#and then start writing until I get lunch at a cute little bistro and go to a cafe/bookshop after to keep writing

[an-absolute-trainwreck]

Guys help I’m fantasizing about the future again 😔

[spiltscribbles]

Worth It

~Notes: Oof, I know I have so many prompts in my inbox and I appreciate them so much! But I wanted to write something after dinner in dedication and a gift to the lovely Remus-John-Lupin!!!!!!!<3<3<3 I love you RJ and I appreciate you and your friendship so fucking much, so this is just a strange little gift from me to you in thanks for how kind you’ve always been to me since I joined this crazy fandom, ILY and you’re my favorite slag!!!!

.-

Sirius silently reminds himself that he in fact likes Lily, he thinks she’s a total knock out and is happy that his brother is finally getting to date the girl of his dreams. He likes her damn it,! And one does not commit battery to folks that they like.

Assured that his pure irritation won’t bleed through his words, Sirius tries again in his most charming of inflections. “All I want is his number.”

“No,” she repeats, casually steadfast while poking at her salad— Not even bothering to flick her gaze up at an increasingly irate Sirius.

“Why are you being so fucking difficult!”

“Why are you still bitching about this,” she counters, finally giving him her undivided attention, even if it’s her glaring at him like she’d like to skewer Sirius on a stick.

“Hey guys, let’s chill.” James tries to mediate, laughing awkwardly between the pair of them, hand raised in concession and glasses going a bit skewed.

They promptly ignore him.

“I like him. What is so difficult to understand Evans? Aren’t you like supposed to be some brainiac or some shit?”

“It’s been like two months Black,” she says pointedly, grip on her fork tightening while her mouth curls unpleasantly. “That’s way past your ordinary infatuations, so why the hell do you still even care.”

Sirius bares his teeth, pinning her with a glower that once made an old school yard bully of Regulus’s actually piss his pants. So of course Lily doesn’t even flinch. “He’s cute.”

“You’re a dog.”

“You’re being a total ass.”

“And you’re a bastard.”

“But you love me though.”

“Just barely.”

“So you’ll give me Remus’s number?”

“Dream on.” she says with a lofty sniff and haughty flip of the hair, discarding her barely eaten lunch before swaggering over to where a group of her friends from the STEM club are sat, including Alice Flores and Dorcas Meadowes. 

“Guess you’re back to square one Pads.” James says, unhelpful as fuck, so Sirius only flips him off before snatching back his calculus homework from a pitiful looking Peter.

“Fuck this.”

.-

Sirius thinks of himself as a reasonable sort of guy.

He isn’t one for holding grudges or obsessing over perceived slights. He’s brilliant whether he’s playing linebacker on the field or taking a exam in class.

For fuck’s sake, Sirius  can be plumped down in any and all social situations without warning, and can have the room eating out the palm of his hand within the first five minutes.

In layman’s terms, he’s decent and driven and downright charismatic. Mix this all together, and well Sirius thinks he’s a pretty fantastic fucking package— if he does say so himself. He can have his pick of the lot, truly. Especially when walking down the halls flocked by his best friend turned second brother on one end and little Petey, who’s a great hype man, on the other. So its only poetic justice that the one person who’s been able to swallow up all his attention is the one person who doesn’t even give him a second glance most days.

And that’s fucking ridiculous.

This is ridiculous! He is fucking ridiculous! No, record scratch. Remus fucking Lupin is the most ridiculous part of this all!

Remus lupin with his delightfully disheveled hair the color of gold and his crooked grin that’s everything darling in the world, and his big doe eyes that sometimes flare with green specs when he’s especially passionate in class or when he’s chatting with Lily in the halls. Remus lupin who’s only just moved here to Murray Hill from a small town in southern Illinois and who toppled Sirius’s world upside-down while he was at it. 

The first time they met was completely on accident.

It was the week before classes began, and Sirius had only just come back from his family trip to their villa in Rome, and he was only meant to meet James at the coffee shop that Lily was working at now. They were suppose to head to the city and go out drinking to celebrate the start of their senior year.  Sirius was suppose to find a nice, college aged girl to fuck because he’s given up on the boring lot that infests Hogwarts these days. It was suppose to be easy and fun and he was suppose to stay stringless and unattached as ever.

But that didn’t happen.

Instead, Sirius walked into the Howling Moon  and was met by the sight of the most lovely, most gorgeous boy he’s ever met. Hand to God, it felt like one of those slow motion moments in a Romantic Comedy when the disgruntled, wayward lead first sets their eyes on that love interest— the one to out shine all others, the one  who turns everything inside out and makes it all glitter gold.

“Hey there,” Remus had grinned like the fucking sun, slipping the pen from his ear and hand poised over the cups lining the counter. “What can I get ya?”

“Oh, erm— Yeah. Just a caramel macchiato, iced.”Sirius’s ordinarily smooth baritone almost fucking cracked while ordering, and Remus’s beautiful eyes had glittered.

“Would’ve taken you for a dark roast sort of guy.” He said, and Sirius swears that it was playful and flirtatious and a little mischievous too. 

Sirius was in love.

“I’ve been known to partake in sweets, you know, if they catch my eye,” he replied, eyes lingering meaningfully up and down Remus’s slighter frame.

“What a come on,” Remus had laughed, head thrown back to show off his long neck and Sirius was so fucking gobsmacked at how it quite literally sounded like all the most splendid instruments woven together.

He had ducked his head, so unordinary bashful but so beyond pleased. “What can I say beautiful, you bring it out of me.”

“”Cute.” Remus had chuckled, cheeks going a fetching red and scribbling down the order. “Definitely one of the more interesting one liners I’ve gotten today.”

Sirius ignored the flare of jealousy over that, considering that he hasn’t gotten to even kiss him yet, and he should probably take this slow if he doesn’t want to screw it up. “Has anyone of those bastards mentioned how your eyes put the brownies on sale to shame?”

“No one as hot as you if I’m being honest,” Remus retorted, ringing him up and sinking his teeth into his plump bottom lip. And fuck, Sirius knew he was in trouble from then on.

They had talked for over half an hour about nothing at all in that tiny bistro while Remus was busy exchanging the coffee pots for a fresh batch and rearranging the baked goods, and it was amazing.

 Sirius has always been someone who couldn’t sit still, who had to be fluttering all over the place to feel like he was actually headed somewhere, like he was getting something finished. But for the first time in too long, just sitting there, still and silent and besotted while Remus chatted about his hometown and moving half way across the country and his eccentric mother— Well Sirius felt completely balanced, completely calm. He felt like just as long as Remus was their chatting with him and smiling in that beguiling way of his, that Sirius could actually breathe without pressure. Like he knew what it meant to have a center.

So of course, right when he decided that he was going to snatch him up— to ask him out on a date before anyone else from their shitty class filled with degenerates and dick heads could— Lily of all people  had swaggered in, and gave him a caustic sort of glower that plainly said, keep the fuck away.

Ordinarily Sirius would’ve completely ignored her warning, would’ve unashamedly and excitedly chased after the cutest fucking boy he’s ever laid his eyes on with an absurd sort of zeal. But he under estimated just how much sway Lily was able to cater with Remus in the few weeks they worked with one another before he had met him. So instead of starting off the year with a brand new, insanely pretty boyfriend wrapped around one arm, Sirius has just spent the past nine weeks pining like a fucking love sick loser. Like he was starring in some cheesy John Hughes movie from the damn 80s!

And this will not do, this is not all right, not okay at all.

Sirius needs to figure out a way to get close to Remus, and outside of Lily’s overbearing claws. Something that only Remus likes, that Sirius can partake in to prove himself worthy.

As he promenades down the hall towards his free period, Sirius creates a mental check list of the things he knows Remus enjoys.

Remus enjoys poetry, and Sirius knows that he’s part of the school’s award winning Forensics team. But they meet during the football practices so Sirius couldn’t even try to impress him in that arena until the spring. He also knows that Remus likes history, that he’s going to end up majoring in classics in University, but Sirius really doubts his ability to memorize the Iliad in the matter of a few hours— He’s good, but not that good.

“Jesus fuck is this hard,” he mutters nastily to himself, tugging at the ends of his dark hair before ramming straight into a display outside the southern wing of their preparatory school’s building.

He winces, not so much for the throbbing in his toes, but because of Marlene’s snappish attitude when he makes it so that the table shakes.

“Keep your head out your ass Black,” she scolds before going back to filing her nails. And Sirius is about to snipe right back at her— That is until he catches on the bright poster adorned with small rainbows and the words, GSA FOOD DRIVE spelt out in large lettering.

And oh!

“Eureka!”

“Pardon?” Marlene asks, nose wrinkled indelicately as she eyes him like he’s about to puke on her brand new Doc Martens again like last weekend. Holy shit, she should really get over it by now.

But Sirius is smart enough and tactful enough not to mention his thoughts on the matter, only smiles down at her with pure elation. “Marls, what if I said I had a brilliant idea to help our lovely GSA.”

“I’d accuse you to only doing it to try and get in Lupin’s pants since he’s our new VP.”

Sirius grapples for his chest, feigning indignant. “You pain me my old friend.”

Marlene snorts. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“That’s neither here nor there.”

“So are your chances with Lupin.”

“You’re a sick fuck McKinnon.”

“What do you want from me you gnat.”

“Let me help with the fundraiser.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“I’ll tell Lily to get Meadowes to notice you?”

Marlene glares at him now. “We’ve been fucking for like a month you prick.”

“Oh— Erm, then for some of that good old Bi unity?”

Marlene suddenly looks so very shrewd and Sirius hates how every fucking woman in his life could eat him whole for breakfast. “Absolutely not.”

“Fine, what the fuck do you want.”

“You cover Fabian’s costs for the goods  when we go to that rave for 2KBABY in January.”

“Eh, didn’t you guys use to fuck?”

“Yes. But I don’t see the connection?”

“He won’t even give you a discount on the good shit?”

“Oh he does,” she leers, blue eyes glinting wickedly in the hallway light. “But I’d rather see you pay full price for’m.”

Sirius glares down at her, and repeats himself.  “You. Are. A. Sick. Fuck.”

Marlene just lies back in her seat and returns to manicuring her nails. “Well if cheekbones isn’t worth the bother?”

“Fine,” Sirius all but growls out. “But we do this my way.”

“Scout’s honor handsome,” she absolutely beams, and Sirius reminds himself that this is all for Remus and that’s worth it at the end of the day.

.-

It’s a week later, right before Thanksgiving break hits, and Sirius is sat in front of the cafeteria, smirking at the line of mostly pink faced girls and a few others amongst their midst, who have all queued up in front of him. A dollar in each of their hands, though he does see that a few have fives and even tens or more, and he doesn’t know how to subtly tell them that all he’s promising is a quick peck of his lips, and absolutely no other groping— including of his legendary ass or admittedly perfect abs.

“You’re just really enjoying yourself, aren’t you.” James hisses besides him after the latest girl— a blonde sophomore who’s decked out in Lulu Lemon for their only non uniform day of the week— scurries off. “Just a ego trip.”

“Jealous Jamie darling?” Sirius boasts, tipping back on his chair while Marlene collects the cash from the next five in line so that they can clammer closer towards him.

“I can’t believe all of them want to kiss you,” Peter marvels, round eyes completely in aw. 

“I can’t believe you think this is how to get Remus’s attention,” Lily interjects huffily, lips set in a moody pout while perched on James’s lap to Sirius’s left.

“I bet you would’ve been in line if you weren’t dating Jamie here.” Sirius counters, smug as all get out, and laughing when all Lily deigns as a adequate response is her middle finger.

Sirius is on cloud nine. He can’t believe he didn’t think of this sooner! Remus loves all this shit, from the club to the charity. This is perfect! This basically guarantees that he’ll finally get a good smooch on him. And once their lips finally  touch, Remus will surely feel the swarm of butterflies in his gut just like in those Harleyquin romance novels his cousin Narcissa would always read with a dreamy look on her face during their various Family vacations.

“You’re not gonna get him this way.”

“He’s not gonna know what hit’m Evans,” Sirius retorts, completely self assured.

.-

One should never bet against Lily Marie Evans.

Sirius knows this now. But he still hates it with the passion of a thousand burning suns.

By the end of the lunch hour, Sirius’s earned over sixty bucks to the GSA’s fundraiser fund, and absolutely zero potential boyfriends who look like golden angels and make Sirius’s knees weak.

