son Daniel, she begins to dream of a better future. Daniel is in thrall to the wild girl with storms in her eyes, but their bond is tested when a zealous new magistrate vows to root out sins and sinners. In a frenzy of fear and fury, the community begins to turn on one another, and it’s not long before they direct their gaze towards the old plague village … and does Daniel trust that the power Sarah wields over him is truly love, or could it be mere sorcery?

Pages: 332, Publication Date: 22 April 2021

Lost Property (ARC)

Synopsis: Dot Watson has lost her way. Twelve years ago her life veered off course, and the guilt over what happened still haunts her. Before then she was living in Paris, forging an exciting career; now her time is spent visiting her mother’s care home, fielding interfering calls from her sister and working at the London Transport Lost Property office, diligently cataloguing items as misplaced as herself. But when elderly Mr Appleby arrives in search of his late wife’s purse, his grief stirs something in Dot. Determined to help, she sets off on a mission – one that could start to heal Dot’s own loss and let her find where she belongs once more…

The Perfect Life (ARC)

Synopsis: HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO BE SOMEONE ELSE? Vanessa has always found it easy to pretend to be somebody different, somebody better. When things get tough in her real life, all she has to do is throw on some nicer clothes, adopt a new accent and she can escape. That’s how it started: looking round houses she couldn’t possibly afford. Harmless fun really. Until it wasn’t. Because a man who lived in one of those houses is dead. And everyone thinks Vanessa killed him…

Pages: 400, Publication Date: 5 August 2021

The Summer Villa (ARC)

Synopsis: Three women. One summer reunion. Secrets will be revealed…

Villa Dolce Vita, a rambling stone house on the Amalfi Coast, sits high above the Gulf of Naples amid dappled lemon groves and fragrant, tumbling bougainvillea. Kim, Colette and Annie all came to the villa in need of escape and in the process forged an unlikely friendship.

Now, years later, Kim has transformed the crumbling house into a luxury retreat and has invited her friends back for the summer to celebrate.

But as friendships are rekindled under the Italian sun, secrets buried in the past will come to light, and not everyone is happy that the three friends are reuniting… Each woman will have things to face up to if they are all to find true happiness and fully embrace the sweet life.

Pages: 384, Publication Date: 8 August 2019

Trusting Taylor (Silverstone #2)

Synopsis: Former military man turned government assassin Kellan “Eagle” Trowbridge isn’t looking for love. He’d rather keep his head down at his cover job as an employee of Silverstone Towing. That all changes, however, when he meets Taylor Cardin.

Beautiful, smart, and witty Taylor instantly falls for the mysterious tow truck driver, who comforts her both in the aftermath of the car crash she sees firsthand and when the police dismiss her as a credible witness because of her prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Eagle, on the other hand, can remember every person he’s ever met—and the two counterparts forge an immediate connection. But someone else is just as intrigued by Taylor’s unique condition as Eagle is…and his intentions are downright deadly.

Soon, Eagle and Taylor are too caught up in each other to see the danger that’s approaching. But as time runs out, they’ll discover their love isn’t the only thing fighting to survive.

Pages: 278, Publication Date: 2 March 2021

Ransom (Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team)

Synopsis: A new series from the author of the Moonshine Task Force Series! Laurel Springs, AL is about to be hotter than a mid-August thunderstorm. When the Moonshine Task Force is absorbed into a new entity, Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team (LSERT) new faces come to town, new love is born, old love is found again, and there’s a plethora of drama and romance happening all over the tri-county area. LSERT puts police, firefighters, nurses, doctors, K-9 handlers, and EMT’s all in harm’s way as they work to keep the area safe from any threat. Emotions run high, passions ignite. Come with me, back to Laurel Springs, in what’s sure to be a wild ride! Ransom Thompson For years I’ve wanted two things – to be a member of the Moonshine Task Force and to be the man Stella Kepler can’t live without. One out of two isn’t bad, or so I tell myself. Being the only K-9 handler for The MTF presents its own share of obstacles, but me and Rambo? We make it work. Life is status quo, until I’m called in to help with what appears to be a hostage situation and Stella is right in the middle of it. This is my one chance, and I’m not going to blow it. Stella Kepler When I’m stuck in an examination room holding a hurt woman and a man with a gun, I do the only thing I can. I sneak out, call 911 and hope help comes quickly. It does. In the form of Ransom Thompson. He and I have known each other since we were babies. Our mother’s are friends, our dad’s work together, and we’ve always been friends. Only, the last few months I’ve started to notice things. How mature he is, how alpha he can be, the chiseled six-pack, and the abundance of ink spreading across his body. When I offer to cook him dinner for saving me, neither one of us know how that one moment will change the course of the rest of our lives.

Pages: 227, Publication Date: 5 January 2019

Until next week.

[dramaclover]

Ending & Thoughts: Death by Zero

Oh wooow. This was a wild ride and I’m so glad I watched this. First, it was a fresh concept as it surrounds assassins. And no, it’s not like “The Man Who Kills Trouble” where it’s just one person and they try to convince us how Carson wasn’t a cold blooded killer and that he just helps people “solve” their problems. This really takes place in a world with assassins where they have an agent to accept killing jobs and a clean up crew that cleans the area and body of evidence. Like how fun is that? It’s such a fresh and hilarious concept.

I really like how both leads in Yim Mou & Kiu Sing lead different stories. They weren’t best friends and only got involved with each other when needed. Also like how Nana and Kiu Sing never got together and were just basically friends. He even helped her to overcome her dislike for guys and persuaded her to move on from her past lover. Not all relationships end up together and he was a better fit with Suk Haan. Also glad Charlie did not die. Probably the first character to break out of the “best friends must die” for revenge trope. Despite Yim Mou & Kiu Sing both were former assassins they lead vastly different lives. From beginning to end. Yim Mou had a more tragic story while Kiu Sing was more lighthearted in a sense.

Yim Mou was a cocky jerk that was a top killer. Unfortunately, his wife and daughter suffered from his actions. He was an extreme playboy and had no care for them. Of course later on after his wife died in the fire and his daughter turns blind, he tries to turn his life around. His ending made the most sense. At first I was sad that he died and I really thought he didn’t. But it made sense. He has a heart problem and his daughter was dying. This was his way of paying back to her daughter. So he sacrificed himself to give his eyes and organ to his daughter. Yim Mou had done so much wrong things in the past, his death was fitting. I only wish he got a chance to say his last words to Suk Haan and Megan. Even his last words in the form of a letter would be a nice farewell.

Kiu Sing also known as Zero, was a Casanova who flirted around but never had a real relationship until he meets Cash. Yes, he’s an assassin but what makes him different from Yim Mou is that he’s isolated. And minds his own business. His only friend is his agent that accepts him jobs. Compared to Yim Mou who gambled, drank and neglected so many people. Kiu Sing doesn’t cause trouble but if trouble finds him, he won’t back down. Kiu Sing had a much happier ending in faking his death while living happily together with Cash & effectively retiring from the assassin life.

Now the biggest plot twist was Parker ending up becoming the ultimate “baddie”. He went from a scared coward to someone so dark and evil. He murdered innocent people for his own pleasure. At first it was just to get someone off his back but then he just started murdering or attempted to murder random people. His ending was not fulfilling at all. I don’t get why he kidnapped Cash. At first you’d think “oh it’s to blackmail Kiu Sing” well he didn’t. He kidnapped her roughed her up a bit and then tried to drown her. Like what was the point? You just made him even more mad that you kidnapped his girlfriend. Also he felt that they were suspecting him. That’s why he organized to have Megan stay somewhere else. Why didn’t he just take the first flight out with Megan in the first place? Parker was not a fighter. He relies on strategic plans like “sneak attacks” via attacking from behind and knocking them out. Which he then proceeds to kidnapping, tying them up and then murdering. One thing I didn’t get was how he managed to kill Maan Maan. He has no training in fighting. I get how he strangled Maan Maan to death but what about the guard that was watching her? The guard was strong! How could Parker take him down alone? I thought maybe he was secretly trained and was faking it the whole time but that wasn’t the case. He didn’t hire someone to help him with the murder either. So you want me to believe Parker singlehandedly took down that guard alone? Also this was the first of his serial killing spree so it wasn’t like he had experience. His death would’ve been better if he saw the aftermath of Megan getting shot and almost dying. The only thing he loves is Megan. So it would’ve been nice to see the fear in his eyes for him to realize he caused all of this. It’s nice to know that Parker does love Megan and wasn’t just playing around.

Also WTF MEGAN. Why are you so annoyingly written? Like you hate your Father for killing (and other valid reasons), you hate him for trying to get revenge. Yet when your boy toy is killing people left and right & hurting people. You’re just like “okay I’ll escape” with you. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. I guess love is blind. When you were held against your will with Cash and she saves you & then tries to escape with you. Why couldn’t you keep your mouth shut? Your serial killer husband is out for blood and here you are telling him where you’re hiding & effectively setting up Cash for her potential death due to your idiocy. Like dude. If you were gonna be like that & choose him, you could’ve gone for 2 different options. 1, you don’t escape with Cash & just chill with your murderous husband. Or 2, wait for Cash to hide somewhere else being announcing “hey husband I’m hiding over here”. Seriously if Cash has died it would solely be on you. ATLEAST Parker is a deranged killer but you? You know better. And then they go through this whole push and pull game of staying together or not. Anyways in the end both Megan & Parker gets shot by Zero. Parker dies, and Megan lives. Megan also forgets her memory. Which is a good thing I suppose. She had a sad childhood and the love of her life became someone she hated. He also died in front of her eyes. This was the best ending for her.

Another part that annoyed me was Maan Maan. Now for her story she basically had a Father that killed his best friends for money and tried to pin it on Zero. He killed them and then left, got plastic surgery and took over another mans identity for fame and fortune. Because of this he also left behind his wife and daughter. Maan Maan is ecstatic once she finds out her Father is alive. And when she meets him she’s excited to bond with him. Ummmm what? Did she forget the part where HE LEFT YOU AND YOUR MOTHER BEHIND? He left you behind all these years and you’re not mad? He ditched you for money. Anyways her Father dies as Zero kills him as an act of revenge. Maan Maan hates Zero for this. And blames him for the misery in her life. Despite the fact her Father caused a lot of unnecessary deaths and pains to people. Maan Maan knows that too but for some reason decides to turn to drugs to cope with pain. Cause why not? I get that her Father was her only family left but he committed so many crimes, killed so many innocents and planned on killing you. This is what pushed herself to change herself in such a way? She was so innocent & kind it was a 180 degree spin from what she was before. I hate how she didn’t get last words when she died. And I hate how she died never understanding that Zero truly was sorry & wanted to make it up to you in some way. Also why was Kaman casted in such a small role? A random background person could’ve played this. Her character had like a maximum of 2 hour screentime out of the 30 episode drama.

