#as of sunday 6pm i’ll be free for a few days at least

[murderballadeer]

i need this week to be over i think i’ve cried more in the past three days than i have in the past three weeks. pms and midterms and demoralizing assignment feedback are not a good combination i fear

[bluekittyworld]

There is Karma [Chapter 2]

Masterlist

Chapter 1, Chapter 3

It had been a few days since your volunteering, you were in group chat with the rest of the volunteers, you clicked on Yoongi’s picture and added his number to your contacts. You have been seriously considering messaging him, but you don’t want to seem crazy, and if you do message him, what will you even say? Things are getting busy at work as the fiscal year is coming to an end, you decide it’s best not to say anything for now. 

Ding

You heard your phone, but you were in an online meeting with your stakeholders from Japan, you couldn’t check your phone immediately.

Ding

Ding

Ding

Ding

You were curious who was sending you all these messages, nobody messaged you like this. The meeting had another 5 minutes, you thanked God that the Japanese were strict on time, meaning this meeting will actually end in 5 minutes.

Finally, you had the chance to check your phone.

You have been added to a group chat.

You saw that Sora had made a separate group chat from the main chat, with you, Yoongi, Yeonjun and herself.

Sora: So guys, I made this chat, maybe we can volunteer again as a team, there’s many opportunities posted on the main chat, let me know if anything interests anyone

‘Yeonjun Set the name of the group chat to Dream Team ☆’

Yoongi: Sure.

Yeonjun: How about we all volunteer at the Hope orphanage this coming Sunday?

Nobody had responded, Sunday was one of your free days.

You: Yes, sounds great, what time?

Yeonjun: Awesome, 11:30am

Yeonjun: Sora? Yoongi?

You could see double blue ticks on your message, Yoongi had read it, why wasn’t he replying, you were starting to feel a little anxious, hoping he would agree.

Sora: Yes, I’ll see you guys there!!! Sooo excited!!

You felt a little relaxed, your new friend Sora will be there at least, you reacted with a thumbs up on her message and put your phone down to focus on your work.

 A few hours had passed, it was almost 6pm, you normally left work around 6:30pm, since you were feeling a little peckish you decided to leave a little earlier, to grab something to eat before you called it a day.

You opened the group chat, still no response from Yoongi. Just then as on cue:

Yoongi: I am busy in the morning, but I can join at 12:30pm.

A smile plastered your face as you were exiting your office building.

Finally it was D-day, you’ll get to see Yoongi today. You got dressed in mid-length pale pink pleated skirt, a white shirt, white trainers and a pale pink cardigan, it was a little chilly today. You did your hair and makeup, then messaged Sora that you are on your way.

When you arrived, Sora was already in the parking lot.

“_____! You’re here! Yeonjun is going to be little late, we’ll go first?”

You exchanged your greetings, it was nice to always see Sora being cheerful, you never really had friend like her, she was sweet, kind, and genuine. On the contrary, you were never genuine, you didn’t care about others in the past, you used to be self-centred hence having no friendships for many years until you met Sora.

You were preparing a snacks table for the children; Sora was decorating the room with bunting and balloons.

“Do you like Yoongi?” she asked out of the blue.

You almost chocked on air, eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights. Sora chuckled at your reaction, wiggling her eyebrows, expecting an answer.

“Umm, I do find him interesting, is it that obvious?” you tamely asked.

She laughed, “Of course not, I just had a feeling, I specifically made the group chat to bring you guys closer, you guys look so cute together, even Yeonjun thinks the same!”

You were flabbergasted and giddy at the same time, unable to contain your smile.

Sora patted your back and winked, “I’ll be your cupid, don’t you worry _____.”

It was now 12pm Yeonjun had just arrived and got to work, he kept the children entertained with his storytelling, as you and Sora made some final touches.

It was 12:20pm, you heard the door open and saw Yoongi walk in, instinctively you smiled and waved at him, he smiled back with a wink, making your heart skip a beat.

Yeonjun’s story had ended, the children were quietly sat in the library room, Yoongi asked them to follow his instruction, and surprisingly they were listening, he led them to the room where you and Sora had prepared the snacks and decorations. It was heart-warming to see them smile jumping around in excitement. They enjoyed the snacks as the 4 of you and the 2 caretakers helped to serve snack and drinks to them. After the children were done, some of them had made a little mess, Yoongi swiftly grabbed tissues and wet wipes, cleaning them, you joined in to help.

It was nice spending the afternoon with the children, you could see that multiple times Yeonjun and Sora purposely put you and Yoongi together to complete tasks, not that you minded, it was just so funny that being adults they were still pulling the high school tricks, nevertheless you were thankful as you got to learn more about Yoongi.

Yoongi liked oranges, his favourite perfume scent was bergamot, and he owned a chain of cafes under his family’s business ‘Min Corperation’, you were aware of the business but just never had the chance to work with them in the past. 

Your week started off boring, it was 2pm, you decided to message Yoongi. It’s not weird to ask him out for a coffee, he does have a chain of cafes… you pull out your phone.

Hello Yoongi, would you be free…

No, it was too formal, you erased the text.

Hey Yoongi, would you be up for coffee sometime this week?

Sent.

Your heart was beating a little faster and harder, you anxiously stared at your text, it seemed fine but why were your ears burning up, you reluctantly put down your phone, screen facing down. It’s not like Yoongi will reply straight away.

You tried to focus on your work, you had to win this contract you’ve been working on for weeks, you had to prove to your father that you were worthy of taking on his company, not your half-brother Kim Taehyung.

Taehyung your older half-brother, the golden child of your stepmother, of course he would be because he was her own blood and flesh. Whereas you were a side product of your father’s extramarital affair. Your stepmother made it clear from day one she disliked you; your father was absent for the most of your childhood, you had various nannies who took care of you over the years until you were capable of taking care of yourself. You had sworn to impress your father and outshine Kim Taehyung, the bane of your existence.

Buzz buzz.

You raised your head and looked at your phone, it was ringing, it was Yoongi!

You picked up “Hello?”

“Hey ____ how are you?”

“Good, you?”

“Good good, I was wondering instead of going out, would you like to help me out with something?”

Your heart at this point was racing, you’re sure he could hear it through the phone.

“You still there?” Yoongi asked, showing a hint of concern.

“Yes, I’m here, sorry, help you with what?”

“I have new coffee roast blends, they just arrived today, I need to pick out the best one, for our winter toffee lattes, help me decide the which one to sell?”

“Of course, I’d love to!” you exclaimed, you internally slapped yourself, you sounded like you were five.

Yoongi chuckled, “Great I’ll text you my address be there for 7 yeah?”

“Yup see ya at 7” you quickly hung up and grabbed your water bottle.

Woah that was more difficult than trying to negotiate with your clients. It was 4:30pm, you decided to leave at 5pm, get dressed and leave your apartment by 6, to be at Yoongi’s place by 7pm.

Your door flew open, and walked in Kim Taehyung, why did he have to be here to ruin your mood.

“Dad want’s analysis done on the future potential partnerships, do it by the end of tonight.”

He threw the file of papers on your desk.

“No.”

Taehyung turned back to look at you with disgust.

“What do you mean, no? How dare you, you filthy little b-”

“Taehyung, I said no, I can’t do this plus it’s your side of the business” you cut him off.

He walked over to you, placing both his hand on your desk and lowering himself to your sitting level.

“Okay, I was going to tell you a little secret after you did this as a reward, so you wouldn’t be too shocked my dear little sister.” He looked soullessly into your eyes.

You were starting to feel anxious and fidgety, Taehyung never had good news.

“Fine I’ll do for Friday if you tell me what secret” you bargained.

“No-uh has to be done tonight.”

“Tae I really can’t do it for tonight”.

“It’s Taehyung for you, not just Tae, and fine, do it by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Fine. Tell me the secret first!”

“Work first”

“I will do it, I promise, can’t you just let me know?”

He was enjoying this a lot; you could see how he was trying to hide his smirk.

 “Dad is getting you married to his best friend and business partners one and only son, Park Jimin.”

You were too shocked to even respond, how could your father do this to you, he knew what sort of a person Jimin was, everyone did.

“Bye sister!” Taehyung yelled as he slammed your door shut.

It was almost 5, Yoongi, that’s right, you had to leave to meet Yoongi on time, you can worry about Jimin later, for all you know this could be one of Taehyung’s sick pranks.

Chapter 3

[sope-and-shine]

Written In the Stars: Finale

-> SFW // Soulmate!AU // fluff, // Mummy!Namjoon, Moon Goddess!Taehyung

-> Pairing: Namjoon x Reader // Taehyung x Reader

-> Word Count: 7k

-> Summary: Life after losing a loved one is challenging, especially when you’ve had the chance to see just how long the two of you have spent passing each other by. With it only being a few weeks since your loss, you’ve found your life has become dull and despondent. You can’t help but wonder if you’ll be able to move on, even with the help of friends.

-> Warning(s): mild language

a/n: I can’t believe we’re actually at the end 😭😭 I’ve put so much time and love into this story and I’m both sad and happy that I’ve been able to finish it! I hope everyone enjoys!

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Masterlist

*

*

*

“Ma’am, where’s the restroom?”

You turn and see a father holding a small boy in his arms, and you immediately jump into action, “Take a right out of these doors, down the hall until you see the blue traffic sign, and it’ll be on the right. There should be a Daffodil portrait on the wall right before your turn.”

The man heaves a happy - very relieved - sigh, “Thank you!”

“Of course!” You watch as he speedwalks out of the exhibit and takes off down the hall. You can only hope he actually makes it there.

The day shift has definitely been more exciting. It’s only been a few weeks, but your days have been filled with more excitement since you switched. You tried to continue with the night shift post, but the silence just became too overwhelming. Thankfully, Hoseok seemed to understand when you told him.

You switched back to the day shift in hopes it would help to take your mind off of Namjoon. You thought being surrounded by others would make you feel less lonely, but you can’t help but think about how your life has changed so drastically.

Adjusting to your new life hasn’t been easy. Everywhere you look, you’re reminded of Namjoon. You hear his laugh by the water fountains, you see his hair in crowds on the street, and you can still feel his arms around you at night as you lay in bed.

At first, you thought it was something you could handle. You thought if you embraced his goodbye, then you’d be content to live the rest of your life without him. But no one told you losing love would hurt this bad.

You’ve tried to do other things, like knitting and working out, but you’re not very good at either one - nor do you really like them. Cooking had seemed like a good idea until you realized that meant cleaning the dishes. With every attempt to move on, you seem to take 3 large steps back.

You find yourself going to places Namjoon would have liked. Spontaneous trips to the park lead to long evenings by the river. Extra hours at the museum have you wandering through the exhibits just to look at the art one more time. Even a quick trip to the store has you buying things you’ve never thought to try.

The one place you never go is the King’s exhibit. At least, not of your own free will. It’s only happened twice - once being today - because someone had to call out. And just like the time before, you find yourself at the aquarium.

A place where Namjoon was truly happy.

The touch tanks have quickly become a favorite of yours. They allow you time to think to yourself and drift off, to daydream about a handsome king with an endearing fascination for the world around him.

You like to visit the crabs the most. Mostly because you know Namjoon would if he could. He thought they were the cutest on your outing together, and holding the tiny creature in your palm you can see why.

“Ow!” You flinch at the small pinch from the crustacean. Your hands jerk, but you try to protect the crab the best you can without dropping it.

“Here-” A large hand reaches in front of you and plucks the crab from your hands, “These guys get a little finicky when you hold them up too high.”

You place your thumb over the pinch and turn to him, “Really? I can’t-” You pause mid-sentence.

Now, looking at the crab’s savior, you see him. Lilac strands poke out of the blue university hat he’s wearing. His khaki shorts are worn and just barely reach his knees, and his sneakers are all worn out. Even the socks he’s wearing have slightly lost their vibrance. His baggy t-shirt doesn’t hide the fact that he’s more fit than he was a few weeks ago, but a few weeks ago he had disappeared right in front of you. But there’s no mistaking that dimpled smile.

This is Namjoon.

You stare at him like a deer in headlights, and you must look exactly how you feel because his smile turns to concern, “Are you okay?” He asks.

You nod, “Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine…” You’re not. You’re absolutely stunned and he doesn’t seem to recognize you. They do say everyone in the world has 4 people that look just like them. How unfortunate that you’ve found his. “You just...look really familiar.”

“Really? Well, I guess that means I have a memorable face then.” He muses, chuckling to himself - Exactly like Namjoon. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” You take another selfish moment to look at him, admiring how gentle he is with the small creature in his hands. “You really seem to like the crabs.”

“Yeah, I do!” He nods enthusiastically, “I really only applied here as an excuse to play in the touch tanks.”

“Something easy to wind down from classes?” You ask.

His eyes widen in surprise, and he turns to you as if you suddenly grew 2 extra heads, “How’d you know?”

You giggle, “You’re wearing a university hat with your grad year.”

“Really?!” You nod and he pulls the cap off of his head, letting out a frustrated groan when he confirms he’s wearing his university hat, “No wonder my supervisor straight up ignored me this morning. This is the third time this month I’ve grabbed the wrong one.”

“At least it’s a nice hat.” You assure him, trying to remain positive.

He places the cap back on his head and sighs, “Tell that to him.” He brings the small crab still resting in his palms eye level, “This little guy knows exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t you, buddy?”

“Don’t tell me you speak crab.”

“Of course I do! You just have to know how to listen.” He says matter of factly.

“Alright then. Ask him how he’s doing.”

“I will.” He turns to the crab and stares at it as if they’re having a staring contest, “How are you feeling, little guy?” He moves the crab up to his ear and acts as though it’s whispering to him, nodding and humming disagreement, “I see...I’d be pretty frightened too.”

You narrow your eyes, “What did he say?”

“He said he was having a great day until someone came and held him up too high.” He teases.

“You’re taller than me!” You argue.

He looks you up and down, nodding, “You’re right…” He seems to contemplate for a moment before he shrugs with a sly smile, “He probably just likes me better.”

“Oh, really now?” You challenge. He nods proudly and you scoff, “Well, what’s your name? Resident Crab Whisperer?”

“No! That’s way too long.” He laughs. He extends the hand not cradling a crab towards you and smiles, “My name is Kim Namjoon.”

“Well…” You hesitate, trying your best not to react. You swallow your nerves and shake his hand with a smile of your own, “-It’s nice to meet you, Kim Namjoon. Any relation to the mummy at the museum?”

“That hopeless romantic from the Seoul Museum?” He jokes. He takes this moment to place the crab back into his touch tank, “Yeah, he’s like a great-great-super great uncle or something like that.”

“Well, you look like him.” You say. He gives you a confused look and you’re quick to back-pedal, “His portraits! You look like his portraits.”

“I do?” He asks.

“Besides the purple hair, I’d say you’re the spitting image.”

“I’ll have to check it out myself then.”

“Well, their hours are 8am to 10pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday.” He gives you a pointed look and you shrug, “I’ve been the night guard the past few years. I just switched to day shift.”

“Really?!” He asks in disbelief, “Isn’t it creepy working the graveyard shift? It must be way too quiet.”

“Not really.” You think back to the nights you spent with your Namjoon and how he made you laugh. You remember asking him the same thing one Saturday night after the museum closed. You two were much closer than his first Sunday there, but you couldn’t help but worry about how he must get through the night alone. But Namjoon was a king. He wasn’t worried about a bit of peace and quiet. “A friend of mine once told me that silence is more reassuring than anything. It means peace.”

“They sound wise.”

“He was...” You can’t help but think about Namjoon’s absence.

This always happens when you think about any good times you may have had, remembering how much fun you had and how you’ll likely never have it again. Being in front of this Namjoon does nothing to help you feel at ease.

“You know that movie-?! It’s-Oh...What was it called…?” The lilac-haired Namjoon suddenly claps his hands together with a proud smile, “Night at the Museum! Anything like that happen after hours?”

You chuckle to yourself, knowing better than anyone how Ben Stiller’s character felt during that movie. Of course, the Namjoon in front of you would never believe you, “I wish. It’d make some of the exhibits a lot more interesting.”

He nods, “I bet they’d be pretty interactive too…Could you imagine history telling itself?!”

“Please, I don’t want to hear about the love-life of a thousand-year-old mummy.” You joke, knowing full well you already have.

“Yeah, I guess that would get annoying after a while...always lamenting about love and what-not…” He seems slightly disappointed, but his smile comes right back, “Why don’t you let me show you around and I’ll tell you about our exhibits instead?”

You’re taken aback by his boldness, “Oh, are you sure?” He nods, “I don’t want to get you in trouble or anything.”

“Don’t worry about it! My shift ended like 30 minutes ago and this place is only open for another 3 hours.” He assures you, “So, what do you say?”

Maybe it’s because he’s the spitting image of Namjoon, or maybe it’s the similarities in their personas. Maybe it’s just the way his dimples appear every time he laughs and his laugh sounds just like his. No matter what it is that’s drawing you to this Namjoon, you find that your heart has taken over for your brain and it’s putty in his hands, “Sure. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Namjoon breaks into an excited grin, dimples on full display, “That’s the spirit!” He straightens his posture and holds his arm out for you as if he were a butler or an escort, “From here until the aquarium closes, consider me your personal tour guide for the rest of the evening. There won’t be a bench you haven’t sat on by the time we’re done!”