“I told you,” Lily says in that sing-song sort of voice that is so not appreciated right now. “Remus is not the type to kiss you in front of a huge crowd and after like a bunch of others. That’s not his style.”

Sirius is moody as all get out, and he’s irritated that he’s just wasted five dozen perfectly fine kisses on folks who aren’t Remus, so he doesn’t bother to hide his irritation when he gripes back at her, “Then tell me what the fuck is his style.”

Miraculously, that actually proved enough to get Lily to slow down her stroll, and cock her head curiously at him. “You actually care.”

“What the fuck have I been trying to tell you Evans!” He nearly shouts.

“I just thought— You know. That it was a game.”

Sirius’s face goes stoney, and he juts his chin away from her. “It’s not always a fucking game, all right. It’s not a game with him— I like him. I like Remus.”

“Oh,” Lily says very quietly, her face pulled in a thousand different directions before settling on something akin to solemn. “You should go to the music room for your free period today.”

Sirius quirks a brow at her, frowning while he asks, “Why?”

“Just trust me S,” she says, reaching over her hand to squeeze his forearm.

Sirius watches her walk off, hand in hand with James, and he feels a strange twisting to his heart when he imagines a very similar image— only with him and Remus and punctuated by plenty of kisses to the cheek, and jawline and lips too.

.-

The music room is towards the back of the school, in a separate building along with the theatre and main auditorium.

The early autumnal chill lashes against Sirius’s face while he makes the track to the room, continuously chanting to himself that he actually trusts Lily and this is gonna be worth it if there’s a merciful God up there.

Once Sirius clammers in doors, he rubs his cold hands together, and shakes out his hair. 

The first thing he hears is the soft strumming of a guitar, and finds himself in front of the music room after following its melodic toon. 

Through the window he can spot the form of Remus bent over the instrument, his thick curls getting in his eyes and his steady hands plucking a few chords as he sits cross legged atop the piano.

Sirius feels his heart lodging in his throat at the sight of him, so beautiful and perfect and warm looking in that scarlet sweater. And he knows in his bones that this is some sort of unspoken blessing that Lily’s given him, so with a deep breath, Sirius opens the door and strolls in.

Remus starts slightly, going flushed once his eyes catch on Sirius’s own.

“Oh Sirius,” he greets, the corners of his mouth tipping into a smile that doesn’t ring true. “You pulled away from the haram?”

“That’s a bit much? Calling them a haram,” Sirius says cooly, hitching up besides him and swinging his long legs. “I just did it to help you.”

“Oh— Yeah,” Remus nods. “The GSA appreciates all the help we can get.”  His words are quiet, and he’s rinsing a hand through his curls, so Sirius can tell that he’s a bit nervous. And it’s impossibly cute, but also not on. He doubts that he’ll ever get his kiss if Remus won’t even look at him in the eyes.

Gingerly, Sirius sets the pad of his pointer finger beneath Remus’s chin, lifting his gaze upwards. “Not the GSA— Though I appreciate the club’s work and your part in that.”

“Oh,” Remus says again, lips pursed and his throat pulsing when he swallows down. “Then—“

“I did it for you Remus,” Sirius repeats heatedly. “I did it because I’ve been mad for you since ever meeting you in August, and I can’t get your fucking face or name or lips or ass out of my head. And I thought that if maybe I pulled a dumb stunt like that, you would actually kiss me along with the lot of those idiots who can’t even hold a candle to you.”

“M—My ass?” Remus questions, voice going pitchy and face bright with emotion. 

Sirius laughs, booming and bombastic. “You have the best ass I’ve ever seen Remus Lupin and it’s really obscene.”

Remus shoulder checks him, looking down and then back up through his lashes at Sirius and it’s a sight Sirius wish he can keep with him for the rest of his days.

“So you thought I’d want our first kiss to happen after you’ve just made out with half the school?” 

Sirius grimaces, bending down so that their lips are only inches apart. “Listen, I can be a complete dumb ass on occasion.”

“Don’t forget arrogant.”

“Okay, fair.”

“And brash too.”

“Right.”

“Also you tend—“

Sirius places a soft hand over Remus’s supple lips, glaring teasingly at the other boy, who’s grinning like the cat who’s caught the canary, his eyes teeming with laughter. 

Remus Lupin is going to be the death of  him, Sirius knows it.

“Listen Lupin, I’d like a shred of self respect here, so I can actually muster up the courage to ask you out on a proper date already.”

Remus perks at that, so Sirius moves his grasp.

 “You wanna ask me out?”

“Depends…. You wanna continue that little rant until I’m blue balled and  gutless.”

“Hmm,” Remus inches closer, setting his hand over Sirius’s on the piano. “Nah, I think I’d rather do this.”

He leans forwards and Sirius barely has enough time to gather his bearings when he feels Remus’s mouth over his own and it’s literally every starlit promise and sugar burnt secret and sunlit afternoon all rolled into one. And Sirius feels his heart thud an uneven staccato when he grabs for either end of Remus’s waistline and plunges his tongue into his own and he lets himself get lost in the overwhelming feeling of it all.

[alwaysachorusgirl]

Playing Matchmaker

Pairing: Rafael Barba x Female Reader

Word Count: 2,028

Square: Blind Date

TW: none

Tagging: @thatesqcrush

A/N: Well, it took a massive re-write, but it’s done. This isn’t the story I originally started writing, but I’m okay with that. I like this version better. I like that it became more of an ensemble piece. And then there’s Janice. She’s named after Janice from the Muppets, and her personality is a combination of a few people that I know. She’s that friend who really cares and means well, but doesn’t always understand boundaries. And once I started writing her, it was hard to stop.

           “Janice, can you please just knock it off already?”

           You swallowed two ibuprofen tablets with a swig of your white chocolate mocha and rubbed your temples. As an SVU detective it was rare for you to have a Saturday off. You had agreed to meet your friend and neighbor Janice for coffee and breakfast. Everything had been fine until she had started sticking her nose into your love life, or lack thereof, and now you had a headache.

           “But Y/N, Valentine’s Day is a few days away, and once again, you don’t have any plans. Come on, just let me set you up with someone. One more blind date isn’t going to kill you.”

           “No, but I might kill you, “you shot back, glaring at your friend. “Look, I’m sorry, I know you mean well, it never works.”

           “It might, if you ever gave one of them a chance,” She countered. “You’re the one who always bails after one drink.”

           “I’m a detective, Janice, and a good judge of character. I can tell pretty quickly if a guy isn’t going to meet my standards. And besides, I hate Valentine’s Day. It’s not a real holiday, and it’s not worth me wasting my time and energy.”

           “Damn, Y/N,” remarked Janice, “You’re too young to be that jaded and cynical.”

           “I’m merely stating a fact, “you said with an exasperated sigh.  “It’s not my fault if you can’t handle it.”

           “What about your partner, that Italian guy? He’s cute.”

           “Sonny?” You nearly spat out your drink. “He’s like my big brother. I think I’m technically an adopted Carisi sister, at this point.”

           “Okay, so that’s a “no”. You mind if I ask him out?”

           “Janice, no; he’s a good Catholic boy and I will not have you corrupting him.”

           “Okay, okay, chill,” said Janice, sitting back and putting her hands up in defeat. “Oh! Wait! I know! What about that ADA you always hang out with? What’s his name…Raymond?”

           “His name is Rafael, and he’s also a “no”. I don’t think he feels the same way about me, as I do him.”

           “Aha! So, you do have your eye on someone!”

           “Janice, please, just drop it already. I have a headache and I don’t want to talk about this right now. Can we please order food? I’m starving.”

 ******************

After breakfast, you bundled up and headed out into the February air. You knew that Janice was just trying to help, but sometimes she just didn’t understand the concept of boundaries. Your love life had been non-existent since you had caught your last boyfriend cheating red-handed. That had been two years ago. Rafael Barba had offered you his shoulder to cry on, knowing all too well the kind of pain and humiliation that you had been feeling. He’d gone from work colleague to one of your best friends after that, and at some point, you had developed romantic feelings for the handsome, Cuban ADA. But for the sake of your friendship and working relationship, you intended to keep that to yourself. It wasn’t worth taking the risk of losing him or making things weird between the two of you.

Your feelings for Rafael were also why all the blind dates never went anywhere. Some of your dates had been nice, others total douchebags, but they weren’t Rafael, and therefore, there was no point in the stringing them along. As long as you were comparing them up against the standard that was Rafael Barba, they could never measure up. You were fine with that.

 **************************

           Janice walked into the SVU squad room on Monday and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t see you. She wasn’t there to see you anyway. Instead she looked around and tried to find someone who looked like they worked with you.

           “Excuse me, miss? You look a little lost. I’m Detective Amanda Rollins, Can I help you with something?”

           Janice turned and smile at the blond woman with the Southern accent. She recognized the name right away.

           “I think you can. I’m Janice Wilson. I’m a friend of Detective Y/F/N Y/L/N?”

           “Oh, Y/N’s not here right now. I think she’ll back in about a half an hour?” Amanda paused. “What a minute…did you say Janice? Janice the Matchmaker?!”

           “She’s mentioned me?” Janice’s eyes went wide.

           “Oh honey,” said Amanda, “we know all about you. You’re kind of famous around here. Hey! Carisi! Finn! Get off your butts and get over here!”

           “What?” Sonny called back from his desk, his mouth full of food. “It’s lunchtime, Rollins, I’m eating over here!”

           “Yeah, Rollins, what’s the fuss?” Asked Finn, rising from his chair.

           Amanda walked Janice a little further into the squad room.

           “Guys, this is Janice, the Janice! You know, Y/N’s friend?”

           “Wait, seriously? Janice the Matchmaker? Nice to finally put a face to the name,” said Finn, coming over and shaking Janice’s hand.

           “Hey, we’ve met before. It was that one time at Y/N’s apartment, “said Sonny, finally putting down his sandwich and standing up. “You live down the hall. So, what brings you to SVU?”

           Janice quickly filled them in the conversation from the coffee shop.

           “So, the thing is, I’ve been getting it all wrong. If I had had known sooner about the ADA, I would have tried setting her up with him. I feel bad and I need to make this right with her. The problem is, I think she’s a little pissed at me, and she’s not going to listen to me. That’s where you guys come in. I have an idea, but I need your help.”

           “Count me in, “said Amanda. “If anyone needs to get together, it’s Y/N and Barba.”

           “I don’t know, Rollins, “said Sonny. “Isn’t this kind of going behind her back?”

           “Carisi, have you seen the way they look at each other? Have you ever noticed how he’s less cranky when she’s around?”

           “Yes, Rollins, I know, we all know! But she’s still my partner, and I gotta look out for her.” He looked at Janice. “If I agree to this, what exactly would I have to do?”

           Janice motioned for everyone to come closer.

           “Bring it in, folks, here’s the plan.”

*********************

           When you came back from picking up warrants and getting lunch, everything appeared to be normal. Amanda and Finn were working at their desks. Sonny was nowhere to be seen, but that wasn’t exactly unusual. Any one of you could be called out on a case at any time. You took off your coat and sat down at your desk. You were just starting to dig into your lunch when Amanda got up and came over.

           “Hey, you, just the person I wanted to see.” She flashed her best smile, and you immediately suspicious.

           “Hi Amanda, what’s up?”

           “Oh, I was just wondering if you had any plans for Valentine’s Day…”

           “Amanda, you know that I don’t. What’s really going on?”

           “Okay, so I know this guy. He also doesn’t have any plans for Valentine’s Day, and I think he might be a good fit for you.”

           “Oh, dear God, are you seriously trying to set me up on a blind date?”

           “Yes, I am. Look, I vouch for this guy. I wouldn’t try to set you up with someone that

I couldn’t vouch for, and he’s a nice guy. I think you’ll like him.”

           “Fine,” you sighed, hanging your head in defeat. “But if this guy sets off even one red flag, I’m bailing.”

           “That is totally fair,” agreed Amanda. “You would be disappointed, I promise.”

********************

Sonny walked into Rafael Barba’s office at 1 Hogan Place and hoped that he wouldn’t screw this up. He still couldn’t believe that he’s agreed to this, but Janice and Amanda had been so sure that this would work. He heard his phone ping in his coat pocket. He checked it and saw it was a text from Amanda. She had succeeded in getting you to agree to the blind date. Now he had to do his part. Rafael’s assistant, Carmen, was sitting at her desk.