Sam Sam disappointed me a bit. I don’t know why but I had high expectations for this character. This character was just very “cool” and mysterious that I thought there would be more to it. But there wasn’t. She’s just part of the clean up crew. I had thought maybe she’s a hidden assassin or turns evil in the end due to jealousy or something. She and Cash has both fallen for Zero. But she liked Zero first and Cash was aware of it. Cash also dates Zero behind her back secretly. It would’ve been interesting to see maybe her turn dark from this? Cause in the end Cash did betray her. But nope she was just the best friend from beginning to end. I guess all wasn’t generic. It was a nice womanly friendship that stayed strong.

Overall it was a great drama. The different storylines were interesting and engaging. I was very happily surprised. Moses Chan was so suave. Wayne Lai was hilarious. Katy Kung was eyecatching but honestly her character was more filler than anything. Brian Tse was so chilling. And Elena Kong was so sweet. The characters were fun to watch and very memorable. I wouldn’t want a sequel. It’s just the ending was perfect to me and resolved very well. It was really intriguing to watch. The fighting was amazingly choreographed and the actors & actresses were picked perfectly! It’s not a drama where you have feel the need to binge watch but I definitely recommend this. One of the better tvb dramas in recent years!

Brutally Young and Death By Zero are my top dramas this year so far.

[thewritewolf]

Eating Habits Chapter 18: Birthday

Adrien gets a couple of big surprises on his birthday - one good, one... less than good. 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (Final)

Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

Marinette almost wished that Gabriel weren’t in jail, just so she could have the opportunity to smack him upside his stupid, pointy-haired head one more time. As if the letters weren’t enough!

The man neglects his son for practically his entire life, leaving all child rearing duties to his wife or his employees. Instead of bonding, he builds his brand. So, naturally, what does such a business-centered person do to take care of his son? Start a bank account in his name and slowly divert funds into it. But lock it so that he can’t get access to it.

Presumably, Gabriel had intended to explain all this at some point, but then again maybe he didn’t. Maybe it was meant to be a pleasant surprise for Adrien’s twentieth birthday, or maybe he was just using it as a convenient place to store money while pretending he was helping his son. Prison does tend to complicate these kinds of plans, after all.

Her anger took a backseat to worry when she looked over at her boyfriend. Adrien was still sitting on the couch, completely motionless as he stared into space, his hands over his mouth. If anything, she would have preferred that he yell or cry or pace, just something besides this terrible silence. She shared a concerned look with the kwamis. Plagg gestured with his head towards the seat next to Adrien and gave her a little push.

Taking his prompting, Marinette sat down with Adrien for a few silent minutes. She knew he’d talk when he was ready to. Eventually, her patience was rewarded.

“It’s a lot of money, lovebug.”

“No question.”

“I’m surprised nothing happened to it after… everything.” Adrien took a deep breath. “I already have enough money to live off of. At least for a while longer. And I’m not exactly between jobs either.”

“You aren’t wrong there.”

“I’m tempted to just turn it down, refuse to take any of it.” While he talked, she took his hand in hers and rubbed circles around the back of his hand like he often did for her. “It’s tainted money. I didn’t earn it, and it came from a horrible person. I don’t want to feel… indebted to him or something.”

“He made his choices. You get to make yours too. Whatever you do with that money is entirely up to you.”

Adrien considered this, drumming his fingers against his chin as he stared blankly at the wall. “I don’t know. Maybe I could shove it at charity, or maybe we can use it for some big project down the road. I just… I don’t know.”

“There’s no rush. We can decide later. After your birthday party.”

Nodding absently, Adrien took a few moments before his head tilted in that very adorable way he did whenever he was confused.

“Wait. Birthday party? I thought we were just staying in. Like with our anniversary.”

“Nope,” Marinette said matter of factly. “We’re going out to meet with our friends - all of the usuals, which took some major planning, let me tell you - and we’re getting all dressed up to do it. It’ll be at your favorite Italian place. But you need to act suitably shocked since this was all supposed to be a surprise.”

“Then why are you telling me now?”

“Because it means you can be excited right now and I want to see you smile again.” She cupped his cheek with one hand. “I know this thing came out of nowhere, but money or no, you have friends and family who love you and will put everything aside just to make your birthday special.”

Adrien bit down on his lips, his eyes getting misty as he watched her. Pulling her close, he whispered into her ear. “What did I do to deserve you?”

She squeezed him tight and replied, “That’s the thing. It’s what you always deserved. I’m just making up for lost time.”

-------------------

As promised, the following day they went up to Adrien’s favorite Italian restaurant and found his closest friends waiting for him. It was high-class enough that all of them had dressed up for the occasion - even laid back Nino had pulled a nice suit out from somewhere. But, of course, it was hard to really appreciate what everyone was wearing when his eyes kept drifting back to the pretty red dress Marinette was wearing.

Once they all met up just inside the restaurant, he was worried that between Alya and Chloe loudly singing a happy birthday song at him they might get thrown out. Thankfully, the restaurant was being very lenient with them - maybe some sympathy from the management after seeing him in the news again. He’d been coming here for a decade now and a lot of the older staff treated him as one of their own.

His friends all took turns giving him hugs, although Nino got first dibs. Kagami, always a little distant, preferred to give a respectful bow.

The topics of conversation had little to do with one another - one minute they would be talking about funny stories from where they were working, the next they’d be reminiscing about something embarrassing. The only common thread was how light hearted it all was. Adrien was grateful for it - thinking about the problems that were waiting for him was the last thing he wanted to do right now.

The meal passed in a pleasant blur, his gnocchi as delicious as it always was. After idly chatting for another half hour, they finally decided to leave.

“So where are we heading next?” Adrien looked at Marinette, who smirked.

“Back home, sweetie,” Marinette said, squeezing his hand. “We’re taking it easy for the rest of the night. Get comfy, yell at bad movies, relax in our pjs, that sort of thing.”

Adrien looked toward his friends. “I guess that means you guys will be stopping at your places first? Unless you’ve secretly been wearing your pajamas underneath this whole time. If so, amazing work.”

Nino snorted. “Nah, dude. It’s hot enough in this already. We’ll be over in like twenty minutes tops.”

“Not us though,” Chloe said, a sad smile on her face. While she carried herself with the same proud demeanor as she usually did, Adrien could see hints of tension and fear. The way she was gripping Kagami’s hand, the emotion lurking just behind her eyes, that sort of thing. “We’ve got something we need to take care of at home.

Nino waggled his eyebrows and got an elbow from Alya.

“Don’t sweat it,” Alya said. “We’ll take care of blondie. Do what you need to.”

A moment of understanding passed between the two girls. Chloe stepped up to Adrien and gave him one last hug.

“Good luck,” he whispered to her. As she let go, her lips were pressed into a thin line. She nodded and left. Once they were gone, Adrien turned to his remaining friends. “I guess we’ll see you two a little later then.” He wrapped an arm around Marinette’s waist and pulled her close, a wry grin spreading across his face. “We’ll try to keep from getting too wild and crazy while we wait.”

--------------------

It turned out to be a long night. As much fun as he was having, Adrien could feel the weight of his worries pressing down on him constantly. It made any enjoyment feel fleeting, a momentary respite until he remembered everything again.

At least, that’s how it felt until they piled all the pillows and blankets they could find in one big mess on the floor in front of the television. The wide open chaos of the cuddle pit made it hard to dwell on anything outside the moment, especially when the lights went out and the movies started playing.

Just as promised, they were loud and laughing and in that space Adrien couldn’t help but follow suit. Here and now with his friends, he knew where he stood and who he was. He felt like he belonged, not stuck between lives. They finally fell asleep in close quarters, Marinette wrapped around his waist and Alya and Nino tangled together mere centimeters away, lit only by the flickering lights of the last movies credits.

As Adrien drifted off to sleep after them, he felt at peace.

[daddiesdrarryy]

A Leap Of Faith - Pansmione

Summary: Hermione is a workaholic that lives with her cat alone, Pansy is a fashion stylist who has been travelling around the world for seven yeats, now she has come back, but just because Blaise and Ron are opening a restaurant together, Harry and Draco are wearing kimonos, and Ginny suffers from a terrible curse, and all Hermione has to do now is to take that leap of faith

Word count: 4469

Read here on ao3

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“Hermione!” Ron exclaimed and Hermione finally looked up at him, and apparently Harry was also there too. Were they here the whole time?

 “Er, when did you guys come here?” She asked and they groaned at her

 “Mione, we’ve been standing here for five minutes, you didn’t even realise we came in” Harry sighed deeply

 “We literally talked to each other and you didn’t hear us”

 “Oops?” She grinned and pushed her hair back behind her ears “Sorry, I was in my bubble of thoughts, it’s just…a lot”

 “Yeah! We know” Harry nodded

 “Anyway, will you be free tonight?”

 “For what?” She asked “Is it your birthday?”

 “No!” Ron almost shrieked “Hermione! You have been so swamped in work, I know you became the Minister for Magic but this is too much. You haven’t seen us in four days because you were all cooped up in your office, we literally had to track you down. You missed your dinner with me and my husband yesterday. Blaise was not pleased. He made you your favourite pasta, and he forced me to wait until you arrive, which you never did”

 “Oh my god I’m so sorry” she gasped and immediately got up to grab his hand and apologised “Okay, I’m sorry, there was a meeting late yesterday and I totally forgot. I promise I’ll come next time”

 “Hermione, you have dark circles around your eyes and you look like you haven’t taken a shower in years” Harry intervened “Maybe you should go home and change your clothes. We’ve been neglecting you since we settled down, I have to admit, I spent a lot of time with Draco and the same thing goes with Ron and Blaise, so we’re sorry too”

 “No no! It’s me” Hermione said “I…I work too much and forgot about my friends, my fault”

 “Okay let’s stop blaming each other” Ron interrupted them “Hermione, you should come with us tomorrow”

 “Where?”

 “Blaise’s restaurant” Ron smiled brightly “He’s gonna open it tomorrow, it’s amazing”

 “Oh, the…er…” Hermione paused and gave them a lopsided smile, secretly explained that she has no clue what the restaurant was about “Pizza place?”

 “Hermione!” Ron’s face started to get red and Hermione flinched, she could not believe she forgot about this. It has been so much to work here that she forgot everything, now her friends were practically having an intervention for her. It was her fault, she admitted it in her head, being the Minister for Magic was hard, and new, it was exciting, but tiring at the same time, she didn’t remember the last time she went home and feed her cat. Did they get feed? Did she ask her friends to feed her cat? Did she even go home?

 “Hermione!” Both Harry and Ron said, the brunette’s train of thoughts were cut off and she grinned

 “Sorry! Sorry! I got distracted”

 “You just literally zoned out while I was telling you about the restaurant, again!” Ron sighed “Tomorrow he’s opening it, and he wants you to go, he wants us to go”

 “Okay, when?”