He’s confident.

But perhaps he’s too confident…

He takes you to places you’ve been before, educating you on every animal in great detail. He doesn’t miss a single species, and he takes great care to make sure you see what he’s talking about - guiding your head and pointing in the right direction. His enthusiasm is infectious, and you could listen to him talk for hours. He’s so well-spoken, and he describes everything in such wonderful detail. It comes as no surprise to you when he mentions himself to be a literature major.

He has such a unique personality and the most terrible humor. He tells you about his bike and how much he enjoys riding by the river and through the park. He tells you about his love for moon jelly and how it’s like looking up at the sky when you see them. Everything about him is just so uniquely him, but you can’t help but see all of the similarities he holds to your Namjoon.

His physical features are all the same: his eyes, his nose, his lips, his dimples, his height, and even his haircut! There’s no doubt that this Namjoon would look identical to your Namjoon if his hair were the same dark brown. His interest in the Moon and his love of literature. Your Namjoon would have excelled academically in this world just like this Namjoon. Even his love of small creatures and terribly out-of-date dad jokes is exactly the same!

He’s Namjoon.

But he doesn’t hold the memories of your Namjoon…

Taehyung had told you how Fate had tried to warn him several times. How Fate couldn’t change what would happen, and she could only hope to guide everyone to the best outcome without ruining the future herself. But how cruel could Fate be to have another Namjoon this close to you yet not be yours. To thrust this on you so soon without even a few months to grieve more.

How could someone be so heartless?

---

“And this would be the last bench of our tour.” Namjoon says as you exit the aquarium, extending an arm as he presents it to you.

“Oh wow...” You thank him and take a seat, playing along with his charade - as you have all night - as you pretend to admire the bench. You admire the dedication plaque for just a moment before you turn to him in mock disappointment, “I thought you said we’d see everything on this tour?”

He shrugs, “I may have rambled here and there...” He seems almost sheepish as he realizes how he went on and on over every topic the two of you talked about, “Sorry about that.”

“No worries here.” You assure him. You’d take 5 more tours just to listen to him ramble on and on for hours, “Now I know that fish talk through make sounds by vibrating their muscles against their bladder. Pretty weird, but I wouldn’t know that if you hadn’t told me.”

“Well, I’m glad I could educate you a bit.” He seems nervous, shoving his hands into his pockets as he shifts from one foot to the other, “Maybe we can do this again?”

“Uh…” You hesitate, “Yeah. Maybe.”

It’s just a tour. No harm in that.

“Maybe...I could take you to dinner too?” He asks.

There’s some harm in that.

He already seems nervous so you try to find the right words to say, “Oh, I-” But your face seems to give you away way too easily.

“You’re not interested.”

“No-!”

“It’s okay! I get it, I understand.”

“No, you don’t.” You stand up and try to explain, but he seems to already have your rejection in his mind.

“No, please, don’t feel like you have to. I’ve been told I can be a bit pushy.”

“No, that’s really not it! I’d love to go to dinner with you!”

That seems to catch his attention.

“Really?”

You nod, “Yeah! Just not now, or like-...anytime soon.”

The last of Namjoon’s hope turns into skepticism, “Are you sure you’re not just saying that?”

“I know how it sounds, but please-!” You stop yourself before you can blurt out the wrong thing and scare him off entirely, “I lost someone really special to me recently. His loss hasn’t been easy for me, and I don’t want to jump into something too soon. I don’t think that’d be fair to you if I’m still hung up on someone else.”

“Oh wow...I’m really sorry about that.” You thank him and take a moment to breathe, holding yourself back from the tears that want to break free, “I went through a loss not too long ago too! You’re taking the right steps, and I appreciate you thinking about my feelings.”

You smile, “Of course! Everyone deserves that.”

“Well, no dinner then, but maybe another tour next weekend? Same time?” He asks, “Strictly hanging out though. No dinner.”

You nod, “I’d love that.”

“Then it’s a date!” He says excitedly. Though, as soon as the words leave his mouth he’s stepping over himself to correct what he’d said, “Not a date! Absolutely not a date. No, ma’am.”

You can’t help but smile fondly at how endearing he is, “I can’t wait.”

You squeeze the strap of the bag on your shoulder with one hand and wave with the other, turning and departing from the current Namjoon. Maybe in time, you can fall in love with this Namjoon for who he is and not because he reminds you of your Namjoon. At that point, then this lilac-haired, crab-loving, literature enthusiast would be your Namjoon.

You can only hope that day comes sooner rather than later.

*

*

*

“So, that’s it then?”

“I’m sorry?” You turn around confused, only about 50 feet away.

“I can’t believe you’re just going to be nice to this me, but not the one that waited 1,000 years for you!” He explains.

You’re so confused that it takes a second to grasp what this Namjoon is saying, and then it hits you. This Namjoon isn’t just any Namjoon.

He’s your Namjoon.

King Kim Namjoon.

The Hopeless Romantic from the Seoul Museum of Art and History.

“Namjoon…?” You ask. You know it’s him, you’re confident. But it still seems like it’s way too good to be true.

He nods, “It’s me.”

In an instant, you’re running towards him. You fling yourself into his awaiting arms and squeeze him as tight as humanly possible, burying your face into his neck as the tears begin to form in your eyes. You let your hands thread through his soft, purple locks and allow yourself to relax with his arms squeezing around your waist.

You bask in this overwhelming feeling of being whole again. You feel light and complete for the first time in weeks and it fills you with so much joy that you can hardly contain yourself. The embrace feels like that first kiss all over again, and you just never want to let him go.

As you calm down and you come to realize that Namjoon isn’t going anywhere, you pull away just enough so you can see his own tear-stained face. His cheeks are red and his eyes are puffy, but his smile is unmistakable with those gorgeous dimples of his.

Looking at him, it’s now that you realize…

He remembered you this whole time.

You smack his chest - not enough to hurt him, but enough so he knows you mean business - and he flinches, “How dare you play with me like this, Namjoon? Do you know how hard the past few weeks have been for me?!”

“I’m sorry!” He apologizes. He runs his hands up and down your sides affectionately, trying to keep you close - and not angry with him, “Trust me when I say this wasn’t easy for me either.”

As much as you would love to be mad with him for pretending he didn’t know you, you can’t. You’re just happy he’s here more than anything. But that still begs the question, “How are you here?”

“I’m not supposed to say much, but I can tell you the other deities had a few tricks up their sleeves.” He explains. He takes a moment to admire your features and leans down to press a kiss to your temple, “But I think most of the thanks needs to go to Taehyung.”

Your eyes widen in shock, “You know about him?!”

He nods, “It was a shock, but he and the other deities explained everything.” He pulls you closer and uses a hand to cup your face, “They gave me a whole life to share with you.”

You lean into his touch, but you’re still reeling from everything that’s happened in such a short time, “And you just remember everything?”

“They gave me the memories back.” He corrects. He’s so close now and you want nothing more than to start where the two of you had left off before you broke the spell, “I guess Fate had a backup plan for him.”

“Thank Fate for that.” You say before giving in to your temptation and pulling your soulmate in for a much needed, long-awaited, proper kiss

* *

*

“You wanted to see me?”

You look up from your paperwork to see Taehyung standing in your doorway, wearing his favorite emerald 3 piece suit. His fist is raised to the door frame as if he knocked just before he spoke. You must not have heard him.

You wave him in, “Yeah, come in! I’m just finishing up with this finance report.” You expect him to come right in, but he seems hesitant to do so. “Are you okay?”

“Am I not in trouble?” He asks.

Your brow raises in confusion, “Why would you be in trouble?”

“Well, Jimin said-'' Taehyung stops. He remembers the other day after work when he’d come home to Jimin and Jeongguk, going at it in the kitchen for the 4th time in 2 weeks. He’d thought it would be funny to dump water on them - and so had Guk - but the Earth deity had apparently been unamused. Of course, him being the pettiest individual he would settle for a payback that would absolutely scare him. He sits in the chair across from you and throws one leg over the other, “Nevermind. I know what happened.”

You chuckle, “Well, I have a surprise for you. That’s why I asked for you.”

“Oh, really?!” He’s definitely surprised, “What is it?”

“Well-” You move your finance report to the paper organizer on your desk, grab your bag at your feet, and stand up, “-why don’t show you?”

He uncrosses his legs and stands, “We’re going somewhere?”

You nod, “If you’re up for it.” You hold your hand out for him, an action that’s become normal between the two of you.

He takes your hand and you both exit your office together, leaving the human way. You make your way downstairs hand-in-hand, passing patrons that still roam the halls or meander up and down the stairs taking pictures to their heart's content. It all makes you feel human, and feeling human makes you feel happy.

On your way through the lobby, you catch sight of Eunha talking to another security guard. She’d made a request to switch shifts, and you made sure to have Hoseok take over her position under the guise of someone else. She looks happier, but you know better. Thankfully, her shift will be over in a few more hours.

“She’s pretty strong.” Taehyung comments, seeming to already know what you’re thinking. “I talked to her this morning and at lunch. She’s holding it together.”

You manage half a smile, “That’s good.”

Seokjin spots you walking together as you get closer to the exit and his smile widens, “Goodnight, (Y/n)! Goodnight, Taehyung!”

“Have a good night, Seokjin!” You respond, offering a small nod.

“See you tomorrow!” Taehyung waves. Seokjin gives him an indiscreet wink and you pretend you don’t see it even when Taehyung gives him an even more obvious wink back.

You playfully bump him with your hip and he pulls you with him, raising your joined hands above your head and resting them on your opposite shoulder. You squeeze as tight as you can together to fit through the door frame and out to the open air.

“I heard you promoted him.” Taehyung mentions as you make your descent down the large staircase.

You shrug, “There was an opening available.”

“Was there?” He asks, nudging you with his elbow.

You nod, “Yes. There was.” You nudge him back.

“Are you sure~?” The blonde asks again, “I’d hate to see you fall victim to those silly human emotions~”

You let out an exasperated sigh, “Oh, you are something else!” You drop his hand and rush two steps ahead of him, but he’s right behind you.

“I’m just looking out for you!” He defends. He rushes down the steps to the bottom before you make it to the last step and he puts his hands out to stop you, “We wouldn’t want to upset the council, would we?”

“I think you’ve done enough angering the council to cover me.” You remind him, poking his nose with your pointer finger, “Besides, maybe I want to get under their skin.”

“All of them? Or someone specific?” He asks, already knowing the answer.

You sigh, “I’m not saying Seowoo deserves it, but that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“I can’t argue with that.” He agrees. He looks both ways down the sidewalk, “Which way?”

“This way.” You point towards the side of the museum where the street light is out, the darkness wrapping around the corner and making the perfect disappearing point.

You take his hand and together you both walk into the shadows, walking into the darkest section of the sidewalk before disappearing at the corner. You round the trunk of a cherry willow, a sliver of distant light shining through the drooping branches.

Taehyung runs his thumb over your hand and stops, “Are you wearing rings?” He pulls back to check and does a double-take when he sees you in the dim light, “Why’d you change?”

“We’re at a university.” You explain. You’ve changed from your work clothes to a university sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, “I’d rather look like a student than a teacher. You should probably change too.”

“Oh...sure.” In his own fashion, he changes into a white shirt under a baggy, light beige sweater vest, a pair of jeans, and orange converse. He looks himself over once before fashioning a pair of gold-rimmed glasses to finish his look. “Where are we?”

“Eunha’s college.”

Taehyung’s eyes widen in surprise, “Why are we here? She’s still at work.”

“I want you to meet a friend of mine.” You explain.

“You have friends?” He asks, earning an unamused glare from you, “Sorry.”

“This way.” You lead Taehyung off the grass to the actual path and walk under the lights back towards the main building. When you reach a fork in the path you make a left to go around the side of the building between another series of buildings on the other side of the path. You keep walking until you reach another large area with benches, tables, and a fountain.

Sitting on the side of the fountain with just enough light that you can see them, is a trio of 3 men with different hair colors. One with midnight blue, a pastel pink, and lilac. Of course, you recognize them all without a problem at all.

“Hey, guys! Sorry, I’m late, I just had to grab Taehyung.” You call out.

The pastel pink head turns to reveal Hoseok - who’s changed from his normal all-black outfit to a black t-shirt with the word obey in colorful letters, bright orange pants, layered necklaces, and a pair of black, yellow-tinted glasses resting on the top of his head, “No worries, we haven’t gotten started yet.”

“Yeah, Joon was just telling us about the assignment we missed.” Yoongi agrees, revealing himself to be the midnight blue head of hair. He’s wearing an all blue, leaf-patterned outfit with a TuneSquad jersey underneath his top.

“You wouldn’t have missed it if you made it to class on time!” Taehyung freezes as soon as he hears his voice, pulling you to a stop as well. He knows that voice better than anyone, knowing damn well it belongs to someone that’s supposed to be dead.

Hoseok shrugs and leans back, “What can I say? I had priorities to attend to.”

“I just wasn’t interested.” Yoongi stands up and takes a few steps to stretch, revealing Namjoon sitting at the end of the three.

Namjoon is wearing a pair of light wash jeans and a black belt with a white shirt tucked in and a light blue button-up over it. He sighs, “How you have the highest marks in the class I will never know.”

Taehyung looks between the three of them, going back and forth between the two deities and Namjoon before settling on you, “What is going on right now?”

You squeeze his hand, “Just don’t say anything.” You pull him with you to join the others, coming to a stop in front of all of them. You point to the blonde and then to Hoseok, “Taehyung, this is Hoseok-”

The walking gumball throws up a peace sign, “Sup.”

“-Yoongi.”

“Hey.” He gives a small wave

“-And Namjoon.”

Namjoon is the only one to stand and walk up to Taehyung to offer his hand, “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Finally?” He asks, shaking the old king’s hand.

“(Y/n) hasn’t been able to shut up about you,” Namjoon explains with a devious smile. You visibly freeze and that only eggs him on more, “She said you were annoying when she first transferred into our class, then she said she thought she was in love with you.”

Taehyung gives you a look and you completely ignore him, “Namjoon!”

“Of course, we all knew she was,” Hoseok adds with a teasing smile of his own.

“Hoseok! Shut up!”

“How interesting.” Taehyung chuckles, happy to know how you feel even as you pretend you don’t exist, “Well, it’s nice to meet all of you.”

“Why don’t we all move this way? Maybe grab a bite to eat?” You suggest, hoping to move on from your own embarrassment.

“Yes!” Hoseok jumps up and throws his arms in the air before dropping them back down to his sides, “I’m starving!”

Yoongi scoffs, “You’re always starving...”

“I’m growing. I need sustenance.” Hoseok defends, patting his stomach for emphasis.

You walk up beside him and pat the back of his head, “I think all of that food is going right to your head.”

Hoseok looks like a kicked puppy and Namjoon sweeps into his defense, “C’mon, guys, don’t pick on him!”

“Yeah! Don’t pick on me!” He pouts, crossing his arms.

“He can’t help it if he loses brain cells without food,” Namjoon says, turning and grabbing his belongings while you and Yoongi laugh at Hoseok’s expense.

“Do you want me to swear at you?!” The poor god of Death looks absolutely appalled and utterly betrayed by the lilac-haired man. He huffs, “You children have no respect for your elders.”

“Can I quote you on that?” Yoongi asks, walking past Hoseok to grab his own bag.

“Absolutely not!”

Taehyung watches the dysfunctional chaos before him, in awe that the 3 pillars of balance could act like humans. Not just with each other, but with someone he himself once called a friend. You’re all so different than you are at the museum and the council meetings, it’s like you’re not even the same people.

“Tae?” You ask, pulling him out of his confused state. You hold your hand out to him, asking him to join you as the others continue to walk ahead. He accepts.

The 5 of you walk together, further away from the buildings on campus to the fence that lines the end of the property. You all forego the sidewalk for walking across the lawn, getting further away from the lights as you go.

Hoseok comes to a stop in the middle of the grass and Taehyung almost walks into him, “Do you think this is far enough?”

Yoongi looks around and shrugs, “I don’t think anyone will notice.”

“Notice what?” Taehyung asks.

“Way to sound like we brought him here to murder him.” Namjoon jokes.

“Namjoon. Hold my hand.” You say, dropping Taehyung’s for his.

Hoseok and Yoongi hold hands across from you and Namjoon laughs, “Oh, are we having that seance now?” He looks at Taehyung and winks, “Sorry, I guess we forgot to mention this part.”

“Just hold my hand.” You demand. He does and Hoseok takes his other, creating a chain between the 4 of you.

Yoongi takes a deep breath and sighs, “Alright, let’s do it.”

You and Hoseok nod in agreement and Namjoon nods as well, acting as though what you’re all doing is just a practical joke you hadn’t let him in on. It’s only when a soft golden light starts to travel between your hands and to him that he starts to get worried.

“What are you guys doing?” He asks, fearful of what’s going on. He tries to pull away, but you and Hoseok are much stronger than the poor human. The light only continues to grow brighter, and the brighter it glows the more concerned Namjoon becomes, “Guys-?!”

The light washes over him like a wave and it’s like someone has opened his eyes for the very first time again. He takes a deep breath, and then he’s looking around at the others and at himself and at Taehyung and it’s like he’s experiencing life for the first time all over again.

