#because I don’t know how to hybrid cakes and cookies

[quibbs126]

Just a tad bit curious, but have you've done any fankids that involve Schwarzwälder or Esterhazy? (As the parents I mean)

I have done one involving Esterhazy/Earl Grey, her name is Cremeschnitte, but that’s the only Esterhazy one so far. And as for Choco Werehound Brute, I haven’t gotten any requests

[oddballwriter]

A Piece of Cake

Summary: You work at a food truck that sells baked goods, dessert foods, and other such things, named The Sweet Spot, with two other people who you've grown close to. Close enough that they know about your crush on the cook who works at the circus-themed food truck that you share one stop with. They're tired of you being too shy to make a move, so they help you get the ball rolling so that you two can actually talk to each other.  

Warnings: Mentions of cakes and sugars. The reader gets teased by their co-workers a bit but nothing too harsh. Billie and Penny kind of ruining the moment while also making it a bit better? 

Author’s Snip: I love this series and I wanted to make something for the sake of having something other than two sparse headcanon posts.

Notes: Go watch BigTop Burger and support the creator WorthiKids in any way you can. This show is such a delight and I love everything about it.  

I’ll shut up now. Enjoy! And don’t be afraid to request.

"I'm gonna go stretch my legs." you tell your co-workers, almost out the door but their odd, almost sarcastic-sounding 'uh-huh's made you pause. "What? We hardly get customers at this stop, and our stock of food is fine. You can handle some customers while I'm out for a few minutes, can't you?" you question.

"Oh no. We'll be fine. For sure." one of your co-workers, Daniel, says, before speaking up again. "But how come you always want to walk while we're parked at this stop instead of all the others we do?" he asks, giving you a knowing look. "Like I said, we don't get customers here. It's half past noon. No one eats baked goods and desserts at noon." you say, trying to make up to defend your reasoning as to why you want to take a walk break at this spot.

"People also don't eat dessert at 1 pm, or 2am, maybe at 3pm, but those two other spots for one and two are okay to walk at too, don't you think, Y/N?" your second co-worker, Helen, suggests, with that same knowing tone.

"What's so wrong with me walking here. It's a nice walk around this block and there's some nice looking things here?" you ask.

"I bet there are." Daniel comments.

"Quit acting dumb. We know you just want to see that Circus Burger guy you have a crush on." Helen accuses. "What? No. I mean- I see him when I walk around sometimes, and I say hi, but I don't like him." you deny, even if Helen is right on the money. "And it's BigTop Burger. Not Circus Burger." you correct, trying to make her feel dumb for getting the name wrong, but you realize that it just makes you look more interested in him by knowing the actual name of the food truck he works for.

To be honest, they don't really care about your interest in him. They just like to tease you because of how much you deny it. And also because he wears clown make-up as part of his uniform and that makes the whole idea of you two kinda silly.

You look at your co-workers with a flushed face, knowing that even if you make a whole argument that you don't have a crush on him, they would know better.

"What's his name again anyways? Tom?" Helen questions. "It's Tim." you correct, again, this time with no defense. "Well. Why don't you take something for Tim and you two can talk. Maybe work up the courage to ask for his number too." Helen offered. "Or maybe just take him something for a couple of days and then ask for his number. One of the best ways to get to a man is through his stomach." she suggests.

"What should I take, though? We have so much stuff here." you say, looking at the plethora of cakes, cookies, brownies, rolls, and bonbons, the list could honestly go on forever and so could the various flavors, looks, hybrids of said things that you carried.

"Here," Daniel says as he moves towards the display and picks something for you. It was a slice of the funfetti cookie crust cheesecake. You look up at him with a 'really?' readable across your face. "What? His job has a clown theme. He might think it's funny." Daniel explains. You glance back down at the slice in its little plastic container that your truck usually puts your slice orders in before sighing and taking it.

"Go get 'em, Y/N!" Helen cheers as you actually step out of the truck and also hear Daniel shout "Don't worry, I'll pay for the slice!" as you walk forward.

The BigTop Truck wasn't that far from yours. It was just a turn around the corner and a small stride forward. It was impossible to miss the blue-colored brick of a truck once you turned the corner. As you got closer, you could see Tim leaning against the truck, on his break. As ashamed as it is for you to know that this time was usually his break time. 'Okay, Y/N. You can do this. Just walk up to him. You've done it before.' you think to yourself as you walk closer and closer. You were so caught up in your thoughts that you probably would have passed right by the BigTop truck and Tim if it weren't for him saying something.

"Hey! Y/N, right, from Sweet Spot around the corner?" Tim greets. "Out to stretch your legs again, huh?" he says. "Yeah. Sorta." you choke out, trying to both keep your cool and lower your excitement. "I brought you something." you say, holding out the slice of cheese cake to him.

Tim takes a second to look at it. "Oh wow. That's really something isn't it?" Tim comments. "Yeah. It's... something new on our menu. Some people have mixed feelings about it and," you explain, trying to come up with a reason why you'd just give him a piece of cake for free. "I was told to have someone kind of settle the score to see if we should keep it or not?" you conclude.

"I see." Tim says. "Well, I'll see how I feel." he remarks as he takes the container from your hands.

You somewhat avert your gaze so as to not make the situation weird by watching him eat. He uses the taped-in fork and takes a few bites pausing in between chews and taking pieces of certain parts to get the food as a whole.

"It's pretty good." Tim finally says, "No doubt, there's enough sugar in here to make a blood sugar monitor explode. But still good." he comments, trying to make a joke. "Yeah. I'm sure there is. If I'm being honest, this hybrid abomination feels like a culinary crime, but you know how it is with food trucks. If it's crazy enough it gets sales." you agree smiling a bit to show that you appreciate the joke.

Tim nods and even makes a few bashes himself. "Hey. I'm pretty sure we only have one or two people who actually like our food. I think everyone else is just trying it for the sake of seeing what it's like." Tim remarks, "I mean, our burger buns literally have sprinkles on them." he adds.

You think about the idea of how that would even taste and understand that that also feels like some type of crime against food as well.

"But hey. Your truck can get away with sprinkles. That's basically the go-to strategy for everything you sell." Tim explains. "I haven't eaten anything from there till right now with this, but your stuff looks good." Tim compliments.

You see Tim try and say something else after a long beat of silence but the window latch of the truck pops open and smacks him hard in the back of the head with a faint bunk noise.

"Hey, Tim. Steve wants us to head to the next stop early, for whatever reason, so-" a person with blue clown make-up and a cap on says, speaking low and monotone voice before pausing upon seeing you and their co-worker who was rubbing the hit spot, who was shooting them a quick glance.

Another person, this time a shorter, rounder woman with pink makeup, pokes her head out. She sees you and Tim as well but she changes to a brief shocked expression and speaks, "Sorry for the interruption. Tim, take your time. I need to talk to Billie for a second.", the woman takes hold of the window door and quickly throws it down to close it, but in the process hits Tim in the back of the head again. You hear her shout a muffled "Sorry!" from inside.

"Are you okay?" you ask. "I'm fine. Just fine." Tim assures. "That was Billie and Penny by the way. In case you wanted to know," he says.

"Thanks for the cake by the way it was really neat of you to offer me some." Tim thanks. "I'll keep that as a highlight of the rest of my day. Whatever that may entail." he says as he starts to walk around to enter into the truck.

You try your best to not squeal at the fact that he just called you, well, more like the cake, a highlight in his day.

You wave goodbye to each other before he gets into the truck and you turn to walk back to your food truck. Upon getting back, you find Daniel and Helen seemingly waiting inside for you.

"So, how was your date?" Daniel jokingly asks.

"He liked the cake," you say, "And I met his co-workers." you add.

"Ooh. Sounds pretty serious." Hellen buds in with a joke of her own.

[wonho-ssi]

All That Glitters

Pairing: Yuchan x Fem Reader

Type: One shot, Hybrid AU

Warnings: Mentions of violence, prejudice/discrimination towards another race, swearing

Word count: 7.2k

『 She liked to think work was boring and a place for her to quietly lose her mind, but slowly a cute hybrid boy makes her change her mind 』

This was inspired by a prompt by @hybridfanfiction. Check them out!

The day had seemed normal enough when she first woke up. There was birds chirping and there was sunlight pooling in through the cracks in her blinds. Nothing she had done that morning seemed to be out of the ordinary, nor did her commute to work; people had crossed roads as carelessly as normal and they also had the same lack of self awareness as normal.

Really, if you have asked her that morning if anything had seemed odd, she would have responded with a bark of laughter and walked away with a shake of her head and a mutter claiming you were crazy. 

However, as soon as she had stepped into the building, she found feel that something was off - more so than usual with an office building. 

Everyone was quiet, eyeing each other with suspicion and slight judgment, their lips pulled into eerily similar straight lines.  

Sitting down, the office chair squeaking under her weight, she swivelled around to face her desk mate: Changseok.

“Hey,” She whispered, though not really making any special effort to keep quiet, “what’s everyone acting so weird for?“ 

Changseok looked over at her, his brown eyes rolling in his skull to look at her blankly. Lips slowly forming a pout, he chewed on the inside of his cheek, shrugging. "Haven’t you heard?” He spoke cryptically and she had half a mind to give up there and then. The last thing she wanted to be doing so early in the morning was play 21 questions. 

“No,” came her blunt response and he leant in, as though he was going to tell her the secret of the century. His eyebrows furrowed, voice even quieter than before, making her strain to hear it.

“There’s a hybrid here now,” He stressed the noun and she blinked, completely blind sighted. However, it wasn’t because of the revelation of the person’s species, but rather his attitude towards them and the way he was saying ‘hybrid’ like it was something dirty. 

Closing her eyes for a few seconds to make sure she didn’t lose her temper, she exhaled - sound almost dulcet had it not been for the glare that pierced through him straight after. “Okay. Is that it?”

Changseok looked confused by her lack of reaction, repeating the word again, assuming that she hadn’t heard him. 

“I heard you the first time. I was just wondering why it was such a big deal,” he moved back to his own space and she thanked every god she could think of. “They’re a hybrid. So what?”

His frown deepened and she could sense how she was going to have to contain an eye roll. It was always nice to find out someone you worked with was a piece of shit. 

“It’s unnatural. They were made in labs so it’s not like they’re actually human,” she stayed silent, strong at him with an expression so cold that she almost wished he froze in front of her face. Upon her lack of a comment, he hurried to try and explain himself - not that he really cared to hear his opinion. “Don’t you think? They’re literally part animal, they’re freaks.”

With a lift of her eyebrows, she turned back to her work and shook her head. “Damn, I’ve always disliked you, but I guess now I have a concrete reason other than your simple idiocy. Never speak to me again.”

Changseok’s mouth opened (more than likely in a weak attempt to defend himself) however, she promptly ignored him and got up, shooting him one last withering look before walking away and to the ground floor of the building to the café.

While she was there, she decided that it would be nice to get to know this new coworker - there was always room in her life for being polite even if there wasn’t much of a chance for it with the people she was around. The intermingling scents of coffee and baked goods lightened her foul mood considerably, eyes grazing over the pastries before deciding that she didn’t want any today. 

Purchasing a cup of coffee and of sweetened tea, she headed back up and began to ask around for the coworker. Everyone she asked gave her an odd look: some of them because she was asking about someone new when she had never cared before, and others because they were a hybrid. Nonetheless, she found out their location and the fact that they were a male.

Eventually she did manage to find him, situated at the further end of the floor with his head down and a hunched back. It wasn’t hard to deduce why, feeling the lingering stares burning into her own back as she walked towards him. 

“Hi,” she greeted, feeling slightly bad when he jumped in surprise, “I’m (y/n). It’s nice to meet you,” pulling up a chair, his expression morphed almost comically. 

He was good looking, she was willing to admit wholeheartedly, with his wide, rounded eyes and softly pursed lips that was complimented nicely by his sharp nose and silky looking brown hair. She was sure that if he wasn’t a hybrid, most people would have the opposite of an aversion towards him. 

His swallow was thick, adam’s apple bobbing with the force of it, his slight body shaky and hands trembling - he seemed more like a newborn child than a fully grown adult. “I’m Yuchan,” he introduced finally, shocking her with how his voice had remained stable. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

The smile that spread across her lips was serenity in its truest form, a feeling of peace washed over her as she moved one sheathed cup towards him. 

“Do you prefer tea or coffee, Yuchan?” His name tasted foreign on her tongue, yet it was light and airy. She could find comfort in saying his name, it seemed. “I didn’t know which one, so you can pick whichever.”

“You didn’t have to,” he lamented, the slightest shade of pink tinged his cheeks a subtle rose.

“I wanted to,” Yuchan’s eyes flickered between the two cups before slowly reaching out to take the one labelled coffee, “good choice.”

“Thank you,” His smile was beautiful and she thought that the gentle simper was much more fitting for his countenance than timidness. “You really didn’t have to.”

She could have echoed her earlier words, told him that it didn’t matter, however, all she could think to do was watch him. It was entrancing really how graceful he was, every movement of his fluid and poised. If she had been ignorant, she would have asked why he was wasting his time in a shitty office job when he was much more talented in other things. 

Instead, she nodded and sipped her own tea before speaking again. “How are you settling in?” It must not have been easy, especially with the blatantly rude behaviour of the other staff as well as tensions across the country from the new laws. 

He shrugged, licking his slightly chapped lips. “I’m doing okay. It’s nice here.”

‘If it’s nice here, what’s horrible?’ She thought, almost looking at him funny. “Do you need any help with anything? I can help you with whatever.”

Yuchan shook his head, nails tapping against the cardboard sleeve around the coffee cup. “Junhee-hyung helped set me set up and taught me how to use everything.”

“You know the boss?” His expression quickly turned worried, more than likely thinking he overstepped a boundary, nonetheless she was faster to speak, “that’s good. It’s nice to have connections in places like this. Junhee is a nice man, I like him.”

His visage melted into one of a relief, chewing the inside of his cheek slowly. “Yeah, Hyung’s really nice and helpful. I’m happy I got a job with him as my boss.”

There was another silence that fell, this time a lot more comfortable than the first. Soft sounds of the clock ticking made her glance down at her watch, realising with great irritation that she needed to start doing work or face getting scolded by the supervisor. “I have to head back to my own desk now, but if you ever need anything, feel free to shout for me.”

Getting out of the seat and putting it away, he waved her off and she felt immediately more energised; enough so that anyone she caught who dared look at Yuchan with even a glimmer of disgust was shot down with a scowl and a silent dare to carry on further. 

Maybe having a new, less annoying coworker would finally make her feel excited to come to work. 

The next day, she had decided that walking to work would be a lot less stressful and more cleansing to the soul. (It also meant that she wouldn’t have to pay the parking fee but that was only really a bonus.)Walking also meant that she could now head into her favourite bakery - one she hadn’t managed to go into a for a long while due to simply being busy and overrun with work. 

A gentle jingling from above her head signalled her entrance, the pretty cashier behind the till giving her a smile and a nod of acknowledgment. The familiar scent of honey and cinnamon was comforting, enveloping her in warmth and lightening the burden in her chest. Honestly, if she could afford to do something, she would have bought out everything in the quaint and idyllic shop. 

Browsing through the pastries put into baskets and the cakes hidden behind glass, she decided on buying a favourite that always held up to the test of time; chocolate chip cookies. Theirs were always soft and melted in the middle, with chocolate always lingering on the back of your palette for a long while after being consumed. Maybe she was being dramatic, but she considered it a slice of heaven amongst her life of abject sin. 

Thankfully, as they had just opened, there was an abundance of sweet treats and she took great pleasure in filling up a paper bag with 6 of them. However, just as she was about to pay, she remembered Yuchan and figured she may as well get him some too.

Grabbing another bag and three more cookies, she paid swiftly with an expression of gratitude before returning to her trek to the cursed building she was set to be in - which only took her around another 5 minutes.

It was nice to see that even though Changseok was there, he made no move to speak her like normal. 'Good,’ she mused as he avoided eye contact, 'I guess he got the message.’ It was no loss on her end, in fact, she classified it as a win. 

There was a lot less under breath murmurs today, with people only glancing at Yuchan from the corner of their eyes instead of staring at him like a circus attraction. It wasn’t ideal, though it certainly was an improvement.

“Hi again,” she spoke softly, not wanting to scare him like yesterday.

Looking up from the computer screen, wide eyes met hers, softening into crescent moons. “Hi, how are you?”

“I’m good,” she held up the bag of cookies ad shook them with a pleased grin, “the bakery had my favourite cookies. I thought you would like some. They’re really good,” She put the bag beside his hand.

Thumb grazing over the paper bag, his hues roamed over the delicious looking cookies within and his smile widened considerably. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s alright, you don’t have to thank me,” she sat in the empty chair beside him, spinning on it gently by using her feet. “How is it going today? Everything’s okay?”

“Mhm. I haven’t had any issues, I actually just started on a new project,” he found conversation coming easily despite his nervousness. Who wouldn’t be nervous when a pretty girl with a notorious streak for being blunt was speaking to you?

“Really?” She questioned genuinely interested, “what’s it on?” The company they worked for mainly dealt with collaborating with fashion brands and shipping so anything new was always welcomed. 

“Well uh, Hyung asked me if I could help to design a website for one of our new shareholders,” He fiddled with the paper bag, the soft crinkling providing a background noise, “I’m not too sure about where to start if I’m honest.”

“Oh,” She leant closer to look at what he already had, the landing page currently being edited, “do you have a basic template?" 

"Not really, they only gave us a small brief to work from. They said 'make it look like h&m’, which is helpful,” The soft giggle that left her mouth made him pause, fingers stilling in their fidgeting. 

“Clients like that are the worst,” Nodding in agreement, he saw her mouth open to say something more before she also stilled. 

Her eyes closely followed a figure with red hair as she slowly got up, shoving the seat under the chair. “If Kihyun sees me here he’s going to grill me, I’ll see you later, Yuchan,” before he could even say bye, she was already up and running - leaving him alone with his cookies.

His mouth was left wide open, watching her rush away like a thief about to be caught. A few moments later, the head of red hair was in his vision, the man’s smiling face soon following as he greeted Yuchan.

“Morning,” Kihyun spoke, following his gaze and spotting her sitting down in her chair and then looking at his own out of place one. “She was just here, wasn’t she?”

Yuchan pursed his lips, not wanting to speak up in case she got into trouble; she was one of the only ones that made an effort to check up on him after all. Kihyun seemed to notice this and laughed, patting his thigh reassuringly. 

“It’s okay, she won’t get into trouble. I like her so I wouldn’t say anything, we just like to bicker,” Yuchan’s ears perked. He had noticed how people seemed to shrink away whenever she walked by, almost as if they were avoiding her gaze and he never quite understood why. She was always kind to him.

“Who is she?” He couldn’t help but ask, clamping his mouth shut a second later as he realised he might have overstepped a boundary. “Um I- i mean, I know her name but-”

“She’s one of the best IT techs we have. She likes to keep to herself and she’s got an attitude if you piss her off, and considering the assholes we work with, I don’t blame her. If you’re nice to her or joke with her, she’ll return it. You don’t have to worry about it, Yuchan, she seems fond of you,” He flushed upon hearing the pride, cheeks dusting the faintest shade of pink as he nodded and put up head down. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he could make out Kihyun shaking his head and grinning to himself at his bashfulness. Nonetheless, he didn’t notice it too much, lost in his own thoughts. She was fond of him? He mused, absentmindedly click on the screen. 

A small smile made its home on his face, plush lips stretching into a subtle upwards curve. 

Yuchan found he rather liked the idea of her liking him. 

With every day that passed, he found himself looking forward to her daily check ins. Her smile was pretty and her aura was comforting, like a cup of warm coffee that warmed you from the inside out on cold, frigid days. 

He had been looking around the shops one day, spending his free time poking around instead of being cooped up in his room (and being scolded by his roommate as well as his mother likewise for being antisocial and a neet). The days were turning colder, frostier. With every breath he took he could see his own contribution to the looming clouds above. 

As he walked around, eagle eyed for anything that might have caught his interest (i.e anything shiny) he weaved through the aisles of the old antique shop he had wandered into. The store had the smell of old wood and of slight citrus, a scent that shouldn’t have gone together but it did so beautifully. 

Yuchan hadn’t really been looking to buy anything however, as soon as he has spotted something glinting dutifully under the golden lighting, he had to have a look. Pushing aside the objects in front of it, he grinned broadly to see a beautiful bejewelled keychain. 

It was in the shape of a bird: a peacock if he was recalling correctly. Azure and emerald gems decorated the body of the beard, the eyes of its feathers painstakingly done with brown and yellow. 

Of course he was a sucker for anything cute and sparkly, hence his lack of self restraint as he picked up the keychain, cradling it gently in his hands. It shone with every turn of the head, the black stones used for the bird’s eyes almost lifelike. Though at least he had on justification for this purchase; he was going to give it away. 

Which is where he was currently, sitting in his office chair with a bouncing leg as he bit his lip nervously. She hadn’t come to him all day and he was growing worried that she was getting bored of it - he really hoped that it wasn’t the case. 

Taking another glance over, he swallowed thickly and relaxed as he saw her hunched over her desk, typing furiously on her keyboard before pressing the enter button and glancing at her watch. The time seemed to make her happy as she immediately smiled to herself and shut off her computer, kicking up her bag and throwing it around her shoulders.

For a second he thought she was going to leave there and then, but they were soon proven wrong as she walked towards his direction, a bounce in her step. 

“Hi Yuchan,” she greeted and he returned her jovial simper with a small wave. “What are you doing now?" 

"I’m just finishing up the website. I just need to edit some banners and code and I’ve finished,” Her lips formed a soft 'o’ shape as she sat down beside him, stealing Kihyun’s chair once again. “What are you doing?" 

Her fingers picked at her shirt sleeve as she rocked from side to side on the office chair. "I finished all my work for today. I’m thinking of leaving early, I just need to go to Junhee-ssi and tell him.”