“Hey, Carmen, he in?”

“Yes, but he’s prepping for court, so he’s in a mood. Don’t take up too much of his time, okay?”

“No problem, hopefully this won’t take long.” Sonny knocked the door and waited until he heard “Enter!”, before going in.

Rafael looked up and wasn’t thrilled to see the detective striding into his office.

“What do you want Carisi? I’m busy, and Y/N already came by earlier to pick up those warrants for Liv.”

“I’m actually here to ask you a question. What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?”

“The same thing I do every year, working,” replied Rafael, rolling his eyes. “Why do you ask?”

“I ask because I have this friend, and she is into you. I really think you’d like her, and she doesn’t have any plans for Valentine’s Day. So, I’m just trying to be a good friend and help her out…”

“You’re trying to set me up on a blind date with your friend? Are you kidding me right now?”

“No, no I most certainly am not. Come on, Barba, it’s one date. Trust me, you’re going to like her. She’s worth it.”

“Does this friend have a name?” asked Rafael, suddenly realizing that the detective wasn’t backing down without a fight.

“I can’t tell you that because it will ruin the surprise, but come on, what have you got to lose?”

**********************

And so, on Valentine’s Day, Rafael Barba found himself walking into a little French Bistro a few blocks away from Hogan Place. He still didn’t know his date’s name. All he had been told by Sonny was what she’d be wearing, that she was beautiful, and that he’d know her when he saw her. It was all a bit too vague for his tastes, but Sonny had insisted. So, the ADA had chosen the restaurant and made a reservation. He looked around, hoping to see someone that fit the description he’d been given. Instead, he saw you, sitting at the bar and nursing a glass of red wine. He made his way over to the bar, secretly wishing that he was meeting you instead of his date.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?”

“Rafael!” You said, looking up in surprise. You got up and hugged your friend. He was warm and it felt so good to be wrapped up in his arms. He smelled of coffee and his cologne and it was nothing short of intoxicating. You probably held onto to him for a bit too long, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Believe it or not, Amanda set me up on a blind date,” you told him, finally pulling away and sitting back down.

“Really? This is going to sound weird, but Carisi set me up on a blind date.”

“He did what? He didn’t tell me about that. Is it just me, or does it feel like something’s up?”

“Yes,” Rafael nodded, “Something is definitely up. Y/N, what color would you say your dress is?”

You looked down at your dress, and then back up at Rafael, thoroughly confused.

“I like to think of it as a cranberry wine,” you replied. “Why do you ask?”

“Carisi said my date would be wearing a cranberry wine-colored wrap dress, is beautiful, and that I’d know her when I saw her.”

Your eyes went wide as your thought back to what Amanda had told you about your date.

“Amanda told me that my date has green eyes, dark hair, is well-dressed, and that I’d know him when I saw him…” You trailed off, gazing into Rafael’s eyes, realization dawning on you. “It’s you. I’m so glad it’s you.”

“I’m glad it’s you, too,” said Rafael, taking your hand in his. “So, want to you say to having dinner with me?”

“I say ‘Yes’, nothing would make me happier. Just let me text Amanda real quick.”

Y/N: I’m going to kill you!

A. Rollins: Lol, that’s fine. Just make sure you say ‘thank you’ to Janice. She’s the brains of the operation. We couldn’t have done it without her.

[ends-of-the-wayward-storm]

KH OC Week 2020–Day 6: Life’s Perks

Nothing Beats Homemade

[This time I had a plan! Partially. I got the gist of it before filling in the finer details. Anyway this was actually kinda cute to write, but it’s a bit long, I think. Got to practice more with writing some characters which is always nice. :) Hope you enjoy!] @khoc-week

————

“Here you go.”

Seifer frowned as he took the letter from Erica. “At least this was on time.”

“Mail comin’ in late’s the worst, y’know?” Rai commented.

“That it?”

“Looks like it,” Erica replied, giving her messenger bag one last search. “Hope you have a good day!”

“We’ll see about that.”

Erica briefly frowned before setting her skateboard down and heading off. That was the last piece of mail for today, which meant the weekend was officially hers. She wondered what they’d be able to do this time. Last week, Ax—Lea decided to try his hand at skateboarding. He thought he’d be a pro at it since he considered himself pretty good with balance.

That is until he crashed into someone with a large bag of groceries. Needless to say getting the eggs and ice cream out of his hair took way too long for his liking.

Approaching the post office, Erica slowed down to pick up her skateboard. When she pushed open the door, a little bell rang from above it, alerting a woman with brown hair picked up in a bun.

“Any issues today?” she asked.

“Nope! Everyone got their mail,” Erica replied.

“That’s good to hear.”

Erica hung her bag up just as her Gummiphone buzzed. Fishing it out of her pocket, she felt it buzz a few more times as messages from her friends kept popping up.

“Plans for the weekend?”

“Looks like it.”

“Then I hope you have a good weekend.”

“You too!” Erica gave the woman a wave before exiting the post office and leaning against a pole.

—Pence: Hey Erica! We’re headed to the Bistro for lunch tomorrow. Wanna come with us?

Ooh that sounded fun!

~~Sure!

—Olette: This would be your first time at the Bistro, right?

—Roxas: I think so.

—Olette: It’s amazing! You won’t want to eat anywhere else.

—Lea: Sounds like it’s the best in town.

—Hayner: Sure is.

Erica laughed to herself before tucking her Gummiphone away. Setting her skateboard down again, she set a course for the train station to head home.

————

The next day, Erica was quickly making her way over to the Bistro. She hoped she wasn’t too late. The train was having some minor technical difficulties, but luckily they were able to fix them.

Up ahead, a boy with a sort of wizard’s hat was walking down the street.

“Hi Vivi!” Erica said.

“Hello,” he replied just before she passed him.

After a few more moments the Bistro was in sight, and the rest of her friends were by the steps leading down to it. But what was strange is that they all looked disappointed.

“I’m here!” Erica announced.

“Oh. Hey,” Hayner said dejectedly.

She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“We just found out the Bistro’s closed for renovations,” Pence replied.

“Oh. . . .”

“Seems we’ll have to find another place for lunch,” Isa said.

“I guess. . . .” Hayner pouted.

“I’m sure we’ll be able to think of something,” Naminé said.

Roxas glanced to the ground in thought for a few seconds. “Maybe we could make something.”

“What would we make?” Xion asked.

“Good question,” Lea commented. “Any ideas?”

Pence hummed. “My dad makes a really mean quiche. Maybe we could try that?”

“Quiche?” Xion repeated.

“It’s kinda like a pie but without the sugar and sweet stuff.”

“Can’t be that hard, can it?” Lea said.

“You said that about the skateboard,” Roxas teased, leaving the redhead spluttering for a comeback.

“A-anyway, whaddowe need to get?”

“I think I have what we need over at my place,” Pence said.

“That makes things easier.”

So the group followed Pence over to his house in hopes of saving their lunch plans.

“I was so looking forward to that crab biscuit thing,” Hayner complained.

“Crab bisque,” Isa corrected.

“Yeah whatever. Point is I’m not getting it.”

“Hayner,” Olette warned.

“I think it might be fun trying to make something,” Erica said, getting a nod from Naminé.

“Besides, you’ve had Pence’s dad’s quiche before.”

“I know,” Hayner moaned.

The group finally approached Pence’s humble abode, and he dug around in his pockets before pulling out a key. “My parents aren’t home but they know I have friends over sometimes.”

Inside was your average but quite cozy home, and there was a very nice vase of flowers on the kitchen counter.

“Nice place,” Lea said.

“Thanks!” Pence said. “Make yourselves at home. Oh, make sure to leave your shoes by the door.” After doing that himself, he began to search his kitchen for the needed ingredients. “Let’s see. . . . Eggs, check, pie crusts, check. . . .” He muttered a few more ingredients before stopping. “Aw man!”

“What’s wrong?” Naminé asked.

“There’s no ham!”

“Can we use something else instead?” Erica asked.

“I’m pretty sure we could, but my dad’s recipe’s the only quiche recipe I know.”

“Maybe we could make something else?” Xion suggested.

“What about pizza?” Olette said.

“Give me oooone second.” Pence scouted the fridge and cabinets. “Yep! We’re good to go!”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Hayner said.

As Pence grabbed the ingredients, the others went to wash up. “Anyone like pepperoni?”

“I do!”

“Sure,” Lea replied.

Once everyone gathered in the kitchen, preparations began. Two pizza crusts were placed onto baking sheets and pans, and the oven was set to preheat.

“I figured we’d cheat a little bit with the crusts since someone’s hungry,” Pence said, earning a look from Hayner.

“There’s always next time,” Isa said. “Assuming Hayner won’t object to it.”

“Hey!” Hayner snapped.

“Okay. Roxas you’re in charge of putting the oil on the cheese pizza, and Xion can do the other pizza,” Pence said. “Make sure not to put too much.”

“Got it,” Roxas said, and the group fell into a comfortable silence for a bit. “I wonder what they’re doing renovations for.”

“Could be technical stuff,” Lea said.

“Or they could be fixing other things,” Erica added.

“Maybe. . . .” Roxas inspected his pizza after a couple moments. “Is this enough?”

“Yup,” Pence said.

“What about mine?” Xion asked.

“Perfect. Now we’re going to do the same thing with the pizza sauce.”

Naminé watched Roxas and Xion thoughtfully. “It kind of looks like you’re painting something.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Erica said.

It didn’t take too long for the sauce and the toppings to be put on. And once the pizzas were seasoned, they were placed into the oven.

“And now we wait,” Pence said as he set the dial timer.

“So, what do we do until then?” Erica asked.

“We could play a game,” Olette said.

“What about cards?” At that, the former Organization members exchanged brief looks.

“I think I have some in my room,” Pence said before heading down a hall. A few moments later, he came back with a deck of cards. “Go Fish seems like a good one to start with.”

“Someone we knew was an expert at card games,” Isa said.

“Yeah. So much of an expert it wasn’t even fair,” Lea remarked.

“I won a few games,” Roxas said.

“Me too,” Xion added.

“I guess you just had terrible luck,” Isa said.

Lea sighed. “I just don’t get a break around here, do I?”

The group laughed at his expense, which ultimately tugged a smile out of Lea.

Erica studied the hand she was dealt. “So uh, who goes first?”

“I think Isa’s supposed to go first,” Hayner said.

“All right.” Isa eyed his cards. “Any 2’s?”

“Aw man!” Hayner forked over two of them, and the blue-haired man couldn’t help smirking.

The group managed to make a full circle at least once, and already Naminé seemed to be taking first place with Isa not too far behind. Once they got to Erica a second time, the timer buzzed, startling Xion.

“I’ll get the plates!” Olette said, leading the others to set their cards down as the pizzas were carefully taken out.

“That smells really good,” Erica said.

“Right?” Pence agreed.

“Hey do you still have that lemonade from yesterday?” Hayner asked.

“Think so.” Pence served everyone their slices as the lemonade was poured out. “And lunch is served!”

“Thank you,” Naminé said.

“No problem.”

Isa took a bite before a small smirk made its way through. “Huh. Not bad.”

“Nothing beats homemade!”

“Oh, wait wait! Let’s get a picture!” Olette said. Everyone went behind the counter as they tried to squeeze into frame.

Roxas briefly bumped into Naminé. “S-sorry.”

“It’s all right, Roxas,” the blonde said.

“Little to the left, Hayner,” Olette said as Erica blew a stray curl out of her face. “Um Lea could you bend down a bit? You too, Isa.”

“How ‘bout I take the picture?” Lea suggested.

“That might be a better idea.” Olette handed her device to him.

“I think you still need to bend down,” Pence said.

“Maybe put it higher?” Naminé said.

Lea raised the device, and everyone managed to fit into the soon-to-be picture. “Uh which button are you supposed to press again?”

“I think the red one?” Erica guessed.

Xion squinted at tiny numbers counting up on the screen. “What are those numbers there?”

“I didn’t do it,” Lea said instantly.

“It’s been recording this whole time?!” Pence exclaimed.

“Oops,” Olette said. “Um push the red button.”

Lea did as told, and the numbers stopped counting. “All right now what?”

“Press the button next to the red one. Now everyone say cheese!”

“Cheese!” mostly everyone said before the picture was taken.

“Nice photo!”