 “Whenever you’re free, but I suspect you’ll get busy again and forgot, so I’ll ask Ginny and Luna to pick you up, Harry and Draco will already be there tomorrow for the whole day…you know, to show it off, they’re basically just there to attract people in, a marketing method, I think it’ll work”

 “Er…what…does he…the restaurant…I mean” She asked, just to be sure, she still thought it was pizza

 “Come tomorrow and you’ll see” Ron grabbed her shoulders and nodded “Now we are going to escort you home, and make sure you eat and all”

 “Oh but…I still have another file t—…”

 “Nope” Harry shook his head “No file. Let’s go” He grabbed her arm and walked her out with Ron. Well, it was needed anyway, it was lucky she has good friends, she could really count on them.

    *

    “Are we there yet?” Hermione said as Ginny and Luna led her to the destination “I don’t really see the reason for the blindfold though”

 “Oh shush, Ron said it’s because you don’t know what the restaurant is selling, so…we blindfolded you” Ginny replied

 “Plus, it’s cute, you have a bunny blindfold on” Luna added and Hermione sighed. When they stopped, Hermione stopped walking as well, then the blindfold was taken off of her, her mouth fell open slightly, it was a freaking Ramen Restaurant, there was a big bowl of Ramen on the front with chopsticks and all, and it was called…Hitomebore…what did that even mean?

 “It means ‘Love at first sight’” Luna said suddenly and Hermione turned to her

 “Oh…why?”

 “Go in and see. Come on” Ginny said and grabbed her wife to go in first. Hermione stood there for a few seconds to look at the big sign in front of the restaurant before going in. It was…Japan-ish inside, it wasn’t a word, she knew, but her brain was too tired to think of anything right now. She has three meetings today and her assistant kept sending more files in for her to work, and then one of them went missing and then it was all just a mess, she even brought one file with her here and maybe she could finish them right in the restaurant. Then she snapped back to reality when she saw Harry and Draco’s clothes, she then approached them with a big grin on her face

 “Guys…are you wearing Kimonos?” Harry and Draco saw her and smiled

 “Yes, it’s traditional clothes in Japan…Ron suggested it…” Draco said and looked down at his black floral kimono, his blonde hair was let down and fell to his chest, it was also braided and Hermione suspected that Luna did it, she has good hands “And to be honest, I look good in it”

 “Yeah you do” She smiled and looked at Harry’s red kimono “You look amazing too, Harry”

 “Thanks, it took Draco an hour to put it on me, I hated it at first, too many layers” Harry said and Draco elbowed him “But…for Ron and Blaise, we have to do it”

 “Plus, this place is so crowded, we just stood there for fifteen minutes and people are already lining up out there, you’re our friends so you get to go in first” Draco said

 “Come on, go, have a look around” Harry turned Hermione around and now she realised the restaurant was very…unique. There were lots of private wooden dining booths, with each booth separated by panels, and opposite to each other. She has read about this somewhere, she was sure of that. It looked like it’s the place for people who like to eat alone

 “It’s a place for people who like to eat alone” Ron came by and replied, he wrapped his arm over her shoulder and smiled “Isn’t it great? My husband did all of this! Unbelievable, I just love him so much”

 “Whe-where did you get this idea?” She asked, her eyes kept looking around, the decor, the seats, the booths, everything was perfect

 “Oh, we had our honeymoon in Japan, then we came to love the country, and that’s where Blaise got the idea, restaurant for introverts. I mean, there are a few restaurants like that in Japan, but now, it’s here too, in the Wizarding World, wonderful right?”

 “Yeah, absolutely” She smiled “So…when do we start?”

 “Oh, right about now” Ron whistled and Ginny nodded at him, opening the door, a bunch of people came in and in a minute, the place became crowded. Ron had quickly pushed Hermione into a booth before it was all taken, then he proceeded to show her what to choose, where the menu was and then he just disappeared. Hermione sat in the booth, feeling excited for herself, this was so cool and she was glad that she could be a part of it, her friends were talented as always.

    *

     15 minutes later

    “So, how is it?” Blaise put his hands on Hermione’s shoulders and asked, she turned around with her mouthful of ramen and smiled at him, she nodded cheerfully and he laughed “I assume it’s amazing?” She nodded again, it was brilliant, the noodles, the broth, the toppings, everything was perfect, she has never eaten anything so good, but she knew Blaise was a good chef, he was talented at it “Well, I’ll let you eat, there’s a special part that will happen in about five or ten minutes” He finished and walked back into the kitchen. She turned back and tried to eat her noodles as fast as possible, if she was quick enough, maybe she would have time to finish doing her file, her friends were all out of sight now and maybe it could work, it only needed a few more touches and it could be over with, she could only hope.

    *

     10 minutes later

    “Okay so…this needs…” She mumbled to herself as she was writing for the file she mentioned earlier, she finished eating her ramen about five minutes ago and now all she needed was a few more minutes before her friends went back to check on her, she scribbled as fast as possible

 “Ladies and gentlemen” Ron said loudly and Hermione stopped writing, she looked to the side and saw Ron smiling at everyone “Now…come the special part”

 “The reason we put the panels down between you guys are for privacy, of course. But that’s the fun part, right about now, you’ll notice there’s a small red button on your booth, and if you push it, the panel that separates you and the person in front of you, will open, it will feel like opening a curtain” Ron chimed “My husband and I…we met when we were having dinner alone, separately in a restaurant, we sat back to back to each other, we didn’t know it, of course, not until I criticised the restaurant’s salmon and Blaise here…decided to say…” He looked at Blaise and smiled

 “I would never expect a person like you to appreciate good food anyway, Weasley” Blaise finished the sentence and Ron blushed, intertwining their hands. She had heard the story before, it was amazing, everyone in the restaurant were touched as well

 “And turned out, he had the same salmon as me, then…a relationship bloomed, who could have thought it would happen like that?” Ron laughed out loud and continued “And because of that, we decided that…maybe we could do something like that as well, matchmake a bit, so enjoy your meal, everyone, I hope you’ll have a great time here in Hitomebore, Love at first sight” Ron ended his speech and everyone went back to eating, Hermione heard a few gasps and laughs, she suspected that people have started opening the dividers, but she couldn’t care less, she has a file to finish and she was going to do it, just a few more minut-

  “Granger!” Someone said and Hermione jolted from her work, she got startled and threw her quill away, then she looked back at…at…

 “Pa…Parkinson?” She gasped and the girl in front of her smiled

 “In the flesh” The formal Slytherin said and smiled, her red lipstick really popped out, her wavy black hair fell down to her shoulders and her hoops earrings really went well with her outfit, it just hugged her body perfectl—

 “Woah Granger, is it me or are you secretly undressing me?” Parkinson smiled slyly and Hermione’s eyes widened

 “What? No! I did no such thing…I…” She stuttered and Parkinson laughed at her. Hermione then pulled the panel down, it was like a curtain after all, but then Parkinson pulled it up again, Hermione sighed

 “It’s still fun making you all flushed like this” Parkinson said “So… I see you’re still choosing work over being relaxed” She smiled, looking down at Hermione’s opened file, the brunette immediately closed it and blushed

 “No…it’s just something I need to finish…” Then she pulled the panel down again.

 “I thought you’d be more fun when I came back Granger” Parkinson pulled the panel up once again, she sighed and rolled her eyes, then she extended her hands over, looking like she was asking for a handshake

 “Er…” Hermione said hesitantly “What is it?”

 “What does it look like Granger? A handshake” Parkinson said “Ron said he’s matchmaking us, so come on, we have to get to know each other first”

 “I…” What would she do? Was Parkinson asking her for a second chance? Should she take it? Should she even be considering this option? I mean she was 25 and alone, she was still youn—…oh, she was 25 now, and alone, with her cat. Maybe Ron did this on purpose, maybe he put her on this booth on purpose, maybe—

 “Ugh oh my god Granger I could practically hear you thinking, it’s a handshake, take it” She said and Hermione hesitated for two seconds before actually taking it, they shook hands and Parkinson began

 “Hi, I’m Pansy, and you are?”

 “I…Hermione” She replied. Was she even real? Was she literally just implied that Hermione should all forgot about their history in Hogwarts, which didn’t have anything anyway. But was she asking to have a new start now? I mean yeah she could, but would Hermione want to? All of their friends have ended up with the most unexpected person Hermione could ever guess. Harry and Draco had become…something after Hogwarts, they lived in the Grimmauld Place together after graduation because both was fighting for the rights to live in it, and bam…nine months later Ginny came by and walked in on them doing it, it was traumatising, she had said, and they have been together since. Blaise and Ron, well they already told her before, they met again about four years after Hogwarts at the restaurant, she wasn’t sure how their relationship continued, but Hermione could definitely remember that Ron ranted to her a lot that he went to restaurants with Blaise multiple times so they could decide who has the best taste in food, turned out, they had better taste in choosing partners, because 3 months after that Ginny also walked in on them doing it in the kitchen of the Burrow when everyone was out of the house, Blaise and Ron had to bribe her with lots of presents so she wouldn’t tell Molly. Neville and Theodore made a surprisingly amazing couple, they had been together since Eighth Year, Neville said Theodore was put in detentions for cursing another student, later he had explained it wasn’t Theo’s fault, it was some young students hitting him with hexes and after, framed him for it, and the Professors actually believed them, it was unfair, Hermione thought so, then he had been put in detentions, to clean the Green House everyday. And that was where they met, Neville was always found in the Green House anyway, after about three detentions, Theo finally talked with Neville, and something sparked between them, it never stopped, they have been married for six years now, ah yes and Ginny also walked in on them doing it in Neville’s dorm when everyone was out, maybe it was a curse, that Ginny would walk in every couple if they hid their relationships, even with Dean and Seamus, Ginny had told her

 “You know, Hermione, watching your brain process is really cool” Pansy said, breaking Hermione’s thoughts again “You just zoned out and you chew on your lips a lot, your eyes also twinkle, it’s cute”

 Did she—Pansy Parkinson, just complimented Hermione? Did she just said she looked cute? Was it real? Did she mishear it? Did her brain make that up?

 “Other people would think you look constipated though” Pansy said and laughed, Hermione just rolled her eyes, there you go, typical Pansy Parkinson, always there with her sarcastic comments.

 “But I didn’t lie, you know, it’s cute” She said again, and this time, Hermione blushed hard

 “Aww and now you’re blushing” Pansy reached over and pinched her cheeks “Adorable” Hermione’s mouth fell open at Pansy’s sudden action. Never in her life, in the 25 years she has been living, have anyone pinched her cheeks, no one, and now…Pansy…did it. Unbelievable

 “What have you been doing? You know, after Hogwarts?” Pansy asked

 “Oh I just…work…”

 “And then became the Minister for Magic?” Pansy smiled “Typical Hermione, I wouldn’t expect another occupation for you anyway, you’re best at this”

 “Er, so…how about you?” Hermione asked

 “Nothing much, I’ve been travelling around the world, became a model, got into fashion, that stuff”

 “Model?”

 “Yeah, turned out the Muggles love me” Pansy laughed “It was hard at first, pretending you’re a Muggle, but then I asked Harry about it, he taught me everything I needed to know, then I just flew away, now I’m back and as a fashion stylist”

 “Really?”