Yuchan’s nervousness immediately skyrocketed and fingers tapped on the table, drumming on it lightly but still loud enough so that it drew her attention. “You okay? You seem anxious, your website is amazing, I promise.”

Finding her reassurance cute, he forced himself to stop messing around with any of his body parts and smiled at her instead. “Thank you. I’m just thinking about something. I appreciate it, I appreciate you,” he added the last part only in his head as he was too much of a coward to actually say them outloud - though judging by her broad and bright smile, she seemed to understand the worldless implications just fine.

A comfortable silence fell over them both, his shoulders slumping as he finally felt comfortable to relax. She slipped her bag off her shoulders and placed it in front of her, rummaging through it before producing a brown paper bag. “I went to the bakery this morning. I saw they had some brownies today and I thought you would like them.”

“You don’t have to always get me something,” She waved off his concerns and he felt his heart flutter in his chest - his cheeks immediately tinging a subtle shade of rose despite himself. “I’m okay with just you." 

"Oh, you’re so adorable, Channie,” She spoke smoothly, like she hadn’t noticed that cute nickname leave her mouth and fluster him beyond belief, “I want to get them for you. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Glancing again at her watch, her lips pursed and she stood up. “I should get going now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

His mouth opened, hand lifting up to stop her before he let it fall back down to his desk, internally groaning at his cowardice. Instead of getting up and giving the gift to her, he watched her disappear down the stairs, not to be seen until tomorrow.

'Damn it,’ he looked at his bag, deciding to do the next best thing - leave it on her desk. Opening up his bag, he took out the small wrapped box that he had painstakingly covered with sparkly gift wrap. A red glitter box was on top, his reflection staring back at him hundreds of times as he stared hard at it. 

Getting up, he clutched the box tightly in his hands and walked towards her desk, thankful that people had (mostly) given up on staring at him whenever he passed by. As he approached her workspace, Yuchan fell a glare burning into his skin, his saliva thick as he swallowed. He knew quite clearly that it was coming from her seatmate. 

Ignoring it to the best of his abilities, he opened the first drawer to her desk and placed it gently within, giving it a soft pat of reassurance before closing the drawer again. Hopefully she would see it when she came back. 

He straightened up, eyes meeting blank brown hues that seemed to see right into his soul, sending shivers down his spine. Barely managing a smile, he rushed away when he saw Changseok’s scowl deepen. He wasn’t going to stay where he wasn’t wanted. 

Despite this, his cheery mood couldn’t be dampened. He had accomplished his mission even with the few hiccups during the way and that was good enough for him. 

Work tomorrow suddenly didn’t seem so bad. 

His leg was bouncing again today, though this time for a completely different reason than previously. Yuchan’s gaze was constantly on the door when it wasn’t focused on the screen in front of him. Right now, he couldn’t have cared less about working on a banner for another makeup company, his sole focus being on seeing her reaction to his gift. 

After what felt like an eternity, she finally appeared through the door and his heart felt like it was going to beat straight out of his sternum. Chewing nervously on his bottom lip, he was growing incredibly impatient - Yuchan had half a mind to go over there and open the drawer for her. 

However, his waiting finally paid off when she did open the door, the soft furrow of her brows and pursing of her lips making him bite back a hearty grin. The red bow was removed, placed delicately on the desk as she slid her finger under the folds, pulling the wrapping paper away without ripping it. Then finally, she opened the lid and looked in, pulling out the glittering keychain with the biggest smile he had ever seen on her face.

To a couple of minutes she did nothing more than sit there and admire the gift, her finger tips smoothing over the gems and across the beautiful design of it. That was all he could ask for - to see her smile because of him. Though, it did present another problem for him; he could already feel his crush on her growing tenfold. 

Turning back to his screen, he felt content. As long as she was happy, he was too. His pulse continued to race and thrum, his aura giddy and joy clear enough that even Kihyun gave him a sideways glance from his side. 

“Yuchan!” His heart lurched again in his throat and he sat up straight, watching her come over with her hands covering something in her hand. “You won’t believe what someone gave me, it’s so beautiful.”

She pulled up a chair, stealing it from the row in front without a care and sat down, moving her hand to show him the peacock he had grown very familiar to.

“That is pretty,” he commented, trying to keep his cheeks from turning red and exposing him, “it would look nice on your bag.”

“You think so?” She asked, inspecting it, “I think it’s too nice for that. I might put it with my keys instead.” Pulling her keys from her pocket, he watched her clip it to them, the gems continuing in their glittering. He swore they were shining more in her presence. “I wonder who it was. They didn’t leave a name and I highly doubt it was Changseok.”

'Not with the dirty look he gave me,’ Yuchan thought though did not verbalise, instead only smiling and nodding. “They must like you. It suits you a lot.”

“Oh hush,” she placed a light finger against his lips, “I got you coffee, but I left it at my desk. One second,” she rushed away and he covered his face with his hands, running a hand through his hair. 

The steaming drink was placed at his side, the chair squeaking as she sat back down. He could feel Kihyun’s amusement at his obvious predicament. 'Whatever,’ he huffed, 'let hyung laugh,’ and then he looked up at her again. 

Her features were bright and they were beautiful, accentuated even more by the elation of the gift. Yuchan took one more look at her visage and knew he was smitten: or in other words, he had completely fucked himself over.

It became almost a tradition, every Thursday he would leave a gift in her top drawer that she would come to find on Friday and guess about. It was the highlight of his entire week and Yuchan couldn’t have cared less about the looks Changseok gave him every time he came to drop one off. 

She pushed open the door again, already excited for what she was going to get. The only thing she wasn’t fond of was the fact that she didn’t know who they were coming from and she couldn’t pay them back. 

Sitting down in her desk, she started up her computer and opened the drawer, overjoyed to see a small rectangular box covered in the same sparkly wrapping paper the others had come in. 

Pulling it out and closing the drawer with her knee, she was just about to unwrap it when she heard a voice speak beside her - one that she hadn’t heard for a while. 

“You know it’s him, right?” She blinked, not expecting to hear Changseok speaking to her after weeks of God given silence. 

“Pardon?”

“It’s him, that hybrid, he’s the only leaving you all this shit in your drawer,” He spat like he was disgusted to even think of it. Her blood boiled, anger swallowed down as she held the gift in her hands.

“What? Are you talking about Yuchan?" 

"Yes, that disgusting hybrid. He’s been leaving shit for you every thursday,” Her eyes narrowed, beyond giving a fuck about his opinion and of the proper professional conduct. 

“He’s better than you’ll ever be, you piece of shit. What are you doing mad about? The fact that people like Yuchan and not you? Maybe if you weren’t so unlikable, you would have friends too,” About to turn around, she felt her body jerk as he pulled her chair and scowled, obviously offended that she hadn’t given the time of the day. 

“What? You’re defending him? I always knew you were someone who fucked inbred shit like him,” Astounded by the words coming from his mouth, she fell silent for a moment before poison dropped from her words. 

“You’re the worst goddamn kind of person, the type who can’t face the fact that they’re a piece of shit. Yuchan is 1000 times more humane than you’ll ever be,” she stood up, glowering at him with danger setting fires in her eyes. “I told you never to speak to me and you open your mouth to talk shit? I shouldn’t have expected anything else.”

He stood up also, the entire office falling silence as they watched them both. Kihyun got up immediately, knowing it wasn’t going to end well - there had always been tension between them and it all seemed to be bubbling over in one terrible mess.

“Fuck you,” he hissed, “I bet you’ve sucked his dick and that’s why you’re so far up his ass,” she scoffed at his childish response, rolling her eyes.

Changseok seemed to not like that, his hand reaching towards her shoulder to try and coax a reaction from her, however she was faster. 

Within a second, he was clutching his nose, shock clear in his eyes as she clenched her fist, his head snapped back for a moment as the sin of wrath coloured her features. 

Kihyun rushed over, as Changseok moved forward, grabbing his hands as she grit her jaw, teeth grinding against each other with the force she was using to not punch him again.

“Changseok, you pathetic fuck,” she hissed and Kihyun held out his hand, trying to keep the damage at bay. She paid no attention to him, her stare enough to burn through his skin. “It’s so sad watching you show your true colours. Maybe one day someone other than your mother who will love you, though I highly doubt she does either.” She turned on her heel, grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder, her actions reverberating off the walls in the near silent office. “I’m not coming back until he’s out of my fucking face.”

Those were the words that echoed loudly within the four walls, glances exchanged as people looked at each other in disbelief, the door shaking behind her as she slammed it shut.

Changseok shoved away Kihyun, storming towards the bathroom with both a bruised ego and face. 

And it was then that Yuchan finally felt his face burning, his eyes watery as he tried to wipe at his face as inconspicuously as he could. He wasn’t stupid, he had always noticed how Changseok didn’t like him, but he never would have thought he hated him to such an extent over something he had no control over. 

The screen in front of him blurred, the glances and whispers of everyone else making him feel like he was back at his first day, being judged and scrutinised for everything he did. 

Wanting nothing more than to curl up into a ball, he was thankful for Kihyun as he barked at everyone else to carry on working and to stop looking at him. A gentle hand found it’s way on his shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly. 

“I’m sorry, Yuchan. You don’t deserve that.”

He shook his head, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. “I don’t want her to get into trouble. Especially not over me.”

Kihyun’s eyes were warm, filled with sympathy ss he shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Changseok started it so he’ll get the most of the punishment. She’ll be okay,” he sniffled, comforted at the thought, “if you want to go home, that’s completely okay. I’ll tell Junhee for you.”

Thanking him quietly, he got up from his seat, swallowing down the bile that threatened to make it way up his throat, his mind weighed down by the thoughts racing through his head. Barely looking anyway apart from straight ahead, he raced out of the building and kept his head down, finally able to wipe his face in peace. At least in the streets of Seoul no one acknowledged each other, too busy caring about themselves to care about him.

The last thing he wanted to do was be the reason that she was fired, though he couldn’t say that the fact she defended him hadn’t left his chest feeling warm and fuzzy. It was just that his feeling of guilt was overpowering it.

He couldn’t imagine coming into work and not seeing her pretty face coming up to him with happiness and a genuine excitement for meeting him. Yuchan didn’t want to imagine it either; she hadn’t even opened the gift he had gotten her this time.

Then, as he was walking, he heard his name being called. First it was very failure, almost a figment of his imagination, before he heard it louder and clearer. 

“Yuchan, wait!” He looked over his shoulder to see one of his seniors running towards him; Yoongi, one of the quieter but well respected higher ups. Yuchan hadn’t really interacted with him before save for the occasional smiles as Kihyun bothered him. 

He paused in his walking, desperately hoping he didn’t look like shit. 

Yoongi rushed up to him, looking slightly out of breath but still coherent enough to talk. “I’m sorry for what happened Yuchan. You shouldn’t have had to hear all that shit coming out of his mouth ”

“It’s o-”

“It’s not,” Yoongi shook his head, “He’s going to get fired and even though (y/n) will get a strike for punching him, she won’t be let go. We should have sacked him a long time ago,” his heart felt a million times lighter hearing that, a smile breaking out on his face and stretching across his cheeks.

Yoongi patted his shoulder. “Keep up the good work. We understand if you want to take a couple of days off. Stay healthy, Yuchan.” Yoongi. walked away again with a dip of his head. 

Even though the feeling of guilt still lingered, he was so much more jovial, now walking home with a skip in his step rather than pulling his feet along behind him. 

Her empty desk was slowly getting on his nerves. He knew in his heart of hearts that she would be coming back soon and that it just took a while for them to properly clean up all of Changseok’s belongings; he was still impatient. 

Yoongi had said she would be back and he had to believe that it would be soon. 

His headphones were over his ears, a half eaten sandwich in its wrapper on his desk. He didn’t have much of an appetite while at work anymore - subconsciously associating it with her and her presence. It didn’t feel right to eat if she wasn’t at least there or had said hi that day. 

Music played loudly in his ears, focused on completing the banner so he could go home and bury himself under the covers for a weekend. 

As he changed the colour of it, his attention was diverted by a box being set down between his arms. Wrapped in silvery paper and a glittering gold ribbon, it was incredibly reminiscent of his own packaging methods. 

Pulling the headphones around his neck, his breath hitched in his throat as the smile he had come to adore beamed down at him and bathed him in sunshine. He swallowed, words suddenly glued to the tip of his tongue. 

“Hi,” She spoke first, sitting down beside him, “how are you, Chan? Everything’s going good?”

He nodded, wishing he could have said something instead of becoming silent. 

“That’s good,” she mused, “He’s been fired so I’m back. I got a warning though, but that’s whatever." 

"I’m glad you’re back,” he finally vocalised and she grinned, “I missed you.”

A silence followed and he was worried he had overstepped a boundary, rushing to try and rectify it - only to be stopped by her soft giggle.

“You did? That’s cute,” she replied, her finger tapping on the box lightly, “thank you for the gifts by the way. They’re always so beautiful and I really enjoyed getting them.” Even though she only knew it was him because of Changseok opening his mouth, he couldn’t help but still be delighted and slightly embarrassed that he had been found out. 

Slowly, he reached out to slide his finger under the seals, copying her care and delicacy, before pulling the ribbon away and opening it up. Inside was a small rose charm, the rose tinted metal glittering brightly and with the sole purpose of catching his attention.  

“I know it’s not as pretty as everything you got me, but I hope you’ll like it more when you find out the second thing I got you,” he looked back inside the box, visibly confused when there was nothing there. “It’s a date. I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me, Channie.”

He froze up immediately, eyes wide and turning into the size of golf balls as his mind screeched to a hold. Did she seriously just ask him out? The girl he had a crush on for months, asked him out?

If he wasn’t so gobsmacked he would have been mortified at his lack of response, her face dropping almost unnoticeably at his lack of reply. God, could he be anymore of a moron?

“Yes!” The exclamation came way too loudly and he cleared his throat, unable to meet her gaze ad he fiddled with the charm. “Um, yeah. I would really like that.”

“That’s great,” her hand was warm, resting on top of his as she squeezed his gently, “could I have your number then?" 

Fumbling with his phone, it almost slipped through his fingers as he handed it to her and he cursed himself for being such a mess. Thankfully, she seemed to find it endearing, sparkles lighting up her eyes as she saved his number in her phone and sent him a text. "Thank you, baby,” his cheeks flushed an even more vibrant crimson and he was sure he matched Kihyun’s hair by now. 

Even so, the last nail in his coffin had to be the gentle way her hands cupped his face, leaning closer so that her gentle and comforting scent invaded his senses. Her lips were soft against his cheek, the skin tingling even as she moved away - fingers brushing across the side of his face. 

He could only stare owlishly at her retreating figure, all thoughts disappearing. Yuchan could not believe that any of that had happened.

Then, like a bucket of cold water being thrown onto him, he heard Kihyun laughing from beside him, his foot landing on the side of his chair to spin him around. “I can’t believe you got her to ask you out. I never thought I’d see the day, you really are special if she likes you, Yuchan." 

Attempting to cover his face with his hands, Kihyun only continued to find amusement in his shyness, poking his side lightly before turning back to his work - still laughing. Nonetheless, Yuchan couldn’t have cared less. He had a date to worry about now.

The flavour of coffee and sugar coated his tongue, sweetness spreading across his mouth as he took another sip of his drink in an to attempt to pass the time which seemed to be passing by both incredibly quick and irritatingly slow. 

15 minutes had gone by and he was beginning to think that she had stood him up. That thought alone hurt to have and he could feel his stomach twist the more he lingered on that idea. That was the last thing he wanted to believe - to even consider. She wasn’t the type of person to do that, was she?

Consumed by his own thoughts, he didn’t hear the bell to the shop open and a hurried figure walk in. Only when the chair beside him scraped against the floor and and apologetic face was in front of his visage, did he realise who he was staring at. 

"I’m so sorry, Channie. I got caught up with my roommate, she couldn’t figure out what to get her girlfriend and dragged me into helping her,``she huffed and he found the puff of her cheeks to be adorable, his eyes turning into gentle crescent moons ad he forgot about all the negative emotions had felt just moments ago. 

"It’s okay, it was only 15 minutes, I don’t mind,” He really didn’t mind, not even she was looking so pretty just for him, her countenance as beautiful as ever - if not slightly more so today. “You look really nice today.”

Her eyes roamed over his body, looking over the maroon jacket that he had coupled with a black turtleneck and then back up to his face. “You look extra cute today as well.”

Yuchan swore he was going to become permanently pink faced around her.

Now that she was here, time seemed to fly by, speeding past until she placed her hand over his and suggested they leave the café in favour of walking around the nearby botanical garden. And how could he disagree to walking with pretty flowers and a stunning woman beside him?

Her arm looped around his, content written across her features as she spoke about whatever. Then, she paused for a moment and looked up at him. “Yuchan, can I ask you a personal question?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Are you a crow hybrid?” He was a little bewildered that she had figured it out; he was sure he had never given any indication towards his species. 

“Mhm. How did you find that out?”

“Well, for one you’re really intelligent and can pick out problems and solutions really quickly. And two, I noticed you really seem to like shiny things and collect them.- all the jewellery you wear is really bright, I think it’s cute,” His smile was broad, hiding his face in her shoulder as she ruffled his hair, smooth in the strands gently between her fingers. 

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Why did you defend me and risk your job like that?” She stilled for a moment, but she carried on brushing her fingers through the silly black strands. 

“Because I don’t like him and his views. He’s a piece of shit that thinks he can say things like that and get away with it. I would have done it for anyone, but it annoyed me especially because he was saying it about you. You’re so sweet, Yuchannie and he refuses to acknowledge that,” Her voice was soothing and he found himself relaxing against her touch, “and besides. I got to punch him and keep my job, I think it’s a win win situation.”

He laughed, the sound full of mirth and of gratitude. “That’s nice to know,” He remarked teasingly and she pulled him down onto the bench with a finger against her smiling lips. 

Her fingers slipped into her coat pocket, rummaging around for something before she pulled out a small velvet box. The small thing was opened up and within there was a dainty half heart necklace, encrusted with red gems and a single pink one in the middle. 

Without giving him a chance to speak, she unclasped the necklace and gestured for him to lean down, placing it gently around his neck and patting the spot above his heart. She reached under her shirt and pulled out her own identical necklace, the other half of the heart.

“There,” she spoke as she tucked it back under her shirt, “now I can add you to my collection of pretty things." 

Oh god, he thought as he pressed a kiss to her cheek in an attempt to do something with himself, she’s going to make me fall so hard. 

[ray-ray-writings]

Another Q&A (but maybe also a Drabble I’m not too sure??) What’s your headcanon for the DSMP favorite foods? I’d imagine the reason why Niki built and works at a bakery is because there was high demand for sweets and that most people have a sweet tooth! I like think Karl likes funfetti cupcakes, bad likes muffins (duh), Skeppy likes angel cake, George likes macaroons, Techno likes red velvet cake, philza likes matcha flavoured bread or muffins, Niki and Tubbo likes honey cake, Sapnap and Schlatt likes devils cake, and Tommy likes chocolate milk because of Henry lol- oops I rambled on for a bit but I’m not sure what everyone else would like? -🎻

Hey, so I can’t read. For some reason I read this as “Favorite thing from Niki’s bakery and it wasn’t until I was about to post this did I realize the actual question… So here’s this, if you want my thoughts on what I think they actually fav food it, please just let me know. I’m very sorry🎻anon. 

Dream: Carrot Cake. Listen. I have no idea why, but I think that Dream’s favorite sweet would be carrot cake. I think it’s because the frosting that is paired with carrot cake is cream cheese and I think that he would enjoy that immensely. I think that Dream would never eat his vegetables, but he would absolutely chow down on some carrot cake. 

George: Macaroons. I feel like George is a fancy boy. And because of this, his fav thing would be macaroons. Specifically lemon. I just have this feeling that our sweet little boy would enjoy a sour sweet. 

Sapnap: Chocolate chip cookies. I think this is the only one of 🎻’s thoughts that I disagree slightly with. I do think that Sapnap loves chocolate but I think his favorite sweet would be a cookie. Mostly because it’s easy to grab and very easy to clean up. He would love the gooey warmness of the cookie and would love how the chocolate would string out from the bite. He’s a classic boy who likes a classic sweet. 

BadBoyHalo: Muffins, blueberry most specifically. I think I think that blueberry specifically because he reminds me of my mom sometimes and her favorites are blueberry. I also just think that he would enjoy that pop of fruit in his sweet treat. That way he can eat more of them all while convincing himself that they’re healthy for him. 

Skeppy: Angel Food. It reminds him of Bad… Need I say more? It’s fluffy and light and I could personally eat a whole cake in one sitting. 

Techno: Red Velvet. I feel like Red Velvet is a symbol of elegance and grace. Techno would also feel this way. He also likes it because it’s basically a chocolate cupcake, just dyed his favorite color. I also think he really really likes cream cheese frosting because although he may have a sweet tooth, it definitely isn’t as big as many of the others and he enjoys that balance. 

Karl: Funfetti Cake. He’s a fun loving boy and funfetti reminds him of a party and so it’s a little party for his mouth and his tummy. 

Punz: Vanilla cupcake with lemon frosting. Punz prefers vanilla over chocolate, but I don’t think he enjoys a completely vanilla taste. He needs something that pops and balances out the blandness that vanilla can have. So I think he would enjoy a vanilla cupcake with the tang of lemon topping it. 

Wilbur: Chocolate croissant. I think he’s a bready boy. I think he just enjoys the taste of a croissant but again, he needs something that pops and balances out that dullness. He would enjoy the smoothness of the chocolate and it pairs very well with the croissant. 

Eret: Red Velvet. Again, a symbol of elegance and grace and Eret is a King and very highly holds that reputation. I think that he would appreciate the symbolism of it, but he also would just love chowing down on multiple cupcakes. 

Fundy: Chocolate frosted donut. I think that as a child, Fundy was given a lot of chocolate croissants because his father wanted him to be like him. But as he grew up and developed his own taste, he did enjoy chocolate but preferred the taste of a donut over a croissant. The sweetness of the chocolate and the breadiness of the donut would be such a good balance for the fox hybrid. 