“How did-? But I thought-” He struggles to find the right words to say, unsure where to start, “What’s going on?”

You step in front of him, placing your hands on his shoulders, “Namjoon, I’d like to formally introduce myself. I’m (Y/n), and I’m Fate.”

His eyes widen, “Fate…?”

You nod and Hoseok pushes you out of the way to make his own introduction, “I’m Hoseok, but you’d know me better as Death.”

“You’re Death?” Namjoon asks, obviously not able to believe that someone like Hoseok could be something as dark and daunting as Death.

“Death equals mercy,” Hoseok explains. Both you and Yoongi push him from both sides and he chuckles, “Sometimes…”

Namjoon nods, not yet believing it but going along with the information anyways. He turns to Yoongi, “Does that make you Life?”

“Was it my sunny disposition that gave me away?” The blue-haired deity asks, earning a laugh from the king.

You move in front of Namjoon again and gently take his arm, “And this is Taehyung.” You pull him to where the blonde stands, still in shock, “You two have already met before, but you might remember him a bit differently.”

You place a hand over Taehyung’s head and down his front, revealing how he looked the very first time he had met with the king, “Jihye…”

“Hey.” Taehyung smiles sheepishly, waving shyly as his old appearance morphs back into his college boy disguise, “It’s been a while.”

They both just stare at each other, one nervous and the other in disbelief. Taehyung can’t help but think of all the things Namjoon could want to say to him. How disappointed he is. How upset he must be. It comes as no surprise to anyone when Namjoon moves forward and pulls Taehyung into a hug. His arms cross behind his head and he pulls Taehyung as close as humanly possible without hurting him, “I’ve missed you.”

His words are like a breath of fresh air and Taehyung finds himself relaxing into the embrace and holding his friend back just as tight, “I’ve missed you too…”

It’s a special moment, one Taehyung never thought he would get. His first friend is back and it’s thanks to 3 very unlikely people.

“Why didn’t you come to see me after the spell worked?” Namjoon asks, pulling away.

Taehyung looks down, slightly ashamed, “I didn’t want to mess up again.”

“Again?”

“Like the first time. We’d been so close, but even if I had made it work you still would have-” He stops. He doesn’t need to say it. Not when everyone already knows what he’s going to say.

“But I thought once we broke the spell I’d have to wait until my next life?” Namjoon asks, reiterating what both he and Eunha had put together.

“Technically, this is your next life.” Yoongi mentions.

Life’s revelation comes as a shock to both Namjoon and Taehyung, “What?”

“You were supposed to meet in this life, but because you two just had to make it happen sooner-” Yoongi makes sure to glare so hard in Taehyung’s direction that his planet might even shiver, “-the spell tore your soul away from this one and placed it with your previous body once the spell took hold again.”

“With the spell broken, we were able to put your soul back in this body and merge them together.” You explain. The 3 of you have been sitting on this plan for weeks, and you’ve carefully crafted a friendship with this Namjoon since his soul left his previous body just to ensure you’d be able to make this change happen altogether.

“You’ve been able to do this the whole time? Why didn’t you say anything?!” Taehyung asks, completely shocked. You give him this ‘are you kidding me right now' look and he seems to get the hint, “Right. Fate’s strings…multiple outcomes.”

“I can’t believe this…I can’t wait to tell Eunha.” The modern king is still entranced with himself like he’s never looked at his body before. And then his words hit him and he realizes that Eunha isn’t here and has no idea that he’s alive, “I have to go see her right now-!”

He turns to take off in a sprint and Hoseok places himself in front of him with a hand on his chest, “Not so fast, deadman.”

“Huh?”

Yoongi groans, “You cannot just go hunting her down.” He’d spent far too much time conversing with young adults and various incompetent professors just for this plan to work and he was not going to let it all boil down to nothing.

Namjoon however, doesn’t understand exactly what’s at stake, “Why not? I need to tell her I’m alive and that I’m okay!”

“The magic that brought you back is still fragile. If you go to her now then the whole thing could blow up in all of our faces!” Hoseok explains in his own, dramatic fashion.

“So, what? I’m supposed to just wait?!” The king asks in disbelief.

“It will happen as Fate allows.” You remind him, “You’ve waited this long for a miracle, I think you can wait just a bit more.”

Your words are simple and still just as cryptic as always, but they put him at ease and bring him back to his senses. He nods, “Right…”

“Geez, why couldn’t you have been that easy?” Yoongi says, turning to Taehyung.

The blonde scoffs, “I am easy!”

Hoseok laughs, “I don’t think you actually know what that means.”

Taehyung crosses his arms, “I’m doing my best, okay?”

“Well, now that we got all of that settled-” Hoseok claps his hands together loudly and rubs them together, “-let’s go get some grub.”

Yoongi turns to Hoseok in disbelief and hits his arm, “Are you serious, right now? You don’t need to eat to survive!” The blue-haired deity reminds him.

“But Namjoon does! I’m sure Namjoon would love a nice warm meal.” Hoseok turns to the poor human with a look that resembles a kicked puppy and it’s like they’ve gone back to being undercover again.

“I wouldn’t mind a bite to eat I guess?” Namjoon caves, the god of Death breaking into celebration while the god of Life can only sigh in disappointment, “If we go to that one place downtown we can order drinks at the student price.”

The offer of a few beers seems to peak Yoongi’s interest much more than a measly human meal, “Hoseok gets to pay for everything.”

Hoseok shrugs, “I don’t care. It’s not like I can’t create my own money.”

He turns to get back on track for the gate to leave campus and Namjoon trails after him, “Wait you can do that?! How does that even work?”

“Oh, don’t get him started. Just blame magic like every other human and let’s get to the bus before it leaves.” Yoongi calls out, starting at a slower pace behind them. They leave you and Taehyung to take the back of the group, the both of you trudging along at a slow pace behind them.

“So, are you going back to your duties now that everything is done?” Taehyung asks. A part of him hopes that you’ll stick around or maybe even come to visit him on his own planet, but he knows that you have your own duties to attend to.

But you’ve thought about this as well. You knew that once Namjoon’s memories were merged and he’d be left to go and find Eunha on his own, that you’d be free to go back to how you were before this fiasco started. But things are different now. Now, you have Taehyung who’s snuck his way into your heart and made you feel emotions that you’d left reserved for humans. He’s helped you understand how to feel without letting it interfere with your job, and you don’t want to let that go just yet.

You sigh, “You know, I don’t have a planet of my own. I really just drift freely within space when I’m not doing anything.” You kick at the dirt, “Maybe I could stay here on Earth. Do what humans do.”

He’s shocked, “You’re staying on earth?”

You shrug, “Yeah. I heard there’s this museum with this ancient mummy exhibit.” With a mischievous, all-knowing grin you ask, “Wanna go check it out sometime?”

Taehyung can’t help the smile that breaks out on his face. He takes his arm and wraps it over your shoulder, pulling you into his side, “I’d love to.”

You may not be able to look at your own future together, but at least you know that the both of you can do it together.

Maybe Hui was right.

Maybe for Fate, the future is written in the stars.

~ Thank you for reading ~

[plaidbooks]

Witness Protection - part 2

A/N: And here’s the conclusion (for now)! I didn’t do the reunion with the squad, but if anyone wants that, I could. Again, I split the story in two, so this takes place right after last part. Hope you enjoy!

Part 1

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Words: 2716

Taglist: @witches-unruly-heart  @beccabarba @thatesqcrush @itsjustmyfantasyroom @permanentlydizzy  @ben-c-group-therapy @infiniteoddball @glowingmess @whimsicallymad @lv7867  @storiesofsvu @cycat4077 @alwaysachorusgirl @glimmerglittergirl @joanofarkansass @redlipstickandblacktea @caracalwithchips @berniesilvas  @qvid-pro-qvo @averyhotchner

There weren’t a whole lot of applicants—most people worked at the grocery store or in one of the other little shops in town. But Mike’s eyes lit up when one day, you came in, resumé in your hand.

“Hello! I hope you’re still looking for help? I’d like to apply,” you said, a bright smile on your face.

Mike grinned back, holding his hand out for your resumé. He scanned it quickly, noticing your name, the fact that you were close in age, and seeing that you’ve worked in customer service before.

“I am, yes. Tell me; do you know the difference between a mystery novel and a thriller?” he asked. He wasn’t going to throw you—or anyone—into that position like Gerry had to him. He’d vet you at least a little bit first.

You scrunched up your face as you thought about it, and Mike thought it was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. “Well, I don’t have a dictionary definition for you, but in my opinion, mystery novels are more of a…whodunit. It’s the puzzles, the twists and turns until the villain is revealed at the end. Thriller is more…the game between the protagonist and villain. It focuses more on the tension, rather than figuring out who the killer is.”

Mike blinked in surprise. “That’s actually…you’re dead on. And seeing as you’re the only one who gave me a straight answer, I think you’re perfect for the job.”

“Wait, really?” you asked, your hopes soaring.

Mike nodded. “It’ll be working every day, but I’ll let you choose if you want morning or afternoon shift. Either way, I can only pay $15 an hour. If business keeps steady, though, I may be able to give you a raise down the line.”

“What’re the hours?” you queried. The pay would be fine for your little house. Plus, the owner was waaay too cute.

Mike blushed. “Right, that would be useful information, wouldn’t it?” You laughed and he chuckled. “Morning shift is 8am until 1pm. Afternoons are noon until 5pm. I don’t mind working either shift, so it’s entirely up to you and what you can do.”

“Mornings work perfectly fine for me,” you replied, smiling. You were an early bird, anyways.

Mike gave you another bright grin. “Excellent. Come back at 8am tomorrow morning, and I’ll show you the jobs the morning shift does. And welcome aboard.”

 ***********************

Hiring you turned out to be the best choice Mike could’ve made. You caught on quickly; by the second day, Mike didn’t even need to be there training you anymore. You were great with customers, quick with a joke, and were incredibly well-read. Like him, you often filled the empty time with reading. Though, it was less time than Mike had when working for Gerry; you had to make the coffee and tend to the bakery goods, rearranging them when things sold. And with the higher volume of people, books were left on shelves randomly, making you put them in their correct place.

But the best contribution you made was your own pastries. You told Mike you enjoyed baking, and you brought him in a cupcake one day. It was probably the best thing Mike had ever tasted in his life.

“…would you be willing to sell your confections here? I can’t give you extra time off, not unless I hire someone else. But we can have a limited amount, and once they sell out for the day, they’re out—”

“I’d love to,” you replied, smiling. “Maybe not every day, but I usually make a batch of a dozen in my free time. I could always do two dozen, or a dozen of one thing, a dozen of something else.”

Mike nodded. “How about we start off slow, only selling things on Sunday? And if it turns out to be too much work for you, we can stop.”

“Sounds like a deal, boss man.”

 ************************

Your Sunday Special Treats became so popular, that it was obvious one day wasn’t going to cut it. You’d open the store at 8am with two dozen cookies, and they’d be gone within an hour. It got to the point where you’d show up at your normal 7:30am, and there would be a crowd by the doors, eagerly asking which treats you brought in that day. After discussing with Mike, you agreed to bake for both Sunday and Wednesday, for a mid-week treat.

Mike even offered to come by your place after he closed the shop to help you bake, if you wanted another pair of hands.

“Just so you know, though, I’ve never baked a day in my life,” he said, chuckling.

But he was so damn cute, and you were kind of hoping for more than a work relationship with him. Which is why you replied, “I’d appreciate all the help I can get. I can teach you.”

 ************************

It became a biweekly routine. Tuesday and Saturday nights, Mike would come to your place, around 6pm. You would be just starting baking, and he’d wash his hands before jumping in with you. At first, it was a struggle for him to figure out what to do with all the ingredients in front of you. You handwrote all your recipes—recipes passed down through generations of your family—and Mike followed them to the letter.

“The thing with baking, like cooking, you can add a little bit of this or that if it needs it, whether it’s in the recipe or not,” you told him one night.

He gave you a smirk. “But I don’t know when something needs a little this or that.”

“You’ll get it; you’re incredibly smart, Mike.”

He ducked his head, but you saw his cheeks turn a bright pink, a grin on his face.

Working so close together, not just baking, but in the bookstore as well, it was no shock that you fell head over heels for the sweet man. And it was no surprise when he fell just as hard for you. Both of you were afraid of the implications and the power play of Mike being your boss. But it never felt like a boss/employee relationship. It was always just…a partnership.

Eventually, you stopped eating dinner before he showed up, instead offering to make dinner for him. He stopped picking things up to eat on the way to your place, opting to have dinner with you, whether homemade or takeout, it didn’t matter.

One night, you were feeling playful, and you flicked flour into Mike’s face. He gave you a look of disbelief before breaking into a grin. He threw a pinch back into your face, and you let out a laugh so pure, it had Mike’s heart melting. He was leaning against the counter next to you, close enough that your clothes were touching. Your laughter came to an end, and you glanced into his face, smiling at the white powder on his nose and cheeks.

You couldn’t say who leaned in first, but soon enough, your lips were brushing against his before he pushed his more forcefully against yours. One of Mike’s hands went to cup the back of your head, and you grabbed his shirt, holding him to you.

Suddenly, the timer dinged loudly, and you gently pulled away from him, giving him a small smile before going to pull the brownies from the oven. You didn’t mind being interrupted, though; it was the first kiss of many that you would share with Mike Jones.

 ***********************

It was like you were both on the fast track in your relationship. You dated for only a few months before you found a house together. You both ran the shop, Mike raising your pay—while cutting his—until you were equal. And you never thought you could be more in love with someone in your life.

One day, Mike told you that he wanted the shop closed on the next Saturday. When you asked why, he said that he needed to have an important talk with you on Friday night, and that he wanted a free day afterwards; so that you didn’t have to be in bed early, and you had time to process things. He had seemed nervous, and it wasn’t the first time it felt like there was something on his mind while he was with you.

You were slightly worried, but also excited; was he going to propose? You didn’t want to get your hopes up, but you had no other explanation to what this talk could be.

Mike came home after closing the shop on Friday evening, carrying takeout in a plastic bag. You greeted him with a kiss, and he gave you a smile. But you could see the nerves and concern in his eyes. After scooping food into a bowl, you both sat at the dining table in the kitchen.

“What I have to say isn’t…easy. And I must stress that it doesn’t leave this house, ever,” he started.

You nodded. “Whatever it is, I’m sure nothing will change, Mike.”

He sighed, closing his eyes. “My last name isn’t Jones. It’s Dodds.”

“What? All this is about a name change—”

“It’s more than that. I—I’m in witness protection.”

You sat there, stunned into silence as Mike gave you his entire life story. He gave you every little detail about himself, about growing up in New York City, about his overbearing father and his career in the Army, boxing, and the NYPD. He told you about his parent’s divorce, about his brother’s drug problems. He told you about his fiancée, about how the hit out on him was probably one of the best things that ever happened to him.

“I miss my family and squad, will always miss them. But until the Western Italian Mafia is dealt with, I can’t go home. And that syndicate is huge; I doubt I ever could go home.” He let out a small chuckle. “After meeting you, though, I don’t know if I want to go home, either.”

You looked up at him with wide eyes. “Why did you tell me all this?” you muttered, conscious of how loud you were talking. “Aren’t you supposed to keep it secret?”

“Technically, yes. Only the FBI and that doctor who pronounced me dead knows. But I…I couldn’t give you all of myself until I gave you, well, all of myself,” he explained, his expression pleading.

You felt goosebumps on your arms. “You really trust me that much?”

“Darling,” he said, shaking his head. He took your hands in his. “I trust you with my life. You’re it, the end game for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Tears sprung up in your eyes. “I don’t care if your name is Mike Jones, or Dodds, or anything! I love you, and only you. I want to grow old with you, too.”

The widest grin stretched across his face before he got up from his chair. He came around the table and kneeled in front of you, releasing your hands to cup your face. He used his thumbs to brush the tears from your face before pulling you to him in a kiss full of love and passion.

You leaned back slightly. “You’re safe here in California, right?”

“I should be, yes.”

You nodded. “Good, because I don’t want to lose you. And I’d fight a mafia for you.”

Mike huffed out a laugh, and you tugged him back in for another kiss.

 *****************

Something that Mike learned a few months later was that his driver’s license and birth certificate were enough of an ID to get married. It was a small ceremony, just you, Mike, and your parents. You both agreed that Mike’s parents had both already passed, and he was an only child. Mike got to wear a tuxedo once more, and he dimly thought about what it would’ve been like to marry Alice back in Manhattan. But then he saw you in your simple dress, and those thoughts faded away. He had never been happier as he stood next to you, signing the marriage license, then bringing you in for a tender kiss. For legal reasons, you decided to keep your last name, but that didn’t stop him from calling you Mrs. Jones, or wifey.

 *****************

It took only a month after your wedding for you to wind up pregnant. Both you and Mike were over the moon with excitement and joy. He built the nursery in your home while you made a list of baby names. You were set to have a little boy, and Mike’s only contribution was to veto William and Matthew.

“I don’t want to think about my old family—” he started, but you held up a hand.

“I understand. But what about as a middle name?”

He thought about it. “I guess that’s okay…. Have you chosen a first name yet?”

You smiled softly. “I’m thinking about my father’s name, Phillip. What do you think?”