 “Yeah, oh do you need one?” Pansy said, looking up and down Hermione’s clothes, which made Hermione looked down at her own clothes too, just a basic blouse and black jeans, it was okay…right?

 “I…don’t know”

 “Oh come on, Hermione, we’re here for a reason, I wasn’t going to show up, but Draco insisted, saying it was incredibly important”

 “Really?” She asked and a pair of hands were there on her shoulders, Hermione jolted

 “Having fun?” Ginny beamed at the both of them

 “Extremely” Pansy answered

 “Thought so. So, have Hermione mention about the time she has a crush on you?”

 “What?” Hermione exclaimed and turned back to look at Pansy, who now has an amuse look on her face “I-…I did not”

 “Oh pish posh” Ginny laughed “You wrote it in your diary”

 “You read my diary?”

 “Well, no” Ginny said “It was open when I came in, I was looking for you, then I saw it and…well it has the word Pansy on it, and I was making friends with her at the time, so I kept it as a secret, of course, but well…Ron knows, and Harry…and Draco, Blaise too, well because of Ron, and of course my wife, Luna, and also Theo and Neville”

 “So everyone knew except for me?” Hermione shrieked “This is unbelievable”

 “Hermione, don’t freak out, we are worried about you”

 “We?”

 “We as in your friends, you aways work, you have a cat, you barely sleep, you need someone to take care of you” Ginny arched her eyebrow at her in concern

 “So you just…bring Pansy home?”

 “Well, yeah, I mean she knew you like her”

 “What?” Hermione looked at Pansy, the girl just smiled and winked at her

 “It’s not like the feeling is unrequited, Hermione”

 “Still! This is unbelievable” she threw her hands up in the air, stood up and started having a fit at Ginny, because she had to “Preposterous! How could you guys do that? Invaded my privacy! Kept it from me since Eight Year? And now you asked Pansy to co—wait…” Hermione stopped throwing her hands around and turned to the Slytherin behind her “You said what?”

 “She said it’s not like the feeling is unrequited, Hermione” Ginny whispered behind her ears and Hermione turned around to smack her arm

 “Get out” She ordered and Ginny nodded before running away, then she sat down on her seat again, when she has finally calmed down, she looked into Pansy’s blue eyes before asking

 “Did you…just confess to me?”

 “I don’t know, depends on what you’ll say, actually” Pansy shrugged “To be quite honest, I left because I felt lost, I felt like I had no goal in life, we were roommates in Eighth Year, you knew that, and you had your future all planned out, and I just had…nothing, so I wanted to change, I changed because of you, that’s actually true. You showed me that I could be in a better place, I could be a better person. That night in the Astronomy Tower, I had regretted that I never kissed you, I really did, and if I had the chance to go back to that night, I would kiss you, then maybe things would have turned out different. And at this point, I think my water is drugged with Veritaserum” Pansy laughed and looked down “I never said it was unrequited, Hermione, you just assumed so, I wrote you a letter once one month after graduation, you never replied back, so I thought…”

 “What letter?” She asked “Oh no…” She said in realisation, that night, oh no, she got drunk with the guys, well because Neville got offered to be the new Herbology Professor and they all celebrated it, the drinks just kept coming and she might have come home wasted and might have set the letter on fire, she had never read it, she even burned all her letters that week and smashed a vase, which she immediately regretted the day after “I…never read it…I kinda burned it” She mumbled and Pansy snorted

 “You like burning stuff a lot, Hermione, remember that time you set Snape on fire? Even I enjoyed the scene” Pansy laughed and Hermione smiled with her. Then it was quiet again. Hermione couldn’t figure out what to say. She remembered, she remembered everything. They had been roommates, yes, there had been a weird tension between them after a few months together, Hermione had helped Pansy studied because Professor McGonagall thought she could improve, so of course Hermione was happy to help…well not really happy at first, but they finally became somewhat friends after lots of study dates, Ron and Hermione’s relationship never went far, it was only a few months before she realised they were better as friends, Pansy was there on the night they broke up, and Pansy was there for Hermione to cry with, she was an unexpected friend. The night before graduation, Pansy and Hermione had sneak out and went up to the Astronomy Tower to watch the stars, they talked a lot, about their past, their future, and in the end, Pansy had looked at her in the eyes, she pushed Hermione’s hair back behind her ears, Hermione almost had a heart attack that moment, she thought they were going to kiss, but then Pansy just got up and got back to the dorm, leaving Hermione there dumbfounded. After graduation, Pansy just…disappeared. Hermione had missed her a lot.

 “I bailed…because I was scared, I was scared to face with my feelings, I had never had such deep feelings for anyone before, you were my first, and I was scared, I ran, I regretted it a lot, and I don’t expect you to forgive me, I just…” Pansy stopped and sighed “It’s no use right, it’s too late, you hate me because I bailed, I ruined it, typical” Pansy started rambling and Hermione just closed the panel that separated them. Then she stood up, walked around the long booths filled with people to go to the other side, when Pansy saw her, she walked faster, based on the look on Pansy’s face, maybe she knew what Hermione was going to do, maybe she didn’t. But fuck it, it was a leap of faith, and Hermione was going to take it, she grabbed Pansy’s face and kissed her once she got to Pansy’s booth, she could finally taste Pansy for the first time ever, and she tasted like…ramen, well, it was obvious, but she could also feel Pansy’s hands on her hips, Pansy’s tongue in her mouth, Pansy smelled like lavender, Hermione loved it, she sucked on her bottom lip and slid her hands in Pansy’s hair, it felt wonderful, her hair was smooth, unlike Hermione’s, then Pansy also stood up and pushed Hermione back against the table, kissing her harder, Hermione almost let out a moan when—

 “Seriously” Ron interrupted and both of the girls stopped the kiss “I put you two in today so you could you know…become a couple, slowly and gradually, it’s been half an hour and you’re already snogging? Take it out of here, come on girls” Ron rolled his eyes and walked away, Hermione could see Harry and Draco standing next to the kitchen’s door, giving them bright smiles and thumbs up, supporting them, she blushed and looked back at Pansy, who was smiling at her, Hermione began

 “I…don’t regret the night at the Tower, everything happened for a reason, I believe so, and maybe this is faith, so it’s alright, what if we didn’t kiss 7 years ago anyway? We still get to do it now” She said and she has never felt so brave before

 “You know what? You’re right. I mean I suspect 7 years ago you didn’t even know how to kiss properly” Pansy said and laughed when Hermione pushed her away lightly

 “Shut up”

 “You want me to shut up?” Pansy leaned closer and winked, the brunette blushed

 “N-no…I mean yes, no! Ron said no” She protested and Pansy grabbed her wrist

 “Let’s go to another place then” Pansy walked her out of the restaurant and said “Oh hey, what about reminiscing our memory on the Astronomy Tower?”

 “What? W-we are not allowed to go there” Hermione exclaimed

 “Come on, I know how to Floo in Neville’s office from my house, then we can sneak out, like the old days, it’ll be fun, Hermione, come with me” Pansy pouted and kissed her cheek, which automatically made Hermione blushed like a tomato. Maybe she could do it, so what if she had a million files to finish tonight, her friends said she needed a break, she would get a break, even if it meant that she would break in Hogwarts to do dirty stuff with Pansy, she could do it, no biggie, right? All her friends did it anyway. Ron and Blaise taking a leap of faith to open the restaurant together. Harry and Draco taking a leap of faith to be with each other no matter what the entire world would say. Theo and Neville taking a leap of faith knowing they didn’t have many things in common. Ginny and Luna taking a leap of faith to change their friendship into love. And now, Hermione was finally taking a leap of faith into Pansy, and perhaps it would be alright, she believed so, and Hermione was never wrong, she never was.

  “Okay, like the old days” She smiled and looked down at their intertwined hands, Pansy squealed and kissed her again, then they disappeared with a loud pop.

  The End.

[pkmnsdarkqueen]

Mun talks about her D&D characters for munday

I thought it’d be fun to let ya’ll hear about them. Also I know a ton of them start with L names, I’m sorry and I don’t know how this happened. 

Lokni-Human Blood Hunter (TW: death, demons, sex, child neglect, pregnancy complications) Life goal: To kill Raktos the demon  Campaign: Ravnica

The current favorite of my friends who I’ve played a few games with. Personally I think he has one of the most tragic backstories but I had to give him an intense one cause he has a very dramatic goal. The campaign is set in Ravnica which for those who don’t know is a setting where most things take place in a large city where power is divided by guilds. My child is in the Raktos guild which is the ones who throw parties put on shows, and run the brothels. Thing is they also kinda murder folks alot, live on the idea of viva la anarchy and they do this to keep their guild leader, a massive demon happy so he doesn’t end the world. Now that you’re caught up his story goes as follows. He was born to two parents, things were great, his mom got preggers, she was out with her husband and got dragged into a Raktos show cause they do that, she was injured and basically it became either save her or her unborn child and he insisted on the child. Dad blames the kid for loosing his wife, neglects teh child, Lokni also a child adopts his dad’s mindset being confused and hurt, family friend of mom takes in unwanted child (she is a centaur by the way), Lokni realizes eventually his dad really doesn’t care about him either as dad slips further into insanity about wanting to bring his wife back, Lokni decides to go apologize to bro who instantly forgives to live with centaur mom. Later they are told their dad is dead getting mixed up with the wrong people (however based on hints from the dm I fear he is not dead and also fear when the dm brings him back). His goal as a character is this: He wants to make sure no family ever ends up ripped apart like his so he wants to kill Raktos and put someone else on the throne, not him cause he recognizes he is not emotionally stable enough to run anything. Although originally I was planning on making him more obsessive about his goals and basically become his dad, obsession and hurt drives people to crazy things, but he kinda ended up finding a 16 year old ghost girl in the woods who’s been stuck to possess a knife and basically was like,”well this child clearly has a rough time in life I’m gonna adopt them!” and fatherhood is forcing this man to rethink things cause murdering Raktos=major trouble and he doesn’t want to rip up this new family he’s making so now considering teleporting him away? changing him to be a good person? Yeh it’s getting complicated. OH and he was kind of forced to drink some potion stuff, cause his boss is crazy (she has a ghost choir that she possibly killed everyone there, complete with a kazoo section cause ya boi Lokni on a whim said it needed more kazoos and she listened to him cause he knows music, he plays the spoons and does magic tricks btw as a job, so clearly he knows what he’s talking about) and ye so he is a fox lycanthropy now.

Lapis Lazuil/Laz-Triton, Cleric.  Life goal: Literally be the best monster killer Campaign: Regular D&D 5e

Basically we had a D&D show we were filming at school up until things got too busy with the main show we were producing. This character came before Lokni and we were told,”hey so your characters are monster hunters at this guild but they’ve all kind of been kicked out of their former parties for one reason or another which ya’ll can decide and this is your last chance to stay in the guild.” Me: “cool imma make a triton that hates water, and their a tempest cleric.” Dm: “....why, why are you like this.” Me: “YOU SAID MAKE BAD DECISIONS!” So ye that’s how Laz was made. Her story is that she was adopted by rock genasi. She thinks her parents abandoned her. Truth is they just fell on hard times just before she was born and well couldn’t afford a child so did what they could now trying to find her. So she changed her birth name to be named after a rock like the rest of what she considers her real family. She also has the attitude of the stereotypical highschool cheerleader on disney movies and talks like one too but with a more raspy voice because she is dehydrated, again she hates water because of her hatred for her ‘real family’ and also she genuinely doesn’t like the way it feels,”It’s just liiiike the worst ya know, um like on my skin....yeah so don’t pass out in water or whatever cause like I probs won’t try to heal you....sorry not sorry.” That was literally her first line to the rest of the party. I now use her in one offs and like low key she is alot of fun. 