JSchlatt: Devil’s Food Cake. I honestly think that Schlatt sometimes thinks of himself like a devil and so the cake is his favorite because it ‘bares his name’ or whatever. But I think that he really enjoys the chocolaty richness of the cake and could eat an entire cake in one sitting. 

Quackity: Strawberry Shortcake. I don’t know why. I just really think he would enjoy the sponge cake that is just soaked in strawberries’ juice and he would absolutely top that baby with ample amounts of whipped cream. Sometimes his plate is 75% whipped cream and 25% strawberries and cake. 

Niki: Honey Cake. I just think Niki really enjoys honey. She puts it in her tea and she always makes herself baked goods with honey and her honey cake is just her favorite. She often works with Tubbo for the honey.

Sam: Strawberry Cheesecake. For some reason, I think Sam would really enjoy strawberries. I think it’s a texture thing for him. He loves that smoothness of the ‘cake’. When he works with redstone, not everything goes smooth all the time so his fav dessert would definitely be smooth. 

Puffy: Chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. I have no idea why. Honestly I just really think she would really like the chocolate and peanut butter combo and this would be her favorite. 

Tommy: Brownies with peanut butter chips. I absolutely agree he would love chocolate milk and he would down like three glasses eating just a few brownies. But I think he would pick up this taste after he and Puffy get closer. She introduces him to the combo and now he can’t get enough. 

Tubbo: Honey Cake. He loves bees and loves honey. He works with Niki a lot, he harvests the honey and gives it to her and in return she gives him whole honey cakes for himself. 

Ranboo: Bagels. I have no clue why either. I just feel like he would love bagels from Niki’s, especially fruit bagels like blueberry or cinnamon raisin. 

Philza: Matcha flavored anything. I think Phil loves Matcha and would eat anything Niki made with matcha and he would love it.

[haxorus-imp]

Human Perspective - Reader LBP fic

Gender neutral Reader - No romance - Little Big Planet - No dialogue 

A human is lost in the imagisphere and is struggling to cope with their new surroundings. AO3 for those that prefer to read it there - > https://archiveofourown.org/works/28741977

You really don’t remember how you arrived here in this strange place. One moment you were resting peacefully, the next thing you know, you were being woken up by a small little humanoid fabric creature.

Once your eyes focused, you had gotten startled upright from the presence of the being, which was obviously understandable. In a hurry, you scoot away from the being and frantically look around. Despite just waking up, it took mere moments for you to realize that something was completely off about the land you were in...let alone how you got there. You were left completely dumbfounded. The small little humanoid seemed a bit worried about you, despite just meeting you.

Flustered, your confusion only grew when you tried to ask the little creature where you were and it simply spoke in sign language. Which you didn’t understand. Seeing your expression of complete loss, the little being thought for a moment before it decided to wave at you in a ‘follow me’ motion as they turned and waddled away. Still lost and confused, you really didn’t have a choice.

You picked yourself up and followed the little being through some garden-like areas before the landscape began to change and buildings made out of wood and cardboard slowly appeared. While on the walk over to who-knows-where, you decided to slightly distract yourself with looking around at your surroundings.

It was strange, as it almost felt like you were back home on Earth. However, this was far from the case. An example of your strange predicament lies in the horizon and around yourself. It was all made of fabric...just like the ground was...with an exception of other things. Like the cardboard buildings and creatures that dwelled nearby, as well as the fabric clouds that floated on by. The only thing that could be deemed ‘normal’ around here, at least to you, was the water that flowed in the rivers under the bridges you two passed by. Everything was strangely made to look like projects of arts and crafts.

Not even the locals were exempted from this rule. As the little creature that was leading you somewhere was made entirely of knitted wool. I just left you puzzled and completely stumped at where you even were.

But hopefully this little biped would be able to provide some answers. Your first set of strange contacts was with a small group that the little sack...thing...person...was leading you towards. Your approach didn’t go unnoticed. Once you and the little creature arrived, the three figures were giving you wary glances. But the little sackperson stepped forward and began to sign to them. It was quite a surprise to learn that these larger beings seemed to be British...despite this place not looking like Earth. A bit of back and forth later and you finally managed to introduce yourself and explain your situation to the three larger beings. In which, they introduced themselves to you as well.

There was Larry Da Vinci, an elderly individual with a paper beard and cardboard 3D glasses, who seemed to be rather forgetful, as it took him a moment to remember his own name before the bun-having blonde next to him spoke up.

Her name was Victoria, who had doll-like features and a steampunk-inspired body. She also seemed to be very polite too. Despite being an older female, her and Da Vinci even seemed to be a thing. If the sweet-based names he kept calling her had anything to say for it.

Then there was a rather depressed-looking individual named Clive, who was a man with an eraser for a body and a cyan desk calendar for a head, which was just to name a few things that caught your eye about him. It was just so strange to see paperclips merely sticking to a body without an anchor. But he was still polite none-the-less, even if he wasn’t as enthusiastic as Larry or Victoria.

As for yourself? Well, you were a human. Made of flesh and blood, unlike the natives of this realm you happened to get lost in. It wasn’t hard to take notice of how the others would look at you strangely from time to time.

Not only just because you showed up out of nowhere, but because your appearance just seemed...as that Ginger-Haired prideful loudmouth ‘Avalon’ would put it - “Highly suspicious-looking”. You didn’t think you looked that bad...or creepy. So, you just played down their doubts by just explaining that you're from very far away and that you were lost. It took a bit of convincing from Sackthing to see if Larry had any leads on what to do.

Many of them acted like they had never seen a human before and it wasn’t hard to see why. I mean, they even thought you looked ill and took you to an apple-headed nurse, who was strangely in a birdcage of all things, named Eve to have a look at you. She apparently tried to find your ‘stitching’, which took you awhile to explain that you weren’t born with ‘stitching’. She seemed completely lost with your explanation on a normal human body and she did some typical tests. Took your temperature, tested your reflexes, and gave you a few psychological tests. All came back okay, showing that you were in fact a perfectly normal human being. Even if she seemed slightly disappointed. The rest of the time was spent visiting the other creators once word got around that a unique stranger was visiting Craftworld from ‘very far away’. Despite meeting a fair chunk of them within the first few hours.

It was most likely Avalon who let the cat out of the bag, the dude probably can’t keep his mouth shut to save his life. If your first encounter with him had anything to say about it. Dude even had the nerve to call you a ‘rubbery-looking tall weirdo’.

Thankfully, Larry chewed him out for his rudeness before you could. So one by one, you met the creator curators and visited their homelands with Larry as your guide, since sackthing had other duties to attend to at the time.

It was quite an exhausting trip. Thankfully most of the realms could be accessed by rocketships that were provided by Larry Da Vinci. Yes, rocketships. Made out of cardboard...with a jet attached to them.

You didn’t understand how they worked, so you pretty much just went with it and didn’t ask any questions. Each encounter was as unique as they came as you headed off to the other parts of Craftworld with Larry. Your first encounter was with the lovely baker you met before, Victoria. She was very interesting to say the least, having a lab and bakery hybrid that she called home. She explored the possibilities of pastries and science. A strange combination. She even tried to offer you some of her baked goods, which you sadly discovered you couldn’t eat. At all . You just couldn’t force yourself to eat a literal SPONGE cake, so you had to turn her down gently but gratefully thanked her for the offer anyway. After that was Clive, the same depressed individual from earlier. You eventually discover that  he has lived in a factory for most of his life and just knows the day in and day out of being at work constantly. No wonder the poor sap was so blue. He obviously needed a long vacation. After a typical meet and greet, you toured the factory he called home and had a lot of fun watching how things operated while Clive rambled on and on about work and various activities he would perform around the factory. You even got to meet the cute little sackbots while you were there. Which was a pleasant experience in itself! After that was Eve’s Asylum where she and Professor Higginbottom were located. You met Higginbottom at the Asylum. Which was probably the strangest thing you have ever experienced...aside from being lost in this fabric dimension. He seemed like someone who got into the bong and never came out. Though, listening to him talk was quite entertaining. Even if you didn’t understand anything that came from his mouth. Eve was present there as well. Despite the underwhelming encounter from earlier, Eve was still elated to observe you and see how you were coping.  She apparently ran the asylum that was filled with beautiful flora, magical trees, and crazy people. Which wasn’t a surprise, but you were just happy that they were under the care of someone as loving as Eve. Even if she got a bit frustrated that she couldn’t make heads or tails about your ‘strange biology predicament’. Even with an unnecessary ‘second analysis’. Then finally, there was Avalon. The dude was about as loud and as arrogant as they came.

However, he pushed it to a point where he made it endearing rather than annoying, but your traveling companion could beg to differ. It seemed that Larry and Avalon had a lot of disagreements on who was the leader of “The Alliance”. Whatever that was. Both of them mixed like oil and vinegar, like broccoli and pizza, like boomers and millennials...it was honestly kinda funny to watch them bicker. However, you haven’t forgotten that rude comment he made about you. So you were still on the fence with him. Still, Avalonia was a wonderful place to visit. Looking at all of the strange gadgets that were made, the types of vehicles, and the sheer ethereal aura that the place radiated...Avalon really did have a strong reason to flex after all.

But as fun as it was to visit these Curators, you still needed to find your way home. Plus, you had to keep moving if you were going to be able to find anything to eat.

I mean, you have been offered food on numerous occasions while on your trip, however it wasn’t anything you could actually eat. ‘Sponge’ cakes, icing that was too sweet, jam that was too sticky, crackers that were made of cardboard, cookies made out of paper, fruit made out of fabric or plastic… It was all fake...and you were starting to starve.

Your lack of eating also seemed to worry Larry, but you feigned being fine. Despite the fact that you hadn’t really eaten in days. It was wearing down on you pretty bad at this point. Despite your lie, Larry seemed to still be lost on what to do with you. You honestly couldn’t blame him though. You were quite an enigma. Then, Larry was reminded of something and had explained that he was going to go to a place called Bunkum to attend a session in a place called Popit Academy and graciously offered if you wanted to visit while he was participating. At that time, you really didn’t know that you could explore other planets...but this was a strange new universe with strange new ways. So what could possibly go wrong?

So, from one planet made of patches to one with strange gadgets on it, you arrive at a place called “Needlepoint Peaks”.

Which was filled with crisp mountain air and little floating objects that harassed you at every angle. It was quite frustrating, as they would cling to you and you would have to constantly shake them loose. It seemed to amuse Larry to the point of chuckling as you both headed down the mountain together. While on the way, you even decided to take a bite out of the crackers that were sticking out of the ground. Which turned out to be a big mistake.

The ‘treat’ was about as stale as they come. It was hard to chew and it had the lingering scent of cardboard and dust. You promptly spat it out and coughed violently while Larry looked at you like you had lost your marbles.

Despite everything looking tasty, it was all dried and stale, nothing more than deceptive decorations for your ever growing hunger that gnawed away at you from your insides. You could only sigh helplessly as you passed the deceptive goodies and just focused on following Larry to the next destination. Once down from the mountain, both of you arrived at a place called ‘Stitchem Manor’, which seemed to be occupied by two lightbulbs and a monster. The family greeted Larry and seemed to notice you, despite you attempting to hide your taller figure behind the Elder Curator. The smaller lightbulb seemed to be very eager to meet you, as he strode up and waved and said a rather friendly hello. You timidly come out of hiding and meet up with him too. Returning the greeting politely. The lightbulb seems to happily chitter about as you stare at him. He then graciously introduces you to his father, a clear idol in his eyes, and his mother. Who wasn’t a monster. She just looked scary as hell.

You politely greet them in return and Larry explains your situation to the family. It seemed that Larry had decided to see if you could visit with the Pud family, which was a rather strange name, until he was through with his lessons at the popit academy. Seeing if one of them was available to show you around Bunkum until he came back later. You almost rolled your eyes at the thought of needing a guide or babysitter, but you didn’t know this place. So you really should stick with someone until you understand the ropes. The younger-looking lightbulb, who was named Newton, proudly volunteers to show you around Bunkum. A desire to give his ‘new strange-looking chum the best tour of Bunkum they have ever experienced’. So he says. Apparently, his parents were both worried about his proposal. Not because of you, but apparently Newton had caused a heap of trouble for the natives of Bunkum and was still in too-hot water because of it. Despite making peace with most of the locals and trying to clear his name from the titan incident...whatever that was. It sounds bad just by the name alone.

However, after enough begging, his parents gave in and decided to allow him to show you around Bunkum. Satisfied with the ordeal, Larry had headed off and Newton’s parents headed back inside the large manor.

Once alone, Newton had grabbed your hand before suddenly letting go in surprise. When questioned, he just stared and made a comment about how your ‘knitting’ felt strange against his hands. You just merely shrugged and walked ahead, Newton quickly taking the lead again as he rambled on and on about stuff to do while you were visiting.

The first stop was Manglewood. Which could only be reached by boat. Which just made the ride over much more boring than usual, except when Newton would talk about it and mention all the things to do there. It helped to pass the time until the island in question came into view. By appearance alone, you would’ve thought you both were lost in some bayou in the heart of Louisiana, but that wasn’t far enough from the truth. There were film reels, movie cameras, and set pieces all strewn about the landscape. Making it look like a set that was covered in moss and willows. However, you also took notice of a strange figure sitting at the edge of the landmass. Simply sitting there and watching the boat. Once close enough, you seemed to make out that it appeared to be...dog-like? Like a sock puppet type of dog? It was just waiting there and once you both touched down on land, it sped over to investigate. In which, it happily jumped aboard and sniffed around.

Once it glanced at Newton, it’s face changed to a certain type of disinterest but once it scanned over to you, it began to wag its’...butt...and bark happily. You confusedly look at the animal before waving and greeting the...dog-thing. Having it jump up on you and lick you with a fabric tongue, thankfully it didn’t seem to leave any slobber behind.

Newton explained that it was a creature called Oddsock and it seemed to be protecting Manglewood. He almost seemed a tad bit jealous that Oddsock had taken a liking to you so quickly, even if he didn’t show it openly.

He led you off of the boat and further into Manglewood, the dog sticking close to your side.

There, you both found a man who introduced himself as Marlon Random.

He was quite a character. Looking like a spool of film with a strange hairstyle to go with it, the dancing, the personality, the references to movies and such...he was probably the most enjoyable to be around. He didn’t even seem to mind Newton. Greeting him as if it was any other day, in which Newton had replied half-heartedly and explained your situation. Once Marlon heard of your plight, he stopped and looked at you closer. Taking notice of your strange appearance as well, he nods and laughs lightly. Eager to show Manglewood to you, despite Newtons’ protests. You had decided to visit the space area and discovered that floating in space was incredibly fun. The zero gravity, peaceful music playing in the background, and just the weightlessness of it all...it was truly an experience. After that, he took you over to the old-style diner. You jammed out to some old-style tunes, which strangely came from Earth of all places, and you even tried to take a few bites out of the food laying around. Getting the same result as the one from Needlepoint Peaks. You even tried the milkshakes. Which were SO SWEET. Too sweet even!

It was like everything around here was made out of two dumptruck loads of sugar. Plus, you couldn’t really force past it, as it was strong enough to hurt your teeth anyway. One secret spit out later and you lot had decided to settle in for a bite.

With the exemption of you. So while Newton, Marlon, and even Oddsock enjoyed the food...you found yourself without a meal yet again. Your aching belly rumbling in disdain as you sigh quietly. You just had to endure for a bit longer...you would get home soon...hopefully. Thankfully there was water to drink. So you had that instead. Still, you had a kick watching Newton shove fries and pieces of food into that hole in his neck. Which made sense, as he simply couldn’t shove it past the glass that covered his head. It just made you wish you could enjoy it with them...wait...why were they looking at you...why were they laughing --? A tickling sensation pretty much crawled around you as those bothersome floating objects began to stick to you again, resulting in you crying out in agitation and shaking about in the seat to dislodge them. Your companions seemed to find the situation hilarious as you pluck them off and flick them away from yourself. Huffing a bit at your group as they laugh at your grumpiness. But once it was all said and done, the last places being too ‘dangerous’ for you to explore, you both decided it would be time to head out to the Ziggurat. You would’ve headed to a place called ‘Zom Zom’s’ however Newton explained that he only took a special type of currency called ‘collectabells’, which got a chuckle out of you. Sadly, you didn’t really have any currency at all. So you skipped on going there. He probably wouldn’t have anything in your size anyway. So, both of you cross the bridge and ride the gondola into the distance while Marlon and Oddsock waved you both off. In no time at all, the temperature began to drop and snow began to fall from the sky. The wind from the gondola didn’t help the situation either, your clothes could barely keep out the chill. Newton didn’t seem bothered by it, which wasn’t a surprise to you. That fluffy coat he was wearing looked comfortable.

You would ask to wear it, but it was just too small for you. Plus, Lightbulbs radiate heat, so he was probably all warm and toasty underneath that fabric. Talk about being lucky.

Finally, the gondola came to a hill and along that hill seemed to be a towering figure. It almost looked like a burlap sack...like something you would shove potatoes in. Once closer though, it seemed similar to the last creature you encountered.

If logical reasoning could be fathomed here, that must be this land’s protector as well. Seeing by how they grew alert to the approaching elevator. Once it stopped and you and Newton stepped off, the large figure approached curiously. Similar to before, the creature met Newton with a poker face about as blank as the snow, but he gave you a rather silly smile once he looked in your general direction. What you didn’t expect was a large friendly hug to accompany that smile. You were pretty much scooped up and pressed against the taught cloth-chest of the large figure, gasping for air as it cuddled you. Newton began by explaining that this was the Ziggurat, which also happened to be Toggles’ home. Which was the name of the creature hugging you. He told you about the grand library and the ballets that would be held here every day and that hopefully you would enjoy the shows while you both were here. With a few desperate taps on Toggle, you were released and were finally able to get a full breath of air. You almost felt bad for Toggle’s worried face, but a reassured pat on their arm seemed to make them satisfied that you were okay. You walk along, following Newton as he gives you a brief tour of the entrance. Toggle following close behind you both as you walk towards a large and towering brass-like structure that was the centerpiece of this frozen wasteland.

Then, you met Papal Mache in the temple sanctum. Who gave Newton a rather skeptical glance after your arrival before staring at you for a brief moment. Once again, another remark on your appearance was made.

It almost made you wanna put a bag over your head and hide away from the world.

And what is with everyone asking where your ‘stitching’ was? You’re not made of fabric!

You just let out another sigh as Newton repeated the spill from earlier encounters while you busied yourself by looking at the temple architecture. From the looks of it, it seemed to be the insides of a large pipe organ, with stained glass windows of ballerinas and russian-esque soldiers. Which made sense, as Russia was known for its musical culture and revered classics in the modern world. While you admired the art and such, Papal Mache seemed to understand and decided to escort you both down to the library. Which was being looked after by...a dog...woman...thing.

You simply just shake your head and decide to listen in on her history lessons that were offered to you, which were indubitably interesting and selectively inspiring.

Especially once you began to read some of the pamphlets that Toggle helped save from a flood. Toggle even stayed and sat down to listen to his heroic deeds for a bit. Out of curiosity, you pick up one of the pamphlets. No wonder the lady-dog would’ve been so upset to lose some of this history, it was pretty interesting! However, it was short-lived once Newton grew bored and pulled you away from the library with a rushed goodbye to the friendly dog lady. Nearly leaving Toggle behind. Only then did you realize how cold you were getting from the temperature after sitting still on a cold floor. You begin to shudder as the cold wind brushes against you and you slow down as the cold bites at your flesh.

Curiously, Newton had questioned what was wrong as you trembled helplessly in the frigid gales. Once you explained that humans can get something called hypothermia from excessive cold and die, Newton practically flipped his lid.

A quick grasp of your hand and he took off with you in tow.

He quickly rushed past Papal Mache and through the temple to get you to a large furnace on the other side.

Once close enough, you could feel the warmth of the furnace melting away the freezing ice that had wrapped itself around your body. Replacing it with warmth and comfort. Once at the entrance, you graciously sit down on the warmed metal and let out a blissful sigh of relief. You were pretty much scolded by Newton for not telling him earlier and a worried Papal Mache arrived on scene not much later. A brief questioning later and Papal figured it might be best if you don’t stay here too long. Not that he didn’t enjoy new visitors, but because you just weren’t equipped for such freezing temperatures. Which were even worse when night fell.

You nodded in understanding and let out a sigh of brief disappointment, but the snow was hard to endure at this point. Once you thawed out, you both would be heading to your final destination, Bunkum Lagoon.

The sound of small rapid footsteps grace your ears as a smaller version of the big guy came scuttling onto the scene. A brief slide later and suddenly it was the big guy again! Only then did you realize what ‘Toggle’ meant. It made you almost wanna laugh. Papal Mache decided to speak up to the large silent hero about your incident and Toggle seemed to become saddened by the news, but nodded in understanding anyway. You felt bad for such a rapid departure, but what else could be done? It was best to finish touring Bunkum so you could get back to Stitchem Manor so you could wait for Larry. Once you got warm enough, you stood up from the ground and Newton rejoined you as both of you walked back into the temple and towards the back where a large elevator awaited. Both of you got on and Papal Mache and Toggle waved their farewells as the elevator began to move and drop down. You had no idea how this would get you to a lagoon, but if you weren’t at the risk of getting hypothermia, you may like it a bit more… Newton seemed to be more apprehensive about this place, unlike the last two places you both visited. He began to talk about a wicked queen who probably boils her disrespectful subjects in hot oil and how she would probably tear him limb from limb if she as much as smelled him. You probably broke a sweat listening to his anxious worries about the next destination. Didn’t seem to be as peaceful as the last two places, just from what he was saying alone. You gulped as the air began to become more humid as the elevator slowed to a stop.