“I like it. Which do you like more; Phillip William, or Phillip Matthew?” For the same legal reasons, Phillip would have your last name, rather than Mike’s fake one.

You gave him a look. “I chose the first name; this one is on you. Besides, I like them both.”

“You’re a lot of help,” Mike teased, chuckling.

 ******************

Eight months later, Phillip Matthew was born, happy and healthy. He was absolutely perfect, and neither you nor Mike could be prouder or more in love with him. Of course, you both had closed the bookstore for a week while you were in labor and afterwards, both of you doting on your newborn. And when Mike went back to work, it was for limited hours. The town was understanding, almost overtly so.

In fact, you never had to buy diapers—at least for the first few months. Your neighbors gifted you diapers, clothes, food, anything you could happen to need. The bookstore’s hours change to 8am until noon. Then it closed for an hour and reopened until 5pm. Mike worked mornings now; you were busy with Phillip and pumping milk for the afternoon. Then he’d come home, and you’d eat lunch together before you went to the bookstore, leaving Mike to watch and play with Phillip. It was a perfect arrangement, and you were both happy and in love.

Time seemed to fly by; soon enough, Phillip was crawling, then standing, then walking. He was a Daddy’s boy through and through, always following him around the house. His first word was “dada,” and Mike started taking Phillip with him on his evening jogs—he didn’t take morning jogs anymore, instead wanting to spend his mornings with you and Phillip. And when Phillip saw Mike working out, he would attempt to copy him, much to your amusement and worry.

One day, Mike was doing pushups in the living room, and Phillip couldn’t look away. He was still just under two-years-old, and he got down on his knees. You came into the room just in time to watch Phillip, on hands and knees, slam his face into the ground in an attempt at a pushup. You gasped and went to make sure he was alright, but Mike held up a hand, watching his son intently. Instead of crying, Phillip looked up at his father, waiting for praise.

“That was great, Phil. But try not to hit your head on the ground,” Mike said slowly, as if Phillip would understand what he was saying.

Mike got back in a pushup position, and Phillip followed. “Watch me, big guy,” he muttered, slowly going down to the ground. Phillip mimicked, eyes wide and locked on his dad’s grinning face. And when he pushed back up to his knees, Mike’s smile grew.

“Honey, did you see that?! Our little man did a pushup!” Mike announced, moving to sit and pulling Phillip into his lap, hugging him and murmuring encouragement.

You rolled your eyes, laughing. “I can’t believe you’re having him do pushups with you. You’re going to make him a bodybuilder by five!”

Mike guffawed, picturing it. “Nah—I can get him there by age three.”

You grinned, gazing at your happy family while Mike rolled onto his back, holding Phillip at arm’s length above him.

[ajthedumbass]

Son of a Preacher

Summary: Patton Hart lives in a small town. As son of the local preacher, he’s supposed to be an example of a good Christian son. While trying to meet expectations, one boy might change his life.

Pairings: Mainly intruality, with side analogical and roceit

Warnings: Alcohol, underage drinking, religion, implied abuse, homophobia, swearing, mentions of sex, internalized homophobia. I think thats all but let me know if theres more

All Parts  Next Part >

Chapter 1

-

Patton Hart had always been a good kid.

He went to Church, he helped clear the table, kept his room tidy and his grades high. He never went to parties, or did drugs, or drank anything other than the wine he had for communion. He never acted out. He didn’t want to ruin his family’s image of the perfect “traditional” family.

His mom was a teacher at the town’s elementary school and taught Sunday School on the weekends. She always had dinner on the table at 6pm and hosted bible study groups for the local moms every Wednesday and Friday.

His dad was the town’s preacher. Everyone knew him. They all loved and respected him. He was looked up to by many in town as both a leader and as a great father.

His older brother Percy had been the star of the high school football team. Popular at school and was now engaged to the former head of the cheer squad. He got accepted into multiple top colleges for his athletic abilities. He was the “perfect” son, even though Patton knew of several impure things Percy would do behind their parent’s backs when he lived at home.

And then there was Patton. The sweet boy who rarely got in trouble and did everything he could to be as “perfect” as his brother. He was the kind of boy every parent in town would want their daughter to marry. Though, he never was interested in dating. At least that’s what he told his parents. There was one thing he kept hidden from them. 

He was gay.

-

Sunday was a church day as always. Patton and his mother in the front to be close to Mr. Hart as he gave his weekly sermon. Something about some sinner in the bible and what not. Sometimes his father would start talking about how being gay is a sin.

If only he knew.

Patton gets up in the middle of him talking, excusing himself and listening to his mother tell him to hurry back. He just wanted to get away from the homophobia before his brain starts acting up again. He walks to the bathroom, the smell of alcohol affronting him as soon as he enters. Two boys stand in the corner, drinking from a flask and laughing at some crude joke one of them told. He tries to just quickly go into a stall without drawing attention to himself, but is noticed by one of them. “Hey, you’re the preacher’s kid, right?”

Patton gulps and nervously looks up with a nod. “Y-Yeah... You know you really shouldn’t be doing that here...” He knew both of them from school. In fact, his best friend was ‘rivals’ with one in drama club and twins with the other. The pair, Janus and Remus, were the complete opposite of Patton, which made him extremely anxious about being alone in the same room as them.

Remus was tall and muscular, dark eyeliner outlining his eyes. He had one brown eye and one green eye, and was totally identical to his twin except for two things. Personality, and mustache. Janus was average height and equally intimidating to Remus. His black hair covered his eyes some, though the big scar that went over his left eye was still visible.

Remus’ eyes light up as he grins. “Wanna tryyyy iiiit?” He holds the flask out to Patton, who very quickly shakes his head. “Your loss!” Remus laughs as he takes another sip. Janus sighs, grabbing the flask from Remus. “You’re already drunk enough. I swear if my flask is empty and I have to deal with my dad almost sober... Dammit Remus!” “Whaaaat?” He whines, pouting like a child. 

Patton slips out quickly before either of them can start talking to him again. “I’ll just wait until I get home” He mutters to himself.

Remus runs out after him, Janus behind him. “Hey, what’s your name?~”

Janus sighs. “I’m sorry, I tried to stop him.” Patton half-smiles “I-Its okay... I’m Patton” Remus gasps, acting as though it was the most amazing thing he’d ever heard. “Wooooooooooow! See you later Patton!~” He giggles before running back into the bathroom with his friend.

Patton waves “Bye!”

-

“I’m gonna kill him... He thinks he’s so much better than me...” Patton sighs “You got the lead, why are you so upset?” Roman gasps dramatically. “Because he... he... he’s just a bitch!” Virgil chuckles as he sits at the lunch table with his boyfriend. “Yeah, and Roman just wants to fuck him.” Logan laugh as Roman flips them off. 

Patton grins a little before fake glaring. “Language!”

Virgil rolls his eyes, knowing Patton was only joking. “Sorry dad! I won’t say fuck anymore.”

Patton sighs and laughs. “Don’t make me use the finger.” He jokes, waving said finger at them playfully.

Logan snorts “Yes Pat, because that would be so effective.” Before Patton can respond, someone speaks behind him. “Hey preacher boy~” Patton looks over, seeing Remus again. “H-Hi”

Roman groans “Fuck off Re...” 

Remus shushes Roman “I’m having a conversation. How are you Patton?”

Patton blushes a little. “I-I’m good. Uh, how are you?” He asks back. He noticed the way Remus’ hair looked so soft and fluffy, his mustache appearing to match. He wanted to run his hands through it and stare into his eyes.

As soon as those thoughts popped into his mind, the familiar thoughts of hostility towards his sexuality returned. They came any time his family said homophobic things and anytime he seemed to get feelings for a boy. Before he can get too lost in his own thoughts, Remus replies.

“Good. Janus still wants to kill me for drinking his flask.” Roman furrows his brows. “Don’t you have your own?”  “Am I talking to you? Anyways, I better go before he finds me and starts bitching about Roman again. Bye!”

“Bye!” Patton giggles and waves, blushing as he turns back around.

Virgil raises an eyebrow. “Patton’s got a crush” “On my brother? Really Pat?” Roman groans.

Patton blushes more “He’s cute... His mustache looks soft...”

Logan grins “I think Patton just likes bad boys.”

“I... Oh there’s the bell, gotta go!” He says quickly, rushing out of the lunchroom.

-

Patton walks home, smiling as he heads to the pond he always goes to on the way. He smiles and sits on the bench, pulling out the ziploc bag with a few slices of bread in it out of his pocket. He starts tearing the bread, throwing the pieces into the water for his “duck friends”. He sits contently for several minutes, then notices a familiar face slightly up the shore from him. He moves from his spot and stands behind Remus. “Hey!”

Remus turns around and smiles widely “Hi PatPat! You like frogs?” He asks, holding a very small frog in the palm of his hand with the gentleness of a little kitten. 

Patton gasps “So cute! Can I hold him?” He smiles when Remus nods and takes the frog happily. “Hi little buddy!”

Remus blushes at the sight but quickly regains composure. “I come here sometimes to go frog hunting. I like to look for bugs too.” Patton chuckles “I can handle frogs... not so much bugs, especially spiders. I like to feed the ducks everyday. I give them a little snack. We’ve become quite good friends... if you want, I have some bread left. We could sit and feed them for a while.”

“That sounds nice” The pair sat on the bench, now feeding the ducks together with the little frog hopping around between them. Patton felt happy sitting there with him. He felt free and relaxed. It wasn’t until Remus reached over to touch his hand that his brain moved from autopilot.

“Can I kiss you?”

[jjyusmile]

to feel free [social media au] - four

your converse shuffled lazily against the tile of your apartment hall, wrist clasped in juyeon’s palm as he dragged you toward your front door. drowsy, your eyes fluttered open and closed as your head lulled from side to side.

a low chuckle came from juyeon’s direction as you stopped in front of your apartment door. strands of hair had fallen over your eyes, softly blowing up toward your forehead wasnt enough to fend them off. delicate fingers grazed against your forehead to tuck your hair behind your ears; he didn’t miss the way his heart clenched as the sight of your eyelashes fluttering against your cheeks.

“I guess this is what I get for dragging you around the city all day,” he murmured, his fingers punching in your passcode into the keypad - 980115. you thought it would be funny to make it his birthday... something you’d never forget. a shy smile fell on his lips each time... someone you’d never forget.

once the door was open, you barged passed him dramatically to fall onto the sofa. your arms flailed above your head with an exasperated sigh; sinking lower into the plushness, you were interrupted by juyeon lifting your feet up so he could sit beneath you. your feet dropped into his lap and his thumb rubbed your ankle absentmindedly after taking off your shoes.

“what do you wanna do?” you hummed in response, sleep threatening to take you away from quality best friend time.

he shook your feet, playfully. he received a groan in response. “how about... we order... noodles?”

a bellow escape his chest as you shot up immediately at the sound of your best friend offering to get noodles delivered. his hand clutches his stomach as his head fell against the back of the sofa. it was certainly a sight for sore eyes.

“okay... how about you order and i’ll go take my make up off?” you grinned cheekily, a wave shot his way without giving him time to argue.

inspecting through the mirror, you rubbed the cleanser in small circles onto your face, humming along to the tune juyeon was playing from the living room. his favourite song that could only ever be sung loudly and obnoxiously.

and i just wanna be your favourite booooooy! I wanna be the one that makes your day, the one you think about as you lie awake~

his voice like velvet as his echoed through the apartment. even when he was joking around, his voice melted your fingertips as you continued to clean your face. his voice was getting closer-

let me tell you how it feels to be fucking great.. i feel greaaaaattt

his eyes crinkled in a smile as popped around the corner of the bathroom door. you only saw his reflection, but his carefree aura radiated as he leaned against the doorframe.

You better trust me when I tell you

There ain't no one else more beautiful in this damn world

he raised his eyebrow at you as you sang along~ you’re gonna wanna be my best friend, baby.

“you’ve never called me baby before,” he questioned, eyes glistening in the playful mood he was in. your face covered in fluffy suds still made his heart race in his chest.

“who said I was talking to you?” you quipped in response. a giggle escaping as his fingers came to tickle your sides. “juyeon! ahh- my eyes, there’s soap in my eyes!!”

he laughed dramatically, taking the damp cloth out of your hands to your face as he wiped your eyes. his hand cradled the back of your neck to keep you still, your pout never shifting.

a soft boop to your nose told you he was done. “i’m still your best friend, though.”

“i guess so,” you sighed, dramatically. leaning down, you pulled a face mask out of your cabinet drawer.

“ooh! i want one- give me one!!” beaming, he was like an puppy, like a golden retriever or samoyed... whichever one bounced the most when excited.

he was already taking the sheet mask out of the pack by the time you had found another. he took it out of your hands and placed it on the side. “face me.”

your eyebrow twitched into a questioning expression but you did as he said. a cooling sensation met your skin as his fingers delicately smoothed out the edges. the rose essence calmed your mood immediately while he traced your features with his fingertips, lightly brushing out the bubbles on the edges. an abrupt absence caused you to take a peak at him, to find him waiting expectantly with the pack already open.

he was at least 6 inches taller than you, your forehead just tall enough to reach his nose. with his eyes drifted closed, the mask went on smoothly; there was barely any need to brush out the edges. but you couldn’t help it. his honey skin was too inviting, even if your mind was screaming at you that you’re being weird. he didn’t seem to mind. his eyebrows relaxed under your touch as your finger brushed against his upper lip, lightly tracing his prominent cupid’s bow; you fought back the strange urge to blow on it as a pout formed against his lips. don’t be weird, it’s juyeon...

like he sensed your inner conflict, his eyes fluttered open and poured into your own. it felt like minutes had passed before you had the confidence to look away, afraid of admitting that the tiniest ball of mush had formed in the pit of your stomach. it couldn’t be that.

you reached into his back pocket to retrieve his phone, which now barely whispered a song you recognised by frank ocean. your finger print automatically unlocked it and you searched for the camera.

“smile!” your reflection posing in the mirror, a soft but genuine smile greeting your lips; juyeon turned his body slightly and shifted to move a bit closer to you. his fringe fell on top of the mask as he leaned over your shoulder to get closer to the camera. you on the other hand... it was like blood rushing to your head, you could barely hear anything except his breath that blew gently against your jawline. does he know he‘s doing that?

your finger hit the capture button a few times, juyeon’s head tilting closer to yours each time you took each picture. his nose rested by your jawline as a candid smile formed against his lips, it was unlike anything you’d ever seen before.

lowering the phone, your head turned slowly to get a closer look. you weren’t expecting juyeon to already be gazing down at you; so when he eyes immediately poured into yours, it was like your breath was stolen for a millisecond. it happened so quickly that you questioned its sincerity. luckily for you, the doorbell rang for the food delivery.

his eyes crinkling again, he lingered for a moment, just watching your expression shift from joy to an intense look of questioning before he pecked the small tip of your nose that peaked from under the mask and ran toward the door.

what was that?

________________

text?! helloooooo there~ something a little different but my favourite thing to do :’)

pairing: best friend!juyeon x reader

summary: what happens when your idea of soulmates is corrupted and the fear of losing your soul places walls around your heart?

warning: none

updates: every thursday and sunday at 6pm GMT (or sooner if I feel like it)

taglist: @yeolsbubbles @localjisung @cgv-kayy ✨

ch 4 | next

main post

[aal-archaeology]

Summary of my first term of my Ph.D. at Stanford during a global pandemic and an extremely controversial election year (Anthropology, yr. 1, she/they, 25y/o) with some toggl data analysis

Well this year was a doozy if I don’t say so myself. But we survived it, and its okay if that’s all you were able to do this year because that’s enough.  As an offical 18th grader, I feel like I can speak pretty well to the toxicity of the academic environment. There is always a pressure to be working all of the time, people compete with each other with how few hours of sleep they got, every conversation with fellow students is just listing off all of the different assignemnts you have to do by the end of the week. On top of all of this, this is 2020. So, I decided that this year I’m going to give myself some mental slack. 

I decided that this is the year that I’m not going to try to impress anyone. I’m just going to survive and do what I have to do to move onto the next term. I think I did a pretty good job at that for the first term, so I’ll share a bit about what I observed in myself and those in my cohort. Coming into term one having to choose classes, many of my peers were packing their schedules full of 5 Unit seminars. For those who don’t know, theoretically, a 5 Unit course is supposed to take about 5-6 hours of work outside of class hours. For Stanford Anthropology, most PhD students take as close as they can to 18 credits, and anything over that you have to pay extra for the courses. Taking more courses doesn’t really put you any further ahead in terms of completing your degree, and you’re expected to complete about 45 Units each year for the first two years of the program. 

I decided to take 2 seminars (typical), a language course, and a couple filler credits that we are given the option to use if we need 1-3 units to hit 18 total. I,  fortunately, tracked every hour spent outside of the classroom working on each course using toggl (i highly reccomend): 

In a typical week, I spent about 5-6 hours/week outside of class on my Anthro seminars, and about 6-7 hours on Japanese. Japanese was a “for-fun” class so I would usually study more of that when I didn’t feel like reading dense archaeological theory. 

Toggl was a really cool way to see where I was spending too much, or not enough, time on my classwork. If it was taking me more than 1.5 hours to get through a single article, I knew I was probably spending too much time on it and should move on to the next thing. My goal for the term was to stay true to the 5 Unit idea of 5-6 hours, and not over-work myself. 