Luc-Pantoran (I forgot the class and the dm still has our character sheets cause thank you virus) Life goal: Clear their name! Campaign: Starwars 

So first of all funny thing about this one is that usually I have a gender and voice made pretty early into creating a character. With this person....I did not, like literally I got everything else figured out except these two details so I decided,”You know what! You don’t get either of them!” Their story went like this, they have 12 siblings ok, super rural regular family in the inner planets. All of their siblings are wildly successful and they were average. They knew they couldn’t really succeed like everyone else but hey did find themselves enjoying being a nuisance so basically when asked what they wanted to do with their life they would look up at the adult asking and just go,”Crime.” SO that’s exactly what they did. Once they became an adult they ran off, used sleeping with folks to get what and where they wanted, eventually joined a pirate crew, and life was great. They were so good, and kind of had a thing going with the captain that they became first mate. Pretty recently they realized they didn’t relate to either gender and became non binary, they also are still trying to figure out their voice so it would change rather often. Thing is they got framed for stealing from the captain, and hey they’ve done alot of bad but they HAVE NOT broken trust like that, after all they actually cared about the captain, and for once was considering being just with them instead of sleeping around. Nonetheless they are on the run now trying to clear their name. Their theme as a character is,”hey you know that little voice in your head that tells you not to do something, ye they don’t have that. Just a voice that says, do what ya wanna do pal!”

Clarity-Robot, vault dweller (Tw: death mention, human experimentation, dog experimentation) Life goal: Just see the world Campaign: Fall out

I love this character so much she is a baby however her theme is,”depending on perspectives people can come across as wildly different things.” So If you’ve played fall out no she’s not a Mr. Handy or one of the robots that looks incredibly human like. We decided an amalgamation of the two fit her story better and it was available in the unofficial fall out table top we were playing. She looks humanish, a human like form but with clear casing showing her inner workings and a human mask to try to look  more friendly. She’s got on a little yellow dress on too, very vintage, and with the sweetest most innocent sounding voice. She even travels with a Dalmatian who, as a robot could think of only the most appropriate name to describe her grizzled hound, Spot. As for fighting one arm can transform into a flame thrower and the other into a chain saw. Also as a robot she can not go against programming. She also makes comments such as,”I am overjoyed you will not become a plant!” “Oh no don’t pick flowers! I would hate to hurt the plant...” “Are you sure the grass will not mind if I step on it?” If you have played fallout you might know where this is going. Basically there are 2 vaults that are important, both of them are found over grown with plants one containing half human half plant monstrous creatures. Her story is that she was in the vault that laster holds the monstrous creatures. Her programming was to continue the experiment, the experiment to combine humans with plants in an attempt to improve upon humans. She could not tell the humans what she was doing, and she could not stop the experiment until it was complete. There were dogs there under her command to be used as experiments too or keep the plants in line. So the chain saw and flamethrower were to stop unruly plant monsters from attacking her and keep them in line until finally the order came that the experiment was over and she was no longer needed. So she left, secretly horrified by her actions attempting to avoid ever processing what she witnessed fully through her system. She wants to see the world for herself now with her dog friend. Again when people meet her she seems like a sweet angel going so far as to worry about even the feelings of plants, but for anyone who was in that vault they would see her as a very different person.

[otome-reviews]

SLBP “Counting the Stars” Event Review

Fun fact: the Tanabata/Star festival typically takes place in July, so this latest SLBP event is about 4 months too early 😂 But never mind that! Here are my quick thoughts on all four stories:

For all his book smarts, I guess Mitsunari never got around to reading the ancient Japanese equivalent of How to Win Friends and Influence People, because boy was he a massive asshole in his route. Exhibit A: “Those who let romance and sex be an excuse to neglect their duties are nothing more than pathetic wretches.” Smooth move, saying that in front of your girlfriend... 🙄  Another romantic gem: “We only went [to the festival] because I was asked to take a closer look around.” Actually no, he (pissily) went because MC asked him, but of course Mitsunari is incapable of realizing that truth himself. To be fair, his need to be on watch at the festival wasn’t actually fake, and I did think the route started redeeming itself a little after MC got kidnapped and Mitsunari THREW A SWORD at her captor before taking out a bunch of baddies alongside Sakon. Mitsunari even managed to say something cute by the end (“No matter what lies between us, I will always go to your side”)!

Overall, I thought this story was well designed in that it’s very in character with Mitsunari’s personality. That said, I didn’t find his behavior in this story until the very very end attractive or appealing in the slightest. Life’s too short to deal with rude guys who feel like they have to pretend not to be affected by love! ^_^

Personal enjoyment: 2/10

MC starts out this ES a little miffed that Saizo’s reluctant to make their relationship Facebook greengrocer official (in contrast, beefy Sasuke’s much more chill about things, even if he and MC aren’t even dating, lol). He also doesn’t seem to show any signs of caring when MC is “randomly” assigned to play Orihime alongside a flustered Yukimura as Hikoboshi in the upcoming festival play. But by the end of the story, we learn that Saizo’s been creeping on the rehearsals like the silent ninja he is, and when MC proves herself unable to finish the play on the day of, Saizo even whisks her away so they can re-enact their own happy ending to the play. ^_^

For about 80% of this story, I thought Saizo was cold/unlikeable. Which, to be fair, is true to character! Like...if Saizo can’t go public with MC because of ninja issues, why can’t he just tell her that like a normal human, yanno? But I have to say, that ending with Saizo being romantic on the cliffside was pretty great, in a weird way. And Yukimura’s and MC’s complete inability to pretend to be in love with each other for the play was hilarious. Final thoughts: Sasuke was such a sneaky bastard, with his kiss attempt on MC. Saizo’s one of the country’s top ninjas - you’d think the guy would be a little more careful about poking the hornet’s nest!

Personal enjoyment: 4/10

In Shingen’s ES, the guy isn’t too enthused about the Tanabata festival because he has way too many ceremonial obligations. And meanwhile, MC’s also sad that she and Shingen won’t be able to spend much time together on this special day - so sad, in fact, that she’s reluctant to put on the fancy yukata that Shingen buys her. Girl pls. >_< The couple does manage to enjoy a bit of time together at the festival (it’s MC’s wish and Shingen wants to make it come true!), even if on a slightly sad, time-limited note. And in the end, Sasuke’s remarkable resemblance to Shingen saves the day, and MC and Shingen are able to play hooky/enjoy a bit of cute+sexy time together as a regular couple...until Yuki walks in on them, lmao.

I thought this route was a little sad tbh, and I felt bad for poor Shingen’s plight. Although he didn’t vocalize the problem to MC directly, I do like how he showed with actions and words that he wanted to spend time with her (“What I really want is you”)! Also, I loved the side plot involving Yuki et. al trying (and failing) to discover Shingen’s adorable true wish of eating MC’s kinako-mochi (probably not an innuendo??), lmao. All in all, I thought this was a solid enough story, if a little bittersweet and definitely not Shingen’s greatest!

Personal enjoyment: 5.5/10

Shigezane’s a total sweetheart in his ES, and should win an award for being the only guy of the bunch to directly ask MC to the Tanabata festival himself (“Would you do me the honor of attending me at the festival, my noble doll?”). This guy. 😂💕 But trouble comes in the form of a predatory Genya, who “kisses” MC in front of poor Shigezane days before the festival! Poor, secretly shy Shigezane is too awkward to talk about it for days on end. He’s also struggling admirably and maturely with his own jealousy: “Does this make me just another petty-ass man who thinks he deserves to control a woman?” ​But in the end, MC and S patch things up adorably, and Gen shows it wasn’t really a kiss at all, by pecking Shigezane on the corner of his mouth as well. ...Of course he does, lmao.

Shigezane was a little awkward in this route, but I loved him and his woke self 1000% regardless. Also, I love how literally the entire town/castle ships Shigezane and MC, haha. But Genya’s kissing was absolutely insane. Wtf Genya, this isn’t France! You can’t just go around greeting people with kisses in ancient Japan!! Lmao. Overall I thought this story was ridiculous, but I still mostly enjoyed it (Genya aside). Shigezane is such a babe. 

Personal enjoyment: 7/10 ​

Taking all four stories into consideration, I really can’t say I loved this event, but I do give the writers props for having all warlords be so in character. Really speaks to the quality of SLBP that their personalities are able to shine through, even in such short stories!

[chousakura]

The Shirogane Family

They have dated each other for five years. They were engaged for two years and married for eight years. Along the way, they adopt a son named Keith. However, their marriage fell apart when Shiro discovered he have only two years left to live. Not wanting his lover to suffer, they decide to divorce each other. Unlike most divorced couples, they still live with each other. Welcome to the daily life of the Shirogane Family.

Shiro - A loving but often a overprotective divorced father, Shiro discovered he have only two years to live, he decide to do a vlog of his family before his time end. Often in these vlog, it is fill with hilarious moments but sometime it can be heartbreaking.

Adam - A kind and often result in making peace, is Shiro ex-husband. They broke up when Adam couldn’t go through with Shiro’s illness but they still live together. He is against Shiro’s idea of videoing every moments in the house but decide to leave it alone because even though they are divorced, he still love Shiro.

Keith - Often a troublemaker at school, he is the adoptive son of Shiro and Adam. He turn over a new leaf after discovering his father illness. Despite his discipline, he is at the top of his class and have a huge crush on the new student,  Lance.

Lance - After being bullied at his old school, he transfer to Voltron High to get away. As a new student, he is filled with insecure about himself and his feeling toward Keith, especially when he was bully for being bisexual.

Hunk - A kind and heartwarming guy, who befriend Lance on the first day of school. He is one of Keith’s best friend who open up to him. He know Keith and Lance love each other but decide to play innocent until these two egghead get it together. Also, he is having a long distance girlfriend, named Shay.

Pidge - The smart mouth in school, she often skip class and spent most of her time in library, hacking into the school or etc for who knows what. After her brother left for college, she didn’t have any friend until she meet Hunk after he fix her computer. Since then, they are known as Team Punk and along with Keith, they often pull pranks on students and teachers.

Allura - She is the older sister of Lance and invite him to live with her after discovering her brother was being bully and neglect by their aunt and uncle. She often overwork herself to support her and Lance after their parent’s death, she hardly have time for herself until she met Lotor, her next door neighbor.