As everyone continued with their meal, Roxas kept occasionally glancing to the pepperoni pizza.

“Can I try that?” he finally asked.

“Oh sure!” Pence gave Roxas a slice, and Roxas took a bite. But after a few seconds, he let out a cough.

“That’s . . . really strong pepperoni.”

“Really? Never really noticed,” Lea said.

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Isa said as Roxas debated on taking another bite or not.

“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to, y’know.”

“Yeah. Not everyone likes pepperoni,” Hayner said. Roxas frowned, and Lea snatched the slice right off of Roxas’s plate.

“We should do this again some time,” Naminé said.

“This was pretty fun,” Erica agreed.

“How ‘bout tomorrow?” Olette said.

“I don’t see why not,” Isa said.

“Then it’s settled! Tomorrow it is.”

As Erica watched her friends discuss tomorrow’s lunch (which Pence promised would be his dad’s quiche), she smiled to herself. She was sure they still would’ve had this much fun if they had gone to the Bistro, but somehow having it just be them felt more special. I guess nothing really does beat homemade.

————

[dougiewonderland]

KNK // A Lazy Day With

Request: Hi~ I was wondering if you could write what a lazy day with each member of KNK would be like? (100% have Be Lazy by Day6 going through my head rn lmao)

A/N: I’m sorry this took so long hun! I included Youjin because you didn’t specify if you wanted him or not so all six members are included.  Also I hope it’s ok that it’s in bullet format - if you’d like mini scenarios for each instead let me know!

Seoham:

Cinnamon roll just wants to wake up with you next to him

He’ll just watch you sleep peacefully for a bit

If you wake up he’ll cuddle you until you guys get hungry enough to get up

Otherwise he’ll get up and make you breakfast in bed

Either way baby boy is making you breakfast (though at this point it’s basically lunch, you guys stayed in bed for a while)

You insist on joining him in the cooking but he makes you sit back and relax

A new movie you guys have been wanting to see is finally out to stream so you guys watch that after you eat

Which leads to you guys watching a bunch of cheesy movies

(Imagine just cuddling on the couch listening to his little squeak laugh I’m not Seoham biased and I’m sOFT)

You guys end up making dinner together

You prank him by putting a little sauce on his nose, but eventually kiss it off

Instead of pranking you back he puts it on your lips to kiss it off (smooth amirite)

And guess what!

A new episode of your favourite drama comes out so you guys watch that while eating dinner

Eventually he falls asleep on your shoulder and you just sit there and admire his adorable sleeping figure

You guys just enjoy the cutest homebody day in your pjs

Dongwon:

(Idk that much about Dongwon yet?? He’s kind of an enigma to me, like he looks so hard and tough on the exterior but he’s a giant cinnamon roll??  I wish I knew more about him)

You wake up before him and just appreciate his gorgeous features for a bit

Eventually he wakes up and sees you watching him

“What’re you looking at?” he blushes as he covers his face with the blanket

“You’d think you’d be used to this after us waking up together countless times”

“Not you looking at me every morning no”

(And imagine that deep voice but even deeper because he still has sleep in his voice uGH)

Even though he’s hiding you see his cheeks in a big smile peeking out from the covers so you know he’s flattered by it

You just cuddle into him and lay your head on his chest, enjoying his warmth and the comfortable silence

Eventually he asks you what you want to do today and when you say you don’t have anything in mind he mentions a small carnival that just started not too far away

Thinking it’d be a cute place to go you nod and give him a kiss, making him blush again

“You know you’re cute, right?” you say, making the blush in his cheeks deeper

You guys take your time getting ready

After you guys get ready you head off towards the carnival, taking your time and walking through parks and along the river on the way

You guys eventually make your way to the carnival, mostly just enjoying people-watching

(You do convince him to go on some rides with you though, like the ferris wheel)

You guys grab food and walk around some more with it, watching kids play games and run around with their stuffed animals

He doesn’t say anything because he knows you guys aren’t near that point yet, but he hopes that one day that can be you guys and your kids

Inseong:

This happy virus

Gotta love him but

Lazy day doesn’t mean quiet day

(Don’t get me wrong I love this man, somehow this dork is my bias)

He’ll just quietly lie next to you playing with your hair as you sleep

Until he thinks of something funny then he’s just laying there trying to stifle his laugh

And you wake up to his stifled laugh shaking the bed and him snorting through his hand, just glaring at him

“Sorry~~” he mumbles into your shoulder as he envelopes you in a hug, still trying to contain his laughter, now from your face when you woke up

You’re just too cute, he can’t help it

“Ya, what’re you laughing at now?!” you say when you see him laughing again

“I know you’re annoyed but you’re just so cute~ I can’t help it.  Now love meeeee” he says as he plasters any part of you he can reach with kisses

You guys eventually get up and change out of your pajamas into...more pajamas

At least it’s a clean pair

Inseong suggests a movie marathon which honestly sounds great to you

Y’all binge movies and popcorn all day until you decide it’s time for real food, so you guys get dressed and head to a nearby cafe/bistro place that sells salads and sandwiches you guys love

He just stares at you lovingly during your little date, blushing and smiling every time you catch him

But it’s ok, you keep stealing your own glances

He may be a butt that wakes you up, but he’s your butt and you love him

Jihun:

I feel like even on a lazy day off Jihun wouldn’t want to stay home all day

It’s one of his rare days off with you, he wants to enjoy it and take you out

He wakes up a little before you, and watches you sleep peacefully for a little 

He likes chatting with you in bed before getting ready for the day

Once you wake up you cuddle into him while you chat a little

“Good morning jagi, how’d you sleep?”

After chatting a little, you guys get up and get ready to head out to breakfast together at a local place you both love

As you guys get ready next to each other he gives you little pecks and smiles at you in the mirror

He holds your hand as you guys walk to breakfast

He giggles and plays with your fingers as you guys wait for your food

Boy just loves the subtle affection of holding your hand

You guys just have a really fluffy soft breakfast time together

You guys just wander around and do some window shopping

He gets you a sweater he thinks you’d be really cute in that you liked

You guys pick up some ingredients to make dinner together on your way home

You enjoy feeding each other parts of the dinner as you make it to taste test (and because you guys are getting hungry as you prep the food)

When it gets dark you guys sit on your balcony together and watch the city lights

Jihun sings to you and runs his fingers through his hair as you cuddle in bed because he knows it calms you and puts you to sleep

Heejun:

Wakes you up with a tickle fight

“Ya, sleepyhead!  I miss you, now wake up and spend time with me!”

You try to resist to no avail, there’s no resisting the tickle master

You may lose at all the tickle fights, but you could have the upper hand in, let’s say

A pillow fight?

Pillow discreetly in hand, you take the first chance to take a swing at him

“Ya!  Ok, you win! So mean~” he says as he cuddles into you

“That’s what you get for not letting me sleep in”

“You had all night to sleep, now it’s time to spend the day with me~”

“And what is it you want to do on your day off?”

Instead of answering you he just clicks on the TV with a movie queued up to play

He clings to you like a koala bear as you guys watch the movie, occasionally grazing your sides to let you know you didn’t really win before

You guys pause the movie to order takeout

As it’s his day off you let him pick what to eat and he picks chicken

At least it got you guys out of bed, even if it is in the afternoon

Eventually you guys are just chilling in the living room with a show on in the background

You’re reading a book as he starts strumming on his guitar, humming along to something

You join in the humming and he flashes you his gummy smile because he rarely gets this side of you (you insist he’s the singer not you after all)

Youjin:

One of the things he’s most proud of in your relationship

Besides asking you out of course

Is that he got you into video games, especially ones he likes to play

Any day off you guys get, you guys play together

You might even be more into it than he is

Honestly it kinda scares him a little

When you get into stuff you get SERIOUS about it

But that’s something he loves about you at the same time

But everytime one of you wins a round, the other gives the winner a kiss

Eventually you guys get hungry and you’re both craving that new food truck down the street

So you guys head down and get some, as well as some snacks and drinks from the local convenience store

And that’s your big excursion for the day

You guys eat your food outside because it’s a beautiful day and you don’t want to lock yourselves up all day

After you eat you take your convenience store haul back home and settle back into playing games, this time opting for some cooperative gameplay

After several successful rounds, you guys decide to turn in for the night

Instead of going to bed you guys just lay there and talk about anything and everything for hours before finally drifting off to sleep

[the-canary]

Heartbeat, Heartbreak - B.B (5/8)

Summary: Three musketeers until you started to fall in love. But, have you been living since then? (Modern!Reader/Bucky Barnes).  

Prompt: “That’s disgusting. You’re lucky you’re cute.”

A/N: This for @notimetoblog‘s writing challenge. well good luck with this chapter. 

Feedback is always welcomed.

“They were spending all the time in the world together, they were at Bucky’s house all the time. I was so confused, but I just kept going back to them, they were my best friends. But, then out of left field James asked me out to homecoming and by then...I knew I had a crush on him, but I kept it myself and said yes! I was so excited, but he seemed preoccupied the whole time and I never saw Natasha...Until I saw them kissing underneath the bleachers and I ran for it.  I don’t think they ever went after me.”

There are different versions of the truth depending on how much the person knows and from what angle they are looking at it from. Some people just blind themselves of what they have known all their lives because it is better to live with that than that actual reality of the situation, others simply just don’t know the truth for a variety of reasons.

Rebecca Barnes knows all this too well, as it is an important part of her job. As a defense lawyer, she knows that she has to fight against a certain truth that it placed by the prosecution in order to prove her client’s innocence.

She had seen the truth played out in hundreds of different ways, and sometimes it didn’t have a happy ending. Staring at Nat from across the diner booth, she knew that the slightly older woman’s version of the truth had played out a certain way, but not without loss or grief that she had seen her brother (and by extension herself) pay in the long run of things.

“So, why do you need me to be there again?” Rebecca can’t help but question, as Nat gives her a weary smile.

“If I explain the truth of the matter, I don’t think she’ll believe me,” the redhead lets out with a sigh and deep down Rebecca can’t help but agrees just a little, “She’ll believe James even less, but you’re a neutral person in the matter who experienced everything first hand. She might take your word for it.”

Rebecca frowns just a little before returning to her cool pokerface and leaning further away from the redhead, as if she was trying to protect herself, though Nat would never fault her for it. Unlike her older brother, Rebecca Barnes didn’t wear her heart on her sleeve, though she was just as sweet and kind when need be -- it was a fault for all the Barnes children.

“It’s been years, Natasha,” Rebecca breathes out, “What are you getting out of letting this all out in the air? You want her in your life again, like Jamie dreams about all the time. You wanna hang it over her head? Make your move and hope you’re best friends again?”

There is a bitterness that edges itself in Rebecca’s tone before she reals it back in. The brown-haired woman lets out a huff of air before looking at green eyes without a hint of fear.

“Bucky and her can have whatever they want,” Nat starts off, but Rebecca already knows that deep down she is only giving her a half truth, “I just think we all need some peace from this...just say the truth and let it go.”

Rebecca stays quiet for a moment, thinking about those murky memories from all those years ago, before stating: “For Jamie and none else. That’s all you’ll get from me.”

“That’s all I’m asking.”

James isn’t really that surprise when he gets a text from Natasha that she is going to be busy at the time that they are usually supposed to meet for lunch.

James is a little surprised when he makes to the Stark Tower, asking if you are in, when the receptionist tells her that you had called in sick for the day. He frowns at the sight of the flora --all his gifts-- decorating her desk before thanking her and leaving to find some place to eat on his own.

James can’t help the little fear of dread that bubbles in his stomach for a moment and while he knows that Nat is as stubborn as him when it came to these issues -- he didn’t think she would go seek you out to talk. Hell, she didn’t know where you worked or anything.

So, as he walks to a nearby deli, James takes a breathe and hopes that everything is just some strange coincidence.

You spend all morning on the day you supposed to meet Natasha in bed, as Jane and Darcy flutter around you trying to get you eat something though you are sure you are going to throw it up sometime afterwards and prepare for the inevitable -- that meant Darcy going through your closet and trying to figure how good you were going to look. At least, so something went right about this whole mess.

She lines up different outfits for you as you stare at them once you get out of the shower and can’t help but laugh just a little at the certain ways both of them take of you. It wasn’t something that you did with Natasha when you were younger -- she had always moved to the beat of her own drum and you struggled to follow. It didn’t surprise you when the end came and she stopped talking to you, somehow you knew it was the inevitable like all those dozen of high school movies you had seen since then.