Once outside, the first thing your eyes caught was the sunset that was glistening over the very large lake that resided in a city filled with towering spires and buildings. You couldn’t hide a gasp of awe as you stepped out into the residential areas and admired the masquerade theme that the city had going for it. Plus, there were airships and clouds as far as your eyes could see. It was truly breathtaking. Newton slowly slinked out after you, scanning around as if to keep an eye out for danger. You had thrown caution to the wind as you walked out further into the Lagoon, Newton squeaking and following behind you for a change. You pretty much just happily stroll through the town, looking at all of the cardboard, stickers, and crafted creatures fluttering about. A stark contrast to a human like yourself.

Suddenly, a sudden shout came from above. The noise made Newton cry out in fear as he hid behind yourself as a hovering platform came into your view. On top of it was a marionette looking female as she called down to the both of you. From the tone of her voice, you already knew you weren’t gonna like her. Her tone was bratty and easily portrayed the type that she was. That type being a heavily spoilt princess that expected everyone to obey and respect them, despite them not deserving any. She was also being followed by another sack creature, this one resembling a bird. She immediately began to chew out Newton for one reason or another, you weren’t exactly paying attention as she hissed at your companion. It was almost like she was demanding an explanation as to why he was in ‘her’ kingdom. Newton had managed to pluck up enough courage to creep out from behind yourself as he explained your situation once more. About how you were from ‘very far away’ and a friend had asked if someone was willing to show Bunkum to the newcomer. Despite the fact that he tried to pass it off as him trying to make amends by doing this ���tour’ with you. Despite the fact that he selflessly volunteered for it, no pressuring from his father or anything. Still, you said nothing as the ‘Queen of Bunkum’ introduced herself to you and you to Swoop, who had landed and was staring at you after giving Newton another neutral passing glance. It even almost seemed to flutter happily for a bit. It made you wonder why all of these sack creatures seemed to be happy to see you, but that can be pondered later. Right now, you just wanted to go and explore this last location before the night began to fall.

With courtesy, you bowed a bit and greeted Pinky. Being sure to call her ‘queen’ in a respectful manner. She looked like the type that was prone to suck-ups.

In which you assumed correctly. Almost seemingly flustered with your polite behavior, she cackles a bit before welcoming you to the Lagoon and ‘knowing fully well that you WILL enjoy your stay ’. However she does give you a warning to keep ‘that yellow ninny’ out of trouble, to which you assured her that she had nothing to be concerned for. Satisfied, she calls swoop back to her side and the levitating platform hovers off into the distance. A thankfully short encounter. Newton lets out a relieved sigh as you continue on. A desire to explore in your veins as the sun continues to set. It was kinda sad that you couldn’t hang out with the bird like you could the other two, but it probably has a job protecting the queen. Still, you continued on. Your lightbulb co-conspirator follows you from close behind. Just waiting to see what you decide to do with the rest of your day. And It was a rather eventful rest of the day.

Both you and Newton had attended various events. Such as an air joust festival, a puppet show, and you two even climbed the tallest tower in the district and listened to the bells of the tower ring. You even got to see the ‘legendary creative heart’, which was strangely disturbing. Despite it being just a giant valentine heart with large bird wings, it still pulsed like an actual heart. You honestly didn’t know how the locals could stand being next to it for so long. Even from this distance it was loud enough for you to hear. You just brush it off and try to ignore all of the bothersome floaty things that came from it. Hopefully none of them would stick to you. At the end of your trip, you both stopped on a pier to watch the sunset over the lagoon. The purple and pink clouds just brought out a tranquility in the atmosphere that almost made you forget about your troubles and your lingering sleepless exhaustion. Despite being here for about a few days, you were starving and getting any sleep was rather rare. Mostly since weird things would occur while you were dozing.

You fell asleep in the rocketship once and a large flower garden had grown up around you while you had slept and you only took notice when you woke up. It was hard to explain it to Larry. You even crashed in Clive’s factory and when you awakened, some new robots were by your side. Seemingly not made in the factory at all, as they didn’t even have the same body shape as the Sackbots. Clive was about as stumped as you were when you showed him. It was just...when you fell asleep, weird stuff would happen to you and the things that surrounded where you were sleeping. So now, you just try to stay awake as much as possible. Even if your eyelids felt like cinder blocks and tiredness nipped at your aching muscles. The thing that bothered you the most as your empty stomach.

If you couldn’t sleep nor eat, how would you even make it out of here?

There was no sustenance to keep you going. You’re pretty much running on emergency energy right now. Burning stored calories and trying to stay alive while you were at it. The constant insomnia was also wearing down on you. You just felt like you could fall asleep right here on the pier. But Newton jostles you awake by reminding you that you both had to head back to Stitchem Manor before night fell on Bunkum. You nod slowly in understanding and finally muster the strength to stand up with a long stretch. From there, Newton led the way back to his home. Leading back the way you came. Back up the mountain, back through the Ziggurat, back down the mountain, through the swamp again, and back to the boat. Once you both set sail, you watch the sinking sun with a lazy gaze.

It was quite a trip...but you really wish you were home. It wasn’t like you were miserable here. These strangers were so nice and open to you, despite your off-putting appearance. You just wished you had something to eat right now...and maybe a nap. Or a thousand year sleep, which would be far better. Still, Stitchem Manor came into view at the cliffside and you both began to dock the boat. By the time you both arrived home, the sky had turned to twilight as you slowly walked after Newton.

Who seemed to be rather jovial after todays ‘adventure’. Both Nana Pud and Captain Pud were there to greet you both at the gates of the manor, Larry Da Vinci was there as well. Seemingly having an idle chit chat while you both arrived. Once you two were noticed, you sluggishly came to a stand still next to Larry while Newton griped about being pampered by his doting mother. You and Larry couldn’t help but chuckle as you all said your goodnights and you and Larry headed away from the manor. You manage to look over your shoulder as the younger lightbulb seems to be happily waving to you while he and his parents go inside the manor. You returned the favor, albeit a bit more slowly as exhaustion slowly caught up to you. Once you were out of sight of the manor, Larry had asked how your day went. You pretty much told him everything. About the fun you had in Manglewood, the freezing experience in the Ziggurat, and the jousting shows in Bunkum Lagoon. You spoke of all the people you met and how Newton was informative and made sure to look after you. It seemed to earn Larrys’ approval as he nods as the pod comes into sight. Once you both were aboard and a course was set for Craftworld, you decided to settle in on the pillows on the far side of the pod. Where it was a bit quieter than the control room. Larry decided that he would drive you both back to Craftworld while you took a nap. You didn’t mind and happily accepted the offer. Though, he probably could tell that you weren’t getting enough sleep. You could practically see the darkness lining your eyes.

Now you were wrapped up in soft materials and laying in a nest made from pillows and such. Your mind was so tired and strained from being awake for so long that all you could think about was how many people you met in the last few days. How many potential friends you could make...but it was still a mystery as to how you arrived on Craftworld in the first place. Let alone how to get out of this dimension and safely back to Earth. If you wanted to go back...that is. I mean, you were still hungry. Even more so now. You could only sigh as the feelings of hunger went away some time ago after you tried to not focus on anything. You were still lost. Even if you met some friendly faces along the way. Still... how did you get here? And how do you get back? You merely blink as these questions run through your mind and you just let out a deep exhale and close your eyes tightly. You just needed some sleep for now. Maybe this is all just one big fever dream and you’ll wake up back in your normal bed with normal humans around you. No fabric, no cardboard, so sponges...just flesh and bones. Organic stuff... REAL stuff.

Or...at least the things you HOPE were REAL things. Oh, but it was just another problem to solve for tomorrow.

You let out another final long sigh as your heavy eyes finally close and you drifted off to sleep in record time.

Blissfully unaware of the images and energy seeping from your head while you slept peacefully throughout the whole trip back to Craftworld.

[50scentsofsoap]

Forever

Jung Hoseok has always been there for you, after all he has been your best friend for years. A lot can change during that time...

word count: 4.2k genre: smut tw: drinking, reckless behaviour

author’s note: I wrote this oneshot instead of writing my university application essays, just uploading all my old material before I move on to fresher ideas.

You’re pinned against the wall, both arms above you and locked tight as if you had handcuffs on your wrists. Your body being attacked at every inch your skin was showing. Face. Neck. Shoulders. You just closed your eyes and took in every sensation. The clenched hand holding your wrists. The sharp drop of oxygen from your lungs. The vibrations of his mouth against yours. The struggle against gravity to keep on standing, when your knees were ready to give way. 

He pulled away, leaving both of you to gasp for air.

“How come you never told me you liked me?” He asked with a puzzled look.

“How come you could never take a hint?” You reply with a cocky attitude.

He pushed his torso onto yours, locking your back onto the wall. “Oh, is that any way to talk to your best friend?”

✎ 10 years ago

“HI! Looks like we’re locker buddies! My name’s Hoseok, what’s yours?” he asked with a smile so bright, its brightness could illuminate any moonless night.

“Um… Y/N.” A blunt reply. You hoped he’d get the hint and wouldn’t talk to you any further.

“Nice to meet you Y/N! Want a cookie? My Mom always packs me two cookies for lunch. I think she puts in molasses instead of brown sugar...”

He continued to ramble on. You figured he wasn’t going to leave you alone anytime soon, so you learned to just ignore him or reply in short phrases. This went on for a couple of months, but your cold attitude didn’t bother him at all. Every morning, he would always find something new to talk about, and it was getting annoying.

Your birthday soon rolled around, and you invited everyone in your homeroom class to come to your 13th birthday party, including Hoseok. Everyone liked him… except you. He was just too happy, and it annoyed you how sickly giddy he could be. Still, he wasn’t a bad person so you had no reason to hate him.

“Hey, Hobi… come on it’s time for cak- Are you ok?” You stepped out of your kitchen to the patio. He was sitting there alone. His eyes glistening, shit the kid’s crying.

He quickly wiped his eyes as soon as he saw you. “Hey Y/N, need a hand with opening your presents?” His smile had returned. Like a light switch, he just… stopped being upset.

“No thanks, but it’s time for cake. You coming in?”

“Ooh cake, yes please!” With that he darted into the house.

From that day onwards, you kept an eye on him, and you knew his secret. No matter how hurt he was, he was always smiling.

✎ ✎

Hoseok picked you up, lips still locked in a deep kiss. You wrapped your legs around his waist and hands around his neck. He held your thighs as he carried you towards your bed. For that moment, it seemed as if there was no-one else in the world but you and him. It was as if this was a novel and you two were the main characters, with everyone else blurring into the background. He placed you on your duvet, your lips never breaking contact. He pulled away first, trying to catch his breath. You sat up, and looked at him with questioning eyes.

“You know,” he began. He leaned against your chest of drawers. “If we do this, we can’t go back to what we were.” He spoke cautiously, as if he were treading on eggshells.

“What do you mean?” You cock an eyebrow at him.

“I mean, if we do this, we can’t go back to being friends. We might be able to, but to me it will be as if we’re pretending to be friends for old time’s sake.”

You stand up, directly in front of him. You have to tilt you head quite high to meet his eyes. “Ok, what did you say half an hour ago?”

He gulped, “I’ve been in love with you since I can remember.”

“Good, and what did I say?” 

“Fuck off?” He grinned. There it was, that smile to hide anything he didn’t want to show.

“No.”

“You’ve loved me since we became best friends.”

“Exactly. Now…” You took off your sweatshirt and shirt at the same time, leaving you only in your lacy balcony bra, “we’ll always be best friends, nothing will change that.”

Hobi stared at your chest then at your gaze. You noticed a hungry look that you’d never seen before. His mouth parted just slightly, in awe, perhaps, of you taking off your clothes without hesitation. “You’ve seen me semi naked before,” you lifted his chin to look into his eyes, “what’s changed?”

He licked his lips. “Maybe the fact you’re taking your clothes off for me?”

“Hmm. I guess so, but that shouldn’t chang-”

He crashed his supple lips onto yours, taking you by surprise. “Are you sure about this?”

You look at him with your endearing eyes, a hand caresses his cheek as a coy smile spreads across your face. “Absolutely.”

✎ 7 years ago

“Hey, are you even listening? What’s the nucleus of an atom made out of?” You exclaimed with annoyance.

“Protons and neutrons. Look, I’m fine on chem, there’s no need to quiz me.” Hobi replied while styling his hair with his mother’s straighteners. 

“You got 95% in the last test, it’s obvious you have to study.” 

“Look Y/N,” he put down the straighteners and sat on his bed “you don’t have to get 100% in everything. It’s only the end of year exams that actually count towards your score.”

“I know that, but I’ve got a reputation to keep up. Plus, people think your scores are slipping because…” 

“Because…?”

You sigh. “Because we’re too busy ‘dating’. I mean, where do these rumours come from?”

“Well, you’re always in my house, that’s one thing”

“Fuck off, it’s only because both my parents are usually out and I want to save on our heating bills.”

“Oh, so you’re mooching off me for warmth?”

“That, and your Mom’s snacks. Since you moved next door, I’ve had her cookies everyday. Are you sure she doesn’t put weed in them?”

“What? No. They just taste really good. I’m surprised your teeth haven’t rotted yet. Come on, no more Chemistry. We have a party to go to.” He put on his jacket and threw you yours.

“I’m only going so I can keep an eye on you, and remember, chugging down a two litre bottle of coke with mentos is not a fun experience.” You slip on your coat and flick your hair out so it hangs over your neck.

“Don’t remind me.” 

Pretty much everyone was around 15 to 16 years old, there were 8 people in total. Pizza boxes stacked on top of the dining room table, fizzy drinks surrounding it. It was a gaming party and an intense game of monopoly was in session. Of course, you and Hobi were the winning team. Board games soon got boring, and so a round of spin the bottle took place. This was the age to pretend to be mature and try ‘adult’ games. Of course, no one wanted to kiss anyone in particular, so it became a hybrid version of truth or dare. 

You stare at the bottle intently as the first round lands on you. 

“Wooh! It’s Y/N’s go. Ok, truth or dare?” asked John. 

“Well I’m not good with dares, so truth.” 

“Are you and Hoseok actually dating?” 

“Have you two kissed?” Another party-goer chimed in. 

“What the fuck, no! We’re not dating.” You yelled in frustration. You could feel the blush creep up on your face, but prayed no one noticed because the bottle had already begun to spin again. Soon after, it landed on Hobi. 

“Truth for me!” He chirped. 

“I have one,” you note. “The day of my 13th birthday party, you looked upset. Why?” 

“What the heck Y/N, that was like 3 years ago no one remembers shit from that long ago!” John proclaimed. 

“No it’s ok,” Hobi continued, “That was the day my goldfish died.” You looked at him with a confused look. 

“Alright, good enough, let’s go.” The bottle landed on more people until is was nearly 10pm, the time to leave. John began to spin the bottle. “For the last round, we’re going to spin it twice. The two people it lands on, they have to kiss. Whether it’s boy-boy or girl-girl, you still have to kiss.”

The bottle spins and lands on you and… fuck… Hobi. You two just look at each other with an expression of concern, but then just go for it, to get it over and done with. It was an awkward lip-touch kiss, neither of you dared to use tongue. Soon enough 5 seconds were up, and it was the time to leave. Of course, everyone would be talking about your kiss with Hoseok at school for the next month, but you couldn’t care less. You had Chemistry on your mind.

“Hey Y/N,” Hobi starts as you two walk the familiar path home. “Sorry about the kiss.”

“It’s fine, fuck what people say, right?” 

“Yeah.” He let out a long sigh. “I lied. My goldfish didn’t die that day.” 

“So why were you sad?” 

“I was feeling lonely.” Your heart sank. “I’ve always been friendly with people, but I’ve never really had friends. I only realised it that day.” 

You stopped in your tracks and turned to him. He paused too. You wrapped your arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. “Listen to me motherfucker, you’re my best friend. If you ever feel lonely, I’ll be right over with ice cream and Twilight. Also, if any bitch breaks your heart, tell me and I will wreck her.” You let him go and continued walking as if nothing had happened.

You felt protective of him, but as a friend right? You surely weren’t falling in love with him.

✎ ✎

You lay on your bed in only your bra and underwear. Hoseok was also stripped down to his boxers, with a little help from you. You saw both your clothes mingle into a messy pile in the corner of your small bedroom. You’d been living in this apartment in the city since you ran an up and coming company. It was tiny, but it was your own place. It was home. Hoseok lived close, his dance studio was next to your office. Everyday, you’d get a perfect view of the zumba ladies in the morning, the little kids learning hip hop in the afternoon and his dance crew in the evenings. After work, you two would usually get dinner together and walk home. Old habits from your high school days. 

Hoseok picked up his jacket and took out a condom from his inside pocket. He took the wrapper and put it down on the bedside table. “Now before all that, I have to make you wet.”

His head disappeared in front of your legs. He bent your knees and propped your hips up with a pillow, then he slid his fingers into your underwear and slowly took them off, past your thighs, knees, calves, until they were at your ankles. He took them off and added it to the pile of clothes. You took a deep breath, not knowing what to expect. That’s when he hit the spot. His tongue expertly slid along your folds. You let out a gasp, out of both shock and pleasure. He was now at your core, you were exposed to him. He slid his tongue into you as far as it would go, and back out. He continued this endless assault until you could contain it no longer and moaned his name. 

“Wow, it feels quite hot when you say my name like that.” He returned to his position. “How long has it been since you’ve been laid?” His hot breath hit your entrance like dragon smoke. You were getting wet with every second his tongue lay on your spot. 

“I think… around… 4 years?” You finally manage to get out.

“Wow since Uni? Have you just been touching yourself to satiate your urges?” He presses on.

“Of course. I’ve been busy, I didn’t have time to really screw anyone.”

Without warning, he slid a finger into you. You arched your back in response to the hormones coursing through your veins. “Your fingers have always been so slender, but I’m sure you’ve never felt like this when you did it by yourself.” 

He pumped his fingers in and out of you at a painfully slow pace. Your hips travelled forward, for more of him, but he wouldn’t let you. He curled his finger inside you, touching your delicate walls. You thought you would go crazy if you didn’t climax soon. The teasing was becoming too much for you. 

“Hoseok, if you make me come in the next 5 minutes,” you sat up and looked directly at his dark eyes. You seductively licked your lips and gave him a wink. “You know what I’ll do, now stop playing around.”

He slipped another finger inside you and started pumping at a steady rhythm. He put his thumb on your bundle of nerves and rubbed small circles into it. After ten circles, he would take his thumb off and suck on it for about two seconds. This torturous repetition continued until you felt a familiar presence in your lower abdomen. Soon enough, your mind, body and soul shattered. The high was nothing like you had experienced before, it was more carnal, almost animalistic in nature.

Hoseok removed the pillow from your hips. You were breathing heavily from your orgasm. He removed his boxers and began slowly pumping himself. “So, that took me four minutes and 12 seconds.” You looked up to see him palm his length. You wondered for a second if he would even fit inside you. “It’s time to keep up your end of the bargain.”

Hobi laid on the bed whilst you got onto all fours, still pretty shaken up from your first real orgasm in god knows how long. You had thought of the various positions and things you’d like to try with Hobi; against a wall, in the shower, blindfolded, the lot. You didn’t even know you wanted him in a way that’s more than a friend until you thought of him during one of your ‘relaxation’ sessions. The thought of him touching you everywhere just excited you, something which you’d never felt before. Now here he was, in front of you, naked. With the thought that you had been victorious in your mission in mind, you took his manhood into your mouth and began to move your head up and down.

✎ 4 years ago

“Why did you drive an hour and a half from your house to pick me up? I told you I was fine.” You exclaimed trying to keep your vision clear.

“Fine?! Bullshit Y/N. If I didn’t come when I did… Jesus, who knows what could have happened!” Hoseok was driving his car well above the speed limit, but he didn’t care about breaking the law. He did care about happened to you.

You had gone to a house party with a couple of other people from your University. While you were off pursuing higher education, Hoseok began apprenticing under dancers from ballet to popping, to become a choreographer. You two promised each other to talk everyday, and you did however you could. Calls, Facebook, Twitter and Skype,. He always informed you about his daily life, as did you. You thought this party would be like any other, some booze, weed and messy makeout sessions… but you overdid it on all three. 

You had drunk way past your limit and gotten so faded it was difficult to even stand up. The number of people you kissed whilst inebriated was well over the half century mark, both guys and girls. You were just about to get frisky with another boy when your phone rang. It was Hoseok. You declined the call and continued your with your antics. It was only after you had stripped your underwear and was about to lose your virginity in someone else’s bedroom, when Hobi came bursting through the door. He picked you up and carried you and your belongings to his car.

“I told you I was going to a party! Why did you have to cockblock me?! Gosh you’re such an asshole!” You scream at him.

“Excuse me for being a good friend! You were going to have unprotected sex… while drunk! And… wait are you high as well?! Fuck Y/N, this isn’t like you at all.” Hoseok replied sternly.

“Well what am I like? A straight-A student who’s got her whole life sorted out. Well guess what, I’m not who you think I am.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I’m saying is that I’m sick of everyone expecting me to be this perfect embodiment of success. I mean… maybe I do want to smoke weed Mum. Or even fail my classes Dad. Or maybe I do want to get an STD from unprotected sex Hobi!”

“I get that you’re pissed off at me, but you’ll thank me one day. You’re just going through a rebel phase, it’ll pass don’t worry.”

“Thank you?! I was going to lose my virginity to.., whatever his name was!” You throw your hands up in defeat and slump into the passenger seat. You can feel the tears well up in your eyes, “Hobi, is there something wrong with me?”

“What? No. Nothing at all.”

“Then why can’t I get a boyfriend? Don’t give me all the bullshit about not finding the right guy! I mean, I do have guys as friends but they never like me as more than friends.”

“Maybe because they’d rather value their friendship to you than a relationship? Look, if you’re so desperate to get laid, make the first move. Only while you’re sober, understand?”

Your emotions switched from lonely to hopeful, damn you were totally drunk. You looked at Hobi as if he cracked the code to an impenetrable safe. “You’re an actual genius, Hoseok,” with that you passed out.