Toggl was also useful in tracking my mental health throughout the term, as it is very obvious to see when I just was not physically capable of ingesting 400 pages of reading. For example, election week:

Election week was really hard for me, and everyone else in the world honestly. I had various family things I was dealing with, typical existential dread, plus it was week 8-ish of the term when everything was already on fire in terms of workload. For one of my seminars (purple), we had to read a book for the following week which I was able to do the sundar after election day. However, for the days leading up to and surrounding the 4th, the only thing I could mentally handle was mindless Japanese vocab studying. One of my seminars really sufferend this week, and I straight up just didnt show up to the smaller Anth 310G class because I had only read the title of the pdf. Fortunately, I emailed my professor of my Theory class and was like “yo dude I cannot” and he replied that he understood and wouldnt call on me during that day of class. 

I didn’t do a whole lot of journalling at all this term, but for this week I just wrote “pain” on most days and then YAY BIDEN at the end of it. 

Weekly Schedule

Above is what a typical week looked like, some were a lot lot lot more dense, others not so much, but this was pretty average. Not all things on the calendar are work related, some are extra lectures from visiting professors that sounded interesting, or “Free Boba & Snacks Pick Up” put on by my residence. Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday were my big work days last term, where I didn’t have a whole lot of classes so I would do most of my reading then. On Tues and Thurs I had one 3-hour seminar, and M-F I had a 50 min Japanese class. 

I woke up every day around 7am-ish, made a green tea, and sat at the computer to work, filter through emails, etc. On particularily open days I would go grocery shopping, go for bike rides/walks around campus, go buy food/boba. 

On class-heavy days, I wouldn’t leave my computer for 8-12 hours, which is extremely ridiculous but that’s the new norm in school in 2020. This kind of stunk because all of the socializing was also on the computer, so even if I wasn’t working I was doing screen related things. 

EVERY day I stopped working at 6pm. Rarely did I do readings past 6pm unless I was really slacking somewhere. From 6pm onwards I would do things like play Among Us or League of Legends with my discord friends, eat, watch movies with my partner, etc. And then most nights I would try to be in bed by 12am at the latest. 

Social Life

Despite the online nature of things this term, I was suprisingly able to meet a lot of great people on campus. We were all being tested at least once a week, which made in person gatherings with 1-4 people a little less scary, especially when half of the people lived together in one household. 

In the first week of school, some of the grad programs put on a “speed friending” zoom event, where I was able to connect with two people really well. We ended up doing a “slow-friending” zoom event afterwards and then created a FB group chat and added all of the people we had met into it. The group ended up being about 15 people, and we would message the group for park hangouts, going to get food, or going on walks on campus. We also had a huge get together in a park for Mid-Autumn Festival, where we sat in a socially distanced circle, chatted, and ate mooncakes. 

Most of my socializing came from my online friends, and amongus was a huge savior to my mental health this term wher emy group would play literally every night. I also made a really good friend off of Bumble BFF this term, who I’ve hung out with a good amount for plant shopping and board games. 

I’m very fortunate to be in a situation where I can get tested for COVID on a days notice, and very grateful that I could use that to stay a little sane.  My Biggest Accomplishment this term, was not school related. but instead I hit my 365 DAY STREAK on duolingo. This was celebrated with cake. This streak has lived through literal hell and for that I am very proud. 

Overall reflection:

This term was super rough, there were a lot of days where I just napped through it and a lot of days where I couldn’t bring myself to do any work. However, I think the courseload that I took was very manageable and I’m going to continue to go light on myself in that regard. 

I really liked the boundaries that I set for myself this term, not working after 6pm and making time to do some fun things in the midst of chaos. I never felt like I was too far behind on work, or that I wasn’t doing enough, because I had a literal reminder in front of me that I had already put x amount of hours into something with toggl. 

Sometimes in class I would feel like I didn’t know how to productively contribute to conversation, but I think thats a skill that will get better over time and not being so great at it should especially be expected in the first term of a program.

Socially I met a lot of wonderful people who also made me feel more comfortable will myself. I started using She/They pronouns which feel really comforting to me. I made a lot of little origami cranes every time I was feeling sad. I drank a lot of boba. Watched a lot of She Ra. Played a lot of games. It all ended up being okay despite the weight of everything around me. 

I’m proud of all of you for making it through this year, I know it was really difficult for a lot of people in more ways than it was for me, but we’re still here! Sometimes all you can do it make it to the next day and thats such a big accomplishment on its own.  Please feel free to reach out with any questions about time-management, toggl, phd stuff in general, archaeology, etc! Always happy to help out. :’) Thanks for reading! Lyss

[marvelsswansong]

Soooo I was thinking maybe 3 & 35 with Bucky maybe??

3: “I can’t go to sleep without you next to me.”

35: “It’s not your fault.”

a/n: ASDFKLJASDF SO MUCH FLUFF IT MIGHT KILL YOU. 

——————————-

‘This is nothing more than a mission.’ 

That was the mantra that Bucky kept replaying over and over on his head, as you leaned into his touch and kissed him softly in the lips. The sound of the neighborhood children playing and the array of cars honking faded into the background as he focused on your touch, your very essence enveloping him in a warm embrace.

“Good morning, Jeremy! Linda, how are you?” 

Right.

None of this was real. In this neighborhood, in this world, he was not Bucky Barnes. He was Jeremy Haze- a software engineer from Iowa who worked for Microsoft for five years. And you were Linda Haze- his doting wife and stay at home author. 

“We’re doing well, Harvey, how are you?” you responded softly to your neighbour, a bright smile on your face. 

“Pretty good myself, say, the wife’s throwing a little barbecue this Sunday. Would you happen to be free?”

“Of course we are. Who else is coming?” you asked casually, prying the subject for more information.

“The usual. The Harrington’s, the Brown’s, a couple of new families from down the street. Oh, and I think the William’s are free this weekend too.”

At the mention of your target Bucky’s eyes gleamed in interest, and he straightened his back and gave his neighbour a polite smile.

“Sounds great. We’ll be there, for sure. Thank you for the invite, Harvey. See you around.” 

“Yep, see you around!”

The two of you stayed hugging each other until the door to your house closed, after which Bucky slowly separated himself from you. He would’ve wanted nothing more than to hug you, to kiss you and hold you like he did outside of this house, but it was all for a mission.

Just a facade.

“God, can you believe that this is how these people lived?” you asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. 

Bucky followed you into the living room as you continued to talk, your legs dangling off the side of the sofa as you laid back and spoke to the ceiling.

“So free, so… dull. The whole suburban lifestyle where your biggest worry is whether or not your newspaper gets delivered on time?”

Bucky poured you a glass of water before drinking his own, a small smile on his face.

“I don’t know, doll-”

Your heart skipped at the use of the nickname you adored so much- you secretly loved that it was only reserved for when the two of you were alone, and not used outside of the household. It almost made it feel like there was something real, something tangible between the two of you.

But you knew there wasn’t.

“I think this kinda life would be nice. Very different from the lives we lead, at least. A steady job, big family, nice house, the whole nine yards… I don’t know, haven’t you ever wished you had that?” he questioned, eyeing you carefully.

You sighed sadly.

“I guess… if it was with the right person.” 

Your gaze remained fixated on the ceiling as Bucky stared at you quietly, adoration ever so evident in his gaze.

“I know what you mean.”

The rest of the week went by in a blur- at every day at 8am, Bucky would wear his suit and tie and get in a taxi to “go to work” before returning for dinner at 6pm. In those mornings you’d open the door and kiss him goodbye out in the open, before returning to the house and cleaning the entire space from top to bottom. On some days, you went outside to go grocery shopping or got invited by some ladies who wanted to have brunch at the country club. You always accepted, a fake bright smile on your lips and a gentle grace in every action you took. 

It was your job, after all. To blend in with these people. To pretend like you were just an ordinary housewife, shy and sweet Mrs.Haze. Wife of Jeremy Haze, the software engineer. But you could’ve never prepared yourself for how difficult it was going to be to have to pretend to be in love with Bucky- when in reality, you actually were. 

‘I’m going insane.’

Sunday came quite quickly and it all went smoothly. You cornered the target- a Russian mob boss who had a summer home in this neighborhood under a fake alias- while the rest of the attendees were busy making small talk by the pool, in order to gain information. In the mean time, Bucky slipped away and broke into the target’s house to gather the evidence Shield needed to incriminate him. And in less than three hours, the man was taken away in cuffs by the police as you and Bucky watched from your house.

“Fury just called. A taxi’s coming to pick us up in a few minutes.” announced Bucky, closing the door.

Your heart fell at the thought that you would no longer be near Bucky 24/7 but quickly put on a fake smile, not wanting Bucky to see how you really felt.

“That’s great… And uh, great job as always. The mission was a success and… you know, you were a great fake husband for the past three months.” you said jokingly, shoving him playfully.

Bucky’s cheeks flushed at your touch but he quickly coughed to cover it up, a small smile on his face.

“Yeah… You were a great wife, too.”

You grinned back.

“I’m glad.”

The ride back home was quiet, with Bucky immersing himself in a book and you putting on headphones in order to ignore the obvious tension between the two of you. It felt odd to be next to Bucky without resting your head on his shoulder or sitting on his lap- all those little things you did when you were his “wife”- but you had to remind yourself again that it was never real.

Unbeknownst to you, Bucky wanted nothing more than to reach over and hug you and kiss you, already missing having you by his side.

‘It was just a mission, you idiot.’

But every time he was close to leaning over and touching you, he found himself pulling backwards and ignoring you. He didn’t want to cross a line, after all, Bucky was just a friend to you, at best. It hurt to admit, but it was true. So he just stayed silent and admired you from the shadows, wishing he could reach over and touch you.

———————-

It had been an entire week since you had returned to your regular life at the tower, but you still felt empty and lonely. You missed having someone to hold onto when you were tired. You missed having a warm body to have next to you in bed. But mostly, you just really missed Bucky.

You tossed and turned in your bed, the clock nearing 2am, as you wished that you could just fall asleep as easily as you did when Bucky was next to you. But you just couldn’t. It all felt wrong. The bed was too soft, the covers were too warm and you were too-

“(Y/n)?” 

You sat up in bed and rubbed your eyes awake, only to see a disheveled Bucky in the doorway.

“Bucky?” you said quietly, surprised.

He looked like he hadn’t sleep in so long. Dark eyes colored his hollowed complexion and his hair was a tangled mess as he stepped forward, his hand anxiously grasping his pillow.

“I… I can’t go to sleep without you next to me. Is it okay if I-” 

"Yeah, yeah… Uh, come on in.”

You remained silent as Bucky closed your door and climbed into bed next to you. 

“Sorry for waking you, doll.” drawled Bucky in that adorably sleepy voice you missed.

“No… It’s not your fault, I was already awake. Besides, I’m glad you came. I just, I got so used to sleeping next to you that I couldn’t fall asleep either.”

Bucky nodded.

“I just… I missed you so much, darling.”

You smiled.

“You’ve seen me everyday for the past week, Buck.”

He shook his head sideways.

“That’s not what I mean. I miss holding you in my arms. I miss waking up with you next to me. I miss being able to kiss you and touch you without worrying about what other people I think. I miss… I miss getting to call you mine.” 

Bucky whispered the last part of his sentence, his voice shaking from how nervous he was. 

“But Bucky-”

You shuffled closer towards him, your face a few inches away from his. You smiled.

“I am yours.”

A cheeky grin spread across his lips before he placed his hand on your cheek, drawing you in closer and kissing you as gently as you could. You smiled into the kiss, your hands getting tangled in his hair as you pulled him in deeper.

“I don’t wanna fake anymore. I want to be able to wake up next to you- the real you. Every morning.”

You let yourself be embraced by Bucky’s arms and leaned into his touch, a sleepy smile on your face.

“So let’s do that then. Everything we just did- but for real.”

Bucky nodded and hugged you softly, watching you drift off to sleep. He watched with soft admiration as you fell asleep before pressing a kiss to your forehead and whispering.

“And one day, I’ll marry you for real.”

————————————–

a/n: asdfjsalfjalsdf i hope this wasn’t trash ok i tried

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[marvelingjules]

Hello, love your posts and being a follower of you, I get tons great content from this place here. I was just wondering how you get all your work done for school and still have a decent amount of time to do other stuff? And how you can motivate yourself to start working on an essay or homework? Sorry if this is sudden, and thank you!

Awww, you’re so sweet, thanks! :D I’ve been feeling a bit guilty because I haven’t been putting stuff out at even close to the rate I was before, recently, so this kind of just cheered me up on that front a bit! :)

I’ll be honest - I have pretty bad insomnia. Like, if I’m lucky I fall asleep before 2am, but more often I don’t sleep until more like 3am (and then get up at 9:35 to quickly get ready for work for the day, which ends at 6pm). So when I can’t sleep, I tend to write or read fanfic, lol. That’s a part of it, I’d guess.

(Read more below - it got a bit long, sorry!)

If I’m doing really good on things - anxiety induced procrastination, writers block, etc - I try to do my homework so that way I finish it a few days before it’s due. Since I’m only taking two classes (a normal one and my thesis project class) this has been a bit easier so far, and I usually finish my homework in the middle of the week for my normal class, which has work due on Sunday’s if it’s small and Friday’s if it’s a large assignment. (Dumb, I know. But also nice in that I then have two days where I can’t even access the next week’s work, so I have to take a break.)

If it’s a bad spell… well. In those times, I try to just do “something”. I tell myself “just do this piece of it” and I take FOREVER to do it, but I get that bit done - and sometimes, once I get started, it’s actually easier just to keep going a bit more.

I have certain routines, I guess. They help me focus. I do my homework not at my house, I put in earphones (sometimes not even listening to anything, just to muffle sound? idk, it works for me), and I typically play movie score soundtracks because it gives me noise and drowns out DISTRACTING noise. (I like the Transformers 2 soundtrack. And the Winter Soldier one. There’s a playlist on youtube that has the first three Transformers soundtracks and I usually put that on shuffle and repeat.) So that helps for me. I establish a routine, and I stick to it for my studying. An order I do things in, a place I do it in, and certain things I do. (I’m also that person that has folders and notebooks color-coordinated for different classes.) So even when I’m having a bad time, doing those things can at least get my brain going in the “homework time” direction, even if it’s more of a struggle to do the things.

When I have BIG things to get through, or a lot to do at a time, I take breaks. I had a teacher once suggest to take a fifteen minute break every 45 minutes. I usually do it like “every chapter” or “every section” or some other way of splitting my work, and then I give myself fifteen or so minutes to do something I WANT to do - read some of a book or fic, fool around on Tumblr, etc. Usually on those times I think of it as “rewarding myself” - and I bribe and reward myself a lot to do things I don’t want to. I go “Hey, Jules, IF YOU DO THIS, YOU CAN REWARD YOURSELF WITH THIS THING YOU WANT.” and somehow I trick myself into this working. I feel like I earned the thing I want, so I can’t feel guilty about letting myself have it, you know?

Sometimes, I do these “Q&A” posts, and it’s cool when that works out for me? Because I can come on here and say “okay answer the questions you have and then back to work!” and it keeps my free-time limited, but it’s something fun that I enjoy to do. And it kind of feels like everyone’s helping me out, too, in a way, which I then feel encouraged to keep powering through.

So that’s how I… make myself do my homework and get it all done in time - sometimes barely but you know, it gets done. Honestly, I usually power through assignments in their entirety if I can. The most I’ve ever “worked ahead” on a big assignment were my finals in the spring, where I made myself complete basically a page of each of them, a week for about a month ahead of time. That was probably the least-stressful week of finals ever lol. But it did mean less free time to relax leading UP to said finals. So…? *shrugs*

Since I typically push through an assignment in one go - for example, for each of my competency essays for my thesis project, I can get one done in a few hours, typically, and the feedback I’ve gotten so far has been “passing - B grade” which means they’re OKAY but still need a bit of work (perfectionist, I’ve gotten As in all my classes so far I’m damn well not gonna get less than that this final semester!). This means if I plan ahead well enough, and I sit down and power through stuff, I tend to have free evenings or weekends.

Or sometimes, I just… accept I need a break. Will it put me a bit behind on getting things done in a more reasonable and timely manner? Sure, but… sometimes it’s just better to do that. I try to plan things out ahead of time and give myself time, but I also know me enough to plan for that NOT to happen. So if I keep to my planned schedule, I’m doing GREAT, but if not, I usually know to give myself a bit of wiggle room.

(I also type super fast - 96 words a minute as of a typing test about four years ago…)

I hope this helped? Even a bit? Sorry it’s kind of rambling, it’s a bit after midnight here and I had maybe five or six-ish hours of sleep last night, and I was running errands for like five hours this afternoon, too. If you have any more questions or want me to elaborate on anything or what-have-you, don’t hesitate to send another ask, or hit me up with a message! I’ve got a bunch of little homework and studying tips and tricks I use myself, and am more than willing to share them! :) Mwah!