You just didn’t expect for it to hurt so much. You hadn’t expected for her to take James with her too.

However, you knew deep down that James wasn’t yours from the beginning either. He had only come up to you back in elementary because Natasha sat next to you compared to everyone the wanted the new kid’s attention. Even though you had orbited around each other for so many years, James Barnes was just a star for you to see flash by -- even though…

Hey, I-I was wondering if you wanted---

You squash the familiar memory, the one that you had played countless times over in desperation and questioning because for whatever Natasha told this was her side of the story and it wasn’t going to answer why James had even asked you out in the first place.

“Just got get this over with,” you whisper to yourself, as if getting ready to rip of a bandage from a still festering wound as you glance over at all the outfits that Darcy had step up for you and pick the softest pastels you see. It wasn’t much, but it comforted you just a little.

You proceed with your daily routine, though just a bit later in the day.    

Clint’s, from what Darcy had read on its Yelp page, was an off-the-wall bistro that served some great sandwiches and pies, which the younger woman had decided you should get her since she wasn’t going -- she had to cover for someone at work that afternoon. And from what you see as you enter the interior --wooden countertop and different road signs hanging from the walls-- it was place you could see yourself going to when you had the time.

“Welcome,” the blond man says to both you and Jane with a tired look on his face, as you briefly wonder how much sleep he got and how exactly he was awake at that moment since it looked like he could slip from his place on the counter at any moment. You just smile, not prepared to talk just yet, as you see red moving about in the back of the dinner.

“Over here!” you can hear Natasha yell, as you grasp on Jane’s hand in that moment, like when you two had decided to go to the frat haunted house for Halloween back in sophomore year. She gives you a weak smile, as you move forward towards the back.

Green eyes meet yours as you take a seat across from her. However, you didn’t expect to see the person sitting next to her.

“Becca?” you question in surprise as the blue-eyed woman gives to a smile and introduces herself to Jane, “What are you doing here? I thought--”

“You thought Jamie was going to be here,” she states now leaning a bit more towards your side of the table than Natasha’s. You nod, as she gives you a sour of smile, “Well, Natasha thought it was better for you to get the story from me.”

“Why would she think that?” you ask, not caring that she is right there as Becca laughs at something -- like she is reminiscing at your endless barrage of questions, something that certainly hasn’t changed in the years since she had last seen you before taking a more serious tone of voice -- the one that she might have used in the courtroom.

“Well, for starters to tell you that I was the one dating Nat at the time , not Jamie.”

You sit there in momentary shock, unsure of where to look before Rebecca moves forward with her account of the way things had happened all those years ago.

“Teenagers are really stupid, ya know. They want to be adults but falter at the first sign of attention. I started talking to Natasha at the start of 9th grade. She had always been this cool big sister type, like you but it slowly started to change. I wanted all her attention on me, so I wrote her letters during the summer -- Jamie helped me know where she was and it just tumbled from there. I don’t know when Mr. Romanoff figured it out, but he didn’t want Natasha anywhere around me...but, Jamie has a serious savior complex sometimes, always has to be the one helping his loved ones. So he told the man -- ‘I’m the one dating your daughter’ -- and that’s how he hid it for a very long time.”

Natasha looks at you, looking at Rebecca in confusion as you speak: “Even if that was the truth, why didn’t anybody tell me? Why was I thrown aside and made a laughingstock during homecoming?”

Rebecca motions for you to ask those questions to someone else, as you turn with tears streaming down your cheeks at the person that dared call herself your best friend once.

“I was afraid,” is all Natasha can manage to say as you give her this wild and confused look before getting up and smashing your hands on the table. You hurry towards the bathroom without another word though your confused and heartbreaking sobs echo in her head for a very long time. 

You run that afternoon through your head for the rest of the day, and even into the next day. However, there aren’t any great breakthroughs that come from it and while you can understand where Natasha might be coming from --you remember her father well enough-- there are still too many hurt feelings and festered confusion over what Rebecca had told to stop you from running to the redhead and declaring that everything is mended -- that you could be friends again.

You had left with no grand gestures of reconciliation, and it seemed like that was the end of it, at least for now.

“What do you think I should do?” you question timidly, as you glance at Sam from across the table. The man had decided to take you out to lunch once more, though you were sure it was to get the details out of you as well -- Thor must have told him and you knew that once this was over and done with Sam was bound to tell Pepper.

“I think you’re missing one side of the story,” Sam declares rather cheekily as you groan with a muttered whisper of please don’t make me.

“If you really want to know the whole truth,” he states likes he’s the lawyer from that one series he loves so dearly, “You gotta talk to Barnes and draw your own conclusions from that.”

“I--” you start off, only for Sam to cut you off again.

“Nobody is telling you to forgive them,” he states a bit softer now,”This is all for you. Let it go and learn to live again, hell maybe even go on a date for once.”

“Sam, please don’t try setting me up again,” you answer back, removing yourself from the serious talk into something more light-hearted known as your failing love life. However, you knew deep down that he was telling the truth -- it was the most logical step in settling this matter.

You had to talk to James and decide what things to finally let go of.   

Part 6 

[147pounds-of-sarcasm]

New Friends

Hey guys! Ok so for the sake of this story Dylan is single! I love Britt and there is no hate towards her at all, I just really wanted to write this! This does take place in Miami, Florida so for those of you who don’t know, Wynwood is an area in the art district. Artists paint murals on walls and there’s some good restaurants and shopping and even a club/bar to hang out in. It’s a really cool area! It takes place right after new year’s. This is my first time writing a fic so I hope you guys like it!

Words: 4300+

Warnings: idk…swearing I guess

Your life has never been anything unusual. You’ve always had a routine. You woke up and went about your day like usual, not knowing what today would hold for you. Christmas just passed and you had to go to the mall and return the things that didn’t quite fit you right. Luckily the mall wasn’t too crowded. Walking into the store, you made an effort to just return what you needed to and leave knowing that if you started to look around and shop that you would never leave. You were able to do this successfully at the first two stores, but at the third store, your favorite store, you just couldn’t help yourself. You had just returned a few things and had some money so a mini shopping spree was more than welcomed. You found a cute top and a matching skirt and you even found the cutest accessories to match. About an hour later you were finally finished with your returns and you had even managed some shopping so you decided to grab some lunch at the mall bistro. You walked in and headed to the register to place your order. Trying to stick to your new year’s resolution you decided on a simple salad and threw some chicken in for protein. A few minutes later your order was ready so you grabbed it and headed to a table. You decided on a table outside. It was a quite lunch but you didn’t mind it at all, it was nice. When you finished eating you threw out your trash and grabbed your bags to head home but what you saw next surprised you beyond belief. As you started heading towards the mall exit you saw someone. You recognized him but you couldn’t be sure it was him unless you got a little closer, so that’s exactly what you did. Once you were closer you couldn’t believe who was standing there. 

He lives in LA so what was he doing in Miami? And why was he at this mall? What was he doing? You didn’t know any of these answers all you knew was that this man who you were pretty sure you were in love with was standing a few feet from you. You were pretty confident in your ability to stay composed in front of him so you decided you would never get another chance like this and you went up to him to ask for a picture. Trying not to prematurely be a complete fangirl you reminded yourself that he was a person just like you and that he loves his fans, at least that’s what you’ve heard him say in the countless interviews you’ve watched…. but that’s just it… you’ve watched. This is a guy you’ve only seen on TV or on a YouTube video and anyone who knows you is pretty sure it’s turned into a slight obsession but you ignore them. How can you just walk up to him and say hi?! Much less ask him for a picture! You’ve always been jealous of all these fans who run into him at the store but you just can’t do it. You start to turn around and retreat but it’s too late, he’s seen you. He looks at you with that smile and you just melt. He says hi and you freeze. Dylan O’Brien just smiled at you and said hi and if that wasn’t enough he’s still trying to get your attention but you can’t seem to move. What seemed like forever of just being frozen was only one second. When he walked up to you and put his hand on your shoulder you immediately calmed down.

“Are you ok?” he said with a smile and some worry in his eyes.

You were immediately shaken out of your trance. “Huh…oh yea I’m good. I’m sorry.” You returned the smile.

He laughed. “Nothing to apologize for, I’ve actually seen much worse. I’m Dylan.”

“I know.” You said with a giggle. “I’m Y/N.”

He shook your hand and said “Well, it’s nice to meet you Y/N.”

Suddenly much calmer you laughed and asked him for a picture. He was more than happy to take one with you and even stayed talking to you for a little while. He was sweet and down to earth just like you’d hoped. It turns out that he was here on vacation with his family to take a little break before starting to film for the third maze runner and they were gonna be here for another few days. The two of you spoke about a few different things. You were scared to bring it up but you were honestly concerned so you asked him how he’d been after his accident. He told you he’d been doing much better and was spending some time with his friends and family. He actually thanked you for asking. You guys had gotten to know each other a little bit and it was probably the best hour of your life. As much as you’d like to stay and talk to him forever, you knew you couldn’t so you thanked him for the picture, wished him luck and a good vacation and headed off. You were definitely on a high after what just happened to you. You couldn’t believe that you just met your favorite actor and the fact that you were calm enough to have a conversation was even more mind-blowing. You couldn’t wipe the smile off your face and you knew that from that moment forward nothing could ruin your mood. You walked to your car to head home but couldn’t figure out where you parked. After circling the parking lot, you realized you were a little disoriented after meeting Dylan and you had actually parked at the other end of the mall. So, you started walking to the other end, normally this would annoy the crap out of you but not today, not now. You were reaching the end of the mall when you heard a scream. It wasn’t just any scream though…it was more of a screech and you knew the cause. You turned around and saw a group of a few girls running towards you and you knew why. When faced forward again you saw Dylan a little ahead of you and he noticed you too and smiled at you, except this time you saw a little bit of panic in his eyes. You know he loves his fans and is always happy to take pictures but you also know he can be shy and somewhat anxious. The next thing you know the small mob of girls rushed past you and Dylan was immediately met with cameras and questions. Part of you felt you should’ve gone over there but you knew it was a ridiculous thought because he’s used to this and deals with it on a regular basis. So, you just smiled, waved goodbye, and continued walking towards the exit. You’re a few feet from the door and you hear your name. You turned and Dylan was walking towards you.

“Not gonna lie, I feel a little betrayed.”

You looked up and he had a smirk on his face. The same smirk that kills you every time you see it in a video but damn it was so much hotter in person. You were confused though.

“Betrayed?” You asked.

“I thought you’d break up the mob”

“I thought you were used to that?”

“Fans asking for pictures? Yea of course. Crazy mobs? Not so much.”

Now you kinda felt bad but you were also confused. He saw the confusion in your face and started laughing. You realized he was joking and became a little embarrassed and felt your cheeks turn a light shade of pink. He kept talking and started telling you how you’re actually one of the calmest fans he had ever met and that he was really happy to have met you. Now that light shade of pink was bright red. With a burst of confidence, you told him you were really happy to have met him too and the next time he was Miami he should look you up. You were being a little flirty trying not to over play it and it must have worked cause his response was more positive than you would’ve thought. He smiled at you and told you he would.

“I definitely will. But it might be easier if I had your number.”

You gladly gave it to him.

“Maybe I’ll see you again before I head back home.” He said with that sexy smirk of his.

“Maybe you will.” You told him.

With that you said your goodbyes, he winked at you and you went your separate ways.

The next morning your alarm woke you up. You could have sworn that what happened to you yesterday was a dream until your phone buzzed. You thought it was your best friend reminding you about your lunch plans so you wouldn’t forget again, instead it was a random number.

9:45 am

Good morning beautiful :)

You were confused. But then you realized…Dylan had your number but you didn’t have his. Could it be him? Would he really be texting you? You guys only met yesterday and would he really have any interest in you?

9:55 am

Dyl: It’s Dylan btw

Oh, shit you haven’t responded yet.