Ok, so first of all, I might write this story but it might not happen. Though others are welcome to write this story. Please just link me the story if someone decide to do so. I just wrote this story at the top of my head after watching some shows and got this idea. In short words, “The Shirogane Family” story focus on the daily life of Shiro, Adam, Keith and their friends as they go through hardship, love, heartbreaking moments, and finally happiness.

Shiro want to videotape everything about his family life so that when he die, Adam and Keith will have something to remember about him.

Adam can not face the fact that Shiro will leave him forever in two years and find it hard to accept it so he decide to go on dates with other men (secretly behind Shiro’s back) hoping he would find someone new. Despite all of that, he still love Shiro the most.

Keith find it hard to believe Shiro, his adoptive father have only two years to live but accept it because human’s life are short like his parents.

Lance hold feeling for Keith but after being bully so much at his old school and neglect by his aunt and uncle, he is so insecure about himself that he couldn’t tell Keith, he like him.

Hunk is having a hard time keeping a long distance relationship with Shay. With school, friends, and fun activities, he hardly have anytime for Shay.

Pidge have a hard time making friends because she couldn’t use the right words to use to befriend people until she meet Hunk.

I don’t know if I want Hunk x Pidge relationship in this story but I feel like it should happen. So it might be heartbreaking if Pidge hold feelings for Hunk who already have a girlfriend. Or it can be hilarious if the feeling she hold for Hunk is actually a friend feeling and Hunk is just like “Really Pidge. I broke up with my girlfriend because I heard you like me and want to be with you” and Pidge is just like “Hunk, my friend, I am so sorry but I am glad we all got it figure it out.” Hunk cries in a puddles of tears. I don’t know. It up to those who want to write this story. Though in my opinion, I think they should remain friends but those who support Punk, go for it because it might be more heartbreaking to see it happen. T-T

Allura is having a hard time to support herself and Lance. Rarely does she have time for herself to relax and find love until she meet Lotor, her next-door-neighbor with a dark past.

[pandamilo]

6: OtaPliRoy

‘I lost the baby.’ – when it’s meant to be angst but Iturned it into a comedy… and it’s sappy, how did this happen?! … sorry, notsorry.

***

Otabek had a hugefamily.

He was used to the chaos, the arguments, the make ups, thebreak ups and the ever need for a baby sitter.

But his boyfriends, definitely were not.

Yuri’s only family was his granddad and if you counted theNikiforov-Katsuki’s (which they would argue he does) he still had a relativelysmall family.

JJ’s wasn’t much better, he was also an only child and hadgrown up spoilt rotten because of it.

But Otabek was one of eleven children and he was the eldestat 23 meaning that went those of so important events occurred, such as the ledup for Christmas, he was always roped into to taking care of the younger onesso his parents could organise everything without the interrupts of the whirlwindthat was the younger, more spoilt, Altin siblings.

This Christmas was no different but the plus side was, thisyear he had roped his boyfriends into coming to his families Christmas. Lastyear was with the Nikiforov-Katsuki’s and the year before that was with theLeroy’s, so Otabek was claiming his turn – plus he really secretly missed big Christmas’,it wasn’t the same having so little people around.

When they first arrived, three weeks before Christmas, thefirst few days were all polite and sweet. His family welcoming them, waiting onthem hand and foot and teasing Otabek, revealing horrifying stories from hischildhood and well… doing what families do.

Now they were on their fifth day here, the novelty of theterm “guest” had warn off and Yuri and JJ were beginning to be treated as thetwelve and thirteen Altin.

This meant a few things.

One: his mother consistently called them the wrong name but never corrected herself, she simplypresumed you would figure out who she actually meant based on the context andwho was around.

Two: his father responded to any question addressed to himin exactly the same way, no matter who it was, “Yes darling.”.

Three: his siblings no longer knocked when entering Otabek’sroom or bathroom for that matter, walking in on Yuri changing twice and JJtaking a piss at least three times.

Four: and this was probably the one Yuri and JJ had decidedto complain about the most, they no longer went to bed or wake up just thethree of them. Every night, at least one of Otabek’s siblings would fall asleepwith them, or crawl in in the middle of the night having had a nightmare, orjust simply come in and flop on top of them when they had decided the threeboys had been asleep long enough.

And five: babysitting duty.

Otabek’s parents were taking out the eldest five siblings(apparently Otabek was no longer included in the sibling count, he was now likea new parent and his boyfriends were also thrown into that mix) and the threeboys were now left with the five youngest of the Altin’s.

Aina (6), the twins: Serik and Madina (4), Arman (2) andAlisher (1).

What Otabek’s parents had neglected to inform the new foundparental trio was that Alisher, when left to her own devises, would get up andtoddle away, never when anyone was watching her though, which is why, as far asthe boys were concerned, Alisher could only crawl.

That is of course until Yuri appeared in the kitchendoorway, clutching Arman in his arms and staring wide eyed and frantic at JJ,Otabek and the older three siblings who were currently covered in flour as they “helped” bake the oat biscuits they weregoing to eat for afternoon tea.

‘I lost the baby.’ Yuri stated, pulling Arman closer intohis chest in fear of loosing a second one.

‘What are you talking about, you are holding it.’ JJ scoffedand went back to wiping the flour off Serik’s face.

‘Ok arsehole, sorry… ok JJ,for one, this is Arman, he’s a boy, not an it and two, how many children do youcount right now in this room beside’s yourself?’

‘Yura, what do you mean you lost the baby, where’s Alisher?’Otabek ignored the usual bickering between his boyfriends and did his usualtrick – addressing the actual issue.

‘That’s what I mean Beka, one minute I was playing with themand then I turned around to stop one of the dogs from eating Madina’s favouriteteddy and then when I turned back, Alisher was gone.’

‘Yura, you sure you didn’t nap on the job because a baby isn’tan escape artist you know, have you actually looked for her?’ JJ was looking atYuri like he was stupid and Yuri wasn’t having a bar of it.

‘No genius, I just wondered in here straight away thinkingshe apparated in here because it was more fun getting covered in flour thenplaying with play dough with me. Of course, I bloody well looked for her. Nowsomeone come help me find her!’

Yuri was actually starting to become distressed at thispoint and his hold on Arman was obviously making the toddler distressed inreturn.

‘Jay, stay here with the older ones, make sure to put thecookies in the oven, I’m going to shut the door and help Yura find Alisher.’Otabek walked around the kitchen island, extending his arms for Arman as hewent, shifting so he was perched on the side of his hips and using his freehand to hold Yuri’s, squeezing it in an attempt to comfort him.

‘Where were you all playing, Yura?’ Otabek’s voice wasalways the same, deep and rumbling, but whenever he was around children it tookon a softer edge which Yuri and JJ had agreed in secret, was both sexy and toocute for words.

‘In the living room, but I checked there and the surroundingrooms. Oh god, how did this happen, I thought she could only crawl! There is noway she could move that quickly crawling. I was honestly hoping she did magicallyfind you guys in the kitchen. Beka, I’m sorry I lost your baby sister, sh-crap I’mhorrible.’ Yuri was whining and babbling as they walked around the lower floorof the three story house.

‘It’s okay Yura, deep breaths, she will be fine. She must bedoing what the twins did when they first started walking, because there arealways so many eyes on them they didn’t walk unless no one was watching them.It was strange behaviour but they grow out of it after a couple of months andthen started running everywhere… it was almost worse. My guess is Alisher isjust doing the same thing… Actually, I bet I know where she is.’

It was both shocking and adorable how much Otabek talkedwhen he came to his family. It had taken Yuri and JJ months to get Otabekcomfortable enough to use more then a few sentences at a time with them but oncehe trusted them, if it was about his family, Otabek couldn’t say enough aboutthem.

Otabek had suddenly turned on the spot in front of what Yuriwas fairly sure was one of the older sibling’s room before passing Arman backto Yuri.

The door read “keep out” but it wasn’t closed properly andwith a light push, it opened.

Yuri had to stifle a laugh when he walked in. Plastered allover the walls was every single one of his friends in their skating gear: theold man, the hag, the piggy, the sex fiend, the Italian twins, Otabek, JJ andYuri himself, along with many more.

Otabek smirked at him when he saw Yuri looking around, ittugged slightly at Yuri’s heart that he was accepted in this family even beforehe walked through the door. Otabek had told JJ and Yuri only about a thousandtimes before they ever visited and it had been proved from the very firstmeeting but seeing their relationship on display so simply was completelydifferent.

Above the dressed on the far wall was three posters, alloverlaying slightly, of Yuri, JJ and Beka in their finishing poses to piecesfrom a few years back and over it was drawn a very large and misshaped loveheart.

Yuri was startled when his eyes were drawn away from theimage to the sound of baby babbles as Otabek bent down and retrieved Alisher.She was sitting in a pile of dirty laundry and clutching a teddy larger thenherself, that looked older than Otabek.

‘I knew it! Found you, cheeky monkey!’ Alisher giggled asOtabek lifted her above his head before blowing a raspberry into her belly. ‘Everyonealways wants Ed.’ Otabek sighed before turning back to a mildly confused Yuri.

‘What in the hell is an Ed?’ Yuri stuttered out as theyexited the bedroom.

‘This-’ Otabek pointed to the larger-then-Alisher teddybear. ‘-His names Ed and he was mine to begin with but for whatever reason,every Altin falls in love with him and attempts to claim him as their own. Iknew Rayana always pinches it back when she gets the chance but it’s meant tobe Alisher’s right now and apparently she had to go find it herself.’

Otabek laughed as Alisher showed off Ed to Yuri and Armanbefore clutching it back into her own tiny fists and buried her face into it.

‘That is both ridiculous and adorable.’ Yuri sighed beforelooking up at his other boyfriend as they entertain the kitchen.

‘Just like the both of you then.’

[freonsuit52-blog]

buttercream flower tutorial

This time last summer, I had left my full-time job at Yelp and was gearing up to move back to Portland and focus on writing my cookbook, Weeknight Baking. Given that I had spent many years balancing my day job with this blog, I thought that finally just focusing on one thing would allow me to pursue everything I'd always wanted to do with Hummingbird High but never had time to do so: mostly, more interiors posts, party posts, travel posts, step-by-step tutorials, elaborate pastries, GIFS, videos and more!

Needless to say, none of that happened, lol. Although many of my friends and peers who'd written cookbooks warned me about how much work it all was, I'd secretly ignored their warnings because I was just too friggin' cocky. Despite their horror stories, I figured that after balancing a full-time corporate job and this blog for so long, it would be a breeze. Ha! Nope. Long story short, the book replaced Yelp as my full-time job and Hummingbird High was once again pushed to the sidelines as I raced to develop, test, and photograph recipes for Weeknight Baking.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though! I've finally met the first of my major deadlines, turning in my manuscript at the start of last month and all the photos this past Monday. I have about a month off before I get the first round of edits, during which I'm planning to relax, go on the Whole 30 in attempt to lose all the scary book-related weight I've gained in the last year, and finally stop neglecting my blog and start working on all of the ideas and plans I've had for it since yesteryear. Get excited!