 After that, you could only remember waking up to find yourself in Hoseok’s bed, with him next to you, accompanied by a killer hangover.

✎ ✎

Hobi grabbed your hair tight and pulled your mouth from his cock to his lips. The kiss was rough, needy, desperate. You could feel his tongue invade your mouth, trying to fight for dominance. Both of you had been warmed up sufficiently by all this foreplay, and now it was time for the real deal. Hobi slipped on the condom with ease. This is it, after all these years.

“Ok, I need you on all fours, but with your chest on the bed. Keep your hips up in the air, ok?” Hoseok guided you.

“Fine, but this feels like an awkward pose to start with.” You chimed, but doing as you were told. 

“I know what I’m doing. Just wait until I’m inside you babe.” You can feel Hobi smirk as he says it.

You can feel the tip of his cock at your entrance, painfully teasing you. Your cheeks are burning red, from the stimulation and the annoyance that he’s making you wait. You just wanted him in you already, and your patience was beginning to wear thin.

Suddenly, Hoseok grabbed both sides of your hips and put his whole length in, hilt-deep. The sensation of being filled so quickly made you draw out a deep guttural moan. A string of curse words soon followed, which made him chuckle.

“You’re so cute when you swear Y/N.”

You kneel upright so your back is flush against Hobi’s chiseled abdomen, and turn your head to plant a small kiss on his lips. “Shut up and make me feel good, sunshine.” You grind against him, while his dick is still deep in you. You didn’t recall sex feeling this good. You felt Hoseok’s small smile drop and he starts nibbling on your neck.

He puts a hand on your nape and pushes you down, so you’re back to the position you started in. He puts a pillow right in front of you and raises your hips higher with his hands. “You see, what I like about this position... “ You feel him kneel forward until he’s right by your ear, “is that I can... Fuck. You. Hard.” He pronounce every syllable in a harsh tone. “Hold on tight, babe. You’ll feel like you’ve never done before.”

You do as instructed and place your hands on your small headrest, mildly excited for Hoseok to get on with it. He pulls out slowly, until he’s only a few inches in, and pounds into you with enough force to jolt you forward.

✎ 1 hour ago

“Ok ok, I have a really juicy secret!” You shout out. “When I was 11 years old, I drew dicks in the girls’ loos and the teachers thought one of the boys would do it. Turns out, my desk partner was caught with going to the girls’ toilets and he got blamed for the dicks.”

There weren’t many people around on the streets at this time of night, but this didn’t faze you. You had pepper spray in your purse and a knife tucked in the hidden compartment of your coat. Usually Friday nights were when you two went to the small Vietnamese place that was quite far away. You had just missed the last bus and now had to walk the 2 miles home, in the freezing cold.

“Shit, that must have taken guts.” Hobi responded to your statement. “Ok, um… you know when I told you I was dating Jennifer Griggs?”

“Yeh?” You answer cautiously.

“Well, turns out she was a lesbian who was only dating me to convince her parents that she was straight.” 

“No way! That’s actually so sad, I feel bad for her. I called her a bitch once because she took my cookie by accident.” 

“Don’t you mean my cookie? You always stole my food.” 

“Not always, if you’re not looking, it doesn’t count as stealing, duh!” 

“You’re such a douche.” 

“Ooh I’ve got one. At Uni, I joined the BDSM society and pretty much attended orgies every week.” 

“Holy hell, seriously? Is this when you would tell me you’re off to go swimming?!” 

“Yes, I’ve never step foot inside the swimming pool there. Although I was actually a weird one, because I would only join in like once a month but I only became a watcher about a year in.” 

“How come?” 

“Because none of them were you.”

Shit. You should not have said that. 

“Ok it’s my turn.” Hoseok began after a long pause. He let out a deep sigh, “I’ve been in love with you since I first laid eyes on you.”

You stopped dead in your tracks and stood to face him. You stood on your tiptoes to reach his ear. “My place is closer.”

✎ ✎

You were so close to climaxing, you thought you would pass out if you didn’t reach your orgasm soon. Somehow, Hobi sensed that you were close and began thrusting into you at a faster and harder pace. His hips rolled into yours effortlessly, you expected nothing less of the fantastic dancer. Your heart felt as if it would tire from beating too fast, and your hands balled fistfuls of your bedding. Soon enough, one final body roll was all it took for you to reach your high at an altitude beyond the heavens. You felt as if you had left the astral plane and ascended beyond comprehension and bodily existence. Whilst descending, you realised that Hobi was still pounding into you, using your high to fuel his own when later he too reached his limits. He collapsed on top of your back, using his forearms to stop himself from crushing you underneath his weight. 

You wince at the feeling of him pulling out but you’re so exhausted, only sleep is on your mind. As Hobi goes to clean himself up, you curl up under your duvet, wearing your birthday suit. You’re sweaty and sticky from all the activities and wonder if you ought to shower now, but that thought soon leaves your head when Hobi slips in next to you. His arm snakes around your waist and brings it closer, so your hair tickles his chin. You slip a leg around him and hook your arm over the side of his chest.

“You know,” you begin as you lift your head to face him, “We’re merging with Google next week, I’ll get a raise and y’know… maybe you can live with me? I’ll get a bigger bed and maybe decent sheets and we can move closer to your studio, but I don’t think I can cook dinner every night because I can only boil pasta.” You rattle on faster than your speed of thought.

“Y/N…” Hobi begins with a bright smile. “Are you asking me to be your sugar baby?”

“Well, maybe. Unless you’re not down for that, which is totally cool with me.” You reply with exasperation.

“No, I’m fine to be whatever you need me to be. Sugar baby, husband, boyfriend, one night stand.” He listed.

“Well tonight… will you be my best friend?” You ask inquisitively.

“Forever.” He kisses your forehead as the two of you merge into each other, drifting off into a blissful slumber.

[moonlightstars16]

Brownies, Baking And Fun

30 Days Connverse Challenge

Day 24 ~ Shopping (For Fun)

"Ooo! How about this?!" Connie shoved her laptop screen in front of Steven's face. A slight pout and huge puppy dog eyes were prominent in her facial features.

"Hold on, lemme see." The hybrid teen looked over the ingredient list and sighed. "It's so-"

"Simple!"

"Sweet."

"Steven I know it's a bit much but it is a one time thing. Need I remind you, you were the one who wanted to bake something easy."

"Yeah but I was thinking cupcakes, an actual cake, cookies, the basic brownie."

"Dull, duller, to obvious and just like you said, basic. This kind of brownie is surely yummy! Also we can make the two ingredient cookies if we have any leftovers."

"I don't know..."

"Steven are you really going to say no just because of it's name?"

"Slutty Brownies?! Really?!"

"UGH! Steven we can just change the name! It's not like that one is official or anything!" She spoke with a groan, pulling back her laptop and leaning her head back in annoyance.

"Wait, we can?" He asked with a curious and more hooked-on-the-topic tone. Connie rolled her eyes and slapped her face, sliding her hand downwards as well.

"You're such a lovable dork and himbo. Are you going to say yes?"

"Hmmm, what's the new name?"

"We can discuss-... it's a triple layer threat brownie."

"Threat?"

"Work with me boy!!!!!!"

"Okay okay!" Steven raised his hands up in surrender, trying not to be amused by her facial expressions. "Let's go get them."

"Finally!" with an exasperated sigh she put down her laptop, took his hand and lead them out of the house. Grabbing the car keys as they did so.

The triple layer threat brownie is a simple recipe. One layer of cookie dough, Connie grabbed two 2lbs bins. One layer of Oreos, Steven grabbed the large family pack on account of Connie insisting they go big. Finally one layer of regular brownie mix. Both of them grabbed the boxed mix, and the ingredients for that. Along the way they grabbed essentials, drinks and another video game and movie. This was a cute little 'date' for today.

It was simple. Connie needed to de-stress from her school life and all the hard work she put in. Almost getting sick over an important test that counts for a third of her final grade. Helping her best cram school buds with their science project. As well as there personal home problems they needed a friend for. She was busy, not to mention trying to see her boyfriend(even only via facetime) as much as she could. For Steven...he just wanted to bake. Plus something to take his mind off his therapy sessions.

Once they got everything payed for and back to his house, they put away everything before starting on the new dessert. The first layer of cookie dough was hard to get through because it wasn't quite thawed out enough from the cold. Steven used his glowing pink powers to warm it up a little; after they had many attempts of trying to get the dough to spread on the bottom of the pan. Connie already put in the Oreo's with a knowing smirk on her face.

"You wanted to also make the Cookie Dough stuffed with Oreo's huh." Steven stated more factual than a question when he saw the leftover cookie dough and Oreo's sitting side by side. Connie shrugged without saying a word. Only smirked a bit as she prepared the brownie mix. Carefully and smoothly layering the uncooked brownie on top of the rest. Finally they set it in the oven while preparing the other special cookies.

"Come on Steven isn't this awesome!"

"Okay this is weird."

"What do you mean?" she asked putting the wrapped Oreo in cookie dough down on the stone pan.

"You are usually the one who keeps both of us in check with how much sugar we take. Giving me fruit, a veggie smoothie and some form of healthy alternative. So why this all of a sudden?" Connie sighed leaning over the counter with her head down. Her words coming out as a groan and low whisper.

"Steven. I have worked my ass off at the school for almost a year. Patricia and Daniel each have there own problems they need a friend to lean on for. Just like I'm always here for you. Not to mention being hardly able to see you in person. So please, let me have this one day where I can relax!" Glaring at him, her eyes were glazed over with tears almost spilling over the brim. Steven pulled her in for a side hug as they breathed in silence for awhile. She needs to relax and have chill days too. It wasn't fair for her to always have to take care of things.

"I'm going to make sure you relax yourself to the core!" He whispered as she giggled rolling her eyes. They soon finished up all the desserts and were playing a Mario Party game, enjoying a movie and just chillaxing with each other. Stealing a few kisses and 'I love you's' as well. It was a perfect day to just have simple, crazy and sweet fun.

[dustofinsanity]

𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑝𝑡 𝑚𝑒

ㅤㅤ

Seungcheol / Reader ㅤㅤㅤ Hybrid AU ㅤㅤㅤ Words count: 4.1K

Summary: Two kinds of living beings, a city split into two parts, a war raging for almost 70 years and a hybrid girl who always wanted to see thing get better for everyone.

Content/Warning: Romance/fluff, slight notions of abuses and violence

Author’s note: Finally! A new fic! I hope you’ll like it, kittens! Also thanks to @mara-twins, my dear Kitt’ani for correcting this. Thank you so, so much! I love you more than Mark loves Milo! 💜

The gif is not mine. Credits to its owner.

It was late at night when you heard those sounds, those sounds that you knew better than anything else. Sounds that you are used to hearing a bit too much. It wasn't unusual to hear them in this district, hybrids fought really often and for almost everything. But it was always between hybrids, never with a human, it was one of the rules and everyone followed them. Except for that night. You were strolling in the streets, pushing an old shopping trolley, looking for things that you could sell at the border when you heard those sounds. Walking faster, you went to where they were coming from and turned into a dark alley, seeing some hybrids hitting another man. By his scent, you immediately knew the victim was a human. Growling and flattening your ears, you ran towards them and pushed the hybrids, barking aggressively. By luck, you were pretty popular in the district. Even if one of the hybrids was a Komodo dragon, also known as KD6, they all stepped back and walked away grumbling that you were always here to ruin the fun. Hearing that, you sighed and picked up your ears, turning your face to the young man who was lying on the floor, holding his ribs and whining. You crouched next to him and moved some strands from his face. What the hell is a human was doing in this district? After he fainted, you put him into your shopping trolley and brought him to the warehouse where you were living with other hybrids, growling at them when they came a little too close. When you entered your "room", you put the young man onto your old mattress and quickly grabbed a bottle of water that you poured on an old rag to clean his face. The contact of the cold water against his skin woke him up. When he saw your face, he jumped and stood back, leaning his back against the dirty wall. Always the same reaction. Wringing out the rag, you sighed and raised your hands, making him understand you didn't want to hurt him. "What... What am I doing here?" He asked, looking all around. "Making too much noise." You answered, rubbing the base of your nose and flattening your ears a little. "But the real question is: What are you doing in this district? Humans are not allowed here." You waited for a response but he said nothing, just stared at you, eyes wide. You knew what he was thinking. First, he was probably surprised that you were able to talk; a lot of humans thought hybrids from your district didn't know how to talk. Second, he was trying to understand why he was in this room and why he was still alive. Third, he was wondering if you would eat him because it was well known, hybrids were monsters who ate humans... Last, he wanted to know if you would share him with other hybrids or if you would eat him all alone. Always the same reaction and the same stupid questions. "Pathetic." You sighed again, standing up and looking in one of your boxes for something to eat. "I won't eat you, you fool. I'm just a hybrid, not a monster." "Why did you bring me here?" "If I brought you back in the human district, people would think I was the one who attacked you and I've got enough trouble. So, what are you doing in my district?" "I don't know." He answered, relaxing a little. "I was strolling in my area when... I don't remember. It's all black." He rubbed his forehead and frowned, trying to remember. "How... How did you get rid of the other hybrids?" "I'm pretty famous here and they know I bite hard." You shrugged, handing him a box of cakes. "Sorry, it's all that I have." He slowly grabbed the box and whispered a low thank you, asking you why you helped him. Chuckling, you repeated that you weren't a monster and told him he could sleep on your bed, showing the dirty mattress. You knew it wasn't the kind of bed he was used to sleeping in but you had nothing better to offer. Eating your cakes, you leaned against the wooden board you used as a door and sat on the floor, being careful not to sit on your tail. You smelled few scents and, knowing it was the other hybrids who were waiting behind the door, you let a deep grown escape from your throat. Giggling, you heard them run away and ate another cake when you noticed the way the young man was staring at you. "Wolves defend their territories." You smirked without looking at him. "Wolves..." He repeated, frowning and trying to understand what you meant. "Oh, wolves! You're a wolf." "Half wolf, half black Siberian husky." His jaw dropped but he shook his head, eating a cookie, asked for your name. It caught him off guard when you answered that you gave up your name a few years ago. He then asked why and you simply explained that you didn't need one, adding that everyone did the same thing, even the ones who were coming from kennels. Shaking his hands in front of him, wincing at the pain in his ribs, he repeated the word "kennel" and asked how someone could be placed in a place reserved for animals. Chuckling slightly at the innocent question, you answered that a lot of baby hybrids were placed in kennels if they were judged as too "feisty" or if they didn't fit the expectations. All these hybrids ended in the streets and some of them became criminals, robbing shops and banks or abducting people. Abducting people... Perking up your ears, you stood up quickly and came closer to your guest, sniffing him frantically. He moved a little but you grabbed his shoulders and continued what you were doing. "What... What are you doing?" "Some hybrids abduct humans for money. Humans are really appreciated for illegal fights." You told him before turning to the door. "Gecko 5! Come here right now!" Almost immediately, a young boy with brown scales on his face pushed the wooden board, asking what you wanted. "Call German shepherd 28, Rottweiler 17 and 25, Boa constrictor 61, Eagle 3, Jaguar 36 and 49, Grizzly 7, 11 and 12 and tell them to bring me the Rebels of Komodo here! Now!" The young boy nodded and ran into the warehouse, calling the hybrids you listed. Frowning, your guest repeated some of the numbers and asked why you said numbers. Focusing back on him, you explained that the hybrids who were living in this warehouse had a number. For example, Eagle 3 was the third eagle of the warehouse, and it was the same for the other hybrids like Crocodile 12 or Poodle 65. "And you are..." "I'm mixed 9. The number of mixed hybrids is low because hybrids don't want to mix. Pure hybrids have more chances to be bought or adopted by human families." "But... You're not animals, you're half-humans, don't you?" He asked, tilting his head and frowning again. "It's funny you say that because when I spoke earlier, you were surprised that I was able to talk." You smirked, checking the wounds on his face. "We don't have medicine, here, we don't have the money to buy it. Well, you're gonna stay here for the night and, tomorrow, I'll take you to the border." "What about the... Rebels of Komodo?" You looked straight into his eyes and silently made him understand that it would be better for him not to know what would happen to these hybrids. You helped him to lie down and left your room, asking Malinois dog 18 to stake the place out while you were speaking with other hybrids. "If someone puts a finger on him, I'll eat everyone, okay?" The hybrid nodded and sat in front of the door, telling you he would take care of your guest as if he was the apple of his eye. You kissed his forehead and called some other hybrids, asking them about what they found during the day or if they had any problems with other hybrids. It was your duty as the leader of the warehouse. You were pretty young to be the leader but, when your dad, who was a wolf hybrid and the former boss of this place, died, everyone voted for you to be the new leader. Even if you were only 15 when you took your father's place, you were mature and all the hybrids knew you would do your best for them. But, other hybrids didn't like it and left the warehouse, saying a kid like you couldn't take care of everyone. But you did and you were good at it. After almost two hours, the hybrids who were going after the Rebels of Komodo came back with the "criminal" team. Even if they were called like that, there was actually just one Komodo dragon among them and, of course, he was their leader. "Let me guess, the bastard wants to scold us, right?" KD6 smirked. "We touched one of your oh so lovely humans so you're probably really mad, aren't you?" "Tell me what happened." You answered coldly, trying to stay calm as to not growl or wag your tail. "Who asked you to do that? How much did you get paid? Tell me and I'll let you go." "We did it for fun." "I know you, you're not the kind of people who hurts humans just for fun. I know someone paid you. Tell me who." "Why would I-" "Please." You cut him off, coming closer to him and looking straight into his reptile eyes, flattening your ears again. "I know you left the warehouse because you thought I wasn't good enough to take care of all of you. I know you don't trust me but I do my best to keep all of these hybrids safe and I know you do your best to keep your mates safe too. You're smart and you know that, if you hurt humans, other humans will come to hurt us, or worse. I know someone asked you so, now, tell me who." For the first time since you knew him, KD6 lowered his head and tried his best not to cry. Whispering it was okay, you wrapped your arms around his broad shoulders and patted his head. He then told you a human asked him to abduct this human, giving him his name and appearance. They were paid 650k won. "I'm sorry." He cried into your neck. "Tell him we have nothing against him. But we... we need money, we have nothing to eat." "I would give you the money if you asked." Your guest said, coming from your room, holding his ribs. "Can you give me the name of the man?" "Choi Dokyeom." Hearing that name, the human chuckled and lowered his head, saying he wasn't even surprised. When you asked him if he knew this Choi Dokyeom, his answer caught you off guard. It was even hard to believe. "Oh yes, I know him, he's my step-brother. I know he wanted my place but I didn't imagine he would go this far." He focused back on KD6. "How did he contact you?" "He found me at the border. Some hybrids go there to get some jobs. When I said yes, he gave me that." The hybrid answered, taking a folded paper from his back pocket of his old jeans. "It's a photo of you with your name and some of your habits." "Okay. Well, I have an idea; however, I need you to trust and help me." "Explain and I'll tell you if we accept or not." You told him, crossing your arms on your chest. After the human told you his plan, you shook your head, saying it was too dangerous. You couldn't let the hybrids take such a risk. You added you couldn't agree and were about to say something else but KD6 cut you off. Caressing your arm with his tail, he said he was okay with the plan. You wanted to disapprove but, smirking, he took your hand and squeezed it slightly. "I accepted the contract." He said when his mates came closer. "We accepted and we have to take responsibility for our mistakes. Don't worry, boss, we will be back soon." You sighed and looked at your guest warning him that, if something would happen to your friends, you would find him and make him pay. Then, you told everyone to go to sleep, that a long day was waiting for all of you in a few hours, and went back to your room after saying to the Rebels of Komodo to wake you up before leaving the warehouse. But they were gone when you woke up later and you didn't like it. Two months. Two months passed without any news of the Rebels of Komodo and, the day after they left with that human, the authorities of the city enhanced the security at the border. No human could enter the district and no hybrids could leave it. The Police even started to patrol our streets, asking your friends how many hybrids there were in specific places, if there were a lot of children, following and frightening everyone. Like the dark, old times. Almost 70 years ago, there was a bloody war between humans and hybrids, both sides being guilty. Your father and bearded vulture 1, who was one of the oldest hybrids of the warehouse, explained to you that no side tried to understand the other. That everyone was just afraid for their friends and families. The war went for more than a year before a peace treaty was signed but violence didn't end. Both sides continued to fight until the city was literally split into two districts 40 years ago: The human one and the hybrid one. But, since a lot of hybrids were used to "working" for humans, they agreed to be their pets or used for breeding. Your parents were part of the hybrids who didn't want to be seen as monsters or pets and lived in the slum district. Because yes, the ones who decided to split the city were humans but they didn't tell hybrids they wouldn't have electricity, hospitals, shops, etc. Their district just became a huge dump and they have to live with what they could find at the waste collection center which was a neutral place between both districts. But, even if humans betrayed hybrids, even if some of them used them, your parents raised you with love and respect for both species. They didn't want you to have hate in your heart. And, for years, you didn't have it. Even when your mom was abducted for breeding or when your father was killed by hunters, even then. But this time, more than betraying you, the human took some hybrids with him and you didn't know where they were, what happened to them and what this traitor said to his district. You failed, you trusted him when you shouldn't and you lost some of your friends. It was your first failure, the biggest one. And you thought things were getting worse. Eyes wide open and ears attacked by all the police sirens you could hear in the block, you stood up abruptly when you heard Gecko 5 running in the warehouse. Even if he was far from your room, you could hear his heart and the little boy was afraid. "M9!" He screamed, using your nickname. "They're coming! A lot of cars are coming here!" You told everyone to stay in the warehouse, ordering to some hybrids, who were stronger than the others, that if they heard gunshots, they had to take everyone and escape through the sewers. "Let us come with you!" Crocodile 14 told you, refusing to leave you behind. "I need you to keep the children safe. I need all the strong hybrids to keep them safe." You replied, taking his huge hands in yours. "If something happens to me, I expect you to listen to vulture 1." Everyone nodded and children hugged you, saying they loved you and you were the best leader. You smiled, nodded to the oldest hybrid and ran to the front door, turning on all the light projectors you installed all around the warehouse and that are working off generators. When you went outside, the whole street was lit up and you quickly noticed the snipers placed on the other buildings, their rifle scopes reflecting the light. In front of you, there were five police cars and approximately 20 cops, pointing their guns at you. At the end of the street, there were three or four big black vans. They were here for you, all of you. Looking at all the cops, a smirk curves across your lips. You took off your old leather jacket and threw it on the floor before cracking your neck and fingers. You knew you had no chance against them, you were obviously weaker against their guns but you wouldn't give up without fighting. A loud growl escaped from your throat and you flashed your teeth when a car door opened and you saw him. That bastard was here too. "Y/n, don't do that!" He shouted, coming to you carefully, his hands up. "You betrayed us!" You barked back, about to run and jump on him, but not for a hug. "I trusted you and... Wait! How do you know my name?! Who told you?!" "It's me." Your eyes opened wide and your heart skipped a beat when you heard that voice. You were too focused on the human that you didn't notice the hybrid who was coming closer on your right side. Even if you didn't hear that voice since you were five it was engraved in your mind and you would never forget it. Tears rolling down your cheeks and ears flat, you turned your face slowly and finally saw her, more beautiful than ever before even if she looked tired, A sweet smile on her lips and eyes full of love. "M...M... Mom..." You breathed with a shaking voice. She nodded, tears reaching her eyes and, immediately, you ran to her. You both fell on your knees and cried in each other arms, more than happy to be reunited after all these years. "It's okay, mom's here, now." She whispered, caressing your hair while you were whining in her neck. "KD6 told me all you did for them. I'm so proud of you, Y/n." "I missed you so much, mommy." One by one, the cops put down their guns when your mom lifted a hand at them and you heard someone coming closer to you. You raised your head and looked at the human, noticing the tired expression across his face, his red eyes, and his loud heartbeat. "The Rebels of Komodo are waiting in the vans." He smiled shyly. "They weren't arrested and they helped me to find my step-brother and your mother. I'm sorry, it took time." "He's a really good man." Your mom told you before looking and him and smiling. "Thank you for everything, Seungcheol." "We're not done. Y/n, can you call the other?" He asked you and chuckled when you frowned. "We will take them to the other district. I'll tell you everything later, I promise." You nodded slightly and, holding your mom's hand, you went back to the warehouse, calling all the hybrids. Honestly, you didn't know what was happening but, if your mom trusted Seungcheol, you trusted him too. It took a long time but the waiting was worth it and, after so many years, the wall between both districts was destroyed, joining them together. Even if people were still a bit afraid of each other, a press release was made, stating that humans and hybrids should be considered as equals. There were a lot of companies that helped to restore the old and dirty district. You even had the honor to be proclaimed "The Hybrid Ambassador" for all you did for them, which was incredible and so gratifying. But, even if peace was back, you've continued to live in what was used to be the hybrid district. As the Hybrid Ambassador, you should live in a big house with a fancy garden but you said you wanted to live near to your mom so you rented a simple apartment. You were used to living with minimum stuff, you didn't need a palace. You had everything you needed and, because you wanted to be useful, you even opened an animal shelter. After all these years, you had a peaceful life and enjoyed it. You were feeding the dogs when one of your co-workers, a young woman who always teased that you were the one everyone wanted to adopt in the shelter, came in the backyard and told you someone wanted to see you. Cleaning your hands on your apron, you walked to the reception room when you smelled a specific scent. A smile stretching your lips and waving your tail, you ran to the man and jumped in his arms. "I missed you so much." You told him, pulling over and looking at him. "Wow, you're handsome, today! Important meeting?" "Yeah." Seungcheol sighed, pouting a little. "But now, work's over and I can relax. Finally. Anyway, how are you and your mom?" "Fine, really fine. She even found another man, a nice Doberman. Now, I have a step-brother and a step-sister, it's weird." You chuckled awkwardly. "And I'm fine too. We had 7 adoptions this week, it's awesome!" "Glad to see you happy, Y/n. Did you bring Flash with you?" "Yes, he's playing with the other dogs. Come!" You grabbed his hand and went back to the backyard, calling your border collie. It immediately came to you and, seeing Seungcheol waved his tail frantically. Flash loved the young man and, every time it saw him, it played with him. "Hey, boy! How are you today? Yeah, you're a good boy." Seuncheol giggled, petting the dog while you crouched next to them. "Guess who's gonna adopt you today." "Wait, wait, wait!" You exclaimed, perking your ears up and shaking your hands, lifting your head to your friend. "You can't adopt Flash, it's my dog." "I know but it won't be the only one who will come with me, today." You frowned and saw him stand up before looking straight into your eyes, smirking a little. Blinking, you felt the heat burning your cheeks when he helped you to stand up and came closer, keeping your hand in his. "I'd love you to come with me too." Seungcheol smiled, tilting his head. "I'd really love that." "Would... would you adopt me? I'm not-" "I don't want to adopt you, Y/n." He cut you off, chuckling. "I want you to come with me, to...be with me." "But you're a human and I'm a hybrid. What people will think if we-" "If you ask this it means you already thought about that and you're not totally against the idea, right? And I don't care about what people think. I know what I want, who I want." Opening your eyes wide while a huge smile stretched across your lips and your tail started to wag wildly. You jumped on him and wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing him and nodding against his lips. His arms around your waist, he held you closer to him and gave you back your kiss before pulling away and smiling. "And to think that I was afraid you wouldn't love me back." "I loved you the day you brought my mother back to me. I was just afraid because we're different." You admitted, lowering your head and flattening your ears. Softly, he kissed your forehead and told you, you didn't have to be afraid anymore. You nodded slightly and pecked his lips before realizing that your co-worker was looking at you through the window. She shouted that she was right, that people wanted to adopt you too, then ran away leaving Seungcheol and you alone; laughing.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ ⁓•⁓ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ Thank you for reading! 💜 ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ⁓•⁓