9:58 am

Y/N: Good morning :)

You couldn’t believe he was actually texting you. Yesterday felt like a dream but it wasn’t. It was very very real. You met Dylan O’ Brien and he asked for your number and now he was texting you. Speaking of which he hasn’t responded and it’s already been a few minutes. What if he changed his mind? What if… Oh well. You weren’t about to sike yourself out of a conversation with Dylan O’ Brien so you put your phone down, get out of bed, and go get ready for your day. You still can’t believe what’s happened to you though. You stand in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear. Finally, you pull something out opting for a cute sundress instead of your usual leggings a t-shirt. Next was shoes. You decide on a pair of converse. You then walk over to your dresser to put some make up on. You decide to attempt a winged eyeliner today hoping for the best. A few minutes later you were pretty proud of yourself and the sharp wings you just drew. Taking a look at yourself in the mirror, you were pretty proud of how you looked today but your pretty sure it has a lot to do with the great mood you’re in. It’s now 11:15 in the morning and you decide to go downstairs and make yourself a cup of coffee before heading out. You grab your phone and see a missed text message.

10:15 am

Dyl: What are you up to today? 

Holy shit that was an hour ago! It’s ok, right? Just respond like normal…I mean he can’t expect you to have your phone on you all the time, right? Right?! Ok deep breath.

11:25 am

Y/N: Nothin much. I’m having lunch with a friend later. Hbu?

 You really hoped he’d still respond. The last thing you wanted to do was screw this up. You hear your phone buzz. Thank god.

 11:30

Hey bitch! Don’t forget about lunch! We’re meeting at Wynwood at 1:30…try not be late this time

 It wasn’t Dylan. This time it really was your best friend reminding you about lunch. You really shouldn’t be late again. If you leave at 12:45 you should be fine and have time to park and everything so you have about an hour to chill. *phone buzzes*

 11:38 am

Dyl: Sounds fun. My mom found this cool place in the art district that we might go check out.

 Could he be talking about Wynwood?

 11:40 am

Dyl: I think it’s called Wynwood

 Well…now what. You knew you wanted to see him again and he had mentioned seeing you again before he left so maybe this was your chance.

 11:43 am

Y/N: No way! That’s where I’m going for lunch! It’s a pretty cool area and the food is pretty good

 11:50 am

Dyl: Oh cool! So I guess I will be seeing you again before I leave ;)

 11:55 am

Y/N: I guess so ;)

 Suddenly you were very happy with your outfit choice for the day. You looked pretty good and considering how he saw you yesterday (leggings and a baggy t-shirt that did nothing for your body) that was a good thing. You decided you should call your best friend and let her in on the recent developments in your life considering that they may cause you to ditch the group at one point or another. Normally you’d never ditch them for a guy but this wasn’t just any guy and she knew it. In fact, after you told her the story she encouraged you to. She couldn’t believe you met him. You’re definitely a bigger fan of his than she is but she was completely jealous. You hung up with her and started heading towards Wynwood. Once you arrived you met up with them and chose a restaurant. You caught up the rest of the girls over lunch. Your conversation was filled with laughs and each one of them mentioned how “Holy shit! Dylan O’ Brien totally likes you!” …yea it was an interesting lunch. You finished eating and you guys just sat there talking shit and hanging out for a while until your phone buzzed.  All the girls immediately reached for the phone but you were faster. They all kept asking who was texting you. “Oh my gosh oh my gosh who is it? Is it him?” You looked down and read the text.

 2:50 pm

Dyl: So I’ve been walking around Wynwood for a few hours and haven’t run into you yet

 You immediately smiled after reading the text and the girls knew it was him. They started asking “I knew it! What’d he say?!” You were reluctant to answer them but you read the text out loud and they all started screaming with huge smiles on their faces.

2:53 pm

Y/N: Maybe you just haven’t been walking around the right areas lol

 2:55 pm

Dyl: Clearly…so help me out then.

2:57 pm

Y/N: Well we just finished eating. We’re heading to the walls in a few minutes. Maybe you can try your luck there ;)

 3:02 pm

Dyl: Headed that way now

 You realized you’d been texting for a full 10 minutes almost so you put the phone down and notice the girls all staring at you with questioning looks wondering what was so interesting that you didn’t look up for 10 minutes. You said nothing, although none of them believed you but they let it go. You paid and headed to the walls. You had always liked walking through the Wynwood Walls because there’s always a new mural and they’re always pretty to look at… they make good pictures too. You and the girls walked around admiring the art and then you hear someone behind you. He cleared his throat to get your attention and all of you turned around to see Dylan standing there staring at you with the sweetest smile you had ever seen.

“So I guess I finally found you.” He said with a giggle.

You laughed and said “I guess so.”

Although you didn’t notice, the two of you were apparently just staring at each other until one of the girls introduced herself. Oh right, you weren’t alone. You finished introducing everyone and then the girls made a not so subtle exit. “Oh I totally forgot! I need to get something else from the restaurant for my mom!” and then another one “Yea and I actually need to head home…uh my dog needs to go out” and it kept going until all five had left. Dylan laughed and although the whole thing was awkward, so did you.

“I thought you were here with your family?” you asked him.

“Yea but they started to wander around. They like art a lot and wanted to see the different murals and take some pictures. I didn’t realize how many there actually were.”

“Oh ok. Yea there’s murals on every wall for I don’t know how many blocks so if they’re taking pictures of them all they might be at it for a while.”

He laughed and you felt a little relief knowing that you could be yourself. He told you that you looked nice today and you patted yourself on the back for your choices this morning. The two of you talked and walked around. You were just getting to know each other a little bit more. As a fan, you knew a little bit about him but you soon realized that there was so much more to him. You asked him questions and he asked you some in return and the two of you were honestly just getting to know one another and how you were as people. Usually you’d be paying attention to the murals but you found yourself unable to focus on anything but this great guy walking next to you. How you ended up walking next to your celebrity crush was a mystery to you but you were beyond ecstatic. An hour passes by and neither of you even noticed. You were still strolling through the streets and although you don’t remember when, at some point he intertwined his fingers with yours. A little while later he got a call from his parents. He had to go. You were sad that your amazingly wonderful afternoon was being cut but you understood.

“That was my mom. I guess they’re done exploring.”

There was silence as the two of you exchanged glances understanding that neither of you wanted the afternoon to end.

“Oh ok. Well I…” you started but you were cut off.

“I’m sorry. I really don’t wanna leave yet but I promised them dinner on the beach.” He said with an apologetic look.

You gave a gentle smile. “It’s ok don’t worry about it. You’re here on vacation with your family, I understand.”

He returned the smile. “I really am sorry.” He said.

After another moment of silence, he looked at you with a soft and caring face. Almost as if he was trying to communicate through looks.

“I’ll call you later?” he asked.

“For sure!” you said.

He gave you a smile, gave your hand (that you didn’t even realize he was still holding) a gentle squeeze and then said bye. You watched him walk away and decided to head to your own car. You got home and just threw yourself on your bed. You’ve just had two amazing afternoons with Dylan and you wouldn’t change them for anything. Your phone starts to ring and you were pretty sure it wasn’t Dylan because he told you he was going to dinner with his family but you got excited anyways. You picked it up and it was your best friend. Oh shit…you forgot about them. You answer the phone and she started bombarding you with questions. How was it? Did he kiss you? Is he nice? What did he say? You tried your best to answer all her questions but you had to laugh at how excited she was. Honestly, she was happy for you and you knew it. The two of you were on the phone for hours but that’s nothing unusual. You started doing what any other person does when they’re on the phone and you started roaming your house. You changed into something more comfortable, a t-shirt and some shorts. You picked up your room a little bit. You actually get a lot done when the two of you talk and its actually kind of funny. When you finally finished talking you hung up, sat on your bed, and pulled your computer out. You were in the middle of binge watching a new show you found and there was only half a season left. You spent the rest of night finishing the show and went to bed.

The next morning you got up and made yourself some coffee. You decided to stay home today and chill. You didn’t have any errands to run and your house pretty clean. You spent the day watching Netflix and relaxing on your couch. The day went by and you didn’t even realize it was night time outside. The entire day passed and he didn’t call. He said he would. Anxiety started to get the better of you and you didn’t know what to do. He leaves tomorrow and he said he’d call. Should you call him? Should you text him? No. It’s a bad idea. It was already late so you tried going to sleep but your mind wouldn’t stop. Why would he even be interested in you? He can have anyone he wants, why would he chose you? Even if he did by some miracle, he’s an actor so he would always be traveling and you’d never see him. Nothing good was coming out of staying up. You always overthink everything and the longer you were awake the more scenarios and reasons you came up with and each one was worse than the last. Eventually you fell asleep. You were woken up by your phone vibrating.

 10:13 am

Dyl: Good morning! Sorry I never got a chance to call you. I’ve been running around downtown with my parents. I leave tonight but I really wanted to see you before I left. Do you think we could meet for an early lunch?

You read the text and you immediately felt a flood of relief. You took a deep breath and calmed down. Every thought you had last night was completely wrong and pointless.

10:17 am

Y/N: Don’t worry about it! Yea I’d love to meet up! I hope you guys have been enjoying Miami!

 The two of you kept texting and decided on a place and time to meet. You were meeting him at 12:30 and you still needed to shower and flat iron your hair…you needed to hurry. If this was the last time you were gonna see him then you were gonna look good. You were out the door by 12:15 looking very cute if you do say so yourself. You made it to the restaurant by 12:30 and saw him walking in. The two of you sat and just talked for a couple of hours. He told you about the maze runner, without spoiling anything of course. He started telling you about Italy from when filmed American Assassin. He even told you that there were a couple of projects he was waiting to hear back from that he was really excited for. He asked about you and your life and you assured him it wasn’t anything too interesting but he insisted on hearing about it. So, you told him a few stories and how you were starting your own business (because that’s probably the most interesting thing about you) and he was really happy to hear that and started asking questions about it. You don’t really like to boast or brag about yourself but he was honestly interested and made you feel really comfortable. He had to be at the airport by 3:45 so you knew your lunch was ending soon. When 3 o’clock rolled around he insisted on paying the bill and the two of you walked out. He walked you to your car and thanked you for making his vacation that much better. He didn’t want this to be the end but you knew that because of his crazy schedule and travelling that it would never work. He insisted the two of you at least give it a shot but you didn’t want to risk losing him completely so you kept telling him it wouldn’t work. He finally agreed with you but asked to stay in touch. You of course were open to that and the two of you agreed to stay friends and talk once in a while. He looked at you with a soft face and smiled. He glanced down at your lips and you at his but after what you just agreed on you both knew it wasn’t it a good idea. He pulled you in for a hug. You fit together perfectly and he smelled amazing. He kissed your forehead, gave you one last squeeze and started walking away. He turned around and winked at you knowing damn well what he was doing. You laughed and got in your car. Your drive home was bitter sweet. You just left lunch with Dylan O’Brien and who knew when or if you’d see him again but you’d just spent quite a bit of time with him over the last few days. You’d been home for a while already and you glanced over at the clock. 5:38 pm. He’s officially gone. It was fun while it lasted and it was definitely a week you will never forget. You were thankful for your new friend.

If you enjoyed this part, here’s part 2!

[carpetravel]

It never dawned on me how ironic it is that I grew up in a town called “Grapevine” until I began writing this piece about wine tasting in Grapevine, Texas. Perhaps it was a little foreshadowing into my future that I didn’t read into until just now…

In the last 20 years, my little hometown of Grapevine, Texas has become quite the trendsetter and leader in the Texas wine scene. It’s now home to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, nine Grapevine wineries, and Grapefest, the largest wine festival in the Southwest and one of THE wine festivals in the United States not to miss. But, it hasn’t always been this way.

When I was growing up in Grapevine, wineries were not on the map. The small town, tucked in-between Dallas and Fort Worth, was home to one McDonalds, one grocery store – Skaggs – and about 80 percent fewer people. Not to mention a ton of wild mustang grapes, which earned the town its name – Grapevine.

Today, there are nine Grapevine wineries, and more fast-food and chain restaurants that I care to count. Not to mention a whopping population of 52,000+ people.

Times have certainly changed. Now when I visit Grapevine I find myself lost trying to get around. I literally had to map it to my mom’s house on my last visit…

All change isn’t bad though, especially when it includes wine. Grapevine is finally living up to its namesake and producing wine paired with fun experiences. Truth be told, the wild mustang grapes are not being used to produce the wines in Grapevine, and that’s a good thing. Most of the fruit being used by the Grapevine wineries is grown in the Texas High Plains AVA and the Texas Hill Country AVA. (AVA stands for American Viticulture Areas, a federally recognized and designated wine region.)