[goddess-in-the-stacks]

So last weekend we drove to Pittsburgh for Anthrocon, the second largest furry convention in the world. It was the largest until Midwest Fur Fest overtook it last year! If you’ve never heard of furries (or have only heard of them from CSI, ugh), they are a really fun subculture. Popular culture likes to call them a fetish, but mainstream furry culture is absolutely not. Furries are, simply, people who like anthropomorphic animals. Often they have fursonas, or an idea of who they would be if they were an anthropomorphic animal, and some of them have made or commissioned fursuits (similar to mascot suits) so they can dress up and pretend to be their fursona. Furry culture is a happy one, really – there is just so much joy at Anthrocon, from people dressing up and just playing. There are meetups for different types of animals, like bird suiters and cats and dragons. (I saw a photo on Twitter of a water buffalo at a lion meetup captioned “living dangerously” which cracked me up.)

One of the best things about furry culture, in my opinion, is the lack of giving a fuck about gender roles and sexuality. Most suits obscure your gender – and for gender non-conforming people, it can be an incredibly freeing experience. So there are a lot of pride flags flying, and transgender flags are incredibly common. (I saw several fursuiters wearing them like capes!) It’s just an amazing place to be yourself, because nobody judges you.

Husband in a badger mask, and boss trying on a tiger mask in the mirror.

So this is how we spent our weekend. We help a friend of ours sell leather masks and folding fans, both at this con and at the Maryland Renaissance Fair every year. (See photo above, and her website here!) It is an absolute blast, spending time with three of our best friends (boss and her partners) and chilling with furries.

Now that you know what furries are about, the rest of this post should make more sense! Thursday we drove up to Pittsburgh. We normally help set up the booth, but they only allow a certain number of people in with the Dealer, so Tiger and her partners set up her booth while we got our badges and wandered back to the hotel until dinner.

Three fursuiters in the Dealer’s Den.

Friday the Con kicked off for real, and the Dealer’s Den opened. We sold fans (SO MANY FANS) and masks until 6pm. We got to see some amazing fursuiters walk through the Dealer’s Room, and said hi to several people we knew from Fair and previous Anthrocons. I walked down to the Charity Table, because this year’s charity (Anthrocon supports a different one each year) was Pearl Parrot Rescue, so they had a few different parrots at their table throughout the weekend. We ended up raising a record $46,440 for their charity!

Saturday was another full day in the Dealer’s Den, with the Fursuit Parade in the middle of the afternoon. They actually blocked off a road outside the conference center, and put out a bunch of chairs so people from Pittsburgh could come watch the parade! Pittsburgh is an amazing city, and they’ve absolutely embraced Anthrocon and furries. The local restaurants usually have deals for people with Anthrocon badges, or furry-themed food specials, and many places do events themed around the furries. Anthrocon attendees regularly inject several MILLION dollars into the local economy over the weekend, though, so it’s no surprise they love us!

Scyther!

Sunday the Dealer’s Den closed at 4 instead of 6, to give the Dealers time to pack up their booths and load out. We still had 6 hours of vending time, and saw many more fursuits. I don’t remember which day we saw Scyther, but they were one of many Pokemon suiters. After packing up Tiger’s booth, we headed back to our hotel. They drove back Sunday night, but we stayed an extra night in Pittsburgh….

So we could go to the National Aviary Monday morning! BECAUSE BIRBS. The Wattled Curassow, above, liked to hang out on the railing. I was highly amused at how many people walked by her, or stood at the railing right next to her, without noticing she was there, just chilling. This was in the Wetlands environment, along with spoonbills and flamingos and pelicans and all kinds of birds.

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I actually got to hold a fish to feed a Tern as part of their interactive feeding talk. I took video of the first half of the talk. I’ll try to upload that soon, because it was really neat!

In other exhibits they had Stellar’s Sea Eagles, which were HUGE. I knew they were big, but DAAAANG.

Or at least I thought they were huge until we got to the Andean Condor exhibit. I was really excited by this one, and it was a large part of why I wanted to go to the National Aviary. Andean Condors are the largest flying bird in the world, and WOW. We walked up just as one of them hopped up onto a rocky ledge and HOLY COW THEY ARE HUGE. It’s hard to get a sense of scale through pictures, but trust me. These guys are enormous.

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In addition to these giants of the bird world, we also saw Tawny Frogmouths, a Kookaburra, and Flying Foxes. Which are bats. But hey. They fly!

In the Rainforest Exhibit were a pair of Hyacinth Macaws, which is one of my favorite species, and this fabulous bird in a nest, among many others. We saw a Palm Cockatoo – the amazing black ones – but he hid behind a tree very quickly, so I didn’t get a picture.

I also didn’t get a picture of the lorikeets, but we fed them! I had two come to me immediately – I’d been hanging out outside the enclosure talking to them through the wire mesh – and they didn’t want to leave when the nectar was gone. One of them I had to reach up and set on a branch, he was fairly determined to stick with me! The keepers were rather surprised he’d refused to leave, but I explained I’d grown up with birds. They seem to like me!

I have three souvenirs from the weekend – a shot glass from the aviary, and two AMAZING posters from Anthrocon. The expression on the parakeet’s face just KILLS me. (The artist is on Twitter at @TsaoShin)

Monday afternoon we drove back from the aviary, fell into bed, and slept until Tuesday. It was a fantastic weekend. We’d originally planned to go to Toronto instead of coming home, but that fell through, and we’ll probably try to do it next year instead. I am exhausted – well, maybe not by the time this post goes up, hopefully! – but happy.

Anthrocon Wrap Up! My weekend in #Pittsburgh at #Anthrocon2019 and the @National_Aviary! BECAUSE #BIRBS! (Poster from @TsaoShin) So last weekend we drove to Pittsburgh for Anthrocon, the second largest furry convention in the world.

[jokehockey44-blog]

the essential paris travel guide & map

the essential Paris travel guide & map

Finally the essential Paris travel guide & map are here! Two years ago Matt & I came to Paris. Fast forward to now, and we’ve fallen in love with the city, rented an apartment, and call Paris home 6 months out of the year. Eula took her first bite of food here, her first steps here, and celebrated her first birthday here. It’s become our second home. And I’ve gotten to know it so well, though it’s forever full of surprises. Below I’ve given you my Paris travel tips for the first timer along with my favorite stays, coffee, eats, drinks, and shops. And I’ve included a free map of the most Instagrammable photography spots in Paris….cause I miiiiight know a thing or two about that! The map also has my favorite eats & shops on it, and you can use it on your phone! It’s the perfect companion to a trip to Paris or planning one!

When people ask me “Why Paris?”, all I can really say is because when I look up, it makes me happy. Because my daily errands are more beautiful. Because I can buy a real époisses. Because when I’m surrounded by iron street lamps and Haussmannian rooftops and toy chimneys, I am, it seems, a little lighter. And I am not, by nature, light. I’m, if left to my own devices, an anxious person. And while I subscribe to the old adage, “It’s not where you are, it’s who you are”, I do find where I am can be the icing on the cake provided I’m doing well.

Given the wrong mind set, I can be miserable in Paris or paradise. We all could. But given that I am, on the whole these days, content & ever striving towards a reasonable assessment of the fear & sense of urgency that plague me regardless of circumstance, I find myself generally happy here in our fourth floor walk up come heat wave or snow, both of which we’ve been here for. I prefer the snow.

Paris, I think, is a mirror. If you’re young and wild, she’ll be young and wild. If you’re old and stodgy, she can meet you there as well. If you’re like me and decidedly (one hopes) neither, there’s that too. I spend most of my time in the admittedly bourgie neighborhood of the Marais where we live or working at a co-working space nearby. I rarely adventure to the left bank, though I’ve nothing against it. In the spring I look forward to taking Eula to Luxembourg Gardens to rent a toy sailboat to float on the Grand Bassin duck pond.

My favorite moments thus far have been spent tucked in some cozy café/bar/bistro with my husband or a dear friend, walking along or over the Seine, finding myself near the Louvre and glimpsing it without stopping while buying a power cord one day, magic hour when the streets glow, my morning walk to coffee, and buying flowers & vegetables at the market for supper.

For those wondering, we don’t have a visa, and because we travel so much, we don’t need one. If we ever walk down that road, I’ll be sure to share all about it! As it stands, we spend 3 months here every 6 months, which is how much we are allowed to be in Schengen as Americans. For us & our weird life we crafted, it works perfectly!

Paris Travel Tips

Learn the basics. Most Parisians do speak a little English, but you’re going to get a much warmer welcome if you make an attempt with French. Just being able to say “hello”, “goodbye”, “please”, “excuse me”, “do you speak, English?”, and “thank you” is better than nothing! English has become the international language, especially in capital cities like Paris. You can use it, but don’t be a jerk about it or assume everyone speaks it.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’re going to do a LOT of walking if you’re doing it right. Be sensible and chic a la the Parisians and opt for a leather ankle boot…or some good looking trainers! Americans aren’t the only ones sporting sneakers these days.

Carry cash. A few places are cash only, so don’t get caught empty handed!

Keep your wits about you in the metro. There are pick pockets, so stay aware of your surroundings especially late at night. I’ve never had a problem, but I know people who’ve had run ins.

Don’t bust out your laptop at a café, especially on the weekend, instead look for “co-working” spaces if you plan to sit and work. You pay buy the hour but the drinks are free.

Tipping isn’t much of a thing but there’s nothing wrong with a small tip or throwing your change in a tip jar at a coffee shop.

Not all restaurants are child friendly though most are. Call or email ahead if you’re unsure.

Just because they aren’t smiling and hugging doesn’t mean they hate you. Okay, they might hate you, but even friendly Parisians aren’t usually effusive (unless they’re from elsewhere…which many of them are!) And they can be very direct. Don’t take it personally. We’ve found it to be, generally, a very friendly city!

French schedules are weird. Always double check hours online. And even if it says they’re open, don’t be shocked if they’re closed.

The entire city shuts down in August for les vacances. It’s not the best time to visit unless you want quiet and don’t care if a lot of places are closed.

Places to Stay in Paris

Apartments Actually

Hotel Paradis

Hotel Henriette

Hotel Emile

AirBnB – We love le Marais!

Le Citizen

Hotel Particulier 

The Best Specialty Coffee in Paris

Fragments Cafe – beautiful craft coffee and avo toast that’s the stuff of legends. Also, their chocolate cookie. If you’re looking to run into people you know (or know of!), Fragments is the place. Angle for the “Instagram” table by the window! Open 7 days a week, Monday-Friday 8 AM – 6 PM & Saturday and Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM.

Boot Cafe – with their iconic blue storefront, Boot is an Instagram favorite, and they also serve Elephant(no Illy here!) A great place to grab a quick cup (and snap a photo!) a emporter as you explore the Marais.

Loustic – our neighborhood favorite for craft coffee. I’ve been here at least three times this week—the food is as good as the coffee. AND if you’re lucky, catch them on Saturday’s for a breakfast burrito. Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 6 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM – 6 pm, Sunday 10 AM – 6PM.

Neighbours – a small little café with pretty terazzo tiles on the bustling Boulevard Beaumarchais. They serve delicious espresso drinks and small bites. I’m obsessed with the granola bowl. Open seven days a week, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 6PM & Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 AM – 6 PM.

Radio Days – a quiet, calm little café with beautiful craft coffee. Open Monday, Wednesday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM, Saturday-Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM. Closed on Tuesdays!

Telescope – another specialty coffee purveyor in Paris. If you take your brews seriously, this is another stop for you. Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM. Closed on Sundays!

Best Eats in Paris – Breakfast / Brunch  / Juice Bar / Lunch

Holybelly – wildly popular brunch spot with a decidedly Aussie bent with French flair (which means good coffee and food!)—arrive early or at off hours if you aren’t prepared to wait in a line!  Open 7 days a week, 9 AM – 5 PM with the last orders taken at 4 PM. No reservations.

Candelaria – Candelaria is many things, but they also happen to have a killer Sunday brunch. Grab some huevos rancheros and a slushy margarita for a departure from the classic croissant & café. Open daily. Taqueria is open 12 PM – 10:30 PM Sunday-Wednesday, 12 PM-11:30 PM Thursday-Saturday, bar open 6 PM – 2 AM. Reservations recommended for a table in the bar and for a table for Sunday brunch.

Le Petit Marcel – a classic little brasserie with a lovely skillet of eggs & bacon, delicious pastries, and very traditional coffees (i.e. not specialty), also open for lunch and dinner. Open 8:30 AM – 12:15 AM daily. No reservations.

Buvette – the sister location of Buvette NYC and Tokyo, this is one of the most beautiful brunches in Paris—piles of fluffy scrambled eggs & thinly shaved ham, a croque madame to die for, and all manner of other deliciousness. Open 8 AM – 12 AM Monday – Friday and 10 AM – 12 AM Saturday & Sunday. No reservations.

Ellsworth – A classy little Sunday brunch spot that also does lunch and dinner (see below) Sunday Brunch 11:30 AM to 3 PM

Frenchie to Go– satisfying brunch classics like Eggs Benedict and killer takes on American treats like pulled pork sandwich, ruebens, and a lobster roll.  Breakfast/brunch until 11:30 AM only. Open daily: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ob-la-di – a photogenic little tea shop in the heart of the Marais. Opens 8 AM – 5 PM Monday – Friday and 9 AM – 5 PM Saturday & Sunday

Season  – a juice serving, moringa pancake slinging healthyish diner style café. Open Monday-Saturday: 8:30 AM – 1 AM, Sunday 8:30 AM – 7 PM. The kitchen closes at 4 PM on Sundays.

Wild & The Moon-  One of our favorite cold press juice & vegan food joints. A healthyish favorite for sure. I’m obsessed with their mylks! The Blue Star & the Hollyweed one are my faves. Hours vary by location. Check the website!

Otium – a gorgeous cold press juice bar in the 9th. Tuesday – Saturday 9:30am – 6pm

Miznon – the best pita of your life—a MUST eat, don’t miss the famous whole roasted cauliflower! Sunday –  Thursday 12 PM – 11 PM, Friday 12 PM – 3:30 Pm, Closed Saturdays

Best Restaurants In Paris – Dinner

Au Passage – Rock & roll vibes, small plates, modern food, creative & delicious flavor pairings. Order the things you might normally be afraid of (like duck heart or tripe) because you’ll love it here. Also a great spot for natural wine. Reservation recommended. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 7 PM – 1:30 AM. Closed Monday and Sunday.

Septime – one of our all time favorite meals (in the world). A reservation is a must & should be made far in advance. If you have a local friend willing to stop by in person and can be flexible with dates, that’s best. We often go for lunch as it’s cheaper, awesome, and a little easier to get in. Wine pairing is a must if you’re a wine lover. Open Monday 7:30 Pm – 10 PM, Tuesday-Friday 12:15 PM – 2 PM & 7:30 PM – 10 PM, and closed Saturday and Sunday!

Clamato – seafood lovers heaven, owned by the same group that does Septime. Love this spot for dinner or pre-dinner oysters and something refreshing to drink. Wednesday-Friday 7 PM – 11 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12 PM – 11 PM, Closed Monday and Tuesday!

Verjus – a modern bistro with fresh, creative tasting menus. Say hi to Rob in the kitchen for us! Reservations required.  Monday-Friday 7 PM – 11 PM, Closed Saturday and Sunday!

Frenchie – Another beautiful, modern bistro. One of our favorites. In fact, it’s been too long since we’ve been here. Gotta get back soon! Reservations required. Open Monday-Friday 6:30 PM – 10 PM, and 12 PM – 2 PM also on Thursday and Friday!

Frenchie Wine Bar – the more laid back, walk-in friendly sister to Frenchie serving up addictive, high brow comfort food like pastas. Open 7 days a week 6:30 PM until 11 PM! No reservations needed.

Shu – A taste of Japan in Paris. Like being transported to Kyoto. I dream of the ochazuke. Open Monday-Saturday 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM. Closed on Sundays. Reservations recommended!

Ellsworth – Modern bistro fare in a cozy setting. I recently had some of the best fried chicken of my life there, and that’s coming from a Southerner. Open Monday 7 PM – 10:30 PM, Tuesday-Saturday 12:30 PM- 2:30 PM & 7 PM – 10:30 PM, and Sundays 11:30 AM – 3 PM! Reservations recommended!

Le Grand Bain – Hip, small plates bistro in the 19th from a former chef of Au Passage. From sea snails to lamb shoulder to things like gourgeres covered in melting lardo, this place is the best for a fun night out with friends. Don’t miss the panisse & a bottle of natural wine. One of our favorite date night spots—tell Ed and his impossibly cool wife, Zoe, hi! Open 7 days a week from 7 PM – 11:30 PM!

Le Mary Celeste – A laid back oyster bar with a great cocktail program & small plates from the homies that brought us Candelaria—best enjoyed by ordering sundries and sharing them with friends. Open 7 days a week from 6 PM – 2 AM! Reservations recommended!

Le Petit Celestin – The place to go for classic dishes like boeuf bourguignon and tartare and a super energetic, fun vibe. Closed Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday-Friday 8 AM- 12 AM, Saturday & Sunday 10 AM – 2 AM

Chez L’Ami Jean – Another classic spot serving up traditional French fare. Open Tuesday-Saturday 12 PM – 2 PM, 7 PM – 11 PM. Closed Monday and Sunday.

Les Philosophes – my favorite French Onion soup in the city. Open 7 days a week 9 AM – 2 AM

Robert et Louise – meat and potatoes, Paris style. Come here for the blazing hearth (where the meat is cooked), and don’t miss the escargot! It’s my favorite. Closed Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesday 7 PM – 11 PM, Thursday and Friday 12 PM – 3 Pm & 7 PM – 11 PM, Saturday 12 PM – 3 PM & 6 PM – 11 PM, and Sunday 12 PM – 11 PM.