First up: a decorating tutorial with the help of my talented friend, Lyndsay Sung of Coco Cake Land! Her new cookbook just came out and is dedicated to all things cake decorating and is just SO. MUCH. FUN. Lyndsay is known for her badass feminist cakes, her super kawaii animal cakes, and her general boss cake decorating skills. She is one of my favorite bakers, and is such an inspiration both inside and outside of the kitchen. Real talk — she wrote part of the book while she was fighting (and winning!) against breast cancer. I told you she was fierce.

One of the cakes in Lyndsay's book is the Buttercream Flower Power cake, which is a layer cake topped with beautiful and 100% edible buttercream roses in bright neon colors (I tried to channel them for this cake, but I think my colors came out more muted than Lyndsay's — oh well). Buttercream flowers kinda blew up on the internet last year, and of course, I'm late to the party. I'm not going to lie — I avoided piping them for a really long time because I was super intimidated to do so, but they're actually pretty easy! It helps to have a good video tutorial or two to guide you (as much as I love photos, sometimes a video really does do the job better) so I've included a pretty bare bones instructional video on how I pipe my roses:

What do you guys think of the video? Is it too bare? Should I add music and flashing lights? I know that those Buzzfeed Tasty-style videos are super popular, but for more instructional videos, I decided to keep it minimalist so you can actually see what I'm doing without any distractions. Tell me your thoughts!

Also, be sure to check out the rest of the post below for some formal instructions on how to pipe the flowers as well a quick guide on literally everything you need to get started on piping flowers of your own. And don't miss my post on Instagram, where I'm giving away a copy of Lyndsay's cookbook and a jar of some of her custom made Sweetapolita sprinkles. Super fun, right??? I'm so excited, you guys. I feel like this is a fresh start to Hummingbird High, and I am so excited to kick it off with Lyndsay and her new book. Yay!!!

featured:

book || cake stand || bowl

Buttercream Flower Tutorial

(inspired by Coco Cake Land)

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TOOLKIT

What Tools You Need for Swiss Meringue Buttercream

a heatproof rubber spatula

a candy thermometer, preferably digital (I use this one)

a freestanding electric mixer with a whisk and paddle attachment (I use a KitchenAid mixer)

What Tools You Need for Cake Decorating

4 pastry piping bags

4 pastry bag couplers

a petal piping tip (I recommend Wilton #102 for small flowers, and Wilton #125 for large ones)

an open star piping tip (I recommend Wilton #1M)

a flower nail 

one 12 x 16-inch sheet of parchment paper, cut into 2- or 3-inch squares

a half sheet pan 

flower lifter scissors

What Ingredients You Need for the Flower Power Cake

one 8-inch cake of your choice, smoothly frosted

one recipe Lyndsay's Swiss Meringue Buttercream (included below)

pink, purple, green and blue food coloring (I used colors from this awesome Americolor set)

sprinkles (duhhhh)

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SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM 101

Lyndsay's Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

1 cup (8 ounces) large egg whites, from about 7 to 8 large eggs

2 1/4 cups (15.75 ounces) granulated sugar

2 1/2 cups (20 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes and at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

a pinch of kosher salt

Recipe

In the bowl of a freestanding electric mixer, combine 1 cup large egg whites and 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar. Mix with a heatproof rubber spatula to combine into a sugary slurry. Fill a medium saucepan with a few inches of water and place it on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Set the mixer bowl on top of the saucepan to create a kind of double boiler, making sure the mixer bowl doesn't touch the water.

Heat the egg and sugar mixture until it reaches 160 (F) on the candy thermometer, using the rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl to prevent any ingredients from burning and stirring the mixture occasionally. This process should take around 10 minutes, so if you find that it's taking longer, don't be afraid to crank up the heat! 

Use oven mitts to carefully transfer the mixer bowl onto the stand mixer and fit a whisk attachment in place. Turn the mixer on to its highest setting and beat the mixture for 10 minutes, or until you've created a meringue with medium-stiff peaks and the sides of the bowl are only slightly warm or at room temperature. 

Scrape down the whisk, and replace it with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low speed, add 2 1/4 cups cubed unsalted butter a few cubes at a time, continuing to mix until the butter is incorporated. At this point, it should look like a thick soup, and that's totally okay. Add 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt, and turn the mixer up to its highest speed. Beat the mixture on high speed for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until a fluffy, silky, magical buttercream frosting has formed. 

Troubleshooting Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting ... if your Swiss Meringue Buttercream is too soupy: That likely means that the meringue wasn't cool enough when you started adding the butter, and/or it's a super hot day, and/or your butter was way too soft. No worries! Place the whole bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes to cool it down before beating it again, first on low speed and gradually increasing it to high speed.

... if your Swiss Meringue Buttercream looks curdled and/or mottled: That likely means that the butter you used was way too cold and refuses to emulsify with the meringue. We can fix it, don't even worry. Eyeball out a 1/4 cup scoop of the curdled/mottled Swiss Meringue buttercream and transfer to a liquid measuring cup. Microwave on low speed for about 15 to 20 seconds, or until the frosting is soupy, liquidy, and warm. Pour back into the rest of the frosting and turn the mixer back on to high speed for about 2 to 3 minutes �� the melted frosting should have helped bring the entire batch down to the right temperature for whipping.

If you don't have a microwave, you can try Lyndsay's suggestion: lightly heat the whole bowl over a low-boing pot of water. Once it's warmed up a teensy bit, try mixing it again.

Storing Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting Swiss meringue buttercream will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge or up to 1 month in the freezer. Just be sure to store in an airtight container to prevent the frosting from absorbing any weird fridge/freezer flavors.

To use chilled buttercream, bring it back to room temperature by letting it sit uncovered at room temperature for about 1 hour or so. Transfer to the bowl of a freestanding electric mixer and gently rewhip before using. If you find that the buttercream looks mottled, use the tricks above to incorporate it fully. To use frozen buttercream, thaw the buttercream in the fridge overnight and follow the steps for thawing chilled buttercream.

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BUTTERCREAM FLOWERS 101

How to Pipe Buttercream Roses

First, prep your ingredients and tools: divide the buttercream into four even batches, dying each batch with a different color. Fit 4 pastry bags with couplers, and fill each pastry bag with its own batch of buttercream. For one of the pastry bags with the petal tip.

Squeeze a tiny amount of buttercream onto the center of the flower nail. Pat a parchment paper square on top of the buttercream, pressing down and rubbing it across the surface of the nail to "glue" it onto the nail. Arrange the parchment paper so that it is relatively centered on the nail. Brilliant! You're ready to pipe flowers.

Start by piping a small blob of buttercream in the center of the parchment paper. It doesn't have to be a specific shape or even pretty — a small blob will do. Next, hold the piping bag at a 45-degree angle with the wide end of the piping tip at the bottom of the nail; squeeze the piping bag, turning the nail at the same time, so that it pipes a half circle around the blob of buttercream frosting. Pipe another half circle, starting from the halfway point of the initial half circle. Repeat until you've got a circle that forms the base of the rose. Repeat this process for the outer petals of the rose — as your flower grows, you'll notice that you'll need to pipe longer and longer half circles. Continue making the layers of petals until you've reached the desired size for your rose — smaller ones will look more like conventional roses, whereas larger ones will look almost like peonies, succulents, or even cabbage flowers. 

Once satisfied with your flower, carefully remove the parchment paper from the flower nail with the flower attached and place it on the half sheet pan. Repeat the process for however many roses you wish to make, moving the petal tip to different piping bags for different colored flowers. Go crazy and make as many flowers as you want, but be sure to reserve some frosting for finishing the cake and gluing the flowers on to the actual cake itself. Once done, transfer the sheet pan to the freezer to freeze for at least 1 hour, or until the flowers are cold and firm to the touch. 

How to Assemble a Buttercream Flower Power Cake

Once the flowers are frozen and firm to the touch, it's time to decorate the cake. Remove the sheet pan from the freezer. Use the flower lifter scissors to carefully lift up each flower from its parchment paper square, discarding the paper and transferring the flower to the top of the cake. To transfer them to the sides of the cake, pipe a blob of reserved frosting onto the sides of the cake to use as glue to hold the flower in place. 

Use a pastry bag with an open star piping tip to pipe quick stars in between the flowers, eliminating any "naked" space on the top of the cake. Garnish with sprinkles.

How to Save Buttercream Flowers for Future Cakes If you find yourself with leftover flowers, you can save your hard work for future cakes! Leave any leftover flowers on their individual parchment paper squares on the sheet pan and transfer to the freezer to chill overnight. Once the flowers have frozen solid, carefully transfer the flowers on their parchment squares into a Ziploc bag and seal tightly. The flowers will keep in the freezer for several months. When ready to use, you can use them straight from the freezer: simply unpeel each flower from its square and arrange on your cake as desired.

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Source: https://www.hummingbirdhigh.com/2018/08/buttercream-flower-tutorial.html

[propertyhold]

The Den: The Big Reveal!

Exactly four years ago today, I became a homeowner. That decision could be characterized in a lot of ways: crazy, stupid, optimistic, deluded, exciting, terrifying, and maybe a bit ambitious. I loved this house from the second I saw it, and if I was going to buy a house (something I was not particularly equipped or intending to do), it was going to be this house. There were no other contenders.

That part—the period of falling for a property and feeling committed to its acquisition—felt easy (the actual purchase part was not, but that’s another story). The stuff that came after it wasn’t quite as easy. I’m not sure I have much in the way of original thoughts on this topic: yes, it really does take twice as long. Yes, it really does cost twice as much. Yes, at times it’s satisfying, frustrating, overwhelming, thrilling, and challenging. It’s a process that can variably bring out both the best and the worst, exposing your weaknesses and fears as much as it reveals the heights of your capacity for joy and contentment. It’s a long, strange, intensely humbling trip.

None of this is immediately pertinent to this post, I guess, but it felt weird to not acknowledge the milestone of four years! Some days it feels like the house has come such a long way, and other days it feels like the amount of remaining work is insurmountable. So with regards to the den, this is a space that—until very recently—contributed to that whole insurmountable feeling. This room has never really been anything. For a while it had a bed in it for guests (who got to wake up looking at a half-demoed water-damaged acoustic tile ceiling…how charming!), but mainly it’s just been a place for stuff to spill into as other spaces got worked on. Which feels…weird! There’s this whole space in my house that, functionally, might as well have been some off-site storage facility (which certainly would have felt cleaner and more manageable!), and now it’s an actual room that I’m actually sitting in and actually writing this blog post and actually not seeing anything crumbling around me or making me feel crappy because “oh-my-god-I’ve-lived-here-for-this-long-and-this-room-is-still-a-total-dump.” Particularly on a DIY pace and budget, stuff just takes a long time, and it’s not always easy (or, necessarily, especially productive) to pinpoint exactly why. It just does.

SO! Shall we take a looksie around the new room? Let’s do it.