Wine Tasting in Grapevine

Most of the Grapevine wineries are located within walking distance from the historic Main St., making it easy to sip your way through town. Along the Grapevine Urban Wine Trail, you’ll want to pop into some of the cute boutiques and cafes. You could spend an entire day in the historic downtown and never get bored.

I’ve built out the following recommendations and map to help you create your personal itinerary for a day of wine tasting in Grapevine. I didn’t feel like I could create a stand-alone itinerary for wine tasting in Grapevine given that the Grapevine wineries are so close to one another. It’s really a matter of taste.

I do suggest you begin with brunch followed by a wine tasting at two Grapevine wineries. In-between the two, pop in and out of a few of the shops lining Main St. then head to lunch. Afterwards, you should be able to sip samples at another two of Grapevine’s wineries.

Messina Hof Winery is located in the replica of the Wallis Hotel and offers a cozy 19th century environment. Messina Hof Winery is a family-owned business and one of the most highly regarded and awarded Texas wineries. It has three tasting rooms – the Texas Hill Country, Bryan, TX and Grapevine. Make sure to check out Carpe Travel’s interview with Paul V Bonarrigo of Messina Hof.

The Grapevine winery features more than 50 wines from 28 different varietals, favorites include Private Reserve, Papa Paulo Port, Private Reserve Cab Franc and Solera Sherry. LOCATION: 201 S. Main St.

Bingham Family Vineyards Cliff Bingham, a fourth-generation farmer in Terry County, Texas, began full time farming in 1982. Since 1992, Cliff and his wife, Betty have served as pioneers in the Texas organic cotton and peanut markets and diversified their farming operations in 2003 by planting grape vines. Together with their children, the Binghams currently own or manage over 200 acres of wine grapes in the Texas High Plains American Viticultural Area. Opening in May 2015, the Grapevine tasting room is the first tasting room operated by Bingham Family Vineyards. LOCATION: 620 S. Main St.

Grape Vine Springs Winery Featuring more than 32 different wines in production, Grape Vine Springs Winery offers daily wine tastings, a wide variety of wine accessories, the Night Watchman Ghost Tour and custom winemaking experiences where guests can make their own wine. Popular choices include Midnight Onyx, Boot Scootin’ Blush and Sangiovese. LOCATION: 409 S. Main St.

  Homestead Winery Just a block off Grapevine’s Historic Main St., this 100-year old Victorian home offers daily tastings and wine accessories. The wines produced by Homestead Winery are grown in the fertile Red River Valley wine region of North Texas. The Grapevine tasting room is the perfect place to try the rich, full-bodied flavor and award-winning assortment of wines Homestead produces.  of wines. Make sure to stop by Homestead Winery for the Wine Downs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Fan favorites include Prairie Rose, Moonshadow and Rose of Ivanhoe. LOCATION: 211 E. Worth St.

  Sloan & Williams Winery Sloan & Williams Winery offers wines produced from fruit grown in American Viticulture Areas (AVA) in both Texas and California. The Texas fruit is grown in the Texas High Plains AVA and the Texas Hill Country AVA. The California fruit comes from wines the Lodi AVA, Sierra Foothills AVA, Alexander Valley AVA, Monterey County AVA, and the Mokelumne River AVA. The winery features seven varietals and three blends, favorites include Serendipity, Sangiovese and Symphony. Make sure to enjoy a glass of wine on their pet-friendly patio where you can also enjoy a few bites to pair with your wine. The menu includes flatbreads, tapas, and wine ice cream. Yes, ice cream made from wine. It’s a treat for those hot Texas afternoons. LOCATION: 401 S. Main St.

  Umbra Winery Umbra Winery features more than a dozen spectacular wines produced from only the highest quality grapes that their partner vineyards in Texas and the Northwest have to offer. With primary production facilities in Little Elm, Texas, the Umbra team has been crafting award-winning wines since 2005. Now situated in the heart of downtown Grapevine you can sit back and enjoy a glass of their Red Fusion, Pinot Gris or one of their many other award-winning wines. LOCATION: 415 S. Main St.

  Wine Fusion Wine Fusion Winery features a fun experience meant to fill the void between novice and experienced wine drinkers. Wine Fusion Winery offers a variety of experiences, from tasting to special events and custom wine blending classes, where guests and groups can make their own wine. (Wine blending classes are soooo much fun!!! Make a reservation and do this!) LOCATION: 603 S. Main St.

These two Grapevine wineries are not within walking distance of the other wineries. I suggest you begin with them and/or end with them, or opt for doing them as a stand-alone wine tasting in Grapevine.

Delaney Vineyards & Winery Delaney Vineyards is the largest vineyard in North Texas, the 8,000 square foot winery is reminiscent of an 18th century French chateau nestled among 10 acres of lush grapevines. Tastings, special events and more allow wine aficionados and those just discovering Texas wines to enjoy this amazing venue. Offering two varietals and three blends, some of the most popular selections include Cynthiana, Muscat Canelli and Texas Claret. LOCATION: 2000 Champagne Blvd.

Cross Timbers Winery Set in the historic Dorris/Brock home, one of the oldest structures in Grapevine, Cross Timbers Winery offers a unique wine tasting experience, featuring 11 varietals grown in the High Plains. Some favorites include Texas Blush, Grapevine White and Stone Cold Sparkling Wine. Surrounded by centuries-old oak and pecan trees, the outdoor facilities feature a relaxed setting to enjoy wine tastings. Cross Timbers also features a selection of wines from Casa Madero, the oldest winery in the Western Hemisphere, located in Parras de la Fuente, Mexico, one of Grapevine’s Sister Cities. LOCATION: 805 N. Main St.

  Where to Eat for Your Day of Grapevine Wine Tasting

Winewood Grill Kick the day off early with brunch at Winewood Grill. Make sure to stock up on your protein before you head out for your day of wine tasting in Grapevine. That shouldn’t be a problem considering your choices of eggs benedict, quiche, chicken and waffles, steak and poblano omelet’s, barbacoa tacos, croque madame…are you hungry yet?

Winewood is also open for lunch and dinner. I would suggest starting the day here though since it’s about a mile south on Main St., where the hub of the Grapevine wineries are located. It’s a good way to walk off breakfast and check out the downtown area as you make your way down Main St. for your Grapevine wine tastings.

Main Street Bistro and Bakery If you get a later start to the morning or want to begin in the heart of the historic downtown near the Grapevine wineries, pop into Main Street Bistro and Bakery. The pastries are out of this world delicious, and the croissant sandwich and quiche are hard to pass up. Main Street Bistro and Bakery could also be a great option for lunch spot given the variety of options. My favorite – the Grilled Chicken Brie Panini.

Farina’s Winery & Cafe Farina’s Winery & Café is great spot for lunch, it also do dinner so if you’re staying late, check them out. While they call themselves a winery, it’s really not. They have a few wines they blend and brand as well as several additional wines from other producers – go for the food, it’s delectable! The Spaghetti  Pizza is a favorite.

Tolbert’s Want to stick with a burger? Tolbert’s is it. You can also find fried catfish, chicken fried steak, and a few Tex-Mex dishes.

Mac’s on Main For steak and seafood check out Mac’s on Main. It is located further down on Main St. so you can’t just pop in for a quick bite during your wine tastings (see the map). But, if you want to take a break and enjoy a higher-end lunch spot, this is it.

Esparza’s Mexican Restaurant I grew up eating fajita’s at Esparza’s. It’s THE place to go for Mexican food off Main St. in Grapevine. Don’t try to pair the wines though, stick with a Margarita. If the weather is nice opt to dine on the patio. It’s a fun atmosphere!

When to Visit for Wine Tasting in Grapevine

365 Days a Year You can make your way down the Grapevine Urban Wine Trail any day of the week, at any time during the year. It will be less crowded if you opt for a weekday versus a weekend.

But, May and September are pretty cool times… In May, Grapevine is home to Main Street Days, which is more of a “A Craft Brew Experience”but, there is a Grapevine Wine Pavilion that offers wines from the Grapevine wineries all in one spot.

September is the annual GrapeFest, which has been rated one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association. It’s the largest wine festival in the Southwest and one not to miss in the US. GrapeFest features an array of entertainment including the Texas Wine Tribute a black-tie formal affair for gourmet food lovers and wine enthusiasts. The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic is a fun way to cast your vote for your favorite Texas wines.

Have you been wine tasting in Grapevine? What’s your favorite winery?

Looking for more ideas on things to do in Grapevine or need information on the Texas wine scene. Done.

Great Times in Grapevine: Things to do in Grapevine, TX with Kids Texas Wine Travel Guide

Sipping Through the Grapevine: Wine Tasting along the Urban Wine Trail in #Grapevine, TX. #wine #travel It never dawned on me how ironic it is that I grew up in a town called “Grapevine” until I began writing this piece about wine tasting in Grapevine, Texas.

[terkaznebes]

Temporary

Everything is just temporary. I am becoming very tired of this word. The temporary table in our temporary flat. When am I going to build something that will last a while? I know it’s the same issue over and over again. There are better days and there are worse days. And then there are days when you wonder if there will ever be a place where there are no doubts. Only occasionally there’s the day when I choke up on the drive to work when listening to some songs from the old days. Who would have thought I would have to live so far away from home to start listening to Czech music. Obviously I have lived away from home for the last eight years, but never so far. You would think the distance would make no difference but it does. The nine hour time difference ensures that it’s so difficult to get to the person I want to speak with.

To continue in a much more positive atmosphere, the trip to New Zealand was awesome. And I have learned that Zealand is spelled Zealand and not Zaeland as I kept writing it for some strange reason. We have arrived in Christchurch at night into a forecasted stormy weather and slept at Luky’s old college friend’s house. Since he last saw him, Tom managed to get himself a family with two beautiful girls. Time runs fast. We woke up into the rain, the grey outside postponed our departure by a few hours. In the end we made it to the Castle Hill as recommended by Cass www.angelic-perfection.net, it was beautiful – like Scotland. That’s something I had to repeat constantly because, it really WAS like Scotland. I felt like home. And guess who took a photo of us on top of the hill? A girl from Glasgow, I felt like we were best friends. Damn it, I miss Scotland. After that we have decided to go for a small walk on the Peel Mountain. However not until we got the best steak pies I have ever tasted. After Cass has mentioned this in her blog, I thought it was a bold statement, but those WERE the best steak pies I have ever tasted. Our walk led to nowhere as we had no shoes to spare for river crossings; just as well, it was getting dark anyway. For dinner we pictured a cute little bistro or a family restaurant with character and a village feel … and that’s exactly what we’ve found. How lucky were we? The Running Duck and a town called Geraldine had everything that we wanted, great food served on hipster plates, super friendly staff and local ales. In the dark we drove a little further towards the famous Tekapo Lake and chose a cul-de-sac street as our refuge for the night. It was a rainy and a windy night and for the first time since I have moved to this part of the world, I felt cold. Turns out that you can also spoon in a sleeping bag, it’s nice… to be in love like this.

Breakfast at a local bakery, I got to feed their cat with my breakfast bun. And off we went to Tekapo. I have to say the next stop was terribly disappointing and I didn’t do well hiding it. But then again what did I imagine going to one of the most popular places on the South Island. In this aspect, I really prefer the Scottish countryside over New Zealand’s one. Not once in Scotland have I encountered crowds of colourful, selfie snapping Chinese. I just prefer soaking in the nature views in silence. The first view of Pukaki however was breathtaking. Since the sun has decided to fight through the clouds we walked along the shore and found a quiet spot, ate whatever food we had, shared a beer and took a very short nap. Everyone knows that napping in the sun next to a lake shore is the best type of nap. The views along the lake were amazing. We drove all the way to the Mt. Cook village where we had just enough sunlight for a short walk to the Tasman Glacier after that I got really hungry. So we ended up eating right in the village, which was very disappointing after the feast we had the night before.

Stargazing however made up for the tasteless quinoa burger… now that I think about it, it was a little bit of a gamble ordering that at a tourist joint. We have seen the Southern Cross and thousands of shiny stars that looked close enough to touch on the Milky Way. It was fantastically romantic. After the Moonrise (yes that’s a thing) we set off to find a place for the night. Again the dream of waking up somewhere alone, in the middle of nowhere with a view of the sunrise over the lake was shattered. (Oh Isle of Skye, I will visit you again, I promise) Even still the night was slightly better as this time Luky parked sensibly so our heads were higher than our legs this time. And the view in the morning wasn’t half so bad. The crowds of camper tourists were friendly enough. We decided to make it all the way back to the Running Duck for breakfast and it was worth it.