[nomorelonelydays]

kick your pretty feet up on my dash

Part 1

-

Sidney retires a little earlier than he thought he would, at age 34.

 He retreats into a small town in Oregon. It’s not a hockey town. No one knows who Sidney Crosby is, and it’s an unexpected blessing.

 He hadn’t meant to land in Cardwell Point. It’s a little vacation-ville that boasts an annual fair every summer; it has an artificial lake, a small, quiet cabin that Sidney now calls home, a garden where he can grow tomatoes (that refuses to grow), and friendly enough neighbors who are all, for the most part, below the age of 18 or over 60 and have been in the town for about three centuries. It’s far enough away from Pittsburgh, he supposes, so that’s a plus.

 He knows the organization had expect him to stay, working with the team as a coach or at least for the sake of the Little Penguins program. He remembers the looks they’d given him when he’d broken the news to the front office. But it hurts more than it should, being so close to Geno hockey and not able to do anything about it.

 Maybe his heart has gotten softer with age.

 Maybe that’s why he packed so quickly, because when Geno asked him so mournfully, “Where you gonna be?” on his last day, he’d nearly changed his mind.

 “I’ll let you know,” Sidney promises. A little white lie.

 “You tell me soon, or I find you,” Geno says fiercely.

 Geno had hugged him like he didn’t want to let go, and perhaps he lingered a bit. But Sidney had simply chalked it up to him projecting. As usual.

 He’s spent the majority of his time in the NHL hoping for a man to love him back. He’d wanted the handholding, the late night, date night kisses on an empty street, and he’d been willing to wait years for it—did wait years for it. He had been ecstatic when they gave the C to Geno, finally. His heart had lurched forward, almost painfully, when Geno beamed at him, shy and determined under the weight of the letter, and Sidney tells himself that he’s happy. He is happy. He will be happy.

 “So what’s next?” Flower asks, voice choppy (always) through the phone.

 He figured he’d get a dog or something, maybe spend his hours fishing and not thinking about hockey or Geno or what anyone must think about him practically vanishing.

 He did not imagine that he’d be dragging himself up at 4 in the morning, post-retirement, to a bakery that must’ve been in this town when Christ himself was born, to be up to his elbows with flour and butter. The owner, Deidre, is 68 years old, had laughed in his face when she first met him, squeezed in the corner of her café and brooding over his coffee, when he’d told her that he’s retired.

 “What the hell do you mean, retired? You’re about 18, right?”

 Sidney knows he looks nowhere near 18, but Deidre also doesn’t look she’s got the best eyesight around, so.

 It takes about four more coffee runs, three “on the house” chess pies that Deidre insists on feeding him, and two times of Sidney helping her transporting bags of flour from the truck to the kitchen when she’d been short-staffed, that he realizes he’s accidentally stumbled into a some sort of volunteer-job hybrid.

 But he likes it.

 He has the time, and Deidre needs the help even if she won’t admit it. He likes listening to Deidre talk about the town and her husband (who hasn’t been alive since 2013, Sidney realizes way too late, when he makes the blunder of asking where he is—to which Deidre responds, ‘Who the hell knows. Fucking around up there, probably’) and her dry humor. He likes bringing out the trays of brioche rolls and learning the names of the regulars, from the adults stumbling in at 6:30 AM for their morning coffee, to the kids who come into the store for their afterschool cookies. (He endures the moms who—not subtly—tries to flirt with him while taking half the day to buy a dozen muffins.) He likes kneading the dough for the tarts, because it helps him forget about all those warnings the doctors said about how if he kept going, hockey’s going to knock out his knee once and for all and he’d be lucky to be able to walk at all.

 Deidre asked him how he ended up at Cardwell Point, just once.

 “You running away from home?” she asks, very seriously. Her glasses are sliding off her nose. “Don’t you lie to me. I’ll know.”

 “Not really?” He’d kind of googled ‘small town’ and ‘West Coast’ and ‘house for sale,’ because ‘where to go after retiring at age 34’ hadn’t given him a lot of useful results (or any).

 “This is a very small town, and I know this because I never left this place,” Deidre says. “No one comes here unless they were trying to get away from somewhere. A girlfriend, maybe?”

 Before Sidney can say anything, she quickly adds, “Boyfriend?”

 His hands stop for a briefly moment, but he catches himself and gets back into the rhythm of piping the cupcake. “Um.”

 “Anyways,” Deidre says, already moving on and washing her hands, “I’ve been thinking of naming the desserts. Like a person name. I think it’d give them character, help them sell better. I’d want to name a cheesecake after my mother—that was her favorite thing to make when I was little, but I never really got the hang of messing around with cream cheese. What do you think?”

 Sidney nods because it doesn’t matter to him either way. He’s suddenly struck with the fact that he hasn’t called Geno in weeks, even though he told Geno he would right after he’s settled in. And Geno hasn’t texted either, which aches like a dull, forgotten thing at the pit of his stomach.

 He doesn’t have the heart to be the one to break their silence streak, because there’s a tiny part of him that’s still that afraid if he hears Geno’s voice, sounding so far away, he’d want to fly right back where he started, to break his heart all over again.

 One afternoon, he’s making tags for the mini cakes and cookies with Deidre when, out of the blue, he blurts out, “I, uh, I really wasn’t lying. I had to leave my job because of medical reasons. My knee, it’s not—I can’t strain it too much. And um—he wasn’t a boyfriend. It wasn’t…it wasn’t ever going to happen.”

 He kind of wants Deidre to spit out some sage, grandmotherly advice, not unlike a fortune cookie. He could use a fortune cookie. She has four kids, after all, all scattered in cities across the East Coast or the Bay Area, working in tech or finance or whatever the hell she had said. But she merely pats his arm and nods.

 “Well, you have Cardwell Point now, if you want it,” she says, finishing up the lettering on her sign with a loopy ‘y’ for Lily. “There. My mother’s name. This one will be for the mini-cheesecakes. When I figure out how to make them right.”

 He doesn’t know if that’s what he’s waiting for. But he’s spent so long chasing after things he can’t have that Deidre unofficially gifting him Cardwell Point makes his chest bubble up with something wonderful. He ducks his head low and finishes up cursive ‘a’ on his own card.

Day 65 into retirement, and Sidney doesn’t write a tell-all, post-retirement article about his life and regrets like what Deadspin is probably salivating for. (To be fair, Sidney doesn’t even know who to go to first to start publishing something like that.)

 It’s way worse.

 He opens an Instagram account.

 @DeesBakeryCafe

Come in to see us and these lemon-curd filled, poppy seed muffins (The Trina) tomorrow! Happy Friday, everyone.

 The muffins are artfully placed next to the window seat, where the sunlight gleams off the drizzled glaze. It gets 56 likes, which Sidney honestly believes might be just about the general portion of the town who have working smartphones and knows how to use it.

 To Sidney’s surprise, they sell out the next day. Seeing Deidre’s display case empty at least an hour before they close and listening to Deidre chatter excitedly over their next seasonal item feels almost as exhilarating as winning a game. Maybe even just as good.  

 He only wishes he’d stop wondering what Geno would say if he knows what Sidney is up to. If he’d even want to know.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

First of all I love this blog so much, thanks for helping a sis out, that being said could you recommend some courtship type of fics? Sterek please

We got some, @stevekeeryngton! - Anastasia

Knot if You Don't Knock by jsea, marguerite_26

(1/1 I 13,737 I Explicit)

Stiles never expects to present as an omega -- that's something that happens to people like Greenberg, not him. He is so wrong.

His life only gets stranger when Derek Hale mistakenly bursts through the door of his exam room during a doctor’s appointment. What happens next is a complicated series of events, including freshly baked cookies, book-carrying and surprise heats.

Trees are always a relief after dealing with people (except when they aren't) by ravelqueen

(1/1 I 15,889 I Mature)

Derek Hale decides to become a hermit before he reaches 25. Too bad he picked Beacon Hills as his retirement home.

(Or the one where Stiles is a wood nymph/pixie/human hybrid who falls in love with his new grumpy werewolf neighbour)

Reasonable to Assume by Saucery

(7/8 I 32,746 I Explicit)

"You're a werewolf! He's a werebaby! How can you not know what to do with him?"

Ain't Nothing so Good as the Cake and Eating it by sofonisba_found

(15/15 I 51,001 I Mature)

Derek thinks he's doing alright in life, with his family at his side and a job he loves. Despite his family's concerns he remains adamant that he doesn't need a mate, afraid to take the risk of letting anyone close enough to try to hurt his family again. That is until he realizes that his true mate has been right under his nose for years, and that now through his inaction he may lose him.

An Artist's Personal Statement by green-leaf (greenleaf)

(7/7 I 81,818 I Explicit)

Being the middle child of five siblings, Stiles was used to taking the backseat. He was twenty-one years old, mouthy, pale skinned, and twitchy, and was probably the most overlooked in such a talented and good-looking family. Not only that but more often than not, he was bullied, teased, exposed (in a literal sense) and also ended up getting banged up and bruised. Thank goodness, there’s Dr. Hale to patch him up after all is said and done.

Seven Devils by PhantomQuill

(37/37 I 118,272 I Not Rated)

After a particularly frightful Vision, Stiles wakes up to find his future Kingdom burning to the ground because of Deucalion's Omegas as well as Southern Argent soldiers. Stiles' father, King of the small Neutral Lands push their people into the safety of Hale Territory where they are welcomed with open arms. While acting upon a strong Alliance for rehabilitation as well as retaliation, Stiles finds himself growing closer to Crown Prince Derek Hale, Beta to Talia's Pack--it's helps that Derek reveals to know not only of his Visions but also Stiles' being his Mate.

As they search for ways to end the War, Stiles and Derek builds their relationship

Ours is the Fury by Haleofalannister

(18/? I 140,419 I Explicit)

The Nine Realms of Westeros are united under the rule of King John Baratheon I. However, even in times of peace there is strife to be found. Bloody Civil Wars are being waged within houses; alliances are being forged through the back channels of Westeros; the ever present conflict between the Reach and Dorne is continuing to escalate; and the Targaryens are as mad as ever. One has to wonder what event will trigger the hairpin that is holding this strenuous peace together, and if one will still find a stag seated on the Iron Throne when the dust settles.

Divided We Stand by KouriArashi

(29/29 I 156,742 I Mature)

Derek is being pressured by his family to pick a mate, and somehow stumbles into a choice that they didn't expect and aren't sure they approve of.... 

Blood Moon by WritingintheCandlelight

(23/? I 168,765 I Mature)

Stiles hated this. He hated lying, he hated the secrecy and he was beginning to hate that he had to pretend he was fine when he felt like he was falling apart. Takes place just after Abomination. Rating subject to change.

[elizaviento]

The Cookie Man

The lovely @rixxy8173571m3w1p3 requested a fic starring everyone’s favorite Zeta-7 as a gift for the equally lovely @porkchop-ao3.  But, I hope it’s enjoyed by all!

The Cookie Man

(Rick Zeta 7 x Reader)

SFW -- 1500 words of warm fluffy goodness.

*****

This past week had been one of the most stressful that I had experienced in quite some time. It all began when my boss asked me to prepare a presentation for the board of directors meeting on Thursday evening.  It was an easy enough task, considering that I’ve been with the organization for several years and have lead many board meetings, but this particular request presented challenges that I hadn’t initially anticipated. 

First off, there would be a guest attending the meeting – someone who fancied themselves to be very important and called themselves the authority on not only the organization, but my job in particular.  You see, this person had actually held my position before I had taken over and was very vocal in their criticism of me since then, even though I had been more than stellar over the years.  Second off, the reason for this self- important person’s attendance at the meeting was due to an award they would be receiving from the organization in recognition of their past achievements. Just great. 

So, I spent the majority of the week preparing and making sure all was perfect – and it did go very well.  My topics were well researched and the physical presentation was flawless.  I didn’t stutter or trip over my words once.  I didn’t even require notes on hand, I had prepared so well.  After the meeting, I was basking in the afterglow of a job well done while cleaning things up when I overheard our honored guest speaking with a small group of the board members. 

“I feel like her presentation was very sloppy.  She touched on topics and used references that I feel aren’t befitting of this type of organization.”

There were murmurs among the small group – some agreeing, some disagreeing and some just furrowing their brows or shaking their heads in expressions of discomfort at the topic of discussion.  My boss even joined the small crowd and I could hear the self-important member relay the important points.   

My stomach was in knots.  Whether I was meant to accidentally happen upon that display, I was unsure, but it was disheartening nonetheless.  All of my hard work, passion and dedication had been flushed down the drain by the comments of someone who clearly had some sort of negative bias toward me.  The following day was no better.  It seemed that word of the little display at the board meeting had made the rounds of the small organization and the hushed and not so hushed bickering among my co-workers was just the cherry on my cake of distress. 

Now, my Saturday morning feels tainted because I can’t seem to shake this feeling of inadequacy, no matter how silly it may seem.  I need a pick-me-up.  I need something heartwarming, wholesome and fluffy – literally.  And, I knew just the person to help me acquire all three in one package.   

“Oh, hel – hello there!” Rick’s signature cheery voice drifts from the speaker of my cell phone.  He’d answered my call on the first ring and I can’t stop the goofy grin that spreads across my face. 

“Hi Rick.  How are you?”

“Well.  I must say, I-I’m doing much better now that – that I’m speaking with you.”

“You flatterer,” I reply with a silly giggle, my cheeks heating up.

“So, w-what can I do for you?” he asks. 

“Um, can we possibly do that thing again today?” I ask, chewing on my thumbnail while hoping on an affirmative.  “It’s been a rough week.”

“Humm,” he muses, keeping me in suspense.  I feel myself grinning again, knowing full well that he only teases me when the answer is yes. 

----------

We step through the swirling green void and are magically transported to another planet in another dimension.  The sky is a perfect pale blue with numerous rainbows streaking and crisscrossing this way and that.  The soil is a vibrant shade of pink and there are dark purple mountain ridges lining the backdrop of this wonderland.  As the portal closes with a pop, I automatically begin seeking the target I would unload all of my stress upon.   

“Look,” Rick says, lightly touching my shoulder; his slender fingers lingering for a few seconds, causing goosebumps to erupt across my arm.  “There – t-there’s the cave!”   

I literally squeal in delight and begin trotting toward it with Rick on my heels, so excited that I could actually skip.

“Shh,” he says, touching my shoulder again as we get closer.  “They may be sleeping.”   

I heed his advice to stay quiet as I tiptoe my way to the mouth of the cave, listening for the tell-tale flutter of wings.  As we’ve done each time we visited, we both stop inside the lip the cave and crouch down as Rick pulls a package of wafer cookies from his lab coat of many pockets and crinkles the wrapper.  Within seconds, there is shuffling from deep inside and my heart jumps in my throat as a glowing pair of green eyes emerges from the darkness – and then another, and another.  Rick crinkles the cookie wrapper again and the fluttering begins, coming toward us at a rapid pace.  The excitement is bubbling higher and higher and I can’t stop myself from bouncing up and down on my haunches in anticipation.  Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Rick smiling in my direction. 

All at once, they come at us.  A green one flies toward Rick and the remaining two – colored yellow and blue – fly toward me, landing on each of my shoulders.  I giggle as the tiny, furry creatures begin to snuggle and lick at my ears with their scratchy tongues.  I look toward Rick and see him taking a wafer cooking from the package as the puppy/dragon hybrid that has perched on his head flaps its wings and shakes its head in anticipation of the sweet, crunchy treat. 

“They r-really love these cookies,” Rick says with a laugh as the dragon puppy on his head fluffs its fur in satisfaction while chomping away.  Little bits of pink cookie crumbs escape its mouth and land in Rick’s hair.  It’s absolutely precious and I reach up to tousle the crumbs away when the creature flaps to the ground at Rick’s feet, the ones on my shoulder doing the same.

“Oh my!  Thank you,” he says with a slight blush to his cheeks, brushing the remaining crumbs from his shoulders.   

I take the package of cookies from Rick and toss them one by one to the ground at our feet and watch as the dragon puppies scramble and tussle among themselves for the prize.