Dersou – Japanese French food in the heart of Paris with a sophisticated cocktail pairing. A personal favorite! Open Tuesday-Friday 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM, Saturday 12 PM – 3 PM & 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM, and Sunday 12 PM – 3 PM.

Buvette – Beautiful food in a cozy atmosphere be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 12 AM & Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM – 12 AM

Candelaria – TACOS in the front, party in the back. No Reservations needed! Open 7 days a week 12 PM – 11 PM & Friday and Saturday 12 PM – 12 AM.

Restaurant A.T. – modern plates, natural wine, and an awesome chef. Reservations are best.

Best Places to Get a Drink in Paris

Candelaria – Push through the kitchen door of the taco joint to find one of the best mezcal bars in the world. Reservations sometimes needed for a table in the bar. Order the Guapo. It’s not on the menu & involves hot sauce. The bar is open 7 days a week 6 AM – 2 AM.

Sherry Butts – Chic craft cocktail bar near the Place des Vosges. Open 7 days a week! Tuesday-Saturday 6 PM – 2 AM & Sunday and Monday 8 PM -2 AM.

Septime La Cave – Best wine bar in the city…it can get pretty packed! I like to go early for small plates (and to nab a coveted place to sit!) Open 7 days a week 4 PM – 11 PM.

La Fine Mousse – For the beer lovers. Get your lambic & gueze on. Open 7 days a week 5 PM – 2 AM!

Where to Shop in Paris

Merci  – a lovely cafe & dreamy concept store, great for brunch and a shop. I buy ALL the linens here.

Frederick Gautier Ceramics – small studio, Kyoto inspired ceramic artist

Marché aux Enfants Rouge – Saturday Morning farmer’s market

Marche d’Aligre – Flea Market meets Farmers Market. Heaven. Tuesday-Saturday 8am-5pm; Sunday 8am-1pm

ZOE LEE – quirky, boutique shoe shop in the Marais

Paul Bert Serpette – my favorite section of the weekend flea markets. Check their website for hours.

La Trésorerie – beautiful, minimalist home goods store

E.DEHILLERIN – reputedly Julia Child’s favorite kitchenware store, a classic not to be missed

Terroirs d’Avenir – A collection of market shops on Rue du Nil—the most gorgeous produce stand, butcher, fish monger, and little bakery

Centre Commercial Kids – A super cute children’s clothing & toy store near Du Pain et Des Idees. They carry Bobo Choses & a few of my other favorite brands.

BONTON – Children’s clothing mecca. Half of Eula’s clothes come from here. Maybe more.

Epices Roellinger Paris – A beautiful spice shop that’s excellent for stocking your pantry or gifts.

Boutique Noë – Japan inspired fashion made in France. Beautiful woven leather bags & comfortable, free form clothing.

Smallable – One more kid’s store! A concept store featuring children’s clothing, toys, home goods, and more!

Le Marais – Okay, this isn’t a shop, but rather a neighborhood filled with shops. Great for a wander if you’re looking to do some shopping.

La Galerie de L’instant – A vintage photography gallery and shop featuring iconic musicians. One day I’m going to get a photograph of Serge Gainsbourg here.

Best Pastries, Bread, Chocolate, and Sweets in Paris

Du Pain et Des Idees – my all time favorite bakery in Paris. The escargot fruit rouges & orange flower butter brioche is to die for. Open Monday-Friday 6:30 am – 8 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday!

Poilane – an iconic bread bakery. Ina Garten has been known to stop in here. Monday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM & Sunday 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Jacques Genin – delicious caramels & pate de fruit! Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM. Closes at 7:30 PM on Saturdays and closed on Mondays

Le Chocolate Alain Ducasse – Ducasse does chocolate…enough said? Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM.

Paris Ladurée Royale – A classic. There are locations all over the city…so if you happen to be near one, grab a box of treats!

And that friends is IT! It was a labor of love for both you guys & the city to put this guide together, and it truly has ALL of my favorites on it. If you’re traveling to the city make sure you don’t miss the map! You can use it via google maps on your phone so it’s super handy to have on the go! It has some of my favorite walking routes, eats, shops, and allllll the good Instagram & photography spots!

And if you want to see A BUNCH of photos of Paris (hopefully to get you inspired to GO!), keep scrolling. There were so many, and I just couldn’t choose.

Source: https://localmilkblog.com/2018/02/wander-guide-a-weekend-in-paris.html

[xanadontit]

I swear this is almost over

Yep, we’re still on Friday. I realize I’m giving lots of details and context that probably doesn’t mean much when read. But the slow burn of MIL/MIL’s Shitty Husband (SH) freakout went from “normal weird” to “crying in public” at such a weird rate that I need to write it all down. Feel free to skip! Or commiserate if you also have shitty family members who insist on ruining lovely occasions.

Also forgot this random weird tidbit, but Niece1′s crappy ex-boyfriend (aka Josh Chan) showed up at the ceremony unannounced. He was invited, told Niece1 he couldn’t make it, and then showed up anyway? We had no seats in our row and it was weird. He’s weird. I don’t like him.

Somewhere in between the open house and dinner, most of us changed clothes and freshened up. MIL’s SH decided that a tshirt and sneakers were appropriate after seeing the rest of us in dresses and heels but whatever, dude. E had left his clothes for dinner at our hotel, so he headed over and said he would meet us at the restaurant (this detail will factor in later) later. I reminded him the reservation was for 6, so as long as he was there at 6, it was fine.

Niece1 suddenly develops a horrible tummy ache and is camped out in the bathroom while everyone else gets ready. SIL and I decide to run the centerpieces, wine, and cake to the restaurant, and tell Niece2 to be ready when we get back. I deputize her to make sure her grandparents and boyfriend are also ready. E starts texting me, SIL, and Niece2 asking if we’re at the restaurant, verifying the address, etc. He then complains to me that no one is responding to his texts.

I lost it, sort of. I texted back that it’s pretty fucking hard for me to help set up, wrangle everyone, and answer his messages. In the future, he is welcome to take on any of these tasks, which would free me up to chat with him but until then he can just calm down and I’ll be in touch when I can. But for now he had ditched me with his family and left me to have to organize a group of people who move at a glacial pace so maybe have several seats. E quickly responded that was sorry and didn’t mean to add to my stress and thanked me for not murdering everyone. Yet.

Upon our return, Niece1 seems to be feeling better and I figure that if you’re hosting a dinner at 6pm, you should be there BEFORE 6pm to greet guests. This notion is met with confusion and I wonder if this has contributed to E’s chronic worries about being late? Anyway, everyone is milling around the doorway and MIL’s SH keeps poking Niece1 in the ear (?) and she snaps at him to stop it. MIL then announces that she (Niece1) must be “over tired.” Or, she doesn’t appreciate this gross old man touching her. 

At this point, MIL nervously asks SIL what time we’ll be done with dinner. Translation: she knows her SH will not want to hang out and she wants to be able to bail out early. In a shocking twist, my SIL straight up told her, “We’ll be done when we’re done. I’m not leaving early to being you back here. Take your own car and I’ll give you a key to let yourself in.” This is HUGE, people. My SIL is a big pushover, especially with her mom, and will normally inconvenience herself to make things easier for her mom. MIL looked taken aback but agreed that would work. Then she continues to stop and chat about pointless shit; I’m looking at the clock and realizing at this rate we’re never going to get out the door. I finally snap: “We can’t get in the car unless we walk out of the house. One foot in front of the other, people! LET’S GO.” Everyone visibly flinches. I do not care.

Everyone arrives and is seated around the lovely table, and E and I pick spots near his mom and her SH. He’s having a hard time reading the menu and complaining about the options (it was an Italian restaurant and also served steak, which this guy would live off of if given his choice) so he finally told MIL to “just order something for me” and sat there pouting until his salad arrived. He ate most of it, then declared it “smelled bad” and shoved the plate away. MIL looks stressed and agitated as E and I focus on the other people seated near us. This goes on throughout the meal and then he finally stomps outside to smoke. MIL looks at us and says, “You can cancel your hotel room at stay at SIL’s. We’re leaving tomorrow. I can’t do this. I’m too tired of being wrong and walking on glass [pretty sure she meant eggshells] all the time.” E and I tell her she has to do what’s best for her. Shortly after some family photos are taken. He is included but I’m not (I think MIL was just trying to keep him appeased and not paying attention but who knows), and my MIL heads over to my SIL and bursts into tears. She asks for the house key and said they had to leave, and that she would leave early Saturday instead of Sunday (a fact E and I both called - we knew he wouldn’t last 3 days with us). She proceeds to start a minor scene as family friends notice what’s happening. E and I distract the nieces and do our best to compensate by being super social and chatting with everyone. We pose for more photos and head home to SIL’s to make sure all is well. MIL and SH are sound asleep.

They left early Saturday without saying goodbye to us; MIL has not reached out to E at all, but has spoken to her daughter a few times, which sounds about right. I mean, she doesn’t owe us anything, but the courtesy of a “Sorry we didn’t say goodbye. It was nice seeing you” might be nice? SIL, E, and I spoke at length about our concerns about MIL and what has come to light in terms of their marriage. It’s not great, Bob, to say the least.

[globalsource-blog]

Rotterdam -> Berlin, Part 2

Welcome back to Global Source! Apologies for the long wait between this post and the last; this blog is supposed to be a well-oiled machine but sadly life gets in the way sometimes. I have spent the last week recovering from a pretty gnarly collision where I was bashed off my bike and into the air by a taxi (Manchester city centre is far from Dutch in terms of the respect afforded to cyclists). I’ve been on painkillers and wearing a sling for a dislocated shoulder, but am RECOVERING and OTHERWISE UNHURT. Having taken a few days off my studies / pretty much everything else that requires movement or concentration, I’ve ended up spending a lot of time on more creative pursuits - look out for an upcoming post where I’ll share some of the bits I’ve made.

Anyway, enough excuses, let’s get back to it. When we left off, myself, Stan and Arthur had just settled down for the night in some beautiful Dutch woodlands. Feeling pretty fresh after a surprisingly comfortable night’s sleep (cycling 100km will work miracles for your sleep cycle), I woke around 6:30am, shivering a little in my thin summer sleeping bag (ever the optimist, I went for ease of transport over warmth). After not long, my better-equipped companions had also yawned their own greetings to the rising sun, and we were soon stood around stamping our feet and peeling a handful of satsumas each. 

A quick morning stretch and a vague attempt at a jog through a very misty field led to us being ready to start the day’s ride with a quick ten or so kilometers down the road to the historic town of Amersfoort. We spent about half an hour cruising around, admiring the medieval buildings, canals and cobbled streets (nicer to look at than to ride over), while hoping to stumble across a shop (or indeed anything) that might be open on a Sunday. Eventually a friendly local barman pointed Stan in the right direction, and not only did we acquire the components necessary for a round of sandwiches, but also made the acquaintance of a colourful local character who insisted that he was in fact the king of England. In deference to his noble heritage, we made him a gift of a can of Grolsch, and he sent us on our way with blessings.

A few miles down the road we came across a really special sight, something which I’m sure none of us will ever forget. Having chosen to head North-East through a national park, we came to a junction with a strange signpost; one of the arrows, decorated with a small plastic gnome, pointed down a thin, winding path straight into the trees. Following this path for about five minutes brought is to what I can only describe as a gnome forest. On all sides, posed in miniature castles and on the branches of trees, were hundreds, if not thousands, of miniature gnomes of all descriptions.

What a magical (if slightly disturbing) scene. If only Stan had learnt the ways of pig-taming from this fella, his trackies might still be in one piece. 

Moving swiftly on....

After escaping the enchanted forest, we stopped for lunch next to a beautiful clearing full of what looked like heather. Cheese sandwiches with the last of the sriracha sauce which Stan had brought with him in a special keyring (fantastic idea, if anyone is reading who plans to get me a Christmas present) and a round of Frisbee added up to an hour well spent under some glorious sunshine. As Dutch tourists and locals cycled past, we exchanged greetings, smiles and waves, with many approving nods at our piles of tents, bags and other gear. 

We spent the afternoon navigating a series of gravelly trails, firstly uphill for what felt like a long time having had nothing but flat since Hook of Holland, then soon after into a very long downhill stretch, taking us flying down into Apeldoorn like three runaway locomotives. On the edges of town we came across a lovely park with a bridge in the style of a Japanese garden and a strangely beautiful green lake.  

Obviously, this called for nothing less than a Solero (greatest ice-lolly of all time, I will fight any man who disagrees) while listening to this song (greatest ice-lolly-eating soundtrack of all time; same rules apply as above):

Once we’d spent a very pleasant hour or so in the park, and once Stan had finished trading insults with some local scallywags (”swear to God, mate, if that kid comes any closer he’s going in the lake”), we carried on our merry way into Apeldoorn. Once there, Stan bought more ice creams, since the gorgeous weather more or less dictated this as mandatory, as well as getting us some free sporks and some outstanding own-brand Snickers bars (among other more nourishing bits) from Albert Hein, a very fine chain of supermarkets to be found in most Dutch towns. With dinner bagged up, we headed out of town along a pretty tree-lined avenue, on one of Holland’s many excellent bike paths. Having now more or less found our rhythm, we were steaming along at around 25km/hour, feeling fit and fast as the countryside flew past in greens and flashes of yellow rapeseed on either side. 

However, it was not to last. As we came to a narrowing in the bike path, disaster struck: with Arthur safely in front, myself and young Sands soon became aware that the friendly proximity within which we’d been laughing and joking for several miles was no longer workable; we were going too fast down too narrow a path to be laughing any more. We straightened up for a few seconds, but then somehow we managed to hook our handlebars together, and in less than a millionth of a nanosecond, so quickly that even a hundred video referees couldn’t have decided whose fault it was, we came crashing to a very abrupt halt. 

Besides a few scrapes and scratches up my left side and a couple of bruised egos, the only thing damaged was Stan’s front wheel, which as you can see was turned into a giant mechanical Pringle (this is his favourite Pringles flavour hence the joyful expression). Obviously, this meant we’d need a new wheel, and being around 6pm already it was unlikely we’d get back to Apeldoorn in time to find a bike shop still open. As luck would have it, a friendly Dutchman who was giving his son a driving lesson had seen our crash, and came rushing over to help, even driving Stan back to town and helping him negotiate with the manager of an already-closed shop. Playing the charity-bike-ride card seemed to work; about half an hour of roadside frisbee later, Arthur and I were rejoined by a very happy Stan holding a shiny new wheel. We cycled down the road a little way and decided to pitch up for the night in the corner of a lush green field, where we’d seen a huge white stork flapping about the long grass.   

Free sporks being put to great use 

This long grass stabbed us in the back. Gorgeous and green in the evening, cold and covered in dew (but still green in all fairness) in the morning. This kind of thing is all about learning curves. 

With very soggy feet, we set out quickly the next day after a couple of brioche rolls each, hoping to shed the water in our shoes and socks by blazing a trail along some long, open roads with huge green fields on either side. We stopped and had instant noodles for lunch in a playpark, just across the road from a petrol station with the alarming name “Firezone”.

As we ate lunch the sun managed to break through the morning clouds, and pretty soon we started to regain feeling in our feet. Setting off again, we were all feeling pretty strong as we followed signs to the German border town of Nordhorn, rapidly ticking off the final kilometers we’d be cycling on Dutch soil (towards Berlin at least). As if to lead us to the Brandenburg Gate, as we came within touching distance of the border an honest-to-God eagle flew right over our heads and straight on to the East. Admittedly, it was a very straight road, so in terms of giving directions the spirit of Germany could have chosen a trickier spot to manifest itself, but the excitement it inspired as we crossed the border was worth any number of wrong turnings down the line. Once in Germany, we bought food for dinner and breakfast (we’d been in the country for at most five minutes when we found a Lidl) and pitched the tents in time to enjoy the sunshine of our first evening in Westphalia. As the sun set, the waxing moon became brighter and brighter in the sky, bathing the grove of trees around us in a silvery light that was more than enough to see by.

The next morning I woke early again. The night had been a cold one; when I went into the adjacent field to stretch my legs, the furrows were frozen solid. A cold mist hung over Germany’s western edge; we had another 500km to cycle, and all our bodies were just beginning to feel the strain. However, without a shadow of a doubt, all three of us knew we’d make it one way or another. As Stan had told us earlier in the day in a moment of doubt, “Lidl’s that way mate”. 

Find out how we got there in the next post.

P.S. Our JustGiving page is still live. If you’re reading this and have enjoyed the blog, but still haven’t made a donation to Doctors Without Borders, it’s not too late!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/standelakersey

[keyofjetwolf]

THE GIFTENING 2016 Schedule (now with details!)

A few spaces to be filled in and prompts to be taken aside, THE GIFTENING’s full schedule is complete! It’s a lengthy thing, but then, a lot is happening.

We’re trying some new and different stuff this year. There’s a day just for movies. I’m testing out “Buffet” days, with a mixture of different stuff that voted high but not quite high enough for their own day. Livestreaming will make an appearance. I’M COOKING FOR FUCK’S SAKE. It could be that not everything will work as well as we’d like, but at the very least, this is going to be a bunch of days full of a whole bunch of stuff.