Next stop Akaroa. I believe the views from the hills would have been even better if not for the fog. Still pretty enough. We met with Luky’s friend and family and all had late lunch. This is getting annoying but Akaroa Village … just like Plokton in Scotland. Except (and I do realise I might be biased here), Plokton is so much better. Could have been the weather, I have basically been freezing since I woke up early morning on the lake shore. We chatted till late evening and woke up early to see the famous hill views of Christchurch. Again it would have probably been more beautiful on a nicer day.

After a quick airport breakfast, it was time to fly to Auckland - the city that has changed the life of my father and subsequently my life and Luky’s life. When I was about seven years old my dad has decided to move to NZ, learn English and thus ensure a better future for his little daughter. When he came back he told young seventeen or eighteen year old Lukas all about it, who went straight to the agency and booked a ticket there himself. Those good old times when you didn’t have to pay straight away and off he went to NZ with $100 in his pocket. So yes, this was an important city to visit and I am happy to say that I loved it. Could have been the beautiful sunny day, could have been the mood, but it was wonderful. The whole city had a suburban feel, there was no traffic and even on an Easter Monday there were no crowds of people and the views from the hills were everything that I could wish for. We lunched on the shore in a cute little bistro, walked in town and had coffee across the bridge and made it to the airport just in time for our Gold Coast flight. Just a note for myself – do not fly with Air Asia unless you absolutely have to. We arrived late and I almost cried in the morning when I had to go back to work. It doesn’t matter now because it’s Friday and I have a long 4 day weekend ahead of me thanks to Anzac day.

Maybe if I am lucky we will get a temporary couch for our temporary flat this weekend. I have to say I love the new flat. Oh I never actually mentioned that we have moved into a new house, well we did and we have a spare room now. I am just hopeful that it will be full of visitors, but maybe it’s just wishful thinking. This is the end of the world here. I don’t have a lot of photos from the trip, as it turns out Luky is the photographer in the family and he hasn’t shared his with me yet.

Cute little sheep on One Tree Hill

Czech beer on the Pukaki Shore

Look at me rocking my new jacket and pink socks with a gaze into faraway glacier.

Luky’s version of Yoga

Road Selfie <3 

Caste Hill 

Lake Pukaki

Road to the Tasman Glacier

Windy selfie

Smile and Pose 

Napping. 

Auckland 

My butt. 

[the-canary]

Pastel Colors - B.B (13/15).

Summary: If only the cute teacher would stop pestering you for a pen.(Library/Teacher AU! Reader/Bucky Barnes)

Prompt: you’re always asking me for a pencil because for some damn reason you don’t know that there is a whole store for stationary—happy birthday here’s a gift card to that store. wait, you work there? what the hell?

Masterlist

A/N: This is for @bithors writing challenge. Welcome to me getting out of work early and blasting through this chapter. We’re on the road of wrapping up some loose ends and giving these lovebirds some time together. There is still some time left for drabble requests too! 

Feedback is always appreciated.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 |  Part 12

You and James decide to wait for the rain to let up before walking back to where his friends and Rebecca are supposed to be at. It was laughing and kisses for awhile, until you finally decided to walk back with his arm on your lower back, pulling you close in order to share whatever body heat you had between the two of you after everything you had gone through beforehand. Bucky whispers everything he can remember about the old park and how his parents would take him and his sisters all the time, only for them to get into the craziest of situations. You laugh and he can’t help the huge grin on his face from having you so close, that after all these years of pinning he finally confessed. He stops walking for a moment, as you look to stare at him with a soft smile.

“I haven’t asked the most important question,” he pulls you in closer until you’re face-to-face. Your eyes shining brightly as his heart speeds up, “But, will you be my girl?”

“Absolutely, starboy,” you giggle at the huge grin on his face, before he grabs and spins you again. You cup his face and drag him into a kiss again, your hands on his cheeks so he can’t pull away -- like he would want to.

“FUCKING FINALLY!” a voice can be heard in the back, as Sam raises his beer only for the others underneath the shade of the picnic table clap and cheer with Rebecca even talking a picture with her phone, as William reassures that everything ended up well because of her.

James swears it's one of his best birthday parties.     

March 3rd.

It’s less than 48 hours later when you are standing in front of Bucky’s apartment building, as he packs his stuff away in the yellow cab that is to take him to the airport. James had told you about his conferences and while you were excited and proud of him due to his more recent papers, you knew you were going to be a little lonesome especially after only just getting him back from those 2 weeks he ignored you. He walks back up the sidewalk and guilty smile on his face. You pout as he laughs for a moment.

“I promise we’ll go on a date once I come back,” he sighs out, while rubbing your cheek softly. You nod and give him a quick peck before the taxi driver honks at him.

“Gotta go,” he pulls aways, though his fingers linger on your cheek for a moment, “Take care of the library punks for me! Becca too!”

“Good luck at your nerd expo, starboy!” you yell, as he gets into the car. You keep waving at the disappearing vehicle, ignoring the early morning on lookers, until you can’t see it anymore. Eventually, you start making your way to your favorite bistro when your phone pings twice. You take it out from your coat pocket and can’t help the giggles rising from your throat. You swear you haven’t been this happy in a long time.

⭐Boy:  Missing you already, doll!  

Becca: So, what are you planning for his late birthday?

March 6th.    

It takes them a few days to notice, what with Mr. Barnes being gone and all, but Michelle can see the happiness shining brightly on your face compared to a few days ago. She notices you looking at your phone every so often and sighing or laughing at whatever you are looking at on the bright screen. You’re doing everything you’re supposed to, from getting the final touches of science fair put together to finishing your classes before finals pick up to simply keeping everything in the library together, with a softer, dreamier look on your face. It was completely different from the last time she had seen you, sad and mopey, and she needed to find out why though without causing a scene. She waits, like always, until lunchtime ends and she is the only one still there. You glance at her from across the table, you know she knows, as smile on your lips as you wait for her next action.

“Lib, did you--” Michelle starts, but your excited nodding stops her. A huge, cheshire grin on her face as she leans into the table. You tap your fingers onto the table for a moment before taking out your journal, the teenager can’t help but cock a curious glance at that pastel colored gel pens you seem to be carrying now.

“I...confessed,” you admit shyly as Michelle hits the table in surprise, “And we’re ummm yeah, official.”

Michelle makes a flustering and embarrassed you tell her every single detail and she can’t help but congratulate you and say how disgustingly cute it is all in the same sentence. You laugh at her comment, as it echoes happily in the empty library. However, she is also now completely overjoyed that the rest of the Library Club owes her lunch for a month now.

March 10th.

The lazy morning sun spills into an unfamiliar hotel room, as the man on the bed groans before turning over to the other side. He had gone out the previous night to celebrate his actual birthday late into the evening with Dr. Banner and some other colleagues he had been introduced to, hell even Stark was there was a moment. However, James Barnes didn’t expect for the quiet man to hold his liquor and so much of it so well, he was truly a beast -- and Bucky got drunk under the table before he knew it. At least he was taken back to his room without any problem. Though, now he had a pounding headache, as his phone began to light up with messages.

However, his head shots up at the sound of a completely new ringtone, as a familiar name pops into his notifications. Bucky gets up a little, blurry-eyed and groggy, to see your message.   

Starlight: Happy Birthday, James! I hope you have a great day today <3

Bucky can’t help but grin into his pillow at the attached picture of you and Matcha wearing party hats, as he wonders how much you had to fight with the cat in order for that to happen. He laughs when he notices that there are bandages wrapped around some of your fingers, already thinking about how he had seen you fight with said cat before. He rolls over and can’t help but fall back asleep with a smile on his face.

Bucky thanked his lucky stars that he was fortunate to finally have you by his side, and that he would cherish it as long as you allowed him.  

March 14th.

It takes you awhile for figure out what you are going to do, planning and strategizing takes you awhile but it makes you feel better about the plan in the long term. You get a mini journal, blue with silver lining, from your unused pile and begin to write down everything you need and how you could call on. There is a little tremor in your heart about if this is too much for a first date, but you want to celebrate Bucky’s birthday your own way, even if it’s a little late.

“Nah, he’ll love it,” Rebecca explains, as she looks over your layout and notes, “Bucky is sort of dramatic. You’re going after his heart right here.”

“Really?” your eyes light up and she can’t help but grin smugly at all her hard work, though she knows deep down that you both deserve all the happiness you can get, even if it makes roll her eyes at just how potentially lovey-dovey the two of you will get. She grins before putting the book down, her blue eyes on you as she moves from one accomplished plan to another.

“So, what help do you need from me?”

March 18th.

James had spend the previous day packing and simply resting a bit before things picked up again and school was back on his mind. However, all he wanted to so was see you again, while your relationship had just barely begun, Bucky was trying hard to keep 3 years of longing at bay. He wanted you close, he wanted to get to know better than he did now -- there was so much he wanted to say and see, but he didn’t want to scare you away either. James knew he could be too intense with his emotions, “dramatic” was what his sisters liked to call it. He looked at his cellphone, the last message you had sent was wishing him good luck on the plane ride back. You hadn’t answered when he landed at JFK, though he simply pushed it to the back of his mind and caught up with everything he had missed.

Now, that he was done with everything the thoughts were resurfacing again. He picked up his phone from the nightstand after taking a shower, ready to send you another message, when it pings on its own.

Stevie: Get fancy, picking you up in 20.

Bucky: What? Why?

Stevie: Secret. From ya gal ;)

Bucky can’t help the huge growing on his face at the last part of Steve’s message, as he starts walking around his bedroom, unsure of what to wear though eventually deciding on a pair of dark jean, dark button-up, and blue motorcycle jacket with his hair slicked back just a bit. Steve arrives just a promised and the blonde can’t help but grin at the excited look on his best friend’s face. Steve hadn’t seen his friend this happy and in love in a long time, he could only imagine how Bucky would get when he say what you had in store.

“So, where are we going, punk?” Bucky finally decides to ask, as his oldest friend shakes his head and effectively keeping his mouth shut. James shakes his head, but he’s feeling like a kid on Christmas day. He decides to catch up with Steve instead, asking what has been going on in school and with Peggy, which allows the car ride to move a bit faster. The car stops in a familiar little coffee shop, though there are fairy lights string around the opening and the owner, Stan, is sitting in front in his usual attire -- a white button and slacks. Blue eyes clash with as Steve shrugs.

“She’s gonna knock your socks off,” Steve smiles as Bucky begins to get out of the car, “I hope you have a good time.”

“Good evening, James,” the old man smile as he opens the door to a very confused younger man, “Your sweetheart is waiting upstairs. I hope you have good night, and happy belated birthday.”

“There’s an upstairs?” Bucky questions for moment, before grinning, “Oh, thank you...I guess I’ll be heading up, then?”

Stan nods, leading the way to a smaller back door near the the kitchen area. James looks at Stan from a moment as the old man nods and he heads upstairs step by creaky step, only to be surprised at the sight of more fairy lights around the whole room. There is small table in the center filled with food and a small cake and another table near the far right corner with a record player playing a familiar song. And that’s where you are standing, wearing a floral patterned skirt and dark short-sleeved shirt, a bright smile on your face that takes his breath away all over again.         

“Doll, what is all this?” he questions as he walks over and takes your hands into his, already swaying to the background music. You smile and he catches it just as quickly.

“I know you said we would have a date after you came back,” you explain, as he slides his arm around your waist, spinning you around for a moment, “So, I planned ahead.”

“You’re setting the bar pretty high, starlight?” he chuckles softly, as you shake your head.

“I better be,” you grin, “But, you won’t win me over unless you tell about Orion and Diane.”

“Well, I’ll just have to unleash all my astrology knowledge on you,” Bucky dips you while looking at the dinner on set up with a box at the center.

“Maybe, over dinner?” he looks down to look at your smiling face, as you nod. He starts to pull you back up, but you grab his neck and drag him to your level for a gentle but quick peck on the lips.

“Happy belated birthday, James.”

“Thank you, doll,” he grins as you look him with eyes shining like starlight, as he leads you to the table looking at at the things you had made and bought.

Stories and laughter are shared throughout the night, James swears it’s the best late birthday and first date later on, but nothing has you laughing more than when you give him his birthday gift -- a gift card to B’s stationery.

Part 14