Ba-boom! If it looks like a different room, that’s almost because it is. That bay window situation in the “before” shot was not original to the house and I removed it last summer as part of a larger exterior renovation, and I believe this is actually much as the room would have looked when it was built! Time saw the addition of electricity, hardwood flooring laid over the original subfloor, and hot water radiator heating, but ya know—that stuff’s not going anywhere. The rest of it is just cosmetic—one of the ways I try to approach renovating vs. decorating is by renovating with more of a restoration mindset, and decorating however the hell I want. Somebody could move in here and swap out light fixtures and repaint (or wallpaper), furnish, and have themselves much more of a time capsule vibe, but I guess I’d rather just have a…me vibe? This room feels very me, to me. ME ME ME.

Here’s where we were at the beginning of March!

And today! Much improved, yes?

Sorry, I’m a sucker for a before-and-after comparison. Did we get it out of our systems? I really wish I had taken more pictures of the room before it started getting torn apart! It’s like I had learned nothing four years ago when I had the opportunity to take true “before” photos. I’m going to blame it on the fact that I saw much more of the house as a straightforward renovation/redecorating project than what it’s become.

So, maybe this room looks crazy and maybe it is crazy and maybe I have no ability to form an objective opinion on it, but I DO know that it’s filled with so many things I love and is so comfortable and cozy that I literally do not care at all if it could also be considered stylish. I think it’s pretty. I don’t know.

I’ve mentioned lots of these things before, so forgive me if I’m repeating myself, but…

This sofa!! I bought it from Susan and Will Brinson (of the obscenely inspiring blog, House of Brinson). 400 bucks! For a secondhand, high-quality, all leather sofa that is the most comfortable thing in the world, I think that’s a great deal. Even though this room isn’t really a guest room (it was supposed to be when I started working on it!), the cushion section of the sofa is roughly the size of a twin sized bed, and I can tell you from firsthand experience (of Netflix and chilling so hard that I fall asleep) that it’s SO comfortable. I wouldn’t feel bad asking a guest to sleep here because it really does sleep like a bed, not a couch. I love the wear on the leather, and I love that I don’t have to be insane about it because it’s already been lovingly broken in by two large dogs before my own dogs, so they just add to the patina.

Womb chair, womb chair! I love this chair but Mekko REALLY loves this chair. When I was a kid, my mom looked for a lounge chair for her bedroom for literally a decade, and as a teenager I recommended this one…which she purchased…and then hated…which I was secretly kind of excited about because it meant that if she didn’t get around to reselling it as she said she would, I could ask for it when I eventually had the space to accommodate. MY SCHEME WORKED and now it is mine and it’s the most expensive dog bed in the world.

The original (well, original to the house being heated by radiators—before that it was wood stoves!) radiator got a few coats of glossy black spray paint, and I love the pairing of the black-black with the blue-black walls! I don’t know why! Particularly with more ornate radiators like this one, I think black paint is a great way to really highlight the fancy Victorian scrollwork on each fin.

Above the radiator is a collection of frameless antique mirrors, which I hoard just because. When the foil backing starts to disintegrate on an old mirror, I think the effect is so beautiful and interesting and I just buy them whenever I see them, assuming the price is good and they meet my rigorous quality standards of being in one piece.

I always thought it would be cool to display them in some kind of grouping, and this steel ledge isn’t quite what I had in mind, but I bought the ledge almost four years ago (it was supposed to go in my first kitchen renovation, but I changed my mind!), so it was nice to finally put it to use since I didn’t get my act together and send it back to CB2 at the time.

The tea light candlesticks are originally from Dwell Studio, but I picked them up a few years ago secondhand. I love them so much! The wooden tray that they’re sitting on I bought in the fall when I was in Austria. So simple and pretty.

On the wall to the right of the window, the top little piece of art was made by my mommy as a kid! I stole it out of a box of old stuff in our basement years ago, and I’ve had it hanging somewhere since. I love it—someday I’ll upgrade the frame, but an IKEA RIBBA never hurt anyone. The muscleman below it came out of my grandparents’ house after they had both passed away, and nobody knows where it came from or who the artist is.

The light is from my internet pal and long-time design crush, Logan at One Forty Three. I’m so proud of that dude! Watching his business expand and grow, and all the things he’s created since I first became aware of his work, has been so exciting. I’ve had the lamp for…probably 5 years at this point, and it still looks and works like the day it was packaged up and sent to my then-home in Brooklyn. I’m so happy to have it hanging up again.

The dark walls do swallow up a lot of natural daylight (perfect for a chill zone room like this, I think!), but that can make houseplants difficult. I’ve never had a problem keeping one of these ZZ plants alive though—perfect for low light and thrive on neglect. The pot is vintage, found somewhere around Kingston. The candlestick is also vintage and used to be half of a set of two, but I MAY have not realized that absent a metal liner in the part where the candle goes, a candle will burn down and then light the candlestick on fire, and then that will burn until somebody notices.

I’m a hazard.

I bought the dog on a trip to China in 2005. I bought the side table a few years ago from JC Penney, when Terence Conran did a really nice collection for them, and then it all went on clearance, and then I panic-bought some of my favorite pieces from the collection just BECAUSE I HAD TO and I don’t regret it because I think it was like $30 for this cast iron and white oak side table that is just so cute and very well-made.

Also you can kind of get a sense of how the Diamante wallpaper from Hygge & West in the adjoining little office looks with this room. I feel like the two play well together!

You might recognize the two pieces above the sofa from my Brooklyn bedroom and then again from my current bedroom that I showed you just a few weeks ago, but naturally I’ve already moved them and I think THIS is where they belong! These hung in my grandparents’ bedroom at least throughout my lifetime, and it’s an honor to have them here.

Also, ORANGE NAKED LADY!!! Evidently, I wrote a blog post about her back in 2013 after I bought her at an auction, but she’s never really had a permanent home until now. I’m still exactly as tickled by her as I was when I spent $60 real-life dollars on her and got made fun of by other auction attendees for it.

SPEAKING of auctions…now is the part where if you didn’t hate me already, I give you license to hate me now.

I went to an auction shortly after I started working on this room.

I saw this rug.

I wanted this rug. Immediately. Intensely.

I prepared myself to spend $400-$500 for this rug, which is a chunk of change but actually a good deal for a rug of this age and size (and, I’d argue, uniqueness), and I’d been looking for one for this room, and here it was.

The bidding started.

Nobody bid.

I bid. $45. And won.

FORTY. FIVE. DOLLARS. That’s, like, a fancy tea towel. That’s, like, five burritos.

The guy next to me literally turned to me and asked what possessed me to buy that rug. ARE YOU BLIND, SIR?

OK I’m done gloating. I love that rug so hard. The colors are so weird and good. The wear is everything I want.

I haven’t painted the door yet (since it swings into the hallway, I can convince myself it’s part of the hallway restoration, which I’ve been great at putting off indefinitely), but you get the idea.

This space is pretty narrow, and that couch is ENORMOUS, and the space between the righthand corner and the door trim is about a foot, so I needed something very slim for under the TV.

I searched and searched and racked my brain for something I could just buy and be done with. I didn’t want to build a thing. It felt like…I just built a ROOM, do I really need to make myself crazy over building something big FOR the room?

Then I built a thing and I’m so glad I did because I actually really like the thing I built! It’s essentially just a plywood box that’s covered in lath from my very own walls and ceilings. I think I started it on a Sunday morning and had it hanging on the wall by Monday afternoon, and it holds a bunch and looks cute and cost me all of about $10 for the piano hinge. Also, it was really fun! Since buying the house, it’s actually very rare that I just kind of make something that isn’t part of a much larger renovation project, and I forget how fun it is to just play around with some tools and some wood and see what happens.

By the way, on top of the cabinet thing on the far left sits a Sonos speaker, and my Apple TV is turned sideways between the speaker and the stack of books. That’s all the technology! I’ve tried to make it a tradition to buy a Sonos speaker upon the completion of each room to spread the cost out—it’s kind of spendy for me, but I do really like the system and I love that the speakers come in white or black so it’s usually possible to keep it very inconspicuous.  The speakers all tie back to the Sonos app on my phone, and can be controlled independently or in unison to play music, adjust the volume, play/pause, etc. I recommend it!

I didn’t do anything particularly nice about finishing the inside (I made it! for me! and I don’t care!), but it holds a ton! I decided to put all of my weird pottery and figurines and candlesticks and stuff in there, along with extra tea lights and candles for the room. It’s so nice to have all this kind of stuff in one place! I find that I love too many things and can’t display them all at once without my house looking like a thrift store that somebody lives in, but if I rotate stuff in and out of display it keeps things looking more sane and ALSO makes me appreciate stuff more when I don’t see it all the time. Kind of like shopping in my own house when I get the itch to move stuff around, which is an extremely frequent event because I love to futz.

LEST you had not hit your limit with me over RugGate 2017 (scroll up a few photos; it literally just happened), a few weeks ago I was tromping through some funny antique mall kind of place in New Jersey and spotted this little fella for a dollar. So tiny! Those delicate little brass feet! Immediately I was charmed. I picked him up and then couldn’t put him back down, so I shelled out my George Washington to take him home.

Fast forward a couple of weeks into our new blissful life together, during which I had unofficially named him Herman, and I posted an Instagram of him, and was immediately informed from multiple sources that little Herman is…kind of valuable. Oddly enough, Herman was designed by Jacob Hermann (how weird is that!) in Denmark in the 1950s, and is highly collectable, and seems to sell for a few hundred dollars up to several thousand for a grouping.

Lesson: never pass up a good tchotchke. Just build a cabinet to store all the tchotchkes.

Finally, the light! THE PINK LIGHT! PINKKKKK LIGHTTTTTT!

Here’s what had happened. I went to Germany in the fall. Essentially I landed from my red-eye flight, dropped my bag at the hotel in Berlin, and immediately went to a flea market. I was so tired and so not thinking clearly and before I knew it, I had blown my entire souvenir budget on three vintage rugs and this 1950s chandelier. This is what it means to travel with me, and I am considering the first clause of this sentence as fair warning to anybody who might someday travel with me.

I carried the light through Germany and into Austria, where I disassembled it and shipped it home via DHL, which was FREAKISHLY fast. It arrived before I even got home! Between the purchase and the shipping I ended up spending about $250 on this thing, which is typically more than I’d spend on…most things, but I REALLY WANTED IT for no reason in particular. A month ago I worked up the nerve to unpack the box—knowing that one broken shade would pretty much render the entire thing worthless—but luckily it had arrived intact so then it was just a matter of rewiring the whole thing, remembering how everything fit together, and hanging it up.

I love you, pink light. Never leave me.

Annnnnnnnnd, here is my attempt to keep up with the bloggers and make this post “shoppable”: A THING IN THIS ROOM THAT I THINK YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY! I love this little candleholder from the Modern by Dwell Magazine collection for Target. Mine was on a clearance rack at a store in Virginia that I visited to buy clean underwear after the Baltimore kitchen renovation, but it’s still for sale online. So cute!

Is that it? I think that might be it. Opium den—check!

The Den: The Big Reveal! syndicated from your-t1-blog-url