“Look how freakin’ cute they are, oh my god!  I’ll never get over it!” I say, saddling closer to Rick to wrap my arm through his.   

“Um,” he starts, rubbing the back of his neck.  “Yes.  They – t-t-they are quite adorable.”

I glance at him and see the pink tint has spread to his neck and he’s just as adorable, if not more so. 

“Thank you for bringing me here – again.  It always cheers me up.”

“I-I-I like cheering you up,” he replies, looking down at the dragon puppies as they finish the last of the cookies and begin romping around playfully with one another.  “What – whatever it was that got you down, I-I hope it’s forgotten.  At least, for now.”

“Oh, it was nothing.  Just silliness that I let get the better of me.  Now that I’ve had time to clear my head, it’s doesn’t seem so bad.”

I tug his arm as I begin to sink to the ground and he takes my hint to sit down cross legged next to me.   I lightly pat my thighs to get the attention of the frolicking dragon puppies, hoping they will be tired enough for snuggles.  And, sure enough, they wobble over to crawl sleepily into our laps.  This time, however, Rick is the lucky one with two draped across his legs and he chuckles as they squabble to get the warm spot next to his stomach.  The one that plops into my lap quickly curls up between my legs and begins to delightfully purr as I lightly scratch the space between its horns. 

“I wonder if they think of you as the cookie man,” I muse, playfully nudging his shoulder with mine.   

“Oh, well.  I-I’ve been thought of as worse, I suppose.”

I can tell that the statement isn’t meant to be self deprecating, but I don’t allow it regardless.   

“Anyone who thinks anything worse of you is a jerk.  Plain and simple.  You’re one of the best people I’ve ever known, Rick.  You’re kind and thoughtful and incredibly intelligent.  Don’t let anyone else make you feel otherwise.”

“Oh, ho, ho – and – and I thought I was supposed to be cheering you up!” he says with a laugh that warms my heart. 

“You have.  And, it’s not just taking me here.  It’s being with you.”

And, with that, I lean toward him to place a quick kiss on his lips.  He’s obviously taken by surprise as evidenced by the pink blush rising in his cheeks once more.  But, surprising me this time, he places one hand on my cheek to gently coax me back for one more.  This time it’s my turn to blush and I giggle like a teenager when we part.  This day can’t possibly get any better. 

 The End.

P.S.  I used this adorable photo from Vol. 5 of the Rick and Morty comic for reference/inspiration.  Look how freakin’ cute!

[crimsxnrebellion-blog]

Homecoming

[This is basically some fluff I've wanted to write since the new trailer for DMC 5 came out. How I want Dante's homecoming to go, essentially. Give me something cute and nice before you rip my heart out, Capcom.]

He had taken it all for granted. Temperatures that weren’t scorching hot or limb-freezing cold. The crispness of autumn had begun to creep in on summer’s heat. Not too hot, not too cold. He breathed in the scents of his neighborhood: the comfort food from the diner, cookies and cakes from the bakery, the smell of rain to come, car exhaust, garbage, sewage, wet dog from packs in the alleys, piss, alcohol from Bullseye Bar. He thought he would never get the stench of rot and death and fire and misery from his nose; everything smelled sweeter. Moans of the damned and the clash of weapons were replaced by the rumble of passing cars, the chatter of people walking by or inside a café or walking through the park, barks, screeches, and the scuttling of paws big and small on the concrete.

For the first time in what he could only assume was years, Dante felt alive.  

He didn’t know how long he had been in the demon world. Time passed differently there. Ten, twenty, fifty years could have passed even though everything looked the same, save for a few upgrades and a few buildings for sale. As he walked the streets, clothes torn, disheveled hair, smudges of blood and who knew what else on his face and neck he guessed by the stares he invoked, he had nothing more on his mind than to go home. To faceplant on his bed and sleep—truly sleep—until he woke up again.  

Home. He truly was home. He thought he would never see it or his friends who had become family again. On numerous occasions, he thought he would die there, picked off by some crafty demon or overpowered by another. If not dead, trapped for all eternity. But, he had made it, and he wasn’t bothered by anything. Not the stares. Not the cat scurrying after a rat, nearly tripping him. Not the distant rumble of thunder or the first raindrop to plop on his right cheek.  

Dante reached the steps of Devil May Cry, a smile—perhaps the first genuine smile he’d worn in ages—crept onto his lips. With the neon pink sign off, the letters gray and nearly blending in with the walls, the building faded into the background with the ones around it. Unassuming. Bleak. Boring. He absently wondered if anyone had kept the place up for him. Considering the Devil Arms and dangerous artifacts he kept, he hoped Trish or Lady would at least check in once in a while. Make sure no one robbed the place and opened up a portal to hell.

He skipped up the steps two at a time, fishing his keys from his pocket. He was surprised they survived the ordeal, but grateful. He had a spare in the lamp by the door, but who knew if it was still there. Key fit neatly inside the lock—a good sign, meaning no one had sold the place off or changed the locks in his absence—and the hybrid turned it. He pushed open the door with the zeal of a child on Christmas morning. Of a man who thought he would never see his home again.

To his surprise, the place had been cared for, save for a fine layer of dust here and there. The office looked almost exactly as he had left it, decorations and all, but sans the pizza boxes he had most likely left behind. His eyes drank in everything: the pool table, the jukebox, his leather couch and matching coffee table. He wandered over to his desk. Cleared of the normal beer bottles, magazines, and case files that usually littered the surface, all the remained were the antique phone and the framed photo of his mother, both seemingly untouched.

The latter Dante lifted up gingerly, as if it might crumble in his hand by a mere touch. He brushed dust from the glass protecting the image as he rested his hip against the desk. His chest tightened and he felt tears burn his eyes. This was real. He was home. He escaped that literal hell and home. He wiped the tears from his eyes with his forearm as he smiled down at his mother. He did this for her. For all the humans who got caught up in the bull shit demons decided to inflict on them. To make sure no one went through what he did, or met the fate of his loving mother and brother. For Lady and Trish. Patty and Lucia. It all started with her.

“Don’t move or I’ll blow your damn head off.”

Lost in his own thoughts and emotions, Dante failed to hear the door open or the click of the pistol’s safety as it was seamlessly drawn and pointed at his head. That voice. He knew it better than any at this point in his life, even after so long. Despite the threat, and that usually the voice meant he was about to get scolded about his cleanliness or eating habits, or given some crappy job in the middle of nowhere, or nagged about his debt, or asked for comfort because no one else could understand the shit she’s been through, he couldn’t be happier to hear it. To know she was still alive.

Dante set the frame back on his desk and raised his hands in surrender. “You’ve tried that one me before, babe. When we first met.”

He heard her gasp and, sensing the danger of being shot had passed, he turned around to face her. He kept his hands raised at shoulder height as a grin spread over his face. Her face had paled, and her plump lips had parted in a silenced cry of shock. She lowered the gun slowly back to her side and stared wide eyed at her demon hunting partner. And in that moment, she had never looked more beautiful to him. He wanted to drink in every detail about as she stood in the doorway, bathed in the murky light that struggled through midafternoon storm clouds.

The twitch of movement broke his concentration. “Wait, don’t move.” Lady halted a few steps from where she had frozen previously, her eyebrows dipping downward over bicolor eyes. “Just...stay right there for a minute, then you can punch me, shoot me, whatever you gotta do. I need this, Lady. I need to know it’s real.”

Her teeth sank into her lower lip as her free hand balled into a fist at her side, the other white-knuckled on her gun. Dante took the moment to study her. She hardly looked a day older than when he had last seen her; he couldn’t see a wrinkle on her face. The scar across her nose had faded more, he could barely see it from this distance. She wore simple clothing that day, a white button-down shirt, black shorts, and boots, and only carried a single pistol rather than her whole arsenal. He noted the faded scars on her legs and arms, memorized the newer, fresher ones. She looked beautiful to him, more beautiful than anything else possibly could in that moment.  

Though she tried to wear a brave face—more appropriately, a scowl—tears glimmered in her eyes, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away. As if she knew he noticed her tears, she decided he had had long enough to gawk. The famed demon huntress launched herself forward. Her arms flung around his waist and she buried his face in his chest. She choked out a sob and her gun clattered to the floor as her fists beat against his back. Dante felt hot tears wet his chest through the holes in his top.

“You stupid asshole...” She sniffed and managed one last strike to his back before collapsing against him. “I...I thought you were dead. We all did...”

Dante wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her. Her body against his was so warm. She smelled like vanilla and gun powder. Her skin felt soft to the touch. If he died in that moment, he would do so without a regret. The moment felt so perfect to him. So healing. All the horrors, all the shit he experienced in hell melted away as they held each other. The moment was so raw. So real. If he had felt alive before, upon stepping back in the human realm, this moment with Lady elevated him above alive. He would have kissed her if he thought it wouldn’t end with a bullet in his head. He wanted to kiss her.

“Sorry...didn’t have much time to text all of you.” He chuckled, earning him another punch to the ribcage. “Alright, alright. I really am sorry. I didn’t have a choice.”

Lady tried to take a step back, but he held fast to her. She huffed, but tilted her head back instead, resting her chin on his chest to look up at him. Red and blue eyes sparkled with tears, and the shed ones had left trails down her cheek. Dante raised a thumb to wipe them away. She sniffed, arms tightening around him.

“You’re a mess.” She brought a hand to his chest and fingered a burn hole in the leather. “And you smell.”

“Well, hell ain’t exactly full of rose gardens, babe,” he shot back. Nothing she or anyone else could say or do would ever wipe the grin from his face. “But, I’d be more inclined to shower if ya joined me. I’ve been fighting for probably years down there, and I could use the help reaching my back.”

Lady snorted. “Nice try, Dante.” She tried to pull away again but the half demon held onto her. She hummed and rested a gentle hand on his cheek. He tilted his face into her touch, her comforting featherlight fingers. “I’ll be right here when you get done. I’m not going anywhere. Promise.”

Dante rested his hand on top of hers; she always knew just want to say. And this time, it wasn’t in the form of yelling at him. He brushed his thumb over the top of her hand and nodded. His arms fell to his sides, but he held her hand a moment longer.  

“Okay. I’ll be quick.”

[dr-2bthin]

Living the Gluten-Free Life

Living gluten-free is not easy because gluten-rich foods and snacks are readily available in stores and supermarkets. Even your favourite restaurant makes it difficult for you to locate a dish that’s gluten-free. Yet, most people these days have started to recognise the health benefits that a gluten-free diet has to offer.

In this blog, we’re here to talk to you about living life on a diet that’s free from the clutches of gluten. Firstly, we need to define what gluten is and why it’s a problem for so many people.

What’s this Gluten all about?

Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and other gluten-containing grains. When touched in its true form, it feels stretchy and glue-like. This property makes it ideal for baking bread and other baking goods and processed foods.

So, if you’re in the mood for pizza, cookies, crackers, cakes, pies, and cereals, gluten is the secret ingredient that calls out to you. However, if these are exactly the diet you don’t want then you’ve dropped upon the right post.

While some studies suggest improved health outcomes with whole grain consumption, many people still experience adverse reactions. Therefore, it’s essential to understand when gluten becomes a problem from person to person.

When does Gluten become aproblem?

Some people are sensitive to gluten whereas some are not, and therefore, the side effects are visible only in some people.

Gluten, when consumed, can lead to serious side effects in certain individuals. This is because the body senses it as a toxin, causing one’s immune cells to consider it a threat and begin attacking it. If a person not aware about being gluten-sensitive continues to consume foods with gluten, it results in inflammation.

American wheat is hybridized to contain high amounts of gluten compared to traditional grains. We also tend to eat gluten in the form of highly processed flour vs. traditional sourdough bread. The food supply has changed at a rapid ratethan one can adjust, contributing to a rise in gluten sensitivity.

Furthermore, commercial wheat is sprayed with a toxic herbicide called glyphosate to arrest any kind of weed infestation. This may also contribute to gluten sensitivity in a person.

For those who are sensitive to gluten, experience damage to the gut lining, causes inflammation. This further triggers an overactive immune response throughout the body.

If you are sensitive to Gluten, you may experience a host of symptoms and conditions, including:

·        Autoimmune disease

·        Bloating, heartburn, and other digestive symptoms

·        Brain fog

·        Cravings and binge eating

·        Dementia

·        Diabetes

·        Headaches and migraines

·        Joint pain

·        Leaky gut or intestinal permeability

Furthermore, about one in 100 people suffer from celiac disease.This is an autoimmune disease in the small intestine triggered by the consumption of gluten. Celiac disease treatment requires strict avoidance of foods containing gluten.

How do I live gluten-free?

You may or may not be sensitive to Gluten. Whichever it may be, the trick is to identify the foods that you can eat. Why? Because gluten is present in foods that are mostly your favourite, and so finding a replacement of equal measure is not going to be easy. Taste preferences are subjective, and so not everyone is going to like what we have to offer in terms of a gluten-free life, but good health comes with a host of benefits.

List of natural foods that are free of gluten:

·        Vegetables

·        Fruit

·        Beans

·        Eggs

·        Meat and fish

·        Dairy

·        Nuts and seeds

·        Quinoa

·        Rice

·        Millet

·        Buckwheat

·        Oats

If you’re afraid, you’ll miss out on what’s present in foods that contain Gluten, not to worry. There are other foods that contain essential grains similarly present in gluten foods. So, you are covered in that area, but shifting to a diet that does not contain gluten can get overwhelming. So, it would help to know the various recipes that you can easily prepare and not feel left out. Who knows, you might just make it work for yourself.

Experimenting with gluten-free recipes will give you the opportunity to increase the number of dishes on your list.

You can try:

·        Chickpea or cassava pasta, or zucchini noodles

·        Gluten-free crackers and bread options

·        Learning to make your own gluten-free bread, if you love to cook and bake

·        Reading and checking on labels for gluten in the food items hidden in your pantry

·        Identifying high quality, gluten-free snacks to keep ready when hunger hits

Living life gluten-free isn’t as hard as one might think. You’d be surprised at the kind of recipes that are out there, one’s you’ve never tried because only gluten foods were visibly present on shelves.

 Now, try to make your diet free from gluten or reduce its intake on a daily basis. See the difference the lack of it brings to your healthy living.

Related Links for Prescription Based Weight Loss:

·         Phentermine – Doctor Prescribed Weight Loss & Diet Pills

·         Results – Before After using Phentermine

·         Phentermine 37.5 mg Reviews and It’s Pros & Cons

·         Weight Loss Program with Phentermine

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·         Common Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight On Phentermine?

·         How To Take Phentermine Properly?

Update:

We are now serving entire California, New York&Colorado

Coming Soon

Nevada, Arizona, State of Washington, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Delaware, Georgia

Blog Source:  https://www.dr2bthin.com/living-the-gluten-free-life/

[smashedbridges]

CASINO

So it catched up with me

And I’ll give away into temptation just a bit

To kiss the long missing textures.

I do it for myself,

And maybe I am selfish,

I’d rather be like this.

There is no more room for shelter

Ironically,

I am changing.

Don’t worry I’ll leave some

For you too,

My little lego construction.

THE ‘VENOM’ METAPHORA

‘I am so happy, I just don’t know how to tell you’

This is from the previous poem which did not get too far

Because now I feel like a snake

Beaten by it’s own flesh and blood

But a poisonous one.

It seems I cannot get to die or to live with it.

While it spreads around with no maps

I guess the little reptilian brain cannot handle it so well

Maybe it doesn’t even understand the injurie

Or maybe, a creature with such fine primitve instincts

Would end up in a semi-concious state of aknowledgement.

Why do you bit me if you’re not around to suck the venom out?

Aren’t I a sweetheart?

Maybe on this transe you’ll get it used to me

It will become a hybrid

Just like our selfless emtions

Hanging on to sleepless nights.

HIDE-AND-SEEK

I sat down to write

And a part of me just wasn’t there

At first I thought

This must be the famous artistic conndition

A mild handicap with depressive culminations

But that wasn’t always the case

So I assumed we’re playing a game

A sort of hide-and-seek

It’s not my favourite

But it’s sad.

(Where do birds fly?)

Where do fliee go in winter?

Where do virtues go when there’s no holidays?

Where does luck go when it has a date with irony?

Where does a part of me go,

When I give it the chance to shine through?

To grab the slots, to win it all away?

FAITHLESS

I might as well tear it all apart

All the work you plant in it

To grow and to be steady.

The trees breathing through it’s walls

The hanging doors and tight fixed windows

Might as well just mess it up

With all the ghosts which come to live there

With their babies, and moaning drama

My own ghosts, bits and demons

Have no place left to drag eternity.

If it was such a short time

They would keep taking walks around.

But eternity is forever

And ‘forever’ is contagious

As a modern mass-appeal.

I might as well let animals live in it

And heat it like their shelter

It won’t be much scandal then

Since they know their place in the trophic chain pretty well

What will I do with it?

When it’s such an ease for my soul

And such a perverted sight in other eyes

Why must you know

What I might as well do with it...?

WHEN HANDS ARE NOT ENOUGH

I am doing this because I have to

I don’t feel any better or any worse

Still feel eaten away like history by time

Rocks by water,...

But enough about that.

I’ve been through a trance

Of wonderful words and beautiful scenes

I have left myself wait for a breakthrough

Until it slowly been all sucked away

By foreign bodies.

If I were an Universe

Which essentially I am

I would be tight and ready to blow up.

Not in colorful bruised but in pure dumb darkness.

Life has a way of not being able

To give me the aesthetics of it, very, many times

It’s not like it wouldn’t feel comfortable with me

It’s just as light, it gets easily lost on the way.

Now I wouldn’t want to complain too much

I wish there were better circumstances forcing me to this.

You know, before I make any mistakes.

I wish I had more grace with this poem

There is so much sumptuous theory behind it

You just cannot help losing yourself in the essay about it.

I guess I need a writing machine intelligent enough to build it.

When hands are not enough...

Sounds sader then this poem.

So much to say, please burry me underneath these words

And say that you still love me.

A BIRD WITH NO NAME

I have a green bird between my lips

It doesn’t want to fly away anymore

Sometimes it turns blue, red and

Maybe purple

I think it wants to nest in the comfort of my words

It doesn’t seem to plan

To go to warmer countries in the winter.

It’s here when I enjoy my desserts

When I pour alchohol over,

When I taste the sweetest meat.

It stays and it probably forgot itself

Why it keeps hanging around

It would sing but nobody can hear it

It forgets it is a bird

It does not know the difference

Between it’s song and my own words.

Neither will it fly too far

But when it does

It flies so high

A bird with no name

A rainbow in the desert.

CHRISTMAS

It smells like Christmas

Like frozen if it ever had smell

Any kind of steam and candy

It smells like fresh plants

And healthy.

If ‘Pure’ had a smell it would be this one.

It smells and tastes and feels like cozy

You can bite from it like a cinamon cookie

You can hug it in your sweaters

Enjoy it in your cup of tea.

It tastes like Christmas

Like hot-wine, cinamon buns

And roasted peanuts.

Like burning candles with all sort of flavours

Chocolate, cream and cake, candy-apples

And orange scent.

It smells the green in the needles of the trees.

It’s a chemical masterpiece

That makes the artist become a scientist

And the scientist an art-lover.

Such wonderful raw organized chaos

With winter having it’s roots deep into ancestoral legends

It raises and cleanses your spirit

For another year to come

Forever maybe.

FULL MOON AND DELIGHTS

It crossed my mind to write,

About this moment in my life

Which does occur quite in sometime

A moment it seems of stillness and delight.

I like to think

To get heavy

In the shadow of my thoughts.

First time I ever wanted to smoke a cigarette

Was when I didn’t want to smoke it

In the first place.

Funny how life tries

To bring out the best in you

The best you have

The more you wait

The more you fall amazed by yor own self

It’s life speaking through you.

Celebrate life!

FANTASTIC

Not particularly fond of fairytales

Never really had the nerve, the patience for them

I picture people that made them must have rather been like this

If I’d ever write one, I’d like it to be well made and well spoken

Every fairytale is life sweating in the corner of your eye

Story is unbearably strange

Moral never comes first...

If I wanted to be one

Even if I begged for one

I could not

Because fairytales are never made like me

They only seem to be

Gorgeous mermaids with honey-sweet voices

Brides with loosen hair and red-full chicks

They all know better what ‘fantastic’ is

So then I wonder... what are they all doing here?

Am I still on the right track...?

[hamburgergod]

*posts Halloween fic in July*

the installment of orange and grapefruit verse you’ve all been waiting for! where Cas -- a human-harpy hybrid -- finds out about Halloween, midterms happen, and Dean helps Cas celebrate Halloween to his best abilities. ~3.5k

[AO3]

They’re just about done with their groceries, and Dean is making sure they got everything they need, when Cas decides to stop in front of a mechanical ghoul doll that says step here. One of those things people put on their front lawns for Halloween.

Cas reads the sign, and politely steps onto where it tells him to. The ghoul shrills ominously.

Dean stops him from almost ripping the ghoul’s head off.

“That was entirely unnecessary,” Cas says with a scowl, after Dean calms him down. Dean only doesn’t laugh because Cas is already so angry; he figures if he can see Cas’s wings right now, they’d be all puffed up. “What’s the point of that thing?”

“It’s for Halloween,” he gestures towards the HALLOWEEN section behind them. Cas stares back blankly. “Gonna go on a limb here and assume you don’t know what Halloween is.”

“I know about it. Sort of.” They move up the check-out line. “It’s when the boundaries between realms thin, and humans wear masks to blend in and prevent being killed.”

“Uh, I guess.”

“I’m not really sure where all the chocolate comes into play.”

Dean starts loading up their stuff onto the conveyor belt. Cas helps. “People don’t dress up for that purpose so much anymore, and the chocolate thing—wait,” Dean lowers his voice, “do the gaps thin during Halloween? Are there alternate realms? Is that actually a thing?”

Cas shrugs. “I don’t know,” he adds helpfully.

“Oh. Okay, then.”