Every day, I’ll be running from about 10am until 10pm (US Pacific), with some pauses here and there for breaks or to deal with other life needs as they arise.

I also tried my best to schedule out stuff where applicable, but please note everything here is subject to change. If I’m close to the end of something, I’ll finish it up despite the time. If Princess wants to chase sticks and won’t pee in a timely manner, I may be late getting started. These are approximations at best, designed to help you have a general idea of when you can expect something to begin or end. (And to help keep me on track, because LOTS O’ SHIT GOING ON.)

Also noted is if the event will be a liveblog or livestream. Liveblog will be here on Tumblr, for a livestream, the hosting location will be posted shortly before we start.

Finally, as with last year, I’ll include the tags that I’ll be using, so you can block to your heart’s content. In that vein, every single relevant post will be tagged #THE GIFTENING 2016. But I imagine if you hate the thing that much, you’ve probably unfollowed by now. PLEASE NOTE THE CREATIVITY IN MY TAG NAMING SCHEME

And now, to the schedule! (all times, US Pacific) (under the cut for length)

Week One (31 January to 5 February)

Tuesday, 31 January: Pink Elastic, liveblog [tag: #petite etrangere]

Wednesday, 1 February: Undertale, liveblog [tag: #jet wolf plays undertale]

Thursday, 2 February: Animation Buffet [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 animation buffet]

Princess Tutu, liveblog, 10am - 12:00pm

Episodes: chronological from beginning

[tag: #jet wolf watches tutu]

Gravity Falls, liveblog, 12:00pm - 2pm

Episodes: chronological from beginning

[tag: #jet wolf watches gravity falls]

Cardcaptor Sakura, liveblog, 2pm - 4pm

Episodes: chronological from beginning

[tag: #jet wolf watches ccs]

Utena, liveblog, 4pm - 6pm

Episodes: chronological from beginning

[tag: #jet wolf watches utena]

Yuri on Ice, liveblog, 6pm - 8pm

Episodes: chronological from beginning

[tag: #jet wolf watches yuri on ice]

JEM, liveblog, 8pm - 10pm

Episodes: Out of the Past, Journey Through Time, Father’s Day, The Princess and the Singer, Island of Deception

[tag: #jet wolf watches jem]

Friday, 3 February: Black Mirror, liveblog (Episodes: Be Right Back, San Junipero, The Entire History of You, Playtest, Nosedive) [tag: #jet wolf watches black mirror]

Saturday, 4 February: Movie Day [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 movie day]

Spirited Away, livestream, 10am - 12:30pm [tag: #jet wolf watches spirited away]

Pan’s Labyrinth, livestream, 12:30pm - 3pm [tag: #jet wolf watches pan’s labyrinth]

Ghostbusters, livestream, 3pm - 5:30pm [tag: #jet wolf watches ghostbusters 2016]

Mad Max: Fury Road, livestream, 5:30pm - 8pm [tag: #jet wolf watches fury road]

Labyrinth, livestream, 8pm - 10:30pm [tag: #jet wolf watches labyrinth]

Sunday, 5 February: Holligay Cooking Torment pt 1, livestream, 11am - 1pm [tag: #holligay cooking torment 2016, #holligay cooking torment 2016 pt 1]

Week Two (6 February to 12 February)

Monday, 6 February: Pigeon Fucking, liveblog [tag: #jet wolf plays hatoful boyfriend]

Tuesday, 7 February: Avatar: The Last Airbender, liveblog, chronological from beginning [tag: #jet wolf watches atla]

Wednesday, 8 February: Sailor Moon [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 sailor moon day]

Mako’s Unboxing, liveblog, 10am - 12:30pm [tag: #the years i didn’t free mako]

Viz Dub (episodes and method tbd), 12:30pm - 3pm [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 viz dub)

PGSM (episodes and method tbd), 3pm - 5:30pm [tag: #JW watches PGSM]

Livechat, livestream, 5:30pm - 8pm [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 sm livechat]

DiC/Cloverway dub (episodes and method tbd), 8pm - 10pm [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 dic dub]

Thursday, 9 February: TV Buffet [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 tv buffet]

Star Trek, liveblog, 10am - 1pm

Episodes: DS9 Pilot, TNG Inner Light, TOS Mirror Mirror, VOY: Scorpian

[tag: #jet wolf watches star trek]

Brooklyn 99, liveblog, 1pm - 4pm

Episodes: chronological from beginning

[tag: #jet wolf watches b99]

Xena, liveblog, 4pm - 7pm

Episodes: Sins of the Past, Been There Done That, The Bitter Suite, The Ides of March

[tag: #jet wolf watches xena]

Buffy, liveblog, 7pm - 10pm

Episodes: Prophecy Girl, Restless, The Wish, Band Candy

[tag: #jet wolf watches buffy]

Friday, 10 February: X-Men [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 xmen day]

Classic Comics, liveblog, 10am - 3pm

Issues/arcs: Jet Wolf’s choice, but included issues will feature, at minimum, Wolverine, Kitty, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Magneto, and/or Storm.

[tag: #jet wolf reads xmen]

Holligay Cooking Torment pt 2, livestream, 3pm - 5pm [tag: #holligay cooking torment 2016, #holligay cooking torment 2016 pt 2]

Cartoons, liveblog, 5pm-10pm

Episodes: EVO The Hex Factor, TAS Slave Island, EVO Self-Possessed, TAS The Final Decision, EVO Shadowed Past, TAS The Unstoppable Juggernaut, EVO Rogue Recruit, TAS A Deal with the Devil

[tag: #jet wolf watches xmen evolution, #jet wolf watches xmen tas]

Saturday, 11 February: Overwatch [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 overwatch day]

Creative Shit, prompts tbd, 10am - 3pm

Holligay Cooking Torment pt 3, livestream, 3pm - 5pm [tag: #holligay cooking torment 2016, #holligay cooking torment 2016 pt 3]

Overwatch Playtime, Tumblr brawls and assorted action, livestream, 5pm - 10pm

Sunday, 12 February: Madoka Magica, resuming with Episode 6, liveblog

Holligay Cooking Torment finale, livestream, 3pm - 5pm [tag: #holligay cooking torment 2016, #holligay cooking torment 2016 pt 4]

Week Three (14 February to 16 February)

Tuesday, 14 February: ‘Fic and Doodle Day, prompts tbd [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 fic day, #THE GIFTENING 2016 doodle day]

Wednesday, 15 February: Game Buffet [tag: #THE GIFTENING 2016 game buffet]

Simshi, liveblog, 10am - 4pm [tag: #ami mizuno plays the sims]

Life is Strange, livestream, 4pm - 10pm [tag: #jet wolf plays life is strange]

Thursday, 16 February: **WILDCARD**, ???, ??? (randomly chosen on the 15th)

Well, that took longer to type up that I wanted.

I’ve tried to make it as easily readable as all the details and Tumblr’s formatting will allow. If you have any questions though, don’t hesitate to ask.

THE GIFTENING BEGINS TOMORROW

I’M EXCITED ARE YOU EXCITED I SURE HOPE SO

[askfornoguarantees-blog]

Paris

This past weekend we traveled with our program to Paris for 3 days. We took a EuroStar train under the channel early Friday morning and got to Paris around 1 pm. I always get confused with the one hour time difference between the UK and Europe but at least it’s a lot easier then figuring out the 5 hour time difference between London and the US. Going in and out of Britain is a lot more time consuming than I thought it would be because of border control, customs, and security. I thought that traveling between the UK and Europe would be really easy but the UK is a lot more strict about immigration and who comes in and out of the country. Everyone says that it’s because of Brexit but that isn’t even official yet and I’m pretty sure the UK has always been like this and it’s not some new policy change. Either way, the lines to get on a train, plane, or bus to leave or enter the country are always very long and frustrating. 

When we got to Paris, our metro transportation was already taken care of in the original price of the trip which was really nice because we just got unlimited passes for the weekend. The metro isn’t as nice or clean or quiet as the tube but it was definitely efficient and ran much quicker than the tube. We checked into our hotel, which was actually really nice, but of course there was some sort of confusion and me and Maeg’s room was the only room not ready. We just left our bags in Sammie’s room and went on the guided walking tour with our tour guide David (the same one we had for Stonehenge/Bath). It was one of the most pointless tours I have ever taken. He stopped at the Arc de Triomphe for about 2 minutes and wouldn’t let us go up it. Instead he kept walking and decided to focus on some of the shops in that area including Abercrombie and Fitch- because obviously that is really important to see when you’re in Paris. We did stop at this cute little cafe for lunch and I essentially got a warmed up loaf of bread stuffed with olives and cheese for 3 euro. I still have dreams about that bread.

It was so rainy and miserably cold that we were already in bad moods but the fact that he did not want to stop at any of the “major tourist attractions” because “anyone can do that in France” was so unbelievably annoying. I spent $360 so that I could see the main attractions in France, not American stores that you can see anywhere in any mall in the US. We slowly (and I mean really slowly because this tour guide walked at the pace of a snail) made our way to the Seine where we were getting on a boat to see Paris from the water. I remember doing this when I went to Paris a few summers ago and all I can say is that it is much more enjoyable in nice weather than in cold, wet weather. We were so cold by the end of it that once we got off, we ran into the nearest restaurant we could find just to warm up. The restaurant we chose ended being a little French place in the Latin Quarter that had a “tourist menu” where you could get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for 10 euro. Of course we all opted for that and also ordered a bunch of wine for the table. That dinner was as fun as the tour had been miserable. I’m pretty sure everyone there thought of us as obnoxious Americans but none of us really cared because we were laughing too much and having a good time. It was me, Maegan, Sammie, Rupali, Constance, Charlie, and Ben that mainly hung out together on this trip.

After dinner, everyone wanted to go out but I was so tired that I ended up taking a nap and by the time I woke up I had no desire to drink anymore. We met up with our friend Allie who is studying abroad in Paris and she took us to some really cool bars (one of them, they lit the bar on fire for half of their drinks) but they were so expensive that I didn’t end up buying anything. A double vodka soda was 15 euros and I tried Sammie’s but it was so strong that it burned the back of my throat so that was really unappealing. We still had a lot of fun though and of course got ham and cheese crepes on the way home. In the morning, we had to wake up early for another fabulous walking tour. Thankfully it only went until 2pm and then the rest of the day way ours. He took us through a bunch of back streets to see a little bit of Paris but again, he didn’t even take us to cool places. At one point we ended up at a very generic shopping plaza where he stopped to tell us that it’s where all the teenagers come to hang out. Like cool dude no one cares?? Unfortunately it was still really rainy and cold too so all of us were ready to get away from our awful tour guide.

The rest of the day ended up being really fun though. We walked a total of 12 miles and went everywhere from Notre Dame to the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We ate Croque Madames and Nutella crepes and macroons (basically all carbs) and did our best to stay warm and dry. I brought the wrong student ID so instead of getting into the Louvre for free it ended up costing me 15 euro. It was kind of a waste of money because I had been there before and my friends really only wanted to go see Mona Lisa (aka the most underwhelming painting of all time), but it is one of the most famous museums in the world and who knows when I’ll be back so I felt obligated to go. Paying money to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower was absolutely worth the money though. We waited in very long lines and it took a while to get to the top but once we did it was totally worth it. By the time we got to the top it was completely dark out, but all of Paris was lit up and beautiful. I made sure to stand in the middle of the elevator on the way up and had my friends stand in a circle around me because I was shaking so much from my fear of heights. I could literally feel my stomach in my throat. Ben was just as nervous as me though so we just talked to each other as a distraction and tried our best not to look down or up, just out. 

When we finally got to the top, however, it was really breathtaking. You could see all the streets and houses and buildings for miles. At one point I caught myself asking “I wonder if you can see the Eiffel Tower from here”, which Charlie immediately made fun of me for. I tried to FaceTime as many people as possible while I was up there including my dad and brother but the connection was pretty bad so the conversations didn’t last long. I just wanted to share the view with the people back home. We stayed up there for a while taking in the beauty of everything, but at some point we started getting hungry and cold and realized we needed to eat. We stopped at a cute French restaurant not far from the Eiffel Tower where I got a truffle risotto that was literally to die for. It melted in my mouth and I’m pretty sure I finished it in about 5 bites. Since the Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes at the top of every hour starting at 6pm, we decided to finish dinner early and go watch the light show. We grabbed some crepes to enjoy during it and then just sat staring at this beautiful, beautiful monument sparkle in the night. It really was mesmerizing and as Ben and I found out, if you stared at it hard enough, the Eiffel Tower itself faded away from view and all you could see were the lights in the shape of the Eiffel Tower. Those lights alone explain why Paris is called the City of Love.

After walking over 20,000 steps, we all decided that it would probably be best not to go out that night and just get some sleep for the next day. Maeg and I watched some BBC news (the only channel that wasn’t in French) and passed out. We had to wake up pretty early because we had bought tickets to get a tour of Versailles. Our tour guide told us to meet in the lobby at 9am but of course he didn’t show up until 9:30 and we didn’t leave the hotel until closer to 10. I’m not kidding when I say that this guy was the most inefficient, aloof tour guide I had ever met. When he finally got to Versailles, he informed us that the government in fact had made entry into the palace free for that particularly day so our official group tour had been canceled and we would be refunded. (We later learned from our friend Allie that Versailles is free every Sunday so there was no reason for us to pay for it in the first place). We then had to wait in an hour long line just to get into the palace.

Waiting in line wasn’t actually too bad because the weather had warmed up a little and the 7 of us were trying to come up with fun conversation topics. We talked about everything we could think of, most notably different conspiracy theories that we knew about. We finally got into the palace and made our way through the luxurious rooms. The best parts, however, were the gardens. It was acres and acres of beautiful ponds and trees and artistically trimmed bushes. We probably strolled around for an hour and a half just enjoying the beautiful scenery and the nicest weather that we had experienced in 3 days. We then slowly made our way back to our hotel (it was over an hour away from Versailles) and got ready to take the train back to London. Our tour guide said to meet in the lobby at 6pm (which we were all on time for) but of course he didn’t show up until 6:45pm. Which made us super later to the train; you’re supposed to check in a minimum of an hour before departure and we got there 10 minutes before that deadline. Once we checked in, we had to wait in a 45 minute long border control/passport check line. It was taking so long that we were actually nervous about missing our train. Luckily because the line was so bad they opened up a few more windows and things started to move much quicker. 

Once we got to the other side, our tour guide was no where to be found and we had to find out where we were supposed to be by ourselves. Right before we boarded the train, our tour guide showed up. He is literally the worst, I hope I never have to see him again. The train was then delayed 30 minutes because the checkin line had been so long so we got back to London even later then expected and then we had to take a 25 minute tube right back to our apartment. Traveling this much two weekends in a row was absolutely exhausting and while both weekends were so fun, I am really happy to be home for 2 weekends. All of us agreed that we were very homesick- not for our American homes, but for London. We are all so in love with London and it felt really good to be back. 

[griffinswings]

Ok no actually I was just gonna reblog this without adding my shitty commentary but yknow what-- when I was in junior year of high school, I was neck deep in Workaholism TM and by that I mean I literally could not remain mentally stable with too much free time on my hands so I had 3 part time jobs (one 4 days a week, one 3 days a week and one that'd call me for late evening shifts that I could pick up when I wanted), intramural sports, I worked on every semester's play and musical both on stage and behind the scenes, I took early morning elective classes and was on speech team. Over the summer when class was out, I swapped my weekday jobs for full weekend hours and directed childrens theater from 9am-12pm, went to musical rehearsal from 12:30-4pm and then went to the teen summer play practice from 7pm-10pm every weekday. So, one day in the middle of the schoolyear I was working a Sunday shift cashiering at the craft store and it was maybe like... 6pm. I started feeling really funny. So I ask my shift supervisor-- “Hey, Jack, can I sit down for a few minutes?” And the store is super dead because of football or something, but Jack looks at his watch, sees I have 2 hours left to go and says “Nah, can you tough it out?” So, I think, sure and go back to tidying up my workstation until the next customer comes through; I ring them up in a total haze, blood pumping through my ears, and I feel like I’m moving through water. So I decide, fuck it. I’m heading to the back room, customers be damned, and I’ll just find Jack when the room stops spinning. So, the next thing I know, I’m on the floor, propped up against the ribbon rack and there’s a really, really blurry lady standing over me asking me “Do you need help, dear?” And I’m at work, so I say “No, no, I’m fine ma’am, can I help you find something?” in the kind of slurring speech you get when you’ve been drugged up at the dentist’s. And I black out for another few seconds after that because all I remember next is being lifted up into an office chair by the main manager and carted into the back room. And he’s trying to get me to call my mom, but I feel like my arms are 20lb weights so I’m just laying face down on the break room table while guiding him with one-word-sentences to find my phone in my backpack and dial “Mom”. All the while, Jack’s asking me how I’m feeling and I’m trying my damndest not to say “really minty... all over.” because for the life of me I can’t think of the word “cold”. So, Mom gets there and takes me home and my work thinks I’m a drug addict for the rest of my time there but that’s the story of how I forgot to eat for at least 4 days straight because I was “too busy” to remember.

someone: how do you forget to eat?

me, hyperfocused all day, not aware of or caring about anything besides what I’m doing: what