They pay for their stuff, and head back to the bus stop. “So you never did Halloween before.”

“What does ‘doing Halloween’ involve, exactly?”

Dean thinks about all those times mom took him and Sam out for trick-or-treating, going to haunted houses, handing candy out on nights he didn’t feel like going out, carving pumpkins, et cetera. He tells him about the time Sam tripped over his cape when he went as king Arthur one year. “He decided to go as a street magician the year after, and dumbass did the exact same thing with his cape. Don’t think he’s worn one with a cape since.”

Their bus comes then, and they lug their groceries to their seats. “So, yeah,” Dean continues. “It’s mostly going around in costume getting chocolate from your neighbours and carving out pumpkins when you’re a kid.”

Cas thinks this over. “And when you’re not a child?”

“You can hand chocolate out, or it’s mostly going around in costume getting drunk.”

“Hmm.”

When they go to the store together the next week, Dean brings a pack of jack-o-lantern shaped sugar cookies to Cas’s attention.

“I know about these,” Cas replies.

“Yeah?” Dean pops it into their cart, and they move on from the bakery section.

“A man named Jack trapped Satan up on a tree and refused to let him down until he promised to never take his soul—”

“Not today, Satan,” Dean mutters.

“—and Jack won. So when he died and was refused by heaven for his sinful life, Satan gave him a coal burning with hellfire, and Jack carved out a turnip to keep it lit. He wanders with his lantern ever since.”

“Huh. Cool. I think I heard that somewhere. Never knew the details before, though.” Dean eyes the corn, picks one up, and stares at the sign. Hmm, five for one. He beckons Cas towards him. “Let’s get ten of these.”

After making sure Cas checks the corn before he shucks it for the taking, and after halfway through shucking his third corn, Dean puts a finger to it. “Have you been looking stuff up on Halloween?”

“Mostly just Wikipedia,” Cas admits. He puts a feeble-looking corn in the bag, and Dean internally winces. Oh well, he’ll learn one day. “It was still interesting to read about. Did you know that some think trick-or-treating originates from the practice of giving out soul cakes for children and the poor during Halloween and Christmas?”

It’s almost like he’s been waiting to be asked, since Cas goes on and on about all these things about Halloween during their entire way back home, and over dinner. They eat the jack-o-lantern shaped cookies for dessert, and Cas’s smile matches the one on the cookie he holds. He supposes it’ll technically be Cas’s first proper Halloween, so it’d be a shame if Dean’s not a cool roommate who doesn’t care about whether Cas spends his first proper Halloween in a proper Halloween way or not.

Lucky for Cas, Dean is the coolest roommate.

He manages to find the time to stop by the dollar store and scout for deco. None of the blatantly corny looking shit, but still authentic enough that Dean’s willing to put it in their house. It’s not much; just some Halloween stickers that goes on the windows, those pumpkin necklaces that light up he figures they can hang on things, spider webs and little plastic spiders, and one bigger spider doll.

Dean’s wondering if he should start on decorating or if he should wait for Cas, when Cas solves his little conundrum by coming back just then to find Dean sitting in the living room, staring at a set of stickers.

“Hey, Cas,” Dean grins up as Cas takes in the scene.

“Hello, Dean.” Cas slides his bag off. “What is this?”

“Halloween’s close, so I figured, why not?”

Dean swears that Cas beams, and they get started right away. Cas is scarily efficient at it, somehow already knowing exactly where he wants most of the stuff. The lights go on top of the TV, they try to stick the spider webs on the corners of the wall with tape and fail spectacularly so it goes anywhere they can drape them on their furniture, and the spider doll goes on the top of the fridge.

“So it can look down on its prey,” Cas explains.

“And we’re the prey?”

“We’re the prey,” Cas nods seriously.

They do argue a little over the stickers, mainly in that Cas can’t decide on where to put them on.

“Cas, anywhere on the windows is fine,” Dean says for the hundredth time.

“Dean, you don’t understand.” Cas clutches at the sheet of stickers. “This is a huge responsibility.”

The stickers—a bat, a jack-o-lantern, and a ghost—end up on the corner of their living room window by the balcony door.

“Lookin’ good,” Dean grins, and Cas smiles with him.

“Thank you, Dean.”

It’s weird; every time Dean walks into the living room, he remembers the decorations and admires it for few seconds. It’s not like there’s much of it, and it’s not really that big of a deal, but he’s never done stuff like this with his roommates last year.

Sort of weird how Dean knew for sure that his gesture wouldn’t have gone unappreciated, that they’ll always be welcomed. Cas isn’t even wholly human, but how many people in his life can he say that about?

Yeah. Sort of weird.

-

Dean’s not able to find the time to set aside to think over a proper, home-made costume this year despite Halloween fast approaching, bombarded with midterms and projects right beforehand (and isn’t that a shame, and he puts aside his real pure panic over growing up real fast). But it’s cool, since he’s going as a generic cowboy, and cowboys are always cool no matter how generic it is.

Halloween is actually on a Saturday this year, which means midterms until the Friday if profs are nice, and midterms on the following Monday if profs are dicks. Thankfully, the former is the case for everyone he knows (except himself, who has a midterm on Saturday, which is bullshit, and molecular bio is bullshit), which means everyone’s free to party on Halloween.

Dean’s counting on all of these factors when he asks Cas as casually as he can possibly manage, “Hey, so if you don’t have any plans, you wanna come to Charlie’s Halloween party Saturday night?”

It’s good that he waited until after Cas is done pouring hot water into his mug, because he’s staring at him like Dean just asked him to marry him.

“You’re okay with that?” Cas asks, and it’s Dean’s turn to blink.

“I mean, I wouldn’t have asked you if I wasn’t,” Dean jokes, but Cas is putting the kettle down with a serious frown on his face, and Dean feels a heart-to-heart talk coming. Did he do something wrong?

“Uh.” Well, Dean didn’t prepare for this. He mostly expected Cas to be over the moon about getting to do something Halloween-y again. “You can say no if you don’t want to.”

“I’m not human, Dean,” Cas says slowly, like Dean hasn’t known that for the past whole month already. “Your close friends will be there.”

“Yeah,” Dean replies, still kinda clueless about where this is going. “So?”

“So.” Cas hesitates, and shrugs. “It wouldn’t be right.”

Dean blinks rapidly, trying to process this new info, but mostly it’s making the dial-up sound while a lot of question marks fill up his brain. He gives up. “What are you talking about? Is this a harpy thing? Am I stepping boundaries here?”

“No. Well—yes. Mainly in that I’m not completely human.” Cas’s shoulders slump. “This party is important to you. Why would I…”

“Dude, Cas,” Dean says, “it’s just a small party. It’s going to be me and few buddies, and we’ll grab some pizza, watch a cheesy old movie, that sort of deal.” Cas still doesn’t look at him, which isn’t the best sign, and, well, this sort of hesitation is new. “Cas?”

“I’ve never been to a party,” Cas mumbles. “I never had the occasion, and I wouldn’t know what to do.”

“That’s fine!” Dean laughs, though he doesn’t mean to sound rude about it. Cas, however, glares. “Cas, of course you don’t know jack shit about how humans do things. I don’t know how harpies party, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try new things.”

“I don’t really know how harpies party either,” Cas helpfully points out. “Except maybe the occasional family gatherings.”

“Cas. Buddy. Pal.” Dean pats him on the shoulder. “That is exactly why you gotta come! C’mon, what d’you say, huh?”

Cas stares at him, and he huffs at his face (rude). The corner of his lips quirk up slightly. “Alright.”

Dean grins. “Yeah?”

“Yes,” Cas replies. “But I don’t have a costume, and I don’t think we have time to find something for me.”

“You can borrow mine,” he says quickly. “I was going to use one of Charlie’s, anyway.” Dean glances at the clock. It’s eight at night, and they still got few hours before some of the costume stores and thrift stores around town to close. Dean does have a midterm tomorrow and he’d be in a bit of a tight spot, but he might just have enough time management skills in him yet to work with whatever time he has left after costume shopping. “Unless you want to try to find something for yourself…?”

“No, that’s fine. We both have a midterm tomorrow, so I’d rather not.” Cas smiles. “You were going as the cowman, right?”

“Cowboy,” Dean corrects, and thumps him on the shoulder few times. “Dude, I’m stoked! I can’t wait ‘til you meet everyone.”

“Me too.” Cas beams, standing there with his cup of coffee in hand, his hair still ruffled from unconsciously running his hands through it while he looked over his notes. Dean wants to reach over and flick at the strands that are standing up. “Thank you, Dean.”

“Don’t mention it,” Dean nudges. “Study hard, so we can party hard, alright?”

Cas nods, and Dean watches him retreat back into his room. He makes himself a cup of hot chocolate with a little bit of the instant coffee mix they have, and sit back down in front of his desk himself.

Maybe now he’ll be able to focus on studying.

-

Dean’s midterms come and go, and he finds out just how much he hates molecular bio all over again, but he’s quick to put that behind him now that he’s free for the weekend.

He has a slight bounce to his steps on his way back, no worries for tomorrow and nothing to do tonight except to hang out with good company and chill. Needless to say that he’s wholly unprepared for the sight that greets him when he steps into his apartment.

“Oh, Dean,” Cas turns around casually. His wings are poking out from underneath the dark brown trench coat, relaxed as Cas stretches his arms to the side. “What do you think?”

What does he think. What does Dean Winchester, trademark Bisexual, think of Cas in jeans with a decorative belt buckle and a (toy) gun strapped to the side, a black vest accessorized with a fake pocket watch, with a red scarf tied around his neck and a dark brown cowboy hat sitting just above his dark brows.

“You look good,” he manages. Should’ve just put Cas in a potato sack instead of, whatever, is what he wants to say. “Dude, damn. I’m impressed.” Maybe too far. “Glad that you’re fit. It. It fits you. Glad that it fits you.”

Cas smiles, which is just about the hardest thing for Dean to endure right now. “I won’t have these out, of course,” he says, his wings fluttering a little. “But this is nice.”

Dean laughs. This was a mistake. “The trench coat is a look I never thought would be for you, but hey, maybe next year, you should be Constantine,” he says, and regrets it immediately. He, Dean Winchester, trademark Bisexual, does not have the strength to see Cas in a Constantine outfit.

Cas cocks his head to the side at the mention of someone he’s never heard of before, and Dean leaves him to looking up who Constantine is while he himself gets ready for the party. He’s excited to find that the knight costume is slightly tighter around his shoulders compared to when they ran the Moondoor campaign over the summer. When he steps out of his room, Cas grins.

“Ready for a taste of Halloween?” Dean smiles, and Cas nods. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”

-

Cas meets Charlie, who’s dressed as a Ravenclaw (“Ravenclaw? You are not a Ravenclaw.” “Don’t judge a girl by her house, Dean.”) and has had a lot to say to Dean in private on his choice of costume for Cas (“I just lent him mine, Charlie. Nothing else to it.” “It’d be more convincing if it came from someone who didn’t have the biggest cowboy fetish I’ve ever met.”).

Cas also meets the rest of the nerd club (Jo as a kraken, Ash as goblin king, Victor as Captain America, Jesse as Falcon, and Cesar as Hawkeye), who collectively decide to take turns to bring up one embarrassing thing Dean did during LARPing per person, those sick fuckers. Dean hates that every time there’s someone willing to listen in their nearest vicinity they bring up that one time he fell face-first straight into a puddle, but Cas, surrounded by his friends, steals a glance at Dean and smiles, and the story becomes a hundred times more embarrassing, but, well, it’s alright.

Jesse lets Cas poke at his wings and lift it here and there, letting him inspect it with a smile, and he listens as Cesar explains about the Marvel universe. Cas also listens to Jesse bicker with Victor about how they’re both technically Sam Wilson and how they should’ve discussed this beforehand. Dean can tell that Cas doesn’t understand, and that he’ll have a million questions after this party.  

They play a game of Catan where they don’t miraculously kill each other after, probably because Cas wins. Everybody else calls it a beginner’s luck, but Dean knows better. So doe Charlie apparently, because she tries to scout him into playing for the next time they start a new DnD campaign.

“That sounds fun,” Cas says, glancing at Dean. “Will you be there?”

Dean ignores everyone else’s knowing looks and nods at Cas, because they’re dumb and they don’t know that Cas isn’t some socially inept roommate who’s overly attached to Dean but an actually different species altogether, and that he’s still somewhat hesitant when it comes to joining the rest of humanity, so he needs at least one human he knows to be there for emotional support. Understandably.

After, they all cram into Charlie’s two couches with a box of pizza and a bowl of chocolate bars in front of them, and argue on whether to watch The Haunting or The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Dean wins with the latter by using the Cas-has-never-watched-it-and-it’s-a-classic-Halloween-movie-so-it’d-be-a-tragedy-if-he-didn’t card.

“It’s more fun at a showing with more people,” Dean says as Charlie hands out the bells, “but these kids are all nerds so you’re probably okay.”

Dean gets a shower of popcorn for that, which is totally unfair, because they all prove his points by throwing rice like confetti and yelling at the top of their lungs on their cues. Cas is bewildered, but he shakes his bell and does the Time Dance even though he has no idea what the hell he’s doing or why, and he laughs while they hop around in Charlie’s living room, and throwing toast and toilet paper in the air. Ash knocks over the pizza box, and he’s banned from standing on the table after that.

After that’s the clean-up, and then back home. Charlie seriously invites Cas to come to their nerd club the next time he’s around, and he thanks her for the invite. Dean watches the exchange as Charlie hugs Cas, and he tears up a little, but that’s really dumb so he’s going to pretend it didn’t happen.

“So,” Dean prompts on their way back, both of them stuffed full of pizza and popcorn and chocolate, “how was it? Your first human party?”

Cas forgot his cowboy hat back at Charlie’s place, and he’s loosened the red scarf around his neck a long time ago. He has it tied onto his belt where he rests one of his hand as they walk back. “It was… enjoyable,” he replies with a nod.

“Ah, don’t be like that. You had so much fun.”

Cas grins. “I did. They all care greatly about you.”

“What?” Dean laughs. “What’s that got to do with this?”

“They tried to make me feel welcome, for you.”

“I guess. They wouldn’t have done that if you were a dick, though.”

Cas laughs, ducking his head a little as the sound echoing low into the night sky. “I guess.”

“Wait, hold on.” There’s a grain of rice stuck on Cas’s hair. “You’ve got a—”

They stop in the middle of the street, and Dean holds his shoulder steadily while he aims for the white grain. Cas’s eyes go together as he looks up at Dean’s hand on his head, and Dean makes the mistake of looking down at Cas while he’s holding him by his shoulder.

There weren’t any alcohol at Charlie’s, but Dean feels like he’s drunk on something, the way his entire body feels light and somehow removed from the rest of the world. It’s a physical feeling, too, a tingle in his chest as he’s suddenly too aware of how empty the rest of the street is, and how easy it would be to just lean over right now and give Cas a kiss.

It’s a fleeting thought, and then it’s gone, as if it hadn’t existed at all. His heart beats steadily as Dean gets out the rest of the grains of rice that was hiding in Cas’s hair. “Did they all pelt their rice at you or something? Why d’you have so much in here?”

Cas chuckles quietly, vibrating with joy as rice falls out of his hair. It’s a sight, alright, and damn does it feel good to make someone happy like this.

“So what was this Marvel Cesar was talking about?” Cas asks.

“Marvel, pff. Wait ‘til you hear about Batman and the rest of DC, dude…”

They walk the rest of the way back, mostly with Dean filling Cas in on everything he knows about Marvel and DC. It’s almost two by the time they’re home, and Halloween is officially over as they retire to their rooms. Dean is changing into his pajamas trying not to think too much about how he did on his midterms when there’s a knock on the door.

Cas pokes out from behind the door, changed out of the costume he’s now holding in his hands. “I just wanted to return this, and thank you for inviting me along,” he says. “So, thank you.”

“Hey, no problem. I had fun.” Dean gives him a good tap on the shoulder. “Besides, that’s what friends are for, right?”

Cas smiles with a nod. “Good night, Dean.”

“Night, Cas.”

Dean stares at the door as it clicks shut. He’s gotten few texts in the group chat on how he should bring Cas for the next club event. He rolls over in his bed.

A good Halloween overall.

[carsusan0-blog]

Summer Fruit Pie

This luscious summer fruit pie is packed with plums, peaches, cherries and topped with a crunchy spicy crumb topping that tastes like glorious summertime. (Jump directly to the recipe.)

September is officially here, Labor Day has arrived, and I can’t wear white pants anymore. Not that I really wore white pants that often (I’m gay but not THAT gay) but I always like to keep my fashion options open. I’ve been home for nearly a month from my cross-country road trip but you probably would never know that from my Instagram Stories. I think I’m still in Mid-July with my daily uploads on IG Stories, slowly working my way up from D.C. to Maine then eventually back home. At this rate, I’ll be back in San Francisco sometime for Christmas. But despite the proliferation of pumpkin popping up EVERYWHERE on my social feed (thank you everyone for at least waiting until September, because I just can’t with pumpkin in August), technically summer isn’t over yet. According to Google summer doesn’t end until September 22! So I’m holding onto the season with this Summer Fruit Pie.

Recently I taught a class at the San Francisco Cooking School on Summer pies. Normally the class is done a little earlier in the season. But I wasn’t available earlier (are you tired of hearing me talk about my road trip? Sorry/Not Sorry about that) so we pushed the class to the end of August. And though there was a nectarine raspberry pie that I taught in the class, when I went to make a demo example pie ahead of time (which I like to do for all my classes) I realized that I had limited nectarines in my house but plenty of other summer stone fruit like plums, peaches, pluots (a plum/apricot hybrid) and late season cherries. So the summer fruit pie was born.

Despite how much everyone loves the way woven crusts and Instagram worthy double crust pies look, one of my absolutely favorite toppings for pie (and really for any baked good) is a crumb topping. I shower crumbs on everything, from to coffee cake and muffins to my babka in my cookbook Marbled, Swirled, and Layered to even cookies. Bakery streusel crumbs, with their slightly crunch and subtle spice may not look as sexy as the highly decorated cut out crust that garner 1000s of likes but the taste just makes me happy.

So I’m going to have a big slice of this pie for breakfast now and enjoy the last weeks of summer. As everyone else dives into their pumpkin spice lattes, I’m going to grab one more bag of pluots and peaches at the store. Fall may have started for everyone else, but summer is still here for me.

This summer stone fruit pie can be made with a combination of any sort of summer stone fruit like nectarines, peaches, plums, pluots, apricots or cherries. Just adjust the amount of tapioca starch to accommodate the juiciness of the fruit. If the fruit is more ripe or you notice more juice at the bottom of the mixing bowl with fruit, add more tapioca. If less juicy, use less starch. If you choose peaches, you will want to peel them but if you use any other fruit (including nectarines) no need to peel at all! I prefer using tapioca starch (sometimes called tapioca flour) for the filling of a pie. It is a more neutral flavor starch and can be found at most upscale grocery stores or online. But if you don’t have access to it or don’t want to buy yet another ingredient, you can substitute out the same amount of cornstarch. You might need to bake the pie a little longer, as cornstarch needs higher heat to set than tapioca starch.

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

Pie Dough

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 245 g

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter 140 g or 1 1/4 sticks

6 to 8 tablespoons ice cold water

Filling

8 cups sliced summer stone fruit like nectarines, plums, cherries (see headnote above)

3/4 cup granulated sugar 150 g

6 to 8 tablespoons tapioca starch see headnote above

Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Streusel

1 cup all-purpose flour 140 g

1/2 cup granulated sugar 100 g

1/4 cup Turbinado sugar 60 g

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the crust by placing the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Stir with a whisk. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch chunks. Sprinkle over the dry ingredients and toss to coat. Using your fingers, press and smash the cubes into small bits, about the size of peas (but flat, not round). 

Sprinkle 6 tablespoons of water into the bowl and stir with a fork until it starts to get shaggy. Sprinkle more water, a tablespoon at a time, if the dough looks too dry. Once the dough starts to look shaggy, start to toss and massage it with the palms of your hand to incorporate the dry ingredients. Pat into a 1-inch thick disk. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Take the chilled dough out of the fridge place on a clean surface dusted with flour. If the dough feels too cold and firm, let it stand at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to warm up. Starting from the center, roll the dough toward the edge of the disk in all directions to form a round pie crust. Try not to roll back and forth but rather center out, rotating the dough in the beginning to keep it from sticking to the surface. You can add more flour to the top and bottom of the dough/work surface if necessary.

Roll the dough out to about 12 inches in diameter for a standard 9-inch pie or tart pan. Fold the dough into quarters and move the dough to the pie pan and unfold. Or loosely roll the dough over the rolling pin and unroll over the pie pan. Try not to stretch the dough as you do this. Trim the excess dough around the pan so you have about 1-inch of overhang then fold the dough into the pan edge and decoratively crimp the edges.

Place sliced and pitted summer stone fruit, sugar, 6 tablespoons tapioca starch, lemon juice and zest lemon and cinnamon in a large bowl. Gently mix the filling ingredients together, then pour into the pie crust. Add additional tapioca starch if necessary. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any overflowing juices.

Bake for 30 minutes. While the pie is baking making the streusel by placing all the dry ingredients, flour, both sugars, spices, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir with a balloon whisk until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and uniform in color. Mix together the melted butter with the vanilla and then drizzle over the dry ingredients, tossing with a fork until they clump together and get crumbly. Cover and refrigerate until use.

Once the 30 minutes is up, remove the pie from the oven and sprinkle the crumb topping over the filling, breaking up any really big large chunks (but make sure there are still some nice size chunks in there). Turn the oven down to 375°F and continue to bake until the fruit juices are thickened and bubbling through the crumb topping, 35–45 minutes longer. If the crumb topping looks like it is browning too much, cover it with foil to keep it from browning as the pie filling cooks. Let the pie cool completely before slicing, about 4 hours.

Source: https://www.eatthelove.com/summer-fruit-pie/